JPH1132257A - Device and method for superimposition - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a device and method for superimposition with which picked-up or reproduced pictures can be superimposed in such a manner that characters, etc., are not superimposed upon important patterns of the pictures. SOLUTION: In a reproducing and erasing mode, nine pieces of compressed data from a memory 28 are decoded, reduced, and respectively stored in different storing areas of a memory 32. The nine image data, frame signals 148, and character signals 146 are respectively sent to a switch circuit 34 from the memory 32, a frame generator 42, and a character generator 44. The circuit 3 superimposes frame image data based on the frame signals 148 and erased image data, based on the character signals 146 upon the nine picture data. When the circuit 34 performs the superimposition, a control section 50 receives a signal that selects one out of reduced images from an operating section 46 and sends control signals 160-164 based on this signal to the frame detector 42, while control signals 154-158 which make the videos of erased image data to be displayed in areas other than the selected reduced image are sent to the character generator 44.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a superimposing apparatus and method, and more particularly to a superimposing apparatus and method suitable for superimposing characters, figures, and the like on a still image captured or reproduced by an electronic still camera. It is.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, in an electronic still camera having a display device (such as a liquid crystal display), for example, various information (characters and the like) relating to photographing is inserted into an image at the time of photographing and the image is displayed on the display. . It is preferable for the user that necessary information can be obtained at the time of imaging. In this case, the position of the character displayed on the display is usually fixed at a predetermined position as shown in FIG. 6, for example.

[0003]

However, in such a method, a character may overlap with an important picture portion of a captured or reproduced still image, and it is difficult to identify an image below the character. There was a problem of becoming.

In such a case, there is a problem that the characters must be temporarily erased and the image must be confirmed, and the operation becomes complicated.

The present invention solves the above-mentioned drawbacks of the prior art, and provides a superimposing apparatus and a superimposing apparatus capable of preventing characters, figures, and the like from being superimposed on an important picture portion of a captured or reproduced still image. The aim is to provide a method.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a superimposing apparatus comprising: first storage means for storing a first predetermined number of image data of one screen; Second storage means for storing one-screen image data sent from the storage means, and image processing means for forming one-screen reduced-screen image data from one-screen image data sent from the second storage means. A third storage unit for storing a second predetermined number of image data of the reduced screen reduced by the image processing unit, and a second storage unit configured to store the second image data based on the first control signal.
Selection signal generating means for generating a selection signal for displaying selection of one of the reduced screens from among the predetermined number of reduced screens, and for presenting information to the user based on the second control signal. A second user-supplied signal generating means for generating the second user-presented signal; and a second predetermined number of reduced-screen image data from the third storage means, and a selection signal from the selection signal generating means. A second predetermined number of images of reduced screens that have received the user presentation signal from the presentation signal generation means and have received the selected image data based on the received selection signal and the user presentation image data based on the received user presentation signal. Superimposing means for superimposing and outputting the data, and first operating means for forming a first instruction signal for instructing selection of one of the reduced screens from a second predetermined number of reduced screens; Contact with the first operating means And control means for controlling the selection signal generation means and the user presentation signal generation means, wherein the control means receives a first instruction signal from the first operation means, and receives the first instruction signal. Sending a first control signal based on the first control signal to the selection signal generating means, and sending a second control signal for displaying the image of the user-presented image data in an area other than the selected reduced screen to the user presenting signal generating means. It is characterized by.

In the above-described superimposing apparatus, the image data of one screen stored in the first storage means is compressed image data.
It is characterized by having decoding means for decoding one screen of compressed image data sent from the first storage means and sending the decoded image data to the second storage means.

Further, the above-mentioned superimpose apparatus further includes an original one of the reduced screen designated by the first operating means.
A second operation unit for forming a second instruction signal for instructing erasure of the image data or the compressed image data on the screen; the control unit is connected to the second operation unit and the first storage unit; Means for receiving, when receiving a second instruction signal from the second operation means, a control signal for erasing one-screen image data or compressed image data based on the second instruction signal to the first storage means; It is characterized by.

[0009]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of the superimposing apparatus according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment in which the superimposing apparatus according to the present invention is applied to a digital electronic still camera. It should be noted that other parts of the camera which are not directly related to the description of the present invention, for example, mechanisms such as a shutter and an aperture are omitted from the drawings.

This camera uses a master lens 12
An electric signal based on the optical image of the subject captured by the electronic device is displayed as a visible image on the liquid crystal display 40, and the image data represented by the electric signal is subjected to an orthogonal transform / inverse orthogonal transform circuit.
22, the image data is sent to the encoding / decoding circuit 24, and the image data is compressed and encoded by this, and is stored in the image data storage area of the memory 28.

[0012] Also, this camera, when ERASE (erase),
The compressed image data is read out from the memory 28 and sent to the orthogonal transformation / inverse orthogonal transformation circuit 22 and the encoding / decoding circuit 24, whereby the compressed image data is decompressed and temporarily stored in the memory 20. The data is reduced by the image processing circuit 30, the reduced image data is stored in a predetermined storage area of the memory 32, another compressed image data is read out from the memory 28, and the compressed image data is similarly expanded and reduced to store the reduced image data in the memory 32. 32, stored in a predetermined storage area other than the predetermined storage area, and repeated a predetermined number of times to store a plurality of predetermined reduced image data in respective predetermined storage areas of the memory 32. Switch circuit for reduced image data
34, and in parallel with this, frame signal data surrounding any one of the plurality of reduced images for selecting an erased image is sent from the frame generator 42 to the switch circuit 34, and the character generator 44 sends the “ERASE” character. Is sent to the switch circuit 34,
As a result, a plurality of reduced image data, frame signal data, "ERA
SE ”The signal data is superimposed, and an image of the superimposed data is displayed on the liquid crystal display 40. In this case, the control unit 50 controls so that the image of the character “ERASE” is not superimposed on the position of the selected reduced image surrounded by the frame.

