Patent Publication Number: US-2011050956-A1

Title: Imaging apparatus, method therefor, and storage medium

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus and a method configured to facilitate a photographer shooting an image. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     A conventional storage device for a digital camera, such as a memory card or a hard disk, has an increasingly large capacity while costs thereof have become lower and lower. Under these circumstances, an increasing number of images has been captured by a photographer. 
     Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-20104 discusses a method for reducing an unbalance in the numbers of captured images of a plurality of objects. In this conventional method, faces of a plurality of objects to be captured are previously registered and face recognition is executed during shooting. 
     However, in producing an album of images of a specific category or theme, such as “wedding ceremony”, “kids&#39; athletic meeting”, or “travel”, it is necessary to first classify captured images in chronological order or into a plurality of scenes and select desired images from among the images included in each temporal unit or each scene. Accordingly, it becomes necessary for the photographer to execute complicated operations after shooting. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed to an imaging apparatus and a method for facilitating image-capturing of an image by a photographer. 
     According to an aspect of the present invention, an imaging apparatus includes a reading unit configured to read a template, in which storage area information, which indicates a plurality of storage areas for storing an image of an object captured by an imaging device, is associated with shooting instruction information for instructing shooting of an image to be stored in each of the plurality of storage areas and an output unit configured, if an image to be stored in one of the plurality of storage areas is to be captured, to output the shooting instruction information associated with the one storage area in the template read by the reading unit, to an output device. 
     Further features and aspects of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the attached drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate exemplary embodiments, features, and aspects of the invention and, together with the description, serve to describe the principles of the invention. 
         FIG. 1A  is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary hardware configuration of an information processing apparatus.  FIG. 1B  is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary hardware configuration of an imaging apparatus. 
         FIG. 2  is a flow chart illustrating an exemplary flow of processing according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3A  illustrates an example of a template.  FIG. 3B  illustrates an example of a shooting instruction table. 
         FIG. 4  illustrates an example of an inner format of a template. 
         FIG. 5  illustrates an example of an inner format of an information-added template. 
         FIG. 6  illustrates an example of an imaging apparatus viewed from the back side thereof. 
         FIGS. 7A and 7B  illustrate an example of information displayed on a liquid crystal display (LCD) that displays an image according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 8  is a flow chart illustrating an exemplary flow of processing executed by an imaging apparatus according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 9A through 9C  illustrate an example of a method for comparing a frame and a captured image. 
         FIG. 10  is a flow chart illustrating an exemplary flow of processing according to a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIGS. 11A and 11B  illustrate an example of information displayed on an LCD that displays an image according to the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 12  is a flow chart illustrating an exemplary flow of processing executed by an imaging apparatus according to the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 13  is a flow chart illustrating an exemplary flow of processing according to a third exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 14  illustrates an example of information displayed on an LCD that displays an image according to the third exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIGS. 15A through 15C  illustrate an example of information displayed on an LCD that displays an image according to the third exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
     Various exemplary embodiments, features, and aspects of the invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. 
     A first exemplary embodiment of the present invention will now be described below.  FIG. 1A  is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary hardware configuration of an information processing apparatus according to the present exemplary embodiment. Referring to  FIG. 1A , the information processing apparatus includes a central processing unit (CPU)  101 , a primary storage device  102 , a secondary storage device  103 , an input device  104 , an output device  105 , and an input/output (I/O) device  107 . The information processing apparatus according to the present exemplary embodiment is implemented by a personal computer (PC). 
     The CPU  101  controls an operation of the entire information processing apparatus. In addition, the CPU  101  executes a program stored on the primary storage device  102 . The primary storage device  102  is a random access memory (RAM), for example. The primary storage device  102  temporarily stores a program loaded by the CPU  101  from the secondary storage device  103 . 
     The secondary storage device  103  is a hard disk, for example. The capacity of the primary storage device  102  is smaller than the capacity of the secondary storage device  103 . The secondary storage device  103  stores a program and data that cannot be fully or partially stored on the primary storage device  102 . Furthermore, data that needs to be stored for a relatively long time is also stored on the secondary storage device  103 . 
     In the present exemplary embodiment, the secondary storage device  103  stores a program that implements processing executed by the information processing apparatus. In executing the program, the program is loaded on the primary storage device  102  and executed by the CPU  101 . More specifically, a function of the information processing apparatus and processing executed by the information processing apparatus, which will be described in detail below with reference to flow charts below, are implemented by the CPU  101  by executing the processing according to the program stored on the secondary storage device  103 . Each of the primary storage device  102  and the secondary storage device  103  is an example of a storage device that stores various data according to the present exemplary embodiment. 
     The input device  104  inputs various instructions. The input device  104 , which includes a mouse, a keyboard, a touch panel device, and a button, is an example of an instruction input unit according to the present exemplary embodiment. In addition, the input device  104  is used to transmit an interruption signal to the program. 
     The output device  105  outputs various information. The output device  105  is, for example, an LCD panel, an external monitor, and a printer. 
     The I/O device  107  is an interface unit, which includes an external memory I/O device, such as a memory card, an I/O unit, such as a universal serial bus (USB) cable, and a wireless signal transmission and reception unit. 
     The I/O device  107  is an example of a connection unit configured to connect various apparatuses. More specifically, the I/O device  107  implements a wired or wireless communication with an I/O device  117 , which will be described below. 
       FIG. 1B  is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary hardware configuration of an imaging apparatus according to the present exemplary embodiment. The imaging apparatus according to the present exemplary embodiment is implemented by a digital camera. 
     The imaging apparatus includes a CPU  111 , a primary storage device  112 , a secondary storage device  113 , an input device  114 , an output device  115 , an imaging device  116 , and an I/O device  117 . The devices included in the imaging apparatus having the same name have a function similar to that of the devices included in the information processing apparatus. Accordingly, the detailed description thereof will not be repeated below. 
     In the present exemplary embodiment, the secondary storage device  113  stores a program that implements processing executed by the imaging apparatus. In executing the program, the program is loaded on the primary storage device  112  and executed by the CPU  111 . More specifically, a function of the imaging apparatus and processing executed by the imaging apparatus, which will be described in detail below with reference to flow charts below, are implemented by the CPU  111  by executing the processing according to the program stored on the secondary storage device  113 . 
     The imaging device  116  includes an imaging element, an analog-to-digital (A/D) converter, and a storage unit. The imaging element receives light reflected on an object, which is incident to the imaging device  116  via an image lens, converts the received light into an image signal, and outputs the converted signal. The A/D converter converts the image signal output by the imaging element into image data. The storage unit stores the image data output by the A/D converter. An image captured by the imaging device  116  (i.e., a captured image) is directly or indirectly stored on the primary storage device  112  or the secondary storage device  113 . 
     However, the present exemplary embodiment is not limited to the above-described configuration. More specifically, it is also useful if the information processing apparatus includes an imaging device similar to the above-described imaging device  116 . 
       FIG. 2  is a flow chart illustrating an exemplary flow of processing according to the present exemplary embodiment. 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , in step S 201 , the CPU  101  generates a template. In the present exemplary embodiment, a “template” refers to data generated by using general-purpose graphics software, which is installed on the secondary storage device  103  of the information processing apparatus and activated by a user of the information processing apparatus. 
