JPH1198406A - Electronic image pickup device and electronic image reproducing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electronic image pickup device that obtains information required for rotation processing of an image in the case that rotation processing is required for the photographed image. SOLUTION: The digital camera has an optical means 1 and an image rotation information detection means 5. An image of an object formed via the optical means 1 is converted into an electric signal by a CCD 2, the electric signal is converted into a digital image signal by a signal processing means 3, receives a prescribed processing and the result is once stored in a memory 4. An image rotation information detection means 5 detects information of physical rotation around an optical axis of the optical means 1 with respect to the object and the rotation information is outputted to an image rotation means 6. The rotation information is information denoting a tilt of the digital camera with respect to an erected direction (vertical direction) of the object. The image rotation means 6 applies rotation processing with respect to an image signal stored in the memory 4 based on the rotation information detected by the image rotation information detection means 5.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electronic image photographing apparatus for forming an image of a subject on an imaging surface via optical means, converting the formed image of the subject into an image signal by photoelectric conversion, and processing the image. Also, the present invention relates to an electronic image reproducing device for reproducing an image signal captured by the electronic photographing device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as an apparatus for recording a color natural image, there is an optical camera apparatus using a silver halide film as a recording medium. In this optical camera apparatus, a subject is recorded on an optical recording medium of the silver halide film via optical means. And recorded on the silver halide film. The image recorded on the silver halide film is fixed on the silver halide film by developing and fixing processes.
The image fixed on the silver halide film is printed on a photographic paper as a visible image of a subject by a printing process. In this manner, the image database can be obtained by recording the image on the silver halide film, storing the silver halide film, and printing out the image recorded on the silver halide film on photographic paper as necessary. Has been built.

On the other hand, with the rapid development of digital technology in recent years, black and white binary image data which has been handled only by image processing devices such as facsimile machines and electronic file devices until recently has been used for personal computer (hereinafter referred to as PC). It is possible to process 160,000 color image data of sufficient quality to express the color natural image obtained using the above-mentioned silver halide film at a sufficient processing speed Software configuration,
A PC with a hardware configuration has appeared.

On the other hand, with respect to printers connected to a PC, printers capable of outputting high-quality color images at low cost have appeared due to technological innovation centered on ink-jet technology.

[0005] Under such circumstances, a scanner device has been developed as an image input device in advance, and subsequently, an image taken via optical means is converted into an electric signal as a color image to generate an image signal. A digital camera for processing the image signal has been developed and put into practical use.

As described above, a digital camera capable of photographing and recording a color image, a PC capable of processing color image data at a practical processing speed, and a printer capable of inexpensively outputting a high-quality color image are provided. With the advent, the color image data captured by the digital camera is transferred to the PC,
The color image data transferred in C is stored in a storage medium, such as a hard disk, a magneto-optical disk, or a CD-R, and stored as an electronic album. A digital image system to be displayed on a display device or printed out by a printer device is constructed.

In this digital image system, the color image data stored as an electronic album is supplemented with accompanying data (explanatory text), index data, and the like, and recorded on a recording medium, so that the storage medium is supplied as an image database. It is possible. In this image database, additional data (descriptive text),
It is easy to search for index data and the like, it is easy to find and display or print out desired image data, and it is possible to provide higher convenience.

In the above-described digital camera, it is possible to add additional information such as time information such as shooting date, time, and other information to the image data at the time of shooting, and to add the additional information to the image data. Is predetermined.

[0009]

In the above-described digital camera, it is not always necessary to hold the digital camera in the erect direction of the subject at the time of shooting, and the digital camera is tilted with respect to the erect direction. Shooting in some cases. In this case, the image captured by the digital camera becomes an image inclined with respect to the erect direction, and if this image data is recorded on, for example, a recording medium, the image data recorded on the storage medium is in the erect direction. The image data becomes inclined.

When the image data tilted with respect to the erecting direction is read from the storage medium and displayed on the CRT, the read image is displayed on the CRT in a state tilted with respect to the erecting direction. When the image needs to be displayed in the direction, it is necessary to calculate a rotation angle for returning the image data to the erect direction based on the image displayed on the CRT and to perform a rotation process. Therefore, extra work such as the calculation of the rotation angle and the operation of the rotation processing is required, which is troublesome.

When additional information is added to image data inclined with respect to the erecting direction, a rotation process for returning the additional information to the erecting direction and displaying the additional information is necessary similarly to the image data. It is.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide an electronic image photographing apparatus capable of obtaining information necessary for rotating an image when the photographed image needs to be rotated.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an electronic image reproducing apparatus capable of reproducing an image on which a desired rotation process has been performed without imposing a burden on the user.

