IP Library Granted Patent US 8,264,571
Granted Patent B2
US 8,264,571 · App. 12/018,867 · Granted Sep 11, 2012

Image capture device and image processing device

Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,264,571
App. No.
12/018,867
Granted
Sep 11, 2012
Kind
B2
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.

Claims (35)

1. An image capture device comprising:

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 operable to set period information defining a period specified by a start time and an end time, prior to the start time,

wherein 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,

wherein information indicating the start time of the period is set as the period information,

wherein the image file generator is operable to,

if the time of imaging is before the start time specified by the period information, store in the header portion first time information indicating a point in time at which the object is imaged, and

if the time of imaging is equal to or later than the start time specified by the period information, store in the header portion the first time information and second time information indicating an elapsed time from the start time to the time of imaging,

wherein,

the timer outputs information of a current time of a first location;

the manipulation section is used to set a time difference information specifying a time difference between the first location and a second location; and

based on the information which is output from the timer at the time of the imaging and the time difference information, the image file generator calculates third time information indicating a point in time of the second location at the time of the imaging, and stores the third time information to the header portion in place of the first time information if the point in time of the second location as indicated by the third time information is equal to or later than the start time specified by the period information.

2. The image capture device of claim 1 , wherein information specifying the end time of the period is further set as the period information, and

wherein the image file generator is operable to, if the time of imaging is after the end time specified by the period information, store the first time information to the header portion and not store the second time information to the header portion.

3. The image capture device of claim 1 , wherein, if the point in time of the second location as indicated by the third time information is equal to or later than the start time specified by the period information, the image file generator stores the third time information to the header portion as the first time information, and stores fourth time information to the header portion as the second time information, the fourth time information indicating an elapsed time from the start time to the point in time of the second location as indicated by the third time information.

4. A storage medium having a computer program recorded thereon to be executed by an image capture device,

the image capture device including:

an imager for imaging an object and generating image data;

an image file generator for generating an image file based on the image data generated by the imager;

a timer for outputting information indicating a current time; and

a manipulation section operable to set period information defining a period specified by a start time and an end time, prior to the start time,

wherein the computer program causes the image file generator to execute:

a process of determining 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;

a process of generating a header portion which stores at least one type of information concerning shooting circumstances, where the type of information to be stored is changed depending on a result of the determination; and

a process of generating an image file by adding the header portion to the image data,

wherein information indicating the start time of the period is set as the period information,

wherein the image file generator is caused to,

if the time of imaging is before the start time specified by the period information, store in the header portion first time information indicating a point in time at which the object is imaged, and

if the time of imaging is equal to or later than the start time specified by the period information, store in the header portion the first time information and second time information indicating an elapsed time from the start time to the time of imaging,

wherein,

the timer outputs information of a current time of a first location;

the manipulation section is used to set a time difference information specifying a time difference between the first location and a second location; and

based on the information which is output from the timer at the time of the imaging and the time difference information, the image file generator calculates third time information indicating a point in time of the second location at the time of the imaging, and stores the third time information to the header portion in place of the first time information if the point in time of the second location as indicated by the third time information is equal to or later than the start time specified by the period information.

Assignments (2)
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Nov 3, 2008
From: MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
To: PANASONIC CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 021779/0851 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 27, 2008
From: TAKAHATA, JUNJI; YAMADA, AKIRA
To: MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
Reel/Frame 021003/0721 →
Priority Claims (1)
JP 2007-016014 · Jan 26, 2007 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20080266421A1 · Oct 30, 2008