JPH1190047A - Game system and electronic camera machine with game processing feature - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electronic camera machine with game processing auxiliary feature for executing the series of game operations on the basis of taken images and a game system that execute the series of game operations on a display device such as a TV monitor. SOLUTION: This electronic camera machine comprises a means 112 for setting a starting image, in which required images of images a user took and recorded into a storage medium are reproduced, split, combined, and displayed as an array, and a game execution auxiliary feature, in which a user modifies the array so as to make a time for one cycle or a prescribed time elapse, evaluate the completeness arrays or shapes of images, while being processed or when completed, and provide a game execution auxiliary feature that outputs an informational signal for informing the user of the completeness with a score display, voice, sound, light, characters, and so on. This electronic camera machine is connected to an external image reproducing device, such as a TV monitor, and the electronic camera is used as a game controller and the external image reproducing device is used as a display device for a game played by a multiplicity of players, such as a game play in a party.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image division / display technique, and more particularly, to an electronic camera device having a game processing function based on a captured image, and connecting the electronic camera device to a display device such as a television monitor. Game system.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Points are competed by operating a person, an animal, a robot, or an object represented on a CRT, or a mosaic-shaped pattern is assembled to obtain a fixed shape or a person or an animal to obtain a point. Computer games (hereinafter simply referred to as games). Such games are:
MPM (microprocessor), personal-use game device having display device such as CRT and operation panel, and MP
You can play with a commercial game machine incorporating U,
The game can be played by operating a game program using a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as a personal computer) or the like in addition to such a game dedicated machine. Usually, a game is configured such that a person, an animal, a robot, or an object image on a screen is operated by a player operation, and a score is given when a predetermined result is obtained. In the process, a sound or light is emitted to enhance a game effect. It is devised as follows.

The above-mentioned game is represented on a CRT by a control program and a game program (usually a plurality of game programs) built in a ROM in a game dedicated machine.
A series of game operations are executed according to a user's instruction (play). In this case, the image is expressed and operated on the CRT by the game program based on the data and parameters incorporated with the program or the data and parameters recorded on the built-in recording medium.

When a series of game operations are performed by expressing an image on a CRT or a television monitor using a personal computer, a commercially available game program is installed on the personal computer or the like, and is installed together with the game program. Based on the data and parameters, or the data and parameters supplied with the game program, a CRT is executed by the game program under the control of the personal computer OS.
Or is displayed and works on a TV monitor.

On the other hand, in recent years, digital cameras have been developed and marketed as electronic still cameras for the general public. A subject image picked up by a digital camera is recorded on a storage medium as image data through photoelectric conversion by a CCD or the like, signal conversion, signal processing, and the like. In addition, many digital cameras are equipped with a display device such as a liquid crystal display. In such a digital camera, an image (through image) periodically captured from a CCD is displayed on the display device. Using the device instead of a viewfinder, the user can depress the shutter button at the desired timing while viewing and confirming the displayed image to capture (and record and save) the desired image (recording mode), or record mode , The image information recorded on the recording medium can be read out and reproduced and displayed on the display device (reproduction mode).

Therefore, when a user takes a picture of a subject, the recording result can be read out from the recording medium immediately after recording, reproduced, and displayed on the display device. It has the convenience of an optical camera that can be retaken even when it is not available. Also, a digital camera is characterized in that an image is converted into digital data and recorded. Therefore, the digital camera is not only used as a photographing camera as an electronic alternative to an optical camera, but also for creating image data using a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as a personal computer). It has been used as an image processing device.

[0007]

As described above, when a game is played on a dedicated game machine or a personal computer, an image expression is performed based on data and parameters previously incorporated in a game program or data and parameters recorded on a recording medium. A series of game operations are performed by the game program, and the images forming these game operations are operatively displayed by parameters and the game program based on fixed data given in advance. It is data and the image is represented by a graphic, and the game operation is not given to the image obtained on the spot.

When a game is played on a personal computer, the game operation is performed based on fixed data obtained by temporarily writing data in the game program or image data given in advance by a game program maker to a recording medium on the personal computer. Observing a subject at a desired angle to obtain a desired image and performing a game operation on the basis of the desired image, or conversely, giving a certain game operation to a certain subject, it is actually a realistic experience. Could not be grasped in principle.

Here, the present inventor has proposed that a digital camera can record a desired image while displaying a subject on a display device (usually a liquid crystal display). The idea that the game operation can be expressed / executed on the liquid crystal display or the television monitor of the digital camera, so that a game based on a captured image which cannot be performed by a game operation using a dedicated game machine or a personal computer can be performed. I got

[0010] In addition, by providing the digital camera with a game assisting function based on the above-mentioned idea, it is possible to add recreational applicability in addition to the applicability of the digital camera such as photograph recording and image data generation. It is expected to be wider. The present invention has been made based on the above idea, provides an electronic camera device with a game processing assisting function for executing a series of game operations based on a captured image, and connects to a display device such as a television monitor. It is an object of the present invention to provide a game system that executes the above-described series of game operations on a screen of the display device based on a game processing auxiliary function.

[0011]

In order to achieve the above object, a game system according to the present invention captures a subject image and displays it on a display device, and a desired image among the captured subject images is recorded on a recording medium. It has a recordable recording mode and a reproduction mode for reproducing image data recorded on the recording medium and displaying the image. In addition, a desired image is selected from the recorded image, and the corresponding image data is captured and divided. Later, by changing the number or arrangement of the divided images by user operation,
An electronic camera device including a game mode for notifying the degree of completion of an image, and an external image reproduction device connected to the electronic camera device. The divided image data output from the electronic camera device is externally arranged in the order of arrangement in the electronic camera device. The image is displayed on a display device of the image reproducing apparatus.

Further, the electronic camera device with a game processing function of the present invention provides a game image selecting means for reproducing a recorded image and selecting a desired one image, and image data corresponding to the selected game image. After taking and dividing, the game image setting means for displaying the whole divided image by covering the whole divided image with a mask corresponding to each divided image, and removing the mask in order by a user's operation to make the divided images appear, and The game mode includes a game mode having a game execution unit for notifying the accuracy of the entire image to be performed.

