JP2007288424A - Imaging apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an imaging apparatus for easily adding additional information to image information obtained by photographing. <P>SOLUTION: A CPU 40 adds predetermined additional information obtained by imaging with a CCD 24 for acquiring image information showing a subject image by imaging a subject with a two-dimensional code showing the additional information to the image information acquired by imaging the subject except an image showing at least the additional information by the CCD 24. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus, and more particularly, to an imaging apparatus having an imaging unit that acquires image information indicating a subject image by imaging the subject.

  In recent years, with the increase in resolution of solid-state imaging devices such as CCD (Charge Coupled Device) area sensors and CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) image sensors, digital electronic still cameras, digital video cameras, mobile phones, PDAs (Personal Digital Assistants) , Portable information terminals) and other information devices having a photographing function are rapidly increasing. Note that information devices having the above photographing functions are collectively referred to as imaging devices.

  By the way, in the imaging apparatus as described above, various techniques for improving the convenience of the imaging apparatus have been proposed in recent years, and Patent Document 1 enables imaging using a desired mode without performing a complicated operation. For this purpose, a series of operation program data of the video camera is recorded on a bar code data card or ROM data card, while a bar code reading unit or a memory data input unit for reading the data card data on the video camera And a technique in which a microcomputer executes control based on the read operation program data is disclosed.

Further, in Patent Document 2, for the purpose of easily setting various functions, a storage unit that stores function setting items and an image corresponding to the function setting unit, an imaging unit that captures an image, and the imaging unit And a control unit that determines whether or not the image captured by the image matches the image stored in the storage unit, and sets the function based on the determination result.
JP-A-5-260355 JP 2003-289350 A

  Incidentally, in the above-described imaging apparatus, there are cases where it is desired to add various types of information to image information obtained by shooting. For example, it is necessary to add information that can specify a shooting location such as the name of the shooting location or information that describes the shooting location.

  However, in order to realize this, there is a problem that it is necessary to input information to be added to the image pickup apparatus by the user himself, which takes much time.

  On the other hand, with the techniques disclosed in the above patent documents, although the operation mode of the imaging apparatus can be set, various information cannot be added to the image information obtained by photographing.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an imaging apparatus that can easily add additional information to image information obtained by photographing.

  In order to achieve the above object, an imaging apparatus according to the present invention includes an imaging unit that acquires image information indicating a subject image by imaging a subject, and an image indicating predetermined additional information as a subject by the imaging unit. Adding means for adding the additional information obtained by imaging to image information acquired by imaging the subject excluding at least an image indicating the additional information by the imaging means.

  According to the imaging apparatus of the present invention, image information indicating a subject image is acquired by imaging the subject with the imaging unit. The imaging means includes a solid-state imaging device such as a CCD area sensor or a CMOS image sensor.

  Here, in the present invention, the additional information obtained by imaging the image indicating predetermined additional information as a subject by the additional unit is added to the subject excluding at least the image indicating the additional information. Is added to image information acquired by being imaged by the imaging means.

  That is, in the present invention, an image indicating additional information to be added to the image information acquired by imaging is prepared in advance, and the additional information is input by capturing the image. The effort that occurs when the additional information is manually input is avoided.

  As described above, according to the imaging apparatus of the present invention, an image indicating predetermined additional information is taken as a subject, and the image is obtained by imaging by an imaging unit that acquires image information indicating a subject image by imaging the subject. Since the additional information is added to the image information acquired by imaging the subject excluding at least the image indicating the additional information by the imaging means, it is easily added to the image information obtained by the imaging. Information can be added.

  The adding means of the present invention may add the additional information to the image information by associating the additional information with the image information and storing them in a storage means. The storage means includes a RAM (Random Access Memory), an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable and Programmable Read Only Memory), a semiconductor storage element such as a flash EEPROM (Flash EEPROM), a smart media (SmartMedia (registered trademark)), a flexible A portable recording medium such as a disk or a fixed recording medium such as a hard disk is included.

  Further, the adding means of the present invention combines the image information and the additional information so that the image indicated by the additional information is superimposed on the subject image indicated by the image information, and stores it in the storage means. Thus, the additional information may be added to the image information. The storage means also includes a semiconductor storage element such as a RAM, an EEPROM, a flash EEPROM, a smart media (SmartMedia (registered trademark)), a portable recording medium such as a flexible disk, and a fixed recording medium such as a hard disk. .

