JP4725854B2 - Image display device and image display method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image display device and an image display method, and more particularly to an image display device and an image display method for displaying a list of a plurality of images.

  As a method for confirming an image photographed by a digital camera or the like, there is a method for displaying the image on a display means such as a liquid crystal monitor by browsing the digital camera or the like by setting the playback mode. When the playback mode is set, the last captured image is displayed on the display means (screen), and then the single image is displayed to display the target image by switching the image with the cross key or the like, An image is displayed by a method such as reproduction for displaying an index image in which a plurality of reduced images are arranged in one screen.

In order to cope with such index image display, Patent Document 1 acquires an image of a photographic film, determines the size and arrangement of the index image according to the number of the acquired photos, and displays the index image. Thus, there has been proposed an image display apparatus that displays an easily viewable index image by effectively using the entire screen. In the image display device described in Patent Document 1, for example, when 20 images can be displayed at the maximum, when 20 images are captured, the size of one image is displayed as 40 images. By setting 20 times as large as possible and arranging 20 images over the entire area of the screen, the empty area of the image does not appear and the entire screen can be used effectively, so that the image can be displayed in a large size. .
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-65901

  However, the image display device described in Patent Document 1 has the following drawbacks. In the image display device described in Patent Document 1, a case where an image smaller than the maximum number of image information that can be displayed on the screen is described, but an image that is larger than the maximum number of image information that can be displayed on the screen is described. There is no description about displaying.

  As an apparatus for displaying an index image other than the imaging apparatus, an apparatus that displays an image stored in an imaging apparatus, a PC, or the like on a screen and prints a target image included therein is assumed. When such an apparatus is used, the number of images to be displayed on the index image is larger than when an image taken with a photographic film is displayed on the index image.

  The image display device described in Patent Document 1 is based on the premise that an image taken from a photographic film is displayed as an index image. Therefore, if the number is larger than the maximum number of image information that can be displayed on the screen, all the images to be displayed are displayed. It is considered that it cannot be displayed on one index image. However, when all the images cannot be displayed on one index image, it is troublesome to look around and grasp all the images, and there is a problem that it is difficult to find a target image.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and can display any number of images on a single index image, and can easily search for a target image from a large number of images. An object is to provide a display device and an image display method.

In order to achieve the above object, the image display device according to claim 1 is an image display device that displays an image on a display unit, an image acquisition unit that acquires an arbitrary number of images, and an image of the acquired image. An image selecting means for selecting an image from predetermined conditions, a number calculating means for calculating the number of acquired images and the number of selected images, and m × n more than the calculated number of images. Index image creating means for creating an index image of a predetermined image size that can be displayed on the display means, having a divided area, and the number of divided areas increases as the number of images increases. An index image creation for creating the index image in which all the acquired images are reduced to the size of the divided area and arranged in the divided areas, respectively. Stage and the images and control means for executing the indexing image by the index image generating unit using only the image selected by the selecting means, the index image display means the index image created by the creating means And a display control means for displaying on the display.

According to the image display device of claim 1, an arbitrary number of images are acquired, the number of the images is calculated, and an index image of a predetermined image size that can be displayed on the display unit, the acquired image An index image in which all are displayed is created and displayed on the display means. The index image has m × n divided areas equal to or greater than the calculated number of images, and the number of divided areas increases as the number of images increases. Then, all the acquired images are displayed in the index image by reducing all the acquired images to the size of the divided regions and arranging them in the divided regions. Further, an image is selected from the acquired images according to a predetermined condition, and an index image is created using only the selected image.

Thereby, it is possible to display an arbitrary number of images on an index image that can be displayed on one screen. Also, even when the number of selected images is large and it is difficult to grasp the image displayed in the index image, the index image is created again with only the selected image, that is, the partial image including the target image. Therefore, the target image can be easily retrieved from a large number of images.
The image display device according to claim 2 is an image display device for displaying an image on a display unit, an image acquisition unit for acquiring an arbitrary number of images, and an image obtained from the acquired images according to a predetermined condition. Image selection means for selecting, number calculation means for calculating the number of acquired images, and divided areas divided into m × n more than the calculated number of images, and the number of images is Index image creating means for creating an index image of a predetermined image size that can be displayed on the display means, wherein the number of divisions of the divided area increases as the number of divided areas increases. An index image creating unit that creates the index image that is reduced in size and arranged in each of the divided regions, and created by the index image creating unit Display control means for displaying the index image on the display means, and display control means for displaying the image selected by the image selection means in an identifiable manner on the index image. .
According to the image display device of claim 2, an arbitrary number of images are acquired, the number of the images is calculated, and an index image of a predetermined image size that can be displayed on the display unit, the acquired image An index image in which all are displayed is created and displayed on the display means. The index image has m × n divided areas equal to or greater than the calculated number of images, and the number of divided areas increases as the number of images increases. Then, all the acquired images are displayed in the index image by reducing all the acquired images to the size of the divided regions and arranging them in the divided regions. Further, an image is selected from the acquired images according to a predetermined condition, and the selected image and other images are displayed in an identifiable manner on the index image on which all the acquired images are displayed.
Thereby, it is possible to display an arbitrary number of images on an index image that can be displayed on one screen. In addition, even when it is difficult to grasp the image displayed in the index image, only the selected image, that is, a part of the image including the target image can be grasped. Images can be searched easily.
The image display device according to claim 3 is an image display device that displays an image on a display unit, an image acquisition unit that acquires an arbitrary number of images, and an image obtained from the acquired images according to a predetermined condition. Image selection means for selecting, number calculation means for calculating the number of acquired images, and divided areas divided into m × n more than the calculated number of images, and the number of images is Index image creating means for creating an index image of a predetermined image size that can be displayed on the display means, wherein the number of divisions of the divided area increases as the number of divided areas increases. An index image creating unit that creates the index image that is reduced in size and arranged in each of the divided regions, and created by the index image creating unit Display control means for displaying the index image on the display means, wherein the image selected by the image selecting means is left on the index image, and other unselected images are erased from the index image. And.
According to the image display device of claim 3, an arbitrary number of images are acquired, the number of the images is calculated, and an index image of a predetermined image size that can be displayed on the display unit, the acquired image An index image in which all are displayed is created and displayed on the display means. The index image has m × n divided areas equal to or greater than the calculated number of images, and the number of divided areas increases as the number of images increases. Then, all the acquired images are displayed in the index image by reducing all the acquired images to the size of the divided regions and arranging them in the divided regions. Further, an image is selected from the acquired images according to a predetermined condition, the selected image is left on the index image, and other unselected images are deleted from the index image.
Thereby, it is possible to display an arbitrary number of images on an index image that can be displayed on one screen. Further, even when the number of selected images is large and it is difficult to grasp the image displayed in the index image, only the selected image, that is, the partial image including the target image is displayed. Therefore, the target image can be easily retrieved from a large number of images.

