JP2006180089A - Digital camera and searching system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a digital camera capable of classifying images in a way properly reflecting thoughts of a photographer for viewing the images just after photographing the images, and to provide a searching system. <P>SOLUTION: The digital camera includes: an imaging means for applying photoelectric conversion to light collected from a prescribed visual field to image an image; a display means for displaying a newest image imaged by the imaging means for the photographer as a still picture for a prescribed time after the imaging of the image; a voice signal conversion means for converting voice of the photographer into an electric signal; a cross-reference means for cross-referencing the electric signal converted by the voice signal conversion means or information corresponding to the electric signal with the newest image displayed on the display means after the display means starts displaying the newest image; and a storage means for storing the electric signal cross-referenced by the cross-reference means or the information corresponding to the electric signal and the newest image. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a digital camera that converts a captured image into a digital signal and stores it, and a search system that searches information stored in the digital camera.

  Conventionally, in a digital camera that converts a captured image into a digital signal and stores it, as a technique for classifying the captured image, a pre-registered symbol image is used as an image classification code, and this code is used for each captured image. The technique to provide is disclosed (for example, refer patent document 1). In this technique, a code is assigned to each image by the photographer appropriately selecting a symbol image. The work of assigning a code is performed by specifying the number of frames of an image to be assigned before photographing, or collectively after photographing.

JP-A-7-111628

  In the above-described conventional technology, for example, when a code is given depending on whether the shooting is successful or unsuccessful, the success or failure of the shooting can be determined only after shooting. It will be done together later.

  However, if a code is assigned after a while has elapsed after shooting, the user may forget what purpose each image was shot. For example, even if the image is blurred and looks like a failed work when viewed later, there may be a reason to leave it unerased immediately after shooting. Thus, when a code is assigned to an image using a conventional digital camera, the image may not be classified according to the photographer's feeling immediately after shooting.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above, and provides a digital camera and a search system that can perform image classification that accurately reflects the feeling of a photographer who viewed the image immediately after the image was captured. The purpose is to do.

In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, a digital camera according to the invention described in claim 1 includes an imaging unit that photoelectrically converts light collected from a predetermined field of view, and captures an image.
Display means for displaying the latest image captured by the imaging means as a still image to the photographer for a predetermined time after the image is captured, and audio signal conversion means for converting the photographer's voice into an electrical signal And the correspondence between the electrical signal converted by the audio signal conversion means after the display means starts displaying the latest image or information corresponding to the electrical signal and the latest image displayed on the display means And a storage unit that stores the electrical signal or the information corresponding to the electrical signal associated with the electrical signal and the latest image.

  According to a second aspect of the invention, in the first aspect of the invention, the sound signal converting means has directivity in a direction from the display means toward the photographer.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the sound signal converting means is different from the sound signal converting means as the first sound signal converting means, and the directivity in the visual field direction of the imaging means is provided. And a second sound signal converting means for converting received sound into an electrical signal, and a switching means for switching between the first and second sound signal converting means. .

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the third aspect of the present invention, the amplification factor of the first audio signal converting means when the first audio signal converting means is performing the conversion process is the second audio signal converting means. It is characterized by being smaller than the amplification factor of the second sound conversion means when the sound conversion means is performing the conversion process.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the invention, the sound signal converting means starts a process of converting sound received after starting display of the image on the display unit into an electric signal. Features.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the correlating means is an electric signal from the audio signal converting means or information corresponding to the electric signal during a time for displaying the image on the display means. When there is no reception, information corresponding to the absence of the reception is associated with an image displayed during the time.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, an electrical signal obtained by converting a predetermined sound to be input to the sound converting means and information corresponding to the electric signal correspond in advance. It is characterized by being attached.

  According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a search system according to any one of the first to seventh aspects, wherein an input means for inputting information necessary for searching for an image stored in the storage means of the digital camera; The image processing apparatus includes: a search unit that searches for the image based on information necessary for the search input by an input unit; and an output unit that outputs a result of the search performed by the search unit.