     More specifically, the CPU  101  generates a template according to a user instruction. In other words, in the present exemplary embodiment, a “template” refers to data stored on the secondary storage device  103  in a general-purpose format, such as extended Markup Language (XML) or scalable vector graphics (SVG). 
     In the present exemplary embodiment, data for one carrier or data for one book including a plurality of carriers is referred to as a “template”. In the present exemplary embodiment, the user uses the general-purpose graphics software to determine the size of one carrier. Furthermore, the user sets a layout of the carrier for a content place folder (hereinafter simply referred to as a “frame”), which stores a picture (i.e., an object image), a text, and a clip art, by using the input device  104 . 
     A template having a frame includes at least one image. For the size of one carrier, an A4 standard size or a 210×210 [mm] square size can be used. In addition, the user can execute various operations while verifying a setting and information displayed on the output device  105 . 
     Now, an exemplary configuration of the template will be described in detail below with reference to  FIG. 3A . Referring to  FIG. 3A , a carrier  301 , which indicates one full carrier, includes a frame  304 . In the example illustrated in  FIG. 3A , the frame  304  has a vertically oval shape. In the present exemplary embodiment, it is supposed that the carrier  301  is a template for a first page. An image is stored in various frame areas. It is useful if the image stored in the frame area is previously subjected to various image processing, such as trimming. 
     A carrier  302 , which indicates one full carrier as the carrier  301 , is a template for a second page. The carrier  302  includes frames  305  and  306 , which stores an image, respectively. 
     A specific area  307 , which is included in the carrier  301 , stores a text. A specific area  308 , which is included in the carrier  302 , stores a clip art. The text and the clip art are used to decorate an album. As described above, a template includes one or more frame areas and specific areas. 
     In addition, a template  303  is a template for third and fourth pages. In the present exemplary embodiment, it is useful to use an “album template”, which is a template for a book (i.e., an album) including a plurality of templates for respective pages. More specifically, a template may include a plurality of pages or one page. 
     In the present exemplary embodiment, a template stores images of a consistent theme, such as “wedding ceremony”, “kids&#39; athletic meeting”, or “travel”. To more specifically describe images of the theme “wedding ceremony”, the images are likely to be classified into and selected from those included in scenes, such as “before the ceremony”, “ceremony”, and “wedding reception” in this chronological order. Furthermore, the images are arranged in frames starting from a first page. 
     Accordingly, the present exemplary embodiment uses shooting instruction information, which is information for instructing to which frame included in a template which object image is stored. In the present exemplary embodiment, it is supposed that scenes progress according to order of pages. In addition, in the present exemplary embodiment, it is supposed that one or more frames correspond to one scene. 
     However, a scene break may not always correspond to a page break. Furthermore, one scene may correspond to a plurality of pages. On the other hand, one scene may end in the middle of a page. 
     Returning to the flow chart of  FIG. 2 , in step S 202 , the CPU  101  generates shooting instruction information. 
     Now, the shooting instruction information will be described in detail below with reference to  FIG. 3B . The shooting instruction information includes a content included in a shooting instruction table illustrated in  FIG. 3B . More specifically, the shooting instruction table illustrated in  FIG. 3B  is generated by the user by using the input device  104  and general-purpose spreadsheet software, which is installed on the information processing apparatus on the secondary storage device  103  and activated by the user to generate the table. 
     Data held in the shooting instruction table (shooting instruction information table data) is stored on the primary storage device  102  or the secondary storage device  103 . The shooting instruction table illustrated in  FIG. 3B  corresponds to the template illustrated in  FIG. 3A . More specifically, the shooting instruction table stores information about which scene belongs to which frame for what page. In addition, the shooting instruction table illustrated in  FIG. 3B  stores information about which object image is to be stored in each frame (i.e., information about whose image is to be stored in which frame). 
     More specifically, information included in a row  309 , which is illustrated in  FIG. 3B  by using a dotted rectangle, is information for instructing (notifying) a photographer that an image of one or more persons&#39; faces is included in a first frame of a first page, which corresponds to a scene A. 
     Furthermore, information included in a row  310 , which is illustrated in  FIG. 3B  by using a dotted rectangle similar to the row  309 , is information for instructing (notifying) the photographer that an image including no person&#39;s face is included in a first frame of a second page, which corresponds to the scene A. 
     Moreover, information included in a row  311 , which is illustrated in  FIG. 3B  by using a dotted rectangle, is information for instructing (notifying) the photographer that the scene has shifted from the scene A to a scene B and that an image of one person&#39;s face only is included in a second frame of the second page. 
     In the example illustrated in  FIG. 3B , a content of the object, such as “face included”, “face not included”, “face of one object included”, and “face of two objects included”, is illustrated. However, it is also useful if a proper noun, i.e., a personal name, such as “Ms. A”, “Mr. B”, “Mr. C”, or “Ms. A and Mr. B”, is used as the content of the object. Alternatively, it is also useful if a common noun, such as “man” or “woman”, is used as the content of the object. In addition, in the example illustrated in  FIG. 3B , it is supposed that the object whose information is stored in the shooting instruction table is a person. However, it is also useful if the object is an object other than a person, such as scenery, a building or other architecture, a flower, or a material. 
     Now, an exemplary configuration of a template will be described in detail below with reference to  FIG. 4 .  FIG. 4  illustrates an example of an inner format of a template (i.e., template data). In the present exemplary embodiment, template data is described with various tags. 
     Referring to  FIG. 4 , the template data includes an upper tag  401 , such as an extended Markup Language (XML) tag. In addition, the template data includes tags  402  through  409 , which is characteristic to the present exemplary embodiment. More specifically, the tag  402  is an album tag, which corresponds to one album. The album attribute description tag  403  describes an attribute of an album, such as the size of the album, quality of paper sheet used in the album, a binding specification, and a page layout including the number of pages and the number of frames. 
     The page content description tag  404  describes the content of a page included in an album book. As its content, the page content description tag  404  includes first and second page tags  405  and  406 , each of which describing the content of each page. More specifically, the first page tag  405  includes a frame tag  407 , which corresponds to a first frame of the first page. In addition, the second page tag  406  includes a frame tag  408 , which corresponds to a first frame of the second page, and a frame tag  409 , which corresponds to a second frame of the second page. The content of the frame tag includes information about a frame, such as its position, size, and shape. 
     Returning to the flow chart of  FIG. 2 , in step S 203 , the CPU  101  generates an information-added template. 
     In the present exemplary embodiment, an “information-added template” refers to a template whose template data ( FIG. 4 ) additionally includes information about an object, which describes the content of the object included in the shooting instruction table (i.e., information such as “face included”, or the like). In other words, an information-added template is generated by combining template data stored on the primary storage device  102  or the secondary storage device  103  with shooting instruction table data. 
     Now, an exemplary configuration of an information-added template will be described in detail below with reference to  FIG. 5 .  FIG. 5  illustrates an example of an inner format of an information-added template, which is generated by combining template data with shooting instruction table data (i.e., information-added template data). 
