U.S. patent application number 10/218446 was filed with the patent office on 2002-12-19 for communication apparatus and method that link a network address with designated image information.
This patent application is currently assigned to CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA. Invention is credited to Hashimoto, Yasuhiko, Kobayashi, Shigetada, Kusama, Kiyoshi, Ohwada, Hiroshi, Takaoka, Makoto, Yamada, Shigeki.
Application Number | 20020191087 10/218446 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 26433890 |
Filed Date | 2002-12-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020191087 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hashimoto, Yasuhiko ; et
al. |
December 19, 2002 |
Communication apparatus and method that link a network address with
designated image information
Abstract
To make it possible to process or retrieve a recorded image in
accordance with the location where the image is recorded and record
digital image data together with GPS information when capturing a
digital image by a video camera. Moreover, when GPS information
cannot be captured, GPS information a certain time before is
captured. Furthermore, a system is disclosed which accesses the
internet in accordance with the captured GPS information.
Inventors: |
Hashimoto, Yasuhiko;
(Kanagawa-ken, JP) ; Ohwada, Hiroshi;
(Kanagawa-ken, JP) ; Takaoka, Makoto;
(Kanagawa-ken, JP) ; Yamada, Shigeki;
(Kanagawa-ken, JP) ; Kobayashi, Shigetada; (Tokyo,
JP) ; Kusama, Kiyoshi; (Kanagawa-ken, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
FITZPATRICK CELLA HARPER & SCINTO
30 ROCKEFELLER PLAZA
NEW YORK
NY
10112
US
|
Assignee: |
CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
Tokyo
JP
|
Family ID: |
26433890 |
Appl. No.: |
10/218446 |
Filed: |
August 15, 2002 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10218446 |
Aug 15, 2002 |
|
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08834221 |
Apr 15, 1997 |
|
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60196413 |
Apr 12, 2000 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
348/231.3 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04N 1/00244 20130101;
H04N 1/00323 20130101; H04N 1/00204 20130101; H04N 1/2112 20130101;
H04N 1/00127 20130101; H04N 2101/00 20130101; H04N 2201/3277
20130101; H04N 2201/3253 20130101; H04N 1/32101 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
348/231.3 |
International
Class: |
H04N 005/225 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Apr 15, 2002 |
JP |
092472/1996 |
Apr 14, 1997 |
JP |
095830/1997 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An image recording method when recording image information,
comprising the step of: recording said image information together
with the location information at the place where said image
information is obtained.
2. An image recording method according to claim 1, wherein said
location information is altitude information.
3. An image recording method according to claim 1, wherein location
information is obtained from radio waves output from a station at a
predetermined position.
4. An image recording method according to claim 3, wherein said
station at a predetermined position is a satellite.
5. An image recording method according to claim 3, wherein said
base at a predetermined position is a ground station.
6. An image recording method according to claim 1, wherein location
information includes latitude and longitude information.
7. An image recording method for recording location information
together with image information, comprising the steps of: deciding
whether said location information can be obtained; and recording
substitute information together with said image information when it
is not decided that said location information can be obtained.
8. An image recording method wherein the substitute information of
claim 7 is last-obtained location information.
9. An image recording method wherein the substitute information of
claim 7 is location information obtained within a predetermined
time.
10. An image recording method wherein the substitute information of
claim 7 is manually-input location information.
11. An image recording method according to claim 7, wherein unless
location information can be obtained, it is communicated to a user
that no location information can be obtained.
12. An image recording method according to claim 8, wherein if the
time when obtaining last location information is information
obtained a certain time before, substitute information is used as
last-obtained location information.
13. An image recording method according to claim 9, wherein if the
time when obtaining last-obtained location information is
information obtained a certain time after, substitute information
is used as information showing that a location is
indeterminate.
14. An image recording apparatus when recording image information
characterized by: recording not only an image but also the location
information at a place where the image is obtained.
15. A communication apparatus comprising: generation means for
generating image information and location information corresponding
to said image information; means for generating a network address
according to the location information generated by said generation
means; and means for linking with an address generated by said
generation means.
16. A communication apparatus according to claim 15, wherein said
generation means is means for generating location information by a
GPS.
17. A communication apparatus according to claim 16, wherein said
generation means is previously provided with a corresponding table
of location information and network addresses.
