JP2005110031A - Imaging apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an imaging apparatus effectively using a detection result on direction for imaging function. <P>SOLUTION: An imaged picture data generated by an imaging part 157 and the information on direction detected by a direction detecting part 158 when an image of the imaged picture data is imaged, are related each other and stored to a storage part 152. So, the information on direction at imaging is stored in the storage part 152 as well as the imaged picture, raising utility value of the imaged picture. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus, for example, an imaging apparatus such as a camera-equipped mobile phone.

  In recent years, portable electronic devices such as mobile phones and PDAs have become increasingly sophisticated with the improvement of processor processing power and the development of low power consumption technologies. For example, mobile phones having an image capturing function for still images and moving images are now common sense, and mobile phones having a navigation function using a GPS (global positioning system) are being realized.

  For a mobile phone having a navigation function, there is a conventional technique described in Patent Document 1, for example.

  The technique described in Patent Literature 1 is to display the movement trajectory of the terminal on the map by sequentially plotting the position of the terminal on the map, but if the direction can be detected in the terminal By using the detection result, it is possible to display the orientation of the map in accordance with the actually detected orientation, and a more practical navigation function can be realized.

  Direction detection is generally performed using a geomagnetic sensor. For example, a reference two-dimensional coordinate system is set on a plane parallel to the ground plane, and the strength of geomagnetism in each coordinate axis direction is measured by a geomagnetic sensor. The azimuth angle is obtained from the angle formed by the two-dimensional geomagnetic vector obtained by this measurement and the coordinate axis.

  Cellular phones having a direction detection function by a geomagnetic sensor and a navigation function for controlling the direction of a map according to the detection result have recently been commercialized.

JP 2001-124581 A

However, the azimuth detection function described above is mainly used exclusively for the navigation function, and it is difficult to say that the function is sufficiently utilized in the recent highly functional portable electronic devices.
In particular, the conventional technology has not found a mechanism for using the detection result of the azimuth for the imaging function, so even if there is a portable electronic device having both the imaging function and the azimuth detection function, Is no longer different from when it is used individually by another device.
That is, the conventional technique has a problem that the detection result of the azimuth is not effectively used for the imaging function.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide an imaging apparatus that can effectively use the detection result of the azimuth for the imaging function.

  In order to achieve the above object, an image pickup apparatus of the present invention includes an image pickup means, a storage means, a direction detection means for detecting a geographical direction of a reference direction set with respect to a light receiving surface of the image pickup means, Control for storing in the storage means the imaged image data generated by the imaging means and the information on the orientation detected by the orientation detection means when the image of the captured image data is captured by the imaging means Means.

  Preferably, the imaging apparatus of the present invention includes positioning signal receiving means for receiving a predetermined signal for positioning the geographical position of the current location, and the control means includes the captured image data and the azimuth information, Position information based on the positioning result in the positioning means is associated with and stored in the storage means.

  Further, the imaging apparatus of the present invention may include information input means, and the control means may change the setting of the reference direction according to information input from the information input means.

The azimuth detecting means includes a terrestrial magnetism detecting means for detecting terrestrial magnetism in a plurality of predetermined directions parallel to the coordinate axes of the orthogonal coordinate system set on the casing of the imaging device, and the terrestrial magnetism detecting means. An azimuth angle calculating means for calculating an azimuth angle on the horizontal plane based on geomagnetism in a plurality of directions and information related to an inclination angle formed by the reference direction and the horizontal plane may be included.
In this case, the imaging apparatus of the present invention has information input means, and the control means supplies information related to the tilt angle generated according to information input from the information input means to the azimuth angle calculation means. You may enter.
In this case, the imaging apparatus according to the present invention includes a first case in which the orthogonal coordinate system of the geomagnetic detection unit is set, and a second case connected to the first case through a movable mechanism. You may have a housing | casing and the operation state determination means which determines the operation state of the said movable mechanism, The said control means produced | generated according to the operation state of the said movable mechanism determined in the said operation state determination means Information related to the tilt angle may be input to the azimuth calculating means.