  The additional information of the present invention may be at least one of character information and image information.

  Further, the adding means of the present invention may add the additional information only within a predetermined period. In this case, the predetermined period is predetermined from the time when the predetermined operation time of the imaging apparatus, the predetermined number of executions of the predetermined operation on the imaging apparatus, and the image information indicating the additional information are acquired. The elapsed time may be any one of the elapsed times.

  In the present invention, the additional information includes effective period information indicating an effective period of the additional information, and when the additional information is obtained by the imaging unit, the additional information is indicated by the effective period information included in the additional information. It may be further provided with prohibiting means for prohibiting the processing by the adding means when the valid period has passed.

  Furthermore, the image indicating the predetermined additional information according to the present invention may be a one-dimensional barcode or a two-dimensional code. The two-dimensional code includes a QR (Quick Response) code (registered trademark).

  According to the present invention, at least the additional information obtained by imaging with an imaging unit that obtains image information indicating a subject image by capturing the subject with an image indicating predetermined additional information as a subject. Since the subject excluding the image indicating the additional information is added to the image information acquired by imaging with the imaging unit, the additional information can be easily added to the image information obtained by imaging. The effect of is obtained.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Here, a case where the present invention is applied to a digital electronic still camera (hereinafter referred to as “digital camera”) that captures a still image will be described.

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

  In front of the digital camera 10, a lens 21 for forming a subject image, a strobe 44 that emits light to irradiate the subject when necessary, and a viewfinder used to determine the composition of the subject to be photographed. 20 is provided. Further, on the upper surface of the digital camera 10, a release switch (so-called shutter) 56A, a power switch 56B, and a mode changeover switch 56C that are pressed when performing shooting are provided.

  Note that the release switch 56A of the digital camera 10 according to the present embodiment is pressed down to an intermediate position (hereinafter referred to as “half-pressed state”) and to a final pressed position beyond the intermediate position. A two-stage pressing operation of a state (hereinafter referred to as a “fully pressed state”) can be detected.

  In the digital camera 10, the release switch 56A is pressed halfway to activate the AE (Automatic Exposure) function and set the exposure state (shutter speed, aperture state), and then AF (Auto Focus). , Automatic focusing) function is performed to control focusing, and then exposure (photographing) is performed when the button is fully pressed.

  The mode changeover switch 56C is rotated when setting to any one of a shooting mode that is a mode for shooting and a playback mode that is a mode for playing back a subject image on the LCD 38 described later.

  On the other hand, on the back surface of the digital camera 10, an eyepiece of the finder 20, a liquid crystal display (hereinafter referred to as “LCD”) 38 for displaying a photographed subject image, a menu screen, and the like, and a cross cursor switch 56D. And are provided. The cross-cursor switch 56D includes four arrow keys that indicate four moving directions of up, down, left, and right in the display area of the LCD 38.

  Furthermore, on the back of the digital camera 10, a menu switch that is pressed when displaying the menu screen on the LCD 38, a determination switch that is pressed when confirming the operation content up to that point, and the previous operation content are displayed. A cancel switch that is pressed when canceling and a bar code shooting mode setting switch that is pressed when setting a bar code shooting mode to be described later are provided.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 2, the configuration of the main part of the electrical system of the digital camera 10 according to the present embodiment will be described.

  The digital camera 10 includes an optical unit 22 including the lens 21 described above, a charge coupled device (hereinafter referred to as “CCD”) 24 disposed behind the optical axis of the lens 21, and an input analog. And an analog signal processing unit 26 that performs various analog signal processing on the signal.

  The digital camera 10 also performs an analog / digital converter (hereinafter referred to as “ADC”) 28 that converts an input analog signal into digital data, and performs various digital signal processing on the input digital data. And a digital signal processing unit 30.

  The digital signal processing unit 30 has a built-in line buffer having a predetermined capacity, and also performs control to directly store the input digital data in a predetermined area of the memory 48 described later.

  The output terminal of the CCD 24 is connected to the input terminal of the analog signal processing unit 26, the output terminal of the analog signal processing unit 26 is connected to the input terminal of the ADC 28, and the output terminal of the ADC 28 is connected to the input terminal of the digital signal processing unit 30. . Accordingly, the analog signal indicating the subject image output from the CCD 24 is subjected to predetermined analog signal processing by the analog signal processing unit 26, converted into digital image data by the ADC 28, and then input to the digital signal processing unit 30.

