JP2006018020A - Electronic photograph album - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electronic photograph album for securing the same convenience as that of the regular photograph album. <P>SOLUTION: In S21, an image stored to a storage medium 40, inserted in a medium slot 22, is read to be stored to RAM 8. In S22, a thumbnail image reducing the image stored already to a storage device 36 is displayed on a first display device 11 according to the corresponding display order by control of a display controller 32, and the thumbnail image with reduced second original image stored to RAM 8 is displayed on a second display device 12. Thus, an image copied from the storage medium 40 can be compared with an image that has already been stored already to an album 100. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a portable electronic photo album.

Conventionally, portable electronic photo albums have been developed. For example, the electronic album disclosed in Patent Document 1 has a front cover portion having a first display portion for displaying an image, a back cover portion having a second display portion for displaying an image, and a first display portion and a second display portion in a spread state. In addition, a connecting portion that rotatably connects the front cover portion and the back cover portion is provided. A ring-shaped jog dial is provided on the back cover, and an image of the next page or the previous page is displayed according to the right or left rotation of the jog dial.
JP 2001-100844 A

  By the way, in the technique of Patent Document 1, page turning is performed by rotating the jog dial. However, in order to require the user to perform a detailed operation of rotating the jog dial, the page turning of the page is larger than that of a normal photo album in which silver halide photos are bound. The operability is not enough. The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and an object thereof is to provide an electronic photo album that can ensure the same convenience as a normal photo album.

  The invention according to claim 1 is an electronic photo album that displays an image, the first album portion having a substantially plate shape, and the second album portion having a substantially plate shape in which a second display device that displays an image is disposed, A connecting part for rotatably connecting one end of the first album part and one end of the second album part and arranging the first album part and the second album part open or closed; An open / close detection unit for detecting a contact, a first contact sensor for detecting contact of an object provided at the other end of the first album portion, and a second for detecting contact of an object provided at the other end of the second album portion. A contact sensor; a storage unit that stores the original image, a thumbnail image obtained by reducing the original image, and a unique display order; and a display control unit that displays the thumbnail image on the second display device. The display control unit includes the first Giving a display order prior to the thumbnail image currently displayed on the second display device in response to the contact detection of the contact sensor or the second contact sensor and the detection of the opening after the detection of the closing Provided is an electronic photo album that causes the second display device to display a thumbnail image that has been displayed or a thumbnail image that has been given a display order later.

  According to the present invention, the thumbnail image is displayed in reverse or forward feed in conjunction with the opening / closing operation of the first album part and the second album part and the contact operation of the first contact sensor or the second contact sensor. It is possible to give the user the impression that the image to be viewed is switched by opening and closing the photo album, and the display of thumbnail images can be easily switched like a normal photo album without any detailed operation.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided the electronic photo album according to the first aspect, further comprising an image selection unit that receives a selection of a corresponding original image by selecting a thumbnail image displayed on the second display device.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, a first display device for displaying an image is arranged in the first album portion, and the display control portion displays the selected original image on the first display device. The electronic photo album according to Item 2 is provided.

  According to the present invention, since the original image corresponding to the selected thumbnail image is displayed on the first display device, it is possible to specify and display an enlarged image of a favorite image.

  The invention according to claim 4 further includes a character input unit that receives an input of a title character of the selected original image, and the display control unit displays the selected original image or the selected thumbnail image as the first image. The display unit displays a screen for prompting input of the title character on the second display unit, and the storage unit stores the input title character in association with the selected original image. The electronic photo album described in 1. is provided.

  According to this invention, a title can be given to the original image with characters.

  In the invention according to claim 5, the storage unit stores the original image and the audio data in association with each other, and the first album unit or the second album unit is provided with a speaker, and the selected source 4. The electronic photo album according to claim 2, further comprising an audio reproduction unit that reproduces audio from the speaker based on audio data corresponding to an image.

  According to the present invention, audio corresponding to the selected original image can be reproduced.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, the speaker includes: a first speaker provided on the same surface as the display surface of the first display device in the first album portion; and a second speaker of the second display device. 6. The electronic photo album according to claim 5, wherein the electronic photo album is a two-channel stereo playback speaker having a second speaker provided on the same surface as the display surface.

  According to the present invention, when the first album portion and the second album portion are opened, the two-channel stereo playback speaker is positioned to allow the stereo playback sound to reach the left and right ears of the user satisfactorily.

  The invention according to claim 7 provides the electronic photo album according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the sound reproduction unit reproduces sound from the sound data in response to detection of the opening.

  According to the present invention, the sound can be reproduced like a music box by opening the first album part and the second album part.

  The invention according to claim 8 further includes a microphone that receives an input of a sound that is a title of the selected original image, and a sound conversion unit that converts the sound input to the microphone into sound data and outputs the sound data. The storage unit stores the selected image in association with the audio data output from the audio conversion unit, and the audio reproduction unit reproduces the audio from the audio data in synchronization with the display of the selected image. An electronic photo album according to claim 5 or 6 is provided.

  According to the present invention, sound (BGM, narration, etc.) corresponding to an image can be reproduced in synchronization with the display of the image.

  The invention according to claim 9 further includes an image processing unit that performs predetermined image processing on the selected original image, and the display control unit displays the selected original image and the image processed image. 4. The electronic photo album according to claim 3, wherein each of the electronic photo albums is distributed and displayed on either the first display device or the second display device.

  According to the present invention, an image without any image processing and an image processed image are separately displayed on the first display device and the second display device, respectively, so that both can be compared. An image subjected to image processing may be stored in a storage device or an external storage medium.

  According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, the image selection unit includes a touch panel that is stacked on the second display device and detects a contact of an object and the position of the contact, and the touch panel is in contact at a display position of the thumbnail image. The electronic photo album according to any one of claims 2 to 9, wherein selection of the thumbnail image is received by detecting.

  According to the present invention, a desired thumbnail image can be selected on the touch panel.

  According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electronic photo album that displays an image, and includes a substantially album-like first album portion on which a first display device that displays an image is disposed, and a second display device that displays an image. A substantially plate-shaped second album portion, one end of the first album portion, and one end of the second album portion are rotatably connected to each other, and the first display device and the second display device are arranged in a double-spread type. A connecting unit for storing, a storage unit for storing a first original image and a first thumbnail image obtained by reducing the first original image, a display control unit for displaying the first thumbnail image on the second display device, and an external storage A reading unit that reads a second original image stored in a medium, and the display control unit displays the first thumbnail image on the first display device, and reduces the second original image. The image is displayed on the second display device. To provide an electronic photo album to be.

  According to the present invention, the images stored in the electronic photo album and the images on the external storage medium are respectively displayed on the first spread display device and the second display device, so that the left and right pages of a normal photo album can be displayed. The two can be easily compared.

  The invention according to claim 12 further includes an insertion detection unit that detects insertion of the external storage medium, and the display control unit displays the first thumbnail image from the second display device in response to the detection of the insertion. 11. The electronic photo album according to claim 10, wherein the electronic photo album is switched to the first display device and the second thumbnail image is displayed on the second display device.

  According to the present invention, since the display of the image on the external storage medium and the image stored in the electronic photo album is automatically started upon insertion of the external storage medium, it is convenient.

  The invention according to claim 13 further includes an image selection unit that receives selection of a corresponding first original image or second original image by selecting the first thumbnail image or the second thumbnail image. Provide an album.

  The invention according to claim 14 provides the electronic photo album according to claim 12, wherein the display control unit displays the selected second original image on the first display device.

  According to the present invention, the original image corresponding to the selected thumbnail image is displayed on the first display device, so that the details of the original image can be confirmed.

  The invention according to claim 15 further includes a duplication control unit that duplicates the selected second original image from the external storage medium to the storage unit, and the display control unit corresponds to the duplicated second original image. 13. The electronic photo album according to claim 12, wherein a copied thumbnail that is a second thumbnail image to be displayed is displayed on the first display device as a first thumbnail image.

  According to the present invention, an image to be duplicated can be easily selected by selecting a thumbnail image. Further, it can be confirmed from the duplicated thumbnail displayed on the first display device that the selected image has been duplicated.

  According to a sixteenth aspect of the present invention, the display control unit performs a start of display of the copied thumbnail image on the first display device and an end of display of the copied thumbnail image on the second display device according to the completion of the copy. The electronic photo album according to claim 15 is provided.

  According to the present invention, since the thumbnail image of the duplicated image is displayed on the first display device in conjunction with the completion of the duplication, it can be confirmed immediately after duplication that the selected image has been duly duplicated.

  According to the present invention, the thumbnail image is displayed in reverse or forward feed in conjunction with the opening / closing operation of the first album part and the second album part and the contact operation of the first contact sensor or the second contact sensor. It is possible to give the user the impression that the image to be viewed is switched by opening and closing the photo album, and the display of thumbnail images can be easily switched like a normal photo album without any detailed operation.

  Also, according to the present invention, the images stored in the electronic photo album and the images on the external storage medium are respectively displayed on the first spread display device and the second display device, so that the left and right pages of a normal photo album can be displayed. Thus, the two can be easily compared.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[Schematic configuration]
FIG. 1 shows a spread electronic photo album 100 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention as seen from the front. As shown in this figure, an electronic photo album 100 (hereinafter simply referred to as an album 100) is a substantially album-like first album portion 1 and second album portion 2 each having an outer frame made of a plastic member or the like. The one end 1a of the first album part 1 and the one end 2a of the second album part 2 are rotatably connected by a hinge mechanism 3. A first display device 11 and a second display device 12 are arranged on one surface of the first album portion 1 and the second album portion 2, respectively, and the first display device 11 and the second display device 12 are rotated by rotating the hinge mechanism 3. The display device 12 can be arranged in a spread form (hereinafter, this operation is simply expressed as “open album 100”). Alternatively, the first album unit 1 and the second album unit 2 are closed by rotating the hinge mechanism 3 so that the display surfaces of the first display device 11 and the second display device 12 face each other (hereinafter, this operation is simply referred to as this operation). It can also be expressed as “close album 100”. The first display device 11 and the second display device 12 are preferably composed of memory type liquid crystal (cholesteric liquid crystal).

  On the one end 1a side of the first album part 1, the open / close detection switch 25 detects that the album 100 is closed or opened by pressing or releasing the push button 25a on the one end 2a side of the second album part 2. Is provided. A transparent touch panel 21 is laminated on the second display device 12. A reverse feed touch sensor 13 is provided at the other end 1 a of the first album part 1, and a forward touch sensor 14 is provided at the other end 2 b of the second album part 2. The first album unit 1 is provided with an Lch speaker 15L for two-channel stereo left audio reproduction disposed on the side surface 1c on the same surface as the display surface of the first display device 11 and near the other end 1b. The second album unit 2 is provided with an Rch speaker 15R for two-channel stereo right audio reproduction disposed on the side surface 2c near the other end 2b on the same surface as the display surface of the second display device 12. For this reason, when the album 100 is opened, the Rch speaker 15R and the Lch speaker 15L are positioned such that the sound reaches the left and right ears of the user satisfactorily. Further, a microphone 27 and an operation button unit 16 are provided on the side surface 2c. The operation button unit 16 includes a selection button 17, a page feed button 18, a power button 19, and a volume button 20. The microphone 27 and the operation button unit 16 may be provided on the side surface 1c.

  The other end 2b of the second album unit 2 is provided with a media slot 22 for inserting an external storage medium 40 such as a memory card, and a communication interface 23 constituted by a USB connector, a LAN card, or the like. An insertion / removal detection unit 24 that detects insertion or removal of the storage medium 40 is provided inside the media slot 22.

[Function configuration]
FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of the album 100. The album 100 is configured by an MCU (Microcontroller Unit, so-called one-chip microcomputer) or the like, and performs various operations and temporary storage of data necessary for the operations, an audio controller 31, a display controller 32, and R / W control. Unit 33, communication unit 35 that communicates via communication interface 23, power supply unit 26 that supplies power to each part of album 100 by a built-in battery, a household power source, and the like, and a semiconductor storage device and a hard disk unit And a large-capacity storage device 36, and an image processing unit 37 that executes a predetermined image processing process on the image stored in the RAM 8. The control unit 7, the communication unit 35, the storage device 36, the R / W control unit 33, the audio controller 31, the display controller 32, the power supply unit 26 and the image processing unit 37 are connected by a bus 34. The power supply unit 26 can supply power to the control unit 7 and the open / close detection switch 25 even in a standby state, that is, when the album 100 is not used. The power supply to other parts starts and ends according to instructions from the control unit 7. A state in which power is supplied to various places, that is, a state in which the album 100 is used is referred to as an operation state.

  The control unit 7 is connected to the reverse feed touch sensor 13, the forward touch sensor 14, the selection button 17, the page feed button 18, the power button 19, the volume button 20, the touch panel 21, the insertion / extraction detection unit 24, and the open / close detection switch 25. Input signals from each unit. The push button 25a of the open / close detection switch 25 is arranged to be pressed when the album 100 is closed. When the push button 25 a is pressed, a signal indicating that the album 100 is closed is output to the control unit 7. When the pressing is released, a signal indicating that the album 100 is opened is output to the control unit 7.

  The reverse feed touch sensor 13 and the forward feed touch sensor 14 each detect that an object such as a user's finger has touched and output a detection signal to the control unit 7. The power button 19 is a switch that instructs the power supply unit 26 to turn on / off the power supply, and inputs a signal indicating power on / off to the control unit 7. The selection button 17 is a switch for performing various selections such as selection of an image read from the storage medium 40, and its use is not particularly limited. The page feed button 18 includes a forward switch 18a and a reverse switch 18b. As will be described later, the control unit 7 displays the image currently displayed on the second display device 12 in accordance with the depression of the switch 18a by moving up the image assigned the next display order of the currently displayed image. The display controller 32 is instructed (forward feeding). Alternatively, in response to the pressing of the switch 18b, the display controller 32 is instructed to display the image assigned with the display order before the currently displayed image in a lowered manner (reverse feed). The volume button 20 is a button for adjusting the volume of the sound reproduced from the speaker, and the sound controller 31 raises and lowers the reproduction volume according to the operation of the volume button 20. The insertion / removal detection unit 24 detects that the storage medium 40 has been inserted into or removed from the insertion port 10. The insertion / extraction detection unit 24 may be provided in the R / W control unit 33.

  The touch panel 21 has a predetermined resistance value in a matrix along each of the vertical and horizontal directions, and the resistance value changes when an object such as a user's finger touches, and a change in the current value at this time is detected. By doing so, the contact position of the object can be detected, and in particular, the image can be selected by bringing the object into contact with the display position of the image displayed on the second display device 12. In order to simplify the description, in the following description, it is assumed that the display image of the second display device 12 is selected by the touch panel 21, but the display image selection means of the second display device 12 is not limited to the touch panel 21. A mode in which the selection button 17 or the like is used for selection is also possible.

  The control unit 7 can start various processes according to the contact position detected by the touch panel 21. Buttons corresponding to the respective buttons included in the operation button unit 16 are displayed on the second display unit 12, pressing of these buttons is detected by the touch panel 21, and processing corresponding to pressing of the operation button unit 16 is detected according to the detection result. May be performed.

  The R / W control unit 33 reads various data such as images and sounds stored in the storage medium 40 inserted in the media slot 22 and writes various data to the storage medium. The image data / audio data may be received from the communication unit 35, and the operation of the album 100 is performed even if the image / audio data stored in the storage medium 40 is replaced with the image / audio data received by the communication unit 35 in the following description. The contents are the same. As will be described later, a unique display order is assigned to each image stored in the storage device 36 by the control unit 7.

  The display controller 32 displays the image displayed on the second display device 12 in accordance with the display order based on the contact operation to the reverse touch sensor 13 or the forward touch sensor 14 and the opening / closing detection of the open / close detection switch 25 accompanying the opening / closing of the album 100. Display in forward or reverse direction. In summary, when the album 100 is opened again while closing the album 100 and then performing the contact operation to the forward touch sensor 14, the second display device displays an image assigned a display order later than the currently displayed image. 12 is displayed (in order). On the other hand, when the album 100 is opened again while closing the album 100 and then performing the contact operation to the reverse feed touch sensor 13, the second display device displays the image assigned the display order before the currently displayed image. 12 (reverse feed). In this manner, the image displayed on the second display device 12 can be advanced or returned in the same manner as a normal photo album by the contact operation to the reverse feed touch sensor 13 or the forward touch sensor 14 and the opening / closing of the album 100.

  The audio controller 31 converts the audio data into left and right analog audio signals (2-channel stereo signals), and outputs the left and right signals to the Lch speaker 15L and the Rch speaker 15R, respectively. The Lch speaker 15L and the Rch speaker 15R follow the signals. Output audio. The Lch speaker 15L and the Rch speaker 15R are collectively represented by the speaker 15. The audio controller 31 may perform a process of removing a high frequency component that causes noise from the analog audio signal or a process of amplifying the analog audio signal. Of course, the audio controller 31 may correspond to a form other than the two-channel stereo (such as Dolby Digital 5.1 channel).

  Note that the audio reproduction is started according to any one of the audio reproduction modes set in the control unit 7. In this embodiment, three audio reproduction modes are prepared as an example. That is, when the open / close detection switch 25 detects that the album 100 has been opened, a playback mode at the time of starting playback of a predetermined sound, and a sound corresponding to the image displayed on the first display device 11 is synchronized with the image display. A synchronized playback mode is available for playback. The user can enjoy sound by setting each mode. From the microphone 27, a title, narration, or the like associated with the image read from the storage medium 40 can be input by voice. The audio controller 31 converts the analog audio signal input from the microphone 27 into digital audio data and outputs the digital audio data to the RAM 8. The storage device 36 is composed of a large-capacity hard disk unit or the like, and stores image / sound data read from the storage medium 40 and image / sound data received by the communication unit 35.

[Process flow]
(Main process)
Next, processing executed in the album 100 will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. The album 100 executes the main processing of FIG. 3, and in the main processing, audio reproduction processing, image storage processing, image display processing, image feed processing, and title assignment processing are executed as subroutines. First, the flow of the main process will be described according to the flowchart of FIG. The main process starts in the standby state.

  In S1, it is determined whether or not a predetermined return condition for canceling the standby state is satisfied. The return condition is the same as the return from the power saving mode of various home appliances to the operation state. For example, the return condition is that a signal is output to the control unit 7 from any of the reverse feed touch sensor 13, the forward touch sensor 14, the operation button unit 16, the touch panel 21, the insertion / extraction detection unit 24, and the open / close detection switch 25. Can do. When the predetermined return condition is satisfied, the process proceeds to S11, and when the predetermined return condition is not satisfied, the standby state is continuously maintained. However, power is continuously supplied to the control unit 7 and the open / close detection switch 25 while S1 is repeated. In S1, it is determined whether or not the power button 19 has been pressed. If the power button 19 has been pressed, the process proceeds to S2, and if not, the standby state may be maintained. In S2, the power supply unit 26 starts supplying power to various places. That is, the operation state is shifted. In S3, an audio reproduction process is executed.

  In S <b> 4, it is determined whether or not the insertion / extraction detection unit 24 has detected that the storage medium 40 has been inserted into the media slot 22. If the insertion is detected, the process proceeds to S5, and if it is not detected, the process proceeds to S6. In S5, an image storage process is executed, and the process proceeds to S8. In S6, an image display process is performed and the process proceeds to S7. In S7, an image feed process is performed and the process proceeds to S8. Details of these subroutine processes will be described later.

  In S8, it is determined whether or not the title assignment mode has been selected by operating the selection button 17 or the touch panel 21. When the title assigning mode is selected, the process proceeds to S9, the title assigning process is executed, and the process proceeds to S10. If the title assignment mode is not selected, the process proceeds to S10. Details of the title assigning process will be described later.

  In S10, it is determined whether or not a predetermined standby state transition condition is satisfied. The standby state transition condition is the same as the power saving mode transition operation of various home appliances. For example, no signal is output from the reverse touch sensor 13, the forward touch sensor 14, the operation button unit 16, the touch panel 21, the insertion / extraction detection unit 24, and the open / close detection switch 25 to the control unit 7 for a predetermined time (such as 10 minutes). This can be set as a standby state transition condition. Alternatively, the standby state transition condition may be that the open / close detection switch 25 detects that the album 100 is continuously closed for a predetermined time (for example, 30 seconds). If the predetermined standby state transition condition is satisfied, the process proceeds to S11. If not satisfied, the process returns to S3. In S11, the power supply unit 26 stops supplying power to each unit other than the control unit 7 and the open / close detection switch 25, shifts to a standby state, and returns to S1.

(Audio playback processing)
Next, the flow of the audio reproduction process will be described based on the flowchart of FIG. This process links the operation of opening the album 100 with the start of audio playback. In the following description, the open playback mode is a mode for playing back audio that is arbitrarily set by the user when the album 100 is opened. The setting process for setting ON / OFF of the playback mode at the time of opening can be executed separately from the main process. In the setting process, it is assumed that the open playback mode on / off setting and the audio data to be played can be designated by operating the touch panel 21 or the selection button 17, but the main purpose of the audio playback process is to start using the album 100 and to play the audio. The details of the setting process are omitted because it is linked to reproduction.

  In S12, it is determined whether or not the opening / closing detection switch 25 detects that the album 100 has been opened. If it is detected that the album 100 is opened, the process proceeds to S13. If not detected, the process proceeds to S17.

  In S13, it is determined whether or not the open playback mode is set to ON. If the open-time playback mode is set to ON, the process proceeds to S14, and if not set, the process proceeds to S17. In S14, it is determined whether audio data to be reproduced is designated. If it is designated, the process proceeds to S15, and if it is not designated, the process proceeds to S16. In S <b> 15, the designated audio data is reproduced by the speaker 15 under the control of the audio controller 31. In S <b> 16, the default sound data is reproduced by the speaker 15 under the control of the sound controller 31. It is assumed that the user can freely set which voice data is the default voice data in the playback mode setting process.

  In S17, it is determined whether the opening / closing detection switch 25 detects that the album 100 is closed. If it is detected that the album is closed, the process proceeds to S18. If not detected, the process returns to the main process. In S18, the audio reproduction is finished and the process returns to the main process. Note that the audio reproduction may be terminated by a predetermined operation from the operation button unit 16.

  Through the above processing, the audio reproduction can be started and ended by opening and closing the album 100, and the audio can be enjoyed like a music box.

(Image storage processing)
Next, the flow of image storage processing executed by the control unit 7 will be described according to the flowchart of FIG. In S 21, an image (referred to as a second original image in the description of this process) stored in the storage medium 40 inserted in the media slot 22 is read and stored in the RAM 8. In S22, a thumbnail image (hereinafter referred to as a first thumbnail image) obtained by reducing an image already stored in the storage device 36 under the control of the display controller 32 (referred to as a first original image in the description of this process) is displayed in a corresponding display order (hereinafter referred to as a first thumbnail image). In addition, the second display device 12 displays a thumbnail image (hereinafter, referred to as a second thumbnail image) obtained by reducing the second original image stored in the RAM 8. For example, if the storage device 36 stores the first original images I1, I2, I3,... And the RAM 8 stores the second original images I1 ′, I2 ′, I3 ′,. As shown in FIG. 10, the first display device 11 includes first thumbnail images i1, i2, i3,..., Which are thumbnail images obtained by reducing the first original images I1, I2, I3,. Are displayed as second thumbnail images i1 ′, i2 ′, i3 ′,... Which are thumbnail images of the second original images I1 ′, I2 ′, I3 ′,. The thumbnail image of each image may be stored in the header portion of an Exif file or the like. If not, the image processing unit 37 may reduce the image at a predetermined reduction ratio to create a thumbnail image. it can.

  If no image is stored in the storage device 36, nothing is displayed on the first display device 11. In addition, after the image display process in step S6 described later is executed, when S22 is executed again through “N” in step S10 and “Y” in S4, the first thumbnail image is already on the second display device 12. When displayed, the display of the first thumbnail image is switched from the second display device 12 to the first display device 11, and the second thumbnail image is displayed on the second display device 12.

  Further, when the number of second thumbnail images displayed on the second display device 12 is limited to a certain number due to restrictions such as screen resolution, some order corresponding to each image (for example, ABC order of image file names). Accordingly, the limited number is arranged and displayed on the second display device 12. Similarly, when the number of first thumbnail images displayed on the first display device 11 is limited to a certain number, the images are sorted based on the corresponding display order, and the sorted images are first displayed in the limited number in order. It is arranged and displayed on the device 11. At this time, the first thumbnail image or the second thumbnail image to be displayed can be switched by forward or backward feeding with the selection button 17, the backward feeding touch sensor 13 or the forward feeding touch sensor 14.

  In S23, selection of the second thumbnail image displayed on the second display device 12 by the touch panel 21 is accepted. Then, it is determined whether or not the second thumbnail image has been selected. If selected, the process proceeds to S24, and if not selected, the process proceeds to S28. In addition, in order to show the selected second thumbnail image, a predetermined selection effect display is performed on the selected second thumbnail image. For example, in FIG. 11, the second thumbnail image i1 'is selected, and the frame image F is displayed as a selection effect display so as to surround the selected image. The selection effect display may be other than the frame image, and the selected second thumbnail image may be blinked.

  In S24, the second original image corresponding to the selected second thumbnail image is displayed in full size on the first display device 11. FIG. 11 shows a full-size display of the second original image corresponding to the selected second thumbnail image. In S <b> 25, the touch panel 21 determines whether contact with a finger or the like has been detected at the display position of the copy button B <b> 1 displayed on the second display device 12. If contact is detected at the display position of the copy button B1, the process proceeds to S26, and if contact is not detected, the process proceeds to S28. Although not shown in FIG. 11, a plurality of second thumbnail images may be selected. When a plurality of second thumbnail images are selected, all corresponding second original images are displayed on the first display device 11. The image may be reduced at an appropriate reduction rate.

  In S26, a unique display order is assigned to the second original image corresponding to the selected second thumbnail image, and the second original image and the display order are associated with each other and stored in the storage device 36. FIG. 12 is a diagram conceptually showing a state in which the display order and the image are stored correspondingly. As shown in FIG. 12A, each image has a unique display order. Since each image and the thumbnail image of the image have a one-to-one correspondence, if a unique display order is assigned to each image, it can be regarded as a thumbnail image having a unique display order. The display order may be determined in any way as long as it is unique. The serial numbers may be mechanically assigned in ascending order, or may be determined from the attributes of each image such as the ABC order of image file names. As shown in FIG. 12B, BGM data and title data, which will be described later, may be further stored in the storage device 36 in association with the image data. BGM data, which is audio data, is used in audio reproduction processing described later, and title data, which is audio data or text data, is used in image display processing described later. BGM data or title data, which is audio data, can be input to the album 100 via the communication interface 23 or the recording medium 40, and the correspondence between the image data and the BGM data or title data can be designated by operating the selection button 17 or the touch panel 21.

  In S <b> 27, the first thumbnail images are arranged according to the display order of the storage device 36 and displayed on the first display device 11, and the selected second thumbnail image is deleted from the second display device 12. When the number of thumbnail images displayed on the first display device 11 is limited to a certain number as described above, only the thumbnail images of the images newly copied and stored in the storage device 36 are displayed in the first order according to the display order. It may be arranged and displayed on the display device 11. In addition, when the number of thumbnail images displayed on the second display device 12 is limited as described above, the thumbnail images assigned the subsequent order of the deleted thumbnail images are moved up and displayed on the second display device 12. . In this way, by linking the display update of the thumbnail images of the first display device 11 and the second display device 12, the risk of losing the knowledge of which image has been copied is reduced.

  In S28, it is determined whether contact with a finger or the like is detected at the display position of the end button B2 displayed on the second display device 12. If contact is detected at the display position of the end button B2, the image storage process is terminated and the process returns to the main process. If contact is not detected, the process returns to S23. Even when the insertion / extraction detection unit 24 detects that the storage medium 40 has been extracted from the media slot 22, the image storage process may be terminated and the process may return to the main process.

  With the above processing, when the storage medium 40 is inserted, images to be copied from the storage medium 40 to the album 100 are displayed as thumbnail images on the second display device 12 and are thumbnails of images already stored in the storage device 36. An image is also displayed on the first display device 11 in an array. Therefore, an image to be copied from the storage medium 40 and an image already stored in the album 100 can be compared, and an image to be copied can be easily selected by selecting a thumbnail image. In addition, since the thumbnail image of the copied image is displayed on the first display device 11, it can be visually confirmed immediately after copying that the selected image is definitely copied. Since this process is started by inserting the storage medium 40, a special process start instruction operation is unnecessary and convenient.

(Image display processing)
Next, the flow of image display processing will be described based on the flowchart of FIG. In the following processing, the “synchronous playback mode” is a mode in which the designated audio data is reproduced in synchronization with the display of the image. Whether or not the synchronous reproduction mode is set and selection of the audio data to be reproduced in the synchronous reproduction mode is selected. Although it can be performed by a process independent of the main process, details are omitted.

  In S <b> 31, thumbnail images are arranged according to the corresponding display order for the original images stored in the storage device 36 and displayed on the second display device 12. For example, as shown in FIG. 12 (a), the original images I1, I2, I3... (File names are I1.jpg, I2.jpg I3.jpg,. 13, as shown in FIG. 13, the thumbnail images i 1, i 2, i 3... Corresponding to the original images I 1, I 2, I 3 are in ascending order from the left to the right of the second display unit 12. It is arranged line by line.

  In S32, the touch panel 21 detects the selection of the thumbnail image by bringing a finger or the like into contact with the display position of the thumbnail image. When the selection of the thumbnail image is detected, the process proceeds to S33, and when the selection is not detected, the process returns to the main process.

  In S33, the image corresponding to the selected thumbnail image is displayed in full size on the first display device 11. For example, as shown in FIG. 13, when the thumbnail image i1 is selected, the image I1 corresponding to the thumbnail image i1 is displayed in full size on the first display device 11. The selected thumbnail image is displayed with a selection effect similar to that described above. Note that, in the title assigning process described later, when text-format title data corresponding to the selected thumbnail image is stored in the storage device 36, the character title indicated by the title data is displayed on the first display device 11 together with the image. indicate.

  In S34, it is determined whether or not the synchronous playback mode is set. If the synchronized playback mode is set, the process proceeds to S35, and if not set, the process proceeds to S36. In S35, the storage device 36 is referred to and it is determined whether or not audio data corresponding to the image selected in S32 is stored. If it is stored, the process proceeds to S37, and if it is not stored, the process returns to the main process. Note that the audio data corresponding to the image may be either BGM data stored in S26 of the image storage process described above or title data stored in S64 of the title assignment process described later. When both title data and BGM data correspond to an image as shown in FIG. 12B, the playback order of both is set such that the title data is played back first and then the BGM data is played back after the playback is finished. May be.

  In S <b> 36, the touch panel 21 determines whether contact with a finger or the like has been detected at the display position of the comparison display button B <b> 3 displayed on the second display unit 12. If detected, the process proceeds to S38, and if not detected, the process returns to the main process.

  In S37, under the control of the audio controller 31, the audio data corresponding to the image selected in S32 is reproduced from the speaker 15 in synchronization with the display of the image, and the process returns to the main process. If audio data has already been reproduced in the above-described audio reproduction process, the reproduction is stopped, and then the audio data corresponding to the image selected in S32 is reproduced. Alternatively, the sound reproduction may be stopped by operating the operation button unit 16. In S38, a comparison display process described later is performed, and the process returns to the main process.

  When the thumbnail image displayed on the second display device 12 is selected on the touch panel 21 by the above processing, the original image corresponding to the selected thumbnail image is displayed in full size on the first display device 11, so that the desired image can be displayed. Can be enlarged and displayed. If the synchronous playback mode is set, sound (BGM, narration, etc.) corresponding to the selected image can be played back in synchronization with the display of the image.

  This image display process can be executed even if the original image is replaced with a moving image and the thumbnail image is replaced with a frame image corresponding to the moving image. For example, when the thumbnail image is a still image obtained by capturing a specific scene of the moving image in time series, in S33, the first display device 11 performs reproduction display of the moving image from the scene corresponding to the thumbnail image selected in S32. Embodiments are possible.

(Comparison display processing)
Next, the flow of comparison processing will be described based on the flowchart of FIG. In this process, the original image corresponding to the thumbnail image selected in S32 is subjected to the image processing selected by the user and displayed on the second display device 12.

