Abstract: This aims at providing an image recording apparatus and an image recording method which can output an image suitable for an aspect ratio of a display screen. When connection history data does not fulfill a predetermined condition, predetermined viewpoint image data is selected as a representative image. On the other hand, when the connection history data fulfills the predetermined condition, image data of a plurality of viewpoints taken by the image pickup units are synthesized to generate panoramic image data horizontally wider than the image data of viewpoints, and the generated image data is set as representative image data. Then, the panoramic image file which includes image data of respective viewpoints as sub-image data as well as the representative image data, is generated in the multi-page format, and is recorded in the memory card.

Abstract: The present invention realizes picture recording in simple configuration such that a user can easily and intuitively identify a minified picture of a multi-view picture from among minified pictures of pictures being taken. A 3-dimensional thumbnail picture is created by performing 3-dimensional CG processing on a multi-view picture thumbnail picture, and a thumbnail picture is created from a normal picture and recorded in association with a primary picture. The 3-dimensional CG thumbnail picture X is given a stereoscopic effect as a result of the 3-dimensional CG graphic processing so that the difference from a normal 2-dimensional thumbnail Y is clear at a glance. Consequently, a viewer can readily recognize the picture X as a minified picture of a multi-view picture without using a special apparatus to realize a graphical approach.

Abstract: To provide a communication terminal apparatus including a first wireless communication unit that can connect with a host computer, a second wireless communication unit that can connect with connecting equipment by wireless, an equipment information storage unit for storing image information showing an appearance of the above-described connecting equipment, a display unit for displaying the appearance of the connecting equipment, and a designating unit for establishing communication with the connecting equipment thereafter, which is designated, when the appearance of the desired connecting equipment that is displayed in the above-described display unit is designated, in which, since the above-described wireless communication unit receives and displays image information showing the appearance of the above-described connecting equipment from the host computer if the image information showing the appearance of the above-described connecting equipment is not stored in the equipment information storage unit.

Abstract: According to the present invention, face parts to be compared are set by the comparison target setting section based on the number of images of a group of search target images. Then, a retrieval target image and each image of the group of search target images is compared by the set face parts. An image with a particular correlation is determined to be a similar image and retrieved from the group of images to be compared. Thereby, it is possible to perform quick retrieval based on the number of images of the group of search target images.

Abstract: A digital still camera includes a camera main unit and a lens unit or lens assembly. The camera main unit has an image processor for image processing of an image being formed by image pickup. A frame memory stores the image during image processing. The lens unit is secured to the camera main unit removably, and has an image sensor for forming the image by detecting object light passed through a photographing lens. A subsidiary image memory has a storage capacity according to a pixel number of the image sensor, for storing the image in a temporary manner in addition to the frame memory, to shorten image processing time. In one embodiment, at least one of the frame memory and the subsidiary image memory is caused to store luminance component data and chrominance component data of the image obtained according to an image signal thereof.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus comprising: an image pickup device which takes an image of a subject and generates an image signal; an operation device in which first operation and second operation are independently acceptable; a detection device that detects the first operation and second operation of the operation device; a memory device which loads and stores the image signal from the image pickup device when the first operation of the operation device is detected by the detection device; a preview image display device which performs predetermined display processing to the image signal stored in the memory device, displays a preview image on a monitor in accordance with the processed image signal, and stops display of the preview image when the first operation or second operation of the operation device is detected by the detection device during display of the preview image; and an image data recording device which performs predetermined recording processing to the image signal stored in the memory device and

Abstract: According to the present invention, face parts to be compared are set by the comparison target setting section based on the number of images of a group of search target images. Then, a retrieval target image and each image of the group of search target images is compared by the set face parts. An image with a particular correlation is determined to be a similar image and retrieved from the group of images to be compared. Thereby, it is possible to perform quick retrieval based on the number of images of the group of search target images.

Abstract: A digital camera is constituted of a camera body and a lens unit. The lens unit is removably attached to the camera body. When the lens unit is attached to the camera body, they are electrically connected through connection terminals. A nonvolatile memory in the lens unit previously stores a chart image that is obtained by capturing a resolving power chart representing image resolving power by a CCD. When an attachment detector of the camera body detects that the lens unit is attached to the camera body, the chart image is transferred into the camera body and is displayed on a LCD.

Abstract: According to the present invention, face parts to be compared are set by the comparison target setting section based on the number of images of a group of search target images. Then, a retrieval target image and each image of the group of search target images is compared by the set face parts. An image with a particular correlation is determined to be a similar image and retrieved from the group of images to be compared. Thereby, it is possible to perform quick retrieval based on the number of images of the group of search target images.

Abstract: This aims at providing an image recording apparatus and an image recording method which can output an image suitable for an aspect ratio of a display screen. When connection history data does not fulfill a predetermined condition, predetermined viewpoint image data is selected as a representative image. On the other hand, when the connection history data fulfills the predetermined condition, image data of a plurality of viewpoints taken by the image pickup units are synthesized to generate panoramic image data horizontally wider than the image data of viewpoints, and the generated image data is set as representative image data. Then, the panoramic image file which includes image data of respective viewpoints as sub-image data as well as the representative image data, is generated in the multi-page format, and is recorded in the memory card.

