JP2013008036A - Image processing apparatus and control method thereof, information processing apparatus and control method thereof, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a system including a plurality of display units, effectively utilizing characteristics of each display unit to enable information display in a fashion never realized with a single display unit.SOLUTION: An image display system comprises a plurality of apparatuses 101, 111 connected together, each of the plurality of apparatuses having a display unit 104, 114. At least one of the plurality of apparatuses comprises: an operation unit 105 that controls a display state of each display unit of the plurality of apparatuses in common; a detector 112 that detects characteristics of each display unit of the plurality of apparatuses; and a display control unit 112 that determines a display function level allowed to each display unit with regard to the characteristics of each display unit detected by the detector to make each display unit of the plurality of apparatuses perform display according to the determined display function level.

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for efficiently performing display in a system including a plurality of displays.

  Currently, various devices are equipped with displays. For example, in a compact camera, when a display is installed when a silver salt camera is replaced with a digital camera, it is possible to check an image taken on the spot. The contents displayed on the display vary not only from image data but also to information added to the image and various setting menus. Further, in recent years, this display has been increased in screen size, and a display having a high resolution and color reproducibility has become widespread. This phenomenon is notably limited to digital cameras, and is very prominent mainly in information devices such as printers, mobile phones, and music players.

  On the other hand, personal computers, in particular notebook PCs and portable terminals such as PDAs that pursue portability, also tend to be miniaturized, and in some cases the display is much smaller than before.

  Many information devices have high connectivity, and the functions can be expanded by connecting each device to a personal computer, or direct printing can be performed by directly connecting a printer and a digital camera. This realizes various functions that cannot be realized by each device alone.

  In this case, when connecting devices with displays, one display is often not used, or information indicating that it is being connected is often displayed, and multiple displays cannot be fully utilized. Many are seen. In addition, the display of the connected device is assumed to have different resolutions, aspect ratios, and the like, and it is difficult to realize display using each display.

  Among them, in a system including a plurality of displays, a technique has been proposed in which a screen unnecessary for a user is not displayed by switching display of an operation screen using the display (Patent Document 1).

JP-A-5-273947

  However, the technique described in Patent Document 1 merely prevents display of an operation screen that is not necessary for the user, and cannot perform display by taking advantage of the characteristics of a plurality of displays, such as differences in resolution and screen size. .

  Accordingly, the present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and an object thereof is to enable efficient use of the characteristics of each display in a system having a plurality of displays.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, an image display system according to the present invention is an image display system configured by connecting a plurality of devices each having a display, and at least one of the plurality of devices includes the above-described device. Based on operating means for commonly operating the display states of the displays of the plurality of apparatuses, detection means for detecting the characteristics of the displays of the plurality of apparatuses, and characteristics of the respective displays detected by the detection means Display control means for determining a display function level allowed for each display and causing each display of the plurality of devices to perform display according to the determined display function level. It is characterized by.

  The information processing apparatus according to the present invention is an information processing apparatus capable of communicating with an external device including a first display, and receiving means for receiving operation information indicating that the external device has been operated. And a display control means for controlling display of an image on a second display different from the first display according to the operation information, and detecting characteristics of the first display and the second display. Detection means; and determination means for determining a level of a display function allowed for the second display based on characteristics of each display detected by the detection means; and the display control means The display of the image is controlled according to the level of the display function determined by the determining means.

  An information processing apparatus control method according to the present invention is an information processing apparatus control method capable of communicating with an external apparatus provided with a first display, the operation indicating that the external apparatus has been operated. A receiving step for receiving information, a display step for displaying an image on a second display different from the first display according to the operation information, and characteristics of the first display and the second display. A detection step for detecting, a determination step for determining a level of a display function allowed for the second display based on characteristics of the respective displays detected in the detection step, and the determination in the display step The image is displayed according to the level of the display function determined by the process.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to efficiently utilize the characteristics of each display in a system having a plurality of displays.

1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a system including a digital camera and a PC according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is the external view which looked at the digital camera from the back. It is the figure which looked at the circumference of a release button from the upper part. It is a figure which shows an example of the function allocated to the TELE / WIDE dial in the playback mode in the digital camera. It is a figure which shows an example of the function allocated to the TELE / WIDE dial in the playback mode in the digital camera. It is a figure which shows an example of the screen displayed in 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the process in 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the process in 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the content of the camera display information in 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the process in 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the screen displayed in 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the screen displayed in 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the content of the display information in 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the screen displayed in 3rd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the screen displayed in 3rd Embodiment.

  DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 shows an image display system including a digital camera 101 as an example of an image processing apparatus and a personal computer (hereinafter “PC”) 111 as an example of an information processing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows schematic structure.

  The digital camera 101 includes an imaging unit 106 that photoelectrically converts a subject image to generate an image signal. Also provided is an LCD display 104 as a display device, an operation system 105, a system control unit 102, and a USB interface 103. Further, a RAM 107 and a nonvolatile memory 108 for storing a control program executed by the system control unit 102 and storing an image signal generated by the imaging unit 106 are also provided.

