JP2005079667A - Photographing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain a photographing apparatus capable of allowing a detachably attached storage medium to easily store desired information from among digital information stored in a built-in storage medium. <P>SOLUTION: Information correlated with additional information meeting a predetermined condition is detected from an image file stored correlated with the additional information in a built-in non-volatile third memory 46 having a large capacity, and the detected information is stored in the recording medium 42A. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a photographing apparatus, and more particularly, to a photographing apparatus in which a storage medium is detachable.

  In recent years, the demand for digital cameras such as digital still cameras and digital video cameras has been increasing rapidly as the resolution of imaging devices such as CCD (Charge Coupled Device) and CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) image sensors has increased.

  In this type of digital camera, when shooting, image information obtained as digital data by the image sensor is configured to be detachable from the digital camera (SmartMedia (R)), SD card, The data is stored in a storage medium such as a compact flash (CompactFlash), an ATA (AT Attachment) card, a microdrive, or the like.

  The subject image indicated by the image information stored in the storage medium by bringing the storage medium into a dealer of a digital camera print service represented by FDi proposed by the applicant of the present invention Can be output as a photo print.

  In addition, recently, in order to make it easy to use such digital camera print services, specified information such as image frames and the number of sheets to be printed from image information obtained by shooting with a digital camera. A unified standard called DPOF (Digital Print Order Format), which is a format for recording the image on the storage medium, is also widely used.

Conventionally, when operating the DPOF standard on a digital camera, the print-designated image file is used to appropriately prevent the deletion of the print-designated image file without impairing the original convenience of the DPOF standard. There is a technique for changing the file attribute to read-only (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
JP 2000-295562 A

  By the way, the capacity of non-volatile semiconductor memory devices represented by flash memory (Flash Memory) and EEPROM (Electrically Erasable and Programmable ROM) has been increased, and some have a storage capacity of about 8 GB (gigabyte). It is being developed.

  In view of the above, when a large-capacity nonvolatile semiconductor memory element is built in the digital camera in the future, and image information is stored in the semiconductor memory element at the time of shooting, and the above-described digital camera print service is used. In addition, a mode in which only desired information is selectively stored in the storage medium from the image information stored in the semiconductor storage element, and the storage medium is brought into the store can be considered.

  This form allows image information to be stored in the digital camera even when the storage medium is removed from the digital camera in order to use the digital camera, print service, etc. It can be used for other purposes such as referencing and processing, and the convenience can be greatly improved.

  However, in this embodiment, there is a problem that it is not easy to select image information to be stored in the storage medium from image information stored in the built-in semiconductor storage element.

  That is, as described above, when the storage capacity of the semiconductor memory element is about 8 GB, it is possible to store about thousands of pieces of image information even when shooting at high resolution. It is not easy to detect.

  On the other hand, although the above-described technology for changing the file attribute of the image file designated for printing to read-only can prevent the deletion of the image file designated for printing, a large amount of image information ( The point of selecting a desired image file) is not taken into consideration, and this problem cannot be avoided.

  This problem is a problem that may occur not only with respect to image information but also with respect to voice information acquired by a voice recording function (so-called voice memo function) that has been adopted in many digital cameras in recent years.

  The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-described problems, and is capable of easily storing desired information from a digital information stored in a built-in storage means in a removable storage medium. An object is to provide an apparatus.

  In order to achieve the above object, an imaging apparatus according to claim 1 is an imaging apparatus for acquiring image information indicating a subject as a digital information by imaging, and is incorporated in the imaging apparatus and also by the image information and recording. Storage means for storing at least one digital information of audio information acquired as digital information in association with incidental information related to the digital information, a storage medium configured to be detachable from the photographing apparatus, and the storage medium mounted Control means for detecting digital information associated with incidental information that matches a predetermined condition from the digital information stored in the storage means and controlling the digital information to be stored in the storage medium; I have.

  According to the photographing apparatus of claim 1, at least of the image information indicating the subject image obtained as digital information by photographing and the sound information obtained as digital information by recording by the storage unit built in the photographing apparatus. One digital information is memorize | stored in the state matched with the incidental information regarding the said digital information.

