IMAGE PHOTOGRAPHING SYSTEM, IMAGE PROCESSING SYSTEM, AND IMAGE PROVIDING SYSTEM CONNECTING THEM, AS WELL AS PHOTOGRAPHING CAMERA, IMAGE EDITING APPARATUS, IMAGE ORDER SHEET FOR EACH OBJECT AND METHOD OF ORDERING IMAGES FOR EACH OBJECT

• US 6,628,899 B1
• Filed: 10/10/2000
• Issued: 09/30/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 10/08/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Fujifilm Corporation (Fujifilm Holdings Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co Limited (Fujifilm Holdings Corporation)
• Inventors: Kito, Eiichi
• Primary Examiner(s): PERKEY, WILLIAM B
• Application Number:
  US09/685,073
• Time in Patent Office: 1,085 Days
• Field of Search: 396/56-59, 396/310, 396/311, 396/429, 348/61, 348/552, 348/207.1, 348/207.2, 348/211.2, 348/211.3, 348/211.14, 348/211.1, 348/211.99, 348/231.6, 348/231.3, 348/333.02, 355/40
• US Class Current: 396/56
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00132 in a digital photofinishing system, i.e. a system where digital photographic images undergo typical photofinishing processing, e.g. printing ordering
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00137 Transmission
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00143 Ordering
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00148 Storage information retrieval G06F16/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00161 Viewing or previewing
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00172 directly from a still digital camera or from a storage medium mounted in a still digital camera H04N1/0018 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00188 Printing, e.g. prints or reprints H04N1/0019, H04N1/00196 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32507 a plurality of input devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0084 Digital still camera
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/661 Transmitting camera control signals through networks, e.g. control via the Internet
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/76 Television signal recording
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/765 Interface circuits between an apparatus for recording and another apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/77 between a recording apparatus and a television camera
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/9201 involving the multiplexing of an additional signal and the video signal

Abstract

The image photographing, processing and providing systems as well as the photographing camera utilize a system which has a second communication device for transmitting photographing information of an object when at lease the object is photographed, a photographing device, a first communication device operated in association with the photographing device for receiving the photographing information transmitted from the second communication device and a storing unit for storing the photographing information received by the first communication device and the image data of the images of the photographed object which are related to each other. The image editing apparatus, the image order sheet and image ordering method for each object utilize the photographed result by the image photographing system and the photographing camera. These systems and the camera can effectively function even if many are installed in a wide site such as a theme park by the application of the transmitting/receiving function. The camera, the apparatus, the order sheet and the ordering method can simply and surely create albums and select photographs for ordering.

Claims

1. An image photographing system comprising:

a plurality of second communication devices for transmitting photographing information of objects to be photographed when at least said objects are photographed wherein at least one of said plurality of second communication devices is carried by said objects;

a photographing device for photographing said objects;

a first communication device operated in association with said photographing device for receiving said photographing information transmitted from said plurality of second communication devices; and

a storing unit for storing said photographing information received from said plurality of second communication devices by said first communication device and image data of images of said objects photographed by said photographing device in which said photographing information and the image data of each of the images of said objects are related to each other.

2. The image photographing system according to claim 1, wherein:

said first communication device is a transmitting/receiving unit for transmitting query information to said plurality of second communication devices simultaneously when, before or after said objects are photographed by said photographing device as well as for receiving said photographing information transmitted by said plurality of second communication devices; and

at least one of said plurality of second communication devices is a transmitting/receiving unit for receiving said query information transmitted by said first communication device and for transmitting said photographing information in response to said query information.

3. The image photographing system according to claim 1, wherein:

said first communication device is a receiving unit;

at least one of said plurality of second communication devices is a transmitting unit; and

said photographing device photographs said objects when said first communication device receives said photographing information transmitted from at least one of said plurality of second communication devices.

4. The image photographing system according to claim 1, wherein:

at least one of said plurality of second communication devices is a transmitting unit for transmitting said photographing information at all times; and

said first communication device is a receiving unit for receiving said photographing information transmitted by said plurality of second communication devices simultaneously when, before or after said objects are photographed by said photographing device.

