Imaging device, control method for imaging device, and program

Abstract

To prevent a subject and its information from being erroneously associated, when associating and recording a photographed image and the information of the subject.SOLUTION: An imaging apparatus includes an imaging part, a display control part which performs control so as to display an image acquired by the imaging part on a display part, a recording part which records the image acquired by the imaging part on a recording medium as image data, a database which stores predetermined information associated with each of a plurality of codes, and an information acquisition part which searches the database on the basis of a code captured in the image acquired by the imaging part and acquires information associated with the code. The display control part performs control so as to superimpose the information on the image acquired by the imaging part and display them on the display part, before the image data is recorded on the recording medium. The recording part associates the image data and the information displayed on the display part and records them on the recording medium.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an imaging device, a control method for an imaging device, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] A technology has been proposed for associating a subject in an image with information about the subject. For example, Patent Document 1 describes a system that outputs a sheet that displays a patient's photograph in association with a barcode representing the patient's identification number. Patent Document 2 describes a system that downloads a patient's photograph from a database based on ID information read from a barcode attached to the patient's wristband and displays the patient's photograph on a terminal screen. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2003-52767 A [Patent Document 2] JP 2002-230182 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] As one aspect of associating a subject with information about the subject, it is possible to configure an imaging device that records a captured image of the subject in association with information about the subject. For example, a barcode or the like associated with the information about the subject may be read in advance to obtain the information about the subject, and when recording image data of the captured subject, the obtained information about the subject may be associated with the image data.

[0005] However, if the photographer is unable to specify the subject information acquired in advance when capturing an image, there is a risk that information unrelated to the subject appearing in the image being captured will be erroneously associated with the captured image data.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to prevent erroneous association between a subject and information about the subject when recording a captured image in association with the information about the subject. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an imaging device having an imaging unit, a display control unit that controls the image acquired by the imaging unit to be displayed on a display unit, a recording unit that records the image acquired by the imaging unit as image data on a recording medium, a database that stores predetermined information associated with each of a plurality of codes, and an information acquisition unit that searches the database based on the code appearing in the image acquired by the imaging unit and acquires the information associated with the code, wherein the display control unit controls the information to be displayed on the display unit superimposed on the image acquired by the imaging unit before the image data is recorded on the recording medium, and the recording unit associates the image data with the information displayed on the display unit and records them on the recording medium.

[0008] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a control method for an imaging device having an imaging unit, an imaging control unit that controls the image acquired by the imaging unit to be displayed on a display unit, a recording unit that records the image acquired by the imaging unit as image data on a recording medium, and a database that stores predetermined information associated with each of a plurality of codes, the control method including the steps of: acquiring an image of a code by the imaging unit; searching the database based on the code appearing in the image acquired by the imaging unit and acquiring information associated with the code; acquiring an image of a subject by the imaging unit; and controlling the information to be displayed on the display unit superimposed on the image acquired by the imaging unit before recording the image of the subject as image data on the recording medium. Effect of the Invention

[0009] According to the present invention, when information about a subject is recorded in association with a captured image, it is possible to prevent erroneous association between the subject and the information. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of an imaging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] 1 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of an imaging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 3] 5 is a flowchart showing an example of a basic operation of the imaging apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] 11A and 11B are diagrams showing examples of display of patient information and a warning message in the imaging apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 5] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a process for deleting patient information when the power supply of the imaging apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention is turned off. [Figure 6] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a display process of patient information in the imaging device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] 13A and 13B are diagrams illustrating an example of changing the display position of patient information in the imaging device according to the embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] An image pickup apparatus and a control method for the image pickup apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0012] First, a schematic configuration of an image capture device according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1 and Fig. 2. Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the image capture device according to the present embodiment. Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of the image capture device according to the present embodiment.

[0013] The imaging device according to this embodiment includes an imaging section 100, a display control section 107, a recording section 120, a database 130, an information acquisition section 140, and a control section 150, as shown in FIG.

[0014] The imaging unit 100 is a camera unit that converts an optical image of a subject into an electrical signal and outputs the signal as image data. The imaging unit 100 includes an imaging element configured with a CCD image sensor, a CMOS image sensor, or the like. The imaging unit 100 may include an A / D conversion unit that converts an analog signal output from the imaging element into a digital signal.