  The LCD display 104 can perform color display, and can display an image captured by the digital camera 101 and display each operation menu. The operation system 105 includes a plurality of buttons, and can operate the imaging unit 106 and perform various settings. The system control unit 102 controls the operation of the digital camera 101 according to the control program. Further, the user performs input using the operation system 105 while confirming the menu displayed on the LCD display 104, and the system control unit 102 controls the operation of the digital camera 101, and the LCD display 104 as necessary. Update the display of.

  The USB interface 103 is a wired interface conforming to a USB standard such as USB 2.0. As an alternative to the USB interface 103, a wireless interface compliant with a wireless LAN such as the IEEE 802.11b standard may be used. A control program executed by the system control unit 102 is stored in the above-described RAM 107, nonvolatile memory 108, and the like.

  A computer 111 (hereinafter, “PC 111”) including a personal computer (PC) has a system control unit 112 and a USB interface 113. Also provided are a RAM 117 and an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 118 for storing a control program executed by the system control unit 112 and storing various data.

  The PC 111 receives user input from the keyboard 115 and the mouse 116, performs arithmetic processing in the system control unit 112, and outputs an image to the display 114. In FIG. 1, the display 114, the keyboard 115, and the mouse 116 are shown as externally connected, but may be integrated with the PC 111. A control program executed by the system control unit 112 is stored in the above-described RAM 117, HDD 118, or the like.

  The digital camera 101 and the PC 111 can communicate with each other via the USB interfaces 103 and 113, and can transmit and receive data to and from each other.

  FIG. 2 is an external view of the digital camera 101 as viewed from the back. The LCD display 104 displays a subject as a viewfinder in the shooting mode and performs shooting with the release button 202. In the playback mode, a photographed image can be displayed, and an image can be fed using the cross key button 203. These modes can be switched by a mode change switch 205. The digital camera 101 can be operated in each mode using the determination button 204 or other buttons. The operation buttons, switches, and the like described above are all included in the operation system 105.

  FIG. 3 is a view of the periphery of the release button 202 as viewed from above. The TELE / WIDE dial 301 can perform operations such as zooming or widening the subject by rotating it in an arbitrary direction as shown by the arrows in the figure during shooting. The TELE / WIDE dial 301 is assigned a function even in the playback mode. This point will be described later. In the following description, “zoom operation” or “rotate in the zoom direction” means an operation of zooming to the telephoto side (tele side).

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of functions assigned to the TELE / WIDE dial 301 in the playback mode in the digital camera 101. Normally, when an image is reproduced, the single display is performed in which one entire captured image is displayed on one screen of the LCD display 104. As another display mode, it is possible to switch to a multi-display in which a plurality of images are arranged and displayed on the LCD screen by rotating the TELE / WIDE dial 301 in the wide direction. In multi-display, for example, nine images are displayed on one screen. The return from the multi display to the single display can be performed by rotating the TELE / WIDE dial 301 in the zoom direction.

  FIG. 5 is also a diagram illustrating an example of functions assigned to the TELE / WIDE dial 301 in the playback mode in the digital camera 101. It is possible to switch to zoom display in which the displayed image is enlarged and displayed by the amount of rotation of the TELE / WIDE dial 301 in the zoom direction during single reproduction. This can be realized by trimming an image area corresponding to the zoom magnification and displaying it at a magnification suitable for the screen. When returning from zoom display to single display, the TELE / WIDE dial 301 is rotated in the wide direction by the amount of zooming.

  In these multi-display and zoom display, the functional range that can be displayed on the LCD display 104 is limited. That is, in the multi-display, it is limited to a state where nine images arranged in 3 × 3 length and width can be browsed. Even if the user further rotates the TELE / WIDE dial 301 in the wide direction, the digital camera 101 controls so that the number of sheets displayed at one time cannot be increased. This is because when 9 or more images are displayed at a time, the size of each image is reduced, and the resolution and area of the LCD display 104 are difficult to see. In zoom display, an image can be enlarged and displayed at a certain size, but it cannot be enlarged infinitely, and the maximum magnification that can be enlarged is determined in advance. This is because a thumbnail image for display is displayed on the LCD display 104, and if the zoom magnification is increased too much, the image is displayed roughly.

  Next, a case where the digital camera 101 is connected to the PC 111 will be described. Specifically, an example of using both displays when a digital camera is connected to a PC will be described.

  In the present embodiment, by connecting the digital camera 101 and the PC 111, the system includes two displays, a first display and a second display. Hereinafter, display control of these two displays will be described.

