JP4366482B2 - Image photographing apparatus and program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image photographing apparatus and a program for providing auxiliary photographing guidance to a photographer.

Conventionally, as an image shooting apparatus that performs shooting assistance guidance to a photographer, for example, a preset number of shots that can be taken is compared with the number of shots that have actually been taken, There is known a digital camera that enables photographing (see Patent Document 1).
There is also known an image photographing apparatus that classifies photographed images based on the photographing date and time or photographing position (see Patent Document 2).

JP 2003-78806 A JP 2001-228528 A

  However, the above-mentioned Patent Document 1 is a technique for managing the total number of shots, and the above-described Patent Document 2 is a technique for classifying and managing each captured image after completion of capturing a large number of captured images. there were.

By the way, when shooting without thinking about when, where, and how much shooting was done during sightseeing trips and events, there is a time when creating an album while organizing many shot images The number of shots is extremely large at the location and time, but there is a large variation in the amount of photography at each location and time zone, such as almost no shooting at other locations and times, or forgetting the shooting itself. You may notice. Therefore, when taking pictures that cannot be retaken, such as sightseeing trips or events, it is necessary to always take pictures while observing when and in what place, and how much photography has been done. There was a problem of calling.
In addition, when shooting is performed without being aware of where the shooting was performed, there are cases where unnecessary images are unnecessarily shot at the same location.

An object of the present invention is to classify a captured image based on a shooting point at the time of shooting and obtain a shooting amount for each classification so that it is possible to notify whether the shooting amount near the current point is appropriate. It is to be.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image photographing device for providing a photographing assistance to a photographer, an acquisition means for obtaining a photographing point when photographing is performed, and a photographed image according to a photographing scene. A determination unit that determines a scene classification for classification based on the shooting point obtained by the acquisition unit; a calculation unit that calculates a shooting amount for each classification for each scene classification determined by the determination unit; A comparison unit that specifies a scene classification corresponding to the current point obtained by the acquisition unit and compares the shooting amount classified by classification calculated in accordance with the specific classification and a predetermined shooting amount, and the comparison unit An image photographing apparatus comprising: an informing means for informing according to the obtained comparison result.
Furthermore, a program for realizing the main functions shown in the invention described in claim 1 is provided to the computer ( the invention described in claim 9).

The invention described in claim 1 may be as follows.
The acquisition unit acquires a shooting point indicating a current shooting point via a network, and the determination unit has recorded a shooting image obtained by the shooting point or a vicinity of the point obtained by the acquiring unit. If there is, the photographed image and the current photographed image are determined as the same scene classification (the invention according to claim 2).

  The acquisition unit acquires a shooting point indicating a current shooting time point, and the determination unit, if the shooting image obtained by the acquisition unit or a shooting point around the time point has been recorded, The photographed image and the current photographed image are determined as the same scene classification (the invention according to claim 3).

  The determining means determines the current shooting point as a new scene classification when the captured image and the current captured image cannot be set to the same scene classification (the invention according to claim 4).

 The determining means determines the scene classification of the current photographed image for each photographing, and the calculating means updates the photographing amount classified by classification corresponding to the determined scene classification for each photographing (the invention according to claim 5). .

  The predetermined photographing amount is a value based on a photographing amount classified by classification corresponding to another scene classification (the invention according to claim 6).

  As a result of comparing the calculated photographing amount by classification with a predetermined photographing amount, when the photographing amount is too much or too small compared to the predetermined photographing amount, the notifying unit performs notification according to the comparison result. (Invention of claim 7)

  The notification means performs notification according to the comparison result for each predetermined operation or for each predetermined time (the invention according to claim 8).

 According to the first aspect of the present invention (first invention), the shooting point at the time of shooting is acquired, and the scene classification for classifying the shot image according to the shooting scene is based on the shooting point. In addition to determining, the shooting amount for each scene is calculated for each scene, and notification is made according to the comparison result between the shooting amount of the classification corresponding to the current point and the predetermined shooting amount. While finding the number of shots, it is possible to notify whether the shooting amount near the current point is appropriate, and if there is a bias in the shooting amount at the current point, this can be immediately grasped and classified. A well-balanced shooting record without any bias is possible.

According to the invention described in claim 2, in addition to having the same effect as the invention described in claim 1,
If a shooting point indicating the current shooting point is acquired via the network and a shooting image having the shooting point or the vicinity of the shooting point has been recorded, the shooting image and the current shooting image are the same. Since the scene classification is determined, the captured images taken at the same place can be classified into the same classification, and the amount of photography can be confirmed for each place.

