System for displaying a photograph together with a pertinent map

Technical Field

The present invention generally relates to an image processing device according to claims 1. More specifically, the present invention is directed to an image processing device capable of processing image data acquired by an electronic camera and map data to display a photographed image in relation with a map.

Background Art

Very recently, so termed "digital cameras" (namely, electronic cameras) are commercially available. In a digital camera, an image of a subject optically received by a CCD image sensor corresponding to a solid-state imaging system is acquired as a digital image signal, and then this digital image signal is saved in a RAM. Since the image of the photographed subject is converted into the digital image data, this digital image data can be transferred/processed in digital information processing apparatuses such as personal computers and wordprocessors, so that digital cameras may function as easy-operable image input devices having wide applications.

However, this sort of image input device merely saves photographed images. Therefore, in order to grasp where the image is acquired, a photographer must make a place name memorandum when this image is taken. Then, when this photographed image data is transferred to the wordprocessor, the photographer should enter the photograph place by manipulating the keyboard with reference to this memorandum.

On the other hand, car navigation systems are commercially available, in which present positions are sequentially detected by utilizing satellite communications, and map image data about the detected positions are displayed in real time in accordance with this position detection. In this sort of car navigation, although the present place may correspond to the map image, merely the map is displayed or the voice response is made. This type of car navigation system could not supply sufficient positional information, but also could not provide the sufficient navigation function.

Disclosure of the Invention.

Patent Abstracts of Japan, vol. 17, no. 673 (P-1658), 10.12.1993 and JP-A-05 224 599 describe a vehicle navigation apparatus which displays a map corresponding to the current position of the vehicle by obtaining positional information through a GPS (global positioning system) receiving device. Data of different photographs taken by a user are stored corresponding to the related positions on the map. When the map is displayed, photograph icons are shown at the corresponding stored positions, and in response to the selection of one of the icons by the user, the corresponding photograph data is displayed.

US-A-4 939 662 describes a navigation apparatus for navigating a vehicle in accordance with a preset course while measuring distance traveled and steering angle. Distance information for guiding a driver along the course is preset. Whenever the vehicle has traveled a fixed distance the driver is supplied with distance information relating to the intersection at which the next turn is to be made. The distance information is relating to distinguishing features seen along the course. These features may comprise characteristic photographs at intersections and at points along the course.

The object of the present invention is to provide image processing devices which allow a user to find an easy association between a photographed image, the positional data thereof and a map image.

This object is achieved by the features of claim 1.

Brief description of the drawings.

A more complete understanding of the teachings of the present invention may be acquired by referring to the accompanying figures, in which like reference numbers indicate like features and wherein: <ul id="ul0001" list-style="none" compact="compact"><li>Fig. 1 is a schematic block diagram for representing an overall arrangement of a digital camera 1 for constituting an image processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention.</li><li>Fig. 2 explanatorily shows an outer view of the digital camera 1 indicated in Fig. 1;</li><li>Fig. 3 represents a structure of the key operation unit 9 in Fig. 1;</li><li>Fig. 4 schematically indicates a storage area structure of the RAM 10 shown in Fig. 1 and a data structure thereof;</li><li>Fig. 5 is a schematic block diagram for representing an internal arrangement of the wordprocessor 21 connectable to the digital camera 1 of Fig. 1;</li><li>Fig. 6 is a flow chart for explaining operations of the digital camera 1 in a photograph mode;</li><li>Figs. 7A to 7E explanatorily show key operation/image sample of the digital camera 1 in the photograph mode;</li><li>Fig. 8 is a flow chart for describing operations of the digital camera 1 in a reproduce mode;</li><li>Figs. 9A to 9D explanatorily indicate operation/image sample of the digital camera 1 in the reproduce mode;</li><li>Fig. 10 is a flow chart for explaining operations of the wordprocessor 21 in an image synthesizing process;</li><li>Figs. 11A to 11D explanatorily indicate an image sample of the wordprocessor 21 in the image synthesizing process.</li></ul>

Best Mode of Carrying Out the Invention

Referring now to drawings, a description will be made of an image processing system according to a presently preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[Arrangement of Digital Camera]

Fig. 1 is a schematic block diagram for showing an overall arrangement of a so-called "digital camera (namely, electronic camera)" which may constitute an image processing system according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The image processing system is mainly constructed of the digital camera 1 and a wordprocessor 21 functioning as an external appliance electrically connected to this digital camera 1 by way of an electric cable.

