JP4323533B2 - Electronic camera - Google Patents

Description

  BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electronic camera, and more particularly to an electronic camera having a function capable of reproducing and displaying an image in a plurality of display forms in addition to normal image display for image display means disposed integrally with a main body It is.

  In recent years, an electronic camera configured to record a subject image formed by a photographing optical system into a recording medium such as a memory card after photoelectrically converting the subject image into an electric signal using an image sensor such as a CCD. Is widely spread.

  Such an electronic camera serves as a finder for determining a shooting range or the like during an image recording (shooting) operation, while reproducing and displaying an image signal or the like recorded on a recording medium as an image. A small-sized image display means such as a liquid crystal display (LCD) that can display image information such as shooting date and time accompanying the image is provided integrally or detachably on the exterior of the apparatus body, and has an image reproduction display function. What is comprised is generally put into practical use.

  On the other hand, an electrical image signal recorded on a recording medium using such an electronic camera has a characteristic that it can be easily displayed in various forms by performing electrical image processing. . The image signal includes a signal representing the image itself, various information attached to the image, that is, image information such as shooting date / time information, image frame number, and title / comment regarding the image arbitrarily input by the user. In general, these are recorded on a recording medium as a single image file or in the form of separate files associated with each other.

  Therefore, by utilizing the characteristics of the image signal having such characteristics, the image and the image information recorded on the recording medium are not only displayed on the display screen of the image display means as they are, but also recorded, for example. Various functions such as a display function for performing various image processing on the obtained image signal and reproducing and displaying the resulting image, and an image search function for searching for a desired image among a plurality of recorded images By configuring so as to have an additional function, it is possible to improve the user's feeling of use and operability, and to provide an electronic camera that is easier to use.

  Among such additional functions, for example, a so-called electronic zoom function can be given as a representative display function involving image processing.

  With this electronic zoom function, image processing for electrically enlarging a part of an image is performed on an image signal for recording that can be recorded by an electronic camera or an image signal recorded on a recording medium, and the enlarged image Is displayed in the entire screen area on the display screen of the image display means.

  By using this function, it is possible to acquire (capture / record) or reproduce an image obtained by enlarging only a part of the image separately from an image in a predetermined imaging range defined by the imaging optical system of the electronic camera. There is an advantage that you can.

  Further, as a search function for searching for a desired image among a plurality of image signals recorded on a recording medium, for example, using a display form such as multi-display / list display on a display screen of an image display device, A function for performing a desired image search is given.

  Among them, the multi-display is an image reduction process for a plurality of image signals corresponding to a plurality of images recorded on a recording medium, and the plurality of reduced images are matrixed on the display screen of the image display means. It is the display form displayed on one screen as a collective image arranged in a shape. If this multi-display mode is used, there is an advantage that a desired image can be easily retrieved from a plurality of images.

  On the other hand, the list display is a display form in which image information (attribute information) such as shooting date / time information recorded accompanying each image is displayed in the form of characters or the like on the display screen of the image display means. This is a display form in which the results of image search are displayed in a list format based on predetermined search items such as shooting frame numbers and shooting date / time information.

  As the above-mentioned image information (attribute information), in addition to shooting date / time information / frame number recorded together with the image at the time of shooting, the user can write it using a predetermined device after shooting. Various information such as various information such as a title, a comment, and a photographer name for a predetermined image is considered.

  By performing a search using this list display, it is possible to easily search for a desired image that matches a predetermined search condition, and to easily sort and organize the images.

  Further, when performing a search using a list display, for example, a search is performed using a plurality of preset items as search conditions, and the list display of search results for each item obtained as a result is hierarchized. It is considered to be able to display sequentially. According to this, the user can easily search for a desired image from the image search results displayed in a hierarchical manner, and thus can more efficiently search for an image recorded on the recording medium. become able to.

  In order for the user of the electronic camera to effectively operate such various functions, it is necessary to arrange a plurality of operation means and the like at predetermined positions on the exterior of the electronic camera. In this case, it is necessary to arrange the plurality of operation means so that the user can reliably operate without confusion.

  For example, an electronic camera described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 6-44318 is configured by arranging a plurality of operation buttons on the upper surface side of the camera exterior, and recording (REC) as a mode switching button among the plurality of operation buttons. ) / Playback (PLAY) button is operated to switch between the recording operation mode and the playback mode.

  In this electronic camera, when a mode switching button is operated to select a recording operation mode, an image signal is recorded on a file registered in a hierarchical directory having a hierarchical structure. On the other hand, when the playback mode is selected by operating the mode switching button, the desired hierarchical directory is designated by operating the up button and the down button that indicate the desired hierarchical directory among the plurality of operating buttons. This makes it possible to reproduce and display a desired image.

