JP3034925B2 - Digital electronic still camera system - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Object of the Invention] (Industrial application field) The present invention relates to a digital electronic still camera that digitally records a still image using, for example, a semiconductor memory card as a recording medium; The present invention relates to a digital electronic still camera system having a recording medium such as an optical disk on which a large number of still images recorded on a semiconductor memory card are recorded, and a reproducing apparatus for reproducing an image recorded on the recording medium. The plan is to enable efficient searching of images recorded in the.

(Prior art) In a conventional still camera, an image was recorded on a silver halide film using a chemical reaction. In recent years, a still image of a subject is captured by a solid-state imaging device such as a CCD. An electronic still camera has been commercialized that records analog data on a rotating magnetic recording medium (video floppy disk). By the way, in the above-mentioned electronic still camera, since a rotating magnetic recording medium is used as a recording medium, a driving device for driving the rotating magnetic recording medium relative to a magnetic head is provided in the camera body. I have. For this reason, an electronic still camera using a rotating magnetic recording medium has a small size,
It is not easy to reduce the weight, and there is a problem in long-term reliability. In addition, there is a disadvantage that image quality is deteriorated when dubbing is performed because of the analog recording method.

In order to reduce the size and weight of the electronic still camera, an electronic still camera that digitally records image data on a memory card using a semiconductor memory that does not require a driving device as described above has been proposed. A digital electronic still camera digitally stores image data obtained by an imaging signal processing unit and a digital signal processing unit in a predetermined address space of a memory package (for example, a memory card) having a volatile or nonvolatile semiconductor memory mounted on a recording medium. This is the method of recording. As described above, in the digital electronic still camera, since image data is recorded by digital signal processing, the image quality is not deteriorated even if the image data is dubbed, and the amount of image data is reduced by performing data compression processing. Is also possible.

Furthermore, signal processing such as enlargement, reduction, and partial clipping of an image can be easily performed, and the compatibility with OA and communication devices is good. In addition, there is no need for a rotary drive device used in an electronic still camera that performs analog recording on a rotary magnetic recording medium, and reliability is improved because there is no magnetic head.

In addition, a recording medium for recording an image taken by being mounted on a digital electronic still camera, for example, a volatile semiconductor memory card requires a backup battery,
When the battery capacity is reduced and the data holding potential is changed, the recorded image data is lost.

For this reason, in order to store image data recorded on the memory card for a long period of time, and to use the memory card which is still expensive and has a small number of recordings repeatedly, so that it can be used efficiently, It is more convenient to record the image data in a semi-permanent manner and record it on a cheap recording medium in bit units. As the recording medium, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a hard disk, a magnetic tape, a magnetic bubble memory, and the like can be considered. Since these recording media have a large recording capacity, a large amount of image data can be recorded.

Further, similarly to the memory card, these recording media do not allow the recorded contents to be known from the appearance. For this reason, a search unit is required to quickly retrieve and reproduce an image desired to be viewed from the reproduction apparatus using the reproduction apparatus.

When searching for a desired image from a large number of images recorded on a semi-permanent recording medium such as an optical disk, a method of assigning a hierarchical structure title or a keyword and using this like an image filing system for OA Can be considered.

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) However, when a search by title or keyword is used in a digital electronic still camera system, it is necessary to add a title or keyword to each image, which is troublesome. In some cases, a document can be clearly represented by a title or a keyword, but a captured image cannot be clearly represented by a title or a keyword. Also, it is inconvenient to use a system, such as a personal computer, which cannot be managed or stored without giving a file name to an image, for a digital electronic still camera system.

SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is to provide a digital electronic still camera system that can efficiently search for a desired image from recorded images.

[Configuration of the invention]

(Means for Solving the Problems) In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a digital electronic still camera for digitally recording a captured image on a first recording medium via an image pickup signal processing unit and a digital signal processing unit. A digital electronic still camera system comprising: a reproducing apparatus for reproducing an image on a second recording medium on which an image copied or moved from the first recording medium or an image copied or moved from the first recording medium is provided. When recording an image on the first recording medium, the still camera performs shooting condition data at that time, that is, shooting date and time, white balance, incident light amount, focus, aperture, zoom, use / non-use of flash, temperature, humidity, One or more of the data of atmospheric pressure, photographing camera ID, memory card ID, and lens type are taken as a photographed image. Recording means for recording the image data, and the reproducing apparatus is configured to respond to the question based on a search query for an image to be displayed and the shooting condition data recorded on the first or second recording medium. The image processing apparatus further includes an arithmetic processing unit that determines an image that is highly likely to correspond to the image and outputs an image from the image that is highly likely.