[0015] The database 130 stores a reference table for associating predetermined information (patient information in this embodiment) with each of a plurality of codes. The code is a one-dimensional code such as a barcode or a two-dimensional code such as a QR code (registered trademark), and is an identifier in which numbers and characters are represented graphically. The reference table is for associating patient information with numbers and characters read from the code. For example, the code is a barcode attached to a wristband worn by a patient, and the patient information associated with the barcode is the patient's ID number and name.

[0016] The information acquisition unit 140 has a function of searching the database 130 based on numerical values ​​and characters read from a code appearing in an image acquired by the imaging unit 100, and acquiring from the database 130 patient information associated with the code.

[0017] The display control unit 107 has a function of controlling so that an image based on the image data acquired by the imaging unit 100 is displayed on the display unit 106 (see FIG. 2). The display control unit 107 also has a function of controlling so that the patient information acquired by the information acquisition unit 140 from the database 130 is superimposed on an image based on the image data acquired by the imaging unit 100 and displayed on the display unit 106. The image data acquired by the imaging unit 100 is also used for a function of displaying an image based on the image data acquired by the imaging unit 100 on the display unit 106 in real time, that is, a so-called live view function.

[0018] The recording unit 120 has a function of recording image data acquired by the imaging unit 100 in a recording medium (not shown). The recording medium is, for example, a flash memory, and may be detachable from the imaging device body, or may be non-detachable. The recording unit 120 also has a function of recording image data acquired by the imaging unit 100 in association with patient information acquired by the information acquisition unit 140 from the database 130. The manner in which the image data acquired by the imaging unit 100 and the patient information acquired by the information acquisition unit 140 from the database 130 are recorded in association with each other is not particularly limited. For example, a method of recording as one file in which information data is added to the image data, a method of recording the image data and the patient information data as separate files associated with each other by a file name, etc., can be mentioned.

[0019] The control unit 150 has a function of controlling the entire imaging unit 100 , the display control unit 107 , the recording unit 120 , and the information acquisition unit 140 .

[0020] Each function of the imaging apparatus shown in FIG. 1 can be realized by, for example, the hardware configuration shown in FIG. 2, the imaging device according to this embodiment includes an imaging unit 100, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 101, a RAM 102, a ROM 103, a bus 104, an operation unit 105, a display unit 106, and a display control unit 107. The imaging device further includes an imaging unit control unit 108, a digital signal processing unit 109, an encoder unit 110, an external memory control unit 111, and an image processing unit 112. The respective units are connected to each other via the bus 104 so as to be able to communicate with each other.

[0021] As described above, the image capturing unit 100 is a camera unit that converts an optical image of a subject into an electrical signal and outputs the signal as image data.

[0022] The CPU 101 is a processor that comprehensively controls each component in the imaging device. The CPU 101 has a function as a control unit 150. The RAM 102 is a memory that functions as a main memory, a work area, etc. of the CPU 101. The ROM 103 is a memory that stores a control program executed by the CPU 101, etc. The bus 104 is a transmission path for various data. For example, image data acquired by the imaging unit 100 is transmitted to a predetermined processing unit via the bus 104.

[0023] The operation unit 105 is a device for inputting instructions from the photographer to the imaging apparatus. The operation unit 105 is composed of, for example, a power button, a shutter button, a mode dial, etc. The mode dial is, for example, a dial for switching between operation modes such as an information acquisition mode and a shooting mode.

[0024] The display unit 106 is a display device that displays images, characters, etc., and is configured, for example, with a liquid crystal display, etc. The display unit 106 may have a touch input function as a touch screen, in which case the touch screen also corresponds to the operation unit 105. If the imaging device has a viewfinder, the viewfinder also corresponds to the display unit 106.

[0025] The display control unit 107 is an interface for controlling the display of images, characters, and the like displayed on the display unit 106 .

[0026] Based on instructions from the CPU 101, the image capture unit control unit 108 controls the image capture unit 100, for example, by adjusting the focus, opening and closing the shutter, adjusting the aperture diaphragm, and so on.

[0027] A digital signal processor 109 performs image processing, such as white balance processing, gamma processing, and noise reduction processing, on the image data received via the bus 104 .

