System and method for printing image and name of imaged landmark

Abstract

In a printing system, a ROM stores map data that includes place data indicating names and locations of a variety of landmarks. Image data of each image includes position data indicating a camera location, at which the image is captured. When an image is chosen from thumbnail images on a display screen, a CPU searches the map data based on the position data of the chosen image. When a plural number of landmarks are retrieved for the chosen image, the CPU checks their relation of inclusion, and displays the names of the retrieved landmarks in such a sequence that one including a greater number of landmarks comes before. A printer section prints the chosen image and the names of the retrieved landmarks on a printing sheet, wherein the landmark names are printed in the displayed sequence at a designated position on a designated side of the printing sheet.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other objects and advantages of the present invention will be more apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments when read in connection with the accompanied drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a digital camera and a printing system according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of an image listing screen displayed on a display device of the printing system;

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a landmark selection screen displayed on the display device of the printing system;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of a print made by the printing system;

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram illustrating another example of the landmark selection screen;

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of map data;

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of a map division data table;

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of a divisional area index table;

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of a landmark data table;

FIG. 10 is a plan view illustrating 2-D area data of a theme park;

FIG. 11 is a plan view illustrating 2-D area data of a Ferris wheel;

FIG. 12 is a plan view illustrating 2-D area data of a roller coaster;

FIG. 13 is a flow chart illustrating a sequence of operation of the printing system of the present invention; and

FIG. 14 is a block diagram illustrating a digital camera and a printing system according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Claims

1. A printing system for printing an image based on image data captured by a camera, wherein position data indicating a camera location, at which said image is captured, is written in or associated with said image data, said printing system comprising: a map data storage device storing map data, said map data comprising place data indicating locations and names of a variety of places or landmarks located in a map area;a search device that searches said map data based on said position data, to retrieve place data of at least a place or landmark that corresponds to the camera location; anda printing device for printing said image and the name of the place or landmark as retrieved from said map data onto the same sheet of printing paper, wherein when a plural number of places or landmarks are retrieved for one image said printing device prints the names of said plural number of places or landmarks.

2. A printing system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said printing device prints the names of said plural number of places or landmarks in a sequence determined according to their relation of inclusion.

3. A printing system as claimed in claim 2, wherein the relation of inclusion between said plural number of places or landmarks is indicated by the retrieved place data.

4. A printing system as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a display device for displaying the names of the retrieved places or landmarks.

5. A printing system as claimed in claim 1, further comprising: a neighboring landmark display device for displaying names of neighboring places or landmarks which are located in the neighbor of the retrieved places or landmarks; andan operating device that is externally operable to select one of the displayed neighboring places or landmarks, wherein said printing device prints the names of those places or landmarks selected by said operating device, instead of the names of the retrieved places or landmarks.

6. A printing system as claimed in claim 5, wherein said neighboring landmark display device displays the names of the neighboring places or landmarks in a sequence from the nearest to the retrieved places or landmarks.

7. A printing system as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a device for displaying a list of captured images, and a device for displaying one of the captured images in an enlarged size when said one image is chosen on the list, wherein said printing device prints said chosen image and the names of places or landmarks which correspond to the camera location of said chosen image.

8. A printing system as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a device for deciding on which side and in which position of the printing paper the names of places or landmarks are to be printed.

9. A printing system as claimed in claim 1, further comprising an image data storage device for storing said image data and said place data in association with each other.

10. A printing system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said map data storage device is a ROM.

11. A printing system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said map data storage device is an external data server, and said printing system further comprises a communication device for communicating with said data server.

12. A method of printing at least a place name or landmark name in combination with an image, wherein position data indicating a camera location, at which said image is captured, is written in or associated with image data of said image, said method comprising steps of: preparing map data comprising place data indicating locations and names of a variety of places or landmarks located in a map area;obtaining said image data and said position data;searching said map data based on said position data, to retrieve place data of at least a place or landmark that corresponds to the camera location; andprinting said image and the name of the place or landmark as retrieved from said map data onto the same sheet of printing paper, wherein when a plural number of places or landmarks are retrieved for one image, the names of said plural number of places or landmarks are printed in combination with said one image.

13. A method as claimed in claim 12, wherein the names of said plural number of places or landmarks are printed in a sequence determined according to their relation of inclusion.