Imaging device, image storing method, and recording medium for processing image capturing location information

Abstract

An imaging device for capturing an image of a subject to acquire captured-image information, comprises: a positioning element to measure a location at which the image is captured and to acquire capturing location information indicating a capturing location when the captured-image is acquired; a creation element to create image information based on the acquired capturing location information; a memory element to store the created image information; a decision element to, when the image information stored in the memory element is output to outside, decide whether the capturing location information included in the image information is to be kept secret; and a fabricator element to fabricate the capturing location information included in the image information based on a result of the decision by the decision element.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An imaging device for capturing an image of a subject to acquire captured-image information, comprising:
 a positioning element arranged to measure a location at which the image is captured, to acquire capturing location information indicating a capturing location when the captured-image is acquired;   a memory element arranged to store reference location information on a reference location;   a decision element arranged to, when the image is captured, decide whether or not the capturing location information acquired by the positioning element is to be kept secret in accordance with a result of comparison of the capturing location information and the reference location information stored in the memory element to each other; and   a creation element arranged to create image information based on a result of the decision by the decision element and the captured-image information.   
     
     
         2 . An imaging device according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a fabricator element arranged to fabricate the capturing location information in accordance with the result of the decision by the decision element, wherein   the creation element creates the image information to include the capturing location information fabricated by the fabricator element.   
     
     
         3 . An image storing method comprising the steps of:
 storing reference location information on a reference location in a memory element;   capturing an image of a subject with an imaging device to acquire captured-image information;   acquiring capturing location information indicating a capturing location at which the image is acquired, by a positioning element when the captured-image information is acquired;   deciding whether or not the capturing location information is to be kept secret in accordance with a result of comparison of the capturing location information and the reference location information stored in the memory element to each other;   creating image information based on the decision and the captured-image information; and   storing the image information in the memory element.   
     
     
         4 . A recording medium having stored therein a computer readable program that when executed causes the computer to work as an imaging device comprising:
 an image capturing element arranged to capture an image of a subject to acquire captured-image information;   a positioning element arranged to measure a location at which the image is captured, to acquire capturing location information indicating a capturing location when the captured-image is acquired;   a memory element arranged to store reference location information indicating a reference location;   a decision element arranged to, when the image is captured, decide whether or not the capturing location information acquired by the positioning element is to be kept secret in accordance with a result of comparison of the capturing location information and the reference location information stored in the memory element to each other; and   a creation element arranged to create image information based on a result of the decision by the decision element and the captured-image information.