  Alternatively, the azimuth detecting means includes a geomagnetism detecting means for detecting geomagnetism in a plurality of predetermined directions parallel to each coordinate axis of the orthogonal coordinate system set on the housing of the imaging device, and a photographing direction of the imaging means. An azimuth angle on the ground plane is determined based on an angle detection means for detecting an angle formed with the ground plane, the geomagnetism in the plurality of directions detected by the geomagnetic detection means, and the angle detected by the angle detection means. An azimuth angle calculating means for calculating may be included.

  The image pickup apparatus of the present invention has display means for displaying a picked-up image in the image pick-up means, and the control means is arranged on the display screen of the display means together with the picked-up image in the image pick-up means. You may display the image which shows the azimuth | direction according to the detection result.

  In addition, when the captured image data stored in the storage unit is displayed on the display unit, the control unit responds to the reproduction image of the captured image data and the orientation information stored in association with the captured image data. You may display the image which shows the azimuth | direction.

  According to the present invention, since the direction information detected when the image of the captured image data is captured and the captured image data are associated and stored in the storage unit, in addition to the captured image information, Information on the orientation at the time of imaging can be obtained, and the utility value of the captured image can be increased.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a multi-function mobile phone having a navigation function and an imaging function will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a system for acquiring geographical position and map information in a mobile phone 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The mobile phone 10 receives signals transmitted from three or more GPS satellites 20 that go around a known orbit, and sends information related to the received signals from the base station 30 to the server device 40 via the communication network. Send.
Server device 40 calculates the geographical position of mobile phone 10 based on the information sent from mobile phone 10. Further, based on the calculated position, the map information around the mobile phone 10 is searched from the database. Then, the calculated position information and searched map information are transmitted from the communication network to the mobile phone 10 via the base station 30.

2 and 3 are diagrams illustrating an example of the appearance of the mobile phone 10 in the open state and the closed state.
2A, 2 </ b> B, and 2 </ b> C respectively show the front, side, and back side appearances of the mobile phone 10 in the open state.
3A, 3 </ b> B, and 3 </ b> C respectively show the front, side, and back side appearances of the mobile phone 10 in the closed state.

As shown in the figure, the mobile phone 10 has two casings (a first casing 101 and a second casing 102), and these casings are connected via a movable mechanism 103. .
Each of the first casing 101 and the second casing 102 has a plate-like shape close to a rectangle with rounded corners, and the sizes thereof are close to each other. These two casings are connected by the movable mechanism 103 with the rectangular surfaces facing each other at a portion near the center of the short side on one side on the rectangular surface. The movable mechanism 103 relatively rotates the two housings around a rotation axis extending in a direction penetrating each other's rectangular surfaces.

  In the open state, as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2C, the long sides of the two housings are parallel when viewed from the front or the back. The short sides of the respective housings on the side away from the connecting portion are arranged to face each other in parallel with the above-described rotation axis in between, and are in the most distant state. As shown in FIG. 2B, the second housing 102 is inclined with respect to the first housing 101 when viewed from the side.

  On the other hand, even in the closed state, as shown in FIGS. 3 (A) and 3 (C), the long sides of the two housings are in a parallel state. The short sides of the housing are arranged facing each other in parallel without interposing the above-mentioned rotation axis, and are in the closest state. As shown in FIG. 3B, the rectangular surfaces of the first housing 101 and the second housing 102 are substantially parallel when viewed from the side, and the two housings overlap each other. Become.

  An operation key 110 is arranged on the surface of the first casing 101 on the side in contact with the second casing 102 as shown in FIG. The operation keys 110 include keys for inputting numbers and symbols, keys for selecting and executing various functions, and the like, and are mainly used in the open state. In the closed state, as shown in FIG. 3, the cover is covered with the second housing 102 and becomes unusable. This operation key 110 is included in a key input unit 154 described later.

  Further, the left side surface of the first casing 101 (the side surface of the first casing 101 viewed from the direction of the arrow E) when the surface of the operation key 110 is viewed with the connecting portion facing upward is connected to the connecting portion. The operation key 120 is arranged on the near side. The operation key 120 includes keys for selecting and executing various functions, and is mainly used in the closed state. The operation key 120 is also included in the key input unit 154 in the same manner as the operation key 110.

  Further, a microphone hole 109 is provided at the approximate center of the lower side surface of the first casing 101 when the operation key 110 is viewed with the connecting portion facing upward.

