JP2004221753A - Digital camera, photographing equipment, data server, and location information providing system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide detailed location information as to a photographing location and images concerning the photographing location to photographing equipment at a low cost. <P>SOLUTION: Digital cameras 1a to 1n are each equipped with: an image sensing means converting an object into image signals by a solid-state image sensing element; a photographed image storing means storing the image signals as a photographed image, a receiving means which receives location information (name of location, photograph frame) as to a photographing location from a data server installed at the photographing location; and a location information storing means which stores the location information received through the receiving means. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention also relates to a location information providing system, and more particularly, to a location information providing system having a data server that transmits information about a shooting location by wireless communication and at least one shooting device that receives information about a shooting location by wireless communication.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Examples of digital cameras that receive information on a shooting location by wireless communication include those described in Patent Documents 1 and 2.
The digital camera described in Patent Literature 1 is equipped with a PHS, performs wireless communication with a base station, receives position information of the base station, and adds the position information to a captured image. This eliminates the need for the photographer to input or record information on the shooting location.
[0003]
The digital camera described in Patent Literature 2 includes search information such as a file name, a shooting date and time, a model name of a shooting device, and position information in a shot image, and receives search information from a communication device such as a PHS. The captured image corresponding to the search information is searched and transmitted to the communication device. As a result, the photographed images stored in the digital camera can be retrieved from the communication device and displayed on the communication device.
[0004]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-9-65268 (pages 3 to 5, FIGS. 2 and 4)
[0005]
[Patent Document 2]
JP-A-2002-19079 (pages 10-11, FIG. 2-4)
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In the digital camera disclosed in Patent Document 1, it is difficult to specify a detailed place because the position information is received from the PHS base station. For example, when it is desired to add the name of a tourist spot to a commemorative photo at the tourist spot, The name of the place cannot be specified, and cannot respond to the photographer's request. In some cases, an image such as a frame suitable for the sightseeing spot may be added to the commemorative photo at the sightseeing spot. However, Patent Literature 1 does not describe adding an image related to a shooting place.
[0007]
In the digital camera of Patent Document 2, the position information to be included in the captured image is received from a GPS (Global Positioning System) or a PHS base station. When using GPS, the cost of using GPS becomes a problem. Further, as described above, Patent Document 2 does not describe adding an image related to a shooting location.
[0008]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a photographing device with detailed position information about a photographing place and an image about the photographing place at low cost.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
A digital camera according to a first aspect of the present invention is a digital camera comprising: an imaging unit that converts a subject image into an imaging signal by a solid-state imaging device; and a captured image storage unit that stores the imaging signal as a captured image. Receiving means for receiving, via Bluetooth, location information including the name information and image information of the shooting location from an installed data server; location information storage means for storing the location information received by the receiving means; Selecting means for receiving a selection as to whether or not to use the image data; synthesizing means for storing the location information selected for use in the photographed image storage means in association with the photographed image; and receiving means for communicating with the data server. A deletion unit that deletes the location information stored in the location information storage unit when the location information is out of the range. To.
[0010]
In this digital camera, the location information including the name information of the shooting location and the image information is received from the data server installed at the shooting location, so that detailed positional information such as the name of the sightseeing spot and a photo frame suitable for the sightseeing spot are provided. Image can be obtained.
Also, the cost of the digital camera is low since it only needs to include a general-purpose Bluetooth module.
[0011]
The communication by Bluetooth has a narrow communication range, and can receive location information only from a data server near a shooting location, and can prevent erroneous reception of location information from a data server installed in another location.
Further, since the wireless communication is based on Bluetooth, a plurality of digital cameras can acquire location information from one data server.
[0012]
When a plurality of data servers are installed in the same sightseeing spot, a more detailed name, for example, information such as a main gate and a back gate may be added to the name of the sightseeing spot. Further, the photo frame may be different for each installation location. Also, if these location information is limited to those that can be acquired only at the sightseeing spot, it becomes a tourist spot and can contribute to attracting customers.
