JP2010166459A - Imaging apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an imaging apparatus which can add print information easily and intuitively under status that image display is continued. <P>SOLUTION: The imaging apparatus includes: a recording section 7 for recording an image imaged by an image sensor 5; a display section 13 for displaying the image currently recorded on the recording section 7; a touch panel 17 prepared on the display screen of the display section 13; and a print information adding section 3 which recognizes a digit, character or symbol which is inputted in handwritten manner on the touch panel 17 under a status where the display of the image is continued on the display section 13 and adding print information to the image based on the recognition result, when a print information addition mode for adding print information to the image is set. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus capable of setting DPOF (Digital Print Order Format).

  A film image printing apparatus that inputs print information including the number of prints of an image to be printed by a touch panel while viewing a plurality of index images displayed on a display unit, and prints the image based on the input print information. It has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP-A-8-191364

  By the way, in the printing apparatus described in Patent Document 1, it may be difficult to visually recognize details of a person or the like reflected from a small-sized index image, and it is necessary to select an image to be printed while referring to the index image. It was sometimes difficult. In addition, the number of prints is specified by touching any of the numbers 0 to 9 displayed on the side of the display unit, but the wrong number of prints may be input due to a mistake in pressing. .

  An object of the present invention is to provide an imaging apparatus capable of easily and intuitively adding print information under a state where image display is continued.

  The present invention solves the above problems by the following means. In addition, in order to make an understanding easy, it attaches | subjects and demonstrates the code | symbol corresponding to embodiment of this invention, but this invention is not limited to this.

  The imaging device of the present invention includes a recording unit (7) that records an image captured by the imaging element (5), a display unit (13) that displays the image recorded in the recording unit (7), When the touch panel (17) provided on the display screen of the display unit (13) and the print information addition mode for adding print information to the image are set, the display of the image is displayed on the display unit (13). A print information addition unit (3) that recognizes numbers, characters, or symbols input by handwriting on the touch panel (17) in a continuous state and adds print information to the image based on the recognition result. ).

  According to the imaging apparatus of the present invention, it is possible to easily and intuitively add print information under a state where image display is continued.

It is a block diagram which shows the system configuration | structure of the electronic camera which concerns on embodiment. 6 is a flowchart for explaining an operation when adding print information to image data in the electronic camera according to the embodiment. It is a rear view of the electronic camera which concerns on embodiment. It is a rear view of the electronic camera which concerns on embodiment. It is a rear view of the electronic camera which concerns on embodiment. It is a rear view of the electronic camera which concerns on embodiment. It is a rear view of the electronic camera which concerns on embodiment. It is a rear view of the electronic camera which concerns on embodiment. It is a rear view of the electronic camera which concerns on embodiment.

  Hereinafter, an electronic camera as an imaging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a system configuration of an electronic camera 1 according to the embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the electronic camera 1 includes a microprocessor and the like, and includes a control unit 3 that comprehensively controls each unit of the electronic camera 1. The control unit 3 includes an image sensor 5 and a recording medium. 7, an operation unit 9, a touch panel I / F 11, a display unit 13, and an output I / F 15 are connected. The image sensor 5 is configured by a CCD, a CMOS, or the like, images subject light via a photographing lens (not shown), and outputs an image signal to the control unit 3. The control unit 3 converts an image signal from the image sensor 5 from an analog signal to a digital signal, generates image data from the digital signal, and performs various image processing (white balance adjustment, color correction, The image data subjected to image processing is temporarily stored in a buffer memory (not shown) in a predetermined format such as Exif (Exchangeable image file format) together with information related to imaging such as imaging date / time and exposure. .

  The recording medium 7 is a portable recording medium that is detachably attached to a card slot (not shown) provided in the electronic camera 1. For example, a CF card, an SD card, smart media, or the like is used. The recording medium 7 includes image data read from the buffer memory by the control unit 15, information relating to imaging added to the image data, and prints set in a predetermined format such as DPOF (Digital Print Order System) described later. Information (hereinafter referred to as print information) is recorded.

  The operation unit 9 is a power switch for turning on / off the power, a release button 19 (see FIGS. 3 to 9) operated when instructing imaging of a subject, and an enlarged display and reduction of an image displayed on the display unit 13. It includes a zoom button 21 (see FIGS. 3 to 9) and the like used for display. A touch panel 17 provided on the display screen of the display unit 13 is connected to the touch panel I / F (touch panel interface) 11. The control unit 3 recognizes numbers, characters, or symbols input by handwriting by touching the touch panel 17 with, for example, a user's finger or a pen via the touch panel I / F 11 and performs processing based on the recognition result.

  The display unit 13 includes a monitor configured by an LCD or the like disposed on the back surface of the electronic camera 1, and relates to a live view image, an image based on image data recorded on the recording medium 7, and imaging. Information, print information, and a mark used for input on the touch panel 17 are displayed. For example, a printer or the like for printing an image based on image data recorded on the recording medium 7 is connected to the output I / F (output interface) 15.

  In the electronic camera 1 according to this embodiment, in a state where an image based on the image data recorded on the recording medium 7 is reproduced and displayed on the display unit 13, that is, in a state where the reproduction and display of the image is continued. Print information can be added to the image data of the reproduced and displayed image. Here, the print information is information for designating the number of prints, trimming, rotation, etc. of an image to be printed, and is added to the image data in a predetermined format such as DPOF.

  Next, with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 2, an operation when adding print information to image data recorded on the recording medium 7 in the electronic camera 1 according to this embodiment will be described.

  First, when the image based on the image data recorded on the recording medium 7 is displayed on the display unit 13 (step S10), the control unit 3 determines whether or not an input for shifting to the DPOF setting mode has been made. Is discriminated (step S11). Here, the DPOF setting mode is a mode for adding print information to the image data by DPOF. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, a pattern handwritten by the user along the outer peripheral portion on the touch panel 17 (display unit 13) is used as a pattern for the control unit 3 to shift to the DPOF setting mode. It is set to recognize. Therefore, when the control unit 3 recognizes an input along the outer peripheral portion on the touch panel 17 (display unit 13) via the touch panel I / F 11, it determines that an input for shifting to the DPOF setting mode has been made ( Step S11, Yes).

  FIG. 3 shows a release button 19 that is operated when instructing imaging of a subject, and a zoom button 21 that is used when performing an enlarged display and a reduced display of an image displayed on the display unit 13. Yes. By pressing the right side (T side) of the zoom button 21, the image displayed on the display unit 13 is enlarged. By pressing the left side (W side) of the zoom button 21 when the image is displayed in an enlarged manner, The image is reduced.

  Further, black triangular arrows 23 a to 23 d displayed on the upper center portion, the lower center portion, the left center portion, and the right center portion on the screen of the display unit 13 are marks used for input on the touch panel 17. By touching the arrow 23a when the image is enlarged, the image moves down. Similarly, when the image is enlarged, the image moves up by touching the arrow 23b, the image moves to the right by touching the arrow 23c, and the image moves to the left by touching the arrow 23d. .

  The operation by the zoom button 21 and the input to the touch panel 17 by touching the arrows 23a to 23d are always effective even after shifting to the DPOF setting mode (steps S12 to S18). Even when the image is enlarged and displayed on the display unit 13, the control unit 3 can recognize that an input for shifting to the DPOF setting mode is performed by the user.

  When it is determined that an input for shifting to the DPOF setting mode has been made (step S11, Yes), the control unit 3 continues to display an image on the display unit 13 as shown in FIG. Under the condition, a display for confirming the transition to the DPOF setting mode such as “Do you want to print (DPOF) this image?” Is displayed to the user (step S12).

  At this time, the control unit 3 causes the display unit 13 to display marks (“Yes” and “No” in FIG. 4) used for inputting whether or not the user can shift to the DPOF setting mode on the touch panel 17. When the control unit 3 recognizes an input to the touch panel 17 by touching the “No” area on the display unit 13, the control unit 3 does not enter the DPOF setting mode (No at Step S <b> 13). The operation related to the addition of information is terminated (the image reproduction display on the display unit 13 is continued). That is, when the display for confirming the transition to the DPOF setting mode in step S12 is performed, the user does not need to print the image after confirming the details, for example, by enlarging the image. When it is determined, it can be selected not to shift to the DPOF setting mode.

  On the other hand, when the input to the touch panel 17 by touching the “Yes” area on the display unit 13 is recognized, the control unit 3 determines that the DPOF setting mode may be entered (step S13, 5) As shown in FIG. 5, the number of images to be printed such as “Please specify the number of prints” is specified on the display unit 13 while the image is being displayed. A display for requesting to do is performed (step S14). At this time, as shown in FIG. 5, it is possible to indicate that the mode has shifted to the DPOF setting mode by displaying “print” and blinking on the upper left of the screen of the display unit 13. In addition, the control unit 3 displays an index 25 serving as input assistance so that the user can easily and intuitively input a number indicating the number of prints on the display unit 13.

  Next, the control unit 3 recognizes the pattern input on the touch panel 17 (display unit 13) via the touch panel I / F 11, and specifies the number input by the user based on the recognition result (step S15). Then, the control unit 3 recognizes the number specified in step S15 as the number of prints of the image, and blinks the number of prints on the display unit 13 while continuing to display the image as shown in FIG. At the same time as the display ("3" in FIG. 6), at the same time, a display for confirming the number of prints such as "Reservation of specified number of prints. Are you sure?" Is displayed (step S16).

  At this time, the control unit 3 causes the display unit 13 to display marks (“YES” and “NO” in FIG. 6) used to input whether or not the number of prints specified on the touch panel 17 is correct. When the control unit 3 recognizes an input to the touch panel 17 by touching the “No” area on the display unit 13, the control unit 3 returns to the operation of step S 14 and performs step until the correct number of prints is specified. The operations of S14 to S16 are repeated. The user can select “No” when he / she wants to change the number of printed images after confirming the details by enlarging the image after inputting the number of printed sheets.

  On the other hand, when the input to the touch panel 17 by touching the “Yes” area on the display unit 13 is recognized, the control unit 3 determines that the specified number of prints is correct (Yes in step S17). 7, a display indicating that print information for designating the number of prints is added to the image while the image display is continued is displayed on the display unit 13 (“Print” in FIG. 7). 3 ") is performed (step S18). At this time, for example, the control unit 3 displays marks (“Previous”, “Next”, “End” in FIG. 7) used for the user to input whether to continue or end the DPOF setting mode on the touch panel 17. Display on the unit 13.

  When there is an input to the touch panel 17 by touching the “previous” or “next” area, the control unit 3 continues the DPOF setting mode and touches the “end” area. When there is an input to the touch panel 17, the control unit 3 ends the DPOF setting mode (image reproduction display on the display unit 13 is continued). At this time, if there is an input to “Previous”, the image displayed immediately before the displayed image is displayed, and the operation of adding print information to the displayed image is continued. Let When there is an input to “next”, an image scheduled to be displayed one after the displayed image is displayed, and the operation of adding print information to the displayed image is continued. When an image based on the image data to which the print information is added is reproduced and displayed, the print information can be displayed together with the image, for example, on the upper left part of the display unit 13.

  Thus, when print information is added to the image data recorded on the recording medium 7, an image based on the image data is displayed based on the print information using a printer connected to the output I / F 15. Can be printed. Alternatively, the recording medium 7 can be brought into a shop where a printing service is provided, and an image based on image data recorded on the recording medium 7 can be printed based on the added print information.