Referring to FIG. 1, the present apparatus is an imaging device.
14, signal processing circuit 16, analog / digital (A / D) conversion circuit 18, memories 20, 28, 32, orthogonal transformation / inverse orthogonal transformation circuit 22,
Encoding / decoding circuit 24, connector 26, image processing circuit 30, switch circuit 34, liquid crystal drive circuit 36, liquid crystal display 40,
It comprises a frame generator 42, a character generator 44, an operation unit 46, and a control unit 50.

The present apparatus has a master lens 12, and behind the master lens 12, an image pickup device 14 for converting an optical image of a subject captured by the master lens 12 from an optical signal to an image signal is arranged.

In this example, the image pickup device 14 is constituted by a CCD or the like, and converts an optical image of a subject from an optical signal to a video signal in response to a drive signal sent from the control unit 50 through a control line 104. The image signal obtained by the imaging device 14 is sent to the signal processing circuit 16 through the signal line 102.

The signal processing circuit 16 is connected to a control line
In response to a control signal sent through the input unit 102, the image signal input from the input 102 is subjected to necessary video signal processing such as white balance adjustment and gradation (γ) correction, and is output to the output 106. This output 106 is connected to the input of the A / D conversion circuit 18.

The A / D conversion circuit 18 is connected to a control line 112 from the control unit 50.
Is a signal conversion circuit that converts an image signal sent from the signal processing circuit 16 into a digital signal in response to a synchronization signal sent through the signal processor. In this case, in this example, it is converted into 8 bits per pixel. The image signal converted into a digital signal in the A / D conversion circuit 18 is sent to the memory 20 through the signal line 110.

The memory 20 stores one screen of image data or orthogonal transform data sent from the A / D conversion circuit 18 through the input 110.
This is a storage device for temporarily storing image data for one screen sent from the orthogonal inverse transform circuit 22 through the input 116 based on a write control signal sent from the control unit 50 through the control line 120. The memory 20 responds to a read control signal sent from the control unit 50 through a control line 120 to transfer the stored image data to the orthogonal transform / inverse orthogonal transform circuit 22 through a signal line 114 or to an image processing circuit through a signal line 118. Output to 30.

In this embodiment, since the orthogonal transform is performed by the orthogonal transform / inverse orthogonal transform circuit 22, the memory 20 blocks the image data and outputs it to the orthogonal transform / inverse orthogonal transform circuit 22. Blocking refers to dividing image data into data of a predetermined unit in order to perform orthogonal transformation. To further explain the blocking, for example, 1
The screen image is divided into a plurality of areas, that is, blocks. One block is preferably composed of, for example, 16 × 16 = 256 pixels, but may be a block composed of a predetermined number of pixels according to the number of pixels constituting an image signal.

The orthogonal transform / inverse orthogonal transform circuit 22 comprises an orthogonal transform circuit and an orthogonal inverse transform circuit. The orthogonal transformation circuit orthogonally transforms the image data, which has been divided into blocks, which is sent from the memory 20 through the input 114, for each block. A cosine transform is advantageously applied to the orthogonal transform. By this conversion, the data is converted into frequency domain data for each block. In this example, the cosine transform is used, but the Hadamard transform,
Fourier transform may be used. This conversion is performed based on a control signal sent from the control unit 50 through a control line 126. The transform coefficient data orthogonally transformed by the orthogonal transform / inverse inverse transform circuit 22 is sent to the encoding / decoding circuit 24 via the signal line 122.

The encoding / decoding circuit 24 comprises an encoding circuit and a decoding circuit. The encoding circuit encodes the block-by-block transform coefficient data sent from the orthogonal transformation circuit of the orthogonal transformation / inverse transformation circuit 22 through the input 122. In this embodiment, in this embodiment, the transform coefficient data to be encoded is truncated at an appropriate threshold, and a large number of bits are assigned to the low frequency component and a small number of bits are assigned to the high frequency component in the remaining transform coefficient data. ing. This encoding is performed based on a control signal sent from the control unit 50 through the control line 132. The encoded data is sent to the connector 30 through the signal line 128.

A memory 28 is removably connected to the connector 26. The connector 26 receives image data sent from the encoding circuit of the encoding / decoding circuit 24 in accordance with a control signal sent from the control unit 50 through a control line 134. Is written to the memory 28 and stored. As the memory 28, for example, a so-called memory card in which a semiconductor memory or the like is mounted on a card-like substrate is advantageously used, and an encoded still (still) image is stored.

The decoding circuit of the encoding / decoding circuit 24 is a memory 28
To decode the block-by-block encoded data sent through the connector 26 and the signal line 130. This decoding process is a reverse process of the process performed on the image data by the coding circuit, and is performed according to the same decoding rule as the coding rule. As a result, the data is restored to data 124 in the frequency domain for each block, and supplied to the orthogonal inverse transform circuit of the orthogonal transform / inverse orthogonal transform circuit 22. This inverse processing is performed based on a control signal sent from the control unit 50 through the control line 132.

