JP2003333510A - Mobile electronic equipment and video information generating method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide mobile electronic equipment for generating video information resulting from superimposing information with respect to the district denoting to which district a viewed scenery or a photographed place belongs on the input video image. <P>SOLUTION: A district information acquisition section 101 acquires district information being information with respect to a district and a video information generating section 102 generates composite video information 105 being video information resulting from superimposing the district information 103 acquired by the district information acquisition section 101 on the input video image 104. The mobile electronic equipment 100 can display the generated composite video information 105 on a screen and records the generated composite video information 105 on a magnetic tape or a memory medium for example. When the district information includes e.g. the name of a district, because the district information includes the name of a seen district or a recorded district, a user can recognize to which district the viewed scenery or the photographed place belongs. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a portable electronic device that acquires local information and generates video information by superimposing the information on an area.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is a device such as a telescope or binoculars that acquires a scene and provides it to a user by enlarging it. In addition, there are devices for recording a landscape, such as a camera using a so-called silver salt film (hereinafter, referred to as a silver salt camera), a digital camera, an 8 mm projector, and a video recorder.

[0003]

A telescope, binoculars or the like can see the scenery in detail, but there is a problem that it is very difficult to know which region the scenery is. For this reason, in tourist resorts and other places, a photograph or map showing which area the view can be seen is often posted near the telescope. It was very troublesome to compare maps.

Further, in some silver halide cameras, digital cameras, 8 mm projectors, video recorders, etc., the date and time of shooting are recorded together with the scenery. Where did the shooting take place, or where did the shooting take place? Will not be recorded. For this reason, in order to add a shooting location, the shooting location must be recorded on paper or the like together with the date and time, and the video must be edited later using an editing device.

In addition, when visiting a sightseeing spot, a guidebook explaining the place is often carried, but in order to see the guidebook, it is necessary to always be aware of the present place.

[0006] In addition, when the user has visited the same place before, there are times when he / she wants to know what happened to the place and compare the past state with the present state. The only way to go back home and look at the photos is to go back.

[0007]

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention firstly provides a portable electronic device which acquires local information and generates video information by superimposing it on an input video. . As a result, the area in which the view is visible and the place where the picture is taken are recorded, and the problem is solved.

The area information may be obtained from an area information storage section that stores area information or from an area information reception section that receives area information. Further, as a mode of superimposing the regional information on the input video, there is a mode of superimposing it on the whole or a part of the input video.
There is also a method of making the input image invisible behind the overlapped area information, or a method of making the area information semitransparent so that the input image can be seen behind.

The present invention also provides a portable electronic device which acquires current position information indicating its own position, acquires regional information based on the current position information, and generates image information superimposed on an input image. provide. As a result, regional information corresponding to the current position is acquired and superimposed on the input video, and the problem is solved.

The area information may be displayed in a format selectable by a pointer on the display screen. Also,
The area information may include map information of the area. Also, characteristic information may be extracted from the regional information and superimposed on the input video. Further, the movement history information may be stored by storing the current position information in association with time. The accumulation of the movement history information may be performed in association with the regional information and the input video. In this case, it detects that the previously visited place has been revisited, and superimposes on the current input video the information about the local information and the input video at the time of the previous visit. May be. As a result, it becomes possible to compare the past state and the present state, and the problem is solved.

[0011]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and may be implemented in various modes without departing from the scope of the invention.

(Embodiment 1) In Embodiment 1 of the present invention, a portable electronic device acquires regional information and generates image information by superimposing it on an input image.

(First Embodiment: Configuration) FIG. 1 illustrates a functional block diagram of a portable electronic device according to the present embodiment. In the present embodiment, the portable electronic device 100 is
An area information acquisition unit 101 and a video generation unit 102 are provided.

(Embodiment 1: Area information acquisition section) The "area information acquisition section" 101 acquires area information. The "regional information" is regional information. A “region” is a region having a certain size, and examples thereof include administrative divisions such as prefectures and municipalities. Further, there are places constructed for a specific purpose, for example, parks, amusement parks, sports facilities such as baseball fields, department stores, and complex facilities. It may also be an industrial area such as a complex.

(Embodiment 1: Definition and example of area information) Area information is information about such an area. For example, there are local weather, local altitude, local name, local map, local historical site location and description. Furthermore, rest areas in the area, accommodations in the area, restaurants in the area, coffee shops in the area, public toilets in the area, public offices in the area, train stations and bus stations in the area, airports,
Information about local bank branches and branch offices, local cashier locations, local convenience stores and specialty stores, local gas stations, local museums and theaters (eg location and Available times, timetables for stations and bus stops, and flight numbers and departure and arrival times for airports). In addition, in the amusement park, there are information (name, available time, fee, age limit, etc.) about the amusement park rides and attractions. In the baseball field, there are charges, the location of the entrance ticket office, the location of the store, the location of the entrance and exit, the information about the opponent team, and the like. In department stores and complex facilities,
The type and price of the goods to be sold, the place where the goods are sold,
You can list what the time service has, the types of services available and the fees. In an industrial area,
Information on the location of dangerous goods, the location of fire hydrants, etc.

The regional information consists of one item,
It may consist of multiple items. For example, when an area has an airport and an art museum, the area information may be provided by combining the information about the airport and the information about the museum.

(Embodiment 1: Example in which area information is stored) FIG. 20 shows an example in which area information is stored.
In this example, it is assumed that the area information is stored as digital information. The table 2001 is a table storing the area information of ◯ Δ city xx 1-chome. In the row named "Region Name", ◯ △ City XX 1-chome is stored as a character string, and it is shown that this character string is the administrative division name. "map"
In the line with the name, the file name of the image data for displaying the map is ○ △ City XX 1-chome. jpg is stored and mapdata 284729. d
at is stored. The “map information” is, for example, information indicating the relationship between the image data of the map and the longitude / latitude, the scale, and the like. In the "Sights and Historic Sites" and "Museum" lines,
The names of famous places, historic sites, and museums and their longitude and latitude are stored. As a result, it is possible to show the locations of famous places, historic sites, and museums in the image data of the map.