  For example, in the DPOF standard, as described above, additional information such as image frames and the number of sheets to be printed is stored. Further, for example, in an image file format called Exif (Exchangeable Image File Format), incidental information such as a shooting date can be stored together with image data indicating a subject image. Also, for example, in the file format of an audio file created using an audio compression technique called MP3 (MPEG Audio Layer-III), additional information such as arbitrary character information is added to the audio data indicating the audio as additional information. Can be remembered. The incidental information of the present invention refers to information related to digital information as described above. The storage means includes a nonvolatile semiconductor storage element such as a flash memory or an EEPROM.

  Here, in the present invention, when a storage medium configured to be detachable is attached to the photographing apparatus, the digital information associated with the additional information that matches the predetermined condition from the digital information stored in the storage means Is detected and stored in the storage medium by the control means. The storage media include smart media, xD picture cards, SD cards, compact flash, ATA cards, and microdrives.

  As described above, according to the photographing apparatus of the first aspect, from the digital information stored in the built-in storage means in association with the supplementary information, the information associated with the supplementary information matching the predetermined condition is obtained. Since it is detected and stored in a storage medium, the digital condition stored in the built-in storage means is applied by applying a condition that matches the incidental information associated with the desired digital information as the predetermined condition. It is possible to easily store desired information from information in a removable storage medium.

  The present invention further includes input means for inputting the predetermined condition, as in the invention of claim 2, wherein the control means is incidental information that matches the predetermined condition input by the input means. It is good also as what detects the digital information matched with this. Thereby, the conditions of the digital information stored in the storage medium can be arbitrarily changed, and convenience can be improved. The input means includes various switches.

  Further, according to the present invention, the predetermined condition is stored in the storage medium in advance, and the control unit reads the predetermined condition stored in the storage medium. The digital information associated with the incidental information that matches the predetermined condition may be detected. This makes it possible to store desired digital information in the storage medium more easily than when the predetermined condition is input for each control. In addition, since it is not necessary to provide an input means for inputting the predetermined condition, it is possible to reduce the cost and space as compared with the case where the input means is provided.

  Further, according to the present invention, the digital information stored in the storage means is used as the image information, and the incidental information is used as a print order target for the associated image information. The predetermined condition may be image information to be printed. As a result, only the image information for the print order can be stored in the storage medium, so that the convenience in ordering the print can be improved.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, as in the fifth aspect of the present invention, the digital information stored in the storage means is the image information, and the incidental information is information indicating a photographing condition when acquiring associated image information. The predetermined condition may be the photographing condition associated with image information to be stored in the storage medium. As a result, only the image information obtained by shooting under the desired shooting conditions can be stored in the storage medium, which is particularly effective when the shooting conditions of the image information to be stored in the storage medium are known in advance. is there. Note that the shooting conditions of the present invention include manual shooting, auto shooting, program shooting, macro shooting, moving body shooting, night scene shooting, person shooting, shooting date and time, and shooting location.

  Further, according to the present invention, as in the invention described in claim 6, the auxiliary information is information indicating the priority order of the associated digital information, and the predetermined condition corresponds to the digital information to be stored in the storage medium. The priorities assigned may be set. As a result, only the digital information having the desired priority order can be stored in the storage medium, which is particularly effective when the priority order of the digital information to be stored in the storage medium is known in advance. The priority order includes a rank according to the importance of the digital information and a rank according to the print order when the digital information is image information and the likelihood of being the target.

  Further, according to the present invention, as in the invention described in claim 7, the auxiliary information is information indicating a predetermined identification code of the associated digital information, and the predetermined condition is stored in the storage medium. The identification code associated with the digital information may be used. Thus, only the digital information corresponding to the desired identification code can be stored in the storage medium, which is particularly effective when the identification code of the digital information to be stored in the storage medium is known in advance.

  According to the photographing apparatus of the present invention, the digital information stored in the built-in storage means in association with the supplementary information is detected and stored in the storage medium by detecting the one associated with the supplementary information that matches the predetermined condition. Since a condition that matches the incidental information associated with the desired digital information is applied as the predetermined condition, the desired information can be obtained from the digital information stored in the built-in storage means. The effect that it can memorize | store easily in the storage medium provided so that attachment or detachment is possible is acquired.

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. Here, a case where the photographing apparatus of the present invention is applied to a digital still camera (hereinafter simply referred to as “digital camera”) for photographing a still image will be described.