The image display device according to claim 4 is the image display device according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , wherein the index image has the same aspect ratio as the aspect ratio of the image, and is n × n. It is characterized by having divided areas.

According to the image display device of the fourth aspect, the index image has the same aspect ratio as that of the acquired image and has divided areas divided into n × n.

  As a result, the divided area obtained by dividing the index image into n × n has the same aspect ratio as the aspect ratio of the image from which the index image is acquired, and thus has the same aspect ratio as the aspect ratio of the acquired image. I understand.

The image display device according to claim 5 is the image display device according to any one of claims 1 to 4 , wherein the index image creating unit is configured to divide the number more than the number based on the calculated number of images. The division number determining means for determining the number of divisions of the index image so as to have the smallest number of divisions, and the size of the division region divided by the determined number of divisions is acquired. Resize means for resizing an image or a thumbnail image attached to the image, and image composition means for creating the index image by arranging all the resized images in the divided areas, respectively. .

According to the image display device of the fifth aspect , based on the calculated number of images, the number of divisions of the index image is determined so that the number of divisions is equal to or greater than the number and is the smallest. Resize (enlarge or reduce) the acquired image or the thumbnail image attached to the acquired image so as to be the size of the divided area divided by the determined number of divisions, and all the resized images An index image is created by arranging each in the divided area.

  Thus, the index image is created so that the divided region, that is, the image arranged in the divided region becomes the largest in accordance with the number of images displayed in the index image, so that an easily viewable index image can be created.

The image display device according to claim 6 is the image display device according to any one of claims 1 to 4 , wherein the index image creating means stores templates for a plurality of types of index images each having a different number of divisions. A storage means, a template reading means for reading out the template having the smallest number of divisions from the storage means based on the calculated number of images, and based on the read template; Resizing means for resizing the acquired image or thumbnail image attached to the image so as to be the size of the divided area of the template, and all images resized by the resizing means are divided into the divided areas of the template, respectively. Image synthesizing means for arranging and creating the index image And butterflies.

According to the image display device of the sixth aspect , a plurality of types of index image templates having different division numbers are stored, and based on the calculated number of images, the number of divisions is equal to or greater than that number. Thus, the template with the smallest number of divisions is selected, and the template is read out. The acquired image or the thumbnail image attached to the acquired image is resized (enlarged or reduced) so as to be the size of the divided area of the template, and all the resized images are arranged in the divided areas, respectively. Thus, an index image is created.

  As a result, an easy-to-view index image can be created by selecting a template that maximizes the division area, that is, the image arranged in the division area, according to the number of images displayed in the index image.

The image display device according to claim 7 is the image display device according to claim 2 or 3 , wherein the image selection unit is configured to include the acquired image based on tag information attached to the acquired image. From the above, an image having a predetermined condition is selected.

According to the image display device of claim 7 , the acquired image is based on tag information attached to the acquired image, that is, imaging conditions such as face detection, and image acquisition conditions such as an image acquired from the outside. An image having a predetermined condition is selected from the images.

  As a result, even when it is difficult to grasp the image displayed in the index image, a large amount of images are selected to select a part of the image including the target image from the acquired images based on information such as shooting conditions. The target image can be easily searched from.

The image display device according to claim 8 is the image display device according to claim 2 or 3 , further comprising instruction means for instructing a photographing date and time that is a reference of a predetermined time range, wherein the image selection means An image shot within the predetermined time range is selected from the acquired images based on shooting date / time information attached to the captured image.

According to the image display device of the eighth aspect , the shooting date and time that is a reference of the predetermined time range is set based on the shooting date and time information attached to the acquired image and becomes the reference of the predetermined time range. A shooting date and time is instructed, and an image shot within the predetermined time range is selected from the acquired images.

  As a result, even when it is difficult to grasp the image displayed in the index image, an image captured within a predetermined time range is selected from the acquired images. Images can be searched easily.

An image display device according to a ninth aspect is the image display device according to any one of the first to eighth aspects, instructed by an instruction means for instructing selection of an arbitrary image on the index image, and the instruction means. Means for enlarging the displayed image.

According to the image display device of the ninth aspect , an arbitrary image designated on the index image is selected, and the selected image is enlarged and displayed.

  As a result, even when it is difficult to grasp the image displayed in the index image, the image can be grasped by enlarging and displaying the selected image.

Enlarge the image display apparatus according to claim 1 0, in the image display apparatus according to claim 9, the image that has been instructed by said instruction means, on a predetermined image size confirmation capable of images in the index image It is characterized by having means for making it.

Expansion according to the image display apparatus according to claim 1 0, select any image that is indicated on the index image, the selected image on the index image on a predetermined image size confirmation capable of images Display.

  As a result, even when it is difficult to grasp the image displayed in the index image, the image can be grasped by enlarging the selected image so that the image can be confirmed on the index image. .

The image display method according to claim 1 1, in the image display method of displaying an image on a display unit, a step of acquiring an image of an arbitrary number, calculating the number of the acquired image, the acquired The number of divided areas is divided into m × n areas that are equal to or greater than the number of images calculated in the step of calculating the number of images, and the number of divisions of the divided areas increases as the number of images increases. A step of creating an index image of a predetermined image size that can be displayed on the display means, wherein all the acquired images are reduced to the size of the divided area and arranged in the divided area, respectively. Creating an index image, and displaying the index image created in the step of creating the index image on the display means Characterized in that it comprises the steps of selecting an image by a predetermined condition from among the acquired image, a step of identifiably displaying the selected image on the index image.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to display an arbitrary number of all images on a single index image, and easily search for a target image from a large number of images.

  The best mode for carrying out an image display apparatus and an image display method according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[Configuration of imaging device]
FIG. 1 is a front perspective view showing an embodiment of an image display device according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view thereof. This image display device is a digital camera that converts a captured image into a digital signal, records the image on a recording medium, and reproduces the image recorded on the recording medium.

  The camera body of the digital camera 10 is formed in the shape of a horizontally long square box. As shown in FIG. 1, a lens barrel 12, a lens cover 14, a flash 16 and the like are provided on the front surface, and the top surface is provided. Are provided with a power button 20, a shutter button 22, a mode lever 24, and the like.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 2, a zoom key 26, a playback button 28, a photo mode button 30, a cross key 32, a menu / OK button 34, a display / return button 36, a liquid crystal monitor 38, and the like are provided on the back of the camera body. It has been.

  Note that a bottom surface (not shown) is provided with a tripod screw hole and an openable / closable battery cover for housing the battery inside.

  The lens barrel 12 is configured by a retractable zoom lens, and is retracted in the camera body and covered with a lens cover 14 on the front surface. When the power of the digital camera 10 is turned on by the power button 20, the camera body is fed out. In addition, since the zoom mechanism and the retracting mechanism of the lens barrel 12 are known techniques, description of the specific configuration thereof is omitted here.

