JP2001008149A - Image display device and storage medium storing image display processing program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To simply detect and display an image required to be observed out of plural stored images by an image display device for displaying plural images collected by a digital camera e.g. SOLUTION: The display order of plural related images of the same title is set up by image numbers in each of image display positions 1, 2,... on an album picture in display order memories 24a to 24d built in album memories (album 1) 18a to (album 3) 18c. Since images of the succeeding display order related to the titles of respective image display positions are successively substituted and displayed by clicking and selecting the image of the top order displayed on each image display position, it is unnecessary to display all images on a table by a thumbnail or serially scrolling and checking respective images even when many images are registered in one album, so that a representative image or a required image out of related images can be easily detected and displayed.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image display device for displaying a plurality of images captured and collected by, for example, a digital camera, and a storage medium storing an image display processing program.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, digital cameras which convert an image photographed by a CCD into digital data and record it in a memory, instead of a silver halide camera requiring a film, have rapidly become widespread.

[0003] In such a digital camera, there is no need to consume, develop, or burn a film, and digital image data recorded in a memory can be freely stored or deleted by a personal computer or the like, edited and displayed. Since the image can be displayed on the device or printed by the printing device, the photographing cost is low, and a large number of images are often photographed.

For this reason, when trying to edit a large number of images to be saved as an album, it is often confused which image is to be deleted and which image is to be left. The image is read out and displayed serially according to the order in which it is stored, so that if you want to see an arbitrary image, you want to see all the images saved before you read that image, the images you do not want to see You have to scroll and see sequentially.

[0005]

Therefore, the album function in the conventional digital camera system has a problem that an arbitrary image cannot be easily found and displayed from a large number of stored images.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and has an image display apparatus and an image display processing program capable of easily finding and displaying a desired image among a plurality of stored images. It is an object of the present invention to provide a storage medium in which is stored.

[0007]

That is, an image display device according to the present invention stores an associated plurality of images including a representative image for each display position in association with each of the plurality of image display positions. Storage means; image display means for displaying a representative image among a plurality of images for each of a plurality of image display positions stored in the image storage means at each corresponding image display position; An image changing means for changing and displaying a representative image for each image display position to another image stored in the image storage means and associated with the display position is provided.

In such an image display device, a plurality of related images including an image representative of each display position are stored in the image storage means in association with each of the plurality of image display positions. The representative image among the plurality of images for each of the plurality of image display positions stored in the image display position is displayed at each corresponding image display position, and the displayed representative image for each image display position is stored in the image storage means. Since the image is changed to another image corresponding to the stored display position and displayed, even if a large number of images are registered as one album, a representative image or a certain related image in a related image is registered. A desired image can be easily displayed.

[0009]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an electronic circuit of an image display device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The image display device 10 includes a control unit (CPU) 11 which is a computer.

A control unit (CPU) 11 receives a signal from an input unit 12 such as a keyboard or a mouse.
A system program stored in advance in the OM 13 or a program for controlling an image display device stored in an external storage medium 14 such as a floppy disk is started via a storage medium reading unit 15 such as a magnetic disk device, and the RAM 1
6 is used as a work memory to control the operation of each part of the circuit.

The control unit (CPU) 11 includes the input unit 12, ROM 13, storage medium reading unit 15, RAM 16
Are connected, a timer unit 25 and a liquid crystal display unit 26 are connected.

The input unit 12 is provided with character / symbol input keys and numeric keys for inputting arbitrary characters and symbols, and has a function of taking in digital image data photographed by a digital camera, for example. Function keys for activating various functions such as an album creation function (see FIG. 2), a display function of the created album (see FIGS. 4 to 8), and an operation of moving a pointer or a cursor on the display screen. A cursor key, a mouse, and the like for performing the operation are provided.

A system program for controlling the entire operation of the image display device 10 is stored in the ROM 13 in advance, and an album is created by editing a large number of digital image data, and the created album is displayed. Display processing program 13a is stored. Further, for a plurality of types of album cover images A, B, C,... Arbitrarily selected at the time of creating an album, the position size of images and character strings in each album (vertical image array pattern or horizontal image array pattern) Etc.) are stored in the album format 13b.

The RAM 16 has an image data memory 17,
And a plurality of album memories (album 1) 18a, (album 2) 18b,...

The image data memory 17 stores a plurality of digital image data (image 1 and image 2) read from the external storage medium 14 such as a floppy disk via the storage medium reading unit 15 and captured and collected by a digital camera, for example. ,
…) Is stored.

