JP3620146B2 - Digital camera - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a digital camera, and more particularly to a digital camera capable of rearranging images recorded on a recording medium in a digital camera provided with a display device.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Recently, digital cameras (electronic cameras) that electronically store captured images instead of film have become widespread. In such a digital camera, when a photographer presses a shutter, an image of a subject passing through a lens is captured by a CCD element, and is written on an internal recording medium through a circuit inside the camera. Then, the image written on the recording medium is reproduced.
[0003]
Recently, a digital camera which is integrally provided with a display device such as a liquid crystal and can immediately reproduce a photographed image at a photographing site has been put into practical use.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
Here, in order to organize images, there is a case where it is desired to change the order of recorded images or the order of reproduction.
However, in the conventional digital camera, the order of the image data recorded in the storage medium is changed by transferring all the photographed image data to an external editing device such as a personal computer, and the storage medium of the digital camera. After erasing all the image data stored in the computer, the images were transferred from the external editing device such as a personal computer to the digital camera one by one while viewing the images on the monitor. Otherwise, there was a problem that the order of the images could not be rearranged.
[0005]
Accordingly, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a digital camera that can rearrange images shot and recorded on a recording medium.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The invention according to claim 1 is a digital camera including a display unit, an imaging unit that captures an image of a subject, a storage unit that stores an image captured by the imaging unit, and an image stored in the storage unit. When selecting a desired image, the reproduction means to be displayed on the display means, the input means, and displaying one image of the images stored in the storage means on the display means by the reproduction means, A selection unit that selects a desired image based on an input to the input unit, and a plurality of image data stored in the storage unit when rearranging the reproduction order of the images selected by the selection unit. Are simultaneously displayed on the display means by the reproducing means, and the plurality of images displayed on the reproducing means are input by the input means. One of out be to select, to solve the above problems by providing a sorting means for determining the sort position of the playback order of the desired image selected by the selecting means.
[0007]
In other words, according to the first aspect of the present invention, a digital camera having a display means, the subject is picked up by the image pickup means, the image data picked up by the image pickup means is stored in the storage means, and the reproduction means is this The image data stored in the storage means is reproduced and displayed on the display means, the selection means selects the image data reproduced by the reproduction means, and the rearranging means selects the image data selected by the selection means. Rearrange the order.
[0008]
Accordingly, the order of the images can be rearranged while viewing the images displayed on the display means of the digital camera, and the convenience for the operator is improved.
[0014]
Also, when selecting the sorting source by the selection means, one image is displayed at a time on the display means, and when selecting the sorting destination by the selection means, a plurality of images are displayed at a time on the display means. You can quickly and easily select the sorting destination.
[0015]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, preferred embodiments to which the present invention is applied will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIGS. 1-11 is a figure which shows one Embodiment of the digital camera of this invention.
[0016]
First, the configuration will be described.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an external configuration of a digital camera according to the present embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 1, the digital camera 1 includes two blocks divided into a main body unit 2 and a camera unit 3.
An LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) 6 is provided in the case 4 of the main body 2, and the LCD 6 faces the front side of the case 4.
[0017]
In addition, an imaging lens 7 is provided in an upper portion of the case 5 of the camera unit 3, and the imaging lens 7 is directed to the back side of the case 5.
[0018]
The main body 2 has a power switch 8, “shutter” key 9, “DEL” key 10, “+” key 11, “−” key 12, “DIP (display)” key 14, And a “ZOOM” key 15 and the like, and an open / close lid 17 includes an external power supply terminal, a video output terminal, and a digital terminal (not shown).
Further, a function switching key 18 is provided on the front surface of the case 4, and an openable / closable battery lid (not shown) is provided on the lower surface of the case 4.
[0019]
The camera unit 3 is arranged on the side surface on the left-hand operation side by the photographer with respect to the main body unit 2 and is assembled so as to be able to rotate 90 ° forward and 180 ° rearward with respect to the main body unit 2.
[0020]
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of the digital camera 1 shown in FIG.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the digital camera according to the embodiment of the present invention.
