JP2001069455A - Image processor, image processing method and storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To recognize one set of plural images such as stitch images or consecutively photographed images to be easily separated from the other set by controlling the display of plural read images so that the set of plural images can be separated from the other set when plural sets of plural images exist in plural images. SOLUTION: Stitching marks 7 and 8 are added to one set of stitch images among plural read images. There is one set of ranges, to which stitching marks are continuously added, and the sets can be distinguished by breaks. Namely, two left images become one set of stitch assist images and remaining four images become the other set of stitch assist images. In this way, the stitch assist images and which images are to be one set can easily be recognized. Thus, when a user clicks the stitching mark 7 with a mouse, for example, two left images are selected.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus, an image processing method and an image processing method for displaying an image stored on a screen of a computer or the like from a device such as a digital camera for storing a large number of images. It relates to a storage medium.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, an increasing number of digital cameras have a function of shooting not only a single image but also a "group" image. For example, this is the panoramic image shooting mode (hereinafter, referred to as stitch assist mode).

In this stitch assist mode, when it is desired to obtain a wide image that cannot be covered by one shot, the wide scene is shot in a plurality of shots. At this time, adjacent captured images need to have an overlap portion that is common to both images. The multiple images captured in this way are transferred to a personal computer and combined into a single wide image using panorama synthesis software to create the image. This panorama synthesis software automatically searches for an overlapping portion of the preceding adjacent images, and performs synthesis so that the overlapping portions match.

[0004] Continuously shot images are also examples of group images. In a digital camera, a photographed image is recorded on a memory card and can be erased if unnecessary, so that the cost can be reduced compared to recording on a film, and continuous photographing can be easily performed. Since a continuous shot image captures the same scene in several frames per second, it can be considered as one set.

After taking a picture with a camera, the camera can be connected to a personal computer via a cable such as RS-232C, and a TWAIN driver or dedicated utility software corresponding to the camera can be started to display images in the camera. In this case, in order to easily list the images in the camera, the images are displayed as reduced images of the main images called thumbnail images. While viewing the thumbnail images, the user selects the images to be captured into the personal computer and presses the image capturing button, whereby those images are transferred from the camera to the personal computer.

FIG. 1 shows an example of dedicated utility software. 1 is a screen example of this utility software,
Reference numeral 2 denotes a frame portion of the thumbnail image. In this frame, 3 thumbnail images are displayed, and icons corresponding to the shooting modes of 5 and 6 images and image attributes are displayed. In this example, reference numeral 5 denotes an icon indicating that shooting was performed in the stitch assist mode, and reference numeral 6 indicates an icon indicating shooting in the continuous shooting mode. In this window, a thumbnail can be selected with a mouse and an image can be transferred from the camera to the computer by pressing the image capture button 4.

[0007]

In the case of an image photographed in the stitch assist mode as described above (hereinafter, referred to as a stitch image), the user finally wants one wide panoramic image and photographs it. I want to use panorama synthesis software to get it.

In many cases of continuous shot images, rather than storing all of the continuous shot images, rather than selecting several images considered to have been well taken from among them, delete them. Often you want to end.

As described above, in the case of images taken in "sets", there is an operation to be performed successively, and it is necessary to provide means for smoothly performing this operation.

Conventionally, in the case of panoramic synthesis, a stitch image is visually checked with utility software as shown in FIG. 1 and thumbnails with a stitch assist icon are visually checked, and a set of stitch assist images is selected from the thumbnails with a mouse click. Then, press the image capture button 4 to save the image in the computer. After that, I started up the panorama synthesis software, read the saved stitch image, and performed synthesis. At this time, when several sets of images are shot in succession in the stitch assist mode, the stitch assist icon is continuously added to these thumbnail images. Hateful. The user has no choice but to look at the thumbnail images.