  According to the invention described in claim 3, in addition to having the same effect as that of the invention described in claim 1 described above, a shooting point indicating the current shooting time point is acquired, and the shooting point is set at or near this shooting time point. If the photographed image to be recorded has been recorded, the photographed image and the current photographed image are determined as the same scene classification, so the photographed images photographed in the same time zone or the like are classified into the same classification. You can check the shooting amount for each time zone.

  According to the invention described in claim 4, in addition to having the same effect as that of the invention described in claim 1 described above, if the captured image and the current captured image cannot be set to the same scene classification, Since the shooting point is determined as a new scene classification, the scene classification can be automatically generated even if the scene classification is not registered in advance.

  According to the invention described in claim 5, in addition to having the same effect as that of the invention described in claim 1, the scene classification of the current photographed image is determined for each photographing, and the photographing by classification corresponding to the scene classification is performed. Since the amount is updated for each photographing, the photographing amount classified by classification as the latest information at the present time can be obtained.

  According to the invention described in claim 6, in addition to having the same effect as the invention described in claim 1 described above, the predetermined shooting amount is a value based on the shooting amount classified by classification corresponding to another scene classification. For example, it is notified that the shooting amount is too much or too small compared to the average shooting amount obtained by averaging the shooting amounts classified by classification, or that the shooting amount is too much or too small compared to the maximum shooting amount. be able to.

  According to the invention described in claim 7, in addition to having the same effect as that of the invention described in claim 1 above, as a result of comparing the shooting amount classified by classification and the predetermined shooting amount, the shooting amount is larger than the predetermined shooting amount. If it is too much or too little, notification is made according to the comparison result, so if you notify the classification with bias in the shooting amount, or find the bias amount and degree, It is possible to immediately know which classification is biased and how much the bias is, and it is possible to realize effective auxiliary guidance.

  According to the eighth aspect of the invention, in addition to having the same effect as the first aspect of the invention described above, since the notification is performed for each predetermined operation, is the shooting amount at the current point appropriate? Can be known at the time of shooting, when the power is turned on, and the like, and since notification is performed every predetermined time, it is possible to prevent oversight and oversight.

(Example 1)
A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing basic components of the image photographing apparatus in this embodiment.
This image photographing apparatus uses a CCD image sensor or the like as an image pickup device, records and saves a photographed image (color image) obtained by photographing a subject, or transmits it to the outside via a mobile communication network. However, it may be a mobile phone or the like incorporating this kind of digital still camera. This image capturing apparatus classifies captured images based on shooting points (points and time points) at the time of shooting, and determines whether the number of shots near the current point is appropriate while obtaining the number of shots for each category. Is notified.
Before detailed description of the features of this embodiment, the hardware configuration of this embodiment will be described below.

  The image photographing apparatus includes a CPU 1, a camera optical system drive unit 2, an operation unit 3, a display unit 4, a memory 5, an internal recording unit 6, an external recording medium 7, a communication unit 8, a GPS communication unit 9, a clock unit 10, and a buzzer. 11 is a basic component. The CPU 1 is a central processing unit that controls the overall operation of the image photographing apparatus in accordance with an operating system and various application software. The camera optical system drive unit 2 includes a photographing lens, a lens / mirror block such as a mirror, an image pickup device such as a CCD image sensor, and a drive system thereof. The CPU 1 performs drive control and shutter drive control during autofocus. The captured image is taken in.

  The operation unit 3 has various buttons such as a shutter button and gives an operation signal to the CPU 1. The display unit 4 is, for example, a liquid crystal display unit, and is used as a monitor screen, a finder screen, and an image playback screen. The memory 5 is a ROM in which an operating system, various application software, and the like are stored, a work RAM, and the like. The program storage area in the memory 5 stores an application program for realizing the present embodiment in accordance with the operation procedure shown in FIGS. 6 to 8 described later, and the data storage area in the memory 5 Data (image index table, area tabulation table, time zone tabulation table, etc.) shown in FIG. 2 to be described later is stored. The internal recording unit 6 is an internal memory for storing a stored image, and the external recording medium 7 is a removable image recording storage medium such as a DVD. The communication unit 8 wirelessly transmits a captured image via a wide area communication network (mobile communication network, Internet). The GPS communication unit 9 receives and obtains information from a position measurement system that measures the current position using a terrestrial / satellite control station, and the clock unit 10 performs a time measurement process that measures the current date and time. The buzzer 11 generates and outputs various warning sounds.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the contents of the image index table 12.
In this image index table 12, the current position obtained by the GPS communication unit 9 and the current date and time obtained by the clock unit 10 are written as shooting points at that time each time shooting is performed. Corresponding to the photographed image, each of the items “image No.”, “shooting date / time”, “shooting position”, “area No”, and “time zone No” is configured. “Image No.” is a serial number that is updated each time a picture is taken. It should be noted that this “image No” is added to each image file recorded and recorded. The “shooting date / time” is information indicating the shooting time point, and the current date / time obtained by the clock unit 10 is set. The “shooting position” is information indicating a shooting point, and the current position (longitude / latitude information and location information) obtained by the GPS communication unit 9 is set.