[0028] The encoder unit 110 converts the image data received via the bus 104 into a file format such as JPEG or MPEG.

[0029] The external memory control unit 111 is an interface for connecting the imaging device to a PC or a recording medium (for example, a hard disk, a memory card, a CF card, an SD card, a USB memory, etc.). Image data acquired by the imaging unit 100 and image data generated by the image processing unit 112 are recorded in a recording medium (not shown) via the external memory control unit 111. That is, the external memory control unit 111 has a function as the recording unit 120.

[0030] The image processing unit 112 performs image processing such as generating a display image using image data acquired by the imaging unit 100 and image data output by the digital signal processing unit 109. The image processing unit 112 also analyzes a code appearing in an image acquired by the imaging unit 100. That is, the image processing unit 112 has a function as the information acquisition unit 140.

[0031] Next, the basic operation of the imaging apparatus according to this embodiment will be described. The imaging device has an information acquisition mode and a photographing mode as operation modes. The information acquisition mode is a mode in which patient information associated with a code photographed by the imaging device is acquired from the database 130 based on the code. The photographing mode is a mode in which image data of a subject is acquired. The operation mode can be selected by the photographer operating the operation unit 105. Note that the transition from the information acquisition mode to the photographing mode may be automatically performed in response to completion of acquisition of patient information in the information acquisition mode.

[0032] 3 is a flowchart showing an example of a basic operation of the imaging apparatus according to the present embodiment. Among steps S301 to S310 shown in FIG. 3, steps S301 to S305 correspond to the operation in the information acquisition mode, and steps S306 to S310 correspond to the operation in the shooting mode.

[0033] First, in step S301, the imaging unit 100 captures an image of a code in response to an operation by a photographer via the operation unit 105. As an example, it is assumed here that the code is a barcode attached to a wristband worn by a patient.

[0034] Next, in step S302, the information acquisition unit 140 uses a predetermined analysis means to read and analyze the code appearing in the image acquired by the imaging unit 100, and acquires the character string represented by the code.

[0035] Next, in step S303, information acquisition section 140 searches database 130 based on the analysis result of the code shown in the image acquired by imaging section 100, and determines whether or not patient information associated with the code is registered in database 130. In the above example, the patient information registered in database 130 is, for example, the ID number and name of the patient associated with the information indicated by the barcode. Note that the information indicated by the barcode itself may be the patient's ID number, and the patient's name, etc. may be registered in database 130, and the patient's name may be searched for from database 130 based on the ID number.

[0036] If, as a result of searching the database 130, information associated with the code appearing in the image acquired by the imaging unit 100 is not registered in the database 130 ("NO" in step S303), the process proceeds to step S304. Then, in step S304, the display control unit 107 displays a warning message, superimposed on the live view image being displayed on the display unit 106, to the effect that the patient information associated with the code appearing in the image acquired by the imaging unit 100 is not registered in the database 130.

[0037] Fig. 4(b) is a diagram showing an example of a warning message displayed on the display unit 106. When patient information associated with the captured code is not registered in the database 130, the display control unit 107 displays a warning message 421 as shown in Fig. 4(b) superimposed on the live view image 400. Note that when information associated with the captured code is not registered in the database 130, acceptance of a capture instruction in the capture mode may be prohibited.

[0038] If the result of searching database 130 indicates that patient information associated with the code appearing in the image acquired by imaging unit 100 is registered in database 130 ("YES" in step S303), the process proceeds to step S305. Then, in step S305, information acquisition unit 140 acquires, from database 130, patient information associated with the code appearing in the image acquired by imaging unit 100.

[0039] In the photographing mode, an image of a subject related to the code photographed in the information acquisition mode is captured. In the above example, the subject is a patient wearing a wristband with a barcode attached.

[0040] Next, in step S306, the display control unit 107 displays the patient information acquired by the information acquisition unit 140 from the database 130 superimposed on the live view image displayed on the display unit 106 until an instruction to capture the subject is given in the capture mode. By displaying the patient information superimposed on the live view image, the photographer can at a glance grasp the patient information to be recorded in association with the image data of the subject to be captured. For example, if there is an error such as a failure to capture the code and the previous patient information of the subject remains the same, or an error in reading the code and acquiring different patient information, the photographer can easily notice that the subject in the live view image does not match the patient information. Then, the photographer can change the patient information to the correct one by re-capturing the code of the wristband worn by the subject and redoing the process from step S301 described above. This makes it possible to prevent erroneous association between the subject and its patient information. The patient information may be displayed on the display unit 106 continuously or intermittently.