Further, the electronic camera device with a game processing function of the present invention comprises a game image selecting means for reproducing a recorded image and selecting a desired image, and an image data corresponding to the selected game image. After capturing and dividing, the game image setting means for arranging the divided images at random and then displaying the arrangement on the display device, and changing and displaying the arrangement of the divided images by a user's operation to notify the completion of the image. The game mode includes a game mode having a game execution means to perform the game. Further, each of the electronic camera devices has a terminal unit that outputs the arranged image data and notification information to an external image reproducing device.

In the electronic camera device, after a desired image is selected by the game image selecting means, and the game image setting means fetches and divides image data corresponding to the selected one game image, A game in which the divided images are arranged at random and then displayed on the display device, and the game executing means changes and displays the arrangement of the divided images by a user's operation and notifies the user of the completion of one image. It may be configured as follows. In the electronic camera device, a plurality of desired images are selected by a game image selecting unit, and the game image setting unit fetches image data corresponding to the selected plurality of game images, and divides the image data. After arranging the images at random and displaying them on the display device,
The game executing means may be configured to include a game in which the arrangement of the divided images is changed and displayed by a user's operation, and the game is notified after completion of one of the plurality of images.

In the electronic camera device, a desired one image is selected by the game image selecting means, and the game image setting means fetches image data corresponding to the selected one game image to form a mosaic. After the division, a set image composed of mosaics of a predetermined size is formed and displayed on the display device, and the game execution means sequentially reduces the size of the mosaic by the operation of the user and displays the mosaic. It may be configured to include a game that competes for the degree of recognition and notifies the degree of correctness.

Further, in the electronic camera device, a plurality of desired images belonging to the same type are selected by the game image selection means, and the game image setting means selects each of the plurality of game images corresponding to the selected plurality of game images. A display device which captures image data, creates a divided image in which each image is divided in one direction by a predetermined width, forms a partial image, and combines the partial images of the same part at random to form one image. And a game in which the game execution means competes with the user for the correctness of the image obtained by replacing the partial image by the user's operation, and informs the user of the correctness.

[0017]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An electronic camera device according to the present invention reproduces a desired image (one image or a plurality of images) among images captured by a user and recorded on a recording medium, and divides and combines them to display an array. Then, the arrangement is changed by the user's operation, and after every operation or after a certain period of time (may change according to the stage of the operation), the degree of completion of the arrangement or the shape of the image or the shape of the image in the middle or at the end (for example, , The degree of restoration of the entire image, etc.), and a game function for outputting score information or notification information for notifying the user by voice, sound, light, text, or the like, and an external image reproduction device such as a television monitor. And a game system in which an electronic camera device is used as a game control / operation device and an external image reproducing device is used as a display device, thereby making it easy to play a multi-player game, for example, at a party venue. Mukoto can. In addition, a game can be played by the electronic camera device alone by displaying an image on the liquid crystal display of the electronic camera device.

The applicable games are classified into a plurality of types. The main ones are, for example, divided image data and displaying all or a part (plural) of divided images to be displayed. Not to be
A game in which divided images appear one by one for each operation to determine what the overall image is (whether the player who has obtained the image at an early stage obtains a high score or becomes a winner). One picture (image) is divided into a plurality of pieces and mixed (shuffled) and displayed. If the completed picture is displayed as a result of shuffling, the operation (or the one instructed) is high. A bingo game where you score or win. A plurality of images are divided, and they are stirred (shuffled) and displayed, and when any one of the plurality of images is displayed as a result of the shuffling, the operation is performed. A bingo game in which the player (or the one instructed) gets a high score or wins. The image is divided into mosaics, and the tone (and brightness) of one mosaic is displayed as the tone of the largest number of pixels in the mosaic. A game in which the size of the mosaic is reduced for each operation so that the entire image can be gradually recognized, and a game that guesses what the whole image is (whether the person who hit the image at an early stage gets a high score or becomes a winner) . A montage game that divides a plurality of images (for example, faces) belonging to the same type in a certain direction and reproduces an image in which respective parts are combined.

<Example of Circuit Configuration> FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a circuit configuration of an electronic camera (digital camera) to which the present invention is applied. In FIG.
Is an image data input system 10, a control unit 20, an operation unit 30,
It has a display unit 40, a recording unit 50, and an interface 81.

The image data input system 10 includes an optical system 11, a signal conversion unit 12, a signal processing unit 13, and a video output terminal unit 1.
4 and a DRA (dynamic memory) 15. The optical system 11 includes an optical system mechanism 11 such as an imaging lens and an aperture, and forms light from a subject on a CCD of a signal conversion unit 12 at a subsequent stage. The signal conversion unit 12
D, CCD drive timing signal generation circuit, CCD drive vertical driver, sampling hold circuit,
It includes a D converter (not shown), converts an image formed on the CCD via the optical system 11 at the preceding stage into an electric signal, converts it into digital data (hereinafter, referred to as YUV data), and converts the image into one frame at a constant cycle. Output minutes.

The signal processing unit 13 performs a color process on the output from the signal conversion unit 12, writes the digital output into a buffer as digital luminance and color difference multiplex signals (YUV data), and writes the YUV data written in the buffer. To D
DMA (direct memory access) transfer to a designated area of the RAM 15 and expansion. The signal processing unit 13 also
At the time of recording and saving, the YUV data written in the DRAM 15 is read out, subjected to data compression (JPEG compression) processing, and recorded on a recording medium (a flash memory is used in this embodiment) 51 of the recording unit 50. In the playback mode, image data stored and recorded in the flash memory 51 is subjected to decompression (JPEG decompression) processing to reproduce YUV data, and an external video display device (for example, a television monitor) is output via the video output terminal 14. Or output to VR
It is developed on an AM (video RAM) 41.

