JP2004072390A - Digital camera apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce operation burdens on an operator when adding character data or the like by the operation of a digital camera only to images photographed by the digital camera. <P>SOLUTION: In a digital camera apparatus, additional item names of an object are displayed at a display part so as to be selectable before photographing the object and the selected additional item name is added to the image of the object as additional information and photographed. A folder to which the additional item name is attached is prestored in directory constitution into a memory card to be used by being loaded on the digital camera apparatus and it is selectable from the additional item name displayed at the display part. In such a manner, since the additional item name ("ITEM1", for instance) recorded inside the memory card beforehand is displayed at the display part, the operator easily selects various kinds of the additional item names. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a digital camera device, and more particularly to a digital camera that reduces the burden on an operator of operating a digital camera when character data or the like is added to an image captured by the digital camera by operating the digital camera alone.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, a digital camera device (hereinafter, referred to as a digital camera) that captures an image of an object using an image sensor such as a CCD, performs signal processing, and records the image in a semiconductor memory has become widespread. This digital camera has the following features compared to a conventional analog camera that records on a silver halide film.
[0003]
(1) The captured image can be displayed on a display device such as an LCD (liquid crystal) on the spot, and can be immediately deleted on the spot.
(2) Voice information and character information can be added to the data of the captured image.
{Circle around (3)} The photographed image can be taken into a personal computer (PC) and the image can be transmitted via e-mail or the like.
(4) You can watch golf swings and the like as moving images.
{Circle around (5)} As a function common to the analog camera, for example, a photographing date and a photographer name can be set in the camera, and the photographing date and the like can be included in an image (photograph).
[0004]
On the other hand, a digital camera having such characteristics may be used for business, for example, by an automobile insurance company. A specific example is a case in which a new car (such as a private car) is covered with a car body insurance.
[0005]
The procedure for using the digital camera in this case is as follows.
(1) To check for flaws, take about 10 photographs of the car with a digital camera.
(2) Write down the materials (vehicle type, insurance number, etc.) related to the car on the paper for the materials.
(3) Display a picture of the car on a personal computer and edit the car by pasting the model and insurance number on the image.
{Circle around (4)} The external memory containing the captured image and the material are mailed to the assessor by mail or transmitted by e-mail.
(5) The assessor determines the amount of insurance that can be applied to the car while looking at the photographs and materials.
[0006]
By the way, as described above, it is possible to put the date and the name of the photographer in the photograph (the photographed image). That is, in the setup mode of the digital camera, the date and the like can be entered at the lower right of the photograph by setting and inputting the date and time and the photographer name. The data such as the date and time and the photographer name need not be changed every time photographing is set once.
[0007]
However, in the assessment operation when applying car insurance, it may be necessary to input other information (for example, an insurance number) in the photograph.
In such a case, in the conventional digital camera, when inputting the other information, a captured image is taken into a personal computer, and the additional information is input by using image editing application software on the personal computer. Was.
In this case, in order to add information on a personal computer after taking a photograph, the photograph must be associated with the information while looking at the photograph. Therefore, for example, when a plurality of objects (a plurality of automobiles) are photographed, the correspondence between the objects and the information (insurance number) may not be understood.
[0008]
As a means for solving such inconvenience, the applicant of the present application has previously filed an application for Japanese Patent Application No. 2001-324552 (your serial number 0105732 “Digital Camera”, filed on October 23, 2001). In this Japanese Patent Application No. 2001-324552, for example, as shown in FIG. 11, when photographing a car 11 to be newly insured, the car 11 is displayed on a display unit 12 composed of a liquid crystal or the like of a digital camera, and "insurance number: 123 Can be added as additional information 13. When an image of the car 11 is stored in an external memory (a memory card or the like), the additional information 13 is also stored at the same time.
This makes it possible to combine the captured image with the character data and treat it as one image file. Therefore, since the information (insurance number) required for the image (car) can be added as a digital camera alone, it is not necessary to edit (add information) the captured image on a personal computer as in the conventional example. It becomes.
