JP4052664B2 - Image information processing system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing system that can easily take a group photograph as a routine work, such as in a vehicle accident assessment, and can easily use the photographed group photograph for a specific document or the like. It is.

  Conventionally, an electronic still camera has an advantage that a still image can be stored in a recording medium and can be reproduced and used at an arbitrary opportunity, and a recorded image can be confirmed immediately at the time of shooting.

In a conventional general electronic still camera, when organizing a large number of still images, it takes a lot of work to check the contents of the image file one by one and select the necessary images from a large number. Further, when a large number of group photographs are taken for business purposes, a great amount of man-hours are required to compose each group photograph into a certain document.
Further, in order to capture all predetermined frames of a standard set of photographs, that is, to definitely shoot each predetermined portion of a specific object in a predetermined order at a predetermined angle, distance, or angle of view. It required special skill and attention.
The present invention has been made in view of the circumstances as described above, and it is possible to improve the efficiency of business even when such a group photo is taken in a large amount and applied as a document. Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a camera of this type that can easily and efficiently perform a series of photographing even when applied to photographing a standard group photograph.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems of the present invention, the present invention provides:
In an image information processing system comprising an electronic still camera and a computer that generates a document by laying out image data obtained by photographing with the electronic still camera,
The electronic still camera
Optical system,
Imaging means for converting a subject image formed through the optical system into an electrical signal;
Image processing means for converting the electrical signal into digitized image data;
Recording means for recording the image data on a recording medium;
A character input means that allows the user of the electronic still camera to input character data;
In the computer, to automatically lay out character data input by the image data and the character input means is recorded on said recording means, and image data and character data to be laid out at the computer, and these image data Creating means for creating a relation file on the recording medium for storing relation information for associating information specifying layout when character data is laid out by the computer ;
Storage means for storing relation data related to image data obtained by shooting in the relation file in accordance with shooting ,
Consists of
The computer
Input means for input the relation file created on the recording medium, and the image data and character data specified by an image data and character data are recorded the relation file in the recording medium,
The image data and character data specified in the relation file are laid out in accordance with the image data specified in the relation file input by the input means and information specifying the arrangement stored in the relation file. Output means for outputting ,
The relation file transmitted to the computer by the electronic still camera includes image data captured by the imaging unit in the computer and layout information for generating a document by arranging the character data input by the character input unit,
Each piece of placement information is composed of an ID representing the type of data to be placed, information for specifying the placed data itself or placed data, and information representing the position of the placed information on the document,
An image information processing system. ...... (1)

In the image information processing system of (1) above,
A public line to which the electronic still camera and the computer are connected;
The electronic still camera
Output means for transmitting the relation file created on the recording medium and the image data recorded on the recording medium and designated by the relation file to the computer via the public line. It is characterized by having. (2)

In the image information processing system of (1) above,
The recording medium is a recording medium connectable to the electronic still camera and the computer, and the input means includes the relation file stored in the electronic still camera from the connected storage medium, and the electronic camera. Input the image data that was taken in step 1 and specified in the relation file.
It is characterized by that. ...... (3)

  According to the present invention, when a document is created by arranging a plurality of image data obtained by photographing with an electronic still camera, the image data and the arrangement information for arranging the image data are associated with each other. A relation file is automatically created, and the image and the relation file are transmitted to a computer and the image is automatically laid out based on the relation file. Therefore, a predetermined document can be created without manpower. It is possible to provide an information processing system.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a digital electronic still camera as an embodiment of the camera of the present invention.
In FIG. 1, a photographic lens 2 is provided on the front side of a flat camera body 1, and an LCD panel 3 for displaying the state of the camera on the upper surface and various operations for an operator to perform various operations on the camera. A switch panel 4 on which the switches are arranged is provided. A card slot 5 is provided on the side surface of the camera body 1. The card slot 5 is compatible with a PCMCIA compliant card (an IC memory card that allows flash memory or SRAM) 6 or a modem card (card type modem) 7. A video signal output terminal 8 is provided on the front side of the card slot 5 on the same side as described above. The viewfinder 9 order to check the image the operator to the rear side of the camera body 1 is provided.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing details of the switch arrangement on the switch panel 4 of the camera shown in FIG.
A relatively large operation switch on the right side when the switch panel 4 is viewed from above is a start switch 41. The start switch 41 functions as a release switch in the shooting mode, and functions as an operation unit for confirming the mode or proceeding to the next operation in other modes. Two switches vertically arranged adjacent to the left of the start switch 41 are a power switch 42 and a mode switch 43. The power switch 42 is for turning on / off the power of the camera, and the mode switch 43 is for switching the operation mode of the camera. Two horizontally long rectangular switches including a lighting display unit arranged approximately in the center of the switch panel 4 are a camera / communication switch 44 and a recording / playback (transmission / reception) switch 45, respectively. The camera / communication selector switch 44 is for switching between an operation mode and a communication mode as a normal camera, and the recording / playback (transmission / reception) switch 45 is used when the camera is operating in the camera mode. This is for performing recording / reproduction switching and transmission / reception switching operations when the camera is operating in the communication mode.

Two switches (+ and −) in a circular vertical arrangement are a plus switch 46a and a minus switch 46b. The plus switch 46a is used for the operation of shifting the digit at the time of input to the plus side or determining the input data, and the minus switch 46b is used for the operation of moving the input digit backward or canceling the input.
Two switches arranged adjacent to the two switches (+ and −) 46a and 46b are a fast-forward switch 47a and a fast-return switch 47b. The fast-forward switch 47a is used for operations such as skipping data or operations for raising the directory hierarchy of the medium (tree structure data file), and the fast-return switch 47b is used for fast-forwarding data in the reverse direction or medium (tree structure data). File) to lower the directory hierarchy.
Two switches arranged on the left side of the switch panel 4 are an up switch 48a and a down switch 48b. The up switch 48a is for performing an operation for deferring the selection of data, and the down switch 48b is for performing an operation in a direction for returning the selection of data.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a digital electronic still camera as an embodiment of the present invention.
The optical system 401 includes a photographing lens and forms an optical image of a subject. This optical image is converted into an electrical signal by the imaging circuit 402. The A / D conversion circuit 403 at the next stage of the imaging circuit 402 converts this electric signal into a digital signal (data). An image memory 404 for temporarily storing the digital data is provided. The digital image data read from the image memory 404 is converted into an analog signal by the D / A conversion circuit 405, further converted into a video signal by the process circuit 406, and can be observed as an image by the viewfinder 407.

