JP3849900B2 - DATA GENERATION METHOD, DATA GENERATION DEVICE, AND IMAGING DEVICE - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a data generation method, a data generation apparatus, and an imaging apparatus that generate relative date and time data.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, for example, in a video camera, it is generally used to display the current date and time in a finder and add this to a captured image and record it as a captured date and time. Therefore, according to this video camera, the shooting date and time are displayed together with the recorded image at the time of reproduction, so that it is possible to know when the image being reproduced was taken.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, if the shooting date and time are displayed along with the image during playback, the absolute time point when the image was taken is known, but the relative time at which the image was taken from a specific time point You can't even know until. In other words, when a child's growth is video-recorded, even if the child can know the absolute point in time when the image was taken by the shooting date and time attached to the reproduced image, It is not possible to know even the relative point of time that the image was at the age of.
[0004]
The present invention has been made in view of such a conventional problem, and an object thereof is to provide a data generation method, a data generation apparatus, and an imaging apparatus capable of displaying relative time points. .
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
  In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, in the data generation method according to claim 1, image data, Date / time data and name dataAnd a recording process for recording in association with each other,Name data andSpecific date and time data indicating a specific date and timeMultiple sets in associationA storage step for storing, and shooting date and time data recorded in association with image data to be reproduced and displayed when the recorded image data is reproduced and displayed;In association with name data matching the name data recorded in association with the shooting date / time dataThe calculation step includes calculating a difference data with respect to the stored specific date and time data, and a control step for controlling the calculated difference data to be displayed together with the image data to be reproduced and displayed.
[0006]
  Further, in the data generation device according to claim 2, the image data, Date / time data and name dataImage data recording means for recording in association with each other,Name data andSpecific date and time data indicating a specific date and timeMultiple sets in associationStorage means for storing, control means for reproducing and displaying the image data recorded in the image data recording means, and image data recorded in the image data recording means in association with image data reproduced and displayed by the control means Shooting date and time dataThe name data stored in the storage means matches the name data recorded in association with the shooting date / time data.Calculation means for calculating difference data with respect to the stored specific date and time data, and the control means is further controlled to display the difference data calculated by the calculation means together with image data to be reproduced and displayed. Means to do.
[0007]
  In the data generation device according to claim 3,Mode selection means for selecting an arbitrary display mode from a plurality of display modes, the calculation means calculates difference data when the difference data display mode is selected by the mode selection means, and the control means When the difference data display mode is selected by the mode selection means, control is performed so that the difference data calculated by the calculation means is displayed together with the image data to be reproduced and displayed.
  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, when the name data display mode is selected by the mode selection unit, the control unit associates with the image data to be reproduced and displayed in the image data recording unit. Control recorded name data to be displayed.
  Further, in the data generation device according to claim 5, when the date data display mode is selected by the mode selection unit, the control unit associates with the image data to be reproduced and displayed in the image data recording unit. Controls the recorded date data to be displayed.
[0008]
  Claims6In the imaging apparatus described above, an imaging unit that captures a subject image, an acquisition unit that acquires shooting date and time data indicating a shooting date and time of image data of the subject image captured by the imaging unit,An input means for inputting name data indicating a name;Image data recording means for associating and recording image data of the subject image captured by the imaging means, shooting date / time data acquired by the acquisition means, and name data input by the input means;Name data andSpecific date and time data indicating a specific date and timeMultiple sets in associationStorage means for storing, control means for reproducing and displaying the image data recorded in the image data recording means, and image data recorded in the image data recording means in association with image data reproduced and displayed by the control means Shooting date and time dataThe name data stored in the storage means matches the name data recorded in association with the shooting date / time data.Calculation means for calculating difference data with respect to the stored specific date and time data, and the control means is further controlled to display the difference data calculated by the calculation means together with image data to be reproduced and displayed. Means to do.
  The imaging apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising mode selection means for selecting an arbitrary display mode from a plurality of display modes, wherein the calculation means selects the difference data display mode by the mode selection means. When the difference data display mode is selected by the mode selection means, the control means displays the difference data calculated by the calculation means together with the image data to be reproduced and displayed. To control.
