JP2001235790A - Photographing device, image processing device, photographed image processing system, and method - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] (with corrections) [Problem] To make it possible to find out where a photographed photographed person is located even when looking at it. SOLUTION: In a table 5, various place name information are recorded, and a plurality of GPS position information are recorded corresponding to the place name information. In response to a user's pressing operation of the shutter, the photographed image generation unit 11 generates an image of the photographed subject, and the place name information acquisition unit 7
Acquires the place name information corresponding to the current position calculated by the GPS device 3 from the table 5. The place name character generation unit 9 generates a character representing the place name information, and the place name / image combining unit 13
Combines the generated place name characters with the generated image to create place name-added image information, and stores it in the place name-added image information storage unit 13. Image information output unit 1 with place name
The user 7 obtains the stored image information with the place name by a user operation, and displays the image information on a monitor (not shown) of the digital camera 1.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method for processing a still image photographed by an optical camera or a digital camera or a moving image photographed by a video camera or the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Photographing equipment such as an optical camera, a digital camera, a video camera, and a digital video camera can record a date input in advance in a photographed picture or video (hereinafter, photograph, etc.). .

[0003]

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] After many years have passed since a picture was taken, it was difficult to remember where the picture was taken, even if the photographer recorded the photographed date. There is. Especially when there is no special feature in the scenery, etc., it is often difficult to remember.

When looking at a photograph or the like taken by another person, there is a case where the user wants to know where the photographed place is. However, he does not ask the photographed person what the photographed place is. Often do not know. If you have many such photos, you have to ask them one by one.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to make it possible for anyone who looks at a photograph or the like to know where the photographed place is.

[0006]

A photographing apparatus according to the present invention comprises: an image information generating means for generating information of a photographed image; and a position information generating means for detecting a position of a photographed place and generating information indicating the position. And combining means for combining the generated position information with the captured image information.

According to the photographing apparatus according to the present invention, the photographing place of the photographed image information combined with the position information can be notified in a manner recognizable by the user based on the position information. Therefore, the user can know where the photographed image is located regardless of who views the photographed image.

In a preferred embodiment, the photographing location of the photographed image information combined with the positional information is determined based on the positional information.
Execution means is provided for executing processing for notifying in a manner recognizable by the user. Specifically, for example, a holding unit that holds the place name information and the position information corresponding to the place name information is provided. The execution means generates a character representing the held place name information, and combines the generated character with the captured image information.

An image processing apparatus according to the present invention comprises: an image information acquiring unit for acquiring photographed image information combined with position information indicating a position of a photographing place; and a photographing place of photographed image information combined with position information. An execution unit that executes a process for notifying the user in a manner recognizable based on the position information.

According to the image processing apparatus according to the present invention, the photographing location of the photographed image information combined with the position information is notified in a manner recognizable by the user based on the position information.
The user can know where the photographed image is and where the photographed image is.

In a preferred embodiment, there is further provided a first holding means for holding place name information and position information corresponding to the place name information. The execution means generates a character representing the held place name information, and combines the character with the photographed image information.

In a preferred embodiment, a second holding means for holding map information is provided. The execution means enables the captured image information combined with the position information to be displayed in association with a position on the map information corresponding to the position information.
Specifically, for example, the image processing apparatus further includes a display unit that displays a map, and the display unit displays a predetermined mark at a position on the map to which the image is associated, so that the image is captured at that position. The user is notified that the image information exists. When a predetermined mark is designated by the user, the display means displays the associated captured image information or information related to the captured image information.

[0013]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION A photographed image processing system according to the present invention can be applied to all photographing devices such as an optical camera, a digital camera, a video camera, and a digital video camera. Hereinafter, an embodiment of a captured image processing method in which the present invention is applied to a digital camera will be described. The digital camera has a function of acquiring the place name information of the current position where the image was taken, a function of recording the place name in the photographed image, and outputting an image with the place name of the photographed place.

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of a digital camera to which a photographed image processing method according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied.

The digital camera 1 is, as shown in FIG.
GPS device 3, place name information / GPS position correspondence table (table) 5, place name information acquisition unit 7, place name character generation unit 9, photographed image generation unit 11, place name / image synthesis unit 13
And a place-named image information storage unit 15 and a place-named image information output unit 17.

The GPS device 3 receives a signal from a GPS satellite (not shown), and based on the signal, a current position (GPS).
Position), and passes the calculated GPS position to the place name information acquisition unit 7 in response to a request from the place name information acquisition unit 7.

In the table 5, various place name information are recorded, and a plurality of GPS position information are recorded in correspondence with the place name information. The names of places to be recorded include the names of prefectures and municipalities within each prefecture (for example, "Sapporo-shi, Hokkaido", "Morioka-shi, Iwate", etc.), and the names of various recreational or tourist destinations (for example, Mountain names such as "Mt.Fuji" and "Tsukuba", names of rivers such as "Shinano River" and "Shimanto River", names of lakes such as "Kawaguchiko" and "Lake Biwa", "Horyuji Temple" and "Todaiji Temple" Temple name).

