Photographic system capable of storing information on photographed image data

• US 5,335,072 A
• Filed: 03/12/1993
• Issued: 08/02/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 05/30/1990
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Minolta Camera Kabushiki Kaisha
• Original Assignee: Minolta Camera Kabushiki Kaisha
• Inventors: Shintani, Dai, Nanba, Katsuyuki, Ishibe, Hiroshi, Tanaka, Yoshito, Tanaka, Yoshihiro, Taniguchi, Nobuyuki, Naruto, Hirokazu
• Primary Examiner(s): Mancuso, Joseph
• Assistant Examiner(s): Greening, Wendy R.
• Application Number:
  US08/029,991
• Time in Patent Office: 508 Days
• Field of Search: 358/909, 358/228, 358/227, 358/209, 358/335, 354/412, 354/430, 354/109
• US Class Current: 348/231.3
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 2227/325 Microcapsule copiers
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/58 Retrieval characterised by using metadata, e.g. metadata not derived from the content or metadata generated manually
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/034 on discs G11B27/036, G11B27/038 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/105 of operating discs
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/28 by using information signals recorded by the same method as the main recording G11B27/22 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/34 Indicating arrangements indicating means incorporated in magazine or cassette G11B23/046 and G11B23/0875; indicating measured values in general G01D
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/2112 using still video cameras
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/2158 using a detachable storage unit
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/2175 with local image input
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2101/00 Still video cameras
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3214 of a date
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3215 of a time or duration
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3225 of data relating to an image, a page or a document
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3226 of identification information or the like, e.g. ID code, index, title, part of an image, reduced-size image
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3264 of sound signals
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/00 Cameras or camera modules comprising electronic image sensors; Control thereof
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/60 Control of cameras or camera modules
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 358/906 Hand-held camera with recorder in a single unit

Abstract

A photographic system includes a photographing device for photographing subjects to generate respective image data of the subjects, the photographing device having an image information production device for producing image information concerning the photography for each of the subjects, and a storage device for storing the produced image information, and a reproduction device for reproducing the image data, the reproduction device having a retrieval condition input device for inputting a retrieval condition, a retrieval device responsive to the retrieval condition input device for retrieving image data having a connection with the input retrieval condition by inference, and a reproducing device for reproducing the retrieved image data.

Claims

1. A photographic system comprising:

a camera including;

photographing means for photographing subjects to generate respective image data of the subjects,

first storage means for storing the generated image data,

information production means for producing, at the time of photography, information pertaining to the photographed subjects and identifying the respective image data stored by said first storage means, and

second storage means for storing the produced information; and

a reproduction device for reproducing the image data including;

retrieval condition input means for inputting a retrieval condition designating stored produced information for retrieving desired stored image data,

retrieval means responsive to the retrieval condition input means for retrieving the stored image data identified by the stored produced information designated by the input retrieval condition, and

reproducing means for reproducing the retrieved stored image data.

2. A photographic system according to claim 1 wherein the information production means includes a microphone for receiving a voice in connection with a subject and for generating a voice signal, and a voice signal processing circuit for processing the generated voice signal to produce voice information concerning the voice of the subject as said produced information.

3. A photographic system according to claim 2 wherein the retrieval means includes memory means for storing a relationship between respective characteristic voices of persons and respective names of the persons, and finding means responsive to the retrieval condition input means for finding the image data having the voice information corresponding to a person'"'"'s name inputted as the retrieval condition by the retrieval condition input means by correlating the voice information to the relationship stored in the memory means.

4. A photographic system according to claim 3 wherein the voice information and the person'"'"'s name are encoded to correlate to each other.

5. A photographic system according to claim 1 wherein the information production means includes measuring means for measuring the distance to a subject and for generating a distance signal, and a distance signal processing circuit for processing the distance signal to produce distance information concerning the distance to the subject as said produced information.

6. A photographic system according to claim 1 wherein the information production means produces a plurality of kinds of information, respectively, in connection with a plurality of photographed subjects different from one another.

8. A photographic system according to claim 6 wherein the photographing means includes a photographic lens, the information production means includes focal length detection means for detecting a focal length of the photographic lens in which each of the subjects is photographed and for generating a focal length signal, and a signal processing circuit for processing the generated focal length signal to produce focal length information of photographing the subjects as said produced information.