18. A communication apparatus according to claim 15, further
comprising image pickup means for picking up a subject.
19. A communication apparatus according to claim 18, wherein said
location information generation means is means for generating the
location information of the place where image pickup is performed
by said image pickup means.
20. A communication apparatus according to claim 18, further
comprising storage means for storing a signal corresponding to a
subject picked up by said image pickup means in a medium.
21. An image input unit according to claim 20, wherein said medium
is a semiconductor memory.
22. A computer communication apparatus according to claim 15,
wherein said address generation means is means for generating the
name of area information according to the location generated by
said location information generation means.
23. A communication apparatus according to claim 15, further
comprising means for generating the address of an internet home
page including an area name in accordance with said area
information.
24. A communication apparatus according to claim 23, wherein said
generation means is previously provided with a corresponding table
of location and internet address.
25. A communication apparatus according to claim 15, wherein said
location information is data for latitude and longitude.
26. A communication apparatus according to claim 23, wherein said
corresponding table can be retrieved.
27. A communication apparatus according to claim 15, wherein said
network is an internet network and said linkage means has means for
linking with an internet address retrieval home page, automatically
inputting location information as a retrieval keyword, and
retrieving an internet address.
28. A communication apparatus according to claim 27, wherein an
address retrieved by said retrieval means can be automatically
entered in said internet address corresponding table.
29. A computer readable medium comprising: means for storing steps
described in claim 1 or 7, wherein said storing means is readable
by computer.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to an image recording method
and communication method and an image recording apparatus and
communication apparatus.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] An art for recording an image signal together with
information for the time when the image signal is recorded is
conventionally known.
[0005] However, the conventional method has problems that it is
impossible to record the information for the place where an image
signal is recorded and it is impossible to read the location where
the image signal is recorded such as a latitude, longitude, or
altitude.
[0006] Moreover, there is no method for corresponding to a case in
which GPS information cannot be obtained when capturing location
information by a method referred to as the GPS method of computing
a position by a satellite and therefore, recorded image information
may not be effectively used.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] It is an object of the present invention to solve the
conventional problems. It is another object of the present
invention to provide a method and an apparatus making it possible
to effectively obtain location information. It is still another
object of the present invention to provide a method and an
apparatus making it possible to obtain effective substitute
information when location information cannot be obtained.
[0008] For the above objects, preferred embodiments of the present
invention disclose an image recording method for recording location
information together with image information, in which the step of
deciding whether the location information can be obtained and a
method for recording substitute information together with the image
when it is not decided that the location information can be
obtained are disclosed.
[0009] In the case of the above method, the substitute information
is location information which is input immediately before or after
or manually. Moreover, when the location information cannot be
obtained, it is characterized to communicate the fact to a user so
as to decrease the load of the user and record an image together
with image location information.
[0010] Moreover, it is still another object of the present
invention to provide a digital camera having a novel function.
[0011] Furthermore, it is still another object of the present
invention to provide an apparatus and a method making it possible
to quickly access a network in accordance with a recorded
image.
[0012] Furthermore, it is still another object of the present
invention to provide an apparatus and a method making it possible
to quickly access a network in accordance with the purpose of a
recorded image.
[0013] Other objects and features of the present invention will
become more apparent from the accompanying embodiments and
description of drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] FIG. 1 is a flow chart of a method of this embodiment for
recording image obtained location information;
[0015] FIG. 2 is a system block diagram of the image controller of
this embodiment;
[0016] FIG. 3 is a flow chart of another method of this embodiment
for recording image photographed location information;
[0017] FIGS. 4A and 4B are illustrations showing the full view of a
digital camera of this embodiment and display screens when
reproducing an image recorded by the digital camera;
[0018] FIGS. 5A and 5B are a full view of an image processor used
for the digital camera of this embodiment and a block diagram
showing the structure of the image processor;
[0019] FIGS. 6A and 6B are flow charts of the image location
information display method of an embodiment of the present
invention;
[0020] FIGS. 7A to 7D are display screens of the above embodiment
and internet home-page linkage screens;
[0021] FIG. 8 is an illustration showing area classification;
[0022] FIGS. 9A and 9B are illustrations for explaining latitude
and longitude information areas;
[0023] FIG. 10 is a home-page corresponding table;
[0024] FIG. 11 is a retrieval home-page access flow;
[0025] FIG. 12 is a retrieval home page;
[0026] FIGS. 13A-1 to 13B-3 are illustrations for explaining the
appearances and structures of apparatuses having photographing
purpose input means;
[0027] FIGS. 14A and 14B are image input access flows; and
[0028] FIG. 15 is an illustration for explaining conversion of
position information into area information.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0029] [Embodiment 1]
[0030] The preferred embodiments of the present invention are
described below.
[0031] FIG. 2 is a system block diagram when realizing the image
photographing location recording method of this embodiment.
[0032] In FIG. 2, symbol 201 denotes a central processing unit
(CPU) for operation and control and 202 denotes a storing section
including a ROM and RAM and, for example, the ROM stores an image
control program 216, an image display program 217, a map control
program 219, and a map display program 220.
[0033] Symbol 203 denotes a display (DISPLAY) for displaying image
information, map information, a designation icon, or a cursor, 204
denotes a floppy disk (FD) for storing a program or image data, 205
denotes an image input section for reading an image from a camera
or scanner, 206 denotes a printer for printing an image selected by
a user, 207 denotes a keyboard (KBD) having keys to be designated
by an operator, 208 denotes a mouse for designating an operation by
clicking the designation icon or moving the cursor, 209 denotes a
memory system such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or magnetooptical
disk (MO) for storing image control data 213 for controlling an
image such as an image keyword, original image data 214, or map
data 215, 210 denotes a communication interface for transmitting or
receiving image information, 212 denotes a GPS receiver for
obtaining GPS (Global Positioning System) information serving as
location information, and 211 denotes a bus for connecting the
above units.
[0034] For example, to apply the present invention to a
GPS-receiver camera of an embodiment of the present invention, it
is necessary to remove the printer 206, keyboard 212, and mouse 208
from FIG. 2.
[0035] FIG. 1 is a flow chart showing an embodiment of an image
photographing location recording method using GPS information.
[0036] When a user starts photographing, an image signal input by
the image input section 205 is recorded in the memory system (hard
disk) 209 (step 101) and it is first decided whether to use GPS
information (step 102). Whether to use GPS information is
previously set to the system by the user through the keyboard 207.
When using GPS information, it is decided whether the present GPS
information can be obtained (step 103). When the present GPS
information can be obtained, the present time and the present
location information obtained by a GPS receiver are temporarily
stored in the memory system 209 for the next photographing (step
110), the location information already recorded in step 101 to
serve as the position information of image information is recorded
in the memory system 209 (step 111) and the flow terminates (step
112). An image and location information can be recorded in an
analog recording medium such as a silver film or a digital
recording medium such as a hard disk, MO, or flash memory.
[0037] When it is difficult to obtain GPS information because of an
indoor place or due to the influence of a building, the flow
branches from step 103 to step 104. Therefore, it is decided
whether to use the previous GPS information in accordance with the
time of the GPS information in which the previous location
information is not indeterminate, a certain time previously set by
a system or set by a user, and the present time (step 104). When a
certain time passes after the previous GPS information obtaining
time, the flow branches from step 104 to step 105 to set the
location information indeterminate (step 105). When a certain time
does not pass after the previous GPS information obtaining time,
the flow branches from step 105 to step 106 to set the previous
location information (step 106). Then, the present time and the
present location information are stored for the next photographing
(step 110), image information and location information are recorded
(step 111), and the flow terminates (step 112).
[0038] When GPS is not used in step 102, it is further decided
whether to manually set location information (step 107). When
location information is not manually set, the location information
is set indeterminate (step 108). When the location information is
manually set, a user sets a location by using map data (step
109).
[0039] Manual setting of the location information in step 109 is
effective when adding the indeterminate location information to the
image information already photographed in step 101 and recorded in
a recording apparatus 109 or setting location information
again.
[0040] The flow chart in FIG. 1 is described by using a case of
photographing an image. However, setting of location information is
not restricted to a case of photographing an image. It is also
possible to set location information when capturing an image by a
scanner, creating an image by image application software, or
controlling an image by image control application.
[0041] Then, an embodiment of the present invention is described
below.
[0042] FIG. 3 is a flow chart for recording location information by
setting a GPS receiver to a camera.
