JP4292878B2 - Imaging apparatus and image file creation method - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus that acquires position information indicating an imaging location and stores the position information together with a captured image.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In recent years, an imaging apparatus that can specify an imaging location using PHS or GPS has been developed. As such an imaging device, a PHS terminal was first developed, but recently, a device having a similar function has been developed for a mobile phone, a digital camera, and the like.
[0003]
A method for displaying place name information overlaid on a picked-up image among such image pickup apparatuses that can specify the image pickup location is described in Patent Document 1. The imaging device described in Patent Literature 1 acquires position information indicating an imaging location using PHS or GPS simultaneously with or immediately after imaging. Next, the imaging device stores the positional information in the storage unit in a state associated with the captured image. Then, when reproducing the captured image, the imaging apparatus displays the positional information associated therewith superimposed on the captured image.
[0004]
Therefore, according to the imaging device described in Patent Document 1, it is easy for the user to know where the image was captured, and it is not necessary to input the imaging location to the imaging device one by one.
[0005]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-157098
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the imaging device described in Patent Document 1, in order to achieve the above function, the file storing the captured image and the file storing the position information are always stored in the same storage unit and associated with each other. There is a need. In this regard, the imaging device described in Patent Document 1 has a problem that it is inconvenient for the user. For example, if the file storing the captured image and the file storing the location information are stored in separate storage means, the necessary location information cannot be used, and the captured location of the captured image can be displayed. There is a problem that it becomes impossible. Such a situation is considered to occur frequently when, for example, a captured image is transferred from the imaging apparatus to a personal computer. This is the case when only the captured image is transferred to the personal computer. Also, when printing a captured image by transferring it to a printer, the position information cannot be printed together with the captured image unless both the captured image and the position information are transferred.
[0007]
Further, the imaging device described in Patent Document 1 cannot achieve the above function even when position information cannot be acquired during imaging. This is because the position information associated with the captured image cannot be acquired, and the position information cannot be reproduced when the captured image is reproduced. Patent Document 1 discloses nothing about a method for adding position information to a captured image that does not have associated position information with a simple operation for the user. Examples of the case where the imaging device cannot acquire position information include a case where the imaging device is located in a place where radio waves from a GPS artificial satellite or a PHS base station cannot be received, or a power source of the imaging device In the case of immediately after putting in. Such a case can occur frequently in actual use. Therefore, even in such a case, it is necessary to provide an imaging apparatus that can easily add position information to an image file for a user.
[0008]
The present invention solves the above-mentioned conventional problems, and provides a first imaging apparatus capable of solving the inconvenience caused by storing captured images and position information in separate files. The purpose. A second object of the present invention is to provide an imaging apparatus that can easily add positional information to a captured image after imaging even when positional information cannot be acquired at the time of imaging.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve this object, an imaging apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention includes an imaging unit that captures an image of a subject and generates image data, and position information acquisition that acquires position information indicating a location where the imaging unit generates the image data Means, image processing means for adding additional information to the image data picked up by the image pickup means to generate an image file, an image file generated by the image processing means, and position information acquired by the position information acquisition means Storage means, and the image processing means reads the image file and position information stored in the storage means, extracts image data and additional information from the read image file, and extracts the extracted image data and additional information. A new image file is created by adding the position information read from the storage means to the information as additional information.
[0010]
With this configuration, the image pickup apparatus according to the present invention stores the image data and the position information when the image data is generated in the same image file, so that the image data and the position information are stored in separate storage means. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a problem that the place name information cannot be reproduced when the image data is reproduced. Further, the image processing means once extracts the image data and the additional information from the created image file, and then adds the position information as additional information to create a new image file. There is no risk of the image file being destroyed, and an image file with position information can be created reliably.
[0011]
An image pickup apparatus according to a second invention is the image pickup apparatus according to the first invention, and stores an image file that is the original when creating a new image file after creating a new image file. It has the deletion means to delete from a means, It is characterized by the above-mentioned.
[0012]
With this configuration, the imaging apparatus according to the present invention does not store the new image file and the original image file in the storage unit, so that the storage area of the storage unit can be used efficiently. In addition, since the original image file can be deleted without the user being aware of it, it is convenient for the user.
[0013]
An image pickup apparatus according to a third aspect of the invention includes an image pickup unit that picks up a subject and generates image data, a position information acquisition unit that acquires position information indicating a place where the image pickup unit generates image data, and an image pickup unit. An image processing unit that generates additional image information by adding additional information to the image data captured by the image generation unit, and an identifier that associates the position information acquired by the position information acquisition unit and the image file generated by the image processing unit. An identifier generation unit; and an image file generated by the image processing unit and a storage unit that stores the position information acquired by the position information acquisition unit. The image processing unit is generated by the image file and the identifier generation unit. The position information associated with the image file by the identifier is read from the storage means, and the image data and additional information are extracted from the read image file. And, by adding the position information read from the storage means as additional information to the extracted image data and additional information, characterized in that to create a new image file.
[0014]
With this configuration, the image capturing apparatus according to the present invention can easily select the place name file associated with the image file from the storage unit because the image file and the position information are associated with each other by the identifier. Thereby, the imaging device according to the present invention can easily add position information related to the image data in the image file.
[0015]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an imaging device that images a subject and generates image data, a position information acquisition unit that acquires position information indicating a location where the imaging unit generates image data, and an imaging unit. Image processing means for generating additional image information by adding additional information to the image data picked up in step (i), storage means for storing the image file generated by the image processing means and position information acquired by the position information acquisition means, Selection means for selecting, as additional information, any of the positional information stored in the storage means when the positional information indicating the location where the image data in the image file stored in the storage means is not stored in the storage means The image processing means reads the image file stored in the storage means, extracts image data and additional information from the read image file, and extracts By adding the location information selected by the selecting means as additional information to the image data and the additional information, characterized in that to create a new image file.