  In S <b> 41, a list of image processing executed by the image processing unit 37 is displayed on the second display device 12 and desired image processing is selected from the selection button 17 or the touch panel 21. Any image processing can be performed as long as the image processing unit 37 can execute, for example, monochromeization, sepia processing, template synthesis, and the like.

  In S42, it is determined whether or not the image processing selection has been completed. If completed, the process proceeds to S43, and if not selected, the process returns to the main process. In S43, the original image corresponding to the thumbnail image selected in S32 is subjected to the image processing selected in S41, and the image processed image is displayed on the second display device 12 in full size. In FIG. 14, the original image corresponding to the thumbnail image selected in S <b> 32 is displayed on the first display device 11, and the image that has been subjected to the selected image processing is displayed on the second display device 12. Shows the state.

  In S <b> 44, in S <b> 36, the touch panel 21 determines whether contact with a finger or the like is detected at the display position of the save button B <b> 4 displayed on the second display unit 12. If detected, the process proceeds to S45, and if not detected, the process returns to the main process. In S45, a unique name and display order are assigned to the processed image and stored in the storage device 36, and then the process returns to the main process. Note that the unique name is given so as not to be confused with the image before image processing.

  By the above processing, an image without any image processing and an image processed image are displayed on the first display device 11 and the second display device 12, respectively, and a desired processed image can be obtained by comparing the two. Can be confirmed. When a desired processed image is obtained, it can be saved.

(Image feed processing)
Next, the flow of image feed processing will be described based on the flowchart of FIG. In this process, the thumbnail images are forward or backward.

  In S51, it is determined whether the open / close detection switch 25 detects that the album 100 is closed. If it is detected that the album 100 is closed, the process proceeds to S52, and if it is not detected, the process returns to the main process. In S52, it is determined whether the open / close detection switch 25 has detected that the album 100 has been opened. If it is detected that the album 100 has been opened, the process proceeds to S53, and if it is not detected, the process returns to the main process. In S53, it is determined whether or not the forward touch sensor 14 has detected contact with a finger or the like. When it detects, it transfers to S54, and when it does not detect, it transfers to S55.

  In S54, the display of the thumbnail images assigned the smallest display order is deleted from the thumbnail images arranged and displayed on the second display device 12 in S31. Then, the thumbnail images to which the display order after the deleted thumbnail images is given are moved up and displayed on the second display device 12, and the process returns to the main process.

  In S55, in S53, it is determined whether or not the reverse feed touch sensor 13 has detected contact with a finger or the like. When it detects, it transfers to S56, and when not detecting, it returns to the main process.

  In S56, the display of the thumbnail images assigned the largest display order is deleted from the thumbnail images arranged and displayed on the second display device 12 in S31. Then, the thumbnail images to which the display order prior to the deleted thumbnail image is assigned are lowered and arranged on the second display device 12, and the process returns to the main process.

  Note that the number of thumbnail images to be deleted in S54 or S55 is arbitrary. For example, in S56, a predetermined number (one or more) of thumbnail images counted in descending order of the display order may be deleted from the thumbnail images with the largest display order. In this step, the image displayed on the first display device 11 may also be deleted.

  By the above processing, the thumbnail image is displayed in reverse or forward by linking the opening / closing operation of the album 100 and the contact operation of the reverse touch sensor 13 or the forward touch sensor 14, so that a normal photo album is opened and closed. It is possible to give the user the impression that the image to be viewed is switched, and to easily switch the display of thumbnail images without performing detailed operations as in the conventional case.

  If the processing in steps S51 and S52 is omitted, it is also possible to display the thumbnail images in reverse or forward display only by the contact operation of the reverse touch sensor 13 or the forward touch sensor 14. You may enable it to input from the selection button 17 or the touch panel 21 whether the operation mode which omits the process of step S51 and S52 is set.

(Title assignment process)
Next, the flow of the title assignment process will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  In S <b> 60, selection of a thumbnail image displayed on the second display device 12 by the touch panel 21 is accepted. Then, it is determined whether or not a thumbnail image has been selected. If selected, the process proceeds to S61, and if not selected, the process returns to the main process.

  In S <b> 61, it is determined whether or not a designation for giving a title to the image by voice input from the microphone 27 is input from the selection button 17 or the touch panel 21. If there is a designation to give a title by voice input, the process proceeds to S62, and if there is no designation to give a title by voice input, the process proceeds to S63.

  In S <b> 62, the audio controller 31 converts analog audio input from the microphone 27 into digital audio data and stores it in the RAM 8. In S64, the audio data in the RAM 8 and the thumbnail image selected in S60 are associated with each other and stored in the storage device 36. That is, the original image and the audio data are associated with each other through the selected thumbnail image.

  In S <b> 63, a character input screen is displayed on the second display device 12, and input of a character to be a title is accepted by the touch panel 21 or the selection button 17. Then, it is determined whether or not a character has been input. If it has been input, the process proceeds to S65. If not, the process returns to the main process. In S65, the text data representing the input character and the thumbnail image selected in S60 are stored in the storage device 36 in association with each other. That is, the original image and the text data are associated with each other via the selected thumbnail image. The audio data stored in S64 and the text data stored in S65 are collectively referred to as title data. FIG. 12B conceptually shows a state in which the original image and the title data are stored correspondingly. Through the above processing, a title can be given to each image by text or sound.

1 is an external view of an electronic photo album according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Functional diagram of electronic photo album Flow chart showing the flow of main processing Flow chart showing the flow of audio playback processing Flow chart showing the flow of image storage processing Flow chart showing the flow of image display processing Flow chart showing the flow of comparison display processing Flow chart showing the flow of image feed processing Flow chart showing the flow of the title assignment process The figure which shows the mode of the thumbnail image display on the 1st display apparatus and the 2nd display apparatus The figure which shows the mode of the 2nd original image display on a 1st display apparatus, and the 2nd thumbnail image display on a 2nd display apparatus. The figure which showed the memory contents of the memory device conceptually The figure which shows the mode of the 1st original image display on a 1st display apparatus, and the 1st thumbnail image display on a 2nd display apparatus. The figure which shows the mode of the original image display to a 1st display apparatus, and the process image display to a 2nd display apparatus

Explanation of symbols

7: Control unit, 8: RAM, 11: First display device, 12: Second display device, 13: Reverse feed touch sensor, 14: Forward feed sensor, 15: Speaker, 21: Touch panel, 24: Insertion / extraction detection unit, 25: Open / close detection switch, 36: Storage device, 37: Image processing unit, 40: Storage medium

Claims (16)

An electronic photo album displaying images,
A substantially album-like first album part;
A substantially album-like second album portion in which a second display device for displaying images is arranged;
A connecting part for rotatably connecting one end of the first album part and one end of the second album part, and arranging them in a spread form;
An open / close detection unit for detecting that the first album unit and the second album unit are opened or closed;
A first contact sensor provided at the other end of the first album part for detecting contact of an object;
A second contact sensor provided at the other end of the second album portion for detecting contact of an object;
A storage unit for storing an original image, a thumbnail image obtained by reducing the original image, and a unique display order;
A display control unit for displaying the thumbnail image on the second display device;
With
The display control unit displays a thumbnail currently displayed on the second display device in response to detection of the opening after the contact detection of the first contact sensor or the second contact sensor and the detection of the closing. An electronic photo album that causes a thumbnail image assigned a display order before an image or a thumbnail image assigned a display order after the image to be displayed on the second display device.   The electronic photo album according to claim 1, further comprising an image selection unit that receives selection of a corresponding original image by selecting a thumbnail image displayed on the second display device. A first display device for displaying images is arranged in the first album part,
The electronic photo album according to claim 2, wherein the display control unit displays the selected original image on the first display device. A character input unit for receiving input of title characters of the selected original image;
The display control unit displays the selected original image or the selected thumbnail image on the first display unit, and displays a screen for prompting input of the title characters on the second display unit,
The electronic photo album according to claim 3, wherein the storage unit stores the input title character in association with the selected original image. The storage unit stores the original image and audio data in association with each other,
A speaker is provided in the first album part or the second album part,
4. The electronic photo album according to claim 2, further comprising an audio reproduction unit that reproduces audio from the speaker based on audio data corresponding to the selected original image. 5.   The speaker is provided on the same surface as the display surface of the first display device in the first album portion, and on the same surface as the display surface of the second display device in the second album portion. 6. The electronic photo album according to claim 5, wherein the electronic photo album is a two-channel stereo playback speaker having a second speaker.   The electronic photo album according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the sound reproducing unit reproduces sound from the sound data in response to detection of the opening. A microphone that accepts an input of audio as a title of the selected original image;
A voice conversion unit that converts voice input to the microphone into voice data and outputs the voice data;
Further comprising
The storage unit stores the audio data output from the audio conversion unit in association with the selected image,
The electronic photo album according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the sound reproducing unit reproduces sound from the sound data in synchronization with display of the selected image. An image processing unit that performs a predetermined image processing on the selected original image;
The electronic photo album according to claim 3, wherein the display control unit distributes and displays the selected original image and the image processed image on either the first display device or the second display device.   The image selection unit includes a touch panel that is stacked on the second display device and detects a contact of an object and the position of the contact. The thumbnail image is detected by the touch panel detecting a contact at a display position of the thumbnail image. The electronic photo album according to claim 2, which accepts the selection. An electronic photo album displaying images,
A substantially plate-shaped first album portion on which a first display device for displaying images is arranged;
A substantially album-like second album portion in which a second display device for displaying images is arranged;
A connecting portion for rotatably connecting one end of the first album portion and one end of the second album portion, and arranging the first display device and the second display device in a double-sided manner;
A storage unit for storing a first original image and a first thumbnail image obtained by reducing the first original image;
A display control unit for displaying the first thumbnail image on the second display device;
A reading unit for reading a second original image stored in an external storage medium;
With
The display control unit displays the first thumbnail image on the first display device, and displays the second thumbnail image obtained by reducing the second original image on the second display device. An insertion detection unit for detecting insertion of the external storage medium;
The display control unit switches the display of the first thumbnail image from the second display device to the first display device in response to the detection of the insertion, and causes the second display device to display the second thumbnail image. 10. An electronic photo album according to 10.   The electronic photo album according to claim 11, further comprising an image selection unit that receives selection of a corresponding first original image or second original image by selecting the first thumbnail image or the second thumbnail image.   The electronic photo album according to claim 12, wherein the display control unit displays the selected second original image on the first display device. A replication control unit that replicates the selected second original image from the external storage medium to the storage unit;
13. The electronic photo album according to claim 12, wherein the display control unit displays a duplicated thumbnail, which is a second thumbnail image corresponding to the duplicated second original image, on the first display device as a first thumbnail image.   16. The display control unit according to claim 15, wherein the display start of the duplicated thumbnail image on the first display device and the display end of the duplicated thumbnail image on the second display device are linked in accordance with the completion of the duplication. Electronic photo album.

Images