[0041] Fig. 4(a) is a diagram showing an example of patient information displayed on the display unit 106. When patient information associated with a code photographed in the information acquisition mode is registered in the database 130, the display control unit 107 displays the patient information as shown in Fig. 4(a) superimposed on a live view image 400. The code in this example is, for example, a barcode attached to a wristband worn by the patient, and the patient information associated with the barcode is the patient's ID number and name. Note that, in Fig. 4(a), a thumbnail image 410 of the barcode photographed in the information acquisition mode, a patient's ID number 411, and a patient's name 412 are displayed on the display unit 106, but the thumbnail image 410 of the barcode may not be displayed.

[0042] Next, in step S307, the control unit 150 determines whether or not the shutter button is half-pressed by the photographer. If it is determined that the shutter button is half-pressed ("YES" in step S307), the process proceeds to step S308. On the other hand, if it is determined that the shutter button is not half-pressed ("NO" in step S307), the patient information is maintained displayed on the display unit 106, and the process returns to step S307. The control unit 150 detects the operation of the shutter button by the photographer in two stages: full press and half press.

[0043] Next, in step S308, the display control unit 107 hides the patient information displayed on the display unit 106. Pressing the shutter button halfway is considered to be an operation indicating that the photographer has confirmed the subject to be photographed, that is, the start of a photographing instruction. By hiding the patient information, it is possible to make it easier for the photographer to confirm the subject to be photographed on the display unit 106 without being disturbed by the patient information. In this embodiment, the patient information is hidden when it is determined that the shutter button is half-pressed, but it may be hidden by detecting that another operating member is operated instead of the shutter button. In addition, the patient information may be hidden when a predetermined time has passed after it is displayed.

[0044] Next, in step S309, the control unit 150 determines whether or not the photographer has fully pressed the shutter button to instruct recording of the captured image of the subject. If it is determined that the photographer has issued an instruction to record the captured image of the subject ("YES" in step S309), the process proceeds to step S310. On the other hand, if it is determined that the photographer has not issued an instruction to record the captured image of the subject ("NO" in step S309), the process returns to step S306, and the display control unit 107 again displays the patient information superimposed on the live view image displayed on the display unit 106. The control unit 150 determines that the photographer has not issued an instruction to record the captured image of the subject when, for example, the shutter button has been released from its depression operation, or when the photographer has reduced the force with which the shutter button is pressed and the shutter button is no longer pressed halfway, causing it to be no longer detected.

[0045] Next, in step S310, in response to detection of the shutter button being fully pressed, the recording unit 120 records the image data of the subject acquired by the imaging unit 100 on a recording medium in association with the patient information acquired by the information acquisition unit 140 from the database 130.

[0046] The patient information acquired from the database 130 in step S305 based on the code captured in the information acquisition mode is temporarily stored in a memory such as the RAM 102 as information to be recorded in association with the image data of the subject acquired in the shooting mode. When the patient information is displayed in step S306, the patient information stored in this memory is read out and displayed on the display unit 106 together with the live view image. When the image data of the subject is recorded in step S310, the patient information stored in this memory is read out as the patient information to be recorded in association with the image data of the subject. The patient information stored in the memory is rewritten each time the processes from steps S301 to S305 are executed in the information acquisition mode and new patient information is acquired.

[0047] Also, the patient information stored in the memory may be arbitrarily erased by an operation of the photographer. The patient information stored in the memory may also be erased in conjunction with power off of the imaging device. For example, the patient information stored in the memory may be automatically erased when the imaging device is powered off, according to a setting by the photographer. Also, the photographer may be asked whether or not to erase the patient information stored in the memory when the imaging device is powered off, so that the photographer can select whether to erase the patient information stored in the memory or to retain it after the power is turned off.

[0048] FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of a process for deleting patient information when the power supply of the imaging device is turned off.

