JPH1056610A - Electronic imaging device - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Problem] To provide an electronic imaging device capable of separately managing an image stored in a camera body and additional information such as a date and a memo corresponding to the image with a simple configuration. The task is to SOLUTION: After driving a CCD 20 to capture image data of a subject, the image data is compressed and expanded by a compression / decompression circuit 2.
6, the compressed data is stored in the image memory 27B, and additional information such as date and memo for the image of the subject by the compressed data is transmitted from the external device 100 connected by the key input unit 30 or the cable 200 to the data communication. , The compressed data and the additional information are stored in the additional information memory 27B. By separately storing and managing them, the external device 100
Then, compressed data or additional information is edited by data communication.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to an electronic image pickup apparatus, and more particularly to an electronic image pickup apparatus for storing additional information such as a date and a comment corresponding to an image captured by capturing a subject.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, electronic image pickup apparatuses such as digital still cameras (hereinafter referred to as digital cameras) for recording an image of a subject as digital data on a storage medium without using a photosensitive film have been widely used.

In this type of electronic imaging apparatus, when a photographer presses a shutter key, an image of a subject condensed and captured through a lens is captured by a CCD element, and the captured image is subjected to image processing and compression. Of recording on a recording medium such as a flash memory.

[0004] The image recorded in this way can be displayed on a display unit provided in the apparatus main body or connected to an external display device via a cable for display, so that the quality of the image can be confirmed. it can.

[0005]

However, in the above-described electronic imaging apparatus according to the related art, image data is stored in a data form in which additional information such as a date and a memo is combined with image data obtained by capturing a subject. As a result, the additional information forms a part of the image, and once the image data is stored, it becomes impossible to change the additional information, which hinders subsequent operations such as editing. was there.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide an image recording apparatus having a simple structure, an image stored in a camera body, a date corresponding to the image,
An object of the present invention is to provide an electronic imaging device capable of separately managing additional information such as a memo. Another object of the present invention is to provide an electronic imaging device capable of easily editing additional information.

[0007]

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electronic imaging apparatus for performing data communication with an external device according to the present invention. The electronic imaging device captures an image of a subject; Additional information receiving means for receiving additional information; and means for storing image data captured by the image capturing means and the additional information received by the additional information receiving means in separate areas in association with each other.

According to the invention, the imaging means captures an image of a subject, the additional information receiving means receives additional information sent from an external device, and the storage means stores the image data captured by the imaging means and the additional information. The additional information received by the receiving means is stored in a separate area in association with the additional information. Therefore, since the captured image data and the additional information received from the external device are compared and stored in different areas, it is not necessary to integrate the image data and the additional information, and thus, with a simple configuration, It is possible to separately manage an image stored in the camera body and additional information such as a date and a memo corresponding to the image.

[0009] According to a second aspect of the present invention, an electronic imaging apparatus according to the present invention provides an electronic image pickup apparatus that includes only an image, only additional information, or image information based on image data and additional information stored in storage means. There is a display switching means for switching and displaying any one of the composite images with the additional information. Therefore, it is possible to switch to a desired display among only the image, only the additional information, and the composite image of the image information and the additional information.

Further, since the additional information is input by data communication with the external device, the additional information can be given at any time in correspondence with the image. Further, since the additional information is edited by data communication with the external device, the additional information can be easily edited at any time, such as insertion, update, and deletion.

[0011] Further, since the additional information transmitted from the external device such as a portable terminal device to the personal computer includes a frame image, an icon, a mark, an illustration, etc., various types of image synthesis can be performed according to the user's preference. It becomes possible. Furthermore, since a plurality of pieces of additional information sent from an external device are stored in advance in a memory in the electronic imaging device and can be appropriately selected by the user and combined with a captured image, additional information to be combined for each captured image can be obtained. Since the information can be changed and the number of variations to be selected increases according to the user's preference, it is possible to cope with various user's preferences.

[0012]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is an external perspective view showing an external shape of a digital camera which is an embodiment of the electronic imaging apparatus of the present invention. In FIG. 1, a rectangular digital camera 1 is composed of, for example, a main body 2 and a camera section 3, which are rotatably connected.

An imaging lens 7 is provided on the back surface 5a of the camera unit 3. The camera unit 3 is rotated by 180 degrees around the front or rear of the drawing with respect to the main body 2 as an axis. 70.

