JP2001069374A - Digital still camera and its display method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve operability. SOLUTION: A display RAM 13 is constituted of a picture area 30 and an information area 31 having identification information. When a display RAM control part 14 sequentially writes data converted into the data system of the display RAM 13 into the picture area by a CCD data control part 8, the display RAM control part 14 refers to identification information of the information area 31. When it is information, data converted into the data system are prevented from being written into the picture area 30. At the time of a preview mode, setting information required for photographing such as the number of remaining frames, resolution, strobe mode setting and timer setting time is overlapped with a preview picture and it is selectively displayed in the arbitrary place of color LCD 19.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a digital still camera with improved operability and a display method therefor.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A digital still camera has, for example, a color LCD. Such a color LCD
Has two display modes: a preview mode for confirming a photographed image, and a reproduction mode for reproducing an image after photographing. In recent years, there has been a strong demand for improved operability in digital still cameras having such display modes.

To meet this demand, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 10-327335 discloses a color LCD for displaying setting items necessary for photographing, such as the number of remaining frames, resolution, strobe mode setting, and timer setting time. Proposes mounting another dedicated small display device.

Then, setting items necessary for photographing are displayed on a dedicated small display device, and at the time of photographing, only a preview image obtained from a CCD is displayed on a color LCD.

[0005] For example, see Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 09-094553.
In Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. H10-209, the screen is framed in accordance with various operation modes so as to enhance discrimination.

[0006]

However, in the former prior art described above, a color LCD is used to confirm whether the setting is the intended setting at the time of photographing.
And the dedicated small display device are separately checked and photographed. For this reason, there is a problem that not only the confirmation is complicated but also there is a possibility that the photographing is performed with an incorrect setting.

Further, the display contents that can be expressed by the small-sized display device are also limited by the cost and the mounting area, so that the display contents related to the setting items necessary for photographing are restricted. Further, when the color LCD and the dedicated small display device are not mounted on the same surface of the digital still camera, there is a problem that the operator must change the viewing angle as needed.

On the other hand, in the latter prior art described above, when bordering a screen in accordance with various operation modes, the various operation modes are expressed by a combination of colors and line types such as solid lines, dotted lines, and broken lines. . In this case, it is necessary to grasp in advance which color or line type is which setting, and if the grasp is incomplete, there is a problem that the setting cannot be understood. In addition, the number of combinations of colors and line types is limited, so that there is a problem that an arbitrary combination cannot be set.

The present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and an object thereof is to provide a digital still camera capable of improving operability and a display method thereof.