[0049] First, in step S501, the control unit 150 determines whether or not the patient information held in the memory is set to be automatically deleted when the power is turned off in response to an operation by the photographer via the operation unit 105.

[0050] If the determination result indicates that automatic deletion is set ("YES" in step S501), the process proceeds to step S502. Then, in step S502, the control unit 150 deletes the patient information stored in the memory. Then, the process proceeds to step S503. On the other hand, if automatic deletion is not set ("NO" in step S501), the process proceeds to step S503 without deleting the patient information stored in the memory.

[0051] Next, in step S503, the control unit 150 turns off the power supply of the imaging device based on a predetermined shutdown sequence. At that time, if patient information is stored in the memory ("NO" in S501), the control unit 150 performs a predetermined process to prevent the patient information stored in the memory from being lost due to the power cut, such as saving the patient information in a non-volatile memory or the like, as necessary.

[0052] If patient information is stored when the imaging device is turned on, the stored patient information may be displayed on the display unit 106 immediately.

[0053] Next, the display process of patient information according to this embodiment will be described. The imaging device displays the acquired patient information superimposed on a live view image in the patient information display process of step S306 in Fig. 3. At this time, when the imaging device reacquires the patient information, the imaging device may change the display position of the reacquired patient information. Changing the display position of the patient information can improve visibility that the displayed patient information has been changed. Note that, in order to improve visibility that the displayed patient information has been changed, the display color of the patient information may be changed instead of changing the display position, or the display position of the patient information may be changed and the display color may be changed together.

[0054] Fig. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of display processing of patient information in the imaging device according to this embodiment. In Fig. 6, a case will be described in which the display unit 106 displays patient information at three positions.

[0055] First, in step S601, the control unit 150 sets the value of counter variable i to 0. For example, when the information acquisition unit 140 acquires patient information, or when it is determined that the patient information held when the imaging device is powered on is to be initially displayed, the control unit 150 sets the value of counter variable i to 0. Hereinafter, the case when the imaging device is powered on will be described as an example.

[0056] Next, in step S602, the control unit 150 determines whether or not the patient information is the (3i+1)th display after the imaging apparatus is powered on.

[0057] If it is determined that the patient information is the (3i+1)th display since the imaging device was powered on ("YES" in step S602), the process proceeds to step S603. Then, in step S603, the display control unit 107 displays the patient information in the first display position 720 of the display unit 106. FIG. 7(a) is a diagram showing an example of the first display position 720 of the patient information on the display unit 106.

[0058] If it is determined that the patient information is not the (3i+1)th display after the imaging device is powered on ("NO" in step S602), the process proceeds to step S604. Then, in step S604, the control unit 150 determines whether the patient information is the (3i+2)th display after the imaging device is powered on.

[0059] If it is determined that the patient information is the (3i+2)th display since the imaging device was powered on ("YES" in step S604), the process proceeds to step S605. Then, in step S605, the display control unit 107 displays the patient information at a second display position 721 different from the first display position 720 of the display unit 106. FIG. 7(b) is a diagram showing an example of the second display position 721 of the patient information on the display unit 106.

[0060] If it is determined that the patient information is not the (3i+2)th display after the imaging device is powered on ("NO" in step S604), the process proceeds to step S606. Then, in step S606, the control unit 150 determines whether the patient information is the (3i+3)th display after the imaging device is powered on.

[0061] If it is determined that the patient information is the (3i+3)th display since the imaging device was powered on ("YES" in step S606), the process proceeds to step S607. Then, in step S607, the display control unit 107 displays the patient information in a third display position 722 different from the first display position 720 and the second display position 721 of the display unit 106. Fig. 7(c) is a diagram showing an example of the third display position 722 of the patient information on the display unit 106.

[0062] If it is determined that the patient information is not the (3i+3)th display after the imaging device is powered on ("NO" in step S606), the process proceeds to step S608. Then, in step S608, the control unit 150 adds 1 to the counter variable i and returns to step S602. Thereafter, steps S602 to S608 are repeated until the display position of the patient information is determined. That is, after the imaging device is powered on, the first patient information is displayed at the first display position 720, the second at the second display position 721, and the third at the third display position 722. Furthermore, the fourth is displayed at the first display position 720 again, and the display positions of the fifth and subsequent items are changed in order. By changing the display position of the patient information, it is possible to know at a glance that the patient information has been changed.

