JP4452430B2 - Imaging apparatus and image display method - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an image pickup unit that picks up an image by a solid-state image pickup device and obtains analog image data by photoelectric conversion, and digital image data recording for generating digital image data by analog-to-digital conversion of the analog image data and recording it on a recording medium The present invention relates to an imaging device including a display unit and a display device that displays the digital image data.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, when an image pickup apparatus, particularly a digital camera, uses a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) to take a still image or the like, the image data is converted from analog to digital and then compressed in a preset format (for example, JPEG). In a compressed state, it is recorded on a recording medium such as a memory card and stored.
[0003]
By the way, a subject to be imaged by a CCD is generally displayed on an LCD (liquid crystal display device) provided on the back side of the digital camera. The angle of view is determined while viewing the image displayed on the LCD, and shooting is performed by operating the release button.
[0004]
A photographed image, that is, an image recorded on a recording medium can be read out by a reproduction function and displayed on an LCD. This reproduction function has a function of designating a frame number (photographing number) to display a corresponding image, or displaying the image sequentially by one button operation in the photographing order or vice versa.
[0005]
In addition, there is a digital camera having a so-called zoom function for enlarging and displaying a part of an image displayed on the LCD. With such a zoom function, the zoom-designated image can be recorded separately from the original image, so that the main image of the initially photographed subject can be enlarged and printed at the center of the image.
[0006]
In addition, for example, when taking a group photo of a plurality of people, several photos are taken continuously (hereinafter referred to as continuous shooting), and a plurality of prints are performed using image data in an optimum shooting state among them. In order to determine whether or not a specific person is blinking, there are cases where the specific person is zoomed and enlarged and displayed.
[0007]
In the case of checking a shooting state by enlarging a part of the entire image as described above, images obtained by continuously shooting a plurality of images are sequentially displayed, and the specific person is zoomed.
[0008]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the case of continuous shooting, although the zoom position (trimming position) is almost the same, the zoom function is canceled at the point when the display image is forwarded, so it is the same every time a new image is displayed. The above operation (zoom operation) had to be repeated, and the operability was poor and complicated.
[0009]
In consideration of the above facts, the present invention maintains the zoom function so as to reflect the designated state designated before that until the next display image when a predetermined condition such as continuous shooting is satisfied. The object is to obtain an imaging device that can be improved.
[0010]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
According to the first aspect of the present invention, an image pickup unit that picks up an image by a solid-state image pickup device and obtains analog image data by photoelectric conversion, and creates digital image data by analog-to-digital conversion of the analog image data and records it on a recording medium. An image pickup apparatus comprising: a digital image data recording unit that performs a display; and a display device that displays the digital image data, wherein the selection unit selects digital image data recorded on the recording medium, and the selection unit includes: Display control means for displaying an image based on the digital image data in a predetermined order on the display device each time it is selected, and an angle-of-view instruction means for instructing a part of the image displayed on the display device as a display area When the display and zoom-trimming control means for enlarged display as a display image becomes angle instructed by the angle indicating means on the device, the picture Storage means for storing a trimming instruction instructed by the instructing means and a zoom instruction instructed by the zoom / trimming control means, and determining whether the image selected by the selection means is a continuous-shot image; Zooming / trimming instruction state reflecting means for reflecting the trimming instruction and the zoom instruction stored in the storage means to the display of the next frame image when sequentially displaying the copied images .
[0011]
According to the first aspect of the present invention, when an image is selected by the selection means, the image display control means displays an image based on the digital image data recorded on the recording medium on the display device in a predetermined order. Here, when an instruction to display a part of the image by the angle-of-view instruction unit is given to the image displayed on the display device, the zoom / trimming control unit enlarges and displays the instructed angle of view.
[0012]
The zoom / trimming instruction state reflecting means automatically reflects a continuous continuous image based on the difference in shooting time, and when a part of the continuous captured image is enlarged and displayed , the next selecting means Even when the next image is displayed by selection, it is displayed on the display device in the display state at the angle of view instructed by the angle of view instruction means. Thereby, for example, when a plurality of images taken by continuous shooting are to be enlarged and displayed at the same angle of view, an instruction operation by the same angle-of-view instruction means can be omitted, and operability can be improved. .
[0013]
Note that the angle of view in the present invention refers to a part of an image within a captured image area, and basically refers to an area designated with the same aspect ratio as that displayed on the display device.