  In addition, a rectangular display screen 104 is arranged on the surface of the second casing 102 on the side not in contact with the first casing 101 as shown in FIGS. 2 (A) and 3 (A). The The display screen 104 is configured by a display device such as an LCD (liquid crystal display) panel or an organic EL (electroluminescent) panel, and is included in a display unit 155 described later.

On the same surface as the display screen 104, speaker holes 106 and 107 are provided at positions close to the short sides at both ends with the display screen 104 interposed therebetween. The hole 107 is arranged near the short side on the connecting portion side, and the hole 106 is arranged near the short side on the opposite side.
Further, on this surface, a camera lens 105 is arranged at the lower left corner when viewed with the connecting portion facing down. The camera lens 105 is included in an imaging unit 157 described later.

  As shown in FIGS. 2C and 3C, a camera lens 125 and a flash lamp 126 are arranged on the surface of the first housing 101 on the side not in contact with the second housing 102. Has been. The camera lens 125 is disposed at a position close to the short side on the connection portion side on this surface, and the flash lamp 126 is disposed at a position on the lower left side of the camera lens 125 when the connection portion is viewed upward. ing. The camera lens 125 and the flash lamp 126 are included in the imaging unit 157.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the mobile phone 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention.
The mobile phone 10 illustrated in FIG. 4 includes a communication processing unit 150, a GPS reception unit 151, a storage unit 152, an open / close determination unit 153, a key input unit 154, a display unit 155, and a voice input / output unit 156. , An imaging unit 157, an orientation detection unit 158, and a control unit 159.
The GPS receiver 151 is an embodiment of the positioning signal receiving means of the present invention.
The storage unit 152 is an embodiment of the storage means of the present invention.
The open / close determining unit 153 is an embodiment of the operating state determining means of the present invention.
The imaging unit 157 is an embodiment of the imaging means of the present invention.
The direction detection unit 158 is an embodiment of the direction detection means of the present invention.
The control unit 159 is an embodiment of the control means of the present invention.

  The communication processing unit 150 performs processing related to wireless communication with the base station 30. For example, the transmission data output from the control unit 159 is subjected to predetermined modulation processing to be converted into a radio signal and transmitted from the antenna. In addition, a predetermined demodulation process is performed on the radio signal received by the antenna to reproduce the received data and output it to the control unit 159.

  The GPS receiving unit 151 receives a positioning signal transmitted from the GPS satellite 20, performs signal processing such as amplification, noise removal, and modulation, and acquires information necessary for calculating the position information in the server device 40. To do.

  The storage unit 152 stores a program executed by the control unit 159, constant data used in processing of the control unit 159, variable data that needs to be temporarily stored, captured image data, and the like.

  The open / close determining unit 153 determines whether the rotation state of the first housing 101 and the second housing 102 by the movable mechanism 103 is the above-described open state or closed state.

  When an input operation such as pressing a key is performed on the operation keys 110 and 120 described above, the key input unit 154 generates a signal corresponding to this and outputs it to the control unit 159.

  The display unit 155 displays an image corresponding to the image data generated by the control unit 159 on the display screen 104.

  The sound processing unit 156 converts the input sound into an electric sound signal by a microphone, performs signal processing such as amplification, analog-digital conversion, and encoding, and outputs the sound data of the processing result to the control unit 159. To do. In addition, audio data input from the control unit 159 is subjected to signal processing such as decoding, digital-analog conversion, and amplification to generate an audio signal, which is converted into audio by a speaker.

  The imaging unit 157 captures an image incident on the camera lens 105 or 125 described above, generates still image data or moving image data, and outputs the image data to the control unit 159. Further, the flash lamp 126 is turned on at the time of image capturing under the control of the control unit 159.

  The direction detection unit 158 detects the geographical direction of the reference direction set with respect to the light receiving surface of the camera lens 125.

Note that the reference direction for the azimuth detection is set to a different direction for each shooting mode at the time of camera shooting under the control of the control unit 159.
That is, in the normal shooting mode, the direction A (see FIG. 5) penetrating the first casing 101 from the second casing 102 perpendicular to the light receiving surface of the camera lens 125 is the reference direction for detecting the direction. Is set. In the macro photography mode, a direction B (see FIG. 6) that is horizontal to the light receiving surface of the camera lens 125 and is opposite to the direction E shown in FIG. 2 is set as the reference direction for azimuth detection.

