Digital Camera Patent AbstractAn image processing section provided in a digital camera converts
the image photographed in a document photographing mode to any data
format that a destination (a facsimile or a personal computer) selected
by a user requires.
Digital Camera Patent ClaimsWhat is claimed is:
1. A digital camera having a normal photographing mode and a document
photographing mode, said digital camera comprising: an image pickup
unit which captures an image of a subject and converts the image
to image data; an angle of photography detection unit which detects
an angle of photography with respect to a surface of a document
as the subject in the document photographing mode and prevents capturing
the image until a suitable angle of photography is detected in order
to minimize distortions in the image captured of the document; a
compression unit which compresses the image data and generates a
compressed image data; a storage unit which stores the compressed
image data; an expansion unit which expands the compressed image
data; a selection unit with which any of the normal photographing
mode and the document photographing mode can be selected, and with
which a destination to receive the image data can be selected; and
an image processing unit which subjects the image data to image
processing depending on the selected photographing mode, wherein
said expansion unit expands the compressed image data acquired in
the document photographing mode and stored in said storage unit,
and then said image processing unit subjects this data to an image
processing that a selected destination requires, prior to providing
the image data to the destination.
2. The digital camera according to claim 1, wherein, in the document
photographing mode, data related to the conditions during photography
are stored in said storage unit in correlation with the compressed
image data, and said image processing unit subjects the image data
to image processing based on the data related to the conditions
during photography.
3. The digital camera according to claim 1 further comprising a
data communication unit which performs data communications with
the outside.
4. The digital camera according to claim 3 further comprising:
a memory which stores the names of destinations, telephone numbers
or addresses, and an image deletion flag that specifies whether
the image data is to be deleted after its transmission in correlation
with one another; and a deletion unit which deletes the image data
after the image data has been transmitted by said data communication
unit based on the image deletion flag in said memory.
5. The digital camera according to claim 3 further comprising a
deletion unit which deletes the image data after the image data
has been transmitted by said data communication unit depending on
the selected destination.
6. The digital camera according to claim 4, wherein an operator
can freely add or change the contents of said memory.
7. A digital camera having a normal photographing mode and a document
photographing mode, said digital camera comprising: an image pickup
unit which captures an image of a subject and converts the image
to image data; an angle of photography detection unit which detects
an angle of photography with respect to a surface of a document
as the subject in the document photographing mode and prevents capturing
the image until a suitable angle of photography is detected in order
to minimize distortions in the image captured of the document; a
selection unit with which any of the normal photographing mode and
the document photographing mode can be selected, and with which
a destination to receive the image data can be selected; an image
processing unit which subjects the image data acquired in the document
photographing mode to an image processing that a selected destination
requires, prior to providing the image data to the destination.
8. The digital camera according to claim 7 further comprising a
data communication unit which performs data communications with
the outside.
9. The digital camera according to claim 8 further comprising:
a memory which stores the names of destinations, telephone numbers
or addresses, and an image deletion flag that specifies whether
the image data is to be deleted after its transmission in correlation
with one another; and a deletion unit which deletes the image data
after the image data has been transmitted by said data communication
unit based on the image deletion flag in said memory.
10. The digital camera according to claim 8 further comprising
a deletion unit which deletes the image data after the image data
has been transmitted by said data communication unit depending on
the selected destination.
11. The digital camera according to claim 9, wherein an operator
can freely add or change the contents of said memory.
12. A digital camera having a normal photographing mode and a document
photographing mode, said digital camera comprising: an image pickup
unit which captures an image of a subject and converts the image
to image data; an angle of photography detection unit which detects
an angle of photography with respect to a surface of a document
as the subject in the document photographing mode and prevents capturing
the image until a suitable angle of photography is detected in order
to minimize distortions in the image captured of the document; a
compression unit which compresses the image data and generates a
compressed image data; a storage unit which stores the compressed
image data; an expansion unit which expands the compressed image
data; a selection unit with which any of the normal photographing
mode and the document photographing mode can be selected, and with
which a destination to receive the image data can be selected; and
an image processing unit which subjects the expanded image data
to image processing depending on the selected photographing mode,
wherein, based on a selected destination, said expansion unit expands
the compressed image data acquired in the document photographing
mode and stored in said storage unit, and then said image processing
unit subjects the data to the processing for clipping, conversion
to a smaller number of gray levels in achromatic color, and resolution
conversion, and once more compresses the data, prior to providing
the image data to the destination.
13. The digital camera according to claim 12, wherein, in the document
photographing mode, data related to the conditions during photography
are stored in said storage unit in correlation with the compressed
image data, and said image processing unit subjects the image data
to image processing based on the data related to the conditions
during photography.
14. The digital camera according to claim 12 further comprising
a data communication unit which performs data communications with
the outside.
15. The digital camera according to claim 14 further comprising:
a memory which stores the names of destinations, telephone numbers
or addresses, and an image deletion flag that specifies whether
the image data is to be deleted after its transmission in correlation
with one another; and a deletion unit which deletes the image data
after the image data has been transmitted by said data communication
unit based on the image deletion flag in said memory.
16. The digital camera according to claim 14 further comprising
a deletion unit which deletes the image data after the image data
has been transmitted by said data communication unit depending on
the selected destination.
17. The digital camera according to claim 15 wherein an operator
can freely add or change the contents of said memory.
18. A digital camera having a normal photographing mode and a document
photographing mode, said digital camera comprising: an image pickup
unit which captures an image of a subject and converts the image
to image data; an angle of photography detection unit which detects
an angle of photography with respect to a surface of a document
as the subject in the document photographing mode and prevents capturing
the image until a suitable angle of photography is detected in order
to minimize distortions in the image captured of the document; a
selection unit with which any of the normal photographing mode and
the document photographing mode can be selected, and with which
a destination to receive the image data can be selected; and an
image processing unit which, based on the selected destination,
subjects the image data acquired in the document photographing mode
to the processing for clipping, conversion to a smaller number of
gray levels in achromatic color, and resolution conversion, and
once more compresses the data, prior to providing the image data
to the destination.
19. The digital camera according to claim 18 further comprising
a data communication unit which performs data communications with
the outside.
20. The digital camera according to claim 19 further comprising:
a memory which stores the names of destinations, telephone numbers
or addresses, and an image deletion flag that specifies whether
the image data is to be deleted after its transmission in correlation
with one another; and a deletion unit which deletes the image data
after the image data has been transmitted by said data communication
unit based on the image deletion flag in said memory.
21. The digital camera according to claim 19 further comprising
a deletion unit which deletes the image data after the image data
has been transmitted by said data communication unit depending on
the selected destination.
22. The digital camera according to claim 20, wherein an operator
can freely add or change the contents of said memory.
23. A digital camera having a normal photographing mode and a document
photographing mode, said digital camera comprising: an image pickup
unit which captures an image of a subject and converts the image
to image data; an angle of photography detection unit which detects
an angle of photography with respect to a surface of a document
as the subject in the document photographing mode and prevents capturing
the image until a suitable angle of photography is detected in order
to minimize distortions in the image captured of the document; a
compression unit which compresses the image data and generates a
compressed image data a storage unit which stores the compressed
image data; an expansion unit which expands the compressed image
data; a selection unit with which any of the normal photographing
mode and the document photographing mode can be selected, and with
which a destination to receive the image data can be selected; and
an image processing unit which subjects the image data to image
processing depending on the selected photographing mode, wherein,
based on the selected destination, said expansion unit expands the
compressed image data acquired in the document photographing mode
and stored in said storage unit, and then said image processing
unit subjects this data to the processing for clipping, conversion
to a smaller number of gray levels in achromatic color, and once
more compresses the data, prior to providing the image data to the
destination.
24. The digital camera according to claim 23, wherein, in the document
photographing mode, data related to the conditions during photography
are stored in said storage unit in correlation with the compressed
image data, and said image processing unit subjects the image data
to image processing based on the data related to the conditions
during photography.
25. The digital camera according to claim 23 further comprising
a data communication unit which performs data communications with
the outside.
26. The digital camera according to claim 25 further comprising:
a memory which stores the names of destinations, telephone numbers
or addresses, and an image deletion flag that specifies whether
the image data is to be deleted after its transmission in correlation
with one another; and a deletion unit which deletes the image data
after the image data has been transmitted by said data communication
unit based on the image deletion flag in said memory.