On the other hand, a compression / decompression circuit 408 is provided for compressing the digital image data read from the image memory 404 or decompressing the supplied compressed image data. The digital image data compressed by the compression / decompression circuit 408 is stored in the memory card 411 connected to the connector (1) 410 or read out from the memory card 411 via the interface circuit (1) 409. The compressed image data is supplied to the compression / decompression circuit 408 via the interface circuit (1) 409 and decompressed.
A system of interface circuit (2) 412 and connector (2) 413 is provided in parallel with the system of interface circuit (1) 409 and connector (1) 410, and a modem card (card type modem) is provided to connector (2) 413. 414 is connected, and communication with an external system through a public line or the like is performed via this modem. The compression / decompression circuit 408, the interface circuit (1) 409, and the interface circuit (2) 412 are connected to a system control circuit 415 that controls the overall operation of the camera. The system control circuit 415 also supplies a digital audio signal to the D / A conversion circuit 416, and the audio signal converted into an analog signal by the D / A conversion circuit 416 is generated by the speaker 417.

  A display panel 418 corresponding to the LCD panel 3 described in FIG. 1 and an operation switch group 419 corresponding to the switch panel 4 are provided and connected to the system control circuit 415, respectively. In particular, an EEPROM 420 storing instruction information data, which is an element of the present invention, is provided and is also connected to the system control circuit 415. In addition, a character generator 421 that responds to a command from the system control circuit 415 is provided, and signals such as characters and other patterns emitted from the character generator 421 are superimposed on the video signal that is the output of the process circuit 406 described above. Thus, it can be displayed on the viewfinder 407 as characters or other patterns.

  FIG. 4 is a view showing a state in which photographing for assessment work in a vehicle accident is performed using the camera of the present invention. First, the camera / communication switch 44 in FIG. 2 is switched to the side for selecting the operation mode as a normal camera, and the recording / reproducing (transmission / reception) switch 45 is operated in the camera mode to perform the recording operation. Switch as follows. When the power switch 42 is turned on in this state, the camera enters the normal shooting mode. When the mode switch 43 is pressed once, the instruction information selection mode is changed from the normal photographing mode, and when the mode switch 43 is pressed once again, the normal photographing mode is restored.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a display state on the viewfinder 9 (or an external monitor that displays an image equivalent to this) and the LCD panel 3 when the camera of the present invention is operating in the normal shooting mode. . In this figure, the upper side is the display of the viewfinder 9 and the lower side is the display of the LCD panel 3. As shown in the figure, the camera operation mode is displayed in the upper left part of the screen (9 m on the viewfinder 9 and 3 m on the LCD panel 3) and the frame number of the image is displayed in the upper right part (9f on the viewfinder 9 and the LCD panel 3). Above, 3f) is done. At this time, the image of the subject captured by the optical system is displayed on the viewfinder 9 as it is.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a display state on the viewfinder and the LCD panel when the camera of the present invention is in the instruction information selection mode. When the mode switch 43 for switching the operation mode of the camera described with reference to FIG. 2 is operated, this instruction information selection mode is selected and the display shown in FIG. 6 is obtained. Also in this figure, the upper side is the viewfinder display and the lower side is the LCD panel display. As shown in the figure, the viewfinder is muted to a gray screen, and an indication that the instruction information selection mode is “photographing: instruction information selection” is displayed at the upper left. The camera of this embodiment is configured to register four types of instruction information, and an arrow is displayed on the left side of the currently selected instruction information. By operating the up switch 48a and the down switch 48b, the arrow is moved to select required instruction information. Similarly, the LCD panel displays “shooting: instruction information selection” indicating that it is in the instruction information selection mode and a display indicating the type of instruction information selected by an arrow on the viewfinder. At the same time, a message “Please select instruction information” is output from the speaker 417 by voice.
When the start switch 41 is pressed after making the above selection, the instruction information is executed.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a display state on the viewfinder and the LCD panel when the instruction information is executed by pressing the start switch 41 after performing the selection operation in the state of FIG. As shown in the drawing, an indication that the instruction information selection mode is “photographing: accident assessment / small breakage” is displayed on the upper left of the viewfinder. Further, a frame number display of 1-1 is made on the upper right. At the same time, “input: reference number”, which is a message requesting input of the reference number, appears in the center of the screen, and the part to be input is displayed blinking. At the same time, a message “Please input the serial number” is output from the speaker 417 by voice, and “Shooting: Accident assessment / damage” and “Input: serial number” are displayed on the LCD panel.
Here, input candidates are selected and displayed by operating the up switch 48a and the down switch 48b, or by operating the fast forward switch 47a and the fast reverse switch 47b.
When the plus switch 46a is pressed after inputting one digit, the input digit moves one place to the right. If an input is made by mistake, the cursor can be returned to the left by pressing the minus switch 46b.
When the start switch 41 is pressed after all inputs are completed, the process proceeds to the next stage.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a display state of the viewfinder and the LCD panel in a state where the transition is made by pressing the start switch 41 after all inputs are completed as described above in the state of FIG.
In the state of FIG. 8, a message “input: comment” is displayed in the approximate center of the viewfinder so that a comment can be input. The operation method for inputting the comment at this time is the same as the operation for inputting the serial number described with reference to FIG. “Input: comment” is also displayed on the LCD panel. At the same time, a voice message “Please enter a comment” is also output.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the display status of the viewfinder and the LCD panel at the stage of transition by pressing the start switch 41 after the comment input is completed in the state of FIG.
At the stage shown in FIG. 9, in this embodiment, “shooting: license plate” is displayed below the viewfinder, and at the same time, “shooting: license plate” is also displayed on the LCD panel. Also, a voice message saying “Please take a license plate” is output.
The operator frames the license plate according to the instruction information (message) and presses the start switch 41 to complete the first photographing.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a display state of the viewfinder and the LCD panel at the stage of transition after the first shooting (number plate shooting) is completed in the state of FIG.
In the stage of FIG. 10, the license plate photographed in the stage of FIG. 9 is reproduced on the viewfinder. The message is “Confirmation: License plate”. The voice is uttered "Please check the license plate image."
The operator checks the license plate image with the viewfinder, and presses the start switch 41 if the photographing is good and there is no mistake. If photographing is not good or wrong, the state shown in FIG. 9 is restored by pressing the minus switch 46b.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a display state of the viewfinder and the LCD panel in a state in which a transition is made by pressing the start switch 41 when the first shooting (number plate shooting) is good and there is no mistake in the state of FIG. .
The subject image is displayed again on the viewfinder, and “shooting: chassis number” and an instruction from the camera are displayed. A similar display is made on the LCD panel. The voice says "Please photograph the chassis number". In response to this, the photographer framing the chassis number and pressing the start switch 41 completes the photographing at this stage.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a display state of the viewfinder and the LCD panel at the stage of transition after the second shooting (shooting of the chassis number) is completed in the state of FIG.
In the stage of FIG. 12, the camera displays the message “shooting: whole body” while projecting the subject as it is. A similar display is made on the LCD panel, and the voice says "Please shoot the whole body". In response to this, the photographer frames the entire body and presses the start switch 41 to complete the photographing at this stage.