  In the image pickup apparatus according to claim 8, when the name data display mode is selected by the mode selection unit, the control unit records the image data in the image data recording unit in association with the image data to be reproduced and displayed. Control the displayed name data to be displayed.
  In the image pickup apparatus according to claim 9, when the date data display mode is selected by the mode selection unit, the control unit records the image data in the image data recording unit in association with the image data to be reproduced and displayed. Control the displayed date data to be displayed.
[0009]
  The imaging apparatus according to claim 10, an imaging unit that captures a subject image, and an acquisition unit that acquires shooting date and time data indicating a shooting date and time of image data of the subject image captured by the imaging unit. ,Input means for inputting name data indicating a name, name data andSpecific date and time data indicating a specific date and timeMultiple sets in associationStorage means for storing; photographing date and time data acquired by the acquisition means;Corresponding to the name data stored in the storage means that matches the name data input by the input meansImage data that records difference data calculated from the specific date and time data stored therein, image data of the subject image captured by the imaging means, and difference data calculated by the calculation means in association with each other Recording means.
  In the imaging device according to claim 11,The control means for reproducing and displaying the image data recorded in the image data recording means, and the control means are further recorded in the image data recording means in association with the image data together with the image data to be reproduced and displayed. Means for controlling the difference data to be displayed is included.
  Claims12In the imaging apparatus described above, it comprises mode selection means for selecting an arbitrary display mode from a plurality of display modes, and the control means, when the difference data display mode is selected by the mode selection means, Control is performed so that the difference data is displayed together with the image data to be reproduced and displayed.
  Claims13The image pickup apparatus described above includes input means for inputting name data indicating a name, and the image data recording means associates the image data, the difference data, and the name data input by the input means. When the name data display mode is selected by the mode selection means, the control means displays the name data recorded in the image data recording means in association with the image data to be reproduced and displayed. Control.
  Claims14In the imaging apparatus described above, the image data recording unit records the image data, the difference data, and the shooting date / time data acquired by the acquisition unit in association with each other, and the control unit stores the mode selection unit. When the date data display mode is selected, control is performed so that the date data recorded in the image data recording means is displayed in association with the image data to be reproduced and displayed.
[0013]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a digital still camera to which an embodiment of the present invention is applied. This digital still camera has a lens unit 1, and an imaging device 2 made of a CCD is disposed behind the lens unit 1. The output signal from the image sensor 2 is processed by the signal processing circuit 3 and is taken into the CPU 4.
[0014]
The CPU 4 controls each part of the digital still camera by operating based on a program, and is connected to the imaging device 2, the clock unit 5 for measuring the current time, and the video RAM 6. A key input unit 7, an external I / F control unit 8, a ROM 9, a RAM 10, and a recording memory 11 are connected.
[0015]
The key input unit 7 selects a power key that is operated when the power is turned on and off, a shutter key that is operated when the subject image data is stored in the recording memory 11, and a data input mode, a shooting mode, and a playback mode. Various keys are provided such as a mode key for automatically setting and a display mode key for setting an additional data display mode to be described later. The external I / F control unit 8 controls data input / output with an external device such as a personal computer connected to the digital still camera, and the ROM 9 stores an operation program of the CPU 4. It operates based on the operation program and controls each part.
[0016]
The RAM 10 is not only used as a work area for the CPU 4, but also includes a name data storage area 10a for storing input name data and a specific date data storage area for storing a specific date, as shown in FIG. 10b is provided correspondingly. As shown in FIG. 3, the recording memory 11 has an imaging data recording area 11a for recording imaging data, which is image data captured by operating the shutter key, and an imaging date / time for recording the imaging date / time. A plurality of data recording areas 11b, a name data recording area 11c for recording name data, and a difference data recording area 11d for recording difference data described later are provided correspondingly.
