JP2012018407A - Image processor, image processing method, and image processing program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve such problems that it is difficult to easily search an image at a high speed while acquiring a context of a plurality of images and that it is difficult to perform an intuitive search just like an operation frequently performed when searching a desired photograph from a plurality of developed photographs.SOLUTION: When displaying an image to a display device, an image processor receives a command to perform a continuous feed of images and a command to indicate a degree of the continuous feed; acquires a plurality of pieces of image data based on the received commands; reduces the images of the acquired image data based on the received commands and displays the plurality of reduced images to the display device; and updates the images to be displayed in a prescribed order.

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus, an image processing method, and an image processing program.

  In recent years, a large amount of images are handled by various devices such as an image viewer, a digital camera, a printer, and a personal computer. When handling an image in such a device, software called a viewer is used, and various formats are known as a format for displaying an image (for example, Patent Document 1).

Special table 2004-536335 gazette

In conventional image display, it has been difficult to search for images easily and at high speed while grasping the context of a plurality of images. In addition, it is difficult to perform an intuitive search in the same manner as a work often performed when searching for a desired photo from a plurality of developed photos.
That is, when searching for a desired photo from a plurality of developed photos, overlay the photos and hold them in one hand, and check the contents of the photos one by one while flipping them one by one with the thumb of the other hand There are many cases. At this time, it is possible to visually recognize almost the entire photograph that is repelled. In addition, since the photographs are visually recognized in the order in which the photographs are superimposed, the context of the photographs can be grasped. For this reason, an operator who knows the order of photographs simultaneously confirms the order of photographs and detects a desired photograph by repelling a plurality of photographs. As a result, an image can be searched easily and at high speed.

However, in the above background art, it has been difficult to retrieve an image easily and at high speed. That is, in the above background art, an entire image is displayed on the same screen, and a part of the image before and after that is displayed, but the order of the images is grasped only by displaying a part of the preceding and following images. Is difficult. For example, when taking pictures of different people with the same background, the order of the images can be recognized if the entire image is grasped, but if the displayed part is the same background, the order of the images is grasped. I can't. Of course, even if the background is not the same, it is difficult to recognize the order of multiple images in a part of the image.
The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and provides an image processing apparatus, an image processing method, and an image processing program capable of easily and rapidly searching for an image while grasping the context of a plurality of images. With the goal.

  In order to achieve the above object, in the present invention, an instruction for executing continuous feeding of images and an instruction indicating the degree of continuous feeding are received, and a plurality of images reduced based on this instruction are displayed on a display device and displayed. Are updated in a predetermined order. That is, a plurality of reduced images are displayed when performing a process of continuously sending display images in a situation where an order for displaying images is defined in advance. In a reduced image, it is possible to roughly grasp the contents of the entire image, so when sending a plurality of images continuously, the context of each image can be easily grasped, and the search for images is intuitive. Easier to do.

  In the present invention, an instruction for the degree of continuous feeding is received, and reduction and display of a plurality of images are performed based on this degree. Accordingly, the reduction ratio and the number of displayed images vary depending on the degree of continuous feeding. As described above, in the operation of overlapping photographs and flicking them one by one with a finger, it is possible to freely adjust the appearance of the photograph and the feeding speed by adjusting the amount and strength of repelling. In the present invention, since the reduction ratio and the number of displayed images change according to the degree of continuous feeding, the operator can perform desired feeding in the same manner as a finger-flicking operation, which is close to an intuitive operation. It is possible to search for images.

  Here, the display device is only required to display an image, and various display devices can be employed. For example, various display devices such as a display in a device in which a storage medium for storing image data and an image viewer are integrated, a display incorporated in a printer, and a display connected to a computer can be employed.

  The continuous feed instruction receiving means only needs to be able to instruct not only an instruction for executing continuous feed but also the degree thereof. Accordingly, it is preferable to employ a configuration in which some physical quantity corresponding to the degree of continuous feed is detected and the degree of continuous feed is detected from this physical quantity. For example, it is possible to adopt a configuration in which an instruction for executing continuous feed is performed by turning on / off the switch, and the degree of continuous feed is detected based on the time during which the switch is continuously turned on.

