JP2008072524A - Information processor, control method, program, and storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To allow a user to easily judge whether or not a still image is adapted to printing at a monitor. <P>SOLUTION: This information processor has a print setting storage means for storing print setting and a print appropriate judgment means for judging whether or not image data picked up by an imaging means is adapted to printing according to the print setting stored in the print setting storage means. The information processor further includes a display control means for controlling a display form of a printing guide displayed by being superimposed on the image data according to a result of judgment by the print appropriate judgment means, and consequently whether or not the image is adapted to printing is easily judged. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus based on printing, a control method for the information processing apparatus, and the like.

If the aspect ratio of an image taken with a digital camera is different from the aspect ratio of the printing paper on which the image is printed, problems such as the inability to print the image or the area that is desired to be printed may occur. . As a method for solving such a problem, there are the following techniques. For example, Patent Document 1 describes a technique for displaying a frame corresponding to a designated print size on a through image in order to determine which area is printed. Patent Document 2 describes a technique for displaying a frame corresponding to an aspect ratio of a printing paper in an optical viewfinder.
JP 2004-207813 A JP 2004-104498 A

  However, in the digital cameras described in these documents, a frame corresponding to the print size or print paper is displayed without determining whether the image that the user intends to shoot is an image suitable for printing. End up. Therefore, there is a problem that it is difficult for the user to determine whether or not the image to be photographed is an image suitable for printing. Further, such a problem is not limited to the case where the user prints an image to be photographed, and may similarly occur when a photographed image, a trimmed image, or the like is printed. Therefore, even when the user prints a captured image, a trimmed image, or the like, there is a problem that it is difficult to determine whether these images are images suitable for printing.

  Therefore, the present invention provides an information processing apparatus that can allow a user to determine whether an image that the user intends to shoot, a captured image, a trimmed image, or the like is suitable for the print size. Objective.

An information processing apparatus according to the present invention is, for example,
Print setting storage means for storing print settings;
Print suitability determining means for determining whether image data captured by the image capturing means is suitable for printing according to the print settings stored in the print setting storage means;
Display control means for controlling the display form of the print guide displayed superimposed on the image data in accordance with the result of determination by the print suitability determination means.

Another information processing apparatus according to the present invention is, for example,
Image data storage means for storing image data;
Print setting storage means for storing print settings;
Display means for displaying the image data stored in the image data storage means;
Print suitability judging means for judging whether or not the image data displayed on the display means is suitable for printing according to the print settings stored in the print setting storage means;
Display control means for controlling the display form of the print guide displayed on the display means in accordance with the determination result by the print suitability determination means.

The control method according to the present invention is, for example,
A print setting storage step for storing the print settings;
A print suitability determining step for determining whether the image data captured by the image capturing unit is suitable for printing according to the print setting stored in the print setting storing step;
And a display control step of controlling a display form of a print guide displayed superimposed on the image data in accordance with a result of the determination in the print suitability determination step.

Another control method according to the present invention is, for example,
An image data storage step for storing image data;
A print setting storage step for storing the print settings;
A display step for displaying the image data stored in the image data storage step;
A print suitability determining step for determining whether the image data displayed in the display step is suitable for printing according to the print setting stored in the print setting storing step;
A display control step of controlling a display form of the print guide displayed in the display step in accordance with a determination result in the print suitability determination step.

  According to the present invention, by displaying a print guide frame display, a warning display, and the like on the image display unit, it is determined whether or not an image that the user intends to shoot, a captured image, a trimmed image, or the like is suitable for the print size. It is possible to make the user judge.

<Embodiment 1>
Hereinafter, an imaging apparatus which is an example of an information processing apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the imaging device may be any device that functions as a digital camera, and includes a digital camera, a digital video camera, a mobile phone with a digital camera, and the like.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating main components of the imaging apparatus 100. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 10 denotes a photographing lens. The photographing lens 10 is a four-group inner focus zoom lens that includes a fixed lens 11, a variable magnification lens 12 </ b> A, a correction lens 12 </ b> B, and a focus lens 13. Although not shown, the variable magnification lens 12A and the correction lens 12B are configured to move along the optical axis while changing the positional relationship between them by a cam mechanism and change the focal length. The zoom lens 12A and the correction lens 12B are the zoom lens 12.

  14 is a shutter unit having an aperture mechanism and a shutter mechanism, 15 is a solid-state image sensor that converts an optical image into an electrical signal, and 16 is an A / A that converts an analog image signal output from the solid-state image sensor 15 into digital image data. D conversion circuit.

  A timing generation circuit 18 supplies a clock signal and a control signal to the solid-state imaging device 15, the A / D conversion circuit 16, the D / A conversion circuit 26, and the like, and is controlled by the memory control circuit 22 and the system control circuit 50. . An image processing circuit 20 performs predetermined pixel interpolation processing and color conversion processing on the image data from the A / D conversion circuit 16 or the image data from the memory control circuit 22.