 “Area No.” and “Time Zone No” are information for identifying scene classifications for classifying captured images according to the shooting scenes. The current position obtained from the GPS communication unit 9 at the time of shooting and the clock unit 10 It is determined based on the current date and time obtained. “Area No” is link information with the area tabulation table 13, and “Time zone No” is link information with the time zone tabulation table 14. That is, every time shooting is performed, the CPU 1 classifies the captured images by area based on the current “shooting position” and also by time zone based on the current “shooting date”. , “Area No” is link information with the area totaling table 13 for totalizing and managing the shooting amount (number of shots) by area, and “Time zone No” is the shooting amount (number of shots) by time zone It is link information with the time zone total table 14 to manage.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the contents of the area tabulation table 13.
This area totaling table 13 stores and manages the number of shots classified by category classified for each shooting area, and has a configuration having items of “area number”, “number of shots”, and “area name” for each category area. ing. Here, when a captured image captured within a predetermined distance (for example, within 100 m) from the current “imaging position” is recorded and saved, the current captured image and the captured image are classified into the same class. It is handled as an area. In other words, the classification by area does not mean a fixed range, but is based on the condition that the distance difference between the “shooting position” of the shot image and the “shooting position” of the current shot image is within a predetermined distance. For example, when photographing is repeated N times at 100 m intervals, a range of 100 m × N is handled as an area of the same classification. The predetermined distance is not limited to 100 m, and may be 10 m or the like, and can be arbitrarily set by the user. “Area No” is a serial number that is automatically generated every time shooting is performed in a new area. “Number of shots” is an area-specific shooting amount (number of shots) counted for each classification area. The “area name” is a place name, facility name, or the like that is automatically acquired via the GPS communication unit 9 every time shooting is performed in a new area.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the contents of the time zone tabulation table 14.
This time zone totaling table 14 stores and manages the number of shots by category classified for each shooting time zone, and each item of “time zone No”, “number of shots”, and “actual time zone” for each classification time zone. It has composition which has. Here, if the time from the previous shooting to the current shooting is within a predetermined time (for example, within 30 minutes), the current shooting image and the previous shooting image are handled as the same time zone. Yes. In other words, the classification by time zone does not mean a fixed range, and the time difference between the “shooting date” of the previous image taken immediately before and the “shooting date” of the current shot image is within a predetermined time. For example, when shooting is repeated N times at 30-minute intervals, a time of 30 minutes × N is handled as a time zone of the same classification. The predetermined time is not limited to 30 minutes, and may be 10 minutes or the like, and can be arbitrarily set by the user. “Time zone No” is a serial number that is automatically generated every time shooting is performed in a new time zone. The “number of shots” is a shooting amount (number of shots) for each time zone that is tabulated for each classification time zone. “Actual time zone” indicates the start time and end time of a fluctuating time zone. For example, “11:00” to “12:30”, “14:00” to “15:00”, etc. It is.

  Each time shooting is performed, the CPU 1 classifies the shot image based on the shooting point, and displays a guidance indicating whether or not the number of shots near the current point is appropriate while obtaining the number of shots by classification. ing. That is, the CPU 1 calculates an average number of shots by averaging the number of shots for each area in the area totaling table 13, and compares this average shot number of shots with the number of shots for each area, so that the average shot number is less than ½. If there is, the camera recognizes that the number of shots is too small, and if it is more than twice the average number of shots, it recognizes that the number of shots is too large and displays a guidance to that effect. Similarly, the CPU 1 calculates an average number of shots obtained by averaging the number of shots by time period in the time zone totaling table 14, and compares the average number of shots with the number of shots by period of time to obtain 1 of the average number of shots. If the number is less than / 2, it is recognized that the number of shots is too small, and if it is twice or more the average number of shots, it is recognized that the number of shots is too large, and a guidance display is made to that effect.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a guidance screen when the number of shots at the current point is biased compared to the average number of shots. In this case, a display example is shown when the number of shots by area is ½ or less of the average number of shots and when the number of shots by time zone is ½ or less of the average number of shots.
In this case, the number of shots in the current area, the average number of shots, and a message indicating that the number of shots is too small are displayed on the guidance screen, and the number of shots in the current time zone is displayed. , “Average number of shots” and “Message of too few shots” are displayed in parallel.
Although a screen for guidance when the current number of shots is too large compared to the average number of shots is omitted, the screen content is basically the same as that of FIG.