[0010]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a digital still camera having a preview mode for confirming a photographed image and a reproduction mode for reproducing an image after photographing. A color LCD for displaying a video signal, an operation panel operated for performing various operations, a display RAM for storing display data to be displayed on the color LCD, and playback data and set by operation of the operation panel A RAM for storing various setting information required for photographing, a CCD for converting incident light from the lens into an analog electric signal by photoelectric conversion, and a correlation circuit for converting the analog electric signal converted by the CCD into digital data. CDS / AD that performs double sampling and analog / digital conversion, and receives digital data from CDS / AD A CCD controller, a CCD data control unit for converting digital data received by the CCD controller into a data format of a display RAM, and a reproduction data control for supplying display data stored in the RAM in a reproduction mode and various setting data in a preview mode. Part and C
A display RAM control unit that writes the reproduction data from the CD data control unit and the reproduction data control unit to the display RAM, and supplies the display data of the display RAM to the color LCD. It is characterized by including a CPU for controlling various necessary setting information to be displayed so as to be superimposed on a preview image at an arbitrary position on the color LCD. The CPU also stores various setting information necessary for shooting stored in the RAM into the color LC.
Control can be performed so that the image is superimposed on the preview image and displayed as a transparent image at an arbitrary location in D. Various setting information required for shooting includes the number of remaining frames, resolution,
It can include image quality and remaining battery capacity. Also, an arbitrary location on the color LCD can be designated by operating the operation panel. The display R
The AM includes an image area and an information area having identification information, and the display RAM control unit sequentially converts the data converted into the data format of the display RAM by the CCD data control unit.
It can be written in the image area. Further, the display RAM control unit can refer to the identification information of the information area, and when the information is information, can prevent the data converted into the data format from being written into the image area. Also,
The image area is divided into a main image area and a plurality of sub-image areas, and the display RAM control unit writes the data converted into the data format of the display RAM into the main image area regardless of the identification information of the information area. The CPU updates the contents of the RAM and stores information indicating the pointer of the rectangular area in the RAM in the information area when the setting of various setting information is changed by operating the operation panel. The content is stored in the sub-image area for each rectangular area, and the display RAM control unit refers to the content written in the information area. The image of the area is read, and if there is a pointer to the rectangular area, it is determined to be information, and the image (information image) of the sub-image area, which is the information image of the specified rectangular area, is read and given to the color LCD. Can Unisuru. Further, the display RAM control unit refers to the content written in the information area of the display RAM, and if there is a pointer in the rectangular area, determines that the information is information, and determines each of the main image areas as preview data. The result of the logical sum of the value of the RGB data and the image (information image) data of the sub-image area which is the information image of the specified rectangular area can be provided to the color LCD. When the pointer of the rectangular area is present, the display RAM control unit determines that the information is information, and subtracts a predetermined amount of each of the RGB data of the main image area, which is the preview data, to obtain the value of the designated rectangular area. The result of the logical sum of the image (information image) data of the sub-image area, which is the information image, is represented by
It can be given to a CD. 11. The display method of a digital still camera according to claim 10, wherein the captured image is confirmed in a preview mode, and the reproduced image is reproduced in a reproduction mode. A first step of displaying on the LCD, a second step of performing various operations on the operation panel, a third step of storing display data to be displayed on the color LCD in a display RAM, A fourth step of storing various setting information necessary for photographing set by the operation in the RAM, a fifth step of photoelectrically converting incident light from the lens by a CCD into an analog electric signal, and The analog double-ended signal for converting the analog electric signal into digital data and the analog / digital conversion are converted to CDS /
A sixth step performed by the AD, a seventh step of receiving digital data from the CDS / AD by the CCD controller, and a sixth step of converting the digital data received by the CCD controller into a data format of the display RAM by the CCD data control unit. A ninth step in which display data stored in the RAM in the reproduction mode and various setting data in the preview mode are supplied by the reproduction data control unit;
The tenth step of writing the reproduction data from the CD data control part and the reproduction data control part to the display RAM by the display RAM control part and supplying the display data of the display RAM to the color LCD; And an eleventh step of controlling the CPU to display the stored various setting information necessary for photographing so as to be superimposed on the preview image at an arbitrary position on the color LCD. The eleventh step includes a twelfth step of controlling various setting information necessary for photographing stored in the RAM to be displayed as a transparent image superimposed on the preview image at an arbitrary position on the color LCD. Can be made. In the fourth and eleventh or twelfth steps, the various setting information necessary for the photographing includes the number of remaining frames,
A thirteenth step of including the resolution, image quality, and remaining battery capacity may be included. In addition, the eleventh or first
The second step may include a fourteenth step in which an arbitrary place on the color LCD can be designated by operating the operation panel. The third step includes a fifteenth step of providing the display RAM with an image area and an information area having identification information, and the tenth step includes a step of converting the data converted into the data format of the display RAM. May be sequentially included in the image area. Further, the sixteenth step includes a seventeenth step of referring to the identification information of the information area and, when the information is information, preventing the data converted into the data format from being written into the image area. be able to. The fifteenth step includes an eighteenth step of dividing the image area into a main image area and a plurality of sub-image areas, and the sixteenth step includes data converted to a display RAM data format. A nineteenth step of writing in the main image area irrespective of the identification information of the information area. In the eleventh step, when there is a setting change of various setting information by operating the operation panel, the contents of the RAM are changed. A twentieth step of updating; a twenty-first step of storing information indicating a pointer of a rectangular area in the RAM in the information area;
A twenty-second step of storing the display contents in the AM in the sub-image area for each rectangular area; and a tenth step is to refer to the contents written in the information area and to set a pointer to the rectangular area. If not, the 23rd step of determining that the image is an image and reading the image of the main image area to the color LCD, and if there is a rectangular area pointer, determining that it is information and determining the specified rectangle A twenty-fourth step of reading an image (information image) in the sub-image area, which is the information image of the area, and providing the image to the color LCD can be included. In the twenty-fourth step, if there is a pointer to a rectangular area, it is determined that the information is information, and each R in the main image area as preview data is determined.
A twenty-fifth step of performing a logical sum of the value of the GB data and the image (information image) data of the sub-image area, which is the information image of the designated rectangular area, and providing the result to the color LCD can be included. In the twenty-fourth step, if there is a pointer to the rectangular area, it is determined that the information is information, and a value obtained by subtracting a predetermined amount from each of the RGB data of the main image area, which is the preview data, and the information of the designated rectangular area It is possible to include a twenty-sixth step of giving the result of the logical sum of the image (information image) data of the sub-image area which is the image to the color LCD. In the digital still camera and the display method thereof according to the present invention, in the preview mode,
Various setting information necessary for shooting stored in RAM
The preview image is displayed at an arbitrary position on the color LCD so as to overlap with the preview image.