  The electronic camera described in JP-A-6-44318 has a function of displaying a hierarchical directory of recorded files as a display form in the image display device when the reproduction operation mode is selected. ing. A plurality of operation buttons are provided with dedicated operation members for realizing a plurality of functions.

  By the way, when the image based on the image signal recorded on the recording medium by the conventional general electronic camera as described above is reproduced and displayed on the display screen of the image display means, by providing various display functions, Reproduction display in various display modes is possible.

  Therefore, in order to cope with this, consider the case where the means disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-44318 is used. In this case, a dedicated operation button is made independent according to a plurality of display functions and various display forms, and arranged on the exterior of the electronic camera. There is a problem that the apparatus itself becomes large.

  That is, in an electronic camera using the means described in the above-mentioned Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 6-44318, for example, a plurality of display functions (functions such as an electronic zoom function and an image search function) are added in addition to the normal image reproduction display function. In addition, when the image search function is executed, if it is configured so that playback display can be performed in a plurality of display forms (multi-display / list display, etc.), the display functions and A plurality of operation members for switching various display modes are required. As described above, providing a plurality of operation members corresponding to a large number of functions in order to realize multi-functionality complicates an electric circuit in the apparatus and enlarges the apparatus itself. Result.

  Therefore, in order to make the operation members common, the display function desired by the user (normal image playback display function, electronic zoom function, image search function, etc.) and various display forms (multi-display, list display, etc.) are switched. A single mode switching button is provided as an operation means, and a single selection operation button is provided as an operation means for selecting various setting values to be set in each operation mode. It is conceivable that a plurality of display functions and various display forms can be sequentially switched. The operation of the electronic camera in this case is as follows.

  For example, when the operation mode for executing the electronic zoom function is selected by the mode switching button, if the selection operation button is operated, a desired zoom magnification (magnification of the image such as 2 ×, 3 ×, 4 × with respect to the original image signal) Setting value can be set, and based on this, enlargement processing for enlarging a part of the image is performed, and an enlarged image (zoom image) as a result of the processing is displayed on the display screen of the image display means Playback will be displayed.

  In addition, when the selection operation button is operated when the display mode by the multi display mode is selected from among the operation modes in which the image search function is executed by the mode switching button, the multi display selected by this is displayed. Image reduction processing according to the set value is performed, and the corresponding multi-display is reproduced and displayed on the display screen of the image display means. In this case, the multi-display setting value set by operating the selection operation button is a setting value of the maximum number of reduced images that can be simultaneously displayed in one screen of the display screen of the image display means, For example, there are forms such as 4 images of 2 vertical images × 2 horizontal images, 3 images of 3 vertical images × 9 images of 3 horizontal images, 16 images of 4 vertical images × 4 horizontal images.

As described above, as operation means in the conventional electronic camera, there are a mode switching button for switching a plurality of functions (operation mode, display form, etc.), a selection operation button for selecting a predetermined set value in each operation mode, and the like. If they are provided independently and can be made to function separately, the electronic camera can be multi-functionalized with fewer operation buttons and good operability can be obtained.
JP-A-6-44318

  However, even with the electronic camera configured as described above, for example, when the following operation is performed, there is a problem that the operation procedure becomes complicated and a good usability and operability cannot be obtained. .

  First, at the time of playback operation of the electronic camera, a desired image is searched (selected) using the display mode of multi-display, and the image is played back and displayed on the display screen of the image display means. Consider a case where a series of operations are performed in which a part of the same image is enlarged and displayed using an electronic zoom function.

  The operation in this case is as follows. That is, after switching to a display mode in which multi-display can be performed by operating a mode switching button, an image is searched (selected) by operating a selection operation button, and a desired image is reproduced on the display screen of the image display means. Is displayed. If the mode switching button is operated again in this state, the electronic camera switches to an operation mode in which the electronic zoom function can be executed. Here, the zoom factor is further selected by operating the selection operation button. Thereby, processing based on the selected desired zoom magnification is performed, and the enlarged image is displayed on the image display means. Therefore, the mode switching button and the selection operation button must be operated alternately, and the user is forced to perform a complicated operation.

  The operation shown in the above-described example is an operation that can be frequently performed when the electronic camera is used. Therefore, when a plurality of functions that can be executed by the electronic camera are configured to be realized by a smaller number of operation means, depending on how the functions of the operation means are assigned, the operability of the apparatus itself can be significantly affected. It can be said.