The main body 2 has a liquid crystal display 6 on a front surface 4a.
Is provided, so that an image captured by capturing a subject can be displayed at the time of shooting, or reproduced after shooting. When the camera unit 3 is rotated backward by 180 degrees with the liquid crystal display unit 6 facing the photographer, the photographer himself can be captured as a subject and the image can be displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 6. On the right side of the liquid crystal display unit 6 on the front surface 4a, a function switching key 18 for switching between a shooting mode, a reproduction mode, and a communication mode, which will be described later, is provided. A switching key 19 for selecting additional information display processing is provided.

On the upper surface 4b, a power switch 8, a shutter key 9, a "DEL" key 10, a "+" key 1
1, input keys such as a "-" key 12, a display key 14, and a zoom key 15 are provided. This upper surface 4b
An opening / closing lid 17 is provided to be openable and closable from the front side to the back surface 4 c. Inside the opening / closing lid 17, for example, an external power supply terminal for supplying power and a display similar to the display data of the LCD 6 are provided. A video output terminal a (FIG. 2) for outputting data and a digital terminal b (FIG. 2) for inputting / outputting image data (compressed data), additional information (character data), control signals, and the like are provided. ing.

Next, the internal configuration will be described. . FIG.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the digital camera 1, and FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the storage contents of a flash memory 27 described later.

The digital camera 1 shown in FIG. 2 includes, for example, an LCD 6, a CCD 20, a buffer 21, an A / D converter 22, a drive circuit 23, a timing generator 24,
DRAM 25, compression / expansion circuit 26, flash memory 27, ROM 28, RAM 29, key input unit 30, CP
U31, signal generator 32, VRAM33, D
An A / A converter 34, a buffer 35, and an I / O port 36 are provided.

The CCD 20 receives a color video signal of a subject formed by the lens 7 and accumulates electric charge proportional to the amount of light received for each transfer electrode arranged on the light receiving surface.
The stored charge stored in each transfer electrode is converted into an electric signal (analog signal) according to the drive signal supplied by
The A / D converter 22 is sequentially connected to the electrodes via the buffer 21.
Output to

The A / D converter 22 converts an electric signal output from the CCD 20 from an analog signal to a digital signal, and supplies the converted digital signal to the timing generator 24 as image data (color). .

The driving circuit 23 controls the CCD 2 based on the timing signal supplied from the timing generator 24.
The exposure and readout timing of 0 is drive-controlled. The timing generator 24 generates a timing signal for controlling the drive circuit 23.

The DRAM 25 is a semiconductor memory for temporarily storing image data indicating an image pickup state from the timing generator 24 via a bus. Compression / expansion circuit 26
Performs compression processing on image data stored in the DRAM 25 using a predetermined encoding method, stores the compressed data in the flash memory 27 as compressed data, or reads out the compressed data stored in the flash memory 27, Conversely, the extension processing is performed. As shown in FIG. 3, the flash memory 27 stores an image memory 27B for storing the compressed data compressed by the compression / expansion circuit 26 and additional information such as a date and a memo added to the image formed by the compressed data. Compressed data and additional information corresponding to the compressed data, which is a memory including an additional information memory 27A for generating a common image No. (The number of pages) and stored. In FIG. 3, ADD indicates additional information, COM indicates compressed data, and image No. n (n is a natural number,
1 ≦ n ≦ N) includes additional information ADDn and compressed data CO
Mn is stored correspondingly. For example, when N = 96, captured images of up to 96 pages can be stored with the image data compressed. The image No.
For No. 2, it is assumed that no additional information corresponding to the compressed data COM2 is added.

As described above, the key input section 30 includes the power switch 8, the shutter key 9, the "DEL" key 10,
"+" Key 11, "-" key 12, display key 1
4, a zoom key 15, a switching key, and the like. The switching key switches the display image on the LCD 6 to one of a captured image, a character image based on additional information (date, memo, etc.), and a composite image of the captured image and a character image based on the additional information. Is the key. The additional information is
It is possible to input from the external device 100 via the cable 200. For example, on the digital camera 1, a superimpose function and a simple character input function by key operation can be applied.

The signal generator 32 adds a synchronization signal to image data (expanded (reproduced) or directly transmitted from the timing generator 24 (during shooting)) sent via the bus 37. The VRAM 33 is a memory that stores the video signal generated by the signal generator 32 as display data.