[0009]
Here, a method of adding insurance numbers and the like disclosed in Japanese Patent Application No. 2001-324552 will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 12 is a view showing an example of a setting screen in a still image shooting setting mode, FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a procedure of character input at the time of shooting, and FIG. 14 is a view showing a keyboard screen of a digital camera used for editing characters. FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a menu screen after character input.
First, as shown in FIG. 12, when setting the still image mode, a shooting menu is displayed on the display unit 12. The setting items include an insurance number, shooting with sound, focus, shooting with date, flash light amount, and the like. Selection of these setting items is performed using a touch pen (not shown).
[0010]
To set the “insurance number”, for example, as shown in FIG. 13, when the digital camera is started in the still image shooting mode (step S1), the shot image (the car in this case) is monitored on the display unit 12. Is performed (step S2).
When the photographing menu button (not shown) is pressed in this state, the above-described FIG. 12 is displayed (step S3). Next, when the "insurance number" is selected (step S4), as shown in FIG. 14, the keyboard 14 is displayed on the display means 12, and the "insurance number" (for example, 123) is input by operating the touch pen (step S5). ). The input character data (123) is stored in a memory unit (not shown) built in the digital camera.
[0011]
By the above operation, as shown in FIG. 15, "123" is input in the "insurance number" column on the menu screen. Returning to the monitoring screen in this state, as shown in FIG. 11, data such as the number of shots, the magnification of the image, the use or non-use of the flash, etc. are displayed together with the character data of "insurance number: 123" (step). S6).
By pressing the shutter button after setting the “insurance number” in this way, the character data “insurance number: 123” is superimposed on the photographed image data in the editing area of the memory unit, and the image file (EXIF file) ) Is stored as information in the memory card (external memory) (step S7).
By doing so, according to the above-mentioned Japanese Patent Application No. 2001-324552, it is possible to add character information (insurance number: 123) to an image (car image) and save it in a photographed image file. Thus, additional information can be added.
[0012]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, according to the means of Japanese Patent Application No. 2001-324552, the procedure and operation up to the storage of the captured image file are unique to the digital camera. It had to be read with care and was cumbersome.
On the other hand, at present, many operators are accustomed to using personal computers, and Microsoft's WINDOWS 98, XP (registered trademark) and the like occupy an overwhelming share as personal computer OS (basic software). Therefore, if the operation method familiar with WINDOWS 98, XP (registered trademark) or the like is applied to the digital camera, the burden of operating the digital camera for the first time using the digital camera can be reduced.
[0013]
The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and has been made in consideration of the above circumstances. In a case where character data or the like is added to an image captured by a digital camera by an operation of the digital camera alone, a digital camera configured to reduce the burden on the operator of operating the digital camera. The purpose is to provide a camera.
[0014]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, according to the first aspect of the present invention, before photographing a subject, an additional item name for the subject is displayed on a display unit to be selectable, and the selected additional item name is added to the image of the subject. In a digital camera device that can additionally shoot as
A folder to which the additional item name is added is stored in a directory structure in a memory card used by being loaded into the digital camera device, and can be selected from the additional item names displayed on the display unit. There is a configuration.
With this configuration, the additional item name (for example, “ITEM1” in FIGS. 4A and 4B) recorded in the memory card in advance is displayed on the display unit. Can easily be selected.
[0015]
Next, according to a second aspect of the present invention, in the digital camera device according to the first aspect,
The additional item name is a title of the subject.
In this way, the title name (for example, “insurance number” in FIGS. 4A and 4B) is displayed as an additional item name, so that the classification of the recorded items in the memory card is performed. The name and the like can be easily recognized, and the operability of the digital camera device is improved.
[0016]
Next, according to a third aspect of the present invention, in the digital camera device according to the first or second aspect,
When the number of the additional item names is larger than the displayable number of the display area of the display unit, a next screen is automatically generated so that the next additional item name can be displayed.
By doing so, as shown in FIG. 6B, for example, when the number of additional item names protrudes from the area of the display section 140, the item names that protrude are automatically displayed as the next screen. Operability of the camera device is improved.