[First Embodiment]
First, an external configuration of the digital camera 10 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  As shown in the figure, the front of the digital camera 10 is provided with a lens 12 for forming a subject image and a viewfinder 70 used for determining the composition of the subject to be photographed. On the top surface of the digital camera 10, a release button (so-called shutter) 56A that is pressed by a photographer when performing shooting and a power switch 56B are provided.

  Note that the release button 56A according to the present embodiment is in a state where it is pressed down to an intermediate position (hereinafter referred to as “half-pressed state”), and in a state where it is pressed down to a final pressed position that exceeds the intermediate position (hereinafter referred to as “herein”). It is configured to be able to detect a two-stage pressing operation of “fully pressed state”.

  In the digital camera 10 according to the present embodiment, the exposure state (shutter speed, aperture state) is set by operating the AE (Automatic Exposure) function by pressing the release button 56A halfway. After that, AF (Auto Focus) function is activated and focus control is performed, and then exposure (photographing) is performed when it is fully pressed.

  On the other hand, on the back of the digital camera 10, a liquid crystal display (hereinafter referred to as “the eyepiece” of the finder 70 and a subject image, various menu screens, messages, etc. indicated by the digital image data obtained by photographing). 30), a shooting mode that is a mode for performing shooting, and a playback mode that is a mode for displaying (reproducing) a subject image indicated by digital image data obtained by shooting on the LCD 30. The mode selector switch 56C is operated to be slid for setting, the four arrow keys indicating the up / down / left / right movement directions in the display area of the LCD 30, and the center of the four arrow keys. A cross cursor button 56D configured to include a total of five keys.

  Also, on the back of the digital camera 10, a menu key 56E that is pressed when displaying the main menu screen on the LCD 30, and an execution key 56F that is pressed when executing processing specified on the menu screen, A cancel key 56G that is pressed when various operations are canceled (cancelled) is provided.

  Next, the configuration of the electrical system of the digital camera 10 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  As shown in the figure, the digital camera 10 includes an optical unit 13 including the lens 12 described above, a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) 14 disposed behind the optical axis of the lens 12, and a correlated double. A sampling circuit (hereinafter referred to as “CDS”) 16, and an analog / digital converter (hereinafter referred to as “ADC”) 18 that converts an input analog signal into digital data. The output terminal of the CCD 14 is connected to the input terminal of the CDS 16, and the output terminal of the CDS 16 is connected to the input terminal of the ADC 18.

  Here, the correlated double sampling processing by the CDS 16 is a feed included in the output signal for each pixel of the solid-state image sensor for the purpose of reducing noise (particularly thermal noise) included in the output signal of the solid-state image sensor. This is processing for obtaining accurate pixel data by taking the difference between the through component level and the pixel signal component level.

  On the other hand, the digital camera 10 has a line buffer having a predetermined capacity and an image input controller 20 that performs control for directly storing the input digital image data in a predetermined area of the second memory 40 described later, and the digital image data. An image signal processing circuit 22 that performs various image processing, a compression / decompression processing circuit 24 that performs compression processing on the digital image data in a predetermined compression format, and performs expansion processing on the compressed digital image data, and a digital image A signal for displaying an image or a menu screen indicated by data on the LCD 30 is generated and supplied to the LCD 30, while a video signal (NTSC signal in the present embodiment) indicating an image to be displayed on the LCD 30 is generated. And a video / LCD encoder 28 for outputting to the video output terminal OUT. To have. The input terminal of the image input controller 20 is connected to the output terminal of the ADC 18.

  In addition, the digital camera 10 includes a CPU (central processing unit) 32 that controls the operation of the entire digital camera 10 and physical quantities required to operate the AF function (in this embodiment, an image obtained by imaging with the CCD 14). The brightness of the image obtained by imaging by the CCD 14 in this embodiment, and an AF detection circuit 34 that detects the contrast value.) And an AE function and an AWB (Automatic White Balance) function. An AE / AWB detection circuit 36 for detecting the amount of data), a first memory 38 composed of an SDRAM (Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory) used as a work area when the CPU 32 executes various processes, The first is composed of a VRAM (Video RAM) that stores digital image data obtained by photographing. It is configured to include a memory 40, a.