  The flash 16 is configured using, for example, a xenon tube as a light source, and is formed so that the amount of light emission can be adjusted. In addition to a xenon tube, a flash using a high-luminance LED as a light source can also be used.

  The shutter button 22 is composed of a two-stroke switch composed of so-called “half press” and “full press”. When the shutter release button 22 is half-pressed, the digital camera 10 performs shooting preparation processing, that is, each of AE (Automatic Exposure), AF (Auto Focus), and AWB (Automatic White Balance). When the image is processed and fully pressed, the image is captured and recorded.

  The mode lever 24 functions as a shooting mode setting means for setting the shooting mode of the digital camera 10, and the shooting mode of the digital camera 10 is set to various modes according to the setting position of the mode dial. For example, an “auto shooting mode” in which an aperture, a shutter speed, and the like are automatically set by the digital camera 10, a “moving image shooting mode” in which movie shooting is performed, and a “face extraction shooting mode” in which a person's face is extracted and shot. `` Sports shooting mode '' suitable for moving body shooting, `` Scenery shooting mode '' suitable for landscape shooting, `` Night scene shooting mode '' suitable for shooting sunset and night scenes, shutter scale set by the photographer, shutter speed “Aperture priority shooting mode” in which the digital camera 10 automatically sets, “Shutter speed priority shooting mode” in which the photographer sets the shutter speed and the digital camera 10 automatically sets the scale of the aperture, aperture and shutter “Manual shooting mode” or the like in which the photographer sets the speed or the like.

  The power button 20 is used to turn on / off the power of the digital camera 10 and is turned on / off when pressed for a predetermined time (for example, 2 seconds).

  The zoom key 26 is used for a zoom operation of the lens barrel 12 and includes a zoom tele button for instructing zooming to the telephoto side and a zoom wide button for instructing zooming to the wide angle side.

  The playback button 28 is used for an instruction to switch to the playback mode. That is, the digital camera 10 is switched to the playback mode when the playback button 28 is pressed during shooting. When the playback button 28 is pressed while the power is off, the digital camera 10 is activated in the playback mode.

  The photo mode button 30 is used to call up various setting screens for shooting and playback functions. That is, when the photo mode button 30 is pressed during shooting, a setting screen for image size (number of recording pixels) and sensitivity is displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 38. When the photo mode button 30 is pressed during playback, the liquid crystal monitor 38 is displayed. An image erasure, print reservation (DPOF) setting screen, and the like are displayed.

  The cross key 32 functions as direction indicating means for inputting instructions in four directions, up, down, left, and right, and is used, for example, for selecting a menu item on a menu screen.

  The menu / OK button 34 functions as a button (MENU button) for instructing transition from the normal screen to the menu screen in each mode, and also functions as a button (OK button) for instructing selection confirmation, execution of processing, and the like. To do.

  The display / return button 36 is used for a switching instruction (display function) of display contents of the liquid crystal monitor 38, and is also used for an instruction (return function) for canceling an input operation, etc. Function to be switched.

  The liquid crystal monitor 38 is composed of a liquid crystal display capable of color display. The liquid crystal monitor 38 is used as an image display panel for displaying a photographed image in the playback mode, and also as a user interface (GUI) display panel for performing various setting operations. In the photographing mode, a through image is displayed as necessary, and is used as an electronic viewfinder for checking the angle of view.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the digital camera 10 of the present embodiment.

  An operation signal is input from an operation unit 62 (shutter button 22, mode lever 24, power button 20, zoom key 26, playback button 28, photo mode button 30, cross key 32, menu / OK button 34, display / return button 36, etc.) The central processing unit (CPU) 40 that performs overall control of each circuit in the digital camera 10 executes processing according to the camera control program. The CPU 40 is connected to the bus 64 (control bus 64a and data bus 64b), and exchanges necessary data between the SDRAM 68 and the EEPROM 66.

  In addition to the CPU 40, the control bus 64a and the data bus 64b include an EEPROM 66, an SDRAM (Synchronous Dynamic RAM) 68, a memory control circuit 70, a digital signal processing circuit 72, a compression / decompression circuit 74, a display control circuit 76, and an external media control. A circuit 78, a face detection circuit 82, and an index image creation circuit 84 are connected. The A / D conversion circuit 54 is connected to the data bus 64b.

  The A / D conversion circuit 54 converts the R, G, and B analog image signals output from the analog signal processing circuit 52 into digital image signals.

  The EEPROM 66 stores various parameters relating to camera control such as a camera control program and defect information of the solid-state imaging device. The CPU 40 develops the camera control program stored in the EEPROM 66 in the SDRAM 68, and executes various processes while using the SDRAM 68 as a work memory.

  The memory control circuit 70 controls the reading and writing of data with respect to the SDRAM 68 and the EEPROM 66 according to a command from the CPU 40.

  The digital signal processing circuit 72 includes a synchronization circuit (a processing circuit that converts a color signal into a simultaneous expression by interpolating a spatial shift of the color signal associated with a color filter array of a single CCD), a white balance correction circuit, and a gamma correction. Including a circuit, contour correction circuit, luminance / color difference signal generation circuit, etc., in accordance with a command from the CPU 40, the SDRAM 68 is used to perform necessary signal processing on the input image signal to obtain luminance data (Y data) and color difference. Image data (YUV data) composed of data (Cr, Cb data) is generated.

  The compression / decompression circuit 74 performs compression processing in a predetermined format on the input image data in accordance with a command from the CPU 40 to generate compressed image data. Further, in accordance with a command from the CPU 40, the input compressed image data is subjected to a decompression process in a predetermined format to generate non-compressed image data.

  The display control circuit 76 controls display on the liquid crystal monitor 38 in accordance with a command from the CPU 40. That is, in accordance with a command from the CPU 40, the input image signal is converted into a video signal (for example, an NTSC signal, a PAL signal, or a SCAM signal) for display on the liquid crystal monitor 38 and output to the liquid crystal monitor 38. Character and graphic information is output to the liquid crystal monitor 38.

  The external media control circuit 78 controls reading / writing of data with respect to the recording medium 80 loaded in the digital camera 10 in accordance with a command from the CPU 40.

  In accordance with a command from the CPU 40, the face detection circuit 82 extracts a face area in the image from the input image data, and detects its position (for example, the center of gravity of the face area). In this face area extraction, for example, skin color data is extracted from an original image, and a cluster of photometric points determined to be in the skin color range is extracted as a face. In addition, as a method for extracting a face area from an image, a method for determining a face area by converting photometric data into hue and saturation, creating a two-dimensional histogram of the converted hue / saturation, and analyzing it. Or a method for extracting a face candidate region corresponding to the shape of a human face and determining the face region from the feature amount in the region, extracting a human face outline from an image, and determining a face region, There are known methods for extracting a human face by preparing a template having the shape of a human face, calculating the correlation between the template and an image, and using the correlation value as a face candidate region. Can be extracted.