[0011]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below.

(First Embodiment) FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a first embodiment of a digital camera according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of a display RAM of FIG. 1, and FIG. , FIG. 2
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the configuration of the information area of FIG. 2, and FIG. 8 is a view for explaining the display state of the color LCD of FIG.

The digital still camera shown in FIG. 1 includes an iris / shutter control unit 1, a CCD 2, a CDS / AD3,
CCD controller 4, lens 5, V driver 6, timing generator 7, CCD data controller 8, CPU
10, a ROM 11, a RAM 12, a display RAM 13, a display RAM control unit 14, a reproduction data control unit 15, an external storage unit 16, a video signal generation unit 17, a D / A conversion unit 18, a color LCD 19, and an operation panel 20.

The iris / shutter control unit 1 includes a lens 5
It controls the iris, shutter, autofocus, zoom, etc. attached to the camera. The CCD 2 photoelectrically converts incident light from the lens 5 into an analog electric signal.

The CDS / AD 3 performs a correlated double sample for converting an analog electric signal converted by the CCD 2 into digital data and performs analog / digital conversion. The CCD controller 4 controls the timing generator 7, receives digital data from the CDS / AD 3, and supplies the digital data to the CCD data control unit 8.

The lens 5 receives incident light. The V driver 6 raises or lowers the control signal of the CCD 2 in the vertical direction. The timing generator 7 controls the CCD 2 at a predetermined timing.

The CCD data controller 8 processes the CCD data received from the CCD controller 4 into a data format of the display RAM 13 and supplies the data to the display RAM controller 14.
The CPU 10 controls the operation of each unit. ROM 11
The operation procedure of the CPU 10 and the like are stored.

The RAM 12 stores reproduction data and the like.
The display RAM 13 stores display data to be displayed on the color LCD 19. In addition, the display RAM 13 is provided in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 1, the image area 30 and the information area 31 are provided. Here, image data displayed on the color LCD 19 is stored in the image area 30. The information area 31 stores recognition information for identifying an image or information.

The display RAM control unit 14 writes the display data supplied from the CCD data control unit 8 and the reproduction data control unit 15 into the display RAM 13,
Is supplied to the video signal generator 17.

The reproduction data control unit 15 supplies the display RAM control unit 14 with the reproduction data stored in the RAM 12 in the reproduction mode and various setting data in the preview mode.

The external storage section 16 stores reproduction data and the like. The video signal generation unit 17 generates a video signal so that the display data supplied from the display RAM control unit 14 conforms to a display standard such as NTSC or PAL.