27. The digital camera according to claim 25 further comprising
a deletion unit which deletes the image data after the image data
has been transmitted by said data communication unit depending on
the selected destination.
28. The digital camera according to claim 26, wherein an operator
can freely add or change the contents of said memory.
29. A digital camera having a normal photographing mode and a document
photographing mode, said digital camera comprising: an image pickup
unit which captures an image of a subject and converts the image
to image data; an angle of photography detection unit which detects
an angle of photography with respect to a surface of a document
as the subject in the document photographing mode and prevents capturing
the image until a suitable angle of photography is detected in order
to minimize distortions in the image captured of the document; a
selection unit with which any of the normal photographing mode and
the document photographing mode can be selected, and with which
a destination to receive the image data can be selected; and an
image processing unit which, based on the selected destination,
subjects the image data acquired in the document photographing mode
to the processing for clipping, conversion to a smaller number of
gray levels in achromatic color, and character recognition, prior
to providing the image data to the destination.
30. The digital camera according to claim 29 further comprising
a data communication unit which performs data communications with
the outside.
31. The digital camera according to claim 30 further comprising:
a memory which stores the names of destinations, telephone numbers
or addresses, and an image deletion flag that specifies whether
the image data is to be deleted after its transmission in correlation
with one another; and a deletion unit which deletes the image data
after the image data has been transmitted by said data communication
unit based on the image deletion flag in said memory.
32. The digital camera according to claim 30 further comprising
a deletion unit which deletes the image data after the image data
has been transmitted by said data communication unit depending on
a destination.
33. The digital camera according to claim 31, wherein an operator
can freely add or change the contents of said memory.
34. A digital camera having a normal photographing mode and a document
photographing mode, said digital camera comprising: an image pickup
unit which captures an image of a subject and converts the image
to image data; an angle of photography detection unit which detects
an angle of photography with respect to a surface of a document
as the subject in the document photographing mode and prevents capturing
the image until a suitable angle of photography is detected in order
to minimize distortions in the image captured of the document; a
compression unit which compresses the image data and generates a
compressed image data; a storage unit which stores the compressed
image data; a selection unit with which any of the normal photographing
mode and the document photographing mode can be selected, and with
which a destination to receive the image data can be selected; a
display unit which displays the image of the subject on a monitor
before the image is photographed; and an image processing unit which
subjects the image data to image processing depending on the selected
photography mode and to image processing that a selected destination
requires, prior to providing the image data to the destination;
wherein, in the document photographing mode, said display unit displays
guidance to notify a user of the conditions during photography when
the image of the subject is being displayed on the monitor.
35. The digital camera according to claim 34, wherein the guidance
display is provided with a frame display with which the user recognizes
the area of regular-size paper.
36. The digital camera according to claim 34 further comprising:
a memory which stores the names of destinations, telephone numbers
or addresses, and frame display information that specifies whether
the guidance is to be displayed on photographing in correlation
with one another, wherein said display unit displays or does not
display the guidance based on the frame display information stored
in said memory.
37. The digital camera according to claim 34, wherein said display
unit displays or does not display the guidance depending on the
selected destination.
38. The digital camera according to claim 36, wherein an operator
can freely add or change the contents of said memory.
39. A digital camera having a normal photographing mode and a document
photographing mode, said digital camera comprising: an image pickup
unit which captures an image of a subject and converts the image
to image data; an angle of photography detection unit which detects
an angle of photography with respect to a surface of a document
as the subject in the document photographing mode and prevents capturing
the image until a suitable angle of photography is detected in order
to minimize distortions in the image captured of the document; a
selection unit with which any of the normal photographing mode and
the document photographing mode can be selected, and with which
a destination to receive the image data can be selected; a display
unit which displays the image of the subject on a monitor before
the image is photographed; and an image processing unit which subjects
the image data to image processing depending on the selected photography
mode and to image processing that a selected destination requires,
prior to providing the image data to the destination; wherein, in
the document photographing mode, said display unit displays guidance
to notify a user of the conditions during photography when the image
of the subject is being displayed on the monitor.
40. The digital camera according to claim 39, wherein the guidance
display is provided with a frame display with which the user recognizes
the area of regular-size paper.
41. The digital camera according to claim 39 further comprising:
a memory which stores the names of destinations, telephone numbers
or addresses, and frame display information that specifies whether
the guidance is to be displayed on photographing in correlation
with one another, wherein said display unit displays or does not
display the guidance based on the frame display information stored
in said memory.
42. The digital camera according to claim 39, wherein said display
unit displays or does not display the guidance depending on a destination.
43. The digital camera according to claim 41, wherein an operator
can freely add or change the contents of said memory.
44. A digital camera having a normal photographing mode and a document
photographing mode, said digital camera comprising: an image pickup
unit which captures an image of a subject and converts the image
to image data; a compression unit which compresses the image data
and generates a compressed image data; a storage unit which stores
the compressed image data; a selection unit with which any of the
normal photographing mode and the document photographing mode can
be selected, and with which a destination to receive the image data
can be selected; and an angle of photography detection unit which
detects an angle of photography with respect to a surface of the
subject, wherein, in the document photographing mode, photography
is started only when the angle of photography is substantially vertical
in order to minimize distortions in the image captured of the subject.
45. The digital camera according to claim 44, wherein said angle
of photography detection unit detects the angle of photography from
the shape of the photographed subject.
46. A digital camera having a normal photographing mode and a document
photographing mode, said digital camera comprising: an image pickup
unit which captures an image of a subject and converts the image
to image data; a selection unit with which any of the normal photographing
mode and the document photographing mode can be selected, and with
which a destination to receive the image data can be selected; an
angle of photography detection unit which detects an angle of photography
with respect to the surface of a subject; and an image processing
unit which subjects the image data to image processing depending
on the selected photography mode and to image processing that a
selected destination requires, prior to providing the image data
to the destination; wherein, in the document photographing mode,
photography is started only when the angle of photography is substantially
vertical in order to minimize distortions in the image captured
of the subject.
47. The digital camera according to claim 46, wherein said angle
of photography detection unit detects the angle of photography from
the shape of the photographed subject.
48. A document photographing and transmitting method of a digital
camera, said method comprising: monitoring a subject on a display
unit in response to instructions for monitoring; displaying guidance
on said display unit when the monitoring is performed; capturing
an image, converting the image to image data, and compressing the
image data in response to instructions for photographing; detecting
an angle of photography before capturing the image and permitting
image capture of a document only if the angle of photography has
a predetermined value in order to minimize distortions in the image
captured of the document; storing the compressed image data in a
storage unit; selecting a destination to receive the image data;
reading the compressed image data stored in the storage unit and
expanding the data in response to instructions for transmission;
subjecting the expanded image data to an image processing that the
selected destination requires, prior to providing the image data
to the destination; and transmitting the image data, that has been
subjected to image processing, to the selected destination.
49. A document photographing and transmitting method of a digital
camera, said method comprising: monitoring a subject on a display
unit in response to instructions for monitoring; displaying guidance
on said display unit when the monitoring is performed; capturing
an image and converting the image to image data in response to instructions
for photographing; detecting an angle of photography before capturing
the image and permitting image capture of a document only if the
angle of photography has a predetermined value in order to minimize
distortions in the image captured of the document; selecting a destination
to receive the image data; subjecting the image data to an image
processing that the selected destination requires, prior to providing
the image data to the destination; and transmitting the image data,
that has been subjected to image processing, to the selected destination.
50. A digital camera according to claim 1, wherein said image processing
unit recognizes a shape of said document to calculate a current
angle of photography.
51. A digital camera according to claim 7, wherein said image processing
unit recognizes a shape of said document to calculate a current
angle of photography.
52. A digital camera according to claim 12, wherein said image
processing unit recognizes a shape of said document to calculate
a current angle of photography.
53. A document photographing and transmitting method according
to claim 48, wherein in said detecting an angle of photography,
a shape of said document is recognized and a current angle of photography
is detected based on the shape of said document.
54. A digital camera according to claim 1, wherein a user arranges
the digital camera such that the angle of photography is substantially
perpendicular with respect to the surface of the document, in order
to obtain the suitable angle of photography in the document photography
mode.