A digital camera 1 shown in FIG. 2 includes a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) 20, an A / D converter 22, a drive circuit 23, a timing generator 24, a DRAM 25, a compression / expansion circuit 26, a flash memory 27, a ROM 28, a RAM 29, and a key input. The unit 30, CPU 31, signal generator 32, VRAM (Video RAM) 33, D / A converter 34, LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) 6, I / O port 36, and the like.
[0021]
The CCD 20 receives the video signal of the subject imaged by the imaging lens 7, accumulates a charge proportional to the amount of received light for each transfer electrode arranged on the light receiving surface, and is supplied by the drive circuit 23. In accordance with the signal, the accumulated charge stored in each transfer electrode is output as an electric signal (analog signal) to the A / D converter 22 via the buffer 21 sequentially one by one.
[0022]
The A / D converter 22 converts the electrical signal output from the CCD 20 into a digital signal and supplies the obtained digital image data to the timing generator 24.
[0023]
The drive circuit 23 drives and controls the exposure and readout timing of the CCD 20 based on the timing signal supplied from the timing generator 24.
[0024]
The timing generator 24 generates a timing signal that controls the drive circuit 23.
[0025]
The DRAM 25 is a semiconductor memory that temporarily stores captured image data.
[0026]
The compression / decompression circuit 26 compresses the image data stored in the DRAM 25 by encoding, and also decodes and decompresses the compressed image data stored in the flash memory.
[0027]
The flash memory 27 stores the image data obtained by compressing the image data stored in the DRAM 25 by the compression / decompression circuit 26, and can store 96 pieces of image data.
FIG. 3 shows an example of the data structure of the flash memory 27. As shown in FIG. 3, the flash memory 27 includes a header portion (address table) that manages the arrangement order of image data and an actual image data portion in which image data is actually stored. The order data indicating the first image (1 to 96) and the head address (address data) of the image data in the actual image data portion are stored in association with each other.
In the example shown in FIG. 3, the first image is image data 1, the second image data 3, the third image data 4, the fourth image data 5, and the fifth image data 7. .., The 9th image data 6 corresponds to the 10th image data 2... The 96th image data 96 corresponds to the 96th image data.
[0028]
The ROM 28 stores programs and data used in the digital camera 1. The RAM 29 forms a work memory for various processes executed by the CPU 31 and has a TEMP buffer area for temporarily storing address data of a header portion stored in the flash memory 27 in an image moving process described later. doing.
[0029]
The key input unit 30 includes a “+” key 11, a “−” key 12, a “DEL” key 10, a “DSP” key 14, a “ZOOM” key 15 and the like shown in FIG. This is for the operator to instruct the selection.
[0030]
Based on various programs stored in the ROM 28, the CPU 31 uses the predetermined area of the RAM 29 as a work area, and executes processing corresponding to the operation of each key of the key input unit 30 to control each part of the digital camera 1. Control.
[0031]
When the “shutter” key 9 of the key input unit 30 is operated, the CPU 31 executes image data storage processing, generates a video capture signal to the timing generator 24, captures video from the CCD 20, and temporarily stores it in the DRAM 25. Remember me. The image data stored in the DRAM 25 is subjected to color calculation processing to generate a luminance signal and a color signal from the video signal, and the luminance signal and the color signal are transferred to the compression / decompression circuit 26 to obtain the luminance. The signal and color signal data are compressed, and the compressed image data is stored in the flash memory 27.
[0032]
Further, when the “DIP” key 14 of the key input unit 30 is operated, the CPU 31 executes image reproduction processing and reads predetermined compressed image data (compressed luminance signal and color signal) from the flash memory 27. The luminance signal and the color signal expanded by the compression / expansion circuit 26 are transferred to the signal generator 32 and converted into a video signal by the signal generator 32, and then displayed on the LCD 6. To do.
[0033]
The CPU 31 executes an image rearrangement process, which will be described later in detail, to rearrange the address data in the header portion of the flash memory 27 (see FIG. 4).
[0034]
The signal generator 32 adds a synchronization signal to the digital image data and creates a digital video signal.
[0035]
The VRAM 33 is a memory that stores the video signal generated by the signal generator 32.
[0036]
The D / A converter 34 converts the digital video signal output from the signal generator 32 into an analog video signal.
[0037]
An LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) 6 displays a video signal by driving a liquid crystal based on the input video signal.