The digital camera 1 is a portable type electronic still camera operable by a cell. This digital camera 1 is arranged by, as shown in Fig. 1, a CPU 2, a storage unit 3, a CCD image input unit 4, an imaging lens 5, an image sensor I/F circuit 6, a display control unit 7, a display unit 8, a key operation unit 9, a RAM 10, and an external data input/output unit 11. The CPU (central processing unit) 2 is such a central processing unit capable of controlling an entire operation of this digital camera 1 in response to various sorts of programs previously stored in the storage unit 3. The storage unit 3 contains a storage medium for previously storing thereinto a program and data. This storage medium may be made from a magnetic storage medium, an optical storage medium, or a semiconductor memory. The storage medium may be fixedly employed in the storage unit 3, or may be detachably provided with the storage unit 3. Alternatively, the above-described program and data may be accepted from other appliances via a communication line to be stored into this storage medium. Furthermore, another storage unit equipped with the storage medium is provided on the side of other appliances connected thereto via a communication line, and the program and/or data stored in this storage medium may be used via this communication line. The CCD image input unit 4 is a CCD (charge-coupled device) image sensor as a solid-state imaging element. An image of a photographic object which is received via the imaging lens 5 is photoelectrically converted into an image signal by the CCD image input unit 4. Then, the image signal is supplied to the image sensor I/F circuit 6. The image sensor I/F circuit 6 converts the analog image signal into a digital image signal. This digitally photographed image data is fetched into the CPU 2. In this embodiment, the CPU 2 supplies the photographed image data as one image screen data to the display control unit 7. One image screen data is furnished to the display unit 8 for display purposes. The display unit 8 is constructed of a liquid crystal display device and the like, and may function as an image reproduced screen or a finder screen. When a shutter switch (not shown in detail) employed on the key operation unit 9 is operated in this digital camera 1, the image data obtained during this photographing operation is stored into the RAM 10 as one screen image data.

The RAM (random access memory) 10 is an image memory for temporarily storing thereinto the photographed image data and various sorts of input information. When an image reproducing instruction is issued from the key operation unit 9, the CPU 2 reads both the image data instructed for the image reproduction, and the input information corresponding thereto from the RAM 10, and then supplies this image data together with the corresponding input information to the display control unit 7 so as to display the image on the display unit 8. Also, when an image transferring instruction is entered from the key operation unit 9, the CPU 2 transfers the photographed image data stored in the RAM 10 via the external data input/output unit 11 to the wordprocessor 21. It should be noted that this external data input/output unit 11 corresponds to, for example, an RS232C serial interface. It should also be understood that although the wordprocessor 21 is employed as the external appliance of this first image processing system, when a floppy disk unit is employed as this external appliance, the external data input/output unit 11 corresponds to a disk driver.

[Outer View of First Digital Camera]

Fig. 2 shows an outer view of the digital camera 1 of Fig. 1. On the side of a front face, the imaging lens 5 and the CCD image input unit 4 positioned opposite to this imaging lens 5 are built in this digital camera 1. Various sorts of keys (will be discussed later) for constructing the key operation unit 9 are provided in an upper face. A cord connection terminal (jack) 12 for connecting the external data input/output unit 11 to the wordprocessor 21 in a side face. Then, the display unit 8 is provided in a rear face of the digital camera 1, and may function as a finder screen under such a condition that the imaging lens 5 is directed to the photograph object.