[0014]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electronic apparatus for forming an image of a subject on an imaging surface via an optical unit, converting the formed image of the subject into an image signal by photoelectric conversion, and processing the image signal. The image photographing apparatus is characterized in that it has image rotation information detecting means for detecting physical rotation information of the subject with respect to the optical axis of the optical means.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided the electronic image photographing apparatus according to the first aspect, further comprising image rotation processing means for performing a rotation process on the image signal based on the detected rotation information. I do.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the electronic image photographing apparatus according to the first aspect, there is provided an information adding means for adding an additional information signal to the image signal, and the information adding means is provided based on the detected rotation information. Controlling the additional content of the additional information signal by means.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the electronic image photographing apparatus according to the third aspect, the additional information signal includes a character,
It is characterized by comprising information indicating the physical rotation direction of the subject with respect to the optical axis of the optical means by a symbol or the like.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the electronic image photographing apparatus of the third aspect, the additional information signal includes a character,
The information about the physical rotation direction of the subject with respect to the optical axis of the optical unit is represented by a symbol or the like, and the control for the additional content of the additional information signal is from the control for determining the additional direction or the additional position of the additional information signal. It is characterized by becoming.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electronic image photographing apparatus for forming an image of a subject on an imaging surface via optical means, converting the formed image of the subject into an image signal by photoelectric conversion, and processing the image signal. Image rotation information detecting means for detecting physical rotation information about the optical axis of the optical means with respect to the subject, image signal recording means for recording the image signal on a recording medium, and an image recorded on the recording medium Management information recording means for recording the detected rotation information corresponding to the signal on the recording medium as management information of the image signal.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electronic image photographing apparatus for forming an image of a subject on an imaging surface via optical means, converting the formed image of the subject into an image signal by photoelectric conversion, and processing the image signal. Image rotation information detection means for detecting physical rotation information about the optical axis of the optical means with respect to the subject, communication interface means connected to an external device so as to be able to transmit the image signal, and the image signal And transmitting means for transmitting the detected rotation information corresponding to the image signal as management information to the external device via the communication interface means.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electronic image reproducing apparatus capable of reading a recording medium supplied from the electronic image photographing apparatus according to the sixth aspect and reproducing an image signal read from the recording medium into a visible image. The rotation information recorded on the recording medium as management information of the image signal is read, and reproduction of the image signal into the visible image is controlled based on the read rotation information.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the electronic image reproducing apparatus according to the eighth aspect, image rotation processing means for performing a rotation process on the image signal based on the read rotation information, and performing the rotation process. Image signal recording means for recording the image signal obtained on the recording medium.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the electronic image reproducing apparatus according to the eighth aspect, communication interface means connected to the external device so that the image signal can be transmitted;
Image rotation processing means for performing rotation processing on the image signal based on the read rotation information, and transmission means for transmitting the image signal subjected to the rotation processing to the external device via the communication interface means It is characterized by having.

According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, in the electronic image reproducing apparatus of the eighth aspect, there is provided a display means for displaying the reproduced visible image, and the reproduced visible image is displayed on the display means. At this time, based on the read rotation information, control is performed so that the reproduced visible image can be displayed after being rotated and corrected in the erect direction.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in the electronic image reproducing apparatus of the eighth aspect, there is provided a printing means for printing out the reproduced visible image, and reproducing a plurality of image signals read from the recording medium. When combining the respective visible images and outputting the combined plurality of visible images to a single print medium, the required visible image of the reproduced visible images in accordance with the read rotation information is output. The image is rotated and corrected in the erecting direction, and the combined visible images are controlled so that they can be printed out in the erecting direction.

According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, an image signal transmitted from the electronic image photographing device according to the seventh aspect is captured,
In an electronic image reproducing apparatus capable of reproducing the captured image signal into a visible image, capturing the rotation information transmitted as management information of the image signal together with the image signal via a communication interface unit of the electronic image capturing apparatus. ,
The reproduction of the image signal into the visible image is controlled based on the acquired rotation information.

According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, in the electronic image reproducing apparatus according to the thirteenth aspect, image rotation processing means for performing a rotation process on the image signal based on the acquired rotation information, and performing the rotation process. Image signal recording means for recording the image signal obtained on the recording medium.

According to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, in the electronic image reproducing apparatus according to the thirteenth aspect, based on the read rotation information, external communication interface means connected to the external device so that the image signal can be transmitted. Image rotation processing means for performing rotation processing on the image signal, and transmission means for transmitting the image signal subjected to the rotation processing to the external device via the external communication interface means, I do.

According to a sixteenth aspect of the present invention, in the electronic image reproducing apparatus according to the thirteenth aspect, there is provided a display means for displaying the reproduced visible image, and the reproduced visible image is displayed on the display means. At this time, based on the read rotation information, control is performed so that the reproduced visible image can be displayed after being rotated and corrected in the erect direction.

According to a seventeenth aspect of the present invention, in the electronic image reproducing apparatus of the thirteenth aspect, there is provided a printing means for printing out the reproduced visible image, and reproducing a plurality of image signals read from the recording medium. When combining the respective visible images and outputting the combined plurality of visible images to a single print medium, the required visible image of the reproduced visible images in accordance with the read rotation information is output. The image is rotated and corrected in the erecting direction, and the combined visible images are controlled so that they can be printed out in the erecting direction.