  Note that the DPOF setting mode can be canceled at any time during the process of adding print information to image data according to the flowchart shown in FIG. Specifically, when the input along the outer periphery on the display unit 13 as shown in FIG. 3 is recognized, or when other touch panel input such as characters and symbols is recognized, the DPOF setting mode is set to be canceled. Then, when recognizing the set touch panel input, the control unit 3 determines that an input for canceling the DPOF setting mode has been made. In this case, while the image is continuously displayed on the display unit 13, the DPOF setting mode such as “Finish print designation (DPOF) is finished. Are you sure?” Is canceled for the user. And a mark used for inputting whether or not the user can cancel the DPOF setting mode on the touch panel 17 (for example, “Yes”, “No”, “Previous”, “Next”). ”)” Is displayed. When the user selects “Yes”, the control unit 3 ends the DPOF setting mode. When the user selects “No”, the control unit 3 continues the DPOF setting mode. When the user selects “Previous” or “Next”, the control unit 3 displays the image displayed immediately before the displayed image or the image scheduled to be displayed one after. Then, the DPOF setting mode for the displayed image is started.

  According to the electronic camera of this embodiment, since the number of prints can be designated by intuitively inputting numbers on the touch panel 17, it is possible to prevent an erroneous print number from being input. . In addition, the touch panel 17 can be used to easily and intuitively enter or exit the DPOF setting mode. Further, print information can be added while an image is displayed on the display unit 13, and the image can be moved, enlarged, or reduced on the screen at any time during the addition of the print information. Therefore, the user can add print information while visually recognizing the image. In addition, since it is possible to perform switching display to another image while the DPOF setting mode is continued, it is possible to save the trouble of shifting to the DPOF setting mode for each individual image.

  In this embodiment, when an input along the outer peripheral portion on the display unit 13 as shown in FIG. 3 is recognized, it is determined that an input for shifting to the DPOF setting mode is made. For example, when a character P (print acronym) as shown in FIG. 8, for example, double touch input as shown in FIG. 9, or other characters, symbols, etc., are input on the section 13. At this time, it may be set so that it is determined that an input for shifting to the DPOF setting mode has been made.

  Further, in this embodiment, the mode is shifted to the DPOF setting mode by recognizing the touch panel input. However, the DPOF setting mode is provided by providing a separate button or the like on the electronic camera and pressing the separate button. You can also move to. Similarly, the DPOF setting mode is canceled by recognizing the touch panel input, but the DPOF setting mode can be canceled by providing a separate button or the like on the electronic camera and pressing the separate button. .

  In this embodiment, the enlarged image is moved up and down and left and right using the black triangular arrows 23a to 23d displayed on the screen of the display unit 13. For example, the display unit It is also possible to display a scroll bar at the lower and right portions of the 13 screens and move the enlarged image up, down, left and right using the scroll bar. Further, by directly inputting the direction and distance to be moved on the touch panel 17 without displaying an arrow or a scroll bar, it is also possible to move the enlarged image vertically and horizontally.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Electronic camera, 3 ... Control part, 5 ... Image sensor, 7 ... Recording medium, 9 ... Operation part, 11 ... Touch panel I / F, 13 ... Display part, 15 ... Output I / F, 17 ... Touch panel, 19 ... Release button, 21 ... zoom button.

Claims (4)

A recording unit for recording an image captured by the image sensor;
A display unit for displaying the image recorded in the recording unit;
A touch panel provided on a display screen of the display unit;
When the print information addition mode for adding print information to the image is set, a number, a character, or a symbol input by handwriting on the touch panel is recognized while the image is continuously displayed on the display unit. And a print information adding unit for adding print information to the image based on the recognition result;
An imaging apparatus comprising:   Based on a pattern handwritten on the touch panel in a state where the image is displayed on the display unit, at least one of the transition to the print information addition mode and the cancellation of the print information addition mode is performed. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:   When at least one of the transition to the print information addition mode and the cancellation of the print information addition mode is performed by performing a double touch input on the touch panel while the image is displayed on the display unit. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1.   In the print information addition mode, at least one of movement, enlargement, reduction, scroll display, and switching display from the image to another image of the image displayed on the display unit can be executed. The imaging device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein

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