  According to the present invention, an imaging unit that photoelectrically converts light collected from a predetermined field of view and captures an image, and a latest image captured by the imaging unit for a predetermined time after the image is captured. Display means for displaying to the photographer as a still image, sound signal conversion means for converting the photographer's voice into an electrical signal, and conversion by the sound signal conversion means after the display means starts displaying the latest image An association means for associating the generated electrical signal or information corresponding to the electrical signal with the latest image displayed on the display means, and the electrical signal or the electrical signal associated with the association means. By storing the corresponding information and the storage means for storing the latest image, it is possible to classify images that accurately reflect the feeling of the photographer who viewed the image immediately after capturing the image. become.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a digital camera according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. The digital camera 1 shown in FIG. 1 forms an image of light collected by an optical system on a solid-state image sensor, converts the formed optical image into an electrical signal, and records image data subjected to predetermined image processing. And has at least a function of photographing a still image.

  The digital camera 1 includes an optical system 11 that has an imaging lens and collects light from an object, an imaging processing unit 12 that forms an image of the light collected by the optical system 11 and performs imaging processing, An operation unit 13 that receives various operation inputs and a display unit 14 that displays images before and after shooting and various setting screens are provided. Also, the digital camera 1 collects (receives) the sound (sound wave) propagating from the outside and converts it into an electrical signal, and converts various information into an audio signal conversion unit 15 (first sound signal conversion means). A storage unit 16 that stores and manages, and a control unit 17 that performs drive control of the entire digital camera 1 are provided.

  The imaging processing unit 12 forms an image of light collected by the optical system 11 and converts it into an electrical signal, such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Device), and the electrical signal converted by the solid-state imaging device as image data. An A / D converter for A / D conversion. Therefore, the imaging processing unit 12 and the optical system 11 form an imaging unit. The image data A / D converted by the imaging processing unit 12 is subjected to various image processing (white balance processing, gamma correction, etc.), compression, and expansion processing in the control unit 17.

  The operation unit 13 includes a shutter button and various operation buttons. The operation unit 13 receives an operation instruction signal related to a shooting operation or shooting setting, and sends the input signal to the control unit 17.

  The display unit 14 is realized by a liquid crystal display or the like, and has a function of displaying a subject at the time of photographing in real time, and displaying an image after photographing, various setting screens related to photographing, and the like. An electronic viewfinder (EVF) may be applied as the display unit 14.

  The audio signal conversion unit 15 is realized by using a microphone having directivity in a direction facing the surface on which the image is displayed on the display unit 14, that is, a side where the photographer views the display unit 14. As a result, it is possible to accurately capture the sound produced by the photographer who views the display unit 14.

  The storage unit 16 is realized by using a flash memory or the like, records various programs for controlling the operation of the digital camera 1, and corresponds to a signal output from the imaging processing unit 12 or the audio signal conversion unit 15 or this signal. The information is stored in association with the image displayed on the display unit 14. Such a storage unit 16 may be realized using an auxiliary storage device equipped with a storage medium such as a memory card.

  The control unit 17 is realized by using a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or the like, and performs operation control and calculation of the digital camera 1 by reading various operation programs from the storage unit 16 based on a signal from the operation unit 13. . The control unit 17 starts displaying an image on the display unit 14 and then converts the electric signal converted by the audio signal conversion unit 15 or information related to the electric signal, and the latest information displayed on the display unit 14 until the conversion is performed. It has a function as an association means for associating with an image.

  2 and 3 are perspective views showing the external configuration of the digital camera 1 having the above configuration. More specifically, FIG. 2 shows the configuration of the front side of the digital camera 1, and FIG. 3 shows the configuration of the back side of the digital camera 1. As shown in these drawings, in the digital camera 1, an electronic or optical member that realizes the above-described functions is accommodated in an exterior member 101 having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, and some of these various members are exterior members. 101.

  At least the imaging lens 111 that forms part of the optical system 11 and the flash 102 that emits strobe light are exposed on the front side of the exterior member 101 shown in FIG. On the other hand, on the back side of the exterior member 101 shown in FIG. 3, an operation button group 131 and a display unit 14 that form a part of the operation unit 13 are exposed, and the audio signal conversion unit 15 receives audio. A sound hole 151 for transmitting the sound is formed. Further, a shutter button 132 that forms part of the operation unit 13 is exposed on the upper side surface of the exterior member 101.

  In addition to the above, a mounting device for mounting a memory card, various connection terminals for connecting a USB (Universal Serial Bus) or a power source, etc. are exposed on the surface of the exterior member 101. Also good. In this case, in order to protect unused devices and terminals, a lid may be attached to the surfaces of those devices and terminals.

  FIG. 4 shows a process from when the photographer presses the shutter button 132 to start the photographing operation in the digital camera 1 having the above configuration until the photographed image (still image) and the photographer's voice are stored in association with each other. It is a time chart which shows the starting condition of various processes along a time series.