[0063] As described above, according to this embodiment, when recording a captured image in association with information about a subject, it is possible to prevent erroneous association between the subject and that information.

[0064] [Modified embodiment] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications are possible. For example, the imaging device may further include a face authentication function. When the acquired patient information is registered in advance in association with face image data of a person, the imaging device compares the face image data with the face of the person appearing in the live view image, and issues a warning when it is determined that the person is different. For example, a case will be described as an example in which the imaging device photographs person B and displays it in the live view image when the patient information of person A, which is registered in advance in association with face image data of person A, is stored in the memory. In this case, the imaging device compares the face image data of person A with the face of person B, determines that the person is different, and issues a warning. Therefore, the photographer can prevent the patient information of person A from being erroneously recorded in association with the photographed image in which person B appears.

[0065] In addition, in the above-described embodiment, the information recorded in association with the subject's captured image data is described as patient information associated with a code, but thumbnail image data of the code may also be recorded in association with the subject's captured image data.

[0066] In the above embodiment, the subject is described as a person, but the subject does not necessarily have to be a person as long as it is related to the code photographed in the information acquisition mode.

[0067] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the patient information is displayed in three locations on the display unit 106, but the patient information does not necessarily have to be displayed in three locations.

[0068] The present invention can also be realized by a process in which a program for implementing one or more of the functions of the above-mentioned embodiments is supplied to a system or device via a network or a recording medium, and one or more processors in a computer of the system or device read and execute the program. The present invention can also be realized by a circuit (e.g., ASIC) for implementing one or more of the functions.

[0069] It should be noted that the above-mentioned embodiments are merely examples of the implementation of the present invention, and the technical scope of the present invention should not be interpreted as being limited by these embodiments. In other words, the present invention can be implemented in various forms without departing from its technical concept or main features. [Explanation of symbols]

[0070] 100…imaging unit 106...Display section 107...Display control unit 120…Recording section 130…Database 140…Information acquisition department 150...Control unit

Claims

1. An imaging device having an imaging unit, an identifier acquisition means for acquiring an identifier image by capturing an image of the identifier as a subject using the imaging unit; a patient information acquiring means for acquiring patient information corresponding to the identifier from a database based on the identifier image; a patient image acquiring means for acquiring a patient image by capturing an image of a patient as a subject using the imaging unit; a means for associating the patient information acquired by the patient information acquisition means with the patient image acquired by the patient image acquisition means; A display control means for controlling the patient information to be displayed on a display unit; a control means for holding the patient information acquired by the patient information acquisition means without erasing it when the power supply of the imaging device is turned off, and for controlling the imaging device to use the held patient information when the power supply of the imaging device is turned on, an imaging device characterized in that, when patient information is stored when the imaging device is powered on, the display control means controls the stored patient information to be displayed in a first display form, and, when patient information is subsequently acquired from the database by the patient information acquisition means, controls the acquired patient information to be displayed in a second display form different from the first display form.

2. The imaging device according to claim 1, characterized in that the control means switches, depending on a predetermined condition, whether to automatically erase the patient information acquired by the patient information acquisition means when the imaging device is powered off, or to retain the patient information acquired by the patient information acquisition means without erasing it when the imaging device is powered off.

3. a setting means for setting whether or not the patient information acquired by the patient information acquisition means is automatically deleted when the power is turned off according to a user setting; The control means controls the patient information to be automatically deleted when the imaging device is powered off if the patient information is set to be deleted when the imaging device is powered off, and controls the patient information to be retained without being deleted when the imaging device is powered off if the patient information is set not to be deleted when the imaging device is powered off.

3. The imaging device according to claim 2.

4. 4. The imaging apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the setting unit queries a user as to whether the patient information is to be automatically deleted when the imaging apparatus is turned off.

5. 5. The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein, if patient information is stored when the imaging device is powered on, the display control means controls the stored patient information to be initially displayed in the first display form.

6. The imaging device according to claim 1 , wherein the second display mode is different from the first display mode in a display position or a display color.