[0016]
With this configuration, the imaging apparatus according to the present invention can reliably and easily add the position information even when the position information is not acquired when the image data is captured.
[0017]
An image file creation method according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is a first step of capturing an image of a subject and generating image data, and a second step of acquiring position information indicating the location where the image data was generated in the first step. The third step for generating an image file by adding additional information to the image data captured in the first step, the image file generated in the third step, and the second step. A fourth step for storing the position information, a fifth step for reading the image file stored in the fourth step, and extracting image data and additional information from the read image file, and a fourth step. Is read out, and the read position information is added as additional information to the image data and additional information extracted in the fifth step. More comprises a sixth step of creating a new image file, a.
[0018]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0019]
(Embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a rear view of a digital camera 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, the liquid crystal monitor 2 displays an image captured or reproduced by the digital camera 1. The liquid crystal monitor 2 is a display means composed of a liquid crystal panel or the like. The cursor key 4a is an operation means for moving a cursor displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 2. The user can move the cursor displayed on the liquid crystal monitor to the right, left, up, and down by pressing the R, L, U, and D portions of the cursor key 4a. Setting conditions can be determined by the user pressing the determination button 4b. The power switch 4 c is a switch for turning on or off the power of the digital camera 1. In FIG. 1, the user can turn the digital camera 1 on when the power switch 4c is switched to the arrow A side, and can turn the digital camera 1 off when the power switch 4c is switched to the arrow B side. The shutter button 4d is a button for starting imaging of the digital camera 1. When the user presses the shutter button 4d, the digital camera 1 starts imaging. The menu button 4 e is a button for displaying a setting condition screen on the liquid crystal monitor 2. The viewfinder 6 displays an image captured by the digital camera 1.
[0020]
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the digital camera 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention. The operation means 4 includes the cursor key 4a, the determination button 4b, the power switch 4c, the shutter button 4d, the menu button 4e, and the like shown in FIG. The operation unit 4 transmits a control signal to the control unit 16 in accordance with a user operation. The imaging unit 8 images a subject and generates image data that is an electrical signal. The image pickup means 8 includes a lens, a CCD, an A / D conversion circuit, a YC processing circuit, and the like. The YC processing circuit is a circuit that converts RAW data generated by the CCD into YC data. Image data generated by a CCD (not shown) in the image pickup means 8 is an analog signal. Image data generated by a CCD (not shown) is converted into a digital signal by an A / D conversion circuit (not shown) in the imaging means 8. Image data converted into a digital signal by an A / D conversion circuit (not shown) is input to the image processing means 10.
[0021]
The image processing unit 10 is a circuit that acquires image data from the imaging unit 8 or the system bus 22 and performs image processing such as resolution conversion or compression / decompression on the acquired image data. The image processing means 10 performs, for example, JPEG conversion as compression / decompression processing. The image processing unit 10 generates an image file by adding additional information to the image data captured by the imaging unit 8 by performing JPEG conversion.
[0022]
Here, the file structure of the image file generated by the image processing means 10 is shown in FIG. In FIG. 3, since the data structure of the image file is long, the image file is displayed in two stages. The image file shown in FIG. 3 is an Exif format JPEG image file generated by the image processing means 10. Here, Exif (Exchangeable Image File Format) is an image file format for a digital still camera, and is characterized in that data such as shooting time and exposure can be stored together with image data. Exif format JPEG image files store data such as shooting time and exposure in a format that complies with the JPEG conventions, so if you use an Internet browser or image viewer that supports the JPEG format, Can be viewed as an image.
[0023]
In FIG. 3, an SOI (Start Of Image) marker 30 is an identifier indicating the start of a JPEG image file. The SOI marker 30 is defined by the value “0xFFD8”. An EOI (End Of Image) marker 31 is provided at the end of the image file. The EOI marker is defined by a value of “0xFFD9”. Between the SOI marker 30 and the EOI marker 31, several markers (normal marker 32, application marker 33, SOS marker 34, etc.) and an image stream 35 are provided. The normal marker 32 has a configuration of “0xFFXXXSSSS + DDD. “XX” is a marker number. “SSSS” is the data size. Data having a size indicated by “SSSS” is stored in “DDD...”. For example, when “SSSS” is “0x000C”, it indicates that the data size is 12 bytes. Since “SSSS” uses 2 bytes out of 12 bytes, “DDD...” Is 10 bytes of data after all.
[0024]
Among the markers used for JPEG, markers from 0xFFE0 to 0xFFEF are called application markers. The application marker is not necessary for decoding a JPEG image, but is defined as a data area for use in an application program.
[0025]
The Exif format JPEG image file stores data unique to a digital still camera such as shooting time and exposure in an application marker. The application marker used by Exif is defined by “0xFFE1”. In FIG. 3, “TTTT” indicates the size of the Exif data portion 33c. The Exif data portion 33c starts with “4577869660000”. Data unique to the digital still camera, such as the shooting time and exposure, is stored in the Exif data section 33c after “45786966600000”.
[0026]
After the application marker 33 used by Exif, several markers such as other application markers and normal markers are provided. Thereafter, an SOS (Start Of Stream) marker 34 is provided. The SOS marker 34 is an identifier indicating the start of the image stream 35. Following the SOS marker 34, an image stream 35 is provided. The image data generated by the imaging unit 8 is compressed in a format compliant with the JPEG standard and then stored in the image stream 35.
[0027]
As described above, the image processing unit 10 compresses the image data generated by the imaging unit 8 in accordance with the JPEG standard, and adds additional information to the compressed image data in the form of some markers. To generate a JPEG image file in the Exif format. The additional information includes data unique to the digital still camera, such as shooting time and exposure.