  In addition, a rotor such as a jog dial may be employed to obtain the degree of continuous feed according to the rotation angle and rotational speed of the rotor, or an operation unit such as a lever may be employed to You may comprise so that the degree of continuous feeding may be acquired with an inclination angle, a rotation angle, and the frequency | count of operation. Further, it may be configured such that on / off can be detected at a plurality of positions in a switch or a touch pad, and the degree of continuous feed is acquired by this position. Of course, it is also possible to use a mouse or a trackball.

  The image data acquisition unit only needs to be able to acquire image data indicating an image to be displayed, and various configurations can be employed. For example, image data recorded on a hard disk, a memory card, or the like may be acquired, or image data recorded on another device such as a digital camera or a computer may be acquired. In addition, in the image data, it is only necessary that the image can be expressed by including data specifying the color of each pixel, and various color systems can be adopted as the color system specifying the color of each pixel. .

  The image display means only needs to be able to reduce the image, display a plurality of images, and update the display image based on the instruction received by the continuous feed instruction reception means, and various configurations can be employed. For example, a configuration in which the image is reduced in either the horizontal direction or the vertical direction when the image is reduced can be employed. That is, in the present invention, the image is reduced, but it is necessary to be able to grasp almost the entire image. Therefore, if the image is excessively reduced, it is difficult to grasp the contents of the image, which is not preferable. Therefore, if the image is reduced in any one of the horizontal direction and the vertical direction of the image, it is possible to prevent the image from being excessively reduced so that the contents of the image cannot be grasped.

  The reduction in the present invention may be performed so that a plurality of images can be displayed in a limited display area by reducing the image to such an extent that the contents can be understood. Therefore, various reduction methods can be adopted as long as an almost entire image can be grasped. For example, pixel thinning may be performed, or an image may be reduced using interpolation calculation.

  Furthermore, as a configuration suitable for displaying a plurality of images, a configuration in which the direction in which the images are reduced and the direction in which the images are arranged can be employed. That is, when displaying a plurality of images in a limited display area, it is preferable to display the images side by side. However, if the direction in which the images are arranged and the direction in which the images are reduced are made coincident with each other, there is a limitation. It is possible to display a plurality of images by effectively using the display area.

  In particular, when the image display size is common for each image, this effect is prominent. For example, when displaying a rectangular image in a certain rectangular area, if the images are displayed side by side, the image is reduced in the horizontal direction. With this configuration, it is possible to arrange a plurality of images while effectively using the vertical direction of the rectangular area without reducing the vertical direction.

  Furthermore, in order to make it easy to grasp the entire image, the image may be reduced at a different reduction rate depending on the position of the image. According to such a configuration, a reduction ratio (size after conversion / size before conversion) is high for a position where there is a high probability of including a lot of information for grasping the contents of an image, and reduction is performed for an unimportant position. By reducing the rate, it is possible to grasp the contents of the image more accurately. Since information that is important for grasping the contents of an image is likely to be included in the center of the image, it is easy to grasp the contents of many images if the reduction ratio is reduced toward the edge of the image. Is possible.

  Furthermore, when displaying a plurality of images, it is preferable to determine the upper limit number in advance. That is, when the display area in the display device is limited in advance, if the number of images displayed is increased without limit, it becomes difficult to grasp the contents of the image. Therefore, an upper limit is set on the number of displayed images so that the contents of the image can be grasped by the reduced image. As a result, it is possible to perform reduction so that the contents of the image can be accurately grasped while preventing excessive reduction.

  Also, it is not always necessary to display the number of images corresponding to the upper limit. In the present invention, since the degree of continuous feeding when images are continuously sent is acquired, the number of images may be determined according to the degree of feeding. That is, if the degree of feeding is large, a large number of images are sent per unit time, so that the number of displayed images is increased, and if the degree of feeding is small, the number of displayed images may be decreased.

  Note that the upper limit for displaying images is preferably determined based on the size of an area for displaying a plurality of images. For example, since the display area of a display incorporated in an image viewer device or a printer is limited, the upper limit number should be determined so that it is difficult to display a plurality of images in this area. That's fine. Further, even when a plurality of images are displayed on a window on a computer screen and the size of the window can be changed, the upper limit number is preferably changed according to the size of the window. . According to this configuration, even when the size of the window is adjusted, the content of the image is not lost.