A table 2002 is a table storing regional information about the ◯ Δ old battlefields among the famous places and historic sites. In the column of “photo”, the file name of the image data of the photo of the old battlefield is stored. The "Traffic" column stores how to get to the "O Old Battlefield", and the "Explanation" column stores the file name that holds the sentence explaining the "O Old Battlefield".

The portable electronic device of the present invention retrieves, for example, "○ △ City XX 1-chome" in the row of the area name stored in the table 2001 from the area information stored as shown in FIG. The synthetic image information is generated by superimposing the character on the input image. Also, the image data of the map is taken out and superimposed on the input video. The regional information is
In addition to being stored in the table as shown in FIG. 20, for example, X
It may be expressed and stored using a structured language such as ML.

(Embodiment 1: Method for acquiring regional information)
As a method for the area information acquisition unit 101 to acquire the area information, a portable electronic device 100 that records the area information is used.
It may also be acquired by mounting it on the. For example, attach a glass plate or film-shaped slide on which area information is recorded, or attach a memory medium or tape medium on which area information is recorded by digital signals as described above, and read it. To do. When a plurality of area information is recorded, for example, the portable electronic device 10
The owner of 0 inputs the current position and acquires regional information close to the current position, or detects the orientation of the portable electronic device by detecting the geomagnetism and obtains regional information of the area in that direction. You may get it.

(First Embodiment: Video Generation Unit) The "video generation unit" 102 generates composite video information 105. The “composite video information” 105 is video information in which the regional information 103 acquired by the regional information acquisition unit 101 is superimposed on the input video 104.

(First Embodiment: Definition of Input Video) “Input video” 104 is an image input to a portable electronic device. For example, if the portable electronic device is a telescope, binoculars, a silver halide camera, a digital camera, an 8 mm projector, or a video recorder, it is an image input to the objective lens. Further, the input image may be an electric signal obtained by exposing the image to a light receiving element (there may be an analog signal or a digital signal. In particular, these two cases are collectively referred to as “input image”. Signal of).

(Embodiment 1: Input image in a device capable of reproducing) Further, in a device capable of reproducing a recorded image such as a digital camera or a video recorder, a screen is displayed by performing reproduction. An image input to the unit that performs the operation will be referred to as an input image. Therefore, in the case of a device capable of reproducing the recorded video, generating video information in which the reproduced video is overlapped with the regional information is also included in the case of "superimposing the regional information on the input video". Further, the reproduced video may include a still image.

If the composite video information becomes difficult to see when the area information is overlaid on the input video, the input video is not input and only the area information is included in the composite video information. It is included in the case where “information is superimposed on the input image”.

(First Embodiment: Method of Generating Synthetic Video Information)
In order to generate the composite image information, for example, a half mirror is installed at an angle of 45 ° on the path where the image is input, and the surface on which the regional information is displayed forms an angle of 45 ° with the half mirror. There is a method of installing and synthesizing. Moreover, the signal of the input image is acquired by a light receiving element such as CCD,
Regional information may be combined by performing analog data processing. Alternatively, the signal of the input video may be acquired as a digital signal and combined with the regional information by digital processing. Further, the input image represented by an analog signal may be digitally converted and the digital signal obtained by superimposing the area information may be converted into an analog signal to generate combined image information. There is also a reverse pattern in which an input image represented by a digital signal is converted to an analog signal by converting the input image into an analog signal by superimposing area information on the input signal to generate a combined image information.

In the case of a telescope or binoculars, the composite video information 105 is sent to the eye lens and recognized by the eye. Further, in the case of a silver halide camera or an 8 mm projector, the image is displayed on the viewfinder. In the case of a device such as a digital camera or a video recorder that has a viewfinder and a liquid crystal screen and a video recording function, the composite video information 105 is displayed on the viewfinder and the liquid crystal screen, and if necessary, the memory Recording is performed on a card, a magnetic tape, an optical disk such as a DVD, or the like.

(First Embodiment: Operation) FIG. 2 exemplifies a flowchart for explaining the operation of the portable electronic device of the present embodiment.

In step S201, the area information acquisition unit 101 acquires the area information.

In step S202, the video generation unit 102 generates a composite video. In step S202, it is assumed that an image for generating an input image is also input.

Incidentally, step S201 and step S20
2 is, for example, while the instruction button by the user is being pressed.
It may be repeatedly executed if necessary.

(Embodiment 1: Effect) According to the portable electronic device according to the present embodiment, since synthetic video information is generated by superimposing the regional information on the input video, the regional information can be viewed without a guidebook or the like. It becomes possible. In addition, since the combined image information is generated by overlapping the regional information, it is possible to know where the image was taken when recording and reproducing the combined image information.

(Embodiment 2) Embodiment 2 of the present invention is an embodiment in which the area information acquisition unit 101 in Embodiment 1 acquires the accumulated area information. Thereby, for example, the number of times of exchanging the memory medium in which the regional information is recorded can be eliminated or reduced. In addition, it is possible to selectively and easily attach / detach the information of a desired purpose as necessary.

(Second Embodiment: Configuration) FIG. 3 illustrates a functional block diagram of a portable electronic device according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 3, in the portable electronic device of the present embodiment, the portable electronic device of the first embodiment includes a regional information storage unit 301.