According to a second aspect of the present invention, each time digital image data recorded on a recording medium is selected, images based on the digital image data are displayed in a predetermined order, and a part of the displayed image is displayed. When displaying an enlarged view so that the angle of view designated as a region, the angle of view is stored, determining whether the selected previous image is a continuous shot image, and sequentially displaying the continuous shot image, The stored angle of view is reflected in the display of the next frame image and enlarged.
According to the second aspect of the present invention, when an image is selected and an instruction to display a part of the image is given to the selected image, the indicated angle of view is enlarged and displayed. If continuous shooting images are automatically reflected according to the difference in shooting time, and if a part of the continuous shooting image is enlarged, the same image will be displayed when the next frame image is displayed. You can zoom in on the corners.
[0014]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
FIG. 1 shows a control system in the digital camera 10 according to the present embodiment. The digital camera 10 is provided with an imaging unit 18. The imaging unit 18 is provided with a lens 18A, a mechanical shutter, and a diaphragm (not shown), and makes light incident from the lens 18A enter the CCD 18B via the diaphragm when the mechanical shutter is open. It is a configuration.
[0015]
Further, the digital camera 10 is provided with a strobe 12 and emits light manually or automatically under the control of the strobe controller 14 as necessary.
[0016]
Each control device including the imaging unit 18 and the strobe control unit 14 of the digital camera 10 is connected by a bus 16 and its operation is controlled by the CPU 20. Each control device is supplied with power from the battery 22 and is operable.
[0017]
A system memory (RAM or ROM) 24, a nonvolatile memory 26, a timer function unit 28, and a calendar / clock function unit 30 are connected to the bus 16 as control devices.
[0018]
Further, an I / O port 32 is connected to the bus 16, and a signal from an operation / display system 36 attached to the housing 34 (see FIG. 2) of the digital camera 10 is input to the I / O port 32. Output is made.
[0019]
As shown in FIG. 2A, a liquid crystal monitor (LCD) 38 is disposed on the back side of the casing 34 of the digital camera 10 (the side opposite to the side where the imaging unit 18 is disposed). Yes.
[0020]
Further, as an operation / display system, a circular up / down / left / right key 42 applied to frame switching, item selection, etc. of an image displayed on the LCD 38 is disposed on the right side of the LCD 38 on the back side of the housing 34. ing. By tilting the axis of the circular up / down / left / right key 42 in the up / down / left / right direction, the contact points of the different switches are switched when tilted, and the switching signal is input to the I / O 32 (see FIG. 1). It has become.
[0021]
Below the up / down / left / right key 42, a menu button 44, an execution button 46, and a cancel button 48 are arranged in the vertical direction. A release button 50 and a mode setting dial 52 are provided on the upper surface of the housing 34.
[0022]
When the mode setting dial 52 and the menu button 44 are operated, for example, a setup screen for performing various settings is displayed on the LCD 38.
[0023]
The execution button 46 is operated on the setup screen at the time of determination after function selection by the up / down / left / right key 42, and the cancel button 48 is operated at the time of canceling the determined function.
[0024]
2B, an opening 60 through which the lens 18A of the imaging unit 18 can be exposed is provided on the front surface of the housing 34 of the digital camera 10. A disc-shaped shutter 62 is attached to the opening 60. The shutter 62 can be moved to the position for closing the opening 60 and the position for opening in conjunction with the operation of the power switch 64 (see FIG. 2A) of the digital camera 10 (the arrow in FIG. 2B). (See A).
[0025]
That is, when the power is off, the shutter 62 closes the opening 60 to protect the lens 18A, and when the power is on, the shutter 62 is retracted from the opening 60 to enable photographing. And can be.
[0026]
As shown in FIG. 1, a memory card slot 60 to which a memory card 58 as a recording medium is detachable is connected to the bus 16 via a card I / F 56. The image data photographed by the imaging unit 18 is recorded on the memory card 58 loaded in the memory card slot 60.
[0027]
The signal input to the imaging unit 18 is sent to the signal processing unit 104, subjected to noise reduction processing, gain controlled, and sent to the A / D conversion unit 106.
[0028]
The image data A / D converted by the A / D conversion unit 106 is sent to the compression / decompression unit 108 in accordance with an instruction from the CPU 20 to be subjected to compression processing (JPEG) or left as it is. The data is sent to the memory card slot 60 via the I / F 56.
[0029]
The image data recorded on the memory card 58 is read based on a reproduction display instruction from the CPU 20, stored in the frame memory 110, and displayed on the LCD 12 under the control of the LCD control unit 112. At this time, on the LCD 112, characters, character data, and the like are displayed together with the image display based on the OSD (controlled by the on-screen display unit 114).
[0030]
An external I / F 116 is connected to the bus 16 and can be directly connected to an external control device such as a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as a PC 120) via a connector 118. The memory card 58 is connected to the PC 120. Can be transmitted.
[0031]
The digital camera 10 includes an optical viewfinder 66 as a monitor for image confirmation, in addition to the LCD 112.
[0032]
Here, in the digital camera 10, shooting is finished, and the image data recorded on the memory card 58 can be displayed on the LCD 38 by the playback function of the digital camera 10.
[0033]
This playback function is executed by switching from the shooting mode to the playback mode by operating the mode setting dial 52 shown in FIG.
[0034]
When the playback mode is set, the shooting recording order, that is, ascending playback is automatically started, and the playback instruction frame number may be incremented or decremented each time the left / right arrow portion of the up / down / left / right key 42 shown in FIG. 2 is operated. it can. For example, the frame number currently displayed on the LCD is No. When n, the (n-1) th frame is displayed when the left arrow portion of the up / down / left / right key 42 is pressed, and the (n + 1) th frame is displayed when the right arrow portion is pressed. In the playback mode, in addition to the above-described frame order display, index playback display (displayed by arranging a plurality of images in a matrix), descending playback display, and the like are possible. .
[0035]
The image reproduced on the LCD has an image size faithful to the angle of view at the time of shooting (hereinafter referred to as an original image). If the up / down arrow portion of the up / down / left / right key 42 is operated while the original image is displayed, the center of the diagonal line of the original image and the center of the diagonal line of the display area of the LCD 38 coincide with each other. Display (zoom display) is possible. For example, when the part corresponding to the up arrow of the up / down / left / right key 42 is pressed in the state of the original image (see FIG. 3A), it is enlarged up to 3 times by one step (for example, × 1.2). Is displayed (see FIG. 3B). In the case of 3 times magnification, the area is 3 ² (= 9 times). Further, when the down arrow portion of the up / down / left / right key 42 is pressed in the enlarged display state, the display is reduced one by one.
[0036]
Further, in the digital camera 10 of the present embodiment, when the up / down / left / right key 42 is operated while operating a function key (not shown) (for example, the menu button 44 may be used) in an enlarged display state, A trimming function for scrolling to a portion that has been enlarged and deviated from the image display area of the LCD 38 (see the hatched portion in FIGS. 3B and 3C) is provided. For example, FIG. 3B shows a standard triple display state, and when the display area by the LCD 38 is moved by operating the up / down / left / right key 42 from this state, an enlarged image as shown in FIG. It is possible to display a portion shifted from the center.
[0037]
Here, in the present embodiment, when the image of the next frame number is displayed on the LCD 38 by incrementing the frame number, the zoom specified by the image corresponding to the current frame number is set in advance. There is a mode in which the trimming instruction information can be reflected to the image of the next frame number (zoom / trimming maintenance function). This zoom / trimming maintenance function is set by displaying a setup screen by operating the menu button 44 and operating the up / down / left / right key 42.
[0038]
When this zoom / trimming maintenance function is set, in the present embodiment, the designation of zoom / trimming is reflected in the next frame for the continuously shot images.
[0039]
For example, when shifting from the (n−1) -th frame image shown in FIG. 4A to the n-th and n + 1-th frame images, the zoomed / trimmed area is reflected as it is and displayed on the LCD 38. (See FIGS. 4B and 4C).
[0040]
FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram for explaining the operation of the CPU 20 when the zoom / trimming maintenance function is set.
[0041]
When there is a reproduction instruction, the image data reading unit 70 reads the image data from the memory card 58 (see FIG. 1), and the image data subjected to the decompression process is input and sent to the image editing unit 72. . In accordance with the zoom or trimming instruction, the image editing unit 72 sends edited image data in which a necessary portion (display area on the LCD 38) in the original image data is extracted. The image data is temporarily stored in the frame memory 110 and then displayed on the LCD 38 by the LCD control unit 112.
[0042]
Here, the reproduction instruction signal is input to the continuous shooting information reading unit 74, and the continuous shooting information is read from the nonvolatile memory 26 every time the reproduction signal is input, and the previous frame image, the current frame image, and the like. It is determined whether or not images have been taken continuously in time, and the result is sent to the image editing unit 72.
[0043]
In the case of continuous shooting, the image editing unit 72 sends edited image data reflecting the previous zoom / trimming instruction to the original image data read by the image data reading unit 70, and the continuous shooting is performed. In the case of, the original image data is transmitted as it is.
[0044]
The operation of the present embodiment will be described below.
[0045]
Before shooting with the digital camera 10, the mode setting dial 52 is operated to display a setup screen on the LCD 38.
[0046]
On the setup screen, select items such as the recording mode, number of pixels, sharpness, and beep sound as necessary, and set the shooting conditions.
[0047]
In the shooting mode, a preview shot by the imaging unit 18 is displayed on the LCD 38, and when a predetermined angle of view is determined, the release button 50 is operated and shooting is performed.
[0048]
In this case, the data imaged by the imaging unit 18 is sent to the signal processing unit 104, subjected to processing such as noise reduction processing and gain control, and then A / D converted to generate digital image data.
[0049]
Thereafter, the compression / decompression unit 108 compresses the digital image data and records it on the memory card 58.
[0050]
In the playback mode, when the index mode is selected, a thumbnail image is read from the digital image data recorded on the memory card 58, and the captured images are displayed on the LCD as an index image in a matrix. When the one-image playback mode is selected, the compressed image data is read out, decompressed by the compression / decompression unit 108, expanded in the frame memory 110, and displayed on the LCD 38.
[0051]
In the playback mode, the zoom function and the trimming function allow the original image to be enlarged / reduced and the display area moved. Here, in the conventional digital camera 10, the set zoom instruction and trimming instruction are canceled when shifting to the playback display of the next frame, and the image of the next frame is displayed as the original image. In this case, for example, when a plurality of group photos are continuously shot and an optimum one (an image in which a specific person does not blink) is selected, the same operation as the previous zoom instruction and trimming instruction is performed as follows. I had to do this even when playing back frame images.
[0052]
However, in this embodiment, when the zoom / trimming maintenance function is set, the previously set zoom instruction and trimming instruction are reflected in the next frame image.
[0053]
Hereinafter, reproduction control including a zoom / trimming function will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
[0054]
In step 200, the mode of the digital camera 10 is monitored, and in step 202, it is determined whether or not the mode is a playback mode.
[0055]
If an affirmative determination is made in step 202, the process proceeds to step 204, the compressed image data (and JPEG tag) is read from the memory card 58, the image data is decompressed, and an image is displayed on the LCD 38. This image is the original image shown in FIG. 3A, and all the images at the time of shooting are displayed on the LCD 38, and the process proceeds to step 206.
[0056]
In step 206, the shooting time is read from the JPEG tag and set as Nt.
[0057]
In the next step 208, it is determined whether or not there has been an instruction from the zoom function and the trimming function. If an affirmative determination is made, the process proceeds to step 210 to store the zoom instruction and trimming instruction information. The display on the LCD 38 is switched, and the process proceeds to step 214.
[0058]
That is, in the zoom instruction, an enlarged display is made for each step (× 1.2), but at this time, the center of the image does not move (see FIG. 3B). When there is a trimming instruction, the center of the image and the center of the image display area of the LCD 38 are displaced, and an arbitrary area that is enlarged and deviates from the image display area of the LCD 38 can be displayed (FIG. 3C). reference).
[0059]
If a negative determination is made in step 208, it is determined that there is no zoom / trimming instruction, the display of the original image is maintained in step 216, and the process proceeds to step 214.
[0060]
In step 214, it is determined whether or not a frame advance instruction has been issued. If the determination is negative, the process proceeds to step 218 to monitor the camera mode, and then the playback mode is maintained in step 220 (Yes). (Determination) returns to step 214, and when the playback mode is completed (determination negative), the process returns to step 200.
[0061]
If an affirmative determination is made in step 214, the process proceeds to step 222, the image data (and JPEG tag) of the next frame number compressed from the memory card 58 is read, the image data is decompressed, and the image is displayed on the LCD 38. Then, the process proceeds to step 224.
[0062]
In step 224, the shooting time is read from the JPEG tag and set as (N + 1) t.