     Referring to  FIG. 5 , a tag  501  describes that an image including “one or more faces” is stored in the first frame of the first page. Furthermore, a tag  502  describes that an image including “no face” is stored in the first frame of the second page. Moreover, a tag  503  describes that an image including “one face only” is stored in the second frame of the second page. 
     In the present exemplary embodiment, the CPU  101  sequentially executes the processing in steps S 201  through S 203 . However, the order of executing the processing in steps S 201  and S 202  may be reversed. Furthermore, it is also useful if the user opens template data by using a general-purpose editor program and directly adds shooting instruction information to the template data to generate an information-added template. 
     Returning to the flow chart of  FIG. 2 , in step S 204 , the CPU  101  stores the information-added template on the memory card via the I/O device  107 . Furthermore, the CPU  101  transfers the information-added template to the imaging apparatus. 
     In step S 205 , the CPU  111  of the imaging apparatus interprets the content of the information-added template transferred thereto in step S 204 . More specifically, by executing the interpretation processing, it becomes possible for the CPU  111  to appropriately refer to images classified according to the number of pages, a scene, and an object based on a frame number. 
     More specifically, at first, the CPU  111  loads an information-added template by using application software operating within the imaging apparatus. Then, the CPU  111  determines the order of a plurality of frames arranged and included in template data according to an order of frame tags described in the template data and assigns a serial number to each frame. 
     After that, the CPU  111  associates the frames included in the template with the order of the frames. Then, the CPU  111  further associates the frames, which has been associated with the frame order, with attribute information including the shape of the template, a background color thereof, and positional information about the position of the frame. 
     Subsequently, the CPU  111  previously inputs, to an array of the primary storage device  112  included in the imaging apparatus, information about in what page of the template each frame is laid out, to which scene each frame belongs, and what object is requested. 
     By executing the above-described processing, it becomes possible for the CPU  111  to refer the image classified according to the number of pages, a scene, and an object based on the frame number. 
     In other words, the CPU  111  generates a table (i.e., Table 1 described below) based on the information-added template. Table 1 simply describes a result of the interpretation of the information-added template (see  FIG. 5 ) by the CPU  111 , which describes which frame belongs to which page of which scene, and what image of the object is requested. 
     More specifically, the CPU  111  determines which frame is the target frame based on a Frame variable. Furthermore, the CPU  111  determines to which scene the frame belongs based on a Scene variable. In addition, the CPU  111  determines to which page the scene belongs based on a Page variable. Moreover, what image of the object is requested is determined based on a Content variable. 
     In the present exemplary embodiment, a Flag variable is a variable newly added by the imaging apparatus, which indicates whether an image has been already captured. A value “0” is set to a Flag variable as its initial value. In other words, if an image has been already captured, a value “1” is set as the value of the Flag variable. Accordingly, Table 1 functions as a table of progress of shooting, which indicates the status of progress of shooting according to the present exemplary embodiment. 
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
                 TABLE 1 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Frame 
                 Scene 
                 Page 
                 Flag 
                 Content 
               
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
                 Face Included 
               
               
                 1 
                 0 
                 1 
                 0 
                 NO Face Included 
               
               
                 2 
                 1 
                 1 
                 0 
                 One Face Included 
               
               
                 3 
                 1 
                 2 
                 0 
                 Two Faces Included 
               
               
                 4 
                 1 
                 2 
                 0 
                 . . . 
               
               
                 . . . 
                 . . . 
                 . . . 
                 . . . 
                 . . . 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     More specifically, the imaging apparatus includes a reading unit configured to read a template including storage area information and shooting instruction information. The storage area information describes a plurality of storage areas that stores an image of an object captured by the imaging device  116 . The shooting instruction information is information about shooting associated with each of the plurality of storage areas. The CPU  111 , for example, implements the reading unit according to the present exemplary embodiment. 
     As the storage area information describing a storage area (i.e., a frame), tags  407  through  409 , each of which describing a frame, are used in the present exemplary embodiment. More specifically, in the present exemplary embodiment, a “template” is a higher-order concept including an information-added template. 
     Returning to the flow chart of  FIG. 2 , in step S 206 , the CPU  111  displays the content (information) of the information-added template, which has been interpreted instep S 205 , on the output device  115  or the output devices  105  included in the imaging apparatus, such as an LCD monitor. 
     Suppose that the operation mode of the imaging apparatus has been set to a shooting mode, that a lens of the imaging apparatus is focused on an object, and that an image of the object has been displayed on the output device  115 . In this case, the output device  115  further displays information about what object is to be captured in which frame of which page of which scene (shooting instruction information). It is also useful if the CPU  111  executes control of the output device  115  for displaying a part of or all the contents of the shooting progress status table. 
     Now, an exemplary primary configuration of the imaging apparatus will be described in detail below with reference to  FIG. 6 .  FIG. 6  illustrates an example of the imaging apparatus viewed from the back side thereof. Referring to  FIG. 6 , an image display LCD monitor  602 , which is an example of the output device  115 , is provided on a back side  601  of the imaging apparatus. A button  603 , which is an example of the imaging device  116 , can be operated to execute an operation of a shutter or zooming. 
     An interface  604 , which is an example of the input device  114 , is an interface for executing various other operations. In executing shooting, the photographer confirms the content (information) displayed on a screen of the image display LCD monitor  602 , changes various settings by operating the interface  604 , and releases the shutter included in the button  603 . 
     Now, an exemplary configuration of the screen of the image display LCD monitor  602  will be described in detail below with reference to  FIGS. 7A and 7B .  FIGS. 7A and 7B  illustrate an example of information displayed on the image display LCD monitor  602 . Referring to  FIG. 7A , an object  801  is displayed on the image display LCD monitor  602 . 
     Information  802  is an example of information displayed in step S 206  ( FIG. 2 ). In the example illustrated in  FIG. 7A , a shooting instruction, which instructs shooting of an object, is displayed on the image display LCD monitor  602 . More specifically, the shooting instruction instructs shooting of “one object face” (face of one object (person)) for a “frame 2” (a second frame) of “page 2” of “scene 1”, which portions of the instruction being description portions  806 ,  805 ,  804 , and  803  in this order. 
     More specifically, the imaging apparatus includes an output unit configured, in shooting an image to be stored on one of the plurality of storage areas, to output shooting instruction information associated with one storage area according to the read template to the output device  115 . As an example of the output unit, the present exemplary embodiment employs the CPU  111 . 
     In the present exemplary embodiment, information subsequent to current information can be displayed without displaying the current information. If the display of current information is skipped, the content about a currently requested object is also skipped. 
     In addition, in the present exemplary embodiment, it is possible to display a list of shooting instructions. More specifically, the imaging apparatus includes a selection unit (i.e., the CPU  111  for example) configured to allow the photographer to select one piece of shooting instruction information from among a plurality of pieces of shooting instruction information, which can be output by the output device  115 . 
     Returning to the flow chart of  FIG. 2 , in step S 207 , the CPU  111  of the imaging apparatus executes control for shooting an image, which is a candidate of an image to be stored in a frame. The captured image is stored on the primary storage device  112  or the secondary storage device  113  of the imaging apparatus. 