The D / A converter 18 is provided with the video signal generator 1
The digital video signal generated in step 7 is subjected to digital / analog conversion. The color LCD 19 displays an analog video signal. The operation panel 20 is operated when performing various operations.

Next, the operation of the digital still camera having such a configuration will be described.

First, the signal from the CCD 2 is CDS / A
The digital signal is supplied to D3 and converted into a digital signal having a bit width of 8 bits, 10 bits, 12 bits, etc.
It is supplied to the CCD controller 4.

The CCD controller 4 controls the operation mode of the CCD 2 and sequentially supplies data to the CCD data control unit 8. The CCD data control unit 8 includes a CCD
The data supplied from the controller 4 is displayed on the display RAM 13
Is converted to conform to the format. Here, the data supplied from the CCD controller 4 has a data array according to the color filters of the CCD 2.

The CCD data control unit 8 is provided with a CPU 1
In accordance with an instruction from 0, white balance (WB), exposure adjustment (AE), and gamma adjustment are performed, and the number of pixels of the CCD 2 and the display size of the color LCD 19 are adjusted. The CCD data control unit 8 also performs processes such as digital zoom.

The data converted to the format of the display RAM 13 is supplied to the display RAM control unit 14. The display RAM control unit 14 sequentially stores the data in the image area 30 of the display RAM 13 shown in FIG. At this time, the display RAM control unit 14 refers to the identification information in the information area 31 of the display RAM 13 shown in FIG. 2 and does not write data if the information is information. If the identification information 31 is an image, data is written to the image area 30.

On the other hand, in the preview mode, various setting information such as the number of remaining frames, the resolution, the image quality, the remaining battery capacity, etc.
When the user operates the operation panel 20 to determine which information is displayed where, the CPU 10 sets the information. Here, in addition to the above, the various setting information includes strobe mode setting, timer setting time, white balance, shutter speed, aperture value, remaining battery power, focus value, continuous shooting mode, exposure correction, and the like.

The CPU 10 stores information indicating the display contents and the display position in the RAM 12. Further, the CPU 10 updates the contents of the RAM 12 when the display content is changed due to the setting change by the operator at the time of turning on the power. In addition, the CPU 10 controls the R
The information on the display position in the AM 12 is stored in the information area 31 of the display RAM 13 (see FIG. 2), and the display content in the RAM 12 is stored in the image area 30 of the display RAM 13 (see FIG. 2).

The display data of the image area 30 stored in the display RAM 13 is converted by the video signal generator 17
Supplied via the display RAM control unit 14, NTSC or P
The video signal is converted into a video signal conforming to a display standard such as AL and supplied to the D / A converter 18. The D / A conversion unit 18
The input digital video signal is converted from digital to analog and supplied to the color LCD 19 or an external TV monitor. Here, FIG. 8 shows a display state of the color LCD 19, for example. As shown in FIG. 8, in addition to the preview image, various setting information such as the number of remaining frames, resolution, image quality, remaining battery capacity, and the like are displayed.

Here, the display RAM 13 of the present embodiment is
Is the image area 30 and the information area 3 as shown in FIG.
And 1.

As shown in FIG. 3, the image area 30 has a one-to-one correspondence with the display area of the color LCD 19 or an external TV monitor.
, And one color is constituted by each pixel of RGB.

The display area has a size of horizontal k and vertical j. For example, in the case of NTSC, the maximum displayable area is about 480 lines as the number of scanning lines j in the vertical direction. Therefore, the display area j in the vertical direction is preferably a common divisor or a multiple of about 480 lines. Further, since the display area k in the horizontal direction is usually about 340 lines, it is desirable that the display area k be a common multiple or a common divisor of 340 as in the vertical direction.

The information area 31 is configured as shown in FIG. That is, it is composed of information regions 1 to m in the horizontal direction and information regions 1 to n in the vertical direction. Each piece of identification information is composed of one to a plurality of bits. Image area 30
Has a one-to-one correspondence when m = k and n = j.

