JP5174735B2 - Operation control device, operation control method, and operation control program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an operation control device, an operation control method, and an operation control program installed in an image apparatus such as a digital camera, an image viewer, and a large television.

  The thumbnail image display function is a common function installed in most digital cameras. In addition, the thumbnail image display function is a function that is included in image editing software as well as a digital camera (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  The main usage scene of such thumbnail image display is when searching for a specific image from among a large number of images or when it is desired to check a recorded image in a short time. However, the usage scene of the thumbnail image display is not without other uses. For example, there is an example in which thumbnail image display is used for a screen saver (see, for example, Patent Document 2).

JP-A-8-335387 JP-A-11-313229

  However, as described above, the usage of thumbnail image display is mostly related to image search, and there are very few other usage examples at present. It can be considered that this has been conventionally considered only for the image search function as an application of thumbnail image display. In addition to image search, there is a possibility of new usage of thumbnail image display. If a new potential usage is found, a new function can be added to an image device such as a digital camera.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above, and an object of the present invention is to provide an operation control device, an operation control method, and an operation control program capable of proposing a new usage application of thumbnail image display.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, an operation control device according to the present invention includes a display unit for displaying an image, an operation unit for inputting an instruction to the display unit, and an instruction for the operation unit. A thumbnail row control unit that arranges thumbnail images in accordance with the created pattern to create a thumbnail row that resembles the pattern, and displays the created thumbnail row on the display unit.

  Moreover, the operation control apparatus according to the present invention is characterized in that, in the above-described invention, the operation unit is a touch panel provided to overlap the display unit.

  In the operation control device according to the present invention, in the above invention, the thumbnail row control unit analyzes a character corresponding to the trajectory based on a trajectory input to the screen by the touch panel, and the analyzed character is The thumbnail row is created as a pattern.

  The operation control apparatus according to the present invention further includes a storage unit that stores in advance the characters represented by the thumbnail images as a character template in the above-described invention, and the thumbnail column control unit is configured to use the character template by the operation unit. The thumbnail row is created using the character selected from among the patterns as the pattern.

  In the operation control apparatus according to the present invention as set forth in the invention described above, the thumbnail row control unit creates the thumbnail row using a thumbnail image of an image selected by the operation unit.

  An operation control method according to the present invention is an operation control method in an operation control apparatus having a display unit for displaying an image and an operation unit for inputting an instruction to the display unit. In accordance with the designated pattern, the thumbnail image is arranged so that thumbnail images are arranged to resemble the pattern, and a thumbnail row control step for displaying the created thumbnail row on the display unit is provided.

  In addition, the operation control program according to the present invention is instructed by the operation unit to a computer provided in an operation control apparatus having a display unit for displaying an image and an operation unit for inputting an instruction to the display unit. According to the pattern, thumbnail images are arranged to create a thumbnail row that resembles the pattern, and a thumbnail row control function for displaying the created thumbnail row on the display unit is executed.

  According to the present invention, since the thumbnail row is expressed in a manner corresponding to the pattern instructed by the user, for example, the impression / impact can be strengthened, the message property can be enhanced, and the like. It is possible to provide an operation control device, an operation control method, and an operation control program that can propose a new usage.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a system configuration example of a digital camera equipped with an operation control apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing a basic operation example of the GUI screen in the thumbnail row creation mode. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing a thumbnail row created and displayed when the character template “LOVE” is selected as the character input selection and “AUTO” is selected as the display image selection. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing a thumbnail row created and displayed when “MANUAL” is selected as the character input selection and “AUTO” is selected as the display image selection. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing a thumbnail row created and displayed when the character template “LOVE” is selected as the character input selection and “MANUAL” is selected as the display image selection. FIG. 6 is a schematic flowchart illustrating an example of operation control processing. FIG. 7 is a subroutine showing image selection processing. FIG. 8 is an explanatory view schematically showing a modification.

  Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a system configuration example of a digital camera equipped with the operation control apparatus of the present embodiment. The digital camera 1 according to the present embodiment includes a control unit 11 including a CPU that performs instructions, data transfer, and the like to each unit configuring the digital camera 1 and comprehensively controls the operation of the digital camera 1. Further, the digital camera 1 includes a program data storage unit 12, a button operation unit 13, a touch panel 14 constituting the operation unit, an imaging unit 15, an SDRAM 16, a display image control unit 17, an image processing unit 19, a compression / decompression unit 20, a recording / decompression unit 20, and the like. Each unit of the playback unit 21 is provided. These units are connected to the control unit 11 by a bus line 25.

  The program data storage unit 12 is an electrically rewritable nonvolatile memory such as a flash memory. The program data storage unit 12 stores in advance a CPU program and data used during execution of the program. The CPU program is a program for operating the digital camera 1 and realizing various functions provided in the digital camera 1, for example, an operation control program. The data used during the execution of this program is, for example, GUI image data including icons to be displayed on a GUI (Graphical User Interface) screen described later. The program data storage unit 12 stores data of a predetermined character template set in advance and includes a character DB (character database) for analyzing characters corresponding to a hand-drawn pattern. .

  The button operation unit 13 includes a release button, a power switch, a T / W (tele / wide) button, and the like that are disposed on the upper surface of the camera body and instruct the photographing timing.

  The imaging unit 15 includes a camera unit and an imaging processing unit. The camera unit is for the digital camera 1 to capture a subject image, and includes a photographing lens, an image sensor, an aperture, a shutter, an AF mechanism, an AF drive circuit, a zoom mechanism, a zoom drive mechanism, and the like. Here, the image pickup device is formed of a two-dimensional solid-state image pickup device such as a CCD or a CMOS sensor, and photoelectrically converts a subject image incident through a photographing optical system including a photographing lens and outputs it as an analog electric signal. In addition to including an image sensor driving circuit, the image processing unit performs analog signal processing such as AGC and CDS on the analog electric signal output from the image sensor, and then converts the analog electric signal into a digital electric signal using an A / D converter. It is for output.

  The SDRAM 16 is a memory used as a temporary storage memory or a working area, and temporarily stores a digital electrical signal output from the imaging unit 15, image data being processed by the image processing unit 19, and the like. The SDRAM 16 is also used for temporarily storing image data being processed and the like when creating a display image.

  The display image control unit 17 includes an encoder, a D / A converter, and the like, and is a driver for displaying various information on the display unit 18. Here, as shown in FIG. 2 and the like, the display unit 18 occupies most of the rear surface of the camera body, and is realized by a thin display device such as an LCD or an ELD. The display unit 18 is for displaying various setting information including a GUI screen in addition to the captured image and the live view image. In particular, in the present embodiment, the display unit 18 displays an image such as a thumbnail sequence generated from thumbnail images. In addition, the display image control unit 17 creates a live view image and a reproduction image to be displayed on the display unit 18, and displays the GUI image for the GUI screen on the display unit 18 alone or superimposed on the live view image or the like. Is for.

  The image processing unit 19 performs various types of image processing such as pixel interpolation processing, color correction processing, and gamma processing on the digital electrical signal output from the imaging unit 15, and image data suitable for recording and display. Process to convert to. That is, at the time of recording (at the time of shooting), the image processing unit 19 performs image processing for recording on the recorded image, and performs simple image processing for display on the live view image for display. .

  The compression / decompression unit 20 records image data based on a well-known JPEG method or the like when recording image data of a captured image in the image storage unit 22 or displaying image data recorded in the image storage unit 22. Perform compression processing and decompression processing.