(Operation) According to the present invention, the reproducing apparatus reads out the photographing condition data recorded together with the image on the recording medium by the digital electronic still camera, and obtains the image that is likely to be applicable to the search query for the image to be displayed. Is determined from the photographing condition data, and images can be output in descending order of possibility.

(Examples) Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail based on illustrated examples.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a digital electronic still camera of a digital electronic still camera system according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a playback device. A digital electronic still camera according to the present invention (hereinafter abbreviated as an electronic still camera) is an image sensor.
CCD1, imaging signal processing means 2, digital signal processing means 3,
The camera includes a photographing condition data recording unit 4 and a memory card interface (hereinafter abbreviated as a memory card IF) 5.

The imaging signal processing means 2 performs predetermined signal processing on the imaging signal input from the CCD 1, and then converts the signal into a digital signal. The digital signal processing unit 3 performs predetermined digital signal processing on the signal input from the imaging signal processing unit 2 and records the image data on the memory card 6 as a recording medium via the memory card IF5. The photographing condition data recording means 4 records the photographing condition data at that time for each image recorded on the memory card 6 together with the image data on the memory card 6 via the memory card IF5.

The shooting condition data includes shooting date and time, white balance, light amount, aperture, focus, zoom, use / non-use of flash, temperature, humidity, atmospheric pressure, shooting camera I
Data such as D, memory card ID, and lens type are used. The shooting date and time data, temperature, humidity, and atmospheric pressure data are
A clock, a thermometer, a hygrometer, and a barometer (not shown) provided in the electronic still camera are input to the photographing condition data recording unit 4, and white balance, light amount, aperture, focus,
Data such as zoom / flash use / non-use, photographing camera ID, memory card ID, and lens type are input to the photographing condition data recording means 4 from a CPU (not shown) of the electronic still camera.

On the other hand, the memory card 6 or a recording medium on which a large number of images recorded on the memory card 6 are recorded (for example, a reproducing apparatus for reproducing an image recorded by mounting an optical disc (a large number of recording media on an optical disc or the like) A playback device that plays back images is sometimes called an image file device or an electronic album) includes an image data storage unit IF7, a playback signal processing unit 8, an image display unit 9, a CPU 10, a search query display unit 11, an input unit 12, It has a clock 13. The image data storage unit 14 connected to the image data storage unit IF7
It is a semi-permanent recording medium such as the above-mentioned memory card 6 or optical disk.

The CPU 10 stores the photographing condition data at that time recorded together with the image in the image data storage unit 14 in the image data storage unit IF.
Entered via 7. Then, the CPU 10 determines an image which is highly likely to correspond to the search question (see FIG. 3) displayed on the search question display section 11 by the selection by the input means 12 from the shooting condition data, and determines the image. The data is output to the reproduction signal processing unit 8 via the image data storage unit IF7, and the reproduction signal processing unit 8 processes the input image data for the reproduction signal and outputs an image to the image display unit 9 (details will be described later). ). The items of the search questions displayed in the search question display section 11 are selected via the CPU 10 by the input means 12 such as a mouse, a keyboard, a light pen, and a touch panel. (Current time)
Is entered. Note that the image display unit 9 is a device built in the playback device or an external monitor.

As described above, the CPU 10 can read the shooting condition data necessary for the search query from the image data storage unit 14 via the image data storage unit IF7, and substitute this data into a preset arithmetic expression. Calculate a numerical value with high probability. And, comparing these figures, the largest one
Alternatively, depending on the question, images are displayed sequentially from the smallest one. Further, as shown in FIG. 4, when there are a plurality of search questions (question calculation 1... N), the output numerical values of each search question are comprehensively calculated to calculate a numerical value having a high possibility. The total operation at this time may be simply adding and weighting each output numerical value, and then adding, multiplying, or a combination thereof.

Next, a search procedure of the playback device of the digital electronic still camera system according to the present invention will be described.

First, an image data storage unit (memory card 6
Alternatively, a semi-permanent recording medium such as an optical disk) 14 is attached, and the search question (third
Based on the above (see the figure), a search for an image to be displayed from a large number of images recorded in the image data storage unit 14 is started.
For example, as shown in FIG. 3, a search question display section 11 displays a search question of a shooting location, a subject type, and a shooting date and time. The display at the upper right is the current date and time (date and time at the time of reproduction) input from the clock 13.

And the photographer (or the operator of the playback device)
The input means 12 is operated to select whether the shooting is indoors or outdoors, what is the subject of the shooting, and the shooting date and time from the search questions displayed on the search question display section 11. The CPU 10 reads out, from the image data storage unit 14 via the image data storage unit IF7, imaging condition data necessary for the input search query data.

