JP2004120304A - Information recorder - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information recorder capable of accurately correlating and managing a photographed image and an object. <P>SOLUTION: The ID of an object 80 recorded in a radio tag 30 provided on the object 80 is read, and in the case that an authentication judging mode is not selected, the read ID is correlated to the photographed image data of the object 80 as it is and recorded in a memory card 32. Also, in the case that the authentication judging mode is selected, the ID registered in the ID table of a ROM 44 and the read ID are compared and collated, and photographing processing and recording processing are controlled on the basis of a collated result. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an information recording apparatus, and more particularly to an information recording apparatus such as a digital camera, a mobile phone with a digital camera, and a notebook computer with a digital camera, which captures an image of a subject and records image data obtained by the imaging. .
[0002]
[Prior art]
In recent years, cases in which an article and a photographed image of the article are associated with each other and managed to perform individual identification, distribution management, and the like are increasing. For example, an article is marked with a number or the like, photographed by an imaging device, and a management file name is assigned to the image data obtained by photography and recorded and managed, whereby the photographed image and the article are associated and managed. Things have been done.
[0003]
In addition, a technology for embedding an extremely small wireless communication type IC memory (hereinafter referred to as a wireless tag) in which an article identification number, management information, etc. are recorded in an article and performing solid identification, logistics management, etc. has been put into practical use. .
[0004]
As a device that performs collation processing using a photographed image, a document collation is performed in which a document is photographed by irradiating a plurality of light beams, and the authenticity of the document is determined based on a density difference between the image obtained by photographing and the sample image. An apparatus is known (for example, refer to Patent Document 1). There is also known an information display device that collates a password image with a master image registered in advance and displays secret information associated with the master image if the collated result images match (for example, , See Patent Document 2).
[0005]
[Patent Document 1]
JP 2001-76203 A [Patent Document 2]
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-19146
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the conventional technology for managing the article and the photographed image in association with each other, even if the article is photographed so as to include a mark such as a number attached to the article, the mark in the photographed image is clearly displayed depending on the photographing state. May not be visually recognized, and there is a problem that the accuracy of matching is reduced. Also, there is a problem that it is necessary to manage the image data obtained by shooting with the file name, which is complicated and troublesome.
[0007]
Further, in the conventional technology using the above-described wireless tag, solid identification or physical distribution management is performed only by the wireless tag embedded in the article, the article is photographed, and the photographed image is associated with the photographed article. It does not apply to systems that are managed.
[0008]
Further, in the above-described conventional document collation apparatus and information display apparatus, since both apparatuses collate based on the photographed image, the accuracy of the collation is not sufficient, and the above problems cannot be solved. There is also a problem that the collation method is complicated and difficult to put into practical use.
[0009]
The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an information recording apparatus capable of accurately managing a captured image and a subject in association with each other.
[0010]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, an information recording apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention is an information recording apparatus for photographing a subject and recording image data obtained by the photographing, in which information on the subject is recorded. And reading means for reading out information on the subject from the memory provided in the subject by non-contact communication, and associating information on the subject read by the reading means with image data obtained by photographing the subject. And recording means for recording.
[0011]
According to the first aspect of the present invention, a memory in which information on the subject is recorded is provided on the subject. Information relating to the subject is read from the memory by non-contact communication by the reading means of the information recording device, and the read information relating to the subject is associated with image data obtained by photographing the subject and recorded in the information recording device. Recorded in the means.
[0012]
As a result, the subject and the captured image can be managed in association with each other accurately and easily.
[0013]
When information related to the subject is recorded in association with the image data of the subject, the shooting information is recorded in a file format (for example, Exif format) that is recorded as part of the image information, and the information related to the subject is also recorded. It may be recorded in the same manner as the shooting information.
[0014]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information recording apparatus according to a second aspect of the present invention, wherein information relating to a subject is recorded, reading means for reading out the information relating to the subject by non-contact communication from a memory provided in the subject, and information relating to the subject stored in advance. Storage means, collation means for collating information stored in the storage means with information read by the reading means, information read by the reading means by the collating means, and the storage When the information stored in the means matches, the permission means for allowing photographing, the photographing means for photographing the subject when photographing is permitted by the permission means, and the photographing means obtained by photographing Recording means for associating and recording image data of a subject and information read by the reading means or information stored in the storage means. In it is configured.