The D / A converter 34 converts the video signal output from the signal generator 32 from a digital signal to an analog signal, and converts the digital signal into an analog signal via a buffer 35.
When an external device is connected to D6 or to the video output terminal a, output is made to the external device. LCD6 is
A unit that drives a liquid crystal based on a video signal input via the buffer 35 to form a display image.

The CPU 31 controls the units electrically connected in accordance with various programs stored in the ROM 28, and includes, for example, a main process (see the flowchart in FIG. 4), a reproduction process (see the flowchart in FIG. 5), Communication processing (see the flowchart in FIG. 6), editing processing (see the flowchart in FIG. 7), and the like are executed.

The ROM 28 stores various control programs for operating the CPU 31, parameters used for the processing, and the like. The various control programs execute, for example, main processing shown in the flowchart shown in FIG. And a control program for executing the reproduction process shown in the flowchart shown in FIG. 5, and a control program for executing the editing process shown in the flowchart shown in FIG.

The RAM 29 functions as a work area for the CPU 31 to execute various control programs.
A cable can be connected to the video output terminal a, and the same display content as that displayed on the LCD 6 can be output to an external display device via the cable. I /
A cable 200 such as RS232C (serial type) can be connected to the O port 36, and serial data can be input / output to / from an external device 100 such as a personal computer via the cable 200 as shown in the figure. it can. Although not shown, the external device 100 has a program stored in the ROM 28 in accordance with a program.
A control device that controls the entire device, a display device such as a CRT, and an input device such as a keyboard are provided. The control device performs data communication with the CPU 31 of the digital camera 1 to perform communication processing described later. (FIG. 6).

The operation of the electronic image pickup apparatus of the present invention having the above-described configuration will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG.
Is a flowchart showing a main process, FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a reproducing process, FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a communication process, FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an editing process, FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a display example at the time of the reproducing process, FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a display example during communication processing, and FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a transition of data in the flash memory 27.

Before the processing described below, the key input unit 3
After the power is turned on by the operation of 0, the initialization,
And a preprocessing such as a main menu display is executed. In this state, when the operation of the function switching key 18 of the key input unit 30 is detected, the CPU 31
It is determined which of the photographing mode, the reproduction mode, and the communication mode has been designated (step S1). As a result, if the photographing mode is designated, the processing shifts to the photographing processing in step 2, and if the reproduction mode is designated, the processing shifts to the reproduction processing in FIG. If there is, the processing shifts to the communication processing of FIG. 6 (FIG. 6).

In the photographing process in step S2, up to 96 photographed images can be captured in response to the operation of the shutter key 9, and the image data corresponding to each photographed image is compressed by the compression / expansion circuit 26. The compressed data is stored in the flash memory 27 as an image No. indicating the number of captured images. Is stored at the address. that time,
When additional information such as a date and a memo is input from the external device 100 to the compressed data corresponding to the subject just photographed, the compressed data and the additional information are set to the same image No. Are stored in the additional information memory 27A and the image memory 27B, respectively.

When the processing shifts to step S3 according to the mode switching, the reproduction processing shown in FIG. 5 is executed. First, in step S301, a process of selecting a reproduction target image is performed. Compressed data is read out from the flash memory 27 for a plurality of subject images captured in the past, decompressed by the compression / decompression circuit 26, and LC
The decompression data is displayed on D6. The user selects a desired image from a plurality of images displayed on the LCD 6 by key operation (for example, by sequentially changing the image displayed on the LCD 6 using the "+" key 11 or the "-" key 12). Then, one image to be reproduced is specified.Thus, only the selected image is displayed on the LCD 6. At this time, only the selected image, only the additional information of the selected image, And any of the selected image and its additional information.

For example, in step S302, the image No. corresponding to the subject "Mt. If No. 3 is selected and there is an instruction to reproduce only the selected image, the process proceeds to step S303. In this step S303, the image No. from the flash memory 27 is read. 3 compressed data CO
M3 is read out, decompressed by the compression / decompression circuit 26, and bit-mapped to the VRAM 33. As a result, only the image of the subject “Mt. Fuji” is displayed on the LCD 6 as shown on the screen 601. Step S302
In the image No. corresponding to the subject “Mt. If No. 3 is selected and there is an instruction to reproduce only the additional information of the selected image, the process proceeds to step S304. In this step S304, the image No. from the flash memory 27 is read. 3 is read out and the VRAM
33 is developed into a bitmap. As a result, the LCD 6 displays, for example, the additional information “1996” as shown on a screen 603.
0101 Mt. Only a character image such as "Fuji" is displayed. In addition, since the additional information is stored in the flash memory 27 as, for example, a character code, a character pattern is generated based on the character data stored in the ROM 8 during reproduction (display). In step S302, the image No. corresponding to the subject “Mt. 3 is selected, and if there is an instruction to simultaneously play back the selected image and the additional information, the process proceeds to step S
Move to 305. In step S305, the image No. from the flash memory 27 is read. No. 3 compressed data COM3 and additional information ADD3 are read out, and their bit patterns are combined and expanded in the DRAM 25 by a known technique. As a result, the additional information “19996010” is displayed on the LCD 6 on the image of the subject “Mt.
1 Mt. A display image is formed by combining the character images of “Fuji”.

