Image data processing system

• US 6,661,529 B2
• Filed: 07/14/1998
• Issued: 12/09/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 12/25/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Casio Computer Company Limited
• Original Assignee: Casio Computer Company Limited
• Inventors: Tagi, Minoru, Sanbongi, Masao
• Primary Examiner(s): LEE, TOMMY D
• Application Number:
  US09/101,664
• Publication Number:
  US 20010019420A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,974 Days
• Field of Search: 358/487, 358/506, 358/527, 358/452, 358/1.15, 358/467, 358/407, 358/471, 358/476, 382/312, 348/158, 348/232, 396/310, 354/106, 364/420
• US Class Current: 358/1.15
• 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 1/0014 via e-mail
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00204 with a digital computer or a digital computer system, e.g. an internet server programmed control between transmitter and receiver or between image input and image output device H04N1/32561
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/2112 using still video cameras
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/2166 for mass storage, e.g. in document filing systems information retrieval G06F16/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32101 Display, printing, storage or transmission of additional information, e.g. ID code, date and time or title
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2101/00 Still video cameras
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0049 By wire, cable or the like
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0082 Image hardcopy reproducer H04N2201/0091 - H04N2201/0094 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3215 of a time or duration
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3216 of a job size, e.g. a number of images, pages or copies, size of file, length of message
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3225 of data relating to an image, a page or a document
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3242 of processing required or performed, e.g. for reproduction or before recording H04N2201/3256 and subgroups take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3253 Position information, e.g. geographical position at time of capture, GPS data
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3254 Orientation, e.g. landscape or portrait; Location or order of the image data, e.g. in memory

Abstract

An image data processing system includes a PDA (2), an image data processing unit (3) for editing image data created by the PDA, and a personal computer. The above units include communication units (16, 35, 47) which can communicate with one another via a communication line a. The PDA includes an image input unit (12) for creating the image data of a subject, image data-related information creating means (20) for creating information related to the image data, and an input unit (14) for determining an output format of image data and the like. The image data processing unit (3) includes a data storage unit (34) for storing received image data and the like, a CPU (31) for editing image data based on an input of output format information, and a printer (5) for outputting the edited image data. The personal computer (4) includes a CPU (41) for editing received image data.

Claims

1. An image date outputting method comprising:

adding a photographing time counted by a timer provided in a photographing unit to image data photographed by a user using the photographing unit;

transmitting the image data with the added photographing time to a center unit via a communication line using a communication function of the photographing unit;

receiving, at the center unit, the image data with the added photographing time and transmitted via the communication line;

storing the received image data and the added photographing time data in a memory of the center unit;

automatically editing, at the center unit, the image data based on the time at which the image data was photographed;

outputting the data stored in the memory to a terminal unit provided at the user'"'"'s home so as to enable the user to edit the image data using the terminal unit, said terminal unit being connected to the center unit via a communication network;

storing the edited image data in the memory of the center unit as album data; and

outputting the album data stored in the memory to the terminal unit to be displayed in an album form.

2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising printing the album data stored in the memory using a printer controlled by the center unit.

3. The method according to claim 2, further comprising:

inputting text data to the image data photographed by the photographing unit; and

printing the image data in association with the input text data.

4. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

adding audio data to the image data during an editing operation performed by the user; and

reproducing the added audio data when the album data is output.

5. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

inputting text data to the photographed image data, in the photographing unit; and

displaying the image data in association with the text data during an editing operation performed by the user.

6. An image data outputting method comprising:

adding characteristic information to image data photographed by a user using a photographing unit;

transmitting the image data with the added characteristic information to a center unit via a communication line using a communication function of the photographing unit;

receiving, at the center unit, the image data with the added characteristic information transmitted via the communication line;

storing the received image data and the added characteristic information in a memory of the center unit;

outputting the image data and the added characteristic information stored in the memory to a terminal unit provided at the user s home so as to enable the user to designate the characteristic information using the terminal unit, said terminal unit being connected to the center unit via a communication network; and

extracting information, related to the characteristic information designated by the user, from a database in the center unit, and outputting the extracted information to the terminal unit.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein:

the additional characteristic information comprises position information obtained by a position measuring device provided in the photographing unit; and

the extracted information comprises a geographical name of a position at which the image data was photographed, and the database in the center unit stores geographical names in correspondence with the position information.