  The detection result of the azimuth detecting unit 158 is also used for controlling the orientation of the map on the display screen 104 during the navigation operation. During the navigation operation, the reference direction for direction detection is set to a direction C (see FIG. 7) from the short side closer to the connecting portion of the second casing 101 to the shorter side farther from the connecting portion. The

FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the direction detection unit 158.
The azimuth detection unit 158 illustrated in FIG. 8 includes a geomagnetism detection unit 1581 and an azimuth angle calculation unit 1582.
The geomagnetism detection unit 1581 is an embodiment of the geomagnetism detection means of the present invention.
The azimuth calculation unit 1582 is an embodiment of the azimuth calculation unit of the present invention.

The geomagnetism detection unit 1581 detects geomagnetism in a plurality of predetermined directions parallel to the coordinate axes of the coordinate system set on the second housing 102. For example, the three-axis geomagnetic component S1 in each coordinate axis direction of the three-dimensional rectangular coordinate system set on the second casing 102 is detected. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the geomagnetism detection unit 1581 is disposed on the second casing 102.
Various methods such as a method using coil excitation, a method using the Hall effect, and a method using a magnetoresistive element can be used to detect geomagnetism.

  The azimuth angle calculation unit 1582 calculates an azimuth angle on the ground plane according to the geomagnetic component S1 in each direction detected by the geomagnetism detection unit 1581 and the tilt angle information S2 given from the control unit 159.

FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining a method of calculating the azimuth angle.
In FIG. 9, a rectangular coordinate system having coordinate axes Hx, Hy, Hz is a reference coordinate system set on the ground plane. That is, the coordinate axes Hx and Hy are coordinate axes parallel to the ground plane, and each face a predetermined direction. The coordinate axis Hz is a coordinate axis that faces in a direction perpendicular to the ground plane.
The azimuth angle θ is an angle formed by an image Zxy obtained by orthogonally projecting a vector in the reference direction Z onto the ground plane and the coordinate axis Hx. The inclination angle φ is an angle formed by the image Zxy and a vector in the reference direction Z. The twist angle η is an angle obtained by rotating the mobile phone 10 with the vector in the reference direction Z as the rotation axis.
When the azimuth angle θ, the tilt angle φ, and the twist angle η are all zero, the geomagnetic detection coordinate system set in the first housing 101 matches the coordinate system of the coordinate axes Hx, Hy, and Hz shown in FIG. To do.

  Here, if the detected value of geomagnetism corresponding to the coordinate axis Hx is α, the detected value of geomagnetism corresponding to the coordinate axis Hy is β, and the detected value of geomagnetism corresponding to the coordinate axis Hz is γ, the tangent of the azimuth angle θ shown in FIG. tan θ is expressed by the following equation.

[Equation 1]
tan θ = β / (γ · sin φ−α · cos φ) (1)

However, in the formula (1), the twist angle η is zero.
The azimuth angle calculation unit 1582 calculates the azimuth angle from the detected values of the triaxial geomagnetism using, for example, the relationship shown in the equation (1).

In the present embodiment, the camera lens 125 is photographed with the camera lens 125 oriented in a direction parallel to the ground plane in the normal photography mode, and the camera lens 125 is photographed with the camera lens 125 oriented in a direction perpendicular to the ground plane in the macro photography mode. Style is assumed.
Under this assumption, the reference direction (direction A in FIG. 5 and direction B in FIG. 6) for azimuth detection is horizontal with respect to the ground plane in both the normal shooting mode and the macro shooting mode, and the inclination angle is It becomes zero.
Therefore, the tilt angle information S2 given from the control unit 159 to the azimuth angle calculation unit 1582 is information that instructs the tilt angle to be zero in any shooting mode.
The above is the description of the direction detection unit 158.

Returning to the description of FIG.
The control unit 159 includes a computer that executes processing based on a program stored in the storage unit 152, and performs various processes related to the overall operation of the mobile phone 10.
For example, as processing related to the function of the telephone, processing for controlling a calling / incoming sequence of the communication processing unit 150 according to a key input operation in the key input unit 154, and voice data input / output in the voice processing unit 156 The communication processing unit 150 performs transmission / reception.
As processing related to the navigation function, processing for acquiring geographical position and map information from the server device 40, and controlling the orientation of the map on the display screen 104 of the display unit 155 according to the detection result of the direction detection unit 158. Perform the process.