It is also possible to set k = am and j = bn (a and b are positive integers of 2 or more). For example, j = 24
When 0, k = 170, m = 120, and n = 85, the minimum unit of the information area 31 is two pixels vertically and horizontally in the display area. Each piece of identification information is generally composed of one bit in order to minimize the capacity of the display RAM 13 so that it can be distinguished from setting information such as the number of remaining frames, resolution, strobe mode setting, timer setting time, or an image. It has become.

As described above, in the first embodiment, the display RAM 13 is composed of the image area 30 and the information area 31 having the identification information.
When the data converted into the data format of the display RAM 13 by the D data control unit 8 is sequentially written into the image area, the display RAM control unit 14 refers to the identification information of the information area 31, and when the information is information, the data format is Since the converted data is not written in the image area 30, the number of remaining frames, resolution, strobe mode setting,
Color L for setting information required for shooting, such as timer setting time
The CD 19 can be selectively displayed at an arbitrary position so as to overlap the preview image. Also, color LCD
The image can be displayed as an image that is superimposed on the preview image at any of the 19 locations.

(Second Embodiment) FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the configuration of a display RAM according to a second embodiment of the digital camera of the present invention, and FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the configuration of the main image area of FIG. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the configuration of the information area of FIG.

In the second embodiment, the display RAM 13 and the display RAM control unit 14 described above are further devised.

That is, as shown in FIG.
Reference numeral 13 includes an information area 31, a main image area 30a, and one or more sub-image areas (1, x) 32.

The display RAM control unit 14 includes a display RAM 13
RAM that sequentially displays the CCD2 data converted to the format
Thirteen main image areas 30a. At this time, the display R
The AM control unit 14 writes data regardless of the identification information in the information area 31 of the display RAM 13.

On the other hand, the CPU 10 updates the contents of the RAM 12 when the power is turned on and the display contents are changed due to the setting change by the operator. In addition, the CPU 10
Stores the information indicating the pointer of the rectangular area in the RAM 12 in the information area 31 of the display RAM 13 via the reproduction data control unit 15, and displays the display content in the RAM 12 for each rectangular area in the sub-image area of the display RAM 13. 32. Therefore, the required number of sub-image areas 32 is the number of rectangular areas to be displayed. The size of the sub-image area 32 depends on the size of the rectangular area.

Then, the display RAM control unit 14 sets the display R
With reference to the contents written in the information area 31 of the AM 13, when there is no rectangular area pointer, the image is determined to be an image, the image in the main image area 30 a is read, and supplied to the video signal generator 17. If there is a pointer to a rectangular area, the image (information image) of the sub-image area 32, which is an information image of the specified rectangular area, is supplied to the video signal generation unit 17.

In short, the second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the information area 31 has information indicating whether the information area 31 is preview data or points to a pointer for displaying rectangular data. Is different. Therefore, as the unit of each piece of identification information, the number of bits indicating the number of rectangular areas + 1 is required.

As described above, in the second embodiment, the image area is divided into the main image area 30a and the plurality of sub-image areas 32, and the display RAM control unit 14 controls the display area.
The data converted into the data format of AM13 is written in the main image area 30a regardless of the identification information of the information area 31,
When the CPU changes the setting of various setting information by operating the operation panel 20, the content of the RAM 12 is updated and information indicating a pointer of a rectangular area in the RAM 12 is stored in the information area 31. Is stored in the sub-image area 32 for each rectangular area, the display RAM control unit 14 refers to the content written in the information area 31, and if there is no pointer to the rectangular area, it is determined that the image is an image. To read the image in the main image area 30a,
When there is a rectangular area pointer, the image (information image) of the sub-image area, which is the information image of the specified rectangular area, can be read and given to the color LCD 19.

Thus, similarly to the first embodiment, it is possible to selectively display the setting information required for photographing on the color LCD 19 at an arbitrary position so as to overlap the preview image.

(Third Embodiment) The third embodiment has the same configuration as that of the above-described second embodiment, but the display RAM control unit 14 is further devised and the sub-image area 32 data storage formats are also devised.