Abstract: The present invention realizes picture recording in simple configuration such that a user can easily and intuitively identify a minified picture of a multi-view picture from among minified pictures of pictures being taken. A 3-dimensional thumbnail picture is created by performing 3-dimensional CG processing on a multi-view picture thumbnail picture, and a thumbnail picture is created from a normal picture and recorded in association with a primary picture. The 3-dimensional CG thumbnail picture X is given a stereoscopic effect as a result of the 3-dimensional CG graphic processing so that the difference from a normal 2-dimensional thumbnail Y is clear at a glance. Consequently, a viewer can readily recognize the picture X as a minified picture of a multi-view picture without using a special apparatus to realize a graphical approach.

Abstract: Before obtaining service from an installed terminal, a mobile unit can be authenticated (subauthenticated) only by the operation of the mobile unit such as an unauthenticated digital camera, etc. using an authenticated mobile phone. A digital camera is radio-connected with an installed terminal, and the digital camera is also radio-connected with a mobile phone of a user. The installed terminal center is notified of the identification code of the mobile phone through the digital camera and the installed terminal. The installed terminal center inquires of the carrier center about the validity/invalidity of the mobile phone. Upon receipt of the notification of the validity of the mobile phone from the carrier center, the installed terminal center permits service to the installed terminal in the installed terminal.

Abstract: To provide a communication terminal apparatus including a first wireless communication unit that can connect with a host computer, a second wireless communication unit that can connect with connecting equipment by wireless, an equipment information storage unit for storing image information showing an appearance of the above-described connecting equipment, a display unit for displaying the appearance of the connecting equipment, and a designating unit for establishing communication with the connecting equipment thereafter, which is designated, when the appearance of the desired connecting equipment that is displayed in the above-described display unit is designated, in which, since the above-described wireless communication unit receives and displays image information showing the appearance of the above-described connecting equipment from the host computer if the image information showing the appearance of the above-described connecting equipment is not stored in the equipment information storage unit.

Abstract: A digital still camera is designed so that even a beginner can acquire photographic technique. To this end, picture-taking advice conforming to the subject of photography is displayed, in a shooting mode, on the display screen of a liquid crystal display device with which the camera is provided. By viewing the displayed picture-taking advice, the user becomes aware of the essentials of photography. The user is prevented from making picture-taking errors by shooting in accordance with the picture-taking advice.

Abstract: To provide a communication terminal apparatus including a first wireless communication unit that can connect with a host computer, a second wireless communication unit that can connect with connecting equipment by wireless, an equipment information storage unit for storing image information showing an appearance of the above-described connecting equipment, a display unit for displaying the appearance of the connecting equipment, and a designating unit for establishing communication with the connecting equipment thereafter, which is designated, when the appearance of the desired connecting equipment that is displayed in the above-described display unit is designated, in which, since the above-described wireless communication unit receives and displays image information showing the appearance of the above-described connecting equipment from the host computer if the image information showing the appearance of the above-described connecting equipment is not stored in the equipment information storage unit.

Abstract: A digital still camera includes a camera main unit and a lens unit or lens assembly. The camera main unit has an image processor for image processing of an image being formed by image pickup. A frame memory stores the image during image processing. The lens unit is secured to the camera main unit removably, and has an image sensor for forming the image by detecting object light passed through a photographing lens. A subsidiary image memory has a storage capacity according to a pixel number of the image sensor, for storing the image in a temporary manner in addition to the frame memory, to shorten image processing time. In one embodiment, at least one of the frame memory and the subsidiary image memory is caused to store luminance component data and chrominance component data of the image obtained according to an image signal thereof.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus prevents a panoramic image or a sequence of consecutive images from being partially lost due to the accidental erasing of an image composing the panoramic image or the sequence of consecutive images. When the user selects an image to be erased from a memory, additional information about the selected image is read and then it is determined whether or not the selected image is a part of a panoramic image or a sequence of consecutive images with reference to the additional information. If no, the selected image is erased. If yes, a display indicates that the selected image is a part of the panoramic image or the sequence of consecutive images in order to request the user to determine whether to collectively erase all the image data relating to the panoramic image or the sequence of consecutive images including the selected image. Then, all the image data are collectively erased if the user determines so.

Abstract: A camera which records positional data, which is obtained by a GPS unit during photographing, and image data on a memory card. The camera receives the positional data representing the photographing place from the GPS unit, and records the positional data and the image data on the memory card. While the GPS unit is measuring the position to obtain the positional data to be recorded, an image pickup circuit including a CCD sensor, etc. which converts image light into an image signal, a recording circuit for recording the image signal on the memory card, an LCD monitor which is used as a view finder, a strobe unit and a printer are halted.

Abstract: A digital camera is constituted of a camera body and a lens unit. The lens unit is removably attached to the camera body. When the lens unit is attached to the camera body, they are electrically connected through connection terminals. A nonvolatile memory in the lens unit previously stores a chart image that is obtained by capturing a resolving power chart representing image resolving power by a CCD. When an attachment detector of the camera body detects that the lens unit is attached to the camera body, the chart image is transferred into the camera body and is displayed on a LCD.

Abstract: A white balance adjusting device for use in a camera which photographs a field and forms a video signal representing the field. In the white balance adjusting device, while a sequential photographing is under way, updating of the color temperature data to be used for adjusting a white balance is prohibited. Therefore, the hues of main objects in the respective frames of still images photographed by the sequential photographic operation remain unchanged, thereby maintaining the homogeneity of the main objects. Also, in the white balance adjusting device, control a device is used to provide a short response time for a quick response property in a still mode and to provide a longer response time in a movie mode when compared with the still mode. As a result, the white balance can be adjusted according to the photographic modes of the camera.