JPH10178609A - Information processor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce the capacity of memory that is needed to store thumbnail images and also to quickly create thumbnail images. SOLUTION: When an input is not performed more than a prescribed time, a CPU 36 reads only images that are photographed on that day among photographed images stored on a memory card 24 and creates thumbnail images. Created thumbnail images are stored in buffer memory 35. When a reproduction mode is set, the CPU 36 reads the thumbnail images stored in the memory 35 and shows them in a list form on an LCD 6. Also, the power is turned off, the CPU 36 eliminates all the thumbnails images stored in the memory 35.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, and more particularly, to an information processing apparatus that captures an image of a subject, records the captured image, and reproduces the recorded image.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art For example, in a conventional electronic camera or the like,
When playing back a captured image (hereinafter abbreviated as a captured image), the captured images are displayed in the order in which the images were captured.

[0003]

However, in such a reproducing method, there is a problem that a photographed image cannot be arbitrarily selected and reproduced because the order in which the photographed images are reproduced is determined.

Therefore, when reproducing a photographed image, the photographed image is reduced at a predetermined ratio to create a reduced image (hereinafter, referred to as a thumbnail image) and displayed on a screen in a list format. Then, it is conceivable that the user can select a desired thumbnail image to reproduce an arbitrary captured image.

However, since a photographed image is composed of a large number of pixel data, a lot of processing is required to create a thumbnail image from the photographed image. Therefore, there is a problem that it takes a lot of time to create a thumbnail image.

Therefore, for example, it is conceivable to save the trouble of repeatedly creating a thumbnail image by creating a thumbnail image each time a picture is taken and storing it in a memory or the like. However, in such a method, since a part of the memory for storing the captured image is occupied by the thumbnail image, there is a problem that the number of recordable captured images is limited.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and it is possible to reduce the time required for creating a thumbnail image and reduce the memory area occupied by the thumbnail image. It is.

[0008]

According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an information processing apparatus, comprising: a recording unit for recording an image of a subject; and an image recorded on the recording unit is reduced at a predetermined rate to create a thumbnail image. The image processing apparatus further includes a thumbnail image creating unit, a control unit that controls the thumbnail image creating unit, and an output unit that outputs the thumbnail image created by the thumbnail image creating unit to a display device.

[0009] In the information processing apparatus according to the first aspect, the thumbnail image creating means may be provided at a predetermined timing.
It is controlled by the control means to create a thumbnail image. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent a situation in which a thumbnail image is created at a timing when the user intends to image a subject, and it becomes difficult to image the subject.

[0010]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of the present invention will be described below. In order to clarify the correspondence between each means of the invention described in the claims and the following embodiments, each means is described. When the features of the present invention are described by adding the corresponding embodiment (however, an example) in parentheses after the parentheses, the result is as follows. However, of course, this description does not mean that each means is limited to those described.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information processing apparatus comprising: a recording unit (for example, a memory card in FIG. 4) for recording an image of a subject; an image recorded on the recording unit; A thumbnail image creating means for creating an image (for example, step S52 in FIG. 12), a control means for controlling the thumbnail image creating means (for example, step S50 in FIG. 12), and a thumbnail image created by the thumbnail image creating means. A display device (for example, L in FIG. 4)
CD6) output means (for example, the frame memory 47 in FIG. 4).

[0012] The information processing apparatus according to the eleventh aspect further includes a second recording unit (for example, a buffer memory 35 in FIG. 4) for recording the thumbnail image created by the thumbnail image creating unit, and the control unit includes: When the mode is changed from the reproduction mode for reproducing the recorded information to the recording mode for recording the information, the thumbnail image recorded in the second recording means is deleted.

The information processing apparatus according to a twelfth aspect further includes a second recording unit (for example, a buffer memory 35 in FIG. 4) for recording the thumbnail image created by the thumbnail image creating unit. Power switch is O
When the state is set to the FF state, the thumbnail image recorded in the second recording means is deleted.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIGS. 1 and 2 are perspective views showing the structure of an embodiment of an electronic camera to which the present invention is applied. In the electronic camera of the present embodiment, when photographing a subject, the surface facing the subject is defined as surface X1, and the surface facing the user is defined as surface X2. At the upper end of the plane X1, a finder 2 used for confirming a photographing range of the subject, a photographing lens 3 for capturing an optical image of the subject, and a light emitting unit (flash lamp) 4 which emits light when illuminating the subject are provided. Have been.

On the other hand, at the upper end of the surface X2 facing the surface X1 (the portion of the surface X1 facing the portion where the finder 2, the photographing lens 3, and the light emitting section 4 are formed), the finder 2 and the A speaker 5 for outputting sound recorded in the electronic camera 1 is provided. The LCD 6 and the operation keys 7 (the menu key 7A, the execution key 7B, the clear key 7C, the cancel key 7D, and the scroll key 7E) formed on the surface X2 correspond to the viewfinder 2, the photographing lens 3, the light emitting unit 4, Than the speaker 5,
It is formed vertically below. On the surface of the LCD 6, a so-called touch tablet 6A that outputs position data corresponding to a pointed position by a contact operation of a pen-type pointing device described later is formed.

The touch tablet 6A is made of a transparent material such as glass, resin or the like.
LCD 6 formed inside touch tablet 6A
Can be observed through the touch tablet 6A.

The operation keys 7 are operated when reproducing recorded data on the LCD 6 and the like, and are constituted by the following keys. That is, the menu key 7A is a key operated when displaying a menu screen on the LCD 6. The execution key 7B is a key operated when reproducing the recording information selected by the user.

The clear key 7C is operated when deleting recorded information. Cancel key 7D
Are keys operated when the reproduction process of recorded information is interrupted. The scroll key 7E is a key operated when scrolling the screen in a vertical direction when a list of recording information is displayed on the LCD 6, and is a line scroll-up key 7E for scrolling by one line or several lines. -A and line scroll down key 7
EB, and a page scroll up key 7E-C and a page scroll down key 7E-D for scrolling in page units.

On the surface Z, which is the upper surface of the electronic camera 1, a microphone 8 for collecting sound and an earphone jack 9 to which an earphone (not shown) are connected are provided.

On the left side (surface Y1), a release switch 10, a power switch 11, and an AC adapter jack 15 for connecting an AC adapter are provided.

On the other hand, a surface Y2 (right side surface) opposed to the surface Y1
Has a recording switch 1 operated when recording voice.
2, and a continuous shooting mode changeover switch 13 operated when switching the continuous shooting mode at the time of shooting.
Note that the recording switch 12 is formed at substantially the same height as the release switch 10 on the surface Y1, so that it does not feel uncomfortable when holding it with either left or right hand.

The height of the recording switch 12 and that of the release switch 10 are intentionally made different from each other so that when one of the switches is pressed, the opposite side is held with a finger to cancel the moment due to this pressing force. The switch provided on the opposite side may be prevented from being pressed by mistake.

The continuous shooting mode changeover switch 13 is
When the user presses the release switch 10 to photograph a subject, this is used to set whether to photograph the subject in one frame or a predetermined plurality of frames. For example, when the release switch 10 is pressed while the pointer of the continuous shooting mode changeover switch 13 is switched to the position where “S” is printed (that is, the mode is switched to the S mode), only one frame is shot. Has been made to take place.