The place name information acquiring section 7 is provided, for example, by a user's pressing operation of a shutter of the digital camera 1.
It requests the GPS device 3 to notify the GPS position information, and obtains the place name information corresponding to the current position (GPS position) by referring to the table 5 using the GPS position information notified in response to the request. The place name information acquisition unit 7 passes the acquired place name information to the place name character generation unit 9.

The place name character generation unit 9 generates a character representing the place name information passed from the place name information acquisition unit 7 and passes the place name character to the place name / image combining unit 13.

The photographed image generating unit 11 generates image information of a subject photographed by the digital camera 1 in response to a user's operation of pressing the shutter, and passes the image information to the place name / image combining unit 13. .

The place name / image combining section 13 combines the place name characters passed from the place name character generation section 9 with the image information passed from the photographed image generation section 11 to obtain an image in which place names are recorded (with place names added). Image) information is created and stored in the place-named image information storage unit 15.

The place-named image information output unit 17 acquires the stored place-named image information by a predetermined operation by the user, and displays the image information on a monitor (not shown) of the digital camera 1. Output to connected peripheral devices (not shown). For example, if a host computer is connected, the image information is transmitted to the host computer. If a printer is connected, the image information is printed out via the printer.

FIG. 2 shows an example of place-named image information output from the digital camera 1.

As shown in FIG.
In 9, the place name of the place where this image was captured (the place shown in this image), for example, “△△ prefecture △△ city XX mountain” is displayed in the lower right corner. Of course, the display position of the place name character is not limited to the lower right corner, but may be any position. Also, not only the place name character but also the shooting date can be displayed.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the above processing operation in the digital camera 1.

When the user presses the shutter (Y in step S1), the photographed image generating unit 11 generates an image of the photographed subject (S2), and the place name information obtaining unit 7 sends the GPS device 3 Acquires place name information corresponding to the current position (GPS position) calculated by (S)
3). Then, the place name character generation unit 9 generates a character representing the place name information (S4), and the place name / image combining unit 13 combines the generated place name character with the generated image to generate the place name-added image information. Is created (S5), and it is stored in the place-named image storage unit 13 (S6).

The digital camera 1 converts the stored image with the place name into the digital camera 1 as described above.
On a monitor (not shown) or output to a connected peripheral device (not shown).

According to the above-described embodiment, the digital camera 1 displays not only the date and time of shooting but also the place name of the shooting location (the location in the captured image) in the output captured image information. Can be. This enables anyone to know when and where the photographed image was photographed, regardless of who photographed it. Note that the digital camera 1 may be provided with a character input unit for a user to input desired characters, and the input characters may be displayed on an output image. This allows
The output photographed image can also display the names of the photographer and the subject.

The present invention has several other embodiments.

FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram of a digital camera to which a photographed image processing method according to a second embodiment of the present invention is applied, and a host computer. In this figure, the same elements as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals. This is the same for the subsequent drawings. Hereinafter, in order to avoid redundant description with FIG. 1, the description of the elements already described is simplified or omitted.

The digital camera 21 according to the present embodiment is
It has a GPS device 3, a captured image generation unit 11, a GPS position information / image combination unit (position / image combination unit) 25, an image storage unit 27 with GPS position information, and an image output unit 28 with GPS position information.

The position / image combining unit 25 requests the GPS device 3 to notify the GPS position information (latitude / longitude data), for example, due to the user pressing the shutter. Then, the position / image combining unit 25 combines the GPS position information notified in response to the request with the image information generated by the captured image generating unit 11 to create image information with GPS position information, Is stored in the image storage unit 27 with GPS position information.

The image output unit with GPS position information 28 outputs the stored image with GPS position information to the host computer 23 by a predetermined operation by the user.

The host computer 23 according to the present embodiment
Are a digital camera image storage unit 29, a GPS position information / image division unit 30, a place name information acquisition unit 7, a table 5
A place name character generation unit 9, a place name / image combining unit 13, a place name-added image storage unit 15, and a place name-added image information output unit 17
And

The digital camera image storage unit 29 stores an image with GPS position information output from the digital camera 21.

The GPS position information / image division unit 30 extracts the stored image with GPS position information by a predetermined operation by the user, and divides the image into GPS position information and photographed image information. Of the two pieces of information, the captured image information is sent to the place name / image combining unit 13,
The GPS position information is sent to the place name information acquisition unit 7.

