JP2009260571A - Image display, its control method and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To achieve a technique for preventing the blackout of the screen of a display when shifting to a photographing mode while reproducing image data and automatically restoring a reproducing mode after the photographing mode is ended. <P>SOLUTION: The image display for displaying image data includes a first communication means for receiving the image data from an imaging apparatus, a second communication means for transmitting and receiving control data to/from the imaging apparatus, a display part for displaying the image data received from the imaging apparatus, and a control means for controlling the display part on the basis of the image data received through the first communication means and the control data received through the second communication means. While the image data received from the imaging apparatus are displayed at the display part, in the case that the reproducing mode wherein the imaging apparatus transmits the image data to the image display through the first communication means is switched to the photographing mode of photographing an object, the control means controls the display part so as to hold the display state of the image data displayed at the time. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for displaying image data captured by a camera by connecting a digital camera or a video camera to a display.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is a technology for connecting a display and a camera with a network cable or the like in order to reproduce image data captured by the camera on a display. Such a technique is mainly a method for viewing photographed image data on a display installed at a remote point away from the camera. For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H10-228667 describes a technique that enables image quality setting of a photographing apparatus connected via a data communication bus to be performed by remote control.
JP 2000-138870 A

  In the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, it is assumed that the user operates the camera from a remote location. However, the camera has a means for reproducing image data recorded in the camera body, and the user determines the camera operation state in the shooting mode. In a system that can be switched directly to, there is a problem described later.

  In other words, when the user sets the camera to the playback mode and the user operates the camera and shifts to the shooting mode while playing back the image data on the connected display, the playback is interrupted. When the reproduction is interrupted, nothing is displayed on the screen of the display connected to the camera, so that a so-called blackout state occurs.

  Further, since there is no means for returning to the playback mode before the interruption after the shooting mode is ended, it is necessary for the user to perform another operation in order to return to the state where the reproduced image data can be viewed again.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and prevents the display screen from blacking out when the mode is changed to the shooting mode during playback of the image data, and automatically returns to the playback mode after the shooting mode ends. Realize technology that can.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, an image display device according to the present invention is an image display device that displays image data between a first communication unit that receives image data from the imaging device and the imaging device. Second communication means for transmitting and receiving control data, a display unit for displaying image data received from the imaging device, image data received via the first communication means, and second communication means Control means for controlling the display section based on the received control data, and the control means displays the image data received from the imaging apparatus on the display section. Is switched from a playback mode in which image data is transmitted to the image display device via the first communication means to a shooting mode for shooting a subject, the image data being displayed at that time It controls the display unit so as to hold the state shown.

  The image display apparatus control method according to the present invention includes a first communication unit that receives image data from the imaging apparatus, a second communication unit that transmits and receives control data to and from the imaging apparatus, and the imaging apparatus. And a display unit that displays the image data received from the imaging device, wherein the imaging device displays the first data when the image data received from the imaging device is displayed on the display unit. When the playback mode in which image data is transmitted to the image display device via the communication means is switched to the shooting mode for shooting the subject, the display state of the image data displayed at that time is retained. The display unit is controlled as follows.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent the display screen from blacking out when the mode is changed to the shooting mode during the reproduction of the image data, and to automatically return to the reproduction mode after the shooting mode ends.

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  The embodiment described below is an example as means for realizing the present invention, and should be appropriately modified or changed according to the configuration and various conditions of the apparatus to which the present invention is applied. It is not limited to the embodiment.

[System configuration]
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of a display system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 1, the display system of this embodiment includes a camera 101, a display device 102, and a remote controller (hereinafter referred to as infrared remote controller) 103. The camera 101 has a “shooting mode” in which a subject is imaged and image data is generated, and a “playback mode” in which image data shot in the shooting mode and recorded in a memory or the like is played back. In the shooting mode, a shooting operation is performed when the user presses the shutter button 104 of the camera 101.

  The display device 102 and the camera 101 are communicably connected by a first communication unit 105 and a second communication unit 106.