[0028]
In FIG. 2, the image memory 12 exchanges image data and image files between system buses 22. The image memory 12 is a storage unit that stores image data and image files acquired from the system bus 22. The image memory 12 is composed of, for example, a semiconductor memory such as DRAM, SRAM, or SDRAM.
[0029]
The PHS communication unit 14 is a communication unit that communicates with a base station using a PHS (Personal Handyphone System) system. The PHS communication unit 14 includes an antenna, a microcomputer, and the like. The PHS communication unit 14 includes functional blocks such as a communication management unit 14a and a position information acquisition unit 14b. The communication management unit 14a is a functional block that manages communication with the base station, and includes a circuit, software, and the like inside the microcomputer that constitutes the PHS communication unit 14. The position information acquisition unit 14b is a functional block that acquires position information indicating the position of the base station or the digital camera 1 from the base station. The position information is information indicating, for example, longitude, latitude, and zip code. The position information acquisition unit 14 b is configured by a circuit, software, or the like inside the microcomputer that constitutes the PHS communication unit 14.
[0030]
The control unit 16 controls the entire digital camera 1 such as the image processing unit 10, the PHS communication unit 14, the image memory 12, the system control memory 18, and the memory card 20 in accordance with a control signal from the operation unit 4. The control means 16 is composed of a microcomputer or the like. The control means 16 has functional blocks such as place name information creation means 16a, place name file creation means 16b, deletion means 16c, selection means 16d. The place name information creation means 16a is a functional block that converts the place name information into place name information based on the position information acquired by the position information acquisition means 14b. For example, when the location information acquired by the location information acquisition unit 14b is a zip code, the location name information creation unit 16a converts the location information into location name information indicating a corresponding location name based on the zip code. The place name information created by the place name information creating means 16 a is temporarily stored in the system control memory 18. The place name file creation means 16b converts the place name information stored in the system control memory 18 and creates a place name file. The place name file is given a file name associated with the image file. For example, when the image processing unit 10 generates an image file with the file name “P1000001.JPG”, the place name file creating unit 16b creates a place name file with the file name “P1000001.ADR” and stores the place name information in the system control memory. The place name information read from 18 and stored in the place name file is stored. The memory card 20 stores the place name file created by the place name file creating means 16b. The deleting unit 16 c is a functional block that deletes a specific image file among the image files stored in the memory card 20. The selection unit 16 d is a functional block that selects any one of the place name files stored in the memory card 20. The place name information creating means 16a, the place name file creating means 16b, the deleting means 16c, and the selecting means 16d are each configured by a circuit, software, or the like inside the microcomputer constituting the control means 16.
[0031]
The system control memory 18 is storage means for temporarily storing various data used by the control means 16. The system control memory 18 is composed of a semiconductor memory such as SRAM, DRAM, or SDRAM.
[0032]
The memory card 20 is a storage means that contains a nonvolatile semiconductor memory such as a flash memory or a ferroelectric memory. The memory card 20 can be attached to and detached from the digital camera 1. However, it may be fixedly provided inside the digital camera 1. In that case, the storage means fixedly provided inside the digital camera 1 is provided not in the form of a memory card but in the form of a single semiconductor memory. The digital camera 1 has a memory card slot (not shown) so that the memory card 20 can be attached and detached. The memory card 20 stores the image file generated by the image processing means 20 and the place name file created by the place name file creating means 16b. However, the image file and the place name file may be stored in the system control memory 18. The system bus 22 is a bus for transferring image data and the like.
[0033]
The digital camera 1 is an example of an imaging apparatus of the present invention, the memory card 20 or the system control memory 18 is an example of a storage unit of the present invention, and the place name file creation unit 16b is an example of an identifier generation unit. The position information of the present invention is defined as a general term for the position information, the place name information, and the place name file according to the embodiment of the present invention. The file name of the image file and the file name of the place name file are examples of the identifier of the present invention.
[0034]
The operation of the digital camera 1 configured as described above will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the digital camera 1. In FIG. 1, the digital camera 1 is turned on when the user switches the power switch 4c to the A side. In step S100, if position information can be acquired from the base station, the process proceeds to step S102. If position information cannot be acquired from the base station, the process proceeds to step S104. Here, the case where the digital camera 1 cannot acquire the position information from the base station means that the digital camera 1 is located in a place where radio waves from the base station do not reach, or the digital camera 1 takes an image immediately after the power is turned on. (Because it takes a certain amount of time from when the power is turned on to acquire the position information from the base station).
[0035]
In step S102, the digital camera 1 acquires position information from the base station, and generates place name information based on the acquired position information. Next, in step S104, the digital camera 1 captures a subject and generates image data. Then, an image file is created based on the image data. Next, in step S106, a place name file having a file name that can be associated with the image file created in step S104 is created. Then, the place name information generated in step S102 is stored in this place name file. Next, based on the image file created in step S104 and the corresponding place name file, a new image file (hereinafter referred to as a composite file) having the place name information generated in step S102 as additional information is created.
[0036]
Through the above operation, the digital camera 1 can obtain an image file in which place name information is added to image data. Hereinafter, the operation of S102 to S108 described above will be described in detail. In the following, a case where the digital camera 1 has not acquired position information or a case where the user can arbitrarily select place name information will be described in detail.
[0037]
Hereinafter, an operation (S102) when the digital camera 1 generates place name information will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the digital camera 1 when acquiring position information. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a screen displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 2 when the digital camera 1 acquires position information.