     In step S 208 , the CPU  111  executes image recognition on an image captured and stored on the primary storage device  112  or the secondary storage device  113  in step S 207 . By executing the image recognition, the CPU  111  recognizes the content of the captured object image (i.e., what object is taken in the image). 
     More specifically, if an image illustrated in  FIG. 7A  is displayed on the image display LCD monitor  602 , the CPU  111  recognizes that “two faces” are included in the object image. In other words, the imaging apparatus includes a recognition unit configured to recognize an object based on an image captured by the imaging device  116 . The CPU  111  is the recognition unit as an example thereof. 
     In step S 209 , the CPU  111  displays, on the image display LCD monitor  602 , information about a status of matching between the content of the object recognized in step S 208  and the content of the object included in the shooting instruction information for the frame, which has been interpreted in step S 202 . 
     More specifically, in the example illustrated in  FIG. 7A , the currently requested object is “one face” (the portion  806  of the instruction  802 ), as determined in step S 206  but the object recognized in step S 208  is “two faces”. Accordingly, in this case, the CPU  111  determines that the requested object does not match the captured image of the object. In this case, the CPU  111  executes control for displaying a warning message  807 . 
       FIG. 7B  illustrates an example of another image captured in step S 207 . More specifically, on the screen illustrated in  FIG. 7B , “one face”  808  is displayed. In other words, the content of the currently requested object is “one face”, which is the same as the description included in the portion  806  of the instruction  802  ( FIG. 7A ). Accordingly, the CPU  111  determines that the requested object matches the object included in the captured image. In this case, the CPU  111  executes control for displaying a message  809 , which indicates that the objects match each other. 
     More specifically, the imaging apparatus includes an identification unit, which is implemented by the CPU  111  and configured to identify whether the recognized object matches an object described in the shooting instruction information output by the output device  115 . In addition, the imaging apparatus includes an identification result output unit, which is implemented by the CPU  111 , configured to output a result of the identification to the output device  115 . 
     Now, processing in steps S 206  through S 209  ( FIG. 2 ) of the operation executed by the imaging apparatus, which includes processing starting from step S 206  for displaying object information and continued to processing in step S 209  for displaying matching status information, will be described in detail below with reference to  FIG. 8 . The processing illustrated in  FIG. 8  will be described in detail below by referring to Flame, Scene, Page, Flag, and Content variables held in the shooting progress status table illustrated in Table 1. 
     Referring to  FIG. 8 , in step S 701 , the CPU  111  of the imaging apparatus assigns a value “0” to a frame counter (“Frame”) (i.e., the CPU  111  resets the frame counter with a value “0”). In step S 702 , the CPU  111  resets a scene counter (“Scene”) with a value “0”. In step S 703 , the CPU  111  resets a flag array (“Flag [ ]“), which indicates information about whether a requested image has been captured in each frame, with a value “0”. 
     In step S 704 , the CPU  111  loads the shooting instruction information that has been added to the template. In step S 705 , the CPU  111  determines whether any frame belonging to one scene to which no flag has been set exists (i.e., whether any frame belonging to one scene whose “Flag [Frame]”=0 exists). 
     If it is determined that the flag has been set to all frames belonging to one scene (NO in step S 705 ), then the processing proceeds to step S 706 . In step S 706 , the CPU  111  increments the scene counter. More specifically, if it is determined that the flag has been set to all the frames belonging to one scene (NO in step S 705 ), the CPU  111  can determine that all the images to be stored in the frames of the scene has been already captured. Accordingly, the CPU  111  increments the scene counter. 
     On the other hand, if it is determined that any frame included in one scene has been extracted to which the flag is not set (YES in step S 705 ), then the processing proceeds to step S 707 . In step S 707 , the CPU  111  displays, on the image display LCD monitor  602 , the scene and the page to which the frame belongs and the content of the object requested to be stored in the frame according to the frame counter (i.e., the frame number of the frame). 
     In step S 708 , the CPU  111  receives an operation executed by the photographer for releasing the shutter. More specifically, instep S 708 , the photographer executes shooting after confirming the content displayed in step S 707 . In step S 709 , the CPU  111  stores the image of the object on the primary storage device  112  (i.e., a buffer). 
     In step S 710 , the CPU  111  executes object recognition on the image stored in step S 709 . In step S 711 , the CPU  111  determines whether the object recognized in step S 710  matches the content of the object requested to be stored in the frame displayed in step S 707 . 
     If it is determined that the recognized object matches the content of the object to be stored in the frame (YES instep S 711 ), then the processing proceeds to step S 712 . In step S 712 , the CPU  111  executes control for displaying a message indicating the matching status on the image display LCD monitor  602 . On the other hand, if it is determined that the recognized object does not match the content of the object to be stored in the frame (NO in step S 711 ), then the processing proceeds to step S 713 . In step S 713 , the CPU  111  executes control for displaying the unmatching status on the image display LCD monitor  602 . 
     In step S 714 , the CPU  111  increments a flag (i.e., “Flag[Frame]”), which stores information about the status of progress of shooting for the frame. In step S 715 , the CPU  111  increments the frame counter to proceed to the processing for a next frame. 
     Instep S 716 , the CPU  111  determines whether shooting has been executed for all the frames existing within the template. If it is determined that the shooting for all the frames has not been completed yet (NO in step S 716 ), then the processing returns to step S 705  and continues the processing. On the other hand, if it is determined that shooting has been completed for all the frames included in the template (YES in step S 716 ), then the processing ends. 
     In the present exemplary embodiment, the CPU  111  resets the scene counter with a value “0” (i.e., “Scene=0”) in step S 702 , and determines whether any frame included in one scene to which the flag has not been set (i.e., “Flag[Frame]=0”) exists in step S 705  as described above. However, the present exemplary embodiment is not limited to this. 
     More specifically, it is also useful if the CPU  111  resets a page counter with a value “0” instead of resetting the scene counter. In this case, it is also useful if the CPU  111  resets the page counter with a value “0” (i.e., “Page=0”) in step S 702 , and determines whether any frame included in one scene to which the flag has not been set (i.e., “Flag[Frame]=0”) exists in step S 705 . 
     If the counter according to the present exemplary embodiment is processed in the unit of a frame, the shooting progresses in chronological order according to serial numbers assigned to the frames as illustrated in  FIG. 9A . On the other hand, if the counter according to the present exemplary embodiment is processed in the unit of a scene or a page as illustrated in the flow chart of  FIG. 8 , the shooting advances to a next scene or page after shooting for all the frames within a scene or a page has been completed, as illustrated in  FIG. 9B . 
     Furthermore, if it is set that an album includes one scene only, in executing the processing in the flow chart of  FIG. 8 , the shooting progresses in such a manner that the frame stores images of an object that has been determined positive in the above-described matching, if any, as illustrated in  FIG. 9C . 
     In the present exemplary embodiment, the processing in steps S 201  through S 203  ( FIG. 2 ) is executed by the information processing apparatus, and the information processing apparatus transmits the information-added template to the imaging apparatus. However, the present exemplary embodiment is not limited to this. 