  In the present embodiment, the first communication unit 105 is a high-speed unidirectional communication interface, and data is unilaterally transmitted from the camera 101 to the display device 102. The second communication means 106 is a low-speed bidirectional communication interface, and the camera 101 and the display device 102 can communicate with each other.

  The camera 101 transmits a list of image data to the display device 102 via the first communication unit 105 as will be described later. The display device 102 displays the list acquired from the camera 101 in a selectable manner. Here, when a predetermined file is selected from the list displayed by the user operating the infrared remote controller 103, image data of the selected file is displayed from the camera 101 via the first communication unit 105. The image data is displayed.

  The display device 102 includes an infrared light receiving unit 107 that receives control data transmitted from the infrared remote controller 103 due to a user operation. A user can operate the display device 102 from a remote location using the infrared remote controller 103.

  In this embodiment, the camera 101 is an imaging device such as a digital still camera or a digital video camera, and the display device 102 is a digital television receiver or the like.

[Camera configuration]
FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the camera of this embodiment.

  In FIG. 2, reference numeral 201 denotes a camera body. Reference numeral 202 denotes an image sensor composed of a CMOS sensor or the like that receives an optical image of a subject and performs photoelectric conversion. An image processing circuit 203 performs predetermined pixel interpolation processing and color conversion processing on the charge signal from the image sensor 202 or data from the image memory 204. The image processing circuit 203 performs predetermined arithmetic processing using the captured image data, and also performs TTL AWB (auto white balance) processing based on the obtained arithmetic result.

  Reference numeral 204 denotes an image memory in which data from the image processing circuit 203 is written. A camera control circuit 205 includes an arithmetic processing circuit such as a CPU that controls the entire camera body 201. A timing generation circuit 206 supplies a clock signal and a control signal to the image sensor 202 and the image processing circuit 203. Reference numeral 207 denotes a release device for performing a release operation of the shutter 214. The switch SW1 is turned ON during the operation of the shutter button 104 (half-press), and operations such as AF (autofocus) processing, AE (automatic exposure) processing, etc. Instruct the start. In addition, the release device 207 turns on SW <b> 2 when the operation of the shutter button 104 is completed (fully pressed), and outputs the charge signal read from the image sensor 202 to the image processing circuit 203.

  Reference numeral 208 denotes a storage device such as a memory card or HDD for storing photographed image data, and has a storage capacity sufficient to store a predetermined number of still images and a predetermined time of moving images. Reference numeral 209 denotes an AF apparatus that adjusts the focus position from the focal length information. Reference numeral 210 denotes an AE apparatus that adjusts exposure based on photometric information of a subject. A display unit 211 includes a liquid crystal display panel that displays an operation state, a message, and the like using characters, images, sounds, and the like according to execution of a program in the camera control circuit 205. A shutter driving circuit 213 drives the shutter 214. Reference numeral 212 a denotes a first communication processing unit constituting the first communication means 105, and 212 b denotes a second communication processing part constituting the second communication means 106.

  The lens body 250 is detachably attached to the camera body 201, and is electrically connected to the camera body 201 by a connector including a communication line and a power source. Reference numeral 251 denotes a photographing lens, which includes a focus lens group and a zoom lens group. Reference numeral 252 denotes an aperture for adjusting the amount of light at the time of shooting. A lens control circuit 253 includes an arithmetic processing circuit such as a CPU that communicates with the camera control circuit 205 while controlling focus driving and diaphragm driving, which will be described later. Reference numeral 254 denotes a lens driving circuit that drives the lens in the optical axis direction based on a command from the lens control circuit 253. Reference numeral 255 denotes an aperture driving circuit that drives the aperture 252 based on a command from the lens control circuit 253.

[Configuration of digital TV]
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of a digital television receiver as the display device 102 of the present embodiment.

