Abstract:
An apparatus for photographing has a photographing processor that carries out a photographing process; a recording processor that records a photographic image; and a display processor that is capable of displaying a recorded photographic image. The display processor is also capable of displaying input information on an input information screen separately from the photographic image. The recording processor records the input information screen as an image. Then, the display processor displays the recorded input screen image.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention relates to a photographing device such as a digital camera, or a cell phone with a photographing function. In particular, it relates to the displaying and recording of input information such as a note. 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0004]    In a digital camera, a recorded photographic image can be displayed on an LCD monitor. In playback mode, a series of photographic images may be displayed at the same time, or one by one. When associating a comment with a photographic image, a photographer usually drafts the comment after taking the image, using a computer. The drafted comment can be transmitted to the camera as data, and is superimposed on the photographic image. 
         [0005]    On the other hand, in a digital camera with a touch panel, a photographer can input characters using a stylus. For example, the photographer may write a note associated with a target scene, such as the name of the subject, on the LCD monitor before photographing. Then, the photographer photographs while confirming the written note. 
         [0006]    However, in some cases, the subjects might not be decided in advance, and the photographer might photograph immediately on encountering an adequate scene. Thus, the photographer might be not unable to associate a comment with a scene during the taking of a photograph. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    An object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and method for photographing that is capable of recording and displaying input information such as a note while associating the input information with a photographic image. 
         [0008]    An apparatus for photographing according to the present invention has a photographing processor that carries out a photographing process; a recording processor that records a photographic image; and a display processor that is capable of displaying a recorded photographic image. The display processor is also capable of displaying input information on a screen (herein, called “input information screen”) separately from the photographic image. 
         [0009]    For example, an input device such as a touch panel is provided. In this case, the display processor displays input information on the input information screen in accordance with an input operation. To input characters or drawings while a photographing is taken, a mode change processor that changes a photographing mode to an input mode may be provided. The display processor displays input information on the input information screen in the input mode. 
         [0010]    In the present invention, the recording processor records the input information screen as an image. Then, the display processor displays the recorded image of input information screen (herein, called “input screen image”). For example, the display processor displays the recorded input information image and the photographic image in playback mode. Since the input information is recorded as an image, the user can input a note freely, and the input note can be recorded while associating the input note with photographic images. For example, the display processor displays a series of recorded input information images and photographic images according to the recording order of the images. Also, the recording processor may record input information images and the photographic images by using a compressing process. The photographing processor may carry out a process performed in a playback mode while the input information is displayed. For example, in the case of a camera, a photographing optical system is retracted into a camera body. 
         [0011]    The display processor may display only recorded input information images simultaneously or sequentially. For example, a mode change processor that changes a playback mode to an input mode is provided. In this case, the recording processor may associate an input information screen to be recorded with a photographic image, just before changing from the playback mode to the input mode. The display processor may display the input information screen and the associated photographic image alternately. For example, the displaying processor displays an input information screen and a related photographic image in a child window and a parent screen, respectively, and switches between the child window and the parent screen. 
         [0012]    The recording processor may generate a folder that stores an input information screen when recording the input information screen. Also, a recording order change processor that changes the recording order of recorded input information screens may be provided. Further, a data-transmitting processor that transmits only the data of the photographic images to an external location may be provided. 