[0017]
In the video RAM 6, image data of a subject image based on an output signal from the image sensor 2 processed by the signal processing circuit 3 is stored at predetermined timings in the shooting mode state. Based on this image data, the display circuit 12 drives the display element 13 so that the subject image formed on the image pickup element 2 by the lens unit 1 is displayed on the display element 13 formed of an LCD. In the state of the reproduction mode, image data read from the recording memory 11 and data recorded corresponding thereto are stored, and the display circuit 12 drives the display element 13 based on these data. As a result, images and characters based on the recorded data are displayed on the display element 13.
[0018]
In the present embodiment having the above configuration, when the data input mode is set, the CPU 4 executes control according to the flowchart shown in FIG. 4 based on the program stored in the ROM 9. That is, the name input process is performed, and the name related to the specific date input by the operation of the key input unit 7 is stored in the name data storage area 10a of the RAM 10 (step SA1). The name related to this specific day is, for example, the name of the person “Kent” if the specific day is a birthday, the name of the plant “Tulip” if the specific day is the date of planting, and the specific date is marriage. If it is a date, the name “marriage” or the like indicating this will be displayed.
[0019]
Next, a specific date input process is performed, and a specific date continuously input by an operation on the key input unit 7, for example, a birthday, a date of planting a tulip bulb, a date of marriage, etc. The data is stored in the storage area 10b (Step SA2). By the processing based on the flow shown in FIG. 4, the name data storage area 10a and the specific date data storage area 10b are associated with “Kent” as shown in FIG. 9/28 ”is stored, the date“ 1997/4/1 ”is planted corresponding to“ tulip ”, and the wedding anniversary“ 1992/10/3 ”is stored corresponding to“ marriage ”. Remembered.
[0020]
On the other hand, when the shooting mode is set, the CPU 4 executes control according to the flowchart shown in FIG. 5, and any one of the names stored in the name data storage area 10a according to the operation of the key input unit 7 by the user. A name is selected (step SB1). Next, the standby state is maintained until the shutter key provided in the key input unit 7 is operated (step SB2). When the shutter key is operated, the imaging data of the subject is fetched from the signal processing circuit 3. Then, it is recorded in any one of the imaging data recording areas 11a of the recording memory 11 (step SB3). Subsequently, the current date / time data is read from the clock unit 5, and the read current date / time data is recorded in the imaging date / time data recording area 11b corresponding to the imaging data recording area 11a in which the imaging data is recorded (step SB4). Further, the name selected in step SB1 is recorded in the corresponding name data recording area 11c (step SB5).
[0021]
Next, the shooting date / time data (current date / time data) recorded in the shooting date / time data recording area 11b in step SB4 and the name data selected in step SB1 are stored in the specific date data storage area 10b. The difference from the specific day data is calculated (step SB6). That is, for example, if “Kent” is currently selected and the birthday “1995/9/28” is stored as the specific date, and the current date is “1998/4/30”, the difference between the two 2 years and 7 months (2 years and 7 months) are calculated. Further, the calculated difference data is recorded in association with image data or the like, that is, image data, current date / time data, and name data (step SB7).
[0022]
Therefore, by repeating the above processing, image data, shooting date / time data (current date / time data), name data are displayed in the areas 11a to 11d of the recording memory 11 shown in FIG. And the difference data is recorded correspondingly.
[0023]
When the reproduction mode is set, the CPU 4 executes control according to the flowchart shown in FIG. 6, and performs the difference data + name data display mode (step SC1), the difference data display mode (step SC3), and the name data display mode ( It is determined in each step whether any one of step SC5) and date data display mode (step SC7) is selected.
[0024]
If the difference data + name data display mode is set as a result of the determination at each step (YES at step SC1), the difference data and the name data are displayed together with the image data (step SC2). By the processing in step SC2, as shown in FIG. 7A, for example, the name N and the age A composed of the difference data are displayed together with the image K of “Kent”. When the difference data display mode is set (YES at step SC3), the difference data is displayed together with the image data (step SC4), and the processing at step SC4 is performed as shown in FIG. 7B. The age A including the difference data is displayed together with the image K of “Kent”.