     If the information processing apparatus includes a built-in camera (an imaging device) and executes shooting by using the imaging device, it is also useful if the transmission of the template in step S 204  ( FIG. 2 ) is omitted, and the information processing apparatus executes the processing in steps S 205  through S 209 . 
     In addition, it is also useful if the processing in steps S 201  through S 203  is executed by the imaging apparatus. Furthermore, it is also useful if the template generated by the information processing apparatus is transferred to the imaging apparatus, and the imaging apparatus adds shooting instruction information to the received template. As described above, the apparatus that executes the above-described processing can be appropriately changed. 
     If it has been permitted (set) by the photographer to shoot a plurality of images for one frame as candidates of images to be stored therein, the following configuration can be employed. More specifically, in this case, it is useful if a list of candidate images, which are candidates of images to be included in one frame, is displayed on the image display LCD monitor  602  and the user is allowed to further narrow down the images to be selected and to assign a priority order to the candidate images. 
     In addition, if it has been permitted (set) by the photographer to shoot a plurality of images for one frame as candidates of images to be stored therein, the following configuration can also be employed. More specifically, in this case, it is useful if one folder is provided on the primary storage device  112  for one frame, and captured images, which have been previously selected as candidate images to be stored on the frame, are stored in the folder. 
     Furthermore, the present exemplary embodiment can be applied when capturing moving images as well as capturing still images. Moreover, the present exemplary embodiment can be applied regardless of whether or not the photographer and the user is the same person. 
     As described above, the information processing apparatus according to the present exemplary embodiment generates combined image data based on template data and image data. In addition, the information processing apparatus previously generates an information-added template. On the other hand, the imaging apparatus according to the present exemplary embodiment interprets the information-added template and displays object information during shooting. With the above-described configuration, the present exemplary embodiment can facilitate shooting an image by the photographer. 
     By facilitating shooting an image by the photographer, the present exemplary embodiment can prevent the photographer from failing to shoot an image of an object and shooting too many images of objects. Furthermore, by facilitating shooting an image by the photographer, the present exemplary embodiment is capable of saving the photographer (user)&#39;s trouble of having to execute complicated operations for selecting an image after shooting. 
     To paraphrase this, according to the present exemplary embodiment having the above-described configuration, shooting is executed while facilitating shooting images by the photographer by adding instruction information related to shooting to template data, previously inputting the information to the information processing apparatus, and displaying the shooting instruction information on the output device  105  or  115 . 
     More specifically, in a conventional method, it is difficult to shoot images assuming that the captured images are to be stored with a final layout. On the other hand, according to the present exemplary embodiment having the above-described configuration, the photographer can confirm the images stored with a final layout during shooting. 
     Therefore, according to the present exemplary embodiment, it is enabled to execute operations for generating an album with a high efficiency in a short processing time. 
     In the first exemplary embodiment described above, the CPU  111  of the imaging apparatus recognizes an object according to the information, such as “face included” or “face not included”. Alternatively, in the first exemplary embodiment, an object is selected according to a determination by the photographer based on a displayed personal name. Accordingly, it is not difficult for the imaging apparatus to perfectly correctly recognize a person in the captured image. 
     In a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a feature unique to an object is previously registered. Furthermore, during shooting, the feature of an object is recognized and information unique to the object is displayed. Therefore, according to the present exemplary embodiment, the user (photographer) can more easily shoot images appropriate to the user (photographer)&#39;s intension than the first exemplary embodiment. 
     Now, processing executed by the information processing apparatus and the imaging apparatus according to the present exemplary embodiment will be described in detail below with reference to a flow chart of  FIG. 10 .  FIG. 10  is a flow chart illustrating an exemplary representative flow of processing according to the present exemplary embodiment. 
     In the present exemplary embodiment, description of the hardware configuration or other configuration of the information processing apparatus and the imaging apparatus similar to that of the information processing apparatus and the imaging apparatus according to the first exemplary embodiment will not be repeated. 
     Referring to  FIG. 10 , in step S 1001 , the CPU  101  generates a template similar to the processing in step S 201  ( FIG. 2 ). In step S 1002 , similar to the processing in step S 202 , the CPU  101  generates shooting instruction information. 
     In step S 1003 , the CPU  101  generates an information-added template similarly to the processing instep S 203 . More specifically, the CPU  101  combines the template generated in step S 1001  with the shooting instruction information table generated in step S 1002 , and generates a template to which a shooting instruction information is added (i.e., an information-added template). 
     Instep S 1004 , similar to the processing in step S 204 , the CPU  101  stores the information-added template on the memory card via the I/O device  107 . Furthermore, the CPU  101  transfers the information-added template to the imaging apparatus. 
     Instep S 1005 , similar to the processing in step S 205 , the CPU  111  of the imaging apparatus interprets the content of the template transferred to the imaging apparatus in step S 1004 . 
     In other words, in step S 1005 , the CPU  111  generates a table (i.e., Table 2 described below) based on the information-added template. Table 2 simply describes a result of the interpretation of the information-added template by the CPU  111 , which describes which frame belongs to which page of which scene and what image of object is requested. 
     Accordingly, similar to Table 1 according to the first exemplary embodiment, Table 2 functions as a table of progress of shooting, which indicates the status of progress of shooting according to the present exemplary embodiment. 
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
                 TABLE 2 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Frame 
                 Scene 
                 Page 
                 Flag 
                 Content 
               
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
                 Ms. A 
               
               
                 1 
                 0 
                 1 
                 0 
                 Mr. B 
               
               
                 2 
                 1 
                 1 
                 0 
                 Ms. A and 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 Mr. B 
               
               
                 3 
                 1 
                 2 
                 0 
                 Mr. C 
               
               
                 4 
                 1 
                 2 
                 0 
                 . . . 
               
               
                 . . . 
                 . . . 
                 . . . 
                 . . . 
                 . . . 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     Processing in step S 1006  is characteristic to the present exemplary embodiment. More specifically, in step S 1006 , the CPU  111  generates a list of objects based on the content of the object interpreted in step S 1005 , and registers each object. In the present exemplary embodiment, the CPU  111  executes face registration, which is processing for registering the face of a person taken in an image. 
       FIG. 11A  illustrates an example of a list of registered faces, which is displayed on the image display LCD monitor  602 . Referring to  FIG. 11A , in a field  1101 , the image display LCD monitor  602  displays a list of personal names included in the information-added template, which has been interpreted by the imaging apparatus in step S 1005  ( FIG. 10 ). Furthermore, in a field  1102 , the image display LCD monitor  602  displays information about each personal name of which face registration has been completed. 
     In the example illustrated in  FIG. 11A , Ms. A and Person D have been already registered as illustrated by registered images  1104 . On the other hand, Mr. B and Person C, who are indicated by a numeral  1105 , have not been registered yet. The user can register the unregistered persons via a registration screen, which is displayed when the user selects an interface  1103 . 
     In the present exemplary embodiment, an interface for re-registering an already registered person by executing registration of the person again is provided. Thus, the user is allowed to re-register an already registered person. If a very large number of persons have been registered and thus the image display LCD monitor  602  is unable to display all the registered persons in one screen at the same time, then it is also useful if the user is allowed to select an interface  1106  to shift to a next screen. 