  Next, the operation concept of the image photographing apparatus in the first embodiment will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. Here, each function described in these flowcharts is stored in the form of a readable program code, and operations according to the program code are sequentially executed. It is also possible to sequentially execute operations according to the program code transmitted via the transmission medium. This also applies to other embodiments described later, and in addition to the recording medium, operations specific to this embodiment can be executed using programs / data supplied externally via a transmission medium.

6 to 9 are flowcharts showing the overall operation of the image capturing apparatus.
First, the CPU 1 checks whether or not the button is operated. If the shutter button is operated (YES in step A1 in FIG. 6), the CPU 1 acquires a captured image and updates the “image No”. "Is added and recorded as an image file (step A2). Then, the current position obtained by the GPS communication unit 9 and the current date and time obtained by the clock unit 10 are acquired (step A3), and the “image No.”, “shooting date and time”, and “shooting position” are stored in the image index table. 12 is additionally registered (step A4). Then, the image index table 12 is accessed based on the current position, and by comparing the current position with each “shooting position” in the image index table 12, the “shooting position” closest to the current position in distance. That is, a position near the current position is retrieved and acquired (step A5).

 The difference between the “photographing position” searched for and the current position is calculated, and it is checked whether the difference value is within a predetermined distance (within 100 m) (step A6). Here, if the search position (shooting position of the captured image) and the current shooting position are within 100 m, it is recognized that the shooting is performed within the same classification area, and is associated with the search position. “Area No” is read from the image index table 12 (step A7), this “area No” is registered at the corresponding item position in the image index table 12 (step A8), and the areas are totaled based on this “area No”. The table 13 is searched, “1” is added to the corresponding “number of shots”, and the value is updated (step A9).

 On the other hand, if the distance between the search position and the current shooting position exceeds 100 m (NO in step A6), it is recognized that the shooting is in another classification area, and a new “area number” is generated ( Step A10), and additionally recorded in the image index table 12 (Step A11). Then, after automatically acquiring the place name and facility name of the current position as “area name” via the GPS communication unit 9 (step A12), a record including a new “area number” and “area name” is generated. While being additionally registered in the area totaling table 13 (step A13), an initial value “1” is set to “number of shots” in the record (step A15).

 Next, the CPU 1 accesses the image index table 12 based on the current date and time acquired from the clock unit 10, and acquires the “shooting date and time” of the image shot immediately before (step A15 in FIG. 7). That is, by comparing the current date and time with each “shooting date and time” in the image index table 12, the “shooting date and time” closest in time to the current date and time is searched. Then, the difference between the searched “shooting date and time” and the current date and time is calculated, and it is checked whether the difference value is within a predetermined time (within 30 minutes) (step A16). In other words, it is checked whether or not the blank time from the previous shooting to the current shooting exceeds 30 minutes.

 Here, if it is within 30 minutes from the last shooting to the current shooting, it is recognized that the shooting was performed within the same time zone, and the “time zone No” associated with this search date is set. Reading from the image index table 12 (step A17), this “time zone No” is registered in the corresponding item position in the image index table 12 (step A18), and based on this “time zone No”, the time zone totaling table 14 is registered. And “1” is added to the corresponding “number of shots” and the value is updated (step A19). Then, the “real time zone” associated with the “time zone No” is read out, the time from the previous shooting to the current shooting is calculated, and the calculated time is added to the “real time zone”. As a result, a process of updating the end date and time of the “real time zone” is performed (step A20). For example, if the “real time zone” at the last shooting is “11:00” to “12:30” and the current shooting time is “13:00”, the “real time zone” Is updated to “13:00”, and the updated “real time zone” is “11:00” to “13:00”.