[0025]
Therefore, by setting the difference data + name display mode or the difference display mode, it is possible to know how old the person who set the birthday as the specific date is the image taken. Of course, it is the same when the date of planting a tulip bulb or the date of marriage is a specific date, and is the image taken on the day from the date of planting the tulip bulb (FIG. 8 (a)). ~ (C)), it is possible to know how many years and months from the date of marriage.
[0026]
If the name data display mode is set (YES in step SC5), the name data is displayed together with the image data (step SC6). As shown in FIG. A name N is displayed together with an image P of “Kent”. If the date data display mode is set (YES at step SC7), the shooting date data is displayed together with the image data (step SC8), and the processing at step SC8 is performed as shown in FIG. The shooting date and time D is displayed together with the image K of “Kent”. If no data display mode is set and only the playback mode is set (steps SC1, 3, 5, and 7 are NO), only the image data is displayed (step SC9). By the process in SC9, as shown in FIG. 7E, only the “Kent” image P is displayed.
[0027]
At the time of reproduction, the user inputs difference data by key operation, searches the difference data recording area 11d for the input difference data or difference data close thereto, and displays an image corresponding to the searched difference data. You may make it make it. This makes it possible to quickly display an image at the time when a desired period of time has passed since a specific date, such as an image of a child aged 2 months and 7 months or an image of a couple in the fourth year of marriage. Can see.
[0028]
In this embodiment, the present invention is applied to a digital still camera. However, the present invention is applied to an apparatus for recording an image on another recording medium such as a still camera or a video camera that records an image on a film. In this case, the calculated difference data may be recorded together with the subject image on a corresponding recording medium such as a film.
[0029]
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure in the photographing mode according to another embodiment of the present invention. As shown in this flowchart, all steps SD1 to SD5 in the photographing mode are the same processes as steps SB1 to SB5 in the flowchart of FIG. That is, in this embodiment, the recording memory 11 is not provided with the difference data recording area 11d shown in FIG. 3, and the difference data is not calculated and recorded at the time of shooting. Then, in steps SD3 to SD5, the imaging data is recorded in any of the imaging data recording areas 11a, the current date / time data is recorded in the corresponding imaging date / time data recording area 11b, and the name selected in step SD1 corresponds. Only the process of recording in the name data recording area 11c is performed.
[0030]
When the reproduction mode is set, the CPU 4 executes control according to the flowchart shown in FIG. 10, and determines which of the date data display mode, the name data display mode, and the difference data display mode is selected (step) SE1). If the date data display mode is selected as a result of this determination, the shooting date / time data is displayed together with the imaging data (step SE2). If the name data display mode is selected, the name data is displayed together with the imaging data. (Step SE3). Therefore, as shown in FIG. 7D, the shooting date and time D is displayed together with the “Kent” image P as shown in FIG. 7D, and the processing shown in FIG. Thus, the name N is displayed together with the image P of “Kent”.
[0031]
If the difference data display mode is set as a result of the determination in step SE1, the shooting date / time data (current date / time data) recorded in the shooting date / time data recording area 11b in step SD4 and the step SD5 Then, a difference from the specific date data stored in the specific date data storage area 10b corresponding to the name data recorded in the name data recording area 11c is calculated (step SE4). Thereafter, the calculated difference data is displayed together with the image data (step SE5), and the processing from step SE1 is repeated.
[0032]
Therefore, for example, the date “1997/4/1” on which a tulip bulb was planted is stored in the specific date data storage area 10b corresponding to the name “tulip” stored in the name data storage area 10a. In the date / time data recording area 11b, “1997/4/18”, “1997/5/15”, and “1997/6/11” as imaging date / time data correspond to imaging data (“tulip” as name data corresponds to the name data recording area 11c). As a result, “18 days”, “45 days”, and “72 days” are respectively calculated as difference data. Then, as shown in FIGS. 8A, 8B, and 8C, an elapsed period T (“18 days” “45” from the date of planting the bulb, which is the difference data, to the tulip image at each time point. Day "" 72 days ") are added and displayed. Therefore, by observing the image P and the elapsed period T, it is possible to recognize at a glance what day the image P is an image showing a tulip after planting a bulb. Of course, the same applies to the case where the birthday, the date of marriage, or the like is set as the specific date, and at the time of reproduction, it is possible to recognize at a glance how much time has passed since the specific date.