[0038]
The I / O port 36 is an interface for inputting / outputting image data converted into a serial signal by the CPU 31 and can be connected to an external device such as an FDD device or a personal computer.
[0039]
Next, the operation of the digital camera of this embodiment will be described.
[0040]
FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining image rearrangement processing executed by the control of the CPU 31 in the digital camera 1, and FIGS. 5 to 7 are diagrams showing display examples of the display screen of the LCD 6. The image moving process will be described below with reference to FIGS. 5 to 7 based on the flowchart of FIG.
[0041]
First, when the “DEL” key 10 of the key input unit 30 is pressed while the power of the digital camera is turned on, the LCD 6 displays a menu screen such as “+: DELETE (delete)” as shown in FIG. A screen of “−−: MOVE (movement)” is displayed (step S1).
[0042]
Next, the CPU 31 determines whether or not the “−” key 12 for selecting movement (MOVE) has been pressed (step S2). If the “−” key 12 is not pressed, a deletion process for deleting image data is performed. Execute (Step S11).
[0043]
On the other hand, when the “−” key 12 is pressed in step S2, the movement source image selection screen is displayed as shown in FIG. 6, and the “+” and “−” keys 11 and 12 are operated to display the movement source image. When selected (step S3), the “image” of the selected source image is displayed as shown in the display screen example of FIG.
[0044]
Next, the CPU 31 determines whether or not the “shutter” key 9 for confirming the source image has been pressed (step S4). If the “shutter” key 9 has not been pressed, the process proceeds to step S3. When the “shutter” key 9 is pressed, the selected image is confirmed as the movement source image (movement target image), and the CPU 31 reads the data of the start address of the movement source image from the header portion of the flash memory 27. The data is temporarily stored in the TEMP buffer area of the RAM 29 (step S5).
[0045]
Then, as shown in FIG. 7, a nine-divided screen “image 1 to image 9” is displayed, and the white color is moved below the image by operating the “+” and “−” keys 11 and 12, and the destination image is selected ( Step S7). In the display example shown in FIG. 7, the white paint moves below image 1 and image 1 is selected.
[0046]
Next, the CPU 31 determines whether or not the “shutter” key 9 for determining the destination image has been pressed (step S8). If the “shutter” key 9 has not been pressed, the process proceeds to step S6. If the “shutter” key 9 is pressed, the selected image is confirmed as the destination image, and the process proceeds to step S9.
[0047]
In step S9, the head address data of the header part of the flash memory 27 from the source to the destination is shifted, and the address data temporarily stored in the RAM 29 is stored in the address of the destination header part (step S10). The image rearrangement process ends. The movement can be stopped by the “DEL” key 10 during each operation.
[0048]
An example of image data movement by the image movement process will be described with reference to FIGS. It is assumed that the flash memory 27 stores data having the structure shown in FIG.
[0049]
8 and 9 show an example in which the third image is moved in front of the tenth image.
First, in a state where the menu screen is selected, the image 3 is selected as the movement source image by operating the “+” and “−” keys 11 and 12 (step S3), and the “shutter” key 9 is pressed to move. When the original image is confirmed (step S4), as shown in FIG. 8, the third address data is temporarily stored in the TEMP buffer area of the RAM 29 (step S5), and the tenth image as the movement destination is selected. Then (steps S7, S8), the 4th to 9th address data are moved to 3-8 respectively (step S9), and then the third address data stored in the TEMP buffer area of the RAM 29 is replaced with the 9th address data. Store in the position (step S10). As a result of such movement, the correspondence between the header portion and the data portion is as shown in FIG. 9. The first image is image data 1, the second image data 3, the third image data 5, and the fourth image data. Data 7 and 5 are image data 8, 6th is image data 9, 7th is image data 10, 8th is image data 6, 9th is image data 2, and 10th is image data 2. The 11th image data corresponds to the image data 11, and the 96th image data 96 corresponds to the third image, and the third image is moved before the tenth image.
[0050]
10 and 11 show an example in which the tenth image is moved in front of the third image.