  On the other hand, when an operation button or the like is provided for each function according to a plurality of functions that can be operated in the reproduction operation mode, the plurality of operation buttons are operated when the user operates as described above. In addition, since it becomes more difficult to discriminate between the corresponding function and the corresponding function, there is a problem that it causes unnecessary confusion to the user.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described points, and the object thereof is small without impairing the usability and operability while considering the mutual relationship between a plurality of operation modes. An object of the present invention is to provide an electronic camera that can easily cope with multi-functionality by operating means.

To achieve the above object, an electronic camera according to the first invention, in the electronic camera into an electric signal is recorded using an imaging device an object image formed by the photographing optical system, different at the time of reproduction at the time of shooting switching function is assigned, with each instruction to Misao Tsukude stage operation during shooting to switch to the operation and telephoto direction switches the zoom magnification of the imaging optical system to the wide direction, the operating means, at the time of reproduction, to the wide-angle direction By switching operation, switching from playback zoom mode that displays an image that is a part of the image electrically enlarged to normal mode that displays a single image, and a group image in which multiple images are arranged from the normal mode are displayed. and it said to Rukoto the instruction to switch to the multi-display mode.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the electronic camera according to the first aspect, the operation means further switches from the multi-display mode to the normal mode and from the normal mode to the normal mode by a switching operation in the tele direction during reproduction. and it said to Rukoto the instruction to switch to the playback zoom mode.

According to a third aspect of the present invention , in the electronic camera according to the first or second aspect , in the multi-display mode, the operation means instructs switching to a screen with a large number of display images by the switching operation in the wide direction. and characterized that you instruct switching to small screen in the number of display images by switching operation to the telephoto direction.
According to a fourth invention, in the electronic camera according to the first or second invention, the operation means is a single button that is operated to swing.
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the electronic camera according to the first or second aspect, the operation means includes two operation buttons, a button for switching to the wide direction and a button for switching to the tele direction. It is characterized by becoming.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an electronic camera that can easily cope with multi-functions by a small number of operation means without impairing the feeling of use and operability, while taking into consideration the mutual relationship between a plurality of operation modes. Can do.

  The present invention will be described below with reference to illustrated embodiments.

  FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of an electronic camera according to an embodiment of the present invention as viewed from the back side. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the electronic camera.

  As shown in FIG. 1, an LCD monitor 6 such as a liquid crystal display (LCD) as an image display means is provided on the exterior portion 1a of the electronic camera 1 according to the present embodiment. It is integrally arranged toward the direction. Near the LCD monitor 6 are a recording / playback mode switching button 4 which is an operation means for switching operation modes such as a recording (photographing) operation and a reproduction (display) operation, and an image to be reproduced and displayed on the LCD monitor 6. A plus (+) / minus (−) button 5 or the like that is operated when performing selection or the like is provided.

  On the other hand, a mode display member 7 such as a liquid crystal display (LCD) is disposed at a substantially central portion on the upper surface portion of the electronic camera 1, and photographing is performed near one side edge portion of the upper surface portion of the camera 1. A shutter release button 3 that is operated when performing operations and the like, and a tele / wide button (hereinafter referred to as a TW button) that is an operation means for performing switching operations of various functions that can be executed in the electronic camera 1. 2) and the like.

  The mode display member 7 includes various information relating to the state of the electronic camera 1, such as operation mode, setting items for various functions, the number of images that can be captured or the number of images that have been captured, date and time, battery remaining amount information, and the like. It is displayed.

  The TW button 2 is made of a single operation member, and can be changed (switching operation) such as a zoom magnification of an image to be recorded or reproduced by swinging it to the left or right. A so-called seesaw type switching member is employed as the switch member. In addition, since the components disposed in the exterior portion 1a of the electronic camera 1 are not directly related to the present invention, the description and illustration thereof are omitted.

  Next, the configuration of the electrical system inside the electronic camera 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the electronic camera 1 includes a photographic lens system 9 that is a photographic optical system including a zoom lens that can change the magnification of a subject and that can collect a subject light beam and form a subject image, and the photographic lens system. An imager 8 constituted by an image sensor such as a CCD that photoelectrically converts the subject image formed by the image 9 into an electrical signal, and predetermined image processing (preprocessing) for the image signal converted by the imager 8 ) And the like, an A / D conversion circuit 11 that converts an image signal (analog signal) output from the imaging circuit 10 into a digital signal, and a digital signal image, image information, and the like. The memory 12 such as a buffer memory composed of a DRAM or the like for temporarily storing the image signal to be stored and the digital image signal stored in the memory 12 are displayed on the LCD monitor 6, for example. A D / A conversion circuit 13 for converting the analog signal into an optimal form for the image display, an LCD monitor 6 (see also FIG. 1) which is an image display means for displaying an image and image information, and the like stored in the memory 12 Data processing / compression processing and the like are performed so that a digital image signal can be recorded on a memory card 16 as a recording medium, and various image data recorded in a compressed state on the memory card 16 A memory card comprising an image signal compression / decompression circuit 15 that performs decompression processing so that a signal can be subjected to image processing, a mounting unit for mounting a memory card 16, a card I / F (electric circuit), and the like. The slot 17, a system controller 21 that is a control means for controlling the entire electronic camera 1, and a part of the lens group constituting the photographing lens system 9 are moved in the optical axis direction. The zoom motor 20 that performs optical zooming operation (zooming) by performing the operation, the zoom control circuit 19 that controls the drive of the zoom motor 20, and the electronic zoom function during the recording operation and the reproduction operation are selected. And an electronic zoom control circuit 18 for controlling the operation at the time, and a plurality of input switch groups 22 and the like that can input various input signals to the system controller 21 in accordance with the operations of the various operation buttons 2 to 5 described above. ing.