(Second Embodiment: Regional Information Storage Unit) The "regional information storage unit" 301 is for storing regional information. For example, the regional information is previously stored in the regional information storage unit 3
01, or area information input from outside the portable electronic device 100 is stored in the area information storage unit 301. As a storage method, for example, storage as digital information in a memory element, storage as analog information in a tape or digital information may be performed. Further, the regional information storage unit 301 may be configured such that the regional information is stored in a read-only manner or in a changeable state. Further, the storage of the regional information is not limited to the memory element, and may be performed by a hard disk, a compact disk, a DVD, a magneto-optical disk, a magnetic tape, or the like.

(Second Embodiment: Area Information Acquisition Unit) In the present embodiment, the area information acquisition unit 101 acquires the area information from the area information storage unit 301. When a plurality of area information is stored in the area information storage unit 301, the plurality of area information are sequentially acquired, or
As described in the first embodiment, the holder of the portable electronic device 100 inputs the current position and selects and acquires the regional information of the position or the regional information of the region near the position, or Alternatively, the orientation of the portable electronic device may be detected by detecting the geomagnetism, and the orientation may be selected and acquired based on the orientation.

(Embodiment 2: Effect) According to the portable electronic device of this embodiment, the regional information is stored in the regional information storage unit 301.
Since it is stored in the portable electronic device, it becomes unnecessary to exchange the one in which the regional information is recorded, or the necessity thereof is reduced, and the convenience of the portable electronic device is enhanced.

(Embodiment 3) In Embodiment 3 of the present invention, the portable electronic device of Embodiment 1 receives area information by means such as radio, and the area information acquisition unit acquires the received area information. To do.

(Third Embodiment: Configuration) FIG. 4 illustrates a functional block diagram of a portable electronic device according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 4, in the portable electronic device according to the present embodiment, the portable electronic device according to the first embodiment includes a regional information receiving unit 401.

(Third Embodiment: Area Information Receiving Section) The "area information receiving section" 401 receives area information. As a method of receiving the area information, there are a wired method and a wireless method. In the case of a wired method, for example, there is a method of acquiring regional information via a telephone line. If you dial a specific phone number, you may be able to receive the area information associated with that phone number, or you can dial the phone number and then enter the area number to enter that area. Area information of may be received.

In the case of the wireless method, for example, the radio wave from the base station may be received and the area may be designated to receive the information of the designated area.
Further, regional information of the surrounding region may be transmitted from the base station or from another information processing device via the base station.

(Third Embodiment: Area Information Acquisition Unit) In this embodiment, the area information acquisition unit 101 acquires the area information from the area information reception unit 401.

In this embodiment, the area information received by the area information receiving unit 401 may be stored. In this case, when a plurality of area information is accumulated, the plurality of area information are sequentially acquired.
Area information acquisition unit 101 acquired or selected by 01
May be acquired by.

(Embodiment 3: Effect) According to the portable electronic device of this embodiment, since the regional information is received by the regional information receiving section 401, it is easy to take the regional information into the portable electronic device. It Also, when regional information is received wirelessly, from the base station,
Alternatively, if the area information around the base station is acquired from another information processing apparatus via the base station, it is not necessary to specify the area.

(Fourth Embodiment) In the fourth embodiment of the present invention, in the first to third embodiments, the image generation unit generates the image information for displaying the regional information by superimposing it on a part of the input image.

(Embodiment 4: Mode of overlapping regional information)
The “part of the input image” may mean not only the true part of the input image but the entire part. For example, as shown in FIG. 21A, a case is also included in which regional information is overlaid on the entire input image in the same size as the input image. If the input image is not the whole, for example, the input image is divided into four parts vertically and horizontally,
The regional information is overlaid and displayed on one of them (for example, the lower right). It is not particularly limited to four divisions, and may be six divisions, eight divisions, or the like.

When the regional information is overlaid, not only the regional information is overlaid in the area of the input video, but also FIG.
As described above, the input image 2102 and the area information 2103 may be overlapped so that there is a portion where they overlap.

Further, as shown in FIG. 21C, an image 2104 obtained by enlarging a portion 2103 of the input image 2102 may be generated and the region information 2105 may be superimposed on the enlarged image 2104.

When the regional information is overlaid on the input image, the size of the overlaid regional information may be selected or the location of the overlay may be moved.

For example, by pressing a certain button, the regional information is overlaid on a large area, and by pressing another button, the regional information is overlaid by a small area. When overlaying regional information using a half mirror,
This can be achieved by placing a lens between the half mirror and the surface on which the regional information is displayed and moving the lens. Further, when the signal of the input image is acquired by the light receiving element and the regional information is synthesized, it can be realized by changing the size of the regional information synthesis.

In addition, in order to move the overlapping place, a button for moving the area information in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction is provided,
This can be achieved by mechanically moving the surface on which the regional information is displayed or moving the composition location, depending on how the buttons are pressed.

(Embodiment 4: Effect) In the present embodiment, it is possible to display an input video while displaying regional information.

(Fifth Embodiment) In the fifth embodiment of the present invention, in the first to third embodiments, the image generation unit generates the image information for displaying the regional information in a semi-transparent manner on the input image.

The term "semitransparently overlapped" means that the area where the regional information is displayed is transparent so that the input image can be seen behind.

For example, when the area information is superimposed on the input image using a half mirror, the area information is translucently superimposed to generate image information for displaying the area information. Also, when the signal of the input video is acquired by the light receiving element and the area information is combined, the area information is displayed by performing additional image processing such as taking the sum of the signal of the input image and the area information signal. It is possible to synthesize so that the input image can be seen behind the transparent part.

Further, it is possible to change the brightness or intensity of the regional information, or to adjust the transparency at which the portion where the regional information is displayed can be seen through. Good.