7. A photographic system comprising:

a camera including;

photographing means for photographing subjects to generate respective image data of the subjects,

first storage means for storing the generated image data,

information production means for producing, at the time of photography, information depending on a state of the camera in which each of the subjects is photographed and identifying the respective image data stored by said first storage means, and

second storage means for storing the produced information; and

a reproduction device for reproducing the image data including;

retrieval condition input means for inputting a retrieval condition designating stored produced information for retrieving desired stored image data;

retrieval means responsive to the retrieval condition input means for retrieving the stored image data identified by the stored produced information designated by the input retrieval condition, and

reproducing means for reproducing the retrieved stored image data.

9. A photographic system according to claim 7 wherein the information production means produces a plurality of kinds of information, respectively, in connection with a plurality of camera states different from one another.

10. A photographic system comprising:

a camera including;

photographing means for photographing subjects to generate respective image data of the subjects,

first storage means for storing the generated image data,

information production means for producing, at the time of photography, information depending on a photographing state of photographing each of the subjects and identifying the respective image data stored by said first storage means, and

second storage means for storing the produced information; and

a reproduction device for reproducing the image data including;

retrieval condition input means for inputting a retrieval condition designating stored produced information for retrieving desired stored image data,

retrieval means responsive to the retrieval condition input means for retrieving the stored image data identified by the stored produced information designated by the input retrieval condition, and

reproducing means for reproducing the retrieved stored image data.

11. A photographic system according to claim 10 wherein the photographing means includes a photographic lens, the information production means includes measuring means for measuring distance to a subject and for generating a distance signal, focal length detection means for detecting a focal length of the photographic lens in which each of the subjects is photographed and for generating a focal length signal, and a signal processing circuit for processing the generated distance signal and the generated focal length signal to produce distance information concerning the distance to the subject and focal length information of photographing the subjects as said produced information.

12. A photographic system according to claim 11 wherein the retrieval means includes calculating means for calculating an image magnification based on the distance information and the local length information, and discriminating means, based on the calculated image magnification, for discriminating between a human figure subject and a landscape subject.

13. A photographic system according to claim 10 wherein the information production means produces a plurality of kinds of information, respectively, in connection with a plurality of photographing states different from one another.

14. A photographic system comprising:

a camera including;

photographing means for photographing subjects to generate respective image data of the subjects,

first storage means for storing the generated image data,

information production means for producing, at the time of photography, information depending on a condition where the photographing is carried out for each of the subjects and identifying the respective image data stored by said first storage means, and

second storage means for storing the produced information; and

a reproduction device for reproducing the image data including;

retrieval condition input means for inputting a retrieval condition designating stored produced information for retrieving desired stored image data,

retrieval means responsive to the retrieval condition input means for retrieving the stored image data identified by the stored produced information designated by the input retrieval condition, and

reproducing means for reproducing the retrieved stored image data.

15. A photographic system according to claim 14 wherein the information production means includes weather condition detection means for detecting a weather condition under which each of the subjects is photographed and for generating a weather condition signal, and a signal processing circuit for processing the weather condition signal to produce weather condition information as said produced information.

16. A photographic system according to claim 15 wherein the weather condition detection means includes a temperature sensor for detecting a temperature at which each of the subjects is photographed for generating the weather condition signal.

17. A photographic system according to claim 15 wherein the weather condition detection means includes a humidity sensor for detecting a humidity at which each of the subjects is photographed for generating the weather condition signal.

18. A photographic system according to claim 15 wherein the weather condition detection means includes an atmospheric pressure sensor for detecting atmospheric pressure at which each of the subjects is photographed for generating the weather condition signal.

19. A photographic system according to claim 15 wherein the weather condition detection means includes a temperature sensor for detecting a temperature at which each of the subjects is photographed for generating a temperature signal, and a humidity sensor for detecting a humidity at which each of the subjects is photographed for generating a humidity signal;

and

the signal processing circuit includes memory means for storing a relationship between weather conditions and temperatures and humidities, and weather condition information determination means for determining weather condition information based on the relationship stored in the memory.

20. A photographic system according to claim 14 wherein the information production means includes a timer for providing a date when each of the subjects is photographed and for generating a date signal, and a signal processing circuit for processing the generated date signal to produce date information as said produced information.

21. A photographic system according to claim 20 wherein the retrieval means includes memory means for storing a relationship between seasons and dates, and finding means responsive to the retrieval condition input means for finding the image data having the date information corresponding to a season inputted as the retrieval condition by the retrieval condition input means by correlating the time information to the relationship stored in the memory means.

22. A photographic system according to claim 14 wherein the information production means includes color temperature detection means for detecting a color temperature of a subject when each of the subjects is photographed and for generating a color temperature signal, and a signal processing circuit for processing the generated color temperature signal to produce color temperature information as said produced information.

23. A photographic system according to claim 22 wherein the retrieval means includes discriminating means for discriminating whether the subject is photographed indoors or outdoors.