[0031]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(First Embodiment) FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a first embodiment of an electronic image photographing apparatus according to the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, an electronic image photographing apparatus (hereinafter, referred to as a digital camera) has an optical unit 1 and an image rotation information detecting unit 5. The optical unit 1 includes an optical lens group, an exposure control shutter, an aperture, and the like.
A subject is captured and an image is formed on an imaging surface of a CCD (charge coupled device) 2. The CCD 2 converts the image of the subject formed on the imaging surface into an electric signal by photoelectric conversion, and the electric signal is output to the signal processing unit 3. The signal processing means 3 converts the input electric signal into a digital image signal, and performs predetermined processing (white balance processing,
processing such as gamma correction). The image signal processed by the signal processing means 3 is temporarily stored in the memory 4. The memory 4 has a capacity capable of storing at least one image data.

The image rotation information detecting means 5 detects physical rotation information about the optical axis of the optical means 1 with respect to the subject,
This rotation information is output to the image rotation means 6. This rotation information is information indicating the inclination of the digital camera with respect to the erect direction (vertical direction) of the subject, and in the present embodiment,
When the erect direction of the subject is 0 °, at least 0 °, 90 °
It is configured such that rotation information of °, 180 °, and 270 ° can be obtained.

The image rotation means 6 performs a rotation process on the image signal held in the memory 4 based on the rotation information detected by the image rotation information detection means 5. Specifically, the inclination of the image with respect to the erect direction is calculated based on the rotation information detected by the image rotation information detection means 5, and a rotation process for returning the image data to the erect direction according to the calculated inclination. Is performed. The image signal subjected to the rotation processing is temporarily stored in the memory 4 and then recorded on a recording medium by the image signal recording unit 7 or transmitted to an external device via the communication interface unit 8. The image signal recording unit 7 is a device that records an image signal on a recording medium that can be exchanged with an electronic image reproducing device (for example, a PC) such as a flash memory card or a magneto-optical disk.

Next, the operation of the digital camera will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a diagram conceptually showing a relationship between a photographing attitude of the digital camera of FIG. 1 with respect to a subject and a direction of an image stored in a memory.

When the shutter switch is depressed, the subject image captured via the optical means 1 is formed on the imaging surface of the CCD 2 and is converted into an electric signal by photoelectric conversion.
This electric signal is converted into a digital image signal by the signal processing means 3, and the digital image signal is subjected to the predetermined processing. The digital image signal processed by the signal processing means 3 is temporarily stored in the memory 4. For example, when the digital camera is photographed in the posture held in the erect direction, the image stored in the memory 4 is an image in the erect direction as shown in FIG. When the digital camera is photographed in a posture tilted 90 ° to the left or 90 ° to the right with respect to the erect direction, the image stored in the memory 4 is in the erect direction as shown in FIGS. 90 ° left or 90 right
The image tilts to °. When the digital camera is photographed in a posture inclined at 180 ° with respect to the erect direction, FIG.
As shown in (d), the image stored in the memory 4 is an image inclined at 180 ° with respect to the erect direction.

The tilt of the digital camera when the shutter switch is pressed is detected by the image rotation information detecting means 5, and rotation information indicating the tilt is output to the image rotating means 6. The image rotation means 6 performs a rotation process on the image signal held in the memory 4 based on the input rotation information. The image signal subjected to the rotation processing is temporarily stored in the memory 4 and then recorded on a recording medium by the image signal recording unit 7 or transmitted to an external device via the communication interface unit 8.

As described above, since the inclination of the digital camera at the time of photographing is detected, when the photographed image needs to be rotated, it is possible to obtain information necessary for the rotation of the image. Since a rotation process is performed on the image signal captured according to the rotation information indicating the inclination,
When reproducing an image signal recorded on a recording medium by the image signal recording means 7 or reproducing an image signal transmitted through the communication interface means 8, an image in the erect direction can be obtained without performing rotation processing. it can. Therefore, it is possible to construct a very convenient digital image recording system that does not need to perform an extra operation such as calculating a rotation angle for returning an image to an erect direction during reproduction and performing a rotation process. it can.

(Second Embodiment) Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a second embodiment of the electronic image recording apparatus of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a photographing attitude of the digital camera of FIG. 3 with respect to a subject, a direction of an image held in a memory, and a direction of additional information. FIG. 3 is a diagram conceptually showing the relationship between the position and the position. Note that the same reference numerals are given to blocks having the same configuration as in the above-described first embodiment, and description thereof will be omitted or simplified.

As shown in FIG. 3, the digital camera has an optical unit 1, a CCD 2, a memory 4, an image rotation information detecting unit 5, and an additional information adding unit 11. The additional information adding unit 11 generates additional information for the captured image, and the additional information is output to the additional position / direction control unit 12. The additional information includes information such as a shooting date and time and a memo. The additional position / direction control unit 12 controls the direction and position of the additional information with respect to the image signal held in the memory 4 based on the rotation information detected by the image rotation information detection unit 5 and adds the additional information. Specifically, on the assumption that a rotation process for returning the image signal held in the memory 4 to the upright direction is performed based on the rotation information detected by the image rotation information detection means 5, The additional information is combined with the image signal so that the position corresponding to the lower right position of the image signal returned to the erect direction is set as the additional position and the direction of the additional information matches the erect direction of the image signal. Perform the following processing.