  The recording / reproducing unit 21 is used for writing image data to the image storage unit 22 and reading image data from the image storage unit 22, and a unit corresponding to the type of the image storage unit 22 is used. Here, the image storage unit 22 is a recording medium detachably attached to the camera body such as an xD-Picture Card (registered trademark) or a Compact Flash (registered trademark) card, or an HDD. Note that a series of images recorded in the image storage unit 22 is managed in the order of increasing image numbers in chronological order, for example, from the oldest shooting date and time.

  Here, the control unit 11 of the present embodiment includes functional units of a thumbnail row control unit 11a and an operation detection unit 11c as functions executed by the operation control program. The operation detection unit 11 c is a functional unit for detecting a user instruction on the GUI screen displayed on the display unit 18 for setting operation conditions of the digital camera 1 and the user operation by the button operation unit 13. In addition, the digital camera 1 according to the present embodiment includes a touch panel 14 disposed as an operation unit so as to be superimposed on a display unit 18 on which a GUI screen is displayed. The touch panel 14 receives an instruction related to displaying a desired thumbnail row on the display unit 18 including input of a trajectory to the screen of the display unit 18. And the operation detection part 11c performs the detection operation | movement of the user instruction | indication with respect to a GUI screen by detecting the user's operation with respect to this touch panel 14. FIG. The touch panel 14 is of a type that can perform multi-touch or gesture input by a user's finger operation, but may be of a touch pad type or a pen input type.

  In addition, the thumbnail row control unit 11a performs creation and display control of a thumbnail row using a thumbnail image in response to a user operation instruction on the GUI screen of the display unit 18, and various control processes such as those described later regarding the GUI screen. It is a functional part for executing. That is, the thumbnail sequence control unit 11a creates a thumbnail sequence that arranges the thumbnail images to resemble this pattern according to the pattern instructed by the user on the touch panel 14, and displays the created thumbnail sequence on the display unit 18. I do. Here, “pattern” is based on a character, but is not limited to a character, and includes a shape drawn by a user operation or a pattern-like input locus shape that does not form a character body.

  Next, as an example of the operation of the digital camera 1, an outline of operation / control of the GUI screen and the like by the thumbnail row control unit 11a and the like in the thumbnail row creation mode in the playback mode will be described. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing a basic operation example of the GUI screen in the thumbnail row creation mode. First, when the thumbnail sequence creation mode is selected, the thumbnail sequence control unit 11a causes the display unit 18 to display a character / image input format selection screen 30 that is a GUI screen in the thumbnail sequence creation mode. FIG. 2A shows an initial screen example of the character / image input format selection screen 30 in the thumbnail row creation mode. This input format selection screen 30 is a pop-up menu screen for performing selection operations related to character items and selection operations related to image items. For example, a “character selection” button 31 and an “image selection” button 32 are displayed at the top of the screen. Is displayed freely.

  FIG. 2A shows a display example of the input format selection screen 30 for character input selection displayed when the initial setting or the “character selection” button 31 is pressed. The input format selection screen 30 displays “LOVE”, “HAPPY”, “COOL”, “MERRY CHRISTMAS”, etc., as selectable typical character templates (words). The input format selection screen 30 also displays “(REAL)” and “(AUTO)” as a character input format (MANUAL) manually operated by the user. Here, “(REAL)” is a character input format for creating the shape of the thumbnail row faithfully to the shape of the trajectory input to the screen by the touch panel 14. “(AUTO)” refers to the character DB of the program data storage unit 12 based on the locus input on the screen by the touch panel 14, analyzes the character corresponding to the locus, and indicates the analyzed character. This is a character input format for creating a thumbnail row as a pattern.

  FIG. 2B shows a display example of an input format selection screen 30 for selecting a display image displayed when the “image selection” button 32 is pressed. The input format selection screen 30 displays “AUTO” and “MANUAL” in a freely selectable manner. Here, “AUTO” (automatic image selection) automatically sets the necessary number of thumbnails with the largest image number (latest image) of the series of images stored in the image storage unit 22 as the first thumbnail image. This is an image input format in which images are selected in order and used in the thumbnail row. In addition, “MANUAL” (manual image selection) selects a thumbnail image instructed by the user from a series of images stored in the image storage unit 22 by using a stack, which will be described later, into a thumbnail row. This is the image input format to be used.