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a display state of the viewfinder and the LCD panel at the stage of transition after the third shooting (shooting the entire body) is completed in the state of FIG.
In this stage of FIG. 13, the camera displays the message “photographing: damaged part” while projecting the subject as it is on the viewfinder. A similar display is made on the LCD panel, and the voice says “Please photograph the damaged part”. In response to this, the photographer framing the damaged portion and pressing the start switch 41 completes the photographing at this stage.

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a display state of the viewfinder and the LCD panel at the stage of transition after the fourth shooting (shooting the damaged portion) is completed in the state of FIG.
In the stage shown in FIG. 14, the damaged portion photographed in the stage shown in FIG. 13 is reproduced in the viewfinder. The message is displayed as “confirmation: damaged part”. The voice is uttered "Please check the image of the damaged part."
The operator confirms the image of the damaged portion with the viewfinder, and presses the start switch 41 if photographing is good and there is no mistake. If photographing is not good or wrong, the state shown in FIG. 14 is restored by pressing the minus switch 46b.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing the display state of the viewfinder and the LCD panel in a state in which a transition is made by pressing the start switch 41 in the state shown in FIG. is there.
The viewfinder screen is muted and the message “Finished” is displayed. “Shooting: end” is also displayed on the LCD panel. Say “Shooting is finished”. This completes the shooting of a group photo.
Note that the left and right numbers are connected with hyphens such as 1-1, 1-2, 1-3, 1-4, and 1-5 on the top right of the viewfinder and LCD panel at each stage above. The number on the left side of this hyphen is an indication of the location of the root directory regarding the recording of the hierarchical structure (tree structure) of the image file, and the number on the right side of the hyphen is registered in this root directory. Is a display of subdirectories. In this subdirectory, files of images taken at the above stages are stored.

  FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram showing the structure of instruction information data stored in the EEPROM 420 of the digital electronic still camera of FIG. In this embodiment, since four pieces of instruction information can be registered, four pointers of instruction information are secured at the head. After these four pointers, four blocks of instruction information are arranged. In FIG. 16, those related to the first instruction information 1 among these four instruction information blocks are shown, and the subsequent elements are not shown. The data structure of the instruction information is a variable length data structure, and each instruction information data is configured as an aggregate of a plurality of variable length steps.

At the top of the variable length step, the ID of the step is written. For example, <title>, <format ID>, <character input>, <photographing>, <confirmation>, <end>, and the like.
In the title step, text information such as “Accident assessment breakage” to be shown to the user (photographer) is described after the ID title.
The above is the block of the instruction information related to the instruction information 1, but in this embodiment, a character such as “accident assessment wrecked” is indicated as corresponding to the character information in the instruction information 1 for the instruction information 2 not shown. Information is described.

  <Format ID> 0001 determines the format of a document by combining data actually created based on instruction information data and image data corresponding to the data.

<Character input> is character data for instructing the user what character to input. In this example, it is a “reference number” or “comment”, which is a message that appears in the approximate center of the viewfinder as described with reference to FIGS. By specifying the number of input characters, the correspondence display indicating which part (position in the format) of the format specified by the format ID corresponds to the data PART = 1 or PART = 2. ing.
<Character input> “Comment” corresponds to the display state of FIG. 8 described above, and the character string “comment” is used for display to the user. In this embodiment, 32 characters are assigned to the item “comment”, and this data is embedded at the position of PART = 2 in the format corresponding to this content.

  <Shooting> displays a message with the letters “number plate” as instruction information for the user. This corresponds to the state shown in FIG. The position in the document of the above style at this time is shown as PART = 3.

  There is a stage called license plate confirmation in FIG. 10 described above, and this is the next step <Confirmation> in the data structure of FIG. Also in this step, data for displaying a message with the letters “number plate” for confirmation to the user is stored. When the shooting is not good and the "-" switch is pressed, the return information is held in the form of -1 STEP in order to return to the previous state. By changing the step information here, it is possible to configure instruction information for performing flexible shooting according to the current situation and the user's instruction.

  As in the case of the “number plate” in <shooting> above, taking the steps of shooting the chassis number, shooting the entire body, shooting the damaged part, the next step is <confirmation> It arrives. Here, a confirmation message in FIG. 14 is output. In response to the <End> command, the “shooting end” display in FIG. 15 appears.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart regarding the operation of the mode switch 43 in the switch panel 4 of the camera.
In step S1, it is determined whether or not the normal shooting mode is selected when the mode switch 43 is pressed. When it is not the normal photographing mode, the process proceeds to the next step S2. In step S2, the normal shooting mode is set. If it is determined in step S1 that the camera is in the normal shooting mode, the process proceeds to step S3 to perform an instruction information selection operation.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing details of the instruction information selection operation in step S3 in the flowchart of FIG.
First, the screen is muted in step S1. In this embodiment, the background of the screen is made gray by muting. Next, an instruction information menu is displayed in step S2. This instruction information menu is a display of the titles of the four types of instruction information registered as described in FIG. Next, an arrow is attached to No. 1 in the flowchart S3. “No. = 1” means that a selection arrow is attached to the first place. Steps S4 to S7 are steps for determining the input of the operation switch. In step S4, step S4 is a mode switch 43, step S5 is a start switch 41, step S6 is an up switch 48a, and step S7 is a step for determining whether or not the down switch 48b is operated (on / off). . When the mode switch 43 is on in step S4, the normal shooting operation is resumed. When the start switch 41 is pressed in step S5, the photographing operation is performed with the instruction information designated in step S10. Step S10 will be described in detail later. When the up switch 48a is pressed in step S6, the arrow is advanced to the larger number. When the down switch 48b in step S7 is pressed, the arrow is returned to the smaller number. In order to be able to move the arrow to a desired position by the operation of the up switch 48a in step S6 and the operation of the down switch 48b in step S7, the operation is performed before step S4 through step S8 or step S9 depending on the case. It is made to circulate in the stage.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing details of an operation for photographing with the designated instruction information in step S10 in the flowchart of FIG.
First, a subdirectory is created in S1. In the next step S2, a relational file is created in the subdirectory created in S1, and the file is opened. In step S3, data is extracted from the instruction information data currently designated and instructed to shoot. In the next step S4, it is determined what instruction information the extracted data corresponds to. In this embodiment, it is divided into four parts, that is, it is divided into four parts: character input, photographing, confirmation, or end. When the character input is determined, the character input process of step S5 is performed. When the image is determined to be photographed, the image capturing instruction process of step S6 is performed. When the image is determined to be confirmed, the confirmation instruction process of step S7 is performed. Proceed to S8. In step S8, the relational file opened in step S2 is closed. In step S9, end instruction processing is performed. Steps S5, S6, S7, and S9 will be described in detail later.