The image signal to which the additional information is added is stored in the memory 4
Is temporarily stored in the recording medium by the image signal recording means 7 or transmitted to an external device via the communication interface means 8.

Next, the relationship between the shooting posture for the subject and the direction of the image stored in the memory and the direction and position of the additional information will be described with reference to FIG.

For example, when the digital camera is photographed in a posture held in the erect direction, the image stored in the memory 4 is an image in the erect direction as shown in FIG. “ABC” is added to the lower right position of the image so that its direction matches the upright direction. When the digital camera is photographed in a posture tilted 90 ° to the left or 90 ° to the right with respect to the erecting direction, the image stored in the memory 4 is in the erecting direction as shown in FIGS. 90 left
° or 90 ° to the right, and the position corresponding to the lower right position when the image is regarded as the erect direction is set as the additional position, and the direction of the additional information coincides with the erect direction of the image signal. The additional information is added so as to cause the additional information. Similarly, when the digital camera is photographed in a posture inclined at 180 ° with respect to the erect direction, the image stored in the memory 4 is inclined at 180 ° with respect to the erect direction, as shown in FIG. When the image is regarded as an erect direction, a position corresponding to a lower right position when the image is regarded as an erect direction is set as an additional position, and additional information is added so that the direction of the additional information coincides with the erect direction of the image signal. You.

As described above, the additional information is added by controlling the direction and the position of the additional information with respect to the image signal held in the memory 4 based on the detected rotation information. When a recorded image signal or an image signal transmitted via the communication interface means 8 is directly printed out by a printer without using a PC, additional information in the erect direction of the printed image is easy to see. Since it is added to a position, for example, the lower right position, there is no need to perform an extra operation such as performing a rotation process for returning the additional information to the erect direction of the image. Therefore,
It is possible to construct a very convenient system in a directly connected digital image recording / reproducing system capable of outputting an image directly taken in cooperation with a printer.

(Third Embodiment) Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the third embodiment of the electronic image recording apparatus of the present invention. Note that the same reference numerals are given to blocks having the same configuration as in the above-described first embodiment, and description thereof will be omitted or simplified.

As shown in FIG. 5, the digital camera has an optical unit 1, a CCD 2, a memory 4, an image rotation information detecting unit 5, an image signal recording unit 7, a communication interface unit 8, and an image rotation information recording unit 21. . The image rotation information recording unit 21 controls the recording of the detected rotation information corresponding to the image signal recorded on the recording medium of the image signal recording unit 7 as management information of the image signal on the recording medium, and performs communication. The rotation information detected together with the image signal via the interface means 8 is controlled to be transmitted to an external device such as a PC.

As described above, the rotation information indicating the inclination of the digital camera at the time of photographing is detected, and the detected rotation information is recorded on a recording medium together with the corresponding image signal, or the detected rotation information is stored together with the corresponding image signal on an external device. Since the image signal is transmitted to the apparatus, when the image signal recorded on the recording medium by the image signal recording means 7 or the image signal transmitted via the communication interface means 8 is reproduced in the external device, the image is returned to the erect direction. The rotation angle can be easily obtained, the rotation processing can be performed without troublesome operation, and a very convenient digital image recording system can be constructed.

(Fourth Embodiment) Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an electronic image reproducing device capable of reproducing the image signal supplied from the electronic image recording device of FIG.

The electronic image reproducing apparatus capable of reproducing the image signal supplied from the digital camera shown in the third embodiment is, as shown in FIG. 6, a communication interface means 8 of the digital camera (FIG. 5). ), And a communication interface means 32 for receiving an image signal containing rotation information transmitted via the communication interface means 8 and an image signal reading means 31. The image signal reading means 31 reads an image signal including rotation information recorded on a recording medium of the image signal recording means 7 (shown in FIG. 5), and stores the read image signal including rotation information in the memory 33.
Is held once. Similarly, an image signal including rotation information received via the communication interface unit 32 is temporarily stored in the memory 33. The rotation information added to the image signal held in the memory 33 is read out separately from the image signal by the image rotation information analysis means 34. The image rotation information analysis means 34 detects the inclination of the digital camera at the time of shooting based on the read rotation information, and calculates a rotation angle for returning the shot image to the erect direction. The calculated rotation angle is output to the image rotation unit 35, and the image rotation unit 35 performs a rotation process on the corresponding image signal according to the calculated rotation angle by the rotation angle. The image signal subjected to the rotation processing is sent to the image display means 36, and the image display means 36 displays the image subjected to the rotation processing, that is, the image in the erect direction. If necessary, the rotated image signal is temporarily stored in a memory 33 and then sent to an image signal recording unit 37. The image signal recording unit 37 records the image signal on a flash memory card, a magneto-optical disk, or the like. The image signal after the rotation processing is recorded on the medium.