  On the other hand, the digital camera 10 generates a signal for displaying a subject image, a menu screen or the like on the LCD 38 and supplies the signal to the LCD 38, and a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 40 that controls the operation of the entire digital camera 10. A memory 48 that temporarily stores digital image data obtained by photographing, and a memory interface 46 that controls access to the memory 48 are included.

  Further, the digital camera 10 includes an external memory interface 50 for enabling the portable memory card 52 to be accessed by the digital camera 10, and a compression / decompression processing circuit 54 for performing compression processing and decompression processing on the digital image data. It is configured to include.

  In the digital camera 10 according to the present embodiment, a flash memory is used as the memory 48 and a smart media (Smart Media (registered trademark)) is used as the memory card 52.

  The digital signal processing unit 30, the LCD interface 36, the CPU 40, the memory interface 46, the external memory interface 50, and the compression / decompression processing circuit 54 are connected to each other via a system bus BUS. Therefore, the CPU 40 controls the operation of the digital signal processing unit 30 and the compression / decompression processing circuit 54, displays various information via the LCD interface 36 to the LCD 38, and the memory interface 46 or the external memory interface to the memory 48 and the memory card 52. 50 can be accessed each.

  On the other hand, the digital camera 10 includes a timing generator 32 that mainly generates a timing signal for driving the CCD 24 and supplies the timing signal to the CCD 24, and the driving of the CCD 24 is controlled by the CPU 40 via the timing generator 32.

  Further, the digital camera 10 is provided with a motor drive unit 34, and driving of a focus adjustment motor, a zoom motor, and an aperture drive motor (not shown) provided in the optical unit 22 is also controlled by the CPU 40 via the motor drive unit 34. The

  In other words, the lens 21 according to the present embodiment has a plurality of lenses, is configured as a zoom lens that can change (magnify) the focal length, and includes a lens driving mechanism (not shown). The lens drive mechanism includes the focus adjustment motor, the zoom motor, and the aperture drive motor, and these motors are each driven by a drive signal supplied from the motor drive unit 34 under the control of the CPU 40.

  Further, various switches such as the release switch 56A, the power switch 56B, the mode switch 56C, the cross cursor switch 56D, the menu switch, and the barcode shooting mode setting switch (generally referred to as “operation unit 56” in the figure). The CPU 40 is connected to the CPU 40, and the CPU 40 can always grasp the operation state of the operation unit 56.

  In addition, the digital camera 10 includes a charging unit 42 that is interposed between the strobe 44 and the CPU 40 and charges power for causing the strobe 44 to emit light under the control of the CPU 40. Further, the strobe 44 is also connected to the CPU 40, and the light emission of the strobe 44 is controlled by the CPU 40.

  By the way, in the digital camera 10 according to the present embodiment, at least the additional information obtained by picking up an image showing predetermined additional information (here, a two-dimensional code) with the CCD 24 as a subject is stored. A barcode shooting mode is prepared in advance, which is an operation mode that is set so as to add a subject other than an image indicating additional information to image data acquired by imaging with the CCD 24.

  FIG. 3 schematically shows the data structure of the two-dimensional code 60 to be applied in the barcode shooting mode according to the present embodiment. As shown in the figure, in the two-dimensional code 60 according to the present embodiment, index information and actual data are recorded as the additional information.

  The index information includes type information, validity period information, and the like. The type information is information indicating the type of information recorded as the actual data, and in the present embodiment, information indicating any one of character information and image information is recorded. The validity period information is information indicating the validity period of the two-dimensional code 60, and information indicating the date is recorded in the present embodiment.

  On the other hand, the actual data is information indicating the substance of information to be added to image data acquired by subsequent imaging by the CCD 24, and in the present embodiment, information indicating any one of character information and image information. Is recorded.

  In the present embodiment, the printed matter on which the two-dimensional code 60 is printed is provided by the manufacturer of the digital camera 10.

  Next, an overall operation at the time of shooting of the digital camera 10 according to the present embodiment will be briefly described.

  First, the CCD 24 performs imaging through the optical unit 22 and sequentially outputs analog signals for R (red), G (green), and B (blue) indicating the subject image to the analog signal processing unit 26. The analog signal processing unit 26 performs analog signal processing such as correlated double sampling processing on the analog signal input from the CCD 24 and sequentially outputs the analog signal to the ADC 28.