8. The method according to claim 6, further comprising:

adding audio data to the image data during an editing operation performed by the user to produce album data; and

reproducing the added audio data when the album data is output.

9. The method according to claim 6, further comprising:

inputting text data to the image data, in the photographing unit; and

displaying the image data in association with the text data during an editing operation performed by the user.

10. An image data outputting method comprising:

inputting text data to image data photographed by a user using a photographing unit;

transmitting the image data with the inputted text data to a center unit via a communication line using a communication function of the photographing unit;

receiving, at the center unit, the image data with the inputted text data transmitted via the communication line;

storing the received image data and the inputted text data in a memory of the center unit;

outputting the data stored in the memory to a terminal unit provided at the user'"'"'s home so as to enable the user to edit the image data using the terminal unit, said terminal unit being connected to the center unit via a communication network;

converting the text data into audio data during an editing operation performed by the user;

storing the edited image data and icon data which represents the converted audio data in the memory of the unit as album data; and

outputting the album data stored in the memory to the terminal unit to be displayed in an album form.

11. The method according to claim 10, further comprising:

inputting mail address data to the photographed image data, in the photographing unit;

receiving at the terminal unit a request by the user for a transmission of the image data to the mail address; and

transmitting, by the center unit, the image data by mail in response to the user'"'"'s request.

12. The method according to claim 10, further comprising transferring printed material comprising the album data to the user at a remote location.

13. An image data processing system comprising:

an image memory for storing image data photographed by a user using a photographing unit and transmitted via a communication line using a communication function of the photographing unit;

automatic editing means for automatically editing the image data in a format designated by the user, based on related information added to the image data using the photographing unit, the related information including at least one of information relating to a position at which the image data was photographed and information relating to a time at which the image data was photographed;

output means for outputting the image data stored in the image memory to a terminal unit that is provided at the user'"'"'s home and that is connected to a center unit via a network, so as to enable the user to edit the image data using the terminal unit;

an album memory for storing the image data edited by the user as album data; and

album data-output means for outputting and displaying the album data stored in the album memory on the terminal unit as an album.

14. The system according to claim 13, further comprising control means for printing the album data stored in the album memory in an album form.

15. An image data processing system comprising:

an image memory for storing image data photographed by a user using a photographing unit and transmitted via a communication line using a communication function of the photographing unit;

output means for outputting the image data stored in the image memory to a terminal unit that is provided at the user'"'"'s home and that is connected to a center unit via a network, so as to enable the user to edit the image data using the terminal unit;

an album memory for storing the edited image data as album data;

album data-output means for outputting and displaying the album data stored in the album memory on the terminal unit as an album;

a database for storing geographical information; and

information output means for extracting and outputting geographical information from the database that is related to information input by the photographing unit.

16. The system according to claim 15, wherein:

the information input by the photographing unit includes comprises position information indicating a position am which the image data was photographed;

the database comprises storage means for storing geographical names in correspondence with the position information; and

the information output means comprises means for outputting a geographical name corresponding to the position at which the image data was photographed.

17. The system according to claim 15, further comprising transmission means for, when a mail address is added to the image data, transmitting the image data to the mail address.

18. An image data printing method comprising:

receiving, at a center unit and via a communication line, image data photographed by a photographing unit and information related to the image data input from the photographing unit, the information being related to a time at which the image data was photographed;

receiving, at the center unit and via the communication line, a printing format designated by a user through the photographing unit;

automatically editing, at the center unit, the received image data into the designated printing format utilizing the related information; and

printing, at the center unit, the edited image data as album data.

19. The method according to claim 18, further comprising transferring printed material comprising the album data to the user at a remote location.

20. An image data printing method comprising:

receiving, at a center unit and via a communication line, image data photographed by a photographing unit and information related to the image data input from the photographing unit, the information being related to a position at which the image data was photographed;

receiving, at the center unit and via the communication line, a printing format designated by a user through the photographing unit;

automatically editing, at the center unit, the received image data into the designated printing format utilizing the related information; and

printing, at the center unit, the edited image data as album data.