First, when the photographer presses the shutter button 132 at the time t ₀ to start the shooting operation, the shooting process is performed with a slight delay from the pressing operation of the shutter button 132. After that, almost simultaneously with the end of shooting at time t ₁ , the control unit 17 starts writing the shot image data into the storage unit 16.

When the writing to the storage unit 16 is completed (time t ₂ ), the control unit 17 reads the image data from the storage unit 16 and displays it on the display unit 14. That is, the latest photographed image is displayed on the display unit 14. Then, the audio signal conversion unit 15 turns on the microphone included in the audio signal conversion unit 15 in synchronization with the image display on the display unit 14 and converts the input audio into an electrical signal (audio signal conversion processing). I do. This audio signal conversion process is preferably performed until at least the display of the captured image on the display unit 14 is completed. FIG. 4 shows a case where audio signal conversion is performed until time t ₄ slightly later than time t _{3 when} image display on the display unit 14 ends (the microphone of the audio signal conversion unit 15 is turned off). The time t ₃ -t ₂ for displaying an image display unit 14 is taken is several to 10 seconds.

After the audio signal conversion process is completed at time t ₄ , the control unit 17 displays an electrical signal sent from the audio signal conversion unit 15 or (corresponding) information relating to the electrical signal (these are referred to as audio data). Association with the image displayed on the unit 14 is performed, and the associated information is written and stored in the storage unit 16.

  FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration example of a data structure when audio data corresponding to input audio is written in association with image data. In the case shown in the figure, the data D for one frame of the captured image is composed of a header area Dh and an image data area Df. Among these, in the header area Dh, in addition to shooting data such as shooting date / time, shutter speed, aperture, etc., audio data corresponding to the audio input during the time when the image data is displayed on the display unit 14 is recorded. Is done.

  FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration example of a data structure different from that in FIG. In the case shown in FIG. 6, each image data and additional data added to the image data are recorded and managed as different files. Of these, in the additional data file Fa for recording additional data, each frame is followed by the frame number of each image (such as “00000001” and “00000002” in FIG. 6) and shooting data (shooting date and time, shutter speed, aperture, etc.). Audio data corresponding to the number is recorded. On the other hand, a frame number and image data corresponding to the frame number are sequentially recorded in the image data file Ff.

  The period in which the audio signal conversion unit 15 operates is substantially the same as the period in which the image immediately after shooting is displayed on the display unit 14, so that the voice uttered as the first impression at the moment the photographer views the image shot immediately before There is a high possibility of collecting sound. For this reason, when the displayed image is the image as it was imaged before shooting, the photographer utters words such as “OK” or “Yoshi”, but cannot take the image as before the shooting. May utter sighs such as “No” or “Oh”. Therefore, if the sound data obtained by converting these sounds is assigned to each image data as a code, the images can be classified and stored according to the success or failure of photographing. In this case, a case where the photographer does not say anything (silent state) may be included as one code.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the audio data associated with the image displayed on the display unit 14 is the one after being displayed on the display unit 14 after completion of image shooting (after shutter button operation to completion of image storage). Therefore, it is possible to eliminate information that is not useful for image search such as “high cheese” and “smile” that the photographer issues at the time of shooting.

  The search processing after the image captured by the digital camera 1 and the photographer's voice data are stored in association with each other as described above is performed by inputting a code as information necessary for the search. FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a search system that performs such a search process. The search system 3 shown in FIG. 1 includes a digital camera 1, an input unit 31 for inputting information necessary for searching an image stored in the storage unit 16 of the digital camera 1, and a search input by the input unit 31. A search unit 32 that searches for an image stored in the storage unit 16 based on information necessary for the search, and an output unit 33 that outputs a search result obtained by the search unit 32.

  The search system according to the first embodiment can also be realized by the digital camera 1 alone. In this case, the operation unit 13 functions as an input unit, the display unit 14 functions as an output unit, and the control unit 17 functions as a search unit.

  On the other hand, the search system according to the first embodiment can also be realized by connecting the digital camera 1 and a computer. In this case, the search system may be constructed by directly connecting the digital camera 1 and the computer, or the search system may be constructed by connecting the digital camera 1 and the computer via a communication network such as the Internet. Also good.