When the release switch 10 is pressed while the pointer of the continuous shooting mode changeover switch 13 is switched to the position where "L" is printed (ie, the mode is switched to the L mode), the release is performed. During the period in which the switch 10 is pressed, eight frames are shot per second (that is, the low-speed continuous shooting mode is set).

Further, a continuous shooting mode changeover switch 13
When the release switch 10 is pressed in a case where the pointer is switched to the position where “H” is printed (that is, the mode is switched to the H mode), during the period in which the release switch 10 is pressed, 30 frames are taken per second (that is, high-speed continuous shooting mode is set).

Next, the internal configuration of the electronic camera 1 will be described. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an example of the internal configuration of the electronic camera shown in FIGS. The CCD 20 is provided downstream of the photographing lens 3 (on the surface X2 side), and photoelectrically converts an optical image of a subject formed through the photographing lens 3 into an electric signal.

On the lower side of the LCD 6, four columnar batteries (AA batteries) 21 are vertically arranged, and the power generated by the batteries 21 is supplied to each part of the apparatus. Further, the capacitor 22 that stores the electric charge for causing the light emitting unit 4 to emit light is arranged alongside the battery 21.

Various control circuits for controlling each part of the electronic camera 1 are formed on the circuit board 23. Also,
Between the circuit board 23, the LCD 6 and the battery 21,
A memory card 24 that can be inserted and removed is provided, and various information input to the electronic camera 1 is stored in the memory card 2.
4 are recorded in preset areas.

In the present embodiment, the memory card 24 can be inserted and removed. However, a memory may be provided on the circuit board 23 and various information may be recorded in the memory. Further, various information recorded in the memory (memory card 24) may be output to an external personal computer via an interface (not shown).

Next, an electric configuration inside the electronic camera 1 of the present embodiment will be described with reference to a block diagram of FIG. The lens drive circuit 30 is controlled by the CPU 36 to move the photographing lens 3 in the optical axis direction and execute autofocus. The CCD 20 having a plurality of pixels photoelectrically converts a light image formed on each pixel into an image signal (electric signal). Further, the CCD drive circuit 39
Are controlled by a digital signal processor (hereinafter referred to as DSP) 33 to drive the CCD 20.

The image processing section 31 performs correlated double sampling of the image signal photoelectrically converted by the CCD 20 at a predetermined timing and controls the signal value of the sampled image signal to be optimal by auto gain control. An analog / digital conversion circuit (hereinafter, referred to as an A / D conversion circuit) 32 digitizes the image signal sampled by the image processing unit 31 and supplies it to the DSP 33.

The DSP 33 performs predetermined processing described later on the digitized image signal, and executes a compression / expansion circuit and a memory controller (hereinafter abbreviated as a compression / expansion circuit) 3.
4 The compression / decompression circuit 34 supplies an image signal supplied from the DSP 33 (hereinafter simply referred to as captured image data).
And compresses the memory card 2 under the control of the CPU 36.
4 in a predetermined area (captured image recording area).

The timer 45 sets the date and time (year, month,
The date and time information is recorded in the captured image recording area of the memory card 24 as header information of the image data (that is, the captured image data recorded in the captured image recording area of the memory card 24 includes , Date and time of shooting).

The microphone 8 receives a voice (collects voice), converts the voice into a corresponding electric signal, and converts it into a voice IC (Integer IC).
grated Ciruit) 38. The audio IC 38 performs A / D conversion of the input audio signal, and
A compression process by M (Adaptive Differential Pulse Code Modulation) is performed, and the CPU 3
6

The CPU 36 records digitized and compressed audio data in a predetermined area (audio recording area) of the memory card 24 via the CPU control bus. At this time, in the audio recording area of the memory card 24, data of the recording date and time is recorded as header information of the audio data.

A pen-type pointing device operated by a user (hereinafter, referred to as a pen-type pointing device)
When a predetermined position of the touch tablet 6A is pressed by the pen (abbreviated as a pen) 46, the CPU 36 reads the XY coordinates of the pressed position of the touch tablet 6A,
The coordinate data (line drawing information described later) is stored in the buffer memory 35. Also, the CPU 36
Stores the line drawing information stored in the buffer memory 35 together with the header information of the line drawing information input date and time on the memory card 24.
Are recorded in the line drawing information recording area.

The frame memory 47 stores the image data sent via the CPU control bus and displays the image data on the LCD 6. However, the photographed image data subjected to the compression processing is once input to the compression / expansion circuit 34, where it is expanded and then supplied to the frame memory 47.

Further, the audio data output from the memory card 24 is subjected to digital / analog conversion (hereinafter, referred to as D / A conversion) by the audio IC 38 and is converted into an analog signal, which is then supplied to the speaker 5. It is designed to be output as audio.

The flash lamp drive circuit 41 includes a CPU
The flash lamp 42 incorporated in the light emitting unit 4 is controlled by the control unit 36. Similarly, the red-eye reduction lamp driving circuit 43
6 drives the red-eye reduction lamp 44 incorporated in the light-emitting unit 4. The red-eye reduction lamp 44 emits light immediately before the flash lamp 42 is turned on. This closes the pupil of the person who is the subject, so that the eyes of the person in the captured image can be seen. It can reduce reddish or so-called red-eye.

The detection circuit 40 converts the voltage of the battery 21 into a corresponding digital signal and supplies it to the CPU 36. The CPU 36 can detect the remaining amount of the battery 21 based on the digital signal supplied from the detection circuit 40.

Next, various operations of the electronic camera 1 according to the present embodiment will be described.

First, the input / output processing of audio information of this apparatus (however, the input / output processing of only audio information) will be described.

After the power of the electronic camera 1 is turned on by operating the power switch 11 and then the recording switch 12 provided on the surface Y2 is pressed, a sound recording process (input process of voice information) is performed. Be started. The voice information is input via the microphone 8 and is input to the A /
After being subjected to D conversion and compression processing, it is supplied to the CPU 36.

The audio data supplied to the CPU 36 is supplied to the memory card 24 and recorded in the audio recording area. At this time, the audio recording area of the memory card 24
The data of the recording date and time is recorded as header information. Such an operation is continuously performed while the recording switch 12 is being pressed.

The voice in this case is ADPC
Although compression is performed by the M method, another compression method may be used.

Next, the operation of the present embodiment when photographing a subject will be described.

First, a case where the continuous shooting mode changeover switch 13 provided on the surface Y2 is switched to the S mode (a mode in which only one frame is shot) will be described. First, the power switch 1 provided on the surface Y1
The user operates the electronic camera 1 to turn on the electronic camera 1. When the subject is confirmed in the viewfinder 2 and the release switch 10 provided on the surface Y1 is pressed, the subject photographing process is started.

An optical image of a subject observed by the finder 2 is condensed by the photographing lens 3 and forms an image on a CCD 20 having a plurality of pixels. The optical image of the subject formed on the CCD 20 is photoelectrically converted into an image signal by each pixel, and is sampled by the image processing unit 31. Image processing unit 31
The image signal sampled by the DSP 3 is supplied to an A / D conversion circuit 32, where it is digitized and converted by the DSP 3
3 is output.

