JP4472153B2 - Electronic camera device, image display method, and storage medium - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to improvements in an electronic camera device and an image display method.
[0002]
[Prior art]
An electronic camera device that uses a semiconductor image sensor such as a CCD element instead of a silver salt film and forms a subject image on the semiconductor solid-state image sensor to obtain digital image data is widely used. ing. The electronic camera device is provided with a detachable or built-in recording medium, and a photographed and processed digital image is recorded on the recording medium.
[0003]
As recording media, memory cards such as smart media and compact flash using flash memory are mainly used, but in the early stages of electronic camera device development, the memory capacity of the memory card was small. It has been difficult to record a large number of images on a recording medium.
[0004]
However, in recent years, further integration of flash memory has progressed, and a magnetic disk device stored in a card medium of a memory card size has been developed. Further, a recording medium for an electronic camera device using a magneto-optical disk is also developed. Has been developed, it has become possible to easily use large-capacity recording media. In recent years, it has become possible to record a large number of images on a single recording medium.
[0005]
When a large number of images can be recorded on a recording medium, the electronic camera device also has a function of continuous shooting (continuous shooting). Compared to a silver salt photograph, the CCD element has a high density of 3 million pixels. However, it has become more and more complete in terms of functions and performance.
[0006]
Therefore, the actual usage is the same as the silver halide camera, and even when shooting with an electronic camera, as with the silver halide camera, a lot of photographs with a similar composition are taken, and the best image is obtained later. There are many things to choose from. Further, in the case of a moving subject, it is very common to take a plurality of photos at a photo opportunity using a continuous shooting (continuous shooting) function.
[0007]
When a large number of images can be easily taken and saved in this way, the next important task is to select a photo. This photo selection is usually performed on the basis of composition, exposure state, presence / absence of camera shake, in-focus state, coloring state, and the like.
[0008]
[Problem to be Solved by the Invention]
With the increase in capacity of recording media used, electronic cameras can easily take and store many images. However, once so many images are available, the next important task is the selection of photos. In many cases, a photograph is selected based on the composition, exposure state, presence / absence of camera shake, in-focus state, coloring state, and the like.
[0009]
When multiple photograph images having similar compositions are stored in the recording medium of the electronic camera, it is important how efficiently and accurately the images can be selected. If an image can be selected efficiently, it is advantageous in processing such as image erasure, print reservation, and image data transfer using a mobile phone.
[0010]
However, among the selection criteria described above, it is often difficult to determine a subtle difference in the focusing state, particularly regarding the focusing state. Therefore, a function for determining a subtle difference in focus is desired.
[0011]
The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to accurately and promptly determine the focused state of a plurality of images stored in a recording medium. It is an object of the present invention to provide an electronic camera device and an image display method.
[0012]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is configured as follows. That is,
The electronic camera device according to the first aspect of the present invention includes a control unit that performs control to display on the display unit an index screen on which a plurality of captured images are displayed side by side, and enlarges each captured image that constitutes the index screen collectively. When receiving the instruction by the enlarge button for performing an instruction to display and the enlarge button, an enlarged image obtained by enlarging a predetermined part is generated for each of the captured images, and the enlarged image is configured by these enlarged images. And display enlargement means for performing control to display the index screen.
[0013]
An image display method according to a second aspect of the present invention includes a step of causing each display image to be displayed as an index on one or more captured images, and an index display when receiving an enlarged display instruction for the captured image. And a step of generating an enlarged image obtained by enlarging a predetermined part for each captured image, and a step of performing control to configure and display the index display screen with the generated enlarged image. And
[0014]
The storage medium according to the third aspect of the present invention comprises the step of causing each display image to be displayed as an index on one or more captured images, and the index display upon receiving an enlarged display instruction for the captured image. A program for causing a computer to execute, for each of the captured images, a step of generating an enlarged image obtained by enlarging a predetermined part, and a step of performing control to configure and display the index display screen with the generated enlarged image Is a storage medium in which is stored.
[0021]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
[0022]
The present invention provides an electronic camera device that records captured images on a recording medium, and displays a plurality of images recorded on the recording medium as an index. When an enlarged display instruction is issued, each index displayed image is displayed. By displaying the partially enlarged image at the corresponding frame position of each image on the index display screen, the original image is displayed, and the index display by the enlarged image is performed, so that the difference in focus state between the images can be compared at a glance. The details will be described below.