In this embodiment, the regional information is
It does not need to be overlaid on the entire input image, but may be overlaid on a part as in the fourth embodiment. In addition, the size of a part thereof may be changed or the place may be moved.

(Embodiment 5: Effect) According to the portable electronic device of the present embodiment, since the input image can be seen behind the portion where the region information is displayed, the region information is completely input. It is possible to prevent the image from disappearing.

(Sixth Embodiment) In the sixth embodiment of the present invention, a portable electronic device acquires information indicating its own position, acquires regional information according to the acquired information, and inputs the regional information. Generates video information superimposed on the video.

(Sixth Embodiment: Configuration) FIG. 5 illustrates a functional block diagram of a portable electronic device according to the present embodiment.

Portable electronic device 500 includes position information acquisition unit 501, area information acquisition unit 502, and video generation unit 503.
And

(Sixth Embodiment: Position Information Acquisition Unit) The “position information acquisition unit” 501 acquires current position information. The “current position information” is information indicating the position of itself. The “self” is the portable electronic device 500.

For example, the current position information is obtained from the position information input by the holder of the portable electronic device 500, or the lighthouse is specified based on the color of light from the lighthouse or the intensity pattern, and the current position is determined from the azimuth of the lighthouse. Information may be acquired. In addition, I embedded in the floor or wall of the facility
There is a method of acquiring the current position information by the number of the ID tag included in the radio wave emitted by the D tag, or acquiring the current position information by the information from the base station included in the radio wave of the mobile phone or PHS base station. is there. Moreover, you may make it acquire the electric wave from the satellite of a global positioning system (GPS), and may acquire present position information.

I contained in the radio wave emitted from the ID tag
When acquiring the D tag number, acquiring information from the base station, or acquiring radio waves from GPS satellites, the portable electronic device 500 calculates from the acquired information and presently The position information may be acquired. Further, the information obtained from the radio wave once acquired may be transmitted to another device, the current position information may be obtained by the device, and the obtained current position information may be acquired by the position information acquisition unit 501.

(Sixth Embodiment: Area Information Acquisition Section) The “area information acquisition section” 502 acquires area information based on the current position information acquired by the position information acquisition section 501. The “regional information” is regional information and has the same definition as in the first embodiment. “Acquiring area information based on current position information” means that the acquired area information has a relationship with the current position information. For example, the information on the area including the own position indicated by the current position information is acquired, or the information on the area in the heading direction is acquired in consideration of the moving direction.

(Sixth Embodiment: Image Generation Unit) The “image generation unit” 503 generates combined image information 506 which is image information in which the area information 504 acquired by the area information acquisition unit 502 is superimposed on the input image 505. That is, the same definition and description as those of the video generation unit 102 in the first embodiment can be applied.

(Sixth Embodiment: Operation) The operation of the portable electronic device according to the present embodiment is almost the same as that of the portable electronic device according to the first embodiment, and the description of the flowchart of FIG. However, in step S201, when the area information is acquired, the position information acquisition unit 501 acquires the current position information. Further, the area information acquisition unit 502 acquires the area information based on the acquired current position information.

In the present embodiment, it is detected that the current position information different from the current position information that causes the region information acquisition unit 502 to acquire the region information is acquired by the position information acquisition unit 501, and When such a thing is detected, the operation of the flowchart of FIG. 2 may be executed.

(Embodiment 6: Effect) According to the portable electronic device of the present embodiment, since the area information is acquired based on the acquisition of the current position information, it is possible to acquire the area information according to the movement. . Also, since the current position information is acquired, the region information is acquired based on the current position information, and the image information superimposed on the input image is generated, it is not necessary to separately record where the image was taken.

(Embodiment 7) In Embodiment 7 of the present invention, which is a portable electronic device of Embodiment 6, the video generation unit displays the area information in a format selectable by a pointer in the display screen. Provided is a portable electronic device, which is characterized by generating video information.

The "display screen" is a screen for displaying the composite video information, and is, for example, a liquid crystal screen of a digital camera or a video recorder.

The "pointer" is an input means for selecting an item and moving the selected item.
FIG. 7 shows an example of the pointer. In FIG. 7, the pointer is made up of five buttons, and pressing a button 701 selects an item. Also, buttons 702, 7
The items selected by pressing 03, 704, and 705 move up, left, down, and right, respectively. In the present embodiment, such a button is displayed on the display screen. In this case, the display screen may be a touch panel so that it can be detected that a part of the display screen has been pressed. Alternatively, such a button may be attached to the portable electronic device as a mechanical button.

A mouse pointer is another example of the pointer. In addition, the so-called PDA (Perso
The item may be directly selected by an input method using a stylus pen used in the Nal Digital Assistance).

FIG. 6 shows an example in which area information is displayed in a selectable format. "Famous place / historic site", "Restaurant",
Items such as "station / bus stop" and "accommodation facility" are displayed. For example, the item "restaurant" is displayed in black and white. This black-and-white inversion indicates that the currently selected item is “restaurant”. When the pointer selection button is pressed, for example, information on restaurants in the area is displayed.

(Seventh Embodiment: Example of Configuration) FIG. 8 exemplifies a functional block diagram of a portable electronic device in the present embodiment. For example, the portable electronic device has a display screen 80.
1 and a pointer input unit 802 are further provided.

The "display screen" 801 is a screen for displaying the composite video information. An example is a liquid crystal screen that is a touch panel as described above.

The "pointer input section" 802 detects that a button displayed on the display screen has been pressed, that an item has been selected, or that the selected item has moved. The detected result is sent to the image generation unit 503, and detailed image information of the selected item is superimposed on the input image to generate combined image information, or the moved state of the selected item is superimposed on the input image. Synthetic video information may be generated.

(Embodiment 7: Effect) According to this embodiment, it becomes possible for the user of the portable electronic device to select and display the desired regional information.