As described above, the rotation information indicating the inclination of the digital camera at the time of photographing is read from the recording medium in which the rotation information is recorded together with the image signal, and the rotation angle for returning the image to the erect direction based on the read rotation information is set. Since the image is calculated and subjected to the rotation process, an image tilted with respect to the erect direction can be easily returned to the erect direction and displayed, and can be recorded on a storage medium. No, a very convenient digital image reproducing system can be constructed.

Further, if necessary, the image tilted in the erect direction can be easily returned to the erect direction and recorded on the storage medium, so that the unified image in the erect direction is recorded from the storage medium. An electronic album can be easily created.

Further, by combining the electronic image reproducing apparatus of the present embodiment with the digital camera of the above-described third embodiment, the electronic image reproducing apparatus can execute a load-intensive process such as a rotation process so that the digital camera can execute the processing. It is possible to construct a digital image system capable of reducing the processing load due to the rotation processing on the side.

Further, a digital camera configured to record additional information in addition to rotation information on a recording medium or to transmit additional information in addition to rotation information is combined with the digital camera according to the second embodiment. By providing the same means as the additional position / direction control means 12, it becomes possible to perform control so that additional information is added to the image subjected to the rotation processing in the erect direction and at a position that is easy to see. The image signal and the additional information can be individually processed, and the image signal before and after the processing and the additional information before and after the processing can be arbitrarily combined and reproduced.

Note that the present embodiment can be configured as a single device, or can be configured using a PC and software executed by the PC.

(Fifth Embodiment) Next, a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an electronic image reproducing device capable of reproducing the image signal supplied from the electronic image recording device of FIG. Note that the blocks having the same functions as those in the above-described fourth embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted or simplified.

The electronic image reproducing apparatus capable of reproducing the image signal supplied from the digital camera shown in the third embodiment is, as shown in FIG.
2, an image signal readout unit 31, a memory 33, an image rotation information analysis unit 34, and a communication interface unit 41.

The communication interface means 41 comprises an interface such as a LAN for connecting a plurality of terminal devices having an image reproducing function. The memory 33 outputs a rotated image signal, that is, an image corrected in the erect direction. Distribute the signal to a plurality of terminal devices.

As described above, the image signal obtained by correcting the image inclined in the erect direction in the erect direction is transmitted to the plurality of terminal devices. It is possible to display an image in which the inclination of the image due to the inclination of the digital camera is corrected, and it is possible to reduce troublesome operations such as a rotation process on a plurality of terminal devices.

By incorporating the present embodiment into a server on a server / client system, it is possible to reduce troublesome operations such as rotation processing on the client side.

(Sixth Embodiment) Next, a sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an electronic image reproducing apparatus capable of reproducing the image signal supplied from the electronic image recording apparatus of FIG. 5, and FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a plurality of images subjected to reduction processing by the electronic image reproducing apparatus of FIG. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example in which is printed out on one print sheet. is there. Note that the blocks having the same functions as those in the above-described fourth embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted or simplified.

The electronic image reproducing apparatus capable of reproducing the image signal supplied from the digital camera shown in the third embodiment is, as shown in FIG.
2, an image signal reading unit 31, a memory 33, an image rotation information analyzing unit 34, an image reducing unit 51, and a print output unit 52.

The image reduction means 51 reads out one image signal from the memory 33 as necessary, and performs a reduction process at a predetermined reduction rate on the image signal. The reduced image signal is output to the image rotation unit 35, and the image rotation unit 35 converts the reduced image signal into a rotation process corresponding to the rotation angle calculated by the image rotation information analysis unit 34. Is applied. Here, the rotation angle calculated by the image rotation information analysis means 34 is a rotation angle for returning the image subjected to the reduction processing in accordance with the inclination of the digital camera at the time of shooting to the erect direction. The image signal that has been subjected to the rotation processing is temporarily stored in the memory 33.

The print output means 52 reads a plurality of image signals subjected to reduction processing and rotation processing from the memory 33, and prints out the read plurality of image signals on a single print sheet.

Next, the operation of the present electronic image reproducing apparatus will be described with reference to FIG.