The DSP 33 is an RGB (Red Green Blue)
A process for generating a color difference signal from the signal is performed, and a γ process, which is a nonlinear process, is performed. The compression / expansion circuit 34
JPEG combining discrete cosine transform, quantization and Huffman coding on image data supplied from P33
(Joint Photografic Experts Group), and the data is recorded in the photographed image recording area of the memory card 24. At this time, in the photographed image recording area of the memory card 24, data of the photographed date and time is recorded as header information of the photographed image data.

When the continuous shooting mode changeover switch 13 is switched to the S mode, only one frame is shot, and even if the release switch 10 is continuously pressed, the subsequent shooting is not performed. Not performed, LCD6
The image taken above is displayed.

Second, a continuous shooting mode changeover switch 13
Is switched to the L mode (a mode in which 8 frames are continuously shot in one second). By operating the power switch 11 to turn on the power to the electronic camera 1 and pressing the release switch 10 provided on the surface Y1, shooting processing of the subject is started.

A light image of a subject observed by the finder 2 is condensed by the photographing lens 3 and forms an image on a CCD 20 having a plurality of pixels. The light image of the subject formed on the CCD 20 is photoelectrically converted into an image signal, and is sampled by the image processing unit 31 at a rate of eight times per second. Also,
At this time, the image processing unit 31 samples one quarter of the pixels of the CCD 20.

That is, the image processing section 31 divides the pixels of the CCD 20 arranged in a matrix into regions of 2.times.2 pixels (four pixels) as shown in FIG. The image signal of one pixel arranged at the position is sampled, and the remaining three pixels are thinned out.

For example, at the time of the first sampling (first frame), the upper left pixel a of each basic unit is sampled, and the other pixels b, c, and d are thinned out. At the time of the second sampling (second frame), the upper right pixel b of each basic unit is sampled, and the other pixels a, c, and d are thinned out. Hereinafter, at the time of the third and fourth samplings, the lower left pixel c and the lower right pixel d are sampled, respectively, and the other pixels are thinned out. That is, each pixel is sampled only once every four times.

An image signal sampled by the image processing section 31 (an image signal of a quarter of all the pixels of the CCD 20) is supplied to an A / D conversion circuit 32, where it is digitized and output to a DSP 33. Is done.

The DSP 33 performs the above-described processing on the digitized image signal and outputs it to the compression / expansion circuit 34. The compression / expansion circuit 34 applies a JPE
The compression processing based on the G method is performed, and the compression processing is performed on the captured image recording area of the memory card 24 via the CPU control bus.
At this time, in the captured image recording area of the memory card 24,
Data of the shooting date and time is recorded as header information of the shot image data.

Third, a continuous shooting mode changeover switch 13
Is switched to the H mode (a mode in which 30 frames are continuously shot in one second). By operating the power switch 11, the power of the electronic camera 1 is turned off.
When the release switch 10 provided on the surface Y1 is pressed in the state of N, the photographing process of the subject is started.

A light image of a subject observed by the finder 2 is condensed by the photographing lens 3 and forms an image on the CCD 20. An optical image of a subject formed on the CCD 20 having a plurality of pixels is photoelectrically converted into an image signal at each pixel, and is sampled by the image processing unit 31 at a rate of 30 times per second. At this time, the image processing unit 31
Out of all pixels are sampled.

That is, the image processing section 31 divides the pixels of the CCD 20 arranged in a matrix into regions each having 3 × 3 pixels as shown in FIG. Is sampled at a rate of 30 times per second for the image electric signal of one pixel arranged at the position of
The remaining 8 pixels are thinned out.

For example, at the time of the first sampling (first frame), the upper left pixel a of each area is sampled, and the other pixels b to i are thinned out. At the time of the second sampling (second frame), the pixel b disposed on the right side of the pixel a is sampled, and the other pixels a, c to i are thinned out. Hereinafter, at the time of the third and subsequent samplings, the pixels c, d,.
Are sampled and other pixels are decimated. That is, each pixel is sampled every nine frames.

The image signal sampled by the image processing section 31 (the image signal of one-ninth of all the pixels of the CCD 20) is supplied to an A / D conversion circuit 32, where it is digitized and output to a DSP 33. Is done.

The DSP 33 performs the above-described processing on the digitized image signal and supplies it to the compression / expansion circuit 34.
The compression / expansion circuit 34 performs compression processing on the image signal in accordance with the JPEG system, adds the photographing date and time supplied from the timer 45 as header information, and records the header in the photographed image recording area of the memory card 24.

Next, an operation when two-dimensional line drawing information (pen input information) is input from the touch tablet 6A will be described. When the touch tablet 6A is pressed by the pen tip of the pen 46, the XY coordinates of the touched portion are
6. The XY coordinates are stored in the buffer memory 3
5 and data is written in the frame memory 47 at locations corresponding to the respective XY coordinates, and displayed on the LCD 6.

As described above, since the touch tablet 6A formed on the surface of the LCD 6 is made of a transparent member, the user can touch a point displayed on the LCD 6 (pressed by the pen tip of the pen 46). (The point at the position of the touch panel) can be observed, and it can be felt as if a pen input was made directly on the LCD 6. When the pen 46 is moved on the touch tablet 6A, a line is drawn on the LCD 6 as the pen 46 moves. Further, when the pen 46 is intermittently moved on the touch tablet 6A, a broken line is displayed on the LCD 6 as the pen 46 moves. As described above, the user can input desired line drawing information such as characters and graphics from the touch tablet 6A (LCD 6).

When the photographed image is displayed on the LCD 6 and the line drawing information is inputted by the pen 46, the line drawing information is synthesized with the photographed image information in the frame memory 47 and displayed on the LCD 6. Is done.

By operating a color selection switch (not shown), the user can select the color of the line drawing displayed on the LCD 6 from colors such as black, white, red, and blue.

When the execution key 7B of the operation key 7 is pressed after the line image information is input to the touch tablet 6A by the pen 46, the line image information stored in the buffer memory 35 is stored in the CPU control bus together with the header information of the input date and time. Is supplied to the memory card 24 via the line drawing information recording area.

The line drawing information recorded on the memory card 24 is information that has been subjected to compression processing. Since the line drawing information input to the touch tablet 6A includes a lot of information having a high spatial frequency component, if the compression processing is performed by the JPEG method used for compressing the captured image, the compression efficiency is low and the amount of information cannot be reduced. Therefore, the time required for compression and decompression increases. Furthermore, since the compression by the JPEG method is irreversible compression, it is not suitable for the compression of line drawing information having a small amount of information (when expanded and displayed on the LCD 6, gathers and bleeding due to lack of information are noticeable. To get it).

Therefore, in the present embodiment, the line drawing information is compressed by a run length method used in a facsimile or the like. The run-length method scans a line drawing screen in the horizontal direction, and continues the length of information (points) of each color such as black, white, red, and blue, and the length of continuous non-information (portion without pen input). This is a method for compressing line drawing information by encoding the line drawing information.

By using this run length method,
The line drawing information can be effectively compressed, and even when the compressed line drawing information is decompressed, loss of information can be suppressed. The line drawing information may not be compressed when the information amount is relatively small.

