JP2006166146A - Apparatus and program for outputting image selection screen - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily determine image quality of a still image to be used as a material of photomovie, depending on the environment in which a user views the photomovie. <P>SOLUTION: In creating the photomovie, a reproduction and display apparatus with which the user views the photomovie is designated in advance. Thumbnail images having different sizes are displayed on an image selection screen for selecting still images to be used as the material of the photomovie from among a plurality of still images, on the basis of the screen resolution of the designated reproduction and display apparatus. Since the still images with excellent image quality have large-sized thumbnail images, and still images with deteriorated image quality have small-sized thumbnail images; the more thumbnail images of the excellent still images are displayed on the image selection screen. The still images having large-sized thumbnail images are selected, thereby enabling creating photomovie with good appearance. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an image selection screen output device and an image selection screen output program for outputting an image selection screen for displaying a list of still images as a plurality of thumbnail images when selecting a still image to be used as a material for a photo movie.

  In addition to printing still images recorded with a digital still camera or the like on a photographic paper, the digital camera can be connected to a home TV, and the recorded still images can be displayed on a TV screen for viewing. it can. Some digital cameras have a slide show function that switches images displayed on a television screen at regular intervals, and a plurality of still images can be easily viewed using this slide show function.

  Unlike a still image that can be viewed using a slide show function, a photo movie can be viewed as a moving image, and is attracting attention as one of the different still image storage forms. In photo movies, a dynamic visual effect is given to still images of materials, such as a zoom effect that expands a part of a still image and a Pann effect that moves the viewpoint while a part of the still image is close-up. It is done.

  In the image display device and the photo movie creation software described in Patent Document 1 and Non-Patent Document 1, respectively, a plurality of still images stored as image data in a storage medium are read out, and still images used as photo movie materials are read from them. A picture is selected. When still images are selected, thumbnail images obtained by reducing still images are generated, and a large number of thumbnail images are displayed on the screen as a list of still images. The user grasps the content of the still image with reference to the thumbnail image and selects a desired still image.

In the image input / output device described in Patent Document 2, when selecting a still image to be printed, still images having different fineness depending on the number of pixels are displayed as color-coded thumbnail images. According to this, a still image having an image quality suitable for printing can be immediately determined from the type of color, and wasteful printing paper due to printing a low-quality image can be prevented.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-200843 JP 2001-036843 A Digital Stage Co., Ltd. LIFE * with-Photo-Cinema [Search April 6, 2004] Internet <URL: http://www.digitalstage.net/jp/product/life/index.html>

  However, the suitability of the image quality of still images used for photo movies varies depending on the type of effect used, and therefore, when still images are selected using the conventional technique described in Patent Document 2 above. There is a problem that the number of colors for discriminating image quality increases and the display becomes difficult to understand.

  The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and a thumbnail image that enables easy determination of the quality of an image according to the screen resolution of a playback display device that outputs a photo movie and the type of special effect is provided. An object of the present invention is to provide an image selection screen output device and an image selection screen output program to be displayed.

  To achieve the above object, the present invention reads a plurality of still images stored as image data in a storage medium when creating a photo movie using a still image selected from a plurality of still images as a material. In the image selection screen output device that displays the thumbnail images of still images in an array and outputs an image selection screen for selecting still images as materials, the screen resolution information of the playback display device that reproduces and displays the completed photomovie The resolution information storage means for storing the image, the number of pixels of a plurality of still images read from the storage medium, and the screen resolution of the reproduction table device, and the display suitability of the still image for the reproduction display device Display aptitude determination means for determining whether or not a plurality of still images having different determination results can be identified. Characterized by comprising a means.

  The display shape changing means is thumbnail size changing means for reducing the size of the still image thumbnail image with low display suitability with respect to the thumbnail image with high display suitability.

  The display shape changing unit changes the still image having high display suitability to a thumbnail image in which a difference in the number of pixels is identified according to a color type of a decorative band that surrounds the still image.

  The display shape changing unit changes the still image with low display suitability to a thumbnail image in which a difference in the number of pixels is identified by reducing color or brightness shading or outline sharpness. It is characterized by that.