In the present description, a recording medium on which a plurality of image signals are recorded is supplied from a digital camera, or a plurality of image signals are transmitted, and a predetermined number of image signals among a plurality of image signals recorded on the recording medium are transmitted. It is assumed that a predetermined number of image signals among the image signals or the plurality of transmitted image signals are printed out on one print sheet. As shown in FIG. 9A, for example, as shown in FIG. 9A, two of the predetermined number of image signals are image signals 91a and 91d taken in a posture in which the digital camera is held in the upright direction. Are image signals 91b and 91c photographed in a posture in which the digital camera is tilted 90 ° to the left or 90 ° to the right with respect to the erect direction. The image signals 91a, 91b, 91c, and 91d are temporarily stored in the memory 33 and then supplied to the image reduction unit 51 one by one. The image reduction unit 51 performs a reduction process on the supplied image signals at a predetermined reduction ratio. Is applied. By the reduction processing of the image reduction means 51, the image signal 91a becomes an image signal 92a as shown in FIG. 9B. Next, the image signal 9 after the reduction processing is performed.
2a is an image rotating means 3 which is temporarily held in the memory 33,
4 given. Since the image signal 92a is an image signal captured in a posture in which the digital camera is held in the upright direction, the image rotating means 34 outputs the image signal 92a to the memory 33 without performing a rotation process on the image signal 92a. As shown in FIG. 9C, the image signal 93a is held as the image signal after the rotation processing. Similarly, after the image signal 91b is converted into an image signal 92b (shown in FIG. 9B) by the reduction process, the image signal 93b (FIG.
(Shown in (c)). Here, the image signal 92b obtained by the reduction processing is an image signal obtained by photographing the digital camera in a posture in which the digital camera is tilted to the left by 90 degrees with respect to the erect direction. Is rotated rightward by an angle of 90 ° so as to return to the erect direction. Further, the image signals 91c, 91
9d are image signals 92c and 92d (FIG. 9)
After the conversion, the image signals are converted into image signals 93c and 93d (shown in FIG. 9C) by a rotation process.

Next, the image signals 93a, 93b, 93c and 93d held in the memory 33 are read and output to the print output means 52. Print output means 52
Then, as shown in FIG. 9D, each of the image signals 93a, 93
A so-called thumbnail output is performed in which the images indicated by 3b, 93c, and 93d are arranged and printed out on one print sheet 94.

As described above, it is possible to arrange a plurality of images obtained by correcting an image inclined in the erect direction in the erect direction and output the images on a single sheet of printing paper, thereby obtaining a very easy-to-read print output. it can.

In each of the above embodiments, the inclination of the photographed image with respect to the erect direction is 0 °, 90 °, 1 °.
Although the example of 80 ° and 270 ° is shown, it is also possible to use a smaller angle unit as a detectable rotation angle.
In this case, it is needless to say that an erect image can be obtained by performing a rotation process in accordance with the detected inclination in the same manner.

[0070]

As described above, the electronic image photographing apparatus according to the first aspect has image rotation information detecting means for detecting physical rotation information of the object with respect to the optical axis of the optical means. When rotation processing is required for a captured image, information necessary for rotation processing of the image can be obtained.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the electronic image photographing apparatus has the image rotation processing means for performing the rotation processing on the image signal based on the detected rotation information. It is possible to construct a very convenient digital image recording system that does not require extra work such as calculating the rotation angle of the image and performing a rotation process.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electronic image photographing apparatus having information adding means for adding an additional information signal to an image signal, and adding the additional information signal by the information adding means based on the detected rotation information. Since the control is performed, the position and the direction of the additional information at the time of reproduction are controlled so as to be easy to see in consideration of the case where the image captured in the posture inclined with respect to the erect direction is subjected to the rotation process and reproduced. It becomes possible.

According to the electronic image photographing device of the fourth aspect, the additional information signal is composed of information indicating the physical rotation direction of the subject with respect to the optical axis of the optical means by characters, symbols, or the like. On the other hand, when rotation processing is required, information necessary for rotation processing of the image can be obtained from the additional information.

According to the electronic image photographing apparatus of the fifth aspect, the additional information signal is composed of information indicating the physical rotation direction of the subject with respect to the optical axis of the optical means using characters, symbols, etc., and the additional information signal is added. Since the control for the contents includes the control for determining the additional direction or the additional position of the additional information signal, the information necessary for the image rotation processing can be obtained from the additional information, and the position and direction of the additional information during reproduction. Can be controlled so as to be easily viewed.

According to the electronic image photographing apparatus of the sixth aspect, image rotation information detecting means for detecting physical rotation information about the optical axis of the optical means with respect to a subject, and an image signal for recording an image signal on a recording medium Recording means, and management information recording means for recording the detected rotation information corresponding to the image signal recorded on the recording medium on the recording medium as the management information of the image signal, When reproducing the recorded image signal, it is possible to easily obtain the rotation angle for returning the image to the erect direction,
Rotation processing can be performed without troublesome operation, and a very convenient digital image recording system can be constructed.

According to the electronic image photographing apparatus of the present invention, the image rotation information detecting means for detecting physical rotation information of the optical means around the optical axis with respect to the subject is connected to the external apparatus so that the image signal can be transmitted. Communication interface means, and transmission means for transmitting the detected rotation information corresponding to the image signal together with the image signal as management information to the external device via the communication interface means. When the transmitted image signal is reproduced, the rotation angle for returning the image to the erect direction can be easily obtained, and the rotation processing can be performed without troublesome operation, which is very convenient. Digital image recording system can be constructed.

According to the electronic image reproducing apparatus of the present invention, the rotation information recorded on the recording medium as the management information of the image signal is read, and the reproduction of the image signal into a visible image is controlled based on the read rotation information. Therefore, an image on which a desired rotation process has been performed can be reproduced without imposing an operation burden on the user.

According to the electronic image reproducing apparatus of the ninth aspect, an image rotation processing means for performing a rotation process on the image signal based on the read rotation information, and the image signal subjected to the rotation process is recorded on a recording medium. Image signal recording means, the image tilted with respect to the erecting direction can be easily returned to the erecting direction and recorded on the storage medium, and no cumbersome operation work is required. An excellent digital image reproduction system can be constructed.