In step S306, the key input unit 3
If the 0 function key switching key 18 is operated and the end of the reproduction processing is not detected, the processing returns to step S301 again, and the above-described operation is repeatedly executed. If any one of the display of only the image (step S303), the display of only the additional information (step S304), and the display of the image and the additional information (step S305) is performed, only the reproduction method is performed. In S301, the designation may be changed. If the above-described processing is repeated and executed according to the designation change, for example, the image display of the screen 601 is changed to the additional information display of the screen 603, or the image display of the screen 601 is changed to the image of the screen 605. And the display of the additional information.

When the end of the reproduction processing is detected in step S306, the reproduction processing ends and returns to the main processing shown in FIG. When the process proceeds to step S4 according to the mode switching, the communication process illustrated in FIG. 6 is started. In this communication mode, the process is performed by data communication with the external device 100, and thus the operation of the external device 100 corresponding to this process will also be described.

In the communication mode, first, in step S401, a state of waiting for a command from the external device 100 is set. When a command is transferred from the external device 100 (step S402), the processing content is determined from the command (step S403). As a result, if the input command indicates a display command, the CPU 31 proceeds to step S404, and in this case also, by receiving various control signals from the external device 100, the CPU 31 executes a process of displaying an image and its additional information. In this display processing, processing similar to the above-described reproduction processing (FIG. 5) is executed under control from the external device 100. Also, when the input command is an external device 10
If the instruction indicates that the image and the additional information are to be transmitted to 0, the process proceeds to step S405. In this case, the image and the additional information are transferred by receiving various control signals from the external device 100. Run. In this transfer processing, the same processing as the above-described reproduction processing (FIG. 5) is performed except for the difference between “display” and “transfer”.
Execute according to the control from. In this transfer process,
A mode for transferring all of the compressed data and additional information stored in the flash memory 27, a mode for transferring the compressed data for all images or only the specified image, and a mode for transferring the additional information for all images or the specified image A mode for transferring only minutes is included, and these are also executed in response to a command sent from the external device 100.

If the input command indicates an edit command, the process shifts to the edit process (FIG. 7) in step S406. Before starting the editing process, the specified or all of the compressed data, the additional information, or both the compressed data and the additional information are read from the flash memory 27 and transferred to the external device 100. It is premised that the editing process described below is performed by the external device 100 on the specified or all of the compressed data, additional information, or both the compressed data and the additional information stored in the flash memory 27. This is a process for editing based on the transfer data. In this editing, based on the data content of the flash memory 27,
The processing includes insertion (for unstored addresses), update (rewrite), and deletion of additional information.

For example, in the editing process, when editing for inserting additional information is performed, the image No. to be edited is stored in the flash memory 27.
Additional information is not added to the (one or more) compressed data. Therefore, the image and additional information display processing according to the command of the external device 100 (step S in FIG. 6)
404), for example, the image No. to be edited.
When the image display of the image No. 2 is commanded, the image No. 2 is stored in the flash memory 27. 9 is read out and decompressed by the compression / decompression circuit 26, and, for example, only the image of the subject “Mount Asama” is displayed on the LCD 6 as shown in FIG. At that time, the image NO. Since no additional information corresponding to No. 2 is stored, the additional information is not displayed.

Subsequently, the external device 100 creates additional information corresponding to the display image of the subject "Mount Asama". In this case, as shown in FIG. 9B, characters are input to the display device 101 of the external device 100 according to the key information of the input device 102 in accordance with a predetermined additional information creation format, and the characters are input. The image is displayed.
For example, the additional information 101a “199960301 Mt.
When the creation of the additional information is completed, as in "Asayama", the additional information of the additional information 101a is transmitted to the cable 20.
0, the key operation of the input device 102 is started. At that time, first, a command indicating an edit command is transferred from the external device 100 to the digital camera 1 and the digital camera 1 receiving the command is transmitted.
After confirming the preparation, the edited data is transferred. This editing data includes an image No. to be edited. Image N showing 2
o. The data includes data “2”, editing content data “additional information insertion” indicating editing content, and additional information (additional information 101a) indicating data to be edited.