  In the present electronic camera 1, a memory card 16 that is detachably disposed is applied as a recording medium for recording an image signal. A fixed memory or the like may be used.

  The plurality of input switch groups 22 provide a plurality of instructions for switching various functions to the system controller 21 or the like, or setting / selection / instructions during execution of these various functions. It consists of input switches. The system controller 21 receives an input signal from the input switch group 22 and controls predetermined components and the like, and controls the electronic camera 1 so that an operation corresponding to the operated switch is executed. ing.

  Each switch constituting the input switch group 22 corresponds to, for example, the TW button 2 and corresponds to the zoom SW 23 including the tele SW 23a and the wide SW 23b and the shutter release button 3 and a command for executing a photographing operation or the like. Corresponding to the release SW 25 for supplying the recording / reproducing mode, the recording / reproducing mode switching button 4, the recording / reproducing mode switching SW 26 for giving a command for switching the operation mode such as the recording operation and the reproducing operation, and the plus / minus button 5 In addition, there are a plus SW 27 and a minus SW 28 that give a command for selecting an image to be reproduced and displayed.

  The zoom SW 23 is an input switch corresponding to the TW button 2. In the electronic camera 1, various functions shown below can be realized by the user operating the TW button 2. It is configured.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram simply showing various functions (operation modes) that can be executed in the electronic camera 1. The operation of the electronic camera 1 will be described below with reference to FIG. Note that arrows X1 and X2 shown in FIG. 3 conceptually indicate the operation direction of the TW button 2. In addition, arrows A, B, and C indicated by diagonal lines in FIG. 3 indicate a zoom magnification setting or selection operation when performing an optical or electronic zoom operation, and are portions where continuous operations are performed. On the other hand, the other white arrows mainly indicate switching or selection operations such as switching between various modes, and are portions where a so-called one-action operation is performed.

  First, when the operation mode of the electronic camera 1 is roughly divided, the recording operation mode when performing the recording (photographing) operation and the image signal recorded on the recording medium such as the memory card 16 are displayed on the display screen of the LCD monitor 6. There is a playback (display) operation mode for playback display.

  The switching between the recording operation mode and the reproduction operation mode is performed by operating the recording / reproduction mode switching SW 26 (see FIG. 2) by operating the recording / reproduction mode switching button 4 (see FIG. 1), and the input generated thereby. The switching operation is performed by supplying a signal to the system controller 21.

  As described above, when the recording / reproducing mode switching button 4 is operated to shift to the recording operation mode and the recording (photographing) operation can be performed, the electronic camera 1 has the optical zoom function and the electronic zoom function. And can be selected.

  In the electronic camera 1, a state where the optical zoom function can be operated (hereinafter referred to as an optical zoom mode) is set as an initial state immediately after the power is turned on or a state immediately after shifting to the recording operation mode. In addition, it is assumed that the photographing lens system 9 is set to a position closest to the wide end. Furthermore, in this electronic camera 1, it is assumed that the recording operation mode is set as the operation mode when the power-on operation is performed.

  When in this state (optical zoom mode in the recording operation mode), if the TW button 2 is operated in any direction in the tele direction or wide direction (see arrow X1 and arrow B shown by diagonal lines in FIG. 3), the zoom SW 23 In response to the input signal, the system controller 21 controls the zoom motor 20 and the like via the zoom control circuit 19 to drive the photographing lens system 9. As a result, an optical scaling operation (zooming) is performed. At this time, the user operates the TW button 2 to set a desired zoom magnification.