(Embodiment 8) In Embodiment 8 of the present invention, the portable electronic device of Embodiment 6 further comprises a feature information extraction unit.

The "feature information extraction unit" is the area information acquisition unit 5
Characteristic information is extracted from the regional information 504 acquired in 02, and the extracted information is used as regional information in the video generation unit 50.
Pass to 3.

"Characteristic information" means the area information acquisition unit 5
The area information 504 acquired in 02 is information indicating a point different from other area information. For example, when the area information includes information about shops in the area, information obtained as a result of comparing the number of shops per unit area and comparing the number of shops is an example. When the type of store is included, the number of stores may be counted for each type of store, and may be information indicating a point different from other area information.

If the feature information extraction unit is different from the other area information in that the number of stores such as bars and snacks is larger than that of stores of other types, for example, “the place is estimated to be a bar” is estimated. Area information including a message such as "I will be done" is generated and passed to the image generation unit 503.

With such a configuration, for example, even if it is not possible to determine the details by shooting a dark place at night, a message "This is presumed to be a bar" is displayed during playback. , You can know what kind of place was taken. Of course, by looking at the message "This place is presumed to be a bar" at the time of filming, you can know that it is a place that is not suitable for minors.

(Embodiment 9) In Embodiment 9 of the present invention, there is provided a portable electronic apparatus according to Embodiment 6, wherein the area information is area map information.

The map information includes, for example, information issued by the Geospatial Information Authority of Japan and information for displaying a map based on the map, and information obtained by deforming the map into a punch picture.

When the map information of the area is displayed on the input image in a superimposed manner, by marking the position indicated by the current position information acquired by the position information acquisition unit 501, the current position is on the map. You can know Further, by recording the composite video information, it becomes possible to know at which position on the map the image was taken during reproduction.

(Embodiment 10) The portable electronic device according to the tenth embodiment of the present invention is information for displaying a simplified map of the map information in the portable electronic device according to the ninth embodiment. is there.

The "simplified map" is, for example, a map issued by the Geospatial Information Authority of Japan or a map based on it, in which minute points are deleted and only the main map is left. For example, the contour lines are deleted, the narrower road than a certain width is deleted, and only the top and the wide road of the mountain are left. In addition, the positions of buildings that are particularly prominent and the positions of famous sights and historic sites are added.

With the information for displaying the simplified map in this way, for example, the map information can be displayed in an easy-to-understand manner.

(Eleventh Embodiment) In the eleventh embodiment of the present invention, the portable electronic device of the sixth embodiment stores the movement history.

(Embodiment 11: Configuration) FIG. 9 illustrates a functional block diagram of a portable electronic device according to this embodiment. In FIG. 9, the portable electronic device 500 is the same as the portable electronic device of the sixth embodiment, except that the movement history information storage unit 90 is further added.
1 is provided.

(Embodiment 11: Movement history information storage unit)
The “movement history information storage unit” 901 stores movement history information. “Movement history information” is information in which the current or past current position information acquired by the position information acquisition unit 501 is associated with time.

FIG. 10 is an example diagram showing that movement history information is stored in the form of a table. This table is made up of a time column on the left and a current position information column on the right, and indicates at what time and at which position the owner of the portable electronic device was.

The movement history information storage unit 901 stores the movement history information, an example of which is shown in FIG. As a means for storing, a semiconductor memory, a memory card, a flexible disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a magnetic tape, or the like may be used for recording. Alternatively, the movement history information accumulated in the memory may be transmitted to the server when the movement history information is temporarily accumulated in the memory and a certain amount of movement history information is accumulated.

The timing at which the movement history information accumulating unit accumulates the movement history information is fixed when a command from the holder of the portable electronic device is obtained, or when the movement is carried out for a certain distance or more. Time (eg 10
Minutes) have passed, etc.

(Embodiment 11: Operation) FIG. 11 exemplifies a flowchart for explaining the operation of the portable electronic device peculiar to this embodiment. In this flowchart, the movement history information is accumulated when the position indicated by the current position information acquired by the position information acquisition unit 501 is different.

In step S1101, the current position information is acquired. The acquired current position information is substituted into a variable in step S1102. Step S
After 1103, a loop is formed.

In step S1103, the movement history information storage unit 901 stores the movement history information.

In step S1104, the current position information is acquired by the position information acquisition section 501.

In step S1105, it is determined whether the position of the current position information assigned to the variable is different from the position of the current position information acquired in step S1104. If not different, step S110
4. If not, control is passed to step S1106.

In step S1106, the current position information (obtained in step S1104) is substituted into the variable, and control is passed to step S1103.

(Embodiment 11: Effect) According to this embodiment, since movement history information is accumulated, it becomes possible to know where the owner of the portable electronic device of this embodiment was. . For example, when you visit a tourist spot, you will be able to know where you went.

(Embodiment 12) In the present embodiment,
The portable electronic device of the eleventh embodiment accumulates current position information at predetermined time intervals.

(Embodiment 12: Configuration) FIG. 12 illustrates a functional block diagram of a portable electronic device according to this embodiment. In FIG. 12, the portable electronic device 500 is the portable electronic device movement history information storage unit 9 of the eleventh embodiment.
01 is provided with an automatic storage means 1201.

(Embodiment 12: Automatic accumulation means) "Automatic accumulation means" 1201 is means for accumulating current position information at a predetermined time interval. For example, a command is output to the movement history information storage unit so that the current position information is stored every 10 minutes.

There may be means for allowing the owner of the portable electronic device to change the "predetermined time". For example, if you decide to press a button, you can extend the "predetermined time",
It may be possible to shorten it.