  In FIG. 3, reference numeral 301 denotes a CPU that performs main control. A ROM 302 is a read-only memory in which programs and the like are stored. Reference numeral 303 denotes a temporary storage memory RAM. Reference numeral 304 denotes a digital broadcast reception control unit that takes in a digital broadcast signal received by the antenna 305 and restores it to audio / video / image / data. Reference numeral 306 a denotes an infrared light receiving unit that receives infrared light corresponding to a user operation emitted from the infrared remote controller 103. Reference numeral 306b denotes an operation unit that displays a UI (user interface) screen such as operation buttons on the display and performs an operation linked to the UI with the infrared remote controller 103.

  An output processing unit 307 outputs audio / video / image / data to the display / sound unit 308 such as a display screen or a speaker. Reference numeral 309 denotes a first communication processing unit that constitutes the first communication unit 105, and 310 denotes a second communication processing unit that constitutes the second communication unit 106. Reference numeral 312 denotes a memory card connector, and the display / sound unit 308 can reproduce image data by connecting a memory card or the like in which image data captured by a digital camera or the like is stored. Reference numeral 320 denotes a bus line that connects the aforementioned blocks.

[Remote control configuration]
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the infrared remote controller of this embodiment.

  Reference numeral 401 denotes a transmission unit including a light emitting unit that blinks infrared rays. An operation unit 402 includes various operation buttons. A central control unit 403 acquires operation information from the operation unit 402 and blinks infrared rays from the transmission unit 401 as control data. Reference numeral 404 denotes a bus for receiving operation information and transmitting control data between the central control unit 403, the operation unit 402, and the transmission unit 401.

[Camera operation]
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating the transition of the operation mode of the camera of the present embodiment.

  Start (501): After the camera 101 is started, the camera 101 shifts to a photographing mode (502) described later.

  Shooting mode (502): A shooting operation is performed when the shutter button 104 is pressed.

  Playback mode (503): When a mode switching instruction is received from the display device 102 via the second communication means 106, the camera 101 shifts to the playback mode. When the shutter button 104 is pressed halfway and the switch SW1 is turned on, the shooting mode (502) is restored.

  Distance measurement / photometry operation (504): In the shooting mode (502), when the shutter button 104 is half-pressed and the switch SW1 is turned on, the distance measurement operation / photometry operation is performed. .

  Shooting operation (505): When the shutter button 104 is fully pressed in the shooting mode and the switch SW2 is turned on, the camera 101 performs a shooting operation.

  Recording operation (506): The captured image data is recorded in the camera 101 in a predetermined file format. When the recording of the image file is completed, the process returns to the shooting mode (502).

[Operation of display device]
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating the transition of the operation mode of the display device according to the present embodiment.

  Activation (601): The display apparatus 102 proceeds to the following operation (602) after activation.

  Startup screen (602): The display device 102 displays a predetermined startup screen.

  Image list display (603): The display device 102 displays an image list display screen. This screen displays a list of image file contents recorded in the camera 101. By operating the infrared remote controller 103, the user can switch to full screen display (604), which will be described later.

  Full-screen display (604): The display device 102 selects image data transmitted from the camera 101 via the first communication means 105. The image data transmitted from the camera 101 via the first communication unit 105 is data displayed over the entire screen of the display device 102. The user can switch to the above-described image list display (603) by operating the infrared remote controller 103.

  Display holding and notification (605): When the shutter button 104 is pressed halfway and the switch SW1 is turned on, the display device 102 holds the display state of the image data displayed at that time, and the camera 101 is displayed to the user. Notify that the camera has moved to shooting mode.

  Shooting correspondence update (606): When the photographing operation of the camera 101 is completed, an update operation corresponding to the photographing result is performed. Details here will be described later. When this process ends, the operation returns to the operation (603) or (604) before the switch SW1 of the shutter button 104 is turned ON in the operation (605).

[Transition from playback mode to shooting mode]
Hereinafter, an operation in the case where the camera 101 is in the reproduction mode and the display device 102 is displaying the image data captured is switched to the imaging mode by a user operation.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram showing each operation of the camera 101 and the display device 102 and the flow of user operations.

  The operation example of FIG. 7 includes the flow of the operation (503) → (502) → (504) → (505) → (506) → (502) → (503) of FIG. ) → (604) → (605) → (606) → (604).