In the case of continuous shot images, use the utility software shown in FIG. 1 to check and sort individual continuous shot images in thumbnail size and then import images, or select all continuous shot images with a mouse click. , After capturing the image,
While displaying the original images one by one, it is operated whether to keep the images or delete them. In this case as well, when several sets of images are continuously shot in the continuous shooting mode, the continuous shooting icons are continuously added to the thumbnails. Difficult to understand. The user has no choice but to look at the thumbnail images.

Therefore, in the present invention, an image processing apparatus and an image processing apparatus which can easily recognize an image, such as a stitch image or a continuous shot image, which constitutes one set of a plurality of sets, distinguished from other sets easily. It is an object to provide a processing method and a storage medium.

[0013] In addition to the above, utilizing the above features,
An object of the present invention is to provide an image processing apparatus, an image processing method, and a storage medium that improve the usability of an operator, and details thereof will be clarified in the following description.

[0014]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above problems, according to the present invention, when displaying such a set of images existing in a storage means such as a camera, a plurality of stored images are displayed. At the time of reading and controlling the display of the read plurality of images, if there are a plurality of one set of images among the plurality of images, the set of the plurality of images can be distinguished from other sets. Display control is performed as described above. Further, a plurality of images are collectively selected for each set.
Further, according to the batch selection, the start of processing corresponding to the types of a plurality of images is controlled. Further, when the display portion indicating this set is selected, a plurality of images are collectively selected for each set. Furthermore, when starting processing according to the type of a set of images on a plurality of sheets, the operator is made to select whether or not to start processing. By doing as described above, the user can easily confirm one set of image groups on a plurality of sheets. In addition, it is possible to easily select an image group that needs to be continuously worked, and to easily perform a process according to the type of the image.

[0015]

FIG. 13 shows the configuration of a personal computer system which is a platform of this embodiment. In FIG. 13, reference numeral 301 denotes the main body of the computer system, 302 denotes a display for displaying data, 30
3 is a mouse which is a typical pointing device, 3
04 is a mouse button, and 305 is a keyboard. 31
Reference numeral 0 denotes a digital camera, which is connected by a communication cable such as RS-232C or USB.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a configuration of a hierarchical data management system including software and hardware. FIG.
In 4, reference numeral 509 denotes hardware, 505 denotes an operating system (OS) that runs on the hardware 509, and 504 denotes application software that runs on the OS 505. Of the blocks constituting the hardware 509 and the OS 505, those blocks which are naturally included as configuration requirements but are not directly required for describing the embodiment of the present invention are not shown.
Examples of such blocks (not shown) include a CPU as a hardware, a memory, and a memory management system as an OS. In FIG. 14, reference numeral 515 denotes a hard disk for physically storing files and data, and 508 denotes a hard disk.
S is a file system constituting S, and has a function of allowing application software to input and output files without being aware of hardware. Reference numeral 514 denotes a disk IO interface for the file system 508 to read and write the hard disk 515. 507
Is a drawing management system that constitutes the OS, and has a function that enables application software to perform drawing without being aware of hardware. A video interface 513 is used by the drawing management system 507 to draw on the display 302. Reference numeral 506 denotes an input device management system included in the OS, which has a function of enabling application software to receive a user's input without being aware of hardware. Reference numeral 510 denotes a keyboard interface for the input device management system 506 to receive input from the keyboard 305, and mouse interface 512 denotes a mouse interface for enabling the input device management system 506 to receive input from the mouse 303. Three
Reference numeral 10 denotes a digital camera, which is connected via an RS-232C cable in this example. This is managed by the 522 external interface management system via the RS-232C interface unit 521. The 523 communication module communicates with the external interface management system. The 501 camera image reading software exchanges image data and information with the camera using this communication module.

FIG. 11 shows an example of a digital camera. 1 is
It is a USB I / F and is connected to a PC. 2 is a mode dial switch, 2a playback mode, 2b shooting mode, 2c stitch assist mode, 2d slide show playback mode, 2e
Power off. 3 is a CF (Compact FlashTM) card slot. When using only the camera body, turn the mode dial switch from power off to another mode, turn on the power and enter that mode at the same time. In the photographing mode, a preview of the image is displayed on the LCD 4 and the image is photographed by pressing the release switch 5 and recorded on the CF card 6. In the playback mode, the last image shot and recorded is displayed on the LCD, and the images are sequentially sent and played by the "+" and "-" buttons 7a and 7b. In the case of the stitch assist mode, as shown in FIG.
, And a preview image is displayed on 4b so that shooting can be performed. In the slide show mode, the images recorded in the camera are played back on the LCD at regular intervals,
Or, it is reproduced on the TV by the video output of 8. At this time, the image can be sent and returned by the + and-buttons of 7a and 7b.

FIG. 2 shows a display example of a stitch image in this embodiment. Among the plurality of read images, a set of stitch images is provided with stitching marks 7 and 8. The range where the stitching marks are continuously attached is one set, and the set can be distinguished by the cut. That is, in the example of FIG. 2, two images from the left are a set of stitch assist images, and the remaining four images are another set of stitch assist images. By displaying in this manner, it can be easily recognized that the image is a stitch assist image and which image constitutes a set. Here, when the user, for example, clicks the 7 stitching mark with the mouse, the left two images are selected, and the message shown in FIG. 4 is displayed. When "yes" is selected in FIG. 4, the panorama synthesis software starts up, the selected image is automatically read, and the panorama synthesis processing can be started.

In this embodiment, when a stitch image is selected, the operator selects whether or not to start panorama synthesizing software. However, the selection by the operator is omitted, and the selection is made according to the image selection. The activation of the panorama synthesis software may be automatically started.

In this case, if the operator does not want to start the panorama synthesizing software, it is not possible to flexibly cope with it. However, since the number of operations is reduced, simple operations can be realized.

FIG. 3 shows a display example of a continuously shot image according to the present embodiment. One set of continuous shot images is marked with continuous shot image marks 9 and 10. The continuous shot image marks indicate one set of continuous shot images, and the range where the continuous shot image marks are continuously attached is one set, and the set can be distinguished by a break. Therefore, in the example of FIG. 3, the left three images and the right three images are different sets of continuous shot images. By displaying like this,
It is easy to indicate that the image is a continuous shot image and that the set of images is which. Here, when the user, for example, clicks the nine consecutively shot images with the mouse, the left three images are selected, and the message shown in FIG. 5 is displayed.
If "Yes" is selected, the continuous shot image viewer software is started.

In this embodiment, when a continuous shot image is selected, the operator selects whether or not to start the continuous shot image viewer software. However, the selection by the operator is omitted. May automatically start the continuous shot image viewer software.

In this case, if the operator does not want to start the continuous shot image viewer software, it is not possible to flexibly cope with the problem, but simple operations can be realized because the number of operations is reduced.

In this embodiment, the stitch image marks 7 and 8 and the continuous image marks 9 and 10 as described above are used.
In the above, it was made possible to recognize each set, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, each set may be surrounded by a rectangular or elliptical display, and the image forming the set and the set The interval between the boundary portions with the images not to be used may be made wider than the interval between the images constituting the set, so that the set of a plurality of images can be distinguished from other sets and recognized. Can be done.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, a group of images composed of a plurality of images can be easily recognized.
In particular, even when a plurality of group images are displayed on a list screen or the like, it is possible to distinguish and recognize each group.

Further, by selecting a stitch assist mark or a continuously shot image mark, a plurality of images constituting one set can be selected at a time, and a troublesome operation such as selecting one image at a time. Can be omitted.

Further, by selecting a set, a process corresponding to the type of image of the set can be performed. Therefore, an operation of recognizing the type of the image and starting the application software corresponding to the type is performed. Can be omitted.

Next, a basic processing procedure for a stitch assist image by the camera image reading software will be described with reference to FIG. 6. In this embodiment, the processing is performed by checking a file name. Therefore, how to assign file names in the present embodiment will be described below.

The file name is AUT_xxx during normal shooting.
It is labeled x.jpg. This xxxx starts from 0001 regardless of the shooting mode, and is incremented to 0002 and 0003 each time shooting is performed. For stitched images, ST * _xxxx.
The file name will be jpg. * Is assigned to a series of stitched images starting from 1, and the next image is ST2_xxxx,
The next image is ST3_xxxx, ... If you start shooting in the new stitch assist mode, it will start from ST1 again.

In this embodiment, it is assumed that the file names are given as described above.

When the camera image reading software is started and communication with the camera is started, in step 601 the file names and thumbnail data of all images in the camera are obtained from the camera. The thumbnail data acquired in 602 is displayed.

When reading an image, the image file is xx
Let's look at the xx values in ascending order. If there is a file name that starts with ST, it is understood that the image has been shot in the stitch assist mode. As long as the number of * s increases one by one and xxxx also increases by one, it can be determined that the images are the same set of stitched images. If the file name no longer starts with ST, * returns to 1 even if it starts with ST, is smaller than ST * of the previous image, or if xxxx is not larger by one, A set of stitched images turns out to be the end.

Therefore, a file name with the smallest xxxx is searched for from the image file read in 603. And 6
At 04, it is checked whether the file name is ST *. Where ye
If it is s, it is recognized as the first stitch image of the set at 605, and the process proceeds to the step of recognizing the last image of the set. If no, at 613 it is checked whether this is the last image. If there is an image that has not been checked yet, 61
4, the next image, that is, an image in which xxxx is the next smaller than the xxxx number of the image just examined (for example, if xxxx is 0002, the image file stored in the storage medium is a number greater than 0003, xxxx is the smallest).

If yes in 604, the image is ST in 606
Check with * If yes, the stitch assist icon 5 is first displayed on the thumbnail data. Then, at 608, it is checked whether the number of * is increased by one. If yes, at 609, it is checked whether xxxx is increased by one. If yes, 610
Then, check whether this image is all images.
If there are still images to examine, the next image in 611,
xxxx searches for the file name of the next smallest image, returns to 606, and repeats. It should be noted that 608 and 609 are set so that the first image in the set, that is, if * is 1, becomes yes.

If the file name is different from ST * in 606, the value of * is not sequentially increased by 608, or if the value of xxxx is not sequentially increased by 609 in 609, It can be seen that up to the image before the image is one set. Or if it ’s the last image,
It can be seen that this image is the last in the set. Thus, one set of stitch assist images can be determined. At 612, a stitching mark 7 is added and displayed from the first image to the last image of the set.

If the answer is no in 608 and 609, the image is already a different set of images. Therefore, in 612, a stitching mark is added before this image, and a new image is added. Assume that it is recognized as the first image in the set.

The above is the basic operation when a file name is assigned as in the present embodiment. If the method of assigning a file name or the method of recognizing a set is different, a method suitable for that is used. I just need.

Next, the procedure for starting the panorama synthesizing software will be described. If it is detected at 71 in FIG. 7 that a mouse button has been clicked, it is checked at 72 whether or not the button has been clicked on the stitching mark. If so, at 78, the thumbnails belonging to the group are selected and displayed, and at 73, the message shown in FIG. 4 is displayed.
If the user selects "Yes" to activate the panorama synthesis software, all image files belonging to the group are transferred from the camera to a predetermined location on the personal computer and stored at 76. At 77, the panorama synthesizing software is started, and the path name of the saved file is passed to this. Panorama synthesis software automatically reads these image files and synthesizes them. The image file stored in the predetermined location becomes unnecessary after the completion of the synthesis, and is automatically deleted when the panorama synthesis software ends or the camera image reading software ends.

As described above, the stitching mark (FIG. 2)
With the instructions in (7) and (8), images constituting a set can be selected at a time, so that troublesome operations such as selecting one image at a time can be omitted, and a mark indicating one set can be selected. What you do is easy for users to understand.

Further, by activating the panorama synthesizing software in accordance with the selection, the processing can be easily started by an appropriate application even if the type of the set image is not recognized in advance.

Next, with reference to FIG. 8, a description will be given of a basic processing procedure for continuously shot images by the camera image reading software. In this embodiment, the processing is performed by checking a file name. Therefore, how to assign file names in the present embodiment will be described below. The file name is AUT_xxxx.jpg during normal shooting. This xxxx starts from 0001 regardless of the shooting mode, and 0002,
0003 is incremented. CN * for continuous shot images
The file name will be _xxxx.jpg. * Is assigned from 1 to a series of continuous shot images, and the next image is CN2_xxxx,
The next image is CN3_xxxx, ... If you start shooting in a new continuous shooting mode, it will start from CN1 again.

In this embodiment, it is assumed that the file names are given as described above.

When the camera image reading software is started and communication with the camera is started, in step 601, file names and thumbnail data of all the images in the camera are obtained from the camera. The thumbnail data acquired in step 802 is displayed.

When reading an image, the image file is xx
Let's look at the xx values in ascending order. If there is a file name that starts with CN, it can be understood that the image has been shot in the continuous shooting mode. As long as the number of * s increases one by one and xxxx also increases by one, it can be determined that the images are the same set of continuously shot images. Then, if the file name does not start with CN, or if it starts with CN, * returns to 1, or it becomes smaller than the previous image's CN *, or if xxxx does not increase one by one, It turns out that the set of continuously shot images is the end.

Therefore, a file name with the smallest xxxx is searched from the image file read in 803. And 8
At 04, it is checked whether the file name is CN *. Where ye
If it is s, it is recognized as the first continuous shot image in the set in 805, and the process continues to the step for recognizing the last image in the set. If no, it checks in step 813 whether this is the last image. If there is an image that has not been checked yet, the next image in 814, that is, the xxxx number of the image just checked,
xxxx is the next smallest image (for example, if xxxx is 0002, 00
Search for the file name of the image file stored in the storage medium with a number of 03 or more (xxxx is the smallest image file).

If yes in 804, the image is CN in 806
Check with * If yes, first, a transfer image icon 6 is displayed on the thumbnail data. And 808
Then, check whether the number of * is increased by one. y
If it is es, then in 809, it is checked whether xxxx is increased by one. If yes, a check is made at 810 to see if this image is all images. If there is still an image to be checked, the next image is searched for in 811, that is, the file name of the image with the next smallest xxxx, and the process returns to 806 and repeats. Note that 808 and 809 are the first images in the set, that is, yes when * is 1.

If the file name is different from CN * in 806, or the value of * is not sequentially increased by 808, or if the value of xxxx is not sequentially increased by 809 in 809, It can be seen that up to the image before the image is one set. Or go through all the images already,
If it is the last image, it is understood that this image is the last of the set. Thus, one set of the continuous shot images can be determined. At 812, the continuous shot image mark 7 is added and displayed from the first image to the last image of the set.

If the result is no at 808 and 809, the image is already a different set of images, so at 812 a continuous image mark is added before this image and this image is newly added. It is assumed that the image is recognized as the first image in the set.

The above method is based on the premise that the file names of a plurality of images to be stored are increased by * and xxxx one by one and are arranged neatly.

However, some images are deleted by the user's file operation. For example, CN2_0004.jpg is deleted while CN1_0003.jpg CN2_0004.jpg CN3_0005.jpg CN4_0006.jpg is stored. In such a case, the remaining images will be recognized as separate sets, but to prevent this, the difference between the * and xxxx numbers in this set must be retained in any process. The difference can be solved by recognizing the same image as the same set.

The above is a basic operation when a file name is assigned as in the present embodiment. If the method of assigning a file name or the method of recognizing a set is different, a method suitable for that is used. I just need.

Next, the procedure of a method of starting the continuous shot image viewer software will be described. If it is detected at 91 in FIG. 9 that the mouse button has been clicked, it is checked at 92 whether or not the mouse button has been clicked on the continuously shot image mark. in that case,
At 98, the thumbnails belonging to the group are selected and displayed, and at 93, the message shown in FIG. 5 is displayed. If the user selects "Yes" to start the continuous shot image viewer software, all image files belonging to the group are transferred from the camera to a predetermined location on the personal computer and stored at 96. In step 97, the continuous image viewer software is activated, and the path name of the file stored is passed to the software. Continuous image viewer software automatically reads these image files and combines them. Since the image file stored in the predetermined place becomes unnecessary after the end, the image file is automatically deleted when the continuous image viewer software ends or the camera image reading software ends. FIG. 10 shows a screen example of the continuous shot image viewer software.

The continuous image viewer has two modes: a mode in which a series of images are displayed side by side, and a mode in which a series of images are displayed one by one. The side-by-side display mode is image 1
01 are displayed side by side as shown in the figure. The user views these images, and selects 104
Press the save button to save. The image to be deleted can be deleted by pressing the delete button 105. In the mode of displaying one image at a time, only one image is displayed and 10 images are displayed.
You can view the images one by one with the forward and return buttons of 7, 108. Further, with the continuous feed and continuous return buttons 109 and 110, a series of images is displayed in a continuous manner, and the effect of watching a moving image can be obtained. Also in this mode, favorite images can be saved by pressing the save button 104, and unfavorable images can be deleted by pressing the delete button 105.

There is also software relating to the continuous shot image, which creates one moving image data from the continuous shot image. In this case, the user may select whether to start the continuous shot image viewer software or the moving image data creation software at 93 in FIG. 9 and start the corresponding software according to the instruction.

As described above, the continuous shot image mark (9 in FIG. 3,
According to the instruction of 10), the images constituting the set can be selected collectively, so that troublesome operations such as selecting one image at a time can be omitted, and the selection can be performed with the mark indicating one set. Is easy for users to understand.

Further, by starting the software for the continuous shot image in accordance with the selection, the processing can be easily started by an appropriate application even if the type of the set image is not recognized in advance.

The method of determining the set image shown in FIGS. 6 and 8 is as follows.
It is not limited to this. For example, a digital camera
If a process of storing data indicating one set in each image file so that it can be distinguished from other sets of data is performed, instead of the method as shown in FIGS. The above display may be performed by referring to this data.

The display for discriminating a set of a plurality of images from other sets may be any as long as it designates the same set of images collectively as in the above embodiment. The stitching marks 7 and 8 and the continuously shot image marks 9 and 10 of the embodiment
Is a continuous long mark near each thumbnail image that indicates all the images that make up the set.However, for example, a mark that extends over the images that make up the set is displayed. Alternatively, all the images constituting the set may be surrounded by a rectangular or elliptical display, and the images constituting the set may be separated from the images constituting the set by the interval between the images constituting the set. A large interval may be provided between the image and the image that is not configured.

It should be noted that, even if the stitch assist icon or the continuous shot image icon is displayed with a number assigned to each pair, it is possible to distinguish each pair, but the above display is more visually Easy to distinguish pairs.

Further, in the present embodiment, the stitch image and the continuous shot image have been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the present invention can be implemented by forming a group of a plurality of images. . For example, in order to obtain a high-definition image, a plurality of images photographed with a half-pixel shift, such as images photographed by a so-called pixel-shift method, can be used.

The present invention can be applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices (for example, a host computer, an interface device, a reader, a printer, etc.) or an apparatus composed of one device (for example, a copying machine, a facsimile machine). May be applied.

Further, software for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiment is installed in an apparatus connected to the various devices or a computer in the system so as to operate various devices so as to realize the functions of the above-described embodiment. The present invention includes a program code supplied and executed by operating a computer (CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus according to a stored program to operate the various devices.

In this case, the program code itself of the software realizes the functions of the above-described embodiment, and the program code itself and means for supplying the program code to the computer, for example, the program code The storage medium storing the information constitutes the present invention.

As a storage medium for storing such a program code, for example, a floppy disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, ROM or the like can be used.

When the computer executes the supplied program code, not only the functions of the above-described embodiment are realized, but also the program code is
Needless to say, even when the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized in cooperation with an OS (operating system) running on a computer or other application software, such program codes are included in the embodiments of the present invention. No.

Further, the supplied program code is stored in a memory provided in a function expansion board of the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, and then stored in the function expansion board or the function storage unit based on the instruction of the program code. It is needless to say that the present invention also includes a case where a provided CPU or the like performs a part or all of the actual processing, and the processing realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments.

[0067]

As described above, according to the present invention, a plurality of combined images can be easily recognized from a plurality of images stored in a storage means such as a camera. In particular, even when a plurality of group images are displayed on a list screen or the like, it is possible to distinguish and recognize each group.

Further, it is possible to easily and collectively select a group of images for which it is necessary to continuously perform operations such as panorama composition, for each group, thereby simplifying the operation.

Further, according to the collective selection, it is possible to easily control the start of processing according to the type of image such as a stitch image or a continuous shot image.

Further, since the collective selection is performed by designating a display portion indicating that a plurality of sheets constitute one set, it is suitable for indicating that processing is to be performed on a set image, and is also suitable for the user. Easy to understand.

Further, when starting the processing according to the type of the selected set of images, the user is allowed to select whether or not to start the execution of the processing. Can respond flexibly.

Further, various processes suitable for each of the stitch image and the continuous shot image can be easily performed.

Further, by performing the transfer processing in accordance with the selection of the set image, more suitable control can be performed when an image transfer instruction is indispensable.

[Brief description of the drawings]

Fig. 1 Conventional image display software in camera

FIG. 2 is a display example of a stitch image according to the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a display example of a continuously shot image in the present embodiment.

Fig. 4 Message box when stitching mark is clicked

Fig. 5 Message box when clicking the continuous shooting mark

FIG. 6 is an example of displaying a stitch assist image in a thumbnail display.

FIG. 7 shows a procedure for starting panorama synthesis software.

FIG. 8 is an example of displaying a continuous shot image in a thumbnail display.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a procedure for starting continuous shot image viewer software.

FIG. 10 is a screen example of a continuous image viewer.

FIG. 11 shows an example of a digital camera.

FIG. 12 is a photographing example in the stitch assist mode.

FIG. 13 shows a connection example between a computer and a camera.

FIG. 14 illustrates an example of a system configuration according to the present embodiment.

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Claims (29)