[0023]
FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram as an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes an electronic camera device, which includes a data bus 10, a lens system 11, a CCD element 12, an imaging process 13, an A / D (analog / digital) converter 14, a timing generator 15, and an AE (automatic exposure). AF (autofocus) mechanism 16, memory controller 18, memory 19, main processing unit 20, management processing unit 21, release button 22, operation key 23, confirmation button 24, control panel 25, focus area enlargement button 26, recording / Reproduction interface 27, recording medium slot 28, recording medium 29, display liquid crystal panel (TFT panel) 30, and data transfer interface 31. Reference numeral 32 denotes a communication device such as a mobile phone.
[0024]
Among the components of the electronic camera device 1, the CCD element 12 is a two-dimensional imaging element, and the lens system 11 is an optical system including a lens for forming a subject optical image on the CCD element 12.
[0025]
The imaging process 13 is for obtaining an image signal by controlling exposure, element shutter, gain adjustment (ISO setting), power supply and the like for the CCD element. The A / D (analog / digital) converter 14 is for converting the image signal output from the CCD element 12 into digital data under the control of the imaging process 13.
[0026]
The timing generator 15 is for generating a timing signal for the operation timing of the CCD element 12, and an AE (automatic exposure) / AF (autofocus) mechanism 16 controls exposure and focus of the camera. Mechanism.
[0027]
Here, as the AF in the electronic camera device of the present invention, hill-climbing AF (contrast AF) or distance measuring AF is adopted. Also, AF is performed according to the image formation state in the in-focus area set at the center of the screen.
[0028]
The memory 19 is a main memory of the electronic camera device 1 and is composed of a DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory) or the like. The memory 19 is a work area for the camera control process and the captured image process, and temporary image data. It is used for holding. The memory controller 18 is a memory control device that performs access control of the memory 19.
[0029]
The main processing unit 20 controls photographing, image compression / decompression processing, image display processing, and the like. The main processing unit 20 controls the AE / AF mechanism 16, and also generates a timing generator 15, an imaging process unit 13, and a memory 19. Are controlled by controlling the memory 19, the recording / reproducing interface 27, and the data transfer interface 26, thereby controlling image recording, reproduction, erasure, and data transfer (by a mobile phone). .
[0030]
The main processing unit 20 has an image grouping processing function. The grouping processing function is a function that groups images related to images stored in the recording medium 29, and allows the grouped processing to be collectively processed in units of groups. The captured images to be grouped are a series of related captured images such as continuous shooting, bracket shooting, and panoramic shooting. The grouping is determined based on the contents of the shooting type information and the shooting date / time information in the header information of each image file recorded on the recording medium 29.
[0031]
For example, a series of related images such as continuous shooting, bracket shooting, panoramic shooting, and the like are shot in a very short period of time, and the shooting dates and times of these images are close to each other. Therefore, when the grouping target image is shot, the main processing unit 20 refers to the shooting type information in the header information of the image file created by the control unit 20d and the recording shooting date and time to determine the grouping target image. A function of grouping images having the same shooting group date and time by registering them as images of the same group is provided.
[0032]
In the system of the present invention, if an image belonging to a grouped image is designated to be erased, the function of erasing all the images in the group at once or temporarily erasing one image When specified, the function of registering all the images of the group as a temporary erased image is realized, but the recording date and time in this header information indicates which target image is and which. Judgment is made based on whether or not they are at the same time.
[0033]
The grouping processing function of the main processing unit 20 groups captured images so that images belonging to the group that is designated when group erasure designation or group provisional erasure designation can be identified, and the information is recorded on the recording medium. 29 can be stored as grouping related information. Here, the shooting types of the images to be grouped are continuous shooting (continuous shooting), bracket shooting, and panoramic shooting. Other types of shooting may be grouped as long as they are related to each other.
[0034]
In addition to this, the main processing unit 20 has a focusing area expansion function. When this function receives an operation input of the in-focus area enlargement button 26 via the management processing unit 21 while displaying a captured image on the index screen displayed on the display liquid crystal panel 30, each function of each frame on the index screen is displayed. The image is controlled so that only the in-focus area portion is enlarged and displayed on each frame. When the in-focus area is in an enlarged state, the operation input of the in-focus area enlargement button 26 is performed again. This is a function for controlling each frame on the index screen to return to the original state upon receipt. The enlarged image display of the in-focus area is performed based on the captured image recorded on the recording medium 29.