Album memory (album 1) 18a,
(Album 2) 18b,..., Contains album format data (A) selected from the album format 13b in the ROM 13 for defining the format pattern of images and character strings of the album for each album.
or BorC ...) 19, title data 2 of the album
0, the special display method No. data 21 indicating the display method of the album by any one of No. 1 to No. 3. When all the images of a plurality of related images belonging to the same title are once read and displayed, the image is reduced thereafter. Read-reduced display mode data (Y / N) 2 for mode setting whether or not to display
2. The password data 23 set for each album is stored.

Further, each album memory (album 1)
18a, (album 2) 18b,... Are provided with four display order memories 24a to 24d for each album.

The display order memories 24a to 24d store, for each memory, the image numbers of a plurality of related images to be displayed at each of the image arrangement positions 1, 2,... Determined based on the album format data 19. , A representative title of the related image at each position 1, 2,... Indicating whether the related image has been read and displayed once.
.., That is, the album memories (album 1) 18a, (album 2) 18b,... Have four different display orders for each album. Display order memories 24a to 24d for setting the order of image numbers for sequentially displaying a plurality of images belonging to the title 20 are provided.

Here, the special display method No. data 21
Is set to "1" (see FIG. 4C), the switching display of the images at each of the image positions 1, 2,... In the display order of the image No. set in the display order memory 24a is performed. Done.

When the special display mode No. data 21 is set to "2" (see FIG. 4B), when the password data 23 input by the user at the time of display is determined to match (OK). , Each image position 1, 2,... In the display order of the image No. set in the display order memory 24a.
Are switched, the image data set in the display order memory 24b is set when the password data 23 is determined to be inconsistent (NG).
Are displayed in the order of display of the images.

Further, the special display method No. data 21
Is set to “3” (see FIG. 4 (A)), when the right side of the album cover is opened (“OPEN →” is clicked), the image No. set in the display order memory 24a is displayed. .. Are displayed in the order of the image positions 1, 2,.
When N ← ”is clicked), the display order memory 24
The images are switched and displayed at each of the image positions 1, 2,... in the display order of the image No. set in b. When the image is opened upward (click "OPEN @"), it is displayed in the display order memory 24c. Set image N
.. are displayed at the respective image positions 1, 2,... in the display order of o, and are opened downward (“OPEN
↓ ”is clicked), display order memory 24d
Each image position 1, in the display order of the image No. set in
The image is switched and displayed in each of 2,.

That is, even if the albums are the same, the special display method No. data 21 is different between "1" to "3", the password data 23 is matched / mismatched, and the cover of the album is opened. Accordingly, the switching order and the contents of the images displayed at the respective image positions 1, 2,... On the album display screen change variously.

Next, the operation of the image display device having the above configuration will be described.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an album creating process by the image display device.

For example, when this album creation process is started by clicking a “create album” button with a mouse on the input unit 12 in a menu displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 26, first, the album is created. Album memory (album 1) 18a in RAM 16 to be created,
(Album 2) An album No. selection screen for selecting No of 18b,... Is displayed. On this album number selection screen, an arbitrary album number (for example, “No.
When "1") is selected, the album memory (album 1) 18a in the RAM 16 is designated as the memory for creating the album (step S1).

Then, various format patterns A, B, C,... Defining the position of each image and character string to be created as an album from the album format 13b stored in the ROM 13 are read out together with the display image. LCD display section 2 as album format selection screen
6 is displayed. In this album format selection screen, an arbitrary album format (for example, “A”)
Is selected, the album format data "A" 19 indicating the format pattern is stored in the album memory (album 1) 18a in the RAM 16 designated No in the step S1 (step S2).

Then, the display mode of the album to be created is fixed by only the display order memory 24a, and is set to the display mode "No1" without special display or the password match /
The display mode is changed to “No2” with a password that changes the display order of the images by the display order memories 24a and 24b due to the mismatch, or the display order memories 24a to 24d change the album opening direction (right / left / up / down). A special display method N for selecting whether to use the display method “No3” in the opening direction that variously changes the display order of images
o A selection screen is displayed. On the special display method No. selection screen, any one of the display method “No1” without the special display, the display method “No2” with the password, or the display method “No3” in the opening direction is selected.
Is selected, the selected special display method No. data 2
1 is the RAM 1 designated No in step S1.
6 is stored in the album memory (album 1) 18a (step S3).

Then, an input screen for an album title to be created is displayed. When an arbitrary album title (for example, “Travel”) is input by operating a character / symbol input key in the input section 12, the input album title is input. The data "travel" 20 is stored in the album memory (album 1) 18a in the RAM 16 (step S4).

Then, the album to be created in the album memory (album 1) 18a is replaced once at each of the image positions 1, 2,. A Y / N selection screen for setting whether or not to display the read reduced display mode is displayed. In the Y / N selection screen of the read reduced display mode, when either “Y” with the read reduced display mode setting or “N” without the setting is selected, the read reduced display mode data “ Y ”or“ N ”22
Is the album memory (album 1) 1 in the RAM 16
8a (step S5).