  The zoom magnification by the zooming operation that can be set here is obtained by continuously moving a zoom lens group (not shown) that controls the zooming operation of the photographing lens system 9 in the optical axis direction by the driving force of the zoom motor 20. A predetermined value is set, and continuous zooming operation is performed by continuing to press (continue to operate) the TW button 2. Note that a specific mechanism for executing the optical zoom mode uses a general mechanism that has been conventionally used, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

  In this optical zoom mode, when the zoom magnification that can be set by the operation of the TW button 2 is set to the telephoto side (the longest focal position), the TW button 2 is further moved to the tele direction, and a so-called one-action operation is performed. If it does, the input signal from tele SW23a among zoom SW23 will arise. In response to this, the system controller 21 controls the electronic zoom control circuit 18 and the memory 12 to perform image processing for enlarging a part of the image based on the image signal temporarily stored in the memory 12, and the enlargement thereof. The operation of displaying an image on the LCD monitor 6 is performed. As a result, the electronic camera 1 shifts to a recording electronic zoom mode in which control for executing an electronic zoom function during recording is performed.

  Then, in this recording electronic zoom mode, if the TW button 2 is operated in any direction in the tele direction or wide direction (see arrow X1 in FIG. 3 and arrow A indicated by diagonal lines), the desired value is obtained as in the optical zoom mode. The zoom magnification can be set.

  The zoom magnification setting value that can be set here is a zoom magnification that is set based on the most telephoto image size that can be set in the optical zoom mode. The setting value may be changed continuously, or may be set from a stepwise specified zoom magnification value such as double (× 2) or triple (× 3) with respect to the reference image size. The zoom magnification value may be selected by the user operating the TW button 2 (in the example shown in FIG. 3, continuous zooming is performed).

  Further, in this recording operation mode, a desired zoom magnification is set, and then a shooting operation is performed by operating (pressing) the release button 3 (see FIG. 1). Is an image signal representing an image enlarged by a set zoom magnification.

  4 and 5 are diagrams showing the display form of the display screen of the LCD monitor 6 in the electronic zoom mode. FIG. 4 shows the zoom magnification of 3 times (× 3) with respect to the reference image size. FIG. 5 shows an example when the zoom magnification is similarly set to double (× 2). In FIGS. 4 and 5, the numeral [1] shown near the upper edge of the screen indicates the frame number information of the image displayed on the display screen.

  Next, in the recording electronic zoom mode, when the zoom magnification that can be set by operating the TW button 2 is set to the widest side (shortest focal position), the TW button 2 is further operated in one direction in the wide direction. Then, an input signal from the wide SW 23b in the zoom SW 23 is generated. Based on this, the electronic camera 1 shifts to an optical zoom mode in which control for executing the optical zoom function is performed.

  Thus, in the recording operation mode, the TW button 2 (zoom SW 23 = tele SW 23a / wide SW 23b) is a means for switching between the optical zoom function and the recording electronic zoom function, and at the same time, sets a desired zoom magnification of the image for recording. Alternatively, it serves as a recording zoom magnification selection means for selection.

  On the other hand, when the recording / reproducing mode switching button 4 is operated and an input signal indicating that the recording / reproducing mode switching SW 26 should shift to the reproducing operation mode is generated, the system controller 21 receives this and the system controller 21 receives the signal. The electronic camera 1 shifts to a reproduction operation mode in which the image signal stored in the memory 12 can be reproduced and displayed as an image on the display screen of the LCD monitor 6 via the D / A conversion circuit 13. To do.

  The state immediately after the transition to the reproduction operation mode is a normal mode in which a normal image reproduction display function is executed.

  In this normal mode, first, a predetermined image recorded in the memory card 16, for example, the latest image signal among the recorded image and the image signal representing the image information is stored in the memory card slot 17 / compressed / decompressed. It is sent to the memory 12 via the circuit 15 and temporarily stored therein. At the same time, the image signal stored in the memory 12 is sent to the LCD monitor 6 through the D / A conversion circuit 13, and an image based on the image signal is reproduced and displayed in the entire area on the display screen of the LCD monitor 6. .

  In this case, special image processing or the like is not performed on the image signal, and the recorded image is displayed in the entire display area of the display screen of the LCD monitor 6 as it is. An example of the display form of the display screen of the LCD monitor 6 at this time is shown in FIG. In the display example in FIG. 6, the number [1] shown near the upper edge in the screen is a frame number corresponding to the image displayed on the display screen.

  In this state, a one-action operation of the TW button 2 in the tele direction or the wide direction (arrow X2 in FIG. 3) performs a playback electronic zoom mode or a plurality of images and It is possible to switch to one of image search modes for searching for image information and the like.

  First, to switch from the normal mode to the playback electronic zoom mode, the TW button 2 is operated in a one-action direction in the tele direction. As a result, an input signal from the tele SW 23a in the zoom SW 23 is generated, so that the electronic camera 1 shifts to the playback electronic zoom mode.