     When the user desires to return to shooting operation, the user can select an interface  1107  to shift the screen to a live view screen. An input device  1108  is a dial type input device. It is also useful if a dial type input device is used as each of the interfaces  1103 ,  1106 , and  1107  as the input device  1108 . 
     In the present exemplary embodiment, when the user selects the interface  1103  to register an unregistered person (for example, Mr. B), the screen of the image display LCD monitor  602  is changed to a screen illustrated in  FIG. 11B . 
     In this case, an instruction message  1009 , which prompts the user to shoot an image of the object, is displayed on the screen. After the user has captured the image of the object, the CPU  111  stores a feature amount of the image of the captured face on the secondary storage device  113 . 
     In step S 1007 , the CPU  111  displays the content of the information-added template, which has been interpreted in step S 1006 , on the image display LCD monitor  602 . More specifically, when the object is currently displayed on the image display LCD monitor  602 , the CPU  111  executes control for displaying information for instructing whose image is to be captured for which frame of what page of which scene as well as displaying the image of the object. 
     In the present exemplary embodiment, “when the object is currently displayed on the image display LCD monitor  602 ” refers to a timing at which the imaging apparatus is in the shooting mode and the lens has been focusing on the object. 
     It is also useful if next information is displayed while skipping the display of current information. If the display of the current information is skipped, it is useful if the display of the content of the object whose image has been currently requested to be captured and stored according to the information currently displayed, is skipped. In addition, it is also useful if a list of shooting instructions is displayed. 
     In step S 1008 , the imaging apparatus captures an image, which is a candidate of an image to be stored in the frame. The imaging apparatus stores the captured image on the primary storage device  112  or the secondary storage device  113 . 
     Instep S 1009 , the CPU  111  executes image recognition on the image captured in step S 1008  and stored on the primary storage device  112  or the secondary storage device  113 . More specifically, in step S 1009 , the CPU  111  extracts a feature amount of the object (the face of the person (object) in the present exemplary embodiment) by analyzing the image data (in a narrower sense, face data) captured in step S 1008 . Furthermore, the CPU  111  searches for a person having the most approximate feature amount from among the plurality of feature amounts of the faces registered in step S 1006 . 
     It is also useful if the following configuration is employed. More specifically, if the difference between the feature amount of a captured image and the feature amount of a specific registered image falls within a predetermined reference value, the CPU  111  can determine that the same objects are captured in the images. 
     More specifically, the imaging apparatus includes an extraction unit configured to extract a feature amount of an object from the image of the object captured by the imaging device  116 . In the present exemplary embodiment, the CPU  111  is used as an example of the extraction unit. 
     Instep S 1010 , the CPU  111  displays information about whether the person recognized in step S 1009  matches the person displayed in step S 1007  on the image display LCD monitor  602 . 
     More specifically, the CPU  111  compares the extracted feature amount with the feature amount of the image, which has been previously registered in the storage area in association with the output shooting instruction information, of the feature amounts of images to be stored in the storage area described in the storage area information, which is included in the template. In addition, the CPU  111  determines whether the same objects are captured in the images based on a result of the comparison. 
     Accordingly, the imaging apparatus includes a determination unit configured to determine whether the same objects are captured in the images based on the feature amounts of the images. In the present exemplary embodiment, the determination unit is implemented by the CPU  111 , for example. In addition, the imaging apparatus includes a determination result output unit configured to output a result of the determination to the output device  115 . In the present exemplary embodiment, the determination result output unit is implemented by the CPU  111 , for example. 
     In the present exemplary embodiment, in step S 1006 , the CPU  111  registers an object. In addition, in step S 1009 , the CPU  111  recognizes the object and searches for a unique feature of a person taken in an image. However, the present exemplary embodiment is not limited to this. 
     More specifically, it is also useful if the CPU  111  registers and recognizes an outer appearance of a person taken in an image, which has a unique feature amount and is other than a face of an object, in addition to or instead of the feature amount of the face. 
     In addition, it is also useful if it is permitted to shoot a plurality of images as candidates of images to be included in one frame. In this case, it is useful if a list of images that are candidates to be included in one frame is displayed on the image display LCD monitor  602  to allow the user to narrow down and select an image or to set an order to the candidate image. 
     If it is permitted to shoot a plurality of images as candidates of images to be included in one frame, it is also useful if one folder is provided within the imaging apparatus for one frame, and a captured image, which has been previously selected as the candidate, is selectively stored in the folder. 
       FIG. 12  is a flow chart illustrating an exemplary flow of processing in step S 1007  ( FIG. 10 ) for displaying object information through step S 1010  ( FIG. 10 ) for displaying matching status information of the processing executed by the imaging apparatus. The flowchart of  FIG. 12  will be described in detail below with reference to Flame, Scene, Page, Flag, and Content variables described in the shooting progress status table (Table 2). 
     Referring to  FIG. 12 , in step S 1201 , the CPU  111  resets the frame counter with a value “0”. In step S 1202 , the CPU  111  resets the scene counter with a value “0”. In step S 1203 , the CPU  111  resets a flag array, which indicates whether the image requested to be stored in each frame has been captured, with a value “0”. 
     In step S 1204 , the CPU  111  loads the shooting instruction information that has been added to the template. Instep S 1205 , the CPU  111  determines whether any frame exists, which belongs to one scene and to which the flag has not been set. If a value “1” has been set to all the flags (NO in step S 1205 ), then the processing proceeds to step S 1206 . In step S 1206 , the CPU  111  increments the scene counter to advance to a next scene. 
     On the other hand, if a frame exists, which belongs to one scene and to which the flag has not been set (YES in step S 1205 ), then the processing proceeds to step S 1207 . In step S 1207 , the CPU  111  displays, based on the frame counter, the scene to which the frame belongs and the page of the frame, and the content of the object requested to be stored in the frame, on the image display LCD monitor  602 . In step S 1208 , the CPU  111  receives an operation by the photographer for releasing the shutter, which is executed after the photographer has confirmed the content displayed in step S 1207 . In step S 1209 , the CPU  111  stores the image of the object on the buffer. 
     In step S 1210 , the CPU  111  extracts the feature amount of the object from the image of the object stored instep S 1209 . In step S 1211 , the CPU  111  determines whether the feature amount of the object extracted in step S 1210  matches (is the same as) the object requested to be stored in the frame displayed in step S 1207 . 
     To paraphrase this, in step S 1211 , the CPU  111  determines whether the feature amount of the current object matches the feature amount of a previously registered object. More specifically, in this case, the CPU  111  determines that the feature amount of the current image and the feature amount of the previously registered object match each other if the degree of similarity between them falls within a specific tolerance range. 
     If it is determined that the feature amounts match each other (YES in step S 1211 ), then the processing proceeds to step S 1212 . In step S 1212 , the CPU  111  displays a message indicating the matching status on the image display LCD monitor  602 . On the other hand, if it is determined that the feature amounts do not match each other (NO in step S 1211 ), then the processing proceeds to step S 1213 . In step S 1213 , the CPU  111  displays a message indicating the unmatching status on the image display LCD monitor  602 . 