[Panel of Key Operation Unit]

Fig. 3 is a panel for representing the key operation unit 9 more in detail. This key operation unit 9 is provided with a power switch "POWER", a shutter switch "SHOT", a slide-type mode selecting switch "MOD" for selecting a photograph mode (PLAY)/a reproduce mode (REC), and various sorts of keys K1, K2, K3, K4, K5. These keys own the following functions. For instance, in the case that the input information is set to the RAM 10 in correspondence with the photographed image, the OK key K1 may function as an execution key and a carry key, whereas the NG key K2 may function as a release key and a shift down key. Every time the plus key K3 is manipulated, the numeral data is incremented by "1", namely a numeral value entry key. Every time the minus key K4 is manipulated, the numeral data is decremented by "1", namely a numeral value entry key. In the reproduce mode, the plus key K3/the minus key K4 may function as image selection keys. In this reproduce mode, the functioning key corresponds to a key used to instruct whether or not the input information set in the RAM 10 in correspondence with the image to be produced is displayed in combination with the photographed image.

[Storage Contents of RAM 10]

The storage contents of the RAM 10 will now be described with reference to Fig. 4.

As represented in Fig. 4, the RAM 10 contains a system work area 10-1 used to store various sorts of conditions, an image data area 10-2 used to store a photographed image and input information corresponding to this photographed image, a stack area 10-3 for temporarily storing data. Now, the storage content of the image data area 10-2 will be explained. For instance, a first image is employed, and a data format thereof is indicated. That is, data is arranged by identifiers for data byte numbers + data sorts (identifiers for identifying positional information, additional information, image information, and control information), and actual data. In this embodiment, a first record, namely a record containing positional information as an identifier is constituted by a flag indicative of north/south/east/west (1 byte), latitude data (5 bytes), longitude data (5 bytes), and an identifier (1 byte), i.e., a total of 12 bytes. This actual positional information data is set by entering from the key operation unit 9, present position information being displayed on a display screen of a car navigation system. Then, a data length (12 bytes), the identifier (positional information), the actual position information data (latitude/longitude data etc.) are set to the RAM 10 in the arranging order.

The next record, namely a record containing additional information as an identifier, is arranged by a data length (22 bytes), an identifier (additional information), and actual additional information data (21 bytes) in this order. The actual additional information data corresponds to, for example, a title of an image. Furthermore, a record containing image information as an identifier is stored. Since the actual image information data requires a large memory capacity, a data length is indicated by a quantity of block, while 256 bytes are handled as 1 block. Fig. 4 concretely represents the contents of the actual image information data in unit of byte. That is, the actual image information data are subdivided into three primary colors such as red, blue, green colors every 1 dot from the upper left 1 dot of the image, which are stored. In this case, as indicated in Fig. 4, the image is arranged by 240 dots x 320 dots. As a result, approximately, 230 Kbytes defined by 240 dots x 320 dots x 3 (byte number for three primary colors) may constitute the actual image information data. It should be noted that as to the final record, an end code indicative of an end of the first data is used as actual data thereof. The CPU 2 may store the photographed image data into the RAM 10 in such a filing format.

[Internal Arrangement if Wordprocessor]

Referring now to a block diagram of Fig. 5, an internal arrangement of the above-described wordprocessor 21 will be described.

This wordprocessor 21 is mainly arranged by the below-mentioned units/circuit elements. That is, a CPU 22 is employed so as to control the overall operation of this wordprocessor 21 in accordance with various sorts of programs stored in a storage unit 23. When document data is inputted from a key operation unit 24, the CPU 22 converts this entered document data into display data, and then supplies this display data to a display control unit 25 so as to display the document on a display unit 26 based on this display data. Furthermore, the CPU 22 stores document data defined by kana/kanji-character conversions into a RAM 27. The storage unit 23 contains a storage medium for previously storing thereinto a program and data. This storage medium may be made from a magnetic storage medium, an optical storage medium, or a semiconductor memory. The storage medium may be fixedly employed in the storage unit 23, or may be detachably provided with the storage unit 23. Alternatively, the above-described program and data may be accepted from other appliances via a communication line to be stored into this storage medium. Moreover, another storage unit equipped with the above-explained storage medium is provided which is connected via a communication line to other appliances, and then the program and the data previously stored in this recording medium may be used through the communication line. Also, various sorts of interface circuits are connected to the CPU 2. Namely, a disk I/F circuit 28, a printer I/F circuit 29, a player I/F circuit 30, and a camera I/F circuit 31. Thus, this CPU 22 may control input/output operations of a floppy disk drive 32, a printer unit 33, a CD-ROM player 34, and the digital camera 1 via these I/F circuits 28 to 31.

