JP2006133876A - Image processor, image processing method, program, and storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To determine additional information to be synthesized, without requiring effort on the part of a user, and to perform printing by synthesizing image information taken with the additional information according to the requirements for the layout selected. <P>SOLUTION: An image processor that synthesizes and outputs the image information taken and the additional information to be added to the image information includes an input part for inputting an image file having the image information taken and photographic information associated with the image information; a position information detecting part for detecting position information about the photographic position of the image information based on the photographic information included in the image file; an additional information acquisition part for acquiring a piece of additional information for synthesizing with the image information, based on the position information and the image information, and from pieces of the additional information stored in an additional information storage part; a layout determining part for determining the layout for synthesizing the image information and the additional information acquired by the additional information acquisition part; an image information synthesizing part for synthesizing the image information and the additional information according to the layout determined by the layout determining part; and an output part for outputting the image information synthesized. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to image processing technology, and in particular, superimposes information relating to a photographed object (subject) as additional information on image information photographed by an imaging device capable of storing photographing information at the time of photographing in association with image information. The present invention relates to an image processing technique for performing printing.

  In recent years, with the widespread use of digital cameras and mobile terminals with an imaging function, it has become possible to easily acquire digitized image information. In addition, there are increasing opportunities to print these captured image information using a printing apparatus.

  When printing image information, there is a case where information such as a title and a description is added to a photographed object and printed. In this case, conventionally, image information captured by a digital camera or the like is transferred to a personal computer (hereinafter simply referred to as “PC” or “computer”), and an input device such as a keyboard using a dedicated application on the PC. A method has been adopted in which additional information is input from, and is combined with image information and output.

  Such additional information input and image composition operations are complicated, and input means for inputting additional information such as a keyboard other than a PC is required. Therefore, for example, when image information is directly printed by directly connecting an imaging device and a printing device, it is difficult to add a description or the like.

  On the other hand, a method has also been proposed in which an image pickup apparatus and a printing apparatus are also provided with input means to input additional information for image information from each apparatus. However, the input burden is limited due to size restrictions in the apparatus. Was not small.

  On the other hand, when image information is stored in a predetermined storage medium with a digital camera or the like, in recent years, various shooting information related to the image information can be stored in association with the image information separately from the image information. An example of such a technique is Exif (EXchangeable Image File format). Exif is a file format that includes shooting information along with captured image information, and is used in digital cameras around the world in combination with the file system standard DCF (Design rule for Camera File system). Yes.

  Among the shooting information of such Exif data is GPS (Global Positioning System) information. GPS is a system that communicates with GPS satellites operated by the US Department of Defense and identifies its own position. By using this system, the longitude and latitude of the measurement position can be obtained. By attaching a GPS device to a digital camera or a portable terminal, it is possible to acquire position information at the time of shooting, and by using Exif, position information can be associated with image information and recorded.

Conventionally, an invention has been made in which additional information about an object photographed without using a PC is printed together with image information by using photographing information including such position information. For example, Patent Document 1 proposes to acquire location information using GPS information and print a place name photographed together with image information by searching a place name database.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-027391

  However, in the conventional system, only relatively simple information such as place names can be added as titles, and more detailed titles, for example, titles suitable for each shooting object in a tourist spot where shooting objects are crowded. It was difficult in terms of the accuracy of GPS information. In addition, when it is desired to add a detailed description not only about the title but also about the photographed object, an input means using a PC or the like is required.

  Further, the information to be added also leaves room for improvement with respect to the image information, the printing position and the size, and the output in a visually effective layout for the user.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, determines additional information to be combined without bothering the user, and combines and prints the captured image information and additional information according to the selected layout conditions. An object of the present invention is to provide an image processing technique that makes it possible to perform the above.

  In order to achieve the above object, an image processing apparatus according to the present invention mainly includes the following configuration.

That is, an image processing apparatus that synthesizes and outputs captured image information and additional information added to the image information.
Input means for inputting an image file having the captured image information and shooting information related to the image information;
Position information detecting means for detecting position information related to the shooting position of the image information from the shooting information included in the image file;
Additional information acquisition means for acquiring one additional information to be combined with the image information from the additional information stored in the additional information storage means based on the position information and the image information;
Layout determining means for determining a layout for combining the image information and the additional information acquired by the additional information acquiring means;
Image information combining means for combining the image information and the additional information according to the layout determined by the layout determining means;
Output means for outputting the synthesized image information.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to determine additional information to be combined without bothering the user, and to perform printing by combining the captured image information and additional information according to the selected layout conditions.

