U.S. patent application number 13/296917 was filed with the patent office on 2012-03-15 for image displaying apparatus.
This patent application is currently assigned to PANASONIC CORPORATION. Invention is credited to Shinji FURUYA, Kiyoshi KITAGAWA, Akihito MURAI, Yuichi SUZUKI, Akira YAMADA.
Application Number | 20120062598 13/296917 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38821511 |
Filed Date | 2012-03-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120062598 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
FURUYA; Shinji ; et
al. |
March 15, 2012 |
IMAGE DISPLAYING APPARATUS
Abstract
The image displaying apparatus of the present invention provides
a first display mode in which a first display region for one screen
image is formed in a display screen, with the short side direction
of the display screen aligned with the vertical direction; and a
second display mode in which a first display region and a second
display region for two screen images are formed in the display
screen, with the long side direction of the display screen aligned
with the vertical direction, and the first display region and the
second display region formed such that they are arranged up and
down. According to this configuration, when images are displayed in
a double screen, each image can be displayed as large as
possible.
Inventors: |
FURUYA; Shinji; (Osaka,
JP) ; YAMADA; Akira; (Osaka, JP) ; MURAI;
Akihito; (Osaka, JP) ; KITAGAWA; Kiyoshi;
(Hyogo, JP) ; SUZUKI; Yuichi; (Osaka, JP) |
Assignee: |
PANASONIC CORPORATION
Osaka
JP
|
Family ID: |
38821511 |
Appl. No.: |
13/296917 |
Filed: |
November 15, 2011 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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11761496 |
Jun 12, 2007 |
8081252 |
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13296917 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
345/651 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04N 21/4223 20130101;
H04N 9/8042 20130101; H04N 21/4184 20130101; H04N 5/907 20130101;
H04N 5/772 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
345/651 |
International
Class: |
G09G 5/00 20060101
G09G005/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jun 13, 2006 |
JP |
2006-163774 |
Claims
1-20. (canceled)
21. An image displaying apparatus capable of displaying an image
that has a substantially rectangular first aspect ratio, in which a
direction of two short sides of the image are being aligned in a
vertical direction, comprising: a display portion comprising a
display screen; and a control portion that controls a display
operation of the display portion, wherein the control portion is
provided with a first double screen display mode in which a first
display region and a second display region for two screen images
are formed in the display screen, with a direction of two long
sides of the display screen aligned with the vertical direction,
the first display region and the second display region do not
overlap and are formed such that they are arranged up and down, and
the first display region and the second display region have the
same aspect ratio as the first aspect ratio.
22. The image displaying apparatus according to claim 21, wherein
the control portion further is provided with a second double screen
display mode in which a third display region and a fourth display
region for two screen images are formed in the display screen, with
a direction of two short sides of the display screen aligned with
the vertical direction, the third display region and the fourth
display region do not overlap and are formed such that they are
arranged side by side, and the third display region and the fourth
display region have the same aspect ratio as the first aspect
ratio.
23. The image displaying apparatus according to claim 21, wherein
the control portion further is provided with a first display mode
in which a one-screen display region for one screen image is formed
in the display screen, with a direction of two short sides of the
display screen aligned with the vertical direction, and the
one-screen display region has the same aspect ratio as the first
aspect ratio.
24. The image displaying apparatus according to claim 21, wherein
the control portion is capable of reading out image data from a
memory unit in which the image data is recorded, and is capable of
displaying images based on the image data read out from the memory
unit in the first display region and the second display region,
respectively, in the first double screen display mode.
25. The image displaying apparatus according to claim 24, wherein
the control portion activates either one of the first display
region and the second display region, and performs control to
change the image displayed in an activated display region to an
image based on another image data stored in the memory unit.
26. The image displaying apparatus according to claim 25, wherein
when the image displayed in the activated display region is changed
to the image based on other image data stored in the memory unit,
the control portion performs control to display an image other than
the image displayed in a deactivated display region.
27. The image displaying apparatus according to claim 25, wherein
the control portion accepts an instruction to select either of the
first display region and the second display region to activate.
28. The image displaying apparatus according to claim 25, wherein
when an instruction to enlarge or reduce an image is input, the
control portion changes the image displayed in either one of the
first display region and the second display region that is
activated to an enlarged or reduced image.
29. The image displaying apparatus according to claim 23, wherein
the control portion performs control to display an on-screen
display within the display regions, in the first display mode, the
on-screen display is displayed with the short side direction of the
display screen aligned with the vertical direction, and in the
first double screen display mode, the on-screen display is
displayed with the long side direction of the display screen
aligned with the vertical direction.
30. The image displaying apparatus according to claim 24, wherein
the memory unit is capable of storing vertically long image data
whose long side direction is matched substantially with the
direction of gravity, and in the first double screen display mode,
the control portion is capable of displaying an image based on the
vertically long image data.
31. The image displaying apparatus according to claim 21, further
comprising: an internal memory capable of storing image data; and a
medium holding unit that removably holds a memory medium capable of
storing image data, wherein in the first double screen display
mode, the control portion performs control to display an image
based on the image data stored in the memory medium in one of the
first display region and the second display region, and to display
an image based on the image data stored in the internal memory in
the other of the first display region and the second display
region.
32. The image displaying apparatus according to claim 31, wherein
in the first double screen display mode, when an instruction to
change the storage location of an image file of the image displayed
in the display region is input, the control portion performs
control to store the image file into the internal memory when the
image file has been stored in the memory medium, and to store the
image file into the memory medium when the image file has been
stored in the internal memory.
33. The image displaying apparatus according to claim 24, wherein
in the first double screen display mode, when an instruction to
delete image data is input while either of the first display region
and the second display region is activated, the control portion
performs control to delete the image data of the image displayed in
an activated display region.
34. The image displaying apparatus according to claim 24, wherein
in the first double screen display mode, when an instruction to
output image data to an external device is input while either of
the first display region and the second display region is
activated, the control portion performs control to output the image
data of the image displayed in an activated display region to the
external device.