The CD-ROM player 34 drives a CD-ROM 35 used in a car navigation system. This CD-ROM 35 is constituted by storing thereinto positional information of maps in correspondence with various sorts of map image data. The camera I/F circuit 31 is an RS-232 serial interface circuit. The CPU 22 acquired photographed image data transferred from the digital camera 1 and positional information indicative of this photographing place via the camera I/F circuit 31. In this case, the CPU 22 retrieves the map image data stored in the CD-ROM 35 based upon the positional information acquired from the digital camera 1. Then, the CPU 22 acquires this map image data, and combines or synthesizes this map image data with the photographed image data to produce synthesized image data. The synthesized image data is stored in the RAM 27. In this case, the synthesized image data is stored in such a manner that this synthesized image data is inserted into the document data. The memory contents of the RAM 27 are recorded, or registered via the disk I/F circuit 28, and the floppy disk drive 32 on the floppy disk. Alternatively, instead of the floppy disk, an optical memory disc having a large memory capacity and/or a high-speed memory card may be employed so as to record/save the memory contents of the RAM 27.

[Photograph Mode Operation of Digital Camera]

Fig. 6 is a flow chart for representing operations of the digital camera 1 in a photograph mode.

It should be understood that a program used to realize various functions described in this flow chart has previously been stored in the above-explained storage medium in a program code format readable by the CPU (this is similarly applied to another flow chart of Fig. 8).

That is, when the mode selecting switch MOD is changed into the REC position, the CPU 2 executes the operations in accordance with the process sequence of the flow chart shown in Fig. 6. Figs. 7A to 7E schematically represent key operations and image samples in the photograph mode.

First, in the flow chart of Fig. 6, the CPU 2 causes the CCD image input unit 4 and the image sensor I/F circuit 6 to be driven. Thereafter, the image of the photographed object is optically received by the CCD image input unit 4 so as to be photoelectrically converted into the analog image signal. Then, this analog image signal is converted into the digital image data by the image sensor I/F circuit 6. The CPU 2 acquires this photographed image data (step A1) and displays the photographed image on the display unit 8 (step A2). Then, since the process operations defined at the steps A1 and A2 are repeated until the shutter switch SHOT is manipulated, the photographer operates the digital camera 1 to be focused onto a desired scene while confirming the displayed image functioning as the finder. When the shutter switch SHOT is depressed, the CPU 2 stores the photographed image data acquired at this time into the RAM 10, and stops the image acquisition (step A4). Now, Fig. 7A represents a photographed image produced when the shutter switch SHOT is depressed. Under such a condition that the photographed image is displayed, the CPU 2 displays message data for inquiring whether or not the photographing place is recorded in relation to this photographed image on the display screen of the display unit 8 (step A5). Fig. 7B represents a display condition in this case. When the photographer confirms the content of this displayed message and wishes to record the photographing place, the photographer manipulates the OK key K1 (step A6).