         [0013]    A method for photographing according to another aspect of the present invention includes: a) recording a photographic image; b) displaying a recorded photographic image; c) displaying input information on an input information screen separately from the photographic image; d) recording the input information screen as an image; and e) displaying the recorded input information images. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0014]    The present invention will be better understood from the description of the preferred embodiments of the invention set forth below together with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0015]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram of a digital camera according to the first embodiment; 
           [0016]      FIG. 2  is a camera control process performed by the system control circuit; 
           [0017]      FIG. 3  is a view showing a screen in the input mode; 
           [0018]      FIG. 4  is a view showing the playback screen in the playback mode; 
           [0019]      FIG. 5  is a flowchart of the playback display process according to the second embodiment; 
           [0020]      FIG. 6  is a view showing the playback screen; 
           [0021]      FIG. 7  is a flowchart of a playback process according to the third embodiment; 
           [0022]      FIG. 8  is a view showing the addition of a note and a playback display; 
           [0023]      FIG. 9  is a view showing a playback screen according to the fourth embodiment; 
           [0024]      FIG. 10  is a flowchart of a playback process according to the fifth embodiment; 
           [0025]      FIG. 11  is a view showing a folder; 
           [0026]      FIG. 12  is a flowchart of the recording order change process according to the sixth embodiment; 
           [0027]      FIG. 13  is a view showing the changing of a recorded note date; 
           [0028]      FIG. 14  is a view showing the recording order alternation of the playback images; and 
           [0029]      FIG. 15  is a flowchart of a print process according to the seventh embodiment. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0030]    Hereinafter, the preferred embodiments of the present invention are described with reference to the attached drawings. 
         [0031]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram of a digital camera according to the first embodiment. 
         [0032]    The digital camera  10  is a compact digital camera, and a memory card  36  is removably installed into the camera  10 . The camera has a system control circuit  30 , which includes a CPU, a ROM unit, and a RAM unit, and controls the action of the camera  10 . The system control circuit  30  connects to a zoom switch  39 , a release half-push switch  40 , a release full-push switch  38 , and an OK button switch  43 , and detects an operation signal when a release button, zoom lever, or OK button (not shown) is operated by the user. 
         [0033]    Also, the camera  10  has a mode-change button (not shown) for switching mode between the photographing mode and the playback mode. The system control circuit  38  detects a signal from the mode-change switch  37 . When a main power button (not shown) is turned on, a photographing operation can be carried out, and the system control circuit  30  controls the photographing process. The program for controlling the camera  10  is stored in the ROM. 
         [0034]    When the photographing mode is selected, signal processing for displaying a moving image or live image is performed. An object image is formed on the light-receiving surface of a CCD  16  by light passing through a photographing optical system  12  and a shutter  14 , so that analog image-pixel signals corresponding to the object image are generated in the CCD  16 . The generated image-pixel signals are successively read from the CCD  16  at constant intervals (e.g., 1/60 th -second intervals), and fed to an analog front end (AFE) circuit  18 . 
         [0035]    In the present embodiment, anon-chip color filter method using one color filter is applied. On the light-receiving area of the CCD 16 , a primary color filter, checkered by Red (R), Green (G), and Blue (B) color elements is arranged such that each area of the three color elements is opposite a pixel. 
         [0036]    The AFE circuit  18  has an amplifier  42 , an A/D converter  44 , and a CCD driver  46 . The CCD driver  46  outputs clock pulse signals to the CCD  16  to successively read the image-pixel signals from the CCD  16 . The read image-pixel signals are amplified in the amplifier  42 , and are converted to digital image signals in the A/D converter  44 . 
         [0037]    In the image-signal processor  20 , various processes, such as a white-balance adjustment and a gamma-correction process, are performed on the digital image signals. The processed image signals are temporarily stored in a frame memory (not shown), and are fed to an LCD driver  22 . The LCD driver  24  drives an LCD monitor  24 , provided on the back surface of the camera  10 , on the basis of the image signals. Thus, a moving image is displayed on the LCD monitor  24 . A timing generator  32  outputs clock-pulse signals for synchronizing the timing of signal processes in the camera  10 . 
         [0038]    While displaying a moving image, a focusing controller (not shown) detects the focus condition of a subject, and outputs a control signal to the lens driver  28 , so that the focusing lens in the photographing optical system  12  is driven by a lens driver  28  and brings the subject into focus. Also, when the zoom lever is operated by a user while displaying the moving image, an exposure controller  26  outputs a control signal to the lens driver  28  so that the zoom lens in the photographing optical system  12  is driven. The focusing lens is driven accordingly. 