  The index image creation circuit 84 creates an index image in which a plurality of reduced images are arranged in one screen. A method for creating an index image will be described in detail later.

  Next, photographing, recording operation, and reproduction operation of the digital camera 10 of the present embodiment configured as described above will be described.

  In the digital camera 10, when the power button 20 is turned on, the CPU 40 detects this, turns on the power in the camera, and sets the camera in a shooting standby state in the shooting mode.

  In this photographing standby state, the CPU 40 normally displays a moving image (through image) on the liquid crystal monitor 38 as follows.

  First, the photographing lens 42 is extended to a predetermined position by the lens driving unit 56. Then, when the photographing lens 42 is extended to a predetermined position, a photographing for a through image is performed by the image sensor 50, and a through image is displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 38. That is, images are continuously picked up by the image pickup device 50, and the image signals are continuously processed to generate image data for through images. The generated image data is sequentially applied to the display control circuit 76, converted into a display signal format, and output to the liquid crystal monitor 38. As a result, the image captured by the image sensor 50 is displayed through on the liquid crystal monitor 38.

  A user (photographer) performs framing while viewing a through image displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 38, confirms a subject to be photographed, confirms an image after photographing, and sets photographing conditions.

  When the shutter button is pressed halfway in the shooting standby state, an S1 ON signal is input to the CPU 40. The CPU 40 detects this and performs AE photometry and AF control. At the time of AE photometry, the brightness of the subject is measured based on the integrated value of the image signal taken in through the image sensor 50 or the like. This photometric value (photometric value) is used to determine the aperture value of the aperture 44 and the shutter speed during actual photographing. At the same time, it is determined from the detected subject brightness whether flash emission is necessary. At the same time, it is determined from the detected subject brightness whether flash emission is necessary. When it is determined that the flash 16 needs to emit light, the flash 16 is pre-lighted, and the light emission amount of the flash 16 at the time of actual photographing is determined based on the reflected light.

  When the shutter button 22 is fully pressed, an S2 ON signal is input to the CPU 40. The CPU 40 executes photographing and recording processing in response to the S2ON signal.

  First, the CPU 40 drives the aperture 44 via the aperture drive unit 58 based on the aperture value determined based on the photometric value, and the image sensor driving unit so as to achieve the shutter speed determined based on the photometric value. The charge accumulation time (so-called electronic shutter) in the CCD 50 is controlled via 60.

  In addition, during the AF control, the CPU 40 sequentially moves the focus lens from the closest position to the lens position corresponding to infinity, and at the same time, the high frequency component of the image signal based on the image signal of the AF area captured via the CCD 50 for each lens position. The integrated evaluation value is acquired, a lens position where the evaluation value reaches a peak is obtained, and contrast AF is performed to move the focus lens to the lens position.

  At this time, when the flash 16 is caused to emit light, the flash 16 is caused to emit light based on the light emission amount of the flash 16 obtained from the result of pre-emission.

  Subject light is incident on the light-receiving surface of the CCD 50 through a photographing lens 42 including a focus lens, a zoom lens, and the like, a diaphragm 44, an infrared cut filter 46, and an optical low-pass filter 48.

  The CCD 50 is composed of a color CCD provided with R, G, B color filters in a predetermined color filter array (for example, honeycomb array, Bayer array), and light incident on the light receiving surface of the CCD 50 Each photodiode arranged on the surface is converted into a signal charge in an amount corresponding to the amount of incident light. The signal charges accumulated in each photodiode are read according to a timing signal applied from the image sensor driving unit 60, sequentially output from the CCD 50 as a voltage signal (image signal), and input to the analog signal processing circuit 52.

  The analog signal processing circuit 52 includes a CDS circuit and an analog amplifier. The CDS circuit performs correlated double sampling processing on the CCD output signal based on the CDS pulse, and the analog amplifier performs CDS according to the imaging sensitivity setting gain applied from the CPU 40. The image signal output from the circuit is amplified.

  The analog image signal output from the analog signal processing circuit 52 is converted into a digital image signal in the A / D conversion circuit 54, and the converted image signal (raw data of R, G, B) is data. The data is transferred to the SDRAM 68 via the bus 64b and temporarily stored therein.

  The R, G, B image signals read from the SDRAM 68 are input to the digital signal processing circuit 72. In the digital signal processing circuit 72, white balance adjustment is performed by applying digital gain to each of the R, G, and B image signals by the white balance adjustment circuit, and gradation conversion processing corresponding to the gamma characteristic is performed by the gamma correction circuit. In addition, a synchronization process is performed in which a color signal is converted into a simultaneous expression by interpolating a spatial shift of the color signal associated with the color filter array of the single CCD by the synchronization circuit. The synchronized R, G, B image signals are further converted into a luminance signal Y and color difference signals Cr, Cb (YC signal) by a luminance / color difference data generation circuit, and the Y signal is subjected to contour enhancement processing by a contour correction circuit. Is done. The YC signal processed by the digital signal processing circuit 72 is stored in the RAM 56 again.

  The YC signal stored in the SDRAM 68 as described above is compressed by the compression / decompression circuit 74 and recorded on the recording medium 80 via the external media control circuit 78 as an image file of a predetermined format. In the case of the digital camera 10 of this example, still image data is stored in the recording medium 80 as an image file according to the Exif standard. The Exif file has an area for storing main image data and an area for storing reduced image (thumbnail image) data. A thumbnail image having a specified size (for example, 160 × 120 or 80 × 60 pixels) is generated from the main image data obtained by shooting through pixel thinning processing and other necessary data processing. The thumbnail image generated in this way is written in the Exif file together with the main image. Also, tag information such as shooting date / time, shooting conditions, and face detection information is attached to the Exif file.

  Examples of the recording medium 80 include an xD picture card (registered trademark) detachably attached to the digital camera 10, a semiconductor memory card represented by smart media (registered trademark), a portable small hard disk, a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, and the like. Various recording media can be used.

  The image data recorded on the recording medium 80 or the EEPROM 66 in this way is reproduced and displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 38 by setting the mode of the digital camera 10 to the reproduction mode. The transition to the reproduction mode is performed by pressing the reproduction button 28.

  When the reproduction mode is selected, the image file of the last frame recorded on the recording medium 80 is read out via the external media control circuit 78. The compressed data of the read image file is expanded into an uncompressed YC signal via the compression / expansion circuit 74.

  The expanded YC signal is held in the SDRAM 68 (or a VRAM (not shown)), converted into a display signal format by the display control circuit 76, and output to the liquid crystal monitor 38. As a result, the last frame image recorded on the recording medium 80 is displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 38 (reproduction of one image).

