JP2007065505A - Display control device, display control method therefor, and digital camera provided with this display control device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a display control device and a display control method therefor, carrying out display control capable of efficiently performing retrievals of two or more images recorded on a recording medium, and to provide a digital camera provided with this device. <P>SOLUTION: The display control device 10b which selects two or more images on the basis of frame numbers from images recorded in the recording medium 18 and makes a display part 17a display an index image consisting of the two or more selected images, makes the display part display the two or more images constituting the index image, of which the frame numbers are separated from each other at predetermined spaces, in respective divided display areas, and when there is an instruction to change over the index image, the display control device changes over the the index image to display a new index image consisting of images of which the frame numbers precede or follow the images being displayed in the respective display areas of the display part. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a display control apparatus, a display control method thereof, and a digital camera including the display control apparatus, and more particularly, an index display convenient for searching for a desired image when displaying a plurality of images recorded on a recording medium. The present invention relates to a display control device capable of executing display control for performing display control, a display control method therefor, and a digital camera including the display control device.

  In recent years, image input devices represented by digital cameras and the like for acquiring electronic image data have become widespread. Image data acquired by these image input devices (hereinafter simply referred to as a digital camera or the like) is recorded and stored in a recording medium such as an image memory. The image data recorded and stored in the recording medium can be read out at any time and displayed as an image by using a predetermined display control device.

  When such a conventional display control apparatus is used, a desired image may be retrieved from a plurality of images recorded on a recording medium for the purpose of display or printing, for example. In this case, in the conventional display control device, for example, a predetermined display screen is divided into a plurality of display areas (for example, 4 divisions, 9 divisions, 16 divisions, etc.), and display control is performed to display a reduced image for each display area. In general, a plurality of images are simultaneously displayed on one display screen of the display control device, so that a desired image can be searched more quickly.

  A display form in which a plurality of reduced images are simultaneously displayed on one display screen is called a so-called index display form. In a conventional digital camera or the like, when operating in an image playback display mode in which an image is displayed using a display control device, the display control method in the index display mode described above is one of the widely used display controls. Means.

  As a conventional index display form, specifically, for example, images are usually displayed in chronological order according to image numbers (hereinafter referred to as frame numbers) added in the order of being photographed by a digital camera or the like. It is.

  By the way, in recent years, the price of solid-state memory media as recording media has been remarkably reduced, and the size and capacity of hard disk media have been remarkably advanced. As a result, the number of images that can be recorded on a single recording medium has greatly increased.

  Therefore, for example, when searching for desired image data from a plurality of image data recorded on a single recording medium, if the total number of images to be searched is about 100, the display control device In the case of an index display form in which the number of reduced images that can be displayed simultaneously on one display screen is 16, all images can be confirmed in a single operation by performing the screen display switching operation six times.

  On the other hand, when performing the same search, when the total number of images to be searched is about 1000, the same means as described above (an index display form in which the number of reduced images on one screen is 16) Then, in order to confirm all the images, it is necessary to perform a screen display switching operation 60 times or more.

  As described above, in a display control apparatus having a large-capacity recording medium, in order to search for a desired image from a large number of images, the conventional means is time consuming and tends to be inefficient. It has become to.

  In view of this, various conventional display control directions for making it possible to search for a desired image more quickly by devising a conventional index display form based on the frame number order are disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-211049. Proposals have been made.

  In the display control device disclosed in the above Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-211049, a plurality of image data recorded on a recording medium is grouped based on time information, and images belonging to each of the plurality of groups are displayed. They are displayed simultaneously on the display screen.

According to this, when searching for a desired image, if the shooting date / time information included in the desired image is known in advance, the image can be searched efficiently and quickly. effective.
JP 2002-211049 A

  However, in the means disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-211049, since grouping is performed based on time information included in each image data, the number of images belonging to each group is biased. May occur.

  That is, when shooting using a digital camera or the like, for example, the number of shots for each date and time is rarely constant, and the number of shots for each group (each date) when grouped by day is the group (day). It is natural that the bias is significantly biased. Accordingly, there may be a large difference in the number of shots between groups between the number of shots taken on the day (group) on which many shots were taken and the number of shots on the day (group) on which a few shots were taken. . Therefore, when searching for an image by means according to the above publication, if the date / time information about the desired image to be searched is unknown, the efficiency is evenly distributed between the groups due to the variation in the number of sheets among the groups. There is a problem that it is difficult to search well.

  Further, in the conventional display control apparatus as disclosed in the above publications and the like, in the index display in which the images to be displayed on the display screen are arranged in order of the shooting date and time, there are many images of the group including the images to be searched. If this is the case, it takes time to search for a desired image in the group, and there is a problem that efficient search cannot be performed.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and its purpose is to consider the convenience when searching for a desired image among a plurality of images recorded on a recording medium. A display control apparatus and display control method capable of performing display control capable of performing more efficient image search by eliminating grouping of the number of sheets between groups by performing grouping independent of shooting date and time, and a display control method thereof It is to provide a digital camera provided with this display control device.

  In order to achieve the above object, a display control device according to the present invention selects a plurality of images from images recorded on a recording medium based on a frame number, and an index image composed of the selected plurality of images. In the display control device for displaying the image on the display unit, the images in which the frame numbers of the plurality of images constituting the index image are separated from each other by a predetermined interval are displayed in each of the divided display areas of the display unit, respectively. When an image switching instruction is given, display control is performed to switch to and display a new index image consisting of an image having a frame number before or after the image being displayed in each display area of the display unit. . The display control device corresponds to the display control unit 10b in the embodiment.