  In the image processing circuit 20, predetermined calculation processing is performed using image data obtained by imaging, and the system control circuit 50 performs exposure control circuit 40 and distance measurement control circuit based on the obtained calculation result. 42 is controlled. Thereby, AF (autofocus) processing, AE (automatic exposure) processing, and EF (flash pre-emission) processing of the TTL (through-the-lens) method are performed.

  The AF (autofocus) evaluation value used in the distance measurement control circuit 42 extracts a high frequency component of image data input from the A / D conversion circuit 16 in the image processing circuit 20. Then, the absolute value of the high frequency component of the image data is obtained, and the data obtained by integrating the absolute value data within a predetermined area is used as the AF evaluation value.

  Further, the image processing circuit 20 performs predetermined arithmetic processing using image data obtained by imaging, and also performs TTL AWB (auto white balance) processing based on the obtained arithmetic result.

  A memory control circuit 22 controls the A / D conversion circuit 16, timing generation circuit 18, image processing circuit 20, image display memory circuit 24, D / A conversion circuit 26, memory circuit 30, compression / decompression circuit 32, and the like. . The image data output from the A / D conversion circuit 16 passes through the image processing circuit 20 and the memory control circuit 22, or the image data from the A / D conversion circuit 16 passes directly through the memory control circuit 22 to the image display memory circuit. 24 or the memory circuit 30.

  Reference numeral 24 denotes an image display memory circuit, reference numeral 26 denotes a D / A conversion circuit, and reference numeral 28 denotes an image display unit made up of a TFT LCD or the like. Display image data written in the image display memory circuit 24 is D / A conversion circuit 26. Is displayed by the image display unit 28.

  An electronic viewfinder function can be realized by sequentially displaying image data captured using the image display unit 28. It is also possible to display a histogram created by the image processing circuit 20. The image display unit 28 can arbitrarily turn on / off the display according to an instruction from the system control circuit 50. When the display is turned off, the power consumption of the imaging apparatus 100 can be significantly reduced.

  Reference numeral 30 denotes a memory circuit for storing captured still image data and moving image data, and has a storage capacity sufficient to store a predetermined number of still image data and moving image data for a predetermined time. The memory circuit 30 can also be used as a work area for the system control circuit 50.

  Reference numeral 32 denotes a compression / decompression circuit that compresses and decompresses image data by adaptive discrete cosine transform (ADCT) or the like. The image data stored in the memory circuit 30 is read and subjected to compression processing or decompression processing. Write to the memory circuit 30.

  Reference numeral 40 denotes an exposure control circuit for controlling the shutter unit 14 having an aperture mechanism and a shutter mechanism, and has a flash light control function in cooperation with the flash 48. A ranging control circuit 42 controls the focus lens 13. The exposure control circuit 40 and the distance measurement control circuit 42 are controlled using the TTL method. A zoom control circuit 44 controls the zoom lens 12.

  Reference numeral 48 denotes a connector, which is also called an accessory shoe, and has an electrical contact with the flash device 400 and mechanical fixing means. The flash device 400 is configured such that the flash 404 is controlled via the connector 402 and the connector 48. The flash device 400 also has an AF auxiliary light projecting function and a flash light control function.

  Reference numeral 50 denotes a system control circuit that controls the entire imaging apparatus 100, and 52 denotes a memory circuit that stores constants, variables, programs, and the like for operation of the system control circuit 50. Reference numeral 54 denotes a display unit having a liquid crystal display device, a speaker, and the like that display an operation state, a message, and the like using characters, images, sounds, and the like according to execution of a program in the system control circuit 50. The display unit 54 is installed in a single or a plurality of locations near the operation unit of the imaging device 100 so as to be easily visible, and is configured by a combination of, for example, an LCD, an LED, and a sounding element. In addition, the display unit 54 is partially installed in the optical viewfinder 104.

  Among the display contents of the display unit 54, what is displayed on the LCD or the like includes single shot / continuous shooting display, self-timer display, compression rate display, image size display, number of recorded images, number of remaining images that can be shot, shutter speed Display, aperture value display, exposure compensation display, and the like. Further, flash display, red-eye reduction display, macro shooting display, buzzer setting display, clock battery level display, battery level display, error display, information display with multiple digits, display / removal status display of recording medium 200, communication I / F operation display, date / time display, etc.

  Among the display contents of the display unit 54, what is displayed in the optical viewfinder 104 includes in-focus display, camera shake warning display, flash charge display, shutter speed display, aperture value display, exposure correction display, and the like.

  Reference numeral 56 denotes an electrically erasable and recordable non-volatile memory circuit such as an EEPROM. The nonvolatile memory circuit 56 stores information set by the user, a printable recording size described later, and the like. As the printable recording size, a recording size determined by the imaging device manufacturer that is optimal for printing is recorded. The printable recording size can be changed by the user. This printable recording size is recorded for each paper size to be printed.