Then, the special display mode No. data 21 stored in the album memory (album 1) 18a in step S3 corresponds to the display mode "No
It is determined whether the display method is “1”, the display method “No2” with a password, or the display method “No3” in the opening direction.
1 ", the display order memory 24a in the album memory (album 1) 18a stores a plurality of related images to be displayed at image positions 1, 2,... Is specified as a data area for setting the display order of (step S6 → S
7).

Then, in the display order memory 24a,
For each image display position 1, 2,... Based on the album format "A" defined by the album format data 21, the title of the related image to be displayed at that display position is inputted and stored, and The plurality of image data 1, 2, ... stored in the memory 17
Are displayed in a list, and a plurality of images related to the title at the image position are selected from the list in a desired order with the leading image as the representative best image.
Are sequentially stored (step S8). The title input for each related image and the sequential selection of the title related image are performed in association with each of the image positions No. 1, 2,... In the display order memory 24a. In each case, the contents of the related images to be replaced and displayed and the display order thereof are set.

On the other hand, in step S6, the special display mode No. data 21 stored in the album memory (album 1) 18a is stored in the display mode "N" with the password.
If it is determined that the password is “o2”, a password input request message is displayed.If an arbitrary password (for example, “1234”) is input in response to this, the input password data “1234” 23 Is stored in the album memory (album 1) 18a (steps S6 → S9).

Then, first, the display order memory 24a in the album memory (album 1) 18a stores the same password (OK) at the time of displaying the subsequent album (see FIG. 4B).
Is designated as a data area for setting the display order of a plurality of related images to be replaced and displayed at each image position 1, 2,... In the album (step S10).

Then, in the display order memory 24a in the case of a password match (OK), for each image display position 1, 2,... Based on the album format "A" defined by the album format data 21, the display position , The title of the related image to be displayed is input and stored, and a plurality of image data 1, 2,... Stored in the image data memory 17 are displayed in a list. Are selected in a desired order with the leading image as the representative best image,
The selected image data Nos are sequentially stored (step S11). By inputting a title for each related image and sequentially selecting the title related image for each image position No. 1, 2,... When the password matches (OK), the contents of the related images to be replaced and displayed in each of the image display positions of this album and the display order thereof are set.

Then, the display order memory 24b in the album memory (album 1) 18a stores each of the albums in the album in response to a password mismatch (NG) (see FIG. 4B) at the time of the subsequent album display. Are designated as data areas for setting the display order of a plurality of related images to be replaced and displayed at image positions 1, 2,... (Step S12).

Then, in the display order memory 24b in the case of a password mismatch (NG), for each image display position 1, 2,... Based on the album format "A" defined by the album format data 21, the display position , The title of the related image to be displayed is input and stored, and a plurality of image data 1, 2,... Stored in the image data memory 17 are displayed in a list. Are selected in a desired order with the leading image as the representative best image,
The selected image data Nos are sequentially stored (step S13). For each image position No. 1, 2,... In the display order memory 24b, the title input for each related image and the sequential selection of the title related image are associated with a different feeling from that of the display order memory 24a. By doing so, in the case of a password mismatch (NG) at the time of displaying the album later, the contents of the related images to be replaced and displayed at each of the image display positions of this album and the display order thereof match the password mismatch (NG). ) Are set with different specifications.

On the other hand, in step S6, the special display mode No. data 21 stored in the album memory (album 1) 18a is changed to the display mode "No3" in the opening direction.
, The album opening direction (right /
A left / up / down selection screen is displayed (step S6 →
S14).

In response to this, when, for example, "open right" is selected, the display order memory 24a in the album memory (album 1) 18a is rearranged in accordance with the selected album opening direction "open right". To set the display order of a plurality of related images to be replaced and displayed at each image position 1, 2,... In the album in response to a right-opening operation (see FIG. 4A) when displaying the album. (Step S15).

Then, in the display order memory 24a in the case of a right-opening operation (click of “OPEN →”), each image display position 1 based on the album format “A” specified by the album format data 21 is displayed.
The title of the related image to be displayed at the display position is input and stored for each display position, and a plurality of image data 1, 2,... Stored in the image data memory 17 are displayed in a list. From among them, a plurality of images related to the title at the image position are selected in a desired order with the top as a representative best image, and the selected image data Nos are sequentially stored (step S16). By inputting a title for each related image and sequentially selecting the title related image for each image position No. 1, 2,... In the case of the right opening operation, the contents of the related images to be replaced and displayed at each of the image display positions of this album and the display order thereof are set.

