Abstract: An image transmitting system is provided, wherein the system includes: a first image storing module storing a plurality of images included in a first electronic album; a second image storing module storing a plurality of images included in a second electronic album; a feature extracting module for extracting a feature amount of an object included in each of the plurality of images stored in the second image storing module; an image selecting module for selecting an image including an object showing correspondence with the object included in the image stored in the second image storing module, which is higher than a predetermined reference value, out of the plurality of images stored in the first image storing module on the basis of the extracted feature amount; and an image transmitting module for retrieving the selected image from the first image storing module and storing the image in the second image storing module to transmit the image from the first image storing module to the image storing module.

Abstract: A secure storage device with the external dimensions of a PCMCIA card, for securing digital camera data at the acquisition stage. Original digital camera data is saved in the memory of the secure storage device which has the capability of performing one or more security functions, including encryption, creation of an authentication file, adding data to the image data such as fingerprinting, and adding secure annotations such as separate data included in an image-header. The device prepares original authentication data from original digital camera data, and encrypts and stores both the original authentication data and the original image data. The use of the device includes downloading the original image data to a first computer, and encrypted original authentication data to a second computer. The second computer can be programmed with software whereby the encrypted original authentication data can be decrypted by a user having a key.

Abstract: A controller of a cellular phone acquires data of a date and a time when an object is captured from a clock part, in addition to image data of the object captured in an image capture mode by a camera part, and stores those data as image capture date data and image capture time data in a storage part in association with the image data in addition to the image data. Furthermore, when image capture date data of the image data stored in the storage part match date data outputted from the clock part in a standby mode, then the controller reads the image data and the image capture date and the image capture time corresponding to the image data from the storage part and controls a display part to display the image data with superimposing the image capture date and the image capture time thereon. The image data is displayed on the display part while the image capture date and the image capture time corresponding to the image data are superimposed on the image data.

Abstract: An image pickup position information acquisition unit acquires, from a position fixing unit, position information of an image pickup location of a moving image being picked up. A preceding image pickup position information storage unit stores position information of a preceding image pickup location as preceding image pickup position information. A change point detector compares the image pickup position information and the preceding image pickup position information. If the position indicated by the image pickup position information is spaced apart from the position indicated by the preceding image pickup position information by a predetermined distance, the change point detector detects the current position as a change point. The change point is recorded onto a change point position information. Thumbnail data generated by a thumbnail generator is recorded as a change point thumbnail.

Abstract: Method and system for receiving an advance decision from a wireless communication device user to terminate a video sequence captured by the user at a limit length of a target use for the video sequence and enforcing the advance decision upon reaching the limit length. The method and system relieve the user of the burden to continuously monitor the length of video sequences and terminate video sequences at just the right time.

Abstract: In this invention, when images, in image files managed according to photographing dates, which match a search condition are to be displayed, the images matching the search condition are sequentially displayed such that the positions or distribution of the image files, of all image files, which match the search condition can be checked. For this reason, when the search condition is changed by operating upper and lower keys provided on the back face of a digital camera, a search is made for images matching the condition after the change. Indicators indicating the relative positions of the images matching the search condition in the list of image files arranged in the order of photographing dates are displayed. When the left and right keys are operated, one of images matching the search condition is displayed in the image display area.

Abstract: The present invention enables to select necessary metadata from presumed metadata candidates that are more likely to be added and to easily select metadata desired by a user, thereby reducing working load on a user largely, and facilitating the operation of adding shooting scene information even to a large amount of shot data recorded in a large-capacity recording medium. A processing process of detecting metadata associated with second contents data from the second contents data which is in a same category as first contents data, and a processing process of selectably outputting candidates of non-time information metadata to be stored, associated with the first contents data, in a storing section, based on time information metadata and non-time information metadata associated with the second contents data and time information metadata associated with the first contents data which is to be added metadata, are performed.