  According to the present invention, in consideration of convenience when searching for a desired image among a plurality of images recorded on a recording medium, the number of images between each group is determined by performing grouping independent of the shooting date and time. It is possible to provide a display control apparatus and display control method capable of performing display control capable of executing a more efficient image search, and a digital camera including the display control apparatus.

The present invention will be described below with reference to the illustrated embodiments.
One embodiment of the present invention described below is described by taking a display control device provided in a digital camera and a display control method executed by the display control device as an example.

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an external appearance of a digital camera provided with a display control apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from the back side. FIG. 2 is a block configuration diagram showing an outline of an electrical internal configuration mainly in the digital camera of FIG. In FIG. 2, only main components directly related to the display control apparatus of this embodiment are illustrated.

  FIG. 3 is a main flowchart showing a processing sequence when the digital camera of FIG. 1 is operated in the image reproduction display mode. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a processing sequence of the special index reproduction operation in the image reproduction display mode of the digital camera of FIG.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a display example of an index type selection screen for setting a display form when the digital camera of FIG. 1 is operated in the image playback display mode. 6, 7, and 8 are diagrams showing display screens of each index display form when the digital camera of FIG. 1 is operated in the image reproduction display mode. Among these, FIG. 6 is a display example in the normal index mode. FIG. 7 is a display example in the first special index mode. FIG. 8 is a display example in the second special index mode.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the display screen after the display screen switching operation in the state of FIG. 7 in the first special index mode. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating correspondence between each operation member and a change in the display screen when a display screen switching operation is performed in the first special index mode. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating correspondence between each operation member and a change in the display screen when the display screen switching operation is performed in the second special index mode.

  First, a schematic configuration of a digital camera provided with the display control apparatus of the present embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the digital camera 1 provided with the display control device of the present embodiment includes a display unit 17 a disposed with a display screen for displaying an image on the back side of the camera body facing outside, Various operation members respectively disposed at predetermined positions in a region on the right side of the camera main body, such as a zoom lever 42, an up / down / left / right direction button 43, a determination button (OK button) 44, a menu display button 45, and the like. And a shutter release button 41, which is an operation member that is disposed at a position on the upper right side of the camera body and instructs a photographing operation.

  When the digital camera 1 is in the photographing operation mode, the display unit 17a functions as an electronic viewfinder by receiving a signal from an image sensor 12 (see FIG. 2) described later and displaying a subject image. . On the other hand, when the digital camera 1 is in the playback operation mode, the display control unit 17a is based on image data that has been acquired and recorded on a recording medium (an image storage memory 18 described later, see FIG. 2). Thus, it serves as an image display device that displays corresponding images and related information in various forms. For example, a liquid crystal display (LCD) or the like is applied as the display unit 17a.

  The zoom lever 42 is an operation member formed by a pair of operation members of a T button and a W button. The zoom lever 42 is used when performing a zooming operation of the photographic lens 11 (see FIG. 2) described later when the digital camera 1 is in the photographic operation mode. By operating the W button toward the focal point (telephoto) side, the zooming operation can be performed with the photographing lens 11 directed toward the short focal point (wide angle) side.

  Further, the zoom lever 42 is used when performing switching operation of a reproduction image being displayed on the display screen when the digital camera 1 is in the reproduction operation mode. In other words, each operation of the T button and the W button of the zoom lever 42 is used to perform switching operation between index display and single frame playback display during the index display operation, and enlargement display and reduction display of the image during the single frame playback operation. Switching operation can be performed.

  The up / down / left / right direction instruction button 43 includes a U button 43a which is an upward direction button, a D button 43b which is a downward direction button, an L button 43c which is a left direction button, and an R button 43d which is a right direction button. It is comprised by. The up / down / left / right direction instruction buttons 43 serve as an operation member for selecting an image when the digital camera 1 is in the reproduction operation mode. Further, it is used for a menu item selection operation or the like during a menu selection operation described later.

  The determination button 44 is an operation member that is operated when determining an item or the like that is selected by operating an operation member such as the up / down / left / right direction instruction button 43 described above.

  The menu display button 45 is an operation member that calls a setting screen for performing various settings in the digital camera 1. For example, when setting the display mode of the index display in the playback operation mode, the index display mode is selected and set by instructing selection of an index type selection item from the menu item screen called by the menu display button 45. A setting screen (see FIG. 5) can be displayed (the details of the operation in this case will be described later).

  As shown in FIG. 2, the main internal configuration of the digital camera 1 includes a CPU 10 that is a control unit, a photographing lens 11 including an optical lens, an image sensor 12 such as a CCD that performs photoelectric conversion processing, and a predetermined signal. An imaging unit 13 that performs processing and outputs a digital image signal, an image buffer memory 14 that receives and temporarily stores an output signal (digital image signal) from the imaging unit 13, and temporarily stores in the image buffer memory 14 An image processing unit 15 that reads a stored digital image signal and performs predetermined image signal processing, a display unit 17a having a display screen, a display drive unit 16 that performs drive control of the display unit 17a, and predetermined recording An image storage memory 18 which is a recording medium for storing and storing image data in a format, and a compression / expansion unit 19 for performing compression processing and expansion processing of an image signal A flash unit 20 is a flash light emission device, a ROM (ROM) 21 in which various programs and data are stored in advance, and is mainly constituted by the operation unit 22 or the like in conjunction with the operation member of the various.

  The CPU 10 includes an imaging device 12, an imaging unit 13, an image buffer memory 14, an image processing unit 15, a display driving unit 16, a display unit 17a, an image storage memory 18, a compression / decompression unit 19, a flash unit 20, a ROM 21, an operation unit 22, and the like. These components are electrically connected directly or indirectly by signal lines.

  The CPU 10 performs overall operations of the digital camera 1 such as receiving instruction signals from the operation unit 22 linked to the various operation members and generating various operation instruction signals to perform drive control of each component member. It is a control part which controls to.