Then, an inquiry screen as to whether or not to set the contents and display order of the image display for another album opening direction is displayed. For example, "left opening" is selected on the inquiry screen for another direction setting. Then, according to the selected album opening direction “left opening”, the display order memory 24 in the album memory (album 1) 18a
b is a left-opening operation for displaying an album later (FIG. 4A)
), Each image position 1, 2,.
Is designated as a data area for setting the display order of each of a plurality of related images to be replaced and displayed (step S17 → S14, 15).

Then, in the display order memory 24b in the case of the left opening operation (click of “OPEN ←”), each image display position 1 based on the album format “A” defined by the album format data 21 is displayed.
The title of the related image to be displayed at the display position is input and stored for each display position, and a plurality of image data 1, 2,... Stored in the image data memory 17 are displayed in a list. From among them, a plurality of images related to the title at the image position are selected in a desired order with the top as a representative best image, and the selected image data Nos are sequentially stored (step S16). For each image position No. 1, 2,... In the display order memory 24b, a title is input for each related image and the title related image is sequentially selected with a different feeling from that of the display order memory 24a in the case of the right opening operation. Are performed in association with each other, in the case of a left-opening operation at the time of displaying the album later, the contents of the related images to be replaced and displayed at each of the image display positions of this album and the display order thereof are described above. The setting is different from that of the right-opening operation.

Thereafter, an upward opening operation (“OPEN
.. In the display order memory 24c for each image position No. 1, 2,..., Sequentially selecting and setting the title-related images, and performing a downward opening operation (“OPEN ↓”). In the case of (click), the input of the title of the related image and the sequential selection setting processing of the title related image for each image position No. 1, 2,... Are different senses, step S14
Steps S17 to S17 are repeated so that, in the case of an upper opening operation or a lower opening operation when displaying an album later, the contents of the related images to be replaced and displayed at each image display position of this album and the display order thereof However, the settings are different from those of the right opening operation and the left opening operation.

Thus, the series of album creating processing is completed, and the selected album memory (album 1) 1
8a, the display method "No1" without special display,
By selecting and setting the image contents and the display order in any display method with the display method “No2” with a password or the display method “No3” in the opening direction, even if the password matches / mismatches even within the same album, A desired album is created in which the display form of the image is variously changed according to the selection condition of the opening direction.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing album display processing by the image display device.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a cover image list display screen G of three albums having different display modes created according to the album creating process of the image display apparatus and a display order setting state for each display mode.

In the case of this embodiment, [ALBUM1] set and stored in the album memory (album 1) 18a is:
[ALBUM2] created according to the display method in the opening direction of the special display method No. 3 and set and stored in the album memory (album 2) 18b is the special display method No. 2
Created according to the password-based display method of
[ALBUM3] set and stored in the album memory (album 3) 18c is created according to the special display method No. 1 and the display method without special display.

FIG. 5 shows [ALBU set to the special display method No. 3 accompanying the album display processing of the image display device.
[M1] is a diagram showing a display state of an album image according to a right-opening operation and a change registration state of a representative best image registered at the top of each image position.

FIG. 6 shows [ALBU set to the special display method No. 3 accompanying the album display processing of the image display device.
[M1] is a diagram showing a display state of an album image according to a downward opening operation.

FIG. 7 shows [ALBU set to the special display method No. 2 accompanying the album display processing of the image display device.
M2] is a diagram showing a comparison between an album image display state in the case of a password match (OK) and an album image display state in the case of a password mismatch (NG).

FIG. 8 is a view showing a display state of an album image set in the read reduced display mode accompanying the album display processing of the image display device.

For example, when the album display process is started by clicking the “album display” button with the mouse of the input unit 12 in the menu displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 26, first, FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, the respective albums “ALBUM1” to “ALBUM3” created and stored in the respective album memories (album 1) 18a to (album 3) 18c in the RAM 16 in accordance with the album creating process (see FIG. 2) Album cover images AL1 to A combined with album title data 20
L3 is the album list display screen G as the liquid crystal display 26
Will be displayed.

In this album list display screen G,
[ALBUM1] or [ALBUM2] or [ALBU
M3] is selected by clicking on the album cover image AL1 to AL3 of the input unit 12 with the mouse of the input unit 12 (step A1), the album memory (album 1) in the RAM 16 corresponding to the selected album No. 18
a to (album 3) 18c, the special display method No. data 21 is read out, and the display method of the album is the display method “No1” without the special display, the display method “No2” with the password, Open direction display method "N
o3 "(Step A)
2).

That is, the album memory (album 3)
When [ALBUM3] set and stored in the display mode “No1” without special display is selected in 18c (FIG. 4)
(C), the album memory (album 3)
The display order memory 24a in 18c is designated as a data area to be displayed (step A2 → A3).

The album memory (Album 2) 18
When [ALBUM2] set and stored in the display mode “No2” with the password in b is selected (FIG. 4)
(B), a password input request screen P is displayed, and the password “12” input by the user in response thereto is displayed.
34 "matches the password data 23 stored in the album memory (album 2) 18b (OK).
Is determined (NG) (Step A2 →
A4, A5).

If it is determined that the password matches (OK), the album memory (album 3) 18
The display order memory 24a in c is designated as a data area to be displayed (steps A5 → A6).
If it is determined that the passwords do not match (NG), the display order memory 24b in the album memory (album 3) 18c is designated as a data area to be displayed (steps A5 to A7).

The album memory (Album 1) 18
When [ALBUM1] set and stored in the display method “No3” for the opening direction of “a” is selected (see FIG. 4A), the operation mark “OPEN” for the opening direction of the album is selected.
→ “OPEN ←”, “OPEN ↑”, “OPEN ↓” are displayed, and in response to this, the right open mark “OPEN →” is selected, the corresponding album memory (album 1) 18a
When the left open mark "OPEN ←" is selected, the display order memory 24b in the album memory (album 1) 18a is specified as the display target data area. When the upper open mark "OPEN @" is selected, the display order memory 24c in the same album memory (album 1) 18a is designated as a display target data area, and when the lower open mark "OPEN ↓" is selected. The display order memory 24d in the album memory (album 1) 18a is designated as a data area to be displayed (steps A2 → A8, A9).

Thus, the album memory (album 1) 18 according to the special display method No. of the album to be displayed or the match / mismatch of the password or the direction of opening the album.
When any of the display order memories 24a to 24d in any one of the a to (album 3) 18c is designated, the read reduced display mode data 22 stored in the album memory is set to "Y" or "N". It is determined which is set (step A10).

For example, as shown in FIG. 4A, [ALBU] is set and stored in the display method “No3” for the opening direction.
M1] is selected and the display order memory 24a is specified by selecting right-opening “OPEN →”, and the read reduced display mode data 22 is “Y”, that is,
When it is determined that the read reduced display mode is set when displaying [ALBUM1], the read / read of each image display position 1, 2, ... in the display order memory 24a is determined.
The unread flag is confirmed. For example, as shown in FIG. 5A, the first image No. is displayed at each image display position of “Mt. Fuji”, “Bay Bridge”, and “Noyama Park” where the read flag is set. The image data read from the image data memory 17 corresponding to the image data memory 17 is displayed in a reduced size, and the image display position where the read flag is not set corresponds to the first image No. The read image data is displayed in a standard size (step A10 → A11).

Here, for example, as shown in FIG.
When the image reduced and displayed at the image display position of "Mt. Fuji" on the displayed [ALBUM1] is clicked and selected, the top image at the selected display position is changed to the standard size and displayed. (Steps A12, A1
3).

Here, as shown in FIG.
When the first image of “Mt. Fuji” displayed in the standard size is clicked and the next image display is selected and selected, the image data corresponding to the next image No. of the corresponding image display position is read from the image data memory 17. Are displayed in a standard size at the same image display position (step A16).
→ A17 → A18).

That is, when an image displayed at an image position of an arbitrary title on the album is clicked, each time the click operation is performed, the image stored in order in association with the title at the image position is clicked. No. image data is sequentially read out and replaced and displayed. Here, in a state where the arbitrary image data after the replacement is displayed, both are displayed on the display screen as shown in FIG. 5C. When the "best" button in the menu bar is clicked, the image data No. finally displayed at the display position and selected as the best image is displayed.
It is registered in the display order memory 24a as being changed to the first order (step A14 → A15).

As a result, the same [ALBUM1] next time
When the icon is clicked and displayed, as shown in FIG. 5D, the top image displayed at the display position of “Mt. Fuji” is an image whose order has been changed and registered through the processes of steps A14 and A15. Is displayed.

Then, by the image click operation repeatedly performed at the image display position of the same title, the images of the next order are sequentially switched and displayed (steps A16 to A16).
A18) After that, if it is determined that the next image No. associated with the same image position is not registered, it is determined that all the related images associated with the image position have been read out and represented. Therefore, the read flag is set, and a standby state for selecting another image display position is set (step A17 → A).
19 → A12).

Here, another image display position, for example, FIG.
When the top image displayed at the display position of "Bay Bridge" in (A) is clicked and selected, the selected top image is changed to a standard size and displayed (steps A12 and A13). With respect to the album image at the display position of "Baybridge", in the same operation procedure as described above, the display process for replacing the next image (steps A16 to A18), the change registration process of the top best image (steps A14 to A15), and Then, the read flag setting process (steps A17 to A19) after reading all the images is performed.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 4C, for example, [ALBUM3] set and stored in the display mode "No1" without special display is selected, and the display order memory in the album memory (album 3) 18c is selected. 24a is designated, the read reduced display mode data 22 is "N",
That is, when it is determined that the read reduced display mode is not set when displaying [ALBUM3], the top image No. of each of the image display positions 1, 2,... In the display order memory 24a is read. At the corresponding image display position, the image data read from the image data memory 17 corresponding to the respective leading image No. is displayed in a standard size (step A10 → A20).

Here, the displayed [ALBUM3]
If it is determined that the first image displayed in the image display position of a certain title above is clicked and selected, and it is determined that the next image display selection instruction has been made, the image corresponding to the next image No. The image data to be read out is read out from the image data memory 17 and displayed in the same image display position in a standard size (steps A21, A24 → A).
25 → A26).

That is, when an image displayed at an image position of an arbitrary title on the album is clicked, the image stored in order in association with the title at the image position is clicked each time the click operation is performed. The image data of No is sequentially read out and replaced and displayed. Here, in a state where any replaced image data is displayed, “Best” in the menu bar displayed together on the display screen is displayed. When the button is clicked, the image data No. finally displayed at the display position and selected as the best image is changed and registered in the display order memory 24a as the first order (step A22 → A2).
3).

As a result, the same [ALBUM3] next time
When the icon is clicked and displayed, the top image displayed at the display position of the title in which the change of the best image has been registered is displayed as the image whose order has been changed and registered through the processes of steps A22 and A23. .

When the first image displayed in another image display position is clicked and selected, the selected image is replaced with the next image in the same operation procedure as described above. (Steps A21, A24-
A26), change registration processing of the top best image (step A)
22 → A23).

On the other hand, as shown in FIG.
UM1], when the lower open mark “OPEN ↓” is clicked and selected, the album memory (album 1) 18
a, the display order memory 24d is designated (steps A1, A2 → A8, A9), and as shown in FIG. 6, the operation display of album images similar to the above (steps A11 to A1)
9 or A20 to A26), but is set and stored in a display order memory 24d different from the designated display order memory 24a when the album is opened by the upper opening mark "OPEN @" as shown in FIG. Since the album display is performed according to the contents of the displayed images and the display order thereof, even in the same album “ALBUM1”, it is possible to display the images changed depending on the opening direction.

Further, as shown in FIG. 4B, the display mode “No2” with a password is set to [AL
BUM2], and if the input passwords match (OK), the album memory (Album 2)
The display order memory 24a in 18b is designated (steps A1, A2 → A4, A5 → A6), and FIG. 7 (A1)
As shown in (B1), the same album image operation display processing (steps A11 to A19 or A20 to A2)
6) is performed, and if the input passwords do not match (NG), the display order memory 24b in the album memory (album 2) 18b is designated (steps A1 and A).
2 → A4, A5 → A7), and the same album image operation display processing (steps A11 to A19 or A20 to A26) is performed as shown in FIGS. 7 (A2) and (B2), but the password matches (OK). ) And the specified display order memory 24b in the case of a password mismatch (NG), the album display is performed according to different image contents and the display order.
Even in the same album “ALBUM2”, it is possible to display an image changed by matching / mismatching the input password.

Therefore, according to the album display processing function of the image display device having the above configuration, each image on the album screen is displayed in the display order memories 24a to 24d in the album memories (album 1) 18a to 18b. The display order of a plurality of images associated with the same title is set for each of the display positions 1, 2,... By the image No. When displaying the album, the image in the top rank displayed at each image display position is clicked and selected. By doing so, the related images in the next display order in the title of the image display position are sequentially replaced and displayed, so that even if many images are registered in one album, all the images are displayed as thumbnails. You can easily view a representative image or a desired image in a certain related image without having to display in a list or view each image serially. Only and can be displayed.

Further, according to the album display processing function of the image display device having the above-described configuration, an image sequentially replaced and displayed at a certain image display position in the album can be used.
When the user clicks the “best” button and instructs a change to the representative image, the replacement-displayed image N of the lower display order is displayed.
Since o is changed and registered as the top-ranked image associated with the display position, a desired representative image can be selected and changed at any time.

According to the album display processing function of the image display device having the above configuration, in the read reduced display mode, the leading image at the image display position where all the related images have already been displayed is displayed in a reduced size, and the reduced image is displayed. If you click on the first image displayed in the size and specify it, the image will be changed to the standard size and displayed. By further clicking and specifying the same image displayed in the standard size, the image display position In the following, the related images in the next display order are sequentially replaced and displayed in the standard size, so that the representative image at the image display position where the series of related images has already been viewed is reduced and displayed, and Only the standard size can be returned to the standard size so that it can be displayed easily.