[0017]
Next, according to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the digital camera device according to the first or second aspect,
When the number of the additional item names is larger than the displayable number of the display unit, the characters of the additional item names are reduced and displayed on the display unit.
By doing so, for example, as shown in FIG. 7B, the number of additional item names is displayed on display section 140A (this display section 140A is smaller than display section 140 in FIG. 6B). When the display area extends beyond the display area, the display characters are displayed in a reduced size, so that the operability of the display unit having a small screen is improved.
[0018]
Next, according to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the digital camera device according to the first or second aspect,
When the additional item name is selected and displayed on the display unit, if the number of characters of the selected additional item is larger than the displayable area of the display unit, all characters are scrolled by performing horizontal scrolling within the displayable area. It is configured to display.
In this case, since the characters are scrolled as shown in FIG. 8B, for example, all the characters are displayed even if the number of characters of the additional item is larger than the displayable area of the display unit. Section.
[0019]
Next, the invention according to claim 6 is the digital camera device according to claim 5,
When performing the horizontal scrolling, the first character of the additional item name is displayed left-justified on the display unit, and a display is performed for a predetermined time for each series of character display.
In this way, the operator can reliably read the displayed characters.
[0020]
Next, according to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the digital camera device according to the first aspect,
The image storage destination in the directory configuration is classified for each selection item in the memory card.
With this configuration, the folder for storing the image in the camera is automatically generated for each selection item in the memory card, and the images are classified therein. Therefore, when the memory card is inserted into the PC and the screen is opened, The classification is automatically performed for each selection item, and the operability when the memory card is handled independently is improved.
[0021]
Next, according to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the digital camera device according to the first aspect,
When sequentially photographing a plurality of subjects, the number assigned to the additional item name is automatically incremented by a certain number.
In this way, for example, as shown in FIG. 10, when sequentially photographing a plurality of subjects, after selecting an additional item name, the number of the additional item name is automatically increased by a certain number (ITEM2-29 is incremented). (“ITEM 2-1” is incremented to “ITEM 2-2”), so that it is not necessary to input the number of the additional item name every time shooting is performed, and the operability when shooting a plurality of continuous images is improved.
[0022]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, the present invention will be described based on the illustrated embodiments.
<Configuration of digital camera>
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a digital camera to which each embodiment described below is applied.
As shown in FIG. 1, the digital camera DC includes a system control unit 110 that controls the entire digital camera, a camera control unit 120 that includes an image sensor (CCD) and controls image capturing, and includes image compression / decompression and the like. And an image data recording / reproducing unit 130 for controlling the image data, and a display unit 140 made of liquid crystal or the like for displaying an image.
[0023]
Further, the digital camera DC includes an audio data recording / reproducing unit 150 for recording / reproducing audio data, an operation unit 160 including a shutter and the like, a touch panel operation unit 170 for inputting an instruction using a touch pen (not shown), A PC / IF unit 180 having an interface for transmitting and receiving image data to and from an external personal computer, a card slot unit 190 for inserting and removing a CF card 191 such as a flash memory, and a power supply unit 210 including a high-performance secondary battery and the like. Is provided.
[0024]
Next, the components of the digital camera DC will be described in detail. However, since the present invention relates to the operation and processing of the system control unit 110 (particularly, the image editing / combining processing unit 111a), the components other than the system control unit 110 (for example, the image data recording / reproducing unit 130) , Etc.) will be omitted.
The system control unit 110 includes a CPU 111 as a processing unit that performs various processes described below, an SD-RAM 112 that temporarily records captured image data and camera-specific initial setting information, and controls the entire digital camera DC. A FLASH-ROM 113 in which a program is recorded.
[0025]
The CPU 111 includes an AE / CCDAE / AWB processing unit 111a, an audio / moving image processing unit 111b, an image editing / synthesizing processing unit 111c, a shooting list process, a list creation / folder management unit 111d, an encryption / watermark processing unit. 111e, a remaining battery level detecting unit 111f, and a memory controlling unit 111e.
The AE, CCDAF, and AWB processing means 111a performs basic control processing of the digital camera such as auto focus and light amount control.
The audio / video processing unit 111b performs audio input and video recording / reproducing processing in accordance with an instruction from the operator.