(A) Whether the shooting is indoors or outdoors This includes white balance,
The data of light intensity, use / non-use of flash, and shooting date and time are used. For example, if the color temperature is high and the light amount is large and the time is daytime, there is a high possibility that the image was taken outdoors, and if the light amount is very small and the time is nighttime, there is a high possibility that the image was taken outdoors. On the other hand, the possibility of being indoors is high when there is a certain amount of light even when the amount of light using the flash is used, or when the amount of light is small but at daytime.
The day and night times are distinguished by daylight hours, so the date data is also referred to. Also, the distinction between day and night times depends on the location, so local adjustments are necessary, especially when used overseas.

(B) What is the subject? For this purpose, focus data among the shooting condition data is used. For example, macro photography or focus 80cm
It is highly probable that the printed object is a printed matter. Also, if the focus is at a distance of about 1 to 10 m, there is a high possibility that a person will snap, and if the distance is longer than that, there is a high possibility of a landscape.

(C) When is the shooting date and time? For this, the shooting date and time data of the shooting condition data is used. For example, when the user only remembers the shooting date and time in an ambiguous manner, the user inputs a provisional date provisionally and outputs an image taken on the day before and after the provisional date. Also, "about half a year ago"
For example, the clock 13 provided on the playback device
Then, the present (at the time of reproduction) date / time data is input, a date six months before is obtained from the date / time data, and images taken before and after the date are sequentially output. In this way, when the shooting date and time is ambiguous or an expression such as "about half a year ago", the difference between the provisional date and the shooting date and time data of the recorded image is calculated, and the difference is calculated from the one having the smallest absolute value. Display images in order.

If the exact shooting date and time is known, the shooting date and time data input means 12 of each image displays it on the search question display section 11, outputs an image output command to the image data storage section IF7, and outputs the image of the shooting date and time. Is displayed. In addition, the day of the week, the month, the season, and the like can be used as search items for the shooting date and time.

In this embodiment, for example, as shown in FIG.
With the input means 12 such as a mouse, a keyboard, a light pen, and a touch panel, the shooting location is “outdoor” and the subject is
Select "Landscape" and the shooting date and time "about 2 months ago" from the search question display section 11,
U10 selects the photographing condition data as described above, and substitutes this data into a preset arithmetic expression to calculate a numerical value having a high possibility. Then, based on the calculation result, an image having a high possibility among a large number of images recorded in the image data storage unit 14 is output to the reproduction signal processing means 8 via the image data storage unit IF7, and the reproduction signal processing is performed. Means 8
A reproduction signal process is performed on the input image data, and the image display unit 9
To be displayed.

At this time, if the output image is not the desired image, the next most likely image is output, and this operation is repeated until the desired image is output.

In addition to the shooting location, subject object, and shooting date and time, the inspection question also includes the temperature, humidity, and atmospheric pressure data measured by the thermometer, hygrometer, and barometer provided in the electronic still camera. Can be used for

For example, if you use it together with the condition to check the possibility of shooting outdoors, it was "very hot" or "sultry"
Items such as "It was cold" and "It was dry" can be set.

If the atmospheric pressure is high and the humidity is low and the color temperature is high, the probability of fine weather is high. If the humidity is high and the atmospheric pressure is low and the amount of light is small outdoors in the daytime, the possibility of cloudy or rainy weather is high.

In addition, the camera section (electronic still camera) is made waterproof,
If the barometer is also used as a water pressure gauge, it is possible to pick up a picture taken underwater based on its pressure value, color temperature and light quantity.

In addition, data such as the use of zoom and the type of lens can be used for inspection questions, and if an individual ID (identification) is set on the camera or memory card, any camera , It is easy to search because it is possible to know whether or not the image was shot with a memory card.

FIGS. 5, 6, and 7 are block diagrams each showing another configuration of a playback device of a digital electronic still camera system according to another embodiment of the present invention.

In the reproducing apparatus shown in FIG. 5, the search question data is displayed on the image display section 9 by the video RAM 20 so as to be superimposed on the image data. Other configurations and operations are the same as those of the reproducing apparatus of the embodiment shown in FIG.

In the reproducing apparatus shown in FIG. 6, when the photographing condition data recorded in the image data storage unit 14 is attached to the reproducing apparatus,
Alternatively, the image data is stored in the photographing condition data storage unit 21 via the image data storage unit IF7 at the start of the search. Then, the CPU 10 reads out the shooting condition data necessary for the search question from the shooting condition data storage unit 21 and calculates a highly likely numerical value by substituting this data into a preset arithmetic expression. Display images with high character. Other configurations and operations are the same as those of the reproducing apparatus of the embodiment shown in FIG.