  Furthermore, in the present invention, the continuous feed of images is continued while the continuous feed instruction accepting unit accepts the continuous feed instruction. After this instruction is completed, the number of images is gradually reduced to finally reduce the number of images. A configuration for displaying one image may be adopted. According to such a configuration, it is possible to prevent the image feeding speed from changing suddenly, and it does not give a sense of incongruity to the user viewing the image. This configuration is preferably applied to a configuration that accepts a continuous feed instruction based on hardware such that the state of the continuous feed instruction can change rapidly.

  For example, in a configuration in which the degree of continuous feed is acquired according to the time during which the switch is on, if continuous feed of images is stopped at the same time that the switch is turned off, the continuous feed speed changes rapidly. Therefore, by adopting a configuration in which the number of displayed images is gradually reduced after the switch is turned off, the continuous feed speed does not fluctuate rapidly, and the user can be prevented from feeling uncomfortable.

By the way, the above-described image processing apparatus may be implemented independently, or may be implemented together with other methods in a state of being incorporated in a certain device, and includes various aspects as an idea of the invention. However, it can be changed as appropriate. In addition, it can be said that the invention exists in the procedure of reducing and displaying a plurality of images based on the degree of continuous feeding. Therefore, the present invention can be applied as a method , and the same effect is obtained in the invention related to the method . When trying to implement the present invention, a computer may execute a predetermined program. Therefore, the present invention can be applied as the program , and the same effect is obtained in the invention related to the program .

Of course, the structure described in each claim of the image processing apparatus of the subordinate format can be made to correspond to the above method or program. Any storage medium can be used to provide the program. For example, a magnetic recording medium or a magneto-optical recording medium may be used, and any recording medium that will be developed in the future can be considered in the same manner. In addition, even when a part is software and a part is realized by hardware, the idea of the present invention is not completely different, and a part is recorded on a recording medium and is appropriately changed as necessary. It includes a reading form. Furthermore, the same is true for the replication stage such as the primary replica and the secondary replica.

It is a figure which shows schematic structure of an image viewer apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows an image display process. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of an image. It is a flowchart which shows an image display process. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of an image.

Here, embodiments of the present invention will be described in the following order.
(1) Configuration of image processing apparatus:
(2) Image display processing:
(2-1) Example of image display processing:
(3) Other embodiments:

(1) Configuration of image processing apparatus:
FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of an image viewer apparatus 10 including an image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. The image viewer apparatus 10 in the figure can store a plurality of images and can display each image on a display panel incorporated in the casing. In order to realize this function, the image viewer device 10 includes a CPU 11, an image processing chip 12, a memory 13, a card I / F 14, a hard disk drive (HDD) 15, an operation button 16, a display controller 17, and a display panel 17a. Yes.

  The CPU 11 controls the entire image viewer apparatus 10 via the system bus. The HDD 15 can store a program for controlling each unit and image data, and these programs are transferred to the memory 13 by the CPU 11 at the time of execution. The CPU 11 executes various programs while appropriately accessing the memory 13 as a temporary work area.

  In FIG. 1, the main functions of the program executed by the CPU 11 are shown as an operation button control unit 11a, an image data acquisition unit 11b, and an image display unit 11c. The operation button 16 includes a plurality of buttons arranged on the outer surface of the housing of the image viewer device 10, and data indicating the operation content of each button is acquired by the operation button control unit 11a.

  In the present embodiment, as one of the buttons, a button for instructing execution of continuous image feed is provided, and the operation button control unit 11a detects that this button has been pressed and executes continuous feed. Understand that an instruction has been issued. In the present embodiment, the degree of continuous feed is acquired by detecting the time during which this button is continuously depressed. That is, the operation button control unit 11a measures the time during which this button is kept depressed, and grasps the degree of continuous feed based on the amount of this time.

  In addition to the above programs, the HDD 15 can store image data. Further, a memory card storing image data can be connected to the card I / F 14. The image data acquisition unit 11b acquires these image data and transfers them to the memory 13, thereby enabling image processing on the image data and display of an image based on the image data. Of course, the format of the memory card connected to the card I / F 14 is not particularly limited, and various types of image data can be adopted as long as image data can be stored.

  The image display unit 11c performs display of image data stored in the memory 13 and image processing on the image data. That is, the image processing chip 12 can perform various image processing such as image reduction, and the image display unit 11c instructs the image processing chip 12 to image data stored in the memory 13 as an image processing target. Can be executed.