[0033]
In the above embodiment, the name data and the specific date data are stored or the stored name data is selected by the operation of the key input unit 7, but a microphone and a voice recognition circuit are provided. Then, the data input from the microphone and recognized by the voice recognition circuit may be stored, or the stored data may be selected, thereby eliminating the complexity of the key operation.
[0034]
In the above embodiment, a program for performing the control shown in the flowcharts of FIGS. 4, 5, 6, 9, and 10 is stored in the ROM 9 fixedly provided in the digital still camera. However, these programs may be recorded on a detachable recording medium, and the same processing as described above may be executed by setting the recording medium in a digital still camera. Thereby, a digital still camera can be multi-functionalized. Furthermore, in the embodiments, the case where the present invention is applied to a digital still camera that records image data has been described. Of course you get.
[0035]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, the present invention calculates and displays the difference data between the stored specific time point data indicating the specific time point and the recording time point data indicating the recording time point of the acquired predetermined data. By displaying this difference data, it is possible to clarify at a glance how long the predetermined data was recorded from a specific time point, that is, the relative recording time point of the data. .
[0036]
Also, a plurality of specific time point data is stored, and any one of the stored specific time point data can be selected, and difference data of predetermined data corresponding to the selected specific time point data is calculated. Therefore, even when a plurality of predetermined data and image data are recorded, the relative recording time point can be clarified at a glance for each data.
[0037]
In addition, since the difference data is displayed together with the corresponding predetermined data or the corresponding image data, the difference data is recorded when the predetermined data or image data displayed has elapsed from a specific date and time. Can be revealed at a glance.
[0038]
Further, since the image data recording means records the difference data together with the image data of the subject image, when the image data recorded in the image data recording means is reproduced, the reproduced image data is added to the reproduced image data. Difference data can be added and displayed. Therefore, when a child's growth is recorded, the relative time such as when the child is an image can be seen at a glance from the difference data added to the reproduced image.
[0039]
Further, since the difference data is calculated when the image data is reproduced, and the difference data is displayed together with the image data, the difference data is added to the reproduced image data even if the difference data is not recorded. Thus, the relative recording time point can be clarified at a glance while reducing the required recording capacity.
[0040]
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a digital still camera to which an embodiment of the present invention is applied.
FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram showing a partial area of a RAM.
FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram showing a configuration of a recording memory.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure in a data input mode according to the embodiment.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure in a photographing mode in the embodiment.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure in a reproduction mode in the embodiment.
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a display example in the same embodiment.
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing another display example.
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure in a shooting mode according to another embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure in a playback mode in the embodiment.