When the digital camera 1 confirms in step S403 that the received command is a command indicating an editing command, the digital camera 1 shifts the processing to step S406 and starts the editing processing shown in FIG.

First, in step S461, the image N
o. When the edit data including the data “2”, the edit content data “additional information insertion”, and the additional information (additional information 101a) is received, in the subsequent step S462, the received image NO. The image No. to be edited based on the data “2”. 2 is confirmed, and the data type “additional information” to be edited is confirmed based on the received edit content data “additional information insertion”.

If it is confirmed in step S463 that the data type is additional information, the process proceeds to step S463.
465 and the image No. to be edited in the additional information memory 27A of the flash memory 27. The received additional information (additional information 101a) is inserted into the two addresses. As a result, as shown in FIG. 11A, the compressed data COM2 for forming an image of the subject “Mount Asama”
Corresponding to the additional information 101a "199960301 M
t. Asama "additional information ADD2 is stored. If it is determined in step S463 that the data type is compressed data, the process proceeds to step S464.
To the image memory 27B of the flash memory 27.
The image No. edited by The received compressed data is updated (overwritten) to the address. That is, in this step S464, the desired image No. is stored in the digital camera 1 from the image memory 27B. After the image data is read out and transferred, expanded and processed on a memory (not shown), the image data is returned to the digital camera 1 in a compressed state again, and the compressed data is updated with the book address of the image memory 27B. Processing is performed.

Editing of the above additional information (step S46)
When the processing is completed after 5), (Step S46)
6) Return to the communication processing of FIG. 6 again. Therefore, the external device 1
When an image and additional information display processing command is transferred from command 00 from step S404, the processing target is the image No. in step S404. When the image No. 2 is confirmed, the image NO. 2 corresponding to the compressed data C
The OM2 is expanded, the additional information ADD2 is subjected to character pattern generation, and these two images are combined in the VRAM 33. As shown in FIG. . And a character image of the additional information "199060301 Mt. Asama" are displayed. Of course, switching from this display state to the display of only the image of the subject “Mount Asama” or the display of only the character image of the additional information “199060301 Mt. Asama” can be freely performed by an instruction from the external device 100 as described above. Can be done.

In the editing process shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B, the operation of adding additional information to the image of the subject is performed. Compressed data COM like 3
3, even if the additional information ADD3 is stored in association with
It is possible to edit not only the compressed data COM3 but also the additional information ADD3.

Therefore, the image NO. 3 additional information ADD3
The method of editing is also described. First, the user
In order to select a subject to be edited, the external device 100
To cause the digital camera 1 to display the stored image of the subject. At this time, an image and additional information display process (step S404 in FIG. 6) is performed according to a command from the external device 100. 3 is commanded to display the image N from the flash memory 27.
O. 3, and a character pattern is generated for the additional information ADD3. As a result, as shown in FIG. 10A, for example, the image of the subject “Mt. Fuji” and its additional information “1996” are displayed on the LCD 6.
0101Mt. "Fuji" is displayed.

The user adds the additional information "199960101 Mt. Fu" of the subject "Mt. Fuji" shown in FIG.
ji ”to be edited, the additional information AD
The process of transferring only D3 is operated using the input device 102 of the external device 100. That is, the digital camera 1
Then, in step S405 in FIG. 3
The additional information ADD3 from the additional information memory 27A of the flash memory 27 in accordance with the transfer instruction for the additional information
And reads this to the external device 1 via the cable 200.
00 is executed. As a result, FIG.
As shown in (a), the display device 10 of the external device 100
1 includes the additional information 101b “199960101 Mt.
Only the character image of "Fuji" is displayed.

The user looks at the additional information 101b displayed on the display device 101 and starts editing by operating the keys of the input device 102. As a result, as shown in FIG. 10B, a character image of the additional information 101c "199960101 Mt. Fuji" is obtained.