  Reference numerals 60, 62, 64, 66, and 70 denote operation means for inputting various operation instructions of the system control circuit 50. One or a plurality of switches, dials, touch panels, pointing by line-of-sight detection, voice recognition devices, and the like. Consists of

  Next, specific configurations of these operating means will be described. Reference numeral 60 denotes a mode dial, which can be set by switching each function mode such as power-off, automatic shooting mode, shooting mode, panoramic shooting mode, playback mode, multi-screen playback / erase mode. Reference numeral 62 denotes a shutter switch SW1, which is turned ON during operation (half-pressed) of a shutter button (not shown). Then, the start of operations such as AF processing, AE processing, AWB processing, and EF processing is instructed.

  Further, 64 is a shutter switch SW2, which is turned on when the operation of a shutter button (not shown) is completed (fully pressed). When the shutter switch SW2 is turned on, the exposure processing, the image processing circuit 20, and the like that write the image data to the memory circuit 30 via the A / D conversion circuit 16 and the memory control circuit 22 operate. Start. Further, a series of processing operations such as development processing using calculation in the memory control circuit 22, recording processing for reading the image data from the memory circuit 30, compression in the compression / decompression circuit 32, and writing the image data in the recording medium 200 is started. Instruct.

  Reference numeral 66 denotes an image display ON / OFF switch which can set ON / OFF of the image display unit 28. With this function, when taking an image using the optical viewfinder 104, it is possible to save power by cutting off the current supply to the image display unit 28 including a TFT type LCD or the like.

  Reference numeral 70 denotes an MF switch, which can be set to a manual focus mode in which a user performs focusing by operating a focus lens. Reference numeral 72 denotes a menu switch. When this switch is pressed, the menu screen is entered, each function is turned ON / OFF, and shooting setting parameters are selected. The operability parameter table can also be selected on this menu screen.

  An operation unit 74 includes various buttons, a touch panel, and the like, and has functions such as a set button, a cancel button, a macro button, a multi-screen playback page break button, a flash setting button, and a single shooting / continuous shooting / self-timer switching button. Further, it has functions such as a menu movement + (plus) button, a menu movement-(minus) button, a reproduction image movement + (plus) button, and a reproduction image-(minus) button. Furthermore, it has functions such as a shooting / image quality selection button, an exposure correction button, a date / time setting button, a selection / switching button for setting selection and switching of various functions when shooting and playback such as panorama mode.

  Further, it has functions such as a determination / execution button for setting determination and execution of various functions when performing shooting and playback in a panoramic mode, an image display ON / OFF switch for setting ON / OFF of the image display unit 28, and the like. . Further, it also has a REC review ON / OFF switch for setting a REC review function for automatically reproducing image data taken immediately after shooting, an image size selection switch for setting an image size, and the like. Furthermore, a compression mode switch that is a switch for selecting a compression rate for JPEG compression or for selecting a CCD RAW mode in which the signal of the solid-state imaging device 15 is directly digitized and recorded on a recording medium is provided.

  Furthermore, it has a playback mode switch or the like that can set each function mode such as a playback mode, a multi-screen playback / erase mode, and a PC connection mode. There are also a playback switch for instructing the start of a playback operation in which a captured image is read from the memory circuit 30 or the recording medium 200 and displayed by the image display unit 28 in the shooting mode state, and an image deletion switch for deleting the shot image. Have.

  Reference numeral 80 denotes a power supply control circuit, which includes a battery detection circuit, a DC-DC converter, a switch circuit that switches a block to be energized, and the like. Then, the presence / absence of a battery, the type of battery, the remaining battery level are detected, the DC-DC converter is controlled based on the detection result and the instruction of the system control circuit 50, and the necessary voltage is recorded for a necessary period. To each part including Reference numerals 82 and 84 denote connectors, 86 denotes a primary battery such as an alkaline battery or lithium battery, a secondary battery such as a NiCd battery, NiMH battery, or Li battery, an AC adapter, or the like.

  90 is an interface with a recording medium such as a memory card or hard disk, 92 is a connector for connecting to a recording medium such as a memory card or hard disk, and 98 is a recording medium for detecting whether or not the recording medium 200 is attached to the connector 92. It is an attachment / detachment detection circuit.

  In the present embodiment, the interface and the connector for attaching the recording medium are described as one system. Of course, the interface and the connector to which the recording medium is attached may have a single or plural number of systems. Further, it may be configured to have a combination of interfaces and connectors of different standards.

  The interface and the connector may be configured using a PCMCIA card, a CF (compact flash) card, or the like that conforms to a standard.

  Further, the interface 90 and the connector 92 can be configured by using ones conforming to a standard such as a PCMCIA card or a CF (compact flash) card. As a result, various communication cards such as a LAN card, a modem card, a USB card, an IEEE 1394 card, a P1284 card, a SCSI card, and a communication card such as a PHS can be connected. Therefore, image data and management information attached to the image data can be transferred to and from other computers and peripheral devices such as a printer.