55. A digital camera according to claim 7, wherein a user arranges
the digital camera such that the angle of photography is substantially
perpendicular with respect to the surface of the document, in order
to obtain the suitable angle of photography in the document photography
mode.
56. A digital camera according to claim 12, wherein a user arranges
the digital camera such that the angle of photography is substantially
perpendicular with respect to the surface of the document, in order
to obtain the suitable angle of photography in the document photography
mode.
57. A document photographing and transmitting method according
to claim 48, said method further comprising: arranging the digital
camera by a user such that the angle of photography is substantially
perpendicular with respect to a surface of the document.
58. A digital camera according to claim 54, wherein the image processing
unit does not correct distortions related to the angle of photography
of the image of the subject.
59. A digital camera according to claim 55, wherein the image processing
unit does not correct distortions related to the angle of photography
of the image of the subject.
60. A digital camera according to claim 56, wherein the image processing
unit does not correct distortions related to the angle of photography
of the image of the subject.
61. A document photographing and transmitting method according
to claim 57, wherein said subjecting the image processing does not
correct the distortions related to the angle of photography of the
image. Digital Camera Patent DescriptionFIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a digital camera. More particularly,
this invention relates to a digital camera which has a document
photographing mode in addition to the normal photographing mode.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present day digital camera includes many functions. For example,
there is known a digital camera which has a character photographing
mode in addition to a normal photographing mode. The normal photographing
mode is the mode in which ordinary snapshots, for example, photographs
of scenery are taken. In the character photographing mode, the digital
camera subjects data to image processing so as to improve the appearance
of the characters.
There is a digital still camera disclosed in Japanese patent application
laid open No. HEI 08-125870. This digital still camera has a structure
as follows. The digital still camera has the normal photographing
mode and the document photographing mode. Any one of these two modes
can be selected. When the normal photographing mode is selected,
image data is compressed by a natural picture compression unit.
Whereas image data is compressed by a document compression unit
(a compression method appropriate for an image with a small number
of gray levels in achromatic color) when the document photographing
mode is selected. The compressed image data is then stored in an
externally provided memory. Therefore, the image data can efficiently
be compressed irrespective of whether the data belongs to a picture
or belongs to a photograph of a document without degradation in
image quality.
However, the conventional type of digital camera has a problem
that the data of the captured image can not effectively be used.
More specifically, the digital camera having the character photographing
mode can not transmit the captured image as through a facsimile.
In order to transmit the image as a facsimile, following process
is carried out. First, the image is transmitted to a computer where
the image is subjected to processing such as expansion, image conversion,
compression, or the like and then only the image can be transmitted
as a facsimile.
Further, in the digital still camera described above, the compression
method is uniquely determined based on the photographing mode. For
example, when a document (for example, an encyclopedia) which contains
picture of scenery is photographed, and if the picture is photographed
in the document mode, the image data is compressed by the compression
method suitable for an image with a small number of gray levels
in achromatic color. Resultantly, the picture of the scenery can
not be reproduced properly. Therefore, the user is required to photograph
the same document in the normal photographing mode. Thus, the user
has to choose the photographing modes based on the purpose of using
the document.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of this invention to provide a digital camera which
can improve the use of the image photographed in the document photographing
mode.
According to one aspect of this invention, an expansion unit expands
compressed image data photographed in the document photographing
mode and stored in a storage unit and an image processing unit then
subjects the data to any image processing that a destination requires.
Therefore, the image photographed in the document photographing
mode can be converted to any format suitable for the destination.
According to another aspect of this invention, an image processing
unit subjects the image data photographed in the document photographing
mode to any image processing that a destination requires. Therefore,
the image photographed in the document photographing mode can be
converted to any format suitable for the destination.
According to still another aspect of this invention, an expansion
unit expands a compressed image data acquired in the document photographing
mode and stored in a storage unit, and an image processing unit
then subjects the data to the processing such as clipping, conversion
to a smaller number of gray levels in achromatic color, and resolution
conversion, and once more compresses the data. Therefore, the image
photographed in the document photographing mode can be converted
to any format suitable for a destination (e.g., a facsimile).
According to still another aspect of this invention, an image processing
unit subjects the image data acquired in the document photographing
mode to the processing such as clipping, conversion to a smaller
number of gray levels in achromatic color, and resolution conversion,
and once more compresses the data. Therefore, the image photographed
in the document photographing mode can be converted to any format
suitable for a destination (e.g., a facsimile).
According to still another aspect of this invention, an expansion
unit expands the compressed image data acquired in the document
photographing mode and stored in a storage unit, and an image processing
unit then subjects the image data to the processing such as clipping,
and conversion to a smaller number of gray levels in achromatic
color, and character recognition. Therefore, the image photographed
in the document photographing mode can be converted to any format
suitable for a destination (e.g., a facsimile).
According to still another aspect of this invention, an image processing
unit subjects the image data acquired in the document photographing
mode to the processing such as clipping, and conversion to a smaller
number of gray levels in achromatic color, and character recognition.
Therefore, the image photographed in the document photographing
mode can be converted to any format (e.g., a text document) suitable
for a destination.
According to still another aspect of this invention, in the document
photographing mode, a display unit displays the guidance to notify
a user of photographing conditions of a document during displaying
of the picture of the subject on the monitor before it is photographed.
Therefore, the user can easily fix the location of the document.
According to still another aspect of this invention, an angle of
photography detection unit which detects the angle of photography
is provided. In the document photographing mode, photography is
started only when the angle of photography is substantially vertical
to the surface of the subject. Therefore, a proper image of the
document can be obtained.
According to still another aspect of this invention, there are
provided the steps of monitoring a subject on the display unit in
response to instructions for monitoring, displaying guidance on
the display unit when the monitoring is performed, capturing an
image and compressing the image data in response to instructions
for photographing, storing the compressed image data in a storage
unit, reading the compressed image data stored in the storage unit
and expanding the data in response to instructions for transmission,
subjecting the expanded image data to any image processing that
a destination requires, and transmitting the image data, that has
been subjected to image processing, to the destination. Therefore,
the image can be converted to any format suitable for the destination.
According to still another aspect of this invention, there are
provided the steps of monitoring a subject on the display unit in
response to instructions for monitoring, displaying guidance on
the display unit when the monitoring is performed, capturing an
image in response to instructions for photographing, subjecting
the data of the captured image to any image processing that a destination
requires, and transmitting the image data, that has been subjected
to image processing, to the destination. Therefore, the image can
be converted to any format suitable for the destination and transmitted
immediately.
Other objects and features of this invention will become apparent
from the following description with reference to the accompanying
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 shows a configuration of a digital camera according to a
first embodiment;
FIG. 2 shows an example of an image-file format;
FIG. 3 shows a flow chart of photographing operation when the document
photographing mode is selected in the first embodiment;
FIG. 4 shows an example of guidance display;
FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B explain about the angle of photography;
FIG. 6 shows a flow chart of operation when a photographed image
is transmitted to an external device in the first embodiment;
FIG. 7 shows a configuration of a digital camera according to a
second embodiment;
FIG. 8 shows an example of the structure of the destination memory
shown in FIG. 7;
FIG. 9 shows a flow chart of photographing operation when the document
photographing mode is selected in the second embodiment;
FIG. 10 shows a flow chart of operation when a photographed image
is transmitted to an external device in the second embodiment;
FIG. 11 shows a flow chart of operation when the document photographing/transmission
mode is selected in a third embodiment; and
FIG. 12 is the continuation of the flow chart of FIG. 11.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Preferred embodiments of the present invention are explained in
detail below with reference to the attached drawings.
FIG. 1 shows a configuration of a digital camera according to a
first embodiment. Reference numeral 100 represents the digital camera.
This digital camera 100 comprises, as shown in FIG. 1, a system
control section 101 which controls the entire system of the digital
camera, and an image pickup section 102 which picks up a subject
image and converts the image to image data. The digital camera 100
further comprises an image processing section 103 which subjects
the image data output from the image pickup section 102 to image
processing, and a display control section 104 which controls the
display of the image processed in the image processing section 103
to an LCD 105. The LCD 105 is for displaying the image. There is
also provided a recording medium interface section 106 which is
an interface of a recording medium 107. The recording medium 107
stores the compressed image data. There is further provided a hard
key interface section 108 which detects key operations in an operation
section 109. Through the operation section 109, a user gives instructions
to the digital camera. There is provided a communication interface
section 110 which performs data communications with the outside.