Next, by operating the keys of the input device 102,
The additional information of the additional information 101c "Mt. 19960101 Fuji" is transferred to the digital camera 1. At that time, first, a command indicating an editing command is transferred from the external device 100 to the digital camera 1, and after receiving the command, it is confirmed that the digital camera 1 is ready, and then the editing data is transferred. The editing data includes an image N to be edited (updated).
o. Image No. 3 indicating No. 3 It contains data, edit content data indicating edit (update) content, and additional information (additional information 101c) indicating data to be edited.

When the digital camera 1 confirms in step S403 that the received command is a command indicating an editing command, the digital camera 1 shifts the processing to step S406 and starts the editing processing shown in FIG.

In step S461, the image No. When the edit data including the data "3", the edit content data "additional information update", and the additional information (additional information 101c) is received, in the subsequent step S462, the received image No. The image No. to be edited based on the data “3”. 3 is confirmed, and based on the received edit content data "additional information update", the data type "additional information" to be edited is confirmed.

When it is confirmed in step S463 that the data type is the additional information, the process proceeds to step S465, in which the image No. to be edited in the additional information memory 27A of the flash memory 27 is read. Address 3 is overwritten with the received additional information (additional information 101c). As a result, as shown in FIG. 11B, the additional information 101c "19960" is associated with the compressed data COM3 for forming the image of the subject "Mt. Fuji".
101 Mt. Fuji "is updated to the additional information RADD3.
If the data type is compressed data in step S463, as described above, step S46
At 4, the image data is edited.

The editing of the additional information described above (step S
465), the process ends (step S46).
6) Return to the communication processing of FIG. 6 again. Therefore, the external device 1
When an image and additional information display processing instruction is transferred from 00, the processing target is set to N in step S404.
o. 2 is confirmed, the flash memory 27
From image No. 3 and the additional information ADD3 can be read. At that time, the compressed data CO
M3 is decompressed, a character pattern is generated for the additional information RADD3, and these two images are synthesized in the VRAM 33. As shown in FIG. A composite image of the image and the character image of the additional information “199060101 Mt. Fuji” is displayed. Of course, from this display state, only the image of the subject “Mt. Fuji” is displayed, and the additional information “19960” is displayed.
Switching to the display of only the character image of “101 Mt. Fuji” can be freely performed by a command from the external device 100 as described above.

If there is another data type to be edited and further editing data is sent from the external device 100, the above-described steps S461-S465 are performed until an end command is received (step S466). The process up to is repeated. In this editing processing, in addition to the above-described editing contents, editing of only the compressed data, deletion of the compressed data and additional information, and the like are also performed. Is omitted.

In the above-described embodiment, the use of the additional information code format is described. However, if data management is performed separately from the compressed data obtained by compressing the image data of the subject, a dot format is used instead of the code format. The information may be stored in a pattern (bit pattern). In this case, the data can be efficiently stored in the flash memory 27 by compressing the dot pattern of the additional information.

FIG. 12 is a view showing a second embodiment of the present invention. In the first embodiment, a date, a memo, and the like as additional information are combined with a captured image. In the second embodiment shown in FIG. 12, a frame image selected by an external device such as a personal computer or a portable terminal is taken into the electronic imaging device via data communication, and stored in the additional information memory 27A. Then, as described in the first embodiment, the image can be combined with the captured image and displayed on the LCD 6.
In this case, the external device selects a frame image to be used for synthesis in advance, sends the selected frame image to the electronic imaging device via data communication, and the electronic imaging device compares the frame image sent from the external device with the frame image transmitted from the external device. The captured image is synthesized on the DRAM 25, and the synthesized image is compressed by the compression / expansion circuit 26 and flash memory 27.
Can be configured to be stored. Alternatively, a plurality of types of frame images are sent from an external device to the electronic imaging device via data communication, and the electronic imaging device stores the transmitted plurality of types of frame images in the additional information memory 27A and sequentially stores them on the LCD 6. The frame image is displayed to allow the user to select a frame image to be used for synthesis, and the selected frame image is used to synthesize the captured image with the image data.
After the compression processing, the compressed combined image may be stored in the flash memory 27.

The form of storage of the frame image sent from the external device in the electronic imaging device may be stored after being synthesized with the captured image, or as described in the first embodiment. The image may be stored in the image memory 27B, and the frame image may be stored in the additional information memory 27A in association with the captured image.

As shown in FIGS. 13A and 13B, pictograms such as illustrations, marks, and icons as additional information are transmitted from an external device to the electronic imaging device via data communication. It may be. The combination of the additional information and the captured image and the display of the combined image are the first.
This is the same as the synthesis method in the second embodiment.