  Reference numeral 104 denotes an optical viewfinder, which can perform shooting using only the optical viewfinder 104 without using the electronic viewfinder function of the image display unit 28. Further, in the optical viewfinder 104, some functions of the display unit 54, for example, focus display, camera shake warning display, flash charge display, shutter speed display, aperture value display, exposure correction display, and the like are installed. .

  A communication circuit 110 has various communication functions such as RS232C, USB, IEEE1394, P1284, SCSI, modem, LAN, and wireless communication. Reference numeral 112 denotes a connector for connecting the imaging apparatus 100 to another device by the communication circuit 110 or an antenna in the case of wireless communication.

  Reference numeral 200 denotes a recording medium such as a memory card or a hard disk. The recording medium 200 includes a recording unit 202 composed of a semiconductor memory, a magnetic disk, and the like, an interface (I / F) 204 with the imaging apparatus 100, and a connector 206 that connects to the imaging apparatus 100.

  Next, the operation of the first embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  For example, the processing is started by power-on such as battery replacement. First, in step S101, the system control circuit 50 initializes a flag, a control variable, etc., and further proceeds to step S102 to turn off the image display of the image display unit 28. Initial setting.

  In step S103, the system control circuit 50 determines the setting position of the mode dial 60. If the mode dial 60 is set to power OFF, the process proceeds to step S105. In step S105, necessary parameters, setting values, and setting modes including flags and control variables are recorded in the nonvolatile memory circuit 56. Further, after performing a predetermined end process such as shutting off unnecessary power of each part of the imaging apparatus 100 including the image display unit 28 by the power control circuit 80, the process returns to step S103.

  If the mode dial 60 is set to the shooting mode in step S103, the process proceeds to step S106. However, if the mode dial 60 has been set to another mode, the process proceeds to step S104, and the system control circuit 50 executes a process according to the selected mode. If the process is completed, the process returns to step S103. .

  In step 106, the system control circuit 50 determines whether or not there is a problem with the operation of the imaging apparatus 100 due to the remaining capacity and operation status of the power source 86 configured by the battery or the like by the power control circuit 80. If there is a problem, the process proceeds to step S108, a predetermined warning display is performed by an image or sound using the display unit 54, and then the process returns to step S103.

  If there is no problem with the power supply 86, the process proceeds to step S107, and the system control circuit 50 determines whether the operation state of the recording medium 200 has a problem with the operation of the imaging apparatus 100, particularly with respect to the recording / reproducing operation of the image data with respect to the recording medium 200. to decide. If it is determined in step S107 that there is a problem, the process proceeds to step S108, a predetermined warning display is performed using an image or sound using the display unit 54, and then the process returns to step S103. If there is no problem in the operation state of the recording medium 200, the process proceeds to step S109.

  In step S109, the set shooting mode is determined. If the moving image shooting mode is set, the process proceeds to step 110 to determine whether the print guide frame display mode is set. The print guide frame display mode is a mode in which the print guide frame is displayed on the image display unit 28 in accordance with the aspect ratio of the print paper set in advance by the user. The aspect ratio can be selected by the user from 3: 4, 1: 2, 16: 9, and the like. Of course, other aspect ratios can be set. The inside of the displayed printing guide frame represents an area that is actually printed.

  When the print guide frame is displayed, the image display unit 28 displays an image shown in 5A of FIG. Reference numeral 500 denotes a display screen of the image display unit 28, and 510 attached vertically is a print guide frame. The print guide frame display mode can be set in advance by the user. Alternatively, the printing guide frame display mode is set by the system control circuit 50 in accordance with the mode of the imaging apparatus 100. If it is not in the print guide frame display mode, the process proceeds to step S111, the captured image data is displayed using the image display unit 28 as shown in 5B of FIG. 5, the electronic viewfinder is turned on, and the process is terminated. In the case of the print guide frame display mode, the process proceeds to step S112, and the set frame size of the image data is compared with the printable record size stored in the nonvolatile memory circuit 56.

  If it is determined in step S112 that one frame size of the image data is suitable for printing, the process proceeds to step S113, where it is determined whether the face detection mode is set. In this embodiment, “face” is used, but this may be “object” set by the user. That is, since “face” is usually an important part of image data, “face” is set in order to prevent “face” from being lost during printing. Therefore, in so-called photographing other than portrait, it is possible to set an important image portion that the user thinks other than the “face”. In the description of this specification, “face” will be described as an example.

  If not in the face detection mode, in step S114, based on the set print guide information, only the captured image data and the print guide frame 510 are displayed using the image display unit 28 as shown in 5A of FIG. Then, the electronic viewfinder is turned on and the process is terminated.

  On the other hand, in the face detection mode, the process proceeds to step S115, where it is determined whether “face” is detected. The “face” is detected by analyzing image data and detecting an image data portion having a “face” feature. For example, if an image data area having the characteristics of “eyes”, “nose”, and “mouth” can be detected, “face” can be detected.