Further, according to the album display processing function of the image display device having the above-described configuration, the display order memory 24 is different depending on the direction in which the album is opened (right / left / up / down).
Since different image contents and their display order are set for each of the images a to 24d, even if the images are related to the same title in the same album, different display order memories 24a are used depending on the operation direction of opening the album. ~ 24d
Is designated, and the contents of the first image and the display order thereof can be variously changed.

Further, according to the album display processing function of the image display device having the above configuration, the password match (O
K) / separate display order memory 2 depending on mismatch (NG)
In 4a / 24b, the contents of different images and the display order thereof are set, so that even if the images are related to the same title in the same album, the password input by the user at the time of display is set. Display order memory 24a depending on whether the password matches
Or 24b is specified, for example, in the case of a password match, the image that only one wants to see is displayed as the top image,
If the password does not match, the album can be displayed in the contents of the first image and the display order according to the user's personal convenience, such as displaying an appropriate image in the related image as the first image.

In the above embodiment, even if the albums are the same, the passwords match (OK) or mismatch (N
G) Different display order memories 24a or 24b depending on G)
Or the opening direction of the album (right / left / up / down)
Display order memory 24a / 24b / 2 which differs depending on
4c / 24d, the related images are replaced and displayed in different display orders from different top images at each display position on the album.
One of the display order memories 24a to 24d is designated in accordance with the current date and time counted by the clock unit 25, and the display order of the first image and the related images in the same album is changed in the same manner as described above. Is also good.

The display order memories 24a to 24d for setting the display mode of the album are separately provided according to personal information (age, gender, occupation ...) input by the user at the time of displaying the album or some preference. May be specified.

In the above embodiment, the representative image is displayed at the head. However, the order of the plurality of image numbers corresponding to the display positions is not changed, and the image number designated as the representative image is stored. You may. By doing so, the best image can be designated as a representative image from a series of images collected over time.

In the above embodiment, each image data 17 to be displayed in the RAM 16 is stored in each of the album memories 1.
8a, 18b,.
o, for example, in the display order 24a, the image No. is stored in the order of display at each position, and in the display order 24b,
Handwritten image data and graphic data to be combined with the image in the display order 24a, or a number indicating the data may be stored and combined and displayed.

In the album display processing function in the embodiment, the album memory (album 1) 18a,
(Album 2) 18b, display order memories 24a to
At 24d, a plurality of images related to each image display position and their replacement display order are set in advance, and by clicking the first image displayed at each image display position, the next order related to the first image is displayed. Image is read and replaced and displayed at each click operation, but a plurality of related images ranked at each image display position may be displayed in a table format arranged in display order. Good. Further, when the image is displayed in the table format, only the first image may be displayed after the image is displayed once, and the images after the second rank may be replaced and displayed as described above.

Further, when a plurality of related images are successively click-operated with an arbitrary title at each image display position on the album display screen and replaced and displayed, various images are exchanged via communication means (not shown). A configuration may be adopted in which a connection is made to a website provided on the Internet and other related images are taken in from the outside and replaced and displayed.

The methods described in the above embodiment, that is, the album creation processing shown in the flowchart of FIG. 2 and the album display processing shown in the flowchart of FIG. Memory card (ROM card, RA
M card, magnetic disk (floppy disk, hard disk, etc.), optical disk (CD-ROM, DVD
Etc.), and can be stored in an external storage medium 14 such as a semiconductor memory and distributed. Then, the computer (CPU 11) such as the image display device 10 reads the program stored in the external storage medium 14 by the storage medium reading unit 15 such as a magnetic disk device, and the operation is controlled by the read program. Thus, the album creation function and the album display function described in the above embodiment can be realized, and the same album image management processing by the above-described method can be executed.

[0086]

As described above, according to the image display apparatus of the present invention, a plurality of related images including an image representative of each display position are associated with each of the plurality of image display positions in the image storage means. The representative image among the plurality of images for each of the plurality of image display positions stored in the image storage means is displayed at each corresponding image display position, and each of the displayed image display positions Is displayed after being changed to another image associated with the display position stored in the image storage means, even if many images are registered as one album. It is possible to easily display a representative image or a desired image in a certain related image.

Thus, according to the present invention, it is possible to easily find and display a desired image from a plurality of stored images.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an electronic circuit of an image display device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing album creation processing by the image display device.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing album display processing by the image display device.

FIG. 4 is a view showing a cover image list display screen G of three albums having different display methods created according to the album creating process of the image display device and a display order setting state for each display method.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a display state of an album image according to a right opening operation of [ALBUM1] set to a special display method No. 3 accompanying the album display processing of the image display device, and a representative best registered at the top of each image position. The figure which shows the change registration state of an image.

