Television – Camera – system and detail – Combined image signal generator and general image signal...
Reexamination Certificate
1999-11-17
2004-10-05
Garber, Wendy R. (Department: 2712)
Television
Camera, system and detail
Combined image signal generator and general image signal...
Reexamination Certificate
active
06801251
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an image synthesizer and an image synthesizing method, a digital camera and a method of controlling the operation of the digital camera, and a printer controller and a method of operating the printer controller.
2. Description of the Background Art
When photographs of a lot of attendants at a wedding ceremony or a wedding reception, for example, are taken with a camera, and the photographs are distributed to the attendants, a person in each of the photographs is confirmed by seeing the photograph. The photograph is handed to the attendant which is the confirmed person.
In this case, if the person in the photograph is not known, the photograph cannot be handed to the attendant. When a lot of subjects are photographed, a photographer may forget to photograph some of the subjects.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of the present invention is to make it possible to confirm a person to whom a photograph obtained by photographing a subject is to be handed.
Another object of the present invention is to make it possible to remember to photograph all subjects.
An image synthesizer according to the first invention comprises a first reading device for reading, from an image file storing image data of a plurality of frames respectively representing subject images which are obtained by photographing the subjects in correlation with identification codes respectively specifying the plurality of subjects, the image data and the identification codes, a second reading device for reading, from a subject identification file storing subject identification information including the identification codes for the plurality of subjects, the subject identification information, and an output device for synthesizing to output the image data and the subject identification information which are related to each other by the identification code, among the image data obtained by the first reading device and the subject identification information obtained by the second reading device.
An image synthesizing method according to the first invention comprising the steps of inputting, from an image file storing image data of a plurality of frames respectively representing subject images which are obtained by photographing the subjects in correlation with identification codes respectively specifying the plurality of subjects, the image data and the identification codes, inputting, from a subject identification file storing subject identification information including the identification codes for the plurality of subjects, the subject identification information, and synthesizing to output the image data and the subject identification information which are related to each other by the identification code, among the inputted image data and the inputted subject identification information.
The image file storing the image data and the identification code in correlation with each other is generally obtained from a digital camera. Such digital camera will be explained later. The first reading device may be implemented by a reading device for an image recording medium (e.g., a memory card) of the digital camera.
The subject identification file holding the subject identification information may be provided on a recording medium in a personal computer such as a hard disc, a floppy disc or the like. The image synthesizer may be the personal computer. Accordingly, the second reading device may be realized by a HD drive, a FD drive or the like.
In one embodiment, the output device outputs a signal representing the image data and a signal representing the subject identification information. When these signals are fed to a printer, a print (photograph) of a subject on which the subject identification information appears can be obtained.
In another embodiment, the output device performs image synthesis of the image data representing the subject and image data representing the subject identification information to output. The composite image data produced by the images synthesis is fed to a printer. A print of the composite image having the subject identification information expressed thereon can be obtained.
According to still another embodiment, the output device synthesizes the subject image represented by the image data and the subject identification information with a template image to output. A print of the composite image of the subject on which the subject identification information appears is obtained by a printer using the synthesized composite image data.
Preferably, the output device includes a printer printing the synthesized composite image.
In accordance with a desirable embodiment, the image synthesizer further comprises an input device (inclusive of a FD drive, a HD drive or the like) for inputting template image data representing a template image in which a plurality of synthesis areas are defined. The output device synthesizes the image data and data representing the subject identification information with the template image data fetched by the input device such that the subject image and the subject identification information are placed in the synthesis areas. When the synthesized composite image is fed to a printer, a print (photograph) including the subject identification information and the subject image synthesized with the template image appearing thereon can be obtained.
A print obtained by printing the image is assigned the subject identification information for a person to whom the print is to be handed. Accordingly, the person to whom the print is to be handed is found only by seeing the identification information. Even if a person on the printed image is not known, the person to whom the print is to be handed is found.
If the subject photographed as the subject image is a person, for example, the subject identification information is the name of the person or the destination of distribution of the print.
The subject identification information may include the date on which the subject is photographed, the place where the subject is photographed, and a message, and further various messages corresponding to the person to whom the print is to be handed.
A digital camera according to the second invention comprises an imaging device for photographing an image of a subject, a receiving device for receiving an identification code (inclusive of an input device for the identification code), a first storage device for storing digital image data representing the subject image obtained from the imaging device in correlation with the identification code received by the receiving device. The image file used in the image synthesizer is produced.
In a preferred embodiment, the digital camera further comprises a display device for displaying the identification code received by the receiving device. In a case where the identification code is carried by a medium (e.g., an infrared ray) which is propagated through space, the receiving device or a device emitting the medium preferably has high directivity.
In another embodiment, the digital camera further comprises a second storage device for storing a plurality of items of subject identification information respectively including identification codes. The first storage device compares the identification code received by the receiving device with the identification codes stored in the second storage device and stores the subject identification information which includes the identification code matching with the received identification code and the digital image data obtained from the imaging device in correlation with each other. The image data and the subject identification information stored in the first storage device may be synthesized with each other.
According to still another embodiment, the digital camera further provided with a display device for displaying a part of the subject identification information which includes the identification code matching with the received identification code.
In accordance with a desirable embodiment, the digital camera further comprises a device f
Kawaoka Yoshiki
Nihei Kaname
Fuji Photo Film Co. , Ltd.
Garber Wendy R.
Tillery Rashawn N
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