[First embodiment]
DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an image processing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, reference numeral 101 denotes an image file input unit, from which an image file composed of image information to be printed and shooting information associated with the image information at the time of shooting is input.

  Here, the input method of the image file is assumed to be a method of sending from an imaging device such as a digital camera connected to the image processing device according to the present invention. However, the image information is associated with the shooting information. The image file source is not limited to the imaging device, and the image file can be stored in a removable storage medium and input from the storage medium even if the transmission method is via a PC. The gist of the present invention is not limited by the method of performing the method.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of an image file input to the image file input unit 101. An image file 201 input to the image file input unit 101 includes shooting information 203 indicating shooting conditions when shooting the image information together with shooting image information 202. The shooting information at this time includes GPS information 208 together with the shooting date and time 204, the type of the imager 205, the aperture value 206 at the time of shooting and the shutter speed 207, and this GPS information 208 is measured by communicating with a GPS satellite (not shown). The position, that is, the shooting position is stored as position information such as longitude, latitude, and altitude.

  In addition, the image information 202 stores, for example, image information 209 obtained by photographing a building or a landscape.

  Returning to FIG. 1, reference numeral 102 in the figure denotes a position information detection unit. Here, image information input from the image file input unit 101 is first separated into image information and shooting information. Next, GPS information 208, that is, position information is detected from the separated photographing information. The position information obtained here is GPS information, and includes information such as longitude, latitude, and altitude.

  Note that, in the additional information stored in the additional information storage unit 103 to be described later, when the index position information that is the index information is not a longitude / latitude, for example, a place name, the position information detection unit 102 detects the GPS Of the information 208, longitude / latitude information can be converted into place name information. In this case, it is necessary to maintain a database for converting GPS information into place name information.

  An additional information storage unit 103 stores additional information added to the image information 202 when the image information 202 is printed as a database.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of additional information stored in the additional information storage unit 103. As illustrated in FIG. Each additional information is indexed and databased by index information. In the figure, reference numeral 301 denotes an additional information storage unit 301 that stores additional information about the photographed object and other objects captured in the input image information, and the additional information stored in the additional information storage unit 301. The index information unit 302 holds index information when searching for. The index information holds the position information and image information of the object to which the additional information is added as index position information 303 and index image information 304, respectively. When searching for additional information, the index position information 303 and the index information are searched. It is possible to search based on the image information 304 or one of these information.

  The additional information includes simple information 305 and detailed information 306, respectively. The simple information 305 is relatively simple information, for example, a part that holds the name of the target object or the place name of the additional information. The detailed information 306 holds relatively detailed information, for example, a description of a target object of additional information.

  Returning further to FIG. 1, reference numeral 104 in the figure denotes an additional information acquisition unit. For the input image file, additional information regarding the image information 202 is obtained based on the position information detected by the position information detection unit 102. A search is performed from the additional information storage unit 103 to acquire additional information.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing details of the additional information acquisition unit 104. As shown in FIG. Reference numerals 401 and 402 in the figure denote position information 401 and image information 402 that are separately detected by the position information acquisition unit 102 for the input image files. Of the information related to the photographed object, the first additional information acquisition unit 403 first searches the additional information storage unit 103 for additional information related to the photographed object using the position information 401. As described above, the additional information stored in the database in the additional information storage unit 103 holds index position information 303 and index image information 304 as index information. The first additional information acquisition unit 403 receives the input image. The additional information is searched by comparing the position information 401 and the index position information 303 for the file.

  Note that the first additional information acquisition unit 403 uses only the position information 401 as search information. When a plurality of pieces of information correspond to the acquired additional information 404, the captured target object does not correspond one-to-one. There is a case. Therefore, the second additional information acquisition unit 405 further compares the index image information 304 that is index information of the additional information 404 acquired by the first additional information acquisition unit 403 with the input image information 402. Final additional information 406 is acquired.