[0026]
The image editing / synthesizing processing unit 111c edits / adds additional information to the captured image by using an editing function, and synthesizes the image (described later).
The folder management unit 111d manages a folder in which image data obtained by editing and adding additional information to a captured image is recorded for each folder.
The memory control unit 111e controls and manages a recording destination and a recording method when recording image data in the memory.
[0027]
<Directory structure of CF card>
A directory structure of a CF card applied to each of the following embodiments will be described.
2A and 2B are diagrams showing a directory structure of a CF card, FIG. 2A is a diagram showing an entire image of the directory structure of the present embodiment, FIG. 2B is a diagram showing a directory structure of a CAMERA_MEMO folder unique to the present invention, FIG. 4C is a diagram showing a specific example of the stored contents of the CAMERA_MEMO folder.
As shown in FIG. 2A, the CF card 191 has a camera file system standard (DCF (Design rule for Camera File system)) related to a digital camera under a root directory R #, and has a DCIM (Digital Camera Image). There is a folder 300 and a MISC folder 400. Further, below the root directory R #, there is a CAMERA_MEMO folder 500 unique to this embodiment.
[0028]
The DCIM folder 300 is a folder for storing image files, and the MISC folder 400 is a folder for storing parameters defined in printout information (DPOF (Digital Print Order Format)).
Below the DCIM folder 300 are a 100 RICOH folder 310 and a 101 RICOH folder 320, each of which stores image data.
[0029]
As shown in FIG. 2B, below the CAMERA_MEMO (camera memo) folder 500, there are an ITEM1 folder 510, an ITEM2 folder 520, an ITEM3 folder 530, an ITEM4 folder 540, and an ITEM5 folder 550. Below the ITEM1 folder 510, there are an ITEM1-1 folder 511 and an ITEM1-2 folder 512. Below the ITEM1-1 folder 511, there is a DATA1-1 folder 511a. Below the ITEM1-2 folder 512 is a DATA1-2 folder 511b. Similarly, folders below the ITEM3 to ITEM5 folders have a directory structure.
[0030]
A specific example will be described.
As shown in FIG. 2C, the ITEM1 folder 510 stores, for example, “body number” as a large classification, the ITEM1-1 folder 511 stores, for example, “Tokyo” as a region name, and the DATA1-1 folder 511a. Stores, for example, data of “Nerima 57 1234” as a specific example of the vehicle body number.
Similarly, the ITEM2 folder 520 stores, for example, “insurance number” as a large classification, the ITEM2-1 folder 521 stores, for example, arbitrary insurance as “insurance type”, and the DATA2-1 folder 521a stores “insurance number”. For example, “ABC98765” is stored.
[0031]
(1) First embodiment: Corresponding to claim 1
Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 3 is a flowchart of the present embodiment, and FIGS. 4A and 4B are diagrams showing a transition process of a screen displayed on the display unit of the digital camera.
A CF card 191 in which information on the above-mentioned "vehicle number", "insurance number" and the like is stored in a digital camera in advance is loaded into a card slot 190 (see FIG. 1), and the digital camera is set to an operating state. .
[0032]
First, the camera memo contents (the contents of the CAMERA_MEMO folder) are read from the information of the CF card 191 (step S101), and the read items are displayed on the display unit 140. The display items are "ITEM1" (vehicle number), "ITEM2" (insurance number) and the like as shown in FIG. 4A (step S102).
Then, for example, when the “body number” is clicked and selected with a touch pen, an ITEM1-1 folder 511 (Tokyo), an ITEM1-2 folder 512 (for example, Kanagawa (not shown)) and the like are displayed. Clicking on "Tokyo" in the ITEM1-1 folder 511 displays a list of vehicle numbers in Tokyo.
The operator clicks and selects, for example, “Nerima 57 1234” from the list, and determines the vehicle number.