  The resolution information storage unit stores screen resolution information of a plurality of types of playback display devices, and the display suitability determination unit includes a screen resolution of a playback display device designated in advance among the plurality of types of playback display devices, and the resolution information storage unit. The display quality of the still image is determined by comparing the number of pixels of the still image.

  The display suitability determination means determines the display suitability of the still image based on a reference value obtained by multiplying the screen resolution by a predetermined coefficient.

  The image selection screen output program of the present invention reads a plurality of still images stored as image data in a storage medium when creating a photo movie using a still image selected from a plurality of still images as a material. An image selection screen output program for arranging and displaying still image thumbnail images and outputting an image selection screen for selecting a still image as a material, and a reproduction display device for reproducing and displaying a completed photo movie The display resolution information of the plurality of still images read from the storage medium and the screen resolution of the reproduction table device are compared with each other to determine the display suitability of the still image for the reproduction display device. A display shape changing means for changing the display shape of the thumbnail image so that the display suitability determining means for determining and a plurality of still images having different determination results can be identified. And characterized by causing a computer to function as a.

  According to the present invention, the quality of a still image is determined based on the screen resolution of a reproduction display device that reproduces and outputs the created photo movie, and the quality of the still image is determined to be appropriate. Since a still image is displayed as a thumbnail image having a different shape, the difference in image quality of the still image can be easily discriminated rather than color-coded.

  Also, when displaying a list of still images as thumbnail images, the area occupied by low-quality still image thumbnail images that are inappropriate as photo movie materials can be reduced on the image selection screen, making them suitable as photo movie materials. It is possible to display a larger number of high-quality still image thumbnail images. In addition, since a high-quality still image can be easily selected and input by a large area, and a low-quality still image is difficult to select and input by a small area, an effect of reducing user input errors can be obtained.

  Also, among the still images with appropriate image quality as photo movie material, by color-coding thumbnail images to distinguish still images with higher image quality, they can be displayed more prominently than other thumbnail images, It is also possible to prevent an input error such as forgetting to select a high-quality still image in a state where a large number of thumbnail images are displayed on the screen.

  In addition, among still images that have unsuitable image quality as photo movie materials, still images with lower image quality are less noticeable than other thumbnail images by reducing the brightness or color and the sharpness of the contour of the subject. As a result, it becomes easier to determine whether the image quality is good or bad. In addition, since the degree of attention from the user can be reduced, an effect of reducing an input mistake that erroneously selects a low-quality still image can be obtained.

  Also, you can specify a playback display device for playback and output of a photo movie from multiple types, change the size of the thumbnail image according to the screen resolution of the playback display device, and watch the photo movie Even if the environment is different for each user, it is possible to realize a user interface for creating an optimal photo movie according to the environment.

  In addition, since display suitability is determined based on a reference value obtained by multiplying the screen resolution by a predetermined coefficient and the shape of the thumbnail image is changed, the still image whose thumbnail image shape is changed as the screen resolution of the playback display device increases. The determination criterion can be easily adjusted such that the determination criterion for still images whose thumbnail image is changed is increased as the screen resolution is lower.

  Referring to FIG. 1, a photo movie creation apparatus 10 to which the present invention is applied is installed at a DPE store or a store that provides a photo print service, and is operated by a user who is an ordering customer who requests creation of a photo movie. . The photo movie creation device 10 includes a storage device 11 that stores a photo movie creation program 11a, a control program, and the like, and a CPU 12 that executes each program stored in the storage device 11. The storage device 11 is, for example, a hard disk type magnetic storage device, and stores image data serving as a material for a photo movie, intermediate data generated by arithmetic processing of the CPU 12, and the like.

  The monitor 13 has an edit menu for creating a photo movie and a display screen on which the created photo movie is displayed. The input operation unit 14 includes a touch panel on which various conditions and parameters necessary for creating a photo movie are input, and input processing is performed by touching input keys displayed on the display screen of the monitor 13. The communication unit 15 performs data communication such as image data with an external device such as the digital camera 16. The media reading unit 17 reads image data stored in the memory card 18 brought in by the user. The media recording unit 19 records the created photo movie on an optical disc 20 such as a CD or a DVD.

  The photo movie creation program 11a stored in the storage device 11 includes a control unit 25 that controls the operation of each part of the device based on input processing performed via the input operation unit 14, and a plurality of scenes that constitute the photo movie. The CPU 12 is caused to function as an editing condition setting unit 26 that sets special effects and the like that are respectively assigned, and a photo movie output unit 27 that outputs a photo movie based on the setting of each scene. The thumbnail image display program 11b includes a thumbnail image generation unit 28 that generates a thumbnail image of a still image read via the media reading unit 17, and the number of pixels that determines the height of the number of pixels of the read still image. The CPU 12 is caused to function as the determination unit 29 and the thumbnail image conversion unit 30 that converts the size of the thumbnail image based on the determination result of the pixel number determination unit 29.

  The editing condition setting unit 26 performs processing for selecting a still image to be used for each scene of the photo movie and setting editing conditions such as the presence / absence of the effect and the type of each scene by user input operation. The editing condition setting unit 26 is a manual editing mode in which images and effects to be applied to each scene are set according to an external input operation by the user, and all the scene effects are selected according to a predetermined scenario template. And an automatic editing mode in which editing conditions are set by assigning each image to each scene. There are several types of scenario templates for different themes such as seasons and annual events, such as travel templates and wedding templates. The effect applied to the scene is predetermined.

  The photo movie output unit 27 outputs a video of each scene in which a special effect is given to a still image as a material as a moving image of 30 frames per second. The photo movie is output as an image having a uniform screen size in accordance with the screen resolution of a playback display device that plays back and outputs a photo movie specified in advance. The output video data is converted into moving image data in a digital moving image format such as MPEG2-DVD-Video format. The moving image data is stored in the storage device 11 and then output to the media recording unit 19 and recorded on the optical disc 20.

  The thumbnail image generator 28 generates a thumbnail image of a still image read as image data from the digital camera 16 or the memory card 18. The thumbnail image is a reduced image of 160 × 120 dots, for example, and a thumbnail image standardized to a predetermined aspect ratio and the number of pixels is generated from any still image having a different aspect ratio or number of pixels. The thumbnail images are displayed as a list on the screen of the monitor 13 when the editing condition setting unit 26 selects a still image to be applied to each scene of the photo movie. The still image can be designated by touching the position where the specific thumbnail image is displayed on the screen of the monitor 13.

  The pixel number determination unit 29 determines whether or not the number of pixels of the still image is high based on the screen resolution information RD incorporated in the thumbnail image display program 11b. The screen resolution information RD is information representing the screen resolution of a playback display device that is designated in advance for playback and output of a photo movie, and there are three types of playback display devices: high resolution, intermediate resolution, and low resolution. is there. Specifically, as a high-resolution reproduction display device, a high-definition television (1080i-HDTV) with a resolution of 1920 × 1080 dots having 1080 effective scanning lines and an intermediate-resolution reproduction display device has an effective scanning line number. 480 standard television (480i-SDTV) with a resolution of 720 × 480 dots, and 320 × 240 dots (320 × 240 dots) as a low-resolution playback display device provided in portable information terminals such as mobile phones and PDAs (Personal Digital Assistance) QVGA) liquid crystal display device is set.

  The thumbnail image conversion unit 30 uses, for example, a value of 80% as a reference value with respect to the total number of pixels of the display screen of the playback display device designated in advance, and the number of pixels of a specific still image is lower than this reference value Converts the normal thumbnail image generated by the thumbnail image generator 28 into a further reduced secondary thumbnail image. This secondary thumbnail image has a half size and a third size compared to a normal thumbnail image. The size of the secondary thumbnail image is determined according to the number of pixels of the still image with respect to the screen resolution of the designated playback display device.

  In FIG. 2, when selecting a still image to be applied to each scene of the photo movie, a selection menu for designating the type of playback display device used for playback playback of the photo movie is displayed on the screen of the monitor 13. There are three types of playback display devices displayed at this time: a high-definition television in which screen resolution information RD is stored, a standard television, and a portable terminal. When any one of the three types of playback display devices is selected, thumbnail images of various sizes are generated from the read still image by the thumbnail image generation unit 28 and the thumbnail image conversion unit 30 and are displayed on the display screen of the monitor 13. Shows a list of three types of thumbnail images: a normal size thumbnail image NT1, a half size thumbnail image ST1, and a third size thumbnail image ST2.

  When a high-definition television is designated as a playback display device, the number of pixels of each still image is compared and determined with respect to a first reference value determined from the screen resolution of the high-definition television. A still image having a number of pixels higher than the first reference value is displayed as a normal size thumbnail image NT1. In addition, a still image having a number of pixels lower than the first reference value is compared with the second reference value determined from the screen resolution of the standard television, and the number of pixels higher than the second reference value is determined. The still image is displayed as a secondary thumbnail image ST1 that is half the size of the normal size. A still image having a number of pixels lower than the second reference value is displayed as a secondary thumbnail image ST2 having a size one-third that of the normal size. At this time, the number of thumbnail images displayed on one screen of the monitor 13 is the largest.

  In FIG. 3, when a standard television is designated as the playback display device, the number of pixels of each still image is compared and determined with respect to the second reference value. A still image having a number of pixels higher than the second reference value is displayed as a normal-size thumbnail image NT1. On the other hand, a still image having a number of pixels lower than the second reference value is determined by comparing the number of pixels with respect to a third reference value determined from the screen resolution of the liquid crystal display device of the mobile terminal. A still image having a higher number of pixels is displayed as a secondary thumbnail image ST1 that is half the size of the normal size. Also, a still image having a number of pixels lower than the third reference value is displayed as a secondary thumbnail image ST2 having a size that is one third of the normal size.

  In FIG. 4, when a portable terminal with the lowest resolution is designated as a playback display device, each still image is compared with the third reference value described above, and a still image having a higher number of pixels than the third reference value. Is displayed as a normal-sized thumbnail image NT1. On the other hand, a still image having a number of pixels lower than the third reference value is displayed as a secondary thumbnail image ST1 having a half size compared to the normal size. Note that when the reproduction display device with the lowest resolution is designated, the secondary thumbnail image ST2 having a size one third of the normal size is not displayed.

  Next, the operation of the photo movie creation apparatus 10 will be described. In FIG. 5, a digital camera 16 or a memory card 18 in which still images are stored as image data is brought in by the user, the digital camera 16 is connected to the communication unit 15, and the memory card 18 is set in the media reading unit 17. The control unit 25 stores the image data of the still image read from the digital camera 16 or the memory card 18 in the storage device 11.

  The thumbnail image generation unit 28 reads out still image data stored in the storage device 11 and generates a normal-sized thumbnail image NT1. The monitor 13 displays a message requesting that the playback display device used for playback of the photo movie is designated from three types of playback display devices. When the reproduction display device is designated, the pixel number determination unit 29 reads the screen resolution information RD corresponding to the reproduction display device, and determines the determination reference value used for determining the number of pixels based on the read screen resolution information RD. calculate.

  The pixel number determination unit 29 sequentially reads still images stored in the storage device 11 and determines whether or not the number of pixels of each still image is higher than a reference value. The thumbnail image conversion unit 30 specifies a still image having a number of pixels lower than the reference value from the determination result, and converts the normal-sized thumbnail image NT1 of the specified still image into a secondary thumbnail image. If the designated playback display device is not the playback display device with the lowest screen resolution, that is, a high-definition television or a standard television, one level of screen resolution is selected from still images having a pixel number lower than the reference value. A reference value based on the screen resolution of the low playback display device is calculated, and a secondary thumbnail image ST1 having a half size and a secondary thumbnail image ST2 having a third size compared to a normal size thumbnail image are generated.

  The monitor 13 displays a normal-sized thumbnail image NT1, a half-sized secondary thumbnail image ST1, and a third-sized thumbnail image ST2 in accordance with the number of pixels of each still image. The orderer selects a still image to be used for the photo movie with reference to each thumbnail image displayed on the screen of the monitor 13. The thumbnail image of a still image suitable for a photo movie is displayed in a large size, and the thumbnail image of a still image that is not suitable for a photo movie is displayed in a small size. Therefore, the orderer determines the quality of each still image by simply looking at the screen of the monitor 13. it can.