  According to the first embodiment of the present invention described above, the sound generated by the photographer when displaying the image data as a still image during a predetermined time immediately after the generation of the image data related to the image captured by the digital camera. Is used to generate information for image retrieval, and the generated information is stored in association with the corresponding image data, so that the photographer's impression of viewing the image immediately after the image is captured (first impression) It is possible to classify and rearrange images that accurately reflect the above.

(Embodiment 2)
FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration inside the digital camera according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. The digital camera 2 shown in the figure has an optical system 21, an imaging processing unit 22, an operation unit 23, a display unit 24, a storage unit 26, and a control unit 27 having the same functions as those of the digital camera 1 according to the first embodiment. Is provided.

  This digital camera 2 collects sound propagated from the outside and converts two sound signal conversion sections 251 (first sound signal conversion means) as sound signal conversion means for converting the collected sound into an electric signal. ), And an audio signal converter 252 (second audio signal converter). Among these, the audio signal conversion unit 251 is realized by using a microphone having directivity from the display unit 24 in a direction facing an image display surface, that is, from the display unit 23 toward the photographer. On the other hand, the audio signal conversion unit 252 is realized using a microphone having directivity in the visual field direction of the optical system 11. Thereby, the audio signal conversion unit 251 can accurately capture the voice uttered by the photographer who views the display unit 24, whereas the audio signal conversion unit 252 accurately captures the sound emitted from the subject side. Can do.

  In addition, the digital camera 2 selects one of the electrical signals output from the two audio signal conversion units 251 and 252 under the control of the control unit 27 and outputs the electrical signal received by the control unit 27. A switching unit 253 (a 2-input / 1-output data selector) for switching is provided.

  The external configuration of the digital camera 2 is the same as that shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, but since the digital camera 2 further includes an audio signal conversion unit 252 having directivity on the subject side, the exterior member 101 shown in FIG. It is more preferable if a sound collecting hole for transmitting the sound from the subject side to the sound signal conversion unit 252 is also formed on the front side of the sound signal.

  FIG. 9 shows various types of digital camera 2 having the above configuration from when the photographer presses the shutter button to start the photographing process until the photographed image (still image) and the photographer's voice are stored in association with each other. It is a time chart which shows the starting condition of a process along a time series.

First, when starting the recording by pressing the shutter button in the operation unit 23 to the photographer time t _10, slightly after photographing operation is performed at about the same time, stores the photographed image photographed at time t ₁₁ is as finished Writing to the unit 26 is started. In the case illustrated in FIG. 9, the audio signal conversion unit 252 is activated in synchronization with the pressing operation of the shutter button, and the switching unit 253 is configured to input a signal output from the audio signal conversion unit 252 to the control unit 27. the performs audio signal conversion processing is inputted from the object side (time t ₁₀ ~t _12). As a result, it is possible to add audio data generated by the subject to the captured image.

During the period from time t _{10 to} time t ₁₂ , the voice input from the voice signal conversion unit 251 may be converted simultaneously, but the system from the voice signal conversion unit 251 to the control unit 27 at that time is converted. Is preferably smaller than the amplification factor in the system from the input from the audio signal conversion unit 252 to the control unit 27. In FIG. 9, the switching unit 253 is selected by the switching unit 253 so that the electrical signal output from the audio signal conversion unit 252 is input to the control unit 27 between times t _{10 and} t ₁₂ . It can be considered that the amplification factor of the system from the audio signal conversion unit 251 to the control unit 27 is set to zero and the amplification factor of the system from the audio signal conversion unit 252 to the control unit 27 is set to a predetermined value (time t in between ₁₀ ~t _12, the amplification factor of the system leading to the control unit 27 from the audio signal converting unit 251 is sufficiently smaller than the amplification factor of the system leading to the control unit 27 from the audio signal converting unit 252).

When the writing of the image data into the storage unit 26 is completed (time t ₁₃ ), immediately after that, the control unit 27 reads out the image data from the storage unit 26 and displays it on the display unit 24. That is, the latest photographed image is displayed on the display unit 24. The audio signal conversion unit 251 has directivity in the direction in which the photographer is located, and performs audio signal conversion processing for converting the input audio into an electrical signal in synchronization with the image display on the display unit 24. Do. Also in the second embodiment, performs audio signal conversion processing until some time later t ₁₅ to time t ₁₄ that the image display is completed in the display unit 24.