The orthogonal inverse transform circuit of the orthogonal transform / inverse inverse transform circuit 22 performs an orthogonal inverse transform on the decoded transform coefficient data transmitted through the input 124 from the decoding circuit of the encoding / decoding circuit 24. The orthogonal inverse transform is sequentially performed on all blocks of one screen (one frame). The gradation data generated by the orthogonal inverse transform is sent to the memory 20 through the signal line 116. Thus, the gradation data of one screen is completed in the memory 20. The orthogonal inverse transform is an inverse process of the orthogonal transform performed on the image data by the orthogonal transform circuit of the orthogonal transform / inverse orthogonal transform circuit 22, and is performed in accordance with the inverse transform rule of the same system as those transform rules. This inverse conversion is performed from the control unit 50 to the control line.
Based on the control signal sent through 126.

In this example, the image data stored in the memory 20 is read out, compressed and stored in the memory 28.
Reads and decompresses the compressed image data stored in
However, a method in which compression and decompression are not performed, that is, a configuration in which image data stored in the memory 20 is read and stored in the memory 28, and image data stored in the memory 28 is read and stored in the memory 20 is also used. Good.

The image data of one screen completed in the memory 20 in this way is read out to the image processing circuit 30 by a read control signal sent from the control unit 50 through the control line 120.

In this example, the image processing circuit 30 thins out image data at a predetermined pixel position of image data of one screen sent from the memory 20 through the input 118 to reduce the image data to a predetermined size. The reduced image data obtained by this thinning is sent to the memory 32 via the output 136 and stored in a predetermined storage area. This thinning is performed based on a control signal sent from the control unit 50 through the control line 138. In this example, the thinning is performed in the image processing circuit 30. In this example, in particular, the multi-screen is selected by pressing the “ERASE” button 214 (see FIG. 2) and the display button 220 (see FIG. 2) twice in the operation unit 46. This is the case.

There is a case where the input image data of one screen is sent to the memory 32 and accumulated without performing the thinning-out in the image processing circuit 30.
Is a case where a play button 216 (see FIG. 2) or the like is pressed.

In this example, the memory 32 is a storage device for temporarily storing nine pieces of reduced image data sent from the image processing circuit 30 through the input 136 based on a write control signal sent from the control unit 50 through the control line 142. In this example, the storage capacity for nine pieces of reduced image data is the original image data 1
This is equivalent to the storage capacity of the unit.

More specifically, in this example, the compressed image data stored in the memory 28 is read, and the read compressed image data is sent to the encoding / decoding circuit 24 and the orthogonal transform / inverse orthogonal transform circuit 22 for decompression. The original image data obtained by the decompression is sent to the memory 20 for storage, and the stored original image data for one screen is sent to the image processing circuit 30 for reduction. The reduced image data obtained by this reduction is stored in the memory.
32 and is stored in a predetermined storage area. This operation is sequentially performed on nine different original image data, and the reduced image data is stored in a predetermined storage area of the memory 32.

As shown in FIG. 3, nine reduced images are displayed on the liquid crystal display 40 in a multi-screen according to the reduced image data stored in the memory 32. In this example, the order of the multi-screen in FIG. 4 is as shown in FIG. 4, which is the order in which the images were captured. When the next multi-screen is indicated,
In this example, the reduced images are displayed on the liquid crystal display 40 in a multi-screen in order from the number next to the last number currently displayed. The image data read from the memory 32 is sent to the terminal 34 of the switch 34-1 of the switch circuit 34 through the signal line 140.
-1A (see FIG. 5). Reading of image data from the memory 32 is performed based on a control signal sent from the control unit 50 through a control line 142.

In this example, as shown in FIG. 5, the switch circuit 34 includes switches 34-1 and 34-2 and a digital black level generating circuit 34-3. In this example, the switch circuit 34 superimposes a frame surrounding any one of the multi-screens for selecting a screen to be erased on the multi-screen and a character “ERASE” indicating that erasing is possible on the multi-screen. It is. Referring to the figure, the terminal 34-1A of the switch 34-1 is connected to the output 140 of the memory 32, and the terminal 34-1B of the switch 34-1 is connected to the output of the digital black level generating circuit 34-3. Terminal 34-1C is connected to terminal 34-2A of switch 34-2. The terminal 34-2B of the switch 34-2 is connected to the digital black level generation circuit 34-3.
The terminal 34-2C of the switch is connected to a signal control unit of the liquid crystal drive circuit 36 described later.

The digital black level generating circuit 34-3 is a circuit for generating 8-bit black level data representing a predetermined black level. Although the black level is used in this example, the white level may be used, or color signal data having a predetermined luminance level may be used.

The switch 34-1 is connected to the signal line 148 from the frame generator 42.
34-1A or 34-1B depending on the frame signal sent through
And thereby selects either the image data sent from the memory 32 or the black level data sent from the digital black level generating circuit 34-3, that is, the selected image data indicating the image selection, and the terminal 34 It is sent to terminal 34-2A of switch 34-2 through -1C. In this embodiment, the terminal 34-1B is selected when the frame signal has the control level indicating the frame side.