  When the selection of the still image to be used for the photo movie is completed, an operation for selecting either the automatic editing mode or the manual editing mode is performed. In the automatic editing mode, all editing conditions are automatically set by selecting a scenario template. In the manual editing mode, a still image to be applied to each scene of the photo movie is specified, and the user himself / herself sets effect settings for the scene.

  When the editing conditions are set, the photo movie output unit 27 displays a preview image of the created photo movie on the monitor 13. The user confirms the preview video and moves to the next step if he / she does not feel that the change is necessary. The photo movie output unit 27 converts the video of the photo movie into video data conforming to a predetermined digital moving image format. This video data is output to the media recording unit 19 and a photo movie is recorded on the optical disc 20. When the recording of the photo movie ends, the optical disc 20 is ejected, and the user receives the optical disc 20 on which the photo movie is recorded in exchange for a fee. As described above, everything from the receipt of the order to the delivery of the product by the photo movie creation device 10 is performed.

  In the above-described embodiment, the thumbnail image NT1 having the normal size, the secondary thumbnail image ST1 having a half size compared to the normal size, and the one-third size according to the number of pixels suitable for each reproduction display device. Although the secondary thumbnail image ST2 is generated, the present invention is not limited to displaying the quality of the still image by only the size of the thumbnail image.

  For example, the present invention is not limited to generating thumbnail images with different sizes in three stages, and as shown in FIG. 6, when generating thumbnail images with different sizes in two stages, it is inappropriate for a photo movie. The thumbnail image of a still image having a low pixel number is made smaller than a normal thumbnail image, and at the same time, as a still image thumbnail image ST3 having a lower pixel number, brightness and color saturation are reduced. Alternatively, by performing a blurring process on the thumbnail image, a thumbnail image with high transparency, a thumbnail image close to an achromatic color, or a thumbnail image with a blurred outline of the subject may be used. As a result, it is possible to display a thumbnail image in which the visibility of the subject in the image is lowered and the effect of reducing the degree of attention of the user is enhanced. In addition, it is possible to determine at a glance still images with lower image quality from among low-quality still images deemed inappropriate for photo movies.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 7, when a still image suitable for a photo movie is displayed as a normal-size thumbnail image, a high-quality still image suitable for a special effect accompanied by a high-magnification display is displayed as a decorative band. By displaying the thumbnail image NT2 bordered by D1, the appeal is made to make the still image stand out from the other thumbnail images, and the user raises the degree of attention so that the still image is used as the material of the photo movie. Display may be performed, and a user can create a good-looking photo movie by carefully selecting a high-quality still image.

  Further, the display form of the thumbnail image is not limited to making it possible to determine whether the image quality is good or not only by the difference in size by using a similar shape with a constant aspect ratio, and at least one of the size and shape or By making both different, it is possible to display the quality of image quality. As shown in FIG. 8, a substantially square thumbnail image CT1 with a reduced width may be displayed so that a subject in the image is vertically long so that a low-quality still image can be identified. Further, as shown in FIG. 9, low-quality still images can be discriminated not by a rectangular thumbnail image but by a thumbnail image having another shape such as a triangle such as a thumbnail image CT2 processed into a circle. Also good.

  The above-described photo movie creation device 10 is a device dedicated to photo movie creation installed in a DPE store or the like. However, as another form, it is possible to select a still image used for the photo movie and set editing conditions. The order receiving device may be configured to include a photo movie output device that receives information from the order receiving device and creates a product in which a photo movie is recorded. In this case, a user's personal computer in which a program necessary as an order receiving machine is installed may be used to place an order from home via communication means such as the Internet. Furthermore, the present invention may be applied to a digital still camera so that a photographed image can be reproduced and output as a photo movie on the spot.

  In the above embodiment, one of the three types of playback display devices for reproducing and outputting the photo movie is designated. However, one playback display device may be determined in advance. In this case, There is no need to specify a playback display device. In the above embodiment, a normal-size thumbnail image is generated from a still image read as image data from a storage medium such as the memory card 18, and the size is further reduced from the normal thumbnail image based on the screen resolution of the playback display device. Although a thumbnail image is generated, a thumbnail image having a different shape and size from a normal size thumbnail image may be generated from a still image. In addition, thumbnail images having different sizes may be displayed by reducing the display magnification of normal-sized thumbnail images. In the present invention, a photo movie having the number of pixels matching the screen resolution of one playback display device specified in advance is output, but a photo movie having the number of pixels matching the screen resolution of all playback display devices is output. A movie may be output.

It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of the photo movie production apparatus. It is explanatory drawing which shows the image selection screen when the reproduction | regeneration display apparatus with a high screen resolution is designated. It is explanatory drawing which shows the image selection screen when the reproduction | regeneration display apparatus with intermediate | middle screen resolution is designated. It is explanatory drawing which shows the image selection screen when the reproduction | regeneration display apparatus with a low screen resolution is designated. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of operation | movement of the photo movie production apparatus. It is explanatory drawing which shows the 2nd display form of an image selection screen. It is explanatory drawing which shows the 3rd display form of an image selection screen. It is explanatory drawing which shows the 4th display form of an image selection screen. It is explanatory drawing which shows the 5th display form of an image selection screen.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Photo movie production apparatus 11 Memory | storage device 11a Photo movie production program 11b Thumbnail image display program 13 Monitor 14 Input operation part 15 Communication part 16 Digital camera 17 Media reading part 18 Memory card 19 Media recording part 20 Optical disk 28 Thumbnail image generation part 29 Pixel Number determination unit 30 Thumbnail image conversion unit D1 Decoration band NT1, NT2, ST1, ST2, ST3, CT1, CT2 Thumbnail image RD Screen resolution information

Claims (7)

When creating a photo movie using still images selected from a plurality of still images as a material, a plurality of still images stored as image data on the storage medium are read, and thumbnail images of the still images are arranged and displayed. In an image selection screen output device that outputs an image selection screen for selecting a still image as a material,
Resolution information storage means for storing screen resolution information of a playback display device for playing back and displaying a completed photo movie;
Display aptitude determination means for comparing the number of still image pixels read from the storage medium and the screen resolution of the playback table device to determine the display suitability of the still image for the playback display device;
An image selection screen output device comprising: a display form changing means for changing a display form of the thumbnail image so that a plurality of still images having different determination results can be identified.   The display mode changing unit is a thumbnail size changing unit that reduces a size of a thumbnail image of a still image with low display suitability with respect to a thumbnail image of the still image with high display suitability. Image selection screen output device.   The display form changing unit changes the still image with high display suitability to a thumbnail image in which a difference in the number of pixels is identified according to a color type of a decorative band that surrounds the still image. Item 3. The thumbnail image display device according to Item 1 or 2.   The display form changing means changes the thumbnail image in which the difference in the number of pixels is identified for the still image with low display suitability by reducing the color or brightness, or the sharpness of the outline. The image selection screen output device according to claim 1, wherein the image selection screen output device is an image selection screen output device. The resolution information storage means stores screen resolution information of a plurality of types of playback display devices,
The display suitability judging means judges the display suitability of the still image by comparing the screen resolution of the playback display device designated in advance among the plurality of types of playback display devices and the number of pixels of the still image. The image selection screen output device according to claim 1, wherein the image selection screen output device is an image selection screen output device.   6. The display suitability determination unit according to claim 1, wherein the display suitability determination unit determines the display suitability of the still image based on a reference value obtained by multiplying the screen resolution by a predetermined coefficient. Image selection screen output device. When creating a photo movie using still images selected from a plurality of still images as a material, a plurality of still images stored as image data on the storage medium are read, and thumbnail images of the still images are arranged and displayed. In an image selection screen output program for outputting an image selection screen for selecting a still image as a material,
It has the screen resolution information of the playback display device that plays back and displays the completed photo movie.
Display aptitude determination means for comparing the number of still image pixels read from the storage medium and the screen resolution of the playback table device to determine the display suitability of the still image for the playback display device;
An image selection screen output program for causing a computer to function as a display form changing means for changing a display form of the thumbnail image so that a plurality of still images having different determination results can be identified.

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