  Furthermore, the digital camera 10 receives radio waves from a media controller 42 and a GPS (Global Positioning System) satellite for enabling the digital camera 10 to access a recording medium 42A constituted by smart media (Smart Media®). A GPS control circuit 44 that has a built-in antenna (not shown) to receive and processes a signal received by the antenna to obtain position information (two-dimensional information of longitude and latitude in this embodiment), and non-volatile And a third memory 46 composed of a semiconductor memory element (in this embodiment, a flash memory).

  Image input controller 20, image signal processing circuit 22, compression / decompression processing circuit 24, video / LCD encoder 28, CPU 32, AF detection circuit 34, AE / AWB detection circuit 36, first memory 38, second memory 40, The media controller 42, the GPS control circuit 44, and the third memory 46 are mutually connected via a bus BUS.

  Therefore, the CPU 32 controls the operations of the image input controller 20, the image signal processing circuit 22, the compression / decompression processing circuit 24, and the video / LCD encoder 28, and detects them by the AF detection circuit 34 and the AE / AWB detection circuit 36. Acquisition of the acquired physical quantity, acquisition of position information acquired by the GPS control circuit 44, and access to the first memory 38, the second memory 40, the recording medium 42A, and the third memory 46, respectively. it can.

  In the digital camera 10 according to the present embodiment, the third memory 46 has a relatively large capacity (here, 8 GB), and digital image data is stored in the third memory 46 as an image file at the time of shooting. It is configured as something to keep. In order to use the above-described digital camera print service or to transfer an image file to an information processing apparatus such as a personal computer or a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant, personal digital assistant) via the recording medium 42A. When it is desired to store the image file in the recording medium 42A, only a desired image file stored in the third memory 46 is selectively stored in the recording medium 42A.

  With this configuration, even when the recording medium 42A is removed from the digital camera 10 in order to use the digital camera print service, etc., the digital camera 10 can hold the image file. It can be used for other purposes such as displaying and processing files and is extremely convenient.

  On the other hand, the digital camera 10 is provided with a timing generator 48 that mainly generates a timing signal for driving the CCD 14 and supplies the timing signal to the CCD 14. The input terminal of the timing generator 48 is connected to the CPU 32 and the output terminal is connected to the CCD 14. The driving of the CCD 14 is controlled by the CPU 32 via the timing generator 48.

  Further, the CPU 32 is connected to an input terminal of the motor drive unit 50, and an output terminal of the motor drive unit 50 is connected to a focus adjustment motor, a zoom motor, and an aperture drive motor provided in the optical unit 13.

  The lens 12 included in the optical unit 13 according to the present embodiment has a plurality of lenses, and is configured as a zoom lens that can change (magnify) the focal length, and includes a lens driving mechanism (not shown). Yes. The lens drive mechanism includes the focus adjustment motor, the zoom motor, and the aperture drive motor. The focus adjustment motor, the zoom motor, and the aperture drive motor are each supplied with a drive signal supplied from the motor drive unit 50 under the control of the CPU 32. Driven by.

  When changing the optical zoom magnification, the CPU 32 controls the zoom motor to change the focal length of the lens included in the optical unit 13.

  Further, the CPU 32 performs focusing control by driving and controlling the focus adjustment motor so that the contrast value of the image obtained by imaging by the CCD 14 is maximized. In other words, the digital camera 10 according to the present embodiment employs a so-called TTL (Through The Lens) method in which the lens position is set so that the contrast of the read image is maximized as the focus control. .

  Further, the release button 56A, the power switch 56B, the mode changeover switch 56C, the cross cursor button 56D, the menu key 56E, the execution key 56F, and the cancel key 56G are connected to the CPU 32, and the CPU 32 is in an operation state for these. Can always be grasped.

  The digital camera 10 according to the present embodiment is compatible with the Exif format, and the tag area included in the image file in the Exif format is displayed on the main menu screen displayed on the LCD 30 in response to the pressing operation of the menu key 56E. By setting information to be stored in advance, the information can be stored in a tag of an image file obtained by subsequent shooting.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 3, in the digital camera 10 according to the present embodiment, the image file 60 obtained by shooting and stored in the third memory 46 corresponds to the Exif format. , A tag area 60B, a thumbnail image area 60C, and a main image area 60D. Here, in the tag area 60B, various information set in advance on the main menu screen is stored.