The switch 34-2 is connected from the character generator 44 to the signal line 14
Terminals 34-2A or 34 depending on the character signal sent through 6.
-2B to select the data sent from the switch 34-1 or the digital black level generation circuit 34-3.
Black level data, ie, user-presented image data to be presented to the user in a broad sense, or erased image data indicating erasure in a narrow sense, and the terminal 34-2C is selected.
The signal is sent to the signal control unit of the liquid crystal drive circuit 36 through the signal line 144. In this embodiment, when the character signal is at the control level indicating the character side, the terminal 34-2B is selected.
According to the data sent from the switch circuit 34, an image in which a frame and a character (ERASE) are superimposed on a multi-screen is displayed on the liquid crystal display 40, for example, as shown in FIG.

The liquid crystal drive circuit 36 includes a signal control section, a scanning (gate) line drive circuit (vertical drive circuit), a data line drive circuit (horizontal drive circuit), and the like.

The signal controller is connected from the switch circuit 34 to the signal line 14.
Various signals necessary for displaying on the liquid crystal display 40 are formed from the image data sent through the control signal 4 and the control signal including the synchronization signal sent from the control unit 50 through the control line 150. The data line drive circuit forms a signal for driving the data line of the liquid crystal display 40 based on a signal from the signal control unit and outputs the signal to the output 151. Further, the gate line driving circuit forms a signal for driving the gate line of the liquid crystal display 40 based on a signal from the signal control unit and outputs the signal to the output 152.

The liquid crystal display 40 is a display device that applies a voltage corresponding to the image data appearing on the data line 151 to the liquid crystal element when a scanning voltage is applied to the gate line 152 and displays the image.

The frame generator 42 is a functional unit for forming a frame signal surrounding a reduced image (reduced screen) of image data to be erased (erased), receives a horizontal synchronization signal from the control unit 50 through a signal line 160, and A vertical synchronization signal is received from the unit 50 via a signal line 162, and a control signal for controlling the contents of the display frame and the display area is received from the unit 50 via a control line 164, and the contents of the received display frame and the display area are controlled. Control signal 16
4 and the horizontal synchronization signal 160 and the vertical synchronization signal 16
2 and a frame signal is formed and output to the output 148. In this embodiment, at the first point in time when the screen to be erased is not selected, the frame image is displayed on the liquid crystal display 40 at the upper left as shown in FIG. 3 by the frame signal sent from the frame generator 42.

In this example, when image data to be erased is selected, a frame signal surrounding the reduced screen is formed. For example, a line image in which a line is drawn above or below the screen may be used. Any image can be used as long as it can be understood that it has been done. In this example, the frame signal is formed by the frame generator 42, but a circuit configuration in which a character generator 44 described later has the function may be used. In that case, the switch circuit
The 34 switch 34-1 becomes unnecessary.

In this example, the character generator 44 is a functional unit for forming a character signal of "ERASE".
4 receives the horizontal synchronization signal through
A control signal for controlling the contents of the display characters and the display area is received from the part 50 via a control line 158, and a control signal 158 for controlling the contents of the display characters and the display area is received. A character signal is generated based on the horizontal synchronizing signal 154 and the vertical synchronizing signal 156 received on the basis of the signal and output to an output 146.

In this example, the character is "ERASE", but any character or figure may be used as long as it means erasure, and information other than "ERASE" in place of "ERASE" such as the memory 28 Characters or graphics related to the number of stored still images, that is, user presentation information to be presented to the user may be used.

The operation unit 46 is a functional unit for giving instructions such as photographing, image protection (PROTECT), image erasing (ERASE), image reproduction, image recording, and image selection. As shown in FIG. 2, the operation unit 46 includes a shooting button 210, a “PROTECT” button 212,
"ERASE" button 214, Play button 216, Record button
218, a display button 220, a "+" button 222, a "-" button 224, an execution button 226, and a numeric button group 228. Among them, the display button 220 and the “+” button 222
, "-" Button 224 and execute button 226 are a group of switches that are enabled when "ERASE" button 214 is pressed.

When the photographing button 210 is pressed, the control unit 50 detects the pressing, causes the subject to take an image, and temporarily stores the image data obtained by the imaging in the memory 20. When the playback button 216 is pressed after the shooting button 210 is pressed, the control unit 50 detects the pressing, reads out the image data stored in the memory 20, and displays the video on the liquid crystal display 40. In this case, the 1 stored in the memory 20
The screen data is sent to the liquid crystal display 40 without being reduced by the image processing circuit 22.

If there is no problem with the displayed video, the record button 218 is pressed. Then, the control unit 50 detects the press, reads out the image data stored in the memory 20 and compresses it. The compressed data is stored in a predetermined image data storage area of the memory 28. As a result, image data of one screen obtained by shooting is stored in the memory 28. By repeating this, a plurality of image data of one screen is accumulated in the memory 28.

Pressing the play button 216 and a group of numeric buttons
When any one of the buttons 228 is pressed, the control unit 50 detects these presses, reads out the compressed data of the image of the number designated by the numeric button group 228 from the memory 28, expands it, and temporarily stores it in the memory 20. Read the image data stored in the memory 20 and display the video
Display at 40. Thereby, the image data stored in the memory 28 can be reproduced. Again,
The data of one screen stored in the memory 20 is stored in the image processing circuit 22.
Is sent to the liquid crystal display 40 without being reduced.