5. The image photographing system according to claim 1, further comprising:

an electromagnetic wave irradiation unit operated in association with said photographing device and for irradiating electromagnetic energy simultaneously when, before or after said objects are photographed by said photographing device,

wherein at least one of said plurality of second communication devices is a transmitting unit which is started in response to said electromagnetic energy irradiated from said electromagnetic wave irradiation unit simultaneously when, before or after said objects are photographed by said photographing device and which transmits said photographing information; and

said first communication device is a receiving unit for receiving said photographing information transmitted by said plurality of second communication devices.

6. The image photographing system according to claim 5, wherein said first communication device comprises said electromagnetic wave irradiation unit.

7. The image photographing system according to claim 1, wherein said photographing device, said first communication device and said storing unit are constructed integrally as a photographing camera.

8. The image photographing system according to claim 1, wherein, when said first communication device receives a plurality of said photographing information from said plurality of second communication devices, respectively, said storing unit stores image data of an image taken by said photographing device and said plurality of photographing information received from said plurality of second communication devices by relating them to each other.

9. The image photographing system according to claim 1, wherein said photographing information includes identification information for identifying said objects registered in each of said plurality of second communication devices.

10. An image photographing system according to claim 1, wherein said system comprises a plurality of first communication devices.

11. An image processing system comprising:

an image search unit for searching image data of at least one image corresponding to at least one of photographing information from the photographic information and image data of images stored in a storing unit of an image photographing system by relating the image data and the photographing information, said image photographing system including;

a second communication device for transmitting the photographing information of an object to be photographed when at least said object is photographed;

a photographing device for photographing said object;

a first communication device operated in association with said photographing device for receiving said photographing information transmitted from said second communication device; and

said storing unit for storing said photographing information received from said second communication device by said first communication device and the image data of the images of said object photographed by said photographing device which are related to each other; and

an image processing unit for processing the image data of said at least one image searched by said image search unit.

12. The image processing system according to claim 11, further comprising:

a first reading unit for reading said photographing information recorded in said second communication device of said image photographing system,

wherein said image search unit searches the image data of said at least one image corresponding to at least one of said photographing information read by said first reading unit from the image data of said images stored in said storing unit and said photographing information which are related to each other.

13. The image processing system according to claim 11, wherein at least one of said photographing information is identification information for identifying said object.

14. The image processing system according to claim 11, further comprising:

an image display unit for displaying said at least one image searched by said image search unit;

an image designation unit for designating a necessary image from said at least one image displayed on said image display unit; and

an image output unit for outputting said designated image.

15. The image processing system according to claim 14 wherein, said image output unit is at least one of a print output unit for outputting said designated image as a photo print, a medium output unit for outputting an image data recording medium in which the image data of said designated image is recorded, and an image delivery unit for delivering the image data of said designated image through a communication unit.

16. An image providing system comprising:

at least one image photographing system, each image photographing system including;

a second communication device for transmitting photographing information of an object to be photographed when at least said object is photographed;

a photographing device for photographing said object;

a first communication device operated in association with said photographing device for receiving said photographing information transmitted from said second communication device; and

a storing unit for storing said photographing information received from said second communication device by said first communication device and image data of images of said object photographed by said photographing device in which said photographing information and the image data of each of the images of said object are related to each other; and

at least one image processing system, each image processing system including;

an image search unit for searching image data of at least one image corresponding to at least one of photographing information from the photographic information and image data of images stored in said storing unit of said image photographing system by relating the image data and the photographing information; and

an image processing unit for processing the image data of said at least one image searched by said image search unit;

wherein at least one image photographing system and at least one image processing system are connected to each other.

17. A photographing camera comprising:

a photographing device for photographing at least one object;

a first communication device for receiving photographing information transmitted from a plurality of second communication devices carried by objects to be photographed, said photographing information including identification information for identifying said objects; and

a storing unit for storing said photographing information of said objects received by said first communication device and the image data of the images of said objects photographed by said photographing device which are related to each other.