  As this information, in this embodiment, information indicating shooting conditions set when shooting for obtaining the image file (in this embodiment, manual shooting, auto shooting, program shooting, Macro shooting, moving body shooting, night scene shooting, person shooting, shooting date / time, shooting location (in this embodiment, any information of latitude and longitude obtained by the GPS control circuit 44) and the priority of the image file At least one of the information shown and the identification code of the image file can be selected.

  Here, the priority order is an order set by the user according to the importance of the image file, the high possibility of being a print order target, or the like. In the present embodiment, as the priority order, it is possible to set three ranks of 1, 2, and 3 in descending order.

  The identification code is a code assigned in advance for each predetermined type of image file. In the present embodiment, as the type, an image file (identification code: 0001) in which a print order is set according to the DPOF standard, which will be described later, and an image file obtained by shooting in a state in which person shooting is set ( An identification code: 0002), an image file (identification code: 0003) obtained by shooting with macro shooting set, and an image file (identification code) obtained by shooting with night scene shooting set : 0004) and an image file (identification code: 0005) obtained by shooting in a state in which another mode is set.

  On the other hand, the digital camera 10 according to the present embodiment also supports the DPOF standard, and an image frame (image file) for ordering a print on the main menu screen displayed on the LCD 30 in response to a pressing operation of the menu key 56E. By inputting information such as the number of prints, the information can be stored in the third memory 46 as a file (hereinafter referred to as “DPOF file”).

  Next, the operation of the digital camera 10 according to the present embodiment will be described. First, the overall processing flow when the shooting mode is set will be briefly described.

  A signal indicating the subject image output from the CCD 14 by imaging through the optical unit 13 is sequentially input to the CDS 16 and subjected to correlated double sampling processing, and then input to the ADC 18. The ADC 18 receives R ( The red, G (green), and B (blue) signals are converted into 12-bit R, G, and B signals (digital image data) and output to the image input controller 20.

  The image input controller 20 accumulates digital image data sequentially input from the ADC 18 in a built-in line buffer and temporarily stores it in a predetermined area of the second memory 40.

  Digital image data stored in a predetermined area of the second memory 40 is read out by the image signal processing circuit 22 under the control of the CPU 32, and a digital gain corresponding to the physical quantity detected by the AE / AWB detection circuit 36 is added to these. In addition to white balance adjustment, gamma processing and sharpness processing are performed to generate 8-bit digital image data, and further YC signal processing is performed to obtain luminance signal Y and chroma signals Cr and Cb (hereinafter referred to as “YC signal”). And the YC signal is stored in an area different from the predetermined area of the second memory 40.

  The LCD 30 is configured so that it can display a moving image (through image) obtained by continuous imaging by the CCD 14 and can be used as a finder. In this way, the LCD 30 is used as a finder. The generated YC signal is sequentially output to the LCD 30 via the video / LCD encoder 28. As a result, a through image is displayed on the LCD 30.

  Here, when the release button 56A is half-pressed by the user, after the AE function is activated and the exposure state is set as described above, the AF function is activated and focus control is performed, and then the fully-pressed state is continued. In this case, the YC signal stored in the second memory 40 at this time is compressed in a predetermined compression format (in this embodiment, JPEG format) by the compression / expansion processing circuit 24, and then the third memory 46 is used. Is stored as an Exif format image file. At this time, in the image file, at least one of information indicating the photographing conditions selected in advance on the main menu screen, information indicating the priority order, and information indicating the identification code is stored in the tag area.

  In addition, when the user creates a DPOF file according to the DPOF standard for the image file stored in the third memory 46 by the previous shooting, the user is displayed on the LCD 30 according to the pressing operation of the menu key 56E. On the main menu screen, input information such as image frames to be ordered and the number of prints. As a result, the DPOF file including these pieces of information is stored in the third memory 46.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 4, a description will be given of the playback mode process executed by the digital camera 10 when the playback mode is set. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing of the playback mode processing program executed by the CPU 32 of the digital camera 10 at this time.

