JP4503867B2 - Image reproducing apparatus, electronic camera apparatus, and image reproducing method - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an electronic camera device having a continuous shooting function for continuous shooting or moving image shooting, and an image playback technique such as an image playback device applicable to the device.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In recent years, an electronic camera that converts a subject into image data using an electronic imaging function and records the image data on a recording medium has become widespread. The electronic camera is also called a digital camera, and usually has a still image shooting as a main function. Recently, in addition to a still image shooting function in a single shooting (single shooting) mode, an electronic camera having a still image shooting function and a moving image shooting function in a continuous shooting (continuous shooting) mode has been developed.
[0003]
Here, an image shot in the continuous shooting mode and the moving image shooting mode is referred to as a combined image that includes a plurality of images and is collectively handled. When each photographing function is used, an image group in which a single image and a combined image are mixed (hereinafter referred to as “mixed image”) is recorded on a recording medium such as a memory card.
[0004]
Incidentally, the electronic camera is provided with an image reproducing device (function) for retrieving a designated image from a group of photographed images recorded on a recording medium and reproducing it on an image LCD (LCD monitor). In addition, a dedicated image playback device (a dedicated device corresponding to an electronic album or the like) for storing and managing a large number of images taken by an electronic camera has been developed.
[0005]
In the image reproduction process, a function for retrieving a desired image from a recording medium is required. As a still image search method, a method using an index display format is frequently used. The index display format is a format in which a multi-screen divided for each image is displayed on the display screen of the LCD, and a single image and a group image are displayed on the multi-screen. However, when a mixed image in which a single image (single-shot image) and a combined image are mixed is displayed as an index, the display state is such that the single-shot image is scattered among a large number of image groups constituting the combined image. . In such a display state, it is inefficient to search for a desired image, and it is not effective as a practical search method.
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
As a method of searching for a desired image from a recording medium in which a single image and a set image are recorded together, a mixed image of a single image and a representative image of the set image (specific one image) is indexed. A display method (see, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-181905) has been proposed. Since this search method does not display other images than the representative image included in the group image, the index display state is simplified, and in particular, it is easy to search for single-shot images. Further, although not an index display format, another method for displaying a representative image of a group image (for example, see Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-276388) has been proposed.
[0007]
However, the search method of the past, how to erase the set image efficiently has not been proposed.
[0008]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an image reproduction apparatus that can efficiently erase a combined image.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
A first aspect of the present invention is to select a desired image from a group of images included in a set of images from a recording medium on which the set of images that collectively handle a plurality of images taken by moving image shooting or continuous shooting is recorded. And when the image selected by the operation means is a specific image set as a representative image of an image group included in the group image, all images included in the group image are to be erased. And an erasing unit for erasing all images other than the representative image included in the group image from the recording medium as erasure targets when an image other than the representative image is selected. The present invention relates to an image reproducing device.
[0013]
In the case of an apparatus having such a configuration, when deleting a combined image from a recording medium, there is no need to designate and erase each image constituting the combined image, and the combined image is composed of a large number of image groups. In this case, the efficiency of the erase operation can be improved.
[0014]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, a desired image is selected and selected from a recording medium on which a set image including a plurality of images captured by moving image shooting or continuous shooting is recorded. If the image is a specific image set as a representative image of an image group included in the group image, all images included in the group image are set as erasure targets, and an image other than the representative image is selected. In this case, the present invention relates to an image reproduction method characterized in that all images other than the representative image included in the set image are set as erasure targets, and the image set as the erasure target is erased from the recording medium.
[0015]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
[0016]
(Configuration of electronic camera)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a main part of an electronic camera according to the following first and second embodiments. The electronic camera is assumed to be a digital camera having a shooting function in a continuous shooting (continuous shooting) mode and a moving image shooting mode in addition to a still image shooting function in a normal single shooting (single shooting) mode. Further, it is assumed that the image reproduction apparatus of the present invention is incorporated in the electronic camera.
[0017]
As shown in FIG. 1, the electronic camera is roughly composed of a photographing system 1, a recording system 2, a control / operation system 3, and a display / output system 4.
[0018]
The photographing system 1 includes an optical lens unit (including a zoom lens, a diaphragm, an autofocus lens, and the like) 10, an image sensor 11, an image circuit 12, and an A / D converter 13. The mechanical shutter is omitted. The mechanical shutter is normally open, and is closed in response to an on operation of a release button of the operation unit 34 described later, thereby controlling the exposure time.
[0019]
The image sensor 11 has a CCD (charge coupled device) having several million pixels, and photoelectrically converts a subject image incident via the optical lens unit 10. The imaging circuit 12 inputs an imaging signal from the imaging device 11 and performs various signal processing such as AGC (automatic gain adjustment) processing and CDS (correlated double sampling) processing. The A / D converter 13 converts the imaging signal processed by the imaging circuit 12 into a digital signal and outputs image data.
[0020]
The recording system 2 includes a recording medium 20 for storing image data and a memory interface 21 including a slot for mounting the recording medium 20. The recording medium 20 is a memory card composed of, for example, a flash EEPROM. In addition to the memory card, the recording medium 20 may be a removable magneto-optical disk (MO) or an ultra-small card-type hard disk drive.
[0021]
The control / operation system 3 includes a system controller 30, a buffer memory 31, an imaging adjustment circuit 32, a control memory 33, and an operation unit 34. The system controller 30 is composed of a control CPU (microprocessor) and a memory storing its control program. The control CPU usually comprises a main CPU and a sub CPU. The main CPU includes an image processing unit 300, a recording processing unit 301, a continuous shooting / moving image shooting control unit 302, and the like, and executes overall camera control including image reproduction processing and erasing processing of the present invention described later.
[0022]
The sub CPU receives an operation instruction input from the operation unit 34 to be described later and transmits it to the main CPU, or performs control for displaying mode information necessary for camera operation on a control LCD (control panel) 40. Execute. Further, the sub CPU controls the operation of a lens driving system (not shown) and the strobe 50 in accordance with an operation instruction from the operation unit 34.
[0023]
The image processing unit 300 compresses image data stored in the buffer memory 31 (for example, a JPEG still image compression process or a motion JPEG moving image compression process), an image expansion process, a display data generation process, and the like. Various image processing is executed. The recording processing unit 301 controls the recording operation of the recording system 2. The continuous shooting / moving image shooting control unit 302 controls the shooting operation in the continuous shooting mode or the moving image shooting mode in addition to shooting in the normal single shooting mode (single shooting).
[0024]
The imaging adjustment circuit 32 roughly includes an AE (automatic exposure) function, an AF (automatic focus) function, and an AWB (automatic white balance) function. The control memory 33 is a flash EEPROM that stores various control information necessary for the control operation of the system controller 30.
[0025]
In addition to the release button (shutter button for instructing the start of the shooting operation) necessary for the shooting operation, the operation unit 34 has a mode dial 34A for setting the image reproduction mode, a selection cross button 34B, an erase button 34C, and an OK button. 34D and the like, and commands and information necessary for shooting and image reproduction operations are input. The selection cross button 34B has a left / right key and an up / down key, and is used for an image search operation in a playback mode to be described later.
[0026]
In addition to the control LCD (liquid crystal display) 40, the display / output system 4 includes an image LCD 41 for displaying captured images and reproduced images, an LCD control circuit 42, an external output terminal 43, and an external interface 44. And have. The image LCD 41 is usually a display monitor disposed on the back of the camera body, and is a captured image (including a through image) in the single shooting mode, a multi-image in the continuous shooting mode, and a moving image in the moving image shooting mode. (Through image) is displayed. Further, the image LCD 41 displays an index display screen for image search in the reproduction mode. The LCD control circuit 42 includes a VRAM (video RAM) for storing display data. The external output terminal 43 and the external interface 44 output image data to an external device such as a television or a personal computer.
[0027]
(First embodiment)
Hereinafter, the image reproduction processing according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 2, 3, 4 and 5 together with FIG.
[0028]
First, in the embodiment, a shooting operation such as the shooting system 1 of the electronic camera is executed, and a mixed image in which a single image in the single shooting mode, a combined image in the continuous shooting mode, and the moving image shooting mode are mixed is stored in the memory. The state recorded on the card 20 is assumed. Here, the combined image means an image group composed of a plurality of images shot in the continuous shooting mode or the moving image shooting mode and handled collectively.
[0029]
FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram showing the format of an image group recorded on the memory card 20. Each image is managed by a frame number (1 to 5). Here, each image of frame numbers 1, 3, and 4 means a single image. Frame numbers 2 and 5 are respectively a group image (mark 200) of a moving image (mark 201) and a continuous shot image (mark 202). A group image of moving images is composed of a plurality of image groups (2-1 to 2-5), and a specific image (here, the first image 2-1) is set as a representative image. Control information for indicating the marks 200 and 201 is added to the representative image (2-1). Moreover, the group image of the continuous shot image is composed of a plurality of image groups (5-1 to 5-4), and a specific image (here, the first image 5-1) is set as a representative image. Control information for indicating the marks 200 and 202 is added to the representative image (5-1).
[0030]
In the recording image format as described above, the image reproduction processing in the electronic camera will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
[0031]
First, the playback mode is set by operating the mode dial 34A of the operation unit 34 (step S1). In the playback mode, the system controller 30 executes index display for searching for a designated image (desired image) from an image group (format shown in FIG. 2) recorded on the memory card 20.
[0032]
When the left / right key included in the selection cross button 34B of the operation unit 34 is operated, the images in the frame number order are displayed on the LCD 41 as shown in FIG. 3 (YES in step S2). Here, by operating the left and right keys, the indexed single image (frame number 1, 3, 4) and the representative image (2-1, 5-1) of the group image (moving image or continuous image) are selected. Select one image. The selected image is displayed with the frame number display color changed. When a desired image is confirmed from the display image group by an operation such as the OK button 34D of the operation unit 34, the selected image is reproduced and displayed on the screen of the LCD 41 in a full screen (this display is referred to as “single screen display”). (Steps S3 and S6).
[0033]
Here, in the index display of the representative images (2-1, 5-1), as shown in FIG. 3, a mark 200 indicating a group image, and a mark 210 for identifying a moving image and a continuous image, 202 is displayed. Therefore, the user can recognize from the index display by operating the left and right keys that a mixed image of moving images or continuous images is mixed.
[0034]
Here, when the desired image is a set image, when the up / down key is operated after the representative image is selected by operating the left / right key and the OK button 34D, an image group included in the set image is displayed on the LCD 41. Is displayed (YES in step S4). As a specific example, when a representative image (2-1) of a group image of moving images is selected and the up and down keys are operated, as shown in FIG. 4, image groups (2-1 to 2-1) included in the group image are displayed. 2-5) is displayed as an index. By operating the up / down key operation, a desired image is selected from the display image group, and when the desired image is confirmed by operating the OK button 34D of the operation unit 34, the selected image is reproduced on the screen of the LCD 41 on the full screen. It is displayed (steps S5 and S6). Similarly, when the representative image (5-1) of the continuous shot image is selected and the up / down key is operated, the image groups (5-1 to 5-4) included in the set image are displayed in an index manner. (See FIG. 6).
[0035]
As described above, according to the embodiment, in the playback mode, a desired image can be searched from the mixed images recorded on the memory card 20 and displayed on the display screen. In this case, a desired image (designated image) can be selected from an image group consisting of a single image or a representative image of a group image by operating the left and right keys of the selection cross button 34B (operation related to the first operation means). ). Furthermore, a desired image can be selected from the group of images including the representative image by operating the up and down keys of the selection cross button 34B (operation related to the second operation means).
[0036]
In short, the image reproduction method according to the embodiment efficiently searches for a desired image by dividing the image search operation into the first operation method using the left and right keys and the second operation method using the up and down keys. Can be displayed. Specifically, in the first operation method, since only the representative image is the search target for the group image among the mixed images, it is possible to easily select a desired single image or representative image. Further, in the second operation method, since only the image group constituting the group image specified by the representative image is the search target, it is possible to easily select a desired image including the representative image from the group image. is there.
[0037]
(First modification)
The embodiment relates to an image reproduction method using an index screen display function. 7 and 8 show a first modification of the embodiment, and show an image reproduction method using a single frame display function. That is, in the single frame display mode, as shown in FIG. 7, the method is scrolled in the horizontal direction by the operation of the left and right keys of the operation unit 34, and from the mixed image, for example, the group image 80 (moving image representative image 2-1 ) Can be selected and displayed. Further, from the selected representative image (2-1) 90 of the group image, as shown in FIG. 8, it is scrolled up and down by the operation of the up and down keys of the operation unit 34, and one image is selected from the image. An image (for example, image 2-3) can be selected and specified.
[0038]
(Second modification)
In the first modification described above, when a group image is selected, when a group image having 2-1 constituting the group image as a representative image is selected, as illustrated in FIG. Only the image group constituting the image is displayed . In the second modification, even when an image group of a group image is expanded, images taken before and after that are also displayed. In the first modified example, the combined image is expanded by operating the up and down keys of the operation unit 34, but it is preferable to provide a dedicated expansion button. Therefore, in the following description, it is assumed that the combined image is expanded by an operation using the expansion button.
When the development button is pressed when the image 2-1 in FIG. 3 is selected, in the second modified example, as shown in FIG. 9A, a combined image having the image 2-1 as a representative image is displayed. The expanded image displays not only the image group (images 2 to 5), but also the single images 1, 3, and 4 before and after that and the representative image 5-1 of the group image. Here, when the representative image 5-1 is selected and the development button is pressed (see FIG. 9B), a combined image having the image 5-1 as the representative image is developed as shown in FIG. 9C. And before and after that. In this modification, after selecting a specific image of a desired combined image, the expanded button is pressed so that only the selected combined image is displayed, but when the expanded button is pressed, A configuration may be adopted in which developed images of all the combined images are displayed. That is, in FIG. 3, when the unfold button is pressed, both the combined images having the images 2-1 and 5-1 as the representative images may be unfolded.
Next, switching between index screen display and single screen display will be described.
Conventionally, switching between single-screen display and index display is normally performed by a T / W button (not shown), and by operating the button, single-screen display and normal index display (for example, see FIG. 3). Switching is possible. In the present invention, for example, when one continuous shot image (for example, the image 2-3 in FIG. 4) is displayed on a single screen, the unfold button is operated to display FIG. 4 or FIG. The index screen shown in is displayed. In this case, an index screen as shown in FIG. 3 may be displayed. That is, it is possible to switch between a single screen display and various index screen displays by the expansion button.
Note that the index screen displayed by switching from the single screen display to the index screen is preferably settable by the user, and for example, it is preferable that the index screen can be changed by a menu.
As described above, with the method of the second modified example, various image display / selection is possible by operating the development button or the cross key.
(Second Embodiment)
The embodiment relates to an erasing method for erasing an image selected using the above-described image search method from the memory card 20. A specific image erasing procedure will be described below with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
[0039]
First, the playback mode is set by operating the mode dial 34A of the operation unit 34 (step S11). In the playback mode, the system controller 30 executes index display for searching for a designated image (desired image) from an image group (format shown in FIG. 2) recorded on the memory card 20.
[0040]
In this case, as described above, the left and right key operations (including the operation of the OK button 34D) included in the selection cross button 34B of the operation unit 34 are used to represent a single image and a representative image of a group image (moving image or continuous image). An image to be erased is selected from the image group consisting of (see FIG. 3) (YES in step S12, S13).
[0041]
Next, when the delete button 34 </ b> C of the operation unit 34 is operated, the system controller 30 executes a process for deleting the selected image designated as the deletion target from the memory card 20. In this case, when the selected image to be erased is a single image, the single image is erased from the memory card 20 (YES in step S14, S15). The above process is repeated until all the single images to be erased are erased (step S16).
[0042]
Here, when the selected image to be erased is a representative image of the group image, the system controller 30 erases all the images constituting the group image (moving image or continuous image) from the memory card 20 (step S21 YES, S22). Therefore, as a result, the group image selected and designated by the representative image is erased from the memory card 20.
[0043]
On the other hand, after selecting a representative image by operating the left and right keys (including the operation of the OK button 34D), the combined image of the representative image (see FIG. 4) by operating the up and down keys (including the operation of the OK button 34D). Thus, an image is selected (YES in step S17, S18). When the group image is a continuous image from the representative image mark (202), the system controller 30 deletes only the image selected and designated as the deletion target from the memory card 20 (YES in step S19, S20).
[0044]
On the other hand, when the group image is a moving image, the system controller 30 excludes the representative image (2-1 in FIG. 2) and all the images (2-2 to 2-5) including the selected and designated image. Is deleted from the memory card 20 (NO in step S19, S23). Even when the group image is a continuous shot image, the system controller 30 selects all images (5-2 to 5) including the selected and specified image except for the representative image (5-1 in FIG. 2). -4) may be deleted from the memory card 20.
[0045]
As described above, the image erasing method of the embodiment can easily select an image to be erased from the mixed images by using the image search method in the reproduction mode in the first embodiment described above. .
[0046]
Further, in this erasing method, when the erasure target is a group image other than a single image, all the images constituting the group image can be erased from the memory card 20 by a single erasing operation only by selecting a representative image. Therefore, particularly in the case of a combined image including a large number of image groups, it is possible to improve the efficiency of the erasing process. When the group image is a continuous image, only the designated image excluding the representative image can be deleted. Further, when the group image is a moving image, when an image other than the representative image is designated, all the images constituting the moving image can be erased by one erasing operation, leaving the representative image. In short, with the image erasing method according to the embodiment, a specified image can be efficiently erased from a mixed image, and various erase modes can be realized for a combined image.
[0047]
In the first and second embodiments, it is assumed that the head image of the image group to be configured is set as the representative image of the group image. When a specific image other than the head image is set as a representative image, a configuration in which the specific image is arranged at the position of the representative image (2-1 or 5-1) in the format of the recorded image shown in FIG. 2 is necessary. It becomes.
[0048]
Further, the recording medium includes not only the apparatus directly but also a medium installed at a remote location in a communication form.
[0049]
【The invention's effect】
As described above in detail, according to the present invention, when deleting a specified image from a mixed image of a single image and a combined image, various erasing modes are realized especially for the combined image as well as improving the efficiency of the erasure process. can do.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a main part of an electronic camera according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram showing a recording format of an image group related to the first embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a view for explaining an image search operation method according to the embodiment;
FIG. 4 is a view for explaining a group image search operation method according to the embodiment;
FIG. 5 is an exemplary flowchart for explaining a procedure of image reproduction processing according to the embodiment;
FIG. 6 is a view for explaining a group image search operation method according to the first embodiment;
FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining a group image search operation method according to a first modification of the first embodiment;
FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining a group image search operation method according to a first modification of the first embodiment;
FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining a second modification of the first embodiment.
FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining a procedure of a recorded image erasing process according to the second embodiment.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Shooting system 2 ... Recording system 3 ... Control / operation system 4 ... Display / output system 10 ... Optical lens unit 11 ... Imaging element 12 ... Imaging circuit 13 ... A / D converter 20 ... Recording medium (memory card)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 21 ... Memory interface 30 ... System controller 31 ... Buffer memory 32 ... Imaging adjustment circuit 33 ... Control memory 34 ... Operation part 41 ... Image LCD
42 ... LCD control circuit 43 ... External output terminal 44 ... External interface 50 ... Strobe

Claims (3)

An operation means for selecting a desired image from a group of images included in the set image from a recording medium on which the set image that collectively handles a plurality of images taken by moving image shooting or continuous shooting is recorded;
When the image selected by the operation means is a specific image set as a representative image of an image group included in the group image, all the images included in the group image are to be erased, and other than the representative image An image reproducing apparatus comprising: erasing means for erasing all images other than the representative images included in the set image from the recording medium as erasure targets when an image is selected . An image reproducing device according to claim 1;
An electronic camera apparatus , comprising: an electronic imaging means for taking the group image by an electronic imaging function . A desired image is selected from the image group from a recording medium on which a group image including a plurality of images captured by moving image shooting or continuous shooting is recorded, and the selected image is included in the group image. In the case of a specific image set as a representative image of an image group, all images included in the set image are set as erasure targets,
When an image other than the representative image is selected, all images other than the representative image included in the set image are set as erasure targets,
An image reproduction method comprising erasing an image set as an erasure target from the recording medium .

Images