         [0039]    When the release button is depressed halfway and the release half-push switch  40  is turned ON, the brightness of the subject and the distance between the subject and the camera  10  are detected in an exposure detector (not shown). Furthermore, an exposure value is calculated in the exposure controller  26 . When the release button is fully depressed and the release full-push switch  38  is turned ON, the photographing process to record a still image is carried out. Namely, the shutter  14  opens for a determined period by a driving signal from the exposure controller  26 . Thus, one frame&#39;s worth of image-pixel signals corresponding to a single still image are read from the CCD  16 , and fed to the image-signal processor  20  via the AFE circuit  18 . 
         [0040]    The one frame&#39;s worth of image-signals is subjected to processing in the image-signal processor  20 , so that a single digital image is generated and temporarily stored in the frame memory. In the recording processor  34 , the digital image data is then compressed in accordance with a compression standard such as JPEG, and the compressed image data is recorded in the memory card  36 . 
         [0041]    A resistive touch screen  25 , in which opposing matrix electrodes are arranged between touch registers, completely covers the LCD monitor  24 . In the present embodiment, the photographing mode can be changed to an input mode by the user&#39;s touch operation. In the input mode, an input operation using the user&#39;s finger or a stylus  35  is allowed. Furthermore, a series of marks for mode change, photographing condition change, etc. is displayed on the LCD monitor  24 . When a user pushes a given mark, the process associated with the pushed mark is carried out. 
         [0042]    The user interface circuit  33  detects the location of a touch on the touch screen  25 . When the user writes characters, or draws on the touch screen  25  using the stylus  35 , the user interface circuit  33  detects the trace of input operation. The system control circuit  30  outputs a control signal to the image-signal processor  20 . Thus, input data is temporarily stored in the frame memory of the image-signal processor  20 , and characters or drawings, such as a note, are displayed on the written or drawn area of the LCD monitor  24 . Input data is updated and is stored in the frame memory every time a user writes new characters or draws on the touch screen  25 . Then, as will be described later, input information is recorded as image data in the memory card  36 . 
         [0043]    In the playback mode, a recorded photographic image is displayed on the LCD monitor  24 . Photographic image data is read from the memory card  36 , and is subjected to an expansion process. The restored image data is fed to the image signal processor  20  so that the recorded photographic image is displayed on the LCD monitor  24 . Furthermore, as will be described later, input information can also be displayed on the LCD monitor  24 . During the playback mode, the lens barrel is retracted to the camera body, and the CCD  16  is suspended. Note that during playback mode, characters or designs can be written on the displayed photographic image. The playback mode is switched to the drawing mode by a user&#39;s touch operation, and characters or designs are superimposed on the photographic image. 
         [0044]    An interface circuit  41  allows the camera  10  to transmit data to peripheral equipment such as a printer. When a given touch operation is performed by the user, image data is transmitted to the peripheral equipment via a signal cable. 
         [0045]      FIG. 2  is a camera control process performed by the system control circuit  30 .  FIG. 3  is a view showing a screen in the input mode. With reference to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the note information recording process and the display process are explained. When electric power is turned ON, the process is started. 
         [0046]    In Step S 101 , an initial setting is carried out on the CCD  16 , shutter  14 , and each signal circuit. In Step S 102 , the photographing mode is set so that the photographing optical system  12  extends with the lens barrel, and a moving image is displayed on the LCD monitor  24 . In the present embodiment, the photographing mode is set at the same time that electric power is turned ON. 
         [0047]    In Step S 103 , it is determined whether the mode-change button has been operated to switch the photographing mode to the playback mode. When it is determined that the mode-change button has been operated, the process goes to Step S 115 , wherein the playback mode is set and the playback display process is carried out. Namely, compressed image data is expanded, and a selected image is displayed on the LCD monitor  24 . 