That is, the data processing flow is the same as in the second embodiment, but the display RAM control unit 14
With reference to the contents written in the information area 31 of the display RAM 13, if there is no rectangular area pointer, it is determined that the image is an image, the image in the main image area 30 a is read, and supplied to the video signal generator 17. .

If there is a pointer to a rectangular area, it is determined that the information is information, and the value of each RGB data of the main image area 30a, which is preview data, and the sub-image, which is an information image of the specified rectangular area, are displayed. The result of the logical sum of the image (information image) data in the area 32 and the video signal generation unit 17
To supply.

By doing so, it is possible to display only characters and symbols of information data in a rectangular area.
At this time, the background of the various information is data (RGB) corresponding to blanks other than characters and symbols in the sub-image area 32.
In the case of data, the preview data can be displayed by setting R = G = B = 0).

As described above, in the third embodiment, the information area 3 of the display RAM 13 is
1, if there is a pointer to a rectangular area, it is determined that the information is information, and the value of each RGB data of the main image area 30a, which is preview data, and the value of the designated rectangular area The result of the logical sum of the image (information image) data of the sub-image area 32 as the information image is displayed on the color LCD.
19, only characters and symbols of information data can be displayed in a rectangular area for displaying various setting information. At this time, the preview data can be displayed as a background. In this case, information loss of the image of the main preview data can be minimized.

(Fourth Embodiment) The fourth embodiment has the same structure as that of the second embodiment. However, the display RAM control unit 14 is further devised and the sub-image area 3
The second data storage format is also devised.

That is, the flow of data processing is the same as that of the second embodiment, but the display RAM control unit 14
With reference to the contents written in the information area 31 of the display RAM 13, if there is no rectangular area pointer, it is determined that the image is an image, the image in the main image area 30 a is read, and supplied to the video signal generator 17. .

If there is a pointer to the rectangular area, it is determined that the information is information, and a value obtained by subtracting a predetermined amount from each of the RGB data of the main image area 30 which is the preview data and the information image of the specified rectangular area The result of the logical sum of the image (information image) data of the sub-image area 32 is supplied to the video signal generator 17.

As described above, in the fourth embodiment, when there is a pointer in a rectangular area, the display RAM control unit 14 determines that the information is information, and determines each of the main image areas 30a as preview data. A sub-image area 3 which is a value obtained by subtracting a predetermined amount from RGB data and an information image of a specified rectangular area
Since the result of the logical sum of the two image (information image) data is given to the color LCD 19, the characters and symbols of the information data can be displayed in a floating manner in the rectangular area. Also, at this time, the background of the rectangular area can be slightly darker preview data. Therefore, by displaying the information, it is possible to minimize the information loss of the image of the main preview data.

[0055]

As described above, according to the digital still camera and the display method thereof according to the present invention, in the preview mode, various setting information necessary for photographing stored in the RAM can be previewed at an arbitrary place on the color LCD. Since the image is superimposed on the image, the operability can be improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a digital camera according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a display RAM of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an image area in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a configuration of an information area in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a display RAM according to a second embodiment of the digital camera of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a main image area in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a configuration of an information area in FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining a display state of the color LCD of FIG. 1;

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 iris / shutter control unit 2 CCD 3 CDS / AD 4 CCD controller 5 lens 6 V driver 7 timing generator 8 CCD data control unit 10 CPU 11 ROM 12 RAM 13 display RAM 14 display RAM control unit 15 playback data control unit 16 external storage Unit 17 Video signal generation unit 18 D / A conversion unit 19 Color LCD 20 Operation panel 30 Image area 30a Main image area 31 Information area 32 Sub-image area

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) G03B 17/18 G03B 17/18 Z 5C052 17/20 17/20 5C053 19/02 19/02 H04N 5/907 H04N 5/907 B 5/91 5/91 J F term (reference) 2H002 AB01 FB21 FB28 FB41 FB51 FB67 GA68 HA11 JA07 ZA02 2H054 AA01 2H093 NC07 NC13 NC24 NC28 ND60 NG05 NG20 2H102 AA41 AA71 AB05 AB11 AB35 BA01 BA05 AB00 AC01 AC13 AC16 AC32 AC42 AC69 AC73 CA00 5C052 AA17 AB03 AB04 AC08 DD04 DD08 EE02 EE03 5C053 FA08 FA14 GB05 HA29 HA33 JA16 JA21 KA04 KA21 KA24 LA01 LA06

Claims (18)

[Claims] 1. A digital still camera having a preview mode for confirming a photographed image and a reproduction mode for reproducing an image after photographing, wherein a color LCD for displaying an analog video signal and various operations are performed. A display RAM for storing display data to be displayed on the color LCD; a RAM for storing reproduction data and various kinds of setting information necessary for photographing set by operating the operation panel; A CCD that photoelectrically converts incident light from a lens into an analog electric signal; a CDS / that performs correlated double sampling for converting the analog electric signal converted by the CCD into digital data and analog / digital conversion AD and a CCD for receiving digital data from the CDS / AD
A controller, and digital data received by the CCD controller,
A CCD data control unit for converting the data into a data format of the display RAM; a reproduction data control unit for supplying display data stored in the RAM in a reproduction mode and various setting data in the preview mode; A display RAM control unit for writing the reproduction data from the data control unit to the display RAM and supplying the display data of the display RAM to the color LCD; Necessary setting information can be stored in the color LCD
A digital still camera, comprising: a CPU for controlling display of the preview image at an arbitrary position overlaid on the preview image. 2. The CPU according to claim 1, wherein said CPU stores various setting information necessary for photographing stored in said RAM in said color LC.
2. The digital still camera according to claim 1, wherein the digital still camera is controlled so as to be displayed as a transparent image superimposed on the preview image at an arbitrary position in D. 3. 3. The digital still camera according to claim 1, wherein the various setting information necessary for photographing includes a remaining frame number, a resolution, an image quality, and a remaining battery capacity. 4. The digital still camera according to claim 1, wherein an arbitrary position of the color LCD can be designated by operating the operation panel. 5. The display RAM includes an image area and an information area having identification information. The display RAM control unit converts data converted into a data format of the display RAM by the CCD data control unit. 2. The digital still camera according to claim 1, wherein writing is sequentially performed on the image area. 6. The display RAM control unit refers to identification information of the information area, and when the information is information, prevents the data converted into the data format from being written into the image area. The digital still camera according to claim 5. 7. The image area is divided into a main image area and a plurality of sub-image areas, and the display RAM control unit stores the data converted into the data format of the display RAM in the main image area. Regardless of the identification information of the information area, the CPU updates the contents of the RAM and changes the pointer of the rectangular area in the RAM when the setting of the various setting information is changed by operating the operation panel. Information stored in the information area;
Is stored in the sub-image area for each rectangular area, and the display RAM control unit refers to the content written in the information area. It is determined that there is an image in the main image area, and if there is a pointer to the rectangular area, it is determined to be information and the image of the sub-image area (information The digital still camera according to claim 1, wherein the digital still camera reads an image and supplies the read image to the color LCD. 8. The display RAM control unit, wherein the display RA control unit
Referring to the contents written in the information area of M, if there is a pointer to the rectangular area, it is determined that the information is information, and designated as the value of each RGB data of the main image area which is preview data. 8. The digital still camera according to claim 7, wherein a result obtained by performing an OR operation on image (information image) data of the sub-image area, which is an information image of the rectangular area, is provided to the color LCD. 9. When there is a pointer to the rectangular area, the display RAM control unit determines that the information is information, and subtracts a predetermined amount of each of the RGB data of the main image area, which is preview data, from the data. 8. The digital still camera according to claim 7, wherein a result of performing a logical sum of image (information image) data of the sub-image area, which is an information image of the specified rectangular area, is provided to the color LCD. 10. A digital still camera display method for confirming a photographed image in a preview mode and reproducing an image after photographing in a reproduction mode, comprising: a first step of displaying an analog video signal on a color LCD; A second step of performing various operations using an operation panel; and displaying display data for displaying on the color LCD.
A third step of storing the data in the AM, a fourth step of storing various setting information required for photographing set by operating the operation panel in the RAM, and photoelectric conversion of incident light from the lens by the CCD. A fifth step of converting the analog electric signal converted by the CCD into digital data and performing analog / digital conversion by CDS / AD, and a fifth step of converting the analog electric signal converted by the CCD into digital data. A seventh step of receiving digital data from the CDS / AD by a CCD controller; and a step of receiving digital data received by the CCD controller.
An eighth step of converting the display data into the data format of the display RAM by the CCD data control unit, and a ninth step of supplying the display data stored in the RAM in the reproduction mode and various setting data in the preview mode by the reproduction data control unit And the display data from the CCD data control unit and the reproduction data control unit are displayed by the display RAM control unit on the display RA.
A tenth step of writing display data of the display RAM to the color LCD and writing the various setting information necessary for photographing stored in the RAM to the color LCD by the CPU during the preview mode. An eleventh step of performing control so as to superimpose and display the preview image at an arbitrary position on the color LCD. 11. The eleventh step includes controlling to display various setting information necessary for photographing stored in the RAM as a transparent image superimposed on a preview image at an arbitrary position on the color LCD. The display method of a digital still camera according to claim 10, further comprising a twelfth step. 12. The fourth, eleventh, or twelfth step includes a thirteenth step in which the various setting information necessary for shooting includes the number of remaining frames, resolution, image quality, and remaining battery capacity. The display method for a digital still camera according to claim 10, wherein: 13. The eleventh or twelfth step includes a fourteenth step in which an arbitrary place on the color LCD can be designated by operating the operation panel. Or the display method of the digital still camera according to 11. 14. The display RAM according to claim 3, wherein
A fifteenth step of providing an image area and an information area having identification information. The tenth step includes sequentially writing data converted into the data format of the display RAM in the image area. First
11. The display method for a digital still camera according to claim 10, comprising the following six steps. 15. The method according to claim 16, further comprising the step of: referring to the identification information of the information area, and preventing the data converted into the data format from being written into the image area when the information is information. 2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of:
5. The display method of the digital still camera according to 4. 16. The method according to claim 16, wherein the fifteenth step includes an eighteenth step of dividing the image area into a main image area and a plurality of sub-image areas. A nineteenth step of writing the data converted into the data format into the main image area regardless of the identification information of the information area is included. An eleventh step includes the steps of: A twentieth step of updating the contents of the RAM when there is a change of the setting; a twenty-first step of storing information indicating a pointer of a rectangular area in the RAM in the information area; A twenty-second step of storing display contents in the sub-image area for each rectangular area; and in the tenth step, referring to the content written in the information area, there is no rectangular area pointer. If the image is 23 the cross-sectional to provide an image of the main image area on reading the color LCD
And if there is a pointer to the rectangular area, read the image (information image) of the sub-image area, which is the information image of the specified rectangular area, as the information, and read the color LCD
15. The display method for a digital still camera according to claim 10, further comprising: 17. In the twenty-fourth step, when there is a pointer to the rectangular area, it is determined that the information is information, and the value of each RGB data of the main image area, which is preview data, and the designated rectangular area 17. A digital still camera according to claim 16, further comprising a twenty-fifth step of providing a result of performing a logical sum of image (information image) data of the sub-image area, which is the information image, to the color LCD. Display method. 18. In the twenty-fourth step, when there is a pointer to the rectangular area, it is determined that the information is information, and a value obtained by subtracting a predetermined amount of each RGB data of the main image area as preview data is designated. 17. The method according to claim 16, further comprising the step of: providing a result of performing a logical sum of image (information image) data of the sub-image area, which is the information image of the rectangular area, to the color LCD. Digital still camera display method.