  If a “face” has been detected, the process proceeds to step S 116, where it is determined whether or not the detected “face” overlaps the print guide frame 510. If the detected face frame 501 of “face” does not overlap the print guide frame 510 as shown in 6A of FIG. 6, the process proceeds to step S114. Then, based on the set print guide information, the image display unit 28 is used to display the captured image data and the print guide frame 510, the electronic viewfinder is turned on, and the process ends.

  However, as shown in 6B of FIG. 6, when the detected face frame 501 of the “face” covers the print guide frame 510, the process proceeds to step S117, and the print guide frame 510 is set based on the set print guide information. Set to non-display or warning color. Then, the captured image data is displayed, the electronic viewfinder is turned on, and the process is terminated. Alternatively, the captured image data is displayed while sounding a warning sound, the electronic viewfinder is turned on, and the process is terminated. Alternatively, the captured image data is displayed while the warning mark is displayed, the electronic viewfinder is turned on, and the process ends.

  Whether to hide the print guide frame 510, change it to a warning color, turn it off and play a warning sound, turn it into a warning color, play a warning sound, turn it off, display a warning mark, or display a warning color The user can freely set whether the warning mark is displayed. Alternatively, it is also possible for the system control circuit 50 to determine which warning is to be made based on the setting of the imaging apparatus 100 such as a shooting mode. For example, when the face frame 501 of “face” covers the print guide frame 510 in the face detection mode, it can be visually determined that the print guide frame 510 is not displayed but is displayed in a warning color. Therefore, when the warning color mode is selected or the museum is selected in the scene mode, the warning color or non-display can be automatically selected instead of the warning sound.

  6B is a display screen 500 of the image display unit 28 when the print guide frame 510 is set to a warning color. Reference numeral 501 denotes a face frame 501 indicating the detected “face”. 6C is a display screen 500 of the image display unit 28 when a warning mark is displayed. Reference numeral 505 denotes a warning icon. In this screen, the print guide frame 510 is not displayed.

  If it is determined that the size of one frame is not suitable for printing, the process proceeds to step S117. Then, based on the set information, the print guide frame 510 is set to non-display or a warning is given, the captured image data is displayed, the electronic viewfinder is turned on, and the process ends. The non-display and warning patterns are as described above.

  7A is a display screen 500 of the image display unit 28 when the print guide frame 510 is set to a warning color. 7B in FIG. 7 is a display screen 500 of the image display unit 28 when the warning mark 505 is displayed.

  If the set shooting mode is set to the stitch shooting mode, the process advances to step S118 to determine whether the print guide frame display mode is set. The stitch shooting mode is a mode in which a plurality of images are shot, and the image data is combined to create one image data. If it is determined in step S118 that the print guide frame display mode is not selected, the process proceeds to step S119, where the captured image data is displayed using the image display unit 28, and the electronic viewfinder is turned on, as indicated by 8A in FIG. The process is terminated. On the other hand, in the case of the print guide frame display mode, the process proceeds to step S117, the print guide frame 510 is set to non-display or a warning is displayed, the captured image data is displayed, the electronic viewfinder is turned on, and the process ends. . The non-display and warning patterns are as described above.

  This is because, in the stitch shooting mode, there is a high possibility that images will be connected, and it is determined that one shot image data is not suitable for printing. Of course, it is also possible to perform setting for displaying the print guide frame 510 in the stitch shooting mode. 8B is a display screen 500 of the image display unit 28 when the print guide frame 510 is set to a warning color. 8C is the display screen 500 of the image display unit 28 when the warning mark 505 is displayed.

  If the set shooting mode is the still image shooting mode in step S109, the process advances to step S120 to determine whether the print guide frame display mode is set. Note that the display form on the image display unit 28 in the still image mode is the same as that in the moving image shooting mode, and a description thereof is omitted here.

  In step S120, if it is not the electronic printing guide frame display mode, the captured image data is displayed on the image display unit 28, the electronic viewfinder function is turned on, and the process ends. On the other hand, in the case of the print guide frame display mode, the process proceeds to step S 121, and the set still image size is compared with the printable recording size stored in the nonvolatile memory circuit 56. If it is determined that the size of the still image is suitable for printing, the process proceeds to step S122, where it is determined whether the face detection mode is set.

  In this embodiment, “face” is used, but this may be “object” set by the user. If it is not in the face detection mode, the process advances to step S123 to display the captured image data and the print guide frame 510 using the image display unit 28 based on the set print guide information, and turn on the electronic viewfinder. The process is terminated. The printing guide information is as described above.

  In the face detection mode, the process proceeds to step S124, where it is determined whether “face” is detected. If “face” is not detected, the process proceeds to step S123. Then, based on the set print guide information, the image display unit 28 is used to display the captured image data and the print guide frame 510, the electronic viewfinder is turned on, and the process ends. If the “face” has been detected, the process advances to step S 125 to determine whether or not the detected “face” face frame 501 overlaps the print guide frame 510.