(Twelfth Embodiment: Operation) FIG. 13 exemplifies a flowchart for explaining the operation of the portable electronic device peculiar to this embodiment.

In step S1301, the process waits for a predetermined time.

In step S1302, the current position information is stored. At this time, the current position information may be stored in association with time.

(Embodiment 12: Effect) According to the portable electronic device of the present embodiment, the current position information is accumulated at a predetermined time interval, so that it is possible to know at what position and for how long. Will be able to.

(Thirteenth Embodiment) The portable electronic device of the present embodiment is such that the portable electronic device of the eleventh or twelfth embodiment stores combined video information and current position information in association with each other.

(Embodiment 13: Configuration) FIG. 14 exemplifies a functional block diagram of a portable electronic device in this embodiment. The portable electronic device according to the eleventh or twelfth embodiment further includes a shooting location history information storage unit 1401.

(Thirteenth Embodiment: Shooting Place History Information Storage Means) "Shooting place history information storage means" 1401 is composed image information 506 generated by the image generation unit 503 and the current position acquired by the position information acquisition unit 501. It is a means for associating and accumulating information.

Storage is performed by using a semiconductor memory, a memory card,
It may be applied to a hard disk, a compact disk, a DVD, a magneto-optical disk, a flexible disk, a magnetic tape, or the like. Alternatively, it may be temporarily recorded in the semiconductor memory and transmitted to the server.

FIG. 15 is an example of a state in which combined video information and current position information are stored in association with each other. The "current position information" column stores the position information acquired by the position information acquisition unit, and the "composite video information" column stores the file name in which the composite video information is recorded.

The timing at which such combined video information and current position information are stored in association with each other is an operation by the holder of the portable electronic device. In addition, when the composite video information is generated, the current position information may be always associated and stored.

(Embodiment 13: Effect) According to the portable electronic device of the present embodiment, for example, the composite video information and the current position information are stored in association with each other. It will be possible to play back the composite video when you visit, and it will be possible to compare the previous situation with the current situation.

(Fourteenth Embodiment) In the portable electronic device of the fourteenth embodiment of the present invention, the movement history information storage unit of the portable electronic device of any of the eleventh, twelfth and thirteenth embodiments stores information in an external storage medium. It is designed to be output and stored.

(Fourteenth Embodiment: Configuration) FIG. 16 illustrates a functional block diagram of a portable electronic device of the fourteenth embodiment. The portable electronic device according to the present embodiment is the eleventh embodiment.
The portable electronic device 12 or 13 further includes an external storage medium information output unit 1601.

(Embodiment 14: External storage medium information output unit) The "external storage medium information output unit" 1601 outputs information to an external storage medium. The "external storage medium" is a medium for accumulating information. Usually, the external storage medium can be easily attached to and detached from a portable electronic device, and examples thereof include a memory card, a flexible disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, and a magnetic tape.

(Fourteenth Embodiment: Movement History Information Storage Unit) In this embodiment, the movement history information storage unit 901 outputs and stores information to the external storage medium information output unit 1601. The information referred to here is movement history information if the portable electronic device according to the present embodiment is based on the eleventh embodiment, and is based on the twelfth embodiment.
It is the current position information accumulated at a predetermined time interval, and if it is based on the thirteenth embodiment, it includes the one in which the combined video information and the current position information are associated with each other.

The timing for outputting information to the external storage medium information output unit 1601 is as follows: when it is detected that the external storage medium is attached to the external storage medium information output unit, For example, when the upper limit of the storage capacity is reached, or when a specific operation of the holder of the portable electronic device is detected.

(Embodiment 14: Effect) According to the portable electronic device of the present embodiment, the information accumulated in the movement history information accumulator can be output to and accumulated in the external storage medium. As a result, for example, by mounting the information accumulated in the external storage medium on the personal computer, it becomes possible to manage the information on the personal computer and upload it to the home page.

(Fifteenth Embodiment) In the present embodiment,
A portable electronic device according to a fourteenth embodiment provides a portable electronic device capable of inputting and storing information from an external storage medium.

More specifically, the movement history information storage unit 901
However, the external storage medium information output unit 1601 inputs and stores the information from the external storage medium that outputs the information.

In the present embodiment, the external storage medium information output unit 1601 may read the information stored in the external storage medium and output it to the movement history information storage unit, or the information stored in the external storage medium. May be provided separately, and the information read by that section may be output to the movement history information storage section.

Therefore, in this embodiment, the movement history information storage unit 901 not only acquires information from the position information acquisition unit 501 and the image generation unit 503, but also the external storage medium information output unit 1601 and the external storage medium. The information is also acquired and stored from the unit for reading the information stored in.

By doing so, it becomes possible to temporarily store the information stored in the external storage medium in the movement history information storage unit and return it later. Therefore, it becomes possible to input and store necessary information in the portable electronic device. Here, the necessary information is, for example, the information accumulated in the movement history information accumulating unit 901 when the place to be visited is visited previously and output to the external storage medium and accumulated.

(Embodiment 16) The portable electronic equipment in this embodiment is the same as Embodiments 11, 12, 13, 14, and 1.
The movement history information is acquired from the movement history information information storage unit 901 of any one of the portable electronic devices of No. 5, and video information is generated by superimposing the movement history information on the input video.

(Embodiment 16: Configuration) FIG. 17 exemplifies a functional block diagram of a portable electronic device in this embodiment. The portable electronic device according to the present embodiment is the portable electronic device according to any one of the eleventh, twelfth, thirteenth, fourteenth, and fifteenth embodiments further including a movement history information acquisition unit 1701.