18. An image edit apparatus comprising:

a storing unit for storing image data of images of a plurality of scenes photographed in relation to a plurality of objects and photographing information including identification information of said plurality of objects photographed in said respective images by relating said photographing information to the image data of said respective images;

a reading unit for reading, from said storing unit, the image data of some images, which are selected from said images of said plurality of scenes in order to edit said some images as an album, and said photographing information stored in relation to the image data of said some images;

a display unit for displaying reproduced images of said image data read by said reading unit; and

a counting unit for counting, as to each of said plurality of objects photographed in said some selected images, photographing frequency of each object based on the identification information of each object read by said reading unit,

wherein said photographing frequency of said each object counted by said counting unit is displayed on said display unit as to said plurality of objects.

19. The image edit apparatus according to claim 18, further comprising:

an image search unit for searching the image data of said images stored in relation to said photographing information in said storing unit using the photographing information,

wherein said image search unit searches the images in which said each object is photographed using the photographing information, which is displayed on said display unit, of said each object whose photographing frequency is out of a preset frequency range, and searched images are read by said reading unit and displayed on said display unit.

20. The image edit apparatus according to claim 18, further comprising:

an image combining unit for combining the image data of said some selected images so as to edit the same selected images as said album when said photographing frequency of said each object displayed on said display unit is within said preset frequency,

wherein said some images, which are edited as said album based on said image data combined by said image combining unit, are displayed on said display unit.

21. The image edit apparatus according to claim 20, wherein said image combining unit combines information relating to the photographing information of said plurality of objects photographed in at least one image of said some images edited as said album as character data or line image data.

22. The image edit apparatus according to claim 20, further comprising:

an image output unit for outputting said some images combined as said image data by said image combining unit and edited as said album.

23. The image edit apparatus according to claim 18, wherein said storing unit is a storing unit for storing the images photographed by a photographing device in an image photographing system or a photographing camera,

wherein said image photographing system comprises:

a second communication device for transmitting the photographing information of said each object to be photographed when at least said each object is photographed;

said photographing device for photographing said each object;

a first communication device operated in association with said photographing device for receiving said photographing information transmitted from said second communication device; and

said storing unit for storing said photographing information received from said second communication device by said first communication device and the image data of the images of said each object photographed by said photographing device in which said photographing information and the image data of each of the images of said each object are related to each other, and

wherein said photographing camera comprises;

said photographing device for photographing each object;

a first communication device for receiving the photographing information transmitted from each second communication device carried by said each object to be photographed, said photographing information including identification information for identifying said each object; and

a storing unit for storing said photographing information of said each object received by said first communication device and the image data of the image of said each object photographed by said photographing device which are related to each other.

24. An image edit apparatus comprising:

a storing unit for storing image data of images of a plurality of scenes photographed in relation to a plurality of objects including a particular object and photographing information including identification information of said plurality of objects photographed in said respective images by relating said photographing information to the image data of said respective images;

an image search unit for searching and selecting a plurality of images relating to said particular object from said images of said plurality of scenes stored in said storing unit using said photographing information relating to said particular object;

a reading unit for reading the image data of said plurality of images searched and selected by said search unit;

an image processing unit for creating the image data of the respective reduced images of said plurality of images from the image data of said plurality of images read by said reading unit;

a combining unit for combining a name of said particular object, said respective reduced images of said plurality of images, order numbers of said respective images corresponding to said respective reduced images, and order number fields provided in correspondence to respective order numbers as an image order sheet for said particular object; and

an image output unit for outputting said image order sheet for said particular object combined by said combination unit.

25. The image edit apparatus according to claim 24, further comprising:

a display unit for displaying at least one of a result of search carried out by said image search unit, said images or said photographing information read by said reading unit, said respective reduced images of said plurality of images created by said image processing unit, and said image order sheet for said particular object combined by said combining unit.