When the "PROTECT" button 212 is pressed, the control unit 50 detects the press, and prevents the image data of one screen shot by the photographing from being stored in the memory 28.

Next, the ERASE relation based on the "ERASE" button 214 will be described. For example, in the operation, "ERA
SE "button 214 is pressed, and then display button 220
Is pressed once, and then “1” is displayed by the numeric button group 228.
Is pressed, the control unit 50 detects those presses, reads out, for example, the compressed data of the first image specified by the numeric button group 228 from the memory 28, expands it, and temporarily stores it in the memory 20, The image data stored in the memory 20 is read, and the video is displayed on the liquid crystal display 40. Thereby, the image of the image data of the first one screen is displayed on the entire surface of the liquid crystal display 40. in this case,
The first is the first image data stored in the memory 28. That is, in this example, numbers are assigned in the order of accumulation in the memory 28. If the user wants to delete the image data of the displayed video, the user presses the execute button 226. Then, the control unit 50 detects the press and deletes the first image data stored in the memory 28.

In the operation, for example, first, “ERAS
When the “E” button 214 is pressed and the display button 220 is pressed twice in succession thereafter, the control unit 50 detects those presses, and in this example, compresses the compressed data of the first to ninth images from the memory 28. The image data stored in the memory 20 is sequentially read out, sequentially reduced, and the reduced image data is sequentially stored in a predetermined storage area of the memory 32. The stored nine reduced image data are read out and read by the switch 34.
Sent to -1.

The control unit 50 also sends a control signal for controlling the contents of the display frame and the display area to the frame generator 42 in parallel, whereby the frame generator 42 generates a frame signal surrounding the first screen. The signal is sent to the switch 34-1 of the switch circuit 34. The control unit 50 further sends a control signal for controlling the contents of the display characters and the display area to the character generator 44 in parallel with the control, so that the character generator 44 is displayed at the seventh to eighth screen positions. ERASE signal is sent to the switch 34-2 of the switch circuit 34.

As a result, the video data without ERASE shown in FIG. 3 is output from the output 34-1C of the switch 34-1, sent to the input 34-2A of the switch 34-2, and output from the switch 34-2. Two
The video data shown in FIG. 3 is output from C, and sent to the liquid crystal display 40 via the liquid crystal drive circuit 36. As a result, the image shown in FIG. 3 is displayed on the display of the liquid crystal display 40. Since the character "ERASE" is superimposed at a position different from the position of the screen selected in this way, it is easy to identify the selected image.

Here, when the user wants to delete the image data of the first video surrounded by the frame, the user presses the execution button 226. Then, the control unit 50 detects the pressing and stores the data in the memory 28. Erase the image data of the th.

The "+" button 222 is a button used to increase the frame number (in this example, the same number as the reduced image number) surrounding the reduced image.
The "-" button 224 is a button used to reduce the frame number surrounding the current reduced image. Therefore, for example, when it is desired to change the current frame number “1” shown in FIG. 3 to the frame number “8”, the “+” button 222 may be pressed seven times in succession. To return the frame number "8" to the frame number "5", press the "-" button 224 for 3 seconds.
It should be repeated times. When the frame number is moved to "8" or "5", the control unit 50 moves the position of the character "ERASE" to the position of the first to second reduced image in this example.

This can be expressed by the following equations (1) and (2).

When 1≤N≤3, P = 7 ... (1) When 4≤N≤9, P = 1 ... (2) where N is the image number to be deleted, that is, the frame number, P is "E
RASE "is the insertion position number of the character (in this example, the same number as the frame number is attached). Also, for example, when the upper left image number, that is, the frame number is “10” and the lower right image number, that is, the frame number is “18”, the above concept may be used.

In this example, the insertion position of the "ERASE" character is based on the above equation, but may be any position as long as the character of "ERASE" does not come to the position of the screen to be erased. In this example, nine reduced screens are inserted into one screen, but the number of insertions may be an appropriate number.

To change the frame number "1" to the frame number "10", the "+" button 222 must be pressed nine times.
Then, the images of the reduced image numbers 10 to 18 are displayed on the display of the liquid crystal display 40, and the number is displayed.
The reduced image of 10 is surrounded by the frame image of number 10.

For example, in the operation, "ERAS
When the “E” button 214 is pressed, the display button 220 is pressed three times, and then “1” is pressed by the numeric button group 228, the control unit 50 detects those presses, and The compressed data of the designated first image is read from the memory 28 and decompressed, and
The image data stored in the memory 20 is read once, and the image data of one screen is stored in the memory 32. The stored image data of the first screen is read out and sent to the switch 34-1 of the switch circuit 34.

At this time, the control unit 50 controls not to generate a frame signal from the frame generator 42, and sends a control signal for controlling the contents of the display frame and the display area to the character generator 44 in parallel. Thus, the character generator 44 sends an ERASE signal to be displayed at the positions of the seventh to eighth reduced images to the switch 34-2 of the switch circuit 34.

As a result, the first video data is output from the output 34-1C of the switch 34-1, sent to the input 34-2A of the switch 34-2, and output from the output 34-2C of the switch 34-2. The mixed data of the data of the first video and the data of “ERASE” is output and sent to the liquid crystal display 40 via the liquid crystal drive circuit 36. This enables the LCD display
On the 40 displays, the first full-screen image is "ERAS
E ”mixed video is displayed. Here, when the user wants to delete the image data of the displayed video, the user presses the execution button 226. Then, the control unit 50 detects the press and deletes the first image data stored in the memory 28. .