  In operation (701), when the user operates the infrared remote controller 103, an image display request is transmitted to the display device 102.

  In operation (702), the display device 102 inquires of the camera 101 about the image file via the second communication means 106. If no image file exists, the user is notified of this fact.

  In operation (703), the camera 101 displays, via the second communication means 106, a list of image files recorded in the camera 101 and thumbnail data generated by reducing the image data of each file on the display device. 102.

  In operation (704), the display device 102 displays a list of image files recorded in the camera 101.

  FIG. 8 illustrates a list displayed on the display device 102 by the above operation.

  In FIG. 8, reference numeral 801 denotes the thumbnail data described above. Below the thumbnail data 801, an image file name 802 and a shooting date and time 803 are displayed. An image file name 802 and a shooting date / time 803 are included as part of the thumbnail data 801. A selection frame 804 indicates an image file selected by the user in the list. This selection frame 804 can be operated with the infrared remote controller 103.

  In operation (705), the user operates the infrared remote controller 103 to move the selection frame 804 and select an image file to be enlarged and displayed on the entire screen on the screen of the display device 102.

  In operation (706), the display device 102 notifies the camera 101 of the image file name selected in operation (705) via the second communication unit 106. Further, the display device 102 switches to a display screen for displaying image data transmitted via the first communication means 105 in preparation for a reproduction start operation (708) described later. Thereafter, the display device 102 does not accept an operation by the infrared remote controller 103 until an operation (711) described later is completed.

  In operation (707), the display apparatus 102 stores the image file name selected in operation (706).

  In operation (708), the display device 102 requests the camera 101 to shift to the playback mode by the second communication means 106. Further, the image data corresponding to the image file notified in the operation (706) is reproduced.

  In the operation (709), the camera 101 transmits the image data in the operation (707) to the display device 102 via the first communication unit 105.

  In operation (710), the display device 102 displays the entire image data selected in operation (706). The user can view the image data displayed on the entire screen.

  In operation (711), the camera 101 notifies the display device 102 via the second communication means 106 that the transmission of the image data has been completed.

  When the user presses the shutter button 104 halfway in the operation (712), SW1 is turned on.

  In operation (713), the camera 101 notifies the display device 102 via the second communication means 106 that the camera 101 shifts to the shooting mode.

  In operation (714), the display device 102 holds the image data displayed at that time in the memory in accordance with the notification of the operation (713), and at the same time, the user says “the camera is in shooting mode” Display a message. By holding the image data in the memory, it is possible to prevent the display screen from blacking out even when the playback mode is interrupted by the camera 101.

  In operation (715), the camera 101 interrupts the playback mode. In response to the above operation (712), the camera shifts to the shooting mode. The camera 101 stops displaying the image data that has been transmitted via the first communication unit 105.

  In operation (716), when the user fully presses the shutter button 104, SW2 is turned on.

  In operation (717), the camera 101 performs a photographing operation.

  In operation (718), the camera 101 generates an image file and records it in the camera 101. This image file may be recorded on a recording medium such as a USB flash memory that can be inserted into and removed from the camera 101.

  In operation (719), the camera 101 notifies the display device 102 via the second communication means 106 that the photographing operation is completed and a new image file is generated. Similarly to the operation (703), the camera 101 transmits the thumbnail data corresponding to the new image file and the updated list of image files to the display device 102 via the second communication unit 106.

  In operation (720), the display device 102 displays a message “A new image has been taken” to the user. At this time, the message may be displayed superimposed on the image data whose display state is held in (714) (721) or may be displayed individually.

  In operation (722), the display device 102 reads the image file name stored in operation (707).

  As described above, the image file name is stored in the operation (707) and read out in the operation (722). As a result, even if the first communication unit 105 and the second communication unit 106 are disconnected in the shooting operation between these operations, the image data that was last viewed without performing the selection operation of the list of image files again. Playback can be resumed from.

  In operation (723), when the user performs an operation of selecting either image data that has been newly captured or image data that has been displayed before the capturing operation, an instruction is transmitted from the infrared remote controller 103 to the display device 102.