In such a case that the positional information about the photographing place, the photographer selectively manipulates the OK key K1, the NG key K2, the plus key K3, and the minus key K4, while confirming the present position being outputted on the display screen of the car navigation system, so that the numeral values of the latitudinal/longitudinal data are inputted one digit by one digit (step A7). In other words, when the plus key K3 is manipulated, the numeral value is incremented, whereas when the minus key K4 is manipulated, the numeral value is decremented. When, the OK key K1 is manipulated, the present digit is advanced to the subsequent digit, whereas when the NG key K2 is manipulated, the present digit is returned to the preceding digit. Accordingly, these keys are selectively manipulated, so that the positional information can be entered (see Fig. 7C). As a result, when all of the desired digits have been entered, as shown in Fig. 7D, another message is displayed in order to finally confirm as to whether or not the entered positional information is defined (step A8). If the entered positional information is defined, then the OK key K1 is manipulated (step A9). Accordingly, the CPU 2 shifts the memory content of the RAM 10 by a byte amount equal to the byte number of the entered positional information data along the backward direction, and then stores the positional information data into the RAM 10 (step A10). Also, the CPU 2 stores the photographed image data into this RAM 10 in relation to the present positional information. Then, the CPU 2 displays such a message that the positional information about the photograph place has been recorded under normal condition, and increments a pointer (not shown) for designating a write address of the RAM 10 (step A11). This display condition is shown in Fig. 7E. Then, the process operation of the photograph mode is returned to the previous step A1, and then a similar process operation is repeated.

[Reproduction Mode Operation of Digital Camera]

Referring now to another flow chart shown in Fig. 8, operations of the digital camera 1 will be described in the reproduce mode when the mode selection switch MOD is changed into a PLAY position. Figs. 9A to 9D represent key operations/image samples during the reproduce mode.

When the operation mode is switched to the reproduce mode, the CPU 2 first stops the drive operations of the CCD image input unit 4 and the image sensor I/F circuit 6, and thereafter reads out a top image (namely, an image stored at a top storage area) of the RAM 10 to thereby display this top image (step B1). In this case, a check is done as to whether or not the positional information indicative of the photograph position is contained in this top image data (step B2). If the positional information is contained in this top image data, then another check is made as to whether or not a position display flag is turned ON (step B3). Although the function of this position display flag will be described more in detail, the position display flag is turned ON when such an instruction is made that the positional information is previously displayed. Since the position display flag is turned OFF at a first stage, the process operation in the reproduce mode is advanced to a step B5 at which the CPU 2 waits for a key entry.

Under this key entry waiting condition, the plus/minus keys K3/K4 may be manipulated (step B6), the function key may be operated (step B8), and the OK key K1 may be operated (step B10). It is now assumed that as indicated in Fig. 9A, the function key K5 is manipulated under such a condition that the top image is reproduced (step B8). As a result, the process operation is advanced to a next step B9 at which a guidance indication for inquiring whether or not the photograph place is displayed, as shown in Fig. 9B. In this case, when the OK key K1 is manipulated so as to instruct the display of the photograph position (step B10), the above-described position indication flag is turned ON (step B11). Conversely, when the OK key K1 is not operated, the turn-OFF state of the position display flag still remains (step B12). Under such a condition that the position information has been added to the presently reproduced image (step B2) and furthermore the position display flag is turned ON (step B3) so as to return to the image display process (step B1), a window for displaying the positional information is opened within this displayed image, and also the positional information is displayed as indicated in Fig. 9C. As described above, the positional information is displayed under such an initial conditional that the function key K5 and the OK key K1 are manipulated. This is because if the positional information is continuously displayed, the image display area will be narrowed.

Now, when either the plus key K3 or the minus key K4 is manipulated so as to selectively display a desired image (step B6), the CPU 2 moves the RAM pointer to the next image when the plus key K3 is manipulated, and moves the RAM pointer to the preceding image when the minus key K4 is operated (step B7). Then, since the process operation is returned to the image display process (step B1), the images are switched every time the plus key K3 and/or the minus key K4 is manipulated. As a consequence, when a desirable image is selected, if the positional information is contained in this desirable image, then the selected desirable image is displayed together with this positional information, as indicated in Fig. 9D, under such a condition that the position display flag is turned ON (step B3).