  If the detected “face” face frame 501 does not overlap the print guide frame 510, the process proceeds to step S 123. Then, based on the set print guide information, the image display unit 28 is used to display the captured image data and the print guide frame 510, the electronic viewfinder is turned on, and the process ends.

  If the detected “face” face frame 501 overlaps the print guide frame 510, the process advances to step S 117. Then, based on the set information, the print guide frame 510 is set to be hidden or a warning is given, the captured image data is displayed, the electronic viewfinder is turned on, and the process is terminated.

  If it is determined that the size of the still image is not suitable for printing, the process proceeds to step S117. Then, based on the set information, the print guide frame 510 is set to non-display or a warning is given, the captured image data is displayed, the electronic viewfinder is turned on, and the process ends. The non-display and warning patterns are as described above.

<Embodiment 2>
Next, Embodiment 2 of the present invention will be described. The imaging apparatus to which the second embodiment of the present invention can be applied may be the imaging apparatus 100 described in the first embodiment. Therefore, description of a block diagram illustrating a specific configuration of the imaging apparatus to which the second embodiment can be applied. Is omitted.

  For example, the processing is started by power-on such as battery replacement. First, in step S201, the system control circuit 50 initializes flags, control variables, and the like, and further proceeds to step S202 to turn off the image display of the image display unit 28. Initial setting.

  In step S203, the system control circuit 50 determines the setting position of the mode dial 60. If the mode dial 60 is set to power OFF, the process proceeds to step S205. Then, necessary parameters, setting values, and setting modes including flags and control variables are recorded in the nonvolatile memory circuit 56. Further, after performing a predetermined end process such as shutting off unnecessary power of each part of the imaging apparatus 100 including the image display unit 28 by the power control circuit 80, the process returns to step S203.

  If the mode dial 60 is set to the shooting mode in step S203, the process proceeds to step S206. However, if the mode dial 60 is set to another mode, the process proceeds to step S204, and the system control circuit 50 executes a process according to the selected mode. If the process is completed, the process returns to step S203. .

  In step 206, the system control circuit 50 determines whether or not there is a problem with the operation of the imaging apparatus 100 due to the remaining capacity and the operation status of the power supply 86 configured by the power supply control circuit 80 such as a battery. If there is a problem, the process proceeds to step S208, a predetermined warning display is performed using an image or sound using the display unit 54, and then the process returns to step S203.

  However, if there is no problem with the power supply 86, the process proceeds to step S207, and the system control circuit 50 determines whether the operation state of the recording medium 200 has a problem with the operation of the imaging apparatus 100, particularly with respect to the recording / reproducing operation of image data on the recording medium 200. Determine whether. If it is determined in step S207 that there is a problem, the process proceeds to step S208, where a predetermined warning is displayed by an image or sound using the display unit 54, and then the process returns to step S203. If there is no problem in the operation state of the recording medium 200, the process proceeds to step S209.

  In step S209, the image data is read from the recording unit 202 into the memory circuit 52 of the system control circuit 50. In step S210, it is determined whether or not the printing guide display mode is set. If it is not in the print guide display mode, the process proceeds to step S211, an image is displayed on the image display unit 28, and the process ends. Since the display form on the display screen 500 of the image display unit 28 in the playback mode is the same as that in the moving image shooting mode shown in the first embodiment, the description thereof is omitted here.

  On the other hand, if the print guide display mode is selected in step S210, the process proceeds to step S212, where it is determined whether the image data is captured in the print guide frame display mode. This determination is added as header information of image data when an image is captured and recorded. The information content to be added includes whether the image was taken in the print guide frame display mode, is a size suitable for printing, and includes a warning type.

  If it is determined that the image data is captured in the print guide frame display mode, the process proceeds to step S213, where it is determined whether the image data is suitable for printing based on the added information. If it is determined that the image data is suitable for printing, the process proceeds to step S214, and the print guide frame 510 is displayed on the display screen of the image display unit 28 together with the image data.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that the image is not suitable for printing, based on the added information, the printing guide frame 510 is not displayed or accompanied by a warning, the image data is displayed on the image display unit 28, and the processing is terminated. To do. The type of warning is as described in the first embodiment. The display method may be based on the information added to the image or based on the information that is set for how the warning is performed during playback. The user selects.

  If it is not image data shot in the print guide frame display mode, the process advances to step S216 to determine whether or not the shot image has a size suitable for printing. If the size is not suitable for printing, the process proceeds to step S219, where the print guide frame 510 is hidden or warned based on the setting, the image is displayed on the image display unit 28, and the process ends. Note that the types of warnings are as described in the first embodiment.

  If the size is suitable for printing, the process advances to step S217 to determine whether or not “face” is detected. In this embodiment, the “face” is used, but the same applies to the “object” set by the user.

  If “face” has not been detected, the process proceeds to step S214, the print guide frame 510 is displayed on the image display unit 28 together with the image, and the process ends. If “face” is detected, the process advances to step S218 to determine whether the print guide frame 510 and the face frame 501 of “face” overlap.