         [0048]    In Step S 116 , it is determined whether the playback mode has been switched to the photographing mode. If it is determined that the playback mode has not been switched to the photographing mode, the process returns to Step S 115 . On the other hand, if it is determined that the playback mode has been switched to the photographing mode, the process returns to Step S 102 . 
         [0049]    When it is determined that the mode-change button has not been operated, the process goes to Step S 104 , wherein it is determined whether the release button is depressed halfway. When it is determined that the release button is depressed halfway, the process goes to Step S 117 , in which the photographing process is performed so that the photographic image is recorded in the memory card  36 . Image data is written on the memory card  36  as an image file. As for the format of the image file, a header, which includes a tag representing control information, time and date data marking a recording time, and an offset value, is added to the compressed image data. 
         [0050]    When it is determined at Step S 104  that the release button is not depressed, the process goes to Step S 105 . In Step S 205 , it is determined whether the operation for displaying a selection screen has been performed by the user. In the selection screen, the photographing method can be changed, and further, the input mode can be selected. Herein, the selection screen is displayed when a user touches a given spot on the touch screen  25 . 
         [0051]    When it is determined the operation for displaying the selection screen has been performed by the user, the process goes to Step S 106 , and the selection screen is displayed. As shown in  FIG. 3 , marks A 1  to A 6  are super imposed on the displayed photographic image. The marks A 1  to A 5  are for selecting and changing the photographing condition, such as the strobe method, focusing method, etc. The mark A 6  is for switching from the photographing mode to the input mode. When the mark A 6  is touched, the input mode is set. 
         [0052]    In Step S 107 , it is determined whether the mark A 6  has been touched by the user. When it is determined that the mark A 6  has been touched, the process goes to Step S 108 . Note, when another mark has been touched, the process corresponding to the touched mark is carried out. 
         [0053]    In Step S 108 , an exclusive note screen for writing characters or drawing on the LCD monitor  24  is displayed (see  FIG. 3 ). In the note screen, no photographic image is displayed. The whole screen is white, and characters and drawings written with the stylus  35  are displayed in a black. Thus, the user may write characters or drawings on the LCD monitor  24  just as if the writing in a notebook. While the note screen is displayed, the lens barrel is retracted into the camera body, and the CCD  16  is suspended, similarly to the playback mode. Consequently, a photographing process cannot be carried out, and the consumption of electric power is saved. 
         [0054]    In Step S 109 , it is determined whether an input operation using the stylus  35  has been carried out by the user. The user writes contents associated with a photographic image, such as the photographing location, photographing conditions, or target scene, on the LCD monitor  24 . When it is determined that the input operation has been carried out, the process goes to Step S 110 , in which the input contents are displayed on the LCD monitor  24  (see  FIG. 3 ). 
         [0055]    In Step S 111 , it is determined whether a touch operation for deciding to store the note has been carried out. On the note screen, a mark B 1 , indicating the decision to store, and a mark B 2 , indicating the cancellation of input, are displayed on the LCD monitor  24 . When it is determined that the mark B 1  has not been touched, the process returns to Step S 113 , in which it is determined whether the mark B 2  has been touched. When it is determined that the mark B 2  has been touched, the input mode is finished (S 114 ), and the photographing mode is set again. 
         [0056]    On the other hand, when it is determined at Step S 111  that the mark B 1  has been touched, the process goes to Step S 112 . In Step S 112 , information input by the user is recorded as image data. Namely, the whole screen displayed on the LCD monitor  24  is directly recorded as an image. This image, temporarily stored in the frame memory of the image signal processor  20 , is compressed at a predetermined compression rate, which is greater than that of the photographic image. Since the resolution required for the note may be low compared to that of the photographic image, the input screen image is compressed at a constant compression rate regardless of the data size of the photographic image. Then, the complete image file, including a header and the compressed input screen image data, is generated and stored in the memory card  36 . Note that the marks B 1  and B 2 , displayed on the LCD monitor  24  in the input mode, are not recorded. 