  The second additional information acquisition unit 405 includes a comparison unit for comparing the additional information 404 and the image information 402. The comparison unit obtains the image information most similar to the input image information 402 as additional information. When detecting from 404, processing such as pattern matching is performed to obtain additional information 406.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of processing for acquiring additional information 406. First, in step S501, the first additional information acquisition unit 403 uses the index position of the index information associated with the additional information in the additional information storage unit 103 based on the position information 401 detected by the position information detection unit 102. The additional information 404 is searched using the information 303.

  Next, in step S502, the first additional information acquisition unit 403, based on the search result of the previous step S501, additional information candidates for the additional information 406 corresponding to the photographed object (404 in FIG. 4 corresponds). ) To get.

  In step S503, the second additional information acquisition unit 405 uses the index image information 304 to perform pattern matching processing with the input image information 402, and adds additional information corresponding to the object photographed from the additional information candidates. Get 406.

  Although the additional information storage unit 103 has been described as being directly attached to the image processing apparatus in the above description, the gist of the present invention is not limited to this configuration. You may make it utilize the data server connected via this. Further, the additional information storage unit 103 is not limited to a single database or a single data server, but may be configured as a plurality of databases, a plurality of data servers, or a combination thereof. Any information may be used as long as the additional information is narrowed down using the image information 402 from the search based on the position information 401 in the image file.

  Through the additional information acquisition process described above, additional information 406 regarding the image information 402 of the input image file is acquired and associated with the photographic object.

  Next, reference numeral 105 in FIG. 1 denotes an output layout determination unit. The image information 402 in the input image file is acquired by the above-described additional information acquisition unit 104 and printed together with the associated additional information 406. The layout of information 402 and additional information 406 is determined.

  FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing details of the output layout determining unit. In the figure, reference numeral 601 denotes a layout information storage unit, which is a part that stores layout information when printing additional information 406 together with image information 402. The layout information storage unit 601 stores predetermined layout information (603 to 605), and the output layout selection unit 602 selects layout information to be actually used and output from the layout information. To do.

  Note that reference numeral 606 in the figure denotes a new layout input unit, and when new layout information not stored in the layout information storage unit 601 is used for output, additional new layout information can be input. The output layout selection unit 602 and the new layout input unit 606 can be operated through input means (not shown).

  The output layout can be selected by using a touch panel (not shown) attached to the image processing apparatus to perform a preview and selecting a layout designated by a graphical interface, or on a connected PC. You may make it select using a mouse | mouth etc.

  Reference numeral 106 in FIG. 1 denotes an image information synthesis unit. The image information synthesizing unit 106 has the layout information determined to use the additional information 406 acquired by the additional information acquiring unit 104 by the output layout determining unit 105 for the image information 402 separated by the position information acquiring unit 102. Based on the above, the composition processing of the additional image 406 and the image information 402 is performed.

  FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing details of the image information composition unit 106. As shown in FIG. Reference numeral 402 in the figure denotes image information separated from the image file by the position information detection unit 102, and reference numeral 406 in the figure denotes a target object acquired by the additional information acquisition unit 104 and photographed. It is the additional information associated. Here, the additional information 406 is character information, and when it is combined with the image information 402, it is first converted into additional image information by the image conversion unit 704. At this time, the conversion to the additional image information is performed based on the layout information 703 determined by the output layout determination unit 105 described above. That is, in the layout information used at the time of output, when only the simple information (305 in FIG. 3) is used, only the simple information 305 is converted into the additional image information. When only (306 in FIG. 3) is used, only the detailed information 306 is converted into additional image information. Depending on the type of layout information, the simple information 305 and the detailed information 306 may be used together. In this case, both the simple information 305 and the detailed information 306 are converted into image information. Here, the additional information 406 converted into the additional image information is combined with the image information 402 in accordance with the layout information 703 in the image placement unit 705, and a combined image to be printed out is generated.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an arrangement (composition) of image information and additional information laid out by the layout information used in the first embodiment of the present invention. 801 is a diagram showing a state in which simple information and detailed information are laid out (synthesized) together with image information, among image information in an image file and additional information corresponding to a captured target object (image information), When the use of layout information for laying out image information, simple information, and detailed information is determined by the output layout determining unit 105, the image information combining unit 106 combines the image information, simple information, and detailed information according to the layout information. And output.