  First, in step 100, it is determined whether or not to copy the image file stored in the third memory 46 to the recording medium 42A. If the determination is negative, the process proceeds to step 102 and the normal playback mode is reached. After executing the processing, the present reproduction mode processing program is terminated, and if the determination is affirmative, the routine proceeds to step 104. In this embodiment, whether or not the image file in step 100 is copied to the recording medium 42A is determined by determining whether or not the recording medium 42A is attached to the digital camera 10. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and it may be determined according to an instruction input from the user.

  In step 104, a predetermined menu screen is displayed on the LCD 30, and in the next step 106, input of predetermined information is waited.

  FIG. 5A shows a menu screen displayed on the LCD 30 at this time. As shown in the figure, on this menu screen, a message for prompting selection of a copy condition (corresponding to the “predetermined condition” of the present invention) to the recording medium 42A is displayed, and as selectable copy conditions, “ “DPOF target image file”, “shooting condition”, “priority order”, and “identification code” are displayed. When the menu screen is displayed on the LCD 30, the user selects a desired copy condition by operating the cross cursor button 56D. FIG. 5 shows a state where “DPOF target image file” is selected.

  Here, when the “shooting condition” is selected by the user, the shooting condition selection screen shown in FIG. 5B is displayed. When the “priority order” is selected, the priority shown in FIG. 5C is displayed. When “identification code” is selected as the rank selection screen, the identification code selection screen shown in FIG. In response to this, the user selects an image file to be stored in the recording medium 42A on the screen corresponding to the selected copy condition. In the present embodiment, the user can select a plurality of copy conditions.

  When the user selects the copy conditions as described above, in the next step 108, it is determined whether or not “DPOF target image file” is included in the copy conditions selected by the user, and an affirmative determination is made. In this case, the process proceeds to step 110, and the DPOF file stored in the third memory 46 and the image file set as an image frame to be printed with the DPOF file are read out and stored in the recording medium 42A. 112. On the other hand, if a negative determination is made in step 108, the process proceeds to step 112 without executing the process of step 110.

  In step 112, it is determined whether or not the “photographing condition” is included in the copy condition selected by the user. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 114 and the user selects the photographing condition selection screen (FIG. 5 ( See also B). The image file in which the shooting condition that matches the shooting condition selected in (2) is stored in the tag area 60B is retrieved from the image file stored in the third memory 46 and stored in the recording medium 42A. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step 116. On the other hand, if the determination in step 112 is negative, the process proceeds to step 116 without executing the process in step 114.

  In step 116, it is determined whether or not “priority” is included in the copy condition selected by the user. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 118, where the user selects a priority selection screen (FIG. 5 ( (See also C). The image file whose priority order that matches the priority order selected in (2) is retrieved from the image file stored in the third memory 46 and stored in the recording medium 42A. Then, the process proceeds to step 120. On the other hand, if a negative determination is made in step 116, the process proceeds to step 120 without executing the process in step 118.

  In step 120, it is determined whether or not “identification code” is included in the copy condition selected by the user. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 122 and the user selects an identification code selection screen (FIG. 5 ( See also D). The image file in which the identification code that matches the identification code selected in (2) is stored in the tag area 60B is retrieved from the image file stored in the third memory 46 and stored in the recording medium 42A. Thereafter, the reproduction mode processing program is terminated. On the other hand, if a negative determination is made in step 120, the reproduction mode processing program is terminated without executing the processing in step 122.

  As described above in detail, in this embodiment, the third memory 46 is stored in association with the incidental information (information stored in the tag area 60B and information stored in the DPOF file). Since the information associated with the incidental information that matches the predetermined condition is detected from the image information and stored in the recording medium 42A, it matches the incidental information associated with the desired image information as the predetermined condition. By applying these conditions, it is possible to easily store desired information from the image information stored in the built-in third memory 46 in the recording medium 42A provided in a detachable manner.

  In the present embodiment, the image information associated with the supplementary information that matches the predetermined condition input (selected) by the cross cursor button 56D is detected, so that the image information stored in the recording medium 42A is detected. These conditions can be arbitrarily changed, and convenience can be improved.

  Further, in the present embodiment, as the supplementary information, information indicating whether or not the associated image information is a print order target is applied. By designating the information, only the image information for the print order can be stored in the recording medium 42A, and the convenience in ordering the print can be improved.