  In the image display system according to the present embodiment, it is possible to display the same display on the display 114 connected to the connection-destination PC 111 (synchronous display) as when the digital camera 101 is operated alone. At this time, the user can operate both the display on the digital camera 101 side and the display on the PC 111 side using the operation system 105 of the digital camera 101. Accordingly, the user can operate the PC 111 as if the user is always operating with the digital camera 101, and images and the like can be easily confirmed on both displays.

  However, in general, a display connected to a PC is often larger in size and resolution than an LCD display 104 (hereinafter also referred to as a camera display) of a camera. Therefore, if the same display as that displayed on the digital camera is displayed on the PC display 114 (hereinafter also referred to as a PC display), the characteristic of high resolution may not be fully utilized. In other words, when trying to display synchronously using different displays, it is necessary to match the display with the lower function, so that the function of the other display may not be fully exhibited.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, information that cannot be displayed on the camera display 104 due to low size or resolution is displayed on the PC display 114. This provides a display function that could not be realized by a single camera, and can take advantage of the characteristics of the PC display 114 that generally has a higher resolution and a larger screen size than the camera display 104.

  A first embodiment in which an image is displayed by effectively utilizing both the LCD display (camera display) 104 of the digital camera 101 and the display (PC display) 114 of the PC 111 will be described below.

  In the present embodiment, a case where images are displayed on the camera display 104 and the PC display 114 will be described as an example. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a multi-display screen in the present embodiment.

  First, when the digital camera 101 and the PC 111 are connected, both the camera display 104 and the PC display 114 are in a single display state 601. At this time, if the cross key button 203 on the digital camera 101 side is operated, image feeding can be performed on both the camera display 104 and the PC display 114.

  Further, when the above-described wide operation for rotating the TELE / WIDE dial 301 in the wide direction is performed in the digital camera 101, both screens are in a 3 × 3 multi-display state 602.

  Here, by operating the cross key button 203, the cursor for selecting the image can be moved. In conjunction with the movement of the cursor on the camera display 104, the cursor moves on the PC display 114 at the same time.

  Depending on the model of the camera, it is possible to select all the 3 × 3 images being displayed by performing a wider operation, and to move the screen by nine images in one operation.

  Up to this point, the display function that can be displayed on the camera display 104 alone is similarly displayed on the PC display 114 as well, but the state when the TELE / WIDE dial 301 is further operated to the wide side is shown in 604. Has been. Here, 9 × 9 multi-display exceeding 3 × 3 multi-display that can be displayed on the camera display 104 on the PC display 114 is possible. On the other hand, on the camera display 104, the image arranged at the center of the previous screen is displayed as a single image. That is, the screens of the camera display 104 and the PC display 114 that have been performing the same display until now are different at this point. That is, the difference in display resolution is determined, and the level of display function allowed is varied accordingly. On the PC display 114, the image displayed on the camera display 104 is in focus, and the cursor is moved along with the image feeding by the camera operation. Depending on the resolution of the PC display, multi-display that displays a larger amount of images may be possible.

  For example, when returning from the 9 × 9 multi display to the 3 × 3 multi display, the TELE / WIDE dial 301 is rotated in the zoom direction by the amount corresponding to the wide operation. By this zoom operation, both screens are returned to the 3 × 3 multi-display that can be displayed by the camera alone. Here, when the display on the PC side is 9 × 9, the display on the camera side is a single display, but the camera side may continue the 3 × 3 display.

  This display control is performed by cooperation between the system control unit 102 of the digital camera 101 and the system control unit 112 of the PC 111.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing processing for determining a display mode for realizing the above-described screen transition.

  First, the system control unit 112 detects that the digital camera 101 is connected to the PC 111 and activates an application (step S701).

  Then, the system control unit 112 acquires the resolution of the PC display 114 (step S702).

  Further, the system control unit 112 transmits a request for acquiring the resolution of the camera display 104 from the digital camera 101 to the digital camera 101. The digital camera 101 receives the request and transmits the resolution of its own camera display 104 to the PC 111. The PC 111 receives the resolution of the camera display 104 transmitted by the digital camera 101 (step S703).

  The system control unit 112 compares the resolution of the PC display 114 acquired in steps S702 and S703 with the resolution of the camera display 104 (step S704). If it is determined that the resolution of the PC display 114 is higher, the process proceeds to step S705. If it is determined that the resolution of the PC display 114 is equivalent to that of the camera display 104, the process proceeds to step S710. If it is determined that the resolution of the PC display 114 is lower, the process proceeds to step S711.

  Hereinafter, a case where it is determined in step S704 that the PC display 114 has a higher resolution will be described. In this case, the system control unit 112 determines the resolution of the PC display 114 (step S705). If the resolution is SVGA, the process proceeds to step S706. If the resolution is XGA, the process proceeds to step S707. If the resolution is SXGA, the process proceeds to step S708. In steps S706 to S708, the extended display step supported in the extended display mode and the upper limit thereof are determined. That is, the process of step S705 can be said to be a process of determining an extended display step supported in the extended display mode according to the resolution of the PC display 114.