The system control section 101 provides controls for the entire
system of the digital camera as explained above. More specifically,
although not shown here, this system control section 101 comprises
a ROM, a RAM, and a timer. The CPU controls the entire system of
the digital camera according to a program stored in a ROM. The ROM
stores the program to operate the CPU. The RAM is used as a work
area of the CPU. The timer counts the time.
The image pickup section 102 picks up an image of a subject (subject
image) and outputs image data as explained above. More specifically,
although not shown here, this image pickup section 102 comprises
optical system components including a lens, a CCD, a lens driving
motor, a CCD drive circuit, and an A/D converter. The lens forms
the subject image. The lens driving motor drives the lens. The CCD
converts the subject image into electric signals (analog image data).
The CCD drive circuit drives the CCD. The A/D converter converts
the analog image data output from the CCD to digital signals (digital
image data).
The image processing section 103 comprises a DSP (Digital Signal
Processor) for image processing and memory. More specifically, this
DSP subjects the image data obtained in the image pickup section
102 to various types of image processing. Further, the DSP performs
focusing and adjustments to exposure by controlling timing of driving
the CCD in the image pickup section 102 and the lens driving motor,
and also performs compression or expansion of the image data.
The display control section 104 subjects the image data processed
in the image processing section 103 to signal processing so that
it can be displayed on the LCD 105. Further, the display control
section 104 generates various graphical images for the user interface,
and displays the generated images on the LCD 105. The LCD 105 displays
a subject image, and also displays graphics for the user interface.
The recording medium interface section 106 comprises a memory card
controller that is provided for an interface with the recording
medium 107. Various types of information related to the compressed
image data and images are recorded in the recording medium 107.
The hard key interface section 108 comprises a parallel port that
is provided to detect a state of hardware for the user interface
such as keys and a dial in the operation section 109. The operation
section 109 is used when the user wants to give any instructions
regarding the operations to the digital camera. More specifically,
although not shown here, the operation section 109 comprises a release
button to instruct photographing, and a photographing mode key used
to select between the normal photographing mode to photograph a
natural picture and the document photographing mode to photograph
characters clearly. The operation section 109 further comprises
a fixed document size setting key used to select between fixed document
sizes (A size, letter, legal size, and so forth). The communication
interface 110 comprises a communication controller, which is provided
for performing data communications with the outside through a communication
device such as a portable telephone 200.
In FIG. 1, reference numeral 200 represents a portable telephone
that is connected to the communication interface section 110 of
the digital camera to perform data communication with the outside.
Reference numeral 300 represents a telephone network. Reference
numeral 301 represents a facsimile connected to the telephone network
300. Reference numeral 302 represents a dedicated terminal (which
receives and stores images from the digital camera and displays
the images on a TV monitor) connected to the telephone network 300.
Further, reference numeral 400 represents the Internet to which
the telephone network 300 is connected. Reference numeral 401 represents
a personal computer connected to the Internet 400. The digital camera
100 can perform data communications, via the portable telephone
200, with any device (e.g., the facsimile 301 or the dedicated terminal
302) connected to the telephone network 300 and any device (e.g.,
the personal computer 401) connected to the Internet 400.
The overview of photographing operation of the digital camera 100
having the configuration is explained below. The user operates a
photographing mode key of the operation section 109 before photographing,
and sets the digital camera in a photographing mode (a normal photographing
mode, a document photographing mode, and so forth). The contents
of operation through the operation section 109 are determined by
the system control section 101 through the hard key interface section
108. The system control section 101 generates a guidance graphic
on the display control section 104 according to the operation, and
then guides the user to perform the next operation.
The system control section 101 sets, at the instant the photographing
mode is selected, processing parameters corresponding to the mode
in the image processing section 103. If the state of the release
button, that is not shown in FIG. 1, being half-pressed has been
detected after the camera is ready for photographing, this half-pressed
operation is determined by the system control section 101 via the
hard key interface section 108 in the same manner as the mode setting.
The image pickup section 102 starts an image pickup operation to
display the preview of the image on the LCD 105 before photographing
is actually performed, under the controls of the image processing
section 103. The data for the image picked up by the image pickup
section 102 is continuously sent to the image processing section
103. The image processing section 103 then subjects the image data
to the processing such as color space conversion, .gamma. correction,
and white balance adjustment, and transfers the processed image
data to the display control section 104. Concurrently with these
operations, the image processing section 103 detects how focus and
exposure are achieved, and makes necessary adjustment to focus and
exposure by controlling the image pickup section 102.
The display control section 104 subjects the image data to signal
processing and displays the data on the LCD 105 to show how the
image is photographed to the user. The operation of pressing the
release button of the operation section 109 is then determined by
the system control section 101 through the hard key interface section
108 in a like manner. The image pickup section 102 captures a subject
image according to the controls of the image processing section
103, and outputs the data for the image to the image processing
section 103. Whereas the image processing section 103 subjects the
data to image processing and compression processing corresponding
to the photographing mode.
The system control section 101 reads the image data compressed
in the image processing section 103, adds header information to
this compressed image data, and then writes the data as an image
file in the recording medium 107 via the recording medium interface
section 106. This header information includes information for the
selected photographing mode and information for the photographed
date and time, or the like. A series of photographing operations
is then complete.
FIG. 2 shows an example of an image-file format. This image file
consists of compressed image data and a header as shown in the figure.
The header includes information such as the mode of photography,
date and time of photography, magnification at the time of photography,
and a frame type.
The overview of operation of data communications in the digital
camera 100 is explained below. The user connects the portable telephone
200 to the digital camera 100. The user then specifies a destination
of the image, through operation of the operation section 109, and
selects the image to be transmitted in the same manner as the setting
of a photographing mode. The system control section 101 originates
a call via the portable telephone 200 and establishes a communication
line by controlling the communication interface section 110. The
system control section 101 then reads the file of the specified
image from the recording medium 107, and transmits the image file
in accordance with a predetermined protocol.
The schematic operations in the cases where the digital camera
100 performs data communications with the facsimile 301, the personal
computer 401, and the dedicated terminal 302 are explained below.
When data communications with the facsimile 301 (facsimile transmission)
are performed, the digital camera 100 transmits the image, that
has been compressed and stored as binary information on photographing,
to the facsimile 301 in accordance with the facsimile protocol on
the telephone network 300 using the method, for instance, disclosed
in Japanese patent application laid open No. HEI 08-125870.
When data communications with the personal computer 401 are performed,
the digital camera 100 transmits the image to the personal computer
401 via the telephone network 300 and the Internet 400. In this
case, the digital camera 100 transmits the image, compressed and
stored in the normal photographing mode (JPEG compression), to the
personal computer 401 in accordance with FTP (File-Transfer Protocol)
or SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) as an attached file to a
mail document. In the above case, however, the digital camera 100
is generally connected to a server (not shown), which is connected
to the Internet 400 using PPP (Point-to-Point Protocol).
When data communications with the dedicated terminal 302 are performed,
the digital camera 100 transmits the image to the dedicated terminal
302 via the telephone network 300. In this case a particular protocol
is used for the data communications. Each type of these communications
protocols (attribute of destination) is stored as destination information
in a one-to-one correspondence between a type of protocol, a telephone
number, and an Internet address. The user only selects a destination,
and then the corresponding protocol is automatically selected and
executed.
Photographing operation in the case where the document photographing
mode is selected is explained below with reference to FIG. 3 to
FIG. 5. FIG. 3 shows a flow chart of photographing operation when
the document photographing mode is selected. FIG. 4 shows an example
of guidance display on the LCD 105. FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B show how
to detect the angle of photography.
The user selects, when photographing is to be carried out in the
document photographing mode, the document photographing mode with
the photographing mode key of the operation section 109, and further
selects the fixed document size (A size, letter, legal size, and
so forth) of an image to be picked up with the regular document
size setting key.
In FIG. 3, the system control section 101 first identifies the
current photographing mode (step S100). When the current mode is
the normal photographing mode, the system control section 101 proceeds
to step S110, and then performs normal photographing and recording.
On the other hand, when it is determined, at step S100, that the
current mode is the document photographing mode, the system control
section 101 monitors the information relating to keys pressed in
the hard key interface section 108. When it is determined that the
release button has been pressed (step S101), the system control
section 101 displays a guidance frame on the LCD 105 in order that
the user can easily fix the location of a document (step S102).
