JP3832511B2 - Digital camera - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a digital camera, and more particularly, to a high-speed image selection method and a digital camera with a high-speed image selection function by fast-forward / fast-reverse of an enlarged thumbnail image when an image is displayed on a display device such as a liquid crystal display.

  In recent years, digital cameras (electronic still cameras) have been developed / sold and are becoming popular.

  The digital camera is configured to photoelectrically convert imaging light to obtain image data, record it on a recording medium, and output it to an external image processing device such as a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as a personal computer). Image data creation processing is performed, the created print image data is output to a printer, and a captured image is printed / reproduced on paper.

  Many digital cameras are provided with a liquid crystal display for displaying an imaging result, and image data obtained by photoelectric conversion is compressed and recorded on a recording medium. The compression processing is usually performed according to the JPEG standard (hereinafter referred to as JPEG compression).

  When selecting images on the computer side, multiple thumbnail images are first captured and displayed on the monitor, the user selects the desired image, and the selected image data is captured from the digital camera side for decompression processing. Are displayed on the monitor, and after obtaining confirmation from the user, image data creation processing for color printing is performed, and image printing is performed by a printer connected to a personal computer.

  A thumbnail image is a reduced image used when a desired image is selected from image data captured by a personal computer or the like. For example, assuming that the size (memory capacity) of image data for one frame is 1024 × 768 pixels. The corresponding thumbnail image is obtained by thinning and reducing the data to about 80 × 60 pixels, and is recorded on the recording medium of the digital camera.

  Here, a wireless device such as a communication line or a cellular phone is connected to a digital camera, and desired image data is transmitted by wire or wireless, or image data for printing is directly transmitted from the digital camera to a printer for printing. In this case, it is necessary to configure the digital camera to reproduce an image on the liquid crystal display and select a desired image.

  However, since the image data is JPEG compressed and stored in the recording medium, in order to reproduce and display the image on the liquid crystal display, the image data stored in the recording medium is read out, decompressed, and expanded in the frame memory. There is a need to.

  If the decompression means for compressed data is configured by a hardware circuit, the decompression / decompression time of the compressed data is short. However, in order to reduce the cost, in a popular digital camera, the decompression means is usually a program (hereinafter, decompression program). It takes 2 to 3 seconds to decompress and expand an image (1024 × 768 pixels) for one frame compressed with JPEG by a decompression program.

  For this reason, the user feels that the image display time is long, and when selecting a desired image, the user must try to sequentially display and display the image data. In the latter case, it takes a long time to select the image, which is inconvenient in practice.

The digital camera according to the present invention is
A display device capable of displaying a standard image reproduced from compressed image data and a reduced image reproduced from reduced image data;
Reduced image enlargement display means for enlarging and displaying the reduced image on the display device;
High-speed image selection means capable of executing a high-speed image selection mode for sequentially displaying reduced images when the fast-forward or fast-rewind button is kept pressed;
With
In the high-speed image selection mode, the high-speed image selection means stops the sequential display of the reduced images according to the fast-forward or fast-reverse button being released, and reproduces the standard image,
When the standard image is displayed, a button for instructing a next process different from the fast-forward button and the fast-reverse button is pressed. The process is shifted to a preparation process for transmitting compressed image data representing an image to an external device directly connected via an interface in the digital camera.

  In this digital camera, when a button different from the fast forward and fast reverse buttons is pressed from the state in which the standard image is displayed, the compressed image data representing the displayed standard image is transferred to the interface in the digital camera. It is possible to shift to a preparation process for transmission to an external device directly connected via the network.

  The reduced image enlargement display unit may simply enlarge the reduced image.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a digital camera according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

  In FIG. 1A, a digital camera 100 includes a lens, a diaphragm mechanism, and the like, and an optical system 1 that receives reflected light from an image to be photographed on a CCD 2 and converts imaging light from the optical system 1 into an electrical signal. A CCD 2, and an image data creation unit 3 that processes signals from the CCD 2 and outputs them to the frame memory 12 A as multi-value (R, G, B) raster data (image data). An input unit 5, a moving image display control unit 6, an image data output unit 7, a recording medium control unit 8, a built-in recording medium 9, an extended recording medium 10, an interface 11, an LED lamp 15 as a display unit, and a liquid crystal display 16 are provided.