Further, as described above, when the photographed image is displayed on the LCD 6, when the pen input is performed, the photographed image data and the line drawing information of the pen input are combined in the frame memory 47, and the photographed image and the line drawing are synthesized. The composite image of LC
Displayed on D6. On the other hand, in the memory card 24, photographed image data is recorded in a photographed image recording area, and line drawing information is recorded in a line drawing information recording area. As described above, since the two pieces of information are recorded in different areas, the user can delete one of the images (for example, the line drawing) from the composite image of the captured image and the line drawing,
Further, each image information can be compressed by an individual compression method.

When the reproduction mode is set after data is recorded in the audio recording area, photographed image recording area, or line drawing information recording area of the memory card 24, as shown in FIG.
A predetermined display is performed on 6. In the display example shown in FIG. 7, the date on which the information was recorded (recording date) (in this case, June 30, 1996) is displayed at the upper end of the screen, and the recording date is recorded. The recording time of the information is displayed at the left end of the screen.

On the right of the recording time, a thumbnail image is displayed. This thumbnail image is displayed on the memory card 2
4 is created by thinning (reducing) the bitmap data of each image data of the photographed image data recorded in No. 4. The information with this display is information including a captured image. In this display example, the captured image information is included in all information. When the photographed image is photographed in the L or H mode, a predetermined image (for example,
(First image) is selected to create a thumbnail image.

The memo symbol "*" indicates that a predetermined memo is recorded as line drawing information.

On the right side of the thumbnail image display area, an audio thumbnail is displayed, and a bar (line) having a length corresponding to the length of the recording time is displayed. Is not.)

In this display example, the display order of the thumbnail images, audio thumbnails, and the like is the order of recording in the memory card 24 (in chronological order). In other words, when a lot of information that cannot be displayed on one screen is recorded, when the display processing of this screen is performed, the oldest recorded information is displayed on the first line. (Input date and time or recording date and time) are displayed in chronological order. A method for displaying such a screen will be described later.

The user presses a part of a desired audio thumbnail on the LCD 6 shown in FIG. 7 with the pen tip of the pen 46 to select and designate information to be reproduced, and presses the execution key 7B shown in FIG. By pressing first, the selected information can be reproduced.

For example, when the audio thumbnail displayed on the right side of “10:16” shown in FIG. 7 is pressed by the pen 46, the CPU 36 sets the selected recording date and time (1
0:16) is stored in the memory card 24
And supplies it to the audio IC 38. Voice IC 38
Performs expansion processing on audio data (compressed audio data), further performs D / A conversion, converts the data into an analog signal, and supplies the analog signal to the speaker 5. The speaker 5 converts the supplied analog signal into sound and outputs the sound. Note that when an earphone (not shown) is connected to the earphone jack 9, sound is not reproduced from the speaker 5, but sound is reproduced by the earphone (not shown).

When reproducing the photographed image data recorded on the memory card 24, the user presses the desired thumbnail image with the pen tip of the pen 46 to select the information, and then presses the execution key 7B. Thereby, the selected information is reproduced.

The CPU 36 reads out the photographed image data corresponding to the selected photographing date and time from the memory card 24,
It is supplied to the compression / decompression circuit 34. The photographed image data (compressed photographed image data) supplied to the compression / decompression circuit 34 is decompressed there and output to the CPU 36 again.
The CPU 36 temporarily stores the captured image data as bitmap data in the frame memory 47,
Display on D6.

An image photographed in the S mode is displayed on the LCD 6 as a still image. This still image is CC
It goes without saying that the image signals of all the pixels of D20 are reproduced.

An image photographed in the L mode is continuously displayed on the LCD 6 at a rate of 8 frames per second. At this time, the number of pixels displayed in each frame is CCD2
0 is a quarter of the total number of pixels.

Since human vision is sensitive to deterioration of the resolution of a still image, thinning out the pixels of the still image gives
The user can easily detect this. However,
In the L mode in which eight frames of image are reproduced per second, the number of pixels of each frame is one fourth of the number of pixels of the CCD 20.
As mentioned above, eight frames of images are played back per second,
The amount of information per unit time is 2 compared to the case of still images.
Double.

That is, one of the images shot in the S mode
Assuming that the number of pixels of a frame is 1, the number of pixels of one frame of an image captured in the L mode is １ ／. When an image (still image) captured in the S mode is displayed on the LCD 6, the amount of information perceived by the human eye in one second is 1 (= (number of pixels 1) × (number of frames 1)). On the other hand, when an image captured in the L mode is displayed on the LCD 6, the amount of information perceived by the human eye in one second is 2 (= (number of pixels ４) × (number of frames 8)) (ie, The human eye receives twice as much information as a still image.) Therefore, even when the number of pixels in one frame is reduced to ４, the user does not care much about the deterioration of the image quality during reproduction.

Furthermore, in the present embodiment, different pixels are sampled for each frame and the sampled pixels are displayed on the LCD 6, so that an afterimage effect occurs to human eyes, and 4 pixels per frame. Even if 3/3 pixels are thinned out, the user can observe the image captured in the L mode displayed on the LCD 6 without much concern about the deterioration of the image quality.

The image shot in the H mode is an LC mode.
The images are continuously displayed on D6 at a rate of 30 frames per second. At this time, the number of pixels displayed in each frame is C
Although the number of pixels of the CD 20 is one-ninth of the total number of pixels, for the same reason as in the case of the L mode, the user can copy an image captured in the H mode displayed on the LCD 6 without much concern about deterioration in image quality. Can be observed.

In the present embodiment, the L mode and the H mode
When capturing an image of a subject in the mode, the image processing unit 31 controls the CCD 2 so that the image quality does not deteriorate during reproduction.
Since the 0 pixels are thinned out, the loads on the DSP 33 and the compression / expansion circuit 34 can be reduced, and these can be operated at low speed and with low power. Also,
This makes it possible to reduce the cost and power consumption of the device.

Next, a method of displaying and creating a thumbnail image to which the present invention is applied will be described.

FIG. 8 shows the recording history of images and sounds. In this figure, a downward arrow (↓) indicates that an image was taken at the time pointed by the arrow, and a circle (○) added to the upper end of the arrow indicates that sound was recorded simultaneously. It indicates that it was done.
These images and sounds are stored in the captured image recording area and the sound recording area of the memory card 24, respectively.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining an example of processing for creating a thumbnail image from an image recorded on the memory card 24 and performing a display as shown in FIG.

This process is executed when the electronic camera 1 is set to the reproduction mode. That is, the menu key 7A
When the playback mode is selected from a menu (not shown) displayed by pressing
The PU 36 executes the process of step S1.

In step S1, the CPU 36 substitutes the content of the variable start in which the ordinal number of the photographed image data to be processed first (the number indicating the order recorded in the memory card 24) into the variable i. . In the display example shown in FIG. 7, since the image V shot on June 30 is the shot image to be processed first, the ordinal number 22 is stored in the start, and the process in step S1 sets The value 22 will be substituted.

In step S2, the CPU 36 reads out the ith captured image data from the memory card 24. Then, the process proceeds to step S3, in which the i-th photographed image is reduced at a predetermined rate to create a thumbnail image.

In the following step S4, the CPU 36
Stores the thumbnail image in the buffer memory 35 and causes the LCD 6 to display the thumbnail image.