[0035]
The release button 22 is a button for instructing a shutter operation with respect to the camera 1, the confirmation button 24 is a button for instructing a function to be confirmed, and the operation key 23 is used by the user to input various operations to the camera 1. This operation key 23 is composed of, for example, a cross-shaped input key. On the operation screen of the camera, a shift operation instruction in the up / down / left / right directions on the screen is provided. Configured for input. That is, by operating the operation key 23, the function can be selected on the menu screen (camera operation screen) displayed on the image display liquid crystal panel of the camera 1, and the function can be selected by operating the confirmation button 24. The selection can be confirmed. The focus area enlargement button 26 is a button for giving an instruction for enlarging and displaying only the focus area portion of each frame image on the index screen.
[0036]
The management processing unit 21 notifies the main processing unit 20 of the result of the operation input by the buttons 22, 24, 26 and the operation keys 23, thereby causing the camera operator to execute a shooting command and an operation command. Is. For this purpose, various operation inputs from various operation buttons (release button 22, operation key 23, confirmation button 24, in-focus area enlargement button 26, etc.) are received and control corresponding to the input is performed on each unit. In addition, there is a function of displaying various information such as a shooting mode, shooting conditions, and the number of remaining shots on the control panel 25.
[0037]
The control panel 25 is a display panel for displaying various information necessary for camera operation such as a shooting mode, shooting conditions, and the number of remaining shots. The data transfer interface 26 is an interface for connection to a communication device 31 such as a mobile phone, and is a communication interface used when transferring data of a selected image using a mobile phone or the like.
[0038]
The recording / reproducing interface 27 is an interface for performing reading / writing between the memory 19 and the recording medium 29, and records images on the recording medium 29 mounted in the recording medium slot 28 provided in the camera 1. Reading from the recording medium 29 to the memory 19 and erasing of an image in the recording medium 29 can be executed.
[0039]
The recording medium 29 is a large capacity, readable / writable recording medium such as a large capacity memory card or a card type magnetic disk drive such as a smart medium or a compact flash, and the recording medium slot 28 is provided in the main body of the camera 1. A slot is provided for holding the recording medium 29 in a detachable manner.
[0040]
The display liquid crystal panel (TFT panel) 30 is a color display provided for displaying images and the like provided in the camera 1.
[0041]
<Details of Main Processing Unit 20>
The main processing unit 20 includes an image processing unit 20a, a compression / decompression processing unit 20b, a display control unit 20c, and a control unit 20d. Among these, the control unit 20d controls various shootings such as single shooting, continuous shooting, bracket shooting (AEB), panoramic shooting, and the like, and controls the AE / AF mechanism 16 and the timing generator 15. The imaging process unit 13, the memory 19 (actually the memory controller 18), the image processing unit 20 a, and the compression / decompression processing unit 20 b are controlled to control shooting, and the memory 19, the compression / decompression processing unit 20 b, the recording / playback interface 27. The display control unit 20c and the data transfer interface 31 are controlled to control image recording, reproduction, erasure, and data transfer (using a mobile phone).
[0042]
The control unit 20d has a clock function and a calendar function, generates time information and date information, and uses them for shooting date and time information in header information to be recorded on the recording medium 29. That is, the control unit 20d functions so that the image of the electronic camera device is stored in the recording medium 29 in the predetermined image file format together with the header information and the thumbnail image. The header information includes shooting type information.
[0043]
In addition, as described above, the control unit 20d includes various processing units 20d1 and a focusing area enlargement unit 20d2.
[0044]
When the focus area enlargement unit 20d2 receives an input of the focus area enlargement button 26 via the management processing unit 21 while the captured image is displayed on the index screen, the focus area enlargement unit 20d2 Only the focal area is enlarged and displayed on each frame (FIG. 3 (a) → (b)). If an input from the focus area enlargement button 26 is received again in a state where the focus area is enlarged, each frame on the index screen is returned to the original state.
[0045]
The image selection accepting unit 21a of the management processing unit 21 selects an input selected by the operation key 23 on the index screen or the entire display screen (a state in which one image is displayed on the entire liquid crystal panel) and confirmed by the confirm button 24. When the image is received, the image is selected and notified to the various processing units 20d1 of the control unit 20d. As a result, the various processing units 20d1 perform “print reservation processing” and “data transfer processing” for the selected image. ”,“ Erase processing ”,“ erasure prevention processing (image protection) ”, and the like are executed.