The subsequent processing is the same as in the first embodiment. That is, the place name information acquiring unit 7 acquires place name information corresponding to the transmitted GPS position information from the table 5 and passes it to the place name character generation unit 9. The place name character generation unit 9 generates a character representing the passed place name information and passes it to the place name / image combining unit 13. Place name / image synthesis unit 13
Synthesizes the place name characters with the image information to create image information with place name characters, and stores it in the image storage unit with place name 15
To save. Then, the place-named image information output unit 17
By the predetermined operation of the user, the stored image with the place name is displayed on the display of the host computer 23, for example.

According to the present embodiment, the digital camera 21
Does not need to include the table 5, the host computer 23 includes the table 5, obtains the place name information of the photographing place of the digital camera 21, generates characters representing the place name information,
And combining the photographed image with the place name character. This allows
The processing load on the digital camera 21 can be reduced, and the capacity of the storage medium can be reduced because the table 5 is not provided, so that the cost of the digital camera 21 can be reduced.

FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram of a digital camera to which a photographed image processing method according to a third embodiment of the present invention is applied, and a host computer. The digital camera according to the present embodiment is the same as the digital camera according to the second embodiment.

The host computer 31 according to the present embodiment
Includes a digital camera image storage unit 28, a map database 33 storing map data, an image information / map associating unit (associating unit) 35, and a map display unit 37.

The associating unit 35 stores the stored G
An image with PS position information is extracted, and the image information is extracted based on GPS position information combined with the image information.
It is associated with the map data stored in the map database 31. For example, the image information / map associating unit 35
If the extracted image information is image information having GPS position information of “xx mountain”, the image information is associated with a portion corresponding to “xx mountain” in the map data. At this time,
The associating unit 35 searches the digital camera image storing unit 28 to check information such as the date photographed at “xx mountain” and the number of images photographed on that day, and also associates the information with the above location. Can be. The associating unit 35 monitors the digital camera image storage unit 28 regularly or as needed,
If there is image information not yet associated with the map data, the image information is associated with the map data and the map database 33 is updated.

The map display section 37 includes a map database 33.
To display a map of a range (latitude / longitude range) designated by the user on the display. Map display 3
If there is a place associated with the above in the map range to be displayed, a predetermined icon is displayed at the place, for example, to inform the user that image information captured at that place exists. If the user specifies the icon (eg, clicks with a mouse), the user can view the image taken at the location where the icon is displayed, or information related thereto.

FIG. 6 shows a screen displayed by the map display section 37.

This screen 39 is composed of a map display area 41 and a photographed image information display area 43.

In the map display area 41, a map in a range designated by the user is displayed at a scale desired by the user. In this map, star-shaped icons 45, 47, and 49 are displayed at locations where the images with GPS position information are associated. That is, from the screen 39 shown in FIG.
It can be seen that there are images photographed in the “mountain”, “□□ park”, and “○ × zoo”. If the user designates a desired star-shaped icon, for example, a star-shaped icon 45 displayed at the location of “xx mountain” (by clicking with a mouse, for example),
An image captured by “XX mountain” and information related to the captured image can be displayed in the captured image information display area 43. The display positions of the star icons 45, 47, and 49 become more accurate when the scale of the map is set larger. For example, if you set a larger scale,
If you display the range of the map on the map, the star icon will be "XX mountain"
It is displayed accurately according to the shooting location, such as the top, foot, or riverside.

In the photographed image information display area 43, the photographed image relating to the star icon designated by the user in the map display area 41 and information related thereto are displayed (the photographed image information display area 43 in this figure). Displays a photographed image when the star-shaped icon 45 is designated, and information related thereto.) The photographed image information display area 43 includes a photographing related information display area 43a, a photographed image list display area 43b, and a user selected image display area 4
3c. In the shooting related information display area 43a, information related to the image shot at the location where the star icon 45 is displayed, for example, the shooting date and the number of shots on that day. In the photographed image list display area 43b, all the photographed images are displayed in a thumbnail format, for example, as shown in this figure (the image list is as shown in Photo 1, Photo 2,...). It can be displayed in characters.) The user can select an image to be displayed larger from the list. The user-selected image display rear 43c includes a photographed image list display area 43b.
Is displayed larger than the images in the list.

According to the present embodiment, the digital camera 21
The image photographed in the step (a) and the information related to the image are represented in association with a place corresponding to the photographing place in the map data.
Thus, the user can see where the captured image exists by looking at the map. In addition, each time a photograph is taken, the photographed image is associated with the map data.
You can enjoy creating original map data. Further, since the captured image is displayed together with the map, even if there is a place where the scenery, the cityscape, and the like are not known on the map, the scenery, the cityscape, and the like can be understood by looking at the captured image.

In this embodiment, not only the latitude / longitude data but also the altitude data can be included in the GPS position information. Accordingly, when the map data is three-dimensional, the image with GPS position information can be associated with the map data according to the altitude (elevation), and the user can more precisely determine the shooting location. You will understand. This is particularly useful when climbing.