The system control section 101 then starts picking up a document
image and displays the preview of the image (the subject is displayed
on the monitor) (step S103).
The display of a guidance frame is explained below with reference
to FIG. 4. In FIG. 4, reference numeral 501 represents the frame
of the LCD 105, 502 represents the displayed guidance frame. Reference
numeral 503 represents a document to be photographed, and 504 represents
an area to be cut out by the processing of clipping, that is explained
later. The frame to be displayed here is displayed based on the
aspect ratio of a regular document size selected when the document
photographing mode is selected.
The system control section 101 then issues an instruction to detect
an angle of photography of the subject (document) to the image processing
section 103. In response to reception of the instruction, the image
processing section 103 detects the angle of photography of the subject,
and the system control section 101 reads the detected angle of photography
(step S104). The system control section 101 then determines whether
the angle of photography is vertical to the surface of the subject
(step S105). About the angle of photography and the method of detecting
this angle are explained below with reference to FIG. 5A and FIG.
5B.
In FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B, reference numeral 100 is the digital camera,
602 represents a base where a document 603 is placed. Reference
numeral 603 represents a document to be photographed, and 604 represents
an optical axis of the digital camera 100. Reference numeral 605
is the angle of photography, 606 represents the frame of the LCD
105, and 607 represents a display how the document 603 is photographed.
FIG. 5A shows a case where the angle of photography is vertical.
In this case, a rectangular document is displayed in a rectangular
shape. FIG. 5B shows a case where the angle of photography is inclined.
In this case, the rectangular document is displayed in a trapezoidal
shape, which is not correct. In order to facilitate understanding,
FIG. 5B shows a deformation in a direction which is parallel to
the length of the document. In an actual case, however, there is
also a deformation in direction which is parallel to the width of
the document. In this case, the photographed image becomes a more
distorted rectangle, and this picked-up image changes seamlessly
in association with inclinations of the digital camera 100.
The image processing section 103 recognizes the shape of the captured
document (which is not the shape of the actual document but the
shape of the picked-up image of the picked-up document), and detects
the state shown in FIG. 5A (the state where the angle of photography
is vertical). As the method for recognizing the shape of a document,
any known method can be used, therefore, the detailed explanation
is omitted.
At step S105, when it is determined that the angle of photography
is not vertical, the system control section 101 proceeds to step
S106, and determines whether the release button has been pressed.
When the release button has not been pressed, the system control
section 101 returns to step S101. When the release button has been
pressed, on the other hand, the system control section 101 detects
again the angle of photography again (step S104).
At step S105, on the other hand, when it is determined that the
angle of photography is vertical, the system control section 101
allows the image pickup section 102 to capture an image in the same
manner as that of the case where the release button has been pressed
in the normal photographing mode. The system control section 101
then allows the image processing section 103 to compress the data
of the captured image, and further records the data in the recording
medium 107 via the recording medium interface section 106 (step
S107).
Further, the system control section 101 reads the lens-to-subject
distance (the distance from the digital camera 100 to the document
(subject document)), detected during focusing on photographing,
from the image processing section 103. The system control section
101 then calculates the magnification at the time of photography
(a focal length of a lens/a lens-to-subject distance) (step S108),
and records the magnification, as an image file, which is correlated
to the photographed image together with the information for the
frame type in the recording medium 107 (step S109).
As explained above, according to the example of the operation,
when photographing is performed in the document photographing mode,
the guidance, which helps the user fix the location of a document,
is displayed. Therefore, the user can fix the location of the document,
thus the usability of the digital camera for the user can be improved.
Further, according to the example of the operation, as a guidance
display, the guidance frame is displayed so that the user can recognize
the area at the aspect ratio of regular-size paper. Therefore, the
user can fix the location of a document based on the size of the
regular-size paper, thus the usability of the digital camera for
the user can be more improved.
Further, according to the example of the operation, when the angle
of photography is vertical to the document at the time of photographing
in the document photographing mode, the photographing is automatically
performed. Therefore, the document can be photographed at the appropriate
angle, thus the usability of the digital camera for the user can
be improved.
Further, according to the example of the operation, the image processing
section 103 detects the angle of photography by recognizing the
shape of the picked-up image of a picked-up document. Therefore,
it is possible to detect a proper angle of photography regardless
of how the document to be photographed is placed, and the angle
of photography can be detected with a simple and low-cost configuration.
In addition, detection can be performed using a gravity sensor assuming
that an ordinary document is placed horizontally or vertically to
the gravity direction. However, as compared to this method, when
the method for detecting the angle of photography based on image
processing is employed, it is possible to achieve further minimization
and low cost of the device.
Further, according to the example of the operation, in the document
photographing mode, the data relating to photographing conditions
(magnification at the time of photography, and information about
the frame type (information for a guidance frame)) is recorded in
the recording medium 107 in correspondence with the compressed image
data. Therefore, when the image is to be transmitted to an external
device (e.g., a facsimile or a personal computer), the image can
easily be subjected to any image processing that the destination
requires by utilizing this data about photographing conditions.
Operation of transmitting a photographed image to an external device
is explained below with reference to FIG. 6. FIG. 6 shows a flow
chart of operation when a photographed image is transmitted to an
external device.
In FIG. 6, the user first operates the operation section 109 to
select the destination and the image to be transmitted (step S200,
S201). The system control section 101 reads the selected compressed
image data from the recording medium 107 (step S202), and identifies
the photographing mode, in which the image is photographed, from
the header information of the image. The system control section
101 then determines whether the image has been photographed in the
document photographing mode (step S203). When the image has been
photographed in any mode other than the document photographing mode,
the system control section 101 proceeds to step S207, and the image
data is transmitted as it is using the protocol corresponding to
the destination.
On the other hand, at step S203, when it is determined that the
image has been photographed in the document photographing mode,
the system control section 101 reads the file, in which the magnification
at the time of photography recorded in photographing and the frame
type are recorded, from the recording medium 107 (step S204). The
system control section 101 then determines whether the attribute
of destination is a facsimile (step S205). When the attribute of
destination is a facsimile, the system control section 101 proceeds
to step S213, and transmits the read-out compressed image data to
the image processing section 103. In response to reception of the
data, the image processing section 103 expands the compressed image
data and clips the data (step S214). In this clipping, the area
determined uniquely based on the previously read-out frame type
is clipped and processed (see FIG. 4).
The image processing section 103 then performs the processing for
scaling to the image (step S215). At this step, the image processing
section 103 changes the size of the image to the closest possible
size to the real size of the photographed document using the previously
read-out value of magnification at the time of photography. More
specifically, when a A4-size document is photographed, the image
is scaled so that the image is transmitted as the A4 document. Similarly,
when a A3-size document is photographed, the image is scaled so
that the image is transmitted as the A3 document. In this case,
the resolution of the image is also converted to the resolution
defined in the facsimile communications.
Further, the image processing section 103 subjects the data to
binarization (step S216). The processing for binarization can be
performed by using the method disclosed, for example, in Japanese
patent application laid open HEI 08-125870. The image processing
section 103 then recompresses the binary-coded image data by the
compression method used for facsimile communications (step S217).
As the compression method, any method (MH, MR, or MMR), which is
determined based on negotiation when communication is started, is
used. The system control section 101 transmits the recompressed
image data to the facsimile via the communication interface section
110 (step S218), and then the processing is terminated.
At the step S205, on the other hand, when the attribute of destination
is not a facsimile, the system control section 101 proceeds to step
S206. It is determined whether the attribute of destination is an
electronic mail. When the attribute of destination is an electronic
mail, the image processing section 103 subjects the compressed image
data to expansion, clipping, and binarization (steps S208 to S210)
in the same manner as that of facsimile communications. The image
processing section 103 then converts the data to a text document
based on character recognition (step S211).
The system control section 101 edits the converted text document
appropriate as the contents of an electronic mail, sends the email
via the communication interface section 110 (step S212), and then
ends the processing. At the step S206, when the attribute of destination
is not an electronic mail, the image data is transmitted as it is
by the protocol in accordance with the destination (step S207).