[0038]
In FIG. 1, the user presses the menu button 4e. Then, the liquid crystal monitor 2 displays the screen shown in FIG. 6A and prompts the user to make a selection (S1). When the user operates the cursor key 4a or the like to select “Yes”, the communication management unit 14a accesses the base station. And the positional information acquisition means 14b acquires positional information from a base station. The position information acquisition unit 14b acquires, for example, longitude / latitude or a postal code as position information (S2). The place name information creating unit 16a creates place name information indicating the place name based on the position information acquired by the position information acquiring unit 14b (S3). As shown in FIG. 6B, the place name information creating means 16a displays the created place name information on the liquid crystal monitor 2 and prompts the user to set (S4). In FIG. 6B, “Hanabo Memorial Park” is an example of place name information. When the user selects “Yes” in the display of FIG. 6B, the control means 16 stores the place name information in the system control memory 19 (S5). And the control means 16 displays the screen shown in FIG.6 (c) on the liquid crystal monitor 2, and determines whether a user is set to the place name display mode (S6). Here, the place name display mode is an operation mode of the digital camera 1 in which a place name file is created when an image is picked up by the image pickup means 8. In the screen shown in FIG. 6C, when the user operates the operation unit 4 and selects “Yes” on the screen, the control unit 16 sets the place name display mode (S7) and ends the series of operations. On the other hand, if the place name information created by the user is rejected in step S4, or if the user does not set the place name display mode in step S6, the place name information is not stored or the place name display mode is not set. End the operation.
[0039]
Next, the operation when the digital camera 1 creates an image file (S104) and the operation when a place name file is created (S106) will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the digital camera 1 when acquiring image data. FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining the relationship among captured image data, image file names, place name information, and place name file names. 9 to 11 are schematic diagrams showing the file structures of the image file and the place name file stored in the memory card 20. Since the operation when the digital camera 1 generates image data differs depending on the state of the digital camera 1 when the digital camera 1 acquires image data, the case will be described separately below.
[0040]
First, the operation when imaging the image data 71 shown in FIG. 8A will be described with reference to FIG. Here, it is assumed that the file name of the image file generated based on the image data 71 is “P1000001.JPG”. Further, it is assumed that the place name information stored in the system control memory 18 when the image data 71 is captured is “Hanabo Memorial Park”. Further, it is assumed that the digital camera 1 is in the place name display mode when the image data 71 is captured.
[0041]
When the user presses the shutter button 4d shown in FIG. 1 in the state of the digital camera 1 described above, a control signal for starting imaging is transmitted from the operation means 4 to the control means 16. Then, the control unit 16 transmits a control signal indicating that imaging is started to the imaging unit 8. Then, the imaging unit 8 captures the subject and generates image data (S11). The image data generated at this time is the image data 71 shown in FIG. The image processing unit 10 receives the image data 71 from the imaging unit 8. Then, the image processing means 10 adds data specific to the digital camera such as shooting time and exposure as additional information, and creates an image file “P1000001.JPG” (S12). The image file “P1000001.JPG” is an Exif format JPEG image file. The image file “P1000001.JPG” has the configuration shown in FIG. Data specific to the digital still camera such as shooting time and exposure is stored in the Exif data section 33c in FIG. Next, the memory card 20 receives the image file “P1000001.JPG” from the image processing means 10 and stores it (S13). Next, the control means 16 detects whether or not the digital camera 1 is in the place name display mode setting state (S14). As a result, as described above, since the digital camera 1 is in a state in which the place name display mode is set, the process proceeds to step S15. In step S15, the control means 16 detects whether or not the system control memory 18 stores place name information. As described above, the system control memory 18 stores “Hanabo Memorial Park” as place name information. Therefore, the control means 16 detects that the system control memory 18 stores the place name information, and proceeds to step S16.
[0042]
In step S16, the place name file creation means 16b refers to the file name of the image file “P1000001.JPG” created by the image processing means 10, creates a file name “P1000001.ADR”, and assigns this file name. Create a place name file. Then, the place name file creation means 16b reads the place name information “Hanabo Memorial Park” from the system control memory 18, and stores this place name information in the place name file “P1000001.ADR”. Here, the image file name “P1000001.JPG” and the position file name “P1000001.ADR” are different only in the extensions (“JPG” and “ADR”), and therefore, it is easy to associate the two files. Therefore, it can be said that the file name of the place name file acts as an identifier for associating the place name file with the image file. More specifically, since the place name file and the position information acquired by the position information acquisition unit 14b are associated with each other, the file name of the place name file acts as an identifier for associating the position information with the image file.
[0043]
Next, the memory card 20 stores the place name file “P1000001.ADR” created by the place name file creating means 16b (S17). As a result, the structure of the file stored in the memory card 20 is as shown in FIG. That is, there are a DCIM directory and a 100_PANA directory under the root directory, and an image file “P1000001.JPG” and a place name file “P1000001.JPG” are stored in parallel under the 100_PANA directory. With the above operation, the operation of the digital camera 1 when the image data 71 is captured is completed.
[0044]
Next, the operation when imaging the image data 72 shown in FIG. 8B will be described with reference to FIG. Here, it is assumed that the file name of the image file created based on the image data 72 is “P1000002.JPG”. It is assumed that the system control memory 18 does not store place name information when the image data 72 is captured. As described above, the state in which the system control memory 18 does not store the place name information is a state that can occur when the imaging unit 8 captures an image without performing the operations of S1 to S7 in FIG. For example, when imaging is started immediately after the power of the digital camera 1 is turned on, the operations of S1 to S7 in FIG. 5 are not performed. In this state, the system control memory 18 does not store the place name information, and the digital camera 1 is in a state where the place name display mode is not set.