 On the other hand, if the blank time from the previous shooting to the current shooting exceeds 30 minutes (NO in step A16), the shooting is recognized as shooting in another classification time zone, and a new “time zone No” is recognized. (Step A21), and this “time zone No” is additionally recorded in the image index table 12 (step A22). Then, the process sets the start date / time of the “real time zone” by setting the current date / time acquired from the clock unit 10 as the start date / time of the new “real time zone” (step A22). For example, if the previous shooting date and time is “14:00” and the current date and time is “15:00”, this “15:00” is the start date and time of the new “real time zone”. Become. Then, a record including a new “time zone No” and “real time zone” is generated and additionally registered in the time zone totaling table 14 (step A24), and an initial value “ 1 ″ is set (step A25).

 When the process of updating the contents of the area tabulation table 13 and the time zone tabulation table 14 is completed in this way, the CPU 1 first checks the area tabulation table in order to check whether the number of shots at the current point is biased. It is checked whether the average number of shots obtained by averaging the number of shots by area in 13 and the average number of shots by averaging of the number of shots taken by time in the time zone totaling table 14 have been calculated (step A26). If the average number has not been calculated, the process returns to the first step A1 in FIG. Here, every time the predetermined time (10 minutes) elapses in a state where the shutter button is not operated (step A41), step A27 and the subsequent steps in FIG. 9 are executed, and the average number by area and the average number by time zone are obtained. While calculating, a process of checking whether there is a bias in the number of shots at the current point is performed.

 First, the CPU 1 acquires the current position obtained by the GPS communication unit 9 in order to specify the area where the current is (step A27), and accesses the image index table 12 based on the current position, and determines the current position and the image. By comparing each “shooting position” in the index table 12, the “shooting position” closest to the current position is searched (step A28). Thus, the difference between the “photographing position” searched for and the current position is calculated, and it is checked whether the difference value is within a predetermined distance (within 100 m) (step A29). Here, if it exceeds 100 m (NO in step A29), the current position is recognized as a new area that has not been shot before, and the process returns to the first step A1 in FIG. If it is within the range, the “area No” associated with the search position is read from the image index table 12 (step A30), the area count table 13 is searched based on the “area No”, and the corresponding “shooting” "Number of sheets" is read out as the number of shots in the current area (step A31).

 Next, an average number of shots obtained by averaging the number of shots for each area in the area totaling table 13 is calculated (step A32). Then, by comparing the number of shots in the current area specified as described above with the average number of shots in the area (step A33), the number of shots in the current area is equal to or less than ½ of the average number of shots. Is checked (step A34), and if it is ½ or less, a message indicating that the number of shots in the current area is too small is created (step A35). Next, it is checked whether the number of shots in the current area is twice or more than the average number of shots (step A36). If it is more than twice, a message that the number of shots in the current area is too large is created (step A36). Step A37). Then, an alarm sound is generated (step A38) and a creation message is displayed and output (step A39).

Next, the CPU 1 performs a notification process according to the comparison result of the number of shots by time zone (step A40). That is, as in the case of the above-mentioned area, the average number of shots obtained by averaging the number of shots by time zone in the time zone totaling table 14 is first calculated, and then the average number of shots is also calculated. By comparing with the number of shots by time zone, it is checked if it is less than 1/2 or twice the average number of shots. As a result, if the number of shots in the current time zone is too few or too many Creates a message to that effect and broadcasts it.
Thereafter, the process of checking the deviation of the number of shots while calculating the average number of shots every 10 intervals is repeated.

 On the other hand, when the shutter button is operated, if it is detected in step A26 in FIG. 7 that the average number of shots has been calculated, the process moves to step A41 in FIG. The average number of shots is compared, and it is checked whether the number of shots in the current area is ½ or less of the area average number of shots (step A42). A message is created (step A43). Next, it is checked whether the number of shots in the current area is more than twice the average number of shots in the area (step A44). If it is more than twice, a message that the number of shots is too large is created (step A45).

Similarly, the number of shots in the current time zone is compared with the average number of shots in the time zone (step A46), and it is checked whether the current number of shots is equal to or less than ½ of the average number of shots (step A47). If it is 1/2 or less, a message indicating that the number of shots is too small is created (step A48). Next, it is checked whether or not the number of shots in the current time zone is twice or more the average number of shots in the time zone (step A49). Step A50).
Thereafter, the process proceeds to step A51, where the presence or absence of a creation message is checked. If there is, the creation message is displayed and output (step A52).