  Next, a description will be given of an example of creating / displaying a thumbnail row accompanying the user input format setting. First, FIG. 3 schematically shows a thumbnail row created and displayed by the thumbnail row control unit 11a when the character template “LOVE” is selected as the character input selection and “AUTO” is selected as the display image selection. It is explanatory drawing. In this case, the thumbnail column control unit 11a creates a thumbnail column using the character template “LOVE” selected from the plurality of character templates as a pattern instructed by the user, and causes the display unit 18 to display the thumbnail column.

  Here, in the series of images stored in the image storage unit 22, the largest (latest) image number is the number “85”. Therefore, the thumbnail row control unit 11a sequentially selects the number of thumbnail images necessary for displaying the character template “LOVE” (for example, images up to the number “21”) with the number “85” as the first thumbnail image. The selected thumbnail images are arranged in the order of writing on the characters “LOVE”, thereby creating a thumbnail row 33 that resembles the characters (patterns) “LOVE”. At this time, the thumbnail row control unit 11a does not completely align the thumbnail images arranged on the characters “LOVE”, but arranges them with a slightly disturbed feeling as shown in FIG. A thumbnail row 33 is created. In this way, if a character template is used, a desired character can be selected from those prepared in advance, and the designation of the character is simplified.

  Further, the size of the generated thumbnail row 33 is appropriately set according to the screen size or the like, but FIG. 3 shows an example in which two characters are set to a size that can be displayed on one screen. The thumbnail row 33 that cannot be displayed at once can be displayed by scrolling the screen. The screen scroll in this case may be automatic or may be by manual operation.

  Next, FIG. 4 is created and displayed by the thumbnail row control unit 11a when “MANUAL” (character manual input) is selected as the character input selection and “AUTO” (automatic image selection) is selected as the display image selection. It is explanatory drawing which shows typically the thumbnail row | line | column 33 to be. First, FIG. 4A shows a case of distorted “A” as an example of the input trajectory 34 drawn by the user operation on the touch panel 14 in this input mode.

  Here, when the “REAL” mode is set as “MANUAL” (character manual input), the thumbnail row control unit 11a creates and displays the thumbnail row 33 as shown in FIG. 4B. . That is, the thumbnail row control unit 11a does not recognize the input locus 34 as a character, but creates thumbnail rows 34 arranged in the same manner as the input locus 34 by sequentially assigning thumbnail images faithfully to the shape of the input locus 34. . According to such a “REAL” mode, the user can create a thumbnail row 34 according to the arrangement of the figure or pattern by drawing not only the character but also a figure or pattern desired by the user.

  On the other hand, when “AUTO” mode is set as “MANUAL” (character manual input), the thumbnail row control unit 11a creates and displays a thumbnail row 33 as shown in FIG. That is, the thumbnail row control unit 11a analyzes the input trajectory 34 with reference to the character DB to identify a character corresponding to the input trajectory 34, for example, “A”, and this identified character, for example, “A”. Is the designated pattern. Then, the thumbnail row control unit 11a replaces the input trajectory 34 with a printed character, for example, “A”, and sequentially assigns thumbnail images to the shape of this character, thereby creating a thumbnail row 34 in an array for displaying characters. To do. According to such an “AUTO” mode, the user can input his / her favorite character by hand, so that the user can easily input the character.

  Next, FIG. 5 shows a thumbnail column created and displayed by the thumbnail column control unit 11a when the character template “LOVE” is selected as the character input selection and “MANUAL” (manual image selection) is selected as the display image selection. It is explanatory drawing which shows 33 typically. First, FIG. 5A shows an example of the GUI screen 35 in this input mode. On the GUI screen 35, a stack area 36 and a thumbnail row display area 37 are displayed.