As shown in FIG. 2B, the control unit 20
It has a PU 21, a RAM 22, and a ROM 23.
The CPU 21 is connected to each of the above-described circuits and a power switch (not shown) via a bus line.
Controls the entire digital camera 100 according to a control program stored in the digital camera 100, and controls execution of each function of the digital camera in response to a state signal from the operation unit 30,
For example, execution control when each mode process is executed by each mode processing means stored in the ROM 23 is performed. R
The AM 22 is used for temporary storage of data or processing results and an intermediate work area. The ROM 23 is a recording medium for recording the control program and a program for executing the game processing means 110 and other mode processing and other functions of the digital camera 100.
A ROM (flash ROM) or the like is used. Note that these programs may be stored in a removable recording medium (for example, a flash memory) other than the ROM 23.

As shown in FIG. 2, the operation unit 30 includes a processing mode changeover switch 101 and function selecting buttons 31 to 3.
6. Switches and buttons, such as a main switch 102, a shutter button 37, an output button 38, and a recording / playback mode switch 103, are constituent parts. When these switches or buttons are operated, a status signal is transmitted to the CPU.
21.

The display section 40 comprises a VRAM 41 and a display device 42 such as a liquid crystal display.

The recording section 50 accommodates a recording medium (flash memory in the embodiment) 51 and records image data from the image data input system 10 on the flash memory 51 under the control of the CPU 21.

The interface 81 is a digital camera 1
00, and data transfer between a printer, a personal computer, another digital camera, and an external device such as a CD-ROM. The transmission (output) of the image data recorded on the recording medium 51 to the external device is performed based on output means (program) (not shown) when the output button 38 is depressed.

<Example of Appearance of Apparatus> FIG. 2 is a perspective view (rear view) of an embodiment of a digital camera to which the present invention is applied. On the upper surface of the digital camera 100, a processing mode switch (slide switch) 101 for switching between a normal processing mode and a special processing mode, and function selection buttons 31 to 36.
And a main switch 1 for activating the digital camera 100
02, a shutter button 37 and an output button 38 are provided. On the back, a recording / playback mode switch 103 for switching between a recording mode and a playback mode in the normal processing mode, a cross key 104, and an optical viewfinder 1
05 and a liquid crystal display 42 for displaying images. In addition, an imaging lens unit and a finder unit are provided on a front surface (not shown). A video output terminal 14 and a power storage unit are provided at the bottom (not shown).

<Example of Setting Region of DRAM 15> FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a circuit configuration of the digital camera 100 shown in FIG.
FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of setting each image area in M15. In the example of FIG. 3, the YUV data from the signal processing unit 13;
The same DRAM 15 is used for recording the YUV data to the VRAM 41 and the external video display device and the YUV data to the data compression / decompression unit 14. For this reason, DRAM 15
By preparing a plurality of image areas (buffers) divided into several areas as shown in FIG. 3 as the configuration of the image data recording area (image buffer), each area can be designated according to the purpose. Can be set as an image area. In FIG. 3, reference numeral 151 denotes an image buffer for a through image or a reproduced image; 152 to 155, an image buffer for capturing a plurality of images for a game; 156, an image buffer for a game; The pointer storage area 158 is a spare area, and an OSD image buffer is secured when OSD (0n Screen Display; insertion display) is used. Reference numeral 159 denotes a work area (work area).

<Example of Processing Mode> FIG.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration example of a processing mode of No. 00. The processing mode of the digital camera 100 is roughly classified into a normal mode including recording and playback modes, a special shooting mode such as close-up shooting, and a game mode.
The switching between the normal mode, the special photographing mode, and the game mode is performed by switching, and the recording mode and the reproducing mode are switched by operating the recording / reproducing mode switch 103 in the normal mode and the special photographing mode. In the game mode, operation functions for the game mode are assigned to the function buttons 31 to 36. The branch to each mode by switching each switch is performed by checking a state signal sent from the operation unit 30 to the CPU 21 by operating each switch, and by a mode determining means (in the embodiment, branching to a corresponding mode processing circuit or program). (Configured by a program).

[Recording Mode] The recording mode is a mode in which image data periodically taken in from the CCD is displayed on the liquid crystal display 4.
An image capturing mode for displaying a through image on the camera 2, and the user presses down the shutter button 37 at a timing when the user wants to capture the image while visually confirming the through image so that the image data displayed at that time is stored in the DRAM 15.
From the image buffer 151 to the flash memory 51, and the contents of the image buffer 151 are JPEG-compressed and recorded in the flash memory 51 when the mode shifts to the recording and storage mode. In the imaging mode, it is desirable to have a function of displaying a frame or OSD on the liquid crystal display 42 in order to make the size of the image almost constant. The play mode is set when the mode switch 103 is switched to the recording mode, and the recording mode is set by depressing the shutter button 37 at a desired timing.

[Reproduction Mode] In the reproduction mode, a page feed mode in which image data recorded in the flash memory 51 is read and reproduced in order to select an image and sequentially displayed on the liquid crystal display 43, and data of the reproduced image (image Data) to an external device such as a personal computer or a printer. [Game Mode] When the user selects the game mode, the game mode is changed to the game mode. In this case, a plurality of game programs (game execution means (to be described later)) are stored in the ROM 23, and a menu is displayed when the game mode is changed to allow the user to select a desired game execution. Alternatively, the digital camera 100 may be configured such that a recording medium for a game program is replaceable, and a user may set a recording medium on which a desired game program is recorded.

The game mode includes a game setting mode in which the user (game operator) prepares for a game start in accordance with the type of the game based on the selected image, and a play mode in which the game is actually executed. Includes a game image selection mode for selecting a desired reproduced image for a game, and a set mode for setting game settings and the like and processing the selected image for a game start. When the user selects the game mode, the game mode is switched to the game mode at the same time as the game mode, and the mode is switched to the reproduction mode. When the user selects a desired image in the page feed mode, the image data (image data after the expansion processing) is temporarily recorded in the image buffer 151, and the process returns to the game selection mode. When a plurality of images are to be selected according to the type of game, the mode is again shifted to the reproduction mode, the next image is selected by the user in the page feed mode, the image is recorded in the image buffer 152, and the mode returns to the game selection mode. By repeating such operations, the required number of images are sequentially recorded in the image buffer (in FIG. 3, five image buffers 151 to 1 are stored).
55 is the buffer for the selected reproduced image, but a buffer for the selected reproduced image can be allocated to the DRAM 15 or another memory. When it is necessary to make the size of the images uniform according to the type of the game, a frame or an OSD is displayed on the liquid crystal display 42 so that the reproduced images having the same size can be selected. can do.