  802 is a diagram showing a state in which only simple information is laid out (synthesized) among the image information in the image file and the additional information corresponding to the captured target object (image information). When the use of layout information for layout is determined by the output layout determining unit 105, the image information combining unit 106 combines and outputs the image information and the simple information according to the layout information. This layout is suitable for title printing of captured images.

  803 is a diagram showing a state in which detailed information is laid out (synthesized) on the back side of the additional information corresponding to the captured target object (image information), with the image information in the image file on the front side. When the use of the layout information for laying out the detailed information is determined by the output layout determining unit 105, the image information combining unit 106 combines the image information and the detailed information according to the layout information and outputs the combined information.

  The layout information is not limited to the pattern shown in FIG. 8. For example, in the layout pattern 802, the image information and the detailed information are combined and the image information is displayed on the surface in the layout pattern 803. The layout information may be set so that the simple information and the detailed information are arranged on the back surface.

  The layout information can be set through an input unit (not shown) of the image processing apparatus or an input unit on the connected PC side.

  Next, reference numeral 107 in FIG. 1 denotes a print output unit. The image information synthesis unit 106 prints out a synthesized image obtained by synthesizing photographed image information together with additional information in a selected layout.

  In the first embodiment described above, the index position information and the index image information are used as the index information of the additional information when acquiring the additional information of the captured target object, but the additional information storage unit is based on the other position information. Is divided into a plurality of parts, the additional information storage unit associated with the target position information is selected from each of the divided additional information storage units, and the additional information is obtained from the storage unit using only the image information. You may make it search.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the additional information to be combined is determined without bothering the user, and the captured image information and the additional information are combined and printed according to the selected layout conditions. It becomes possible. In other words, position information is detected from shooting information related to the shot image information, additional information to be added to the image information is determined based on the detected position information and the shot image information, and the added information determined in accordance with the selected layout conditions The information can be combined with the photographed image information and printed.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the additional information acquisition unit 910 in the second embodiment of the present invention. The configuration and processing other than the additional information acquisition unit 910 in the second embodiment are the same as those in the first embodiment, and thus detailed description thereof is omitted.

  Reference numerals 901 and 902 in FIG. 9 denote position information and image information separated and detected by the position information acquisition unit 102 for each input image file. Of the information related to the photographed object, the first additional information acquisition unit 903 first selects the additional information storage unit to be searched from the additional information storage units 909a to 909c using the position information 901. For example, when each information is managed by a different server for each region, a case is assumed where a server in that region is accessed. The first additional information acquisition unit 903 determines whether to search for any one additional information storage unit from the plurality of additional information storage units 909a to 909c according to the contents of the input position information 901, and determines the determined additional information Connect to the information storage unit.

  The additional information storage units 909a to 909c may be configured in the image processing apparatus, or may be configured to provide a data server outside the image processing apparatus and to communicate data via a network.

  In this case, a plurality of data servers may be distributed in each region.

  When the second embodiment of the present invention is compared with the first embodiment, in the first embodiment, the additional information group 404 that is a candidate for the additional information 406 in the additional information storage unit 103 is stored in, for example, an image processing apparatus or data. Whereas it is necessary to hold the database as one database, in the second embodiment, it is not necessary to concentrate the database in one storage unit.

  Next, in the second additional information acquisition unit 904, index image information that is index information and input image information 902 from the additional information storage units (909a to 909c) selected by the first additional information acquisition unit 903. To obtain additional information 905. Similarly to the first embodiment, the second additional information acquisition unit 904 includes a comparison unit for comparing the additional information 905 and the image information 902. The comparison unit is most similar to the input image information 902. It is assumed that additional information 905 is obtained by performing processing such as pattern matching when detecting the image information.

  Although the additional information acquired in the above-described embodiment of the present invention is described as both simple information and detailed information being text information, the gist of the present invention is that the content of the detailed information is text information. The embodiment of the present invention can be applied even when the detailed information includes graphic information such as a map associated with the captured image information.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the position information is detected from the shooting information related to the image information shot without bothering the user, and a plurality of additions are performed based on the detected position information and the shot image information. It is possible to search and determine additional information to be added to the image information from the storage unit selected from the information storage unit, and perform printing by combining the determined additional information with the photographed image information according to the selected layout conditions. .