[0043] When a user starts photographing (step 301), it is first
decided whether the present GPS information can be obtained by the
GPS receiver (step 302). When the GPS information can be obtained,
image information and the location information obtained by the GPS
receiver are recorded simultaneously. Image and location
information can be recorded in an analog recording medium such as a
silver film or a digital recording medium such as a flash memory.
When it is difficult to obtain GPS information because of an indoor
place, location information is set indeterminate (step 303), image
and location information are recorded (step 304), and the flow
terminates (step 305).
[0044] According to this embodiment, it is possible to use the
decision on whether location information cannot be recorded due to
any trouble of an apparatus or position information is
indeterminate as an example because "position information is set
indeterminate" when location information cannot be obtained.
[0045] Moreover, location information related to an image is
location attribute information such as photographing location
information, creating location information, or control place
information and moreover, location information intentionally
related by a user can be used.
[0046] Furthermore, it is possible to obtain location information
from radio waves output from a station at a predetermined position,
satellite, or ground station.
[0047] Furthermore, it is possible to obtain not only latitude and
longitude information but also altitude information from a GPS.
[0048] As described above, the image recording method of this
embodiment makes it possible to automatically add location
information for image data by minimizing the load of a user.
Moreover, it is possible to manually record location information
together with an obtained image by adding image location
information.
[0049] [Embodiment 2]
[0050] Then, another embodiment of the present invention is
described below. This embodiment discloses a method of access a
network in accordance with position information recorded together
with image information.
[0051] FIG. 13 also shows that position information obtained from a
GPS is added to an image. This embodiment basically shows the
pieces of information for latitude and longitude but these values
are uninteresting and ununderstandable. Therefore, as shown in FIG.
13, it is possible to display a city, prefecture, area, or country
depending on selection. FIGS. 13A-1 to 13B-3 show images
photographed at a place in Yokohama. In the case of latitude and
longitude, a position is recorded within an error range of several
meters. Because the usage of this embodiment does not require the
detailed information within an error range of several meters, it is
possible to gradually expand a range like "YOKOHAMA," "KANAGAWA,"
"KANTO," and "JAPAN" in accordance with a conversion table.
Normally, a mode of "YOKOHAMA" or "KANAGAWA" is set. In the case of
an overseas country, there is a usage of expanding a range up to
"country."
[0052] The examples in FIG. 15 show up to degrees and minutes of
latitude and longitude. In fact, however, it is possible to obtain
up to a value equal to or more minute than second.
[0053] A digital camera with a GPS is used as the image recording
apparatus of this embodiment in order to obtain the above image
information. This digital camera is described in FIGS. 1 to 3. This
camera can be freely carried to any place and its position when
recording an image is recorded together with image information in
detail. It is one of the features of this embodiment to access a
site (home page) on the internet in accordance with the position
information attached to the image information input by the digital
camera.
[0054] FIG. 5 shows a computer communication apparatus to this
embodiment. FIG. 5 is a system block diagram when realizing the
automatic image internet linking method of this embodiment. FIG. 5A
shows a notebook-type personal computer.
[0055] In FIG. 5A, symbol 301 denotes a personal computer body and
302 denotes a cable for connecting the computer to a communication
line. Though the notebook-type personal computer is shown to easily
view a photographed image, it is also possible to use a
normally-used desktop personal computer or work station. A user
inputs image data into a personal computer by using input means
such as a memory card and makes the personal computer to access a
network such as the internet by using communication means such as
RS232C. Moreover, the user displays an image by using a display
method such as a method to be derived. Display examples are shown
in FIG. 4B.
[0056] FIG. 5B shows a system block diagram of the computer
communication apparatus of this embodiment. In FIG. 5B, symbol 303
denotes a central processing unit (CPU) for operation and control,
304 denotes a display (DISPLAY) for displaying image information,
map information, designation icon, or cursor, 305 denotes a floppy
disk (FD) for storing a program or image data, 306 denotes a
communication I/F for connection with an external communication
line, and 307 denotes a storing section including a ROM and a RAM.
The ROM stores a program for controlling a personal computer. The
control program uses a part of the RAM but an application program
uses most part of the RAM. Image data is also temporarily stored in
the area used by the application program. Symbol 308 denotes a
storing medium section which comprises a hard disk or
magnetooptical disk. Main programs and main data of the apparatus
of this embodiment are stored in the storing medium section. Symbol
309 denotes main programs. Symbol 310 denotes a main data section.