In the set mode, the image buffer 151
The image data stored in (-155) is divided (or not divided) by the method, shape and number specified in the game, and the game image buffer 1 is divided by the specified method.
56 and displayed on the liquid crystal display 42. The division method, shape, number, and arrangement method will be described later.

When the camera holder (game operator) at that time among the users presses the game start button, the mode is changed to the play mode. A shutter button 37 can be used as a game start button. In this case, the shutter button 37 may have a two-step pressing structure, in which the game is started by half-pressing (one-step pressing), and a re-game or a game is ended by pressing the shutter button (two-step pressing).

<Game System> FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of a game system including the digital camera 100 and the external image display device 200. In this example, the external image display device 200 is used.
A home television receiver (TV) is taken as an example.

As shown in FIG. 5, when the user connects the video output terminal unit 14 of the digital camera 100 and the video input terminal 201 of the TV 200 with a cable 210,
When transitioning to the play mode, the game image buffer 15
6 game image data (YUV data) is TV200
Is displayed on the screen 202 as a start image (the same start image or operation information is displayed on the liquid crystal display 41 of the digital camera 100).

Thereafter, when a series of game operations are executed on the digital camera 100 side in a method and timing specified in the game, the arrangement and shape of images on the screen change (or change), and When the arrangement or the shape of the information is changed, a notification signal and score information for notifying the game participant of that are output to the TV 200. TV200
On the side, based on the notification signal, voice, sound or O on the screen
Notifying the user to that effect by DS, and displaying score information and the like on the screen.

The digital camera 100 and the TV 200
Is connected to the TV 200 from the digital camera 100 by the game image buffer 1.
It outputs 56 game image data, an annunciation signal, a score signal, and the like, and outputs the large screen (the liquid crystal display 4
In the play mode, a series of game operation displays are performed on the digital camera 100 in the play mode.
When the external image display device 200 and the external image display device 200 are not connected by the cable 210, a series of game operation displays in the play mode can be displayed on the liquid crystal display 41 of the digital camera 100. In this case, the digital camera 100 may be provided with a sound generation circuit, a buzzer, or the like in order to notify the user of the fact by voice, sound, or ODS on the screen based on the notification signal. When the TV 200 is connected by the cable 210, a status signal from the video output terminal unit 14 is sent to the control unit.

<Game Processing Means> FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the game processing means 110, and FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing basic operations of the game processing means 110.

In FIG. 6, the game processing means 110 includes a game image selection means 111, a start image setting means 112, a game execution means 113, and a video data output determination means 114.
have. Hereinafter, the operation of the game processing means 110 will be described with reference to FIGS.

The game processing means 110 is started when the game mode is selected and the mode is changed to the game mode by the mode determination means, and displays a menu for selecting the kind of the game on the liquid crystal display 42 to urge the game operator to make a selection. . When the game operator selects a game, the game image selecting means 111 is activated (S1). In addition,
A configuration may be adopted in which a game is assigned to the function buttons 31 to 35 without displaying a menu for game selection.

The game image selection means 111 branches to the reproduction mode processing, sequentially reproduces the image data recorded in the flash memory 51 by the image reproduction / fast-forward means, and displays the data in a fast-forward manner to prompt the user to make a selection. When an image is selected (S2), the mode returns to the game image selection mode, and the image data is stored in the image buffer 151 of the DRAM 15.
(S3). The game selects (extracts) multiple images
If it is necessary to select the next image, the process branches to the reproduction mode process again for selection of the next image, reproduces the image in order from the image following the selected image, displays the image quickly, prompts the selection of the next image, and plays the game when the user selects the image. After returning to the image selection mode, the image data is stored in the image buffer 152. By repeating such operations, necessary images are stored in the image buffer 151 and below (in the example of FIG. 5, an image buffer is secured so that images for five frames can be selected). The process proceeds to the start image setting means 112 (S4).

The game image selecting means 111 is constructed so as to include a frame type display means for displaying a frame of a fixed size such as a frame or a type on the image display 41, and a game for creating a Montagejou (described later) When it is necessary to make the sizes of the images uniform as in the case of 5), the frame type display means is activated to display the frame type of the image on the image display 41, and then branch to the reproduction mode. Is also good. The start image setting means 112 determines the arrangement, shape, and the like of the divided images constituting the start screen at the time of starting the game, which are different for each game, develops the divided images in the VRAM 41, and displays them on the liquid crystal display 41 as the start image (S5) . Depending on the type of game, the start image may have the same structure for each game in that type and determine each game in the type as a functional relationship using variables (parameters). The method of determining the image division and the arrangement and shape of the divided images will be described later (see the section on image division and arrangement).

After the start image is displayed, when the game start button (shutter 37) is pressed, the video signal external transmission flag set by the video data output determination means 114 is checked. The data is sent to the external image display device 200 (S6), and the process proceeds to the game executing means 113. When the game is off, the game is played based on the start image displayed on the liquid crystal display 42 of the digital camera 100. An embodiment of the start image setting means 112 for each game type will be described later (see Examples 1 to 5).

The game executing means 113 executes an operation in accordance with a condition given by a button operation of the game operator based on a start image which differs for each game, and changes the arrangement of the displayed image to a certain level. Complete the array, stop the change in the middle, or increase or decrease the number of displayed images (divided images) to complete a certain shape, or stop in the middle of the increase or decrease, Displays the change, evaluates the degree of completion when the operation is stopped, gives a score, outputs a notification signal, and outputs a notification signal to notify participants of game result notification information such as sound effect, voice, light, etc. (S7). The arrangement of these images and the increase or decrease of the divided images to be displayed can be configured based on the arrangement / display pointer tables (FIGS. 10 and 12) of the division pointer storage area 157.