  Thereafter, when the forward frame advance switch (right key of the cross key) is pressed, the frame is advanced in the forward direction, and when the reverse frame advance switch (left key of the cross key) is pressed, the frame is advanced in the reverse direction. Then, the frame-positioned image file at the frame position is read from the recording medium 80, and the image is reproduced on the liquid crystal monitor 38 in the same manner as described above.

  While confirming the image reproduced and displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 38, the image recorded on the recording medium 80 or the EEPROM 66 can be erased as necessary. The image is erased when the photo mode button 30 is pressed while the image is reproduced and displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 38.

  When the photo mode button 30 is pressed, the CPU 40 displays, via the display control circuit 76, a message informing the image erasure such as “Are you sure you want to erase this photo” superimposed on the image on the liquid crystal monitor 38. When the menu / OK button 34 is pressed, the image is erased. When the image data is recorded on the recording medium 80, the CPU 40 erases the image file recorded on the recording medium 80 via the external media control circuit 78.

  When the display / return button 36 is pressed during reproduction of a single image, the index image created by the index image circuit 84 is converted into a display signal format by the display control circuit 76 and output to the liquid crystal monitor 38 (index). Image playback). Index image playback is also called multi-playback, and is a playback method that allows a list of images taken. As a result, the index image is displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 38. The operation during index image reproduction will be described in detail later.

  As described above, the digital camera 10 captures, records, and reproduces images.

<First Embodiment>
Next, an index image creation method and index playback operation in the digital camera 10 of the first embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing in index image creation and index image reproduction. The following processing is performed by the CPU 40.

  The index image stored in the index image creation circuit 84 is read (step S10), and after the read index image is created, it is determined whether the image saved in the recording medium 80 has been updated. (Step S12). Here, as shown in FIG. 5, an index image is a single image divided into a plurality of regions by a frame, and one image is displayed for each of the divided regions (divided regions). A plurality of images are displayed as a list on a single image.

  If the image stored in the recording medium 80 is not updated, the index image read in step S10 is displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 38 via the display control circuit (step S20).

  When the image stored in the recording medium 80 is updated, the number k of images (Exif files) stored in the recording medium 80 is calculated (step S14).

  After the read index image is created, it is determined whether there is an image deleted from the recording medium 80 (step S16).

  If there is no image deleted from the recording medium 80 after the read index image is created, there is an image added to the recording medium 80 after the read index image is created. Then, the process proceeds to a step of determining whether all images can be displayed (step S24).

  If there is an image deleted from the recording medium 80 after the read index image is created, the divided area corresponding to the deleted image of the index image is blank, so it is blank. The resized index image (resized image) arranged in the divided area next to the divided area is rearranged in the blank divided area (step S18).

  For example, in FIG. 5B, when the divided area in which the third image is arranged is blank, the resized image arranged in the divided area in which the fourth image is arranged is blank. The resized image arranged in the divided area where the fifth image is arranged is arranged in the divided area where the fourth image is arranged.

  Thereafter, after the read index image is created, it is determined whether there is an image added to the recording medium 80 (step S22).

  If there is no image added to the recording medium 80 after the read index image is created, the process proceeds to a step of displaying a new index image (step S72).

  If there is an image added to the recording medium 80 after the read index image is created, it is determined whether the number of divisions of the read index image is optimal (step S24). . That is, the division number j1 of the index image is compared with the number k of images stored in the recording medium 80, whether the division number j1 of the index image is equal to or larger than the number k of images, and the division number j1 ( It is determined whether n1 is such that j1 = n1 × n1) is minimized.

  The number of divisions is a number indicating how many divided areas the index image is divided as shown in FIG. 5, and in the case of FIG. 5A, the number of divisions is four. In the case of (b), the number of divisions is 16, in the case of FIG. 5 (c), the number of divisions is 100, and in the case of FIG. 5 (d), the number of divisions is 576.

  First, a case where the number of divisions of the read index image is not optimal will be described.

  First, the template creation process (steps S26 to S28) will be described.

  All the number k of images stored in the recording medium 80 can be displayed (k ≦ j), and the smallest division number j is calculated (step S26).

  An image photographed by the digital camera 10 has an aspect ratio of 4: 3, and an index image similarly has an aspect ratio of 4: 3. In order to make the divided area have the same aspect ratio as the acquired image and the index image, the index image is divided into n × n divided areas. As described above, the division number j is a number indicating how many divided regions the index image is divided into. Therefore, the division number j is limited to a number satisfying j = n × n (n: natural number). Is done.

  When the division number j is calculated, a template divided by the division number calculated in step S20 is created and temporarily stored in the memory area of the index image creation circuit 84 (step S28).

  As shown in FIG. 6, the template is a line drawn so as to be divided into n pieces (n: natural number) both vertically and horizontally, and has n × n = j divided regions. . The template is set so that the entire template is displayed on the entire liquid crystal monitor 38. FIG. 6 shows, as an example, templates divided into 4 (2 × 2), 16 (4 × 4), 100 (10 × 10), and 576 (24 × 24). Not limited to this, it may be a natural number square such as 1 (1 × 1), 4 (2 × 2), 9 (3 × 3).

  Thus, the template creation process for creating an index image that can display all the images stored in the recording medium 80 is completed.

  When the template creation process is completed, an index image creation process (steps S30 to S42) is performed. FIG. 6 is an index image in which the resized thumbnail images are arranged in the template of FIG.

  The size of the divided region is calculated from the template size and the number of divisions j (step S30).

  The following processing is started from the image that is set to i = 1, that is, the first image stored in the recording medium 80 (step S32).

  A thumbnail image, which is an uncompressed reduced image attached to the image file, is read from the recording medium 80 and temporarily stored in the memory area of the index image creation circuit 84 (step S34).

  The thumbnail image is resized (enlarged or reduced) so that the size of the thumbnail image matches the size of the divided area calculated in step S24 (step S36). Usually, since the size of the divided area is smaller than the size of the thumbnail image, the thumbnail image is reduced.

  The resized thumbnail images are arranged in the frame order at the location where the divided areas are allocated (step S38). A predetermined image is assigned to each divided area. In this embodiment, the first image (first recording medium) is assigned to the leftmost divided area of the first column (the top column). 80), and the jth image (jth image stored in the recording medium 80) is arranged in the rightmost divided area of the nth column (bottom row). Thus, an image to be displayed in each divided area is assigned. That is, the first image is assigned to the leftmost divided area in the first column, the second image is assigned to the second divided area from the left in the first column, and the leftmost in the second column. The (n + 1) th image is assigned to the divided area.

  After that, whether i = k, that is, whether the thumbnail image resizing process (step 36) has been performed on all the images, and whether all the resized thumbnail images have been arranged in the assigned divided area (Step 38) It is determined whether or not (Step S40).

  If i = k is not satisfied, that is, if the thumbnail image resizing process and the arrangement process in the divided areas are not performed for all thumbnail images, i = i + 1 is set (step S42), and the thumbnail image is set. Return to the step of reading (step 34).

  When i = k, that is, when the thumbnail image resizing process and the placement process in the divided areas are performed for all thumbnail images, the thumbnail image resizing process and the placement process in the divided areas are completed. Is done.

  As a result, the index image creation process is terminated when the number of divisions of the read index image is not optimal.

  Next, a case where the number of divisions of the read index image is optimal will be described.

  The size of the divided area is calculated from the size of the read index image and the number of divisions (step S52).

  The following processing is started from the image that is set to i = 1, that is, from the first image stored in the recording medium 80 after the index image is created (step S54).

  The thumbnail image stored in the recording medium 80 after the index image is created is read and temporarily stored in the memory area of the index image creation circuit 84 (step S56).

  The thumbnail image is resized (enlarged or reduced) so that the size of the thumbnail image matches the size of the divided area calculated in step S52 (step S58).

  The resized thumbnail images are arranged in the frame order at the location where the divided areas are allocated (step S60). A predetermined image is assigned to each divided area. In this embodiment, the first image (first recording medium) is assigned to the leftmost divided area of the first column (the top column). 80), and the jth image (jth image stored in the recording medium 80) is arranged in the rightmost divided area of the nth column (bottom row). As shown in the figure, images to be displayed in each divided area are assigned, but since there is an image already arranged in the template, the arrangement is started from the leftmost divided area, which is a blank divided area. . For example, in FIG. 6B, when the image is arranged up to the divided area where the 13th image is arranged, the arrangement is started from the divided area where the 14th image is arranged.

  Thereafter, if i = k, that is, whether or not thumbnail image resizing processing (step 58) has been performed on all the images added after creating the index image, and all the resized thumbnail images are assigned. It is determined whether or not it has been placed in the divided area (step 60) (step S62).

  When i = k is not true, that is, when the resize processing of all thumbnail images added after the index image creation and the placement processing in the divided areas are not performed, i = i + 1 is set (step S64). Then, the process returns to the step of reading the thumbnail image added after the creation of the index image (step 56).

  When i = k, that is, when the resize processing of the thumbnail images of all the images added after the index image creation is performed, the resize processing of the thumbnail images and the placement processing in the divided areas are finished.

  Thereby, the index image creation is completed.

  When the index image is created, the created index image is displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 38 (step S72) and stored in the index image creation circuit 84 (step S74).

  According to the present embodiment, all the acquired images are divided into divided areas equal to or more than the calculated number of images, and all acquired images are reduced to the size of the divided areas and arranged in the divided areas, respectively. Therefore, any number of images can be displayed on an index image that can be displayed on one screen, and a target image can be easily searched from a large number of images.

  In addition, according to the present embodiment, an index image that is easy to view can be created because the divided area obtained by dividing the index image into n × n has the same aspect ratio as the aspect ratio of the acquired image.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, the index image is created so that the divided region, that is, the image arranged in the divided region becomes the largest according to the number of images displayed in the index image. Whether the number of images displayed on the screen is large or small, an index image that is always easy to view can be created.

  In the present embodiment, the thumbnail image is resized and arranged in the divided area. However, in the case of an image file having no thumbnail image, the main image may be reduced and arranged in the divided area.

<Second Embodiment>
In the digital camera according to the first embodiment, the template is determined by determining the number of divisions such that the image arranged in the divided region, that is, the divided region is the largest, according to the number of images displayed in the index image. Although created, the method of creating an index image is not limited to this.

  The digital camera according to the present embodiment selects an optimal template from a plurality of templates recorded in advance. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing in index image creation and index image reproduction in the present embodiment. In the figure, the same portions as those of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.

  A plurality of templates having j = n × n (n: natural number) divided areas as shown in FIG. 5 are stored in the index image creation circuit 84.

  If it is determined in step S16 that there is no deleted image, or if it is determined that there is an added image in step S22, whether the index image is created using an optimal template. Whether or not is determined (step S76).

  The optimum template is a template in which the number of divided areas is equal to or larger than the number of images stored in the recording medium 80 and the number of divided areas is the smallest. For example, if the number of images is 4 or less, a template with 4 divided regions (see FIG. 5A) is the optimal template, and if the number of images is 5 or more and 16 or less, the divided regions are Sixteen templates (see FIG. 5B) are optimal templates. If the number of images is 17 or more and 100 or less, a template with 100 divided regions (see FIG. 5C) is optimal. If the number of images is 101 or more, a template having 576 divided regions (see FIG. 5D) is the optimal template.

  If the optimal template has not been selected, the optimal template is selected (step S78), and then index image creation processing (steps S30 to S42) is performed.

  When the optimum template is selected, index image creation processing (steps S52 to S64) is performed.

  Thereafter, the created index image is displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 38 (step S72), and the index image is stored in the index image creating circuit 84 (step S74).

  Note that the index image creation process (steps S30 to S42) and the index image storage process (steps S52 to S64) are the same as those in the first embodiment, and thus detailed description thereof is omitted.

  According to the present embodiment, a template that maximizes the size of the divided region, that is, the image arranged in the divided region, is selected according to the number of images displayed in the index image. Even when the number of images to be displayed is large or small, it is possible to easily create an index image that is always easy to see.

  In the present embodiment, a case has been described in which four, sixteen, 100, and 576 templates are prepared, but the number of divided regions is not limited to this as long as n is a natural number. The number of templates is not limited to four. For example, when there are a large number of images to be displayed in the index image, such as 576 or more images, it is possible to cope by increasing the number of divided areas, such as using a template with 1024 (32 × 32) divided areas. Is possible.

<Third Embodiment>
In the digital camera according to the first embodiment, in order to search for a target image from a large number of images, all the images stored in the camera are displayed on one index image. The method of searching for the target image from the images is not limited to this.

  The digital camera according to the present embodiment filters (selects) an image displayed in an index image under a predetermined condition, and displays the filtered image on one index image again. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing in the image search mode performed at the time of index image reproduction in the present embodiment. In the figure, the same portions as those of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.

  It is determined whether or not the digital camera is set to an image search mode (step S80). Note that the image search mode is set by pressing the photo mode button 30 in a state where an index image in which all images stored in the recording medium 80 are displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 38.

  If the image search mode is not set, the process ends.

  If the image search mode is set, a condition for selecting (filtering) an image from the images displayed in the index image is set (step S82). The condition for filtering the image is set from the conditions included in the tag information attached to the image stored in the recording medium 80. In this embodiment, the shooting date is selected and set as a condition for filtering.

  When the conditions for filtering are set, tag information including information for filtering is read from the recording medium 80 and temporarily stored in the memory area of the index image creation circuit 84 (step S84).

  When a predetermined image is selected on the index image (step S86), as shown in FIG. 9, a frame is displayed on the index image so as to surround the image taken on the same day as the selected image. (Step S88). Note that the image is selected by moving a cursor or the like displayed on the index image up, down, left and right with the cross key 32.

  By selecting the image, the CPU 40 is instructed on the date when the image was taken. In response to the instruction, a frame is displayed on the index image so as to surround the image taken on the same day as the selected image. This frame can be sent and returned by operating the cross key 32 while pressing the photo mode button 30. For example, when the right button of the cross key 32 is pressed while pressing the photo mode button 30, the CPU 40 is instructed on the date when the next image displayed inside the current frame is shot, so that the position of the frame However, it moves from the current position to a position that surrounds the image captured on the same day as the image when the next image displayed inside the current frame is captured (feed). When the left button of the cross key 32 is pressed while pressing the photo mode button 30, the CPU 40 is instructed on the date when the image before the image displayed inside the current frame is shot, so that the position of the frame However, it moves from the current position to a position surrounding the image taken on the same day as the day before the image displayed inside the current frame (return).

  Thereafter, it is determined whether the selected image has been determined (step S90). The image is determined by pressing the menu / OK button 34 in a state where the image is selected by the frame displayed on the index image.

  If no image has been determined, the process returns to the step of selecting an image (step S86).

  When the image is determined, the process proceeds to steps (steps S92 to S94) for creating and displaying an index image in which all the selected images are displayed.

  The number k of the selected images is calculated (step S92), and the number of template divisions is determined based on the number (step S26). For example, in FIG. 9, since 21 images are selected and determined by the frame displayed on the index image, the number of divisions is 21 or more and the minimum division number is 25 (5 × 5) is determined as the number of divisions.

  Then, a template divided by the number of divisions is created (step S28).

When the template is created, index image creation processing (steps S30 to S42) is performed. Note that the template creation process (steps S26 to S28) and the index image creation process (steps S30 to S42) are the same as the index image creation process in the first embodiment, and thus detailed description thereof is omitted.

  By arranging the resized image in the divided area, a new index image in which all the selected images are displayed is created, and the new index image is displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 38 (step S94).

  According to the present embodiment, even when the number of images is large and it is difficult to grasp the image displayed in the index image, the index image is created again only with the selected (filtered) image. The target image can be easily searched from among the images.

  In addition, since the image is filtered based on a predetermined condition included in tag information attached to the image, such as an image taken within a predetermined time range from the acquired image, the object is selected from a large number of images. Can be easily searched.

  Note that, according to the present embodiment, an image captured on the same day is selected using information on the shooting date and time included in the tag information, but the conditions for filtering the image are not limited to this, and the acquired image An image shot within a predetermined time range (week, month, year, etc.) may be selected from the above, or based on shooting conditions such as face detection and image acquisition conditions such as images acquired from the outside The target image may be filtered from the acquired images.

  In the present embodiment, an example in which there are a plurality of images that meet a predetermined condition is shown. However, the number of images is not limited to a plurality, and may be one. In this case, the index image of the division number 1, that is, an image in which one image is displayed on the entire screen is displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 38.

<Fourth embodiment>
In the digital camera according to the third embodiment, a frame is displayed on the index image so that the filtered image and the image that is not can be distinguished from each other. The method for searching for an image is not limited to this.

  The digital camera according to the present embodiment erases other images while leaving the filtered image on the index image so that the filtered image and the image that is not so can be identified on the index image. It is. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing in index image creation and index image reproduction in the present embodiment. In the figure, the same portions as those in the first embodiment and the third embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted.

  If the image search mode is set, a condition for selecting (filtering) an image from the images displayed in the index image is set (step S82). The condition for filtering the image is set from the conditions included in the tag information attached to the image stored in the recording medium 80. In the present embodiment, as a condition for filtering, it is selected and set that the image was taken in the face detection mode.

  When the conditions for filtering are set, tag information including information for filtering is read from the recording medium 80 and temporarily stored in the memory area of the index image creation circuit 84 (step S84).

  Next, it is determined whether or not a filtering execution instruction has been issued (step S96). The filtering execution instruction is performed by pressing the menu / OK button 34 in a state where the index image is displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 38.

  Note that the step of determining whether or not an instruction to execute filtering (step S96) is repeatedly performed until it is determined that an instruction to execute filtering is issued.

  If it is determined that the filtering execution instruction has been issued, as shown in FIG. 11, a photo that matches a predetermined condition (for example, that was taken by face detection) is left, and other images are deleted from the index image. (Step S98), a new index image on which only photographs that meet the predetermined condition are displayed is displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 38 (Step S100).

  According to the present embodiment, even when the number of selected images is large and it is difficult to grasp the image displayed in the index image, only the selected image, that is, the partial image including the target image is displayed. Since the image is displayed, the target image can be easily retrieved from a large number of images.

  In the present embodiment, an example in which there are a plurality of images that meet a predetermined condition is shown. However, the number of images is not limited to a plurality, and may be one.

<Fifth embodiment>
In the digital camera according to the third embodiment, a frame is displayed on the index image so that the filtered image can be distinguished from the image that is not. The image filtered on the index image However, the method for enabling identification is not limited to this.

  The digital camera according to the present embodiment displays the filtered image on the index image in an enlarged manner. FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing in index image creation and index image reproduction in the present embodiment. In the figure, the same portions as those in the first embodiment and the third embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted.

  When the image search mode is set, it is determined whether one image is selected on the index image (step S102). Note that the image is selected by moving a cursor or the like displayed on the index image up, down, left and right with the cross key 32.

  Note that the step of determining whether one image is selected on the index image (step S102) is repeated until one image is selected.

  Thereafter, it is determined whether the selected image has been determined (step S104). The image is determined by pressing the menu / OK button 34 with the image selected.

  If no image has been determined, the process returns to the step of selecting an image (step S102).

  When the image is determined, as shown in FIG. 13, the selected image is enlarged, and an image in which the enlarged image is superimposed on the index image is created (step S106) and displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 38. (Step S108).

  According to the present embodiment, even when it is difficult to grasp the image displayed on the index image, an arbitrary image indicated on the index image is selected, and the selected image is enlarged and displayed. This makes it possible to grasp the image.

  In the present embodiment, the index image and the enlarged image are displayed in a superimposed manner. However, when the target image is selected, only the selected image may be displayed on the entire screen. Good. By doing so, the selected image can be confirmed more clearly.

  Also, in this embodiment, as the selected image is enlarged, the image around the selected image is enlarged to prevent the image from being invisible, but only the selected image is enlarged. You may do it.