  Here, the control unit 4 controls the operation of the image data creation unit 3, the moving image display control unit 6, the image data output unit 7, the recording medium control unit 8, and the high-speed image selection unit 60, image processing, and image compression / decompression processing. Etc. are controlled. The input means 5 is composed of buttons, switches and the like, inputs instructions from the user by these operations, converts them into digital signals, and gives them to the control unit 4.

  The moving image display control unit 6 outputs image data to the liquid crystal display 16 to display a moving image. In the present embodiment, in normal display, the image data stored in the frame memories 12A and 12B is superimposed and displayed. Normally, image data is written into the frame memory 12A by the image data creation unit 3 for a predetermined number of times, for example, 30 times or 60 times, and the display on the liquid crystal display 16 by the moving image display control unit 6 is an image. This is performed in the same phase in synchronization with data writing.

  The image data output unit 7 converts the R, G, and B raster data on the frame memory 12A into the luminance component Y and the color difference components U and V when an image recording is instructed by pressing a specific button during moving image display. Conversion and JPEG compression are performed, and reduction processing for creating a thumbnail image is performed.

  The recording medium control unit 8 receives the output of the image data output unit 7, and JPEG-compressed image data (hereinafter simply referred to as “image data”) and reduced image data in a predetermined recording medium 9 or an extended recording medium 10. Recording control such as writing to and reading of each recorded JPEG image data is performed.

  The internal recording medium 9 and the extended recording medium 10 are for storing image data, and the serial or parallel interface 11 is for exchanging data with an external device. In addition, the LED lamp 15 performs switch status display and functional specification display, and the liquid crystal display 16 displays a captured image or a captured object.

  The frame memory 12A is normally used as an image display memory for the liquid crystal display 16, and the image data is developed as a bitmap image. The frame memory 12B is used as a menu display memory as necessary. When displaying on the liquid crystal display 16, the contents of the frame memories 12A and 12B are superimposed and displayed as necessary.

  In the embodiment, the built-in recording medium 9 is composed of a 4 MB flash memory fixed inside the camera 100, and the built-in recording medium 9 stores not only image data but also data such as programs. Further, in the embodiment, the extended storage medium 10 uses a 4 to 16 MB memory card. In this case, a memory card interface (PCMCIA interface: not shown) is used. Other card-type memories such as flash (registered trademark) can be used.

  FIG. 1B shows the configuration of the control unit 4. The control unit 4 includes a CPU 41, a RAM 42 and a ROM 43. The ROM 43 stores data processing inside the digital camera such as operation control of the digital camera 100 and data compression / decompression processing. The necessary program group is stored.

  The digital camera 100 transmits image data stored in the built-in recording medium 9 to an external device, for example, a computer device 200 such as a personal computer, via the interface 11, and communicates via a modem 300. When the print image data creation processing program group is provided on the digital camera 100 side, print image data can be created, transmitted directly to the printer 400, stored, and printed.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the high-speed image selection means 60 constituting the main part of the digital camera of the present invention. The high-speed image selection means 60 includes a thumbnail compressed image data expansion means 61, a thumbnail image enlargement display means 62, The thumbnail image selection unit 63, the compressed image data expansion unit 64, the image display unit 65, and the selected image confirmation unit 66 are configured.

  In the present embodiment, the high-speed image selection means 60 is configured by software. The high-speed image selection means 60 may be configured to be stored in the ROM 43, or the high-speed image selection means 60 recorded on the external recording medium is taken in and stored in the recording medium 9 and transferred to the RAM 42 at the time of execution. It may be configured to execute.

  The thumbnail compressed image data decompression means 61 takes the thumbnail image data into the RAM 42, decompresses the compressed thumbnail image data, and decompresses the thumbnail image data in the RAM 42. In addition, since thumbnail images have a small number of pixels, the processing time is extremely shorter than the expansion time of image data even if all thumbnail images are expanded. Note that the thumbnail compressed image data decompression means 61 is not required in the case of a method in which the thumbnail image data is not compressed.

  The thumbnail image enlargement display means 62 enlarges the decompressed thumbnail image data, moves it to the frame memory 12A, develops it as an image image, and displays the enlarged thumbnail image 31 or 35 as an enlarged image on the liquid crystal display 16 (FIG. 3 (a) and (b)).

  In this case, when the thumbnail image is simply enlarged and displayed, the pixels are sparse and the entire image is blurred. Therefore, it is desirable to display the thumbnail image obtained by interpolating the enlarged image (FIG. 4).