[0045]
In the digital camera 1 in the above state, the image data 72 shown in FIG. 8B is generated, the image file “P1000002.JPG” is generated, and the generated image file is stored in the memory card 20 as described above. The operation is the same as that in steps S11 to S13. Therefore, description of these operations is omitted. After the memory card 20 stores the image file “P1000002.JPG” (S13), the control means 16 detects whether or not the digital camera 1 is in the place name display mode setting state (S14). As a result, as described above, since the digital camera 1 is not in the state in which the place name display mode is set, the operation of creating the place name file is terminated.
[0046]
As a result of the above operation, the structure of the file stored in the memory card 20 is as shown in FIG. That is, there are a DCIM directory and a 100_PANA directory under the root directory, and an image file “P1000002.JPG” is stored in parallel with the image file “P1000001.JPG” and the place name file “P1000001.ADR” under the 100_PANA directory. The The place name file corresponding to the image file “P1000002.JPG” is not generated and stored in the memory card 20. With the above operation, the operation of the digital camera 1 when the image data 72 is captured is completed.
[0047]
Finally, the operation when imaging the image data 73 shown in FIG. 8C will be described with reference to FIG. Here, it is assumed that the file name of the image file generated based on the image data 73 is “P1000003.JPG”. Further, it is assumed that the place name information stored in the system control memory 18 when the image data 73 is captured is “Moriguchi City”. The digital camera 1 is assumed to be in the place name display mode when the image data 73 is captured.
[0048]
In the digital camera 1 in the above state, the image data 73 is generated, the image file “P1000003.JPG” is generated, and the operation of generating the position file “P1000003.JPG” based on the position information “Moriguchi-shi” The operation is the same as that in steps S11 to S17 for the image data 71 of the image. Therefore, description of these operations is omitted. As a result of the operations in steps S11 to S17 for the image data 73, the structure of the file stored in the memory card 20 is as shown in FIG. That is, there are a DCIM directory and a 100_PANA directory under the root directory, and an image file “P1000003.JPG” and a place name file “P1000003.ADR” are under the 100_PANA directory, and an place name file “P1000001”. .ADR "and the image file" P1000002.JPG "are stored in parallel. With the above operation, the operation of the digital camera 1 when the image data 73 is captured is completed.
[0049]
Next, the operation (S108) when the digital camera 1 creates a composite file will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 12 is a flowchart for explaining this operation. FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining the relationship between the image file playback screen, the playback screen when the place name information is added, and the composite file to which the place name information is added. FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram showing a file structure in the memory card 20 after the composite file is created.
[0050]
The user operates the operation means 4 such as the cursor key 4a to set the digital camera 1 to the place name information addition mode. Then, the place name information can be added to the image file stored in the memory card 20 by the following operation. When the place name information addition mode is set, the control means 16 searches the image files stored in the memory card 20 for image files to which no place name information is added. If there are a plurality of image files to which no place name information is added, place name information addition processing is sequentially performed. Hereinafter, a case where the image files “P1000001.JPG”, “P1000002.JPG”, and “P1000003.JPG” are processed in this order will be described.
[0051]
First, the operation when creating a composite file for the image data 71 in FIG. As a result of searching for the image file to which the place name information is not added, the control unit 16 causes the image processing unit 10 to read the image file “P1000001.JPG” from the memory card 20. The image processing means 10 expands the image file “P1000001.JPG” and displays it on the liquid crystal monitor 2 (S21). Then, the image processing means 10 stores the decompressed image data 71 in the image memory 12 and stores the additional information stored in the image file “P1000001.JPG” in the system control memory 18.
[0052]
Next, the control unit 16 searches whether or not a place name file having a file name corresponding to the file name “P1000001.JPG” of the image file is stored in the memory card 20. That is, it is searched whether there is a place name file with the file name “P1000001.ADR” (S22). Then, since the place name file “P1000001.ADR” is stored in the memory card 20 as shown in FIG. 11, the control means 16 reads the place name file “P1000001.ADR” from the memory card 20. Then, the control means 16 extracts the place name information “Hanabo Memorial Park” from the read place name file “P1000001.ADR” and displays it on the liquid crystal monitor 2 (S23). The control means 16 displays the place name information “Hanabo Memorial Park” on the image data 71. Then, the control means 16 stores the place name information “Hanabo Memorial Park” in the system control memory 18.
[0053]
Next, the control means 16 prompts the user to make a selection by displaying on the liquid crystal monitor 2 “is this place name OK?” (S24). At this time, the liquid crystal monitor 2 displays a screen 121 shown in FIG.
[0054]
When the liquid crystal monitor 2 displays the screen 121 and the user presses the enter button 4b shown in FIG. 1 (Yes in S24), the image processing means 10 stores the image data 71 stored in the image memory 12 as shown in FIG. read out. Further, the image processing means 10 reads additional information (including place name information “Hanabo Memorial Park”) stored in the system control memory 18. Then, the image processing means 10 creates a new image file (composite file) “P200001.JPG” based on the read image data 71 and additional information (S27). Then, the memory card 20 stores the composite file “P200001.JPG”. Here, the composite file “P200001.JPG” is a JPEG image file in the Exif format shown in FIG. In FIG. 3, the additional information including the place name information “Hanabo Memorial Park” is stored in the Exif data section 33c.
[0055]
Next, the deleting unit 16c deletes the image file “P1000001.JPG” corresponding to the composite file “P200001.JPG” from the memory card 20 (S28).
[0056]
With the above operation, the digital camera 1 can create the composite file “P2000.JPG” in which the place name information “Hanabo Memorial Park” is added to the image data 71.