Now, since i = 22, the CPU 36
Reads out the 22nd captured image data V stored in the memory card 24 and reduces it at a predetermined rate to create a thumbnail image. Then, the obtained thumbnail image is stored in the buffer memory 35 and the LCD 6
Displayed above the shooting date and time. As a result, as shown in FIG. 7, a thumbnail image corresponding to the recording time (10:05) and the captured image V is displayed.

Next, the CPU 36 proceeds to step S5, and increments the value of the variable i by one. In step S6, it is determined whether or not the i-th captured image data exists, and the i-th captured image data exists (Y
If it is determined to be (ES), the process proceeds to step S7, and if it is determined that the i-th captured image data does not exist (NO), the process ends (END).

In step S7, it is determined whether the screen is full. That is, it is determined whether or not the LCD 6 has a space for displaying a new thumbnail image.
As a result, when it is determined that the screen is full (YES), the processing is terminated (END). If it is determined that the screen is not full (NO), the process returns to step S2 and the same processing is repeated.

Since i = 22, step S5
Results in i = 23, and in the process of step S6, the 23rd captured image data exists (YES).
Is determined, and the process proceeds to step S7. In step S7,
Since the screen is not yet full, the determination is NO, and the process returns to step S2 and the same processing is repeated.

The above-described processing is executed on the photographed image data V to Z. As a result, as shown in FIG. 7, thumbnail images corresponding to these photographed image data are displayed. After the processing for the captured image data Z is completed, it is determined in step S6 that the 27th captured image data does not exist (NO), and the processing ends (END).

In the above description, the description of the audio thumbnail and memo symbol display processing is omitted for simplification.
In the above-described processing, the thumbnail images are created in the order in which the images were shot (in order from left to right in FIG. 8) with the start as the start point. However, for example, the end is set as the end point (the bottom line). The thumbnail images may be created in the order of the date and time (from right to left in FIG. 8).

Next, the processing when the scroll key 7E is pressed on the display screen shown in FIG.
0 will be described.

This processing is executed, for example, after the processing shown in FIG. 9 is completed. In step S20, the CPU 36 substitutes the ordinal number of the captured image corresponding to the thumbnail image currently displayed on the top line of the screen (hereinafter, abbreviated as the ordinal number of the thumbnail image) into the variable t, and similarly, The ordinal number of the thumbnail image currently displayed in the lower row is substituted for a variable b. Also, the number of thumbnail images newly displayed by one scroll is substituted for the variable n. For example, when scrolling line by line, 1 is substituted for a variable n. Further, the number of thumbnail images that can be displayed on the screen at one time is substituted for the variable m.

At step S21, the CPU 36 determines whether or not the scroll key 7E has been pressed. As a result, if the CPU 36 determines that the line scroll-up key 7E-A for scrolling upward (upward in FIG. 7) in units of lines has been pressed (1), the process proceeds to step S22.
If it is determined that the line scroll down key 7E-B for performing the line-by-line scrolling downward (downward in FIG. 7) has been pressed (2), the process proceeds to step S27. Further, when the CPU 36 determines that the scroll key 7E is not pressed (3), the processing ends (end).

Now, for example, if the line scroll up key 7E-A for scrolling upward is pressed, the processing branches to step S22.

In step S22, it is determined whether or not the (t-n) th photographed image data exists. That is,
The number of thumbnail images newly displayed by one scroll is subtracted from the ordinal number of the thumbnail image currently displayed on the top line of the screen, and whether or not image data of the ordinal number corresponding to the obtained value exists. Is determined. As a result, the (t−n) th captured image data exists (Y
If it is determined to be (ES), the process of step S23 is skipped, and the process proceeds to step S24. In addition, the (t−n)
If it is determined that the second captured image data does not exist (NO), the process proceeds to step S23.

In the process of step S23, the value (n + 1) is set to the variable t in order to make the thumbnail image newly displayed on the top line of the screen after scrolling correspond to the first captured image data. ) Is substituted. In other words, if the value (t−n) ≦ 0, there is no corresponding captured image data, and in the processing after step S24, the value (n) is set to the variable t in order to execute normal processing.
+1). As a result, for example, in the processing of step S24 described later, the first (= t−n = (n +
A thumbnail image is created with the 1) -n = 1) th captured image data at the top.

In step S 24, a thumbnail image is created from the (t−n) th to (t−1) th captured image data and stored in the buffer memory 35.

Now, n = 2 (indicating scrolling by two lines), and t = 2 as shown in FIG.
2, b = 26 and m = 5, the twentieth (= t−
Since the (n = 22-2) th captured image (the captured image T) exists, YES is determined in step S22,
Proceed to step S24. Then, in step S24,
The 20th (= t−n = 22-2) and 21st (= t−1)
= 22-1) A thumbnail image is created from the captured image data and stored in the buffer memory 35. In addition,
These thumbnail images are newly displayed on the screen as a result of scrolling.

In step S25, the (t−n) th to (t−n + m−1) th thumbnail images are displayed on the LCD.
6 is displayed. Then, the process proceeds to step S26, where the (t−n + m) th to (t + m−1) th thumbnail images are deleted from the buffer memory 35, and the process ends (END).

Since t = 22 as described above, in the process of step S25, the twentieth (= t−n = 2)
2-2) th to 24th (= t−n + m−1 = 22-2)
The (+ 5-1) th thumbnail image is displayed on the LCD 6 as shown in FIG. That is, the twentieth (captured image T) and the twenty-first (captured image U) thumbnail images newly stored in the buffer memory 35, and the twenty-second to twenty-fourth (captured images V to V) stored previously. The thumbnail image of X) is displayed on the LCD 6.

In step S26, the twenty-fifth (= t−n +
m = 22-2 + 5) th and 26th (= t + m−1 = 22)
+ 5-1) -th thumbnail image is stored in the buffer memory 35
And the process ends (END). That is, the second
Since the fifth and 26th thumbnail images are deleted from the screen by scrolling, these thumbnail images are deleted from the buffer memory 35.

Next, the case where the line scroll down key 7E-B is pressed in step S21 will be described.

If it is determined in step S21 that the line scroll down key 7E-B has been pressed (2), the flow branches to step S27. In step S27, it is determined whether or not the (b + n) -th captured image data exists. As a result, if it is determined that the (b + n) -th captured image data exists (YES), the process of step S28 is skipped, and the process proceeds to step S29. If it is determined that the (b + n) -th captured image data does not exist (NO), step S2
Proceed to step 8.

In the process of step S28, the value of the variable b is set so that the thumbnail image newly displayed at the bottom line of the screen as a result of the scrolling corresponds to the last (Nth) captured image data. (N−n) is substituted. That is, if the value (b + n)> N, there is no corresponding captured image data, and in the processing after step S29, the value (N−n) is substituted into the variable b in order to execute normal processing. I do. As a result, for example, in the process of step S29 described later, the N-th (= b + n =
A thumbnail image is created with the (N−n) + n) th captured image data at the end.

In the process of step S29, the (b)
A thumbnail image is created from the (+1) th to (b + n) th captured image data and stored in the buffer memory 35.

Now, for example, it is assumed that N = 26 (in the case of FIG. 8) and the first through fifth thumbnail images are displayed on the screen. That is, b = 5, m = 5
And n = 2. At this time, if the line scroll down key 7E-B is pressed,
In step S21, it is determined that the line scroll down key 7E-B has been pressed (2), and step S2
Branch to 7.