  The relational file in step S2 is a file that collectively stores management information. Create a relational file in the directory at the same level as the image file to store the management information for managing the group photo, and store the text information and the file information of the paired image file in it. This is a data file for document management for managing photos.

  FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing details of the character input processing operation in step S5 in the flowchart of FIG. In step S1, the screen is muted. This is the same as in step S1 of FIG. In the next step S2, display information is displayed. This display includes an information display form of display with pronunciation by voice. The meaning of the display after this is the same. Steps S3 to S10 are switch input determination operations. In step S3, it is determined whether or not the fast-forward switch 47a has been pressed. If it is determined that the switch has been pressed, the process proceeds to step S12, where input candidates are skipped. The normal up / down switches 48a and 48b sequentially send candidates, but when fast-forwarding, a sending operation is performed in which candidate characters are skipped by 10 and sent. In step S4, it is determined whether or not the fast-return switch 47b has been pressed. If it is determined that the switch has been pressed, the process proceeds to step S13 where input candidates are skipped back. In this skip-back, an operation is performed in which the candidate characters are skipped by 10 and returned. Next, in step S5, it is determined whether or not the up switch 48a has been pressed. If it is determined that the up switch 48a has been pressed, the process proceeds to step S14 to send input candidates one by one as usual. In step S6, it is determined whether or not the down switch 48b has been pressed. If it is determined that the down switch 48b has been pressed, the process proceeds to step S15 to return the input candidates one by one.

  In step S7, it is determined whether or not the mode switch 43 has been pressed. If it is determined that the mode switch 43 has been pressed, the process proceeds to step S16 where input candidates are converted into kanji. In step S8, it is determined whether or not the plus switch 46a has been pressed. If it is determined that the switch has been pressed, the process proceeds to step S17 to send the change digit to the right side. In step S9, it is determined whether or not the minus switch 46b has been pressed. If it is determined that the switch has been pressed, the process proceeds to step S18 to return the changed digit to the left side. In step S10, it is determined whether or not the start switch 41 has been pressed. If it is determined that the start switch 41 has been pressed, the process proceeds to step S11, and the character information input in this subroutine is written in the relational file. On the other hand, when it is determined that the start switch 41 has not been pressed, the process returns to step S3 and this process is repeated.

  FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing details of the operation of the shooting instruction process in step S6 in the flowchart of FIG. In step S1, muting is canceled and the subject image is displayed on the viewfinder. Next, instruction information is displayed in step S2. As described above, a voice message is pronounced along with this display. In step S3, it is determined whether or not the start switch 41 has been pressed. If it is determined that the start switch 41 has been pressed, the process proceeds to step S4 to perform a shooting operation. On the other hand, when it is determined that the start switch 41 is not pressed, the system waits for the start switch 41 to be pressed. When shooting is completed, the process proceeds to step S5, where data relating to the shot image data file is written in the relation file.

  FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing details of the operation of the confirmation instruction process in step S7 in the flowchart of FIG. In step S1, the final shooting screen is reproduced. This is an operation of reproducing the image taken in the immediately preceding step and displaying it on the viewfinder. In step S3, it is determined whether or not the minus switch 46b has been pressed. If it is determined that the minus switch 46b has not been pressed, the process proceeds to step S4 to determine whether or not the start switch 41 has been pressed. Proceeding to step S5, execution of the next instruction information step is designated, and the process is terminated. On the other hand, in step S3, it is determined whether or not the minus switch 46b has been pressed. If it is determined that the switch has been pressed, the process proceeds to step S6 to specify execution of the specified step, and the process is terminated.

  FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing details of the operation of the end instruction process in step S9 in the flowchart of FIG. In step S1, the screen is muted. In step S2, an end message is displayed on the viewfinder or the like. In step S3, it is determined whether or not the start switch 41 has been pressed. If it is determined that the start switch 41 has been pressed, the process proceeds to step S4 to cancel the mute and return to the state in which the subject is displayed. To do. On the other hand, when it is determined that the start switch 41 is not pressed, the system waits for the start switch 41 to be pressed.

FIG. 24 is a schematic diagram showing the arrangement of data in a memory card applied to the camera of the present invention. Within the storage area of the memory card, there is a data management area in the storage area called a root directory, in which files or subdirectories can be registered in order. In the present embodiment, when shooting based on instruction information is started, a subdirectory is created correspondingly. In this example, a subdirectory called DS000001 is created. In this case, as shown in the figure, the subdirectory DS000001 is registered as 1 in the root directory. A file can be registered in the subdirectory, and a relation file is created first. This is registered as the first directory that can be registered. In this example referring to this state, a combination of 1-1, the root directory 1 and the subdirectory 1 with a hyphen is displayed as 1-1, and DS000001.1REL is abbreviated as an abbreviation. Yes.
Similarly, when the license plate is photographed, the file name is DS000002. It is registered in the subdirectory in the form of J6I. Since this is registered in the directory 1-2, the frame number is abbreviated as 1-2. Although a display example is created in the form of a frame number, an embodiment in which the file name is displayed as it is can be adopted.

  Shooting progresses in such a form, and a data arrangement as written in the form of a data area on the rightmost side is formed in the data area. What is written as relay thin data is a file called a relation file in the above-described flowchart, and the data of the relation file is arranged at the head of the data area as shown in the figure. This is the management data for the group photo. Subsequently, image data obtained by sequential photographing, such as license plate image data, chassis number image data, entire body image data, and damaged portion image data, is arranged in the data area.

FIG. 25 is a schematic diagram showing the structure of relation data in the relation file described in FIG.
A title is recorded at the top of the relation file in FIG. Next, the format ID indicating the relationship with the format data of the associated format is entered, and then the creation date when the relation file is created is entered as the creation date. If correction is made, the correction date is entered. In this embodiment, the input character data is input as the next data block as the input reference number. This is the ID of <character>, the title “reference number” instructed to the user, the number of characters entered, the actual character data entered, and the position of which part in the specified format Contains data and more.
The next block, which is requested by the user for comment, is in the same format as the reference number above. Thereafter, four captured images are included in combination with associated part data in the document. In this embodiment, the file names of four images are entered in the <image> column in the relation file, and the document management information is recorded. In the image identification data, the file name of the image data file taken after the image identification data is included between the part data.