[Image Synthesizing Process by Wordprocessor]

Fig. 10 is a flow chart for indicating an image synthesizing process operation by the wordprocessor 21 shown in Fig. 1.

A program for realizing various functions described in this flow chart is previously stored in the above-described storage medium in a program code format readable by the CPU 22 of Fig. 5. Figs. 11A to 11D show key operations/image samples in this image synthesizing process operation.

First, when an image synthesizing mode is designated, the CPU 22 displays such a guidance for connecting the digital camera 1 with this wordprocessor 21 (see Fig. 11A). As a result, when the digital camera 1 is connected to the camera I/F circuit 31 (step C1), the image data is sequentially transferred from the digital camera 1 (step C2), and thus a desired image is selected by way of the key operation (step C3). As illustrated in Fig. 11B, this image selection is performed by operating the execution key in such a manner that the present image is returned to the preceding image by manipulating the preceding subject key, and/or the present image is advanced to the succeeding image by manipulating the succeeding subject key. As described above, the selectively determined image data is stored in the image file, so that even when the digital camera 1 is not connected to this wordprocessor 21 during the subsequent operation, the photographed image data may be arbitrarily read out so as to be displayed and/or printed out (step C4). Next, a check is done as to whether or not the arbitrary information is added to this image (step C5). If no arbitrary information is contained in this image, then the process operation is advanced to a process for simply arranging the images (step C6). To the contrary, if the arbitrary information is contained in this image, then the process operation is advanced to step C7 to step C16.

First, the CPU 22 extracts the positional information in relation to the photographed image (step C7). Then, since the positional information is added to the selected image, the CD-ROM 35 is set and a guidance for instructing the manipulation of the execution key is displayed (step C8). This condition is displayed in Fig. 11C. Now, when the CD-ROM 35 used in the car navigation system is set, the CPU 22 retrieves the CD-ROM 35 based on the positional information of the photographed image (step C9), and reads from the CD-ROM 35 such map image data defined in a preselected range from a map image position coincident with the positional information of this photographed image (step C10). This CPU 22 stores this read map image data into the image file and also stores an upper left coordinate point of this map image in correspondence with this photographed image (step C11). Subsequently, when an arrangement within a document is designated (step C12). When this arrangement designation is carried out by designating a position, a size, and a title of an image file, the map image data is arranged within the document which has been formed by the wordprocessor 21 in accordance with this designation (step C13).

Next, a calculation process is carried out so as to calculate an offset position for defining where the photographed image is displayed at a position on the map (step C14). Assuming now that the upper left coordinate point of such a map image as shown in Fig. 10 is stored, a check is done as to whether or not there is a place corresponding to the position of the photographed image at the position shifted from this upper left coordinate point as the reference point. Thereafter, a "ballon pattern" is formed. This ballon pattern is arranged in such a manner that a tip portion of this ballon pattern is located at the photograph place within the map, and the positional information of the photographed image is displayed within this spout pattern (step C15). The image is arranged in such a manner that the photographed image may be stored within this spout pattern (step C16). Fig. 11D represents an image sample produced by synthesizing the map image and the photographed image within the document. In this case, when a document is edited, a character series about a photograph place and a photographer memory may be entered into this document by manipulating the keys.

In the image processing system with the above-described arrangement according to the first embodiment, the positional information indicative of this photograph place is entered into the image photographed by the digital camera 1 by manipulating the keys in relation thereto. As a result, when the photographed image is inserted into the document in the wordprocessor 21, the map image corresponding to this photograph place is read out from the CD-ROM 35 used in the car navigation system, and the synthesized image produced by synthesizing the photographed image with this map image is inserted into the document. Accordingly, there are advantages that the photograph place can be visually recognized and also can be effectively displayed.

It should be understood that although the synthesized image produced by synthesizing the map image with the photographed image is inserted into the document, only the synthesized image may be alternatively outputted. Moreover, the map image is not synthesized with the photographed image, but may be separately outputted for display purposes.