[0063]
In the next step 226, it is determined whether or not the difference (| Nt− (N + 1) |) between Nt and (N + 1) t is shorter than the predetermined time tk (| Nt− (N + 1) | ≦ tk). If it is determined that the image has been continuously shot with respect to the previously displayed image, the process proceeds to step 228 to read zoom / trimming information, and the process proceeds to step 230 to perform zoom / The trimming information is reflected and displayed, and the process returns to step 200.
[0064]
If a negative determination is made in step 226, the original image is displayed as it is in step 232, and the process returns to step 200.
[0065]
That is, when predetermined zoom / trimming is performed on the image of the (n-1) th frame in FIG. 4 (A) and it is determined that the nth frame and the (n + 1) th frame are continuous shots, FIG. 4 (B) As shown in FIG. 4C, when the frame advance instruction is given, the display is automatically performed in the state where the same zoom / trimming as the previous time is executed. In this FIG. 4, it is a group photo of three people, and the person on the left side is blinking. When n-1 frame, n frame, and n + 1 frame are fired continuously, when an image that does not blink is extracted from these images and printing or the like is executed, these three images are simply displayed by a simple frame advance instruction. The display area can be made up of the person on the left side of the display area, and the operation becomes easy.
[0066]
As described above, in the present embodiment, when shooting is performed by continuous shooting and the zoom / trimming maintenance function is set, the zoom of the currently displayed image can be performed only by the frame advance instruction. -Since the trimming instruction can be automatically reflected to the next image to be displayed, for example, the operation when confirming when finding an image without blinking of a specific person in a group photograph taken continuously becomes simple, Rapid extraction is possible.
[0067]
In this embodiment, the continuous shooting is described as an example of the predetermined condition. However, this condition is not limited to the continuous shooting, but may be an image specified by the user or various conditions such as the same day, the same time zone, and the same place. Alternatively, the condition may be always satisfied.
[0068]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, in the present invention, when a predetermined condition such as continuous shooting is satisfied, the zoom function is maintained so that the designated state specified before is reflected to the next display image, thereby improving the operability. It has an excellent effect of being able to.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a control block diagram of a digital camera according to an embodiment.
2A is a perspective view of an external appearance of a digital camera as viewed from the back side, and FIG. 2B is a perspective view of the digital camera as viewed from the front side.
3A and 3B are front views showing a display image on an LCD, where FIG. 3A shows an original image display state, FIG. 3B shows a zoom display state, and FIG. 3C shows a zoom / trimming display state.
FIG. 4 is a front view showing a display state on the LCD when a frame is continuously taken.
FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram for explaining the operation of the CPU 20 when the zoom / trimming maintenance function is set.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a reproduction control routine including a zoom / trimming function.
[Explanation of symbols]
10 Digital camera (imaging device)
16 Bus 18 Imaging unit 18B CCD (imaging unit)
20 CPU
22 Battery 26 Non-volatile memory 38 LCD (display device)
42 Up / down / left / right keys (selection means, view angle instruction means)
70 Image data reading unit 72 Image editing unit (zoom control means, zoom instruction state reflection means)
74 Continuous shooting information reading unit 112 LCD control unit (display control means)

Claims (2)

An imaging unit that captures an image by a solid-state imaging device and obtains analog image data by photoelectric conversion, a digital image data recording unit that creates analog image data by analog-to-digital conversion and records the analog image data on a recording medium, and A display device for displaying digital image data, and an imaging device comprising:
Selecting means for selecting digital image data recorded on the recording medium;
Display control means for displaying an image based on the digital image data on the display device in a predetermined order each time selected by the selection means;
An angle-of-view instruction means for indicating a part of the image displayed on the display device as a display area;
Zoom / trimming control means for enlarging and displaying the display image on the display device so as to have an angle of view designated by the angle of view indication means;
Storage means for storing a trimming instruction instructed by the angle-of-view instruction means and a zoom instruction instructed by the zoom / trimming control means, and determining whether or not the image selected by the selection means is a continuous shot image. A zoom / trimming instruction state reflecting means for reflecting the trimming instruction and the zoom instruction stored in the storage means to the next frame image display when sequentially displaying the continuous shot images;
An imaging apparatus having Each time digital image data recorded on a recording medium is selected, images based on the digital image data are displayed in a predetermined order,
A part of the displayed image is enlarged and displayed so as to have an angle of view designated as a display area,
The angle of view is stored, it is determined whether the selected previous image is a continuous shot image, and the stored angle of view is reflected in the display of the next frame image when the continuous shot image is sequentially displayed. To zoom in,
An image display method characterized by the above.

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