     In step S 1214 , the CPU  111  increments the flag that stores the progress of the shooting of the images to be stored in the frame. In step S 1215 , the CPU  111  increments the frame counter to shift to the processing of a next frame. 
     In step S 1216 , the CPU  111  determines whether image shooting for all the frames within the template has been completed. If it is determined that image shooting for all the frames within the template has not been completed (NO in step S 1216 ), then the processing returns to step S 1205  and continues the processing. On the other hand, if it is determined that image shooting for all the frames within the template has been completed (YES in step S 1216 ), then the processing ends. 
     In the present exemplary embodiment, in the processing according to the flow chart of  FIG. 12 , the image shooting and display of information are advanced by using the scene counter as in the first exemplary embodiment described above. However, the present exemplary embodiment is not limited to this. More specifically, it is also useful if the image shooting and the display of information is executed by using the page counter instead of the scene counter. Furthermore, the present exemplary embodiment can be applied when capturing moving images as well as capturing still images. Moreover, the present exemplary embodiment can be applied regardless of whether the photographer and the user is the same person. 
     As described above, according to the present exemplary embodiment having the above-described configuration, the CPU  101  previously generates an information-added template and the CPU  111  interprets the received information-added template, registers the object, displays the object information during shooting, and recognizes the captured object. 
     With the above-described configuration, the present exemplary embodiment, which is capable of automatically determining an object to be stored, enables prevention of a mistaken shooting of an object. Furthermore, the present exemplary embodiment having the above-described configuration, which facilitates shooting an image by executing object recognition, enables shooting as desired by the photographer more easily than in a case where the shooting by the photographer is not facilitated. 
     In the first and the second exemplary embodiments of the present invention described above, the photographer can continue image shooting while confirming the information displayed on the image display LCD monitor  602  according to the information-added template. However, in this case, it is not easy to grasp or recognize a final state of an album including the captured images in its frame included in the template. 
     Accordingly, a third exemplary embodiment of the present invention displays an outer shape of an actual template on the image display LCD monitor  602 . Furthermore, the present exemplary embodiment enables the photographer to execute image shooting while confirming the state of the captured images being stored in each frame. 
     With this configuration, the photographer can confirm a layout substantially similar to the final format of an album. Accordingly, the present exemplary embodiment is capable of reducing complicated operations for generating an album and setting a layout. 
     Now, an exemplary flow of processing executed by the information processing apparatus and the imaging apparatus according to the present exemplary embodiment will be described in detail below with reference to a flowchart of  FIG. 13 .  FIG. 13  is a flow chart illustrating an example of processing according to the present exemplary embodiment. Description of apart of hardware configuration of the information processing apparatus and the imaging apparatus according to the present exemplary embodiment similar to that of the first exemplary embodiment described above will not be repeated in the following description. 
     Referring to  FIG. 13 , in step S 1301 , the CPU  101  generates a template similar to the processing in step S 201  ( FIG. 2 ). In step S 1302 , the CPU  101  generates shooting instruction information similar to the processing in step S 202  ( FIG. 2 ). 
     In step S 1303 , similar to the processing in step S 203  ( FIG. 2 ), the CPU  101  combines the template generated in step S 1301  with the information instruction table generated in step S 1302 , and generates an information-added template by adding the shooting instruction information to the template. 
     In step S 1304 , the CPU  101 , similar to the processing in step S 204 , stores the information-added template on the memory card via the I/O device  107 . In addition, the CPU  101  transfers the information-added template to the imaging apparatus. 
     In step S 1305 , the CPU  111  of the imaging apparatus interprets the content of the information-added template transferred thereto in step S 1304 , similar to the processing in step S 205 . 
     In step S 1306 , similar to the processing in step S 1006  ( FIG. 10 ) described above in the second exemplary embodiment, the CPU  111  generates a list of objects having unique feature amount based on the content of the object interpreted in step S 1305 , and registers each object. 
     In step S 1307 , the CPU  111  displays the content of the information-added template interpreted in step S 1306  on the image display LCD monitor  602 . 
     Now, the content to be displayed on the image display LCD monitor  602  will be described in detail below with reference to  FIG. 14 .  FIG. 14  illustrates an example of information displayed on the image display LCD monitor  602  according to the present exemplary embodiment. 
     Referring to  FIG. 14 , the image display LCD monitor  602  has an upper divided portion, which is a live view layer  1402 , and a lower divided portion, which is a layout preview layer  1403 . The outer shape of a template is displayed in the layout preview layer  1403 . 
     In addition, a field  1405  displays an outer shape of the template for a first page. A field  1406 , which is illustrated in  FIG. 14  with a dotted-line rounded rectangle, displays a message related to the content of the object to be stored in the frame of the scene to be captured and for the corresponding page number. 
     A frame  1408  is a specific frame included in the template. The frame  1408  is highlighted by surrounding it with a thick-line rectangle, for example. More specifically, in the frame  1408 , an image of an object to be captured from now is to be stored after shooting the object image. 
     To paraphrase this, if a plurality of frames has been output to the output device  115 , the CPU  111  highlights the frame, of the plurality of frames, in which the object image captured by the imaging device  116  is to be stored. In other words, the imaging apparatus includes a highlight unit configured, if a plurality of storage areas of the template has been output, to highlight the storage area based on the shooting instruction information, from among the plurality of storage areas, in which the captured object image is to be stored. 
     A frame  1409  is a frame in which no image has been stored yet. A numerical value indicated in a field  1412  indicates the page number of the template. An interface  1413  is an interface for displaying a template that is not displayed in the layout preview layer  1403  in the current display state by scrolling the same. 
     The interface  1413  is selected and scrolled by operating the input device  114 , such as a dial-like button  1411  or an input button. 
     More specifically, the photographer can recognize the state of progress of the shooting by confirming the state of images being stored in the frames  1407  and  1409  by operating the input device  114 . 
     In other words, the imaging apparatus includes a status output unit, which is implemented by the CPU  111  for example, configured to output the status of progress of shooting to the output device  115  based on the storage area included in the template and the image of the object stored in the storage area. 
     It is also useful if next information is displayed while skipping the display of current information. If the display of the current information is skipped, it is useful if the display of the content of the object whose image has been currently requested to be captured and stored is skipped. In addition, it is also useful if a list of shooting instructions is displayed. 
     As described above, in step S 1307 , the CPU  111  displays the image captured in step S 1304  on the image display LCD monitor  602 , in a state in which the image is stored in the template within the layout preview layer  1403  ( FIG. 14 ), which displays the outer shape of the template. In frames  1407 , an already captured image, which is included in each frame  1407 , is displayed. 
     More specifically, the CPU  111  outputs information about whether the image of the object captured by the imaging device  116  has been stored in the storage area to the output device  115  based on the storage area included in the template and the image of the object stored in the storage area. 
     In step S 1308 , the imaging apparatus captures images that are candidates of images to be stored in the frame. The captured images are stored on the primary storage device  112  and the secondary storage device  113  of the imaging apparatus. 
     Instep S 1309 , the CPU  111  executes image recognition on the image captured and stored on the primary storage device  112  or the secondary storage device  113  in step S 1308 . 