(Embodiment 16: Movement history information acquisition unit)
The “movement history information acquisition unit” 1701 is based on the current position information acquired by the position information acquisition unit, and moves history information storage unit 9
The movement history information is acquired from 01. “Based on current position information” means that there is some relationship between the current position information and the acquired movement history information. For example, the movement history information may be acquired when the movement history information storage unit has the movement history information accumulated when the user has visited the present position or a place near the present position. Further, the movement history information may be acquired if the movement history information at the time of previous visit to the future destination is accumulated, further considering the movement direction and speed.

(Sixteenth Embodiment: Video Generation Unit) In the present embodiment, the video generation unit 503 includes a movement history information acquisition unit 1.
The second composite video information, which is video information obtained by superimposing the movement history information acquired from 701 on the input video, is generated. For example,
Generates video information that overlaps the input video with the time of the previous visit to the same place.

This second composite video information is displayed to the holder of the portable electronic device, or recorded as necessary.

(Embodiment 16: Effects) According to the portable electronic device of the present embodiment, when the user has visited the same place before, for example, it is possible to know what year, month, day, time, and minute. Will be able to.

(Embodiment 17) In the present embodiment, in the portable electronic device of Embodiment 6, the current location information and the area information acquired based on the location information are stored in association with each other, and later the same location is stored. (EN) Provided is a portable electronic device which, when visited, obtains regional information accumulated in association with current position information and generates video information superimposed on an input video.

(Embodiment 17: Configuration) FIG. 18 illustrates a functional block diagram of a portable electronic device in this embodiment. The portable electronic device according to the present embodiment is the portable electronic device according to the sixth embodiment further including an area information acquisition history information storage unit.

(Embodiment 17: Area information acquisition history information storage section) "Area information acquisition history information storage section" 1801 stores area information acquisition history information. “Area information acquisition history information” is information in which the area information acquired by the area information acquisition unit 502 is associated with the current position information acquired by the position information acquisition unit 501.

FIG. 19 is a diagram showing an example of a state in which area information acquisition history information is accumulated in the form of a table. The table of FIG. 19 includes a column of “current position information” and a column of “region information”, and the current position information acquired by the position information acquisition unit 501 and the region information acquired by the region information acquisition unit 502 are associated with each other. Stored. In FIG. 19, the area information itself is not stored but the file name of the area information is stored. However, the area information itself may be stored in the column of “area information”.

(Seventeenth Embodiment: Video Generation Unit) In the present embodiment, the video generation unit 503 generates the third combined video information. The “third composite video information” means the position information acquisition unit 5
01 is the video information in which the regional information acquisition history information acquired from the regional information acquisition history information storage unit 1801 is superimposed on the input video 505 based on the current position information acquired in 01.

“Based on the current position information” means that the current position information acquired by the position information acquisition unit 501 and the region information acquisition history information acquired from the region information acquisition history information storage unit 1801. Means that there is some relationship. For example, the location indicated by the current location information obtained by the location information acquisition unit 501 or the area information acquisition history information accumulated when the user visited the vicinity of the location may be acquired. Therefore, for example, the area information acquisition history information storage unit 1801 is
When the current position information is acquired from 01, the table of FIG. 19 is scanned, and whether or not the current position information stored in the “current position information” column is the same as or close to the acquired current position information is found. Find out. If there is such a thing, the information stored in the “current position information” column and the “region information” column is acquired and passed to the video generation unit 503.

The image generation unit 503 displays the current position information and the region information passed from the region information acquisition history information storage unit 1801 so as to overlap the input image. For example, by superimposing the current position information, the image information in which the information indicating that the currently visited place has been visited before or the vicinity of the currently visited place is superimposed on the input image 505 is generated.
In addition, video information is generated by superimposing the area information of the previous visit. This makes it possible to know whether or not the current location is the location that you have visited before, or whether it is close to it. Also, by comparing the previous regional information with the present, you can see the changes in the state from the time you visited before. You will be able to know. As a result, for example, it becomes possible to talk about old memories.

(Embodiment 18) Embodiment 18 of the present invention
Relates to a video information generation method. The video information generation method of the present embodiment includes a regional information acquisition step, a video input step, and a composite video information generation step.

The "regional information acquisition step" is a step of acquiring regional information. The “regional information” is, for example, the regional information in the first embodiment.

[0143] The "video input step" is a step of inputting a video. “Input” is to take in from the outside. As an example, an apparatus using the image information generating method of this embodiment takes in an image outside the device into the device.

The "composite video information generation step" is a step of generating composite video information. The “composite video information” is video information in which the regional information acquired in the regional information acquisition step is superimposed on the video input in the video input step.

Therefore, it can be said that the video information generating method of the present embodiment is a method used in the portable electronic device of the first embodiment, for example, and its flowchart is illustrated in FIG. However, the video input step is step S
It is assumed to be included in 202.

(Embodiment 19) Embodiment 19 of the present invention
Is a video information generation method. The method of the present embodiment includes a position information acquisition step, a region information acquisition step, a video input step, and a composite video information generation step.

The "positional information acquisition step" acquires the current positional information, which is the information indicating the current position. The current position information may be directly acquired by one using the method of the present embodiment, or may be acquired by another.

In the "region information acquisition step", the region information which is the information of the region is acquired based on the current position information acquired in the position information acquisition step. For example, when the position information and the region information are held in association with each other, the region information associated with the position information close to the position indicated by the current position information is acquired.

In the "video input step", a video is input.

The "composite video information generating step" generates composite video information. The "composite video information" is video information in which the regional information acquired in the regional information acquisition step is superimposed on the video input in the video input step.

Therefore, the method of this embodiment can be used, for example, in the portable electronic device of the sixth embodiment.

[0152]

As described above, according to the present invention, a portable electronic device that obtains regional information and generates video information by superimposing the information on an input image is provided. You will be able to easily get what you have.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of a portable electronic device according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart of the operation of the portable electronic device according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of a portable electronic device according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram of a portable electronic device according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram of a portable electronic device according to a sixth embodiment.