35. The image displaying apparatus according to claim 24, wherein a
mark is added to specific image data in the image data recorded in
the memory unit, and in the first double screen display mode, the
control portion performs control to display an image based on the
image data to which the mark has been added in one of the first
display region and the second display region, and to display an
image based on image data to which the mark has not been added in
the other of the first display region and the second display
region.
36. The image displaying apparatus according to claim 35, wherein
when an instruction to set the mark is input while either of the
first display region and the second display region is activated,
the control portion adds the mark to the image data of the image
displayed in an activated display region, and displays an image of
the image data to which the mark has been added in a deactivated
display region.
37. The image displaying apparatus according to claim 35, wherein
when an instruction to remove the mark is input while either of the
first display region and the second display region is activated and
the image data of the image displayed in an activated display
region has the mark, the control portion removes the mark of the
image data of the image displayed in the activated display region,
and displays an image of the image data from which the mark has
been removed in a deactivated display region.
38. The image displaying apparatus according to claim 23, further
comprising an operation portion comprising: a first direction
operation portion; a second direction operation portion that
enables an operation in a direction opposite to the operation
direction operable by the first direction operation portion; a
third direction operation portion that enables an operation in a
direction substantially orthogonal to the operation directions
operable by the first direction operation portion and the second
direction operation portion; and a fourth direction operation
portion that enables an operation in a direction opposite to the
operation direction operable by the third direction operation
portion, wherein in the first display mode, relative to the display
direction of the image displayed in the display screen, the first
direction operation portion enables an operation instructing upward
movement, the second direction operation portion enables an
operation instructing downward movement, the third direction
operation portion enables an operation instructing leftward
movement, and the fourth direction operation portion enables an
operation instructing rightward movement, and in the first double
screen display mode, relative to the display direction of the
images displayed in the display screen, the first direction
operation portion enables an operation instructing rightward
movement, the second direction operation portion enables an
operation instructing leftward movement, the third direction
operation portion enables an operation instructing upward movement,
and the fourth direction operation portion enables an operation
instructing downward movement.
39. The image displaying apparatus according to claim 24, wherein
in the first double screen display mode, when an instruction to
enlarge image size is input while both or either of the first
display region and the second display region are activated, the
control portion performs control to enlarge the image size of the
image displayed in an activated display region.
40. The image displaying apparatus according to claim 39, wherein
when enlarging the image size of the image displayed in the
activated display region, the control portion is capable of setting
a cut-out position to a desired position in the image before the
enlarging process.
41. The image displaying apparatus according to claim 24, wherein
in the first double screen display mode, when an instruction to
output Image data to an external displaying device is input, the
control portion performs control to convert the image displayed in
the first display region and the image displayed in the second
display region into image data that can be displayed simultaneously
in the external displaying device, and then performs control to
output the image data to the external displaying device.
42. The image displaying apparatus according to claim 24, wherein
when playing back a moving image file, the control portion displays
a moving image based on the moving image file in the first display
region, and when a capture operation is performed while the moving
image file is being played back, the control portion performs
control to display the captured still image in the second display
region.
43. The image displaying apparatus according to claim 21, wherein
the control portion is capable of displaying an image based on one
image data in the first display region and also images based on a
plurality of image data simultaneously in the second display
region.
Description
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No.
11/761,496, filed Jun. 12, 2007, which application is incorporated
herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to an image displaying
apparatus capable of displaying a plurality of digital images on a
single display portion.
[0004] 2. Description of Related Art
[0005] Digital still cameras have a liquid crystal display having a
size of about 2 to 3 inches and being capable of displaying a
through image during photographing or displaying an image recorded
in a memory card. For such liquid crystal displays, display
performance such as an increase in screen size or an increase in
definition while the body of cameras is made compact is improving,
and various functions that utilize the improvement of display
performance are proposed. One of the functions is called a
"multi-display function" as disclosed in, for example, JP
2006-5640A, whereby a plurality of images can be displayed at a
time.
[0006] JP 2006-5640A discloses a configuration in which a plurality
of images are multi-displayed in the display screen of a single
liquid crystal display, so that similar photographed images can be
compared precisely. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 3 of JP
2006-5640A, display regions for two screen images are provided on
the right and left of a display screen with the short side
direction of the display screen aligned with the vertical
direction, and a different image is displayed in each display
region.
[0007] However, when two images are displayed in the display
regions arranged on the right and left of a display screen with the
short side direction of the display screen aligned with the
vertical direction as disclosed in JP 2006-5640A, the size of each
image becomes small, and the problem arises that the visual
recognition of the details of the images is difficult.
[0008] Generally, a liquid crystal display mounted in a digital
still camera has an aspect ratio of 4:3 or 16:9, and is disposed in
a casing such that the short side direction is aligned with the
vertical direction. Also, when photographing is performed by
holding the digital still camera in an upright position (a position
of the digital camera in which the short side direction of the
liquid display is aligned with the vertical direction), the
photographed images have an aspect ratio of 4:3 or 16:9, and the
short side direction of the images matches the vertical direction.
If two images are displayed in the right and left of the above
described liquid crystal display while retaining the aspect ratio
of the images, the size of each image becomes small.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] It is an object of the present invention to provide an image
displaying apparatus capable of displaying each image as large as
possible when images are displayed in a double screen.
[0010] The image displaying apparatus of the present invention
includes a display portion including a substantially rectangular
display screen including at least two long sides opposed to each
other and two short sides opposed to each other; and a control
portion that controls a display operation of the display portion,
wherein the control portion provides: a first display mode in which
a one-screen display region for one screen image is formed in the
display screen, with the short side direction of the display screen
aligned with the vertical direction; and a second display mode in
which a first display region and a second display region for two
screen images are formed in the display screen, with the long side
direction of the display screen aligned with the vertical
direction, and the first display region and the second display
region are formed such that they are arranged up and down.
[0011] Because the present invention can display each image as
large as possible when images are displayed in a double screen, the
visual recognition of the details of the images can be
improved.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an
image displaying apparatus according to Embodiment 1.
[0013] FIG. 2 is a side view of an image pickup apparatus according
to Embodiment 1.