In the step S27, the seventh (= b + n = 5)
Since the (+2) th captured image data exists, YES is determined, and the process proceeds to step S29. In step S29, the sixth (= b + 1 = 5 + 1) and the seventh (= b +
A thumbnail image is created from the (n = 5 + 2) -th captured image data and stored in the buffer memory 35.

In step S30, the (b + n-
The (m + 1) th to (b + n) th thumbnail images are displayed on the LCD 6. Then, the process proceeds to step S31, where the (b−m + 1) th to (b + n−)
The (m) th thumbnail image is deleted from the buffer memory 35, and the process ends (END).

Since b = 5, step S30
In the process (3), the third (= b + nm + 1 = 5 + 2-5 +
The 1) th to 7th (= b + n = 5 + 2) thumbnail images are displayed. That is, the screen is scrolled downward by two lines. Then, the process proceeds to step S31, where the first (= b−m + 1 = 5−5 + 1) and the second (=
The (b + nm = 5 + 2-5) th thumbnail image is deleted from the buffer memory 35, and the process ends (END).

Next, step S22 or step S2
7, the processing when it is determined to be NO will be described.

Now, when the second through sixth thumbnail images are displayed on the screen (t = 2, m = 5
), The line scroll up key 7E-A
Is pressed. At this time, assuming that n = 2 (indicating scrolling every two lines), step S2
In 2, it is determined that the 0th (= tn = 2-2) th captured image data does not exist (NO), and step S2 is performed.
Proceed to 3.

In step S23, a value 3 (= n
+ 1 = 2 + 1), and the process proceeds to step S24. In step S <b> 24, a thumbnail image is created from the first (= t−n = 3−2) th captured image data and stored in the buffer 35. Since the second thumbnail image has already been stored in the buffer memory 35, the processing for the second captured image data is not executed.

In the process of step S25, the first (= t−
n = 3-2) to 5th (= t−n + m−1 = 3−2)
The (+ 5-1) th thumbnail image is displayed on the LCD 6. Then, in step S26, the sixth (= t−n)
The (+ m = 3-2 + 5) th thumbnail image is deleted from the buffer memory 35. In this example, the seventh (=
Since the (t + m-1 = 3 + 5-1) th thumbnail image has not been created, the process of deleting the seventh thumbnail image is not executed.

Next, a description will be given of the processing in the case where NO is determined in step S27.

Now, when the 21st to 25th thumbnail images are displayed on the screen (b = 25,
Assume that the line scroll down key 7E-B is pressed when m = 5 and N = 26). At this time, n = 2 (indicating scrolling by two lines)
In step S27, the 27th (=
It is determined that the (b + n = 25 + 2) -th captured image data does not exist (NO), and the process proceeds to step S28.

In step S28, the value 24 (=
N−n = 26−2), and the process proceeds to step S29. In step S29, a thumbnail image is created from the 26th captured image data and stored in the buffer memory 35. That is, in the process of step S29, the 25th
(= B + 1 = 24 + 1) th to 26th (= b + n = 2)
Although a thumbnail image is created from the (4 + 2) th captured image data, only the 26th thumbnail image is created because the 25th thumbnail image has already been created.

In the following step S30, the twenty-second (= b +
(n-m + 1 = 24 + 2-5 + 1) th to 26th (= b
The (+ n = 24 + 2) th thumbnail image is displayed on the LCD 6. Then, in step S31, the twenty-first
The (= b + nm = 24 + 2-5) th thumbnail image is deleted from the buffer memory 35. That is, in the process of step S31, the twentieth (= b−m + 1 = 24−5 +
The 1) th to 21st (= b + nm = 24 + 2-5) thumbnail images are deleted from the buffer memory 35, but since the twentieth thumbnail image does not exist, the 21st thumbnail image is deleted. Only will be deleted. Then, the process ends (END).

According to the above processing, the electronic camera 1
Is set to the playback mode, a thumbnail image for one screen is created, stored in the buffer memory 35, and displayed on the LCD 6. Then, in a state where the thumbnail image is displayed on the screen, the scroll key 7E
Is pressed, a thumbnail image to be newly displayed on the screen by scrolling is created, stored in the buffer memory 35, and displayed on the LCD 6. Further, the thumbnail images deleted from the screen as a result of the scrolling are also deleted from the buffer memory 35. Therefore, one screen of thumbnail images is always stored in the buffer memory 35.

As described above, one screen of thumbnail images is stored in the buffer memory 35 because, for example, a screen displaying thumbnail images (see FIG. 7) is replaced with another screen (for example, a specific thumbnail). This is to save the trouble of recreating the thumbnail image when returning to the original screen after shifting to the screen for reproducing the captured image corresponding to the image (the thumbnail image is deleted from the screen).

The thumbnail images stored in the buffer memory 35 may be deleted when the mode is changed from the reproduction mode to the recording mode.

In the above embodiment, one screen thumbnail image is created and stored in the buffer memory 35. For example, one screen thumbnail image and scrolling are executed. At this time, a thumbnail image to be newly displayed (for example, a thumbnail image for one line above or below or one screen) may be created and stored in the buffer memory 35. According to such a configuration, when the scroll key 7E is pressed, scrolling can be executed quickly.

Further, in the above embodiment, only the case where scrolling is performed in units of lines has been described. However, scrolling can be performed in units of screens by appropriately selecting the value of the variable n. That is, when the page scroll up key 7E-C or the page scroll down key 7E-D is pressed, the value of the variable m is substituted for the variable n (the number of thumbnail images newly displayed by one scroll). n is assumed to be the number m of thumbnails that can be displayed on one screen), and the processing shown in FIG. 10 is executed, whereby scrolling in page units can be executed.

Next, another embodiment of the present invention will be described.

The flowchart shown in FIG. 12 is a flowchart for explaining a process of creating a thumbnail image when no input is made for a predetermined time or more.

This process is executed every predetermined time (for example, 5 seconds) regardless of the selected mode when the power switch 11 of the electronic camera 1 is turned on. When the process of step S50 is executed, the CPU 36
Determines whether an input has not been made for a predetermined time (for example, one minute). As a result, if it is determined that no input has been made for one minute or more (YES), step S5
Then, if it is determined that an input has been made (NO), the process is terminated (END).

In the process of step S51, the ordinal number of the image first taken after midnight on that day (the day when the switch was turned on) is substituted for the variable i. Next step S5
In the process 2, a thumbnail image is created from the i-th captured image data and stored in the buffer memory 35.
Then, in step S53, the value of the variable i is incremented by 1, and the process proceeds to step S54.

In the process of step S54, it is determined whether or not the i-th photographed image data exists. As a result, if it is determined that the i-th captured image data exists (YES), the process returns to step S52 and the same processing is repeated. If it is determined that the i-th captured image data does not exist (NO), the process ends (END).

Assuming that no input has been made for one minute or more since the power switch 11 of the electronic camera 1 was turned on, YES is determined in the step S50,
Proceed to step S51. Assuming that the date when the power switch 11 is turned on is June 30,
Since the first image captured after midnight on March 30 is the captured image V (see FIG. 8), step S51 is performed.
Then, the ordinal number 22 of the captured image V is substituted for the variable i.