  When a button provided near the liquid crystal display 16 is operated by the user, the thumbnail image selecting means 63 determines the meaning of the operation result and scrolls the enlarged thumbnail image 31 or 35 within the display screen to make the user's operation easier. Identify the desired image.

  When the enlarged thumbnail image is displayed, the compressed image data decompressing means 64 takes the image data corresponding to the thumbnail image from the recording medium into the RAM 42 and decompresses and decompresses the image data.

  The image display means 65 moves the image data developed in the RAM 42 to the frame memory 12A, develops it as an image, and displays it on the liquid crystal display 16. As a result, the expansion processing of the specified image data is completed while the user is viewing the thumbnail image displayed in an enlarged manner, and clear image data is displayed by overwriting the enlarged thumbnail.

  The selected image confirmation means 66 determines the meaning of the operation result when a specific button provided near the liquid crystal display 16 is operated by the user. Move on to processing.

  In the above configuration, the thumbnail compressed image data decompressing unit 61 and the compressed image data decompressing unit 64 are described as separate units for the sake of explanation. However, since only the data to be decompressed is different, the thumbnail compressed image data decompression is practical. The means 61 and the compressed image data decompression means 64 can be configured to use the same data decompression means (for example, configured as a subprogram).

  The high-speed image selection means 60 can be used not only for image selection with a digital camera but also for image selection taken with a digital camera such as a personal computer.

  Here, a pixel interpolation method that can be adopted by the thumbnail image enlargement display unit 62 will be described.

  As typical pixel interpolation methods, there are a linear interpolation method and a simple interpolation method (FIG. 4), and any of them may be used in the present invention.

  The linear interpolation method is a method of performing resolution conversion by linearly interpolating between two adjacent points to maintain a certain level of resolution.

  On the other hand, in the simple interpolation method, as shown in FIG. 4, when the positions of the original pixels A, B, C, and D after enlargement are obtained and the magnifications are R and S (both are positive integers), X In this method, the original pixel is copied R-1 times in the direction, and the original pixel is copied S-1 times in the Y direction after the copying in the X direction is completed.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 4A, the origin is the original pixel A, and the adjacent original pixels A (0, 0), B (0, 1), C (1, 0), D (1, 1) ) Is first magnified 4 times in the X direction and 5 times in the Y direction, the positions of the magnified original pixels A, B, C, D are A (0,0), B (0,5), C (4,0) and D (4,5) are obtained (FIG. 4B). Therefore, the original pixels A, B, C, and D are copied by 4-1 = 3 times in the X direction to fill the interval, and when the copying in the X direction is completed, the row is copied 5-1 = 4 times in the Y direction. To do. By this operation, an image enlarged 4 × 5 times is formed on the bitmap as shown in FIG.

  The linear interpolation method has an advantage that the gradation of a point between two points can be obtained and the resolution of the enlarged image can be maintained at a certain level, so that the image quality may be compared with other methods. When performing an interpolation operation using a computer, complicated division is required except for a specific case, and the processing takes a long time. On the other hand, the simple interpolation method is the fastest compared to other interpolation methods, but the gradation is not adjusted and it is simply copied, so the image quality is coarser and the larger the enlargement ratio, the larger the enlarged image. Since the quality of the image quality deteriorates rapidly, the expansion is limited to about 4 times at most.

  In the present embodiment, the screen size of the liquid crystal display 16 of the digital camera 100 is limited, and is just about four times as large as the thumbnail image. The interpolation of enlarged thumbnail images is performed by the simple interpolation method because the interpolation speed is faster than the interpolation method. Note that the linear interpolation method is desirable from the standpoint of emphasizing the quality of the display image.

  FIG. 5 shows a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the high-speed image selection means. As a premise, it is assumed that the thumbnail image data and the image data are JPEG compressed and recorded on the recording medium 9.

  As shown in FIG. 5, when the high-speed image selection is started by pressing the button 19 or 20, the thumbnail compressed image data decompressing means 61 takes the thumbnail image data into the RAM 42 and performs the JPEG compression processing of the thumbnail image data. The decompression process is performed and expanded in the RAM 42 (step S1). Next, the thumbnail image enlargement display means 62 sequentially assigns index numbers to the decompressed thumbnail image data (image number 31 in the example of FIG. 3A), and then enlarges the thumbnail image data for interpolation (in the embodiment). Simple interpolation), and displayed on the liquid crystal display 16 as an enlarged thumbnail image (step S2). When the user presses the button 19 or the button 20, the process returns to step S1 (step S3: YES).