  The CPU 10 configures a display control unit 10b that controls the display unit 17a as a display control device in response to an instruction signal from the operation unit 22 by executing a program in the ROM 21, which will be described later, and includes a timer 10a that performs timing. Built-in.

  The display control unit 10b of the CPU 10 includes an index creation unit 10c that creates an index image suitable for the display mode of the index display in the playback operation mode, and an image management unit 10d that performs signal processing on image information and the like for each image. It is comprised.

  The compression / decompression unit 19 receives an output signal from the image processing unit 15, performs a predetermined compression process on the output signal, generates image data in an optimal form for recording in the image storage memory 18, This is a circuit unit that performs signal processing such as reading image data recorded in the storage memory 18, performing decompression processing on the image data, and restoring the image signal that can be handled inside the digital camera 1.

  The ROM 21 manages, for example, various control programs for the CPU 10 and a plurality of image data (icon data indicating symbols, numerical values, languages, etc.) representing information related to various setting conditions and shooting conditions, text data, and image groups. Data and the like are stored in advance. By using a rewritable semiconductor memory such as an EEPROM, the ROM 21 can arbitrarily add desired data as required.

  For example, the operation unit 22 is omitted in addition to the shutter release button 41, the zoom lever 42, the up / down / left / right direction instruction button 43, the enter button 44, the menu display button 45, etc. Buttons, shooting mode switching buttons, shooting / playback operation switching buttons, flash mode setting buttons, image erasing buttons, and the like.

  The display unit 17a receives an output from the display driving unit 16 and displays an image, or displays various setting screens (menu screens, etc.) in the digital camera 1 and condition information regarding set shooting conditions. To do.

  The display drive unit 16 performs image signal processing for generating image data for reproduction in a form optimal for display using the display unit 17a, or information based on image data read from the ROM 21 by the CPU 20 or the like. It is a circuit unit that performs display processing for displaying in a form superimposed on a display image on the display screen of the display unit 17a.

  In the digital camera 1 configured as described above, the operation of the display control apparatus of the present embodiment will be described below with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 3 and 4 and FIGS.

  First, a power on / off button (not shown) of the digital camera 1 is turned on to activate the digital camera 1. Further, the photographing / reproducing operation switching button is operated to perform a switching operation so that the digital camera 1 can be operated in the reproducing operation mode.

  Thus, when the digital camera 1 is activated in the playback operation mode, first, in step S1 shown in FIG. 3, a control process for the single frame playback operation is executed.

  This control processing for the single frame playback operation is a display process for displaying an image based on one image data by using the entire display area on the display screen of the display unit 17a. In this case, the image displayed on the display screen of the display unit 17a is one of the imaged and acquired image data recorded in the image storage memory 18 (recording medium). When the playback operation mode is activated, an image based on the latest image data among the image data recorded in the image storage memory 18 is normally displayed on the display screen of the display unit 17a.

  In this state, in step S2, the CPU 10 checks whether or not the W button of the zoom lever 42 has been operated. If the operation of the W button is confirmed here, the process proceeds to step S3. If the operation of the W button is not confirmed, the single frame playback operation is continued.

  In step S3, the CPU 10 checks whether or not the index display mode is set to the first or second special index mode. In this case, the setting of the index display mode is a setting that should be performed in advance by the operator.

  That is, the user of the digital camera 1 sets the index display mode in advance when using it in the playback operation mode. Here, in the normal state, it is assumed that the normal index mode is automatically set, and when the reproduction operation in the special index mode is desired, the user performs a predetermined operation and sets the desired index display mode. Set.

  The index display mode is set as follows. That is, the user operates the menu display button 45 when the digital camera 1 is activated in the reproduction operation mode, thereby displaying a predetermined menu display screen (not shown) on the display screen of the display unit 17a. To display.

  On this menu display screen, an up / down / left / right direction instruction button 43 is operated to select an index type selection item for selecting a type of index display mode, and an enter button 44 is operated. Thereby, an index type selection screen as shown in FIG. 5 is displayed on the display screen of the display unit 17a.

  When the index type selection screen is displayed, the user operates the U button 43a or the D button 43b among the up / down / left / right direction instruction buttons 43 to select a desired index display mode.

  In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, a normal index display, a first special index display (shown as “special index 1” in FIG. 5), and a second special index display (“special index 1” in FIG. 5). 3 display modes can be selected.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the currently selected item can be easily confirmed visually by the user by, for example, blinking a character string representing the item or highlighting the item character. The display has been devised. In the example shown in FIG. 5, the first special index display mode is selected.

  In this way, after the user selects an index display item desired to be set, the selected display mode is set by operating the enter button 44.

  In this way, after a desired display mode is selected from a plurality of index display modes, the menu display operation is completed by, for example, operating the menu display button 45 again. Then, the reproduction display operation in the set index display mode is newly executed.

  Note that the index display mode switching setting timing may be, for example, immediately after the digital camera 1 is activated in the reproduction operation mode, or any time during the special index reproduction operation in step S4 of FIG. It may be a point in time, or any point in time during the normal index reproduction operation in the process of step S5 in FIG.

  Here, three index display forms that can be selected in the present embodiment will be described below with reference to display examples of FIGS.

  Among these, the normal index display is as shown in the display example of FIG. In this normal index display, the entire display area of the display unit 17a is divided into four to form four display areas a to d, and one reduced image is displayed for each of the display areas a to d.

  During this normal index display operation, for example, the oldest image data, that is, the image data with the smallest frame number (see the table of FIG. 6) among the imaged and acquired image data recorded in the image storage memory 18 (recording medium). In the illustrated example, the image based on the frame number = 1) is displayed at the top, and the corresponding reduced images are displayed in the order of the display areas a, b, c, d in the order of the frame numbers.

  The first special index display is as shown in the display example of FIG. In the first special index display, similarly to the normal index display described above, a reduced image is displayed for each of the four display areas a to d formed by dividing the entire display area of the display unit 17a into four. indicate.

However, at the time of the first special index display operation, a plurality of photographed and acquired image data recorded in the image storage memory 18 (recording medium) are grouped into a plurality of groups (four in this example) in advance. The reduced image based on the image data for each group is controlled to be displayed in each of the display areas a to d. In this case, in the display example of FIG.
In the display area a, one of the images with frame numbers 1 to 25 is displayed.
In the display area b, one of the images with frame numbers 26 to 50 is displayed.
In the display area c, one of the images with frame numbers 51 to 75 is displayed.
In the display area d, one of the images from frame number 76 to the last frame (for example, frame number 100) is displayed.
Each is displayed. Details of the display switching control process in this case will be described later.

  The second special index display is as shown in the display example of FIG. The second special index display is different from the normal index display and the first special index display described above, and one image is displayed for each of the nine display areas formed by dividing the entire display area of the display unit 17a into nine. Display reduced images one by one.

At the time of the second special index display operation, the plurality of photographed and acquired image data recorded in the image storage memory 18 (recording medium) are grouped in advance into a plurality of groups (three in this example). Then, the reduced images based on the image data for each group are displayed in each of the nine display areas. In this case, three reduced images based on the image data for each group are displayed on each of the display areas e, f, and g formed by dividing the display screen into three in the vertical direction on the display screen. I have control. That is, in the display example of FIG.
As the first group, images with frame numbers 1 to 33 are
As a second group, images with frame numbers 34 to 66 are
As a third group, images of frame number 67 to the last frame (for example, frame number 100) are
They are divided into three groups. And
In the three display areas of the display area e, three images (frame numbers 1, 2, 3) of the first group are displayed.
In the three display areas of the display area f, three images (frame numbers 34, 35, 36) of the second group are displayed.
In the three display areas of the display area g, three images (frame numbers 67, 68, 69) of the third group are displayed.
Each is displayed. Details of the display switching control process in this case will be described later.

  Returning to FIG. 3, when the CPU 10 confirms that the first or second special index mode is set as the index display mode in the above-described step S3, the process proceeds to the next step S4. In step S4, special index reproduction operation processing (see FIG. 4) is executed. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S6.

  On the other hand, when the CPU 10 confirms that the normal index mode is set as the index display mode in the above step S3, the process proceeds to the next step S5, where the normal index reproduction operation process is performed. Is executed. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S6.

  In step S6, the CPU 10 checks whether or not the T button of the zoom lever 42 has been operated. Here, when the operation of the T button is confirmed, the index display operation is terminated, the processing returns to the above-described step S1, and the mode is switched to the single frame playback operation mode.

  Here, when the operation of the T button is not confirmed, the process returns to the above-described step S3 and the subsequent processes are repeated.

  Next, the process sequence of the special index reproduction operation process executed in the process of step S4 of FIG. 3 will be described in detail below with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  When the index display mode currently set in the digital camera 1 is confirmed to be either the first or second special index mode in the processing of step S3 in FIG. 3 described above, the special index in FIG. A processing sequence of the reproduction operation is executed.

  Note that the processing sequence of the playback operation in the special index mode is the same in both the first special index mode and the second special index mode, and the parameters (variables) in each process are the same. Only different. Therefore, the processing sequence itself will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 4, and parts different depending on the first and second special index reproduction operations will be described separately for each case.

  First, in each process of step S11 to step S13 in FIG. 4, an image grouping process is performed by the image management unit 10d of the display control unit 10b of the CPU 10.

  That is, in step S11 of FIG. 4, the image management unit 10d of the display control unit 10b of the CPU 10 executes a process for setting the number of intervals for grouping. The interval number setting process is a process of setting the number of images belonging to each group after grouping so that the number of images is substantially equal among the groups.

Specifically, the number of frames of all image data acquired and acquired recorded in the image storage memory 18 (recording medium) = N, and the number of areas when the entire display area of the display unit 17a is divided into a plurality of areas. This is a process for setting the number of frame intervals when S = K. Here, assuming that the total number N of frames in the image storage memory 18 is 100,
In the case of the first special index mode in the present embodiment, the display areas are a, b, c, and d as shown in FIG.
S = K / N
= 4/100
= 25
Therefore, the frame interval number S = 25.

In the case of the second special index mode in the present embodiment, the display areas are e, f, and g as shown in FIG.
S = K / N
= 3/100
= 33 ... 1
Therefore, the frame interval number S = 33.

  After the interval number setting process is performed in this way, the process proceeds to the next step S12.

In step S12, the image management unit 10d of the display control unit 10b of the CPU 10 executes a grouping process. This grouping process is a process of setting the frame numbers of the images belonging to each group based on the frame interval number S set in step S11 described above. Specifically, in this embodiment, when the total number of frames N = 100,
In the case of the first special index mode, the frame interval number S = 25.
In the first group, images with frame numbers 1 to 25 are
In the second group, images with frame numbers 26-50 are
In the third group, images with frame numbers 51 to 75 are displayed.
The fourth group contains images from frame number 76 to the last frame (frame number 100).
They are grouped to belong to each other.

In the case of the second special index mode, the frame interval number S = 33.
In the first group, images with frame numbers 1-33 are
In the second group, images with frame numbers 34 to 66 are displayed.
The third group contains images from frame number 67 to the last frame (frame number 100).
They are grouped to belong to each other.

  When the grouping process is thus performed, the process proceeds to the next step S13.

  In step S13, the image management unit 10d of the display control unit 10b of the CPU 10 executes a process of determining the frame number of the image data to be displayed in each display area. The first display screen (referred to as the initial screen) in the special index mode is processed with reference to the image of the first frame number of each group set in the processing of step S12 described above.

  Next, in step S <b> 14, the CPU 10 executes a read process for reading out the image data corresponding to the image having the frame number determined in step S <b> 13 described above from the image storage memory 18. Each image data read from the image storage memory 18 is subjected to decompression processing in the compression / decompression unit 19 and then temporarily stored in the image buffer memory 14.

  Subsequently, in step S15 to step S16, index image creation and display processing by the index creation unit 10c of the display control unit 10b of the CPU 10 is executed.

  That is, first, in step S15, the index creation unit 10c executes index image creation processing. This index image creation processing is processing for generating an index image in an optimum form for performing index display based on the image data temporarily stored in the image buffer memory 14 in step S14 described above.

  This index image creation process includes a reduction process for creating a plurality of reduced images in a form matched to the display size of the divided display area based on the corresponding individual image data, and a plurality of reduced images created as a result are specially created. It is formed by an image composition process or the like that is pasted to a predetermined region (position) in the display mode of index display.

  This index image creation process is performed using the buffer memory 14 as a work area under the control of the index creation unit 10c. The image data of the index image created as a result is temporarily stored in the buffer memory 14.

In this embodiment, the index image created in this way is specifically an image as shown in FIGS. That is,
As shown in FIG. 7, the initial screen in the case of the first special index mode is an image of frame number 1 in the display area a.
In the display area b, an image with frame number 26 is displayed.
In the display area c, an image with frame number 51 is displayed.
In the display area d, an image with frame number 76 is displayed.
Each is displayed.

The initial screen in the case of the second special index mode is as shown in FIG.
In the display area e, the images of frame numbers 1, 2, and 3 from the left end are sequentially displayed from the left end.
In the display area f, the images of frame numbers 34, 35, and 36 from the left end are sequentially displayed from the left end.
In the display area g, images with frame numbers 67, 68, and 69 from the left end are sequentially displayed from the left end.
Each is displayed.

  The index image created in this way is displayed in the next step S16.

  In step S16, the index creating unit 10c of the display control unit 10b of the CPU 10 executes an index image display process. This index image display process is a process of displaying the index image created in the process of step S15 described above on the display screen of the display unit 17a.

In this way, a predetermined index image is displayed on the display screen of the display unit 17a. At this point, the user performs the next desired operation after viewing the index image. The operations that can be performed while the index image is displayed are as follows. That is,
(1) A switching operation instruction for switching all of the reduced images displayed in the display areas to new index images formed of different reduced images in the index image displayed at this time (see also FIGS. 10 and 11). ,
(2) An operation instruction for selecting and displaying an arbitrary image among the reduced images displayed in the display areas of the index image displayed at this time (see also FIGS. 10 and 11),
Etc.

  At this time, it is possible to arbitrarily perform operations such as operating the menu display button 45 to change the setting or operating the shooting / playback operation switching button to exit the playback operation mode. Since the control process executed by performing these operations is not directly related to the present invention, the description thereof is omitted.

  Therefore, in a state where a predetermined index image is displayed on the display unit 17a by the processing in step S16 described above, first, in step S17, the CPU 10 checks whether or not an image switching instruction signal is generated. This image switching instruction signal is an instruction signal generated when the user operates the L button 43 c or the R button 43 d among the up / down / left / right direction instruction buttons 43. When the image switching instruction signal is confirmed, the process returns to the above-described step S13 to repeat the subsequent processes in order to create a new index image.

  This processing is the switching operation instruction (1). Further, in the case of the first special index mode, it is a switching operation instruction from FIG. 10 (A) to (B) or (C). In the case of the second special index mode, it is a switching operation instruction from FIG. 11 (A) to FIG. 11 (B). Details of FIGS. 10 and 11 will be described later.

  This switching operation instruction is performed, for example, by operating the L button 43c or the R button 43d of the up / down / left / right direction instruction buttons 43 as described above.

  As a result, the index image currently displayed on the display unit 17a is switched to a new index image (see FIG. 9). In this new index image, each reduced image in each display area of the currently displayed index image is switched to a reduced image based on the image data of the previous frame number or the next frame number. It is in the form.

Specifically, in the present embodiment, for example, when the R button 43d is operated when the index image currently displayed on the display unit 17a is in the state of FIG. 7 during operation in the first special index mode, FIG. As shown
In the display area a, the image of frame number 2 is
In the display area b, an image with frame number 27 is displayed.
In the display area c, the image of frame number 52 is
In the display area d, an image with frame number 77 is displayed.
The index image is switched to a new index image in the displayed form. The index image switching process is sequentially performed according to the frame number. Then, after the final image is displayed in each group, display control is performed so that the first image is displayed again in each group.

  On the other hand, if the image switching instruction signal is not confirmed in step S17, the process proceeds to the next step S18.

  The next steps S18 to S20 are processes for switching between special index mode display and single frame playback display.

  In step S18, the CPU 10 confirms whether or not a temporary fixing instruction signal is generated. This temporary fixing instruction signal is an instruction signal generated when the user operates the determination button 44, and is an instruction signal for temporarily fixing the display of the index image being displayed on the display unit 17a. is there. That is, this instruction signal is a measure for assigning to the button 43 a role as an operation means for selecting an image to be displayed and reproduced in one frame from a plurality of images being displayed.

  If the temporary fixing instruction signal is confirmed, the process proceeds to the next step S19. If the predetermined time has passed without confirming the temporary fixing instruction signal, the series of processing is terminated and the sequence of the special index reproduction operation processing is terminated (return). The predetermined time waiting for the instruction signal is counted by the timer 10a of the CPU 10.

  First, FIG. 10 shows the case of the first special index mode. When the temporary fixing instruction signal is confirmed in the above-described step S18 and the process proceeds to the next step S19, in this step S19, the CPU 10 executes a mark display and its position changing process. That is, the CPU 10 reads predetermined icon data from the ROM 21 such as data representing a mark (square box) indicated by a symbol M in FIG. 10D and the like in the index image being displayed on the display unit 17a. Predetermined signal processing is performed via the image processing unit 15 and the display driving unit 16 so as to be superimposed and displayed at a predetermined position. Thereby, the mark M shown in FIG. 10D is displayed (mark display process). This mark M indicates that an image having a frame number attached thereto is selected.

  In this state, the CPU 10 monitors the instruction signal from the up / down / left / right direction instruction button 43. When the instruction signal from any one of the buttons 43a, 43b, 43c, and 43d is confirmed, the process for changing the display position of the mark M is executed.

  In this state, the CPU 10 also monitors an instruction signal from the zoom lever 42. When the instruction signal from the T button is confirmed, a single frame playback display process is performed on the image data of the frame number selected by the mark M at that time (see FIG. 10F). Here, the operation processing when single-frame playback display is performed can enlarge or reduce the display image by the T button or W button of the zoom lever 42 as in the normal single-frame playback display processing. . In the state of FIG. 10F, when the W button of the zoom lever 42 is operated when the entire range of the image is displayed in the entire display area of the display unit 17a, the state shown in FIG. Return to state.

  Next, in step S20, the CPU 10 checks whether or not an instruction signal (return instruction) from the determination button 44 is generated. Here, when the return instruction is confirmed, the process returns to the above-described step S17 and the subsequent processes are repeated in order to display the change from FIG. 10 (D) to FIG. 10 (C).

  On the other hand, if the predetermined time has passed without confirming the return instruction signal in step S20 described above, the series of processing ends, and the sequence of the special index reproduction operation processing ends (return). The predetermined time waiting for the instruction signal is counted by the timer 10a of the CPU 10.

  The flow of the operation at the time of the display switching operation of the display unit 17a will be briefly described as shown in FIGS. Here, FIG. 10 shows a display change due to the display switching process in the first special index mode. FIG. 11 shows a change in display due to the display switching process in the second special index mode.

  First, in the first special index mode, when the L button 43c is operated in the state of FIG. 10A, the state changes to the state of FIG. When the R button 43d is operated in the state of FIG. 10A, the state changes to the state of (C).

  Next, when the enter button (OK button) 44 is operated in the state of FIG. 10C, the state changes to the state of FIG. In the state of (D), a mark indicated by a symbol M appears for the frame number 2 in the display area a. As a result, the image data corresponding to the reduced image of frame number 2 in the display area a is selected.

  Further, when the determination button (OK button) 44 is operated again in the state of FIG. 10D, the state returns to the state of FIG.

  Although illustration is omitted, the mark similar to the symbol M in the state of FIG. 10D is also displayed in FIG. 10D by operating the enter button (OK button) 44 in the state of FIG. Displayed for frame number 1 in the display area a in the state A).

  Next, when the R button 43d is operated in the state of FIG. 10D, the mark M moves in the operation direction and changes to the state of FIG. As a result, the image of frame number 27 in the display area b is selected by the mark M. Here, by arbitrarily operating the buttons 43a, 43b, 43c, and 43d of the up / down / left / right direction instruction buttons 43, the mark M can be freely moved between the display areas a, b, c, and d. The image can be selected.

  As shown in (D) or (F) of FIG. 10, when any one of the display areas a, b, c, d is selected by the mark M, for example, the T button of the zoom lever 42 When the above operation is performed, the single frame playback display is performed for the image data of the frame number selected by the mark M in the state shown in FIG.

  In the state shown in FIG. 10F, when the entire range of the image is displayed in the entire display area of the display unit 17a, if the W button of the zoom lever 42 is operated, the state shown in FIG. Return.

  During the display control process in a series of these special index modes, the player can always exit the playback operation mode or enter the power-off state by operating a predetermined operation member such as a shooting / playback operation switching button or a power on / off button. it can.

  Next, processing in the second special index mode will be described with reference to FIG. When the R button 43d and the enter button (OK button) 44 are operated in the state shown in FIG. 11A, the state changes to the state shown in FIG. In this state, a mark M is superimposed on a predetermined part of the image of frame number 2 in the display area e. As a result, the image data corresponding to the reduced image of frame number 2 is selected.

  Although not shown, when the L button 43c is operated in the state of FIG. 11A, an image corresponding to the frame number immediately before the frame number of each displayed image is displayed.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 11B, when any one of the display areas e, f, and g is selected by the mark M, for example, the T button of the zoom lever 42 is operated. Then, the single frame playback display is performed for the image data of the frame number selected by the mark M, that is, the state shown in FIG.

  Further, in the state of FIG. 11C, when the entire range of the image is displayed in the entire display area of the display unit 17a, if the W button of the zoom lever 42 is operated, the state shown in FIG. Return.

  During the display control processing in a series of these special index modes, the first special index mode described above can be exited from the playback operation mode at any time by an instruction to end the playback operation by operating the shooting / playback operation switching button. This is the same as in the operation.

  As described above, according to the above-described embodiment, each image recorded in the image storage memory 18 (recording medium) is grouped based on the frame number without depending on the shooting date and time. Grouping is performed so that the number of images between groups is not biased. When performing index display, display control for simultaneously displaying images for each group in each display area of the display unit 17a is performed.

