JP2004320810A - Digital camera - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a high-speed image selecting method using the fast forwarding of an expanded thumbnail image, and a digital camera with a high-speed image selecting function. <P>SOLUTION: Thumbnail image data are expanded by a thumbnail compressed image data expanding means 61, and the expanded thumbnail image data are magnified and displayed on a liquid crystal display by a thumbnail image magnified display means 62. A desired image is then selected by a thumbnail image selecting means 63. During the selection, corresponding image data are fetched and expanded by a compressed image data expanding means 64, the expanded image data are displayed on the liquid crystal display by an image display means 65, and next processing is started after the image is confirmed by a selected image confirming means 66. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a digital camera, and more particularly, to a high-speed image selection method by fast-forwarding / rewinding an enlarged thumbnail image when displaying an image on a display device such as a liquid crystal display, and a digital camera with a high-speed image selection function.

  In recent years, digital cameras (electronic still cameras) have been developed / sold and are becoming popular.

  A digital camera is configured to obtain image data by photoelectrically converting image pickup light, record the image data on a recording medium, and output the image data to an external image processing device such as a personal computer (hereinafter, a personal computer). The print image data creation process is performed, the created print image data is output to a printer, and the photographed image is printed / reproduced on paper.

  Many digital cameras are equipped with a liquid crystal display for displaying an image pickup result, and image data obtained by photoelectric conversion is compressed and recorded on a recording medium. The compression processing is usually performed according to the JPEG standard (hereinafter, JPEG compression).

  When selecting images on a personal computer, a plurality of thumbnail images are captured first and displayed on a monitor, the user is allowed to select a desired image, and the selected image data is captured from the digital camera and expanded. Is displayed on the monitor after performing the above, obtaining the user's confirmation, performing color print image data creation processing, and performing image printing with a printer connected to a personal computer.

  A thumbnail image is a reduced image used to select a desired image from image data captured by a personal computer or the like. For example, if the size (memory capacity) of image data for one frame is 1024 × 768 pixels The corresponding thumbnail image is data that is thinned out to about 80 × 60 pixels and reduced, and is recorded on a recording medium of a digital camera.

  Here, a wireless device such as a communication line or a mobile phone is connected to a digital camera, and desired image data is transmitted by wire or wirelessly, or image data for printing is directly transmitted from a digital camera to a printer for printing. In such a case, it is necessary that the digital camera reproduces an image on a liquid crystal display and selects a desired image.

  However, since the image data is JPEG-compressed and stored in the recording medium, to reproduce and display the image on the liquid crystal display, the image data stored in the recording medium is read out, decompressed, and expanded in the frame memory. There is a need to.

  If the expansion means of the compressed data is constituted by a hardware circuit, the expansion / decompression time of the compressed data is short. However, in order to reduce the cost, in a popular digital camera, the expansion means is usually provided by a program (hereinafter, expansion program). It takes two to three seconds to decompress and decompress a JPEG-compressed image of one frame (1024 × 768 pixels) by a decompression program.

  For this reason, the image display time is perceived to be long for the user, and in order to select a desired image, the image data must be sequentially called and displayed. In the latter case, it takes a long time to actually select the image, which is disadvantageous in practical use.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and has as its object to provide a high-speed image selection method and a digital camera with a high-speed image selection function for fast-forwarding an enlarged thumbnail image.

  According to a first aspect of the present invention for achieving the above object, there is provided a method for selecting an image captured by a digital camera, in which a thumbnail image is enlarged and fast-forwarded / fast-returned and sequentially displayed. A high-speed image selection method is characterized in that a desired thumbnail image is selected, and compressed image data corresponding to the thumbnail image is expanded to obtain image data.

  In the first aspect, the thumbnail image is displayed at high speed by enlarged fast-forward / fast-reverse, and after selection, the compressed image data is expanded to realize high-speed image selection.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a high-speed image selection method according to the first aspect, wherein the enlarged thumbnail images are indexed and sequentially displayed in a fast forward / fast reverse manner.

  In the second aspect, the thumbnail image with the index is enlarged / fast-forwarded / fast-returned to further facilitate the selection of the image.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a digital camera for recording image data obtained by photoelectrically converting image pickup light and its thumbnail image data on a recording medium, a display device for displaying an image, and data for decompressing compressed image data. Decompression means, thumbnail enlarged image display means for enlarging thumbnail image data and displaying the thumbnail image data on the display device, and thumbnail image selecting means for fast-forwarding / rewinding the displayed enlarged thumbnail image to select a desired thumbnail image; A high-speed image selection function, comprising: an image display unit that displays image data corresponding to the selected thumbnail image on the display device; and a selected image confirmation unit that determines the displayed image as a selected image. In the attached digital camera.

  In the third aspect, a thumbnail image is displayed at high speed by enlarged fast-forward / fast-return, and after selection, the compressed image data is expanded to realize high-speed image selection.

  The digital camera with a high-speed image selection function according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, wherein the fast forward / fast reverse of the enlarged thumbnail by the thumbnail image selecting means is started by a predetermined switch operation. Digital camera with function.

  In the fourth aspect, the thumbnail image can be easily enlarged / fast-forwarded / fast-returned by a predetermined switch operation, and high-speed selection can be performed.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the digital camera with the high-speed image selection function according to the third or fourth aspect, the fast forward / fast reverse of the enlarged thumbnail image by the thumbnail image selecting means is performed by the normal image data sending / forwarding. A digital camera with a high-speed image selection function, which is started when an instruction to continuously return is issued.

In the fifth aspect, when images are continuously selected within a predetermined period of time, the process automatically shifts to thumbnail image enlargement / fast-forward / return, and high-speed selection is easily realized.
Further, since the enlarged thumbnail image is displayed until the image data is displayed, the user's feeling of waiting is eased.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the digital camera with a high-speed image selection function according to any one of the third to fifth aspects, the expansion processing of the image data by the data expansion unit is performed together with the display processing of the enlarged thumbnail image corresponding thereto. And a digital camera with a high-speed image selection function.

  In the sixth aspect, since the expansion processing of the image data is performed together with the enlargement display processing of the thumbnail image, the display of the image data after the selection is completed is quickly performed.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the digital camera with a high-speed image selection function according to any one of the third to sixth aspects, an index unit for adding an index to the enlarged thumbnail image displayed by the thumbnail image enlarged display unit is provided. A digital camera with a high-speed image selection function, further comprising:

  In the seventh aspect, an index is added to the enlarged thumbnail image, so that image selection by fast forward / fast reverse can be easily performed.

  According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a digital camera for recording image data obtained by photoelectrically converting imaging light and its thumbnail image data on a recording medium, a data decompression function of decompressing the compressed image data, A thumbnail enlarged image display function for enlarging and displaying the thumbnail image on a display device, a thumbnail image selecting function for fast-forwarding / rewinding the displayed enlarged thumbnail image to select a desired thumbnail image, Read by a digital camera which records a program for realizing an image display function for displaying the corresponding decompressed image data on the display device and a selected image confirmation function for confirming the displayed image as a selected image. On a possible recording medium.

  By executing the program recorded on the recording medium according to the seventh aspect, it becomes possible to fast-forward / rewind the enlarged thumbnail image.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a digital camera according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

  In FIG. 1A, a digital camera 100 includes a lens, an aperture mechanism, and the like, and an optical system 1 that receives reflected light from an image to be captured on a CCD 2 and converts imaging light from the optical system 1 into an electric signal. A CCD 2; and an image data generating unit 3 that processes signals from the CCD 2 and outputs the processed data to the frame memory 12A as multi-valued (R, G, B) raster data (image data). An input unit 5, a moving image display control unit 6, an image data output unit 7, a recording medium control unit 8, a built-in recording medium 9, an extended recording medium 10, an interface 11, an LED lamp 15 as a display unit, and a liquid crystal display 16 are provided.

  Here, the control unit 4 controls the operation of the image data creation unit 3, the moving image display control unit 6, the image data output unit 7, the recording medium control unit 8, and the high-speed image selection unit 60, image processing, and image compression / decompression processing. And the like. The input means 5 includes buttons, switches, and the like, and inputs instructions from the user by these operations, converts the instructions into digital signals, and provides the digital signals to the control unit 4.

  The moving image display control unit 6 outputs image data to the liquid crystal display 16 to display a moving image. In the present embodiment, in the normal display, the image data stored in the frame memories 12A and 12B is superimposed and displayed. Normally, the image data writing unit 3 writes the image data into the frame memory 12A a predetermined number of times, for example, 30 times or 60 times. It is performed in the same phase in synchronization with data writing.

  The image data output unit 7 converts the R, G, and B raster data on the frame memory 12A into a luminance component Y and color difference components U and V when a specific button is pressed during moving image display and an image recording is instructed. Conversion and JPEG compression are performed, and further, a reduction process for creating a thumbnail image is performed.

  The recording medium control unit 8 receives the output of the image data output unit 7 and stores the JPEG-compressed image data (hereinafter simply referred to as image data) and the reduced image data at a predetermined position on the built-in recording medium 9 or the extended recording medium 10. And recording control such as reading of each recorded JPEG image data.

  The built-in recording medium 9 and the extended recording medium 10 are for storing image data, and the serial or parallel interface 11 is for exchanging data with an external device. The LED lamp 15 displays a switch status and a function specification, and the liquid crystal display 16 displays a photographed image or a photographed object.

  The frame memory 12A is normally used as an image display memory of the liquid crystal display 16, and the image data is developed in a bitmap image. The frame memory 12B is used as a menu display memory as needed. At the time of display on the liquid crystal display 16, the contents of the frame memories 12A and 12B are superimposed and displayed as necessary.

  In the embodiment, the built-in recording medium 9 is constituted by a 4 MB flash memory fixed inside the camera 100, and the built-in recording medium 9 stores not only image data but also data such as programs. In the embodiment, a memory card of 4 to 16 MB is used as the extended storage medium 10, and in this case, a memory card interface (PCMCIA interface: not shown) is used. Another card type memory such as a flash (registered trademark) can be used.

  FIG. 1B shows the configuration of the control unit 4. The control unit 4 includes a CPU 41, a RAM 42, and a ROM 43. The ROM 43 stores data processing inside the digital camera such as operation control of the digital camera 100 and data compression / expansion processing. A group of necessary programs is stored.

  Further, the digital camera 100 transmits the image data stored in the built-in recording medium 9 to an external device, for example, a computer device 200 such as a personal computer via the interface 11, and communicates via the modem 300. When the digital camera 100 has a print image data creation processing program group, the print image data can be created, transmitted directly to the printer 400, stored, and printed.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a high-speed image selection unit 60 constituting a main part of the digital camera of the present invention. The high-speed image selection unit 60 includes a thumbnail compressed image data expansion unit 61, a thumbnail image enlargement display unit 62, It comprises a thumbnail image selecting means 63, a compressed image data expanding means 64, an image displaying means 65, and a selected image confirming means 66.

  In this embodiment, the high-speed image selection means 60 is configured by software. Further, the high-speed image selecting means 60 may be configured to be stored in the ROM 43, or the high-speed image selecting means 60 may be fetched from the external recording medium, stored in the recording medium 9, and transferred to the RAM 42 at the time of execution. It may be configured to execute.

  The thumbnail compressed image data decompression means 61 takes in the thumbnail image data into the RAM 42, decompresses the compressed thumbnail image data, and expands the thumbnail image data into the RAM 42. Further, since the thumbnail image has a small number of pixels, even if the expansion processing of all the thumbnail images is performed, the processing time is extremely shorter than the expansion time of the image data. In the case where the thumbnail image data is not subjected to the compression processing, the thumbnail compressed image data decompression means 61 is not required.

  The thumbnail image enlargement display means 62 enlarges the expanded thumbnail image data, transfers it to the frame memory 12A and develops it as an image image, and displays the enlarged thumbnail image 31 or 35 on the liquid crystal display 16 as an enlarged image (FIG. 3 (a) and (b)).

  In this case, if the thumbnail image is simply enlarged and displayed, the space between the pixels becomes sparse and the whole image becomes blurred. Therefore, it is desirable to display the thumbnail image obtained by interpolating the enlarged image (FIG. 4).

  When a button provided near the liquid crystal display 16 is operated by the user, the thumbnail image selecting means 63 determines the meaning of the operation result, scrolls the enlarged thumbnail image 31 or 35 in the display screen, and Identify the desired image.

  When the enlarged thumbnail image is displayed, the compressed image data expanding means 64 takes in the image data corresponding to the thumbnail image from the recording medium into the RAM 42, expands the image data, and expands the image data.

  The image display means 65 transfers the image data developed in the RAM 42 to the frame memory 12A, develops it as an image image, and displays it on the liquid crystal display 16. As a result, the expansion processing of the specified image data is completed while the user is viewing the enlarged thumbnail image, and the enlarged thumbnail is overwritten to display clear image data.

  The selected image confirming means 66 determines the meaning of the operation result when a specific button provided near the liquid crystal display 16 is operated by the user, and when it corresponds to the confirmation of the selected image, determines the next. Move to the processing of.

  In the above configuration, the thumbnail compressed image data decompression means 61 and the compressed image data decompression means 64 have been described as being different from each other. However, only the data to be decompressed is different. The means 61 and the compressed image data decompression means 64 can be configured (for example, configured as a subprogram) using the same data decompression means.

  Further, the high-speed image selecting means 60 can be used not only for selecting images with a digital camera but also for selecting images picked up by a digital camera using a personal computer or the like.

  Here, a pixel interpolation method that can be adopted by the thumbnail image enlarged display means 62 will be described.

  Representative examples of the pixel interpolation method include a linear interpolation method and a simple interpolation method (FIG. 4), and any of them may be used in the present invention.

  The linear interpolation method is a method of performing resolution conversion by linearly interpolating between two adjacent points to maintain a certain level of resolution.

  On the other hand, in the simple interpolation method, as shown in FIG. 4, the positions of the original pixels A, B, C, and D after enlargement are obtained, and when the magnifications are R and S (both are positive integers), X In this method, the original pixels are copied R-1 times in the direction, and after the copying in the X direction, the original pixels are copied S-1 times in the Y direction to fill the interval.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 4A, the origin is the original pixel A, and the adjacent original pixels A (0,0), B (0,1), C (1,0), D (1,1) ) Is enlarged four times in the X direction and five times in the Y direction, the positions of the original pixels A, B, C, and D after the enlargement are A (0, 0), B (0, 5), C (4,0) and D (4,5) (FIG. 4 (b)). Therefore, the original pixels A, B, C, and D are copied only in the X direction 4-1 = 3 times to fill the interval, and when the copying in the X direction is completed, the line is copied 5-1 = 4 times in the Y direction. I do. By this operation, an image magnified 4 × 5 times is formed on the bitmap as shown in FIG. 4B.

  The linear interpolation method can obtain the gradation of a point between two points, and can maintain the resolution of the enlarged image at a certain level. Therefore, there is an advantage that the image quality can be compared with other methods. In addition, when performing an interpolation operation using a computer, complicated division is required except for a specific case, and a long time is required for processing. On the other hand, the simple interpolation method is the fastest compared to other interpolation methods, but since the gradation is not adjusted and only the copy is performed, the image quality is coarse, and the larger the enlargement ratio, the larger the enlarged image. Since the quality of the product deteriorates rapidly, the maximum enlargement is about four times.

  In the present embodiment, the size of the screen of the liquid crystal display 16 of the digital camera 100 is limited, and it is just about four times the size of the thumbnail image, so that there is no problem in image quality. The interpolation of the enlarged thumbnail image is performed by the simple interpolation method because the interpolation speed is higher than that of the interpolation method. Note that a linear interpolation method is desirable from the standpoint of placing importance on the quality of a display image.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the high-speed image selection unit. It is assumed that the thumbnail image data and the image data are JPEG-compressed and recorded on the recording medium 9.

  As shown in FIG. 5, when the button 19 or 20 is pressed to start high-speed image selection, the thumbnail compressed image data decompression means 61 loads the thumbnail image data into the RAM 42 and outputs the thumbnail image data that has been JPEG-compressed. A decompression process is performed, and the data is expanded in the RAM 42 (step S1). Next, the thumbnail image enlargement display means 62 assigns an index number to the expanded thumbnail image (the image of the image number 31 in the example of FIG. 3A) in order, enlarges the thumbnail image data, and interpolates (in the embodiment, (Simple interpolation), and display it as an enlarged thumbnail image on the liquid crystal display 16 (step S2). When the user presses the button 19 or the button 20, the process returns to step S1 (step S3: YES).

  While the button 20 (fast forward button) provided near the liquid crystal display 16 is kept pressed by the user, the thumbnail image selecting means 63 repeats the processing of steps S1 and S2 and displays the thumbnail images on the liquid crystal display 16 in ascending order. Then, when the button 20 is released, the thumbnail image stops.

  The button 19 is a fast rewind button. While the button 19 is kept pressed, the processing of steps S1 and S2 is repeated to display the thumbnail images on the liquid crystal display 16 in descending order (reverse order) (fast rewind). When released, the thumbnail image stops.

  When the stop time elapses a predetermined time (2 seconds in the present embodiment), the image is regarded as being specified as the selected image, and the process proceeds to the next step S4 (step S3: NO).

  In step S4, when the enlarged thumbnail image display is displayed, the compressed image data expanding means 64 takes in the image data corresponding to the enlarged thumbnail image from the recording medium into the RAM 42, expands the image data, and expands the image data. Subsequently, the image display means 65 transfers the image data developed in the RAM 42 to the frame memory 12A, develops it as an image, and overwrites and displays the image on the liquid crystal display 16 (step S5).

  When the button 17 or 18 is pressed by the user, the selected image confirming means 66 shifts to "next processing" (step S6: YES). When the button 19 or the button 20 is pressed, the process returns to the step S1 (step S7: YES).

  Further, the selected image confirming means 66 may be configured such that if the button 19 or the button 20 is not pressed even after a predetermined time (for example, 6 seconds) has elapsed in step S6, the process proceeds to the next processing.

  The "next process" after the image is selected by the high-speed image selecting means 60 is a preparation process for transmitting the image data by wire or wirelessly or a print image data for directly printing to a printer. Although there are creation processes and the like, these processes are performed by a program separately installed in the digital camera 100.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing another example of the operation of the high-speed image selection means. It is assumed that the thumbnail image data and the image data are JPEG-compressed and recorded on the recording medium 9.

  In the example of FIG. 5, when the buttons 19 and 20 of the forward / return key are pressed, the fast reverse and the fast forward are started from the beginning, but in this example, the normal reproduction is performed at the beginning, and the button 19 or 20 is pressed. When the button is continuously pressed under a predetermined condition, the mode shifts to the high-speed selection mode.

  That is, when the button 19 or 20 is pressed when the standard reproduction is performed (step S11) (step S12: YES), the compressed image data decompression means 64 stores the previous or next image data in the RAM 42. The image data is loaded, decompressed and expanded, and then the image display means 65 transfers the image data expanded in the RAM 42 to the frame memory 12A, expands it as an image image, and displays it on the liquid crystal display 16 (step S13).

  Here, if the same button is pressed at the time when the image reproduction is completed (step S14: YES), the mode shifts to the high-speed image selection mode, and the thumbnail compressed image data decompression means 61 sets the previous or next image. The thumbnail image data corresponding to the image data is taken into the RAM 42, the JPEG-compressed thumbnail image data is decompressed and expanded in the RAM 42, and the thumbnail image expansion display means 62 expands the expanded thumbnail image data. Then, interpolation (simple interpolation in the embodiment) is performed, and displayed as an enlarged thumbnail image on the liquid crystal display 16 (step S15).

  If the button is further pressed at the time when the display of the enlarged thumbnail image is completed (step S16: YES), the process returns to step S14 to enlarge and display the previous or next thumbnail image, and This process is repeated as long as is kept pressed, thereby realizing high-speed image selection.

  On the other hand, if the button is no longer depressed (step S16: NO), the compressed image data decompression means 64 takes in the RAM 42 image data corresponding to the thumbnail image being displayed, decompresses and expands it, and displays the image data. 65 transfers the image data developed in the RAM 42 to the frame memory 12A, develops it as an image, overwrites and displays it on the liquid crystal display 16 (step S17), and returns to step S12.

  The example of the operation of the high-speed image selection processing has been described above, but the switching between the normal reproduction and the high-speed selection reproduction may be performed by a predetermined switch or the like, and may be performed by any method.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating still another example of the operation of the high-speed image selection unit. It is assumed that the thumbnail image data and the image data are JPEG-compressed and recorded on the recording medium 9.

  In the example of FIG. 6, when the buttons 19 and 20 of the feed / return key are continuously pressed under a predetermined condition, the mode is shifted to the high-speed selection mode. When 19 or 20 is pressed, normal reproduction is performed, but the second and subsequent times are shifted to the high-speed selection mode.

  That is, when the standard reproduction is performed (step S21), it is determined whether or not the menu selection key is pressed (step S22). If the selection key is pressed (step S22: YES), the menu After executing the processing (step S23), the process returns to step S22. On the other hand, if the selection key is not pressed (step S22: NO) and the button 19 or 20 is pressed (step S24: YES), since the first button operation is performed, the compressed image data decompression means 64 moves to the previous or The next image data is taken into the RAM 42, expanded and expanded, and then the image display means 65 transfers the image data expanded in the RAM 42 to the frame memory 12A, expands the image data as an image, and displays the image on the liquid crystal display 16. (Step S25).

  Next, if the button 19 or 20 is not pressed for a predetermined time, for example, 1 second or 2 seconds (step S26: NO, step S27: YES), the process returns to step S22. If the button 20 is pressed (step S26: YES), the key operation is performed for the second time, so that the mode shifts to the high-speed image selection mode, and the thumbnail compressed image data decompression means 61 shifts to the previous or next image data. The corresponding thumbnail image data is taken into the RAM 42, the JPEG-compressed thumbnail image data is decompressed, expanded to the RAM 42, and then the expanded thumbnail image data is expanded and interpolated by the thumbnail image display 62. (Simple interpolation in the embodiment), and the enlarged thumbnail image is displayed on the liquid crystal display 16 (step S28).

  If the button is pressed within a predetermined time, for example, within 1 second or 2 seconds after the display of the enlarged thumbnail image is completed (step S29: YES), the process returns to step S28 to return to the previous or next one. The thumbnail image is enlarged and displayed, and when a button is continuously pressed within a predetermined time, this process is repeated, and high-speed image selection is realized.

  On the other hand, if the button has not been pressed within the predetermined time (step S29: NO, step S30: YES), the compressed image data decompression means 64 loads the RAM 42 with the image data corresponding to the thumbnail image being displayed. The image data is expanded and expanded, and the image display means 65 transfers the image data expanded in the RAM 42 to the frame memory 12A, expands it as an image image, overwrites and displays it on the liquid crystal display 16 (step S31), and returns to step S22.

  In the example of FIG. 7, when the forward / return key is pressed from the standard image reproduction, the mode shifts to the high-speed selection mode from the second time onward. However, in the first and second times, a predetermined key operation is performed by the first key operation. A flag may be set to distinguish between the second and subsequent times. In the case of the second time, the operation always shifts to the high-speed selection. However, after a lapse of a predetermined time, for example, about 1 to 3 seconds, after the first key operation, the first time the key is pressed again. The operation may be determined.

  The example of the operation of the high-speed image selection processing has been described above, but the switching between the normal reproduction and the high-speed selection reproduction may be performed by a predetermined switch or the like, and may be performed by any method.

  Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and it goes without saying that various modifications can be made.

  As described above, according to the present invention, a thumbnail image is displayed in an enlarged manner, a desired image is selected, and while the thumbnail image is displayed in an enlarged manner, the corresponding image data is expanded to display a clear image. Even if it takes time to decompress one frame of JPEG-compressed image, the user does not feel the display time of the image to be long. Further, since the thumbnail images can be fast-forwarded / fast-returned, image selection can be performed in a short time even if the order of recording the desired images on the recording medium is later.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a digital camera with a high-speed image selection function. FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a high-speed image selection unit. FIG. 3 is a partial rear view of the digital camera. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of a pixel interpolation method (simple interpolation method). 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation of a high-speed image selection unit. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation of a high-speed image selection unit. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation of a high-speed image selection unit.

Explanation of reference numerals

9 Recording medium 15 Liquid crystal display (display means)
42 RAM
Reference Signs List 60 High-speed image selection means 61 Thumbnail compressed / compressed image data expansion means 62 Thumbnail image expansion display means 63 Thumbnail image selection means 64 Compressed / compressed image data expansion means 65 Image display means 66 Selected image confirmation means 100 Digital camera

Claims (8)

  This is a method for selecting an image captured by a digital camera, in which a thumbnail image is enlarged and sequentially displayed in a fast-forward / fast-reverse manner, and a desired thumbnail image is selected from the displayed enlarged thumbnail images to correspond to the thumbnail image. A high-speed image selection method, comprising decompressing compressed image data to obtain image data.   2. The high-speed image selection method according to claim 1, wherein the enlarged thumbnail images are indexed and sequentially displayed in a fast-forward / fast-reverse manner. In a digital camera that records image data obtained by photoelectrically converting imaging light and its thumbnail image data on a recording medium,
A display device for displaying an image,
Data decompression means for decompressing the compressed image data,
Thumbnail enlarged image display means for enlarging thumbnail image data and displaying the thumbnail image data on the display device;
A thumbnail image selecting means for fast-forwarding / rewinding the displayed enlarged thumbnail image and selecting a desired thumbnail image;
Image display means for displaying image data corresponding to the selected thumbnail image on the display device,
A selected image confirming means for confirming the displayed image as a selected image;
A digital camera with a high-speed image selection function, comprising:   4. The digital camera with a high-speed image selection function according to claim 3, wherein fast-forwarding / rewinding of the enlarged thumbnail by said thumbnail image selection means is started by a predetermined switch operation.   5. The digital camera with a high-speed image selection function according to claim 3, wherein fast-forwarding / rewinding of the enlarged thumbnail image by the thumbnail image selecting unit is performed by continuously performing normal image data forwarding / returning within a predetermined time. A digital camera with a high-speed image selection function, which is started when the operation is performed.   The digital camera with a high-speed image selection function according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein image data expansion processing by said data expansion means is performed together with display processing of a corresponding enlarged thumbnail image. Digital camera with functions.   7. The digital camera with a high-speed image selection function according to claim 3, further comprising index means for adding an index to the enlarged thumbnail image displayed by said thumbnail image enlarged display means. Digital camera with functions. A digital camera that records image data obtained by photoelectrically converting imaging light and its thumbnail image data on a recording medium,
A data decompression function for decompressing the compressed image data,
A thumbnail enlarged image display function for enlarging the thumbnail image data and displaying the thumbnail image data on a display device;
A thumbnail image selection function for fast-forwarding / rewinding the displayed enlarged thumbnail image and selecting a desired thumbnail image;
An image display function of displaying, on the display device, decompressed image data corresponding to the selected thumbnail image;
A recording medium readable by a digital camera, which stores a program for realizing a selected image confirming function for fixing the displayed image as a selected image.

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