 As described above, in the first embodiment, the CPU 1 obtains the current position from the GPS communication unit 9 and the current date and time from the clock unit 10 as shooting points, and classifies the shot images according to the shooting scene. The classification according to the time and the time zone is determined based on the shooting point, and for each area and time zone classification, the number of shots per area and the number of shots per time zone are calculated, and the area corresponding to the current point Since the notification is made according to the comparison result of the number of shots taken separately, the number of shots taken by time and the predetermined number of shots, the amount of shots near the current point can be calculated while obtaining the number of shots taken by area and the number of shots taken by time. If there is a bias in the number of shots at the current point, it can be immediately recognized, and there is no bias in every classification. Record is possible.

Here, if the captured image and the current captured image cannot be classified into the same classification, the current shooting point is determined as a new scene classification, so the classification is not registered in advance. Even the classification can be automatically generated.
In addition, since the classification of the current captured image is determined for each shooting and the number of shots for each category corresponding to this classification is updated for each shooting, the number of shots for each category as the latest information can be obtained. it can.

In addition, by calculating the average number of shots by averaging the number of shots by category and comparing the average number of shots and the number of shots by category, a class that is less than half of the average number of shots is classified as a category with too few shots. Searches and lists are displayed, and classifications that are more than twice the average number of shots are searched and displayed as a list with too many shots, so that the number of shots is biased (category with problems) It is possible to know only how much the deviation is, that is, whether it is 1/2 or less than the average number of shots. In this case, since the average number of shots is displayed as a guide in addition to the number of shots with a biased classification, the amount of bias can be more specifically known.
In this case, since the comparison result between the average number of shots and the number of shots by category is notified immediately after the shutter button is operated, it is known every time shooting is performed to see if the number of shots near the current point is appropriate. In addition, since notification is made every predetermined time (10 minutes), oversight and oversight can be prevented.

In the first embodiment described above, the number of shots and the average number of shots in the classification (problem classification) in which the number of shots is biased are guided, but the difference between the average number of shots and the number of shots is calculated. You may make it display for guidance.
In the second embodiment described above, the predetermined number of shots to be compared with the number of shots for each category is the average number of shots. However, the target shooting amount or the standard shooting amount (default amount) that is arbitrarily set in advance for each category. ) May be the predetermined number of shots for comparison.

On the other hand, a recording medium (for example, a CD-ROM, a floppy disk, a RAM card, etc.) on which a program code for executing each of the above-described units is recorded may be provided to the computer. That is, a computer-readable recording medium having a program code that can be read by a computer that records a program for realizing the functions may be provided.
(Example 2)

A second embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.
In the second embodiment, the photographed image is classified based on the photographing point at the time of photographing and the classification belonging to the current point is specified, whereby the photographed image photographed near the current point is used as the reference image. As a guide display.
Here, the same or the same names in both embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals, the description thereof will be omitted, and the following description will focus on the features of the second embodiment. .

  FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the contents of the image index table 12 in the second embodiment, which has the same configuration as that of the first embodiment described above, and “image No.”, “shooting date / time”, “shooting position”, “area”. Each item has “No” and “Time zone No”. The area tabulation table 13 and the time zone tabulation table 14 of the first embodiment are not used in the second embodiment, and have only the image index table 12.

11 and 12 are flowcharts showing the overall operation of the image photographing apparatus in the second embodiment.
When the power is turned on or the reference button is operated, the CPU 1 performs a process of guiding and displaying a captured image taken near the current point as a reference image, but when the shutter button is operated. Performs a process of recording and storing the photographed image and recording information related to the current photographing in the image index table 12. First, the process when the shutter button is operated will be described, and then the process of guiding and displaying the reference image will be described.

  When the shutter button is operated (YES in step B16 in FIG. 12), the CPU 1 acquires the captured image, updates the “image No”, and records and saves the captured image with the added “image No” as an image file. (Step B17). Then, after acquiring the current position obtained by the GPS communication unit 9 and the current date and time obtained by the clock unit 10 (step B18), the image index table 12 is accessed based on the current position, and the current position and the image index are obtained. By comparing each “shooting position” in the table 12, the “shooting position” closest to the current position is searched (step B19). The difference between the “photographing position” found by this and the current position is calculated, and it is checked whether the difference value is within a predetermined distance (within 100 m) (step B20). Here, if it is within 100 m, it is recognized that the image is taken in the same classification area, and “area No” associated with this search position is read from the image index table 12 (step B21), but 100 m If it exceeds (NO in step B20), it is recognized that the image is taken in another classification area, and a new “area No.” is generated (step B22).