  The stack area 36 is an area for image selection and occupies, for example, the vicinity of the left end of the display unit 18. The stack area 36 is an area for setting a top thumbnail image in order to create a thumbnail row from a thumbnail image desired by the user in a series of images recorded in the image storage unit 22. The thumbnail row control unit 11a displays an icon of the first stack 36a, an icon of the second stack (see FIG. 5B) 36b, a feed icon 36c, and a return icon 36d in the stack area 36.

  The icons of the first stack 36a and the second stack 36b are only the top image in a state where a series of images recorded in the image storage unit 22 are stacked in two places as a trump-like lump with the size of the thumbnail image. It is displayed in a state where it can be confirmed. In the initial screen shown in FIG. 5A, the thumbnail row control unit 11a displays only the first stack 36a in the stack area 36, and the number of the latest image as the number of the first thumbnail image, for example, a thumbnail image of “200”. Is displayed. The feed icon 36c is an operation icon for sending the images on the first stack 36a side by side to the second stack 36b side. The return icon 36d is an operation icon for returning the images on the second stack 36b side by side to the first stack 36a.

  The thumbnail row display area 37 is an area occupying most of the display unit 18 adjacent to the right side of the stack area 36. The thumbnail string control unit 11a causes the thumbnail string display area 37 to display the first character “L” of the selected character template “LOVE” as a draft. Further, the thumbnail row control unit 11a displays a scroll bar 37a indicating the outline of the position of the thumbnail row currently displayed on the screen in the entire thumbnail row at the right end in the thumbnail row display area 37.

  Next, on the initial screen as shown in FIG. 5A, the user touches the feed icon 36c with a finger to move the thumbnail images sequentially from the first stack 36a to the second stack 36b one by one. . With this operation, as shown in FIG. 5B, the top thumbnail image displayed at the top of the second stack 36b is sequentially changed. FIG. 5B shows a state in which the top thumbnail image of the number “56” is displayed at the top of the second stack 36b. When the user touches the return icon 36d with a finger, the thumbnail images are sequentially returned from the second stack 36b to the first stack 36a one by one. Then, when the user removes his / her finger from the forward icon 36c (or the return icon 36d), the image selected at the top of the second stack 36b is determined as the first thumbnail image for creating the thumbnail row 33. .

  When the selection of the first thumbnail image by the user operation is confirmed, the thumbnail row control unit 11a creates and displays a thumbnail row 33 as shown in FIG. That is, the thumbnail row control unit 11a uses the image of the number “56” in the second stack 36b as the first thumbnail image, and the number of thumbnail images necessary for displaying the character template “LOVE” (for example, images up to the number “110”). Are selected in order, and the selected thumbnail images are arranged in the writing order on the characters “LOVE”, thereby creating a thumbnail row 33 that resembles the characters (patterns) “LOVE”.

  The thumbnail image used for the thumbnail row 33 to be created may be a thumbnail image equal to or smaller than the image of the number “55” in the first stack 36a. Further, when the thumbnail images of the second stack 36b (or the first stack 36a) are assigned in order to create the thumbnail row 33, if there are no more assigned images, the same image may be used repeatedly. Good. Furthermore, it is not essential to sequentially select the thumbnail images to be used in order. For example, only a specific user favorite image may be used repeatedly.

  In any case, according to the display of the thumbnail row 33 of the present embodiment, since the pattern of characters and the like designated by the user is expressed by the thumbnail row 33, the impression is compared to displaying simple characters and the like. Becomes stronger. For example, when such a display of the thumbnail row 33 is used for a title of a slide show that continuously displays a series of images, the impact becomes strong. In addition, the message property is improved compared to simple thumbnails. In this way, a new usage application of thumbnail image display can be proposed.

  Next, an example of operation control by the control unit 11 for realizing display control associated with a user operation on the GUI screen as described above will be described. FIG. 6 is a schematic flowchart showing an example of operation control processing executed by the thumbnail row control unit 11a of the control unit 11 and the like. The operation control process targeted in this embodiment is executed by designating a playback mode by an operation of a setting button (not shown).