[0057]
Further, the digital camera 1 once expands the image file “P1000001.JPG”, then adds the place name information extracted from the place name file “P1000001.ADR” as additional information, and adds a new composite file “P200001.JPG”. Since the file is created, there is no possibility that the composite file “P200001.JPG” is destroyed, and an image file with place name information (“P200001.JPG”) can be created with certainty. On the other hand, if the place name information extracted from the place name file “P1000001.ADR” is simply added without expanding the image file “P1000001.JPG”, the image file may be destroyed. This is because forcibly adding place name information to the Exif data portion 33c in the image file may exceed the data capacity reserved as the Exif data portion 33c.
[0058]
The deletion unit 16c can automatically delete the image file “P1000001.JPG” in which the image data 71 was originally stored.
[0059]
Further, since the image file “P1000001.JPG” and the place name file “P1000001.ADR” are associated with each other using the file name as an identifier, the place name information can be easily stored in the image file.
[0060]
Next, the operation when creating a composite file for the image data 72 in FIG. 13B will be described. As a result of searching for the image file to which the place name information is not added, the control unit 16 causes the image processing unit 10 to read the image file “P1000002.JPG” from the memory card 20. The image processing means 10 expands the image file “P1000002.JPG” and displays it on the liquid crystal monitor 2 (S21). Then, the image processing means 10 stores the decompressed image data 72 in the image memory 12 and stores the additional information stored in the image file “P1000002.JPG” in the system control memory 18.
[0061]
Next, the control means 16 searches the memory card 20 for a place name file having a file name corresponding to the file name “P1000002.JPG” of the image file. That is, it is searched whether there is a place name file with the file name “P1000002.ADR” (S22). Then, the place name file “P1000002.ADR” is not stored in the memory card 20 as shown in FIG. Therefore, the selection means 16d in FIG. 2 searches the memory card 20 and selects another place name file. The memory card 20 stores “P1000001.ADR” and “P1000003.ADR” as other place name files. The selection unit 16d reads out these files, stores the place name information stored in the place name file in the system control memory 18, and displays the place name information on the liquid crystal monitor 2 according to a request from the user (S25). The liquid crystal monitor 2 prompts the user to select a place name file by displaying the screen 122 shown in FIG. 13B (S26). The user selects one of these place name files by operating the cursor key 4a and the enter button 4b shown in FIG. If the user selects the place name information displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 2, the process proceeds to step S27. On the other hand, if the user does not select the place name information displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 2, the process returns to step S25, and the selection unit 16d displays other place name information on the liquid crystal monitor 2.
[0062]
Here, it is assumed that the user selects the place name information “Hanabo Memorial Park”. Then, the image processing means 10 reads the image data 72 stored in the image memory 12. Further, the image processing means 10 reads additional information (including place name information “Hanabo Memorial Park”) stored in the system control memory 18. Then, the image processing means 10 creates a composite file “P200002.JPG” based on the read image data 72 and additional information (S27). The memory card 20 stores the composite file “P200002.JPG”.
[0063]
Next, the deleting unit 16c deletes the image file “P1000002.JPG” corresponding to the composite file “P200002.JPG” from the memory card 20 (S28).
[0064]
Through the above operation, the composite file “P200002.JPG” in which the place name information “Hanabo Memorial Park” is added to the image data 72 can be generated. Therefore, the digital camera 1 did not acquire the place name information when the image data 72 was captured. Even in such a case, the place name information can be reliably and easily added.
[0065]
Finally, the operation when creating a composite file for the image data 73 in FIG. 13C will be described. As a result of searching for an image file to which no place name information is added, the control unit 16 causes the image processing unit 10 to read the image file “P1000003.JPG” from the memory card 20. The image processing means 10 expands the image file “P1000003.JPG” and displays it on the liquid crystal monitor 2 (S21). Then, the image processing means 10 stores the decompressed image data 73 in the image memory 12 and stores the additional information stored in the image file “P1000003.JPG” in the system control memory 18.
[0066]
Next, the control means 16 searches whether or not the place name file having the file name corresponding to the file name “P1000003.JPG” of the image file is stored in the memory card 20. That is, it is searched whether there is a place name file with the file name “P1000003.ADR” (S22). Then, since the place name file “P1000003.ADR” is stored in the memory card 20 as shown in FIG. 11, the control means 16 reads the place name file “P1000003.ADR” from the memory card 20. Then, the control means 16 extracts the place name information “Moriguchi City” from the read place name file “P1000003.ADR” and displays it on the liquid crystal monitor 2 (S23). The control means 16 displays the place name information “Moriguchi City” on the image data 73. Then, the control means 16 stores the place name information “Moriguchi City” in the system control memory 18.
[0067]
Next, the control means 16 prompts the user to make a selection by displaying on the liquid crystal monitor 2 “is this place name OK?” (S24). At this time, a screen 123 shown in FIG. When the user operates the cursor key 4a shown in FIG. 1 while the liquid crystal monitor 2 is displaying the screen 123 (No in S24), the process proceeds to step S25.
[0068]
In step S25, the selection means 16d in FIG. 2 searches the memory card 20 and selects another place name file. The memory card 20 stores “P1000001.ADR” as another place name file. The selection unit 16d reads this file, stores the place name information stored in the place name file in the system control memory 18, and displays it on the liquid crystal monitor 2 in response to a request from the user (S25). The liquid crystal monitor 2 prompts the user to select a place name file by displaying the place name information (S26). The user selects a place name file by operating the cursor key 4a and the enter button 4b shown in FIG. If the user selects the place name information displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 2, the process proceeds to step S27. On the other hand, if the user does not select the place name information displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 2, the process returns to step S25, and the selection unit 16d displays other place name information on the liquid crystal monitor 2.