  If the “face” face frame 501 overlaps the print guide frame 510, the process proceeds to step S 219, where the print guide frame 510 is not displayed or warned based on the setting, and the image data is displayed on the display screen 500 of the image display unit 28. Display and finish the process. Note that the types of warnings are as described in the first embodiment.

  If the “face” face frame 501 does not overlap the print guide frame 510, the process advances to step S 214 to display the print guide frame 510 on the image display unit 28 together with the image.

<Embodiment 3>
Next, Embodiment 3 of the present invention will be described. The imaging apparatus to which the third embodiment of the present invention can be applied may be the imaging apparatus 100 described in the first embodiment. Therefore, description of a block diagram illustrating a specific configuration of the imaging apparatus to which the third embodiment can be applied. Is omitted.

  Furthermore, the steps from the start of the process to steps S301 to S307 are the same as the steps from steps S101 to S107 of the first embodiment and steps S201 to S207 of the second embodiment, and description thereof is omitted.

  First, step S309 from which image data recorded in the memory circuit 30 is read from the recording medium 200 will be described. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S310, and the read image data is displayed on the image display unit 28. In step S311, it is determined whether or not the trimming mode with a printing guide frame is selected. If not in the trimming mode with the printing guide frame, the process returns to step S310. In the case of the trimming mode with the printing guide frame, the process advances to step S312 to display the trimming frame with printing guide (hereinafter referred to as “trimming frame”) 550 on the display screen 500 of the image display unit 28.

  9A is a display screen 500 of the image display unit 28 on which the trimming frame 550 is displayed. The trimming frame 550 is displayed according to the printing paper aspect ratio preset by the user. In step S313, it is determined whether the trimming frame 550 has been operated by the user. If the trimming frame 550 has not been operated, the process advances to step S319 to determine whether to perform a trimming operation.

  When trimming is not performed, the process returns to step S313 for determining whether or not the trimming frame 550 is operated by the user. If trimming is to be performed, the process proceeds to step S320, where image data of the area selected by the user is cut out and stored in the memory circuit 30, and the process ends. The user can select whether to save the trimmed image data from the memory circuit 30 to the recording medium 200.

  If the trimming frame 550 has been operated by the user, the process proceeds to step S314, and the size of the trimming frame 550 is changed according to the operation. In step S315, it is determined whether the trimming size selected in the trimming frame 550 is a size suitable for printing. The criterion for determining whether the size is suitable for printing is as shown in the first embodiment.

  If the trimming size selected in the trimming frame 550 is not suitable for printing, the process proceeds to step S316, and the print guide frame 510 of the trimming frame 550 is not displayed or a warning is given. The type of warning is as shown in the first embodiment.

  9B is a display screen 500 of the image display unit 28 when the print guide frame 510 of the trimming frame 550 is set to a warning color. 9C in FIG. 9 is the display screen 500 of the image display unit 28 when the warning mark 505 is displayed.

  In step S319, it is determined whether trimming is to be performed. When trimming is not performed, the process returns to step S313 for determining whether the trimming frame 550 is operated by the user. If trimming is to be performed, the process proceeds to step S320, where image data of the area selected by the user is cut out and stored in the memory circuit 30, and the process ends.

  If the trimming size selected in the trimming frame 550 is a size suitable for printing, the process advances to step S317 to determine whether “face” is detected. In this embodiment, “face” is used, but this may be “object” selected by the user. If “face” has not been detected, the process proceeds to step S319 to determine whether to perform trimming.

  When trimming is not performed, the process returns to step S313 for determining whether the trimming frame 550 is operated by the user. If trimming is to be performed, the process proceeds to step S320, where the image data of the area selected by the user is cut out and stored in the memory circuit 30, and the process is terminated. The image display unit 28 when “face” is detected is shown by 10A in FIG. In step S 318, it is determined whether or not the detected face frame 501 of the “face” overlaps the print guide frame 510. If the “face” face frame 501 does not overlap the print guide frame 510, the process advances to step S 319 to determine whether to perform trimming.

  When trimming is not performed, the process returns to step S313 for determining whether the trimming frame 550 is operated by the user. On the other hand, if trimming is to be performed, the process proceeds to step S320, where the image data of the area selected by the user is cut out and stored in the memory circuit 30, and the process ends.

  If the “face” face frame 501 overlaps the print guide frame 510, the process advances to step S 316 to hide the print guide frame 510 or issue a warning. The same type of warning as that shown in the first embodiment is used. 10B in FIG. 10 is a display screen 500 of the image display unit 28 when the print guide frame 510 is set to a warning color. 10C in FIG. 10 is a display screen 500 of the image display unit 28 when the warning mark 505 is displayed.

  In step S319, it is determined whether trimming is to be performed. When trimming is not performed, the process returns to step S313 for determining whether the trimming frame 550 is operated by the user. However, if trimming is to be performed, the process proceeds to step S320, where the image data of the area selected by the user is cut out, stored in the memory circuit 30, and the process ends.