  First, the control unit 11 determines whether or not the thumbnail row creation mode is set in the playback mode (step S11). If the thumbnail row creation mode is not set (step S11: No), the control unit 11 executes processing in another playback mode (step S31). Then, the control unit 11 determines whether or not there has been a switch to the thumbnail row creation mode (step S32), and if there is no switch (step S32: No), it further determines whether or not there has been a power switch OFF operation. (Step S33). When there is an OFF operation (step S33: Yes), the control unit 11 ends the process. When there is no OFF operation (step S33: No), the control unit 11 returns to the process of step S31.

  On the other hand, when the thumbnail row creation mode is set (step S11: Yes) or when the control unit 11 is switched to the thumbnail row creation mode (step S32: Yes), the input format selection screen 30 is displayed. Thus, the character / image input format selection screen 30 is displayed on the display unit 18 (step S12). The display example of the input format selection screen 30 shown in FIG.

  Next, the thumbnail row control unit 11a determines whether or not there has been a selection operation related to the character / image input format on the input format selection screen 30 (step S13). When there is a selection operation (step S13: Yes), the thumbnail row control unit 11a determines whether a character item is selected (step S14), and if it is a character item (step S14: Yes). The character input format is set according to the input (step S15). The operation example on the input format selection screen 30 shown in FIG.

  In addition, when the character item is not selected (step S14: No), the thumbnail row control unit 11a determines whether the image item is selected (step S16), and if it is an image item (step S14). S16: Yes), an image input format is set according to the input (step S17). The operation example on the input format selection screen 30 shown in FIG. If no image item is selected (No at Step S16), the thumbnail row control unit 11a proceeds to Step S18.

  Then, the thumbnail row control unit 11a determines whether or not the selection operation related to the character / image input format on the input format selection screen 30 has been completed (step S18), and if not completed (step S18: No), The process returns to step S13. When the selection operation is completed (step S18: Yes), the thumbnail row control unit 11a determines whether or not a character has been selected as a template character (step S19). If the template character has not been selected with the template character (step S19: No), the thumbnail row control unit 11a waits until a character is input by hand-drawn by the user (step S20: No). When a character is input (step S20: Yes), the thumbnail row control unit 11a determines whether or not the character is automatically analyzed (AUTO setting) (step S21). If the setting is automatically analyzed (step S21: Yes), the thumbnail row control unit 11a analyzes the hand-drawn character with reference to the character DB in the program data storage unit 12, and determines the character corresponding to the hand-drawn locus. Specify (step S22). The processing example shown in FIG. If the setting is not automatically analyzed (step S21: No), the thumbnail sequence controller 11a does nothing and moves to step S35. The processing example shown in FIG.

  Next, the thumbnail row control unit 11a determines whether or not the image input format is set to auto (AUTO) (step S23). If the thumbnail row control unit 11a is not set to auto (step S23: No), the GUI screen 35 as shown in FIG. 5 is displayed on the display unit 18 and image selection processing is executed (step S24).

  Here, the image selection processing in step S24 will be described. FIG. 7 is a subroutine showing image selection processing. First, the thumbnail row control unit 11a determines whether or not the user has performed a feed operation using the feed icon 36c (step S41). When the feed operation is performed (step S41: Yes), the thumbnail row control unit 11a sets the first image number of the first stack 36a as the image number N (step S42). Then, the thumbnail row control unit 11a reads out the image with the smaller number N by the decrement process of −1 from the image storage unit 22 and displays the image at the position of the first stack 36a (step S43). At the same time, the thumbnail sequence controller 11a executes an animation process for moving the first image before the decrement process in the first stack 36a in an animated manner from the first stack 36a to the second stack 36b (step S44). Further, the thumbnail row control unit 11a determines whether or not the feeding operation is finished (step S45). If the feeding operation has not been completed (step S45: No), the thumbnail row control unit 11a repeatedly executes the processes of steps S43 and S44. In addition, if the sending operation is finished (step S45: Yes), the thumbnail row control unit 11a finishes this image selection process. The display example shown in FIG.