In the reproducing apparatus shown in FIG. 7, the CPU 10 sets the ROM 22 according to the setting of the search query, and the ROM 22 responds to the search query read from the image data storage unit 14 via the image data storage unit IF7. By inputting necessary photographing condition data, and substituting the data into an arithmetic expression set in advance in the ROM 22, a numerical value having a high possibility is calculated. From this value, the CPU 10 outputs an image having a high possibility. Also,
When there are multiple search questions, the calculation of each search
, And the CPU 10 may perform the integrated general operation. Other configurations and operations are the same as those of the reproducing apparatus of the embodiment shown in FIG.

In addition, as in each of the above-described playback devices, the method of reading out, calculating, and ordering the image capturing conditions of all the images recorded in the image data storage unit 14 and then outputting the images requires a large number of images. If is recorded,
It is expected that it will take some time before a desired image is output.

For this reason, if the most probable image is output at the time while performing the calculation and the output ranking for the search questions, it is possible to save time until the desired image is output. Can be.

Then, after the searcher has set the search question, the playback device reads the shooting condition data necessary for the search question, and reads m from the image data storage unit 14 using this data (m is 1 or more). The (integer) number of images are calculated as described above, and the images are ranked in order of output, so that the most likely image is output.

If the image output at this time is a desired image, a signal is input by the input means 12 to stop the search. When the output image is not the desired image, the input means 12 issues a next candidate image output command, or, after a predetermined time, automatically outputs the next candidate image. It should be noted that, even when the searcher is performing the determination of the output image, the playback device is
The photographing condition data is read out one after another to perform a calculation and update the image output ranking.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an electronic still camera of a digital electronic still camera system according to another embodiment of the present invention.

In the present embodiment, the ROM 30 is connected to the photographing condition data recording means 4, and for the frequently used setting of the photographing condition data, the possibility is calculated in the ROM 30 in advance. Other configurations and operations are the same as those of the electronic still camera of the embodiment shown in FIG. Further, the CPU of the electronic still camera may perform the calculation instead of the ROM 30.

Further, in each of the above-described embodiments, the electronic still camera and the playback device are separately provided, but they may be integrally configured. FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the system in this case.
This is the same as the embodiment shown in FIG. In this case, the image data recording medium (the memory card 6 and the image data storage unit 14 in FIGS. 1 and 2) 40 may be, for example, a magneto-optical disk or the like used together with a rotary drive.
The sensor 41 includes a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, an atmospheric pressure sensor, and the like.

〔The invention's effect〕

As described above, according to the present invention as specifically described based on the embodiments, it is not necessary to add a title or a keyword to each of a large number of images recorded on a recording medium and to remember an accurate shooting date and time. However, it is possible to easily and efficiently output a desired image.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an electronic still camera of a digital electronic still camera system according to the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a playback device of the digital electronic still camera system. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a display surface of a search query display unit of the playback device. FIG. FIG. 5, FIG. 6, FIG. 7, and FIG. 7 are block diagrams each showing a configuration of a reproducing apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an electronic still camera according to an example.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a system in which an electronic still camera and a playback device are integrated. DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... CCD 2 ... Imaging signal processing means 2 3 ... Digital signal processing means 4 ... Shooting condition data recording means 5 ... Memory card IF 6 ... Memory card 7 ... Image data storage section IF 8 ... Playback signal processing means 9 Image display unit 10 CPU (arithmetic processing means) 11 Search query display unit 12 Input means 13 Clock 14 Image data storage unit 20 Video RAM 21 Shooting condition data storage 22,30 …… ROM

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (58) Field surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) H04N 5/91-5/956 H04N 5/781 H04N 5/907 H04N 5/232

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. A digital electronic still camera for digitally recording a photographed image on a first recording medium via an imaging signal processing means and a digital signal processing means, and the first recording medium or the first recording medium. In a digital electronic still camera system including a playback device that plays back an image on a second recording medium on which a copied or moved image is recorded, the digital electronic still camera is configured to record an image on the first recording medium. The shooting condition data at that time, that is, shooting date and time, white balance, incident light amount, focus, aperture, zoom, use / non-use of flash, temperature,
And a photographing condition data recording unit for recording one or more data of humidity, air pressure, photographing camera ID, memory card ID, and lens type together with the photographed image. Based on a search query for an image to be asked and the shooting condition data recorded on the first or second recording medium, an image that is highly likely to be applicable to the question is determined, and A digital electronic still camera system comprising arithmetic processing means for outputting an image. 2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said arithmetic processing means is configured to sequentially output images having a higher possibility from among images likely to be determined corresponding to the question. Item (1). A digital electronic still camera system according to item (1).