     More specifically, in step S 1309 , the CPU  111  extracts a feature amount of the object (the face of the person (object) in the present exemplary embodiment) by analyzing the image data (in a narrower sense, face data) captured in step S 1308 . Furthermore, the CPU  111  searches for a person having the most approximate feature amount from among the plurality of feature amounts of the faces registered in step S 1306 . 
     In step S 1310 , the CPU  111  determines whether the content of the image captured in step S 1309  matches the content of the object described in information displayed in the field  1406 . In addition, the CPU  111  displays a result of the determination on the image display LCD monitor  602 . In the example illustrated in  FIG. 14 , shooting of “one face” has been requested and the captured image satisfies the requested condition. Accordingly, the CPU  111  displays a message  1410 , which indicates the matching status, on the image display LCD monitor  602 . 
     In the present exemplary embodiment, the CPU  111 , in step S 1306 , registers an object. In addition, the CPU  111  recognizes the object and searches for a unique feature of a person in step S 1309 . However, the present exemplary embodiment is not limited to this. More specifically, it is also useful if the CPU  111  registers and recognizes an outer appearance of a person taken in an image, which has a unique feature amount other than a face of an object, in addition to or instead of the feature amount of the face. 
     As described above, the present exemplary embodiment executes the processing in step S 1306  for allowing the photographer to execute shooting while the imaging apparatus previously registers a feature unique to an object, recognizes the feature of the object, and displays information unique to the object to the photographer. However, it is also useful if the above-described processing in step S 1306  is omitted. 
     In addition, a configuration, which can change and confirm the method of the display executed in steps S 1307  and S 1310  described above with reference to  FIG. 14 , may be employed. 
     In other words, the configuration of the present exemplary embodiment is not limited to the simultaneous display of the live view layer  1402  and the layout preview layer  1403  on the image display LCD monitor  602 . More specifically, it is also useful if either the live view layer  1402  or the layout preview layer  1403  only is displayed. Alternatively, it is also useful if the display of the layers can be switched. 
     In the present exemplary embodiment, the method for instructing shooting is not limited to the method illustrated in  FIG. 15A , in which a message including a text string is displayed in a shooting instruction display field  1501  and an image storage target frame  1504  is displayed in a layout preview layer  1503  according to the outer appearance of an actual template. More specifically, it is also useful if information is displayed that visually instructs a position for shooting an object on a live view layer  1502 . 
     In the example illustrated in  FIG. 15A , a dotted-line round rectangle  1505  indicates an image shooting scope set by a viewfinder of the imaging apparatus. Furthermore, a dotted-line rectangle  1506  indicates a trimming area, which corresponds to a frame  1504  that is an image storage target frame for current shooting displayed on the layout preview layer  1503 . 
     A field  1507  indicates the outer appearance of an object whose image is currently requested to be captured and stored. More specifically, in the present exemplary embodiment, it is instructed to capture a person (object) so that the image of the object comes within a frame indicating a person-shape field  1507  by displaying a shooting instruction “Please shoot an image of one person so that the image comes within the person-like shape displayed below.” in a field  1501 . For the person-like shape field  1507 , it is useful if a person-like shape inside field area  1509  ( FIG. 15B ) is displayed at a transparency degree of 100%, and the outside field of the person-like shape  1508  is displayed in a non-transparent state. Alternatively, it is also useful if a person-like shape field  1510  only is displayed as illustrated in  FIG. 15C . 
     Therefore, the imaging apparatus includes a preview unit configured, if a storage area included in a template has been output to the output device  115 , to display in the unit of the storage area, by preview, information about the outer shape of the object to be stored in the storage area according to the shooting instruction information included in the template. In the present exemplary embodiment, the CPU  111  implements the preview unit, for example. 
     In addition, it is also useful if it is permitted to shoot a plurality of images as candidates of images to be included in one frame. In this case, it is useful if a list of images that are candidates to be included in one frame is displayed on the image display LCD monitor  602  to allow the user to narrow down and select an image or to set an order to the candidate image. 
     If it is permitted to shoot a plurality of images as candidates of images to be included in one frame, it is also useful if one folder is provided within the imaging apparatus for one frame and a captured image, which has been previously selected as the candidate, is selectively stored in the folder. 
     For a method for storing captured images in the template, it is useful if the user selects an image displayed in the live view layer  1402  and drag-and-drops the selected image on a frame included in the template that is the target frame of storing the image. The above-described configuration can be employed if the image display LCD monitor  602  includes a touch sensor. 
     Suppose that a method for inserting a template via a touch panel is employed. In this case, if it has been permitted to shoot a plurality of images as candidates of images to be stored in one frame, the imaging apparatus displays a list of images that are candidates of images to be stored in one frame on the image display LCD monitor  602 . 
     In this case, it is also useful if the user is allowed to further narrow down the images to select images to be stored in one frame. Furthermore, it is also useful if the user is allowed to set an order to the candidate images. In addition, the present exemplary embodiment can be applied when capturing moving images as well as capturing still images. Moreover, the present exemplary embodiment can be applied regardless of whether the photographer and the user is the same person. 
     As described above, according to the present exemplary embodiment having the above-described configuration, the CPU  101  previously generates an information-added template and the CPU  111  interprets the received information-added template, registers the object, displays the object information and the outer shape of the template during shooting, and recognizes the captured object. 
     With the above-described configuration, the present exemplary embodiment is capable of facilitating shooting an image by the photographer. By facilitating shooting an image by the photographer, the present exemplary embodiment having the above-described configuration is capable of suppressing or at least reducing errors occurring when shooting an image of an object. In addition, the present exemplary embodiment having the above-described configuration is capable of allowing the photographer to shoot an image of an object according to the template. 
     Furthermore, with the above-described configuration, the present exemplary embodiment is capable of allowing the photographer to confirm the layout of a product of the shooting, such as an album, while shooting an object image. Accordingly, the present exemplary embodiment having the above-described configuration is capable of increasing the efficiency in executing a work flow for generating an album, which is less efficient in the conventional method. Therefore, the present exemplary embodiment is capable of preventing the photographer (user) from having to execute complicated operations for setting a layout. 
     According to each exemplary embodiment of the present invention described above, shooting instruction information is output when executing shooting. Furthermore, each exemplary embodiment of the present invention is capable of appropriately facilitating shooting an image by saving the photographer executing complicated operations for selecting and classifying the captured images after shooting by indicating an image of an object to be captured by using shooting instruction information. 
     Aspects of the present invention can also be realized by a computer of a system or apparatus (or devices such as a CPU or MPU) that reads out and executes a program recorded on a memory device to perform the functions of the above-described embodiments, and by a method, the steps of which are performed by a computer of a system or apparatus by, for example, reading out and executing a program recorded on a memory device to perform the functions of the above-described embodiments. For this purpose, the program is provided to the computer for example via a network or from a recording medium of various types serving as the memory device (e.g., computer-readable medium). In such a case, the system or apparatus, and the recording medium where the program is stored, are included as being within the scope of the present invention. 
     While the present invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments. The scope of the following claims is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all modifications, equivalent structures, and functions. 
     This application claims priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2009-202963 filed Sep. 2, 2009, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.