The game execution means 113 checks the video output flag set by the video data output determination means 114. If the video output flag is on, the image data is arranged in the order indicated by the array / display pointer.
0, and if it is off, the game is played on the liquid crystal display 42 of the digital camera 100 (S8).
An embodiment of the game execution means 130 for each game type will be described later (see Examples).

The video data output judging means 114 checks a status signal sent from the video output terminal 14 to the control unit 20 and outputs a status signal indicating that the digital camera 100 and the external video device 200 are connected by the cable 210. Is detected, the video output flag is turned on; otherwise, the video output flag is turned off. Video output flag is RAM
22 or an appropriate area of the DRAM 15.

<Image Division and Determination of Arrangement> FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of image division, FIGS. 9 and 11 are explanatory diagrams showing the relationship between divided image data and arrangement / display pointers, and FIGS. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a configuration example of a display pointer table.

The start image setting means 112 selects the image buffer 151 (to 1) selected by the game image selecting means 111.
55), the image data temporarily stored in i.
The image data is divided into a plurality of pieces of divided image data, and pointers are provided to the array / display pointer table 157 'in the partition pointer storage area 157 of the DRAM 15 or the array / display pointer table 157' provided in the RAM 22.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram in the case where one image is divided. As shown in FIG. 8A, the image A is divided into i × j = n images A1 to An. Also, image buffer 1
On the image 51, the image data A 'is n as shown in FIG.
The image data is divided into pieces of continuous image data A1 ′ to An ′.
In this case, the storage position, display position (array), shape, and the like of each of the divided image data A1 'to An' are given by the array / display pointer table 157 'shown in FIG. A plurality of images (for example, three images) A, B, C
Is divided, the image data A ′, B ′, and C ′ of the image buffers 151 to 153 are virtually i × j =
As shown in FIG. 11A, the image data is divided into n pieces, and n pieces of continuous image data A1 'to An', B1 'to Bn', C
1 ′ to Cn ′. In this case, the storage position, display position (array), shape, and the like of each divided image data are shown in FIG.
This is given by the array / display pointer table 157 'shown in FIG. In this case, the number of divided images to be displayed is limited on the screen, and array order numbers 1 to n (n = 16 in the example of FIG. 8) are displayed.

[Array / Display Pointer Table] As shown in FIGS. 10 and 12, the array / display pointer table 157 'stores the divided image number 15'-1, the arrangement order number 157'-2 of the divided image, and the divided image storage. Start address 15
7'-3, a divided image mask flag 157'-4, and divided image attribute information 157'-5. Here, the divided image mask flag 157'-4 is optional, and the divided image is masked (in this case, it means that the divided image is hidden so as not to be visually visible).
Information on whether to do or not. Mask flag 157 '
If -4 is on (value = 1), it is masked and off (value =
If 0), display (no mask). Also, the divided image attribute information 157'-5 is optional, and sets display information such as the number of pixels, shape, color tone, and luminance of the divided image.
In FIGS. 10 and 12, the values of the divided image storage start address 157'-3 and the divided image attribute information 157'-5 are not shown.

Initially, the start image setting means 112 shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 9A, since the image is simply divided vertically and horizontally by i and j (i = j = 4 in the example of FIG. 8), the divided image number and the arrangement order number of the arrangement / display pointer table 157 'are the same as those in FIG.
(A) and FIG. 10 (a), but they are agitated (shuffled) immediately before the start, so that the divided image numbers and the array order numbers are shown in FIG. 9 (b) and FIG.
It differs as exemplified in (b). Similarly, when a plurality of images are divided, first, FIGS.
Although they match as shown in (a), the divided image numbers and array order numbers after shuffling are shown in FIGS. 11 (b) and 12 (b).
As exemplified in

According to the method described above, FIGS.
As is clear from FIG. 1 and FIG. 12, the image data in the image buffer is virtually divided, and the arrangement order at the time of display is determined by random arrangement of the arrangement order numbers in the arrangement / display pointer table 157 '. . That is, what is replaced by the shuffle is the contents of the array order number column 157'-2, and the order of the image data in the image buffer does not change. The image data is output to the VRAM 41 and the external image display device for display in the order of 1 to n (n = 16 in the example of FIG. 8) and displayed. It is needless to say that an area for each divided image may be assigned to the DRAM 15 or the RAM 22 and the divided image may be written and the order of actually writing the image data may be changed by shuffling.

[Shuffle] Here, FIG.
(B) and the display position (array) of the divided image when the image A is divided and shuffled as shown in FIG.
FIG. 8C shows a display position (array) of the divided images when the images A, B, and C are divided and shuffled as shown in FIGS. 11B and 12B. Shuffling can be performed, for example, by randomly allocating an array order number to a divided image number using a random number generation circuit or a random number generation routine (program).

<Embodiment> As described above, in the game mode, the digital camera 100 reproduces a desired image among images captured by the user and recorded on the recording medium, and divides and combines the images to display the arrangement. , The arrangement is changed by the user's operation, and every operation or for a certain period of time, the degree of completion of the arrangement or shape of the image in the middle or at the end is evaluated, and score display or voice, sound, light, text, etc. A notification signal (notification data) for notifying the user is output. In the following embodiment, it is assumed that the digital camera 100 is connected to a television monitor 200 as shown in FIG. Hereinafter, examples of main types of games applicable to the digital camera 100 will be described.

[First Embodiment] FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing an operation example of the start image setting means 112 and the game execution means 113 in the first type, and FIG. 14 is a view showing one embodiment of the game type 1. The first type is to divide the image data of one image, mask all or a plurality of the displayed divided images so that they are not displayed, and sequentially clarify the whole image drawn for each operation. Is a game in a form of guessing what is, for example, a picture-turning game shown in FIG. In FIG. 13, the game operator is the first
(T1), the game selection means 111 branches to the reproduction mode and prompts the game operator to select one image from among the images recorded for the game by displaying a message or sound. When the game operator selects a desired image (FIG. 14 (image of Mt. Fuji)), the game returns and the image data is temporarily stored in the image buffer 151 (T2).