[0069]
Here, it is assumed that the user selects the place name file “P1000001.ADR” of the place name information “Hanabo Memorial Park”. Then, the image processing means 10 reads the image data 73 stored in the image memory 12. Further, the image processing means 10 reads additional information (including place name information “Hanabo Memorial Park”) stored in the system control memory 18. Then, the image processing means 10 creates a composite file “P200003.JPG” based on the read image data 73 and additional information (S27). The memory card 20 stores a composite file “P200003.JPG”.
[0070]
Next, the deleting unit 16c deletes the image file “P1000003.JPG” corresponding to the composite file “P20030003.JPG” from the memory card 20 (S28). Then, the digital camera 1 ends the operation of the place name information addition mode. As a result, the memory card 20 stores a file having the structure shown in FIG.
[0071]
With the above operation, a composite file “P200003.JPG” in which the place name information “Hanabo Memorial Park” is added to the image data 73 can be created. Therefore, even the place name information (“Hanabo Memorial Park”) different from the place name information (“Moriguchi City”) acquired at the time of capturing the image data 73 can be surely and easily added.
[0072]
As described above, according to the embodiment of the present invention, the digital camera 1 acquires the image capturing unit 8 that captures an image of a subject and generates image data, and position information that indicates the location where the image capturing unit 8 generated the image data. Position information acquisition means 14b, an image processing means 10 for generating additional image information by adding additional information to the image data captured by the imaging means 8, and an image file and position information acquisition means generated by the image processing means 10. And a memory card 20 for storing place name information generated from the position information acquired in 14b. Then, the image processing means 10 reads the image file and place name information stored in the memory card 20, extracts image data and additional information from the read image file, and extracts the extracted image data and additional information. A new image file is created by adding the place name information read from the memory card 20 as additional information.
[0073]
With this configuration, the image data and the place name information when the image data is captured are stored in the same image file, so that the place name information is stored when the image data is reproduced by storing the image data and the place name information in separate storage means. Can be prevented from being played back. Further, after the image file created by the image processing means 10 is once expanded, a new image file (composite file) is created by adding the place name information as additional information again, so the composite file is destroyed. It is possible to create an image file with place name information.
[0074]
Further, according to the embodiment of the present invention, the digital camera 1 creates a new image file and then deletes the original image file from the memory card 20 when creating the new image file. 16c. With this configuration, the new image file and the original image file are not redundantly stored in the memory card 20, so that the storage area of the memory card 20 can be used efficiently. In addition, since the original image file can be deleted without the user being aware of it, it is convenient for the user.
[0075]
Further, according to the embodiment of the present invention, the digital camera 1 creates a place name file by attaching a file name that associates the place name information created based on the position information with the image file generated by the image processing means 10. The place name file creating means 16b is provided. Then, the image processing means 10 reads out the image file and the place name file associated with the file name from the memory card 20, extracts image data and additional information from the read image file, and extracts the extracted image data and A new image file is created by adding the place name information extracted from the place name file read from the memory card 20 to the additional information as additional information. With this configuration, since the image file and the place name file are associated with each other using the file name as an identifier, the place name file associated with the image file can be easily selected from the memory card 20. Thereby, the digital camera 1 can easily add the place name information in the place name file related to the image data in the image file.
[0076]
Further, according to the embodiment of the present invention, the digital camera 1 can store the memory when the place name file indicating the location where the image data in the image file stored in the memory card 20 is generated is not stored in the memory card 20. Selection means 16d for selecting any one of the place name files stored in the card 20 as additional information is provided. Then, the image processing means 10 reads the image file stored in the memory card 20, extracts image data and additional information from the read image file, and selects the selecting means 16d for the extracted image data and additional information. A new image file is created by adding the place name information stored in the place name file selected in (2) as additional information. With this configuration, the digital camera 1 can reliably and easily add place name information even when the place name information is not acquired at the time of image data capture.
[0077]
In the embodiment of the present invention, a digital camera has been described as an example of the imaging device. However, the imaging device may include an imaging unit and a position information acquisition unit. For example, a mobile phone, a PHS terminal, or a PDA terminal It may be a car navigation system terminal or the like. Moreover, it is not limited to one that can capture a still image, but may be one that can capture a moving image.
[0078]
In the embodiment of the present invention, position information transmitted from a PHS base station is used as a method for acquiring position information. However, position information transmitted from a GPS artificial satellite may be used.
[0079]
In the embodiment of the present invention, the image file and the place name file are stored in the memory card 20, but may be stored in other storage means, for example, the image memory 12 or the system control memory 19. Good. Further, the image file and the place name file may be stored in separate storage means.
[0080]
In the embodiment of the present invention, the file name of each file is used as an identifier for associating the image file with the place name file. However, the present invention is not limited to this form. For example, an identifier for specifying an image file may be stored in the place name file, and this identifier may be used when associating the image file with the place name file. By using such an identifier, the file name of the place name file can be arbitrarily given.
[0081]
In the embodiment of the present invention, the Exif format JPEG image file is used as the image file. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, an image file conforming to the MPEG standard may be used.
[0082]
In the embodiment of the present invention, the place name information associated with the image data is always displayed on the liquid crystal monitor. However, a configuration in which the user can arbitrarily display or hide the information may be used. In this case, the place name information is not displayed when it is unnecessary, so that the liquid crystal monitor screen can be easily viewed.
[0083]
In the embodiment of the present invention, the place name information is information that can be displayed on the liquid crystal monitor, but may be added to the image file as an audio signal. In this case, the user can cause the digital camera to pronounce the place name information by pressing the operation button only when the user wants to know the imaging location.
[0084]
Further, in the embodiment of the present invention, after the place name information is added and the composite file is created, the original image file before the place name information is added is deleted from the memory card 20. The file may be left on the memory card 20 together with the composite file. By leaving in this way, the imaged image data is not lost even if the composite file creation fails.