In the above embodiment, the additional information is taken into the electronic image pickup device from the external device via the cable. However, the additional information is taken into the electronic image pickup device by other wireless means such as infrared rays. You may.

In the above embodiment, the image data and the additional information are stored in association with each other. However, the image data and the additional information are stored in the memory without being associated with each other, and the image data is sequentially displayed. The information is displayed on a circuit to allow the user to make a selection, and then the additional information is sequentially displayed and made to be selected by the user. May be configured.

In the above embodiment, the I / O port 36 of the electronic imaging apparatus 1 is connected to the external device 100 via the predetermined cable 200, and the external device 100 transmits additional information. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and transmission may be performed via a communication line by wire, wireless, or modem. For example, as shown in FIG. 14, an infrared port 38 is connected to the CPU 31, and the external device 1 is connected via the infrared ray.
The additional information may be transmitted from 00. In the case of transmission processing by infrared rays, transmission processing by one-to-many multicast or broadcast is also possible in addition to one-to-one transmission. Further, attribute information may be added to the additional information to be transmitted, and the information may be transmitted, and the plurality of receiving and imaging apparatuses may select the capturing of the additional information based on the transmitted attribute information. For example, ID data may be provided in the attribute information, and only the imaging device designated by the ID data may receive the broadcast data. Alternatively, the attribute information may include information for specifying the additional information to be received, and the receiving electronic imaging device may be provided with a filter function to receive only the specified additional information. Alternatively, a means such as a menu screen or a selection switch for selecting a single image transfer mode, a batch transfer mode, or a selective transfer mode may be provided in the electronic imaging apparatus, and the additional information may be transmitted in a designated mode.

[0060]

According to the present invention, the image capturing means captures an image of a subject, the additional information receiving means receives additional information sent from an external device, and the storage means stores image data captured by the image capturing means. The additional information received by the additional information receiving means is stored in a separate area in association with the additional information. Therefore,
Since the captured image data and the additional information received from the external device are compared and stored in different areas, the image data and the additional information do not have to be integrated. , And additional information such as a date and a memo corresponding to the image can be separately managed.

Further, according to a second aspect of the present invention, the electronic imaging apparatus of the present invention provides only an image, only additional information, or image information based on image data and additional information stored in a storage unit. There is a display switching means for switching and displaying any one of the composite images with the additional information. Therefore, it is possible to switch to a desired display among only the image, only the additional information, and the composite image of the image information and the additional information.

Further, since the additional information is input by data communication with the external device, the additional information can be given at any time corresponding to the image. Further, since the additional information is edited by data communication with the external device, the additional information can be easily edited at any time, such as insertion, update, and deletion.

Further, since the additional information transmitted from the external device such as a portable terminal device to the personal computer includes a frame image, an icon, a mark, an illustration, etc., various types of image synthesis can be performed according to the user's preference. It becomes possible. Furthermore, since a plurality of pieces of additional information sent from an external device are stored in advance in a memory in the electronic imaging device and can be appropriately selected by the user and combined with a captured image, additional information to be combined for each captured image can be obtained. Since the information can be changed and the number of variations to be selected increases according to the user's preference, it is possible to cope with various user's preferences.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view showing an external shape of a digital camera according to an embodiment of an electronic imaging apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of the digital camera shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of storage contents of a flash memory shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a main process according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a reproducing process according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a communication process according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an editing process according to an embodiment of the present invention.

8 is a diagram showing a display example at the time of the reproduction processing shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a display example during the communication processing shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing another display example during the communication processing shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 11 is a view for explaining a transition of data in the flash memory shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 12 is a conceptual diagram illustrating the synthesis of a frame image and a captured image according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing additional information such as icons, marks, and illustrations in the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing a modification of the embodiment shown in FIG. 2;

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Digital camera 2 ... Main body part 3 ... Camera part 4 ... Front 5 ... Backside 6 ... Liquid crystal display part 8 ... Power switch 9 ... Shutter key 10 ... DEL key 11 ... + key 12 ...- key 14 ... Display key 15 ... Zoom key Reference Signs List 17 opening / closing lid 18 function switching key 20 CCD 21 buffer 22 A / D converter 23 driving circuit 24 timing generator 25 DRAM 26 compression / expansion circuit 27 flash memory 28 ROM 29 RAM 30 ... key input unit 31 ... CPU 32 ... signal generator 33 ... VRAM 34 ... D / A converter 35 ... buffer 36 ... I / O port 37 ... bus 38 ... infrared port