26. An image edit apparatus according to claim 24, wherein said storing unit is a storing unit for storing the images photographed by a photographing device in an image photographing system or a photographing camera,

wherein said image photographing system comprises:

a second communication device for transmitting the photographing information of said each object to be photographed when at least said each object is photographed;

said photographing device for photographing said each object;

a first communication device operated in association with said photographing device for receiving said photographing information transmitted from said second communication device; and

said storing unit for storing said photographing information received from said second communication device by said first communication device the image data of the images of said each object photographed by said photographing device in which said photographing information and the image data of each of the images of said each object are related to each other, and

wherein said photographing camera comprises;

said photographing device for photographing each object;

a first communication device for receiving the photographing information transmitted from each second communication device carried by said each object to be photographed, said photographing information including identification information for identifying said each object; and

a storing unit for storing said photographing information of said each object received by said first communication device and the image data of the image of said each object photographed by said photographing device which are related to each other.

27. The image edit apparatus according to claim 24, wherein said plurality of images relating to said particular object are images, in which said particular object is photographed, or images, in which at least one of a plurality of objects belonging to a particular group to which said particular object belongs, is photographed.

28. An image order sheet for each object comprising:

a name of a particular object;

reduced images of a plurality of images relating to said particular object selected from the images of a plurality of scenes photographed as to a plurality of objects including said particular object;

order numbers of respective images corresponding to said reduced images of said plurality of images; and

order number fields provided in correspondence to said respective order numbers.

29. A method of ordering at least one image for each object comprising the steps of:

delivering, through a communication unit, an image order sheet for each object as data capable of being displayed on an image display unit, said order sheet including a name of a particular object, reduced images of a plurality of images relating to said particular object selected from images of a plurality of scenes photographed as to a plurality of objects including said particular object, order numbers of respective images corresponding to said reduced images of said plurality of images, and order number fields provided in correspondence to said respective order numbers;

displaying said order sheet for each object on an image display unit carried by said particular object; and

receiving number of orders for the respective images input to said order number field by said particular object.

30. An image photographing system comprising:

second communication device for transmitting photographing information of an object to be photographed when at least said object is photographed wherein said second communication device is carried by said object;

a photographing device for photographing said object;

a first communication device operated in association with said photographing device for receiving said photographing information transmitted from said second communication device;

a storing unit for storing said photographing information received from said second communication device by said first communication device and image data of images of said object photographed by said photographing device in which said photographing information and the image data of each of the images of said object are related to each other; and

wherein said photographing device is located at a fixed location.

31. An image photographing system comprising:

a second communication device for transmitting photographing information of an object to be photographed when at least said object is photographed wherein said second communication device is carried by said object;

a photographing device for photographing said object;

a first communication device operated in association with said photographing device for receiving said photographing information transmitted from said second communication device;

a storing unit for storing said photographing information received from said second communication device by said first communication device and image data of images of said object photographed by said photographing device in which said photographing information and the image data of each of the images of said object are related to each other; and

wherein said photographing device is self-activated.

32. An image photographing system comprising:

a first communication device including a transmitting/receiving unit for transmitting query information to a plurality of second communication devices simultaneously when, before or after an object is photographed by a photographing device as well as for receiving photographing information transmitted by said plurality of second communication devices; and

at least one of said plurality of second communication devices include a transmitting/receiving unit for receiving said query information transmitted by said first communication device and for transmitting said photographing information in response to said query information wherein at least one of said plurality of second communication devices is carried by said object.

33. An image photographing system comprising:

a first communication device including a transmitting/receiving unit for transmitting query information to a plurality of second communication devices simultaneously when, before or after an object is photographed by a photographing device as well as for receiving photographing information transmitted by said plurality of second communication devices; and

at least one of said plurality of second communication devices include a transmitting/receiving unit for receiving said query information transmitted by said first communication device and for transmitting said photographing information in response to said query information.

34. A method of ordering at least one image for each object comprising the steps of:

delivering, through a communication unit, an image order sheet for each object as data capable of being displayed on an image display unit, said order sheet including a name of a particular object, reduced images of a plurality of images relating to said particular object selected from images of a plurality of scenes photographed as to a plurality of objects including said particular object, order numbers of respective images corresponding to said reduced images of said plurality of images, and order number fields provided in correspondence to said respective order numbers.