         [0057]    After the note is recorded as image data, the process returns to Step S 102 , in which the photographing mode is set. Steps S 102  to S 114  are repeatedly performed until electric power is turned OFF. 
         [0058]      FIG. 4  is a view showing the playback screen in the playback mode. 
         [0059]    Data associated with the recording date are stored in the header of the image file. Then, a series of image files, composed of the photographic image files tighter with the written note image files, are ordered according to the recording date. Thus, the recorded notes are displayed between recorded photographic images. As shown in  FIG. 4 , the image to be displayed is selected by touching marks C 1  or C 2 . In the illustration, two notes have been recorded before photographs were taken. 
         [0060]    Thus, in the present embodiment, the photographing mode is switched to the input mode, so the user may input characters on the exclusive input screen, and those input characters are displayed. Then, the input contents are recorded as a picture. Since the screen is dedicated to user, the user may write or draw freely. Also, since the input mode can be switched into from the photographing mode, the user may write comments spontaneously. Furthermore, since the note is recorded as image data and is displayed with the photographic images during playback mode, the user may view photographic images while associating the images with the recorded notes. 
         [0061]      FIG. 5  is a flowchart of the playback display process according to the second embodiment.  FIG. 6  is a view showing the playback screen. The second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that only notes are displayed. Other aspects are essentially the same as those of the first embodiment. 
         [0062]    In Step S 201 , it is determined whether note display mode is selected by the user. In the note display mode, only notes are displayed. As shown in  FIG. 6 , a mark D 1  for simultaneously displaying a series of reduced-size notes (i.e., note “thumbnails”), and a mark D 2  for displaying the series of notes in order are displayed on the LCD monitor  24 . The user selects by touching one of the marks D 1  and D 2 . 
         [0063]    While the note display mode has not been selected, the process goes to Step S 202 , in which the normal playback display process is carried out (S 202  to S 204 ), similarly to the first embodiment. On the other hand, if it is determined that the note display mode has been selected, the process goes to Step S 205 , in which it is determined whether the mark D 1  has been touched, i.e., that the display method for displaying note thumbnails has been selected. 
         [0064]    When it is determined that the mark D 1  has been touched, the process goes to Step S 207 , in which note thumbnails are displayed (see  FIG. 6 ). In the second embodiment, header information representing a note is added to an image file when recording the note. The image data for note screens is selected from a series of recorded image data on the basis of the header information. Herein, nine note thumbnails are displayed on the LCD  24  monitor simultaneously. The user can easily confirm the location of the photographed scenes, the photographing conditions, etc. 
         [0065]    On the other hand, when it is determined that the mark D 2  has been touched, i.e., that the slide display has been selected, the process goes to Step S 206 . In Step S 206 , a selected note screen is displayed on the LCD  24 . Marks E 1  and E 2 , marked on the LCD monitor  24 , may be touched to change the displayed note. The user may advance the note display in reverse or forward order by touching the marks E 1  and E 2  (S 208  and S 209 ), respectively. Thus, the user may review notes one by one. In Step S 201 , it is determined whether the return to photographing mode has been commanded. If affirmative, the process is terminated. 
         [0066]    The third embodiment is explained with reference to  FIGS. 7 and 8 . In the third embodiment, a note can be input and recorded just after a photograph has been taken, and it is then associated with the photographic image. Furthermore, the note and associated photographic image are displayed alternately. Other aspects are the same as those of the first and second embodiments. 
         [0067]      FIG. 7  is a flowchart of a playback process according to the third embodiment.  FIG. 8  is a view showing the addition of a note and a playback display. 
         [0068]    In Step S 301 , it is determined whether an operation for switching the playback mode to the input mode has been performed by the user. Herein, a mark F 1  for changing the mode is displayed on the LCD  24  in the playback mode. When it is determined that the mark F 1  has not been touched, the playback display process is carried out just in the first embodiment (S 302 ). On the other hand, if it is determined that the mark F 1  has been touched, the process goes to Step S 303 , wherein the input mode is set. Thus, characters or drawings input by the user are displayed on the LCD monitor  24  (see  FIG. 8 ). 