Next, the CPU 1 accesses the image index table 12 based on the current date and time acquired from the clock unit 10, and searches for and acquires the “shooting date and time” of the image shot immediately before (step B23). Then, the difference between the searched “shooting date and time” and the current date and time is calculated, and it is checked whether the difference value is within a predetermined time (within 30 minutes) (step B24). Here, if it is within 30 minutes, it is recognized that the shooting was performed within the time zone of the same classification, and the “time zone No” associated with this search date is read from the image index table 12 (step B). ), If it exceeds 30 minutes, it is recognized that the shooting is in another classification time zone, and a new “time zone No” is generated (step B26).
Then, “image No”, “shooting date / time”, “shooting position”, “area No”, and “time zone No”, which are various information relating to the current shooting, are additionally registered in the image index table 12 (step B27). . Thereafter, each time the shutter button is operated, the above-described operation is repeated and recording in the image index table 12 is performed.

 On the other hand, when the power is turned on or when the reference button is operated (YES in step B28), processing is performed to guide and display a captured image taken near the current point as a reference image. First, in order to identify the current point, the CPU 1 acquires the current position obtained by the GPS communication unit 9 and the current date and time obtained by the clock unit 10 (step B1). Then, by comparing this current position with each “photographing position” in the image index table 12, the “photographing position” closest to the current position is searched (step B2). And whether the difference between the current position and the current position is within a predetermined distance (within 100 m) (step B3). Here, if it exceeds 100 m (NO in step B3), the current position is recognized as a new area that has not been shot before, and the process proceeds to step B9. “Area No” associated with the search position is acquired from the image index table 12 (step B4). Then, a confirmation message for inquiring whether or not to display the reference image is displayed (step B5).

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a confirmation message screen regarding an area. This screen displays a message indicating that a previously captured image is recorded in the current area, and refers to this captured image. “YES button” and “NO button” for instructing whether to display or not are arranged and displayed.
If it is detected in step B6 that the “NO button” has been operated, the process proceeds to step B9. If the “YES button” has been operated, the “area” acquired as described above is used. “Image No” having the same “area No” as “No” is searched from the image index table 12 (step B7), and the image file associated with this “image No” is read as a reference image and displayed in a thumbnail display. (Step B8).
FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a thumbnail display screen of reference images related to an area, and a list of images already captured in the current area is reduced to a predetermined size.

 Next, the CPU 1 accesses the image index table 12 based on the current date and time acquired from the clock unit 10, and searches for and acquires the “shooting date and time” of the image shot immediately before (step B9). Then, it is checked whether the difference between the “shooting date and time” and the current date and time is within a predetermined time (within 30 minutes) (step B10). If within 30 minutes, the “time zone No. associated with this search date and time is checked. "Is acquired from the image index table 12 (step B11). Then, a confirmation message for inquiring whether or not to display the reference image is displayed (step B12).

FIG. 15 is a view showing a confirmation message screen regarding the time zone. This screen displays a message indicating that a previously taken image is recorded within the current time zone. “YES button” and “NO button” for instructing whether to display the image as reference or not are arranged and displayed.
If it is detected in step B13 that the “NO button” has been operated, the process proceeds to step B16 in FIG. 12, but if the “YES button” has been operated, acquisition is performed as described above. The “image No” having the same “time zone No” as the obtained “time zone No” is retrieved from the image index table 12 (step B14), and the image file associated with this “image No” is referred to as the reference image. Are read out and displayed as thumbnails (step B15). The screen in this case is the same as the thumbnail screen relating to the above-described area (see FIG. 15).

 As described above, in this second embodiment, the CPU 1 corresponds to each photographed image in the image index table 12 as “Image No”, “Shooting Date / Time”, “Shooting Position”, “Area No”, “Time Zone”. In the state where “No” is recorded, the current position is acquired from the GPS communication unit 9 and the current date and time from the clock unit 10 as the current point, and the “area No” and “time zone No” corresponding to the current point are obtained. Since the captured image associated with the “area No” and “time zone No” is read out and displayed as a reference image, the captured image captured near the current point is confirmed. It is possible to prevent a situation in which a number of similar images are unnecessarily taken within the same area and time zone.

In the second embodiment described above, the classification area is not fixed, and the area where the distance difference between the “photographing position” of the photographed image and the “photographing position” of the current photographed image is within the predetermined distance is set as the classification area. However, the classification area may be a fixed area classified for each place name.
Similarly, in the above-described second embodiment, the time zone area is not fixed, and the time difference between the “shooting date / time” of the previous image shot immediately before and the “shooting date / time” of the current shot image is within a predetermined time. Although the time zone is the time zone area, for example, a certain period such as a day unit or a week unit may be used as the time zone area.