Although some preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, these are merely examples for describing the present invention, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention only to these examples. . The present invention can be implemented in other various forms. For example, although an image taken in a mountain (“xx mountain”) has been described as an example, it is needless to say that the image is not limited to a mountain, but may be a temple, a river,
Even if the image was taken at an amusement park, lake, sea, island, etc.
It is possible to display the shooting location so that anyone can understand it. It is convenient for the user if positional information (place name characters) is recorded in an image for each small island such as Okinawa and the vicinity of Okinawa. In addition, in the above-described table 5, for example, when the place name information is the sea or the lake, water depth information or the like, when the place name information is the mountain, the altitude information, It is also possible to record information such as persons. This makes it possible to display not only place name characters but also detailed information related to the shooting location on the shot image.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of a digital camera to which a captured image processing method according to an embodiment of the present invention has been applied.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of image information output from the digital camera 1.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a processing operation in the digital camera 1.

FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram of a digital camera to which a captured image processing method according to a second embodiment of the present invention is applied, and a host computer.

FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram of a digital camera to which a captured image processing method according to a third embodiment of the present invention is applied, and a host computer.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a screen displayed by a map display unit 37.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 digital camera 3 GPS device 5 place name information / GPS position correspondence table 7 place name information acquisition section 9 place name character generation section 11 photographed image generation section 13 place name / image synthesis section 15 place-name-attached image information storage section 17 place-name-attached image information output section

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) G06T 1/60 G06F 15/64 450A

Claims (14)

[Claims] 1. An image information generating means for generating information of a captured image, a position information generating means for detecting a position of the photographed place and generating information indicating the position, and the photographing of the generated position information A photographing apparatus comprising: coupling means for coupling to image information. 2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an execution unit configured to execute a process for notifying a user of a shooting location of the shot image information combined with the position information in a form recognizable by a user based on the position information. Shooting equipment. 3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: holding means for holding the place name information and position information corresponding to the place name information, wherein the execution means generates a character representing the held place name information, and captures the character. The photographing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the photographing apparatus combines the image information with image information. 4. An image information acquisition unit for acquiring photographed image information combined with position information indicating a position of a photographing place; and a photographing place of the photographed image information combined with the position information,
An image processing apparatus comprising: an execution unit configured to execute a process for notifying a user in a manner recognizable based on the position information. 5. The apparatus further comprising: first holding means for holding place name information and position information corresponding to the place name information, wherein the execution means generates a character representing the held place name information, The image processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the image processing apparatus synthesizes the captured image information with the captured image information. 6. A storage device for storing map information, wherein the execution unit associates the photographed image information combined with the position information with a position on the map information corresponding to the position information. The image processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the image processing apparatus can display the image. 7. A display device for displaying the map, wherein the display device displays a predetermined mark at a position on the associated map so that image information captured at the position exists. The image processing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the user is notified that the predetermined mark is designated, and when the predetermined mark is designated by the user, the associated captured image information or information related to the captured image information is displayed. 8. A photographing apparatus for generating information of a photographed image, and an image processing apparatus for executing processing of the photographed image information, wherein the photographing apparatus detects a position of the photographed place and determines the position. Position information generating means for generating information to be indicated, and coupling means for coupling the generated position information to the photographed image information, wherein the photographed image processing device captures photographed image information combined with the position information. Location,
A photographed image processing system including an execution unit that executes a process for notifying in a manner recognizable by a user based on the position information. 9. An image information generating step of generating information of a photographed image; a position information generating step of detecting a position of the photographed place and generating information indicating the position; and photographing the generated position information. A combining step of combining the image information with the image information;
Executing a process for notifying the user in a manner recognizable based on the position information. 10. A process for storing place name information and position information corresponding to the place name information, wherein the executing step generates a character representing the stored place name information, and converts the character to the photographed image. 10. The photographed image processing method according to claim 9, wherein the photographed image is synthesized with information. 11. A method for storing map information, wherein the executing step may display the captured image information combined with the position information in association with a position on the map information corresponding to the position information. The photographed image processing method according to claim 9, wherein 12. A recording medium storing a program for processing photographed image information, wherein: an image information acquiring step of acquiring photographed image information combined with position information indicating a position of the photographed place; The shooting location of the shot image information combined with the position information,
A computer-readable recording medium storing a program for causing a computer to execute a process for performing a process for notifying a user in a manner recognizable based on the position information. 13. A method according to claim 1, further comprising a first holding step of holding place name information and position information corresponding to the place name information, wherein said executing step generates a character representing said held place name information, 13. The recording medium according to claim 12, wherein the recording medium is combined with the photographed image information. 14. A method according to claim 1, further comprising a second storing step of storing map information, wherein the executing step associates the photographed image information combined with the position information with a position on the map information corresponding to the position information. 13. The recording medium according to claim 12, wherein the recording medium can be displayed.