According to the example of the operation, the image processing
section 103 converts the image photographed in the document photographing
mode to the data format corresponding to the destination (facsimile
or personal computer) selected by the user. Therefore, the image
photographed in the document photographing mode can be converted
to any format appropriate to the destination, thus it is possible
to make effective use of the photographed image.
Further, according to the example of the operation, when the image
photographed in the document photographing mode is transmitted to
a facsimile, the image processing section 103 first expands the
compressed image data stored in the recording medium 107. The image
processing section 103 then subjects the data to processing such
as clipping, binarization (conversion to a smaller number of gray
levels in achromatic color), and resolution conversion, and further
recompresses the data in the compression method used for facsimile
communications. Therefore, the image can be converted to any image
suitable for the facsimile, thus it is possible to make effective
use of the photographed image.
Further, according to the example of the operation, when the image
photographed in the document photographing mode is sent by an electronic
mail, the image processing section 103 first expands the compressed
image data stored in the recording medium 107. The image processing
section 103 then subjects the data to the processing such as clipping
and binarization (conversion to a smaller number of gray levels
in achromatic color), and further converts the data to a test document
(text data) based on character recognition. Therefore, the data
can be converted to any data format suitable for the electronic
mail, thus it is possible to make effective use of the photographed
image.
A digital camera according to a second embodiment is explained
below with reference to FIG. 7 to FIG. 10. FIG. 7 is a block diagram
showing a configuration of the digital camera according to the second
embodiment. In FIG. 7, the same reference numerals are assigned
to the sections that have same or similar functions to those of
the digital camera according to the first embodiment shown in FIG.
1. The digital camera according to the second embodiment shown in
FIG. 7 has a destination memory 111 in addition to the components
of the digital camera according to the first embodiment. The other
parts of the configuration are the same as those in first embodiment,
therefore, explanation of these parts is omitted. Only different
points are explained below.
FIG. 8 shows an example of the data structure of the destination
memory 111. This destination memory 111 is a nonvolatile memory,
which manages information about destination to which the image data
is to be transmitted. The destination memory 111 stores information,
as shown in FIG. 8, such as name of destination, type of destination,
telephone number, mail address, guidance-frame display information,
document size, and image deletion flag in correspondence with one
another.
The guidance-frame display information is used to instruct whether
a regular-size frame is to be displayed on the LCD 105 based on
a document size, which helps the person photograph a subject in
the document photographing mode. When guidance-frame display information
is "1", the guidance frame is displayed, and when guidance-frame
display information is "0", the guidance frame is not
displayed. Document size is used to determine the size of a guidance
frame when it is displayed. An image deletion flag is used to instruct
whether the transmitted image data is to be deleted when an operator
transmits the image data stored in the recording medium 107 to the
selected destination. When the image deletion flag is "1",
the transmitted image data is deleted, and when the image deletion
flag is "0", the transmitted image data is not deleted
and stored as it is. The contents of the data in the memory for
destinations 111 is displayable on the LCD 105, therefore, the operator
can store the data in the memory on the LCD 105 through the operation
section.
FIG. 9 shows a flow chart of photographing operation in the second
embodiment. In FIG. 9, the operator selects a photographing mode
through the operation section 109 (step S300), and selects a destination
from the destinations stored in the destination memory 111 (step
S301).
The system control section 101 identifies the current photographing
mode (step S302). When the current mode is not the document photographing
mode but the normal photographing mode, the system control section
101 proceeds to step S313, and carries out normal photographing
and recording.
On the other hand, when it is determined, at step S303, that the
current mode is the document photographing mode, the system control
section 101 monitors the information regarding the keys from the
hard key interface section 108. When it is determined that the release
button has been pressed (step S303), the system control section
101 determines whether the guidance frame display has been specified
by referring to the guidance-frame display information corresponding
to the selected destination in the destination memory 111 (step
S304). When the guidance frame display has not been specified, the
system control section 101 proceeds to step S306.
At step S304, when the guidance frame display has been specified,
the system control section 101 displays the guidance frame as shown
in FIG. 4 (step S305), and starts picking up an image and displaying
the preview of the image through the previously explained steps
(step S306). The example of display of the guidance frame is the
same as shown in FIG. 4.
Since the guidance frame is displayed in the same manner as that
in the first embodiment, explanation of the display is omitted.
The frame to be displayed here is displayed according to the regular
aspect ratio of a document size corresponding to the destination
stored in the memory for destinations 111.
The system control section 101 sets the operation of detecting
the angle of photography in the image processing section 103, whereas
the image processing section 103 detects the angle of photography
in response to the setting. The system control section 101 then
reads the detected angle of photography (step S307). Further, the
system control section 101 determines whether the angle of photography
is vertical to the document (step S308). The method of detecting
the angle of photography is the same as that in the first embodiment
(see FIG. 5), therefore, explanation of the method is omitted.
At step S308, on the other hand, when it is determined that the
angle of photography is not vertical, the system control section
101 proceeds to step S309, and determines whether the release button
has been pressed. When the release button has not been pressed,
the system control section 101 returns to step S303. When the release
button has been pressed, on the other hand, the system control section
101 notifies the operator of a message to the effect that the angle
of photography is not vertical (guidance display or the like is
performed). The angle of photography is then detected again (step
S307).
At step S308, when it is determined that the angle of photography
is vertical, the system control section 101 allows the image pickup
section 102 to capture the image and also the image processing section
103 to compress the captured image in the same manner as that when
the release button has been pressed in the normal photographing
mode. Further, the system control section 101 records the compressed
data in the recording medium 107 via the recording medium interface
section 106 (step S310).
The system control section 101 reads the lens-to-subject distance
(the distance from the digital camera to the document) detected
during focusing at the time of photographing, from the image processing
section 103. The system control section 101 then calculates the
magnification at the time of photography (a focal length of a lens/a
lens-to-subject distance) (step S311), and records the magnification
in the recording medium 107 in correlation with the photographed
image together with the information for the frame type (step S312).
When the guidance frame has not been displayed at step S304, the
frame information is not recorded. For example, when Taro Yamada
is selected as the destination, it is understood that the guidance-frame
display information is "1" and the document size is A4
in the memory destination memory 111 in FIG. 8. Therefore, the A4-size
guidance frame is displayed.
In the second embodiment as explained above, the guidance-frame
display information, to specify presence or absence of the guidance
frame display, is stored in the destination memory 111 in correspondence
with each destination. The system control section 101 refers to
this destination memory 111 when the document photographing mode
is selected, and displays or does not display the guidance frame
according to the guidance-frame display information corresponding
to the selected destination. Therefore, the guidance frame may be
displayed or may not be displayed depending on the destination,
thus the usability of the digital camera for the operator can be
improved.
Further, in the second embodiment, the system control section 101
determines whether the guidance frame is to be displayed according
to the frame display information stored in the destination memory
111. However, whether or not the guidance frame is displayed may
be automatically determined according to the attribute of the destination.
When the type of destination is a printer, for example, it is required
to match the image with the paper size such as A4 size, therefore,
the guidance frame is displayed. When the destination is a computer,
on the other hand, it is not required to match the image with the
paper size, therefore, the guidance frame need not be displayed.
Operation for communications in the second embodiment is explained
below. FIG. 10 shows a flow chart of operation for communications
in the second embodiment.
In FIG. 10, the user first selects a destination stored in the
destination memory 111 (step S400), and further selects an image
to be transmitted (step S401). The system control section 101, in
response to the selections, reads the selected image data from the
recording medium 107 (step S402), and identifies the photographing
mode used when the image is photographed from the header information
of the image. The system control section 101 then determines whether
the image has been photographed in the document photographing mode
(step S403). When the image has been photographed in any mode other
than the document photographing mode, the system control section
101 proceeds to step S407, and transmits the image data as it is
to the destination using the protocol corresponding to the destination
via the communication interface section 110.
On the other hand, at step S403, when the image has been photographed
in the document photographing mode, the system control section 101
reads a file, where the magnification at the time of photography
recorded in photographing and the frame type are recorded, from
the recording medium 107 (step S404). However, when the guidance
frame has not been displayed, the frame type is not recorded. The
system control section 101 then determines whether the attribute
of destination is a facsimile (step S405). When the attribute of
destination is a facsimile, the system control section 101 proceeds
to step S413, and transmits the read-out image data to the image
processing section 103. In response to reception of the data, the
image processing section 103 expands the compressed image data,
and then performs clipping to the data (step S414). In this clipping,
the area determined uniquely based on the previously read-out frame
type is clipped and processed. When the frame type has not been
recorded, however, the clipping is not executed.