Next, the start image setting means 112 converts the selected one image (FIG. 14 (a)) into a plurality of divided images (n = 4.times.4 = FIG. 14) as shown in FIG. 14 (b). 16), the image data in the image buffer 151 is 4 × 4
The array / display pointer table 15 is virtually divided into
7 'is pointed (T3).

When the pointer assignment is completed, 1 to n (n = 16 in the example of FIG. 8) divided images are displayed on the liquid crystal display 42 of the digital camera 100 as an initial screen based on the array order number. At this time, the TV monitor 200
No image is displayed on the screen yet, but a solid black color or a game start notice message is displayed (T4). The game operator presses the shutter button 37 (game start)
When is pressed halfway, the entire image is masked by the 16 OSDs of the size of the divided image and displayed on the liquid crystal display 42 as a start screen. Therefore, at this stage, the image cannot be visually sensed (T5). In this case, each OSD
14 has a different color tone from the adjacent mask, and
It is desirable to display a series of numbers (1 to 16) as shown in (c).

The game operator operates the shutter button 37
When the button is fully pressed, the play mode is set, and the game execution means 130 sends image data and OSD data to the television monitor 200. On the television monitor, there are 16 divided images each having a different color tone from the adjacent mask. The start image masked by the OSD is displayed (T6).
When the game participant specifies the position of the masked divided image (by number or the like) and the game operator specifies the position by operating the cross key 104, the mask at that position is removed and hidden. The divided image appears (T7).

At a certain point in time (eg, when a partial image as shown in FIG. 14 (d) appears, what is the whole image is determined by a participant If the answer is correct, the process proceeds to T9. If the answer is incorrect, the process returns to T7 and the game is continued until the correct answer is obtained (T
8). If there is a correct answer at the above T7, notification data is output to display the score and to notify the user of the correct answer (T
9). In this embodiment, OSD is used to hide the divided image.
Is used, but the present invention is not limited to this.
1 may be configured to send non-display data as a substitute for the divided image and combine them.

[Embodiment 2] FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing an operation example of the start image setting means 112 and the game execution means 113 in a game of the second type, and FIG. 16 is a bingo game as an example of the game type 2. It is a figure showing the example of. In the second type, one picture (image) is divided into a plurality of pieces and mixed (shuffled) and displayed, and when the completed picture is displayed as a result of the shuffle, the operation is performed by the participants. The played (or instructed) type is a type of a picture matching game based on one image in which a high score is obtained or a winner is obtained. For example, a bingo game shown in FIG. 16 is included.

In FIG. 15, when the game operator selects the second type of game (U1), the game selecting means 111
Displays a message or prompts the game operator to select one image from images recorded for the game by branching to a reproduction mode, and the game operator prompts the desired image (for example, an image of a building). If you choose
It returns and temporarily stores the image data in the image buffer 151 (U2).

Next, the start image setting means 112 converts the selected one image into a plurality of divided images (n = 3 in the example of FIG. 16).
The image data in the image buffer 151 is virtually divided into 4 × 4 to divide the image data into (× 3 = 9), and pointers are assigned to the array / display pointer table 157 ′ (U3). When the pointer attachment is completed, an initial screen is displayed on the liquid crystal display 42 of the digital camera 100. At this time, the image is not yet displayed on the screen of the television monitor 200, but a solid black color or a game start notice message is displayed (U
4).

The game operator operates the shutter button 37
When (game start) is half-pressed, the divided images are shuffled, and the contents of the array order number column 157'-2 of the array / display pointer table 157 'are changed according to the shuffle result. As a result, the shuffled image is displayed on the liquid crystal display 42 as a start screen as shown in FIG. 16 (U5). Game operator shutter button 3
When the button 7 is fully pressed, the play mode is set and the game execution means 130 sends image data to the television monitor 200, and the shuffled start image is displayed on the television monitor (U6).

The game participant specifies how many times to shuffle, and the game operator specifies the number of times to shuffle
1, the shuffle is repeated the number of times, and the result of the shuffle is stored in the array / display pointer table 15.
The contents of the array order number column 157'-2 of 7 'are changed according to the result of shuffling, and the shuffled image is displayed on the liquid crystal display 42 and the television monitor (U7).
In this case, instead of the number of times of shuffling, a shuffle time or a random number parameter (for example, any value from 1 to 16)
May be specified.

When the operation according to the instructions of the game participants (plurality) is repeated, at a certain point in time, if the entire image is completed, the process proceeds to U9. Continue (U8). When the entire images are prepared in U8, the notification data is output to display the score and to notify the user of the correct answer ('Bingo') (U9).

[Embodiment 3] FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing an operation example of the start image setting means 112 and the game execution means 113 in a game of the third type, and FIG. 18 is a bingo game as an example of the game type 3. It is a figure showing the example of. In the third type, a plurality of pictures (images) are divided into a plurality of pieces and mixed (shuffled) and displayed. When a completed picture is displayed as a result of the shuffle, the operation is performed by the participants. The played (or instructed) is a type of a matching game based on a plurality of images, in which a high score is obtained or a winner is obtained, and for example, a bingo game shown in FIG. 18 is included.

In FIG. 17, when the game operator selects the third type of game (V1), the game selecting means 111
Displays a message or prompts the game operator to select a plurality of images (three in this embodiment) from among the images recorded for the game by branching to the reproduction mode, and the game operator selects the desired image. (E.g. tulip image, Mt. Fuji image, building image)
The image data is returned each time the image data is stored in the image buffer 151.
To 153 (V2).

Next, the start image setting means 112 converts each selected image into a plurality of divided images (n in the example of FIG. 18).
= 3 × 3 = 9) to divide the image buffers 151-1
Each of the 53 image data is virtually divided into 3 × 3,
The pointer is attached to the array / display pointer table 157 '(V3). After the pointer is attached, the digital camera 10
0, the initial screen is displayed on the liquid crystal display 42. At this time, the image is not yet displayed on the screen of the television monitor 200, but a solid black color or a game start notice message is displayed (V4).