  Here, the extended display mode in the present embodiment is a mode in which display can be performed in a form different from that of the digital camera 101. For example, the digital camera 101 in this embodiment can perform up to 3 × 3 multi-display. On the other hand, when the display mode of the PC 111 is set to the extended display mode, more than 3 × 3 images can be multi-displayed on the PC 111.

  The extended display step in the present embodiment is a value indicating how many multi-displays the PC 111 can perform in the extended display mode. In the present embodiment, multi-display of three stages of 5 × 5, 9 × 9, and 15 × 15 is prepared in the extended display mode. For example, if the system control unit 112 determines that the extended display step is “2”, the PC 111 can perform two-stage expansion, that is, 5 × 5 and 9 × 9 multi-display.

  Hereinafter, the processing of steps S706 to S709 will be described. In these steps, the number of steps to be supported is determined from the resolution acquired in step S702.

  If the resolution of the PC display 114 is SVGA, the system control unit 112 sets the extended display step to 1, and supports up to 5 × 5 multi-display (step S706).

  If the resolution of the PC display 114 is XGA, the system control unit 112 sets the extended display step to 2, and supports 5 × 5, 9 × 9 multi-display (step S707).

  Furthermore, if the resolution of the PC display 114 is SXGA, the system control unit 112 sets the extended display step to 3, and supports up to 5 × 5, 9 × 9, and 15 × 15 multi-display (step S708). Thus, as the resolution increases, the number of images that can be multi-displayed on the PC display 114 is increased stepwise.

  Next, a case where it is determined in step S704 that the resolution of the PC display 114 is equivalent to that of the camera display 104 will be described. In this case, the system control unit 112 sets the display mode to the synchronous display mode instead of the extended display mode (step S710). The synchronous display mode is a mode in which the information displayed by the digital camera 101 alone is displayed on the PC display 114 in synchronization. In other words, the system control unit 112 enables 3 × 3 multi-display as well as the digital camera 101 even when performing multi-display on the PC display 114.

  A case will be described in which it is determined in step S704 that the resolution of the PC display 114 is lower. In this case, the system control unit 112 sets the mode to the limited display mode (step S711). The limited display mode is a mode in which the information displayed on the PC display 114 can be less than the information displayed on the digital camera 101. For example, in the limited display mode, the system control unit 112 displays only the image selected by the cursor on the PC display 114 in the limited display mode even when the multi-display is being executed on the camera display 104.

  The above is the display mode setting process. In the present embodiment, the display mode is determined based on the difference in resolution between displays, but the display mode determination method is not limited to this case.

  For example, the transition to the extended display mode may be performed when the resolution of the PC display is higher than a predetermined threshold value. In consideration of the fact that the PC display 114 generally has a higher resolution than the camera display 104, the PC 111 connected to the digital camera 101 may be allowed to transition to the extended display mode unconditionally.

  Next, basic processing for reflecting the operation and display on the digital camera 101 on the PC 111 and synchronizing the display will be described. In the synchronous display mode, the following processing is basically executed.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a process in which information similar to the camera display 104 is displayed on the PC display 114 when the display is updated according to the user's camera operation.

  First, the system control unit 112 of the PC 111 requests camera display information from the digital camera 101 (step S801). Here, the camera display information is information indicating the contents being displayed on the camera display 104.

  The digital camera 101 transmits camera display information to the PC 111 in response to a request from the PC 111. The PC 111 receives the camera display information transmitted from the digital camera 101 (step S802).

  Specific contents of the camera display information are shown in FIG. “Camera State” indicates the state of the digital camera 101 and indicates the following state. For example, there are a state in which a synchronous display function by a camera operation is currently being executed, a state in which extended display is being performed, and a state in which the synchronous display function is not synchronized with the PC 111.

  “Camera Mode ID” represents the layout of the camera display 104. Here, this “Camera Mode ID” indicates, for example, the distinction between single display / multiple display, or has versatility as an ID that defines the layout of a single image or a plurality of images.

  “Object Hhandle” is an identification number for specifying an image, and in this embodiment, the Object Hhandle of the currently selected image is described. Here, for example, when one image is displayed on the camera display 104, the currently displayed image is in the selected state. In the case of multi-display, an image on which the cursor is placed is selected among a plurality of images. Note that the number of images to be selected is not limited to one, and a plurality of images can be selected at a time.

  “Object Handle Num” represents the number of displayed images.

  Returning to the flow of FIG. The system control unit 112 acquires an image necessary for displaying on the PC display 114 from the HDD 118 based on the camera display information (step S803). Specifically, the image specified by the object handle included in the camera display information is acquired by searching the HDD 118.

  The system control unit 112 displays an image on the PC display 114 with the same layout as the camera display 104 (step S804). Specifically, an image acquired with a layout included in “Camera Mode ID” included in the camera indication information is displayed.