Abstract: An image-recording device comprises a recording processor that records a common still image on a plurality of recording media, respectively, which are detachably mounted on the image-recording device. A common unique data is recorded together with the still image on the plurality of recording media in a photographing operation, respectively. In a displaying operation for the still image, the unique data is read out from the plurality of recording media. When the read-out unique data coincide with one another, the image-recording device displays record information indicating that the read-out unique data are identical.

Abstract: In this invention, when images, in image files managed according to photographing dates, which match a search condition are to be displayed, the images matching the search condition are sequentially displayed such that the positions or distribution of the image files, of all image files, which match the search condition can be checked. For this reason, when the search condition is changed by operating upper and lower keys provided on the back face of a digital camera, a search is made for images matching the condition after the change. Indicators indicating the relative positions of the images matching the search condition in the list of image files arranged in the order of photographing dates are displayed. When the left and right keys are operated, one of images matching the search condition is displayed in the image display area.

Abstract: A photographic processing system is disclosed in which subject and other data is stored in a database and such data is automatically linked to photographs taken using either a film or digital camera.

Abstract: An image display apparatus comprising: a first storage device which stores an image file including an image and the photographing date and time information of the image; an operation device which performs a predetermined operation; a timing determination device which makes a determination whether or not it is the timing at which no operation occurs on the operation device; a photographing date and time information acquisition device which acquires the photographing date and time information from the image file stored in the first storage device when a determination is made that it is the timing at which no operation occurs on the operation device; a second storage device which stores the photographing date and time information acquired by the photographing date and time information acquisition device associated with the image file; a display device which displays the image within the image file; and a display control device which controls the display on the display device by sorting the images within the i

Abstract: A system for capturing images of an event includes at least one data correlator. The data correlator is operable to receive still images captured by a camera and to receive identification/time pairs from a sensor. Each identification/time pair includes an identity of at least one respective object and a time that the at least one respective object was within the camera's field of view. The data correlator is operable to automatically correlate the still images with identities of respective objects included in the still images by correlating an identity of at least one respective object of each identification/time pair to a still image that is closest in time to a time of the identification/time pair.

Abstract: A method for editing a date of a digital image file having a predefined date stamp location in an imaging device, wherein the image data of the digital image, and a position coordinate of the predefined date stamp location, are stored in the digital image file. The method includes: selecting the digital image having the predefined date stamp location; obtaining and saving the image data and the position coordinate of the predefined date stamp location from the digital image file; generating a new date according to a user input; modifying the image data of the predefined date stamp location with the new date to form a first date stamp; and applying the first date stamp according to the position coordinate of the predefined date stamp location.

Abstract: A system for connecting a global positioning system (GPS) device to a digital image processing device and inserting position information into an image file created by the digital image processing device, and a method of operating the system are provided. The system comprises a digital image processing device for capturing an image, generating and storing a plurality of image files; and a GPS device for computing a position based on data received from a GPS satellite, wherein, the GPS device comprises a GPS information storage unit for storing inherent information an image file and position information of a position at which the image is captured when a predetermined image capture signal is received from the digital image processing device; and wherein the digital image processing device comprises a GPS information input controller for inserting position information of the position at which the image is captured into the image file.

Abstract: A system controller 115 has a function of changing the position and the orientation of character data to be superimposed on the image data, in accordance with the operation of one of orientation keys. Specifically, when a downward key has been pushed, the character data is superimposed on a lower portion of the image data, not revolved and but oriented upward. When a rightward key has been pushed, the character data is revolved counterclockwise through 90 degrees, and is located along the right-hand edge of the image data, oriented leftward. When an upward key has been pushed, the character data is revolved through 180 degrees, and is located along the upper edge of the image data, oriented downward. Further, when a leftward key has been pushed, the character data is revolved clockwise through 90 degrees, and is located along the left-hand edge of the image data, oriented rightward.

Abstract: An image capturing includes an imaging sensor for capturing images, a display unit for displaying the images, a storage unit for storing the images, a key unit for a user to input at least one characteristic of an image stored in the storage unit, a user input processing unit for receiving and decoding the at least one characteristic from the key unit, and a digital signal processor. The digital signal processor receives the at least one decoded characteristic from the user input processing unit, determines a plurality of the images matching the at least one characteristic, and causes the images to be displayed representatively in the display unit.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes a reading means for reading information stored in a non-contact communication type portable information storage device and a control means for storing first information in information read by the reading means by associating the information with recorded images.