First, in a state where the menu screen is selected, the image 10 is selected as the movement source image by operating the “+” and “−” keys 11 and 12 (step S3), and the “shutter” key 9 is pressed to move. When the original image is confirmed (step S4), as shown in FIG. 10, the address of the tenth image is temporarily stored in the TEMP buffer of the RAM 29 (step S5), and when the third image as the movement destination is selected (step S5). Steps S7 and S8), the address data of 3 to 9 sheets are moved to 4 to 10 respectively (Step S9), and then the 10th address data stored in the RAM 29 is stored in the 3rd position (Step S9). S10). As a result of the movement, the correspondence between the header part and the data part is as shown in FIG. 11, the first image is image data 1, the second is image data 3, the third is image data 2, and the fourth is image data. Data 4 and 5 are image data 5, 6th is image data 7, 7th is image data 8, 8th is image data 9, 9th is image data 10, 10th is image data 6 The 11th image data corresponds to the image data 11, and the 96th image data 96 corresponds to the 10th image, and the 10th image is moved before the 3rd image.
[0051]
As described above, in the present embodiment, when a movement target and a movement destination image are specified from among a plurality of image data divided and displayed on the LCD 6, the header of the flash memory 27 displays the movement target. The address data corresponding to the image data designated as is read out and temporarily stored in the TEMP buffer area of the RAM 29, and the head address data from the source to the destination is shifted, and the TEMP in the RAM 29 is moved to an empty destination. Since the image data is moved by storing the address data temporarily stored in the buffer area, the image data can be rearranged in the digital camera.
[0052]
In the above-described embodiment, the header portion (address table) is stored in the flash memory 27. However, the header portion may be stored in the RAM 29.
[0053]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the order of the images can be rearranged while viewing the images displayed on the display means of the digital camera, and the usability for the operator is improved.
[0055]
Also, when selecting the sorting source by the selection means, one image is displayed at a time on the display means, and when selecting the sorting destination by the selection means, a plurality of images are displayed at a time on the display means. You can quickly and easily select the sorting destination.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an external configuration of a digital camera according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of the digital camera of FIG.
FIG. 3 is a view showing an example of the structure of data stored in the flash memory of FIG. 2;
4 is a flowchart for explaining image rearrangement processing executed by the CPU of FIG. 2;
5 is a diagram showing a display example 1 of a screen displayed on the LCD in the image rearrangement process of FIG. 4;
6 is a diagram showing a display example 2 of a screen displayed on the LCD in the image rearrangement process of FIG. 4. FIG.
7 is a diagram showing a display example 3 of a screen displayed on the LCD in the image rearrangement process of FIG. 4;
FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining an example of moving image data by the image rearrangement process of FIG. 4;
FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining an example of moving image data by the image rearrangement process of FIG. 4;
10 is a diagram for explaining an example of movement of image data by the image rearrangement process of FIG. 4;
11 is a diagram for explaining an example of movement of image data by the image rearrangement process of FIG. 4;
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Digital camera 4, 5 Case 6 LCD
7 Imaging lens 8 “Power” key 9 “Shutter” key 10 “DEL” key 11 “+” key 12 “−” key 13 “MODE” key 14 “DIS” key 15 “ZOOM” key 16 “PROTECT” key 17 Open / close Lid 18 Function switching key 20 CCD
22 A / D converter 23 Drive circuit 24 Timing generator 25 DRAM
26 Compression / Expansion Circuit 27 Flash Memory 28 ROM
29 RAM
30 Key input unit 31 CPU
32 signal generator 33 VRAM
34 D / A converter 35 Amplifier 36 I / O port

Claims (1)

In a digital camera equipped with a display means,
Imaging means for imaging a subject;
Storage means for storing an image captured by the imaging means;
Reproducing means for reproducing the image stored in the storage means and displaying the image on the display means;
Input means;
When selecting a desired image, one of the images stored in the storage means is displayed on the display means by the reproducing means, and a desired image is selected based on an input to the input means A selection means to
When rearranging the reproduction order of the images selected by the selection means, a plurality of images of the image data stored in the storage means are simultaneously displayed on the display means by the reproduction means, and the input means in the input thereby selecting one of the plurality of images displayed on said reproducing means, rearranging means for determining the sort position of the playback order of the desired image selected by said selection means When,
A digital camera characterized by comprising

Images