[0013]
Further, the photographer can select whether or not to use the received location information. The selection of the location information enables selection of an image to be used when an image such as a plurality of patterns of a photo frame is received. Here, the place information for which use is not selected may be immediately deleted, or may be stored in the place information storage means and used or deleted later as necessary.
[0014]
Further, since the unused place information is automatically deleted, it is possible to prevent unnecessary information from putting a burden on the storage unit.
An imaging device according to a second aspect of the present invention includes: an imaging unit that converts a subject image into an imaging signal using a solid-state imaging device; a captured image storage unit that stores the imaging signal as a captured image; and a data server installed at the imaging location. Receiving means for receiving the location information on the shooting location by Bluetooth, and location information storage means for storing the location information received by the receiving means.
[0015]
In this imaging device, since location information is received from the data server installed at the imaging location, it is possible to acquire detailed positional information such as the name of the sightseeing spot and an image such as a photo frame suitable for the sightseeing spot.
Further, the cost of the photographing device is low since it only needs to include a general-purpose Bluetooth module.
[0016]
Further, since the communication is based on Bluetooth, location information can be received only from a data server near the shooting location, and it is possible to prevent receiving location information of another shooting location. The location information of the shooting location can be accurately added to the shot image.
Further, since the wireless communication is based on Bluetooth, a plurality of photographing apparatuses can acquire location information from one data server.
[0017]
The imaging device according to a third aspect of the present invention is the imaging device according to the second aspect, wherein the location information includes name information of the location and image information.
For example, it is a name of a sightseeing spot or a photo frame suitable for the sightseeing spot. When a plurality of data servers are installed in the same sightseeing spot, a more detailed name, for example, information such as a main gate and a back gate may be added to the name of the sightseeing spot. Further, the photo frame may be different for each installation location. Also, if these location information is limited to those that can be acquired only at the sightseeing spot, it becomes a tourist spot and can contribute to attracting customers.
[0018]
A photographing apparatus according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is the photographing apparatus according to the second or third aspect, wherein a selection unit for receiving a selection as to whether or not to use the location information, and And a synthesizing means for storing the photographed image in the photographed image storing means in association with
That is, the photographer can select whether to use the received location information. The selection of the location information enables selection of an image to be used when an image such as a plurality of patterns of a photo frame is received. Here, the place information for which use is not selected may be immediately deleted, or may be stored in the place information storage means and used or deleted later as necessary.
[0019]
The imaging device according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is the imaging device according to the fourth aspect, wherein the location information stored in the location information storage unit is deleted when the receiving unit is out of the communication range of the data server. The apparatus further includes a deletion unit.
In this case, since the unused place information is automatically deleted, it is possible to prevent unnecessary information from putting a burden on the storage unit.
[0020]
An imaging device according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is the imaging device according to any of the second to fifth aspects, wherein the imaging device is a digital camera.
A data server according to a seventh aspect of the present invention stores location information including name information and image information relating to a shooting location, and has a transmitter that transmits the location information by Bluetooth.
[0021]
According to the data server, it is possible to send an image suitable for the installation location such as name information as a detailed location information regarding the installation location or a photo frame to a plurality of photographing apparatuses. Also, since the configuration can be made by adding a Bluetooth transmitter, the cost is low.
A place information providing system according to an eighth aspect of the present invention stores a place information including name information of a shooting place and image information, a data server having a transmitter for transmitting the place information by Bluetooth, and a solid-state imaging of a subject image. Imaging means for converting an imaging signal into an imaging signal by an element, imaging image storage means for storing the imaging signal as an imaging image, and receiving means for receiving location information on the imaging location from a data server installed at the imaging location by Bluetooth And at least one photographing device having location information storage means for storing the location information received by the reception means.
[0022]
In this location information providing system, a data server installed at a shooting location transmits detailed location information such as the name of a sightseeing spot related to the shooting location and an image such as a frame suitable for the sightseeing spot, and the shooting device can acquire the information. In addition, the data server and the photographing device need only be provided with a general-purpose Bluetooth module, so that the cost is low.