Abstract: A system and method for providing a peer-to-peer photo-sharing environment. The system includes: manual and automatic photo annotation at the client; periodic client-server synchronization; an index of client photos on a central server or a photo database that is resident on the central server, which is updated by the client-server synchronization function; end-user search functionality to search the centralized index or photo database; and transmission of the relevant photos to the client via an on-line image cache. In one embodiment, one client's new photos are automatically displayed on another client's computer (e.g., via screen saver or another mechanism).

Abstract: A user carries a user medium in a facility, for example, in a theme park. Position data and time data are written into the user medium according to user's actions. Photographic devices installed at predetermined places constantly take pictures, and the pictures are stored in a picture production apparatus. When the user wishes to receive the pictures of himself/herself, he/she allows the picture production apparatus to read the data of the user medium when he/she leaves the facility. The picture production apparatus then extracts pictures for the user from the stored pictures based on the data read from the user medium, and produces a picture package. Then, the picture production apparatus records the produced picture package into a portable recording medium, for example, a disk, a memory card, or magnetic tape, and provides it to the user, or distributes the picture package to the user via a communication line.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes an imaging unit configured to perform, as an image capturing operation, a process of obtaining captured image data of a subject and save the captured image data; a position detecting unit configured to detect current position information; and a control unit configured to update activity history information on the basis of the position information obtained by the position detecting unit and, when performing image capturing control as an automatic image capturing process not based on a shutter operation performed by a user, set an image capturing operation setting on the basis of the current position information detected by the position detecting unit and the activity history information, and cause the imaging unit to perform an image capturing operation based on the image capturing operation setting.

Abstract: According to one embodiment an image shooting apparatus comprises shooting mechanism for shooting image information, generating means for generating a moving image stream data file and a moving image information data file formed of information associated with the moving image stream data file as separate files for one title in the image information shot by the shooting means, and first recording means for recording the moving image stream data file and the moving image information data file generated by the generating means as separate files.

Abstract: An image data storage method and system for editing image date transmitted from an image producing apparatus through a network and storing it in a removable recording medium includes a network, an image producing apparatus for transmitting image data through the network, an image storing and delivering server for storing the image data transmitted from the image producing apparatus through the network and delivering it through the network, an image receiving apparatus for communicating with the image storing and delivering server through the network to receive the image data from the image storing and delivering server, and an external recording apparatus combined with the image receiving apparatus for storing the image data from the image receiving apparatus in a recording medium. The image receiving apparatus stores reproduction software for reproducing the image data in the recording medium together with image data.

Abstract: A camera which can accurately inform a photographer of the number of times image taking is possible is disclosed. The camera comprises an image-pickup device which photoelectrically converts an object image to an electric signal, an image processing circuit which applies image processing to the image data obtained by using the image-pickup device and generates processed image data, a recording circuit which records the processed image data in a recording medium, a control circuit which causes the image processing circuit to perform image processing on the image data obtained through one-time image taking under a plurality of different conditions to generate a plurality of the processed image data, and an information output unit which outputs information on the remaining number of times image taking is possible.

Abstract: An image management system for managing image data obtained by the visitors to a theme park or similar facilities with their own imaging devices in the same manner as the image data obtained by the cameras installed in the facility. The subject user is photographed by the photographing system installed in the theme park to obtain first image data. At the same time, the user ID is obtained from the wireless tag carried by the subject user, which is related to the first image data and stored in the image storage server with the first image data. A second image data obtained by the subject user with a digital camera are also stored in the image storage server with the user ID being related to the second image data. The first and second image data are sorted and stored by each of the user IDs.

Abstract: A video surveillance system captures video of a protected area, stores the video in a computer readable memory, stores data annotations in the computer readable memory where the data annotations are searchable using a search criteria, and stores links that link the stored data annotations to corresponding video segments of the stored video so that the data annotations can be used to search for a video segment of interest. The data annotations are searched using the search criteria, and the video segment of interest linked to the data annotation found as a result of the search is displayed.