[0033]
The operator returns the screen, displays the “ITEM1 to ITEM4 folder” again, clicks the ITEM2 folder 520, and selects “insurance number” as shown in FIG. 4B. Then, the ITEM 2-1 folder 521 (optional insurance) and the ITEM 2-2 folder 522 (compulsory insurance (not shown)) are displayed. For example, when the ITEM 2-1 folder 521 (optional insurance) is selected and clicked, the insurance number “ ABC98765 "is displayed. In this way, the optional insurance number “ABC98765” is determined.
As described above, the insurance number “ABC98765” for the vehicle body number “Nerima 57 1234” is determined.
[0034]
The subject is photographed in a state where “Nerima 57mi 1234” and “ABC98765” are selected and confirmed (step S104: Yes), and the selected “Nerima 57mi 1234” and “ABC98765” are used as data together with the photographed image data as an EXIF file. When writing to (image file) (step S105), the process ends (return).
As shown in FIG. 11, the EXIF file stores the insurance number “ABC98765” and the vehicle number “Nerima 57mi 1234” together with the image of the automobile 11. If no image is taken in step S104 (step S104: No), the process ends.
[0035]
In this way, the operator can sequentially select necessary items from a directory structure that is used by operating a personal computer such as WINDOWS 98 (registered trademark), so that the operator can easily use the additional information function of the digital camera. You can master the operation method.
[0036]
(2) Second embodiment: Corresponding to claim 2
FIG. 5 is a flowchart of the operation of the present embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 5, information in a TITLE file (title file) having a directory structure under the CAMERA_MEMO folder 500 is displayed. The TITLE file includes, for example, “vehicle number”, “insurance number” and the like (step S201). The operator searches for a required TITLE file (step S202), and if there is a TITLE file (step S203: Yes), reads the TITLE file and displays it at the title position of the display unit 140. As the title position, for example, there is a position immediately below the car, such as “insurance number” in FIG. 11 (step S204).
[0037]
(3) Third Embodiment: Corresponding to Claim 3
FIG. 6A is a flowchart of the operation of the present embodiment, and FIG. 6B is a diagram showing a specific example of a title displayed on the display unit.
Since the digital camera DC according to the first embodiment is small in size, the size of the screen of the display unit 140 is limited, so that a large number of items (titles) cannot be displayed. Therefore, when the number of items is larger than the number of items that can be displayed, the next screen is automatically generated and the display according to the number of items is performed.
[0038]
As shown in FIG. 6A, a directory under the CAMERA_MEMO folder 500 is searched, and some of the items desired to be displayed are displayed. As a result of the search, it is assumed that the number of desired display items is eight (step S301). On the other hand, the number of items that can be displayed on the display unit 140 (the number of basic display items) is, for example, four (see FIG. 6B).
[0039]
Next, it is determined whether or not the display data (the number of desired display items) is larger than the basic number of display items (in this case, four items) (step S302). In this case, since the number of items to be displayed is eight and "the number of basic display items (4 items) <the number of desired display items (8 items)", the first four items (ITEM1 to 4) are first displayed (FIG. After the elapse of a certain period of time, the remaining four items (5 items of ITEM) are displayed (see the right display of FIG. 6B).
In this way, even when the display unit 140 is small (for example, the number of basic display items: 4), all items stored in the directory configuration (for example, the number of items: 8) can be displayed.
[0040]
(4) Fourth embodiment—corresponding to claim 4
FIG. 7A is a flowchart of the operation of the present embodiment, and FIG. 7B is a diagram showing a specific example of a title displayed on the display unit.
As shown in FIG. 7B, some digital cameras having the additional information function have a very small screen of the display section 140A (referred to as a small screen type). Even with this small screen type digital camera, the CF card 191 can be used similarly to the digital camera DC of the first embodiment.
In such a case, if a large number of items are to be displayed on the display unit 140A of the small screen type camera, as shown on the left side of FIG. 7B, "ITEM1-3" can be displayed, but "ITEM4" is displayed. Can not.
[0041]
Therefore, as shown on the right side of FIG. 7B, the size of the characters is automatically reduced, and "ITEM1 to 4" are simultaneously displayed on the small display section 140A.
Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described. As shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, a directory under the CAMERA_MEMO folder 500 is searched, and the number of items desired to be displayed is displayed. As a result of the search, it is assumed that the number of display desired items is an item (step S401). On the other hand, the number of items that can be displayed on the display unit 140A of the small screen camera (the number of basic display items) is, for example, three (see the left side of FIG. 7B).
[0042]
Next, it is compared whether or not the display data (the number of desired display items: 4 items) is larger than the basic display item number (in this case, 3 items) (step S402). In this case, since "the number of basic display items (3 items) <the number of desired display items (4 items)" (step S402: Yes), four items (ITEM1 to 4) are simultaneously displayed in the screen area of the display unit 140A. Thus, the size of the character to be displayed is adjusted (step S403, see the right side of FIG. 7B).
In this way, even when the display unit 140A is small (for example, the number of basic display items: 3), all items (for example, the number of items: 4) stored in the directory structure can be displayed.
[0043]
(5) Fifth embodiment: Corresponding to claims 5 and 6.
FIG. 8A is a flowchart of the operation of the present embodiment, and FIG. 8B is a diagram showing a specific example of characters displayed on the display unit.
It is assumed that the number of characters that can be displayed on the display unit 14 is six in the horizontal direction, as shown in FIG. On the other hand, the vehicle body number (for example, Nerima 55 1234) has nine characters. Therefore, it is impossible to display all the vehicle numbers “Nerima 55 1234” on the display unit 140 at the same time.
[0044]
Therefore, in such a case, after the characters (Nerima 55-mi 1234) are scrolled horizontally and the entire display is completed, when returning to the first display, a waiting time of several seconds is inserted.
Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described. As shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, a directory under the CAMERA_MEMO folder 500 is searched, and some of the desired number of characters (Nerima 55, 1234: 9 characters) are displayed. As a result of the search, it is assumed that the number of desired characters to be displayed is nine (step S501). On the other hand, the number of characters that can be displayed on the display unit 140 (the number of basic display characters) is, for example, six (see the left side of FIG. 8B).
[0045]
Next, it is determined whether or not the display data (the desired number of display characters: 9 characters) is larger than the basic displayable number of characters (in this case, 6 characters) (step S502). In this case, since “the number of basic displayable characters (six items) <the desired number of characters to be displayed (9 characters)” (step S502: Yes), “Nerima 55mi 1234” is left-justified and sequentially horizontally scrolled to display all characters. It is displayed (step S503, see the left and right sides in FIG. 7B).
In this way, even when the display unit 140 is small (for example, the number of basic display characters: 6), all items (for example, 9 characters) stored in the directory structure can be displayed.
[0046]
(6) Sixth embodiment: Corresponding to claim 7
FIG. 9 is a flowchart of the operation of the present embodiment.
In a digital camera, a directory structure for recording image data in a memory card is defined by a standard of the Japanese Industrial Association, and is called a DCF (Digital Camera Format) format. In the DCF format, at the time of shooting, normal image data is sequentially stored under the 100 RICOH folder 310. For example, if the file name is RIMG0001. JPG, RIMG0002. JPG, RIMG0003. JPG ... RIMG000n. Like JPG, it is recorded in a serial number.
[0047]
Normally, image data is displayed with sequential file names. Therefore, even when, for example, an automobile image A or an automobile image B is taken, the operator only looks at the file names to determine which item ( I do not know if the image was taken in association with the vehicle number, area name, etc.). Therefore, there is inconvenience that it is necessary to open the respective image files or to display the item names using dedicated viewer software.
[0048]
Therefore, in the present embodiment, attention is paid to selecting an item in the camera memo function before capturing an image. At the time of item selection, the camera memo (CAMERA_MEMO) is referenced while referring to the folder name in which the item is stored. As you select items, the camera knows which folder was selected.
At the time of shooting, usually, image data is recorded in the 100 RICOH folder. Therefore, by copying the same image file to the same folder as the item selected after recording, the operator simply looks at the folder name, and the operator can view the contents of the folder. It becomes possible to understand which item (vehicle number) the image file is related to.
[0049]
Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described.