  Here, in step S <b> 803, the PC 111 may acquire and display an image from the digital camera 101. Specifically, the system control unit 112 requests the digital camera 101 for an image specified by the Object Handle included in the camera display information. The digital camera 101 that has received the request retrieves the requested image from the nonvolatile memory 108 and transmits it to the PC 111.

  The system control unit 112 executes the above processing using a key event issued by the system control unit 102 in response to the user operating the digital camera 101, for example, an image feed operation as a trigger. The key event here is operation information indicating an operation performed on the digital camera 101. Then, it is assumed that a means (step S805) for acquiring and determining the key event is provided. The key event may be notified directly from the digital camera 101, but in this embodiment, the PC 111 performs event polling on the digital camera 101.

  So far, the basic processing for reflecting the operation / display of the digital camera 101 on the PC 111 has been described. Next, processing in the extended display mode will be described. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing processing when displaying in the synchronous display mode and the extended display mode.

  Steps S902 to S905 are substantially the same as the operations from steps S802 to S805 in FIG. 8, and thus description of common parts is omitted.

  When the key event is acquired in step S905, the system control unit 112 checks the parameter of the event (step S906). Here, event parameters will be described.

  The display function of the camera display 104 alone has a timing at which key operations are invalidated due to a display limit. In this multi-display case, as shown in FIG. 6, by the wide operation by the operation system 105 of the camera, transition from the single display of 601 to the multi-display of 602 and the transition to the state where all the images of 603 are selected and the cursor is hit. To do. However, even if the wide operation is further performed from the state indicated by 603, the system control unit 102 controls to invalidate the wide operation.

  As described above, when an operation that invalidates the operation is performed, the system control unit 102 adds a parameter indicating that the operation is in advance, that is, the operation is invalid, to the key event, and transmits the key event to the PC 111.

  When acquiring the key event (step S905), the system control unit 112 determines whether the limit parameter is acquired from the digital camera 101 (step S906). If it is determined that it has been acquired, the display mode is changed to the extended display mode, and the process proceeds to step S908. If it is determined that it has not been acquired, the process returns to step S902 to continue the synchronous display mode. That is, camera display information is acquired from the digital camera 101 and the display of the image is updated.

  Hereinafter, a case where the limit parameter is acquired from the key event and the mode is changed to the extended display mode will be described. First, the system control unit 112 causes the digital camera 101 to set an extended display mode (step S907). This is because the system control unit 112 notifies the digital camera 101 that the own device has transitioned to the extended display mode, and the system control unit 102 of the digital camera 101 sets the own device to the extended display mode in response to the notification. This is realized. Note that the above-described notification may include a control signal for setting the digital camera 101 to the extended display mode.

  Here, the extended display mode in the digital camera 101 will be described. In the digital camera 101 in this embodiment, the display on the camera display 104 is a single display while the PC 111 is in the extended display mode. That is, when the PC 111 is in the extended display mode, the system control unit 102 of the digital camera 101 does not update the display content of the camera display 104 according to the wide operation / zoom operation. In order to execute such processing, when the extended display mode is set to the digital camera 101 (step S907), the system control unit 102 switches the display on the camera display 104 to single display. Also, the camera display 104 is controlled not to be updated by the wide operation / zoom operation of the digital camera 101. However, even if this mode is set, the key event in the wide operation / zoom operation is transmitted to the PC 111, and the limit parameter is not transmitted. By transmitting the key event in this way, the extended display step can be counted on the PC 111 side. If the condition for returning to the synchronous display mode is satisfied, the extended display mode of the digital camera is canceled to return to the synchronous display mode (step S918).

  The reason why the display on the camera display 104 is single display while the PC 111 is in the extended display mode is as follows. That is, the fact that the operation for performing the extended display has been performed is because it is highly possible that the user is looking at the PC display 114, and it is considered that the PC 114 only needs to be displayed in multiple displays. Further, for example, when multi-display is performed at 3 × 3 on the camera display 104 and 5 × 5 on the PC display 114, the multi-display layout is different between the displays. Then, it is also difficult for the user to grasp the alignment between displays at first glance.

  The processing after the extended display mode transition after step S908 is as follows.

  First, the system control unit 112 requests camera display information displayed on the camera display 104, and acquires the camera display information transmitted from the digital camera 101 (step S908). As described above, in this case, the camera display 104 is a single display. Accordingly, there is no change in the camera display mode and the like, and only the identification number of the selected image is useful information.

  Next, the system control unit 112 acquires an image being displayed on the camera display 104 based on the camera display information (step S909). Subsequently, the system control unit 112 acquires an image that is not displayed on the camera display 104 but is displayed on the PC display 114 (step S910). For example, when 5 × 5 display is performed, 12 images before and after are acquired in the display order from the image being displayed on the camera display 104.