[Claims] An image processing apparatus comprising: reading means for reading a plurality of images stored in a medium; and display control means for controlling display of the plurality of images read by the reading means on a monitor. In the case where a plurality of sets of a plurality of images exist in the plurality of images, the display control unit performs control so that the set of the plurality of images can be distinguished from other sets. An image processing apparatus characterized by the above-mentioned. 2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display control unit performs display such that the same set of images is indicated collectively. 3. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a selection unit that collectively selects a plurality of images for each set. 4. The apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising control means for controlling the start of processing corresponding to the type of image of the selected set in accordance with the selection of the set by the selection means. An image processing apparatus according to claim 1. 5. The control unit, when starting a process according to a type of an image of a set selected by the selection unit,
4. The image processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the operator is caused to select whether to start processing. 6. The image according to claim 3, wherein the selection by the selection unit is performed by designating a display portion indicating that the plurality of sheets constitute one set. Processing equipment. 7. When the set of images selected by the selection unit is an image taken in a shooting mode for creating a panoramic image, the control unit performs processing for creating a panoramic image from these images. The image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 4 to 6, further comprising a panoramic image processing unit that performs the following. 8. When the set of images selected by the selection unit is an image taken in a continuous shooting mode, the control unit displays these continuous shot images side by side, and displays the selected image. 8. The image processing apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising a continuous image processing step of transferring or deleting. 9. The image processing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the control unit has a function of displaying the continuously shot images one by one. 10. The image processing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said control means has a function of creating moving image data from a plurality of continuously shot images. 11. The image processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the control unit transfers the plurality of images collectively according to the selection of the selection unit. 12. The control for distinguishing the set of the plurality of images from the other sets includes, near the display unit of each image forming the same set, near the display unit of each image forming the same set. The image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein control is performed to display a mark that is continuous with all of the marks. 13. The control for distinguishing the set of a plurality of images from another set includes setting a size of a boundary between the set of the plurality of images and an image not forming the set. And controlling the image to be displayed so as to be different from the size of the boundary between the images constituting the image.
2. The image processing device according to claim 1. 14. The control for distinguishing a set of a plurality of images from other sets means controlling to display a plurality of images constituting the set so as to surround the entire set for each set. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: 15. An image processing method comprising: a reading step of reading a plurality of images stored in a medium; and a display controlling step of controlling display of the plurality of images read by the reading means on a monitor. In the case where a plurality of sets of a plurality of images exist in the plurality of images, the display control step performs control so that the set of the plurality of images can be distinguished from other sets. An image processing method comprising: 16. The image processing method according to claim 15, wherein in the display control step, display is performed such that the same set of images is indicated collectively. 17. The image processing method according to claim 15, further comprising a selection step of collectively selecting a plurality of images for each set. 18. The apparatus according to claim 17, further comprising a control step of controlling the start of processing corresponding to the type of image of the selected set in accordance with the selection of the set by the selection step. The image processing method according to 1. 19. The control step, according to which a set is selected in the selecting step, allows an operator to select whether or not to start processing corresponding to the type of image of the set. The image processing method according to claim 17, wherein: 20. The apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the selection in the selection step is performed by designating a display portion that clearly indicates that the plurality of sheets constitute one set.
The image processing method according to any one of the above. 21. When the set of images selected in the selecting step is an image shot in a shooting mode for creating a panoramic image, the control step includes a process of creating a panoramic image from these images. 18. A panoramic image processing step of performing the following.
0. The image processing method according to any one of 0. 22. When the set of images selected in the selection step is an image shot in a continuous shooting mode, the control step displays the continuous shot images side by side and displays the selected image. 22. The image processing method according to claim 18, further comprising a continuous shot image processing step of transferring or deleting. 23. The image processing method according to claim 22, wherein said control step has a function of displaying continuously shot images one by one. 24. The image processing method according to claim 22, wherein the control step has a function of creating moving image data from a plurality of continuously shot images. 25. The image processing method according to claim 17, wherein the control step transfers the plurality of images collectively according to the selection in the selection step. 26. The control for distinguishing a set of a plurality of images from other sets includes the step of: displaying, near a display unit of each image forming the same set, a portion of each image forming the same set. 26. The image processing method according to claim 15, wherein control is performed so as to display a mark that is continuous with all of the marks. 27. The control for distinguishing a set of a plurality of images from another set includes setting a size of a boundary between the set of a plurality of images and an image not forming the set. The image processing method according to any one of claims 15 to 25, wherein the image is controlled so as to be displayed so as to be different from the size of the boundary between the images constituting the image. 28. The control so that a group of a plurality of images can be distinguished from another group is controlled so as to display a plurality of images constituting the group so as to surround the whole of each group. The image processing method according to any one of claims 15 to 24, wherein: 29. A storage medium storing a program for causing a computer to execute the image processing method according to claim 15 when read and executed.