Then, the process proceeds to a step S 52, wherein a thumbnail image is created from the 22nd photographed image data and stored in the buffer memory 35. In the following step S53, the value 22 of the variable i is incremented by one,
i = 23.

In the step S54, since there is the 23rd photographed image data, it is determined as YES, and the process returns to the step S52 to repeat the same processing. as a result,
Thumbnail images for the 22nd to 26th captured images (the captured images V to Z) are created and stored in the buffer memory 35.

As described above, if a thumbnail image is created when there is no input for a predetermined time or more, the absence of an input for a predetermined time means that the user may immediately operate the electronic camera. Since the number is small, so to speak, a period during which the electronic camera 1 is not used is detected, and a thumbnail image is created during the idle time. Therefore,
When the user tries to use the electronic camera, it is possible to prevent a situation in which a thumbnail image is being created and cannot be used until the creation is completed, or a response to a user operation is delayed. .

In the above embodiment, once the processing is started, the thumbnail image creation processing (step S
Until the processing of steps 52 to 54 is completed, input from the user is not accepted. Therefore, when the user performs an input, the process of creating a thumbnail image may be temporarily interrupted, and the process of creating a thumbnail image may be restarted after the process for the input is completed. Further, in the above embodiment, the thumbnail images are created in order from the photographed image with the oldest recording date and time, but the thumbnail images may be created in order from the photographed image with the new recording date and time.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a process for displaying the thumbnail image created by the process of FIG. Note that this process
This is executed when the electronic camera 1 is set to the playback mode.

At step S70, the CPU 36
The variable i is initialized to 1. In a succeeding step S71,
The CPU 36 reads the i-th thumbnail image stored in the buffer memory 35 and displays it on the LCD 6.

Then, the process proceeds to a step S 72, wherein the value of the variable i is incremented by 1. In a step S 73, it is determined whether or not the i-th thumbnail image exists in the buffer memory 35. As a result, when it is determined that the i-th thumbnail image exists (YES), the process proceeds to step S74, and when it is determined that the i-th thumbnail image does not exist (NO), the process ends. (End).

At step S74, it is determined whether the screen is full. As a result, if it is determined that the screen is full (YES), the processing is terminated (END). If it is determined that the screen is not full (NO), the process returns to step S71 and the same processing is repeated.

Now, as a result of the processing in FIG. 12, if the thumbnail images corresponding to the 22nd to 26th captured images (the captured images V to Z) are stored in the buffer memory 35, the processing shown in FIG. Suppose that it was executed. In that case, in the process of step S71, the first thumbnail image (thumbnail image for the captured image V) is read from the buffer memory 35 and displayed on the uppermost line of the LCD 6. Then, in the process of step S73, it is determined that the second thumbnail image exists (YES),
Returning to step S71, the same processing is repeated. As a result, as shown in FIG. 7, the thumbnail images created from the shot images V to Z shot on June 30 are displayed on the screen.

FIG. 14 is created by the processing of FIG.
11 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a process for deleting a thumbnail image stored in a buffer memory. Note that the CPU 36 of the present embodiment is of a low power consumption type, and thus is always in an energized state. Therefore, even when the power switch 11 is turned off, the CPU
36 can execute a predetermined process.

In step S90, the CPU 36 determines
It is determined whether or not the power switch 11 has been turned off. As a result, when it is determined that the power switch 11 has not been turned off (NO), the processing is terminated (end), and when it is determined that the power switch 11 has been turned off (YES), Proceed to step S91.

In step S91, the CPU 36 initializes a variable i to 1. Then, the process proceeds to a step S92, where the i-th thumbnail image is deleted from the buffer memory 35. Then, the process proceeds to step S93, and the value of the variable i is incremented by one.

In step S94, it is determined whether or not the i-th thumbnail image exists. If it is determined that the i-th thumbnail image exists (YES), the process returns to step S92 and the same processing is repeated. If it is determined in step S94 that the i-th thumbnail image does not exist (NO), the process ends (END).

Now, it is assumed that as a result of executing the processing in FIG. 12, thumbnail images for the 22nd to 26th photographed images (photographed images V to Z) are stored in the buffer memory 35. At this time, if the power switch 11 is turned off, YES is determined in step S90, and the buffer memory 35 is determined in step S92.
Is deleted, the first thumbnail image (thumbnail image corresponding to captured image V) stored in. Step S
At 94, it is determined as YES because the second thumbnail image exists, and the process returns to step S92 and the same processing is repeated. As a result, the first to fifth thumbnail images stored in the buffer memory 35 (thumbnail images for the captured images V to Z shown in FIG. 8)
Will be deleted one after another. Then, when the fifth thumbnail image has been deleted, the process ends (END).

According to the above processing, after the power is turned on,
If no input is made for a predetermined time or longer, a thumbnail image creation process is executed, and the created thumbnail images are sequentially stored in the buffer memory 35. The thumbnail image created in this manner is displayed on the LCD 6 when the reproduction mode is set. When the power switch is turned off, the thumbnail images stored in the buffer memory 35 are deleted.

In the above embodiment, thumbnail images for one screen or one day are created. However, thumbnail images of all captured images stored in the memory card 24 are created. You may make it.

FIG. 15 shows still another embodiment. In this embodiment, the thumbnail image is
It is created every time a picture is taken.

That is, first, in step S100, it is determined whether or not the release switch 10 has been turned on. If the release switch 10 has not been turned on, the process waits until it is turned on. If it is determined in step S100 that the release switch 10 has been turned on, the process proceeds to step S101, where the CPU 36 substitutes the value of the frame number j of the frame to be photographed into a variable i. Then, in step S102, the i-th image is photographed. This photographing process has already been described, and thus will not be described here.

Then, the process proceeds to a step S103, wherein the CPU
36 increments the variable i by one. The process further proceeds to step S104, and the CPU 36 determines whether or not the continuous shooting mode switch 13 has been switched to the L mode or the H mode (determines whether or not the mode is the continuous shooting mode). Continuous shooting mode switch 13
Is not set to either the L mode or the H mode (if the mode is set to S mode), the process proceeds to step S106, where the CPU 36 creates thumbnail images of the j-th to i-th shooting data. . In this case, since j = i, a thumbnail image of the image just shot is created and stored in the buffer memory 35.

On the other hand, when it is determined in step S104 that continuous shooting mode changeover switch 13 is set to the L mode or the H mode (when it is determined that the continuous shooting mode is set). , Step S
Proceeding to 105, the CPU 36 releases the release switch 10
Is turned on or not. If the release switch 10 is still on, the process returns to step S102, and the next image is captured.

As described above, when the continuous shooting mode is set, shooting is continuously performed while the release switch 10 is on. Then, the thumbnail image creation process of step S106 is not executed during the period in which the shooting is being performed. That is, in the continuous shooting mode, the thumbnail creation processing is substantially prohibited.

When the continuous shooting mode is set, 1
It is also possible to create a thumbnail image each time a frame is shot. However, if doing so, it takes time to create the thumbnail image,
8 sheets per unit time (in L mode) or 3
It becomes difficult to continuously photograph zero frames (in the case of the H mode), and the continuous shooting speed may be reduced. Therefore, in this embodiment, the thumbnail image creation processing during the shooting operation in the continuous shooting mode is prohibited.