Abstract: An image capture device includes: an imager for imaging an object and generating image data; an image file generator for generating an image file by adding, to the image data generated by the imager, a header portion which stores at least one type of information concerning shooting circumstances; a timer for outputting information indicating a current time; and a manipulation section which is used to set period information specifying a period. The image file generator changes the type of information to be stored in the header portion depending on whether a time of imaging as indicated by the information which is output from the timer at the time of the imaging falls within the period specified by the period information.

Abstract: A method for producing a plurality of electronic job pages using a digital camera and a computer comprises the steps of capturing and storing a first group of digital images using the digital camera; designating, in response to a user input, that subsequent captured digital images are to form a second group of digital images; and capturing and storing a second group of digital images using the digital camera. The method further includes the steps of storing data in a memory of the digital camera which identifies the first and second groups of digital images; transferring the first and second group of digital images, and the data identifying the first and second groups of digital images, from the digital camera to the computer; and using the transferred data identifying the first and second groups of digital images to produce a first electronic job page including the first group of digital images and a second electronic job page including the second group of digital images.

Abstract: A method for matching a photographic image with related identifying data, including the steps of creating a digital image that includes a datafile containing image time data, generating a signal when the digital image is created, and storing in a digital storage device identifying information relevant to the digital image. The identifying information also has information time data associated therewith. A signal is transmitted to the digital storage device and a time stamp is applied to the signal at the digital storage device. The image time data is stored in the digital storage device in time sequenced order. The image time data and the information time data are synchronized, and the digital image is associated with the identifying information by matching the synchronized image time data and the information time data.

Abstract: A still image is photographed by a still image photographing operation performed during a moving-image photographing operation and a moving image is photographed during the moving-image photographing operation. The still image is recorded together with link information indicating the moving image to be linked with and the moving image is recorded together with link information indicating the still image to be linked with. Further, a timing information is recorded for indicating a photographing time when the still-image photographing operation is performed during the moving-image photographing operation. In an operation for reproducing the moving image, when a still image is prepared to be linked with the moving image, a still image mark M1 is displayed during a period from five seconds before to five seconds after the photographing timing. Upon manipulation during such period, the still image is displayed.

Abstract: The invention provides a system and method for automatically annotating pictures in an image-capture device. The system includes an image capture system that is configured to capture an image. A memory is coupled to the image capture system and is configured to maintain a user-specific database. A processor is coupled to the memory and is configured to annotate the image with a tag based on data from the user-specific database.

Abstract: A monitoring camera device adds image capturing time data to image data which is successive with respect to time, and stores the image data on a recording medium. A plurality of directories are prepared on the recording medium for containing a predetermined number of items of image data, and are each named according to a directory naming rule, such that a portion of the name is made different when the directory is prepared during the period of standard time and when the directory is prepared during the period of daylight saving time. The directory also has attached thereto directory preparing time data indicating the time when the directory is prepared.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for collecting data and generating synthesized data from the collected data. In one example, the data may include data at a specific time or over a period of time such that a requestor may request data obtained or captured by data capture devices at the specified time or during the period of time. Multiple images may also be received from the data capture devices and may further be connected or stitched together to provide a panoramic, 3-dimensional image of requested subject matter.

Abstract: A personal computer issues an instruction to estimate a subject included in an image represented by image data stored in an image server. A database in which a place of photography, time periods, and a photographing direction correspond to structure image data representing a structure is stored in a storage unit of a subject estimating device in the image server. Related structure image data related to the place of photography and the photographing direction and a date/time of photography, are extracted from the database by referring to the position data and the date/time data attached to the image data. Then, a correlation value between the extracted related structure image data and the image data is obtained, and a structure included in an image represented by a related structure image data with the highest correlation value is estimated to be a subject included in the image represented by the image data.