[0046]
Here, “print reservation process” is a process of generating a print reservation file in the recording medium 29, and “data transfer process” is a process of generating a transfer image reservation file in the recording medium 29, and further data This is a process of controlling the transfer interface to execute data transfer.
[0047]
The “erasing process” is a process of erasing a selected image or erasing all selected grouped images (excluding images designated as protected) when a group image is to be erased. The “erasure prevention process” is a process for setting the selected image out of the images stored in the recording medium 29 to an erasure prevention state. When a grouped image is selected, This is a process for putting all selected grouped images into an erasure prevention state.
[0048]
The image processing unit 20a is for performing processing such as white balance processing, color processing, gamma correction, sharpness adjustment, and the like on the image data output from the A / D converter 14. It also has a function of creating a thumbnail image from image data subjected to various processing. The compression / decompression processing unit 20b performs image compression processing by compressing and encoding the image data, and performs processing such as restoring the original image data after the image compression processing is performed. It is. The display control unit 20c displays an image expanded by the compression / decompression processing unit 20b, an image being captured by the CCD element 12, a menu screen provided by the management processing unit 21, and the like on a display liquid crystal panel (TFT panel) 30 on the back of the camera. It is for controlling to display on the screen.
[0049]
The data transfer interface 31 is an interface for connection to a communication device such as a mobile phone, and is used when transferring data of a selected image using a mobile phone or the like.
[0050]
Next, the operation of the apparatus having such a configuration will be described. First, an outline of general operation of the camera apparatus will be described.
[0051]
<Overall general description of the system>
In the electronic camera device 1, by operating the operation key 23, an image select, a shooting mode, and the like can be set in advance.
[0052]
Here, the image select is a type such as whether the genre of the photograph is portrait, night view, sports, or none (standard), and the shooting mode is a single shot (standard). ) It is a shooting situation category such as shooting, continuous shooting, or bracket (gradual exposure) shooting.
[0053]
Then, the image select is changed to the image select selection menu by operating the operation key 23, and "portrait" is taken if a portrait is to be taken, "night view" is taken if a night view is taken, and sports shooting is taken. By selecting a desired genre such as “sports” and operating the confirmation button 24, the genre can be designated. Then, at the time of shooting (when the release button 22 is pressed), the exposure, shutter speed, aperture value, etc. that are optimal for taking a picture in that genre according to the genre information that is selected on the above-mentioned menu and currently registered. By controlling the AE / AF mechanism 16, the photographing process 13, and the like according to conditions set in advance so as to be suitable for photography of the genre, photographing control corresponding to the optimum photographing condition corresponding to the selected genre is performed.
[0054]
After such various settings, the user holds the electronic camera device 1 toward the subject while the power is on. Then, an optical image of the subject is formed on the light receiving surface of the CCD element 12 that is a two-dimensional solid-state imaging element via the lens system 11, and electric charges are accumulated in the cells constituting each pixel in the CCD element 12. .
[0055]
Then, the subject is photographed by pressing the release button 22.
[0056]
That is, when the release button 22 is pressed, the lens system 11 is subjected to automatic exposure control (AE) and focusing control (AF) by the AE / AF mechanism 16 at that moment.
[0057]
At this time, the CCD element 12 controls the exposure, element shutter, gain adjustment (ISO setting), power supply, and the like by the imaging process unit 13 to generate an image.
[0058]
Here, the timing of reading data from the CCD element 12 is generated by the timing generator 15. The electric charges corresponding to the subject optical image generated in each cell of the CCD element 12 are sequentially read out under the control of the imaging process unit 13 to become an image signal. The image signal is converted into digital data by the A / D converter 14. Are output to the data bus 10. The digitalized image signal is stored in the work area of the memory 19 via the data bus 10 under the control of the memory controller 18.
[0059]
The data stored in the memory 19 is then subjected to processing such as recording on the recording medium 29 and display on the display liquid crystal panel 30 by the processing and control of the control unit 20.
[0060]
That is, when the release button 22 is operated, the management processing unit 21 recognizes that a shutter operation command has been received, and issues a shooting processing command to the main processing unit 20. Then, in the main processing unit 20, the control unit 20 d that is a component of the main processing unit 20 controls the AE / AF mechanism 16, the timing generator 15, the imaging process unit 13, and the memory 19 (actually the memory 19 By controlling the controller 18), the image processing unit 20a, and the compression / decompression processing unit 20b, shooting is controlled, and by controlling the memory 19, the compression / decompression processing unit 20b, the recording / reproducing interface 27, and the display control unit 20c. Control image recording, playback, and erasure.
[0061]
At this time, the image processing unit 20a of the main processing unit 20 performs white balance processing, color processing, gamma correction, sharpness adjustment, and the like. Further, the compression / decompression processing unit 20b executes JPEG compression processing or decompression processing.
[0062]
Specifically, the image data stored in the work area 19a of the memory 19 after A / D conversion by the A / D converter 14 is processed by the image processing unit 20a using white balance processing, color processing, gamma correction, sharpness adjustment, and the like. Is converted into still image information for a photograph, further compressed (JPEG) by the compression / decompression processing unit 20b, and temporarily stored in the image holding area 19b in the memory 19. Further, the image processing unit 20b creates a thumbnail image by a known method such as a method of performing data thinning using the corrected image data, and temporarily stores it in the image holding area 19b.
[0063]
As described above, the image holding area 19b temporarily stores the compressed image and holds the reproduced image, and is configured to be able to record n images. An image in an uncompressed state can be held depending on the selection and playback.
[0064]
The image recorded in the image holding area 19 b in the memory 19 is stored in the recording medium 29 via the recording / reproducing interface 27 under the control of the control unit 20 d in the main processing unit 20.
[0065]
At this time, the format stored in the recording medium 29 is a data format in a predetermined file format, and the image data is stored in the recording medium together with the header information and the thumbnail image. The header information includes shooting date and time, shooting type, and the like.
[0066]
In the main processing unit 20, the image main body and the thumbnail image together with the header information are arranged in the data format, and then given to the recording medium 29 via the recording / reproducing interface 27 to be recorded.
[0067]
In this way, an image (image main body, thumbnail image) and header information are recorded on the recording medium 29 for each shooting.
[0068]
When it is desired to reproduce an image, the main processing unit 20 is operated from the recording medium 29 via the recording / reproducing interface 27 by operating the operation key 23 to designate and display the image file having a desired file number. The corresponding file is read out, temporarily stored in the work area of the memory 19, and then decompressed by the compression / decompression processing unit 20b of the main processing unit 20 to restore the image, and the display control unit 20c controls the display thereof. As a result, an image is displayed on the display liquid crystal panel 30.
[0069]
The image recorded on the recording medium 29 can be erased as desired by an erasing operation. In the electronic camera device of the present invention, as erase modes for erasing an image recorded on the recording medium 29, “single frame erase”, “group erase (erasure in group image unit)”, “all erase ( Three modes of “collective erasure of all recorded images on the recording medium 29” are prepared.
[0070]
Among these, “one frame erase” is a mode in which a designated image is erased in one frame, and “all erase” is a mode in which all recorded images on the recording medium 29 are erased collectively. “Group erase” is a mode in which all images in a group are erased when a deletion is executed when one of the grouped images is selected for deletion. This function can be erased. However, even images in the group that are protected are excluded from being erased.
[0071]
Here, “group deletion” is performed as follows. The control of “group deletion” is performed by various processing units 20d1 which are functional elements of the control unit 20d. When the various processing units 20d1 specify deletion of an image in the group deletion mode, If the image is one of the grouped images, control is performed so that all unprotected images belonging to the group are erased from the recording medium 29.
[0072]
Specifically, when the “group erase mode” is set by operating the operation key 23, a list display is made in a form in which a plurality of images are arranged in a matrix on the display liquid crystal panel 30 by the functions of the control unit 20d and the display control unit 20c. The index image of the displayed display format is displayed.
[0073]
The user determines an object to be deleted by browsing the image. When the erased image is decided, when the erase button (for example, the release button also serves) is pressed and the image is designated, all the images of the group to which the designated image belongs are arranged in a matrix on the display liquid crystal panel 30. Listed in form. On this list display screen, “YES” and “NO” buttons are also displayed together with a confirmation message “Do you really want to delete the following images?”, And the user can operate either of the operation keys 23 to answer this message. The display button is selected and the confirmation button 24 is pressed. This operation is transmitted to the control unit 20 d of the main processing unit 20 through the management processing unit 21.
[0074]
That is, the various control units 20d1, which are constituent elements of the control unit 20d, check whether or not group erasure is performed, and if a group erasure command is given, shift to the group erasure mode. Then, one frame is designated as an erased image, and information regarding grouping in the recording medium 29 is searched. Then, it is checked whether or not the designated image is a grouped image. If it is not a grouped image, the process is terminated. If it is a grouped image, an image in the group to which the image belongs is selected. Acquire all of them and prompt them to confirm the deletion of these images.
[0075]
Then, when the user operates the button to respond to confirmation, the content of the response is checked. As a result, if it is not erased, the process is terminated. If erased, all images belonging to the group (however, except protected images (images designated to be prohibited from being erased)) are erased from the recording medium 29. Then, the process ends.
[0076]
As described above, group erasure can be realized.
[0077]
The above is an explanation of the normal action. In the present invention, when an image file stored in the recording medium 29 is to be erased, the focused state of the image to be erased can be confirmed by an enlarged display, and support for whether or not the image file is actually to be erased can be provided. Thus, this function is described next because it is characterized in that it is easy to objectively know what is in the in-focus state and to make it easy to determine a selection target.
[0078]
The management processing unit 21 notifies the main processing unit 20 of the result of the operation input, thereby executing a shooting command or an operation command from the photographer. For this purpose, various operation inputs from various operation buttons (release button 22, operation key 23, confirmation button 24, focus area enlargement button 26, etc.) are received, and control corresponding to the input is performed on each unit.
[0079]
In order to select a useless image from a large number of images stored as image files on the recording medium 29, the user performs image index display as a first step.
[0080]
Specifically, by operating the operation key 23, an index display function is selected from a menu screen displayed from the display liquid crystal panel 30, and the confirmation button 24 is operated to select and confirm the function.
[0081]
Since the management processing unit 21 transmits this operation information to the main processing unit 20, the main processing unit 20 reads an image file from the recording medium 29 via the recording / reproducing interface 27, and is controlled under the control of the display control unit 20c. A plurality of images are displayed as indexes on the display liquid crystal panel 30.
[0082]
As a result, since the images stored in the recording medium 29 can be listed, the user can delete the selected image by selecting an image to be deleted and performing an erasing operation. Here, when the image file stored in the recording medium 29 is checked for an image with a bad erasing focus state and is to be deleted as an unnecessary image, in the case of the camera device of the present invention, the user is not allowed to use an image (photograph). The in-focus area enlargement button 26 is pressed to enlarge the in-focus area.
[0083]
In the embodiment, the in-focus area enlargement button 26 is provided as a direct button for in-focus area enlargement / reduction, but a dedicated button is not necessarily provided, and the operation key 23 and the confirm button 24 are used. You may make it select the function from a menu.
[0084]
When the user presses the in-focus area enlargement button 26, the input is given to the main processing section 20 via the management processing section 21, and the main processing section 20 inputs the in-focus area enlargement section 20d2 of the control section 20d built therein. introduce.
[0085]
When the focus area enlargement unit 20d2 receives an input of the focus area enlargement button 26 via the management processing unit 21 while the captured image is displayed on the index screen, the focus area enlargement unit 20d2 It functions to enlarge only the focal area and display it on each frame. If an index is displayed in a state as shown in FIG. 3A, each image is in-focus, which is an area of the screen used for focusing control at the time of shooting, as shown in FIG. 3B. The image of the region portion is displayed as an index in an enlarged state over the entire image section of the index display.
[0086]
If the input from the focus area enlargement button 26 is received again in a state where the focus area is enlarged, the focus area enlargement unit 20d2 returns each frame on the index screen to the original state.
[0087]
A user who views the state of each image in the focused area enlarged display state selects an image in a poorly focused state as an erasure target. In this case, an image to be selected by operating the operation key 23 is selected. When the image to be erased is selected, the user operates the confirm button 24 to give a confirmation instruction.
[0088]
This information is given to the management processing unit 21. The image selection receiving unit 21a of the management processing unit 21 is selected by the operation key 23 on the index screen or the entire display screen (a state where one image is displayed on the entire liquid crystal panel), and is input by the enter button 24. When the image is received, the image is selected, and a notification to that effect is sent to the various processing units 20d1 of the control unit 20d.
[0089]
The various processing units 20d1 can execute print reservation processing, data transfer processing, erasure processing, erasure prevention processing (image protection), etc., for the selected image. In order to erase the selected image, the various processing units 20d1 of the control unit 20d control to erase the image from the recording medium 29 if the image is not protected. As a result, the corresponding image is erased from the recording medium 29.
[0090]
Note that other processing will be described. In the print reservation process, a print reservation file is generated in the recording medium 29. When printing, the corresponding image is read according to the contents of the print reservation file and output to the printer. As a result, images reserved in advance can be collectively output to a printer for printing without individually specifying them. The data transfer process is a function for generating a transfer image reservation file in the recording medium 29 and controlling the data transfer interface 31 to execute the data transfer. The contents of the transfer image reservation file are transferred when transferring the image. Accordingly, the corresponding image is read from the recording medium 29 and output to the data transfer interface 31. As a result, images that have been reserved for transfer in advance can be output to the data transfer interface 31 in a batch without individually specifying them, and an image file can be externally used using a terminal such as a mobile phone 32 connected to the data transfer interface 31. Can be sent in batches.
[0091]
The erasing process erases all selected grouped images (except for images that are protected). In the erasure prevention process, all selected grouped images are set in an erasure prevention state.
[0092]
A flow of processing for realizing the above control is shown in a flowchart. That is, in the electronic camera device, a mode is selected according to the purpose of what the user wants to do, but in order to check the mode, first, as shown in FIG. It is checked whether or not the mode is an image playback mode (step S1 in FIG. 2). As a result, if the mode is an image playback mode, it is further checked whether or not the playback state is to be an index display (FIG. 2). 2 step S2).
[0093]
As a result, if the index display is not performed, the process proceeds to another process (step S3 in FIG. 2). If the index display is performed, an index display command is given to the display control unit 20c, and the image in the recording medium 29 is indexed. A reproduction screen is created and an index is displayed on the display liquid crystal panel 30 (step S4 in FIG. 2). However, the focus area is not enlarged at this stage.
[0094]
Next, the main processing unit 20 checks whether or not the in-focus area of each image displayed as an index is enlarged and displayed (step S5 in FIG. 2). This is done by checking whether or not the focus area enlargement button 26 has been pressed by the user. As a result, if the enlarged display is not performed, the main processing unit 20 proceeds to the process of step S9. However, if the enlarged display is performed, the process proceeds to the process of step S6, and the focused area enlarging unit 20d2 stores the focused area. Enlarge the display process. As a result, the enlarged focus area is displayed for each frame of the index.
[0095]
Then, the main processing unit 20 checks whether or not to stop the enlarged display of the in-focus area (step S7 in FIG. 2), and if so, proceeds to the process of step S9, but if not, The process proceeds to S8, and the display control unit 20c performs index display. Therefore, the screen on which the enlarged display image is displayed as an index is changed to the original index display. Next, the main processing unit 20 checks whether or not to select an image (step S9 in FIG. 2). When the screen is selected, the screen is selected by the operation key 23 and the confirmation operation by the confirmation button 24 is performed by the user. Therefore, the main processing unit 20 selects the screen depending on whether or not the operation content is received. Know whether or not. As a result, if the image is not selected, the process returns to step S2, and S2 and subsequent steps are repeated.
[0096]
In S9, if an image is selected, predetermined processing (for example, print reservation, image transmission, deletion, erasure prevention) set for the selected image in accordance with the image selection input to the various processing units 20d1. The various processing units 20d1 execute the commanded process according to the command (steps S10 and S11 in FIG. 2).
[0097]
As described above, the present invention uses a recording medium capable of writing and reading an image obtained by imaging with a camera, and displays a part or all of one or more captured images recorded on the recording medium on a display means. When a focus area enlargement instruction is given, a part of the one or more photographed images displayed on the display means (for example, an image of the focus area part) is enlarged, and the enlarged image is displayed on the index display screen. The present invention is characterized by comprising a display magnifying means for controlling to display on each frame.
[0098]
As described above, according to the present invention, an enlarged image of a frame is displayed on each frame of a screen (index screen) on which an image recorded on a recording medium is read and displayed as an index by an area enlargement instruction. Thus, for example, if the focus area is partially enlarged and displayed as an enlarged image, the in-focus state of each frame image can be confirmed. Therefore, an image with a good in-focus state can be easily selected from a large number of images recorded on the recording medium. In addition, it is possible to easily select an image in a poorly focused state. Therefore, the selection of the image viewed from the in-focus state can be performed objectively and easily, and in determining the in-focus state as an image selection criterion, the difference in the in-focus state can be easily determined. A good electronic camera device can be provided.
[0099]
In the electronic camera device of the present invention, the hill-climbing AF (contrast AF) or the distance measuring AF is adopted as the AF. Since the enlarged image display of the in-focus area is performed based on the captured image recorded in the recording medium 29, the in-focus state of the actual image can be objectively and easily determined.