  The display controller 17 is a controller that controls the display panel 17a to display an image based on the image data stored in the memory 13, and the image display unit 11c instructs the display controller 17 to display image data indicating an image to be displayed. Then, an image is appropriately displayed on the display panel 17a. Furthermore, the image display unit 11c performs image reduction, management of the number of images to be displayed simultaneously, and update of the display image according to the degree of image feed acquired by the operation button control unit 11a.

  In other words, by changing the appearance of the display image according to the degree of image feed instructed, it is possible to easily and quickly search for an image while grasping the front-rear relationship of a plurality of images. Describe. In the continuous feeding, the order in which images are sent is determined in advance. This order may be any order in which images are displayed. For example, an order corresponding to the date and time when image data was created, an order in which file names are sorted according to a predetermined standard, and the like can be adopted.

(2) Image display processing:
FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing image display processing. When the user of the image viewer device 10 operates the operation button 16 for instructing continuous feed of images, the operation button control unit 11a recognizes that an instruction for continuous feed has been given, and starts processing. At this time, first, the measurement of the elapsed time t from the time when the button is pressed down is started (step S100). In the present embodiment, threshold values T1 to T4 (0 <T1 <T2 <T3 <T4) to be compared with the elapsed time in order to evaluate the degree of continuous feed are determined in advance, and the image display unit 11c receives the above-described progress. Time t is acquired and compared with threshold values T1 to T4 (step S105).

  In the present embodiment, as the elapsed time t increases, the number of images simultaneously displayed on the display panel 17a is gradually increased with the upper limit being set to four. Therefore, one image is displayed on the display panel 17a when it is determined by comparison in step S105 that 0 ≦ t <T1 (step S110), and when it is determined that T1 ≦ t <T2, the display panel is displayed. Two images are displayed on 17a (step S115), and when it is determined that T2 ≦ t <T3, three images are displayed on the display panel 17a (step S120), and T3 ≦ t <T4. If determined, four images are displayed on the display panel 17a (step S125).

  When the elapsed time t exceeds the threshold T4, the images are updated one by one in accordance with the above order while displaying four images (step S130). Accordingly, steps S100 and S105 correspond to the continuous feed instruction receiving means. The above steps S110 to S130 are repeated while the operation button is pressed down. That is, the image display unit 11c determines whether or not the operation button pressing operation has been released (step S135), and repeats the processing from step S105 until it is determined that the operation button has been released.

  In the above processing, when displaying images in the order of continuous feed determined in advance as described above, the image of interest is sequentially switched according to this order. The image of interest is an image to be searched for by continuous feed. In step S110, the image data acquisition unit 11b acquires the image data of the image that is the image of interest at that time. Then, the image display unit 11c displays this image without reducing the acquired image data (that is, over the entire display area of the display panel 17a).

  In step S115, an image set in the next order of the image that has been the image of interest until then is set as a new image of interest. Then, the image data acquisition unit 11b acquires the image data of the image of interest and the image set in the previous order of the image of interest. The image display unit 11c causes the image processing chip 12 to reduce the acquired image data. In this embodiment, since two images are displayed side by side in the horizontal direction, the image is reduced in the horizontal direction at a reduction ratio of 1/2. When the images are reduced, the image display unit 11c displays the reduced images side by side in the horizontal direction of the display panel 17a. At this time, the images are arranged in a predetermined direction according to the order set for the images (for example, arranged from left to right). Therefore, in the present embodiment, the image is updated so as to move in a predetermined direction during continuous feeding of the image.

  In step S120, an image set in the next order of the image that has been the image of interest until then is set as a new image of interest. Then, the image data acquisition unit 11b acquires the image data of the image of interest, the image set in the immediately preceding order of the image of interest, and the image set in the immediately preceding order. The image display unit 11c causes the image processing chip 12 to perform reduction. At this time, since three images are displayed side by side in the horizontal direction, the image is reduced in the horizontal direction at a reduction ratio of 1/3. When the images are reduced, the image display unit 11c displays the reduced images side by side in the horizontal direction of the display panel 17a.