  The ADC 28 converts the R, G, and B analog signals input from the analog signal processing unit 26 into 12-bit R, G, and B signals (digital image data) and sequentially outputs them to the digital signal processing unit 30. To do. The digital signal processing unit 30 accumulates digital image data sequentially input from the ADC 28 in a built-in line buffer and temporarily stores the digital image data directly in a predetermined area of the memory 48.

  The digital image data stored in a predetermined area of the memory 48 is read out by the digital signal processing unit 30 according to the control by the CPU 40, and is subjected to white gain by applying a digital gain for each of R, G, and B according to a predetermined physical quantity. In addition to performing balance adjustment, gamma processing and sharpness processing are performed to generate 8-bit digital image data.

  The digital signal processing unit 30 performs YC signal processing on the generated 8-bit digital image data to generate a luminance signal Y and chroma signals Cr and Cb (hereinafter referred to as “YC signal”), and the YC signal. Are stored in an area different from the predetermined area of the memory 48.

  The LCD 38 is configured to display a moving image (through image) obtained by continuous imaging by the CCD 24 and can be used as a finder. When the LCD 38 is used as a finder, the LCD 38 is generated. The YC signals thus output are sequentially output to the LCD 38 via the LCD interface 36. As a result, a through image is displayed on the LCD 38.

  Here, at the timing when the release switch 56A is half pressed by the user, after the AE function is activated and the exposure state is set as described above, the AF function is activated and the focus control is performed, and then the fully pressed state is continued. The YC signal stored in the memory 48 at that time is compressed in a predetermined compression format (in this embodiment, JPEG format) by the compression / decompression processing circuit 54 and then the external memory interface 50 is To the memory card 52 as an electronic file (image file). The digital camera 10 according to the present embodiment is compatible with the Exif (Exchangeable Image File Format) standard, and the electronic file is stored in the memory card 52 as conforming to the Exif standard.

  Next, the operation of the digital camera 10 when the barcode shooting mode is set will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing of a barcode shooting mode processing program executed by the CPU 40 of the digital camera 10 when the barcode shooting mode setting switch is pressed, and the program is stored in the memory 48. It is stored in advance in a predetermined area.

  Here, the user photographs the two-dimensional code 60 to be processed by the digital camera 10 after pressing the barcode photographing mode setting switch.

  Therefore, first, in step 100, the digital image data stored by the above photographing is read from the memory 48 to acquire the image data, and in the next step 102, the image is effective for the image indicated by the acquired digital image data. It is determined whether or not a two-dimensional code (here, the two-dimensional code configured as shown in FIG. 3 as an example, and hereinafter referred to as a “processing target image”) is included, and an affirmative determination is made. If YES, go to step 104.

  In step 104, it is determined whether or not the current time is within the effective period indicated by the effective period information included in the processing target image. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 108.

  On the other hand, if a negative determination is made in either of step 102 and step 104, the process proceeds to step 106, where the LCD interface 36 is controlled so as to display a predetermined warning screen. Migrate to

  FIG. 5A shows the display state of the warning screen displayed on the LCD 38 by the processing of step 106 described above. As shown in the figure, on the warning screen according to the present embodiment, a message indicating that additional information cannot be added is displayed along with the reason. Therefore, the user can grasp these facts by referring to the screen.

  On the other hand, in step 108, the LCD interface 36 is controlled so as to display a predetermined confirmation screen, and in the next step 110, input of predetermined information is waited.

  FIG. 5B shows the display state of the confirmation screen displayed on the LCD 38 by the processing of step 108. As shown in the figure, on the confirmation screen according to the present embodiment, information (additional information) added to image data (here, an electronic file recorded on the memory card 52) obtained by subsequent shooting is displayed. Information) and a message prompting the user to input whether or not the additional information may be added are displayed together with an execution button and a cancel button. Although not shown in the drawing, the additional information itself is actually displayed. When the confirmation screen shown in the figure is displayed, the user selects the execute button when instructing addition of the displayed additional information, and the cancel button when canceling addition of the additional information. It designates by operation of 56D. In response, step 110 is affirmative and the process proceeds to step 112.

  In step 112, it is determined whether or not additional information is added by determining whether or not an execution button is designated by the user on the confirmation screen. If the determination is negative, the process proceeds to step 118 described later. On the other hand, if the determination is affirmative, the routine proceeds to step 114.