FIG. 6 is a view showing a display state of an album image according to a downward opening operation of [ALBUM1] set to a special display method No. 3 accompanying the album display processing of the image display device.

FIG. 7 shows an album image display state when the password matches (OK) of [ALBUM2] set to the special display method No. 2 accompanying the album display processing of the image display apparatus and an album when the password does not match (NG). FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an image display state in comparison.

FIG. 8 is a view showing a display state of an album image set in a read-reduced reduced display mode accompanying the album display processing of the image display device.

[Description of Signs] 10 image display device, 11 control unit (CPU), 12 input unit, 13 flash ROM, 13a display processing program, 13b album format, 14 external storage medium, 15 storage medium Reading unit, 16 RAM, 17 image data memory, 18a to 18c album memories (album 1) to (album 3), 19 album format data, 20 album title data, 21 special display method No. data, 22 ... read reduced display mode data, 23 ... password data, 24a to 24d ... display order memory ~, 25 ... clock section, 26 ... liquid crystal display section, G ... album list display screen, AL1 to AL3 ... album cover image, P ... Password input request screen.

Claims (8)

[Claims] An image storage means for storing a plurality of related images including an image representative of each display position in association with each of a plurality of image display positions, and a plurality of images stored in the image storage means Image display means for displaying a representative image among a plurality of images at each display position at each corresponding image display position; and a representative image for each image display position displayed by the image display means in the image storage means. An image display device comprising: an image changing unit that changes and displays another stored image that is associated with each display position. 2. The image storage unit according to claim 1, further comprising: a display image association unit configured to associate a plurality of images including a representative image for each display position with each of the plurality of image display positions. Means for storing a plurality of images associated with each display position by means,
The image display device according to claim 1, wherein: 3. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: converting a representative image associated with each of the plurality of image display positions stored in the image storage unit into another image among the plurality of images associated with the display position. The image display device according to claim 1, further comprising a representative image changing unit that changes the image. 4. An image display means for displaying a representative image of a plurality of images for each of a plurality of image display positions stored in the image storage means at a corresponding image display position in a reduced size. Wherein the image changing means has image indicating means for indicating an image displayed at each image display position by the image displaying means, and in response to a first image instruction by the image indicating means,
The representative image displayed in the reduced image size at the image display position where the image was designated is displayed after being changed to the standard size, and the image is displayed at the image display position for each second and subsequent instructions at the image display position. 4. An image changing means for changing an image to another image stored in the image storage means and associated with the display position and displaying the image in a standard size. The image display device according to claim 1. 5. The image display means and the image change means, further comprising, for each of the plurality of image display positions, a plurality of images stored in the image storage means in association with each of the image display positions. And display / non-display determining means for determining whether the image is displayed or not displayed by the image display means, wherein the image display means includes a plurality of images for each of a plurality of image display positions stored in the image storage means. Is displayed in a standard size at a corresponding image display position with respect to a representative image among a plurality of related images determined to be undisplayed by the already-displayed / not-displayed determination means, and has already been displayed. The representative image of the plurality of related images determined to be image display means is displayed in a reduced size, and the image changing means is displayed at each image display position by the image display means. An image designating means for designating an image; in response to an image designation by the image designating means, when the designated image is displayed in a reduced size, the image is changed to a standard size and displayed; In the case where the image is displayed in the standard size, an image to be displayed by changing the image displayed at the image display position to another related image stored in the image storage means for each instruction of the image The image display device according to claim 1, wherein the image display device is a changing unit. 6. The image storage means includes a plurality of types of image storage means for setting a representative image for each of the plurality of image display positions to a different representative image among related images for each of the display positions, The image display means includes: a display instruction means for instructing display of an image in a plurality of forms; and one of the plurality of types of image storage means is designated according to a form of the display instruction by the display instruction means. Image display means for displaying at a corresponding image display position a representative image among a plurality of images for each of a plurality of image display positions stored in the image storage means specified by the designation means The image display device according to claim 1, wherein: 7. The method according to claim 6, wherein the plurality of modes for instructing the display of the image by the display instructing means are directions of opening the album on the album cover image displayed on the display screen. Image display device. 8. A storage medium storing an image display processing program for controlling a computer of an image display device, wherein the computer is associated with each of a plurality of image display positions and is represented for each display position. Image storage means for storing a plurality of related images including images, image display for displaying a representative image among a plurality of images for each of a plurality of image display positions stored in the image storage means at each corresponding image display position Means for changing the representative image for each image display position displayed by the image display means to another image associated with the display position stored in the image storage means and displaying the image; A storage medium storing a computer-readable image display processing program for functioning as a computer.