  In step S <b> 125, an image set in the next order of the images that have been the image of interest until then is set as a new image of interest. Then, the image data acquisition unit 11b acquires the image data of the image of interest and the image set in the order immediately before, 2 times before, and 3 times before the image of interest. The image display unit 11c causes the image processing chip 12 to perform reduction. At this time, in order to display four images side by side in the horizontal direction, the horizontal direction is reduced at a reduction ratio of 1/4. When the images are reduced, the image display unit 11c displays the reduced images side by side in the horizontal direction of the display panel 17a.

  In step S130, the image of interest is switched to an image set in the following order, and the same processing as in step S125 is performed. However, for an image that has already been reduced, the reduced image data is used without performing a new reduction process. In this embodiment, in step S130, the image of interest and the display image are updated at intervals shorter than time T4. That is, when the elapsed time t exceeds the threshold value T4, the display of the image is switched at a timing faster than the threshold value T4. Thus, continuous feeding is performed at high speed, and the display is visually recognized with a feeling close to that of repelling a plurality of photographs with a finger.

  If it is determined in step S135 that the operation button pressing operation has been released, the process further branches depending on the elapsed time t until then (step S140). When it is determined in step S140 that t ≧ T3, three images are displayed on the display panel 17a (step S145), and when it is determined that T2 ≦ t <T3, two images are displayed on the display panel 17a. When it is determined that T1 ≦ t <T2, one image is displayed on the display panel 17a (step S155). When it is determined that t ≦ T1, image display processing is performed. finish.

  In step S145, when the operation button is released, the four displayed images are switched to display three images. For this purpose, the image data acquisition unit 11b acquires the image data of the image of interest and the image set in the order immediately before and 2 before the image of interest. The image display unit 11c causes the image processing chip 12 to reduce the image data. At this time, since three images are displayed side by side in the horizontal direction, the images are reduced in the horizontal direction at a reduction ratio of 1/3, and these reduced images are displayed side by side in the horizontal direction of the display panel 17a. Of course, if the same image has already been reduced at a reduction ratio of 1/3, the reduction process is not performed again. Then, in order to update the image display so that the number of displayed images gradually decreases, step S150 is performed next.

  In step S150, the state in which three images are displayed is switched to display two images. For this purpose, the image data acquisition unit 11b acquires image data of the image of interest and the image set in the order immediately before the image of interest, and the image display unit 11c causes the image processing chip 12 to perform reduction. . At this time, in order to display two images side by side in the horizontal direction, the images are reduced in the horizontal direction at a reduction ratio of 1/2, and these reduced images are displayed side by side in the horizontal direction of the display panel 17a. Of course, if the same image has already been reduced at a reduction ratio of ½, the reduction process is not performed again. Then, in order to update the image display so that the number of displayed images gradually decreases, step S155 is performed next.

  In step S155, the state where two images are displayed is switched to display one image. For this purpose, the image data acquisition unit 11b acquires the image data of the image of interest and the image display unit 11c displays it on the display panel 17a. As a result, the image of interest is displayed on the display panel 17a, and the search of the image of interest has been performed. Thus, the processing in the image display unit 11c ends here. As described above, the process of acquiring appropriate image data in steps S110 to S130 and steps S145 to S155 corresponds to the process in the image data acquisition unit, and the process of reducing and displaying the image is performed in the image display unit. It corresponds to processing.

(2-1) Example of image display processing:
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of image display on the display panel 17a. Hereinafter, an example of image display processing will be described along this example. In the figure, an image display example is shown in the center, and the time direction is from left to right. In addition, the predetermined order of images is indicated by numbers such as image 1 and image 2. When the user instructs continuous feed of images using the operation button 16, the elapsed time t from the start of pressing is measured in step S100, and step S110 is performed after the determination in step S105. As a result, the image 1 set in the first order is displayed on the display panel 17a.

  When the user continues to press the operation button 16 and the elapsed time t exceeds the threshold value T1, step S115 is performed through the determination of step S105. As a result, the image of interest becomes image 2, and images 1 and 2 reduced to 1/2 are displayed so as to be arranged in the horizontal direction. Furthermore, when the user continues to press the operation button 16 and the elapsed time t exceeds the threshold value T2, step S120 is performed through the determination of step S105. As a result, the image of interest becomes image 3, and images 1 to 3 reduced to 1/3 are displayed so as to be arranged in the horizontal direction.