  In step 114, information indicating addition to a predetermined area (hereinafter referred to as "addition flag") used as a flag indicating whether or not to add additional information in the memory 48 is stored to turn on the additional flag. In the next step 116, the index information and actual data (additional information) included in the processing target image are stored in a predetermined area of the memory 48.

  In the next step 118, the barcode shooting mode is ended, and then the barcode shooting mode processing program is ended.

  Next, the operation of the digital camera 10 when the shooting mode is set by operating the mode changeover switch 56C will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing of the normal shooting mode processing program executed by the CPU 40 of the digital camera 10 at this time, and the program is also stored in a predetermined area of the memory 48 in advance.

  In step 200 of the figure, it is determined whether or not the additional flag is in an on state. If a negative determination is made, the process proceeds to step 208 described later, whereas if an affirmative determination is made, the process proceeds to step 202. Transition.

  In step 202, a period during which the additional information stored in the predetermined area of the memory 48 by the barcode shooting mode processing program is added to the image data (here, the digitized file) acquired by imaging with the CCD 24 is shown. Information predetermined as information (hereinafter referred to as “additional execution period information”) is acquired. As the additional execution period information, in the digital camera 10 according to the present embodiment, a predetermined operation time of the digital camera 10 (here, an operation time after the power switch 56B of the digital camera 10 is turned on). (3 minutes as an example), a predetermined number of executions of a predetermined operation on the digital camera 10 (here, the number of full-press operations of the release switch 56A from the time when image data indicating the processing target image is acquired (10 Times)) and a predetermined elapsed time (1 hour as an example) from the time when the image data indicating the processing target image is acquired, and the applied information is a predetermined value in the memory 48. Therefore, in this step 202, the above-mentioned data is read out from the predetermined area of the memory 48. To get a pressurized execution period information.

  In the next step 204, it is determined whether or not this time is within the period indicated by the additional execution period information acquired in step 202. If the determination is negative, the process proceeds to step 206. In the digital camera 10 according to the present embodiment, when the predetermined operation time of the digital camera 10 is applied as the additional execution period information, the operation time after the power switch 56B is turned on is counted. When the predetermined number of executions of the predetermined operation on the digital camera 10 is applied as the additional execution period information, the number of full pressing operations of the release switch 56A from the time when the image data indicating the processing target image is acquired is counted. When the predetermined elapsed time from the time when the image data indicating the processing target image is acquired as the additional execution period information, the elapsed time is counted. The additional execution period information obtained by the processing in step 202 is the time value or the count value corresponding to the additional execution period information. It determines whether or not it is within the period indicated by.

  In step 206, the addition flag is turned off (indicating that no additional information is added), and after the additional information is erased from the memory 48, the process proceeds to step 208 to add no additional information to the image data. Execute processing in shooting mode.

  On the other hand, when an affirmative determination is made in step 204, the process proceeds to step 210, where the additional information stored by the barcode shooting mode processing program is read from the memory 48, and the additional information read in the next step 212 is read. The LCD interface 36 is set so that the character or image indicated by the actual data included in is superimposed on the subsequent through image and displayed (in this case, display by OSD (On Screen Display)). Through this process, the through image displayed on the LCD 38 thereafter is the one in which the character or image is superimposed.

  In the next step 214, the execution of the shooting is awaited by waiting until the release switch 56A is fully pressed, and in the next step 216, recording is performed on the memory card 52 in accordance with the Exif standard. In the main image area in the digitized file, the digital image data indicating the subject stored in the memory 48 at that time and the actual data included in the additional information read out in the process of step 210 are indicated by the digital image data. Control is performed so that the character image or the image indicated by the actual data is superimposed and recorded on the subject image to be recorded. Also, in this step 216, control is performed so that the additional information read out by the processing in step 210 is recorded in a predetermined area of the tag area in the electronic file. When the processing of step 216 is completed, the process returns to step 214 and waits for execution again.

  Note that the normal shooting mode processing program ends when the mode is changed to the playback mode or when the power switch 56B of the digital camera 10 is turned off.

  FIG. 7 shows a two-dimensional representation in which character information indicating the name of the place is included as actual data on a signboard provided at a predetermined position (here, for example, a position near the entrance) of a predetermined place (here, a photo museum). The appearance of the signboard when the code 60 is printed is shown.

