JP2010206508A - Display device, imaging device, and program for display device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To automatically determine whether slide-show display is continued, based on a feature of an image in executing the slide-show display. <P>SOLUTION: This display device is equipped with: a leading image generation part for generating a leading image having a region for displaying a representative image representing an image group, and displayed immediately before displaying a corresponding image group in slide-show display; a similarity determination part for determining the similarity of the representative images respectively possessed by two leading images in which display orders of the leading images in the slide-show display are adjacent to each other; and a control part for making control to display the leading image corresponding to each image group immediately before each image group and continuously display the respective image groups in the generation order. The leading image generation part generates a masked leading image with a mask treatment applied to the representative image to be displayed later in the slide-show display when the similarity of the two representative images determined by the similarity determination part does not reach a predetermined criterion, and the control part suspends the slide show while the masked leading image is displayed in executing the slide-show display. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a display device that displays an image, an imaging device including the display device, and a program for the display device.

  In an imaging apparatus such as a digital camera that captures an image and generates electronic image data, it has become possible to store an enormous number of images as the capacity of a memory card for storage increases. . Under such circumstances, a technique is disclosed that makes it possible to easily search for an image by classifying captured images based on a shooting theme and displaying thumbnail images according to the classification result (for example, , See Patent Document 1). In this technique, an easy-to-search image is realized by inserting a theme start mark indicating the start of the theme image at the beginning of the classified image group. As the theme start mark, for example, a mark including a symbol image specifically showing the theme content can be applied.

  By the way, in recent years, a technique for providing a captured image with a communication function with an external device and transmitting image data to the external device has been advanced. Examples of the external device that can communicate with the imaging device include a display device including a display unit having a larger screen than the liquid crystal panel of the imaging device, such as a television, a projector, a personal computer, and a digital photo frame. If the imaging device transmits image data to such a display device, the image captured by the imaging device can be viewed on a large screen, so that an image can be viewed and enjoyed by a large number of people.

JP 2008-109338 A

When viewing an image with a large number of people, there is a possibility that the image to be reproduced includes an image that the photographer does not want to show to other people. For example, when the slide show shown in FIG. 12 is performed, images P _{11 to} P ₁₄ are images with a baby as a subject, but images P _{21 to} P ₂₃ are images P ₁₁ to P ₂₃ with no baby in the subject. _{In 14} there is a woman who is not shown, so it seems that the location and situation at the time of shooting are very different. In this case continuously play the image P ₁₁ ~P ₂₃ perform the slide show display, the person performing the slide show display, even if I do not want to show the image P ₂₁ ~P ₂₃ to the other person, the image P ₂₁ At least the image is displayed. With regard to this point, even in the case of the conventional technique described in Patent Document 1, there is a possibility that the symbol image is displayed by displaying the theme start mark, and the content of the subsequent image is revealed.

  As described above, in the conventional imaging apparatus, even if there is an image that the photographer does not want to show in a situation where a slide show is performed with a large number of people, there is a high possibility that some of them will be displayed and it is desired The display of the unsatisfactory image may make people in the place feel awkward and the photographer may be embarrassed and the atmosphere of the place may be destroyed. Therefore, there is a need for a technique that can automatically determine whether or not to continue the slide show display based on the characteristics of the images when performing the slide show display.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above, and a display device that can automatically determine whether or not to continue a slide show display based on image characteristics when performing a slide show display, and the display device It is an object of the present invention to provide a program for an imaging device and a display device including the above.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, a display device according to the present invention is a display device capable of performing a slide show display that continuously displays a plurality of images, each of which includes a plurality of images. A storage unit for storing at least two image groups, and an area for displaying a representative image representing each image group, and generating a head image to be displayed immediately before displaying the corresponding image group in the slide show display A head image generation unit and a similarity determination unit that determines the similarity between representative images of two head images adjacent to each other in the display order of the head image in the slide show display among the head images generated by the head image generation unit And a head image corresponding to each of the at least two image groups is displayed immediately before each image group, and the at least two image groups are generated as image groups. A control unit that performs control to sequentially display in order, and the head image generation unit displays the slide show when the similarity between the two representative images determined by the similarity determination unit does not reach a predetermined reference A mask head image is generated by performing a mask process on a representative image to be displayed later in step, and the control unit performs control to interrupt the slide show while displaying the mask head image when performing the slide show display. It is characterized by that.

  In the display device according to the present invention, in the above invention, the feature extraction unit that extracts the features of the image, the classification unit that classifies the images based on the features extracted by the feature extraction unit, and the classification unit An image group determining unit that determines an image group to which the image belongs according to the feature of the image and writes the determination result to the storage unit, and the head image generating unit is configured to add a new image by the image group determining unit. An image determined to belong to the image group is used as a representative image.

  In the display device according to the present invention, in the above invention, the feature extraction unit detects a human face included in the image, and the classification unit detects the face when the feature extraction unit detects a face. Classification is performed using facial features.

  An imaging apparatus according to the present invention is an imaging apparatus that captures an image and generates image data of the image, and includes the display device according to any one of the above-described inventions.

  The imaging device according to the present invention further includes a communication unit that performs communication of information including image data with an external device including a display unit that displays information including an image. Performs control for causing the communication unit to continuously transmit the at least two image groups and the top image corresponding to each image group to the external device in the same order as the display order on the display device. Features.

  In addition, the display device program according to the present invention includes a storage unit that stores images, and a feature extraction that extracts image features on a display device capable of performing a slide show display that continuously displays a plurality of images. A step of classifying an image based on the features extracted in the feature extraction step, an image group determination step of determining an image group to which the image belongs according to a classification result of the image classified in the classification step, and the image group If it is determined in the determination step that the image belongs to a new image group, a head image that has an area for displaying the image as a representative image and is displayed immediately before displaying the new image group in the slide show display is generated. Of the first images generated in the first image generation step and the first image generation step, display of the first image in the slide show display If the similarity between the two representative images determined in the similarity determination step does not reach a predetermined reference, a slideshow display is performed. A mask head image generation step for generating a mask head image by performing mask processing on a representative image to be displayed later in step, and a plurality of image groups determined in the image group determination step are masks generated in the mask head image generation step A display step of sequentially displaying until the head image is displayed is executed.

  According to the present invention, images are classified according to image characteristics, a plurality of similar images are regarded as one image group, and a head image characterizing this image group is generated, and then the display order of the head image in the slide show display is displayed. Determines whether or not to continue the slideshow when the image group is switched by determining the similarity between the representative images of the two adjacent top images. It is possible to automatically determine whether to continue the slide show display based on the above.

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention (hereinafter referred to as “embodiment”) will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an imaging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. An imaging apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1 collects light from a subject included in a predetermined field of view and generates digital image data from an image signal obtained by photoelectrically converting the collected light. 2, an image processing unit 3 that performs image processing on the image data generated by the imaging unit 2, a display unit 4 that displays an image corresponding to the image data processed by the image processing unit 3, and a release signal An input unit 5 that receives an input of an operation signal or the like of the imaging device 1 including a sensor, a sensor unit 6 that detects information on a state of a field of view of the imaging unit 2 including brightness and information on a shooting location, a shooting date determination function, and a timer A communication unit 8 that transmits and receives information by a predetermined communication method between a clock 7 having a function and an external device; a storage unit 9 that stores various types of information including image data of an image captured by the imaging unit 2; , Detection result of sensor unit 6 And in response to the inputted operation signal from the input unit 5 and a control unit 10 for controlling the operation of the imaging apparatus 1, a. Among these, the components excluding the imaging unit 2 and the sensor unit 6 form at least a part of the display device according to the present embodiment. In other words, the imaging device 1 includes the display device according to the present embodiment.

  The imaging unit 2 includes one or a plurality of lenses, and includes an optical system that collects light from a subject existing in a predetermined visual field area, a diaphragm that adjusts the amount of incident light collected by the optical system, and a release. An image sensor such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) that receives the light that has passed through the shutter and the shutter, and operates according to the signal, and converts it into an electrical signal, and an analog signal output from the image sensor is amplified and white balanced And a signal processing circuit that generates digital image data by performing A / D conversion after performing signal processing such as the above.

  The image processing unit 3 includes a feature extraction unit 31 that extracts features of an image captured by the imaging unit 2, a classification unit 32 that classifies images based on the features extracted by the feature extraction unit 31, and a classification unit 32 that classifies the images. Based on the result, an image group determination unit 33 that determines whether or not the image group belongs to the same image group as the previous classified image, and an image in which the image determined by the image group determination unit 33 is classified the previous time The first image generation unit 34 for generating a first image to be displayed prior to the image, and the first image generation unit 34. A similarity determination unit 35 that determines the similarity between the head image and the head image generated by the head image generation unit 34 immediately before the head image; The feature extraction unit 31 has a function of detecting a person's face included in the image captured by the imaging unit 2 by performing pattern matching using face pattern information stored in the storage unit 9.

  The display unit 4 is realized by using a display panel made of liquid crystal, plasma, organic EL (Electro Luminescence), or the like, and appropriately displays operation information of the imaging apparatus 1 and information related to photographing in addition to image data.

  The input unit 5 switches a power button of the imaging apparatus 1, a release button for inputting a release signal for giving an imaging instruction, a button for adjusting zoom and exposure at the time of shooting, and various operation modes that can be set by the imaging apparatus 1. A mode switching button for performing, a control button including instructions for reproducing and editing image data, and the like. Further, a touch panel may be stacked on the display unit 4 as the input unit 5 so that the user can input an operation signal on the display unit 4.

  The sensor unit 6 includes an acceleration sensor and / or angular velocity sensor that detects the movement of the imaging device 1, a position sensor that receives information sent from a GPS (Global Positioning System) and detects the position of the imaging device 1. .

  The communication unit 8 performs short-range wireless communication such as wireless LAN (Local Area Network) or infrared communication with the external device 200 that displays an image. Note that communication between the communication unit 8 and the external device 200 may be realized by wire.

  The storage unit 9 includes an image data storage unit 91 that stores image data of an image captured by the imaging unit 2 and processed by the image processing unit 3, and a feature extraction unit 31 that detects a face by pattern matching. A pattern information storage unit 92 that stores the pattern information of the face to be referred to, a classification information storage unit 93 that stores the classification information of the image classified by the classification unit 32, and the imaging apparatus program according to the present embodiment. And a program storage unit 94 that stores various programs executed by the apparatus 1.

  The storage unit 9 is realized using a semiconductor memory such as a flash memory or a RAM (Random Access Memory) that is fixedly provided inside the imaging apparatus 1. The storage unit 9 may be provided with a function as a recording medium interface for reading information recorded on a recording medium while recording information on a recording medium such as a memory card mounted from the outside.

  The control unit 10 is realized using an MPU (Micro Processing Unit) or the like, and is connected to each component of the imaging apparatus 1 via a bus line.

  The imaging apparatus 1 having the above-described configuration can set a shooting mode for shooting an image by inputting a release signal from the input unit 5 and a playback mode for reading the shot image from the storage unit 9 for playback display.

  The external device 200 that communicates with the imaging device 1 and displays an image included in the image data transmitted from the imaging device 1 can be realized using any of a television, a projector, a personal computer, and a digital photo frame. The external device 200 includes display switching means for switching between displaying an image based on the image data transmitted from the imaging device 1 and displaying an image based on other functions.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an outline of a slide show display performed by the imaging apparatus 1 as a characteristic process of the imaging apparatus 1. In the present embodiment, a plurality of images (photographed images) P _{11 to} P ₁₄ that are continuously photographed and similar to each other are grouped as one image group G ₁ and displayed prior to the image group G _1. shooting date and representative images of the image group G ₁ that displays the first image P ₁ to be displayed. In the case shown in FIG. 2, the _first image P ₁ is displayed in the representative image display area PS ₁ with the image P ₁₁ taken first in the image group G ₁ as a representative image. The representative image can be changed. In the first image which is displayed immediately before the image group G ₂ consisting of images P ₂₁ to P _23, and the mask processing is performed by the representative image display area PS _2, an image P ₂₁ to be displayed as originally representative image It is not displayed. Thus, if the similarity between the images P ₂₁ is a representative image of the imaging apparatus 1 images P ₁₁ and the image group G ₂ is a representative image of the image group G ₁ has not reached the predetermined reference, the display later A mask head image P ₂ ′ is generated by performing mask processing on the representative image of the head image P ₂ to be performed, and the slide show is interrupted while the mask head image P ₂ ′ is displayed. Therefore, the image group G ₂ is not displayed on the display unit 4 unless an operation signal instructing display is input by the input unit 5.

  As described above, in this embodiment, a slide show is performed to classify captured images to generate an image group including a plurality of similar images, and to display a head image indicating the characteristics of the image group at the head of the image group. It is not necessary to intentionally display images that you do not want to show due to human intention.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an outline of processing when the imaging apparatus 1 having the above-described configuration is set to the shooting mode or the playback mode. First, the case where the imaging apparatus 1 is set to the shooting mode (step S1: shooting mode) will be described. In this case, the display unit 4 displays an image (through image) captured by the imaging unit 2 (step S2).

  Subsequently, the feature extraction unit 31 extracts features of the through image (step S3). At this time, the feature extraction unit 31 detects a face included in the through image by performing pattern matching with reference to the face pattern information stored in the pattern information storage unit 92.

  Thereafter, the imaging unit 2 adjusts the focus (step S4). At this time, if the feature extraction unit 31 detects a face, the imaging unit 2 focuses on the detected face.

  When a release signal is input by the input unit 5 after step S4 (step S5: Yes), the imaging unit 2 performs imaging (step S6), and the control unit 10 obtains image data of an image captured by the imaging unit 2. It records in the image data storage part 91 (step S7).

  Subsequently, the classification unit 32 classifies the captured images (step S8). FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing details of the image classification processing performed by the classification unit 32. When the feature extraction unit 31 detects a face (step S81: Yes), the feature extraction unit 31 determines the size of the face. When the size of the face is larger than the predetermined reference (step S82: Yes), the classification unit 32 classifies the image into the category “portrait” (step S83). On the other hand, when the face size is less than the predetermined reference (step S82: No), the classification unit 32 classifies the image into the category “snap” (step S84). After step S83 or S84, the classification unit 32 counts the number of faces in the image (step S85). When there are a plurality of faces in the image, the determination in step S82 may be performed using an average value of the sizes of the plurality of faces.

  Next, a case where the feature extraction unit 31 does not detect a face (step S81: No) will be described. First, when the focus distance is larger than a first distance that is predetermined as a distance that can be regarded as a long distance (step S86: Yes), the classification unit 32 classifies the image into a category of “landscape” (step S87).

  If the focus distance is smaller than the first distance in step S86 (step S86: No) and larger than a second distance that is predetermined as a distance that can be regarded as the closest distance (step S88: No), the classification unit 32. Classifies images into the category “pet” (step S89).

  If the focus distance is smaller than the first distance in step S86 (step S86: No) and smaller than the second distance (step S88: Yes), the classification unit 32 further performs determination based on the saturation of the image. (Step S90). Specifically, when the saturation of the image is larger than a predetermined value (step S90: Yes), the classification unit 32 classifies the image into the category “flower” (step S91). On the other hand, when the saturation of the image is equal to or less than the predetermined value (step S90: No), the classification unit 32 classifies the image into the category “accessories” (step S92).

  After step S85, S87, S89, S91 or S92, the imaging apparatus 1 returns to the main routine shown in FIG.

  Note that “landscape”, “pet”, “flower”, and “accessory”, which are categories classified when the feature extraction unit 31 does not detect a face, considers that such an image is likely to be included. In addition, the category name is just set, and for example, a photo other than landscape may be included in the category of “landscape”. Moreover, the way of dividing the category is not limited to the case described above.

  After step S8 described above, the imaging apparatus 1 returns to the main routine shown in FIG. 3, and the control unit 10 determines that the result of classification in step S8 (in the case where the category and category are “snap” and “portrait”) The number of faces, etc.) is recorded in the classification information storage unit 93 together with information on the shooting date and time and the shooting location (step S9).

  Subsequently, the image group determination unit 33 determines whether or not the image group belongs to the same image group as the photographed image previously classified based on the result of the classification by the classification unit 32 (steps S10 to S15).

  First, when the shooting date / time of the captured image is different from the shooting date / time of the previous captured image (step S10: Yes), the image group determination unit 33 sets the image group whose determination target captured image is different from the previous captured image. (Step S14). Based on this determination, the head image generation unit 34 generates a head image with the captured image as a representative image (step S16), and records head image information regarding the generated head image in the classification information storage unit 93 (step S17). ).

  On the other hand, when the shooting date / time of the captured image is the same as the shooting date / time of the previous captured image (step S10: No), the image group determination unit 33 determines a predetermined number (from the captured image used for the latest head image). For example, it is determined whether or not the image has been shot after shooting (step S11). As a result of the determination, if it is an image shot after shooting a predetermined number of shots from the shot image used for the latest head image (step S11: Yes), the process proceeds to step S12.

  In step S12, the image group determination unit 33 determines whether or not the captured image is the first image captured in a predetermined time zone (for example, in the morning, noon to 17:00, and after 17:00). . If the result of this determination is that the captured image is the first image captured in a predetermined time zone (step S12: Yes), the process proceeds to step S13.

  In step S <b> 13, the image group determination unit 33 determines whether a face included in the previous captured image is included in the latest captured image. As a result of the determination, when the face included in the previous captured image is not included in the latest captured image (step S13: No), the image group determination unit 33 determines that the captured image is the previous captured image. It is determined that the images belong to different image groups (step S14).

  Next, a case where the image is not an image taken after a predetermined number of shots from the shot image used for the latest head image in step S11 (step S11: No) will be described. In this case, the image group determination unit 33 determines that the captured image belongs to the same image group as the previous captured image (step S15). When the photographed image belongs to the same image group as the previous photographed image, a new photographed image is added to the image group, and therefore the control unit 10 rewrites the head image information (step S18).

  It is an image taken after a predetermined number of shots from the shot image used for the latest head image in step S11 (step S11: Yes), and the shot image was shot first in a predetermined time zone in step S12. When it is not an image (step S12: No), the image group determination unit 33 determines that the captured image belongs to the same image group as the previous captured image (step S15).

  This is an image taken after shooting a predetermined number of shots from the shot image used for the latest head image in step S11 (step S11: Yes), and the shot image was shot first in a predetermined time zone in step S12. (Step S12: Yes), and when the captured image includes the same face as the previous captured image (step S13: Yes), the image group determination unit 33 causes the captured image to be the previous captured image. Are determined to belong to the same image group (step S15).

  When the image group determination unit 33 makes the determination, as a condition other than the above, characteristics such as the quotient obtained by dividing the number of faces by the number of images and the color and shape of clothes positioned below the face are added as determination materials. May be.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an overview of the classification information stored in the classification information storage unit 93. In the table Tb shown in the figure, as the classification information of the leading images P ₁ and P ₂ , the corresponding image group, the total number and features of the faces included in the captured images constituting the image group, the number of frames in the image group and the shooting date and time, The shooting location is recorded. For example, in the image group G ₁ determined by the _first image P ₁ , the total number of faces in the image group is 6, the facial features are A, B, and C, and the number of frames in the image group is 4. Here, the feature A or the like is configured using information obtained by digitizing information such as the size of the face, the proportion of the hair, and the size of the eyes, or color information of the face. Information such as the color and shape of clothes corresponding to the face may be added as a feature. Further, with respect to the captured image P ₁₁ or the like, images which belong, snaps, number of faces, facial features, shooting date, the shooting location is recorded. For example, the image P ₁₁ belong to the image group G _1, an image classified into the category of "snap". The face of the person included in the image P ₁₁ is two, and the features of the two faces are stored in the pattern information storage unit 92 as A and B. The shooting date and time of the image P ₁₁ is “2009.2.1, 15:05”, and the shooting location is “(x ₁₁ , y ₁₁ )”. Note that specific numerical values are recorded in actual x ₁₁ and y ₁₁ .

  In the step S15 described above, the information on the top image is added to the table Tb described above. In step S18 described above, for example, the total number and characteristics of the face and the number of frames in the image group are appropriately rewritten.

  After step S17 or S18, when a signal for ending the shooting process is input (step S19: Yes), the imaging apparatus 1 ends a series of processes. On the other hand, when the signal for ending the photographing process is not input (step S19: No), the imaging apparatus 1 returns to step S1.

  If no release signal is input by the input unit 5 (step S5: No), the imaging apparatus 1 proceeds to step S19.

  Next, a case where the imaging device 1 is set to the playback mode (step S1: playback mode) will be described. In this case, the display unit 4 reproduces and displays the selected image (step S20). Thereafter, the imaging apparatus 1 ends a series of processes.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing details of the reproduction processing in step S20. In FIG. 6, the display unit 4 first reproduces and displays the latest captured image (step S201). Thereafter, when an operation instruction signal for list display is input by the input unit 5 (step S202: Yes), the display unit 4 displays a thumbnail of the image group including the captured image being reproduced together with the corresponding top image (step S203). ). FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a display example of thumbnail display.

  When a signal instructing display switching is input by the input unit 5 in the state shown in FIG. 7 (step S204: Yes), the display unit 4 displays another image group as a thumbnail as shown in FIG. 8 (step S204). S205). Thereafter, the imaging apparatus 1 returns to step S204. Before performing the thumbnail display of FIGS. 7 and 8, only the top image is displayed as a thumbnail as shown in FIG. 9, and an image group corresponding to the top image selected by the user is displayed. Good.

  Note that the thumbnail display function described here is provided as a function for the user to grasp the display contents of the image group. Therefore, generation and display of the mask head image based on the similarity determination of the image group is performed. Absent.

  In the state shown in FIG. 7, when a signal for instructing display switching is not input by the input unit 5 (step S204: No), and an image is selected from the head image and the image group being displayed (step S206). : Yes), the display unit 4 enlarges the selected image and displays it on the entire surface (step S207). Thereafter, the imaging apparatus 1 returns to step S202.

  Next, a case where an operation instruction signal for list display is not input (step S202: No) will be described. First, the case where a signal instructing the start of slide show display is input by the input unit 5 (step S208: Yes) will be described. In this case, the processing differs depending on whether the next image displayed on the display unit 4 and transmitted to the external apparatus 200 is the first image.

  Next, when the image displayed on the display unit 4 and transmitted to the external apparatus 200 is the first image (step S209: Yes), the similarity determination unit 35 determines the representative image included in the first image as the previous image. The similarity is determined by comparing with the representative image included in the head image (step S210). When the similarity determination unit 35 determines that the two representative images are similar (step S211: Yes), the display unit 4 displays the top image and the communication unit 8 transmits the top image to the external device 200. (Step S212). Here, the similarity is determined based on information such as a subject, a shooting location, and a shooting date / time included in the representative image. Note that the similarity criterion in the similarity determination unit 35 can be set as appropriate. For example, when some or all of the subjects included in the two representative images are the same, it is possible to set so that the similarity determination unit 35 determines that the two representative images are similar. In addition, even when some or all of the subjects included in the two representative images are the same, if the shooting locations of the two representative images are separated from each other by a predetermined distance, the two representative images are displayed in the similarity determination unit 35. It is also possible to set so as to determine that they are dissimilar.

  Thereafter, when an instruction signal for ending the slide show display is input by the input unit 5 (step S213: Yes), the imaging apparatus 1 returns to the main routine illustrated in FIG. On the other hand, when the instruction signal for ending the slide show display is not input by the input unit 5 (step S213: No), the imaging apparatus 1 returns to step S209.

  Next, the image displayed on the display unit 4 and transmitted to the external apparatus 200 is the top image (step S209: Yes), and the representative image of the top image is similar to the representative image of the previous top image. The case (step S211: No) will be described. In this case, the head image generation unit 34 generates a mask head image masked so as not to display the representative image (step S214). Thereafter, the display unit 4 displays the mask head image, and the communication unit 8 transmits the mask head image to the external device 200 (step S215).

  After step S215, when an instruction to continue the slide show display is input by the input unit 5 (step S216: Yes), the imaging device 1 is the original image of the mask head image, and the head image displayed without masking the representative image The image is displayed on the display unit 4, and the head image is transmitted to the external device 200 by the communication unit 8 (step S217), and the process proceeds to step S213. On the other hand, after step S215, when an instruction not to continue the slide show display is input by the input unit 5 (step S216: No), the imaging apparatus 1 returns to the main routine of FIG.

  In step S209, when the next image to be displayed is not the first image (step S209: No), the display unit 4 displays the next captured image, and the communication unit 8 transmits the captured image to the external apparatus 200 ( Step S218).

  In this way, a slide show display as shown in FIG. 2 is realized.

  Next, a case where a signal instructing the start of the slide show display is not input by the input unit 5 in step S208 (step S208: No) will be described. In this case, when an operation signal instructing switching of display to another image is input by the input unit 5 (step S219: Yes), the display unit 4 displays the first image or the captured image to be displayed next. (Step S220). In step S <b> 220, the communication unit 8 may transmit the first image or captured image to be displayed next to the external device 200.

  Thereafter, when a signal for ending reproduction is input by the input unit 5 (step S221: Yes), the imaging apparatus 1 returns to the main routine of FIG. On the other hand, when the signal to end the reproduction is not input by the input unit 5 (step S221: No), the imaging device 1 returns to step S202.

  According to the embodiment of the present invention described above, after classifying images according to image characteristics, considering a plurality of similar images as one image group, and generating a leading image characterizing this image group, Since the display order of the first image in the slide show display determines the similarity between the representative images of two adjacent first images, it is determined whether or not to continue the slide show when the image group is switched. When performing a slide show display, it is possible to automatically determine whether or not to continue the slide show display based on the feature of the image.

  In addition, according to the present embodiment, when displaying a group of images whose representative images are not similar, the slide show is interrupted once. Therefore, when viewing a slide show in large numbers, the privacy of the user (photographer) is protected. However, a slide show can be performed without breaking the atmosphere of the place.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, it is easy to search for an image group by generating a head image.

The best mode for carrying out the present invention has been described so far, but the present invention should not be limited only by the above-described embodiment. 10 and 11 are diagrams showing another display example of the head image. In the first image P ₃ shown in FIG. 10, a representative image symbolizing that an adult and a child are shown is displayed in the representative image display area PS ₃ . In the top image P ₄ shown in FIG. 11, a representative image symbolized that a landscape is shown is displayed in the representative image display area PS ₄ . According to such head images P ₃ and P ₄ , in addition to the same effect as displaying the mask head image, the user can grasp the contents of the subsequent image group through the screen.

  In the present invention, the external device may have a function as a display device. In this case, the imaging device only needs to transmit image data to the external device. Also, if image data is recorded on the memory card attached to the imaging device and the memory card can also be attached to the external device, the memory card attached to the imaging device and storing the image data is The above-described slide show can be executed by mounting on the apparatus.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the imaging device which concerns on one embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of the slide show display which the imaging device which concerns on one embodiment of this invention performs. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an outline of processing when the imaging apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention is set to a shooting mode or a playback mode. It is a flowchart which shows the detail of the classification process of the image which the classification | category part of the imaging device which concerns on one embodiment of this invention performs. It is a figure which shows the outline | summary of the classification information which the classification information storage part of the imaging device which concerns on one embodiment of this invention memorize | stores. 6 is a flowchart illustrating details of a reproduction process performed by the imaging apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of the thumbnail display of the image group and the head image corresponding to this image group. It is a figure which shows another example of a display of the thumbnail display of the image group and the head image corresponding to this image group. It is a figure which shows the example of a display in the case of displaying a head image collectively before displaying a thumbnail. It is a figure which shows another display example (1st example) of the head image which the imaging device which concerns on one embodiment of this invention produced | generated. It is a figure which shows another display example (2nd example) of the head image which the imaging device which concerns on one embodiment of this invention produced | generated. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of the conventional slide show display.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Imaging device 2 Imaging part 3 Image processing part 4 Display part 5 Input part 6 Sensor part 7 Clock 8 Communication part 9 Storage part 10 Control part 31 Feature extraction part 32 Classification part 33 Image group determination part 34 Leading image generation part 35 Similarity degree Determination unit 91 Image data storage unit 92 Pattern information storage unit 93 Classification information storage unit 94 Program storage unit 200 External device G ₁ , G ₂ image group P _{1 to} P ₄ First image P _{11 to} P ₁₄ , P _{21 to} P ₂₃ image P ₂ 'mask top image PS ₁ ~PS ₄ representative image display area Tb table

Claims (6)

A display device capable of performing a slide show display that continuously displays a plurality of images,
A storage unit for storing at least two image groups each consisting of a plurality of images;
A head image generating unit that has a region for displaying a representative image representing each image group, and generates a head image to be displayed immediately before displaying the corresponding image group in the slide show display;
Among the top images generated by the top image generation unit, a similarity determination unit that determines the similarity of the representative images each of the two top images adjacent to each other in the display order of the top images in the slide show display;
A control unit for controlling the first image corresponding to each of the at least two image groups to be displayed immediately before each image group and continuously displaying the at least two image groups in the order of generation of the image groups;
With
The head image generation unit
When the similarity between the two representative images determined by the similarity determination unit does not reach a predetermined reference, a mask head image is generated by performing mask processing on the representative image to be displayed later in the slide show display,
The controller is
A display device, wherein when performing the slide show display, control is performed to interrupt the slide show while the mask head image is displayed. A feature extraction unit for extracting features of the image;
A classification unit that classifies images based on the features extracted by the feature extraction unit;
An image group determination unit that determines an image group to which the image belongs according to the characteristics of the image classified by the classification unit, and writes the determination result to the storage unit;
Further comprising
The head image generation unit
The display apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an image determined to belong to a new image group by the image group determination unit is used as a representative image. The feature extraction unit includes:
Detect the faces of people in the image,
The classification unit includes:
The display device according to claim 2, wherein when the feature extraction unit detects a face, classification is performed using the detected face feature. An imaging device that captures an image and generates image data of the image,
An imaging apparatus comprising the display device according to claim 1. A communication unit that communicates information including image data with an external device that includes a display unit that displays information including an image;
The controller is
The communication unit is controlled to continuously transmit the at least two image groups and the top image corresponding to each image group to the external device in the same order as the display order on the display device. The imaging device according to claim 4. A display device having a storage unit for storing images and capable of performing a slide show display for continuously displaying a plurality of images,
A feature extraction step for extracting image features;
A classification step of classifying the image based on the features extracted in the feature extraction step;
An image group determination step for determining an image group to which the image belongs according to a classification result of the image classified in the classification step;
If it is determined in the image group determination step that the image belongs to a new image group, the first image is displayed immediately before displaying the new image group in the slide show display, having an area for displaying the image as a representative image A first image generation step for generating
A similarity determination step for determining a similarity between representative images of two head images adjacent to each other in the display order of the head images in the slide show display among the head images generated in the head image generation step;
If the similarity between the two representative images determined in the similarity determination step does not reach a predetermined reference, a mask leading image is generated by performing mask processing on a representative image to be displayed later in the slide show display Generation step,
A display step of sequentially displaying a plurality of image groups determined in the image group determination step until the mask head image generated in the mask head image generation step is displayed;
A program for a display device, characterized in that

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