  Further, in the present embodiment, as the supplementary information, information indicating a shooting condition when acquiring the associated image information is applied. Therefore, as the predetermined condition, the image information to be stored in the recording medium 42A is used. By specifying the associated shooting conditions, only the image information obtained by shooting under the desired shooting conditions can be stored in the recording medium 42A, and the shooting conditions of the image information desired to be stored in the recording medium 42A are known in advance. This is especially effective when

  In the present embodiment, since the information indicating the priority order of the associated image information is applied as the supplementary information, the priority associated with the image information desired to be stored in the recording medium 42A is used as the predetermined condition. By specifying the order, only the image information having the desired priority order can be stored in the recording medium 42A, and this is particularly effective when the priority order of the image information to be stored in the recording medium 42A is known in advance. Is.

  Furthermore, in the present embodiment, since the predetermined identification code of the associated image information is applied as the incidental information, the predetermined condition is associated with the image information to be stored in the recording medium 42A. By designating the identification code, only the image information corresponding to the desired identification code can be stored in the recording medium 42A, particularly when the identification code of the image information to be stored in the recording medium 42A is known in advance. It is effective.

[Second Embodiment]
In the first embodiment, a case has been described in which the user inputs a copy condition (corresponding to the “predetermined condition” of the present invention) by operating the cross cursor button 56D, but in the second embodiment, A mode in which copy conditions are stored in advance in the recording medium 42A will be described. Since the configuration of the digital camera 10 according to the second embodiment is the same as that of the digital camera 10 according to the first embodiment (see FIGS. 1 and 2), the description thereof is omitted here. Since the operation of the digital camera 10 according to the second embodiment other than the execution of the playback mode process is the same as that of the first embodiment, description thereof is omitted here.

  Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 6, a description will be given of a playback mode process executed by the digital camera 10 according to the second embodiment when the playback mode is set. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing of the playback mode processing program executed by the CPU 32 of the digital camera 10 at this time. Here, as shown in FIG. 7, an identification code indicating an image file to be stored in the recording medium 42A (identification code similar to the first embodiment, at least one of 0001, 0002,..., 0005). A case where two identification codes) are stored in advance in the identification code area 43B of the recording medium 42A will be described.

  First, in step 200, it is determined whether or not the image file stored in the third memory 46 is to be copied to the recording medium 42A. If the determination is negative, the process proceeds to step 202 and the normal playback mode is reached. After executing the processing, the present reproduction mode processing program is terminated, and if the determination is affirmative, the routine proceeds to step 204. In this embodiment, whether or not to copy the image file to the recording medium 42A in step 200 is determined according to an instruction input from the user.

  In step 204, the recording medium 42A is waited to be attached to the digital camera 10, and in the next step 206, the identification code stored in the identification code area 43B of the attached recording medium 42A is read.

  In the next step 208, it is determined whether or not the read identification code is within a predetermined range (in the present embodiment, a range from '0001' to '0005'). 3. It is determined whether to copy the image file from the memory 46 to the recording medium 42A. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 210, and the identification code that matches the read identification code is in the tag area 60B. The image file stored in the third memory 46 is retrieved from the image file stored in the third memory 46 and stored in the recording medium 42A, and then the reproduction mode processing program is terminated. On the other hand, if a negative determination is made in step 208, the present playback mode processing program is terminated without executing the processing of step 210.

  As described above in detail, in the second embodiment, the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained, and an identification code (corresponding to the “predetermined condition” of the present invention) is applied to the recording medium 42A. In addition to storing in advance, the identification code is read, and image information associated with the incidental information (information stored in the tag area 60B) matching the identification code is detected. A desired image file can be stored in the recording medium 42A more easily than in the case of inputting each time the control is performed. Further, since it is not necessary to provide input means such as the cross cursor button 56D for inputting the identification code, the cost and space can be reduced as compared with the case where the input means is provided.

  In the second embodiment, the case where the identification code is applied as the predetermined condition of the present invention has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, applied as the copy condition in the first embodiment. The other conditions (at least one of the DPOF target image file, the shooting condition, and the priority order) may be applied. Also in this case, the same effects as in the present embodiment can be obtained.