  In this case, the subject image indicated by the digitized file recorded on the memory card 52 by photographing within the predetermined period after photographing the signboard with the barcode photographing mode set by the digital camera 10 is as follows: As an example, as shown in FIG. 8, the name of the place is superimposed, and additional information indicated by the photographed two-dimensional code 60 is recorded in the tag area of the digitized file.

  In addition, FIG. 9 shows two types of photographs of a frame 1 and a frame 2 on a poster provided at a predetermined position (for example, a position near a predetermined attraction in the theme park) of a predetermined place (for example, a theme park). The appearance of the poster when two two-dimensional codes 60 representing frame images are printed is shown.

  In this case, when the barcode shooting mode is set by the digital camera 10, the two-dimensional code 60 of any one of the posters is shot to record the electronic data recorded in the memory card 52 by shooting within a predetermined period thereafter. As shown in FIG. 10 as an example, the subject image indicated by the digitized file is in a state in which the photograph frame images corresponding to the photographed two-dimensional code 60 are superimposed, and is photographed in the tag area of the digitized file. The additional information indicated by the two-dimensional code 60 is recorded.

  On the other hand, FIG. 11 shows a book in which a two-dimensional code 60 including character information or image information relating to the plurality of places is printed on a book introducing a plurality of places such as tourist spots and famous restaurants. The inside of is shown.

  In this case, the digital camera 10 captures any one of the two-dimensional codes 60 of the book in a state where the barcode photographing mode is set, and the electronic data recorded in the memory card 52 by photographing within a predetermined period thereafter. The subject image indicated by the digitized file is in a state in which information corresponding to the photographed two-dimensional code 60 is superimposed, and additional information indicated by the photographed two-dimensional code 60 is recorded in the tag area of the digitized file. Is done.

  As described above in detail, in the present embodiment, image information indicating a subject image is obtained by imaging a subject using an image showing predetermined additional information (here, the two-dimensional code 60) as a subject. The additional information obtained by imaging with the imaging means (in this case, the CCD 24) is added to the image information acquired by imaging the subject excluding at least the image indicating the additional information with the imaging means. Therefore, it is not necessary to manually input the additional information to the imaging apparatus (here, the digital camera 10), and the additional information can be easily added to the image information obtained by photographing.

  In the present embodiment, the additional information is added to the image information by associating the additional information with the image information and storing them in a storage means (here, the memory card 52). The correspondence relationship with the additional information can be easily grasped, and convenience can be improved.

  In the present embodiment, the image information and the additional information are combined and stored in the storage unit so that the image indicated by the additional information is superimposed on the subject image indicated by the image information. Thus, since the additional information is added to the image information, the additional information can be easily added to the captured image.

  In the present embodiment, since the additional information is character information or image information, the character information or image information can be easily added to the image information obtained by photographing.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the addition of the additional information is performed only within a predetermined period, so the period for adding the additional information to the image information can be limited, and convenience can be improved. .

  In particular, in the present embodiment, the predetermined period of time is a predetermined operation time of the imaging device, a predetermined number of executions of a predetermined operation on the imaging device, and image information indicating the additional information. Since any one of the predetermined elapsed times from the time is set, it is possible to limit the period for adding the additional information to the image information within any applied period.

  In the present embodiment, the additional information includes effective period information indicating an effective period of the additional information, and when the additional information is obtained by the imaging unit, the effective period information included in the additional information. Since the process for adding the additional information is prohibited when the effective period indicated by is over, the unnecessary addition of the additional information after the effective period can be prevented in advance.

  Furthermore, in the present embodiment, since the image indicating the predetermined additional information is a two-dimensional code, a large amount of additional information can be recorded as compared with the case of using a one-dimensional barcode. Can be added.

  In the embodiment described above, the barcode shooting mode processing program is executed when the barcode shooting mode setting switch is pressed. However, the present invention is not limited to this, for example, It is also possible to adopt a form in which the barcode photographing mode processing program is executed at another timing, such as a form that is executed when a specific image such as a two-dimensional code is photographed. In this case as well, the same effects as in the above embodiment can be obtained.

  In the above embodiment, the case where a two-dimensional code is applied as an image indicating additional information has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, for example, a one-dimensional barcode, a three-dimensional code, or the like. An image including other codes and an image including additional information of the present invention (for example, print type steganography) may be applied. In this case as well, the same effects as in the above embodiment can be obtained.