  On the other hand, when the feed operation is not performed (step S41: No), the thumbnail row control unit 11a is a return operation using the return icon 36d, and sets the top image number of the second stack 36b as the image number N. (Step S46). Then, the thumbnail row control unit 11a reads the image of the number N, which is one larger by the increment process of +1, from the image storage unit 22 and displays it at the position of the second stack 36b (step S47). At the same time, the thumbnail sequence controller 11a executes an animation process for moving the first image before the increment process in the second stack 36b from the second stack 36b to the first stack 36a (step S48). Further, the thumbnail row control unit 11a determines whether or not the return operation has been completed (step S49). If the return operation has not been completed (step S49: No), the thumbnail row controller 11a repeatedly executes the processes of steps S47 and S48. Further, if the return operation has been completed (step S49: Yes), the thumbnail row control unit 11a ends the image selection process.

  Then, the process returns to the process shown in FIG. When the auto setting is selected (step S23: Yes), or when the image selection process at step S24 is completed, the thumbnail row control unit 11a determines the number of thumbnail images constituting the thumbnail row 33 from the instructed characters. Is determined (step S25). Then, the thumbnail row control unit 11a reads out the number of thumbnail images determined (step S26). At this time, if the image is set to auto, the thumbnail row control unit 11a has the number of images determined by using the last image as the first thumbnail image among the series of images stored in the image storage unit 22. Read thumbnail images in order. Also, if the image is a manual selection setting, the thumbnail row control unit 11a sequentially reads out the thumbnail images of the number of images determined by using the thumbnail image selected by the process of step S24 as the first thumbnail image.

  Then, the thumbnail row control unit 11a sequentially creates the thumbnail row 33 by arranging the read thumbnail images so as to resemble the instructed character (pattern), and displays the thumbnail row 33 on the screen of the display unit 18 (Step S1). S27). The display examples shown in FIGS. 3, 4 (b), (c), and 5 (c) correspond. Further, the thumbnail row control unit 11a stores data relating to the created thumbnail row 33 in the SDRAM 16 or the like (step S28). As a result, the created thumbnail row 33 can be reused at an arbitrary time. Thereafter, the thumbnail row control unit 11a determines whether or not an operation for canceling the thumbnail row creation mode has been performed (step S29). If the release operation has not been performed (step S29: No), the thumbnail row control unit 11a returns to step S13. If the release operation has been performed (step S29: Yes), the thumbnail row control unit 11a returns to step S31.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, in the present embodiment, thumbnail images are arranged on an instructed pattern (character) and the thumbnail row 33 is created. However, the present invention is not limited to this mode. For example, the thumbnail row 33 is created as shown in FIG. Also good. FIG. 8 is an explanatory view schematically showing a modification. First, as shown in FIG. 8A, a large number of thumbnail images are arranged over the entire screen of the display unit 18. Next, as shown in FIG. 8B, the user is made to input a desired input locus 34. Then, as shown in FIG. 8C, the thumbnail images arranged in the portion corresponding to the input locus 34 are deleted. As a result, as shown in FIG. 8D, the input locus 34 (pattern) is made to resemble the input locus 34 (pattern) so that the input locus 34 portion becomes so-called white according to the designated input locus 34 (pattern). A thumbnail row 33 is created.

  In the present embodiment, a series of images recorded in the image storage unit 22 are managed in the order of increasing image numbers in chronological order, for example, from the oldest shooting date and time. You may make it manage in order. For example, in the case of the digital camera 1 equipped with the GPS function, the numbering according to the position information based on the latitude and longitude added to each image by the GPS function may be used. Good.