  In operation (724), the display apparatus 102 notifies the camera 101 of the image data received from the infrared remote controller 103 via the second communication means 106.

  In operation (725), the camera 101 ends the shooting mode and returns to the playback mode.

  In operation (726), the camera 101 transmits image data corresponding to the list of image files selected in the operation (724) to the display device 102 via the first communication unit 105.

  In operation (727), the camera 101 notifies the display device 102 that transmission of image data (726) has been completed.

  In operation (728), the display device 102 displays the image data transmitted via the first communication unit 105.

[Other Embodiments]
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 (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.

  However, an OS (operating system) operating on the computer may perform part or all of the actual processing based on the instruction of the program code, and the functions of the above-described embodiments may be realized by the processing. Needless to say, it is included.

  Furthermore, the program code read from the storage medium may be written to 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 functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing. Needless to say.

It is the schematic which shows the structure of the display system of embodiment which concerns on this invention. It is a block diagram of the camera of this embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the internal structure of the digital television receiver as the display apparatus 102 of this embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the infrared remote control of this embodiment. It is a figure which shows the transition of the operation mode of the camera of this embodiment. It is a figure which shows the transition of the operation mode of the display apparatus of this embodiment. It is a figure which shows each operation | movement of the camera 101 and the display apparatus 102, and the flow of user operation. It is a figure which illustrates the list displayed on the display apparatus 102 by the operation | movement of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 101 Camera 102 Display apparatus 103 Infrared remote control 104 Shutter button 105 1st communication means 106 2nd communication means 107 Infrared light-receiving part

Claims (8)

An image display device for displaying image data,
First communication means for receiving image data from the imaging device;
Second communication means for transmitting and receiving control data to and from the imaging device;
A display unit for displaying image data received from the imaging device;
Control means for controlling the display unit based on image data received via the first communication means and control data received via the second communication means;
The control unit transmits the image data to the image display device via the first communication unit when the image data received from the imaging device is displayed on the display unit. An image display device that controls the display unit so as to maintain a display state of image data displayed at that time when the playback mode is switched to a shooting mode for shooting a subject. The control means switches the imaging apparatus to a reproduction mode by transmitting a mode switching instruction to the imaging apparatus via the second communication means,
The image display apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the imaging apparatus switches from the reproduction mode to the imaging mode when an imaging operation is started by a user operation. The control means acquires a list of image data held by the imaging device, displays the list on the display unit so that the list can be selected by a user operation,
The image display device according to claim 1, wherein the image data selected from the list by a user operation is acquired from the imaging device and displayed on the display unit.   The control unit controls the display unit to display a message indicating that the display state of the image data displayed at that time is maintained when the imaging device is switched from the playback mode to the shooting mode. The image display apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image display apparatus is an image display apparatus. The control means includes storage means for storing a list of the image data selected by the user operation when the imaging apparatus is switched from the playback mode to the shooting mode,
The control means acquires image data included in the list of image data stored in the storage means from the imaging apparatus and displays the image data when the imaging apparatus returns from the shooting mode to the playback mode. The image display device according to claim 3, wherein the display unit is controlled so as to resume the operation. The imaging device notifies the image display device that image data has been newly generated in the shooting mode after the shooting mode has ended,
The control means displays a message indicating that new image data has been generated by the imaging device, and displays a list of the image data stored in the storage means when the reproduction mode is interrupted. The image display device according to claim 5, wherein the display unit is controlled. A first communication unit configured to receive image data from the imaging apparatus; a second communication unit configured to transmit / receive control data to / from the imaging apparatus; and a display unit configured to display image data received from the imaging apparatus. A control method for an image display device, comprising:
When the image data received from the image pickup device is displayed on the display unit, the image pickup device transmits image data to the image display device via the first communication unit. When the mode is switched to a shooting mode for shooting a subject, the display unit is controlled to maintain the display state of the image data displayed at that time.   A program for causing a computer of an image display apparatus to execute the control method according to claim 7.

Images