  In addition, as processing related to the imaging function, flashing is performed at an appropriate timing at the time of shooting a still image, processing that causes the imaging unit 157 to execute imaging processing of a still image or a moving image in response to a key input operation at the key input unit 154 A process of turning on the lamp 126, a process of performing image processing such as compression coding on the image data generated by the imaging process, and storing in the storage unit 152 are performed.

Furthermore, when the captured image data is stored in the storage unit 152, the orientation information detected by the orientation detection unit 158 and the position information acquired from the server device are also associated with the captured image data in the storage unit 152. Store.
The orientation information stored in the storage unit 152 is data detected when an image of the captured image data is captured by the imaging unit 157, for example.
Further, the position information stored in the storage unit 152 is, for example, position information based on a signal received by the GPS receiving unit 151 at the time of this imaging.

  Next, the operation of the mobile phone 10 having the above-described configuration will be described focusing on the navigation function and the imaging function.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of processing related to acquisition of position information and map information in the map information acquisition unit 1591.
Steps ST101 to ST103 indicate processing of the map information acquisition unit 1591, and steps ST201 to ST203 indicate processing of the server device 40.

  First, the control unit 159 causes the GPS receiving unit 151 to receive a signal from the GPS satellite 20, and acquires information related to the received signal (step ST101). Next, the acquired information is transmitted from the communication processing unit 150 to the server device 40 (step ST102).

Information transmitted from the communication processing unit 150 is received by the base station 30 and transmitted to the server device 40 via the communication network.
Server device 40 receives this information as a processing request from mobile phone 10 (step ST201), and calculates the geographical position of mobile phone 10 based on the received information. Further, based on the calculated position, the map information around the mobile phone 10 is searched from the database (step ST202). Then, the calculated position information and searched map information are returned from the communication network to the mobile phone 10 via the base station 30 as a processing result in response to the processing request (step ST203).

  The control unit 159 waits for a reply from the server device 40 that responds to the information transmitted in step ST101. When the communication processing unit 150 receives this reply, the control unit 159 acquires position information and map information included in the reply (step ST103).

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a schematic processing flow related to the navigation function and the imaging function.

First, the control unit 159 executes menu selection processing for selecting a function to be used from various functions of the mobile phone 10 (step ST300).
For example, the control unit 159 causes the display screen 104 to display an image that prompts the user to select a desired function from a list of available functions. Then, when selection instruction information is input from the key input unit 154 in accordance with this image display, the process shifts to a processing mode for executing each function in accordance with the input information. FIG. 11 illustrates a navigation mode that executes a navigation function, and a camera mode that executes an imaging function, among other processing modes.

  When the navigation mode is selected in step ST300, the control unit 159 executes the process shown in FIG. 10 and acquires the geographical position information of the mobile phone 10 and the map information around it from the server device 40. (Step ST301).

  In addition, the control unit 159 sets the reference direction of the direction detection to the direction C (FIG. 7) determined for navigation, and acquires information on the direction in the reference direction from the direction detection unit 158 (step ST302).

Then, the control unit 159 displays a map in which the current location is marked on the display screen 104 based on the acquired geographical position and map information, and appropriate information is obtained based on the orientation information acquired. The direction is set (step ST303).
Thereafter, it is determined whether or not the navigation mode is to be ended or continued (step ST304). When an instruction to continue is issued, the processes of steps ST301 to ST303 are repeated.

  On the other hand, when the camera mode is selected in step ST300, the control unit 159 causes the display screen 104 to display an image further prompting selection of the shooting mode. When selection instruction information is input from the key input unit 154 in accordance with this image display, the normal shooting mode or the macro shooting mode is selected according to the input information (step ST305).

  After selecting the shooting mode, the control unit 159 sets a reference direction for azimuth detection according to the selected mode. That is, the direction A (FIG. 5) is set when the normal shooting mode is selected, and the direction B (FIG. 6) is set when the macro shooting mode is selected (step ST306).