The game operator operates the shutter button 37
When (game start) is half-pressed, the divided images are shuffled, and the contents of the array order number column 157'-2 of the array / display pointer table 157 'are changed according to the shuffle result. As a result, the shuffled image is displayed on the liquid crystal display 42 as a start screen as shown in FIG. 18 (V5). In this case, if all the divided images are shuffled at random, the probability of picture matching (bingo) is extremely reduced. Therefore, in this embodiment, among the divided data of the three pictures, the same row (or the same column) is used. The shuffling module of the start image setting means 112 and the game executing means 113 is configured to shuffle the divided image in the row (or column). When the game operator fully presses the shutter button 37, the play mode is set and the game execution means 130 sends image data to the television monitor 200, and the shuffled start image is displayed on the television monitor (V6).

The game participant specifies how many times to shuffle, and the game operator specifies the number of times to shuffle
1, the shuffle is repeated the number of times, and the result of the shuffle is stored in the array / display pointer table 15.
The contents of the sequence order number column 157'-2 of 7 'are changed according to the result of shuffling, and the shuffled image is displayed on the liquid crystal display 42 and the television monitor (V7).
In this case, the configuration may be such that a shuffle time or a random number parameter (for example, any value from 1 to 9) can be designated instead of the number of times of shuffle.

If the whole of one of the three images (for example, a tulip image) is completed at a certain point in time when the operation in accordance with the instructions of the game participants (plurality) is repeated, V9 If not, the process returns to V7 until the game is completed, and the game is continued until any one of the three images is completed (V8). If any one of the three images is completed in V8, notification data is output to display a score and notify the user of the correct answer ('Bingo') (V9).

[Embodiment 4] FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing an operation example of the start image setting means 112 and the game execution means 113 in the game of the fourth type, and FIG. 20 is a mosaic game as an example of the game type 4. FIG. In the fourth type, one image is divided into mosaic shapes, and the color tone (and luminance) of one mosaic is displayed as the color tone of the largest number of pixels in the mosaic. Immediately make the image difficult to recognize, reduce the size of the mosaic for each operation so that the whole image can be recognized gradually, and guess what the whole image is. Or get
Alternatively, it is a type of a game to be a winner.

In FIG. 19, when the game operator selects the fourth type of game (W1), the game selecting means 111
Displays a message or prompts the game operator to select one image from among the images recorded for the game by branching to the reproduction mode, and the game operator prompts the desired image (for example, the game taken earlier). When the image of the participant is selected (FIG. 20 (a)), the participant returns and temporarily stores the image data in the image buffer 151 (W2).

Next, the starting image setting means 112 divides each selected image into a plurality of mosaics (maximum mosaics) of a predetermined size, and sets the color tone of each mosaic as the color tone of the maximum pixel of the mosaic. Image buffer 15
7 (W3). When the development of the maximum mosaic is completed, the liquid crystal display 42 of the digital camera 100
An initial screen (start image) as shown in (b) is displayed. At this time, the image is not yet displayed on the screen of the television monitor 200, but a solid black color or a game start notice message is displayed (W4). When the game operator fully presses the shutter button 37, the game execution unit 130 enters the play mode, and image data is sent to the television monitor 200 by the game execution means 130.
The start image represented by the maximum mosaic as shown in (b) is displayed (W5). The game operator presses the function button 32 until the game participant guesses what the mosaiced image is, reducing the mosaic roughness step by step as shown in FIG. Display on the monitor (W6). If a game participant guessed what the mosaiced image is, a score will be given according to the roughness of the mosaic at that stage, or the participant who hit the earliest will be notified as a winner. (W7).

[Embodiment 5] FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing an operation example of the start image setting means 112 and the game executing means 113 in a game of the fifth type, and FIG. 22 is a montage game as one example of the game type 5. FIG. The fifth type is a game in which images belonging to the same type (for example, a face) are divided in a certain direction, and a certain image is gradually reproduced by combining the divided images to determine what (who's face) it is. Yes, and includes the montage game shown in FIG.

In FIG. 21, when the game operator selects the fifth type of game (X1), the game selecting means 111
Displays a message or prompts the game operator to select a plurality of images (five images in the embodiment) from among the images recorded for the game by branching to the reproduction mode, and the game operator selects the desired image. When (for example, the face shape of a game participant) is selected, the process returns and the image data is temporarily stored in the image buffers 151 to 155 (X2).

Next, the start image setting means 112 divides each of the selected images into a plurality of divided images (in the example of FIG. 22, divided into five in the row direction).
Each of the 53 image data is virtually divided into 5 × 1,
The pointer is attached to the array / display pointer table 157 '(X3). In this case, the image is not divided evenly but divided well to include a specific part (for example, in the case of a human image, the head, eyes / eyebrows, nose, mouth, upper body, lower body, etc. To divide). To do this,
The start image setting means 112 may be configured to divide the image at an average proportion, and the selected image is displayed on the liquid crystal display 42 when returning to the game selecting means 111 after selecting the image. In addition, a configuration may be used in which a delimiter is provided by a cursor or the like. When the pointer is attached, an initial screen showing only the outline of the face is displayed on the liquid crystal display 42 of the digital camera 100. At this time, the image is not yet displayed on the screen of the television monitor 200, but a solid black color or a game start notice message is displayed (X4).

When the game operator sets the shutter button 37
When (game start) is half-pressed, the divided images (for example, the head portion if the head) of a plurality of images are shuffled, and the contents of the array order number column 157'-2 of the array / display pointer table 157 'are changed. The start montage image is changed according to the result of the shuffle and is displayed on the liquid crystal display 42 as the start image as shown in FIG. 22A (X5). When the game operator fully presses the shutter button 37, the play mode is set, and the game execution means 130 sends image data to the television monitor 200 in the order of arrangement, and a start montage image is displayed on the television monitor as a start image. (X6).

The game operator operates the cross key 104 until the game participant determines who the mosaiced image is.
Images of the eyes and the mouth (as shown in FIG. 22B) are sequentially replaced and displayed (X7). When the game participant guessed the montage image, a score is given according to the number of replacements at that stage, or the participant who hit the earliest is notified as the winner (X8). Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and it goes without saying that various modifications can be made.