  There are several possible ways to obtain it. For example, there is a method in which the PC 111 requests / receives a list indicating the identification number and display order of images stored in the digital camera 101 and specifies an image to be acquired based on the list. Alternatively, a method may be used in which the PC 111 inquires the identification numbers of the 12 images in the order of display from the image being displayed on the camera display 104 and the digital camera 101 responds with the identification numbers.

  The system control unit 112 displays the acquired image on the PC display 114 in a multi-display layout (step S911). At this time, the image displayed on the camera display 104 is displayed in a state where the cursor is placed on the image.

  Next, the system control unit 112 determines whether a key event has been received (step S912). If it is determined that it has been received, the process proceeds to step S913, and a screen update process is performed. If it is determined that it has not been received, the process is repeated. This is because when a multi-display extended display is performed, the display mode is returned from the current extended display mode to the synchronous display mode by a key event by a wide operation by the TELE / WIDE dial 301 and a zoom operation. Because. Therefore, the PC 111 needs to manage the mode transition by the PC from the key event by the wide operation and the zoom operation.

  Next, the system control unit 112 determines whether the key event is due to a wide operation or a zoom operation (step S913). If it is determined that it is due to the wide operation, the multi display step is counted up (step S916). The multi-display step is counted up every time the wide operation is performed, and finally the count is incremented up to the supported multi-display step determined in steps S706 to S708 in FIG.

  Next, the system control unit 112 updates the multi display number (step S917). For example, when a wide operation is performed in a state where an image is displayed in a 5 × 5 multi-display state, the screen is updated so that the multi-display is performed in 9 × 9.

  Next, a case will be described in which, in step S913, the system control unit 112 determines that the key event is a zoom operation. In this case, the reverse process is performed when the wide operation is performed. That is, the system control unit 112 counts down the extended display step (step S914), and determines whether or not a condition for returning to the synchronous display mode has been reached. (Step S915) If it is determined that the condition has been reached, the digital camera 101 is notified of the cancellation of the extended display mode, and the own apparatus is set to the synchronous display mode (Step S918).

  In the present embodiment, the example in which the camera display 104 performs single display while the PC 111 is set to the extended display mode has been described. However, the implementation method is not limited to this. Other methods are described below.

  FIG. 11 shows an extended display pattern in multi-display.

  Even when the digital camera 101 receives a notification of transition from the PC 111 to the extended display mode, the digital display 101 does not change the display on the camera display 104 to a single display but keeps all the multi-displayed images selected.

  However, as described above, in this state, the multi-display layout is different between the displays, and it is difficult for the user to grasp the alignment between the displays at a glance. Therefore, the system control unit 112 controls the display so that among the multiple images displayed in multiple on the PC display 114, the image displayed in multiple on the camera display can be identified. .

  For example, as shown in FIGS. 11A, 11B, and 11C, various image layouts on the PC display 114 in this case can be considered. In (a), (b), and (c) of FIG. 11, an image that is multi-displayed on the camera display is highlighted so that it can be distinguished from other images. In addition, it is also possible to display an image multi-displayed on the camera display larger than the other images or add an icon for identification display.

  Up to this point, the case where the PC 111 is set to the extended display mode (steps S706 to S708 in FIG. 7) has been described.

As shown in FIG. 7, as a result of comparing the resolutions of the two displays, they are the same, and when synchronous display is always performed, it can be realized by following the flowchart of FIG.
Further, when the resolution of the PC display 114 is lower than that of the camera display 104, it can be basically realized by the flow for synchronous display (FIG. 8). In that case, it is only necessary to acquire and display only the image on which the cursor is displayed on the camera display 104 as the content to be displayed on the PC display 114 side.

  As described above, the PC 111 according to the present embodiment can display a larger number of images than the digital camera 101 can display in multi-display. An image suitable for the PC display 114 having a high resolution and a large size can be displayed.

  Further, the PC 111 in the present embodiment determines the number of images that can be displayed in multiples at a time according to the resolution of the PC display 114. As a result, the PC 111 can perform multi-display corresponding to the resolution of the PC display 114.

(Second Embodiment)
In the second embodiment, similar to the first embodiment, information similar to the information displayed on the camera display 104 is displayed on the PC display 114 by a camera operation. The PC in the first embodiment transitions to the extended display mode when a wide operation is performed. In the present embodiment, the PC transitions to the extended display mode by zoom display.

  Since this embodiment has many parts in common with the first embodiment, description of the common parts will be omitted, and processing unique to this embodiment will be mainly described.

  FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a state of screen transition in the present embodiment.

  This realization method can be realized by a flow similar to the extended display flow in the multi-display shown in FIG. However, when acquiring camera display information, it is necessary to change the content of information to be acquired.

  FIG. 13 shows the contents of the camera display information at the time of zoom display. Instead of the number of display images and the identification number of each image in the display information at the time of multi-display, the current image of the zoom-displayed image The display range information is the upper left and lower right coordinates. Based on this information, the same display as the camera display 104 can be performed on the PC display 114.