  Further, for example, in the block diagram shown in FIG. 1, each processing function as shown in FIGS. 6 to 7 in the present embodiment has been described as being processed by software by the control unit 11, but a specific example of the configuration is as follows. This is not a limitation. It is a design matter to perform these processes in any one of hardware processing and software processing or in an appropriate combination.

  When all or part of the embodiment is executed by software processing, the control unit 11 reads and executes the operation control program stored in the program data storage unit 12 such as a flash memory. Thus, since such software processing is realized, an operation control program relating to such software processing is also the present invention. A recording medium on which such an operation control program is recorded is also the present invention. The recording medium for storing the program is not limited to the flash memory, but an optical recording medium such as a CD-ROM or DVD-ROM, a magnetic recording medium such as an MD, a tape medium, or a semiconductor memory such as an IC card. It may be. Further, as a search program, a program obtained from an external recording medium via a network, for example, a program downloaded from a homepage is naturally included. In such a case, a WWW server, an ftp server, and the like that are downloaded by the user are also included in the scope of the present invention.

  In the present embodiment, the operation control apparatus is described as being mounted on the digital camera 1, but the present invention is not limited to this. The operation control device of the present embodiment may be applied to an image viewer such as an image viewer or a large television.

11a Thumbnail sequence control unit 12 Program data storage unit 14 Touch panel 18 Display unit 33 Thumbnail sequence

Claims (7)

A display for displaying images;
A touch panel that is arranged on the display unit and receives instructions for the display unit;
A character string corresponding to the trajectory is analyzed based on a trajectory drawn on the touch panel when an instruction is input to the touch panel, and a thumbnail row in which thumbnail images are arranged to resemble the character according to the analyzed character And a thumbnail column control unit for displaying the created thumbnail column on the display unit,
An operation control device comprising: A display for displaying images;
A touch panel that is arranged on the display unit and receives instructions for the display unit;
A storage unit for storing character templates;
A thumbnail column control unit configured to arrange thumbnail images in accordance with the character selected from the character template by the touch panel to create a thumbnail column that resembles the character, and to display the created thumbnail column on the display unit; ,
An operation control device comprising: The operation control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the thumbnail row control unit creates the thumbnail row using a thumbnail image of an image selected by the touch panel. An operation control method in an operation control apparatus, comprising: a display unit on which an image is displayed; and a touch panel that is disposed on the display unit and receives instructions for the display unit,
A character string corresponding to the trajectory is analyzed based on a trajectory drawn on the touch panel when an instruction is input to the touch panel, and a thumbnail row in which thumbnail images are arranged to resemble the character according to the analyzed character And a thumbnail row control step for displaying the created thumbnail row on the display unit. An operation control method in an operation control apparatus , comprising: a display unit on which an image is displayed; a touch panel that is disposed on the display unit and receives an instruction to the display unit; and a storage unit that stores a character template. There,
In accordance with the character selected from the character template by the touch panel, a thumbnail row control step is performed in which thumbnail images are arranged to create a thumbnail row that resembles the character, and the created thumbnail row is displayed on the display unit. An operation control method characterized by comprising. A computer provided in an operation control device having a display unit on which an image is displayed, and a touch panel that is disposed on the display unit and receives instructions for the display unit,
A character string corresponding to the trajectory is analyzed based on a trajectory drawn on the touch panel when an instruction is input to the touch panel, and a thumbnail row in which thumbnail images are arranged to resemble the character according to the analyzed character And a thumbnail row control function for displaying the created thumbnail row on the display unit. A computer provided in an operation control device having a display unit on which an image is displayed, a touch panel that is disposed on the display unit and that inputs an instruction to the display unit, and a storage unit that stores a character template.
In accordance with the character selected from the character template by the touch panel, a thumbnail row control function for arranging thumbnail images to create a thumbnail row that resembles the character and displaying the created thumbnail row on the display unit is provided. An operation control program that is executed.

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