  Further, when the user continues to press the operation button 16 and the elapsed time t exceeds the threshold value T3, step S125 is performed through the determination of step S105. As a result, the image of interest becomes the image 4, and the images obtained by reducing the images 1 to 4 to 1/4 are displayed so as to be arranged in the horizontal direction. Further, when the user continues to press the operation button 16 and the elapsed time t exceeds the threshold value T4, step S130 is performed through the determination of step S105. As a result, the images 2 to 5 reduced to 1/4 are displayed so as to be arranged in the horizontal direction. Here, when the operation button 16 is further pressed, the process of sequentially changing the image of interest and displaying four images on the display panel 17a is repeated at intervals shorter than the threshold value T4.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 3, when the push-down of the operation button 16 is released in a state where the images 2 to 5 reduced to ¼ are displayed side by side, step S145 is performed through the determination of steps S135 and S140. . As a result, the image of interest becomes image 5, and images 3 to 5 reduced to 1/3 are displayed so as to be arranged in the horizontal direction. Next, in step S150, the image of interest 4 is kept as image 5, and the images 4 and 5 reduced to 1/2 are displayed side by side in the horizontal direction. Finally, in step S155, image 5 that is the image of interest is displayed. Displayed on the display panel 17a and the process ends.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, a desired image can be searched at a high speed by continuously feeding images. At this time, the continuously sent images are reduced and sent in a state where the entire image can be grasped. Therefore, it is possible to search for images while grasping the context of the images, and it is possible to search for images very easily. For example, if the person who took the image to be searched searches for the image, the front and back of the image to be searched can be estimated from the behavior at the time of shooting, so it is easy and fast by sending the image while checking the previous and next images It is possible to search for a desired image.

  Of course, even those who have not taken the image to be searched can grasp the order of multiple images once they have been sent continuously, so what order the desired images are in. It can be easily recognized. Therefore, it is possible to retrieve a desired image easily and at high speed when continuous feeding is performed after the second time. In FIG. 3, the image of interest is configured to be displayed at the right end of the display panel 17a. However, the display position is not limited to the right end, and various configurations can be adopted.

(3) Other embodiments:
The above embodiment is an example constituting the present invention, and various configurations are adopted as long as an intuitive search can be easily performed, such as an operation of searching for a target photo while flicking a plurality of photos with a finger. Is possible. For example, the means for instructing continuous feeding of images and the degree thereof is not limited to the operation buttons as described above, and various means can be adopted.

  4 and 5 are an example of a processing flowchart and a screen display process according to an embodiment in which a dial is used as means for instructing continuous feeding of images and the degree thereof. In this embodiment, the hardware can be realized by a configuration substantially the same as that in FIG. 1, but the image viewer apparatus 100 includes a dial 160 as input means as shown in FIG. That is, an instruction to start continuous feeding of images is issued by starting the rotation of the dial 160, and the degree of continuous feeding is acquired by detecting the rotational speed of the dial 160.

  As in FIG. 1, the software includes an operation button control unit 11a, an image data acquisition unit 11b, and an image display unit 11c. The processing by each unit is performed as shown in FIG. That is, when the user of the image viewer device 100 starts to rotate the dial 160, the operation button control unit 11a recognizes that the continuous feed instruction has been given, and starts processing. At this time, first, the rotational speed w of the dial 160 is detected (step S200). In this embodiment, threshold values W1 to W4 (0 <W1 <W2 <W3) to be compared with the rotational speed w in order to evaluate the degree of continuous feeding are determined in advance, and the image display unit 11c is configured to display the rotational speed. w is acquired and compared with threshold values W1 to W4 (step S205).

  Also in the present embodiment, as the rotational speed w increases, the number of images simultaneously displayed on the display panel 17a is gradually increased with the upper limit being four. Therefore, when it is determined that w <W1 by the comparison in step S205, one image is displayed on the display panel 17a (step S210), and when it is determined that W1 ≦ w <W2, the display panel 17a is displayed. Two images are displayed (step S215). When it is determined that W2 ≦ w <W3, three images are displayed on the display panel 17a (step S220), and when it is determined that W3 ≦ w. Four images are displayed on the display panel 17a (step S225).