         [0069]    Steps S 304  to S 308  are the same as Steps S 111  to S 114  in the first embodiment. Namely, the note screen is recorded as image data by touching the mark B 1 . Note that in the third embodiment, a new filename is generated for the image data of the note. Namely, the header of the new image file will have a different name from that of the photographic image. In  FIG. 8 , the header name of the photographic image is given as “IMGP”, while the header name of the corresponding note is given as “NOTE”. In order to associate a photographic image with a corresponding note, the file number of the photographic image is chosen to be the same as that of the corresponding note. After the note is recorded, the process goes to Step S 308 , in which the playback mode is set. 
         [0070]    In Step S 309 , it is determined whether an operation for switching a photographic image to a corresponding note has been performed by the user. In the third embodiment, a reproduced photographic image and an associated note can be displayed alternately (S 310 ). The user switches screens by operating the zoom lever. The note screen is displayed by pushing the “zoom” side, whereas the photographic image is displayed by pushing the “wide” side (see  FIG. 8 ). Thus, the user can instantly see the photographing location, the name of the target subject, etc., while viewing a photographic image. When the return to photographing mode is commanded, the process is terminated (S 311 ). 
         [0071]    The generation of a new file may be implemented in the second embodiment. Furthermore, the recording process above may also be implemented in the second embodiment. In this case, the note images may be displayed as an “index”, and one photographic image may be selected for display from a series of photographic images by touching the corresponding note thumbnail. In other words, by selecting one note from the series of notes, which are displayed simultaneously or in order, the photographic image associated with the selected note is displayed. 
         [0072]      FIG. 9  is a view showing a playback screen according to the fourth embodiment. In the fourth embodiment, a photographic image and note are displayed in a parent screen and an inset child window, respectively, and may be switched by touch. Other aspects are the same as those of the third embodiment. 
         [0073]    Similarly to the third embodiment, the new note is added and recorded during the playback mode. When the playback mode is set again, the photographic image is displayed in the parent screen P 1 , and the associated note screen is displayed in the child window P 2 . When the user touches the parent screen P 2 , the note screen is displayed in the parent screen and the photographic image is displayed in the child window. When the user touches the child window P 2 , the photographic image is displayed in the parent screen P 1  and the note is displayed on the child window P 2 . Thus, the user can view a photographic image and a note at the same time. 
         [0074]    The fifth embodiment is explained with reference to  FIGS. 10 and 11 . In the fifth embodiment, a new folder is generated. Other aspects are the same as those of the third embodiment. 
         [0075]      FIG. 10  is a flowchart of a playback process according to the fifth embodiment.  FIG. 11  is a view showing a folder. 
         [0076]    Steps S 401  to S 405  are substantially the same as Steps S 303  to S 307  in  FIG. 7 . Note that in Step S 401 , a mark G 1  for making a folder is displayed on the LCD monitor  24  (See  FIG. 11 ). Then, in Step S 405 , a new folder is generated with the recording of the note image if the mark G 1  has been touched in Step S 401 . The recorded image data of the note is stored in the generated folder. Further, associated photographing image is also stored in the folder. Thus, a series of recorded notes can be searched easily. 
         [0077]    Steps S 406  to  409  in  FIG. 10  are the same as Steps S 308  to S 311  in  FIG. 7 . Namely, a photographic image and an associated note are displayed alternately. The creation of a new folder, described above, may also be implemented in the second and third embodiments. 
         [0078]    The sixth embodiment is explained with reference to  FIGS. 12 to 14 . In the sixth embodiment, the recording order of the note is changed. Other aspects are the same as in the first embodiment. 