  Next, the control unit 159 causes the imaging unit 157 to capture a still image or a moving image in accordance with information on an execution instruction for shooting input from the key input unit 154, and acquires the captured image data. In addition, the direction information detected by the direction detection unit 158 when the image of the captured image data is captured, and the position information based on the signal received by the GPS reception unit 151 at the time of the imaging are acquired ( Step ST307). Note that the position information is acquired by the same processing as in FIG.

  The control unit 159 performs image processing such as compression coding on the captured image data acquired in step ST307 and stores the image processing data in the storage unit 152. Further, the acquired orientation information and position information are also stored in the storage unit 152 in association with the captured image data (step ST308).

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the captured image data generated by the imaging unit 157 and the orientation information detected by the orientation detection unit 158 when an image of the captured image data is captured. Are stored in the storage unit 152 in association with each other.
Therefore, in addition to the captured image, the storage unit 152 also stores information on the azimuth at the time of imaging, and the utility value of the captured image can be increased.
For example, by transmitting the captured image data and orientation information stored in the storage unit 152 to another mobile phone by the communication unit 150, the side receiving this data can grasp the captured image and its orientation. become. Even if the sender's position cannot be estimated from the captured image alone, it becomes easier to grasp the position if the direction information is added to this, so the side receiving the data can also give directions to the sender. . In addition, when sending an emergency report, if the captured image data and direction information are transmitted to the report partner, it will be easier for the receiving party to specify the location of the sender. Proceed quickly.
Moreover, as information recorded together with the captured image data, date and time are generally used, but if information on the direction is added to this, the value of the recorded captured image is increased, and more effective use is possible. Become. For example, if direction information is added to an image taken as a record of an accident or disaster, it is possible to use the analysis of the direction together with the image to find out the cause.

  In addition, according to the present embodiment, in addition to the captured image data and the orientation information, information on the geographical position of the imaging device can be stored in the storage unit 152 in association therewith, so that the utility value of the captured image is further increased. It can be further enhanced.

Furthermore, according to the present embodiment, the reference direction of the direction detection of the direction detection unit 158 set with respect to the light receiving surface of the imaging unit 157 is changed according to the information input from the key input unit 154.
Therefore, even if the angle formed between the light receiving surface of the image pickup unit 157 and the ground plane changes variously, it is possible to set the reference direction for azimuth detection in an appropriate direction according to information input from the key input unit 154. Thus, the correct orientation can be detected.

For example, in the above-described example, when the shooting mode is set to the normal shooting mode based on the input information of the key input unit 154, the reference direction for detecting the direction in the direction A perpendicular to the light receiving surface of the camera lens 125 as shown in FIG. When the shooting mode is changed to the macro shooting mode based on this input information, the reference direction for detecting the azimuth is set in the direction B parallel to the light receiving surface of the camera lens 125 as shown in FIG.
In the present embodiment, in the normal shooting mode, the camera lens 125 is oriented horizontally with respect to the ground plane (FIG. 6), and in the macro photography mode, the camera lens 125 is oriented perpendicular to the ground plane (FIG. 7). Is assumed.
Therefore, if the reference direction for azimuth detection in the macro shooting mode is the same as the reference direction for azimuth detection in the normal shooting mode, the reference direction for azimuth detection in the macro shooting mode is perpendicular to the ground plane. The azimuth angle on the plane cannot be calculated.
Therefore, as described above, by making it possible to change the reference direction of the direction detection according to the shooting style, it is possible to detect the correct direction in any shooting style.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made.

For example, as shown in FIG. 12, on the display screen 104 of the display unit 155, an image P <b> 1 indicating an orientation corresponding to the detection result of the orientation detection unit 158 may be displayed together with the captured image of the imaging unit 157. Thereby, it is possible to visually grasp the relationship between the subject and the direction.
In addition, when the captured image data stored in the storage unit 152 is displayed on the display unit 155, the image indicating the orientation corresponding to the orientation information stored in association with the captured image data together with the reproduced image of the captured image data. Can be displayed in the same manner as in FIG. Thereby, also about the image after imaging, the relationship between a to-be-photographed object and a direction can be grasped | ascertained visually clearly.