The above steps S210 to S225 are repeated while the dial 160 is rotating. That is, the image display unit 11c determines whether or not the rotation of the dial 160 has ended (step S230), and repeats the processing from step S205 until it is determined that the rotation has ended. The image display process in steps S210 to S225 is the same as steps S110 to S125. However, in the embodiment and the present embodiment described above have different display position of the target image, in this embodiment, it is displayed as sought image is located as far as possible the center. Therefore, in the present embodiment, processing for acquiring, reducing, and displaying image data of an image for which the order after the image of interest is set is performed.

  In step S210, the image data acquisition unit 11b acquires the image data of the image that is the image of interest at that time, and the image display unit 11c displays this image without being reduced. In step S215, the image of interest is updated to the next image, and the image data acquisition unit 11b acquires the image of interest and the image set in the previous order of the image of interest. Then, the image display unit 11c causes the image processing chip 12 to reduce the image data, and displays two images side by side in the horizontal direction.

  In step S220, the image data acquisition unit 11b acquires image data of the target image and images set before and after the target image without changing the target image, and the image display unit 11c displays the image processing chip 12. To reduce. When the image is reduced, the image display unit 11c displays the images side by side in order according to the image of interest. In step S225, an image set in the next order of the image that has been the image of interest until then is set as a new image of interest.

  Then, the image data acquisition unit 11b acquires the image data of the image of interest and the image set immediately before, 2 times before, and immediately after the image of interest, and the image display unit 11c reduces the image processing chip 12. Let it be done. The image display unit 11c displays the reduced images in order from the left. At this time, the same image continues to be displayed for a predetermined time, and then the process proceeds to step S230. In the above processing, the continuous feed speed is controlled according to the rotational speed w. Therefore, it is possible to search for an image while visually recognizing the display with a feeling close to that of repelling a plurality of photographs with a finger. In this embodiment, when the number of displayed images decreases, the target image is not updated. Therefore, the image of interest does not switch after starting to reduce the rotation speed of the dial 160, and the image that is displayed closer to the center when the user tries to stop the rotation of the dial 160 is finally displayed. become.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of image display on the display panel 17a. Also in the figure, an image display example is shown in the center, and the time direction from left to right is. The predetermined order of images is indicated by numbers such as image 1 and image 2. When the user gives an instruction to continuously feed images using the dial 160, the rotational speed w is measured in step S200, and step S210 is performed after the determination in step S205. As a result, the image 1 set in the first order is displayed on the display panel 17a.

  When the user increases the rotation speed of the dial 160 and the rotation speed w exceeds the threshold value W1, step S215 is performed through the determination in step S205. As a result, the image of interest becomes image 2, and images 1 and 2 reduced to 1/2 are displayed so as to be arranged in the horizontal direction. Further, when the user increases the rotation speed of the dial 160 and the rotation speed w exceeds the threshold value W2, step S220 is performed through the determination in step S205. As a result, the target image remains the image 2, and the images obtained by reducing the images 1 to 3 to 1/3 are displayed in the horizontal direction.

  Further, when the user increases the rotation speed of the dial 160 and the rotation speed w exceeds the threshold value W3, step S225 is performed through the determination of step S205. As a result, the image of interest becomes image 3, and images 1 to 4 reduced to 1/4 are displayed so as to be arranged in the horizontal direction. Further, when the user continues to rotate the dial 160, step S225 is continued to be performed through the determination of step S205. As a result, the image of interest becomes the image 4, and images 2 to 5 reduced to 1/4 are displayed so as to be arranged in the horizontal direction.

  Here, when the rotation of the dial 160 is stopped, the rotation speed of the dial 160 gradually decreases due to inertia. Therefore, steps S220, S215, and S210 are performed until the dial 160 stops rotating. At this time, since the image of interest is not updated, as shown in FIG. 5, the images 3 to 5 are reduced to 1/3, the images are arranged side by side, and the images 3 and 4 are reduced to 1/2. The display contents are switched one after another, such as displaying the images arranged in the horizontal direction and displaying the image 4, and the image processing ends. Even in this configuration, an image can be searched while grasping the context of the image, and the image can be searched very easily. In FIG. 5, w1 <W1 <w2 <W2 <w3 <W3 <w4. Further, in the configuration using the dial 160, when the rotation speed of the dial 160 can be suddenly made substantially "0", the same processing as steps S145 to S155 in Fig. 2 may be performed.