  In the above embodiment, model information for specifying the model to be processed is included in the index information of the two-dimensional code 60, and the model indicated by the model information is automatically determined by the barcode shooting mode processing program. If the machine is not a machine, the process may be stopped. In this case, it is possible not to process the two-dimensional code unrelated to itself, and to realize the present invention for each model.

  In addition, the hardware configuration of the digital camera 10 according to the above-described embodiment and the configuration of the two-dimensional code 60 (see FIGS. 1 to 3) are examples, and can be appropriately changed without departing from the gist of the present invention. Needless to say.

  Further, the flow of processing of the barcode shooting mode processing program and the normal shooting mode processing program described in the above embodiment (see FIGS. 4 and 6) is also an example, and within the scope not departing from the gist of the present invention, Needless to say, it is possible to change the processing order of each step, change the processing content, delete unnecessary steps, add new steps, and the like.

  Further, the display states of various screens described in the above embodiment (see FIG. 5) are also examples, and it goes without saying that they can be changed without departing from the gist of the present invention.

  Further, although cases have been described with the above embodiment where the present invention is applied to a digital camera, it is needless to say that the present invention can be applied to any information device having a photographing function such as a PDA or a mobile phone. .

It is an external view which shows the external appearance of the digital camera which concerns on embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the principal part structure of the electric system of the digital camera which concerns on embodiment. It is a schematic diagram which shows the data structure of the two-dimensional code which concerns on embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a process of the barcode imaging | photography mode processing program which concerns on embodiment. It is a figure which shows the display state of the various screen which concerns on embodiment, (A) is a figure which shows a warning screen, (B) is a figure which shows a confirmation screen. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a process of the normal imaging | photography mode processing program which concerns on embodiment. It is a figure which shows the specific provision state of a two-dimensional code, and is an external view which shows the external appearance of the said signboard when the two-dimensional code is printed on the signboard provided in the predetermined position of the predetermined place. When the signboard shown in FIG. 7 is shot with the barcode shooting mode set by the digital camera according to the embodiment, the subject image indicated by the digitized file recorded by shooting within a predetermined period thereafter It is the schematic which shows an example of a state. It is a figure which shows the other concrete provision state of a two-dimensional code, The said poster in case two two-dimensional codes which show two types of photograph frame images are printed on the poster provided in the predetermined position of the predetermined place It is an external view which shows the external appearance. When the bar code shooting mode is set by the digital camera according to the embodiment and the poster shown in FIG. 9 is shot, the subject image indicated by the digitized file recorded by shooting within a predetermined period thereafter is displayed. It is the schematic which shows an example of a state. It is a figure which shows the other concrete provision state of a two-dimensional code, and the two-dimensional code which contains the character information or image information regarding the said several places with respect to the book which introduces several places, such as a sightseeing spot and a famous restaurant It is a figure which shows the inside of the said book when is printed.

Explanation of symbols

10 Digital camera 24 CCD (Imaging means)
38 LCD
40 CPU (addition means, prohibition means)
48 memory 52 memory card (storage means)
60 2D code

Claims (8)

Imaging means for acquiring image information indicating a subject image by imaging the subject;
The additional information obtained by imaging an image showing predetermined additional information as a subject by the imaging unit is acquired by imaging the subject excluding at least the image showing the additional information by the imaging unit. Adding means for adding to image information;
An imaging apparatus comprising: The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the adding unit adds the additional information to the image information by associating the additional information with the image information and storing them in a storage unit. The adding means combines the image information and the additional information so that the image indicated by the additional information is superimposed on the subject image indicated by the image information, and stores the combined information in the storage means. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein information is added to the image information. The imaging apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the additional information is at least one of character information and image information. The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein the adding unit adds the additional information only within a predetermined period. The predetermined period is a predetermined operating time of the imaging apparatus, a predetermined number of executions of a predetermined operation on the imaging apparatus, and a predetermined progress from the time when image information indicating the additional information is acquired. The imaging apparatus according to claim 5, which is any one of times. The additional information includes effective period information indicating an effective period of the additional information,
2. When the additional information is obtained by the imaging means, the apparatus further comprises prohibiting means for prohibiting processing by the additional means when the effective period indicated by the effective period information included in the additional information has passed. The imaging device according to claim 6. The imaging device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the image indicating the predetermined additional information is a one-dimensional barcode or a two-dimensional code.

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