The communication by Bluetooth has a narrow communication range, and can receive location information only from a data server near a shooting location, and can prevent erroneous reception of location information from a data server installed in another location.
[0023]
Further, since the wireless communication is based on Bluetooth, a plurality of photographing apparatuses can acquire location information from one data server.
[0024]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
(1) Configuration FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a location information providing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. This system includes a data server 3 and a plurality of digital cameras 1a to 1n. In the present embodiment, the digital cameras 1a to 1n will be described as examples, but other photographing devices such as digital video may be used.
[0025]
The data server 3 is installed at a photographing place such as a tourist spot, for example. Here, as an example, a case where it is installed in front of Osaka Castle is shown. The data server 3 includes a database 21, a computer 22, and a Bluetooth transceiver 23. The database 21 stores images such as a photograph frame name and a photograph frame suitable for the photographing place. In the example of A in the figure, the name of the installation location is Osaka Castle, and the photo frame is a woodgrain frame suitable for Osaka Castle. In the example of B in the figure, the name of the installation location is Osaka Castle, but the font is different from the example of A. Also, the characters of Osaka Castle are surrounded by a frame. That is, the database 21 stores the names and images of the two patterns of the example A and the example B. The computer 22 determines whether or not the digital cameras 1 a to 1 n have entered the range of Bluetooth communication, and reads the names and images from the database 21 and outputs them to the Bluetooth transceiver 23 when the digital cameras 1 a to 1 n enter the communication range. The Bluetooth transceiver 23 transmits the name and the image received from the computer 22.
[0026]
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of the digital camera 1a.
The digital camera 1a includes an imaging unit 11, a captured image storage unit 12, a communication unit 13, a location information storage unit 14, a display unit 15, and a control device 16. The imaging means 11 converts a subject image into an imaging signal using a solid-state imaging device such as a CCD, and outputs the image as a captured image. The photographed image storage unit 12 is a nonvolatile memory, for example, a flash memory. The captured image storage unit 12 stores a captured image output from the imaging unit 11 based on a write signal from the control device 16. When the communication unit 13 enters the communication range of the Bluetooth transmission / reception unit 22 of the data server 2, the communication unit 13 receives the name of the shooting location and an image suitable for the shooting location by Bluetooth. The location information storage unit 14 is a nonvolatile memory, for example, a flash memory. The location information storage unit 14 stores a name of a shooting location and an image suitable for the shooting location output from the communication unit 13 based on a write signal of the control device 16. The display unit 15 is an LCD or the like, and displays a photographed image of the photographed image storage unit 12 or a name of a photographed place of the place information storage unit 14 and an image suitable for the photographed place based on a display control signal of the control device 15. .
(2) Flowchart FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a process of acquiring digital camera location information. In step S11, it is determined whether the communication means 13 of the digital camera 1a has entered the communication range of the Bluetooth transceiver 23. If it is not in the communication range, the process of step S11 is repeated, and if it is in the communication range, the process moves to step S12. In step S12, the location information is received from the Bluetooth transmitting / receiving means 23, and the process proceeds to step S13. In step S13, the received location information is written to the location information storage unit 14.
[0027]
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing processing for adding location information to a captured image. In step S21, a photograph is taken by the image pickup means 11, and the photographed image is written in the photographed image storage means 12. In step S22, location information is displayed together with the captured image. Here, when there are a plurality of pieces of location information, they are displayed one by one. In step S23, whether to use the displayed location information is selected, and if not, the process proceeds to step S24. In step S24, it is determined whether or not all the location information has been displayed. If all the location information has been displayed, the process ends. If there is any that has not been displayed, the process returns to step S22. On the other hand, when the use is selected in step S23, the process proceeds to step S25. In step S25, the location information selected for use is stored in the shooting information storage unit 12 in association with the shot image.