In the above-described embodiment, information on a tilt angle set in advance as information on the tilt angle is used for calculating the azimuth. For example, as shown in FIG. An inclination angle detection unit 1583 (corresponding to the angle detection means of the present invention) for detecting an angle may be provided, and the result may be used for detecting the azimuth angle. That is, the azimuth calculation unit 1582 may be configured to calculate the azimuth according to the geomagnetism detected by the geomagnetism detection unit 1581 and the tilt angle detected by the tilt angle detection unit 1583.
Thereby, since an accurate inclination angle is obtained, it is possible to improve the direction detection accuracy. If the two-dimensional tilt angle is detected by the tilt angle detection unit 1583, the twist angle information in addition to the tilt angle can be used for the calculation of the azimuth angle. It becomes possible to do.

  Alternatively, the control unit 159 may generate the tilt angle information S2 corresponding to the information input from the key input unit 154, and input the information S2 to the azimuth angle calculation unit 1582 to calculate the azimuth angle. . For example, a desired shooting mode can be selected from a plurality of shooting modes having different tilt angles according to information input from the key input unit 154, and the tilt angle information S2 determined for each shooting mode is stored in the control unit 159. It is good also as a structure to produce | generate. Alternatively, the value of the inclination angle may be directly input from the key input unit 154 using a numeric key or the like. Thereby, the user can arbitrarily set the inclination angle.

In addition, for example, the control unit 159 generates inclination angle information S2 according to the determination result of the open / close determination unit 153, and inputs this information S2 to the azimuth angle calculation unit 1582 to calculate the azimuth angle. Also good. In this case, the inclination angle information S2 generated by the control unit 159 is acquired from, for example, the storage unit 152 that stores a data table that associates the determination result of the open / close determination unit 153 with the inclination angle information S2. But it ’s okay.
As a result, it becomes possible to calculate the azimuth angle in consideration of the difference in tilt angle due to the difference in the operating state of the movable mechanism 103, and the detection accuracy of the azimuth can be improved.

Temporarily, the photography style which makes the short side of the connection part side of the 1st housing | casing 101 above the ground with respect to the short side of the other side, ie, the photography which raised the housing | casing vertically in the photography style of FIG. Use styles. In this case, since the housing has an inclination as shown in FIG. 2B in the open state, if the orientation of the camera lens 125 is kept parallel to the ground plane, the second housing 102 with respect to the ground plane. The inclination is different between the open state and the closed state. Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, when the geomagnetism detection unit 1581 is arranged in the second housing 102, the inclination angle formed between the reference direction of the azimuth detection and the ground plane is different between the open state and the closed state. It will be different.
Therefore, as described above, by using the tilt angle information S2 generated according to the determination result of the open / close determination unit 153 for calculating the azimuth, a more accurate azimuth can be obtained.

  In the embodiment described above, an orthogonal coordinate system is used as a reference coordinate system for geomagnetism detection. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, even if a coordinate system in which coordinate axes are oblique is used as the reference coordinate system, the calculation of the azimuth angle is performed. Is possible.

  In the above-described embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the geomagnetism detection unit 1581 is arranged in the second housing 102. However, the present invention is not limited to this example. You may arrange | position to the housing | casing 101. FIG.

  In the embodiment described above, the position is calculated in the server device 40. However, the present invention is not limited to this example. For example, the position may be calculated in a processing device (such as the control unit 159) in the mobile phone. The signal used for positioning is not limited to a GPS satellite transmission signal. For example, positioning may be performed using radio waves from a base station whose geographical position is determined.

  In the above-described embodiment, an example in which a key-type input unit is used as the information input unit is shown. However, the present invention is not limited to this example. For example, information input by detecting rotation of a wheel or a ball, static electricity, light Various other information input means such as non-contact type information input means using the above may be applied to the present invention.

In the above-described embodiment, an example in which the processing of the control unit 159 is processed based on a program by a computer has been described. However, at least a part of these processing can be executed by hardware.
Conversely, at least a part of processing in other units other than the control unit 159 may be executed by the computer of the control unit 159. For example, the processing of the azimuth calculation unit 1582 in the azimuth detection unit 158 may be executed by a computer of the control unit 159.