As shown in FIG. 9, before photographing, for example, an ITEM1-1 folder 511 (region name: Tokyo) is selected from the storage items of the camera memo 500 (step S601), and a subject (car) is photographed (step S602). . At that time, the file name of the image data is RIMG001. JPG.
Next, the image data (RIMG001.JPG) is stored in the 100 RICOH folder 310 (step S603), and is automatically copied under the selected item (ITEM1-1) under the CAMERA_MEMO directory (step S604).
[0050]
In this way, the operator sets the CF card 191 on the PC (personal computer) after the photographing operation is completed, and when viewed with an explorer or the like of the PC, the image files are automatically classified and recorded under each folder. Therefore, it is possible to easily determine what content is recorded in the image inside just by looking at the folder name, and it is easy to classify the image thereafter, and the operability is improved.
[0051]
(7) Seventh embodiment: Corresponding to claim 8
FIG. 10 is a flowchart of the operation of the present embodiment.
For example, when photographing a plurality of cars sequentially, the insurance numbers of the cars are set to consecutive numbers (serial numbers) such as "ABC... 111", "ABC... 112", and "ABC... 113". Sometimes. It is troublesome to input alphanumeric characters to the digital camera such as “ABC... 11N” (N: positive integer) every time the car to be photographed changes under the condition of the serial number assignment. The present embodiment is a method for eliminating this inconvenience.
[0052]
As shown in FIG. 10, a directory under the CAMERA_MEMO folder 500 is searched, and an item (for example, ITEM2 (insurance number)) is read (step S701). Then, when performing the automatic increment (automatic serial number assignment) (step S702: Yes), “1” is added to the last number of the item name. For example, “ITEM2-1” is changed to “ITEM2-2” (step S703). More specifically, if the previous insurance number is “ABC... 113”, “1” is added to “ABC... 114”. Photographing is performed with this “1” added (step S704).
This eliminates the need for the operator to input the serial number to the digital camera when arranging the objects by the serial number.
[0053]
As an example of assigning a serial number to an object to be photographed, in addition to the present embodiment, for example, when an article stored in a warehouse is assigned a serial number and photographed, a serial number is assigned to an Internet auction item. And so on.
[0054]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, the following effects can be exerted.
According to the first aspect of the present invention, the items recorded in advance in the memory card are displayed on the digital camera device, so that it is possible to correspond to various item names. Further, since the number of types of item names recorded in the image file can be easily increased, the arrangement of the photograph after photographing is simplified, and the operability of the operator is improved.
[0055]
According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the title is displayed, the classification name and the like of the items in the recorded memory card can be immediately known, and the operability of the digital camera device is improved.
According to the third aspect of the invention, when the number of items protrudes from the area of the display section, the automatically protruding item names are displayed as the next screen, so that the operability of the digital camera device is improved.
According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, when the number of items exceeds the display area, the display characters are displayed in a small size, so that the operability of the digital camera device having a small screen is improved.
[0056]
According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, since the characters are scrolled, the operability of the operator is improved.
According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, characters are scrolled, and scrolling is performed with a gap between items, so that the visibility and operability of the operator are improved.
[0057]
According to the invention of claim 7, an image recording destination folder in the digital camera device is automatically generated for each selection item in the memory card, and the folder is automatically classified even when the folder is returned to the PC. Since the classification is performed, the operability afterwards is improved.
According to the invention described in claim 8, when a plurality of images are taken after selecting an item, the number of the item is automatically incremented by a certain number (for example, +1), so that the trouble of inputting the item number every time is eliminated. Therefore, the operability at the time of shooting a plurality of continuous images is improved.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a digital camera device to which each embodiment of the present invention is applied.
FIGS. 2A and 2B are diagrams illustrating a directory structure of a CF card to which each embodiment of the present invention is applied, wherein FIG. 2A is a diagram illustrating an entire image of the directory structure, and FIG. 2B is a CAMERA_MEMO folder unique to the present invention; FIG. 3C is a diagram showing a specific example of the stored contents of a CAMERA_MEMO folder.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the first embodiment of the present invention.
4A and 4B are diagrams showing screen transitions of the display unit in the first embodiment, wherein FIG. 4A shows a case where ITEM1 is selected, and FIG. 4B shows a case where ITEM2 is selected.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the second embodiment of the present invention.