  Furthermore, as a means for instructing continuous feeding of images and the degree thereof, an operation lever may be employed, or a touch pad may be employed. In the former case, the degree of continuous feed may be acquired based on the tilt angle or rotation angle of the operation lever. In the latter, the degree of continuous feed may be defined for each position on the touch pad, and the degree of continuous feed may be acquired based on the position where an instruction is given on the pad. Furthermore, a continuous feed instruction may be acquired by a trackball, a mouse, or the like, or an image processing apparatus and a gyro are connected, and a continuous feed instruction is performed based on the content detected by the gyro (for example, shaking strength of the housing). You may get

  Furthermore, the application target of the present invention is not limited to the above-described image viewer device, but may be applied to a printer, a multifunction device in which a printer and a scanner are integrated, or the present invention is applied to image viewer software in a computer. You may do it. That is, the present invention can be applied to all apparatuses that can continuously feed images.

  Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the configuration has been described in which images are continuously sent in the order set in the images. However, it is needless to say that a configuration in which images are sent in the reverse order of the set order may be adopted. It may be configured to be able to be selected. Furthermore, the mode of displaying an image is not limited to the above-described FIGS. 3 and 5, and various modes can be adopted. For example, the upper limit for displaying an image is not limited to four, and can be increased or decreased as appropriate. When determining the upper limit number, it is preferable to determine the upper limit number based on the size of the display area for displaying an image. In other words, a reduction ratio that does not hinder the contents of the image even if reduced display is determined from the size of the display area, and the maximum number that can be displayed with this reduction ratio is set as the upper limit.

  Furthermore, a scroll bar may be displayed during image forwarding. That is, the entire amount of display candidate image data is defined to correspond to the length of the scroll bar, and the position in the entire scroll bar corresponding to the order of the images displayed on the display panel 17a is specified. As a result, it becomes possible to search for an image more easily.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Image viewer apparatus, 11a ... Operation button control part, 11b ... Image data acquisition part, 11c ... Image display part, 12 ... Image processing chip, 13 ... Memory, 14 ... Card I / F, 15 ... HDD, 16 ... Operation Button, 17 ... display controller, 17a ... display panel

Claims (5)

An image processing device for displaying an image on a display device,
  Instruction receiving means for receiving a first instruction as an instruction for executing continuous image feed;
  In response to the reception of the first instruction by the instruction receiving means, the number of images simultaneously displayed in the display area of the display device is increased, and the instruction receiving means has finished receiving the first instruction. Accordingly, the number of images displayed simultaneously in the display area is reduced, and an image displayed in the approximate center of the display area among a plurality of images displayed immediately before the reduction is displayed even after the reduction. Image display means as an image;
  An image processing apparatus comprising: The image display means is characterized in that the number of images is gradually reduced and finally one image is displayed in response to the instruction accepting means having finished accepting the first instruction. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1. The instruction accepting unit accepts a second instruction as an instruction for executing continuous image feed,
  The image display means updates the image displayed in the display area without changing the number of images displayed in the display area in response to the instruction receiving means receiving the second instruction. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image processing apparatus is an image processing apparatus. An image processing method for displaying an image on a display device,
  An instruction receiving step for receiving a first instruction as an instruction for executing continuous image feed;
  In response to accepting the first instruction in the instruction accepting step, the number of images simultaneously displayed in the display area of the display device is increased, and the acceptance of the first instruction is terminated in the instruction accepting step. Accordingly, the number of images displayed simultaneously in the display area is reduced, and an image displayed in the approximate center of the display area among a plurality of images displayed immediately before the reduction is displayed even after the reduction. An image display step for making an image;
  An image processing method comprising: An image processing program for displaying an image on a display device,
  An instruction receiving function for receiving a first instruction as an instruction for executing continuous image feed;
  In response to the reception of the first instruction by the instruction reception function, the number of images simultaneously displayed in the display area of the display device is increased, and the reception of the first instruction is completed by the instruction reception function. Accordingly, the number of images displayed simultaneously in the display area is reduced, and an image displayed in the approximate center of the display area among a plurality of images displayed immediately before the reduction is displayed even after the reduction. An image display function as an image,
  An image processing program for causing a computer to realize the above.

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