Symbol 310 denotes a pointing device for designating an image or
the like.
[0057] The program section 309 stores an image control program,
image display program, map control program, map display program,
and internet home-page address control program.
[0058] The data section 310 stores image control data, original
image data, map data, internet address data, position-home-page
conversion table, and retrieval home-page address data.
[0059] Then, operations of this embodiment are described below by
using image display as an example and using a flow chart.
[0060] FIGS. 6A and 6B are the above flow chart and FIGS. 7A to 7D
are display examples.
[0061] First, reduced images are displayed on the display 304 of
the personal computer body 301 in FIG. 5A in the tile format shown
by symbol 202 in FIG. 7A (step 101 in FIG. 6A). An operator (user)
selects a purposed image out of the images (step 102). When an
image is selected, an image 203 is enlarged and displayed by the
pointing device 330 (step 205).
[0062] Position information 204 is changed to the above city name
or the like by clicking the numerical portion of the information
204 (steps 107 and 108). FIG. 7B shows position information changed
to "KANAGAWA."
[0063] The map shown by symbol 205 in FIG. 7A is linked with image
position information to show a place where the area around the map
is automatically displayed (step 103). Symbol 206 denotes a mark
showing a place where the image is photographed. The mark can be
accurately shown by the latitude and longitude information showing
the values of the place by symbol 204.
[0064] The map 205 can be changed to a wide-area map by clicking it
(steps 104 and 105). Symbol 208 in FIG. 7B shows that the map is
changed to the whole KANAGAWA Prefecture.
[0065] By continuously clicking the image 203 (step 109), the name
of an area 207 serves as a keyword and it is started to access a
home page corresponding to the keyword on the internet (step 110).
FIG. 7C shows an illustration in which a home page of YOKOHAMA is
accessed. Symbol 209 denotes the home page of YOKOHAMA. In general,
a home page of a public institution directly uses its place name in
many cases and a home page of a municipal office is accessed in
most cases (step 112).
[0066] There are several methods for accessing a home page other
than the home page of a municipal office.
[0067] This embodiment shows a case of inputting a retrieval
condition. Symbol 210 in FIG. 7D shows an item for inputting or
selecting retrieval information. This example further includes
automobile related mater as a retrieval condition. The operation
for inputting this retrieval condition is shown in step 111. It is
possible to previously set a retrieval condition. In the case of
the example shown in FIG. 7D, automobile related matter is input as
a retrieval condition and an example of accessing the home page of
automobile related matter in YOKOHAMA shown in step 211 is
shown.
[0068] After the above flow, a case is shown in which an internet
home page of the area is automatically accessed in accordance with
an image. Contents of each home page include various novel ideas.
Therefore, by allowing the procedure, in other words, by accessing
another "URL" in accordance with linked information set to each
home page, it is possible to obtain every type of information.
[0069] Then, the detail for accessing a home page in accordance
with position information of an image is described below which is
one of the points of this embodiment.
[0070] FIG. 6B shows a procedure for linking position information
to a home page.
[0071] In step 120, image position information is the above
described latitude and longitude information. In step 121, an area
scale is selected. FIG. 8 shows grouped information referred to as
area classification. A group for selecting countries in the world
is provided for GROUP A (countries) and in the case of Japan, a
group for selecting local areas is provided for GROUP B (local
areas), a group for selecting TO, DO, FU, and Prefectures is
provided for GROUP C (TO, DO, FU, and Prefectures), a group for
selecting cities, towns, and villages is provided for GROUP D
(cities), and a group for selecting districts is provided for GROUP
E (districts). According to the above selection, a keyword for an
area scale is set.
[0072] FIGS. 9A and 9B show classification tables of the names of
areas corresponding to the latitude and longitude information in
step 121 in FIG. 6B. The rough classification (rectangular region
of area) in FIG. 9A shows a classification in which the latitude
and longitude information of maximum external rectangular regions
of (a) Kanto District, (b) Tokyo Metropolis, (c) Kanagawa
Prefecture, and (d) Yokohama City is stored. It is possible to
approximately specify an area in accordance with the latitude and
longitude information given by the rough classification.
[0073] In the case of the detailed classification in FIG. 9B, a
detailed table including contour latitude and longitude information
of each area is stored. It is enough for the detail to have an
accuracy of a certain extent. As the accuracy is further improved,
information content increases and the scale of the classification
table increases. Moreover, retrieval requires more time.