[0015]
According to the second aspect of the present invention, information relating to the subject (for example, information relating to the subject to be managed) is stored in advance in the storage means of the information recording apparatus. The information on the subject read from the memory provided in the subject and the information on the subject stored in the storage unit of the information recording device are collated by the collating unit. If the two pieces of information match, photographing is permitted by the permitting means, the subject is photographed by the photographing means, and image data of the subject obtained by photographing is stored in the information read out by the reading means or in the storage means. The recorded information is recorded in association with the recording means.
[0016]
As described above, since the information recorded in the memory is collated with the information stored in advance, the subject to be photographed can be automatically and accurately determined, and photographing and recording processing can be appropriately performed.
[0017]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided the information recording apparatus according to the first or second aspect of the present invention, wherein the display means displays information about the subject recorded in the recording means when the image data is reproduced. It is comprised including.
[0018]
Thereby, it is possible to easily check the photographed image of the subject and information about the subject with the information recording apparatus alone.
[0019]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
[0020]
Hereinafter, a case where the present invention is applied to a digital camera will be described.
[0021]
FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a relationship between a digital camera according to the present embodiment and a subject (article to be managed) to which a wireless tag is attached. The wireless tag 30 is provided with an antenna that records an ID unique to the subject 80 as information about the subject and can communicate with the digital camera 10 wirelessly (described later). As shown in the figure, the digital camera 10 can read the subject ID from the wireless tag 30 wirelessly. The digital camera 10 according to the present embodiment is used to manage a subject 80 to be managed and image data obtained by photographing the subject 80 in association with each other.
[0022]
As shown in FIG. 2, the digital camera 10 according to the present embodiment captures a subject 80 based on the optical lens 12 and incident light indicating the subject image that has passed through the optical lens 12, and shows the subject image. A CCD (Charge Coupled Device) 16 is provided as an image sensor that outputs color analog image signals of three colors G, B.
[0023]
The CCD 16 includes an analog signal processing unit 18 that performs predetermined analog signal processing on an image signal input from the CCD 16, and an analog / digital conversion that converts the analog signal input from the analog signal processing unit 18 into a digital signal. A device (hereinafter referred to as “A / D converter”) 20 is connected in order.
[0024]
Digital signals (digital values of R, G, and B signals) output from the A / D converter 20 are input to the control circuit 40 (details will be described later) and to the digital signal processing circuit 26. The digital signal processing circuit 26 includes a synthesis processing circuit (not shown), a white balance adjustment processing circuit, and a gamma processing circuit, and performs various digital signal processing.
[0025]
The RGB signals output from the digital signal processing circuit 26 are recorded on the memory card 32 via the recording media interface (I / F) 34 and displayed on the liquid crystal display 28.
[0026]
In addition, the digital camera 10 reads the ID from the drive unit 22 for driving the optical lens 12, the CCD control unit 24 for controlling timing at the time of photographing with respect to the CCD 16, and the wireless tag 30 of the subject 80, and the subject 80 Is provided with a shutter switch 50 and a mode dial 52 for selecting a photographing mode and a true / false determination mode. The authenticity determination mode is a mode for determining the authenticity of the subject 80 (in this case, whether it is a management target) based on the ID read from the wireless tag 30.
[0027]
Further, the digital camera 10 is provided with an antenna 54 and a wireless interface (I / F) 56 for performing wireless communication.
[0028]
The control circuit 40 of the digital camera 10 is composed of a microcomputer including a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 42, a ROM 44, and a RAM 46, and controls the operation of the entire digital camera 10. The ROM 44 stores an ID table in which IDs of subjects to be managed are registered, and a processing routine program for executing processing for reading the ID from the wireless tag 30 and determining the authenticity of the subject 80.
[0029]
Next, the configuration of the wireless tag 30 of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
[0030]
As shown in the figure, the wireless tag 30 is charged by an antenna coil 60 for performing wireless communication with the digital camera 10 and generating power by receiving radio waves, and an electromotive force induced in the antenna coil 60. The capacitor 62 is provided.
[0031]
Further, the flash memory 70 in which the ID of the subject 80 is recorded, the memory controller 68 that controls the reading and writing of data to and from the flash memory 70, the modulation of the data read from the flash memory 70, and the data received by the antenna coil 60 A modulation / demodulation circuit 66 that demodulates the signal and a power supply circuit 64 that supplies driving power to each part of the wireless tag 30 based on the electric charge charged in the capacitor 62 are provided.