Abstract: In a sightseeing location, theme park or the like, a cameraman takes a picture with any customer as a subject. Photographic image data is stored, together with a photographing date/time and location, to an HDD of an order processing apparatus. A position information service center periodically transmits a position of a cellular phone carried by each customer to the order processing apparatus. The transmitted information, together with a date/time, is stored in the HDD as each customer's movement history. In case an image order is requested by a customer through an order receiving terminal or the like, the order processing apparatus collates a movement history of the corresponding customer with each photographing date/time and location of the photographic image data, and extracts only images having that customer as a subject to be list-displayed on a display.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for annotating video and audio media with supplementary content for post video processing. In one embodiment, the invention may include maintaining a current state of auxiliary information regarding a sequence of video frames, the sequence of video frames being encoded as a video bit stream having video frame data for each respective video frame of the sequence of video frames. It may further include comparing the current state of auxiliary information with auxiliary information regarding a current video frame of the sequence of video frames to determine differential information, and annotating the differential information to the video bit stream as an annotation to the video frame data for the current video frame.

Abstract: The present invention relates to video recording and playback apparatuses in which a video camera directly accesses a server via a network and can therefore send and receive data. A network access program 26c stored in a storage unit 26 controls a GMT program 26b; adds time-difference information for each area stored in area information 26a, which is stored in a RAM 24c built into a microcomputer 24, and information indicating whether or not summertime is in effect; and, based on time information generated by a real-time clock, which is set using date and time setting processing, calculates World Standard Time, that is to say, Greenwich Mean Time. The present invention can be adapted to video cameras, for example.

Abstract: Image pickup processes of a plurality of image pickup apparatuses are synchronized by using one kind of communication medium (for example, IEEE 1394-1995 standard or its extended standard). A control device selects a master camera from the plurality of image pickup apparatuses. The master camera generates a time stamp for synchronizing frame synchronization signals of all of the image pickup apparatuses (including the master camera). All of the image pickup apparatuses (including the master camera) generate the frame synchronization signals on the basis of the time stamp generated by the master camera and generate image data on the basis of the generated frame synchronization signals.

Abstract: An image displaying system comprises a display unit displaying an image, an extracting unit extracting an image based on a predetermined rule from among images which are recorded on a recording medium, and attached with shooting information and obtained by shooting, and a representative image display unit making the display unit display the image extracted by the extracting unit as a representative image.

Abstract: The image reproducing method and apparatus capture photographing information in association with the photographed image, obtain supplementary information relating to at least one of the captured photographing information and add the obtained supplementary information to a visible image reproducing the photographing image on a photographic print or a display screen. The image processing method and apparatus determine similarity between respective photographing frame and subject the image data of a plurality of similar frames to similar image processing so that the qualities of the image reproduced from the plurality of the similar frames are made identical. As a result, when user sees the visible image reproduced on the photographic print or the display screen, the user can review the time of photographing. The function of the photographic print or the displayed image is enhanced.

Abstract: An image generation apparatus includes an image file generating unit operable in one of first, second and third modes, wherein (a) if the first mode is selected, the image file generating unit generates a first image file including image data and first verirfication data used to verify whether the image data is falsified or not, (b) if the second mode is selected, the image file generating unit generates a second image file including the image data, additional information of the image data and second verification data used to verify whether the additional information is falsified or not, and (c) if the third mode is selected, the image file generating unit generates a third image file including the image data, the additional information, the first verification data and the second verification data.

Abstract: A digital image and speech recording and reproducing apparatus is arranged to quickly and simply retrieve, classify, and erase a great deal of data for improving the operativity in small-sized equipment. The apparatus includes a recording and reproducing unit for a moving image signal, a recording and reproducing unit for a still image signal, a recording and reproducing unit for a digital speech signal operated in synchronous to the image, a display for displaying the image for said moving image signal or said still image signal, a recording condition recording unit for recording recording conditions containing data information about recorded data for distinguishing said moving image from said still image and recording time information for recording an image or a speech.