  Returning to FIG. First, a case where a zoom operation is performed using the TELE / WIDE dial 301 from the state 1201 in which the camera display 104 is displaying a single image will be described. In this case, the system control unit 102 enlarges and displays the image displayed on the camera display 104 (state 1202).

  In accordance with this operation, the system control unit 102 updates the display on the PC display 114 and displays the same information as the camera display 104. The key event is transmitted from the digital camera 101 to the PC 111 according to the operation, as in the first embodiment.

  However, the zoom magnification that can be displayed on the camera display 114 is usually limited. Accordingly, when the maximum zoom magnification that can be realized by the camera display 114 is reached, the system control unit 102 invalidates the zoom operation. On the other hand, the system control unit 112 according to the present embodiment enables an image to be enlarged and displayed on the PC display 114 at a higher magnification than the digital camera 110.

  The flow for realizing the extended display mode in the present embodiment is substantially the same process as in the first embodiment, and is basically the same process as in FIG. Hereinafter, processing different from the first embodiment will be described.

  In the present embodiment, the system control unit 102 of the digital camera 101 invalidates the operation when the zoom operation is further performed in a state where the zoom is performed up to the maximum magnification that can be enlarged by the digital camera alone. Further, a limit parameter is added to the key event transmitted to the PC 111.

  Upon receiving the limit parameter (step S906), the system control unit 112 sets itself to the extended display mode and notifies the digital camera 101 that the extended display mode has been set (step S907).

  With the above processing, the PC 111 shifts to the extended display mode according to the zoom operation. Furthermore, screen transition when a zoom operation is detected in step S913 will be described with reference to FIG.

  In FIG. 12, in the state 1201, the same screen is displayed on the camera display 104 and the PC display 114.

  When a zoom operation is performed in the state 1201, the display on the camera display 104 is enlarged. Further, the display on the PC display 114 is enlarged in synchronization with it. It is assumed that this state 1202 is the maximum magnification that can be enlarged on the camera display 104.

When a zoom operation is further performed in the state 1202, the display mode is changed to an enlarged display mode and a state indicated by 1203 is obtained. First, the system control unit 112 further enlarges and displays an image on the PC display 114. This means that the image is displayed at a higher magnification than the maximum magnification that can be enlarged on the camera display 104. Further, since the system control unit 102 invalidates the zoom operation, the display on the camera display 104 does not change from the state 1202.
According to this embodiment, an image can be displayed on the PC display 114 at a higher magnification than the camera display 104.

(Third embodiment)
In the present embodiment, display processing when the camera display 104 and the PC display 114 have different aspect ratios will be described. Since this embodiment has many parts in common with the first embodiment, description of the common parts will be omitted, and processing unique to this embodiment will be mainly described.

  It is quite possible that the aspect ratios differ between the two displays. Under this circumstance, when synchronous display is performed as in the above embodiment, an area not used for display is created on the PC display 114 due to a difference in aspect ratio. Therefore, the display area of the PC display 114 cannot be efficiently used.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, processing for efficiently using the display area of the PC display 114 is performed. Since the system control unit 112 acquires the resolutions of the PC display 114 and the camera display 104, it is possible to acquire the aspect ratio of both displays based on this value.

  14 and 15 show examples of using unused areas due to such differences in aspect ratio.

  FIG. 14 shows an example of a screen displayed when the digital camera 101 having the 4: 3 aspect ratio camera display 104 and the PC 111 having the aspect ratio 16: 9 PC display 114 are connected in the present embodiment. FIG.

  Normally, the 16: 9 PC display 114 displays an image with an aspect ratio of 4: 3 in the image display area 1401, and the left and right sides thereof are unused areas 1402. However, when detecting that the aspect ratio of the camera display 104 is 4: 3, the system control unit 112 in the present embodiment provides an area 1405 for displaying an image with an aspect ratio of 4: 3, and displays the image. In this area 1405, an image in a selected state on the camera display 104 is displayed. Further, the system control unit 112 can provide a region 1404 on the right side of the screen of the region 1405, and can display images before and after the image displayed in the region 1405. This is because, after detecting a difference in aspect ratio between the two displays on the PC 111 side, an area (1404) to be displayed in synchronization with the camera operation and display update in synchronization with the camera operation in a layout arbitrarily determined by the PC. This can be realized by dividing the area (1405) to be performed.

  Further, FIG. 15 shows an example of a screen displayed when a digital camera 101 having a camera display 104 with an aspect ratio of 16: 9 and a PC 111 having a PC display 114 with an aspect ratio of 4: 3 are connected.

  In this case, normally, the 4: 3 PC display 114 displays an image with an aspect ratio of 16: 9 in the image display area 1501, and the upper and lower sides thereof are unused areas 1502. However, when detecting that the aspect ratio of the camera display 104 is 16: 9, the system control unit 112 in the present embodiment provides an area 1505 for displaying an image with an aspect ratio of 16: 9, and displays the image. In this area 1405, an image in a selected state on the camera display 104 is displayed. Further, the system control unit 112 can provide an area 1504 on the lower side of the screen of the area 1505, and can display images before and after the image displayed in the area 1505.