FIGS. 6A and 6B are diagrams illustrating a third embodiment of the present invention, wherein FIG. 6A is a flowchart and FIG. 6B is a diagram illustrating transition of a screen.
FIGS. 7A and 7B are diagrams for explaining a fourth embodiment of the present invention, wherein FIG. 7A is a flowchart and FIG.
FIGS. 8A and 8B are diagrams for explaining a fifth embodiment of the present invention, wherein FIG. 8A is a flowchart and FIG. 8B is a diagram for explaining screen transition.
FIGS. 9A and 9B are diagrams illustrating a sixth embodiment of the present invention, wherein FIG. 9A is a flowchart and FIG. 9B is a diagram illustrating an image of the embodiment.
FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the seventh embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 11 is a diagram in which additional information (insurance number) is added to a conventional subject image (vehicle image).
FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of a setting screen in a conventional setting mode for still image shooting.
FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a conventional character input procedure at the time of photographing.
FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a keyboard screen of a digital camera used for editing a conventional character.
FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a conventional menu screen after character input.
[Explanation of symbols]
DC: Digital camera device
RТ… Root directory
11 ... Car
12 Display means
13 Additional information
14 ... Keyboard
110 ... System control unit
111 ... CPU
111a: AE, CCDAF, AWB processing means
111b audio / video processing means
111c: Image editing / combining processing means
111d: Folder management means
111e: memory control means
112 ... SD-RAM
113 ... FLASH-ROM
120: Camera control unit
130: Image data recording / reproducing unit
140 ... Display unit
150 audio data recording / reproducing unit
160 ... operation unit
170 ... Touch panel operation unit
180 ... PC / IF section
190 ... Card slot
191… CF card
210: Power supply unit
300 ... DCIM (Digital Camera Image) folder
310 ... 100 RICOH folder
320 ... 101 RICOH folder
400 ... MISC folder
500: CAMERA_MEMO folder
510: ITEM1 folder
511: ITEM1-1 folder
511a ... DATA1-1 folder
512: ITEM1-2 folder
512a ... DATA1-2 folder
520: ITEM2 folder
521: ITEM2-1 folder
521a ... DATA2-1 folder
522: ITEM2-2 folder
522a ... DATA2-2 folder
530: ITEM3 folder
540: ITEM4 folder
550: ITEM5 folder

Claims (8)

Before photographing a subject, in a digital camera device in which an additional item name for the subject is displayed on the display unit and can be selected, and the selected additional item name can be added to the image of the subject as additional information and photographed.
A folder to which the additional item name is added is stored in a directory structure in a memory card to be loaded and used in the digital camera device, and can be selected from among the additional item names displayed on the display unit. A digital camera device, comprising: The digital camera device according to claim 1,
2. The digital camera device according to claim 1, wherein the additional item name is a title of a subject. 3. The digital camera device according to claim 1, wherein when the number of the additional item names is larger than the displayable number of the display area of the display unit, a next screen is automatically generated and the next additional item name is generated. A digital camera device characterized by being able to display. 3. The digital camera device according to claim 1, wherein when the number of the additional item names is larger than a displayable number of the display unit, characters of the additional item names are reduced and displayed on the display unit. 4. A digital camera device characterized by the above-mentioned. 3. The digital camera device according to claim 1, wherein when the additional item name is selected and displayed on a display unit, the number of characters of the selected additional item is larger than a displayable area of the display unit. 4. A digital camera device wherein all characters are displayed by performing horizontal scrolling within a displayable area. The digital camera device according to claim 5,
When performing the horizontal scroll, the first character of the additional item name is displayed left-justified on a display unit, and a display is performed for a predetermined time for each series of character display. The digital camera device according to claim 1,
A digital camera device, wherein image storage destinations in the directory configuration are classified for each selection item in the memory card. The digital camera device according to claim 1,
A digital camera device, wherein, when sequentially photographing a plurality of subjects, a number given to the additional item name is automatically incremented by a certain number.

Images