[Third Embodiment]
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the image information composition unit 1010 in the third embodiment of the present invention. Note that the configuration and processing other than the image information synthesis unit 1010 in the third embodiment are the same as those in the first embodiment, and thus detailed description thereof is omitted.

  Reference numerals 1001 and 1002 in FIG. 10 denote position information and image information separated from the image file by the position information detection unit 102. Reference numeral 1003 in FIG. 10 denotes a target object acquired by the additional information acquisition unit 104 and photographed. It is the additional information associated. Here, the additional information 1003 includes map information together with the character information, and the character information is converted into image information by the image conversion unit 1005 when the image information 1002 is combined. At this time, the character information converted into the image information is converted based on the layout information 1004 (corresponding to 703 in FIG. 7) determined by the output layout determining unit 105.

  Here, in the layout information 1004 used at the time of output, when only the map information (information not including character information) is used among the additional information, it is not necessary to convert the map information. On the other hand, depending on the type of layout information, when using map information and character information, the character information is converted into image information by the image conversion unit 1005.

  Next, the image placement unit 1006 performs processing for combining the additional information 1003 and the image information 1002 in accordance with the layout information 1004. However, when the map information as the additional information 1003 is combined with the image information 1002, the position is determined. Based on the information 1001, the image placement unit 1006 places map information and image information in association with each other. Here, the generated composite image is output by the print output unit 107.

  As an example of the association between the map information and the image information based on the position information 1001, FIG. 11 is shown. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating the arrangement (synthesis) of image information and additional information laid out by the layout information used in the third embodiment of the present invention.

  1101 in the figure is a diagram showing a state in which simple information and map information are laid out (combined) together with image information among image information in the image file and additional information corresponding to the captured target object (image information). (FIG. 11 (a)), when the use of layout information for laying out map information as image information, simple information, and detailed information is determined by the output layout determining unit 105, the image information combining unit 1010 According to the layout information 1004, the image information, simple information, and map information are combined and output. At this time, the image information composition unit 1010 displays a pointer 1106 as an association between the image information and the map information. Since the position information 1001 includes information regarding latitude and longitude, based on this information, the image information composition unit 1010 determines which position in the map information the captured image information corresponds to. Determine and perform display control.

  In FIG. 11B, 1103 corresponds to photographed image information, “XX church” 1004 corresponds to simple information, and 1105 corresponds to specific map information. Reference numeral 1106 denotes a pointer indicating the association between photographed image information and map information, and thereby associates the position of the image information on the map.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, position information is detected from shooting information related to image information that has been shot without bothering the user, and the image information is based on the detected position information and the shot image information. Map information can be determined as information to be added, and map information and captured image information can be associated with each other based on position information and combined to be printed.

[Other embodiments]
An object of the present invention is to supply a storage medium that records a program code of software for executing the processing of each of the above-described embodiments to a control unit that performs overall control of the image processing apparatus, and a computer of the control unit Needless to say, this can also be achieved by (or CPU or MPU) reading and executing the program code stored in the storage medium. The storage of the program code is not limited to the client computer, and can be stored in a computer functioning as a server, for example.

  In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.

  As a storage medium for supplying the program code, for example, a flexible disk, a hard disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a CD-ROM, a CD-R, a DVD, a magnetic tape, a nonvolatile memory card, a ROM, or the like is used. it can.

  Further, by executing the program code read by the computer, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also an OS (operating system) operating on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that a case where the function of the above-described embodiment is realized by performing part or all of the actual processing and the processing is included.

  Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written into a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the function expansion is performed based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that the CPU or the like provided in the board or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.

1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an image processing apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the image file input into the image file input part 1011. 6 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of additional information stored in an additional information storage unit 103. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing details of an additional information acquisition unit 104. FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining a flow of processing for acquiring additional information 406; It is a block diagram which shows the detail of an output layout determination part. 3 is a block diagram showing details of an image information synthesis unit 106. FIG. It is a figure which illustrates arrangement | positioning of the image information laid out by the layout information used in 1st Embodiment of this invention, and additional information. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the additional information acquisition part 910 in 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the image information synthetic | combination part 1010 in 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which illustrates arrangement | positioning of the image information laid out by the layout information used in 3rd Embodiment of this invention, and additional information.