As described with reference to FIG. 2, the camera / communication changeover switch 44 of the switch panel 4 is for switching between an operation mode and a communication mode as a normal camera, and a recording / reproduction (transmission / reception) changeover switch 45. Is for performing recording / reproduction switching when the camera is operating in the camera mode and transmission / reception switching operation when the camera is operating in the communication mode.
When the mode switch 43 is operated with the camera / communication selector switch 44 set to the camera side and the recording / playback (transmission / reception) switch 45 set to the playback side when operating in the camera mode. Each time this mode switch is pressed, the “normal playback” and “correspondence editing” modes are switched alternately.
The “correlation editing” mode will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 26 is a diagram illustrating a display state on the viewfinder 9 (or an external monitor that displays an equivalent video) and the LCD panel 3 when the camera is operating in the playback mode. In this figure, the upper side is the display of the viewfinder 9 and the lower side is the display of the LCD panel 3. As shown in the figure, the camera operation mode is displayed in the upper left part of the screen (9 m on the viewfinder 9 and 3 m on the LCD panel 3 and “play” is displayed), and the frame number of the shooting is displayed in the upper right part (viewfinder 9 9f on the top and 3f) on the LCD panel 3. At this time, the image of the reproduced frame number (in this case, the image of the first frame) is displayed on the viewfinder 9.
When the mode switch 43 is operated in the state of FIG. 26, that is, when this mode switch is pressed once, the mode shifts to the “association editing” mode.

FIG. 27 is a diagram showing a display state on the viewfinder and the LCD panel when the camera of the present invention is in the “association editing” mode. In the stage of FIG. 27, one of the four types of instruction information can be selected as in the case of the shooting described with reference to FIG. That is, four types of instruction information are displayed, and an arrow is displayed on the left side of the currently selected instruction information. By operating the up switch 48a and the down switch 48b, the arrow is moved to select required instruction information. Similarly, the LCD panel displays “edit: instruction information selection” indicating that the instruction information selection mode is currently set, and a display indicating the type of instruction information selected by an arrow on the viewfinder. . At the same time, a message “Please select editing instruction information” is output from the speaker 417 by voice.
In the stage shown in FIG. 27, after the selection operation is performed in accordance with the display or message as described above, when the start switch 41 is pressed, the process proceeds to the next stage.

FIG. 28 is a diagram showing a display state on the viewfinder and the LCD panel when the start switch 41 is pressed after the selection operation is performed in the state of FIG. 27 and the process proceeds to the next stage. As shown in the drawing, an indication that the instruction information selection mode of “edit: accident assessment / small breakage” is in the upper left of the viewfinder is displayed. In addition, a frame number 2-1 is displayed on the upper right. At the same time, “input: reference number”, which is a message requesting input of the reference number, appears in the center of the screen, and the part to be input is displayed blinking. At the same time, a message “please input the reference number” is output from the speaker 417 by voice, and “edit: accident assessment / damage” and “input: reference number” are displayed on the LCD panel.
Here, input candidates are selected and displayed by operating the up switch 48a and the down switch 48b, or by operating the fast forward switch 47a and the fast reverse switch 47b. When the plus switch 46a is pressed after inputting one digit, the input digit moves one place to the right. If an input is made by mistake, the cursor can be returned to the left by pressing the minus switch 46b. These operating procedures are the same as those in the case of photographing in FIG.
When the start switch 41 is pressed after all inputs are completed, the process proceeds to the next stage.

FIG. 29 is a diagram showing a display state of the viewfinder and the LCD panel at the stage of transition by pressing the start switch 41 at the stage of FIG. 28 described above.
In the state shown in FIG. 29, a message “input: comment” is displayed in the approximate center of the viewfinder, so that a comment can be input. The operation method for inputting the comment at this time is the same as the operation for inputting the reference number described with reference to FIG. “Input: comment” is also displayed on the LCD panel. At the same time, a voice message “Please enter a comment” is also output.

FIG. 30 is a diagram showing the display status of the viewfinder and the LCD panel at the stage of transition by pressing the start switch 41 after the comment input is completed in the state of FIG.
In the edit mode, the situation in FIG. 30 is different from that in the shooting mode. That is, in the step of shooting instruction information, the screen shifts to the playback mode and the previous shot image is confirmed. However, in the stage of FIG. 30 in this edit mode, “Select: Number” is displayed below the viewfinder. “Plate” is displayed to the operator, and at the same time, “Select: License Plate” is also displayed on the LCD panel. Also, a voice message “Please select a license plate image” is output.
The operator selects and operates the reproduced image to be a license plate image while frame-by-frame according to the instruction information (message). In other words, it is assumed that the operator has taken all necessary image data before entering the association editing mode. This means that the mode is such that an image arbitrarily shot by the operator is edited to set information associated with the shooting instruction information.
When the necessary image data is selected at the stage shown in FIG. 30 and the start switch is pressed, the reproduced information is registered as the information of the group photo.

FIG. 31 is a flowchart showing details of the association editing. When the association editing is started, a subdirectory is created in step S1. This is the same as when shooting. That is, when the association editing is started, a new subdirectory is created and the associated file is entered therein. In step S2, the relation file is opened in the same manner as when shooting.
In the next step S3, information is extracted as information for each step from the associated instruction information. In step S4, it is determined to which instruction command it corresponds. When it is determined that the input is character input, the process proceeds to the character input process of step S5. When it is determined that the image is captured, the process proceeds to the image selection process of step S6. When it is determined that the input is confirmation, the process returns to step S3. When it is determined that the instruction is finished, the process proceeds to step S7 to close the relation file, and the process proceeds to step S8 to execute the termination instruction. The character input process at S5 and the end instruction operation at S8 are the same as those at the time of shooting.

  FIG. 32 is a flowchart showing details of the image selection processing in step S6 of FIG. In step S1, the current frame is reproduced. In step S2, the message part of the selection instruction is output. This is to output character information in the photographing instruction information. Steps S3 to S7 are switch state determination processing. In step S3, the state of the fast-forward switch 47a is checked. If it is determined that this switch is on, the process proceeds to switch S10 to move to a higher directory. In step S4, the state of the fast reverse switch 47b is checked. If it is determined that this switch is on, the process proceeds to step S11 to move to a lower directory. When it is determined in step S5 that the up switch 48a is on, the process proceeds to step S12 to reproduce one frame. When it is determined in step S6 that the down switch 48b is on, the process proceeds to step S13 to reproduce minus one frame. When the process from step S10 to S13 is completed, the process returns to step S3. In step S7, the state of the start switch 41 is observed, and if it is determined that the switch is not pressed, the process returns to step S3. If it is determined in step S7 that the start switch 41 is on, the process proceeds to step S8, and it is determined whether or not it is in the editing directory in which the association editing that is currently creating the relation file or the like is performed. Do. If it is not within the editing directory, the image data currently being reproduced is copied into the editing directory in step S14. The copied image is written in the relation file in step S9. By this writing, the operation of associating the already captured images according to the instruction information in the reproduction mode according to the imaging instruction information is completed, and a set of group photo information is created.