24. A photographic system according to claim 22 wherein the retrieval means includes memory means for storing a relationship between color temperatures of natural light and other light, and discriminating means for discriminating whether the subject is photographed under natural light or other light.

25. A photographic system according to claim 14 wherein the information production means produces a plurality of kinds of information, respectively, in connection with a plurality of photographing conditions different from one another.

30. A photographic system according to claim 22 wherein the information production means includes a device for specifying a place where each of the subjects is photographed and for generating a place signal, and a signal processing circuit for processing the place signal to produce place information as said produced information.

31. A photographic system according to claim 30 wherein the retrieval means includes memory means for storing a relationship between areas and places, an area including a number of places, and finding means responsive to the retrieval condition input means for finding the image data having the place information corresponding to an area inputted as the retrieval condition by the retrieval condition input means by correlating the place information to the relationship stored in the memory means.

32. A photographic system according to claim 31 wherein the relationship between areas and places is defined by a membership function.

33. A photographic system according to claim 22 wherein the information production means includes;

a temperature sensor for detecting a temperature when each of the subjects is photographed and for generating a temperature signal,

a humidity sensor for detecting a humidity when each of the subjects is photographed and for generating a humidity signal, and

a signal processing circuit for processing the temperature signal and the humidity signal to produce temperature information and humidity information as said produced information; and

the retrieval means includes;

memory means for storing a relationship between weather conditions and temperatures and humidities, and finding means responsive to the retrieval condition input means for finding the image data having the temperature information and the humidity information corresponding to a weather condition inputted as the retrieval condition by the retrieval condition input means by correlating the temperature information and the humidity information to the relationship stored in the memory means.

26. A photographic system comprising:

a photographic device for photographing subjects to generate respective image data of the subjects, the photographing device including information production means for producing, at the time of photography, information depending on a state of photographing each of the subjects and identifying the respective image data stored by said first storage means, and storage means for storing the produced information; and

a reproduction device for reproducing the image data, the reproduction device including retrieval condition input means for inputting a retrieval condition designating stored produced information for retrieving desired image data, retrieval means responsive to the retrieval condition input means for retrieving the image data identified by the stored produced information designated by the input retrieval condition, and reproducing means for reproducing the retrieved image data.

27. A photographic system according to claim 26 wherein the information production means includes a timer for providing a date when each of the subjects is photographed and for generating a date signal, and a signal processing circuit for processing the date signal to produce date information as said produced information.

28. A photographic system according to claim 27 wherein the retrieval means includes memory means for storing a relationship between seasons and dates, and finding means responsive to the retrieval condition input means for finding the image data having the date information corresponding to a season inputted as the retrieval condition by the retrieval condition input means by correlating the time information to the relationship stored in the memory means.

29. A photographic system according to claim 28 wherein the relationship between seasons and dates is defined by a membership function.

34. A photographic system according to claim 26 wherein the information production means includes;

a temperature sensor for detecting a temperature at which each of the subjects is photographed and for generating a temperature signal, and

a signal processing circuit for processing the temperature signal to produce temperature information as said produced information; and

the retrieval means includes;

memory means for storing a relationship between weather conditions and temperatures, and finding means responsive to the retrieval condition input means for finding the image data having the temperature information corresponding to a weather condition inputted as the retrieval condition by the retrieval condition input means by correlating the temperature information to the relationship stored in the memory means.

35. A photographic system according to claim 26 wherein the image information production means includes;

a timer for providing an hour when each of the subjects is photographed and for generating an hour signal, and

a signal processing circuit for processing the generated hour signal to produce hour information as said produced image information; and

the retrieval means includes;

memory mans for storing a relationship between time periods and hours, and finding means responsive to the retrieval condition input means for finding the image data having the hour information corresponding to a time period inputted as the retrieval condition by the retrieval condition input means by correlating the hour information to the relationship stored in the memory means.

36. A photographic system according to claim 26 wherein the information production means produces a plurality of kinds of information, respectively, in connection with a plurality of photographing states different from one another.

37. A photographic system comprising:

a camera including;

photographic means for photographing subjects to generate respective image data of the subjects.

information production means for producing, at the time of photography, information depending on a state of photographing each of the subjects and identifying the respective image data stored by said first storage means, and

a storage medium for storing the image data and the produced information; and

a reproduction device including;

means for reading and storing the image data and the produced information from the storage medium, and for using the produced information to retrieve desired respective image data.

38. A photographic system according to claim 37 wherein the information production means produces a plurality of kinds of information, respectively, in connection with a plurality of photographing states different from one another.