[0028]
FIG. 5 is a flowchart of the location information deletion process. In step S31, it is determined whether or not the communication unit 13 of the digital camera 1a is out of the communication range of the data server 2. If not, the process in step S31 is repeated. Move to In step S32, the location information stored in the location information storage unit 14 is deleted.
(3) Conclusion In the present embodiment, the digital cameras 1a to 1n receive the location information on the shooting location from the data server 2 installed at the shooting location, so that the digital cameras 1a to 1n are suitable for the detailed location information such as the name of the tourist spot and the tourist spot. You can acquire images such as photo frames.
[0029]
Further, the digital cameras 1a to 1n and the data server 2 only have to include a general-purpose Bluetooth module, so that the cost is low.
In addition, the communication by Bluetooth has a narrow communication range and can receive location information only from the data server 2 near the shooting location, and can prevent erroneous reception of location information from the data server 2 installed in another location. .
[0030]
Further, since the wireless communication is based on Bluetooth, a plurality of digital cameras 1a to 1n can acquire location information from one data server 2.
Further, since the unused location information is automatically deleted, it is possible to prevent unnecessary information from putting a burden on the storage unit 14.
Also, if the location information is limited to those that can be obtained only at the sightseeing spot, it will be a PR, which can contribute to attracting customers.
(4) Other Embodiments The data server 2 may be installed at a plurality of places in the same sightseeing spot. For example, in the example of FIG. 1, it may be installed at the front of Osaka Castle and the back gate, and the names of the places may be represented in more detail, such as “Osaka Castle Front” and “Osaka Castle Back Gate”. In this case, it is possible to accurately record where the commemorative photo was taken even within the same sightseeing spot.
[0031]
【The invention's effect】
ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, detailed positional information about a photography place and an image about a photography place can be provided to a photography device at low cost.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a place information providing system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of the digital camera.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart of location information acquisition processing in the digital camera.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing processing for adding location information in the digital camera.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart of location information deletion processing in the digital camera.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Location Information Providing System 1a-1n Digital Camera 2 Data Server 21 Database 22 Computer 23 Bluetooth Transceiver

Claims (8)

An imaging unit that converts a subject image into an imaging signal by a solid-state imaging device; and a digital camera including a captured image storage unit that stores the imaging signal as a captured image.
From a data server installed at the shooting location, receiving means for receiving location information including name information and image information of the shooting location by Bluetooth,
Location information storage means for storing the location information received by the receiving means,
Selecting means for receiving a selection as to whether or not to use the location information;
Synthesizing means for storing the location information selected for use in the captured image storage means in association with the captured image,
Deleting means for deleting the location information stored in the location information storage means, when the receiving means is out of the communication range of the data server,
A digital camera, comprising: Imaging means for converting a subject image into an imaging signal by a solid-state imaging device;
Photographed image storage means for storing the image signal as a photographed image,
From a data server installed at the shooting location, receiving means for receiving location information on the shooting location by Bluetooth,
A location information storage unit that stores the location information received by the reception unit. The photographing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the place information includes name information and image information of the photographing place. Selecting means for receiving a selection as to whether or not to use the location information;
Synthesizing means for storing the location information selected for use in the captured image storage means in association with the captured image,
The photographing apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising: The photographing apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising a deletion unit configured to delete the location information stored in the location information storage unit when the reception unit is out of a communication range of the data server. The photographing device according to claim 2, wherein the photographing device is a digital camera. A data server which stores location information including name information and image information relating to a shooting location, and has a transmitter for transmitting the location information by Bluetooth. A data server that stores location information including name information and image information of a shooting location, and has a transmitter that transmits the location information by Bluetooth;
Imaging means for converting a subject image into an imaging signal by a solid-state imaging device; photographic image storage means for storing the imaging signal as a photographic image; and location data relating to the photographic location from a data server installed at the photographic location. Receiving means, and at least one photographing apparatus having a location information storage means for storing the location information received by the receiving means,
Location information providing system equipped with.

Images