In this embodiment, the control unit 50 is also advantageously constituted by a microcomputer, that is, a processing system such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The control unit 50 also has a synchronization generation circuit 48 as shown in FIG.
Reference numeral 48 includes a reference oscillator, and forms various synchronization signals including a horizontal synchronization signal and a vertical synchronization signal from a clock signal output from the reference oscillator. The control unit 50 forms drive signals and various control signals from these signals.

The control unit 50 is a control circuit for controlling each function unit of the present apparatus.
To the signal processing circuit 16 through the control line 108, to the A / D conversion circuit 18 through the control line 112, and to the memory 20 through the control line 120,
An orthogonal transformation / inverse transformation circuit 22 through a control line 126, an encoding / decoding circuit 24 through a control line 132, a connector 26 through a control line 134, and an image processing circuit through a control line 138.
30, control line 142 to memory 32, control line 150 to liquid crystal driving means 36, control lines 160 to 164 to frame generator 42, and control lines 154 to 158 to character generator 44.
The various signals are output to control the operation of each unit.

The operation will be described. The memory 28 is mounted on the electronic still camera by the operator, and a plurality of (nine in this example) imaging screens stored in the memory 28 are displayed on the liquid crystal display 40 and erased from the displayed screen. An operation in which a desired screen is selected and the image data of the selected screen (for example, the fifth screen in this example) is deleted from the memory 28 will be described. The description of the operation in which the memory 28 is attached to the electronic still camera and the image data of the subject imaged by the photographer is stored in a predetermined storage area of the memory 28 will be omitted.

First, the "ERASE" button 214 of the operation unit 46 is pressed by the operator, and then the display button 220 of the operation unit 46 is pressed.
Are pressed twice in succession, the control unit 50 detects those presses, reads out the compressed data of the first captured image from the memory 28, and sends it to the decoding circuit of the encoding / decoding circuit 24 via the connector 26. .

The decoding circuit performs the reverse processing of the processing performed on the read compressed image data by the encoding circuit of the encoding / decoding circuit 24 on the image data, and performs orthogonal processing of the orthogonal transformation / orthogonal inverse transformation circuit 22. Send to the inverse conversion circuit. The orthogonal inverse transform circuit performs an orthogonal inverse transform on the image data on which the inverse processing has been performed, and sends the image data to the memory 20. The memory 20 stores image data that has been subjected to decompression processing by the decoding circuit and the orthogonal inverse transformation circuit, that is, image data of one screen captured first.

The control unit 50 reads out the first image data stored in the memory 20 and sends it to the image processing circuit 30. The image processing circuit 30 thins out image data at a predetermined pixel position of the first image data sent from the memory 20. The reduced image data obtained by the thinning is sent to the memory 32 and stored in a predetermined storage area.

Subsequently, the control section 50 sequentially performs the above operation on the compressed data of the second to ninth captured images and sequentially stores the reduced image data in a predetermined storage area of the memory 32. The stored nine pieces of reduced image data are read out under the control of the control unit 50, and the terminal of the switch 34-1 is used.
Sent to 34-1A.

The control unit 50 sends a control signal for controlling the contents of the display frame and the display area to the frame generator 42 in parallel.
Accordingly, the frame generator 42 sends a frame signal surrounding the first reduced screen to the switch 34-1 of the switch circuit 34. The control unit 50 further sends a control signal for controlling the content of the display character and the display area to the character generator 44 in parallel with this, so that the character generator 44 is displayed at the seventh to eighth reduced screen positions. The ERASE signal is sent to the switch 34-2 of the switch circuit 34.

As a result, the video data without ERASE shown in FIG. 3 is output from the output 34-1C of the switch 34-1.
Sent to input 34-2A of 34-2, output 34-2C of switch 34-2
3 outputs the video data shown in FIG. 3 and sends it to the liquid crystal display 40 via the liquid crystal drive circuit 36. As a result, the image shown in FIG. 3 is displayed on the display of the liquid crystal display 40. As described above, the character “ERAS” is set at a position different from the position of the reduced screen surrounded by the frame under the control of the control unit 50.
E ”is superimposed.

Since the operator wants to delete the fifth image data as described above, the "+" button
Press 222 four times. Then, the control unit 50 sends a control signal for controlling the content of the display frame and the display area to the frame generator 42,
Accordingly, the frame generator 42 sends a frame signal surrounding the fifth reduced screen to the switch 34-1 of the switch circuit 34. Control unit 50
Sends a control signal for controlling the contents of the display characters and the display area to the character generator 44 in parallel with the ERASE signal displayed at the first to second reduced screen positions. To the switch 34-2 of the switch circuit 34.

As a result, from the output 34-1C of the switch 34-1, the frame surrounding the first reduced screen in FIG. -2 is sent to input 34-2A. Output of switch 34-2
From 34-2C, a picture surrounding the fifth reduced screen with a frame is shown in FIG.
The ERASE at the 7th to 8th reduced screen position moves and the superimposed data of the video that has become the ERASE at the 1st to 2nd reduced screen position is sent to the liquid crystal display 40 via the liquid crystal drive circuit 36. Sent. As a result, an image in which the frame shown in FIG. 3 moves to the fifth position on the display of the liquid crystal display 40 and the ERASE moves from the first to the second position is displayed. In this way, the character “ERASE” is superimposed at a position different from the position of the reduced screen surrounded by the frame under the control of the control unit 50.

Here, the operator identifies the image of the selected reduced screen, and presses the execute button 226 when it is determined that there is no problem in deleting the image. The control unit 50 detects the press, and deletes the first image data stored in the memory 28.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the control unit 50 sets the character “ERASE” at a position different from the position of the reduced screen surrounded by the frame.
Are superimposed on each other, so that the image on the reduced screen can be easily identified.

In this example, the superimpose apparatus according to the present invention is applied to a digital electronic still camera, but may be applied to a personal computer, a television receiver, and the like.

In this example, the storage capacity of the memory 20 is set to one frame. However, the storage capacity of the memory 20 is set to nine frames, and image data of nine screens is stored in the storage capacity. The image data of the nine screens is sequentially sent to the image processing circuit 30 to be sequentially reduced and sent to the memory 32, and the data of the nine reduced screens captured is stored in the memory 32. A screen image may be displayed on the liquid crystal display 40, a screen to be erased may be selected from the nine screens, and data of the screen to be erased may be deleted from the memory 20. In this case, since the character of "ERASE" is not superimposed on the position of the selected screen, the video of the selected screen can be easily identified.

[0076]

As described above, according to the present invention, the superimposing means of the superimposing apparatus receives image data of the second predetermined number of reduced screens from the third storage means and selects from the selection signal generating means. Receiving a signal, receiving a user presentation signal from the user presentation signal generating means, receiving a selection image data based on the received selection signal, and receiving a user presentation image data based on the received user presentation signal. The output is superimposed on the image data of the reduced screen of the minute. When receiving the first instruction signal from the first operation means, the control means sends a first control signal based on the first instruction signal to the selection signal generation means, and outputs a signal other than the selected reduced screen. The second control signal for displaying the image of the user-presented image data in the area is sent to the user-presented signal generating means.

Therefore, the control means superimposes the user presentation information on a position different from the position of the selected reduced screen.
The image on the reduced screen can be easily identified.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a digital electronic still camera to which a superimpose apparatus according to the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a push button of an operation unit applied to the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a multi-screen output according to the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a number of a multi-screen illustrated in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a switch circuit applied to the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a multi-screen output by a conventional device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 14 Imaging device 16 Signal processing circuit 18 Analog / digital (A / D) conversion circuit 20, 28, 32 Memory 22 Orthogonal conversion / inverse orthogonal conversion circuit 24 Encoding / decoding circuit 26 Connector 30 Image processing circuit 34 Switching circuit 36 LCD drive Circuit 40 LCD display 42 Frame generator 44 Character generator 46 Operation unit 48 Synchronization generation circuit 50 Control unit

Claims (17)