  The thumbnail image selection means 63 displays the thumbnail images on the liquid crystal display 16 in ascending order by repeating the processes of steps S1 and S2 while the button 20 (fast forward button) provided near the liquid crystal display 16 is being pressed by the user. The thumbnail image stops when the button 20 is released.

  The button 19 is a fast reverse button, and while being pressed by the user, the processing of steps S1 and S2 is repeated to display thumbnail images in the descending order (reverse order) on the liquid crystal display 16 (fast reverse). When it is released, the thumbnail image stops.

  When a fixed time (2 seconds in the present embodiment) elapses, it is assumed that the image has been specified as the selected image, and the process proceeds to the next step S4 (step S3: NO).

  In step S4, when the compressed image data decompression means 64 displays the enlarged thumbnail image display, the image data corresponding to the enlarged thumbnail image is taken from the recording medium into the RAM 42, decompressed, and developed. Subsequently, the image display means 65 moves the image data developed in the RAM 42 to the frame memory 12A, develops it as an image, and displays it over the liquid crystal display 16 (step S5).

  When the user presses the button 17 or 18, the selected image confirmation unit 66 proceeds to “next processing” (step S 6: YES). If button 19 or button 20 is pressed, the process returns to step S1 (step S7: YES).

  In addition, the selection image confirmation unit 66 can be configured so as to proceed to the next process when the button 19 or the button 20 is not pressed even if a predetermined time (for example, 6 seconds) or more elapses in step S6.

  The “next processing” after an image is selected by the high-speed image selection means 60 is a preparatory process for transmitting the image data by wire or wireless, or printing image data for printing directly on a printer. Although there are creation processing and the like, these processing are performed by a program separately installed in the digital camera 100.

  FIG. 6 shows a flowchart showing another example of the operation of the high-speed image selection means. As a premise, it is assumed that the thumbnail image data and the image data are JPEG compressed and recorded on the recording medium 9.

  In the example of FIG. 5, when the forward / return key buttons 19 and 20 are pressed, fast reverse and fast forward are started from the beginning. When the button is kept pressed under a predetermined condition, the mode is shifted to the high-speed selection mode.

  That is, when the standard reproduction is performed (step S11), when the button 19 or 20 is pressed (step S12: YES), the compressed image data decompression means 64 stores the previous or next image data in the RAM 42. Then, the image display means 65 transfers the image data developed in the RAM 42 to the frame memory 12A, develops it as an image image, and displays it on the liquid crystal display 16 (step S13).

  Here, when the same button is pressed when the image reproduction is completed (step S14: YES), the mode shifts to the high-speed image selection mode, and the thumbnail compressed image data decompression means 61 moves to the previous or next one. Thumbnail image data corresponding to the image data is fetched into the RAM 42, the thumbnail image data subjected to JPEG compression processing is expanded, expanded in the RAM 42, and then the thumbnail image expansion display means 62 expands the expanded thumbnail image data. Then, interpolation (simple interpolation in the embodiment) is performed and displayed as an enlarged thumbnail image on the liquid crystal display 16 (step S15).

  If the button is further pressed when the display of the enlarged thumbnail image is completed (step S16: YES), the process returns to step S14 to enlarge and display the previous or next thumbnail image. As long as is kept pressed, this process is repeated to realize high-speed image selection.

  On the other hand, if the button is no longer pressed (step S16: NO), the compressed image data decompression unit 64 takes the image data corresponding to the thumbnail image being displayed in the RAM 42, decompresses it, expands it, and displays the image data. Image data 65 developed in the RAM 42 is transferred to the frame memory 12A and developed as an image, overwritten on the liquid crystal display 16 (step S17), and the process returns to step S12.

  The operation example of the high-speed image selection processing has been described above. Switching between normal reproduction and high-speed selection reproduction may be performed by a predetermined switch or the like, and any method may be used.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing still another example of the operation of the high-speed image selection unit. As a premise, it is assumed that the thumbnail image data and the image data are JPEG compressed and recorded on the recording medium 9.

  In the example of FIG. 6, when the buttons 19 and 20 of the feed / return key are kept pressed under a predetermined condition, the mode is shifted to the high-speed selection mode. When 19 or 20 is pressed, standard reproduction is performed, but the second and subsequent times are shifted to the high-speed selection mode.