7. A method for controlling an imaging device having an imaging unit, comprising: an identifier acquisition step of acquiring an identifier image by capturing an image of the identifier as a subject using the imaging unit; a patient information acquisition step of acquiring patient information corresponding to the identifier from a database based on the identifier image; a patient image acquiring step of acquiring a patient image by capturing an image of a patient as a subject using the imaging unit; a step of associating the patient information acquired in the patient information acquiring step with the patient image acquired in the patient image acquiring step; a display control step of controlling the patient information to be displayed on a display unit; a control step of holding the patient information acquired by the patient information acquisition step without erasing it when the power supply of the imaging device is turned off, and controlling the imaging device to use the held patient information when the power supply of the imaging device is turned on, a display control step of controlling a display of the stored patient information in a first display form when patient information is stored when the imaging device is powered on, and thereafter, when patient information is acquired from the database by the patient information acquisition step, controlling the display of the acquired patient information in a second display form different from the first display form.

8. The control method according to claim 7, characterized in that the control step switches, depending on a predetermined condition, whether to automatically erase the patient information acquired in the patient information acquisition step when the imaging device is powered off, or to hold the patient information acquired in the patient information acquisition step without erasing it when the imaging device is powered off.

9. a setting step for setting whether or not the patient information acquired in the patient information acquisition step is to be automatically deleted when the power is turned off according to a user setting; The control step performs control so that the patient information is automatically deleted when the imaging device is powered off if the setting is such that the patient information is deleted when the imaging device is powered off, and performs control so that the patient information is not deleted but is retained when the imaging device is powered off if the setting is such that the patient information is not deleted when the imaging device is powered off.

9. The control method according to claim 8.

10. 10. The control method according to claim 9, wherein the setting step queries a user as to whether the patient information is to be automatically deleted when the imaging apparatus is turned off.

11. 11. The control method according to claim 7, wherein, in the display control step, if patient information is held when the imaging device is powered on, the held patient information is controlled so as to be initially displayed in the first display form.

12. 12. The control method according to claim 7, wherein the second display mode is different from the first display mode in a display position or a display color.

13. A program for causing a computer to function as each means of an imaging device having an imaging unit, an identifier acquisition means for acquiring an identifier image by capturing an image of the identifier as a subject using the imaging unit; a patient information acquiring means for acquiring patient information corresponding to the identifier from a database based on the identifier image; a patient image acquiring means for acquiring a patient image by capturing an image of a patient as a subject using the imaging unit; a means for associating the patient information acquired by the patient information acquisition means with the patient image acquired by the patient image acquisition means; A display control means for controlling the patient information to be displayed on a display unit; a control means for holding the patient information acquired by the patient information acquisition means without erasing it when the power supply of the imaging device is turned off, and for controlling the imaging device to use the held patient information when the power supply of the imaging device is turned on; to cause the computer to function, the display control means controls the imaging device to display the stored patient information in a first display form if patient information is stored when the imaging device is powered on, and thereafter, when patient information is acquired from the database by the patient information acquisition means, controls the acquired patient information to be displayed in a second display form different from the first display form.

14. The program according to claim 13, characterized in that the control means switches, depending on a predetermined condition, whether to automatically erase the patient information acquired by the patient information acquisition means when the power of the imaging device is turned off, or to retain the patient information acquired by the patient information acquisition means without erasing it when the power of the imaging device is turned off.

15. The computer is further caused to function as a setting means for setting, by a user, whether or not the patient information acquired by the patient information acquisition means is automatically deleted when the power is turned off; The control means controls the patient information to be automatically deleted when the imaging device is powered off if the patient information is set to be deleted when the imaging device is powered off, and controls the patient information to be retained without being deleted when the imaging device is powered off if the patient information is set not to be deleted when the imaging device is powered off.

15. The program according to claim 14 .

16. 16. The program according to claim 15, wherein the setting means queries a user as to whether or not to automatically delete the patient information when the imaging device is turned off.

17. The program according to any one of claims 13 to 16, characterized in that, if patient information is stored when the imaging device is powered on, the display control means controls the stored patient information to be initially displayed in the first display form.

18. 18. The program according to claim 13, wherein the second display mode is different from the first display mode in a display position or a display color.

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