It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of the system for acquiring the information of geographical position and map in the mobile telephone which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is the figure which illustrated an example of the external appearance in the open state of a mobile telephone. It is the figure which illustrated an example of the external appearance in the closed state of a mobile telephone. It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of the mobile telephone which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is the figure which illustrated an example of the reference direction of direction detection in normal photography mode. It is the figure which illustrated an example of the reference direction of the direction detection in macro photography mode. It is the figure which illustrated an example of the reference direction of direction detection at the time of navigation operation. It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of an azimuth | direction detection part. It is a figure for demonstrating the calculation method of an azimuth. It is the flowchart which illustrated the flow of the process regarding acquisition of a positional information and map information. It is the flowchart which illustrated an example of the flow of the rough process regarding a navigation function and an imaging function. It is the figure which illustrated an example of the image which shows the azimuth | direction displayed with a captured image. It is a block diagram which shows the other structural example of an azimuth | direction detection part.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Mobile phone, 20 ... GPS satellite, 30 ... Base station, 40 ... Server apparatus, 102 ... 1st housing | casing, 102 ... 2nd housing | casing, 103 ... Movable mechanism, 104 ... Display screen, 105, 125 ... Camera lens 106, 107 ... Speaker hole, 109 ... Microphone hole, 110, 120 ... Operation key, 126 ... Flash lamp, 150 ... Communication processing unit, 151 ... GPS reception unit, 152 ... Storage unit, 153 ... Open / close determining unit, 154... Key input unit, 155... Display unit, 156... Voice processing unit, 157... Imaging unit, 158 .. direction detecting unit, 159 ... control unit, 161, 162, 164. ... Geomagnetic detection unit, 1582 ... Azimuth angle calculation unit, 1583 ... Tilt angle detection unit

Claims (9)

Imaging means;
Storage means;
Azimuth detecting means for detecting the geographical azimuth of the reference direction set with respect to the light receiving surface of the imaging means;
Control for storing in the storage means the imaged image data generated by the imaging means and the information on the orientation detected by the orientation detection means when the image of the captured image data is captured by the imaging means Means,
An imaging device comprising: Positioning signal receiving means for receiving a predetermined signal for positioning the geographical position of the current location;
The control means associates the captured image data and the azimuth information with the position information based on the received signal of the positioning signal receiving means, and stores it in the storage means.
The imaging device according to claim 1. Having information input means,
The control means changes the setting of the reference direction according to information input from the information input means.
The imaging device according to claim 1 or 2. The azimuth detecting means is
Geomagnetism detecting means for detecting geomagnetism in a plurality of predetermined directions parallel to each coordinate axis of the orthogonal coordinate system set on the housing of the imaging device;
Azimuth angle calculating means for calculating an azimuth angle on the horizontal plane based on the geomagnetism in the plurality of directions detected by the geomagnetic detection means and information related to an inclination angle between the reference direction and the horizontal plane; ,including,
The imaging device according to any one of claims 1 to 3. Having information input means,
The control means inputs information related to the tilt angle generated according to the information input from the information input means to the azimuth calculation means.
The imaging device according to claim 4. A first housing in which the orthogonal coordinate system of the geomagnetic detection means is set;
A second housing coupled to the first housing via a movable mechanism;
An operating state determining means for determining an operating state of the movable mechanism;
Have
The control means inputs information related to the tilt angle generated according to the operating state of the movable mechanism determined by the operating state determining means to the azimuth calculating means.
The imaging device according to claim 4 or 5. The azimuth detecting means is
Geomagnetism detecting means for detecting geomagnetism in a plurality of predetermined directions parallel to each coordinate axis of the orthogonal coordinate system set on the housing of the imaging device;
An angle detection means for detecting an angle formed by the imaging direction of the imaging means and the ground plane;
Azimuth angle calculating means for calculating the azimuth angle on the ground plane based on the geomagnetism in the plurality of directions detected by the geomagnetism detection means and the angle detected by the angle detection means,
The imaging device according to any one of claims 1 to 3. Display means for displaying a captured image in the imaging means;
The control means displays on the display screen of the display means an image showing an azimuth according to the detection result of the azimuth detection means, together with the captured image of the imaging means.
The imaging device according to any one of claims 1 to 7. The control means, when displaying the captured image data stored in the storage means on the display means, along with the reproduction image of the captured image data and the orientation corresponding to the orientation information stored in association with the captured image data Display an image showing
The imaging device according to claim 8.

Images