[0100]
Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be implemented with various modifications. For example, the above-described embodiments have described the details of the electronic camera device. The present invention can be applied to an image processing apparatus for use in reproduction or editing. In addition, the technique described as the embodiment is a program that can be executed by a computer or a program that can be added to an electronic camera, such as a magnetic disk (floppy disk, hard disk, etc.), an optical disk (CD-ROM, DVD, etc.), a semiconductor, etc. It can be stored in a recording medium such as a memory and distributed, or transmitted via a communication line and distributed.
[0101]
In the above embodiment, the grouped image transfer function has not been described, but a configuration in which a communication interface is provided and grouped images are transmitted to the outside at once can be added.
[0102]
Furthermore, the present invention may be implemented by appropriately combining the matters described in the above-described embodiments, and the constituent features shown in the claims may be configured by appropriately deleting a part thereof. In the implementation stage, various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention.
[0103]
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 (at least one of them) described in the column of problems to be solved by the invention can be solved, and the column of the effect of the invention When at least one of the effects described in (1) is obtained, a configuration in which this configuration requirement is deleted can be extracted as an invention.
[0104]
【The invention's effect】
As described above in detail, according to the present invention, a large number of images are displayed in an index, and the focus area of each image is enlarged and displayed on each frame of the index screen. It becomes possible to easily compare and confirm the in-focus state of each image. In particular, when there are multiple images with similar composition or other shooting conditions, when selecting a good image from those multiple images or determining an unnecessary image, the multiple images are displayed as an index. Since an enlarged image of each frame is displayed at the frame position, an effect of easily and in detail comparing in-focus states on the screen can be obtained.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining the present invention, and is a block diagram showing an overall configuration of an electronic camera device according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a flowchart for explaining the present invention, and is a flowchart for explaining a characteristic image control example in the electronic camera device according to the present invention;
FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the present invention, and is a diagram showing an image index display example and an enlarged image index display example of each image in the apparatus of the present invention;
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Electronic camera apparatus, 10 ... Data bus, 11 ... Lens system, 12 ... CCD element, 13 ... Imaging process, 14 ... A / D (analog / digital) converter, 15 ... Timing generator, 16 ... AE (automatic) (Exposure) / AF (autofocus) mechanism, 18 ... memory controller, 19 ... memory, 20 ... main processing unit, 20a ... image processing unit, 20b ... compression / decompression processing unit, 20c ... display control unit, 20d ... control unit, 20d1 ... various processing units, 20d2 ... focusing area enlargement unit, 21 ... management processing unit, 21a ... image selection receiving unit, 22 ... release button, 23 ... operation key, 24 ... confirm button, 25 ... control panel, 27 ... record / Reproduction interface, 28 ... recording medium slot, 29 ... recording medium, 30 ... display liquid crystal panel (TFT panel).

Claims (7)

Control means for controlling the display means to display an index screen in which a plurality of captured images are displayed side by side ;
An enlarge button for instructing to enlarge and display each captured image constituting the index screen;
When receiving the instruction from the enlargement button, a display enlargement unit that performs control for generating an enlarged image obtained by enlarging a predetermined part for each of the captured images and displaying an index screen composed of the enlarged images. and,
An electronic camera device comprising: The electronic camera apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the display enlarging unit sets a focus area in each captured image as the predetermined part . Wherein the plurality of captured images, electronic camera apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that a captured image obtained by the continuous shooting. If any one or more of the enlarged image of the enlarged image by Ri is generated in the display enlargement means is selected, to include processing means for executing a predetermined processing in relation to the selected expanded image The electronic camera according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the electronic camera is characterized in that: The predetermined processing which the processing unit executes the print reservation, image transfer, image erasing, and the electronic camera device according to claim 4, characterized in that any of the processing of the write-protect specified. A step of Ru is displayed index display means each captured image for one or more captured images,
Generating an enlarged image obtained by enlarging a predetermined portion for each of the captured images constituting the index display when receiving an enlarged display instruction for the captured image ;
Performing control to configure and display the index display screen with the generated enlarged image ;
An image display method characterized by comprising: A step of Ru is displayed index display means each captured image for one or more captured images,
Generating an enlarged image obtained by enlarging a predetermined portion for each of the captured images constituting the index display when receiving an enlarged display instruction for the captured image ;
Performing control to configure and display the index display screen with the generated enlarged image ;
Storage medium storing a program to be executed by a computer.

Images