  That is, when the standard reproduction is performed (step S21), it is determined whether or not the menu selection key is pressed (step S22). When the selection key is pressed (step S22: YES), the menu is selected. After executing the process (step S23), the process returns to step S22. On the other hand, if the selection key is not pressed (step S22: NO) and the button 19 or 20 is pressed (step S24: YES), the compressed image data decompression means 64 is the previous one or The next image data is taken into the RAM 42, expanded and expanded, and then the image display means 65 moves the image data expanded in the RAM 42 to the frame memory 12A and expands it as an image image, which is displayed on the liquid crystal display 16. (Step S25).

  Next, when the button 19 or 20 is not pressed for a predetermined time, for example, 1 second or 2 seconds (step S26: NO, step S27: YES), the process returns to step S22. When 20 is pressed (step S26: YES), the second key operation is performed, so that the mode is shifted to the high-speed image selection mode, and the thumbnail compressed image data expansion unit 61 moves to the previous or next image data. The corresponding thumbnail image data is taken into the RAM 42, the thumbnail image data subjected to JPEG compression processing is decompressed and expanded into the RAM 42, and then the thumbnail image enlargement display means 62 enlarges and interpolates the decompressed thumbnail image data. (Simple interpolation in the embodiment) and display as an enlarged thumbnail image on the liquid crystal display 16 (step S28).

  Further, after the display of the enlarged thumbnail image is completed, when the button is pressed within a predetermined time, for example, 1 second or 2 seconds (step S29: YES), the process returns to step S28 to return to the previous or next time. When the thumbnail image is enlarged and displayed, and the button is pressed continuously within a predetermined time, this process is repeated to realize high-speed image selection.

  On the other hand, if the button has not been pressed within the predetermined time (step S29: NO, step S30: YES), the compressed image data decompression means 64 captures the image data corresponding to the thumbnail image being displayed into the RAM 42. The image display means 65 moves the image data expanded in the RAM 42 to the frame memory 12A, expands it as an image image, overwrites it on the liquid crystal display 16 (step S31), and returns to step S22.

  In the example of FIG. 7, when the forward / return key is pressed from the standard image playback, the mode is changed to the high-speed selection mode from the second time onward. However, the first time and the second time are determined by the first key operation. It may be distinguished from the second and subsequent times by setting a flag. In addition, in the second time, it always shifts to the high-speed selection, but after the first key operation, after a predetermined time, for example, about 1 to 3 seconds, the first key again. You may make it judge that it is operation.

  The operation example of the high-speed image selection processing has been described above. Switching between normal reproduction and high-speed selection reproduction may be performed by a predetermined switch or the like, and any method may be used.

  Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and it goes without saying that various modifications can be made.

It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of a digital camera with a high-speed image selection function. It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of a high-speed image selection means. It is a back surface partial view of a digital camera. It is explanatory drawing of the interpolation method (simple interpolation method) of a pixel. It is a flowchart which shows an example of operation | movement of a high-speed image selection means. It is a flowchart which shows an example of operation | movement of a high-speed image selection means. It is a flowchart which shows an example of operation | movement of a high-speed image selection means.

Explanation of symbols

9 Recording medium 15 Liquid crystal display (display means)
42 RAM
60 High-Speed Image Selection Unit 61 Thumbnail Compression / Compression Image Data Expansion Unit 62 Thumbnail Image Enlargement Display Unit 63 Thumbnail Image Selection Unit 64 Compression / Compression Image Data Expansion Unit 65 Image Display Unit 66 Selected Image Confirmation Unit 100 Digital Camera

Claims (2)

A digital camera,
A display device capable of displaying a standard image reproduced from compressed image data and a reduced image reproduced from reduced image data;
Reduced image enlargement display means for enlarging and displaying the reduced image on the display device;
High-speed image selection means capable of executing a high-speed image selection mode for sequentially displaying reduced images when the fast-forward or fast-rewind button is kept pressed;
With
In the high-speed image selection mode, the high-speed image selection means stops the sequential display of the reduced images according to the fast-forward or fast-reverse button being released, and reproduces the standard image,
When the standard image is displayed, a button for instructing a next process different from the fast-forward button and the fast-reverse button is pressed. A digital camera, wherein the process proceeds to a preparation process for transmitting compressed image data representing an image to an external device directly connected via an interface in the digital camera. The digital camera according to claim 1,
The reduced image enlargement display unit simply enlarges the reduced image.

Images