In the period from time t _{13 to} t _15, the audio signal conversion processing input from the audio signal conversion unit 252 may be performed, but until the input from the audio signal conversion unit 252 to the control unit 27 at that time The amplification factor in the system is preferably smaller than the amplification factor in the system from the input from the audio signal conversion unit 251 to the control unit 27. In FIG. 9, the switching unit 253 performs time t ₁₃ to t
The switching unit 253 is selected so that the electrical signal output from the audio signal conversion unit 251 during t ₁₅ is input to the control unit 27, but the system from the audio signal conversion unit 252 to the control unit 27 is selected. in between the amplification factor set to zero ,, audio signals no problem be considered a case where the amplification factor of the system leading to the control unit 27 to a predetermined value from the converting unit 251 (time t ₁₃ ~t _15, the audio signal converter The amplification factor of the system from the unit 251 to the control unit 27 is sufficiently larger than the amplification factor of the system from the audio signal conversion unit 252 to the control unit 27).

After the audio signal conversion process is completed at time t ₁₅ , the control unit 27 displays the converted electric signal sent from the audio signal conversion unit 251 or information related to the electric signal (audio data) on the display unit 24. The image data is associated and written in the storage unit 26 and stored. At this time, the data written in the storage unit 26 has a structure as shown in FIG. 5 or FIG. 6 as in the first embodiment.

Meanwhile, the switching unit 253, while the shutter button is pressed to the control unit 27 from the audio signal converting unit 252 (time t ₁₀ ~t _12, when the audio signal converting unit 252 is performing audio signal conversion processing) the amplification factor of the leading system, while displaying an image taken by the display unit 24 the audio signal converter 251 (time t ₁₃ ~t _14, when the audio signal converting unit 251 is performing audio signal conversion processing) It is preferable to make it relatively larger than the amplification factor of the system from the control unit 27 to the control unit 27. In general, the subject is often located farther than the photographer with respect to the digital camera 2, so the photographer's sound pressure is higher than the sound pressure from the subject at the position where the digital camera 2 is disposed. This is because the sound pressure of the voice may be high. Therefore, it is preferable to provide the above-described magnitude relationship in the amplification factor of the system that receives these sounds. In particular, in order to capture only the sound from the photographer, the amplification of the system from the sound signal conversion unit 251 to the control unit 27 Making the rate lower than that of the system on the audio signal conversion unit 252 side is advantageous in that unnecessary audio generated from other than the photographer is not recorded.

  In FIG. 9, the audio signal conversion units 251 and 252 operate exclusively (although when one is processing, the other is not processing), this is not always necessary. For example, the audio signal conversion units 251 and 252 are always activated and perform audio signal conversion processing, respectively, while the switching unit 253 controls only the audio signal of the audio signal conversion unit 251 when an image is displayed on the display unit 24. You may output to the part 27. That is, it is not the subject matter whether the processing operations of the audio signal conversion units 251 and 252 are continuous, intermittent, or exclusive, but the photographer's audio signal after the image is displayed on the display unit 24 and the photographer's display It is only necessary that the image is associated with the image and the result can be stored in the storage unit 26.

  The search process after the image captured by the digital camera 2 and the voice data of the photographer are stored in association with each other as described above includes the digital camera 2, input means for receiving information necessary for the search, Realized by a search system comprising search means for searching for information stored in the storage unit 26 based on information required for search received by the input means, and output means for outputting the search results performed by the search means. Is done.

  As in the first embodiment, this search system can be realized by the digital camera 2 alone, or by appropriately connecting the digital camera 2 and a computer.

  According to the second embodiment of the present invention described above, the photographer displays the image data as a still image during a predetermined time (period) immediately after the generation of the image data related to the image captured by the digital camera. By generating information for image search using the uttered voice and storing the generated information in association with the corresponding image data, the feeling of the photographer who viewed the image immediately after shooting the image (first It is possible to classify and rearrange images that accurately reflect (1 impression).

  Further, according to the second embodiment, when displaying an image photographed on the display unit, the amplification factor of the audio data on the photographer side is made relatively larger than the amplification factor of the audio data on the subject side. Since it is possible to accurately acquire the voice data of the photographer required for code assignment and to capture only the voice during image display after shooting is completed, it is classified as that voice data. Or unnecessary information (for example, information related to the voice of “cheese” issued by the photographer at the time of shooting) can be excluded.

(Other embodiments)
Up to this point, the best mode for carrying out the present invention has been described in detail as the first and second embodiments. However, the present invention is not limited only to these embodiments.