[0032]
Although the wireless tag 30 is not equipped with a battery, an electromotive force is generated in the antenna coil 60 by receiving radio waves from the outside, and accordingly, driving power is supplied from the power supply circuit 64.
[0033]
Note that the flash memory 70 is used as a memory for recording the ID of the subject 80, but even if no power is supplied to the wireless tag 30, any memory that holds the recorded ID can be used. Not only the flash memory but also an EPROM or an EEPROM may be used.
[0034]
Hereinafter, details of the flow of the ID recording process and the collation process in the present embodiment will be described using the flowcharts of FIGS. 4 and 5.
[0035]
FIG. 4 shows a processing routine by the CPU 42 of the digital camera 10.
[0036]
First, in step 100, it is determined whether or not the shutter switch 50 of the digital camera 10 is half pressed. If it is determined that the shutter switch 50 is half-pressed, a radio wave for generating an electromotive force is transmitted via the antenna 54, and an ID request signal is transmitted subsequently. When the transmitted radio wave is received by the antenna coil 60 of the wireless tag 30, an electromotive force is generated in the antenna coil 60, the capacitor 62 is charged, and power is supplied to each part via the power supply circuit 64. Then, under the control of the memory controller 68, the ID is read from the flash memory 70 and sent out via the antenna coil 60 (details of processing in the wireless tag 30 will be described later).
[0037]
Next, in step 102, it is determined whether or not the ID transmitted from the wireless tag 30 has been received. If it is determined that it has been received, the received ID is displayed on the liquid crystal display 28 in step 104. Thereby, the operator can easily confirm the ID of the subject 80. Note that this ID may not be displayed.
[0038]
Next, in step 106, it is determined whether or not the authenticity determination mode is selected by the mode dial 52. If it is determined that the authenticity determination mode is selected, the ID (registered ID) registered in the ID table of the ROM 44 and the ID read in step 102 are collated in step 108. .
[0039]
As a result of the collation, if it is determined that the read ID matches (OK) any of the IDs (registered IDs) registered in the ID table of the ROM 44, the subject 80 is a management target. Therefore, in step 110, “OK” is displayed on the liquid crystal display 28, and in step 112, it is determined whether or not the shutter switch 50 has been fully pressed. If it is determined that the shutter switch 50 has been fully pressed, in step 114, the subject 80 is photographed, and the image data obtained by photographing and the read ID (or the registered ID that matches the read ID). ) And is recorded in the memory card 32 attached to the digital camera 10.
[0040]
As a method for recording the image data obtained by shooting in association with the ID, a file format such as the Exif format that can be recorded by adding shooting information or the like to the image data is used, and information on the subject is shot. You may make it record as a part of information.
[0041]
If it is determined in step 108 that the read ID does not match any of the IDs registered in the ID table of the ROM 44 (NG), the subject 80 is not subject to management. In step 116, “NG” is displayed on the liquid crystal display 28, and the process ends without performing the photographing process. At this time, the shutter switch 50 may be locked so that the photographing process is not executed.
[0042]
If it is determined in step 106 that the authenticity determination mode is not selected, the verification process in step 108 is not performed, and the process proceeds to step 112. In step 112, it is determined whether or not the shutter switch 50 has been fully pressed. If it is determined that the shutter switch 50 has been fully pressed, in step 114, the subject 80 is photographed, and the image data obtained by photographing is associated with the read ID and attached to the digital camera 10. Recorded on the memory card 32.
[0043]
If it is determined in step 102 that the ID transmitted from the wireless tag 30 has not been received, the process of reading and recording the ID is not performed, and the object 80 is obtained by photographing in step 118. A process for recording image data, shooting information, etc., that is, a so-called normal shooting process is performed.
[0044]
Next, processing on the wireless tag 30 side will be described.
[0045]
FIG. 5 shows a processing routine by the memory controller 68 of the wireless tag 30.
[0046]
In step 200, it is determined whether an ID request signal is received from the digital camera 10. If the ID request signal is received, the ID is read from the flash memory 70 in step 202.
[0047]
Next, in step 204, the read ID is modulated by the modulation / demodulation circuit 66 and sent to the outside via the antenna coil 60. The sent ID is received by the antenna 54 of the digital camera 10, and the processing of steps 102 to 116 in FIG. 4 is performed.