[0074] An application of this embodiment does not require very
detailed information.
[0075] In step 122 in FIG. 6B, the address of an internet home page
is obtained from the keyword of an area name. FIG. 10 shows
home-page corresponding tables between the home-page address and
the keyword of the area name. Table 1 shows the home page addresses
corresponding to the keyword "JAPAN." In this case, higher priority
is given to a more-general home-page address. A home page of a
country corresponds to it. Table 2 shows a corresponding table of
home-page addresses corresponding to such keywords as "TOKYO" and
"KANAGAWA." Similarly, Table 3 shows home-page addresses
corresponding to the keyword "YOKOHAMA."
[0076] Details of the home-page address corresponding tables are
described above.
[0077] In step 123 in FIG. 6B, a case of adding a keyword such as
the above described "automobile" is shown as a retrieval code
input. However, it is also possible to retrieve a more-preferable
retrieval code input from the home-page address table shown in FIG.
10 by further adding such keywords as "sight-seeing" and
"enterprise" and giving higher priority to the input. Of course,
there is a method of inputting no data. In this case, however, the
home page of the above-described municipal office is connected.
[0078] In step 124, linking from the retrieved home page, that is,
from the URL on the internet to a home page accessing of the
internet is started.
[0079] In step 125, an image is linked with a desired home
page.
[0080] As described above, means for automatically linking an image
with the internal and a computer communication apparatus are
realized.
[0081] [Embodiment 3]
[0082] Then, another embodiment of the present invention is
described below.
[0083] The image input system is the same as that of the embodiment
1. A different method for linking from position information added
to an image to a home page is described below.
[0084] FIG. 11 shows the flow chart.
[0085] Step 1001 (image position information) and step 1002 (area
scale selection) use the same method as that in steps 120 and 121
of the previous embodiment.
[0086] Step 1003 showing home-page access uses a method for
accessing a home page for retrieving a home page on the internet.
Because the number of internet home pages further increases, a user
cannot completely use the home pages unless there is a tool for
retrieving what a home page is. Therefore, many home pages
dedicated to retrieval are opened. This embodiment uses these
retrieval home pages.
[0087] Therefore, as shown in this embodiment, when an image is
automatically linked with a retrieval home page is realized, the
retrieval home page shown in FIG. 12 is displayed. This is mere one
example. In FIG. 12, symbol 901 denotes the whole window and 902
denotes a dialog box for inputting a retrieval keyword. Symbol 903
denotes each category which serves as a home-page retrieval keyword
together with the retrieval keyword 902.
[0088] In the case of this embodiment, the name of the place of the
position information added to image data is input to the dialog box
902. For example, a keyword such as "Yokohama" is input. A use can
freely select the category 903. All messages are retrieved through
the summary of each home page by these keywords and a desired home
page address can be obtained.
[0089] A list of retrieved home-page addresses is displayed on
symbol 904.
[0090] Retrieval in accordance with position information in the
case of the embodiment 1 starts with the name of a home page
address. In the case of the embodiment 2, however, more home pages
are retrieved because up to the content of a home page is a
retrieval object.
[0091] A user selects a desired home page out of the home
pages.
[0092] In step 1006 in FIG. 11, the above home page address is
obtained. In step 1007, by clicking the selected home page address,
the address is linked to the page.
[0093] In step 1008, a home page is displayed.
[0094] In step 1009, a retrieved home-page address is entered in an
address corresponding table. From the next time, the address can be
linked without retrieving it.
[0095] In the case of the embodiment 3, a method for linking an
image using a retrieval home page with a home page is
described.
[0096] [Embodiment 4]
[0097] Still another embodiment of the present invention is
described below.
[0098] In the case of the retrieval home page of the embodiment 2,
it is possible to input a photographing purpose as a keyword in
addition to a keyword of a place. This is because a purposed home
page can be narrowed down to retrieve a home page to be selected by
a keyword such as "sight-seeing."
[0099] Then, in the case of this embodiment, a case of inputting a
photographing purpose when recording an image in a medium, that is,
when recording an image by a digital camera and a case of inputting
the photographing purpose when displaying the image are described
below.