[Claims] A first storage unit for storing one screen of image data for a first predetermined number of sheets; a second storage unit for storing one screen of image data sent from the first storage unit; Image processing means for forming image data of a reduced screen of one screen from image data of one screen transmitted from the second storage means; and image data of the reduced screen reduced by the image processing means in a second A third storage unit for storing a predetermined number of reduced screens, and a selection signal for displaying selection of any one of the reduced screens of the second predetermined number of sheets based on a first control signal. Selecting signal generating means for generating, a user presenting signal generating means for forming a user presenting signal for presenting information to a user based on a second control signal, and a second presenting means from the third storing means. The image data of the predetermined number of reduced screens Receiving a selection signal from the selection signal generating means, receiving a user presentation signal from the user presentation signal generation means, selecting image data based on the received selection signal, and a user based on the received user presentation signal. Superimposing means for superimposing the presented image data on the image data of the received second predetermined number of reduced screens, and outputting any one of the second predetermined number of reduced screens
First operation means for generating a first instruction signal for instructing selection of one of the reduced screens, and control means connected to the first operation means for controlling the selection signal generation means and the user presentation signal generation means The control means, when receiving a first instruction signal from the first operation means, sends a first control signal based on the first instruction signal to the selection signal generation means, A superimposing apparatus for transmitting a second control signal for displaying an image of the user presented image data in an area other than the selected reduced screen to the user presented signal generating means. 2. The superimposing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image data of one screen stored in the first storage means is compressed image data, and the apparatus further comprises: A superimposing apparatus comprising decoding means for decoding one screen of compressed image data sent from one storage means and sending the decoded image data to the second storage means. 3. The superimposing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said apparatus further comprises a step of erasing image data or compressed image data of one original screen of the reduced screen designated by said first operation means. A second operation means for forming a second instruction signal for instructing the second operation means, wherein the control means is connected to the second operation means and the first storage means, and wherein the control means Receiving a second instruction signal from the operation means of (i), sending a control signal for erasing image data of one screen or compressed image data based on the second instruction signal to the first storage means. Superimpose device. 4. The superimposing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said superimposing apparatus further comprises display means for displaying an image of superimposed image data output from said superimposing means. Superimpose device. 5. The superimposing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said superimposing unit receives a second predetermined number of reduced screen image data from said second storage unit. First switch circuit means for receiving a selection signal from the selection signal generating means and superimposing selected image data based on the received selection signal on image data of the received second predetermined number of reduced screens and outputting the same; Receiving the superimposed image data from the first switch circuit means, receiving a user presentation signal from the user presentation signal generation means, and receiving the user presentation image data based on the received user presentation signal. And a second switch circuit means for superimposing and outputting the superimposed image data. 6. An electronic still camera comprising the superimpose apparatus according to claim 1. 7. A television receiver comprising the superimposing device according to claim 1. 8. A personal computer comprising the superimpose apparatus according to claim 1. 9. A first storage means for storing a first predetermined number of image data of one screen, and an image of a reduced screen of the one screen from image data of one screen sent from the first storage means. Image processing means for forming data; second storage means for storing a second predetermined number of image data of the reduced screen reduced by the image processing means; and the second storage means based on a first control signal. A selection signal generating means for generating a selection signal for displaying selection of one of the reduced screens from among the reduced screens of the predetermined number, and for presenting information to the user based on the second control signal. A user presenting signal generating means for forming a user presenting signal, receiving image data of a second predetermined number of reduced screens from the second storing means, receiving a selection signal from the selecting signal generating means, The user presentation signal generation means Upon receiving the user presentation signal, the selected image data based on the received selection signal and the user presentation image data based on the received user presentation signal are converted into image data of the second predetermined number of reduced screens received. Superimposing means for superimposing and outputting, and any one of the second predetermined number of reduced screens
First operation means for generating a first instruction signal for instructing selection of one of the reduced screens, and control means connected to the first operation means for controlling the selection signal generation means and the user presentation signal generation means The control means, when receiving a first instruction signal from the first operation means, sends a first control signal based on the first instruction signal to the selection signal generation means, A superimposing apparatus for transmitting a second control signal for displaying an image of the user presented image data in an area other than the selected reduced screen to the user presented signal generating means. 10. The superimposing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said apparatus further comprises a second instruction for erasing image data of one original screen of the reduced screen designated by said first operation means. A second operating means for generating an instruction signal, wherein the control means is connected to the second operating means and the first storage means; Receiving the instruction signal of (1), sends a control signal for erasing image data of one screen based on the second instruction signal to the first storage means. 11. The superimposing apparatus according to claim 9, further comprising a display unit for displaying an image of superimposed image data output from said superimposing unit. Pause device. 12. The superimposing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said superimposing means comprises:
A second predetermined number of reduced screen image data is received from the second storage unit, a selection signal is received from the selection signal generation unit, and the selected image data based on the received selection signal is received. First switch circuit means for superimposing and outputting the image data of the predetermined number of reduced screens, receiving image data superimposed from the first switch circuit means, and using the image data from the user presentation signal generating means A second switch circuit means for receiving the user presentation signal and superimposing the user-presented image data based on the received user presentation signal on the received superimposed image data and outputting the superimposed image data. Imposition device. 13. An electronic still camera, comprising the superimpose device according to claim 9. 14. A television receiver comprising the superimposing device according to claim 9. 15. A personal computer comprising the superimpose apparatus according to claim 9. 16. A step of storing one screen of image data for a first predetermined number in the first storage means, and storing one screen image data sent from the first storage means in the second storage means. A step of storing; a step of forming image data of the reduced screen of the one screen from the image data of one screen transmitted from the second storage means by the image processing means; Storing the image data of the reduced reduced screen for a second predetermined number of images; and selecting one of the second predetermined number of reduced images based on the first control signal by the selection signal generating means. Forming a selection signal indicating selection of one reduced screen; and forming a user presentation signal for presenting information to the user based on the second control signal by the user presentation signal generation means. And the third memory Receiving image data of the second predetermined number of reduced screens from the means, receiving a selection signal from the selection signal generation means, receiving a user presentation signal from the user presentation signal generation means, A step of superimposing means for superimposing selected image data based on the received user-presented image data based on the received user-presented signal on image data of the received second predetermined number of reduced screens; Forming a first instruction signal for instructing selection of any one of the reduced screens corresponding to the second predetermined number of the reduced screens. When receiving the first instruction signal, the control means performs the first instruction based on the first instruction signal.
Sending the control signal to the selection signal generating means, and sending a second control signal for displaying the image of the user-presented image data to an area other than the selected reduced screen to the user-presenting signal generating means. And a superimposing method. 17. A step of storing image data of one screen in a first storage means for a first predetermined number of images, and a step of storing the image data of one screen sent from the first storage means by the image processing means. A step of forming image data of a reduced screen of the screen; a step of storing image data of the reduced screen reduced by the image processing means by a second predetermined number in a second storage means; Forming a selection signal for displaying selection of one of the reduced screens from the second predetermined number of reduced screens based on a first control signal; Forming a user presentation signal for presenting information to the user based on the control signal of the above; and receiving image data of a second predetermined number of reduced screens from the second storage means, From selection signal generation means Receiving the selection signal, receiving the user presentation signal from the user presentation signal generation means, and receiving the selected image data based on the received selection signal and the user presentation image data based on the received user presentation signal. A step of superimposing means for superimposing the image data of the reduced screens of the second predetermined number, and selecting one of the reduced screens from the second predetermined number of the reduced screens by the first operating means. Forming a first instruction signal for instructing, when the control means receives the first instruction signal from the first operating means, the control means performs a first instruction signal based on the first instruction signal. 1
Sending the control signal to the selection signal generating means, and sending a second control signal for displaying the image of the user-presented image data in an area other than the selected reduced screen to the user-presenting signal generating means. And a superimposing method.