[0085]
Further, in the embodiment of the present invention, the position information acquisition unit 14b is configured to acquire position information according to a user instruction, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the position information acquisition unit 14b may be configured to start immediately after the digital camera is turned on and acquire the position information. With this configuration, the position information can be acquired without the user being conscious, which is convenient and saves the user's trouble. Further, the position information acquisition unit 14b may be periodically activated while the digital camera is turned on to acquire the position information. With this configuration, the latest position information can be acquired periodically. The position information acquisition unit 14b may be activated each time the digital camera generates image data to acquire position information. By configuring in this way, it is possible to accurately acquire position information that matches the actual imaging location of the captured image.
[0086]
Further, in the embodiment of the present invention, when the image data is generated, the place name file is created based on the place name information stored in the system control memory 18, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, immediately after the image data is generated, the position information may be acquired again, and the place name file may be generated based on the position information. With this configuration, the latest information can always be acquired as the place name information.
[0087]
In the embodiment of the present invention, when place name information is added to an image file having no associated place name file, the user can arbitrarily select place name information. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, when adding place name information to an image file for which there is no related place name file, place name information extracted from the place name file related to the immediately preceding or immediately following image file may be added. With such a configuration, the place name information can be added to the image file without the user being aware of it, so that the user's trouble is saved and the usability is good.
[0088]
Further, in the embodiment of the present invention, the digital camera 1 is configured to incorporate the PHS communication unit 14, but the PHS communication unit 14 may be configured to be detachable as a communication adapter. With this configuration, when the user wants to use only the camera function of the digital camera 1, the communication adapter can be removed from the digital camera 1, so that the digital camera 1 can be reduced in weight and handled during imaging. Becomes easier.
[0089]
In addition, the operation unit 4, the image processing unit 10, the PHS communication unit 14, and the control unit 16 in the embodiment of the present invention may be configured by hardware or software.
[0090]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, the image data and the position information indicating the imaging location can be stored in the same image file. Therefore, the position information is displayed by separating the position information from the image data. An imaging device that can prevent the image from becoming impossible can be obtained. In addition, according to the present invention, it is possible to obtain an imaging apparatus that can easily add position information to a captured image after imaging even when position information cannot be acquired when the image is captured.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a rear view of a digital camera according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the digital camera in the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing the structure of a JPEG image file in Exif format.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the digital camera according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining a place name information generation operation of the digital camera according to the embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing a screen displayed on the liquid crystal monitor of the digital camera in the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining an image file and place name file creation operation of the digital camera according to the embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing a relationship among a screen, an image file name, place name information, and a place name file name displayed on the liquid crystal monitor of the digital camera according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a directory structure of files stored in the memory card according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a directory structure of files stored in the memory card according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a directory structure of files stored in the memory card according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 12 is a flowchart for explaining a composite file creation operation of the digital camera according to the embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing a relationship between a screen displayed on the liquid crystal monitor of the digital camera and a composite file name in the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a directory structure of files stored in the memory card according to the embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Digital camera
2 LCD monitor
8 Imaging means
10 Image processing means
12 CPU for image processing
14 PHS communication unit
14b Position information acquisition means
16 Control means
16b Place name file creation means
16c Deletion means
16d selection means
20 Memory card

Claims (5)

Imaging means for imaging a subject and generating image data;
Position information acquisition means for acquiring position information indicating a place where the imaging means has generated the image data;
Image processing means for generating additional image information by adding additional information to the image data picked up by the image pickup means;
Storage means for storing the image file generated by the image processing means and the position information acquired by the position information acquisition means,
The image processing means reads the image file and position information stored in the storage means, extracts image data and additional information from the read image file, and extracts the image data and additional information from the extracted image data An image pickup apparatus that creates a new image file by adding position information read from the storage means as additional information. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a deleting unit that deletes the original image file from the storage unit when the new image file is created after the new image file is created. . Imaging means for imaging a subject and generating image data;
Position information acquisition means for acquiring position information indicating a place where the imaging means has generated the image data;
Image processing means for generating additional image information by adding additional information to the image data picked up by the image pickup means;
Identifier generating means for generating an identifier for associating the position information acquired by the position information acquiring means with the image file generated by the image processing means;
Storage means for storing the image file generated by the image processing means and the position information acquired by the position information acquisition means,
The image processing means reads position information associated with the image file from the image file and the identifier generated by the identifier generation means from the storage means, and reads image data and additional information from the read image file. An image pickup apparatus that creates a new image file by extracting and adding position information read from the storage unit as additional information to the extracted image data and additional information. Imaging means for imaging a subject and generating image data;
Position information acquisition means for acquiring position information indicating a place where the imaging means has generated image data;
Image processing means for generating additional image information by adding additional information to the image data picked up by the image pickup means;
Storage means for storing the image file generated by the image processing means and the position information acquired by the position information acquisition means;
If position information indicating the location where the image data in the image file stored in the storage means is generated is not stored in the storage means, one of the position information stored in the storage means is selected as additional information And selecting means for
The image processing means reads the image file stored in the storage means, extracts image data and additional information from the read image file, and selects the selected image data and additional information with respect to the extracted image data and additional information. A new image file is created by adding the position information selected in (2) as additional information. A first step of imaging a subject to generate image data;
A second step of acquiring position information indicating a place where the image data is generated in the first step;
A third step of generating an image file by adding additional information to the image data captured in the first step;
A fourth step of storing the image file generated in the third step and the position information acquired in the second step;
A fifth step of reading the image file stored in the fourth step and extracting image data and additional information from the read image file;
A new image is obtained by reading the position information stored in the fourth step and adding the read position information as additional information to the image data and additional information extracted in the fifth step. And a sixth step of creating a file.

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