Next, an embodiment will be described in which the associated image information and management information are transmitted via a public telephone line and are generated as a document by a personal computer.
FIG. 33 is a system diagram showing an image information transmission processing system including a digital electronic still camera as one embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, image information of an image photographed by a digital electronic still camera 331 as an embodiment of the present invention is transmitted to a target other party through a public telephone line 333 via a modem 332, and the other party transmits a modem 334. Is received by the personal computer 335. A printer 336 is connected to the personal computer 335. The image information transmitted from the digital electronic still camera 331 is processed by the personal computer 335 and edited into a document as described above. In the system shown in FIG. 33, image information is directly transmitted using a public line. However, an information recording medium loaded on the camera 331 side is offline loaded on the personal computer 335 side and the same processing as described above is performed. To edit the document.

FIG. 34 is a diagram illustrating a display state on the viewfinder and the LCD panel when the camera / communication changeover switch 44 is set to communication and the recording / playback (transmission / reception) changeover switch 45 is set to transmission. .
As shown in the drawing, a message indicating that the data selection mode is set by transmission “transmission: data selection” is displayed on the upper left of the viewfinder. Further, a frame number display of 1-1 is made on the upper right. At the same time, the playback image having the above frame number is displayed on the entire screen, and the reference number is displayed at the center of the screen. This reference number in the screen is a display of the reference number which is the first character information of the relation file described above. As the reproduced image, the license plate image that is the first reproduced image in the relation file is reproduced. It is possible to know the contents of the group photo selected from the head reproduced image.
The LCD panel also displays “Send: Select Data”, a frame number, and a serial number. Also, a voice message “Please select transmission data” is output.
By operating the up switch 48a or the down switch 48b in this state, the recorded group photograph can be selected. Here, the group photo data to be transmitted can be selected by pressing the start switch 41.

  FIG. 35 is a diagram illustrating a display state on the viewfinder and the LCD panel in a state in which a transition is made by pressing the start switch 41 in the stage of FIG. Here, four preset transmission destinations are displayed. The background image is muted. In this display, an arrow mark appears on the left side of the selected destination. When in this display state, the position of the selection arrow moves by operating the up switch 48a or the down switch 48b, and an arbitrary transmission destination is selected. By pressing the start switch 41 when the arrow is in any position, the group photo selected in the stage of FIG. 34 can be transmitted to the destination.

  FIG. 36 is a flowchart showing a data transmission procedure. In step S1, a list of transmission images is created from the relation file. In step S2, the relation file is transmitted. In the next step S3, the created image file of the transmission image list is transmitted. In step S4, it is determined whether or not the transmission is completed. When transmission of all the image files to be transmitted is completed, the data transmission routine is terminated. When transmission of all the image files is not completed, the process returns to step S3. In the system as described with reference to FIG. 33, the personal computer 335 receives the relation file and the image file transmitted from the digital electronic still camera 331. The personal computer 335 lays out an image file based on the received relation file and creates a document so as to conform to a predetermined format.

FIG. 37 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a document format created based on the relation file and image file transmitted from the digital electronic still camera 331 as described above.
This is created from document information associated with <format ID> 0001 in the relation file described in FIG. Information of the document of <format ID> 0001 is stored on the personal computer 335 side. The personal computer 335 combines the arrangement information of this document and the part information in the relation file (information for specifying the arrangement in the format described as PART = 1 to PART = 6 in FIG. 37), and It is determined whether the received image file is associated with the position, and character data such as a photographed image or a serial number, a comment, and the like are arranged to constitute a document that conforms to a predetermined format.

In the above description of the embodiment, the description has been made on the assumption that the instruction information has already been input. However, the camera of the present invention has an instruction information input means, whereby the instruction information can be input. It is comprised so that it may perform.
FIG. 38 is a diagram showing a display state on the viewfinder and the LCD panel when in an operation mode for inputting instruction information.
This mode can be entered by pressing the mode switch 43 and the start switch 41 simultaneously.
As shown in the drawing, a display for prompting selection of an input number “input: input number selection” is displayed on the upper left of the viewfinder and the LCD panel. Also, four instruction information items are displayed on the screen. The background image is muted. In this display, an arrow mark appears on the left side of the selected instruction information. The indication information (instruction information 1) with an arrow mark is also displayed on the LCD panel. In the voice, it is pronounced “Please select an input number”. When in this display state, the position of the selection arrow moves by operating the up switch 48a or the down switch 48b, and arbitrary instruction information is selected. By pressing the start switch 41 when the arrow is at any position (instruction information 1 in this example), the instruction information can be determined.

  FIG. 39 is a diagram showing a display state on the viewfinder and the LCD panel in a state in which a transition is made by pressing the start switch 41 in the stage of FIG. In the stage of FIG. 39, the display “input: instruction information 1” appears on the upper left of the viewfinder and on the LCD panel. Since the input request from the camera is “input: title” prompting the input of the title, the operator inputs the title of the instruction information in accordance with this display. In this example, a title in the form of “accident assessment / small break” is entered. When the start switch 41 is pressed, this input is confirmed and the process proceeds to the next stage.

  FIG. 40 is a diagram showing a display state on the viewfinder and the LCD panel in a state where the transition is made by pressing the start switch 41 in the stage of FIG. In the stage of FIG. 40, the format ID, that is, the ID code of the format to be associated is input. In this example, when 0001 is input and the start switch 41 is pressed, this input is confirmed and the process proceeds to the next stage.

  FIG. 41 is a diagram illustrating a display state on the viewfinder and the LCD panel in a state in which a transition is made by pressing the start switch 41 in the stage of FIG. As shown in the figure, a list of the instruction information that can be instructed is displayed. This is a character input display, shooting instruction display, and end display.

  In response to such a list display, the above-described arrow is moved by operating the up switch 48a or the down switch 48b, and arbitrary instruction information is selected. When the start switch 41 is pressed, this input is confirmed and the process proceeds to the next stage.

  FIG. 42 is a diagram showing a display state on the viewfinder and the LCD panel in a state where a transition is made by pressing the start switch 41 after selection by an arrow in the stage of FIG. In this example, an input screen for inputting characters is displayed. A voice message is also issued. At this time, an instruction is entered, and in the present embodiment, “reference number” is first entered here. Next, the number of characters is input, and the ID of the part in <Format ID> 0001 is input. Such an input operation is also performed on the comment.