         [0079]      FIG. 12  is a flowchart of the recording order change process according to the sixth embodiment.  FIG. 13  is a view showing the changing of a recorded note date.  FIG. 14  is a view showing the recording order alternation of the playback images. 
         [0080]    In Step S 501 , a selected note is displayed on the LCD  24  in the playback mode. Herein, a mark H 1  for changing the recording date is displayed on the LCD monitor  24  (see  FIG. 13 ). In Step S 502 , it is determined whether the mark H 1  has been touched. When it is determined that the mark H 1  has been touched, the process goes to Step S 503 , in which a screen for changing the recording date is displayed (see  FIG. 13 ). In the date change screen, the recording day and time are shown in numerals. Allow marks J 1  and J 2 , above and below each numeral, are displayed for increasing and decreasing the value of the numerals, respectively. When the user touches the allow marks J 1  or J 2 , the value of numeral increases or decreases by 1, respectively. 
         [0081]    In Step S 504 , it is determined whether the mark J 1  or mark J 2  has been touched. When it is determined that either the mark J 1  or J 2  has been touched, the value of the corresponding figure is changed, and the changed date is displayed on the LCD  24 . For example, in  FIG. 13 , the numeral “16” (indicating the day) has been changed to “15”. In Step S 506 , it is determined whether the mark K 1  for finalizing the date change has been touched. When the mark K 1  has been touched, the process goes to Step S 507 , in which the recording order of the selected note may be changed. When the return to photographing mode is commanded (S 508 ), the recording order change process is terminated. 
         [0082]    As shown in  FIG. 14 , the note was recorded after two photographic images IG 1  and IG 2  were taken. By altering the date stamp of the note, the note is re-ordered to the position between the images IG 1  and IG 2 . Thus, the note associated with the image IG 1  will be displayed neighbor to the image IG 1 . Thus, the user can re-position any the recorded note to a desired position even if the note was recorded after a series of photographs was completed. Note that the process of folder creation illustrated in the fifth embodiment may be implemented in the sixth embodiment as well. In this case, specific photographed images are selected from a series of photographed images on the basis of the changed recording date. The selected photographed images are stored in the new folder. 
         [0083]      FIG. 15  is a flowchart of a print process according to the seventh embodiment. In the seventh embodiment, photographic images are printed out. Other aspects are the same as those of the first embodiment. Herein, a printer (not shown) is connected to the camera  10 , and image data can be transmitted to the printer. 
         [0084]    In Step S 601 , it is determined whether the user has selected a print method that ignores recorded notes and prints out only photographic images. In playback mode, a mark for printing out both the photographic images and notes, and a mark for printing out only the photographic images are displayed on the LCD monitor  24  (not shown). The user selects one of the two marks when carrying out a printing process. 
         [0085]    When it is determined that both photographic images and notes should be printed out, the process goes to Step S 603 , in which all image data, including the photographic image and note screen data, is transmitted to the printer. On the other hand, if it is determined that only photographic images should be printed out, the process goes to Step S 602 , in which only the photographic image data is transmitted to the printer. Image data may also be transmitted to other peripheral equipment such as an external storage device, or a computer. 
         [0086]    A note screen may be displayed in other colors other besides white. Photographic images and input screen images may be recorded without compression. An input device for a note other than the touch panel, such as a four-way controller, may instead be provided on the camera  10 . Also, input information may be displayed by transmitting data from the computer to the camera via a cable or wirelessly. Furthermore, electronic equipment with a photographing function, such as cell phones, may be implemented instead of a camera. 
         [0087]    Finally, it will be understood by those skilled in the arts that the foregoing description is of preferred embodiments of the device, and that various changes and modifications may be made to the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. 
         [0088]    The present disclosure relates to subject matter contained in Japanese Patent Applications No. 2007-011964 (filed on Jan. 22, 2007), No. 2007-334951 (filed on Dec. 26, 2007), which are expressly incorporated herein by reference, in their entireties.