  On the other hand, you may make it provide the recording medium which each recorded the program code for making a computer perform each means mentioned above. That is, a recording medium having a computer-readable program code, a function for acquiring a shooting point at the time of shooting, a function for recording and saving a shot image classified according to the shooting point, A computer-readable recording medium storing a program for identifying a category corresponding to the point of the image and realizing a function of reading a captured image associated with the category and displaying the image as a reference image You may make it provide.

In the first and second embodiments described above, the case where a digital still camera is applied has been exemplified. However, the present invention is not limited to still images and can be applied basically to video cameras as well.
Furthermore, the present invention can be applied not only to a handy type camera but also to an installation type surveillance camera and the like, and also to an electronic device with a built-in camera.

The block diagram which showed the basic component of the image imaging device. The figure which showed the content of the image index table. The figure which showed the content of the area total table 13. FIG. The figure which showed the content of the time-zone total table. The figure which illustrated the guidance screen when the number of images taken at the current point is biased compared to the average number of images taken. The flowchart which showed the whole operation | movement of the image imaging device. The flowchart which showed the whole operation | movement of the image imaging device following FIG. The flowchart which showed the whole operation | movement of the image imaging device following FIG. 6, FIG. The flowchart which showed the whole operation | movement of the image imaging device following FIG. The figure which showed the content of the image index table 12 in 2nd Example. 9 is a flowchart showing the overall operation of the image photographing apparatus in the second embodiment. The flowchart which showed the whole operation | movement of the image imaging device following FIG. The figure which showed the confirmation message screen regarding an area. The figure which showed the thumbnail display screen of the reference image regarding an area. The figure which shows the confirmation message screen regarding a time zone.

Explanation of symbols

1 CPU
2 Camera optical system drive unit 3 Operation unit 4 Display unit 5 Memory 9 GPS reception unit 10 Clock unit 11 Buzzer 12 Shooting schedule table 13 Area tabulation table 14 Time zone tabulation table

Claims (9)

An image photographing device for providing photographing assistance to a photographer,
Acquisition means for acquiring a shooting point at the time of shooting;
Determining means for determining a scene classification for classifying the photographed image according to the photographing scene based on the photographing point obtained by the obtaining means;
For each scene classification determined by this determination means, a calculation means for calculating the shooting amount for each classification,
A comparison unit that identifies a scene classification corresponding to the current point obtained by the acquisition unit, and compares the classification-specific photographing amount calculated in accordance with the specific classification with a predetermined photographing amount;
Notification means for performing notification according to the comparison result obtained by the comparison means;
An image photographing apparatus comprising: The acquisition means acquires a shooting point indicating a current shooting point via a network,
The determination unit determines the captured image and the current captured image as the same scene classification if the captured image obtained by the acquiring unit or a captured image in the vicinity of the point has been recorded. ,
2. The image photographing device according to claim 1, wherein the image photographing device is configured as described above. The acquisition means acquires a shooting point indicating a current shooting time point,
The determination unit determines the captured image and the current captured image as the same scene classification if the captured image obtained by the acquisition unit or a captured image with the captured point before and after the captured time has been recorded. To
2. The image photographing device according to claim 1, wherein the image photographing device is configured as described above. The determining means determines the current shooting point as a new scene classification when the captured image and the current captured image cannot be set to the same scene classification,
4. The image photographing device according to claim 2, wherein the image photographing device is configured as described above. The determining means determines the scene classification of the current captured image for each shooting,
The calculation means updates the shooting amount by classification corresponding to the determined scene classification for each shooting.
The image capturing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image capturing apparatus is configured as described above. The predetermined photographing amount is a value based on a photographing amount classified by classification corresponding to another scene classification.
The image photographing device according to claim 1. As a result of comparing the calculated photographing amount by classification with a predetermined photographing amount, when the photographing amount is too much or too small compared to the predetermined photographing amount, the notifying unit performs notification according to the comparison result. Do,
The image capturing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image capturing apparatus is configured as described above. The notification means performs notification according to the comparison result every predetermined operation or every predetermined time.
The image capturing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image capturing apparatus is configured as described above. Against the computer,
A function to acquire shooting points when shooting,
A function for determining a scene classification for classifying a shot image according to a shooting scene based on a shooting point;
For each determined scene classification, a function for calculating the shooting amount by classification,
A function for identifying the scene classification corresponding to the current point, and comparing the photographing amount classified by classification calculated corresponding to the specific classification with a predetermined photographing amount;
A function of performing notification according to the comparison result;
A program to realize

Images