[0081]

As described above, the electronic camera apparatus according to the present invention can be used not only to capture images and create image data, but also to use the images captured by the user to draw pictures, bingo games, mosaic images, and the like. A game play such as a montage game can be performed. Since the game system can be configured by connecting the electronic camera device to an external image reproducing device such as a television monitor, it is possible to enjoy game play using images taken at a site such as a wedding ceremony or a party venue. In addition, since the game can be played by displaying the image on the liquid crystal display of the electronic camera device alone, the game can be enjoyed alone or by several people in a car or the like using the image transferred during travel or the like. it can.

As described above, in the electronic camera device with a game processing function of the present invention, since a game operation can be given to an image, it is not possible to perform a game operation using a conventional game machine or a personal computer. You can play games based on them. In addition, by providing the electronic camera device with a game assisting function, it is possible to add recreational applicability in addition to the applicability of the digital camera for photograph recording and image data generation, and it is expected that the use range of the digital camera will be expanded. .

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a circuit configuration example of a digital camera to which the present invention has been applied.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view (rear view) of an embodiment of the digital camera to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an embodiment of setting each image area in a DRAM.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a configuration example of a processing mode of the digital camera.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of a game system including a digital camera and an external image display device.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a game processing unit.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a basic operation of the game processing means.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of image division.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of division of image data (when there is one image).

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration example of an array / display pointer table in the case of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of division of image data (when there are a plurality of images).

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration example of an array / display pointer table in the case of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing an operation example of a start image setting unit and a game execution unit in the first type.

FIG. 14 is a view showing one embodiment of a game type 1;

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing an operation example of a start image setting means and a game execution means in a game as a second type.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of a bingo game as one embodiment of game type 2;

FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating an operation example of a start image setting unit and a game execution unit in a game as a third type.

FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating an example of a bingo game as one embodiment of game type 3;

FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing an operation example of a start image setting means and a game execution means in a game as a fourth type.

FIG. 20 is a diagram showing a mosaic game as one embodiment of game type 4;

FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing an operation example of a start image setting unit and a game execution unit in a game as a fifth type.

FIG. 22 is a diagram showing a montage game as one example of game type 5;

[Explanation of symbols]

14 Video Output Terminal (Terminal) 42 Liquid Crystal Display (Display) 51 Flash Memory (Recording Medium) 100 Digital Camera (Electronic Camera Device with Game Processing Function) 111 Game Image Selection Means 112 Start Screen Setting Means 113 Game Execution Means 200 TV device (external image reproducing device) 202 TV screen (display device) A image data A1 ', A2', ..., A16 'divided image data

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A recording mode in which a subject image is captured and displayed on a display device, a desired image of the captured subject image can be recorded on a recording medium, and image data recorded on the recording medium is reproduced. After having a reproduction mode for displaying images, selecting a desired image from recorded images, taking in corresponding image data and dividing the image, the number of appearances or the arrangement of the divided images is changed by a user operation, and An electronic camera device including a game mode for notifying the degree of perfection,
The electronic camera device is connected to an external image reproducing device, and the divided image data output from the electronic camera device is displayed on the display device of the external image reproducing device in the order of arrangement in the electronic camera device. Game system. 2. A recording mode in which a subject image is captured and displayed on a display device, a desired image among the captured subject images can be recorded on a recording medium, and image data recorded on the recording medium is reproduced. An electronic camera device having a playback mode for displaying an image, comprising: a game image selection unit for playing back the recorded image to select a desired one image; and capturing image data corresponding to the selected game image. Game image setting means for displaying the entire divided image by covering the entire divided image with a mask corresponding to each divided image, and removing the mask in order by a user's operation to cause the divided image to appear, so that the whole image performed by the user An electronic camera device with a game processing function, comprising a game mode having a game execution means for notifying the correctness of the game. 3. A recording mode in which a subject image is captured and displayed on a display device, a desired image of the captured subject image can be recorded on a recording medium, and image data recorded on the recording medium is reproduced. An electronic camera device having a playback mode for displaying an image, comprising: a game image selection unit for playing back the recorded image to select a desired image; and taking and dividing image data corresponding to the selected game image. After that, the game image setting means for arranging the divided images at random and then arranging and displaying them on the display device, and the game executing means for changing the arrangement of the divided images and displaying them by the operation of the user, and informing the completion degree of the image An electronic camera device with a game processing function, comprising a game mode having: 4. The electronic camera device with a game processing function according to claim 2, further comprising a terminal unit for outputting the arranged image data and notification information to the external image reproducing device. 5. A desired image is selected by the game image selecting means, and the game image setting means fetches image data corresponding to the selected one game image and divides the image data. A game in which the game execution means changes the arrangement of the divided images according to a user's operation and displays the images, and notifies the user of the completion of the one image. The electronic camera device with a game processing function according to claim 3. 6. A plurality of desired images are selected by the game image selecting means, and the game image setting means fetches image data corresponding to the selected plurality of game images and divides the image data. Arranged at random and then displayed on the display device, and the game execution means changes the arrangement of the divided images according to a user's operation and displays the divided images, and waits for completion of any one of the plurality of images. The electronic camera device with a game processing function according to claim 3, further comprising: a game to be notified. 7. A desired image is selected by the game image selecting means, and the game image setting means fetches image data corresponding to the selected one game image and divides the image into a mosaic form. A group image composed of mosaics of a predetermined size is formed and displayed on a display device, and the game execution means sequentially reduces and displays the size of the mosaic by the operation of the user, and competes for the degree of recognition of the image by the user. 4. The electronic camera device with a game processing function according to claim 3, further comprising: a game for notifying a correctness degree. 8. A plurality of desired images belonging to the same type are selected by the game image selecting means, and the game image setting means fetches respective image data corresponding to the selected plurality of game images. Then, a divided image obtained by dividing each image in one direction with a predetermined width is created as a partial image, and partial images of the same part are combined at random and
A game in which an image is formed and displayed on a display device, and a game execution means competes for the correctness of the image of the image obtained by replacing the partial image by the user's operation, and notifies the correctness;
The electronic camera device with a game processing function according to claim 3, comprising: