Patent Publication Number: US-7724290-B2

Title: Image metadata attachment

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   This application is a divisional of prior U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/739,675, filed Dec. 18, 2003 now U.S. Pat. No. 7,528,868, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference. 

   FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The invention relates to photography and cameras and more particularly to devices that cooperate with camera systems to provide information that can be used with images that are captured by the camera systems. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Consumers who use one-time-use cameras (OTUCs) often desire the ability to incorporate special effects into images. Special effects may include superimposing special text or additional images onto an original captured image, adjusting the color content of the image or otherwise modifying the appearance on image. However, cost and camera size limitations can limit the number of controls and features that are included in such cameras and can make it challenging to incorporate such features in such cameras. The term “one-time-use camera” is used herein to refer to cameras that are provided to consumers in preloaded form and cannot be reloaded, by the consumer, without extensive camera disassembly, or replacement of parts, or use of special tools, or the like. OTUCs are widely available at this time. Unless the film in the OTUC contains pre-exposed special effects or images, those who use OTUCs generally have to rely on manual photo editing tools to add special effects in an image. 
   Various systems have been devised to allow camera-users to associate image related metadata with captured images. Such metadata includes information that is associated with an image but does not necessarily appear in the image itself. The metadata can include information that can be used to process captured images, organize captured images, and modify captured images. Such metadata can be particularly useful in providing instructions asking a photofinisher to incorporate special effects into a selected image. 
   One way to transfer metadata from a camera to a photofinisher is to use an encodement. An encodement is a feature of physical media used to communicate one or more pieces of information to a machine, and can include alphanumeric text and other indicia. U.S. Pat. No. 6,070,013 discloses a one-time-use camera employing a prerecorded machine readable encodement that modifies captured images to convey metadata that is read during processing, i.e., printing of the photograph or viewable digital image display. The camera has also a sighting guide identifying the part of the image subject to modification. 
   For instance, an encodement might be written to the film itself as is described in commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 6,070,013. Alternatively, commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 5,726,737 discloses a system for controlling the photofinishing of photographic film wherein the film has a magnetic layer on which an instructional code is placed by the manufacturer or the user to provide directions for photofinishing. This photographic system requires a predetermined code be placed on the magnetic layer or requires a means to allow the consumer to apply the instructional code to the magnetic layer. Various systems of this type are known in the art. 
   Commonly assigned U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,173,119 and 6,381,416 disclose the use of a radio-frequency identification transponder mounted in the body of a camera or affixed to an image capture media, such as photographic film, to provide information or data that is accessible from a distance. The term “radio-frequency identification transponder” is used herein principally to refer to any of a class of compact radio receiver-transmitters which are powered by an ambient radio-frequency field. Direct physical contact or close proximity to this type of transponder is unnecessary to obtain information from these transponders. These transponders typically have sufficient memory to store relatively large amounts of data including, but not limited to, set-up parameters for a photofinishing device, instructions for modifying the captured images, or request, for specific services. 
   While the systems described in the &#39;013, &#39;737, &#39;119 and &#39;416 applications provide commercially viable and valuable models, other solutions that are both useful and economically viable under other circumstances are also desirable. In particular, it will be appreciated that one-time-use cameras are typically recycled after use and components thereof are used to build new cameras. However, introducing new camera components and/or film types into an existing stock of recyclable camera parts fragments the stock into a portion having existing components and a portion having new components. This fragmentation can create challenges during recycling. Thus, what is needed is a system for associating metadata such as special effect metadata with captured images that does not create such challenges. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 6,173,127 discloses a special effects filter that surrounds a one-time-use camera body while allowing viewing through the lens and the viewfinder so that practically identical images are registered with the lens and the viewfinder. The special effects available with this patent arise by sliding the special effects filter to one position of several special effect zones, which include changes in color rendition, over the lens and view finder simultaneously. 
   Commonly assigned U.S. Patent Application Publication 2002/0164160 discloses a system that allows a one-time-use camera to capture an image of a card that provides processing instructions to the photofinisher. While the &#39; 160  publication provides a useful and commercially viable solution, it may be desirable to capture images of a scene while at the same time capturing the metadata that is associated with the images. 
   It will be appreciated that digital cameras typically provide a greater ability to store and incorporate special effect information in images. For instance, U.S. Pat. No. 5,748,326 discloses an instant special effects camera for children that employs plug-in cartridges to create a variety of special effects, e.g., picture frames, film stars, animals, which are overlayed upon the captured image. The camera uses an integrated thermal printer to produce the resulting image. The cartridges provide memory containing image content that adapts the captured image to form the print. This requires relatively expensive data cartridges. In other, more conventional digital cameras, a display and menuing system select and associate particular metadata such as special effect metadata with captured images. 
   Accordingly what is needed is a practical way to automatically incorporate selected metadata such as special effects with captured images. What is also needed is a low cost solution that is equally applicable for digital and film implementations. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   In one aspect of the invention, an accessory is provided for use with an image capture device having a trigger button and an image capture system adapted to capture an image in response to actuation of the trigger button. The accessory has a body adapted to be detachably connectable to the image capture device with the body including, a holding unit for receiving a removable metadata source having metadata stored therein; a communication interface for communicating with the removable metadata source; and a trigger sensor for generating a trigger signal when the trigger button of said image capture device is depressed. The communication interface obtains metadata from the removable metadata source in response to the trigger signal and stores the metadata in a metadata memory so that the metadata is associated with the captured image. 
   In another aspect of the invention, an accessory is provided for use with an image capture device having a trigger button, an internal wireless communication interface and a viewfinder, to associate a captured image with special effect metadata. The accessory has a body adapted to be detachably connectable to the image capture device including a wireless communication interface for receiving a signal having special effect metadata and obtaining special effect metadata therefrom, a memory, connected to the wireless communication interface, for receiving and storing special effect metadata; a trigger sensor for detecting the depression of the trigger button of said image capture device; and a holster adapted to receive a metadata card having a memory with metadata, a wireless transponder for generating a signal containing the metadata and a mask having said special effect image. Upon assembling the body on the image capture device, said holster is positioned so that when a metadata card is installed in the holster the mask is superimposed on said viewfinder such that the special effect image can be viewed by a user, and wherein the trigger sensor, upon detecting depression of the trigger button, activates the wireless communication interface to retrieve special effect metadata from the metadata source and to store the special effect metadata in association with the captured image in the memory. 
   In still another aspect of the invention, an accessory is provided for use with an image capture device having a trigger button, and a viewfinder. The accessory has a label body adapted to be detachably connectable to the image capture device and including a communication interface; a memory, connected to the communication interface, for receiving and storing special effect image metadata; and a trigger sensor for detecting the depression of the trigger button of said image capture device; and a detachable mask including, a viewable special effect image thereon. Upon assembling the label body and mask on the image capture device, said mask is superimposed on said viewfinder such that the special effect image and the scene can be viewed through the viewfinder, and wherein the trigger sensor, upon detecting depression of the trigger button, activates the communication interface of the label body to receive special effect image data from the radio frequency identification device and transmit the special effect image metadata to the memory of the label body, so that the special effect image metadata can be associated with the individual captured image during photofinishing. 
   In a further aspect of the invention, an image capture system is provided for associating a captured image with special effect metadata. The image capture system having an image capture device with a trigger button and a viewfinder; a body adapted to be detachably connectable to the image capture device including, a wireless communication interface; a memory, connected to the wireless communication interface, for receiving and storing special effect metadata to be associated with the individual captured image during processing of the captured image; a trigger sensor for detecting the depression of the trigger button of said image capture device; and a mask having said special effect image. The body, mask and image capture device are configured so that upon assembling the body on the image capture device, said mask is superimposed on said viewfinder such that the special effect image can be viewed by a user, and wherein the trigger sensor, upon detecting depression of the trigger button, activates the wireless communication interface to receive special effect metadata and transmit the special effect metadata to the memory. 
   In yet another aspect of the invention, an image capture system is provided for associating a captured image with a special effect. The image capture system has an image capture device with a trigger button, and an internal wireless communication interface and a viewfinder; a body adapted to be detachably connectable to the image capture device including a wireless communication interface for receiving special effect metadata and transmitting the special effect metadata to the internal wireless communication interface; a memory, connected to the wireless communication interface, for receiving and storing special effect metadata so that the special effect metadata can be associated with an individual captured image during processing; a trigger sensor for detecting the depression of the trigger button of said image capture device; and a mask having said special effect image. The body, mask and image capture device are configured so that upon assembling the body on the image capture device. Said mask is superimposed on said viewfinder such that the special effect image can be viewed by a user. The trigger sensor, upon detecting depression of the trigger button, activates the wireless communication interface to retrieve special effect image data from the memory and transmit the special effect image data to the internal wireless communication interface of the image capture device. 
   In still another aspect of the invention, an image capture system is provided for associating a captured image with metadata. The image capture system has an image capture device with a trigger button and a viewfinder; a label body adapted to be detachably connectable to the image capture device and including, a wireless communication interface; a memory, connected to the wireless communication interface, for receiving and storing special effect image data to be associated with the individual captured image during processing of the captured image; and a trigger sensor for detecting the depression of the trigger button of said image capture device; a detachable mask including, a viewable special effect image thereon; and a radio frequency device which includes a wireless communication interface, a memory connected to the wireless communication interface for storing metadata to be associated with the individual captured image during processing of the captured image. Upon assembling the label body and mask on the image capture device, said mask is superimposed on said viewfinder such that the special effect image can be viewed by a user. The trigger sensor, upon detecting depression of the trigger button, activates the communication interface of the label body to receive metadata from the radio frequency device and from a memory in the image capture device and to transmit the metadata to a memory of the label body so that the metadata is associated with the captured image. 
   In a further aspect of the invention, an image capture system is provided for associating a captured image with a special effect image comprising an image capture device having a trigger button, a communication interface, memory and a viewfinder; a body adapted to be connected to the image capture device including, a communication interface for transmitting and receiving image data, and a memory, connected to the communication interface, for receiving and storing special effect image data to be associated with the individual captured image during processing of the captured image; a trigger sensor for detecting the depression of the trigger button of said image capture device; and a special effect image module adapted to be connected to one of the image capture device or the body and including a communication interface, a memory connected to the communication interface for storing special effect image data so that the special effect metadata can be associated with the individual captured image during processing of the captured image, and a mask including said special effect image thereon. Upon assembling the image capture device, the body, special effect image module and the mask, said mask is superimposed on said viewfinder such that the special effect image can be viewed by a user. The trigger sensor, upon detecting depression of the trigger button, activates the communication interface of the body to activate the communication device of the special effect image module such that the receive special effect image data stored in the memory of the special effect image module is retrieved and transmitted, via the communication interface of the image capture device, to the memory of the image capture device. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a rear view of one embodiment of an image capture system/metadata attachment of the invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a view from the side of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIGS. 3A and 3B  are front and side views of another embodiment of the metadata attachment in the form of a label and view finder assembled on an image capture device; 
       FIG. 4  illustrates for one embodiment of the invention the interaction of the metadata attachment, the image capture device, the metadata card and a device transponder; 
       FIG. 5  illustrates in another embodiment of the invention the interaction of the metadata attachment, the image capture device, the metadata card and a device transponder; 
       FIG. 6  shows another embodiment of the invention the interaction of the metadata attachment, the image capture device, the metadata card and a device transponder. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     FIGS. 1 and 2  illustrate one embodiment of an image capture system  8  of the invention. As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , image capture system  8  comprises: an image capture device  10 , a metadata attachment  20  and a metadata card  30 . The front of image capture device  10  has a window  12  positioned at an end of a viewfinder  14  which faces the object to be photographed (not shown). Image capture device  10  captures the image when a trigger  16  is activated by the user. In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , image capture device  10  comprises a film camera such as a one-time-use film camera (OTUC), however, in other embodiments, image capture device  10  can comprise a reloadable film camera, a digital camera, and/or a digital one-time-use camera, and/or hybrid and combination film/digital cameras. 
   The metadata attachment  20  has body  21  configured to enable metadata attachment  20  to be affixed onto the image capture device  10 , such as a slip-on and/or snap-on arrangement. In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a communication interface circuit  22 , a trigger sensor  26  and memory  24  are electrically connected to a power source  25 . Communication interface circuit  22 , metadata memory  24 , power source  25 , and trigger sensor  26 , are linked electronically or otherwise to cooperate as described herein. Communication interface circuit  22  is capable of extracting metadata from a memory  34  in metadata card  30 , as will be described in greater detail below and storing the metadata in a metadata memory  24 . In this embodiment communication interface circuit  22  comprises a radio-frequency transceiver circuit  27  having an antenna arrangement (not shown). Radio-frequency transceiver circuit  27  is capable of generating a first electromagnetic signal and receiving a second electromagnetic signal. 
   In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , metadata card  30  is removable and has a metadata source  32  with a card communication circuit  31  that is electrically connected to metadata source  32 . In this embodiment, card communication circuit  31  comprises a radio frequency transponder that can be of the type that has a conventional compact radio receiver-transmitter powered by the first electromagnetic field generated by radio-frequency transceiver circuit  27  (not shown). Radio frequency transponder circuit  33  includes antenna and integrated circuits providing communication and control functions, such as those disclosed by U.S. Pat. No. 6,173,119, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference. When transponder circuit  33  receives the first electromagnetic field, transponder circuit  33  generates a second electromagnetic field containing metadata supplied by metadata source  32 . In the embodiment shown metadata source  32  comprises a metadata memory  34  having metadata stored therein. 
   The metadata stored in memory  34  can comprise, for example, a memory address indicating a storage location at which special effect image modification can be obtained for incorporation with the image. The special effect can be either visual or audio in nature, and can include visual editing instructions, such as a digital or pseudo zoom, aspect ratio change, shape change, and color adjustment instructions such as gray scale, pure black and white, and/or colorization. The special effect can also cause additional content to be recorded in an image data such as a special effect image, i.e., a smiling face image to be incorporated with the captured image, a border to be included with the image, text to be included with the image, and other like additions. 
   Other metadata can also be provided by metadata source  32  including, but not limited to, an instruction to encode an indicia of ownership such as a photographer&#39;s name, a copyright symbol and associated information, a mark or some other such symbol. The instruction can request that the indicia of ownership be encoded in a human readable form, a machine readable form such as a bar code, and/or a steganographic form. Memory  34  can also provide metadata that can be used to identify, for example, one or more of a location, a person, a web site, a photofinisher, an e-mail address, a mailing address, a computer, a telephone, a cellular telephone, a collection of images stored on a computing system, a hand held display device and a payment account. Non-memory embodiments of metadata source  32  are also contemplated with, for example, metadata source  32  comprising a timing system that provides time metadata, a light or other sensor that detects conditions proximate to the camera and creates metadata based upon these conditions, an audio capture device, a location detection device such as a global positioning system location detector, and any other device that is capable of generating metadata that can usefully be associated with an image. 
   The nature, type and quality of metadata transmitted from metadata source  32  to communication interface  22  can vary and can be determined based upon the capabilities of metadata source  32 , and by the access time and bandwidth available for the communication. Where communication between communication interface  22  and metadata source  32  is made using radio frequency communications, the communication capabilities of transponder circuit  33  and transceiver circuit  27  can also influence the nature, type and quality of metadata transferred. In alternative embodiments, a direct electrical connection can be established between communication interface  22  and communication circuit  31  thus eliminating the need for transceiver circuit  27  and transponder circuit  33 . For example, metadata attachment  20 , label  42  and metadata card  30  include respectively a communication circuit  22 , and a card communication circuit  21  having electrical connectors thereon which are placed so as to establish an electrical connection therebetween. 
   Metadata source  32  can be read from and/or written to in a manner similar to other digital memory devices that are used to store and retrieve digital information. For example, metadata source  32  can comprise a memory  34  having multiple separately-accessible memory units (not shown). Access to individual memory units can be unlimited or can be limited by use of one or more access codes for memory  34  as a whole, or different codes for each unit. Read and write functions can be provided together or access can be differentiated in some manner. For convenience, metadata source  32  is generally described herein as reacting to a communication signal generated by communication interface  22  by transmitting an encodement, containing the metadata. It will be further understood that such descriptions are not limiting of the possible scope of responses by metadata source  22 . The encodement or encodements provided by metadata source  32  can be limited by practical considerations relating to constraints on metadata source  32 , available bandwidth and access time. Within these constraints the encodement can vary. For example, the encodement can be uncompressed or compressed data or a pointer to remote data, such as the data card  30 , or some combination. Similarly, it will be understood that the first and second electromagnetic signals may similarly vary in scope and content. 
   As is shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , trigger sensor  26  is preferably situated directly above trigger button  16  when metadata attachment  20  is positioned on image capture device  10 . Trigger sensor  26  detects the activation of trigger button  16  on image capture device  10  and causes communication interface circuit  22  to generate a first signal causing the metadata source to transmit a second signal that incorporates the metadata with the image during later processing. For example, trigger sensor  26  can be a pressure-sensitive transducer device or a contact electrical switch. Alternatively, trigger sensor  26  can be positioned in other locations on body  21 . However, any such positioning must enable activation of trigger sensor  26  when an image is captured. 
   Body  21  has a holster  28  which securely receives the metadata card  30  in position on the reverse side of image capture device  10 . As discussed above, metadata card  30  includes metadata source  32 , which in this embodiment comprises a memory  34 . Memory  34  stores metadata that corresponds to information that a user wishes to be associated with an image. For example, this metadata can include data that identifies a special effect to be incorporated with each captured image. 
   When trigger sensor  26  is activated, trigger sensor  26  sends a signal that causes communication interface circuit  22  to send a first signal that is detected by card communication circuit  31  sends a second signal that communicates metadata available from metadata source  32 , such as metadata that identifies a special effect image. Communication interface  22  receives the second signal, extracts the metadata and stores the metadata in metadata memory  24  in a manner that associates the metadata with the captured image. 
   Metadata card  30  optionally has a window  36  which holds a mask  38 . Mask  38  has an image to be superimposed onto the image displayed by the viewfinder  14  of image capture device  10 . The special effect image on mask  38  corresponds to the data stored in memory  34  of metadata card  30 . Alternatively, mask  38  can be placed in the window  40  of body  21 . The camera-user can use mask  38  as a guide to preview the resulting image that results from superimposing the special effects onto the captured image. 
   Multiple metadata cards  30  can be provided each with a particular metadata stored therein, which, as desired by the user can placed into holster  28  and used to provide a selected effect to the image taken by the image capture device  10 . For example, first metadata card  30  can contain the name, date and data for a “witch on a broom” special effect and a second metadata card (not shown) can contain the name, date and data for a “tornado” special effect. It is also within scope of the invention to include both special effects in the finished photograph or displayed image by structuring the metadata attachment  20  to hold multiple data cards in superposition or by merely bringing the second data card with enabling the range of the communication interface  22  on body  21 . 
   In still another embodiment, metadata card  30  can have more than one set of metadata stored therein and a switch allowing a user to select one of the sets of metadata for storage in association with the captured image. 
   In one embodiment, mask  38  shows an image that attempts to match the appearance of the special effect in the image. In other embodiments, mask  38  shows symbols and/or text that while not showing the special effect image itself, shows the location of artifacts such as a smiling face or a time/date/location artifact that will appear in the scene. The latter embodiment allows a photographer to compose a scene to introduce dynamic effects such as annotations and date and time effects. 
   In an alternative embodiment, metadata card  30  may be reprogrammable with different special effects data, which can reduce the need for multiple data cards, save the user the cost of additional data cards for additional special effects and/or allow for personalized data cards. The special effects data may be downloadable to memory  34  of metadata card  30 , via the card communication circuit  31 , and metadata can be communicated to communication circuit  31  of metadata card  30  in modes including wireless or docketed (wired) transmission. 
   In addition to metadata from metadata source  32 , metadata memory  24  can store additional data such as metadata received by communication interface circuit  22 . This data can include metadata sources from other data useful in associating an image with an identification, a location, time/date information, auto albuming instructions, instructions for e-mailing, or information about the desired number of copies to be printed, distributed, or shared. Wedding kits or other event kits may include of a set of metadata attachments  20  or an identical set of metadata cards  30  or a common metadata card  30  each of which contain data that when stored in association with a set of images, indicates that the images are from the same event. This allows automatic association of the images for automatic albuming purposes. Such wedding or other event kits can also include metadata indicating distribution information or the number of copies to be printed. The common metadata card  30 , can transmit this data to communication interface  22  and metadata memory  24  of metadata attachment  20  as described above. 
   The metadata can also be communicated to communication interface circuit  22  from an external device, such as a radio frequency (RF) transmitter (not shown). For example, an external RF transmitter at a museum, Kodak photospot or other popular landmark, event or activity may send information for an event or location based upon effects without initiation by the user. An effect, which may include a location stamp, special content such as borders, or image optimization based on location, is then added to the captured image. Such location based metadata can also be used for albuming purposes. 
   The photofinishing of the images with associated metadata is then completed by including the metadata attachment  20  with a film or other memory containing the captured images. That is, during the photofinishing process, the metadata stored in metadata memory  24  of metadata attachment  20  is retrieved and associated with the image capture unit or film unit removed from image capture device  10 . This association can be used during photofinishing or other use of the captured images, for example, to cause a special effect to be introduced into an image. Photofinishing, as used herein, broadly describes any processing by which an image and metadata are transformed from a stored form into a human usable or viewable form. Such photofinishing can be performed using conventional photofinishing processes, and/or processes appropriate for processing electronically stored images. Such photofinishing can be performed in a wholesale, retail, kiosk, home-based personal computing, or other home processing environment. 
   In another alternative of the invention, metadata memory  24  can be attached to image capture device  10  or a film unit (not shown) within image capture device  10 , such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,173,119. In this embodiment, communication module  22  communicates with metadata source  32  as discussed above which then transfers the metadata to metadata memory  24 . The transfer from communication module  22  to metadata memory  24  can be accomplished in various ways as will be described in greater detail below. However, in such embodiments, the metadata memory  24  travels with image capture device  10  during photofinishing. 
     FIGS. 3A and 3B  illustrate yet another embodiment of an image capture system  8  and metadata attachment  20  of the invention. In this embodiment, metadata card  30  of  FIG. 1  is not necessary, and, therefore, holster  28  of  FIG. 1  is eliminated. Specifically, body  21  takes the form of label  42 , structured similar to the label for one-time-use cameras disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,278,841, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference. In  FIGS. 3A and 3B , label  42  includes circuitry for trigger sensor  26  at trigger button  16 , as well as a communication interface  22  to a metadata memory  24 . Label  42  can include a battery or a link on the casing to a battery (not shown) of image capture device  10 . In this embodiment, image capture device  10  has a recess  50  adapted to receive a detachable clip-on mask  39  for viewfinder  14  which is provided with mask  38 . Clip-on mask  39  has a metadata source  32  having metadata and a communication circuit  31 , such as a transponder circuit  33 . In this embodiment, multiple detachable clip-on masks  39  can be provided which can be detachably attached either to viewfinder  14  of image capture device  10  or to label  42 . Each clip-on mask  39  has data stored in metadata source  32  indicating special effects to be associated with a captured image. Other variations of this configuration are also within the scope of the invention. For example, instead of providing an image capture device  10  having a recess  50  to receive detachable clip-on mask  39 , as shown in  FIG. 3 , a clipping structure  52  can be incorporated in mask  39  or label  42 . 
   As discussed above, metadata attachment  20  has a body  21  containing a communication interface  22  such as a transceiver  27  that polls for a transponder  33  in metadata card  30  when trigger button  26  is depressed. Communication interface  22  then stores the received special effect metadata in metadata memory  24  of body  21 . Where image capture device  10  has a device memory that is capable of receiving and storing metadata other embodiments of metadata attachment  20  can be used. Examples of image capture devices of this type include but are not limited to those that are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,173,119 and 6,381,416 which show OTUC cameras that have a transponder memory within the camera or on a film cartridge. Several embodiments of this type will now be described with reference to  FIGS. 4 ,  5  and  6 . However, other viable approaches can be used. 
     FIG. 4  illustrates one alternative for operation of metadata attachment  20  of  FIG. 1  in which image capture device  10  or film cartridge (not shown) contains a device transponder  44  and a device memory  46  that are capable of storing metadata. In this embodiment, communication module  22  of metadata attachment  20  or label  42  comprises a transceiver  23  and transceiver circuit  27 . Transceiver circuit  27  sends a first polling signal telling transponder  33  and memory  34  in metadata card  30  or detachable clip-on mask  39  to send a second signal having metadata. In this embodiment, the second signal has the metadata and is received by a device transponder  44  and stored in device memory  46  that is associated with image capture device  10  or a film (not shown) stored therein. Thus, in this embodiment, device memory  46  also performs the functions of metadata memory  24  as described above. Optionally, communication interface  22  can send a command signal to device transponder  44  to specifically instruct device transponder  44  to receive the second signal, to extract metadata therefrom, and to store the metadata in device memory  46  in the camera (or film cartridge), as shown in  FIG. 4 . 
     FIG. 5  illustrates a variation of the embodiment of  FIG. 4 , in which communication interface circuit  22  and metadata memory  24  of metadata attachment  20  or label  42  can receive signals from both the metadata card  30  and camera transponder  44 . The information that can be transmitted by the device transponder  44  can include the camera or film identification number or code, film information exchange IX data and/or Film Data Exchange DX information, camera identification number or any other information that is stored in device memory  46 . Communication interface  22  can then store the received metadata and other information in metadata memory  24  of metadata attachment  20  or label  42 . The above referenced U.S. Pat. No. 6,173,119 describes in detail the kinds of data that can be stored in the camera RFID memory. As is also noted above, device transponder  44  and device memory  46  can be associated with either image capture device  10  or a film (not shown). Similarly, metadata made available by a metadata source  32  such as memory  34  is provided to communication interface  22  in response to a polling signal, and is stored using the methods generally described above. 
     FIG. 6 , shows another embodiment of metadata attachment  20  or label  42  that illustrate how the communication interface circuit  22  and metadata memory  24  of metadata attachment  20  or label  42  can act as an intermediary receiving metadata and other information from metadata source  32  or other sources and transmitting the metadata to device transponder  44  and/or device memory  46 . In this embodiment, communication interface circuit  22  can convert received second signal into a form that is preferred for storage in metadata memory  24  such as device memory  46  that is within image capture device  10 . For example, it can be useful for communication interface circuit  22  to transcode the received metadata into a form that conserves memory or provides enhanced security. 
   In a specific example of this type where image capture device  10  has a USB or other communication port (not shown) and, during image capture operations communication interface circuit  22  can be connected to the port. When images are captured, communication interface circuit  22  adopts received metadata into a form that can be transmitted through said USB port to be stored in association with the captured image. In other examples, communication interface  22  can be used to convert received signals into a form that can be transferred to device memory  46  using other known wired and wireless communication systems. 
   Particularly, it is within the scope of the invention for the interchangeability of metadata card  30  to be realized with digital cameras, as well as film cameras. In one particularly preferred embodiment, the image capture device  10  is a digital camera having at least one radio frequency transponder that can receive data from metadata card  30  or metadata attachment  20  or label  42 . In such an embodiment, the viewfinder  14  can be an optical system or an electronic image display, such as a color LCD. Additionally, as a further alternative to the use of metadata attachment  20  can be plugged into an open memory slot of the digital camera to indicate that an image is to be captured in association with metadata stored using metadata card  30 . Alternatively, metadata card  30  can have an interface that allows metadata card  30  to function with either a one-time-use film camera or a digital image capture device  10 . Specifically, when metadata card  30  is connected to the digital camera and trigger sensor  26  activated, metadata card  30  downloads a data code to the digital camera embodiment of image capture device  10  indicating the metadata to be used which is then retrieved from device memory  46  of digital camera embodiment of image capture device  10 , or from metadata source  32 , or from metadata memory  24  of the special effect attachment itself. In this embodiment, a facsimile image of the special effect is then overlaid on a viewfinder screen (not shown) of the digital camera. This enables a user to preview the image before capture or view the special effects image after capture to verify the photo taken. For display purposes, the facsimile image can comprise a low resolution version of the effect or an object indicating the area in the image in which the special effect will appear. 
   In the above described embodiments, transponder circuit  33  has been described in a manner that is consistent with well known passive radio frequency transponder technology in which non-powered passive transponders receive a first electromagnetic field from a transceiver, draw power from the first electromagnetic field and use that power to generate a second electromagnetic field. However, other approaches can be used, wherein transponder circuit  33  has a power supply and emits radio frequency signals having metadata in certain situations without first receiving a signal from a transceiver. For example, transponder circuit  33  can begin transmitting a signal having metadata when removable metadata card  30  is installed in holster  28 . In such an embodiment, communication interface circuit  22  can comprise a receiver circuit. Other powered and non-powered arrangements can be used. 
   Finally, as noted above, the use of radio frequency communication provides only one manner of effecting communication between metadata attachment  20  or label  42  and metadata source  32 , and device memory  46  of image capture device  10 . Direct electrical connection can also be utilized which will require contact electrodes on the camera body capable of effecting electrical contact between the clip-on metadata attachment  20  or the clip-on label  42 , the metadata card  30  and device memory  46 . Although described herein as having a card form factor, metadata card  30  can comprise, generally, any form factor, and can comprise so-called key fobs, memory chips, or fanciful structures which can have a shape that is indicative of the type of metadata provided thereby. For example a funnel shaped metadata card  30  can be used to indicate that a tornado effect is to be incorporated onto an image. 
   It will be appreciated that the metadata stored in metadata memory  24  or device memory  46  can be automatically associated with captured images at the time of capture or thereafter. This association can be made by adjusting, modifying or adding image content, processing an image in accordance with the metadata, storing the metadata, presenting the metadata and image, and/or using the metadata in any other way. 
   The invention has been described in detail with particular reference to certain preferred embodiments thereof, but it will be understood that variations and modifications can be effected within the spirit and scope of the invention. 
   PARTS LIST 
   
       
       
         
             10  Image capture device 
             12  window 
             14  viewfinder 
             16  trigger 
             20  metadata attachment 
             21  body 
             24  metadata memory 
             25  power source 
             26  trigger sensor 
             27  transceiver 
             28  holster 
             30  metadata card 
             31  card communication circuit 
             32  metadata source 
             33  transponder circuit 
             34  memory 
             36  window 
             38  mask 
             39  detachable clip-on masks 
             40  mask 
             42  clip-on label 
             44  device transponder 
             46  device memory 
             50  recess