  In this playback electronic zoom mode, as in the above-described recording electronic zoom mode, the image signal temporarily stored in the memory 12 is controlled by the system controller 21 controlling the electronic zoom control circuit 18, the memory 12, and the like. In this mode, image processing for electrically enlarging a part of the image is performed, and the enlarged image is reproduced and displayed on the display screen of the LCD monitor 6.

  In this case, the zoom magnification desired by the user can be set by operating the TW button 2 in any direction in the tele direction or the wide direction (see arrow X2 and arrow C indicated by diagonal lines in FIG. 3). This zoom magnification value is a zoom magnification based on the image size in the normal mode, that is, the recorded image size in the original state, and the zoom magnification setting value also changes continuously. The magnification value may be arbitrarily set, or a desired zoom magnification value may be selected from zoom magnifications that are set stepwise (see also FIGS. 4, 5, and 6).

  To return from the playback electronic zoom mode to the normal mode, in the state where the image of the reference image size in the playback electronic zoom mode is displayed on the LCD monitor 6, that is, in the widest state that can be operated by the TW button 2, Further, the TW button 2 is made by executing a one-action operation.

  On the other hand, switching from the normal mode to the image search mode is performed by a one-action operation of the TW button 2 in the wide direction. As a result, an input signal from the wide SW 23b of the zoom SW 23 is generated. In response to this, the electronic camera 1 controls the memory 12 and shifts to the image search mode.

  This image search mode is a mode in which a desired image is searched based on an image or image information reproduced and displayed on the display screen of the LCD monitor 6 based on an image signal temporarily stored in the memory 12. The display modes on the display screen of the LCD monitor 6 in the image search mode include a multi display mode and a list display mode.

  Among these, the multi-display mode is a set of forms in which image processing for reducing a plurality of image signals recorded on the memory card 16 is performed and the plurality of reduced images are arranged in a matrix on the display screen of the LCD monitor 6. This is a display mode in which an image can be displayed on a single screen, so-called multi-display can be performed (see FIGS. 7 and 8).

  The list display mode is a display mode in which attribute information recorded for each image, for example, image information such as shooting date / time information, is displayed on the display screen of the LCD monitor 6, and a predetermined search item. This is a display mode in which a so-called list display can be performed in which search results are displayed in a list form in a display form such as characters (see FIGS. 9, 10, and 11; details will be described later).

  In the electronic camera 1, the multi display mode is set as a state immediately after the transition from the normal mode to the image search mode.

  That is, when the TW button 2 is operated in one direction in the wide direction in the normal mode, the electronic camera 1 receives the input signal from the wide SW 23b as described above, and the electronic camera 1 is in the multi-display mode among the image search modes. Migrate to

  7 and 8 respectively show examples of the display form of the LCD monitor 6 when the multi display mode is set in the electronic camera 1.

  In the multi-display mode, the number of images that can be displayed in one screen can be changed. In the electronic camera 1, nine images of 3 vertical images × 3 horizontal images are set as the first layer (see FIGS. 3 and 7), and 16 images (4 × vertical 4 × horizontal 4 images) are used as the second layer (FIGS. 3 and 8). 2) are displayed hierarchically.

That is, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, in the multi-display mode, the reduced images are displayed side by side in the divided sections obtained by equally dividing the display screen area of the LCD monitor 6. (The details of the image itself are not shown). At this time, the numbers shown in each divided section, that is, in FIG. 7, the numbers 1 to 9 in each divided section divided into nine, and in FIG. 8, the numbers 1 to 16 in each divided section divided into 16 are This is a display of frame numbers corresponding to images to be displayed in each divided section. The switching of the illustrated display mode in these 7-8, etc., i.e., switching between layers is performed by one-way operation on the tele Direction or a wide direction TW button 2.

  Further, switching from the multi display mode to the list display mode is performed by operating the wide SW 23b by further operating the TW button 2 in the wide direction.

  In this list display mode, a plurality of different display forms depending on the search items are displayed hierarchically. In the present electronic camera 1, this list display mode is constituted by three layers as shown in FIG.

  First, the display form of the first hierarchy in the list display mode is shown in FIG. This is because, among image information corresponding to a plurality of images recorded in the memory card 16 or the like, for example, information relating to the shooting date (date information; year / month / day) and comment information corresponding to each image are attached to each image. It is an example of the display form displayed as a list in the order of frame numbers.

  Next, FIG. 10 shows the display form of the second hierarchy. Similarly, shooting date / time information (year / month only) and frame number information corresponding to each image searched based on this year / month information are grouped. It is an example of the display form displayed as a list on the basis of the time axis.