  For example, in the above description, the voice input by the photographer has been mainly related to the success or failure of the photographing, but besides this, the photographing target (person, event, landscape,...) Photographer (name, father, mother, ...), shooting location (place name, indoor and outdoor, ...), shooting environment (weather, temperature, humidity, ...), shooting purpose (snap, for competition exhibition, ...) etc. may be used as audio data. Thereby, it is possible to realize more various image classifications.

  As voice data to be added to the image data, voice (“OK”, “no good”, etc.) expected to be emitted when the photographer sees the image is recognized using voice recognition technology. Audio data (code) corresponding to the result may be stored in association with each other. In this case, the photographer intentionally issues the word “OK” when, for example, the photograph is considered successful.

  By the way, when the photographer continuously shoots for a certain period of time, the image cannot be displayed on the display unit immediately after the image is written in the storage unit. In such a case, when the photographer stops pressing the shutter button even after a predetermined time has elapsed, it is considered that a series of photographing has been completed, and images stored so far are sequentially displayed.

  Thus, the present invention can include various embodiments and the like not described herein, and various design changes and the like can be made without departing from the technical idea specified by the claims. It is possible to apply.

It is a block diagram which shows the function structure inside the digital camera which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the structure by the side of the digital camera which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the structure by the side of the digital camera which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a time chart which shows the starting condition of the various processes from the start of imaging using the digital camera according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention until the captured image and the photographer's voice are stored in association with each other. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structural example of the data structure which matched audio | voice data and image data. It is explanatory drawing which shows another structural example of the data structure which matched audio | voice data and image data. It is a block diagram which shows the function structure of the search system which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the function structure inside the digital camera which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a time chart which shows the starting condition of the various processes after image | photographing using the digital camera which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention until it memorize | stores by correlating the image | photographed image and a photographer's audio | voice.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1, 2 Digital camera 3 Search system 11, 21 Optical system 12, 22 Imaging processing part 13, 23 Operation part 14, 24 Display part 15, 251, 252 Audio | voice signal conversion part 16, 26 Storage part 17, 27 Control part (correspondence Appendices)
31 Input unit 32 Search unit 33 Output unit 101 Exterior member 102 Flash 131 Operation button group 132 Shutter button 151 Sound collection hole 253 Switching unit D data Dh Header area Df Image data area Fa Additional data file Ff Image data file

Claims (8)

Imaging means for photoelectrically converting light collected from a predetermined field of view and capturing an image;
Display means for displaying the latest image captured by the imaging means to the photographer as a still image for a predetermined time after imaging of the image;
Audio signal converting means for converting the photographer's voice into an electrical signal;
After the display unit starts displaying the latest image, the electrical signal converted by the audio signal conversion unit or information corresponding to the electrical signal is associated with the latest image displayed by the display unit. Association means;
Storage means for storing the electrical signal associated with the association means or information corresponding to the electrical signal and the latest image;
A digital camera characterized by comprising The audio signal converting means is
The digital camera according to claim 1, wherein the digital camera has directivity in a direction from the display unit toward the photographer. An audio signal conversion unit different from the audio signal conversion unit as the first audio signal conversion unit, wherein the imaging unit has directivity in the visual field direction, and converts received audio into an electric signal. Audio signal conversion means;
Switching means for switching between the first and second audio signal conversion means;
The digital camera according to claim 1, further comprising:   The amplification factor of the first audio signal conversion unit when the first audio signal conversion unit is performing the conversion process is the second amplification rate when the second audio conversion unit is performing the conversion process. 4. The digital camera according to claim 3, wherein the digital camera has an amplification factor smaller than that of the voice conversion means. The audio signal converting means is
2. The digital camera according to claim 1, wherein a process of converting audio received after starting display of the image on the display unit into an electrical signal is started. 3. The association means includes
When there is no reception of an electrical signal or information corresponding to the electrical signal from the audio signal conversion unit during the time for displaying the image on the display unit, information corresponding to the absence of the reception is displayed during the time. The digital camera according to claim 1, wherein the digital camera is associated with the image.   The electrical signal obtained by converting a predetermined speech to be input to the speech conversion means and information corresponding to the electrical signal are associated in advance. Digital camera. Input means for inputting information necessary for searching for images stored in the storage means of the digital camera according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
Search means for searching for the image based on information required for the search input by the input means;
Output means for outputting a result of the search performed by the search means;
A search system characterized by comprising:

Images