Abstract: An event bookmarking device detects input signals corresponding to events of interest, generates event bookmarks in response to receiving the input signals so that the event bookmark identifies the event of interest, and broadcasts the event bookmarks. An image capture device detects the broadcasted event bookmarks, captures images of interest, and associates the captured images with the detected event bookmarks. An image data manager collects the captured images from at least one image capture device, receives a specified event bookmark, and identifies from the plurality of captured images those captured images that correspond to the specified event bookmark. An alternative embodiment of the event bookmarking device generates and stores an event bookmark with a time. An image capture device provides images with time stamps. An image data manager identifies captured images that correspond to the specified event bookmark based upon the time stamps and the event bookmark time.

Abstract: A system and method for providing a peer-to-peer photo-sharing environment. The system includes: manual and automatic photo annotation at the client; periodic client-server synchronization; an index of client photos on a central server or a photo database that is resident on the central server, which is updated by the client-server synchronization function; end-user search functionality to search the centralized index or photo database; and transmission of the relevant photos to the client via an on-line image cache. In one embodiment, one client's new photos are automatically displayed on another client's computer (e.g., via screen saver or another mechanism).

Abstract: A digital photographing apparatus, portably structured, for recording a photographed digital picture signal to a recording medium and reproducing a digital picture signal from the recording medium The apparatus includes a recording means for recording the digital picture signal supplied from a signal processing means and position information supplied from a position information obtaining means to the recording medium, a reproducing means for reproducing the digital picture signal and the position information from the recording medium, a map information obtaining means for obtaining map information, a table creating means for creating a table for the reproduced position information, and a controlling means for referencing the table for the position information and displaying an icon corresponding to the position information and the map information to the displaying means.

Abstract: A system controller 115 has a function of changing the position and the orientation of character data to be superimposed on the image data, in accordance with the operation of one of orientation keys. Specifically, when a downward key has been pushed, the character data is superimposed on a lower portion of the image data, not revolved and but oriented upward. When a rightward key has been pushed, the character data is revolved counterclockwise through 90 degrees, and is located along the right-hand edge of the image data, oriented leftward. When an upward key has been pushed, the character data is revolved through 180 degrees, and is located along the upper edge of the image data, oriented downward. Further, when a leftward key has been pushed, the character data is revolved clockwise through 90 degrees, and is located along the left-hand edge of the image data, oriented rightward.

Abstract: An image capturing device includes a user interface, a processor, and a memory. The memory includes a user-programmable non-volatile memory section that stores one or more non-volatile mode variables. The user interface is capable of receiving a mode input from a user and the processor is capable of overwriting a non-volatile mode variable value in the user-programmable non-volatile memory section in response to the mode input.

Abstract: A method and system for categorizing non-textual subject data, such as digital images, content-based data and meta-data to determine outcomes of classification tasks. The meta-data is indicative of the operational conditions of a recording device during the capturing of the content-based data. For example, the non-textual subject data may be a digital image captured by a digital camera, and the meta-data may include automatic gain setting, film speed, shutter speed, aperture/lens index, focusing distance, date and time, and flash/no flash operation. The subject image is tagged with selected classifiers by subjecting the image to a series of classification tasks utilizing both content-based data and meta data to determine classifiers associated with the subject image.

Abstract: A system for outputting camera-formatted data to a digital camera interface, wherein the camera-formatted data corresponds to application-formatted data from an application program. A print operation for the application program is started. A camera driver corresponding to the digital camera is selected as an output device driver for the print operation. Application-formatted data is printed from the application program to the selected camera driver, and camera-formatted data is formed based on the application-formatted data and according to a digital camera format. The camera-formatted data is output from the camera driver to the digital camera interface.

Abstract: In order to match up individual recordings in a sequence (150) of recordings with corresponding items in a sequence (151) of separately-stored auxiliary data items concerning those recordings, both the recordings and auxiliary data are time-stamped, though from different clocks. The process of subsequently matching up the recordings and auxiliary data involves matching the pattern of timestamps.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for annotating video and audio media with supplementary content for post video processing. The method includes the steps of accepting video data from a video source and storing video information associated with the video data as the video data is being accepted. Then, the video information may be appended to the video data for later use in the form of annotations, for example.