[0100] FIG. 13A-1 shows the appearance of a GPS digital camera with
a photographing purpose input. In FIG. 13A-1, symbol 1102 denotes a
display window for making a user confirm an item content selected
by the user as a photographing purpose. Symbol 1101 denotes an
operating portion such as a push button for changing a
photographing-purpose category.
[0101] FIG. 13A-2 shows a state in which the category is changed as
the business shown by symbol 1103. FIG. 14A shows a flow chart of
the state.
[0102] In step 1201, a photographing purpose is input to the
camera. This is followed by an operation for changing the category
before the purpose is changed.
[0103] In step 1202, an image is input. In the case of this
embodiment, a subject is photographed and converted into an image
signal to enter the image of the subject. In this case, latitude
and longitude information is stored together.
[0104] In step 1203, the image signal obtained through the
conversion is transferred to the computer side. In this case, it is
possible to use the above communication cable or a memory card.
[0105] The photographing purpose is added to the image.
[0106] Then, a method for inputting the photographing purpose when
displaying a reduced image is described below.
[0107] FIG. 13B-1 shows display examples of reduced images. For
these display examples, a dialog box of a photographing purpose is
prepared in addition to the display examples in FIG. 4B.
[0108] When selecting the dialog box and photographing the whole
image as a purpose, drag-and-drop operation is applied to the whole
frame as shown in FIG. 13B-2. Thereby, for example, a keyword
"sight-seeing" is added to the whole image.
[0109] When individually adding, for example, a keyword "business"
to an image already recorded after photographing, a box "business"
is added to an individual image by drag-and-drop the box as shown
in FIG. 13B-3.
[0110] FIG. 14B shows the above flow.
[0111] In step 1211, a reduced image is displayed. In step 1212, a
photographing purpose is selected. In this case, it is permitted to
select a prepared dialog box.
[0112] In step 1213, the photographing purpose is added to an image
through drag-and-drop operation.
[0113] In accordance with the above operation, the photographing
purpose is added to the image or a new photographing purpose or an
already photographing purpose is changed and added to the image in
addition to the photographing purpose already added to the
image.
[0114] As described above, by adding position information and a
photographing purpose to an image and moreover automatically
inputting the information for the photographing purpose to the
dialog box of the retrieval keyword of the retrieval home page in
FIG. 12, the image is automatically linked with a proper home page
on the internet.
[0115] In the above description, the location information related
to an image is location attribute information such as photographing
location information, creating location information, or control
place information. Therefore, location information intentionally
related by a user can be also used.
[0116] As described above, by using a method and apparatus for
automatic linking an image with an internet home page, the added
value of an image photographed by a digital camera or the like is
raised and it is possible not only to enjoy an image and confirm a
video but also obtain wider information.
[0117] Moreover, even only confirming a photographed image is a
considerably effective usage.
[0118] The present invention can be applied to a system constituted
by a plurality of devices (e.g., host computer, interface, reader,
printer) or to an apparatus comprising a single device (e.g., copy
machine, facsimile).
[0119] Further, the object of the present invention can be also
achieved by providing a storage medium storing program codes for
performing the aforesaid processes to a system or an apparatus,
reading the program codes with a computer (e.g., CPU, MPU) of the
system or apparatus from the storage medium, then executing the
program.
[0120] In this case, the program codes read from the storage medium
realize the functions according to the embodiments, and the storage
medium storing the program codes constitutes the invention.
[0121] Further, the storage medium, such as a floppy disk, a hard
disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, CD-R, a
magnetic tape, a non-volatile type memory card, and ROM can be used
for providing the program codes.
[0122] Furthermore, besides aforesaid functions according to the
above embodiments are realized by executing the program codes which
are read by a computer, the present invention includes a case where
an OS (operating system) or the like working on the computer
preforms a part or entire processes in accordance with designations
of the program codes and realizes functions according to the above
embodiments.
[0123] Furthermore, the present invention also includes a case
where, after the program codes read from the storage medium are
written in a function expansion card which is inserted into the
computer or in a memory provided in a function expansion unit which
is connected to the computer, CPU or the like contained in the
function expansion card or unit performs a part or entire process
in accordance with designations of the program codes and realizes
functions of the above embodiments.
[0124] As many apparently widely different embodiments of the
present invention can be made without departing from the spirit and
scope thereof, it is to be understood that the invention is not
limited to the specific embodiments thereof except as defined in
the appended claims.
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