  FIG. 11 shows the display form of the third hierarchy. Similarly, the shooting date / time information (year only) and the frame number information corresponding to each image searched based on this year information are grouped, and the time axis is set. It is an example of the display form displayed as a list as a reference.

  Switching between these plural display forms, that is, switching between layers, is performed by a one-action operation of the TW button 2.

  Thus, in the playback operation mode, the TW button 2 (zoom SW 23 = tele SW 23a / wide SW 23b) has a normal image playback display function (normal mode), playback electronic zoom function (playback electronic zoom mode), and image search function (images). At the same time, in the reproduction zoom mode, it is a reproduction zoom magnification selection means for setting or selecting a desired zoom magnification of the reproduction image.

  The TW button 2 and the zoom SW 23 can switch between the multi-display mode and the list display mode in the image search mode, and the image switching means for switching the number of display images in the multi-display mode, and the list It also serves as a layer switching means for switching between display layers in the display mode. Furthermore, it also serves as a playback zoom magnification selection means during execution of the playback electronic zoom function.

  As described above, according to the above-described embodiment, the optical and electronic zoom functions in the recording operation mode can be performed only by operating the TW button 2 that is a single operation unit under the control of the system controller 21 that is a control unit. Various operations such as setting or selection of zoom magnification, setting or selection of zoom magnification of playback electronic zoom function in playback operation mode, mode switching of image search function, switching of display form in image search mode, etc. Since it comprised in this way, it can respond easily to multi-functionalization of the electronic camera 1 without impairing the usability and operability of the apparatus.

  In addition, a single operation means can be used to switch various operation modes that can be executed in the electronic camera 1 and mainly to switch the display form of the display screen of the LCD monitor 6 during reproduction without providing a plurality of operation means. Since it is configured to be executed by the (TW button 2), it is possible to easily contribute to downsizing of the device itself.

  An image search mode for searching for images and image signals recorded in the memory card 16 or the like by the electronic camera 1 is provided. As a display form in this image search mode, a multi-display mode that can be searched based on images, and image information Therefore, it is easy to search for an image desired by the user more reliably and quickly.

  In addition, switching from the normal mode to the image search mode is performed by operating the TW button 2, and the display form in the image search mode is also switched by operating the same TW button 2. The operability can be simplified, and thus a good feeling can be given to the user.

  Furthermore, in the image search mode, a list display mode based on image information (image attribute information) attached to the image is provided. Therefore, a search is performed using information different from the frame number of the image, and the results are listed. By displaying, it is possible to more accurately and easily sort and organize image signals representing images recorded on a recording medium such as the memory card 16.

In the present embodiment, the TW button 2 as an operation means for operating the zoom SW 23 (see FIG. 2) is a single operation button and uses a seesaw type switch member. However, the form of the TW button 2 is not limited to this. For example, an operation button corresponding to each SW 23a and 23b forming the zoom SW 23, that is, an operation button capable of performing a zoom operation in the tele direction, and a wide direction. You may comprise by two operation buttons with the operation button which can perform zoom operation of this.

  Further, according to the embodiment described above, an invention having the following configuration can be obtained.

(1) In an electronic camera that converts an object image formed by a photographing optical system into an electrical signal using an image sensor and records the image.
Image display means for displaying images and image information;
A pair of operating means provided in the exterior portion and having a plurality of functions;
Control means for setting the function of the operation means;
With
The control means controls the operation means so as to become a recording zoom magnification selection means for selecting a zoom magnification of a recording image at the time of recording, and a normal mode for displaying a single image on the image display means at the time of reproduction. The operation means is controlled to be a mode switching means for switching to a playback zoom mode for displaying an image obtained by electrically enlarging a part of the image on the image display means. Further, in the playback zoom mode, An electronic camera for controlling the operation means so as to be a reproduction zoom magnification selection means for selecting a zoom magnification.

(2) In an electronic camera that converts an object image formed by a photographing optical system into an electric signal using an image pickup device and records it,
Image display means for displaying images and image information;
A pair of operating means provided in the exterior portion and having a plurality of functions;
Control means for setting the function of the operation means;
With
The control means controls the operation means so as to become a recording zoom magnification selection means for selecting a zoom magnification of a recording image at the time of recording, and a normal mode for displaying a single image on the image display means at the time of reproduction. The operation means is controlled to be a mode switching means for switching between an image for retrieving an image for reproduction or an image retrieval mode for displaying image information. Further, in the image retrieval mode, a display switching means in the image retrieval mode. An electronic camera for controlling the operation means so that