  In the above embodiment, the digital camera is described as an example of the image display device. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the present invention can also be implemented in other devices such as a PC and a device for printing an image.

  In the above embodiment, the case where an image is stored in a recording medium connected to the digital camera has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and other devices such as a PC and a device for printing an image are used. The image may be stored in the device, or the image may be stored in a device to which another device is connected through a network or the like.

1 is a front perspective view illustrating an external configuration of a first embodiment of an image display device (digital camera) to which the present invention is applied. It is a back perspective view which shows the external appearance structure of 1st Embodiment of the said digital camera. It is a block diagram which shows the electric constitution of 1st Embodiment of the said digital camera. It is a flowchart of 1st Embodiment of the said digital camera. It is explanatory drawing of the template of 1st Embodiment of the said digital camera. It is explanatory drawing of the index image of 1st Embodiment of the said digital camera. It is a flowchart of 2nd Embodiment of the digital camera to which this invention was applied. It is a flowchart of 3rd Embodiment of the digital camera to which this invention was applied. It is explanatory drawing of the index image of 3rd Embodiment of the said digital camera. It is a flowchart of 4th Embodiment of the digital camera to which this invention was applied. It is explanatory drawing of the index image of 4th Embodiment of the said digital camera. It is a flowchart of 5th Embodiment of the digital camera to which this invention was applied. It is explanatory drawing of the index image of 5th Embodiment of the said digital camera.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Digital camera, 12 ... Lens barrel, 14 ... Lens cover, 16 ... Flash, 20 ... Power button, 24 ... Mode lever, 28 ... Playback button, 30 ... Photo mode button, 32 ... Cross key, 34 ... Menu / OK 36, display / return button, 38 ... liquid crystal monitor, 40 ... CPU, 52 ... analog signal processing circuit, 54 ... A / D conversion circuit, 56 ... lens drive unit, 58 ... aperture drive unit, 60 ... image sensor drive , 62 ... operation unit, 64 ... bus, 64 a ... control bus 64 a, 64 b ... data bus, 66 ... EEPROM, 68 ... SDRAM, 70 ... memory control circuit, 72 ... digital signal processing circuit, 74 ... compression / decompression circuit, 76 Display control circuit 78 External media control circuit 80 Recording medium 82 Face detection circuit 84 Index image creation circuit

Claims (11)

In an image display device for displaying an image on a display means,
Image acquisition means for acquiring an arbitrary number of images;
Image selecting means for selecting an image from the acquired images according to a predetermined condition;
A sheet number calculating means for calculating the number of the acquired image and the selected image ;
A predetermined number that can be displayed on the display means, having a divided region divided into m × n more than the calculated number of images, and the number of divided regions increases as the number of images increases; An index image creating means for creating an index image of an image size of the index, wherein the index image is created by reducing the size of all the acquired images to the size of the divided area and arranging the images in the divided areas, respectively. Image creation means;
Control means for executing creation of an index image by the index image creation means using only the image selected by the image selection means;
Display control means for causing the display means to display the index image created by the index image creating means;
An image display device comprising: In an image display device for displaying an image on a display means,
Image acquisition means for acquiring an arbitrary number of images;
Image selecting means for selecting an image from the acquired images according to a predetermined condition;
A sheet number calculating means for calculating the number of the acquired images;
A predetermined number that can be displayed on the display means, having a divided region divided into m × n more than the calculated number of images, and the number of divided regions increases as the number of images increases; An index image creating means for creating an index image of an image size of the index, wherein the index image is created by reducing the size of all the acquired images to the size of the divided area and arranging the images in the divided areas, respectively. Image creation means;
Display control means for causing the display means to display the index image created by the index image creation means, and display control means for displaying the image selected by the image selection means in an identifiable manner on the index image; ,
Images display you comprising the. In an image display device for displaying an image on a display means,
Image acquisition means for acquiring an arbitrary number of images;
Image selecting means for selecting an image from the acquired images according to a predetermined condition;
A sheet number calculating means for calculating the number of the acquired images;
A predetermined number that can be displayed on the display means, having a divided region divided into m × n more than the calculated number of images, and the number of divided regions increases as the number of images increases; An index image creating means for creating an index image of an image size of the index, wherein the index image is created by reducing the size of all the acquired images to the size of the divided area and arranging the images in the divided areas, respectively. Image creation means;
Display control means for displaying the index image created by the index image creating means on the display means, leaving the image selected by the image selection means on the index image, and selecting other images not selected Display control means for erasing from the index image;
Images display you comprising the. The index image has the same aspect ratio as the aspect ratio of the image, the image display apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it comprises a split region divided into n × n pieces. The index image creating means includes
Division number determination means for determining the division number of the index image so that the number of divisions is equal to or greater than the number of divisions based on the calculated number of images and is the smallest division number;
Resizing means for resizing the acquired image or a thumbnail image attached to the image so as to have a size of a divided region divided by the determined number of divisions;
Image synthesizing means for creating the index image by arranging all the resized images in the divided areas;
The image display apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that it comprises a. The index image creating means includes
Storage means for storing templates for a plurality of types of index images each having a different number of divisions;
A template reading means for reading out the template having the smallest number of divisions from the storage means, based on the calculated number of images, and having the smallest number of divisions;
Resizing means for resizing the acquired image or a thumbnail image attached to the image so as to be a size of a divided region of the template based on the read template;
Image synthesizing means for creating the index image by arranging all the images resized by the resizing means in the divided areas of the template;
The image display apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that it comprises a. The image display according to claim 2 or 3 , wherein the image selection means selects an image of a predetermined condition from the acquired images based on tag information attached to the acquired image. apparatus. Instructing means for instructing a shooting date and time that is a reference of a predetermined time range,
Wherein the image selecting means, according to claim 2, characterized by selecting the images taken within the predetermined time from the acquired image on the basis of the photographing date and time information attached to the acquired image Or the image display apparatus of 3 . Instruction means for instructing selection of an arbitrary image on the index image;
Means for enlarging and displaying the image instructed by the instruction means;
The image display device according to claim 1, further comprising: 10. The image display device according to claim 9 , further comprising means for enlarging the image designated by the instruction means to a predetermined image size that allows the image to be confirmed on the index image. In an image display method for displaying an image on a display means,
Acquiring an arbitrary number of images;
Calculating the number of images obtained;
There are divided areas divided into m × n more than the number of images calculated in the step of calculating the number of acquired images, and the number of divided areas increases as the number of images increases. A step of creating an index image having a predetermined image size that can be displayed on the display means, wherein all the acquired images are reduced to the size of the divided region and arranged in the divided region, respectively. Creating the index image,
Displaying the index image created in the step of creating the index image on the display means;
Selecting an image from the acquired images according to a predetermined condition;
Displaying the selected image in an identifiable manner on the index image;
An image display method comprising:

Images