If it is determined in step S105 that the release switch 10 has been turned off, the flow advances to step S106 to create thumbnail images of the j-th to i-th shooting data. That is, a thumbnail image of each frame shot in the continuous shooting mode is created.

As described above, in the L mode,
Eight frames are photographed per second, and in the H mode, thirty frames are photographed per second. Therefore, in the L mode, compared to the H mode,
I have time to spare. Therefore, only when the H mode is set, the creation of a thumbnail image is prohibited during the shooting operation. When the L mode is set and when the S mode is set, one frame shooting is performed. Every time it is done,
A thumbnail image may be created. FIG.
Represents a processing example in this case.

The processing in steps S110 to S113 in FIG. 16 is the same as the processing in steps S100 to S103 in FIG. That is, the release switch 10
Is turned on, one frame is photographed, and the variable i is incremented by one. Then, in step S114, it is determined whether or not the continuous shooting mode changeover switch 13 is set to the H mode. When the continuous shooting mode switch 13 is set to the H mode,
Proceeding to step S115, it is determined whether the release switch 10 has been turned on. Release switch 10
If is turned on, the process returns to step S112,
Subsequent processes are repeatedly executed. Step S11
If it is determined in step 5 that the release switch 10 has not been turned on (if it has been determined that the release switch 10 has been turned off), the process proceeds to step S116, and thumbnail images of the j-th to i-th shot images are created. That is,
The processing when the H mode is set is described in FIG.
This is the same as the case shown in FIG.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S114 that the continuous shooting mode changeover switch 13 is not set to the H mode (determined that the mode is set to the L mode or set to the S mode) If so, the process proceeds to step S117, where the CPU 36 executes a process of creating a thumbnail image of the i-th image data. That is, a thumbnail image of one frame of the currently shot image is created. Next, the process proceeds to step S118,
It is determined whether or not the continuous shooting mode switch 13 is set to the L mode. When it is determined that the continuous shooting mode switch 13 is not set to the L mode (when it is determined that the mode is set to the S mode),
The process ends. That is, the processing when the continuous shooting mode changeover switch 13 is set to the S mode is the same as the processing shown in FIG.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S118 that the continuous shooting mode changeover switch 13 is set to the L mode, the flow advances to step S119 to determine whether or not the release switch 10 is still on. If it is determined that the switch is still turned on, the process returns to step S112, and the subsequent processing is repeatedly executed. That is, when the continuous shooting mode changeover switch 13 is set to the L mode, a thumbnail image is created each time one frame is shot. Then, in step S119, the release switch 10
If it is determined that is not turned on (if it is determined that it is turned off), the process is terminated.

If there is enough time in the processing of the CPU 36, the thumbnail image creation processing during the photographing operation is prohibited only when the H mode is set.
When the mode or the L mode is set, a thumbnail image can be created each time one frame is shot.

[0168]

As described above, according to the information processing apparatus of the first aspect, the thumbnail image creation means for creating the thumbnail image is controlled by the control means, so that the thumbnail image is created as needed. It is possible to
Thumbnail images can be created quickly, and the capacity of a memory required for storing thumbnail images can be reduced.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an example of a configuration of an electronic camera to which an information processing device according to the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the electronic camera shown in FIG. 1 when viewed from a side facing a plane X1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an internal configuration of the electronic camera shown in FIG. 1 or FIG.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the electronic camera shown in FIG. 1 or FIG.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a pixel thinning process in an L mode.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating pixel thinning processing in the S mode.

FIG. 7 is a display example of a display screen when reproducing recorded information.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a recording history of an image and a sound.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing for creating and displaying a thumbnail image for one screen.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a process of executing scrolling on the display screen displayed by the process of FIG. 9;

11 is a diagram showing an example of a display after scrolling has been performed by the processing shown in FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a process for creating a thumbnail image when no input is made for a predetermined time or more.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a process of displaying a thumbnail image created by the process of FIG.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating a process of deleting a thumbnail image when a power switch is turned off.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing for creating a thumbnail image when a release switch is turned on.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating an example of another process for creating a thumbnail image when a release switch is turned on.

[Explanation of symbols]

 24 memory card 35 buffer memory 36 CPU 47 frame memory

Claims (15)

[Claims] 1. An information processing apparatus for capturing an image of a subject, recording the image as an image, and reproducing the recorded image, comprising: a recording unit for recording an image of the subject; A thumbnail image creating unit that creates a thumbnail image by reducing at a rate of: a control unit that controls the thumbnail image creating unit; and an output unit that outputs the thumbnail image created by the thumbnail image creating unit to a display device. An information processing apparatus comprising: 2. The information according to claim 1, wherein the control unit controls the thumbnail image creating unit to create a number of the thumbnail images that can be displayed on one screen of the display device. Processing equipment. 3. The control means controls the thumbnail image creating means, and newly displays a number of the thumbnail images that can be displayed on one screen of the display device and a new one when the screen of the display device is scrolled. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a predetermined number of the thumbnail images to be displayed are created. 4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit controls the thumbnail image creating unit to create the thumbnail image of the image recorded before or after a predetermined time. Information processing device. 5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said control means controls said thumbnail image generating means to generate said thumbnail image when a reproduction mode for reproducing a recorded image is set. 5. The information processing device according to any one of 4. 6. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said control means controls said thumbnail image generating means to generate said thumbnail image when a power switch is turned on. An information processing apparatus according to claim 1. 7. The control means controls the thumbnail image creating means when the screen of the display device is scrolled, and creates the thumbnail image newly displayed on the screen. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1. 8. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said control means controls said thumbnail image creating means to create said thumbnail image when no operation is performed for a predetermined time or more. An information processing apparatus according to claim 1. 9. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit controls the thumbnail image creating unit to create the thumbnail images in order from the image having the newest recording date or the oldest image. An information processing apparatus according to claim 1. 10. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit controls the thumbnail image creating unit to create the thumbnail images in the order in which the thumbnail images are displayed on the display device.
An information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8. 11. The recording apparatus according to claim 11, further comprising a second recording unit that records the thumbnail image created by the thumbnail image creation unit, wherein the control unit performs a recording mode for recording information from a reproduction mode for reproducing the recorded information. Mode is changed,
11. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the thumbnail image recorded in the second recording unit is deleted. 12. The image processing apparatus according to claim 12, further comprising: a second recording unit that records the thumbnail image created by the thumbnail image creating unit, wherein the control unit is configured to control the second thumbnail image when the power switch is turned off. 11. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the thumbnail image recorded in a recording unit is deleted. 13. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display device simultaneously displays a thumbnail image of the image and related information related to the image. 14. When a continuous shooting mode for continuously imaging the subject is set, the control means controls the thumbnail image creating means to inhibit creation of the thumbnail image during a continuous shooting operation, 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the thumbnail image is created after a continuous shooting operation is completed.
An information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8. 15. The continuous shooting mode includes a low-speed continuous shooting mode and a high-speed continuous shooting mode, and the control unit controls the thumbnail image creating unit in the high-speed continuous shooting mode. 15. The information processing apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the creation of the thumbnail image during the continuous shooting operation is prohibited, and the thumbnail image is created after the continuous shooting operation is completed.