The image processing section 103 then performs the processing for
scaling to the image (step S415). For example, the image processing
section 103 changes the size of the image to the closest possible
size to the real size of the photographed document using the value
of the previously read-out magnification at the time of photography.
More specifically, when a A4 document is photographed, the image
is scaled so that the image is transmitted as the A4 document. Similarly,
when a A3 document is photographed, the image is scaled so that
the image is transmitted as the A3 document. In this case, the resolution
of the image is also converted to the resolution defined in the
facsimile communications.
Further, the image processing section 103 subjects the data to
binarization (step S416). The processing for binarization can be
performed by using the method disclosed, for example, in Japanese
patent application laid open No. HEI 06-256907. The image processing
section 103 then recompresses the binary-coded image data by the
compression method used for facsimile communications (step S417).
As the compression method, any method (MH, MR, or MMR), which is
determined based on negotiation when communication is started, is
used. The system control section 101 transmits the recompressed
image data to the facsimile via the communication interface section
110 (step S418), and then the processing is completed.
On the other hand, at the step S405, when the attribute of destination
is not a facsimile, the system control section 101 proceeds to step
S406, and determines whether the attribute of destination is an
electronic mail. When it is determined that the attribute of destination
is an electronic mail, the image processing section 103 subjects
the image data to expansion, clipping, and binarization (steps S408
to S410) in the same manner as that of facsimile communications.
When the frame type information has not been recorded, however,
the clipping is not carried out.
The image processing section 103 then converts the data to a text
document based on character recognition (step S411). The system
control section 101 edits the converted text document appropriate
as the contents of an electronic mail, sends the email via the communication
interface section 110 (step S412), and then ends the processing.
At the step S406, when the attribute of the destination is not
an electronic mail, the image data is transmitted as it is using
the protocol in accordance with the destination (step S407).
The system control section 101 determines whether the image deletion
flag corresponding to the destination is set to "1" by
referring to the destination memory 111 (step S419). When the image
deletion flag corresponding to the destination has been set to "1",
the system control section 101 deletes the image file, which has
been transmitted, stored in the recording medium 107 (step S420).
On the other hand, when the image deletion flag is "0",
the image file which has been transmitted is not deleted and stored
as it is. The processing is completed with the step. For example,
when Taro Yamada is selected as destination, it is understood that
the image deletion flag is "1" in the destination memory
111 in FIG. 8. Therefore, the transmitted image file is deleted.
In the second embodiment as explained above, the image deletion
flag, to specify whether the transmitted image file is to be deleted,
is stored in the destination memory 111 in correspondence with each
destination. The system control section 101 refers to the destination
memory 111 when the document photographing mode is selected, and
deletes the transmitted image file based on the image deletion flag
corresponding to the selected destination. Therefore, deletion or
non-deletion of the transmitted image can be selected depending
on the destination, thus the usability of the digital camera for
the operator can be improved.
Further, in the second embodiment, the system control section 101
determines whether the transmitted image file is to be deleted based
on the image deletion flag corresponding to the destination stored
in the destination memory 111. However, whether or not the image
file is deleted may be automatically determined according to the
destination. When the destination is a FAX, for example, the FAX
sends back a response message about successful reception. Therefore,
there will occur no problem even if the image is deleted. Thus,
the transmitted image file is deleted. When the destination is a
computer, on the other hand, the computer does not send back a response
message about successful reception. Therefore, if any image, which
may not have been properly received by the computer, is deleted,
there may come up a problem that the image is lost. Therefore, the
transmitted image file is not deleted to be on the safe side.
A digital camera according to a third embodiment is explained below
with reference to FIG. 11 and FIG. 12. This digital camera of the
third embodiment has the same configuration as that of the first
embodiment. However, the digital camera (system control section
101) of the third embodiment has a photographing/transmission mode
in which a photographed image is instantly transmitted to a specified
destination.
When photographing an image in the document photographing mode
and instantly transmitting the image to the outside, the user selects,
by operating the operation section 109, the photographing/transmission
mode, and also selects the document photographing mode with the
photographing mode key. The user also selects a regular document
size (A size, letter, or legal size) of an image to be captured
with the regular document size setting key, and further selects
the destination.
As shown in FIG. 11, the system control section 101 first identifies
the current photographing mode (step S500). When the current mode
is the normal photographing mode, the system control section 101
proceeds to step S110, and carries out normal photographing and
recording.
On the other hand, when it is determined, at step S500, that the
current mode is the document photographing mode, the system control
section 101 monitors the information regarding the pressed keys
from the hard key interface section 108. When it is determined that
the release button has been pressed (step S501), the system control
section 101 displays the guidance frame on the LCD 105 as shown
in FIG. 4 (step S502). The system control section 101 then starts
picking up a document image and displays the preview of the image
(the subject is displayed on the monitor) (step S503). The example
of the display of the guidance frame is the same as that of the
first embodiment (FIG. 4).
The system control section 101 issues an instruction to detect
an angle of photography to the image processing section 103. In
response to reception of the instruction, the image processing section
103 detects the angle of photography to the subject, and the system
control section 101 reads the detected angle of photography (step
S504). The system control section 101 then determines whether the
angle of photography is vertical (step S505). The method of detecting
the angle of photography is the same as that of the first embodiment
(see FIG. 5), therefore, explanation of the method is omitted.
On the other hand, at step S505, when it is determined that the
angle of photography is not vertical, the system control section
101 proceeds to step S506, and determines whether the release button
has been pressed. When the release button has not been pressed,
the system control section 101 returns to step S501. When the release
button has been pressed, on the other hand, the system control section
101 notifies the operator of, for example, the fact that the angle
of photography is not vertical (e.g., using the guidance display),
and detects again the angle of photography (step S504).
When it is determined, at step S505, that the angle of photography
is vertical, the system control section 101 allows the image pickup
section 102 to capture an image in the same manner as that in the
case where the release button has been pressed in normal photographing
mode (step S507). The system control section 101 then reads the
lens-to-subject distance (the distance from the digital camera 100
to the document), detected during focusing at the time of photography,
from the image processing section 103. The system control section
101 further calculates the magnification at the time of photography
(a focal length of a lens/a lens-to-subject distance) (step S508).
As shown in FIG. 12, the system control section 101 the determines
whether the image has been photographed in the document photographing
mode (step S511). When the image has been photographed in any mode
other than the document photographing mode, the system control section
101 proceeds to step S514, and the image data is transmitted as
it is via the communication interface section 110 using the protocol
corresponding to the destination.
At step S511, on the other hand, when it is determined that the
image has been photographed in the document photographing mode,
the system control section 101 determines whether the attribute
of the destination is a facsimile (step S512). When the attribute
of the destination is a facsimile, the system control section 101
proceeds to step S519, and performs clipping to the image. In this
clipping, the area determined uniquely based on the frame type is
clipped and processed.
The image processing section 103 then performs the processing for
scaling to the image (step S520). For example, the image processing
section 103 changes the size of the image to the closest possible
size to the real size of the photographed document using the value
of the magnification at the time of photography. More specifically,
when a A4-size document is photographed, the image is scaled so
that the image is transmitted as a A4 document. Similarly, when
a A3-size document is photographed, the image is scaled so that
the image is transmitted as a A3 document. In this case, the resolution
of the image is also converted to the resolution defined in the
facsimile communications.
Further, the image processing section 103 subjects the data to
binarization (step S521). The processing for binarization can be
performed by using the method disclosed, for example, in Japanese
patent application laid open No. HEI 08-125870. The image processing
section 103 then recompresses the binary-coded image data by the
compression method used for facsimile communications (step S522).
As the compression method, any method (MH, MR, or MMR), which is
determined based on negotiation when communication is started, is
used. The system control section 101 transmits the recompressed
image data to the facsimile via the communication interface section
110 (step S523), and then the processing is completed.
At the step S512, on the other hand, when it is determined that
the attribute of the destination is not the facsimile, the system
control section 101 proceeds to step S513, and determines whether
the attribute of the destination is an electronic mail. When the
attribute of destination is the electronic mail, the image processing
section 103 subjects the image data to clipping and binarization
(steps S515 and S516) in the same manner as that of facsimile communications.