According to the electronic image reproducing apparatus of the tenth aspect, the communication interface means connected to the external device so that the image signal can be transmitted, and the image signal is rotated based on the read rotation information. Image rotation processing means;
Transmission means for transmitting the image signal subjected to the rotation process to an external device via the communication interface means,
It is not necessary to perform a rotation process for returning the image inclined to the erect direction to the erect direction in the external device, and thus the processing load on the external device can be reduced.

According to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electronic image reproducing apparatus having a display means for displaying a reproduced visible image, and displaying the reproduced visible image on the display means when the read rotation information is displayed. Since the reproduced visible image is controlled so that it can be rotated and displayed in the erect direction based on the displayed image, the image tilted with respect to the erect direction can be easily returned to the erect direction and displayed. A very convenient digital image reproducing system that does not require any operation can be constructed.

According to the twelfth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electronic image reproducing apparatus having printing means for printing out a reproduced visible image, reproducing a plurality of image signals read from a recording medium, and synthesizing the respective visible images. Then, when outputting the synthesized plurality of visible images to one print medium, a necessary visible image among the visible images reproduced according to the read rotation information is rotated and corrected in the erect direction. , Since each synthesized visible image is controlled so that it can be printed out in the erect direction,
A plurality of images obtained by correcting an image inclined in the erecting direction in the erecting direction can be output side by side on one sheet of printing paper, and a very easy-to-read printout can be obtained.

According to the electronic image reproducing apparatus of the thirteenth aspect, the rotation information transmitted as management information of the image signal together with the image signal via the communication interface means of the electronic image photographing apparatus is captured, and the captured rotation information is obtained. Since the reproduction from the image signal to the visible image is controlled based on the information, it is possible to reproduce the image on which the desired rotation processing has been performed without imposing a burden on the user.

According to the fourteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electronic image reproducing apparatus, comprising: an image rotation processing means for performing a rotation process on an image signal based on the acquired rotation information; and recording the image signal after the rotation process on a recording medium. Image signal recording means, the image tilted with respect to the erecting direction can be easily returned to the erecting direction and recorded on the storage medium, and no cumbersome operation work is required. An excellent digital image reproduction system can be constructed.

According to the electronic image reproducing device of the present invention, the external communication interface means connected to the external device so as to be able to transmit the image signal, and the rotation processing for the image signal based on the read rotation information. Image rotation processing means for performing the image processing and transmitting means for transmitting the image signal subjected to the rotation processing to the external device via the external communication interface means. There is no need to perform a rotation process for returning to the vertical direction, and it is possible to reduce the processing load on the external device.

According to the electronic image reproducing apparatus of the present invention, there is provided a display means for displaying a reproduced visible image, and when displaying the reproduced visible image on the display means, the read rotation information is displayed. Since the visible image reproduced based on the image is controlled so that it can be rotated and displayed in the erect direction and displayed, the image inclined with respect to the erect direction can be easily returned to the erect direction and displayed. It is possible to construct a very convenient digital image reproducing system that does not require a complicated operation.

According to the electronic image reproducing apparatus of the present invention, there is provided a printing means for printing out the reproduced visible image, reproducing a plurality of image signals read from the recording medium, and synthesizing the respective visible images. Then, when outputting the synthesized plurality of visible images to one print medium, a necessary visible image among the visible images reproduced according to the read rotation information is rotated and corrected in the erect direction. , Since each synthesized visible image is controlled so that it can be printed out in the erect direction,
A plurality of images obtained by correcting an image inclined in the erecting direction in the erecting direction can be output side by side on one sheet of printing paper, and a very easy-to-read printout can be obtained.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a first embodiment of an electronic image photographing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram conceptually illustrating a relationship between a photographing posture of a digital camera of FIG. 1 with respect to a subject and a direction of an image stored in a memory.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an electronic image recording apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

4 is a diagram conceptually showing a relationship between a photographing posture of a digital camera of FIG. 3 with respect to a subject, a direction of an image stored in a memory, and a direction and a position of additional information.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an electronic image recording apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

6 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an electronic image reproducing device capable of reproducing an image signal supplied from the electronic image recording device of FIG.

7 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an electronic image reproducing device capable of reproducing an image signal supplied from the electronic image recording device of FIG.

8 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an electronic image reproducing device capable of reproducing an image signal supplied from the electronic image recording device of FIG.