  FIG. 43 is a diagram showing a display state on the viewfinder and the LCD panel when the shooting instruction setting state is reached after the stage of FIG. As shown in the figure, “setting: photographing instruction” is displayed, and a voice message is also issued. At this time, a directive is also input. For example, instructions such as a license plate, a chassis number, the entire body, and a damaged part are input. At the same time, the part ID to be associated with the format ID is input. If confirmation is required, input confirmation in the next step.

FIG. 44 is a diagram showing a display state on the viewfinder and the LCD panel when it becomes possible to perform confirmation input after confirmation in the stage of FIG. 43 described above. . At this stage, an instruction text for giving a confirmation instruction and a jump destination for representing a jump destination in the case of a shooting failure (NG) in the confirmation are input. Input is performed by repeating the above operation, and the input ends when “END” in FIG. 41 is selected.
In the above description, the part number is stored in the management information in the form of a part (PART) where the personal computer side holds the layout information and the part number in the layout information (style) corresponding to the part number. Although the embodiment has been described as being written, an embodiment in which management (processing) regarding the same arrangement (style) is flexibly performed on the camera side is added as layout information will be described next.

FIG. 45 is a schematic diagram showing the structure of instruction information data stored in the EEPROM of a digital electronic still camera as an example different from that described with reference to FIG.
In FIG. 16, the instruction data is written in the form of a part (PART). However, in the example of FIG. 45, the upper left coordinates and the lower right coordinates of the document are stored in the shooting part. The personal computer side recognizes this coordinate data and configures the system so as to arrange it in the document, so that a desired layout can be arbitrarily performed by adding free layout information on the camera side.
In FIG. 45, the <character input> portion is part information. However, by adding layout information in such a manner that the coordinates of this portion are designated, character information in the document can be freely arranged. It becomes possible.

FIG. 46 is a diagram illustrating a display state on the viewfinder and the LCD panel in an embodiment in which a free layout is performed in a shooting instruction. As shown in the figure, a message “setting: shooting instruction” is displayed, and a message “Please set shooting instruction” is also displayed by voice. The operator inputs a directive in response to this. In this embodiment, the configuration is such that the upper right and lower left position information can be input at this time, and layout information with a high degree of freedom can be input. When a plurality of pieces of image information are set as a combined photograph, information is provided as a guideline when shooting is performed in the recording mode, and when the operator sets a plurality of pieces of image information as combined photographs in the shooting mode. Also, the association function operates in the camera playback mode.
On the other hand, when transmitting group photo data to the personal computer side as group photo data combining image data and management information, a function for selecting the group photo is provided to perform communication. Various selections can be made easily.
The above embodiment is an example in which the present invention is configured as a digital electronic still camera, but the inventive idea can be applied to a silver salt camera.

  The configurations of other inventions included in the specification of the present application, the problems solved by them, and the effects as the invention will be summarized below.

(1) In an image information processing system comprising an electronic still camera and a computer that generates a document by laying out image data obtained by photographing with the electronic still camera,
The electronic still camera
Optical system,
Imaging means for converting a subject image formed through the optical system into an electrical signal;
Image processing means for converting the electrical signal into digitized image data;
Recording means for recording the image data on a recording medium;
A character input means that allows the user of the electronic still camera to input character data;
In the computer, in order to automatically lay out the image data recorded in the recording means and the character data input by the character input means, the image data and character data to be laid out by the computer, and the image data and Creating means for creating a relation file on the recording medium for storing relation information for associating information specifying layout when character data is laid out by the computer;
Storage means for storing relation data related to image data obtained by shooting in the relation file in accordance with shooting,
Consists of
The computer
An input means for inputting the relation file created on the recording medium, and the image data and character data recorded on the recording medium and designated by the relation file;
The image data and character data specified in the relation file are laid out in accordance with the image data specified in the relation file input by the input means and information specifying the arrangement stored in the relation file. Output means for outputting,
The relation file transmitted to the computer by the electronic still camera includes image data captured by the imaging unit in the computer and layout information for generating a document by arranging the character data input by the character input unit,
Each piece of placement information is composed of an ID representing the type of data to be placed, information for specifying the placed data itself or placed data, and information representing the position of the placed information on the document,
An image information processing system.

In the technology prior to the invention of (1), it takes a lot of work to check the contents of the image file one by one and sort out the necessary images from a large number when organizing a large number of still images. Further, when a large number of group photographs are taken for business purposes, a great amount of man-hours are required to compose each group photograph into a certain document. Further, in order to capture all predetermined frames of a standard set of photographs, that is, to definitely shoot each predetermined portion of a specific object in a predetermined order at a predetermined angle, distance, or angle of view. It required special skill and attention.

According to the invention of (1) above , when creating a document by arranging a plurality of image data obtained by photographing with an electronic still camera, these image data and the arrangement for arranging these image data A relation file that stores information in association is automatically created, and the image and the relation file are transmitted to the computer and the image is automatically laid out based on the relation file. Can be made.

(2) In the image information processing system of (1 ) above,
A public line to which the electronic still camera and the computer are connected;
The electronic still camera
Output means for transmitting the relation file created on the recording medium and the image data recorded on the recording medium and designated by the relation file to the computer via the public line. It is characterized by having.

According to the invention of (2), in addition to the effect of the invention of (1), data sufficient for creating a document including an image can be transmitted, so that necessary data can be obtained at a remote place. Documents can be created automatically.