The image processing section 103 then converts the data to a text
document based on character recognition (step S517).
The system control section 101 edits the converted text document
appropriate as the contents of an electronic mail, sends the email
via the communication interface section 110 (step S518), and then
ends the process. At the step S513, when it is determined that the
attribute of the destination is not an electronic mail, the image
data is transmitted as it is by the protocol in accordance with
the destination (step S514).
As explained above, in the third embodiment, the document photographing/transmission
mode in which a photographed image is instantly transmitted is provided.
Therefore, it is possible to transmit a photographed image at once
to the desired destination, thus, the usability of the digital camera
for the operator can be improved.
In this third embodiment, the destination memory 111 (see FIG.
8) may be provided like in the second embodiment. Accordingly, the
guidance frame may or may not be displayed depending on the destination
based on the guidance-frame display information corresponding to
the destination in the destination memory 111. In addition, display
or non-display of the guidance frame may automatically be selected
according to the attribute of destination.
Further, in this third embodiment, the destination memory 111 (see
FIG. 8) may be provided like the second embodiment. Accordingly,
the transmitted image file may be deleted based on the image deletion
flag corresponding to a destination in the destination memory 111.
In addition, the transmitted image file may automatically be deleted
according to the attribute of destination.
It should be understood that this invention is not limited by the
embodiments and the appended claims are to be construed as embodying
all modifications and alternative constructions that may occur to
one skilled in the art which fairly fall within the basic teaching
herein set forth.
According to one aspect of this invention, the expansion unit expands
compressed image data photographed in the document photographing
mode and stored in the storage unit. The image processing unit then
subjects the data to any image processing that a destination requires.
Therefore, the image photographed in the document photographing
mode can be converted to any format suitable for the destination,
thus it is possible to make effective use of the photographed image.
According to another aspect of this invention, the image processing
unit subjects the image data photographed in the document photographing
mode to any image processing that a destination requires. Therefore,
the image photographed in the document photographing mode can be
converted to any format suitable for the destination, thus it is
possible to make effective use of the photographed image.
According to still another aspect of this invention, the expansion
unit expands compressed image data photographed in the document
photographing mode and stored in the storage unit. The image processing
unit then subjects the data to the processing such as clipping,
conversion to a smaller number of gray levels in achromatic color,
and resolution conversion, and further recompresses the processed
data. Therefore, the image photographed in the document photographing
mode can be converted to any format suitable for a destination (e.g.,
a facsimile), thus it is possible to make effective use of the photographed
image.
According to still another aspect of this invention, the image
processing unit subjects the image data photographed in the document
photographing mode to the processing such as clipping, conversion
to a smaller number of gray levels in achromatic color, and resolution
conversion, and further performs compression to the processed data.
Therefore, the image photographed in the document photographing
mode can be converted to any format suitable for a destination (e.g.,
a facsimile), thus it is possible to make effective use of the photographed
image.
According to still another aspect of this invention, the expansion
unit expands the compressed image data photographed in the document
photographing mode and stored in the storage unit. The image processing
unit then subjects the image data to the processing such as clipping,
and conversion to a smaller number of gray levels in achromatic
color, and further performs data processing based on character recognition.
Therefore, the image photographed in the document photographing
mode can be converted to any format suitable for a destination (e.g.,
a facsimile), thus it is possible to make effective use of the photographed
image.
According to still another aspect of this invention, the image
processing unit subjects the image data photographed in the document
photographing mode to the processing such as clipping, and conversion
to a smaller number of gray levels in achromatic color, and further
performs data processing based on character recognition. Therefore,
the image photographed in the document photographing mode can be
converted to any format (e.g., a text document) suitable for a destination,
thus it is possible to make effective use of the photographed image.
Further, the data for photographing conditions is stored in the
storage unit in correlation with the compressed image data. Whereas
the image processing unit subjects the image data to image processing
based on the data for photographing conditions. Therefore, in addition
to the above explained effect due to the invention, it is possible
to easily subject the data to any image processing that a destination
requires by utilizing this data for photographing conditions.
Further, the data communication unit which performs data communications
with the outside is provided. Therefore, in addition to the above
explained effect due to the invention, it is possible to perform
data communications with the outside.
Further, the names of destinations, telephone numbers or addresses,
and an image deletion flag that specifies whether image data is
to be deleted after its transmission are stored in the memory in
correlation with one another. Whereas the deletion unit deletes
the image data transmitted via the data communication unit based
on the image deletion flag in the memory. Therefore, in addition
to the effect due to the invention, the transmitted image may or
may not be deleted depending on the destination, thus the usability
of the digital camera for the operator can be improved.
Further, the deletion unit deletes the image data transmitted via
the data communication unit depending on the destination. Therefore,
in addition to the effect due to the invention, the transmitted
image may or may not be deleted depending on the destination, thus
the usability of the digital camera for the operator can be improved.
According to still another aspect of this invention, in the document
photographing mode, the display unit displays the guidance to notify
a user of photographing conditions of a document during displaying
of the picture of the subject on the monitor before it is photographed.
Therefore, the user can fix the location of the document, thus the
usability of the digital camera for the operator can be improved.
Further, the guidance display is provided with a frame display
with which the user can recognize the area of regular-size paper.
Therefore, in addition to the effect due to the invention, the user
can fix the location of the document based on the regular-size paper,
thus the usability of the digital camera for the operator can further
be improved.
According to still another aspect of this invention, the angle
of photography detection unit that detects the angle of photography
is provided. In the document photographing mode, photographing is
started when the angle of photography is substantially vertical
to a subject. Therefore, the document can be photographed at the
correct angle, thus the usability of the digital camera for the
operator can be improved.
Further, the angle of photography detection unit recognizes the
shape of the photographed subject and detects the angle of photography.
Therefore, in addition to the effect due to the invention, it is
possible to detect the correct angle of photography no matter how
the document to be photographed is placed. Thus, it is possible
to detect the angle of photography with a simple and low-cost configuration.
Further, the names of destinations, telephone numbers or addresses,
and frame display information that specifies whether the guidance
is to be displayed on photographing are stored in the memory in
correlation with one another. Whereas, the display control unit
provides controls for displaying or not displaying the guidance
based on the frame display information in the memory. Therefore,
in addition to the effect due to the invention, it is possible to
select between display and non-display of the guidance depending
on the destination. Thus the usability of the digital camera for
the operator can be improved.
Further, the display control unit provides controls for displaying
or not displaying the guidance onto the display unit depending on
a destination. Therefore, in addition to the effect due to the invention,
it is possible to select between display and non-display of the
guidance depending on the destination. Thus the usability of the
digital camera for the operator can be improved.
Further, the operator can freely add or change the contents of
the memory. Therefore, in addition to the effect due to the invention,
the usability of the digital camera for the operator can further
be improved.
According to still another aspect of this invention, there are
provided the steps of monitoring a subject on the display unit in
response to instructions for monitoring, displaying guidance on
the display unit when the monitoring is performed, capturing an
image and compressing the image data in response to instructions
for photographing, storing the compressed image data in a storage
unit, reading the compressed image data stored in the storage unit
and expanding the data in response to instructions for transmission,
subjecting the expanded image data to any image processing that
a destination requires, and transmitting the image data, that has
been subjected to image processing, to the destination. Therefore,
the image can be converted to any format suitable for the destination,
thus it is possible to make effective use of the photographed image.
According to still another aspect of this invention, there are
provided the steps of monitoring a subject on the display unit in
response to instructions for monitoring, displaying guidance on
the display unit when the monitoring is performed, capturing an
image in response to instructions for photographing, subjecting
the data of the captured image to any image processing that a destination
requires, and transmitting the image data, that has been subjected
to image processing, to the destination. Therefore, the image can
be converted to any format suitable for the destination and immediately
be transmitted, thus it is possible to make effective use of the
photographed image.
The present document incorporated by reference the entire contents
of Japanese priority documents, HEI 11-090224 filed in Japan on
Mar. 30, 1999 and 2000-12217 filed in Japan on Jan. 20, 2000.
Although the invention has been described with respect to a specific
embodiment for a complete and clear disclosure, the appended claims
are not to be thus limited but are to be construed as embodying
all modifications and alternative constructions that may occur to
one skilled in the art which fairly fall within the basic teaching
herein set forth. |