JP2007079157A - Image display apparatus and photographing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image display apparatus and a photographing apparatus, capable of attaining both enlarging a display area for displaying one image and reducing a size of the apparatus at the same time. <P>SOLUTION: A first state (a state shown as in (C) and (D)) in which each display surface of a liquid crystal display (LCD) 38A and an LCD 38B faces the same direction with the display surface being exposed, and a second state (a state shown as in (A) and (B)) in which display surfaces are overlapped in parallel, are switchable to either state. When displaying an image in the first state, it is controlled that the image is magnified and displayed so that one image may be displayed astride the exposed display surface (each display surface of the LCD 38A and the LCD 38B). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image display device and a photographing device, and more particularly to an image display device and a photographing device provided with a plurality of display means.

  In recent years, with the increase in resolution of image sensors such as CCD (Charge Coupled Device) area sensors and CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) image sensors, digital cameras, mobile phones, PDAs (Personal Digital Assistants, personal digital assistants), etc. Demand for portable information devices having a photographing function is increasing rapidly. Many information devices of this type include a display device such as a liquid crystal display for displaying captured images, menu screens, character information, and the like.

  On the other hand, this type of information equipment is becoming more multifunctional and the contents displayed by the display device are diverse, so that information to be displayed at the same time is increasing compared to before.

  However, in the portable information device, there is a limit in increasing the display area by the display device in order to maintain the portability, and the display area is not always sufficient.

As a conventional technique that can be applied to solve this problem, Patent Document 1 provides a mobile phone that can display data, messages, and the like with a large amount of information on a large screen display without impairing operability. For this purpose, in a mobile phone in which at least a display and a plurality of operation buttons are arranged on the surface of the housing, a lid that shields or exposes the display of the housing is attached to the housing so as to be openable and closable. A technique is disclosed in which a display is provided on each of the front and back surfaces of the body. According to this technique, when the lid is in a state where the display of the casing is exposed (hereinafter referred to as “open state”), the display provided in the casing and the back of the lid are provided. Since it is possible to refer to the display at the same time, the display area as a whole at this time can be widened.
JP 2003-8714 A

  By the way, in a portable information device having a photographing function as described above, there are many requests that an image obtained by photographing should be displayed as large as possible by a display device on which it is mounted.

  However, in the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1, when an image such as a captured image is displayed with the lid open, the image is provided on the display provided on the housing and the back of the lid. Since the display is made only on one of the displays, there is a problem that the display area for displaying one image cannot be increased.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and provides an image display apparatus and a photographing apparatus capable of achieving both a large display area for displaying one image and a small apparatus size. The purpose is to do.

  In order to achieve the above object, an image display device of the present invention includes a plurality of display means, a plurality of cases each provided with any one of the plurality of display means, and at least one of the plurality of display means. Switching means for switching between one of a first state in which the two display surfaces face the same direction and are exposed and a second state in which the display surfaces of the plurality of display units are overlapped in parallel; When an image is displayed while being switched to the first state by the switching means, the image is enlarged and displayed so as to be displayed across a plurality of exposed display surfaces. Display control means for controlling the display.

  In the image display device of the present invention, a plurality of display means are provided in a state where each of the plurality of display means is disposed in the housing, and at least two display surfaces of the plurality of display means are directed in the same direction by the switching means. And the first state exposed and the second state in which the display surfaces of the plurality of display means are overlapped in parallel. The display means includes various displays such as a liquid crystal display, a plasma display, an organic EL display, and a CRT display.

  Here, in the present invention, when an image is displayed while being switched to the first state by the switching means, one image is displayed across a plurality of exposed display surfaces by the display control means. In this way, the image is controlled to be enlarged and displayed.

  Thus, according to the image display apparatus of the present invention, at least two display surfaces of the plurality of display units face the same direction and are exposed, and each display surface of the plurality of display units includes It is possible to switch to any one of the second states that are overlapped in parallel, and when displaying an image when the state is switched to the first state, a plurality of display surfaces on which one image is exposed are straddled. Since the image is controlled to be enlarged so that the image is displayed, the display area for displaying one image can be enlarged and the apparatus size can be reduced.

  In the present invention, the switching means may be constituted by a hinge interposed between the ends of the adjacent casings.

  The present invention may further include an operation switching unit that switches an operation mode in accordance with a switching state by the switching unit.

  The display control means of the present invention is exposed when the switching means is switched to the second state and when at least one display surface of the plurality of display means is exposed. Control may be performed so that an image is displayed by only one of the display surfaces.

  Furthermore, the display control means of the present invention is exposed when the switching means is switched to the second state and at least two display surfaces of the plurality of display means face in opposite directions. Control may be performed so that the same image is displayed on the exposed display surface.

  On the other hand, in order to achieve the above-described object, the imaging apparatus of the present invention acquires, by imaging, image data indicating an image to be displayed by the image display apparatus of the present invention and a plurality of display means provided in the image display apparatus. Imaging means.

  Therefore, since the photographing apparatus of the present invention operates in the same manner as the image display apparatus of the present invention, the display area for displaying one image and the apparatus size can be reduced as in the case of the image display apparatus. It can be compatible. The imaging means includes a solid-state imaging device such as a CCD area sensor or a CMOS image sensor.

  According to the present invention, the first state in which at least two display surfaces of the plurality of display units face the same direction and are exposed, and the second state in which the display surfaces of the plurality of display units are overlapped in parallel. When an image is displayed while being switched to the first state, the image is displayed so that one image is displayed across a plurality of exposed display surfaces. Therefore, it is possible to achieve both an increase in the display area for displaying one image and a reduction in the size of the apparatus.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Here, a case where the present invention is applied to a digital electronic still camera (hereinafter referred to as “digital camera”) that captures a still image will be described.

[First Embodiment]
First, an external configuration of the digital camera 10 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the digital camera 10 according to the present embodiment includes two liquid crystal displays (hereinafter referred to as “LCD”) 38A and 38B. The LCD 38 </ b> A is disposed on the surface of the first housing 60, and the LCD 38 </ b> B is disposed on the surface of the second housing 62. In the digital camera 10 according to the present embodiment, the LCD 38A and the LCD 38B that have an aspect ratio of 4: 3 on each display surface is applied.

  Here, a hinge 64 is interposed between the end portions of the first housing 60 and the second housing 62, and the first housing 60 and the second housing 62 have a rotation center around the axis C of the hinge 64. As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the back surfaces of the first housing 60 and the second housing 62 are opposed to each other, hereinafter referred to as “closed state”. The state in which the first housing 60 and the second housing 62 are arranged in a plane around the axis C of the hinge 64 (the state shown in FIGS. 1C and 1D). ”).) And can be rotated between the two states. In the digital camera 10 according to the present embodiment, when the first housing 60 and the second housing 62 are in the open state, the adjacent edges of the LCD 38A and the LCD 38B are as close as possible to each other. LCD38A and LCD38B are arrange | positioned at each housing | casing in the state brought close to the hinge 64 attachment side edge part of the housing | casing in which each is arrange | positioned.

  On the other hand, a lens 21 for forming a subject image is provided in front of the digital camera 10, and a release switch (so-called shutter) 56 </ b> A that is pressed when performing shooting is provided on the upper surface of the digital camera 10. Is provided.

  Note that the release switch 56A of the digital camera 10 according to the present embodiment is pressed down to an intermediate position (hereinafter referred to as “half-pressed state”) and to a final pressed position beyond the intermediate position. A two-stage pressing operation of a state (hereinafter referred to as a “fully pressed state”) can be detected.

  In the digital camera 10, the release switch 56A is pressed halfway to activate the AE (Automatic Exposure) function and set the exposure state (shutter speed, aperture state), and then AF (Auto Focus). , Automatic focusing) function is performed to control focusing, and then exposure (photographing) is performed when the button is fully pressed.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 1D, the first camera 60 of the digital camera 10 is in a closed state near the hinge 64 on the surface (back surface) that contacts the second housing 62 when the first housing 60 is closed. There is provided an open / close detection unit 44 configured by a switch (in this case, a micro switch) that is turned on when the switch is on and is turned off when the switch is in another state.

  The digital camera 10 has a mode changeover switch and a menu screen that are operated when setting to any one of a shooting mode that is a shooting mode and a playback mode that is a mode for reproducing and displaying a subject image on the LCD. Various switches such as menu switches, power switches, etc. that are pressed when displaying, a strobe that emits light to illuminate the subject as necessary during shooting, a finder used to determine the composition of the subject to be shot, etc. Although the basic thing which a digital camera should have is provided, since it is not directly related to the present invention, illustration and detailed explanation here are omitted.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 2, the configuration of the main part of the electrical system of the digital camera 10 according to the present embodiment will be described.

  The digital camera 10 includes an optical unit 22 including the lens 21 described above, a charge coupled device (hereinafter referred to as “CCD”) 24 disposed behind the optical axis of the lens 21, and an input analog. And an analog signal processing unit 26 that performs various analog signal processing on the signal.

  The digital camera 10 also performs an analog / digital converter (hereinafter referred to as “ADC”) 28 that converts an input analog signal into digital data, and performs various digital signal processing on the input digital data. And a digital signal processing unit 30.

  The digital signal processing unit 30 has a built-in line buffer having a predetermined capacity, and also performs control to directly store the input digital data in a predetermined area of the memory 48 described later.

  The output terminal of the CCD 24 is connected to the input terminal of the analog signal processing unit 26, the output terminal of the analog signal processing unit 26 is connected to the input terminal of the ADC 28, and the output terminal of the ADC 28 is connected to the input terminal of the digital signal processing unit 30. . Accordingly, the analog signal indicating the subject image output from the CCD 24 is subjected to predetermined analog signal processing by the analog signal processing unit 26, converted into digital image data by the ADC 28, and then input to the digital signal processing unit 30.

  On the other hand, the digital camera 10 generates a signal for displaying a subject image, a menu screen, etc. on the LCD 38A and LCD 38B and supplies the signal to the LCD 38A and LCD 38B, and a CPU (central processing) that controls the operation of the entire digital camera 10. Device) 40, a memory 48 for temporarily storing digital image data obtained by photographing, and a memory interface 46 for controlling access to the memory 48.

  Further, the digital camera 10 includes an external memory interface 50 for enabling the portable memory card 52 to be accessed by the digital camera 10, and a compression / decompression processing circuit 54 for performing compression processing and decompression processing on the digital image data. It is configured to include.

  In the digital camera 10 of the present embodiment, a flash memory is used as the memory 48, and a smart media (Smart Media (registered trademark)) is used as the memory card 52.

  The digital signal processing unit 30, the LCD interface 36, the CPU 40, the memory interface 46, the external memory interface 50, and the compression / decompression processing circuit 54 are connected to each other via a system bus BUS. Therefore, the CPU 40 controls the operation of the digital signal processing unit 30 and the compression / decompression processing circuit 54, displays various information via the LCD interface 36 to the LCD 38A and the LCD 38B, and the memory interface 46 to the memory card 48 and the memory card 52 from the outside. Each access through the memory interface 50 can be made.

  On the other hand, the digital camera 10 includes a timing generator 32 that mainly generates a timing signal for driving the CCD 24 and supplies the timing signal to the CCD 24, and the driving of the CCD 24 is controlled by the CPU 40 via the timing generator 32.

  Further, the digital camera 10 is provided with a motor drive unit 34, and driving of a focus adjustment motor, a zoom motor, and an aperture drive motor (not shown) provided in the optical unit 22 is also controlled by the CPU 40 via the motor drive unit 34. The

  In other words, the lens 21 according to the present embodiment has a plurality of lenses, is configured as a zoom lens that can change (magnify) the focal length, and includes a lens driving mechanism (not shown). The lens drive mechanism includes the focus adjustment motor, the zoom motor, and the aperture drive motor, and these motors are each driven by a drive signal supplied from the motor drive unit 34 under the control of the CPU 40.

  Further, the above-described opening / closing detection unit 44 is connected to the CPU 40, and as a result of the CPU 40 being able to detect the on / off state of the switches constituting the opening / closing detection unit 44, the first casing 60 and the second casing It is possible to always grasp whether or not 62 is closed.

  In the digital camera 10 according to the present embodiment, in order to minimize the number of parts, the open / close detection unit 44 is configured by a single switch, and is closed when the switch is on. If the switch is in the off state, the switch is determined to be in the open state. However, a switch for detecting that the switch is in the open state is further provided as the open / close detection unit 44 and connected to the CPU 40. The CPU 40 also detects the on / off state of the switch so that both the closed state and the open state can be determined with high accuracy. You can also.

  Further, various switches such as the release switch 56A, the power switch, the mode change switch, and the menu switch (generally referred to as “operation unit 56” in the figure) are connected to the CPU 40, and the CPU 40 includes these operation units. The operation state for 56 can always be grasped.

  Next, an overall operation at the time of shooting of the digital camera 10 according to the present embodiment will be briefly described.

  First, the CCD 24 performs imaging through the optical unit 22 and sequentially outputs analog signals for R (red), G (green), and B (blue) indicating the subject image to the analog signal processing unit 26. The analog signal processing unit 26 performs analog signal processing such as correlated double sampling processing on the analog signal input from the CCD 24 and sequentially outputs the analog signal to the ADC 28.

  The ADC 28 converts the R, G, and B analog signals input from the analog signal processing unit 26 into 12-bit R, G, and B signals (digital image data) and sequentially outputs them to the digital signal processing unit 30. To do. The digital signal processing unit 30 accumulates digital image data sequentially input from the ADC 28 in a built-in line buffer and temporarily stores the digital image data directly in a predetermined area of the memory 48.

  The digital image data stored in a predetermined area of the memory 48 is read out by the digital signal processing unit 30 according to the control by the CPU 40, and is subjected to white gain by applying a digital gain for each of R, G, and B according to a predetermined physical quantity. In addition to performing balance adjustment, gamma processing and sharpness processing are performed to generate 8-bit digital image data.

  The digital signal processing unit 30 performs YC signal processing on the generated 8-bit digital image data to generate a luminance signal Y and chroma signals Cr and Cb (hereinafter referred to as “YC signal”), and the YC signal. Are stored in an area different from the predetermined area of the memory 48.

  The LCD 38A is configured to display a moving image (through image) obtained by continuous imaging by the CCD 24 and can be used as a finder. When the LCD 38A is used as a finder, the LCD 38A is generated. The YC signals thus output are sequentially output to the LCD 38A via the LCD interface 36. As a result, a through image is displayed on the LCD 38A.

  Here, at the timing when the release switch 56A is half pressed by the user, after the AE function is activated and the exposure state is set as described above, the AF function is activated and the focus control is performed, and then the fully pressed state is continued. The YC signal stored in the memory 48 at that time is compressed in a predetermined compression format (in this embodiment, JPEG format) by the compression / decompression processing circuit 54 and then the external memory interface 50 is To the memory card 52 as an electronic file (image file).

  Incidentally, the digital camera 10 according to the present embodiment is equipped with an operation mode switching function that automatically switches the operation mode according to the open / closed state of the first housing 60 and the second housing 62. The user can instruct execution on the menu screen displayed on the LCD 38A by pressing the menu switch.

  Next, the operation of the digital camera 10 when executing the operation mode switching function will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 shows the processing of the image display processing program executed by the CPU 40 of the digital camera 10 when the on / off state of the open / close detection unit 44 is switched under the state in which execution of the operation mode switching function is instructed. It is a flowchart showing the flow, and the program is stored in a predetermined area of the memory 48 in advance.

  First, in step 100, it is determined whether the open / close detection unit 44 has been switched from the on state to the off state. If the determination is affirmative, the first housing 60 and the second housing 62 have shifted to the open state. The process proceeds to step 102.

  In step 102, the operation mode is shifted to the reproduction mode. In the next step 104, a power supply unit (not shown) is controlled so as to supply driving power to both the LCD 38A and the LCD 38B. Thereafter, the image to be reproduced is set to be enlarged and displayed so as to be displayed across the display surfaces of both the LCD 38A and the LCD 38B, and then the present image display processing program is terminated. In the image display processing program according to the present embodiment, the setting in the processing of step 106 is set to a state indicating that the display image is enlarged and a flag indicating whether or not the display image is enlarged is displayed. Needless to say, this is not limited to this.

  On the other hand, if the determination in step 100 is negative, it is assumed that the open / close detection unit 44 has switched from the off state to the on state, and the first housing 60 and the second housing 62 have shifted to the closed state. 108. After the operation mode is changed to the photographing mode, the power is supplied only to the LCD 38A located on the back side of the digital camera 10 as the drive power to the LCD in the next step 110. Then, the power supply unit (not shown) is controlled so that, in the next step 112, the through image is set to be displayed on the display surface of the LCD 38A without being enlarged, and then the main image display process is performed. Exit the program. In the image display processing program according to the present embodiment, the setting in the process of step 112 is performed by setting the flag to a state indicating that the flag is displayed without being enlarged. It goes without saying that it is not a thing.

  The CPU 40 refers to the flag when displaying an image on the LCD, and when the flag indicates that the image is enlarged and displayed, the display image is displayed on the display surfaces of both the LCD 38A and the LCD 38B. Control is performed so that the image is displayed in an enlarged manner so that the image is displayed across the screen. If the flag indicates that the image is displayed without being enlarged, the display image is enlarged on the display surface of only the LCD 38A. Control to display without.

  FIG. 4 shows an example of an image display state on the LCD according to the execution of the above image display processing program. FIG. 4A shows an example of a display state when the flag is set to be displayed without being enlarged, and FIG. 4B is an enlarged view of the flag. An example of a display state when the display state is set to be displayed.

  As shown in FIG. 4A, when the flag is set to indicate that the image is displayed without being enlarged, it is a case where the shooting mode is automatically shifted, and the through image is displayed only by the LCD 38A. It is displayed without being enlarged.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 4B, when the flag indicates a state of being enlarged and displayed, this is a case where the playback mode has been entered, and the playback image is displayed on the LCD 38A and LCD 38B. The image is enlarged and displayed so as to be displayed across both display surfaces.

  As described above in detail, in the present embodiment, at least two display surfaces of a plurality of display means (here, LCD 38A and LCD 38B) face the same direction and are exposed in the first state (here, Open state) and a second state (here, closed state) in which the display surfaces of the plurality of display means are overlapped in parallel, and can be switched to the first state. Sometimes, when displaying an image, one image is displayed because the image is controlled to be enlarged and displayed so as to be displayed across a plurality of exposed display surfaces. Therefore, both an increase in display area and a reduction in device size can be achieved.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the switching means for switching between the first state and the second state is provided for the adjacent housings (here, the first housing 60 and the second housing 62). Since it is comprised by the hinge (here hinge 64) interposed between edge parts, the said means can be comprised simply.

  In this embodiment, since the operation mode is switched according to the switching state by the switching means, the convenience can be improved as compared with the case where the operation mode is switched manually.

  Further, in the present embodiment, when the switching unit is switched to the second state and when at least one display surface of the plurality of display units is exposed, the exposed display surface Since the image is controlled to be displayed by only one (here, the display surface of the LCD 38A), the power consumption can be reduced as compared with the case where the image is displayed by a plurality of display surfaces.

[Second Embodiment]
In the first embodiment, the case where the playback mode and the shooting mode are applied as the operation modes to be switched by the operation mode switching function has been described. However, in the second embodiment, the operation mode switching function is used. As an operation mode to be switched, the display image is displayed so that the vertical direction of the display image matches the actual vertical direction in a state where the digital camera 10 is in a normal posture (the release switch 56A is positioned on the upper surface). Operation mode (hereinafter, referred to as “vertical display mode”) and a state in which the digital camera 10 is rotated 90 ° in a direction orthogonal to the optical axis direction of the lens 21 (the release switch 56A is positioned on the side surface). An operation mode for displaying a display image so that the vertical direction of the display image matches the actual vertical direction (hereinafter referred to as “horizontal display mode”). . A), the embodiment of the application of the explained. The configuration of the digital camera 10 according to the second embodiment is the same as that of the digital camera 10 according to the first embodiment (see FIGS. 1 and 2), and the description here will be omitted. Omitted.

  Hereinafter, the operation of the digital camera 10 according to the second embodiment when the operation mode switching function is executed will be described with reference to FIG. Note that FIG. 5 is executed by the CPU 40 of the digital camera 10 when the photographing mode is set under an instruction to execute the operation mode switching function and the on / off state of the open / close detection unit 44 is switched. The image display processing program is a flowchart showing the processing flow, and the program is stored in a predetermined area of the memory 48 in advance.

  First, in step 200, it is determined whether the open / close detection unit 44 has been switched from the on state to the off state. If the determination is affirmative, the first housing 60 and the second housing 62 have shifted to the open state. The process proceeds to step 202.

  In step 202, the aspect ratio of the captured image is set to 3: 2, and in the next step 204, a power supply unit (not shown) is controlled so as to supply driving power to both the LCD 38A and the LCD 38B. Then, in the next step 206, setting is made so that the image to be displayed is enlarged and displayed so that the image to be displayed is displayed across both the display surfaces of the LCD 38A and LCD 38B. The image display processing program is terminated. In the image display processing program according to the present embodiment, the setting in the process of step 206 is set to a state indicating that the through image is enlarged and displayed as a flag indicating whether or not the through image is to be enlarged and displayed. Needless to say, this is not limited to this.

  The vertical display mode is set by the processing in steps 202 to 206 described above.

  On the other hand, if the determination in step 200 is negative, it is assumed that the open / close detection unit 44 has switched from the off state to the on state, and the first housing 60 and the second housing 62 have shifted to the closed state. The process proceeds to 208, and the aspect ratio of the photographed image is set to 4: 3. Then, in the next step 210, the LCD 38A positioned on the back side of the digital camera 10 is supplied as drive power to the LCD. The power supply unit (not shown) is controlled so as to supply only the power only, and in the next step 212, the through image is set to be displayed on the display surface of the LCD 38A without being enlarged thereafter. Thereafter, the image display processing program is terminated. In the image display processing program according to the present embodiment, the setting by the processing in step 212 is performed by setting the flag to a state indicating that the flag is displayed without being enlarged. It goes without saying that it is not a thing.

  The horizontal display mode is set by the processing in steps 208 to 212 described above.

  The CPU 40 refers to the flag when displaying the through image on the LCD, and when the flag indicates that the enlarged image is displayed, the through image is displayed on the display surfaces of both the LCD 38A and the LCD 38B. If the flag indicates that the image is displayed without being enlarged, the through image is displayed on the display surface of the LCD 38A only. Control the display so that it is not enlarged.

  Therefore, when the user of the digital camera 10 performs shooting with the first casing 60 and the second casing 62 in an open state in a state where the shooting mode is set, as shown in FIG. 6 as an example. The digital camera 10 is used in a state where it is rotated by 90 ° in a predetermined direction (here, the right direction).

  Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 7 as an example, when shooting is performed with the first housing 60 and the second housing 62 opened, the through image is enlarged in a state of straddling the LCD 38A and the LCD 38B. Will be displayed. Note that a through image displayed on the LCD 38A when shooting is performed with the first housing 60 and the second housing 62 being closed is as shown in FIG. 4A as an example. .

  Also in this embodiment, the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained.

[Third Embodiment]
In the first embodiment described above, an example in which a through image is displayed only by the LCD 38A when the first housing 60 and the second housing 62 are shifted to the closed state has been described. In the embodiment, an example in which the same through image is displayed by both the LCD 38A and the LCD 38B when the state is shifted to the closed state will be described. Note that the configuration of the digital camera 10 according to the third embodiment is the same as that of the digital camera 10 according to the first embodiment (see FIGS. 1 and 2), so the description here will be omitted. Omitted.

  Hereinafter, the operation of the digital camera 10 according to the third embodiment when the operation mode switching function is executed will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 shows the processing of the image display processing program executed by the CPU 40 of the digital camera 10 when the on / off state of the open / close detection unit 44 is switched under the instruction to execute the operation mode switching function. It is a flowchart showing the flow, and the program is stored in a predetermined area of the memory 48 in advance. Also, steps that perform the same processing as in FIG. 3 in FIG. 8 are assigned the same step numbers as in FIG. 3, and descriptions thereof are omitted.

  In step 110 ′ in the figure, a power supply unit (not shown) is controlled so as to supply driving power to both the LCD 38A and LCD 38B. In the next step 112 ′, the same through image is displayed on the LCD 38A thereafter. And it sets so that it may display on both display surfaces of LCD38B, without enlarging, and this image display processing program is complete | finished after that. In the image display processing program according to the present embodiment, a state indicating that the setting by the process of step 112 ′ is to be displayed without enlarging a flag indicating whether or not to enlarge the display image. It goes without saying that this is not limited to this.

  The CPU 40 refers to the flag when displaying an image on the LCD, and when the flag indicates an enlarged display, the display image is the same as in the first embodiment. Is controlled to display the image in an enlarged manner so that the image is displayed across the display surfaces of both the LCD 38A and the LCD 38B, and the flag indicates that the image is displayed without being enlarged. Control is performed so that the same through image is displayed without being enlarged on the display surfaces of both the LCD 38A and the LCD 38B.

  In the present embodiment, the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained, and at least two of the plurality of display means can be used when the switching means is switched to the second state. When the display surfaces (here, the display surfaces of the LCD 38A and the LCD 38B) are exposed to face in opposite directions, the same image is displayed on the exposed display surface. The photographed image (photographing angle of view) can be confirmed by both the photographer and the photographed person, and convenience can be improved.

  In each of the above embodiments, the case where two LCDs 38A and 38B are applied as a plurality of display means of the present invention has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, for example, a plurality of the present invention. It goes without saying that three or more display means may be applied as the display means.

  FIG. 9 shows a configuration example of a digital camera when three LCDs of LCD 38A, LCD 38B, and LCD 38C are applied as a plurality of display means of the present invention. In the figure, illustration of lenses, various switches and the like is omitted.

  That is, as shown in the figure, this digital camera includes three LCDs 38A, LCD 38B, and LCD 38C. The LCD 38A is disposed on the surface of the first housing 66A, the LCD 38B is disposed on the surface of the second housing 66B, and the LCD 38C is disposed on the surface of the third housing 66C.

  Here, a hinge 64A is interposed between the end portions of the first housing 66A and the second housing 66B, and the first housing 66A and the second housing 66B have the axis of the hinge 64A as the rotation center. The state where the back surfaces of the first housing 66A and the second housing 66B face each other (not shown; hereinafter referred to as “closed state”), and the first housing 66A and the second housing 66B are the axes of the hinge 64A. It is possible to rotate between two states: a state aligned in a plane centered on the center (the state shown in FIG. 9 and hereinafter referred to as an “open state”).

  Similarly, a hinge 64B is interposed between the end portions of the first housing 66A and the third housing 66C, and the first housing 66A and the third housing 66C have the axis of the hinge 64B as the center of rotation. The state in which the back surfaces of the first housing 66A and the third housing 66C face each other (not shown; hereinafter referred to as “closed state”), and the first housing 66A and the third housing 66C are the axes of the hinge 64B. It is possible to rotate between two states: a state aligned in a plane centered on the center (the state shown in FIG. 9 and hereinafter referred to as an “open state”).

  In this case, when both the first casing 66A and the second casing 66B, and the first casing 66A and the third casing 66C are in the open state, display images are not necessarily displayed on all the LCDs 38A to 38C. It is not necessary to straddle the display surface, and the effect of the present invention can be obtained by enlarging the display so as to straddle at least one of the two display surfaces of the LCD 38A and LCD 38B and the two display surfaces of the LCD 38A and LCD 38C. it can.

  On the other hand, FIG. 10 shows a configuration example of a digital camera when four LCDs of LCD 38A, LCD 38B, LCD 38C, and LCD 38D are applied as a plurality of display means of the present invention. In the figure, a top view of the digital camera is shown. Also, in the same figure, illustration of lenses, various switches, etc. is omitted.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 10B, this digital camera is provided with four LCDs 38A, LCD 38B, LCD 38C, and LCD 38D. The LCD 38A is disposed on the surface of the first housing 66A, the LCD 38B is disposed on the surface of the second housing 66B, the LCD 38C is disposed on the surface of the third housing 66C, and the LCD 38D is It is disposed on the surface of the fourth housing 66D.

  Here, a hinge 64A is interposed between the end portions of the first housing 66A and the second housing 66B, and the first housing 66A and the second housing 66B have the axis of the hinge 64A as the rotation center. The state in which the back surfaces of the first housing 66A and the second housing 66B face each other (the state shown in FIG. 10A, hereinafter referred to as “closed state”), the first housing 66A and the first housing 66A. Two housings 66B are rotated between two states: a state in which they are arranged in a plane around the axis of the hinge 64A (the state shown in FIG. 10B and hereinafter referred to as an “open state”). It is possible.

  Similarly, a hinge 64B is interposed between the end portions of the second casing 66B and the third casing 66C, and the second casing 66B and the third casing 66C have the axis of the hinge 64B as the rotation center. The state where the surfaces of the second housing 66B and the third housing 66C face each other (the state shown in FIG. 10A, hereinafter referred to as “closed state”), the second housing 66B and the second housing 66B. The three housings 66C rotate between two states: a state in which they are arranged in a plane around the axis of the hinge 64B (the state shown in FIG. 10B and hereinafter referred to as an “open state”). It is possible.

  Furthermore, a hinge 64C is interposed between the end portions of the third housing 66C and the fourth housing 66D, and the third housing 66C and the fourth housing 66D have the axis of the hinge 64C as a rotation center. A state in which the back surfaces of the third housing 66C and the fourth housing 66D face each other (the state shown in FIG. 10A and hereinafter referred to as a “closed state”), and the third housing 66C and the fourth housing 66C. The housing 66D can be rotated between two states: a state in which the casing 66D is arranged in a plane around the axis of the hinge 64C (the state shown in FIG. 10B and hereinafter referred to as an “open state”). It is said that.

  In this case as well, when all the housings are in the open state, the display image does not necessarily have to span all the display surfaces of the LCDs 38A to 38D, and the two display surfaces of the LCD 38A and the LCD 38B, the LCD 38B, The effects of the present invention can be obtained by enlarging and displaying at least one pair of the two display surfaces of the LCD 38C and the two display surfaces of the LCD 38C and LCD 38D.

  FIG. 11 shows another configuration example of the digital camera when four LCDs, LCD38A to LCD38D, are applied as the plurality of display means of the present invention. In the figure, illustration of lenses, various switches and the like is omitted.

  That is, as shown in the figure, this digital camera is provided with four LCDs 38A, LCD 38B, LCD 38C, and LCD 38D. The LCD 38A is disposed on the surface of the first housing 66A, the LCD 38B is disposed on the surface of the second housing 66B, the LCD 38C is disposed on the surface of the third housing 66C, and the LCD 38D is It is disposed on the surface of the fourth housing 66D.

  Here, a hinge 64A is interposed between the end portions of the first housing 66A and the second housing 66B, and the first housing 66A and the second housing 66B have the axis of the hinge 64A as the rotation center. The state where the back surfaces of the first housing 66A and the second housing 66B face each other (not shown; hereinafter referred to as “closed state”), and the first housing 66A and the second housing 66B are the axes of the hinge 64A. It can be rotated between two states: a state in which it is arranged in a plane centered on the center (the state shown in FIG. 11 and hereinafter referred to as an “open state”).

  Similarly, a hinge 64B is interposed between the end portions of the second casing 66B and the third casing 66C, and the second casing 66B and the third casing 66C have the axis of the hinge 64B as the rotation center. A state in which the surfaces of the second housing 66B and the third housing 66C face each other (not shown; hereinafter referred to as “closed state”), and the second housing 66B and the third housing 66C are the axes of the hinge 64B. It can be rotated between two states: a state in which it is arranged in a plane centered on the center (the state shown in FIG. 11 and hereinafter referred to as an “open state”).

  Furthermore, a hinge 64C is interposed between the end portions of the third housing 66C and the fourth housing 66D, and the third housing 66C and the fourth housing 66D have the axis of the hinge 64C as a rotation center. A state in which the back surfaces of the third housing 66C and the fourth housing 66D face each other (not shown; hereinafter referred to as a “closed state”), and the third housing 66C and the fourth housing 66D are axial centers of the hinges 64C. And a state of being arranged in a plane around the center (the state shown in FIG. 11 and hereinafter referred to as an “open state”).

  In this case, the difference from that shown in FIG. 10 is that when all the casings are in the open state, the one shown in FIG. 10 is that the LCDs 38A to 38D are arranged in a straight line. In contrast, what is shown in FIG. 11 is that the LCDs 38A to 38D are arranged in a rectangular shape.

  In this case as well, when all the housings are in the open state, the display image does not necessarily have to span all the display surfaces of the LCDs 38A to 38D, and the two display surfaces of the LCDs 38A and 38B, the LCDs 38B and 38C, The effect of the present invention can be obtained by enlarging and displaying at least one set of two display surfaces, two display surfaces of LCD38C and LCD38D, and two display surfaces of LCD38A and LCD38D.

  Moreover, although each said embodiment demonstrated the case where a hinge was applied as a means to switch the 1st state (closed state) and 2nd state (open state) of this invention, this invention is limited to this Instead, for example, a slide mechanism may be applied as the means.

  FIG. 12 shows a configuration example of a digital camera when a hinge and a slide mechanism are used together, and a state transition example at the time of transition from the first state to the second state.

  That is, as shown in the figure, this digital camera includes three LCDs 38A, LCD 38B, and LCD 38C. The LCD 38A is disposed on the surface of the first housing 66A, the LCD 38B is disposed on the surface of the second housing 66B, and the LCD 38C is disposed on the surface of the third housing 66C.

  Here, a hinge 64A is interposed between the end portions of the first housing 66A and the second housing 66B, and the first housing 66A and the second housing 66B have the axis of the hinge 64A as the rotation center. The state where the surfaces of the first housing 66A and the second housing 66B face each other (hereinafter referred to as “closed state”), and the first housing 66A and the second housing 66B are centered on the axis of the hinge 64A. As shown in FIG. 2, the rotation is possible between two states, ie, a state of being arranged in a substantially planar shape (hereinafter referred to as an “open state”).