[Fig. 6] An example of displaying regional information in a selectable format

FIG. 7 shows an example of a pointer.

FIG. 8 is a functional block diagram of a portable electronic device according to a seventh embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a functional block diagram of a portable electronic device according to an eleventh embodiment.

FIG. 10 is an example diagram in which movement history information is accumulated in a table format.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart of the operation of the portable electronic device unique to the eleventh embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a functional block diagram of a portable electronic device according to a twelfth embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart of the operation of the portable electronic device unique to the twelfth embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a functional block diagram of a portable electronic device according to a thirteenth embodiment.

FIG. 15 is an example diagram showing a state in which combined video information and current position information are stored in association with each other.

FIG. 16 is a functional block diagram of a portable electronic device according to a fourteenth embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a functional block diagram of a portable electronic device according to a sixteenth embodiment.

FIG. 18 is a functional block diagram of a portable electronic device according to a seventeenth embodiment.

FIG. 19 is an example of a state in which area information acquisition history information is accumulated in a table format.

FIG. 20 is an example of a state in which area information is stored

FIG. 21 is a diagram showing an example of a mode in which regional information is superimposed on an input video.

[Explanation of symbols]

100 Portable electronic devices 101 Regional Information Acquisition Department 102 video generation unit 103 area information 104 input video 105 Composite video information

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    (72) Inventor Makoto Sato             1006 Kadoma, Kadoma-shi, Osaka Matsushita Electric             Sangyo Co., Ltd. F term (reference) 5C025 CA02 CA09 CB10 DA05 DA10                 5C052 AA02 AA17 AB04 AC08 DD02                       EE02 EE03                 5C053 FA21 FA23 FA24 FA27 FA30                       HA29 JA16 JA30 LA01 LA07                       LA14

Claims (19)

[Claims] 1. An area information acquisition unit that acquires area information that is area information, and an image generation unit that generates combined image information that is image information in which the area information acquired by the area information acquisition unit is superimposed on an input image. And a portable electronic device comprising: 2. The portable electronic device according to claim 1, further comprising an area information storage unit for storing area information, wherein the area information acquisition unit acquires the area information from the area information storage unit. 3. The portable electronic device according to claim 1, further comprising an area information receiving unit that receives area information, wherein the area information acquiring unit acquires the area information from the area information receiving unit. 4. The video generation unit generates video information for displaying regional information by superimposing it on a part of an input video.
2. The portable electronic device according to any one of 2 and 3. 5. The portable electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the video generation unit generates video information which displays the regional information in a semi-transparent manner on the input video. 6. A position information acquisition unit that acquires current position information, which is information indicating the position of itself, and a region that acquires region information, which is region information, based on the current position information acquired by the position information acquisition unit. A portable electronic device comprising: an information acquisition unit; and a video generation unit that generates combined video information that is video information in which the regional information acquired by the regional information acquisition unit is superimposed on an input video. 7. The portable electronic device according to claim 6, wherein the video generation unit generates video information for displaying the regional information in a format selectable by a pointer on the display screen. 8. The feature information extraction unit according to claim 6, further comprising a feature information extraction unit that extracts characteristic information from the region information acquired by the region information acquisition unit and passes the extracted information to the video generation unit as the region information. Portable electronic device. 9. The portable electronic device according to claim 6, wherein the area information is area map information. 10. The portable electronic device according to claim 9, wherein the map information is information for displaying a simplified map. 11. The mobile phone according to claim 6, further comprising a movement history information storage unit for storing movement history information, which is information in which current or past current position information acquired by the position information acquisition unit is associated with time. Possible electronic devices. 12. The portable electronic device according to claim 11, wherein the movement history information storage unit includes an automatic storage means for storing current position information at a predetermined time interval. 13. A shooting location history information storage unit for storing the moving history information storage unit in association with the composite video information generated by the video generation unit and the current position information acquired by the position information acquisition unit. The portable electronic device according to claim 11 or 12, further comprising: 14. An external storage medium information output unit for outputting information to an external storage medium for storing information, wherein the movement history information storage unit outputs information to the external storage medium information output unit and stores the information. The portable electronic device according to any one of claims 11, 12, and 13. 15. The portable electronic device according to claim 14, wherein the movement history information storage unit inputs and stores information from the external storage medium from which the external storage medium information output unit outputs information. 16. A movement history information acquisition unit that acquires movement history information from the movement history information storage unit based on current position information acquired by the position information acquisition unit, wherein the video generation unit includes the movement history. The second composite video information, which is video information in which the movement history information acquired from the information acquisition unit is superimposed on the input video, is generated.
4. The portable electronic device according to any one of 4 and 15. 17. A regional information acquisition history information storage unit for storing regional information acquisition history information, which is information in which the regional information acquired by the regional information acquisition unit is associated with the current positional information acquired by the positional information acquisition unit. The image generation unit is image information in which the area information acquisition history information acquired from the area information acquisition history information storage unit is superimposed on the input image based on the current position information acquired by the position information acquisition unit. 7. The third composite video information is generated.
The portable electronic device described in. 18. A regional information acquisition step of obtaining regional information, which is regional information, a video input step of inputting a video, and the regional information acquired in the regional information acquisition step,
And a composite video information generation step of generating composite video information which is video information superimposed on the video input in the video input step. 19. A position information acquisition step of acquiring current position information, which is information indicating a current position, and area information, which is area information, based on the current position information acquired in the position information acquisition step. Area information acquisition step, a video input step of inputting a video, and the area information acquired in the area information acquisition step,
And a composite video information generation step of generating composite video information which is video information superimposed on the video input in the video input step.