Claims (12)

[Claims] 1. An electronic imaging apparatus that performs data communication with an external device, an imaging unit that captures an image of a subject, and an additional information receiving unit that receives additional information sent from the external device;
An electronic imaging apparatus comprising: a storage unit that stores image data captured by the imaging unit and the additional information received by the additional information receiving unit in separate areas in association with each other. 2. A display for switching and displaying either an image alone, additional information only, or a composite image of an image and additional information based on the image data and the additional information stored in the storage means. 2. The electronic imaging apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a switching unit. A communication circuit that communicates with an external device having a function of outputting additional information; an imaging circuit that captures an image of a subject; and a memory circuit that stores data captured by the imaging circuit and the additional information. Control means for associating data captured by the imaging circuit with additional information sent from the external device via the communication circuit and storing the additional information in the memory circuit. apparatus. 4. A means for combining the image data and the additional information stored in the memory circuit in association with each other; means for compressing the combined image; and storing the compressed combined image in the memory circuit. 4. The electronic imaging apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising: means for storing; means for expanding the compressed combined image stored in the memory circuit; and means for displaying the expanded combined image. 5. A display circuit; a first selecting means for selecting only image data stored in the memory circuit to be displayed on the display circuit; A second selection unit for selecting the image data to be displayed on the display circuit; and a third selection unit for selecting the image data and the additional information stored in the memory circuit to be displayed by being synthesized by the synthesis unit. The electronic imaging device according to claim 4, wherein: 6. A communication circuit for communicating with an external device having a function of outputting additional information; an imaging circuit for capturing an image of a subject; a memory circuit for storing data captured by the imaging circuit; Data captured by the circuit,
Synthesizing means for synthesizing the additional information transmitted from the external device via the communication circuit; a compression circuit stage for compressing the data synthesized by the synthesizing means; and transmitting the compressed synthesized data to the memory circuit. An electronic imaging apparatus comprising: a storage unit; a decompression circuit for decompressing the compressed composite image data stored in the memory circuit; and a display unit for displaying the composite image data decompressed by the decompression circuit. . 7. A communication circuit for communicating with an external device having a function of outputting additional information; an imaging circuit for capturing an image of a subject; and a memory circuit for storing data captured by the imaging circuit and the additional information. A display circuit for displaying data; a unit for fetching a plurality of pieces of additional information from the external device via the communication circuit and storing the additional information in the memory circuit; displaying the imaging data on the display circuit and selecting a user. Means for displaying a plurality of pieces of additional information stored in the memory circuit on the display circuit to allow a user to select; combining means for combining each piece of imaging data selected by the user with additional information; Means for compressing the data synthesized by the means; means for storing the compressed synthesized data in the memory circuit; and information stored in the memory circuit. Electronic imaging device being characterized in that comprising a display means for displaying the synthesized image data decompressed by the decompression circuit; decompression circuit and for expanding a reduced composite image data. 8. The electronic imaging apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the additional information includes any one of a date, memo data, a frame image, an illustration, an icon, a mark, or a combination thereof. 9. A computer having a function of editing additional information including character information and image information and having a communication function; a communication circuit for communicating with the computer; an imaging circuit for capturing an image of a subject; An electronic circuit comprising: a memory circuit that stores data captured by an imaging circuit and the additional information; and a control unit that stores the data captured by the imaging circuit and the additional information transmitted from the computer in the memory circuit in association with each other. An electronic imaging system, comprising: an imaging device. 10. An image editing method for an electronic imaging apparatus having an imaging circuit, a communication port, a memory circuit, and a display circuit, wherein additional information transmitted from outside by communication is taken in through the communication port. An editing method for an electronic imaging apparatus, comprising: storing in a memory circuit; and storing the captured information and an image captured by the imaging circuit in the memory circuit in association with each other. 11. The electronic imaging apparatus according to claim 10, further comprising the steps of: synthesizing the associated imaging data and additional information; and displaying the synthesized image data on the display circuit. How to edit the device. 12. A step of storing the plurality of pieces of additional information transmitted from the outside in the memory circuit; and a step of displaying the plurality of pieces of stored additional information on the display circuit;
Selecting any additional information from the displayed additional information; synthesizing the selected additional information with the captured image; and displaying the synthesized image. The method for editing an electronic imaging device according to claim 10.