[0048]
When the recorded image data is reproduced on the liquid crystal display 28 of the digital camera 10, the ID recorded in association with the image data is also displayed on the liquid crystal display 28 (not shown). As a display method, the ID may be displayed so as to be superimposed on the image of the subject, or one screen is divided into two, and the photographed image is displayed on one side and the ID of the subject is displayed on the other side. Good. Further, an ID display liquid crystal display may be provided in the digital camera 10 in addition to the image display liquid crystal display 28 to display the ID.
[0049]
As described above, the wireless tag 30 is provided on the subject 80, the ID transmitted wirelessly from the wireless tag 30 is read by the digital camera 10, and the authenticity determination mode for determining the authenticity of the subject 80 is not selected. In this case, since the read ID and the captured image data of the subject 80 are recorded in association with each other, the subject and the captured image can be managed in association with each other accurately and easily. When the authenticity determination mode is selected, the ID read out wirelessly is checked against the registered ID registered in advance in the ID table of the ROM 44. If the registered IDs match, the photographing is permitted, and the read ID (or the matching registered ID) and the photographed image data of the subject 80 are recorded in association with each other. Therefore, it is possible to appropriately perform photographing and recording processing.
[0050]
Note that a collision prevention circuit (anti-collision circuit) may be provided in the digital camera 10 assuming that ID recording / confirmation processing is performed on a plurality of subjects 80. Thus, even if a plurality of wireless tags 30 (subjects 80) are present in the communication area of the digital camera 10, control is performed so that communication is not disabled. For example, control may be performed so that communication is preferentially established for the wireless tag 30 that has entered the communication area earliest, or communication is disabled when a plurality of wireless tags 30 exist in the communication area. A message may be displayed on the liquid crystal display 28 or the like so that only one wireless tag 30 exists in the communication area.
[0051]
In the above-described embodiment, the flash memory 70 has been described as a memory provided in a subject. However, an EPROM, an EEPROM, or the like may be used.
[0052]
In the above-described embodiment, the memory card 32 that is a removable recording medium has been described as a recording unit for recording information relating to a subject and image data of the subject in association with each other. (ROM 44) may be used as the recording means.
[0053]
In the above-described embodiment, the example in which the registration ID is stored in advance in the ROM 44 of the digital camera 10 has been described. However, the registration ID may be stored in a removable recording medium.
[0054]
Furthermore, in the embodiment described above, the ID is read from the wireless tag 30 wirelessly, but may be read by communication using light (for example, infrared rays).
[0055]
In the information recording apparatus of the present invention, for example, in an auction developed on the Internet, the item displayed on the photographed image released on the Internet at the time of auction listing is the same as the item actually delivered to the successful bidder It can also be applied as a device for determining whether or not.
[0056]
Further, the present invention is not limited to the digital camera of the above embodiment, and can be applied to various information recording apparatuses.
[0057]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, information related to a subject is read out from a memory provided in the subject by non-contact communication, and information related to the subject and captured image data are recorded in association with each other. Can be easily and accurately associated and managed.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a relationship between a digital camera according to an embodiment and a subject to which a wireless tag is attached.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a digital camera.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a wireless tag.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a processing routine in the digital camera.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a processing routine in the wireless tag.
[Explanation of symbols]
10 Digital camera (information recording device)
28 Liquid crystal display (display means)
30 wireless tag 32 memory card (recording means)
42 CPU (verification means, permission means)
44 ROM (storage means)
50 Shutter switch (photographing means)
54 Antenna (reading means)
70 flash memory

Claims (3)

An information recording device for photographing a subject and recording image data obtained by photographing,
Reading means for recording information about the subject and reading information about the subject by non-contact communication from a memory provided in the subject;
Recording means for recording information relating to the subject read by the reading means in association with image data obtained by photographing the subject;
An information recording device including: Reading means for recording information about the subject and reading the information about the subject by non-contact communication from a memory provided in the subject;
Storage means for storing information about the subject in advance;
Collating means for collating the information stored in the storage means with the information read by the reading means;
Permission means for permitting photographing when the information read by the reading means matches the information stored in the storage means by the matching means;
Photographing means for photographing a subject when photographing is permitted by the permission means;
Recording means for recording the image data of the subject obtained by photographing by the photographing means in association with the information read by the reading means or the information stored in the storage means;
An information recording device including: The information recording apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a display unit that displays information about the subject recorded in the recording unit when the image data is reproduced.

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