  The object of the present invention can also be achieved by supplying a storage medium storing software program codes for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or apparatus. That is, it goes without saying that this can also be achieved by the computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus reading and executing the program code stored in the storage medium. In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.

  As a storage medium for supplying the program code, for example, a flexible disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, CD-R, magnetic tape, nonvolatile semiconductor memory card, ROM, or the like can be used. . Further, the functions of the above-described embodiments may be realized by executing the program code read by the computer.

  Furthermore, based on the instruction of the program code, an OS (operating system) running on the computer performs part or all of the actual processing, and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing. Needless to say.

  Furthermore, the program code read from the storage medium may be written in a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer. After that, the CPU of the function expansion board or function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing based on the instruction of the program code, and the function of the above-described embodiment is realized by the processing. Needless to say.

1 is a block diagram illustrating main components of an imaging apparatus as an information processing apparatus applicable as an embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart for demonstrating operation | movement of Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a flowchart for demonstrating operation | movement of Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a flowchart for demonstrating operation | movement of Embodiment 3 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the display screen for demonstrating operation | movement of Embodiment 1, 2 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the display screen for demonstrating other operation | movement of Embodiment 1, 2 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the display screen for demonstrating other operation | movement of Embodiment 1, 2 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the display screen for demonstrating other operation | movement of Embodiment 1, 2 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the display screen for demonstrating operation | movement of Embodiment 3 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the display screen for demonstrating other operation | movement of Embodiment 3 of this invention.

Claims (16)

Print setting storage means for storing print settings;
Print suitability determining means for determining whether image data captured by the image capturing means is suitable for printing according to the print settings stored in the print setting storage means;
An information processing apparatus comprising: a display control unit configured to control a display form of a print guide displayed superimposed on the image data in accordance with a determination result by the print suitability determination unit.   The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the print suitability determination unit makes a determination based on a size of the image data.   The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the print suitability determination unit makes a determination based on a relative positional relationship between a feature portion of an image included in the image data and the print guide.   When the image data is image data obtained by stitch image shooting, the display control unit performs display control so that the print guide is not displayed or a warning is displayed. Item 4. The information processing apparatus according to Item 1. Image data storage means for storing image data;
Print setting storage means for storing print settings;
Display means for displaying the image data stored in the image data storage means;
Print suitability judging means for judging whether or not the image data displayed on the display means is suitable for printing according to the print settings stored in the print setting storage means;
An information processing apparatus comprising: a display control unit that controls a display form of a print guide displayed on the display unit according to a determination result by the print suitability determination unit. Area selection means for selecting an arbitrary area of the displayed image data;
Image trimming means for trimming the area selected by the area selection means,
When trimming the image data by the image trimming means, the print guide is displayed in the area selected by the area selecting means,
When the print suitability determining unit instructs to trim the image data determined to be unsuitable for printing, the display control unit performs display control so that the print guide is not displayed or a warning is displayed. The information processing apparatus according to claim 5, characterized in that:   The information processing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the print suitability determination unit makes a determination based on a relative positional relationship between a characteristic portion of an image included in the image data and the print guide. A print setting storage step for storing the print settings;
A print suitability determining step for determining whether the image data captured by the image capturing unit is suitable for printing according to the print setting stored in the print setting storing step;
And a display control step for controlling a display form of a print guide displayed superimposed on the image data in accordance with a result of the determination in the print suitability determination step.   The method of controlling an information processing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the print suitability determining step is determined based on a size of the image data.   9. The method of controlling an information processing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the printing suitability determining step makes a determination based on a relative positional relationship between a characteristic portion of an image included in the image data and the printing guide.   When the image data is image data obtained by stitch image shooting, the display control step performs display control so that the print guide is not displayed or a warning is displayed. Item 9. A method for controlling an information processing apparatus according to Item 8. An image data storage step for storing image data;
A print setting storage step for storing the print settings;
A display step for displaying the image data stored in the image data storage step;
A print suitability determining step for determining whether the image data displayed in the display step is suitable for printing according to the print setting stored in the print setting storing step;
And a display control step for controlling a display form of the print guide displayed in the display step in accordance with a determination result in the print suitability determination step. An area selecting step for selecting an arbitrary area of the displayed image data;
An image trimming step of trimming the area selected by the area selection means;
The display control step includes:
When trimming the image data in the image trimming step, display the printing guide in the area selected in the area selection step,
13. The display control is performed so that the printing guide is not displayed or a warning is displayed when the image data determined to be unsuitable for printing is instructed to be trimmed. A method for controlling the information processing apparatus according to claim 1.   The information processing apparatus control method according to claim 13, wherein the printing appropriateness determining step makes a determination based on a relative positional relationship between a characteristic portion of an image included in the image data and the printing guide.   The program which makes a computer perform the procedure of the control method of the information processing apparatus of any one of Claims 8-14.   A computer-readable storage medium storing a program in which a procedure of a control method for an information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 8 to 14 is described.

Images