[Explanation of symbols]
2 Image sensor
4 CPU
7 Key input part
9 ROM
10 RAM
11 Recording memory
13 Display element

Claims (14)

A recording step of associating and recording image data, shooting date and time data, and name data;
A storage step of storing a plurality of sets of name data and specific date / time data indicating specific date / time in association with each other,
When reproducing and displaying the recorded image data, the shooting date / time data recorded in association with the image data to be reproduced / displayed and the name data matching the name data recorded in association with the shooting date / time data are stored in association with each other. A calculation step of calculating difference data with the specified date and time data,
A control step for controlling the calculated difference data to be displayed together with the image data to be reproduced and displayed;
A data generation method characterized by comprising: Image data recording means for recording image data, shooting date and time data and name data in association with each other;
Storage means for storing a plurality of sets of name data and specific date / time data indicating a specific date / time in association with each other;
Control means for reproducing and displaying the image data recorded in the image data recording means;
The photographing means date and time data recorded in the image data recording means in association with the image data reproduced and displayed by the control means and the storage means corresponding to the name data recorded in association with the photographing date and time data. Calculation means for calculating difference data with the specific date and time data stored in association with the stored name data,
The control means further includes means for controlling the difference data calculated by the calculation means to be displayed together with the image data to be reproduced and displayed. Comprising a mode selection means for selecting an arbitrary display mode from a plurality of display modes;
The calculation means calculates difference data when the difference data display mode is selected by the mode selection means,
The control means controls the difference data calculated by the calculation means to be displayed together with the image data to be reproduced and displayed when the difference data display mode is selected by the mode selection means. Item 3. The data generation device according to Item 2.   The control means controls the name data recorded in the image data recording means in association with the image data to be reproduced and displayed when the name data display mode is selected by the mode selection means. The data generation device according to claim 3.   The control means controls to display date data recorded in the image data recording means in association with image data to be reproduced and displayed when the date data display mode is selected by the mode selection means. The data generation device according to claim 3 or 4, characterized by the above-mentioned. Imaging means for capturing a subject image;
Acquisition means for acquiring shooting date and time data indicating the shooting date and time of the image data of the subject image imaged by the imaging means;
An input means for inputting name data indicating a name;
Image data recording means for associating and recording image data of the subject image captured by the imaging means , shooting date / time data acquired by the acquisition means, and name data input by the input means;
Storage means for storing a plurality of sets of name data and specific date / time data indicating a specific date / time in association with each other;
Control means for reproducing and displaying the image data recorded in the image data recording means;
The photographing means date and time data recorded in the image data recording means in association with the image data reproduced and displayed by the control means and the storage means corresponding to the name data recorded in association with the photographing date and time data. Calculation means for calculating difference data with the specific date and time data stored in association with the stored name data,
The image pickup apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control means further includes means for controlling the difference data calculated by the calculation means together with the image data to be reproduced and displayed. Comprising a mode selection means for selecting an arbitrary display mode from a plurality of display modes;
The calculation means calculates difference data when the difference data display mode is selected by the mode selection means,
The control means controls the difference data calculated by the calculation means to be displayed together with the image data to be reproduced and displayed when the difference data display mode is selected by the mode selection means. Item 7. The imaging device according to Item 6.   The control means controls the name data recorded in the image data recording means in association with the image data to be reproduced and displayed when the name data display mode is selected by the mode selection means. The imaging apparatus according to claim 7.   The control means controls to display date data recorded in the image data recording means in association with image data to be reproduced and displayed when the date data display mode is selected by the mode selection means. The imaging device according to claim 7 or 8. Imaging means for capturing a subject image;
Acquisition means for acquiring shooting date and time data indicating the shooting date and time of the image data of the subject image imaged by the imaging means;
An input means for inputting name data indicating a name;
Storage means for storing a plurality of sets of name data and specific date / time data indicating a specific date / time in association with each other ;
Difference data between the shooting date and time data acquired by the acquisition unit and the specific date and time data stored in association with the name data stored in the storage unit that matches the name data input by the input unit Calculating means for calculating
Image data recording means for associating and recording image data of the subject image captured by the imaging means and difference data calculated by the calculation means;
An imaging apparatus comprising: Control means for reproducing and displaying the image data recorded in the image data recording means;
The control means further includes means for controlling the difference data recorded in the image data recording means in association with the image data to be displayed together with the image data to be reproduced and displayed. The imaging device according to 10. Comprising a mode selection means for selecting an arbitrary display mode from a plurality of display modes;
12. The imaging apparatus according to claim 11 , wherein the control unit controls the difference data to be displayed together with the image data to be reproduced and displayed when the difference data display mode is selected by the mode selection unit. . The image data recording means records the image data, the difference data, and the name data input by the input means in association with each other,
The control means controls to display the name data recorded in the image data recording means in association with the image data to be reproduced and displayed when the name data display mode is selected by the mode selection means. The imaging device according to claim 12 . The image data recording means records the image data, the difference data, and the shooting date / time data acquired by the acquisition means in association with each other,
The control means controls to display the date data recorded in the image data recording means in association with the image data to be reproduced and displayed when the date data display mode is selected by the mode selection means. The imaging apparatus according to claim 12 or 13,

Images