[0014] FIG. 3 is a side view of an image pickup apparatus according
to Embodiment 1.
[0015] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a file management table for
image files.
[0016] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a directory structure of a
memory card.
[0017] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a FAT management table of a
memory card.
[0018] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a FAT management table of an
internal memory.
[0019] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a directory structure of an
internal memory.
[0020] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the structure of an image
file.
[0021] FIGS. 10A to 10C are schematic diagrams illustrating a
display state in a first display mode and a second display
mode.
[0022] FIGS. 11A to 11C are schematic diagrams illustrating a
display state in a second display mode.
[0023] FIGS. 12A to 12C are schematic diagrams illustrating a
display state in a second display mode.
[0024] FIGS. 13A to 13B are schematic diagrams illustrating a
display state in a second display mode.
[0025] FIGS. 14A to 14C are schematic diagrams illustrating a
display state in a second display mode.
[0026] FIGS. 15A to 15B are schematic diagrams illustrating a
display state in a second display mode.
[0027] FIGS. 16A to 16B are schematic diagrams illustrating a
display state in a second display mode.
[0028] FIGS. 17A to 17B are schematic diagrams illustrating a
display state in a second display mode.
[0029] FIG. 18 is a diagram showing the content of an AUTPLAY3.MRK
file.
[0030] FIGS. 19A to 19C are schematic diagrams used to explain an
operation to display a vertical image.
[0031] FIG. 20 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which a
vertical image is displayed in a second display mode.
[0032] FIGS. 21A to 21C are schematic diagrams illustrating a
display state in a second display mode.
[0033] FIGS. 22A to 22C are schematic diagrams illustrating a
display state in a second display mode.
[0034] FIGS. 23A to 23C are schematic diagrams illustrating a
display state in a second display mode.
[0035] FIG. 24 is schematic diagram illustrating a output
image.
[0036] FIG. 25 is a side view of an image pickup apparatus.
[0037] FIGS. 26A to 26C are schematic diagrams illustrating a
display state in a second display mode.
[0038] FIGS. 27A to 27C are schematic diagrams illustrating a
display state in a second display mode.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiment 1
1. Basic Configuration of Image Displaying Apparatus
[0039] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an
image pickup apparatus serving as an example of the image
displaying apparatus according to Embodiment 1. In the description
given below, the image pickup apparatus is described as being a
digital still camera capable of photographing mainly still images.
Also, the image pickup apparatus according to this embodiment is
capable of shooting both still images and moving images. In the
following, a description focuses on the photographing/playback
operation of still images. Accordingly, in the following
description, a "photographing mode" refers to a still image
photographing mode, and a "playback mode" refers to a still image
playback mode.
[0040] The image pickup apparatus includes an imaging portion 1, an
image processing portion 2, a card slot 3, an internal memory 5, a
buffer memory 6, a USB controller 7, a microcomputer 8, an
on-screen display (hereinafter referred to as an "OSD") controller
9, a display portion 10, an external output portion 11 and an
operation portion 12.
[0041] The imaging portion 1 includes an imaging element including
at least a CCD image sensor, CMOS image sensor or the like, and
converts an optical image input from the object side into an
electrical signal and outputs the signal. Although the details are
not shown in FIG. 1, the imaging portion 1 further includes, in
addition to the imaging element, a lens unit such as a focus lens
or zoom lens, a diaphragm unit that restricts the amount of
incident light to the imaging element, and the like.
[0042] The image processing portion 2 produces image data by
performing a predetermined signal process on the electric signal
output from the imaging portion 1. For example, the image
processing portion 2 includes a WB adjustment portion 2a, a YC
processor 2b, an electronic zoom processor 2c and a
compression/decompression unit 2d.
[0043] The WB adjustment portion 2a adjusts the white balance of
images. More specifically, the WB adjustment portion 2a adjusts the
color of image to be close to the actual color or to be appropriate
for a light source (fluorescent light, sunlight, etc).
[0044] The YC processor 2b separates an image into luminance
information "Y", chrominance information "Cb" between a luminance
signal and blue color, and chrominance information "Cr" between a
luminance signal and red color.
[0045] The electronic zoom processor 2c performs a process in which
a part of an image (e.g., the center) is trimmed to a predetermined
size and the trimmed image is enlarged to have the same size as the
original image by a signal process. For example, this process cuts
out an image having 1024.times.768 dots from the center of a
photographed image having 1600.times.1200 dots, and enlarges the
image to have a size of 1600.times.1200 dots by performing a data
interpolation. Note that the electronic zoom processor 2c need not
necessarily be present.
[0046] The compression/decompression unit 2d compresses image data
in a compression format such as JPEG (Joint Photographic Expert
Group) format, or decompresses compressed image data. For example,
in the case of JPEG format, discrete cosine transform processing
(DCT processing) is performed first in which the ratio of the high
frequency component and low frequency component of image data is
converted into a numerical value. Subsequently, quantization
processing is performed in which the level that represents the
color tone or gradation of an image is expressed in a numerical
value (the number of quantized bits). Finally, the data capacity of
image data is compressed in a compression format such as Huffman
coding processing. More specifically, in this process, a signal
character string of image data is divided into predetermined bits,
and a shorter code is assigned to more frequently occurring
character strings. Note that the compression/decompression unit 2d
need not necessarily be present, and a method may be used in which
an image is recorded without performing the compression process.
Also, the compression format is not limited to JPEG format, and may
be another format.
[0047] The card slot 3 (medium holding unit) is capable of
removably holding a memory card 4 serving as an information medium,
and has electric contact points that allow data communication with,
for example, the memory card 4. Note that the card slot 3 is not
limited to the above embodiment, and can be changed according to
the type of the information medium used.
[0048] The memory card 4 (information medium, memory unit) is
inserted removably into the card slot 3, and can record image data
photographed by the image pickup apparatus. As the memory card 4, a
semiconductor memory in which a semiconductor storage element such
as a flash memory is included is most commonly used, but the memory
card 4 also may be a card-type disk drive in which a hard disk
having a small diameter is included.
[0049] The internal memory 5 is fixed inside the image pickup
apparatus, and can record photographed image data. As the internal
memory 5, a semiconductor memory in which a semiconductor storage
element such as a flash memory is included is used most commonly,
but the internal memory 5 may also be a hard disk drive.
[0050] The buffer memory 6 temporarily stores image data or the
like while the signal process of image data is performed in the
image processing portion 2 or the microcomputer 8.
[0051] The USB controller 7 is an interface capable of performing
data communication according to the USB (Universal Serial Bus)
standard, and includes a terminal removably connecting to a USB
communication cable, a converter circuit that encodes the output
data of the image pickup apparatus in a data format according to
the USB standard and decodes the received data, and the like. The
USB controller 7 can connect to a personal computer, printer or the
like to perform data communication.
[0052] The microcomputer 8 (control portion) controls, in response
to the operation instructions from the operation portion 12, the
image processing portion 2, the buffer memory 6, the USB controller
7, the OSD controller 9 and the external output portion 11. The
content of the control for each unit will be described later.
[0053] The OSD controller 9 produces an OSD signal and superimposes
the OSD signal on the image data output from the image processing
portion 2. The OSD signal contains various information including,
for example, information on the date and time of photographing,
information on the number of photographed images, and photographing
mode information. The information contained in the OSD signal is
expressed on the display portion 10 in the form of characters or
graphics.
[0054] The display portion 10 can display an image based on the
image data output from the OSD controller 9. More specifically, the
display portion 10 includes a display control circuit that converts
input image data into a signal capable of being displayed (e.g.,
the conversion into an analog image signal), a display that
actually displays an image, and the like. The display is, for
example, a liquid crystal display having a size of about 2 to 3
inches, but the display can be any display such as an EL
(Electro-Luminescence) element as long as the display at least can
display images.
[0055] The external output portion 11 is a terminal capable of
outputting the image data produced in the image processing portion
2 or the image data read out from the memory card 4 or the internal
memory 5 to an externally connected display device such as a
television receiver. The image data output from the external output
portion 11 may be in the form of an analog signal or a digital
signal.
[0056] The operation portion 12 allows various operations carried
out by the user, and includes a release switch that can perform a
photographing operation, a zoom switch that can perform a zooming
operation, and the like. In this embodiment, at least operation
buttons as shown in FIG. 2 are provided.
[0057] FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the back (a face that has a
display portion provided thereon and is opposite to the face having
a lens provided thereon) of the image pickup apparatus.
[0058] As shown in FIG. 2, a main body 21 is provided with an
operation portion including a release switch 23, a mode dial 24, a
zoom switch 25, a cursor button 26, a copy button 27, a mark button
28, a delete button 29, and the like. The main body 21 is provided
also with a liquid crystal monitor 22, which is one type of the
display portion 10. This embodiment assumes that the release switch
23 and the mode dial 24 are provided on the top face of the main
body 21, and are operated with the forefinger of the user. This
embodiment also assumes that the zoom switch 25, the cursor button
26, the copy button 27, the mark button 28 and the delete button 29
are provided on the back of the main body 21, and are operated with
the thumb of the user. Although, in this embodiment, the copy
button 27, the mark button 28 and the delete button 29 are each
separate buttons, the invention is not limited to this
configuration, and it is possible, for example, to assign a
plurality of functions to one button, or to each button of the
cursor button 26.
[0059] When the release switch 23 is depressed by the user while
the image pickup apparatus is in a photographing mode, the imaging
portion 1 receives the optical image captured in the imaging
element and produces image data.
[0060] The mode dial 24 includes a dial capable of being rotated.
With the mode dial 24, it is possible to select a normally used
mode such as a photographing mode or playback mode, or to select a
special photographing mode such as a close-up mode or high speed
shutter mode. The photographing mode is a mode in which the optical
image captured in the imaging portion 1 can be received, and the
image data can be stored into the memory card 4 or the internal
memory 5. The playback mode is a mode in which the image data
stored in the memory card 4 or the internal memory 5 can be read
out, and an image based on the image data can be displayed in the
liquid crystal monitor 22.
[0061] The zoom switch 25 includes a telephoto button (the button
indicated by "T" in the drawing) and a wide-angle button (the
button indicated by "W" in the drawing). Upon operation of the
telephoto button while the image pickup apparatus is in the
photographing mode, the imaging portion 1 controls the zoom lens to
move to the telephoto side. Upon operation of the wide-angle
button, the imaging portion 1 controls the zoom lens to move to the
wide-angle side. The microcomputer 8, upon operation of the zoom
switch 25 while the image pickup apparatus is in the playback mode,
performs control to partially enlarge the image data displayed in
the liquid crystal monitor 22 or to change the display of the
liquid crystal monitor 22 to a multi-image display (a display in
which a plurality of images are displayed at a time). Although the
description in this embodiment is given of an optical lens in which
a zoom lens is moved to the optical axis direction in conjunction
with the operation of the zoom switch 25, the operation of an
electronic zoom is also possible in which a photographed image is
enlarged/reduced by a signal process. Also, in this embodiment, the
zoom switch 25 is a push button, but it can be a lever switch that
is operable in two directions. The function assignment in the
playback mode is not limited to the above.
[0062] The cursor button 26 is a button that enables an operation
instructing upward, downward, rightward or leftward movement in a
menu screen displayed in the liquid crystal monitor 22. The cursor
button 26 includes a first button 26a (first direction operation
portion), a second button 26b (second direction operation portion),
a third button 26c (third direction operation portion), a fourth
button 26d (fourth direction operation portion) and a center button
26e. The first button 26a enables an operation instructing upward
movement when, for example, the digital still camera is in an
upright position (in the state shown in FIG. 2). The second button
26b enables an operation instructing downward movement. The third
button 26c enables an operation instructing leftward movement. The
fourth button 26d enables an operation instructing rightward
movement. The center button 26e enables the display of a menu or
determination of various operations. As shown in FIG. 2, the first
to fourth buttons 26a to 26d are arranged at upper, lower, left and
right positions, respectively, with the center button 26e in the
center. In normal use, the main body 21 is used in a position in
which the short side direction of the liquid crystal monitor 22 is
aligned with the vertical direction as shown in FIG. 2, but it is
also possible to use the main body 21 in a position that the long
side direction of the liquid crystal monitor 22 is aligned with the
vertical direction as shown in FIG. 3. In the state shown in FIG.
3, from the photographer's view, the first button 26a enables the
operation of rightward movement, the second button 26b enables the
operation of leftward movement, the third button 26c enables the
operation of upward movement, the fourth button 26d enables the
operation of downward movement. Upon operation of the cursor button
26 while the image pickup apparatus is in the playback mode, the
image displayed in the liquid crystal monitor 22 can be changed to
another image. While the image pickup apparatus is in the
photographing mode, the On/Off switching of a self-timer or flash
can be carried out.
[0063] Upon operation of the copy button 27 while the image pickup
apparatus is in the playback mode, the microcomputer 8 performs
control to copy or move the image data recorded in the memory card
4 into the internal memory 5. Also, upon operation of the copy
button 27 while the image pickup apparatus is in the playback mode,
the image data recorded in the internal memory 5 can be copied or
moved into the memory card 4.
[0064] Upon operation of the mark button 28 while the image pickup
apparatus is in the playback mode, the microcomputer 8 performs
control to add a mark to desired image data in the image data
recorded in the memory card 4 or the internal memory 5. Upon
operation of the mark button 28 while the image pickup apparatus is
in the photographing mode, the microcomputer 8 performs control to
add a mark to the image data immediately after photographing. The
image data to which a mark has been added can be kept as a
so-called "favorite image".
[0065] Upon operation of the delete button 29 while the image
pickup apparatus is in the playback mode, the microcomputer 8
performs control to delete a selected image file of the image files
stored in the memory card 4 or the internal memory 5.
2. Operation of Image Displaying Apparatus
[2-1. Capture Operation]
[0066] In FIG. 1, when the image pickup apparatus is started by
turning on the power source, an optical image input via a lens or
the like is formed in the imaging portion 1. The imaging portion 1
converts the input optical image into an electrical signal and
outputs the electrical signal to the image processing portion 2.
The image processing portion 2 produces an image signal based on
the input electrical signal, and the image signal is transferred to
the WB adjustment portion 2a where the image is adjusted to have an
appropriate brightness and color.
[0067] Subsequently, in the YC processor 2b, the image signal is
divided into a luminance signal Y and chrominance signals Cr and
Cb, and a process is performed to reduce the amount of information
on the chrominance signals Cr and Cb. As the process for reducing
the amount of information on the chrominance signals Cr and Cb, for
example, a "4:2:2 down sampling process" in which the color
information in the main scanning direction of an image is thinning
out, a "4:1:1 down-sampling process" in which the color information
in the vertical and horizontal directions of an image is thinning
out, or the like can be performed.
[0068] The image data processed in the image processing portion 2
is input to the OSD controller 9 where an OSD image is
superimposed. The OSD image is an image including various
information, such as current date and time, the date and time of
photographing and the photographing mode, which is expressed in the
form of characters and graphics, and specifically, the OSD image
refers to a sign 34 indicating the amount of remaining battery
power and information 35 on the number of images in FIG. 10A, for
example.
[0069] The image based on the image data output from the OSD
controller 9 is displayed in the display portion 10. The image
displayed in the display portion 10 at this time is an image (a
so-called "through image") before a compression process is
performed.
[0070] While a through image is displayed in the display portion
10, when the photographer operates the release switch 23 (see FIG.
2) of the operation portion 12, the microcomputer 8 controls the
image processing portion 2 to perform a compression process for the
image data in the compression/decompression unit 2d. More
specifically, discrete cosine transform processing in which the
ratio of the high frequency component and low frequency component
of image data is converted into a numerical value, quantization
processing in which the level that represents the color tone or
gradation of an image is expressed in the number of quantized bits,
Huffman coding processing in which a signal character string of
image data is divided into predetermined bits, and a shorter code
is assigned to more frequently occurring character strings, and the
like are executed.
[0071] An OSD signal is superimposed onto the image data compressed
in the compression/decompression unit 2d in the OSD controller 9.
The image based on the image data output from the OSD controller 9
is displayed in the display portion 10. The image data compressed
in the compression/decompression unit 2d is recorded into the
memory card 4 via the card slot 3 or into the internal memory 5.
The user can set either one of the memory card 4 and the internal
memory 5 freely to record the image.
[0072] At the time of photographing, the zoom switch 25 is operated
before the operation of the release switch 23, whereby it is
possible to enlarge or reduce the image. More specifically, by
operating the zoom switch 25, an optical zoom or electronic zoom
can be performed. The optical zoom is a zoom method in which a zoom
lens included in the imaging portion 1 is moved along the optical
axis direction to optically enlarge or reduce an optical image. The
electronic zoom is a zoom method in which a part of an image
(normally the center) is trimmed in the electronic zoom processor
2c and the image is enlarged or reduced by performing a pixel
interpolation.
[0073] The recording operation of image data to the memory card 4
or the internal memory 5 now will be described in detail.
[0074] First, a file name is added to the image data to be recorded
in the memory card 4 or the like. The file name is managed by a
file management table recorded in the memory card 4 or the like.
The writing or rewriting of information into the file management
table is performed by the microcomputer 8.
[0075] FIG. 4 shows an example of the file management table. As
shown in FIG. 4, the file management table includes a file number
consisting of four alphanumeric characters, a directory number
consisting of three alphanumeric characters, and management
information such as with or without protection and with or without
favorite parameters. There is actually other information to be
managed than that shown in FIG. 4, but a description thereof is
omitted here.
[0076] The file number is a number added to individual image data,
and generally consists of alphanumeric characters in a successive
recording order. In the example shown in 4, successive file numbers
are added for a directory number. For example, in the directory
number "100", file numbers are added in the order of "0001",
"0002", "0003" and so on. In the directory number "101", file
numbers are added starting with "0001"
[0077] When adding a file name, a common alphabet in the file is
added as the first character of the file name, the directory number
consisting of three characters is then added, and the file number
consisting of four characters is then added to obtain a name
consisting of eight characters in total. For example, in the case
of the file name shown on the first line in FIG. 4, the first
character is "P", the subsequent 2 to 4 characters represent the
directory number "100", and the subsequent 5 to 8 characters
represent the file number "0001", and finally the file name
"P1000001" is obtained. To the name obtained as above, an extension
such as ".JPG" is added to complete the file name.
[0078] FIG. 5 shows a directory configuration of the memory card
4.
[0079] When the content recorded in the memory card 4 is opened in
a personal computer or the like, the files and folders are managed
by a directory configuration as shown in FIG. 5 based on the file
management table.
[0080] As shown in FIG. 5, the root directory is a "removable
disk", which refers to the memory card 4. The "removable disk"
contains subdirectories named "DCIM" and "MISC". The DCIM directory
contains subdirectories "100", "101" and so on. The name of this
subdirectory corresponds to the directory number in FIG. 4. Each
subdirectory stores image files to which have been added the file
names produced based on the file management table shown in FIG. 4.
The MISC directory stores "AUTPLAY3.MRK" file in which favorite
parameter information is stored. The "favorite parameter" will be
described later.
[0081] Subsequently, when storing image files in the memory card 4
or the like, a recording address is assigned to each image file
before the recording operation of the image file is performed. FIG.
6 shows a FAT management table of the memory card 4. As shown in
FIG. 6, in the FAT management table, a recording address is
assigned corresponding to each file name. The recording addresses
in the table represent sector or cluster addresses in the recording
region of the memory card 4. Further, the FAT management table is
recorded in the memory card 4, and the writing and rewriting of
information is performed by the microcomputer 8.
[0082] As for the file management table, FAT management table (see
FIG. 7), and directory configuration (see FIG. 8) of the internal
memory 5, because they are essentially the same as those of the
memory card 4 described above, a description thereof is omitted
here.
[2-2. Playback Operation]
[0083] When the mode is changed from the photographing mode to the
playback mode, the mode dial 24 is operated to select the playback
mode. Upon selection of the playback mode, the file management
table (see FIG. 4) and FAT management table (see FIG. 6) recorded
in the memory card 4 or the internal memory 5 are read out and then
stored temporarily in the buffer memory 6. In the following
description, the operation for playing back the image file stored
in the memory card 4 will be described as an example.
[0084] When the user selects a desired image file by operating the
operation portion 12, the microcomputer 8 accesses the FAT
management table stored in the buffer memory 6, and confirms the
recording address of the image file selected by the operation
portion 12. Subsequently, based on the recording address, the
microcomputer 8 accesses to a proper address in the memory card 4
and reads out the image file.
[0085] The image file recorded in the memory card 4 includes header
information and image data as shown in FIG. 9. The header
information includes various information containing information on
the date and time of photographing, information on photographing
conditions such as shutter speed and diaphragm opening, and
rotation information of the image (the details will be described
later), and information on thumbnail image (a reduced image used in
an image list or the like).
[0086] The header information of the image file read out from the
memory card 4 is stored temporarily in the buffer memory 6 and is
read out from the microcomputer 8 as appropriate. The read-out
header information is used, for example, for the production of the
OSD signal.
[0087] Further, the image data of the image file read out from the
memory card 4 is decompressed into the image data before being
compressed in the compression/decompression unit 2d of the image
processing portion 2. The decompressed image data is output to the
OSD controller 9. The OSD controller 9 produces, based on the
header information of the read-out image file, an OSD signal
containing the date and time of photographing and information on
photographing conditions (shutter speed, etc.) expressed in the
form of characters and graphics. The OSD controller 9 superimposes
the produced OSD signal on the image data, and outputs it to the
display portion 10. The display portion 10 displays an image based
on the input image data.
[0088] Subsequently, another image can be displayed by the
operation of the third button 26c or the fourth button 26d of the
cursor key 26 carried out by the user. Upon operation of the third
button 26c or the fourth button 26d, the microcomputer 8 accesses
the FAT management table stored in the buffer memory 6. Thereafter,
in the same manner as described above, the micron 8 confirms the
recording address of the selected image file, and reads out the
image file from the memory card 4 based on the recording address.
The header information of the read-out image file is stored in the
buffer memory 6, and the image data is decompressed in the same
manner as described above. An OSD signal is superimposed onto the
decompressed image data, and an image based on the image data is
displayed in the display portion 10.
[2-3. Communication Operation]
[0089] With reference to FIG. 1, a description will be given of an
operation for outputting the image file recorded in the memory card
4 to an external device (a personal computer, printer, etc.) via
USB communication.
[0090] First, a USB driver software is assumed to be installed in
the image pickup apparatus and an external device. When the image
pickup apparatus and the external device are connected by a USB
cable, an authentication operation is performed between the image
pickup apparatus and the external device, confirming a condition
that allows data communication with each other.
[0091] When the external device is a personal computer, with the
operation of the personal computer, the image file stored in the
memory card 4 can be read out to the personal computer, or the
image file stored in the hard disk of the personal computer can be
written into the memory card 4.
[0092] When the external device is a printer, with the operation of
the operation portion 12 of the image pickup apparatus, an image
file that the user wants to print out is selected, and at the same
time, a print command is input. Subsequently, a control signal
serving as the print command is transferred to the printer. The
printer acquires an image file to be printed out from the memory
card 4 based on the input control signal, and thereby it can print
out the image data of the acquired image file.
[2-4. Display Operation]
[0093] The image pickup apparatus has, as shown in FIG. 2, a
rectangular liquid crystal monitor 22 having an aspect ratio of 4:3
or 16:9 disposed such that the short side direction is aligned with
the vertical direction in the apparatus being held in an upright
position. Generally, photographing and image playback are performed
in an upright position as shown in FIG. 2. The images photographed
in an upright position as shown in FIG. 2 are rectangular images
with the short side direction being matched with the vertical
direction.
[0094] However, it is also possible to perform photographing and
image playback with the image pickup apparatus being held in a
position in which the long side direction of the liquid crystal
monitor 22 is aligned with the vertical direction as shown in FIG.
3.
[0095] Referring to FIG. 1, when a photographed image is displayed
in the display portion 10, based on the playback command from the
operation portion 12, the microcomputer 8 controls the image
processing portion 2 to read out an image file from the memory card
4 or the internal memory 5. The header information of the image
file read out from the memory card 4 or the internal memory 5 is
stored in the buffer memory 6, and the image data is
image-processed in the image processing portion 2. The
microcomputer 8 performs control to output the image data output
from the image processing portion 2 to the OSD controller 9. The
OSD controller 9 superimposes an OSD signal on the input image data
and then outputs the input image data to the display portion 10.
The display portion 10 displays an image based on the input image
data.
[0096] FIG. 10 shows the content displayed in the liquid crystal
monitor 22. FIG. 10A shows a state in which the liquid crystal
monitor 22 is held such that the short side direction of the liquid
crystal monitor 22 is aligned with the vertical direction, and an
image whose short side direction serves as the vertical direction
is displayed. In FIG. 10A, the region in which the image is
displayed is referred to as a "one-screen display region". FIG. 10B
shows a state in which a menu screen is displayed. FIG. 10C shows a
state in which the liquid crystal monitor 22 is held such that the
long side direction of the liquid crystal monitor 22 is aligned
with the vertical direction, and images are displayed in a double
screen. In the following description, the display mode shown in
FIG. 10A and FIG. 10B is referred to as a "first display mode". The
display mode shown in FIG. 10C is referred to as a "second display
mode".
[2-4-1. Operation of Double Screen Display]
[0097] The "double screen display" refers to a display method in
which two images are displayed simultaneously in a single display
screen. In order to perform the double screen display in the image
pickup apparatus of this embodiment, first, as shown in FIG. 10A, a
horizontally long image 33 is displayed on the liquid crystal
monitor 22 (see FIG. 2) being held with the short side direction
aligned with the vertical direction, and the center button 26e (see
FIG. 2) is operated. Upon operation of the center button 26e, a
playback menu as shown in FIG. 10B is displayed. With the playback
menu shown in FIG. 10B, various functions in the playback mode can
be set, including the settings for double screen display, the
settings for slide show in which images are successively displayed
with a predetermined time interval, and the settings for the
favorite function in which the user can add a mark to a specific
image. Besides the playback menu, it is also possible to display a
photographing menu in which functions regarding photographing can
be set, an initial setting menu in which the settings for internal
clock of the image pickup apparatus can be set, or the like, but a
description thereof is omitted.
[0098] In the playback menu shown in FIG. 10B, by operating the
first button 26a or the second button 26b shown in FIG. 2, the
cursor 32 in FIG. 10B can be moved in the upward direction or
downward direction to select an intended function. After the
selection, by operating the center button 26e, the function
selected by the cursor 32 can be started. In order to start the
double screen display function, the cursor 32 is moved to "double
screen display" in the playback menu, after which the center button
26e is operated, whereby it is possible to bring the liquid crystal
monitor 22 into the second display mode as shown in FIG. 10C.
[0099] As shown in FIG. 10C, when the liquid crystal monitor 22 is
in the second display mode, a first image 41 and a second image 42
are displayed such that they are arranged along the long side
direction of the liquid crystal monitor 22 with the long side
direction aligned with the vertical direction. The displayed first
image 41 and second image 42 are displayed such that the short side
direction is aligned with the vertical direction. In other words,
the images are displayed horizontally in the vertically long
screen. The images shown in FIG. 10C have the same aspect ratio as
that of the image shown in FIG. 10A. Note that the region in which
the first image 41 is displayed is referred to as a "first image
display region", and the region in which the second image 42 is
displayed is referred to as a "second image display region".
Immediately after switching to the second display mode, the first
image display region displays the image displayed before the mode
is switched, and the second image display region displays the next
image in the arrangement order of image files (e.g., in ascending
order of file names). In the example shown in 10C, as the sign 37
indicating the number of images shows, the first image 41 is the
first of 45 images, and the second image 42 is the second of 45
images. As shown in FIG. 10C, information 36 on the date and time
of photographing is also displayed.
[0100] In FIGS. 10A to 10C, the signs 35 and 37 indicating the
number of images, and the sign 36 indicating the date and time of
photographing and the like are images displayed based on the OSD
signal produced in the OSD controller 9 shown in FIG. 1. The
display direction of the images based on the OSD signal is
controlled in synchronization with the display direction of the
liquid crystal monitor 22. More specifically, in the first display
mode shown in FIG. 10A or 10B, the displayed OSD images (the sign
34 indicating the amount of remaining battery power, the sign 35
indicating the number of images, the menu screen, etc.) are
controlled to be displayed such that the short side direction of
the liquid crystal monitor 22 is aligned with the vertical
direction. In the second display mode shown in FIG. 10C, the OSD
images (the sign 36 indicating the date and time of photographing,
the sign 37 indicating the number of photographed images, etc.) are
controlled to be displayed such that the long side direction of the
liquid crystal monitor 22 is aligned with the vertical
direction.
[0101] In the mode shown in FIG. 10C, when visually checking images
displayed in the liquid crystal monitor 22 or performing various
operations, the image pickup apparatus is held such that the long
side direction of the liquid crystal monitor 22 is aligned with the
vertical direction as shown in FIG. 3. At this time, in the cursor
key 26, the first button 26a enables an operation instructing
rightward movement. The second button 26b enables an operation
instructing leftward movement. The third button 26c enables an
operation instructing upward movement. The fourth button 26d
enables an operation instructing downward movement. Accordingly, in
the second display mode, by using the image pickup apparatus in the
position shown in FIG. 3, the images displayed in a double screen
in the liquid crystal monitor 22 can be easily visually recognized.
Further, because the operation direction of the cursor key 26 can
be matched with the display direction of the liquid crystal monitor
22, the operability can be improved.
[0102] In FIG. 10C, the first image 41 is surrounded by a solid
frame 43. This indicates that the first image 41 is activated.
"Activated" means that the image serves as an object to be operated
when the operation portion 12 such as the cursor key 26 is
operated. For example, by operating the first button 26a or the
second button 26b of the cursor key 26 while the first image 41 is
activated as shown in FIG. 10C, the first image 41 displayed in the
first image display region can be switched to another image.
[0103] The marks 38a and 38b are marks that indicate the switching
direction of images and guide the user to operate the first button
26a or the second button 26b.
[0104] Further, the information 36 on the date and time of
photographing, the sign 37 indicating the number of images, the
marks 38a and 38b, the solid frame 43 that indicates the activated
condition, and the mark 39 that guides to end operation are
indicated by the OSD signal produced by the OSD controller 9.
[0105] In the second display mode shown in FIG. 10C, by operating
the center button 26e, the second display mode can be switched to
the first display mode shown in FIG. 10A.
[2-4-2. Operation for Switching Display in Second Display Mode]
[0106] First, image files are assumed to be recorded in the memory
card 4 or the internal memory 5. The image files are recorded in
the order of the date and time of photographing, and each image is
defined as "Image A", "Image B", "Image C" and so on according to
that order. Further, another assumption is made that the mode is
switched to the second display mode while Image A is being
displayed in the first display mode (see FIG. 10A). In the second
display mode, the image pickup apparatus is used in the position
shown in FIG. 3.
[0107] FIGS. 11A to 11C show display states in the second display
mode. Because the second display mode assumes that the image pickup
apparatus is used in the position shown in FIG. 3 as described
previously, the images and various information are displayed
appropriately in the state in which the longitudinal direction of
the liquid crystal monitor is aligned with the vertical direction
as shown in FIGS. 11A to 11C.
[0108] As shown in FIG. 11A, when the image pickup apparatus is
switched into the second display mode, the microcomputer 8 performs
control to display Image A in the first image display region 51 and
to display image B in the second image display region 52. At this
time, Image A displayed in the first image display region 51 is
activated. Upon operation of the first button 26a in FIG. 3 while
the images are being displayed as shown in FIG. 11A, the
microcomputer 8 performs control to display image C in the first
image display region 51 as shown in FIG. 11B.
[0109] Further, in the state shown in FIG. 11B, when the first
button 26a in FIG. 3 is operated, the microcomputer 8 performs
control to display Image D in the first image display region 51 as
shown in FIG. 11C. When the state is switched from the state shown
in FIG. 11A to that shown in FIG. 11B, and when the state is
switched from the state shown in FIG. 11B to that shown in FIG.
11C, because the second image display region 52 is not activated,
Image B stays displayed.
[0110] When switching the image displayed in the activated image
display region to another image, the display is controlled to skip
the image displayed in the deactivated image display region. For
example, as shown in FIG. 11A, in the case where Image A, which is
the first of 45 images, is displayed in the activated first image
display region 51 and Image B, which is the second image, is
displayed in the deactivated second image display region 52, when a
forward operation is performed for the first image display region
51, the first image display region 51 skips Image 13, which is the
second image, and displays Image C, which is the third image, as
shown in FIG. 11B. As described, when switching the image displayed
in the activated image display region to another image, the
switching is performed such that the image displayed in the
deactivated image display region is skipped, and thus the same
image is not displayed in both image display regions, and the
displayed image can be switched rapidly. Therefore, the operability
for displaying images can be improved.
[0111] Also, by operating the second button 26b in the state shown
in FIG. 11C, the display can be switched to the state shown in FIG.
11B or 11A.
[2-4-3. Operation for Switching Display in Second Image Display
Region 52]
[0112] A description will now be given of an operation for
switching the image displayed in the second image display region 52
to another image.
[0113] In FIG. 12A, Image A is displayed in the first image display
region 51, Image B is displayed in the second image display region
52, and the first image display region 51 is activated. Upon
operation of the fourth button 26d in FIG. 3 in the display state
shown in FIG. 12A, the microcomputer 8 performs control to move the
solid frame 53 to the second image display region 52 as shown in
FIG. 12B so as to activate the second image display region 52.
[0114] Upon operation of the first button 26a in FIG. 3 in the
display state shown in FIG. 12B, the microcomputer 8 performs
control to display Image C in the second image display region 52 as
shown in FIG. 12C. When the state is switched from the state shown
in FIG. 12B to that shown in FIG. 12C, because the first image
display region 51 is not activated, Image A stays displayed.
[0115] Further, upon operation of the second button 26b in FIG. 3
in the display state shown in FIG. 12C, the microcomputer 8
performs control to change Image C displayed in the second image
display region 52 back to Image B as shown in FIG. 12B. Also, upon
operation of the third button 26c in the state shown in FIG. 12B or
12C, the microcomputer 8 performs control to move the solid frame
53 from the second image display region 52 to the first image
display region 51 so as to activate the image displayed in the
first image display region 51.
[0116] In the manner as described, page forwarding can be performed
separately for the images displayed in the first image display
region 51 and the second image display region 52.
[2-4-4. Method for Comparing Images]
[0117] In FIG. 13A, Image A is displayed in the first image display
region 51, Image B is displayed in the second image display region
52, and the first image display region 51 is activated. In FIG.
13A, by performing a predetermined operation (e.g., by operating
the center button 26e in FIG. 3), the microcomputer 8 performs
control to display Image C in the first image display region 51 as
shown in FIG. 13B and to display Image A in the second image
display region 52. In other words, Image A is moved from the first
image display region 51 to the second image display region 52. By
displaying the images like this, Image A can be compared to another
image.
[0118] For example, in the state shown in FIG. 13B, a comparison
between Image A and Image C can be made. When comparing Image A to
another image, by operating the first button 26a in FIG. 3, the
image displayed in the first image display region 51 can be
switched to Image D, Image E and so on. Thereby, a comparison
between Image A and Image D, or a comparison between Image A and
Image E can be made.
[2-4-5. Display Operation when Deleting Image]
[0119] A description will now be given of an operation for deleting
image files. The operation of deleting image files can be performed
by the delete button 29 shown in FIG. 3.
[0120] In FIG. 14A, