JP2007123961A - Image display apparatus and video signal generating method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image display apparatus and a video signal generating method whereby a sub-image can be displayed on a display area of an external display apparatus connected to an external output terminal within the scope. <P>SOLUTION: A digital camera 10 acting like the image display apparatus converts sub-image data denoting the sub-image or composite image data obtained by synthesizing main image data denoting a main image and the sub-image data denoting the sub-image so that the sub-image falls within the display area of a TV 76 connected to the video output terminal (external output terminal) 74. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image display device and a video signal generation method, and in particular, a display unit such as a liquid crystal display that displays a main image in a state in which a sub-image is superimposed, and an analog video indicating an image displayed by the display unit. The present invention relates to an image display device having an external output terminal for outputting a signal to an external display device, and a video signal generation method in the image display device.

  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. The demand for information equipment having a photographing function is increasing rapidly.

  By the way, in addition to an internal display device such as a liquid crystal display that displays a subject image obtained by the imaging device and has a digital interface, the information device displays an image displayed by the internal display device. Some of them have a video output terminal for outputting the analog video signal shown to an external display device. Here, although the resolution of the internal display device and the external display device is also increasing, resolution as high as the resolution of the image sensor is not realized.

For this reason, in order to display the subject image indicated by the image information acquired by the image sensor in the display area of each display device without protruding from the display area, it is necessary to reduce the display size of the subject image. As a technique for this purpose, Patent Document 1 discloses that a subject image is displayed in a display area of a liquid crystal display or a home television with a lower number of pixels by enlarging or reducing the display size of the subject image to an arbitrary size. A technique for generating image data that can be displayed without protruding from the display area of the liquid crystal display or home television by being configured according to the pixel configuration is disclosed.
JP 2000-287076 A

  By the way, the information device described above is a so-called on-screen display that displays on a display device a sub-image showing various menu images, characters, marks, etc. on a main image such as a subject image. Some of them have a function (hereinafter referred to as “OSD function”), and the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1 is applied to the OSD function, and the sub-image is converted into the pixel configuration of the display area of the internal display device. By configuring as a response, the sub-image can be displayed without protruding from the display area of the internal display device. FIG. 8A shows an example of the display state of the sub-image (here, “Merry X'mas” and “2004.12.24” character strings) displayed in the display area of the internal display device. It is shown.

  However, when the sub-image displayed by the internal display device is displayed on the external display device connected to the video output terminal, the image may be displayed outside the display area. This is because the display area of the external display device is not necessarily displayed on the entire surface, and there may be an area that cannot be displayed on the outer periphery. FIG. 8B shows the display state of the sub-image displayed in the display area of the external display device when the image displayed by the internal display device is the one shown in FIG. ing.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and provides an image display device and a video signal generation method capable of displaying a sub-image without protruding in a display area of an external display device connected to an external output terminal. The purpose is to do.

  In order to achieve the above object, an image display device according to claim 1 is a display means for displaying a main image in a state in which a sub-image is overlaid; and a pixel in a display area of the display means while displaying the sub-image. A storage unit that pre-stores sub-image data configured according to the configuration, and the main image data indicating the main image and the sub-image data are combined so that the sub-image is superimposed on the main image. Combining means for generating composite image data, generating means for generating a video signal indicating an image indicated by the combined image data generated by the combining means, and an external display device for displaying the video signal generated by the generating means And the sub-image data or the sub-image data so that the sub-image fits in a display area of an external display device connected to the external output terminal. It comprises a converting means for converting the formed image data.

  The image display apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the main image is displayed by the display unit in a state where the main image is superimposed on the sub image, and the pixel configuration of the display area of the display unit is displayed while displaying the sub image. Sub-image data configured according to the above is stored in advance by the storage means. The display means includes a liquid crystal display, a plasma display, an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) display, and the like. In addition, the storage means includes portable elements such as RAM (Random Access Memory), EEPROM (Electrically Erasable and Programmable Read Only Memory), flash EEPROM (Flash EEPROM), SmartMedia (registered trademark), flexible disk, etc. Or a fixed recording medium such as a hard disk, or an external storage device provided in a server computer connected to a network.

  In the image display device according to claim 1, the main image data indicating the main image and the sub image data are synthesized by a synthesizing unit so that the sub image is superimposed on the main image. After the generation, a video signal indicating an image indicated by the composite image data is generated by the generation unit, and the video signal is output to an external display device through an external output terminal.

  Here, in the present invention, the sub image data or the composite image data is converted by the converting means so that the sub image fits in a display area of an external display device connected to the external output terminal. The external display device includes a television receiver and the like.

  Thus, according to the image display device of the first aspect, the sub-image data indicating the sub-image or the main image is displayed so that the sub-image fits in the display area of the external display device connected to the external output terminal. Since the composite image data obtained by combining the main image data and the sub-image data indicating the sub-image is converted, the sub-image can be displayed without protruding in the display area of the external display device connected to the external output terminal. it can.

  The invention further includes an input unit for inputting information indicating a conversion rate for the sub-image data or the composite image data by the conversion unit, as in the invention described in claim 2, and the conversion unit. May convert the sub-image data or the composite image data at a conversion rate indicated by the information input by the input means. The input by the input means includes input via a network such as a LAN or the Internet in addition to input via an input device such as a keyboard and a mouse (pointing device).

  On the other hand, in order to achieve the above object, the video signal generation method according to claim 3 shows display means for displaying a main image in a state where the sub-image is superimposed, the sub-image being displayed, and display of the display means Storage means for preliminarily storing sub-image data configured according to the pixel configuration of the region, and synthesizing the main image data indicating the main image and the sub-image data so that the sub-image is superimposed on the main image Generating means for generating composite image data, generating means for generating a video signal indicating an image indicated by the composite image data generated by the combining means, and external display of the video signal generated by the generating means A video signal generation method in an image display device having an external output terminal for outputting to a device, wherein the sub-image is connected to the external output terminal. Wherein to fit the display area of the external display device is for converting the sub-image data or the composite image data.

  Therefore, according to the video signal generation method of the third aspect, since it operates in the same manner as the first aspect of the invention, the external display connected to the external output terminal is similar to the first aspect of the invention. Sub-images can be displayed without protruding in the display area of the apparatus.

  According to the present invention, as in the invention described in claim 4, information indicating a conversion rate with respect to the sub-image data or the composite image data is input, and the sub-image data or the The composite image data may be converted.

  According to the present invention, the sub image data indicating the sub image or the main image data indicating the main image and the sub image indicating the sub image so that the sub image fits in the display area of the external display device connected to the external output terminal. Since the synthesized image data obtained by synthesizing the data is converted, an effect that the sub-image can be displayed without protruding in the display area of the external display device connected to the external output terminal can be obtained.

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

[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 the figure, on the front of the digital camera 10, a lens 21 for forming a subject image, a strobe 44 that emits light to irradiate the subject as necessary during photographing, and a composition of the subject to be photographed are shown. A finder 20 used for determination is provided. Further, on the upper surface of the digital camera 10, a release switch (so-called shutter) 56A, a power switch 56B, and a mode changeover switch 56C that are pressed when performing shooting are 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, on the back of the digital camera 10, an eyepiece of the finder 20 described above, a liquid crystal display (hereinafter referred to as “LCD”) 38 for displaying a photographed subject image, a menu screen, and the like, and a cross cursor A switch 56D. The cross-cursor switch 56D includes four arrow keys that indicate four moving directions of up, down, left, and right in the display area of the LCD 38. Furthermore, on the back of the digital camera 10, a menu switch that is pressed when displaying the menu screen on the LCD 38, a determination switch that is pressed when confirming the operation content up to that point, and the previous operation content are displayed. And a cancel switch that is pressed when canceling.

  In the digital camera 10 according to the present embodiment, the LCD 38 having an aspect ratio of 4: 3 is applied as the LCD 38.

  A video output terminal 74 (not shown in FIG. 1; see FIG. 2) for outputting an analog video signal (here, NTSC analog video signal) to the outside is provided on the side surface of the digital camera 10. Yes.

  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 SDRAM 48A 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 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 40 that controls the operation of the entire digital camera 10, an SDRAM (Synchronous DRAM) 48A that temporarily stores digital image data and the like obtained by photographing, and the above-described sub camera. The flash ROM 48B stores predetermined information such as image data and various parameters in advance, and a memory controller 46 that controls access to the SDRAM 48A and the flash ROM 48B. The sub-image data in the present embodiment has a configuration corresponding to the pixel configuration of the display area of the LCD 38 (640 pixels × 480 pixels in the present embodiment).

  Further, the digital camera 10 includes a media I / F unit 50 for enabling the portable recording medium 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. , Including. In the digital camera 10 according to the present embodiment, smart media (Smart Media (registered trademark)) is used as the recording medium 52.

  Further, the digital camera 10 generates an image signal for displaying an image indicated by the digital image data, a menu screen or the like on the LCD 38 and supplies it to the LCD 38, while generating an analog video signal S1 indicating an image to be displayed on the LCD 38. Then, a video / LCD encoder 36 that supplies the video output terminal 74 is provided.

  The video / LCD encoder 36 generates the main image data corresponding to the pixel configuration of the display area of the LCD 38 by performing a reduction process for reducing the main image indicated by the main image data to be displayed on the LCD 38 described above, thereby generating the first image data. A first resizing circuit 60 that outputs to the combining circuit 62 and the second combining circuit 68, and a combining process that combines the input main image data and the sub-image data displayed by the OSD function. The first combining circuit 62 that generates combined image data and outputs the combined image data to the LCD controller 64, and the LCD controller 64 that generates an image signal to be supplied to the LCD 38 based on the input combined image data. In the first resizing circuit 60 according to the present embodiment, after the pixel data is thinned out every other pixel in the vertical and horizontal directions from the pixel array of the main image indicated by the input main image data, the display area of the LCD 38 is displayed. The main image data corresponding to the pixel configuration of the display area of the LCD 38 is generated by filling in the missing pixel data by the linear interpolation method so as to have a predetermined reduction ratio according to the size, and the first synthesis circuit In 62, the composite image data is generated by overwriting the input main image data with the pixel data of the pixels constituting the sub image indicated by the input sub image data. Needless to say, reduction processing or composition processing can be applied.

  In addition, the video / LCD encoder 36 performs a reduction process for reducing the sub-image indicated by the sub-image data displayed by the OSD function, thereby generating sub-image data that fits within the display area of the TV 76 and generating a second combining circuit. 68. The synthesized image data is obtained by synthesizing two types of data, that is, the second resizing circuit 66 output to 68, the input sub-image data, and the main image data input from the first resizing circuit 60. A second synthesizing circuit 68 that generates and outputs the digital data indicating the analog video signal S1 based on the input synthesized image data to generate a digital / analog converter (hereinafter referred to as “DAC”). The digital encoder 70 that outputs to 72, and the input digital data is converted into an analog signal and converted to analog. And a, and DAC72 to the video output terminal 74 as the log video signal S1. In the second resizing circuit 66 according to the present embodiment, a process similar to that of the first resizing circuit 60 is performed in the display area of the TV 76 so as to obtain a predetermined reduction ratio or a reduction ratio designated by the user. The sub-image data to be stored is generated, and the second combining circuit 68 also generates combined image data by the same processing as that of the first combining circuit 62. Note that the predetermined reduction ratio includes a number of television receivers in advance as a minimum value of the ratio of the displayable area to the area of the display area of the television receiver that is likely to be connected to the external video terminal 74. Although what was estimated from the measured value about is applied, it is not restricted to this.

  The digital camera 10 according to the present embodiment is configured such that the CPU 40 can detect that the TV 76 is connected to the video output terminal 74.

  The digital signal processing unit 30, the video / LCD encoder 36, the CPU 40, the memory controller 46, the media I / F unit 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, the video / LCD encoder 36 and the compression / decompression processing circuit 54, and the memory controller 46 or the media I / F unit 50 for the SDRAM 48A, the flash ROM 48B, and the recording medium 52. Each access 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, various switches such as the release switch 56A, the power switch 56B, the mode switch 56C, the cross cursor switch 56D, and the menu switch (generically referred to as “operation unit 56” in the figure) are connected to the CPU 40. The CPU 40 can always grasp the operation state with respect to the operation unit 56.

  In addition, the digital camera 10 includes a charging unit 42 that is interposed between the strobe 44 and the CPU 40 and charges power for causing the strobe 44 to emit light under the control of the CPU 40. Further, the strobe 44 is also connected to the CPU 40, and the light emission of the strobe 44 is controlled by the CPU 40.

  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 it directly in a predetermined area of the SDRAM 48A.

  The digital image data stored in a predetermined area of the SDRAM 48A is read by the digital signal processing unit 30 under the control of the CPU 40, and the white balance is applied by applying the digital gain for each of R, G, and B according to a predetermined physical quantity. In addition to 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 SDRAM 48A.

  The LCD 38 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 38 is used as a finder, the LCD 38 is generated. The YC signal is input to the first resizing circuit 60 and subjected to the above-described reduction process, and then the reduced YC signal is sequentially output to the LCD 38 via the first synthesis circuit 62 and the LCD controller 64. . As a result, a through image is displayed on the LCD 38.

  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 SDRAM 48A at that time is compressed in a predetermined compression format (in this embodiment, JPEG format) by the compression / expansion processing circuit 54, and then the media I / F unit 50 To the recording medium 52 as an electronic file (image file).

  Next, the operation of the digital camera 10 when an image is displayed on the LCD 38 using the OSD function will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing of the LCD display processing program executed by the CPU 40 every predetermined time (in this embodiment, 10 seconds) when an image is displayed on the LCD 38 by the OSD function. The program is stored in advance in a predetermined area of the flash ROM 48B. Here, a case will be described in which image data indicating a main image to be displayed on the LCD 38 (a captured image in the shooting mode) is stored in the SDRAM 48A.

  In step 100, the main image data to be displayed on the LCD 38 is read from the SDRAM 48A and input to the first resize circuit 60, and then an instruction to execute the above-described reduction process is output to the first resize circuit 60. Migrate to In response to this, the first resizing circuit 60 generates main image data corresponding to the pixel configuration of the display area of the LCD 38 based on the main image data input as described above.

  In step 102, the sub-image displayed by the OSD function is read from the flash ROM 48B and input to the first combining circuit 62, and then an instruction to execute the combining processing described above is output to the first combining circuit 62. The process proceeds to step 104. In response to this, the first combining circuit 62 generates combined image data based on the main image data generated in the processing of step 100 and the input sub image data as described above. As a result of the above processing, the LCD controller 64 shows a composite image and an image signal to be supplied to the LCD 38 is generated. As a result, a composite image indicated by the composite image data generated by the processing in step 102 is displayed in the display area of the LCD 38. The sub-image is displayed without protruding. FIG. 5A shows an example of the display state of the composite image displayed in the display area of the LCD 38, and the sub-images are the characters “Merry X'mas” and “2004.12.24”. It is a column.

  In step 104, it is determined whether or not it is detected that the TV 76 is connected to the video output terminal 74. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 106.

  In step 106, a display screen (see also FIG. 4) prompting the user to input a reduction rate is displayed on the LCD 38, and in the next step 108, reception of information indicating the reduction rate is waited. . Note that the reduction rate is such that by pressing the up arrow key of the cross cursor switch 56D, the numerical value of the decrease rate is decreased by a predetermined value, and the down arrow key of the cross cursor switch 56D is pressed. By doing so, the numerical value of the decrease rate is increased by a predetermined numerical value. In addition, after the reduction rate is input, when the determination button is pressed by the user, information indicating the input reduction rate is transmitted to the CPU 40.

  In step 110, it is determined whether or not the reduction rate indicated by the information received in the processing of step 108 is a predetermined reduction rate (90% in the present embodiment). Goes to step 112.

  In step 112, the same image data as the sub-image data read in the processing of step 102 is read from the flash ROM 48B and input to the second resizing circuit 66, and then an instruction to execute the above-described reduction processing is sent to the second resizing. The output is made to the circuit 66, and the process proceeds to Step 116. In response to this, the second resizing circuit 66 generates sub-image data that fits within the display area of the TV 76 at a predetermined reduction rate based on the sub-image data input as described above.

  On the other hand, if a negative determination is made in the process of step 110, the process proceeds to step 114, and the same image data as the sub-image data read in the process of step 102 is read from the flash ROM 48B and sent to the second resizing circuit 66. After the input, an instruction to execute the above-described reduction process is output to the second resize circuit 66, and the process proceeds to step 116. In response to this, the second resizing circuit 66 generates sub-image data that fits in the display area of the TV 76 at a reduction ratio designated by the user based on the sub-image data input as described above.

  In step 116, an instruction to execute the above-described combining process is output to the second combining circuit 68, and then the LCD display processing program is terminated. In response to this, the second synthesizing circuit 68 generates the synthesized image data based on the main image data generated in the processing of step 100 and the sub-image data generated in steps 112 to 114 as described above. Is generated. As a result of the above processing, an analog video signal indicating a composite image is generated by the digital encoder 70. As a result, a composite image indicated by the composite image data generated by the processing of step 116 is displayed in the display area of the TV 76. Displayed without protruding. FIG. 5B shows an example of the display state of the composite image displayed in the display area of the TV 76 when the image displayed on the LCD 38 is the one shown in FIG. .

  On the other hand, when a negative determination is made in the process of step 104, the process proceeds to step 118, and an instruction to stop the reduction process or the synthesis process is issued to the first resize circuit 60, the first synthesis circuit 62, and the second resize. After outputting to the circuit 66 and the second synthesis circuit 68, the present LCD display processing program is terminated.

  As described above in detail, in the above embodiment, the sub-image is accommodated in the display area of the external display device (here, the TV 76) connected to the external output terminal (here, the video output terminal 74). Since the sub-image data indicating the sub-image is converted, the sub-image can be displayed without protruding in the display area of the external display device connected to the external output terminal.

  In the above embodiment, the information indicating the conversion rate for the sub-image data is input, and the sub-image data is converted at the conversion rate indicated by the input information, so that the sub-image data is displayed in the display area of the external display device. Images can be displayed in a size that suits the user's preference.

[Second Embodiment]
In the second embodiment, a description will be given of an example in which the sub-image is stored in the display area of the external display device by reducing the combined image data.

  Note that the external configuration of the digital camera 10 'according to the second embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment shown in FIG.

  First, with reference to FIG. 6, the main configuration of the electric system of the digital camera 10 ′ according to the second embodiment will be described. 2 that are the same as those in FIG. 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in FIG.

  As shown in the figure, the digital camera 10 ′ according to the second embodiment is provided with a synthesis circuit 80 instead of the first synthesis circuit 62, the second resizing circuit 66 and the second resizing circuit 66. Only the point that the combining circuit 68 is deleted and the third resizing circuit 82 whose input terminal is connected to the output terminal of the combining circuit 80 and whose output terminal is connected to the digital encoder 70 are newly provided. However, it is different from the digital camera 10 according to the first embodiment.

  The synthesizing circuit 80 according to the second embodiment synthesizes two types of data, ie, main image data corresponding to the pixel configuration of the display area of the LCD 38 and sub-image data displayed by the OSD function. To generate composite image data and output it to the LCD controller 64 and the third resize circuit 82. The third resize circuit 82 performs a reduction process for reducing the input composite image data. Thus, synthesized image data that falls within the display area of the TV 76 is generated and output to the digital encoder 70.

  The first resizing circuit 60 according to the second embodiment outputs the generated main image data to the synthesizing circuit 80.

  Next, the operation of the digital camera 10 'according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a process flow of the LCD display processing program executed by the CPU 40 every predetermined time (in this embodiment, 10 seconds) when an image is displayed on the LCD 38 by the OSD function. The program is stored in advance in a predetermined area of the flash ROM 48B. 3 that are the same as those in FIG. 3 are assigned the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 3, and descriptions thereof are omitted.

  In step 200, a sub-image displayed by the OSD function is read from the flash ROM 48B and input to the combining circuit 80. Then, an instruction to execute the above-described combining processing is output to the combining circuit 80, and the process proceeds to step 104. In response to this, the composition circuit 80 generates composite image data based on the main image data generated in the processing of step 100 and the input sub-image data as described above. As a result of the above processing, the LCD controller 64 displays a composite image and an image signal to be supplied to the LCD 38 is generated. As a result, a composite image indicated by the composite image data generated by the processing of step 200 is displayed in the display area of the LCD 38. The sub-image is displayed without protruding. FIG. 8A shows an example of the display state of the composite image displayed in the display area of the LCD 38, and the sub-images are the characters “Merry X'mas” and “2004.12.24”. It is a column.

  Thereafter, when an affirmative determination is made at step 110, the process proceeds to step 202, while when a negative determination is made at step 110, the process proceeds to step 204.

  In step 202, an instruction to execute the above-described reduction processing is output to the third resizing circuit 82, and then the LCD display processing program is terminated. In response to this, the third resizing circuit 82 generates composite image data that fits within the display area of the TV 76 at a predetermined reduction rate based on the composite image data input as described above.

  In step 204, an instruction to execute the above-described reduction processing is output to the third resizing circuit 82, and then the LCD display processing program is terminated. In response to this, the third resize circuit 82 generates composite image data that fits in the display area of the TV 76 at a reduction rate specified by the user based on the composite image data input as described above. As a result of the above process, an analog video signal indicating a composite image is generated by the digital encoder 70. As a result, the composite image indicated by the composite image data generated by the processes in steps 202 to 204 is displayed in the display area of the TV 76. The image is displayed without protruding. FIG. 8B shows an example of a display state of the composite image displayed in the display area of the TV 76 when the image displayed on the LCD 38 is the one shown in FIG. 8A. .

  On the other hand, when a negative determination is made in the process of step 104, the process proceeds to step 206, and an instruction to stop the reduction process or the synthesis process is given to the first resizing circuit 60, the synthesizing circuit 80, and the third resizing circuit 82. After the output, the LCD display processing program is terminated.

  As described above in detail, in the above embodiment, the sub-image is accommodated in the display area of the external display device (here, the TV 76) connected to the external output terminal (here, the video output terminal 74). Since the composite image data in which the main image data indicating the main image and the sub image data indicating the sub image are combined is converted, the sub image does not protrude from the display area of the external display device connected to the external output terminal. Can be displayed.

  In the above embodiment, information indicating the conversion rate for the composite image data is input, and the composite image data is converted at the conversion rate indicated by the input information. Images can be displayed in a size that suits the user's preference.

  In the above embodiment, the case where an analog video signal is applied as the video signal of the present invention has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the video signal of the present invention is HDMI (High- A digital image signal corresponding to definition multimedia interface (DVI), digital visual interface (DVI), or the like may be applied.

  Further, the external configuration (see FIG. 1) of the digital camera 10 and the digital camera 10 ′ and the main configuration of the electrical system (see FIGS. 2 and 6) shown in the above embodiment are examples, and if necessary. Needless to say, it is possible to add components and delete unnecessary components.

  Further, the processing flow (see FIGS. 3 and 7) of the various processing programs shown in the above embodiment is also an example, and the processing procedure is changed as necessary, the processing content is changed, or unnecessary. Needless to say, the processing can be deleted.

  Furthermore, the display state of the display screen shown in the above embodiment (see FIGS. 4, 5, and 8) is also an example, and display items are added or unnecessary display items are deleted as necessary. Needless to say, you can.

It is an external view which shows the external appearance of the digital camera which concerns on embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the principal part structure of the electric system of the digital camera which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a process of the LCD display processing program which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is the schematic which shows the example of a display state of the display screen displayed on LCD which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is the schematic which shows the example of a display state of the synthesized image shown by the synthesized image data displayed on the display area of LCD and TV which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the principal part structure of the electric system of the digital camera which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a process of the LCD display processing program which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is the schematic which shows the example of a display state of the synthesized image shown by the synthesized image data displayed on the display area of LCD and TV which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is the schematic which shows the example of a display state of the subimage shown by the subimage data displayed on the display area of the conventional internal display apparatus and external display apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

10 Digital camera 10 'Digital camera 38 LCD (display means)
40 CPU
48B flash ROM (storage means)
56D Crosshair cursor switch (input means)
62 First synthesis circuit (synthesis means)
66 Second resizing circuit (conversion means)
68 Second synthesis circuit (synthesis means)
70 Digital encoder (generation means)
72 Digital / analog converter (generation means)
74 Video output terminal (external output terminal)
76 Television receiver (external display device)
80 Synthesis circuit (synthesis method)
82 Third resizing circuit (conversion means)

Claims (4)

Display means for displaying the main image in a state where the sub-image is superimposed,
Storage means for preliminarily storing sub-image data configured to indicate the sub-image and corresponding to the pixel configuration of the display area of the display means;
Combining means for generating combined image data by combining the main image data indicating the main image and the sub image data so that the sub image is superimposed on the main image;
Generating means for generating a video signal indicating an image indicated by the combined image data generated by the combining means;
An external output terminal for outputting the video signal generated by the generating means to an external display device;
Conversion means for converting the sub-image data or the composite image data so that the sub-image fits in a display area of an external display device connected to the external output terminal;
An image display device comprising: An input unit for inputting information indicating a conversion rate for the sub-image data or the composite image data by the conversion unit;
The converting means converts the sub-image data or the composite image data at a conversion rate indicated by the information input by the input means;
The image display device according to claim 1. Display means for displaying the main image in a state in which the sub-images are superposed, storage means for indicating the sub-image and storing pre-image data configured in accordance with the pixel configuration of the display area of the display means; Combining means for combining the main image data indicating the main image and the sub image data so as to superimpose the sub image on the main image and generating the composite image data, and the composite image data generated by the combining means A video signal generation method in an image display device including a generation unit that generates a video signal indicating an image indicated by the output unit, and an external output terminal for outputting the video signal generated by the generation unit to an external display device. And
Converting the sub-image data or the composite image data so that the sub-image fits in a display area of an external display device connected to the external output terminal;
A video signal generation method characterized by the above. Input information indicating a conversion rate for the sub-image data or the composite image data,
Converting the sub-image data or the composite image data at a conversion rate indicated by the input information;
The video signal generation method according to claim 3.

Images