  In each of the above embodiments, the case where the image file stored in the third memory 46 is copied to the recording medium 42A has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the third memory 46 It can also be configured to move to the recording medium 42A. In this case, since the moved image file is deleted from the third memory 46, the remaining storage capacity of the third memory 46 can be increased.

  Further, although cases have been described with the above embodiments where position information is acquired using GPS, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, a PHS (Personal Handy-phone System) is used. Thus, the position information indicating the position of the user can be acquired. In this case, although the accuracy of the position information is lower than when using GPS, the digital camera 10 can be configured at low cost.

  In each of the above embodiments, the case where the present invention is applied to the digital camera 10 that captures a still image has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the digital camera that captures a moving image. The present invention can also be applied to. In this case, instead of the image file 60 in each of the above-described embodiments, an image file obtained by capturing a moving image is a processing target. Also in this case, the same effects as those of the above embodiments can be obtained.

  Further, the present invention can be applied to any device having a photographing function such as a camera-equipped mobile phone or a camera-equipped PDA (Personal Digital Assistant, portable information terminal). Also in this case, the same effects as those of the above embodiments can be obtained.

  In each of the above embodiments, the case where the image file is applied as the digital information of the present invention has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the form in which the audio file is applied, the image file, and the audio It is also possible to adopt a form in which both files are applied.

  As a form in this case, the digital camera 10 is equipped with a voice memo function that can record voice as digital information in the third memory 46 in a predetermined format such as a WAV file or MP3. Examples include a configuration in which an audio file recorded in the memory 46 is a detection target to be stored in the recording medium 42A, and a configuration in which both the audio file and the image file are detection targets. In this case, the same information as the supplementary information described in the above embodiments is stored as supplementary information of the audio file (additional information when the file format is MP3).

  Also in this case, the same effects as those of the above embodiments can be obtained.

  Further, the configuration of the digital camera 10 (see FIGS. 1 and 2) shown in each of the above embodiments is merely an example, and it is needless to say that the configuration can be appropriately changed without departing from the gist of the present invention.

  Furthermore, the flow of processing of the playback mode processing program described in each of the above embodiments (see FIGS. 4 and 6) is also an example, and it goes without saying that it can be appropriately changed without departing from the gist of the present invention. Yes.

It is an external view which shows the external appearance of the digital camera which concerns on embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the electric system of the digital camera which concerns on embodiment. It is a schematic diagram which shows the structure of the image file which concerns on embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a process of the reproduction | regeneration mode processing program which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is the schematic which shows the example of a display of the menu screen which concerns on embodiment, the imaging condition selection screen, the priority order selection screen, and the identification code selection screen. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a process of the reproduction | regeneration mode processing program which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a schematic diagram which shows the structure of the recording area of the recording medium which concerns on 2nd Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

10 Digital camera 32 CPU (control means)
42A Recording media (storage media)
46 Third memory (storage means)
56D Crosshair cursor button (input means)

Claims (7)

An imaging device that acquires image information indicating a subject by shooting as digital information,
A storage unit that is incorporated in the photographing apparatus and stores at least one digital information of the image information and audio information acquired as digital information by recording in association with incidental information related to the digital information;
A storage medium configured to be detachable from the photographing apparatus;
When the storage medium is attached, control is performed so that digital information associated with incidental information matching a predetermined condition is detected from the digital information stored in the storage means and stored in the storage medium. Control means;
An imaging device with An input means for inputting the predetermined condition;
The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit detects digital information associated with incidental information that matches the predetermined condition input by the input unit. While storing the predetermined condition in the storage medium in advance,
The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit reads the predetermined condition stored in the storage medium and detects digital information associated with incidental information that matches the predetermined condition. Digital information stored in the storage means is the image information,
The incidental information is information indicating whether or not the associated image information is a print order target,
The photographing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the predetermined condition is image information to be printed. Digital information stored in the storage means is the image information,
The incidental information is information indicating imaging conditions when acquiring associated image information,
The photographing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the predetermined condition is the photographing condition associated with image information to be stored in the storage medium. The incidental information is information indicating the priority order of the associated digital information,
The photographing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the predetermined condition is the priority order associated with digital information to be stored in the storage medium. The incidental information is information indicating a predetermined identification code of associated digital information,
The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined condition is the identification code associated with digital information to be stored in the storage medium.

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