  Thereby, for example, even if the shooting date and time is unknown, a desired image can be efficiently and quickly searched from a large number of images.

  In addition, by setting the number of images belonging to each group to be substantially equal, even when the desired image is in the middle of the frame number in a large number of images or close to the last frame, It is possible to search quickly and efficiently without searching all images.

  When grouping all the images recorded in the image storage memory 18 (recording medium), the interval between frame numbers of each group is set uniformly by a value obtained by dividing the total number of images by the number of display areas. Since it did in this way, the frame number can be made into the substantially equal interval for the image displayed simultaneously for every group at the time of an index display.

  In the index display operation, in addition to the normal index display, it is now possible to set two types of index display, the first special index display and the second special index display. Index display can be performed. Accordingly, when searching for a desired image, an appropriate display form can be arbitrarily selected, and an image search can be performed efficiently.

  In the first special index display, all images recorded in the image storage memory 18 (recording medium) are divided into four groups, and one image of each group is displayed in four display areas a of the display unit 17a. , B, c, and d are displayed simultaneously.

  On the other hand, in the second special index display, all images recorded in the image storage memory 18 (recording medium) are divided into three groups, and three of the images in each group are displayed on the display unit 17a. The display is simultaneously performed in each of the three display areas e, f, and g.

  Therefore, since the number of groups is set larger in the first special index display than in the second special index display, the number of images included in each group is reduced. You can browse through the images.

  On the other hand, in the second special index display, since three consecutive frame numbers in the same group can be displayed simultaneously, the convenience of image search can be improved.

  In addition, the display area for displaying each reduced image is set so that the first special index display is slightly larger than the second special index display, so that the visibility of the individual images is improved. To do.

  The display control device is realized by the display control processing of the CPU 10 according to the program. That is, the program itself realizes the functions of the above-described embodiment, and the program itself implements the present invention. Constitute.

  These programs are stored in the ROM 21 in advance. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and may be in the form of a recording medium other than the ROM 21, or may be stored in a recording medium that is detachable from the camera. In addition, a storage device such as a hard disk medium or a semiconductor memory such as a RAM provided in a server system connected to a dedicated communication network or the Internet is used as a recording medium, and a program is provided to the camera via the communication network. Also good. Alternatively, it goes without saying that such a program is also included in the present invention when the functions of the above-described embodiment are realized in cooperation with other application software.

  In the present embodiment, the display control processing program is executed on the CPU to realize the above-described functions. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, a part of each processing Alternatively, all may be realized by hardware.

  In the above embodiment, the camera is described as a single camera. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the present invention may be applied to a camera unit in various electronic devices (such as mobile phones) with a camera function. Further, the display control device may be mounted on an image playback device.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment as it is, and can be embodied by modifying the constituent elements without departing from the scope of the invention in the implementation stage. In addition, various inventions can be formed by appropriately combining a plurality of constituent elements disclosed in the embodiment. For example, some components may be deleted from all the components shown in the embodiment. Furthermore, you may comprise combining the component covering different embodiment suitably.

The perspective view which looked at the appearance of the digital camera provided with the display control device of one embodiment of the present invention from the back side. The block block diagram which shows the outline of an electrical internal structure mainly in the digital camera of FIG. The main flowchart which shows the process sequence at the time of operating the digital camera of FIG. 1 by image reproduction display mode. 6 is a flowchart showing a processing sequence of special index reproduction operation in the image reproduction display mode of the digital camera of FIG. 1. The figure which shows the example of a display of the index kind selection screen which sets the display form at the time of operating the digital camera of FIG. 1 by image reproduction display mode. The figure which shows the display screen of the normal index display form at the time of the index display operation | movement at the time of operating the digital camera of FIG. 1 in image reproduction display mode. The figure which shows the display screen of the 1st special index display form at the time of the index display operation | movement at the time of operating the digital camera of FIG. 1 in image reproduction display mode. The figure which shows the display screen of the 2nd special index display form at the time of the index display operation | movement at the time of operating the digital camera of FIG. 1 in image reproduction display mode. The figure which shows the display screen after switching the display screen in the state of FIG. 7 at the time of the 1st special index mode at the time of operating the digital camera of FIG. 1 by image reproduction display mode. The figure which shows the response | compatibility of each operation member at the time of switching operation of a display screen, and the change of a display screen at the time of the 1st special index mode at the time of operating the digital camera of FIG. 1 by image reproduction display mode. The figure which shows the response | compatibility of each operation member at the time of switching operation of a display screen, and the change of a display screen in the 2nd special index mode at the time of operating the digital camera of FIG. 1 by image reproduction display mode.

Explanation of symbols

1 …… Digital camera 10 …… CPU
10a …… Timer 10b …… Display control unit 10c …… Index creation unit 10d …… Image management unit 11 …… Shooting lens 12 …… Image sensor 13 …… Imaging unit 14 …… Image buffer memory 15 …… Image processing unit 16 Display drive unit 17a Display unit 18 Image storage memory 19 Compression / decompression unit 20 Flash unit 21 ROM
22 …… Operation unit 41 …… Shutter release button 42 …… Zoom lever 43 …… Up / down / left / right direction button 43a …… U button 43b …… D button 43c …… L button 43d …… R button 44 …… OK button 45 …… Menu display button

Claims (16)

In a display control device that selects a plurality of images based on a frame number from images recorded on a recording medium and displays an index image composed of the selected plurality of images on a display unit.
An image in which the frame numbers of a plurality of images constituting the index image are separated from each other by a fixed interval is displayed in each of the divided display areas of the display unit,
When there is an instruction to switch the index image, display control is performed to switch to and display a new index image consisting of an image having a frame number before or after the image being displayed in each display area of the display unit. Display control device. The display control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the fixed interval is set by a value obtained by dividing the total number of images recorded on a recording medium by a display area. By grouping all the images recorded on the recording medium so that the number of images is substantially equal, by associating each group with each display area,
Images with frame numbers separated by a certain interval are displayed in each display area,
3. The display control apparatus according to claim 2, wherein display control is performed so that images included in a group assigned to each display area are repeatedly displayed in order of frame numbers in response to an index image switching instruction. 2. The display control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein display control is performed to display images having frame numbers that are separated from each other by a predetermined interval in each display area, and to display images having consecutive frame numbers for the images. . In a display control device that selects a plurality of images based on a frame number from images recorded on a recording medium and displays an index image composed of the selected plurality of images on a display unit.
The display surface of the display unit is divided into a plurality of areas, a plurality of images selected so that frame numbers are continuous are displayed in each display area, and the frame numbers of display images are mutually displayed between the display areas. A display control device that performs display control to display images selected so as to be separated from each other by a predetermined interval. In a display control device that selects a plurality of images based on a frame number from images recorded on a recording medium and displays an index image composed of the selected plurality of images on a display unit.
As the images constituting the index image, images whose frame numbers are separated from each other by a fixed interval are displayed in each display area of the display unit, and the frames before or after each image being displayed in each display area are displayed. A special index display form that switches and displays a new index image consisting of numbered images,
Display control apparatus capable of selectively controlling display of at least two index display forms of normal index display form for sequentially displaying images having consecutive frame numbers as images constituting an index image according to an instruction . In a display control device that selects a plurality of images based on a frame number from images recorded on a recording medium and displays an index image composed of the selected plurality of images on a display unit.
The display surface of the display unit is divided into a plurality of areas, a plurality of images selected so that frame numbers are continuous are displayed in each display area, and the frame numbers of display images are mutually displayed between the display areas. A special index display form that displays images selected to be separated by a certain interval,
Display control apparatus capable of selectively controlling display of at least two index display forms of normal index display form for sequentially displaying images having consecutive frame numbers as images constituting an index image according to an instruction . In a display control device that selects a plurality of images based on a frame number from images recorded on a recording medium and displays an index image composed of the selected plurality of images on a display unit.
An image management unit for selecting images constituting the index image based on the frame number;
An index image creation unit for creating an index image based on the selected image;
Comprising
The image management unit selects an image whose frame numbers are separated from each other by a predetermined interval as an image to be displayed in each of the divided display areas of the display unit. A display control apparatus for performing display control for selecting an image having a frame number before or after a middle image and switching to an image in each display area. 9. The image management unit is configured to perform setting control for setting a fixed interval by a value obtained by dividing the total number of images recorded on a recording medium by the number of display areas of the display unit. Display controller. In a display control apparatus that includes an image management unit that selects an image constituting an index image based on a frame number, and displays an index image composed of the selected image on a display unit.
The image management unit selects an image whose frame numbers are separated from each other by a predetermined interval as an image displayed in each display area of the display unit, and when there is an index image switching instruction, A display control apparatus that performs display control for selecting an image having a frame number before or after an image and switching display of an image in each display area. In a display control method for selecting a plurality of images based on a frame number from images recorded on a recording medium and displaying an index image composed of the selected plurality of images on a display unit,
An image in which the frame numbers of a plurality of images constituting the index image are separated from each other by a fixed interval is displayed in each of the divided display areas of the display unit,
When there is an instruction to switch index images, the display control method is characterized by switching to a new index image consisting of an image having a frame number before or after the image being displayed in each display area of the display unit. . 12. The display control method according to claim 11, wherein the fixed interval is set by a value obtained by dividing the total number of images recorded on a recording medium by a display area. In a display control method for selecting a plurality of images based on a frame number from images recorded on a recording medium and displaying an index image composed of the selected plurality of images on a display unit,
The display surface of the display unit is divided into a plurality of areas, a plurality of images selected so that frame numbers are continuous are displayed in each display area, and the frame numbers of display images are mutually displayed between the display areas. A display control method comprising: displaying an image selected so as to be separated by a predetermined interval. In a program for causing a computer to execute a display control method for selecting a plurality of images based on a frame number from images recorded on a recording medium and displaying an index image composed of the selected plurality of images on a display unit ,
An image in which the frame numbers of a plurality of images constituting the index image are separated from each other by a fixed interval is displayed in each of the divided display areas of the display unit,
When there is an instruction to switch index images, the display control method is characterized by switching to a new index image consisting of an image having a frame number before or after the image being displayed in each display area of the display unit. A program that causes a computer to execute. A program for causing a computer to execute a display control method for selecting a plurality of images from images recorded on a recording medium based on a frame number and displaying an index image composed of the selected plurality of images on a display unit In the stored recording medium,
An image in which the frame numbers of a plurality of images constituting the index image are separated from each other by a fixed interval is displayed in each of the divided display areas of the display unit,
When there is an instruction to switch index images, the display control method is characterized by switching to a new index image consisting of an image having a frame number before or after the image being displayed in each display area of the display unit. A recording medium storing a program for causing a computer to execute. A display control device for selecting an image by frame number from images recorded on a recording medium and displaying an index image composed of a plurality of selected images on a display unit, and a display for displaying an index image created thereby In a digital camera having a
The display control device selects an image constituting an index image based on a frame number according to a shooting order from an image recorded on a recording medium;
An index image creation unit for creating an index image composed of reduced images of the selected image;
Comprising
The image management unit selects an image whose frame numbers are separated from each other by a predetermined interval as an image displayed in each display area of the display unit, and when there is an index image switching instruction, A digital camera, wherein an image having a frame number before or after an image is selected and displayed in each display area.

Images