(3) In an electronic camera that converts an object image formed by a photographing optical system into an electric signal using an image pickup device and records the signal.
Image display means for displaying images and image information;
A pair of operating means provided in the exterior portion and having a plurality of functions;
Control means for setting the function of the operation means;
With
The control means controls the operation means so as to become a recording zoom magnification selection means for selecting a zoom magnification of a recording image at the time of recording, and a normal mode for displaying a single image on the image display means at the time of reproduction. The above operation is performed as a mode switching means for switching between a reproduction zoom mode for displaying an image obtained by electrically enlarging a part of the image on the image display means and an image search mode for displaying an image or image information for searching for an image. In the playback zoom mode, the operation means is controlled to be a playback zoom magnification selection means for selecting the zoom magnification of the image for playback. In the image search mode, the display switching means in the image search mode is controlled. An electronic camera for controlling the operation means.

(4) The image search mode is a multi-display mode in which a collective image in which a plurality of reduced images for reproduction are arranged and arranged is displayed on one screen of the image display means, and the display switching means is displayed on one screen. The electronic camera according to (2) or (3) above, which is an image switching means for switching the number of images to be performed.

(5) The image search mode is a list display mode for displaying a list of reproduction image attribute information, and the display switching means is the hierarchy switching means related to the attribute information described in (2) or ( The electronic camera according to item 3).

  Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications and applications can of course be implemented without departing from the spirit of the invention. Further, the above embodiments include inventions at various stages, and various inventions can be extracted by appropriately combining a plurality of disclosed constituent elements. For example, even if some constituent elements are deleted from all the constituent elements shown in the embodiment, the problem described in the column of the problem to be solved by the invention can be solved, and the effect described in the effect of the invention Can be obtained as an invention.

1 is an external perspective view of an electronic camera according to an embodiment of the present invention when viewed from the back side. The block block diagram which shows the internal structure of the electronic camera of FIG. The figure which shows simply the various functions (operation mode) etc. which can be performed in the electronic camera of FIG. The figure which shows an example of the display form displayed on the display screen of an LCD monitor when it is in an electronic zoom mode in the electronic camera of FIG. The figure which shows another example of the display form displayed on the display screen of an LCD monitor when it is in an electronic zoom mode in the electronic camera of FIG. The figure which shows an example of the display form of the display screen at the time of the normal mode in the electronic camera of FIG. The figure which shows an example of the display form of the multi display mode in the image search mode in the electronic camera of FIG. The figure which shows another example of the display form of the multi display mode in the image search mode in the electronic camera of FIG. The figure which shows the display form of the 1st hierarchy in the list display mode in the image search mode in the electronic camera of FIG. The figure which shows the display form of the 2nd hierarchy in the list display mode in the image search mode in the electronic camera of FIG. The figure which shows the display form of the 1st hierarchy in the list display mode in the image search mode in the electronic camera of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

1 …… Electronic camera 1a …… Exterior 2 …… Tele / Wide button (TW button)
4 ... Recording / playback mode switching button 6 ... LCD monitor 8 ... Imager 9 ... Shooting lens system 12 ... Memory 16 ... Memory card 18 ... Electronic zoom control circuit 19 ... Zoom control circuit 21 ... System Controller 22 ... Input switch group 23 ... Zoom SW
23a …… Tele SW
23b …… Wide SW

Claims (5)

In an electronic camera that converts an object image formed by a photographing optical system into an electrical signal using an image pickup device and records it ,
Different switching function at the time of reproduction at the time of shooting is assigned, is provided with a steering Tsukude stage for instructing respective operations to switch the operation and telephoto direction switches the zoom magnification of the photographing optical system to the wide-angle direction at the time of photographing,
In the reproduction, the operation means switches from the reproduction zoom mode that displays an image obtained by electrically enlarging a part of the image to the normal mode that displays a single image by the switching operation in the wide direction. electronic camera according to claim to Rukoto instructions to switch to the multi-display mode for displaying a set image arrangement from the mode multiple images side by side. It said operating means further during reproduction, by switching operation to the telephoto direction, and wherein to Rukoto instructions for switching from the switching and the normal mode from the multi-display mode to the normal mode to the playback zoom mode according Item 2. The electronic camera according to Item 1. In the multi-display mode, the operation means instructs switching to a screen with a large number of display images by the switching operation in the wide direction, and switches to a screen with a small number of display images by the switching operation in the tele direction. instruction to the electronic camera according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in Rukoto. The electronic camera according to claim 1, wherein the operation means is a single button that is operated to swing. 3. The electronic camera according to claim 1, wherein the operation means includes two operation buttons, a button for switching operation in a wide direction and a button for switching operation in a tele direction.

Images