It is a perspective view which shows the structure of the digital electronic still camera as one embodiment of the camera of this invention. It is a figure which shows the detail of arrangement | positioning of the switch in the switch panel 4 of the camera of FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the digital electronic still camera as embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows a mode that the imaging | photography for the assessment operation | work by the accident of a vehicle is performed using the camera of this invention. It is a figure which shows the display condition on a viewfinder and LCD panel when the camera of this invention is operate | moving in normal imaging | photography mode. It is a figure which shows the display condition on a view finder and an LCD panel when the camera of this invention is in the selection mode of instruction information. It is a figure which shows the display condition on a viewfinder and an LCD panel when the start switch is pushed after performing selection operation in the state of FIG. 6, and the instruction information is performed. It is a figure which shows the display condition of a viewfinder and the LCD panel in the state which transfers by pushing a start switch after all the inputs are complete | finished in the state of FIG. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a display state of the viewfinder and the LCD panel at a stage of transition by pressing a start switch after the comment input is completed in the state of FIG. 8. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a display state of the viewfinder and the LCD panel at the stage of transition after the first shooting is completed in the state of FIG. 9. It is a figure which shows the display condition of a viewfinder and the LCD panel in the state which transfers by pushing a start switch when the first imaging | photography is favorable and there is no mistake in the state of FIG. It is a figure which shows the display condition of a viewfinder and a LCD panel in the step which transfers after the imaging | photography of the 2nd time is complete | finished in the state of FIG. It is a figure which shows the display condition of a viewfinder and a LCD panel in the step which transfers after the imaging | photography of the 3rd time is complete | finished in the state of FIG. It is a figure which shows the display condition of a viewfinder and a LCD panel in the step which transfers after the imaging | photography of the 4th time is complete | finished in the state of FIG. FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a display state of the viewfinder and the LCD panel in a state where a transition is made by pressing a start switch when the previous stage shooting is good and there is no mistake in the state of FIG. 14. It is a schematic diagram which shows the structure of the instruction information data stored in EEPROM of the digital electronic still camera of FIG. It is a flowchart regarding operation | movement of the mode switch in the switch panel of a camera. It is a flowchart which shows the detail of the operation | movement of instruction information selection of step S3 in the flowchart of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the detail of the operation | movement which image | photographs with the designated instruction | indication information in step S10 in the flowchart of FIG. FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing details of a character input processing operation in step S5 in the flowchart of FIG. 19. FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the detail of the operation | movement of the imaging | photography instruction | indication process of step S6 in the flowchart of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the detail of operation | movement of the confirmation instruction | indication process of step S7 in the flowchart of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the detail of operation | movement of the completion | finish instruction | indication process of step S9 in the flowchart of FIG. It is a schematic diagram which shows arrangement | positioning of the data in the memory card applied to the camera of this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the structure of the relation data in the relation file demonstrated in FIG. It is a figure which shows the display condition on a viewfinder and LCD panel when the camera is operate | moving in playback mode. It is a figure which shows the display condition on a view finder and an LCD panel when the camera of this invention is in the mode of "association edit". It is a figure which shows the display condition on a viewfinder and a LCD panel when a start switch is pushed in the state of FIG. 27, and it transfers to the next step. It is a figure which shows the display condition of a viewfinder and a LCD panel in the step which transfers by pushing the start switch 41 in the step of FIG. It is a figure which shows the display condition of a viewfinder and the LCD panel in the step which transfers by pushing a start switch after the comment input is complete | finished in the state of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the detail of matching edit. It is a flowchart which shows the detail of the image selection process of step S6 of FIG. It is a systematic diagram showing an image information transmission processing system including a digital electronic still camera as one embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the display condition on a viewfinder and an LCD panel when a camera / communication changeover switch is set to communication and a recording / playback (transmission / reception) changeover switch is set to transmission. It is a figure which shows the display condition on the viewfinder and LCD panel in the state which transfers by pushing a start switch in the step of FIG. It is a flowchart showing the procedure of data transmission. It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of the format of the document produced based on the relation file and image file which were transmitted from the digital electronic still camera. It is a figure which shows the display condition on a view finder and an LCD panel when it exists in the operation mode for inputting instruction information. It is a figure which shows the display condition on a view finder and a LCD panel in the state which transfers by pressing a start switch in the step of FIG. It is a figure which shows the display condition on a viewfinder and the LCD panel in the state which transfers by pushing a start switch in the step of FIG. It is a figure which shows the display condition on a viewfinder and a LCD panel in the state which transfers by pushing a start switch in the step of FIG. FIG. 42 is a diagram illustrating a display state on the viewfinder and the LCD panel in a state where a transition is made by pressing a start switch after selection by an arrow in the stage of FIG. 41. FIG. 43 is a diagram illustrating a display state on the viewfinder and the LCD panel when a shooting instruction setting state is reached after the stage of FIG. 42. It is a figure which shows the display condition on a view finder and an LCD panel when it will be in the state which can perform confirmation input after the input in the stage of FIG. 43 when confirmation is required. It is a schematic diagram which shows the structure of the instruction information data stored in EEPROM of a digital electronic still camera. It is a figure which shows the display condition on the viewfinder and LCD panel in embodiment which performs a free layout in imaging | photography instruction | indication.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Camera body 2 Shooting lens 3 LCD panel 4 Switch panel 5 Card slot 6 Card 7 Modem card 8 Output terminal 9 Finder 41 Start switch 42 Power switch 43 Mode switch 44 Camera / communication switch 45 Recording / playback (transmission / reception) switching Switch 46a Plus switch 46b Minus switch 47a Fast forward switch 47b Fast reverse switch 48a Up switch 48b Down switch 331 Digital electronic still camera 332 Modem 333 Public telephone line 334 Modem 335 Personal computer 336 Printer 401 Optical system 402 Imaging circuit 403 A / D conversion circuit 404 Image memory 405 D / A conversion circuit 406 Process circuit 407 Viewfinder 408 Compression / decompression circuit 09 interface circuit (1)
410 connector (1)
411 Memory card 412 Interface circuit (2)
413 connector (2)
414 Modem card 415 System control circuit 416 D / A conversion circuit 417 Speaker 418 Display panel 419 Operation switch group 420 EEPROM
421 Character Generator

Claims (3)

In an image information processing system comprising an electronic still camera and a computer that generates a document by laying out image data obtained by photographing with the electronic still camera,
The electronic still camera
Optical system,
Imaging means for converting a subject image formed through the optical system into an electrical signal;
Image processing means for converting the electrical signal into digitized image data;
Recording means for recording the image data on a recording medium;
A character input means that allows the user of the electronic still camera to input character data;
In the computer, to automatically lay out character data input by the image data and the character input means is recorded on said recording means, and image data and character data to be laid out at the computer, and these image data Creating means for creating on the recording medium a relation file for storing relation information for associating information for specifying the layout when character data is laid out by the computer ;
Storage means for storing relation data related to image data obtained by shooting in the relation file in accordance with shooting ,
Consists of
The computer
Input means for input the relation file created on the recording medium, and the image data and character data specified by an image data and character data are recorded the relation file in the recording medium,
The image data and character data specified in the relation file are laid out in accordance with the image data specified in the relation file input by the input means and information specifying the arrangement stored in the relation file. Output means for outputting ,
The relation file transmitted to the computer by the electronic still camera includes image data captured by the imaging unit in the computer and layout information for generating a document by arranging the character data input by the character input unit,
Each piece of placement information is composed of an ID representing the type of data to be placed, information for specifying the placed data itself or placed data, and information representing the position of the placed information on the document,
An image information processing system. The image information processing system according to claim 1,
A public line to which the electronic still camera and the computer are connected;
The electronic still camera
Output means for transmitting the relation file created on the recording medium and the image data recorded on the recording medium and designated by the relation file to the computer via the public line. It is characterized by having. The image information processing system according to claim 1,
The recording medium is a recording medium connectable to the electronic still camera and the computer, and the input means includes the relation file stored in the electronic still camera from the connected storage medium, and the electronic camera. Input the image data that was taken in step 1 and specified in the relation file.
It is characterized by that.

Images