  That is, by displaying information related to an image in the unused area of the PC display 114, the unused area can be used efficiently.

  In addition, since the unused areas that exist on the left and right of the image display area 1401 (up and down 1501) are combined into one to display information related to the image, information related to the image is displayed in a larger size. It becomes possible.

(Other embodiments)
In the description of each embodiment, a digital camera and a PC have been described as examples. However, the present invention is not necessarily limited to this combination. For example, a mobile phone capable of displaying an image, an image viewer, or the like can be used instead of a digital camera. Further, a display device such as a television can be used instead of the PC.

  The object of each embodiment is also achieved by the following method. That is, a storage medium (or recording medium) in which a program code of software that realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments is recorded is supplied to the system or apparatus. Then, the computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus reads and executes the program code stored in the storage medium. In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention. Further, by executing the program code read by the computer, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but the present invention includes the following cases. That is, based on the instruction of the program code, an operating system (OS) running on the computer performs part or all of the actual processing, and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.

  Furthermore, the following cases are also included in the present invention. That is, the program code read from the storage medium is written into a memory provided in a function expansion card inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer. Thereafter, based on the instruction of the program code, the CPU or the like provided in the function expansion card or function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.

  When the present invention is applied to the above storage medium, the storage medium stores program codes corresponding to the procedure described above.

  The above embodiments can be combined as appropriate.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 101 Digital camera 102 System control part 103 USB interface 104 LCD display 105 Operation system 111 Computer 112 System control part 113 USB interface 114 Display 115 Keyboard 116 Mouse

In order to solve the above-described problem, an image processing apparatus according to the present invention is an image processing apparatus having a first display for displaying a first image, and a second image corresponding to the first image. A communication means for communicating with an information processing apparatus having a second display for displaying, an operation means for accepting a user operation, and the number of images displayed on the first display in response to an operation accepted by the operation means And changing means for increasing the information, and the communication means provides the information processing apparatus with information for increasing the number of images displayed on the second display in response to the operation received by the operation means. And when the predetermined number of first images are displayed on the first display, the operating means increases the number of images displayed on the first display. When the operation for accepting is received, the changing unit does not increase the number of images displayed on the first display, and the communication unit increases the number of images displayed on the second display. Information to be transmitted is transmitted to the information processing apparatus .

An image processing apparatus according to the present invention is an image processing apparatus having a first display for displaying a first image, and a second display for displaying a second image corresponding to the first image. A communication unit that communicates with the information processing apparatus including: an operation unit that receives a user operation; and a changing unit that changes a magnification ratio of the first image in accordance with an operation received by the operation unit, The communication means transmits information for changing the enlargement ratio of the second image corresponding to the first image to the information processing apparatus according to the operation received by the operation means, and the first display When the operation means receives an operation for increasing the enlargement ratio of the first image in a state where the first image is displayed at a predetermined enlargement ratio, the changing means Without increasing the magnification of the image, wherein the communication means and transmitting the information for increasing the magnification of the second image corresponding to the first image to the information processing apparatus.

Claims (7)

An image display system configured by connecting a plurality of devices each having a display,
At least one of the plurality of devices is
Operating means for commonly operating the display state of each display of the plurality of devices;
Detecting means for detecting characteristics of each display of the plurality of devices;
Based on the characteristics of each display detected by the detecting means, a display function level allowed for each display is determined, and each of the plurality of devices is determined according to the determined display function level. Display control means for displaying on the display;
An image display system comprising: An information processing apparatus capable of communicating with an external device including a first display,
Receiving means for receiving operation information indicating that the external device has been operated;
Display control means for controlling display of an image on a second display different from the first display in accordance with the operation information;
Detecting means for detecting characteristics of the first display and the second display;
Determining means for determining a level of a display function allowed for the second display based on a characteristic of each display detected by the detecting means;
The information processing apparatus, wherein the display control unit controls display of the image according to a level of the display function determined by the determination unit.   The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the display characteristic is resolution, and the level of the display function is the number of images to be displayed on the second display.   The information processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the display control unit increases the number of images displayed on the second display in a stepwise manner in accordance with the resolution of the display.   The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the display characteristic is an aspect ratio, and the display function level is a layout of an image to be displayed on each display. A method for controlling an information processing apparatus capable of communicating with an external apparatus including a first display,
A receiving step of receiving operation information indicating that the external device has been operated;
A display step of displaying an image on a second display different from the first display according to the operation information;
A detecting step of detecting characteristics of the first display and the second display;
A determination step of determining a level of display function allowed for the second display based on characteristics of each display detected in the detection step;
In the display step, the image is displayed according to the level of the display function determined in the determination step.   A program for causing a computer to execute the control method according to claim 6.

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