9 is a diagram illustrating an example in which a plurality of images that have been subjected to reduction processing by the electronic image reproducing device in FIG. 8 are printed out on one print sheet.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Optical means 2 CCD 3 Signal processing means 4,33 Memory 5 Image rotation information detection means 6,35 Image rotation means 7,37 Image signal recording means 8,32,41 Communication interface means 11 Additional information addition means 12 Addition position Direction control means 21 Image rotation information recording means 31 Image signal reading means 34 Image rotation information analysis means 36 Image display means 51 Image reduction means 52 Print output means

Claims (17)

[Claims] 1. An electronic image photographing apparatus that forms an image of a subject on an imaging surface via optical means, converts the formed image of the subject into an image signal by photoelectric conversion, and processes the image signal. An electronic image photographing apparatus comprising: image rotation information detecting means for detecting physical rotation information about the optical axis of the means. 2. The electronic image photographing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising image rotation processing means for performing a rotation process on the image signal based on the detected rotation information. 3. An information adding means for adding an additional information signal to the image signal, wherein an additional content of the additional information signal by the information adding means is controlled based on the detected rotation information. The electronic image photographing device according to claim 1. 4. The electronic image photographing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the additional information signal includes information indicating a physical rotation direction of the subject with respect to an optical axis of the optical unit using characters, symbols, or the like. . 5. The additional information signal includes information indicating the physical rotation direction of the subject with respect to the optical axis of the optical unit using characters, symbols, or the like. 4. The electronic image photographing apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising control for determining an addition direction or an addition position of the information signal. 6. An electronic image photographing apparatus which forms an image of a subject on an imaging surface via optical means, converts the formed image of the subject into an image signal by photoelectric conversion, and processes the image signal. Image rotation information detection means for detecting physical rotation information about the optical axis of the means, image signal recording means for recording the image signal on a recording medium, and the detection corresponding to the image signal recorded on the recording medium And a management information recording means for recording the rotation information thus obtained as management information of the image signal on the recording medium. 7. An electronic image photographing apparatus for forming an image of a subject on an imaging surface via optical means, converting the formed image of the subject into an image signal by photoelectric conversion, and processing the image signal. Image rotation information detection means for detecting physical rotation information about the optical axis of the means, communication interface means connected to an external device so as to be able to transmit the image signal, and the image signal together with the image signal. Transmitting means for transmitting the detected rotation information as management information to the external device via the communication interface means. 8. An electronic image reproducing apparatus capable of reading a recording medium supplied from the electronic image photographing apparatus according to claim 6, and reproducing an image signal read from the recording medium into a visible image. An electronic image reproducing apparatus, comprising: reading the rotation information recorded as signal management information; and controlling reproduction of the image signal into the visible image based on the read rotation information. 9. An image rotation processing means for performing rotation processing on the image signal based on the read rotation information, and an image signal recording means for recording the rotation-processed image signal on a recording medium. 9. The electronic image reproducing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein: 10. A communication interface means connected to an external device so as to transmit the image signal, an image rotation processing means for performing a rotation process on the image signal based on the read rotation information, 9. The electronic image reproducing apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising: a transmitting unit configured to transmit the processed image signal to the external device via the communication interface unit. 11. A display unit for displaying the reproduced visible image. When displaying the reproduced visible image on the display unit, the display unit displays the reproduced visible image based on the read rotation information. 9. The electronic image reproducing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the electronic image reproducing apparatus is controlled so that the image can be displayed after being corrected for rotation in the erect direction. 12. A printing means for printing out the reproduced visible image, reproducing a plurality of image signals read from the recording medium to synthesize respective visible images, and When outputting an image to one print medium, a necessary visible image among the reproduced visible images is rotated and corrected in an erect direction in accordance with the read rotation information, and each of the synthesized visible images is corrected. 9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the image is aligned in the erecting direction so that the image can be printed.
An electronic image reproducing apparatus according to claim 1. 13. An electronic image reproducing apparatus capable of capturing an image signal transmitted from the electronic image capturing apparatus according to claim 7 and reproducing the captured image signal as a visible image, wherein a communication interface of the electronic image capturing apparatus is provided. Capturing the rotation information transmitted as management information of the image signal together with the image signal via a unit, and controlling reproduction of the image signal into the visible image based on the captured rotation information. Image playback device. 14. An image rotation processing means for performing a rotation process on the image signal based on the acquired rotation information,
2. An image signal recording means for recording an image signal subjected to the rotation processing on a recording medium.
3. The electronic image reproducing device according to 3. 15. An external communication interface means connected to an external device so as to transmit the image signal, an image rotation processing means for performing a rotation process on the image signal based on the read rotation information, 14. The electronic image reproducing apparatus according to claim 13, further comprising a transmitting unit that transmits the image signal subjected to the rotation processing to the external device via the external communication interface unit. 16. A display device for displaying the reproduced visible image, wherein when displaying the reproduced visible image on the display device, the reproduced visible image is displayed based on the read rotation information. 14. The electronic image reproducing device according to claim 13, wherein the electronic image reproducing device is controlled so that the image can be displayed after being corrected for rotation in the erect direction. 17. A printing unit for printing out the reproduced visible image, reproducing a plurality of image signals read from the recording medium to synthesize respective visible images, and When outputting an image to one print medium, a necessary visible image among the reproduced visible images is rotated and corrected in an erect direction in accordance with the read rotation information, and each of the synthesized visible images is corrected. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control is performed so that the image can be printed out in an upright direction.
3. The electronic image reproducing device according to 3.