  On the other hand, between the second housing 66B and the third housing 66C, there is a slide mechanism (not shown) that allows the third housing 66C to move in the arrow S direction with respect to the second housing 66B. The second housing 66B and the third housing 66C are interposed, and the second housing 66B and the third housing 66C are in a state where the back surface of the second housing 66B and the front surface of the third housing 66C face each other (hereinafter referred to as “closed state”). The two housings 66B and the third housing 66C can be slidably moved between two states (hereinafter referred to as “open state”) arranged in a substantially planar shape.

  In this case as well, when all the casings are in the open state, the display image does not necessarily have to span all the display surfaces of the LCDs 38A to 38C, the two display surfaces of the LCD 38A and the LCD 38B, and the LCD 38B And the effect of the present invention can be obtained by enlarging the display so as to extend over at least one of the two display surfaces of the LCD 38C.

  In addition, the configuration (see FIGS. 1 and 2) of the digital camera 10 according to each of the above embodiments is merely an example, and it is needless to say that the configuration can be appropriately changed without departing from the gist of the present invention.

  For example, in each of the above embodiments, the case where the LCD is applied as the display means of the present invention has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and examples thereof include a plasma display, an organic EL display, a CRT display, and the like. It can also be set as the form which applies another display. Also in this case, the same effects as those of the above embodiments can be obtained.

  The processing flow of each image display processing program described in the above embodiments (see FIGS. 3, 5, and 8) is also an example, and can be changed as appropriate without departing from the gist of the present invention. Needless to say.

  The display states of the various display screens shown in the above embodiments (see FIGS. 4 and 7) are also examples, and it goes without saying that they can be changed as appropriate without departing from the gist of the present invention.

  Further, although cases have been described with the above embodiments where the present invention is applied to a digital camera, the present invention is not limited to any information device having an image display unit, such as a PDA, a mobile phone, or a personal computer. But it goes without saying that it is applicable.

  FIG. 13 shows an example of an external view of the mobile phone 70 when the present invention is applied to the mobile phone.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the cellular phone 70 is provided with an operation unit 74 provided with various switches for the grip unit 72, while the top surface of the grip unit 72 is illustrated in FIG. 9. A digital camera similar to the above is arranged. Also in this case, the same effects as those of the above embodiments can be obtained.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS It is an external view which shows the external appearance of the digital camera which concerns on embodiment, (A) is a rear view at the time of a closed state, (B) is a front view at the time of a closed state, (C) is a state at the time of an open state. It is a rear view, (D) is a front view at the time of an open state. It is a block diagram which shows the principal part structure of the electric system of the digital camera which concerns on embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a process of the image display processing program which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is the schematic which shows the example of a display state of the display image of the digital camera which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a process of the image display processing program which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is an external view which shows an example of the use condition (posture) of the digital camera 10 at the time of the horizontal display mode setting concerning 2nd Embodiment. It is the schematic which shows the example of a display state of the through image at the time of the horizontal display mode setting of the digital camera which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a process of the image display processing program which concerns on 3rd Embodiment. It is an external view which shows the modification of the digital camera which concerns on embodiment. It is an external view which shows the other modification of the digital camera which concerns on embodiment. It is an external view which shows the other modification of the digital camera which concerns on embodiment. It is an external view which shows the other modification of the digital camera which concerns on embodiment. It is an external view which shows the example of an external appearance of the said mobile telephone at the time of applying this invention to a mobile telephone.

Explanation of symbols

10 Digital camera 24 CCD (Imaging means)
38A, 38B, 38C, 38D LCD (display means)
40 CPU (display control means, operation switching means)
48 memory 60 first housing (housing)
62 Second housing (housing)
64 Hinge (switching means)
64A Hinge (switching means)
64B Hinge (switching means)
64C Hinge (switching means)
66A First housing (housing)
66B Second housing (housing)
66C Third housing (housing)
66D Fourth housing (housing)

Claims (6)

A plurality of display means;
A plurality of housings each provided with any one of the plurality of display means;
Either one of the first state in which at least two display surfaces of the plurality of display units face the same direction and is exposed and the second state in which the display surfaces of the plurality of display units overlap each other in parallel Switching means for switching to a state;
When an image is displayed while being switched to the first state by the switching means, the image is enlarged and displayed so as to be displayed across a plurality of exposed display surfaces. Display control means for controlling,
An image display device comprising: The image display device according to claim 1, wherein the switching unit is configured by a hinge interposed between end portions of the adjacent casings. The image display device according to claim 1, further comprising an operation switching unit that switches an operation mode in accordance with a switching state by the switching unit. The display control means is one of the exposed display surfaces when being switched to the second state by the switching means and when at least one display surface of the plurality of display means is exposed. The image display device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the image display device is controlled so as to display an image only by the control. The display control means is exposed when the switching means is switched to the second state and when at least two display surfaces of the plurality of display means are exposed to face in opposite directions. The image display device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein control is performed so that the same image is displayed on the display surface being displayed. An image display device according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
Imaging means for acquiring image data indicating an image to be displayed by a plurality of display means provided in the image display device;
An imaging device with

Images