Claims (15)

An image processing apparatus that synthesizes and outputs captured image information and additional information to be added to the image information,
Input means for inputting an image file having the captured image information and shooting information related to the image information;
Position information detecting means for detecting position information related to the shooting position of the image information from the shooting information included in the image file;
Additional information acquisition means for acquiring one additional information to be combined with the image information from the additional information stored in the additional information storage means based on the position information and the image information;
Layout determining means for determining a layout for combining the image information and the additional information acquired by the additional information acquiring means;
Image information combining means for combining the image information and the additional information according to the layout determined by the layout determining means;
An image processing apparatus comprising: output means for outputting the synthesized image information. The additional information storage means stores a plurality of additional information, and index information having index position information and index image information associated with each additional information in order to search the additional information,
The additional information acquisition means includes
First additional information acquisition means for acquiring additional information as a candidate for the one additional information from the plurality of additional information based on the position information and the index position information;
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a second additional information acquisition unit configured to compare the acquired additional information as a candidate with the image information to acquire the one additional information. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first additional information acquisition unit determines one additional information storage unit to be searched according to the position information from a plurality of additional information storage units. The image processing according to claim 1, wherein the additional information includes simple information that simply explains the image information as character information and detailed information that explains the image information in detail. apparatus. The image processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the detailed information includes map information corresponding to the image information. The layout determining means includes layout information storage means for storing predetermined layout information;
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a selecting unit that selects layout information designated via the input unit from the stored layout information. The layout determination means further includes new layout information input means for additionally inputting the new layout information to the layout information storage means when outputting using new layout information not stored in the layout information storage means. The image processing apparatus according to claim 6. The image information synthesis means includes image conversion means for converting the character information into image information when the one additional information acquired by the additional information acquisition means includes character information,
2. The image processing according to claim 1, wherein the image information synthesizing unit synthesizes the additional information converted into the image information and the image information in accordance with the layout information determined by the layout determining unit. apparatus. 9. The image information synthesizing unit according to claim 1 or 8, wherein, when the additional information includes map information, the image information and the map information are synthesized in association with each other based on the position information. The image processing apparatus described. An image processing method for combining and outputting photographed image information and additional information added to the image information,
An input step of inputting an image file having the captured image information and imaging information related to the image information;
A position information detection step of detecting position information related to the shooting position of the image information from the shooting information included in the image file;
An additional information acquisition step of acquiring one additional information to be combined with the image information from the additional information stored in the additional information storage unit based on the position information and the image information;
A layout determination step for determining a layout for combining the image information and the additional information acquired by the additional information acquisition step;
An image information combining step of combining the image information and the additional information according to the layout determined by the layout determining step;
An image processing method comprising: an output step of outputting the synthesized image information. A program for causing a computer to execute the image processing method according to claim 10. A computer-readable storage medium storing the program according to claim 11. An input means for inputting an image file having captured image information and shooting information related to the image information;
Position information detecting means for detecting position information related to the shooting position of the image information from the shooting information included in the image file;
Based on the position information, additional information acquisition means for acquiring additional information to be combined with the image information from the additional information stored in the additional information storage means;
Combining means for combining the image information and the additional information acquired by the additional information acquiring means;
An image processing apparatus comprising: output means for outputting the synthesized image information. An input step of inputting an image file having captured image information and shooting information related to the image information;
A position information detection step of detecting position information related to the shooting position of the image information from the shooting information included in the image file;
Based on the position information, from the additional information stored in the additional information storage step, an additional information acquisition step of acquiring additional information to be combined with the image information;
A combining step of combining the image information and the additional information acquired in the additional information acquiring step;
An image processing method comprising: an output step of outputting the synthesized image information. An input step of inputting an image file having captured image information and shooting information related to the image information;
A position information detection step of detecting position information related to the shooting position of the image information from the shooting information included in the image file;
Based on the position information, from the additional information stored in the additional information storage step, an additional information acquisition step of acquiring additional information to be combined with the image information;
A combining step of combining the image information and the additional information acquired in the additional information acquiring step;
A program for causing a computer to execute an output step of outputting the synthesized image information.

Images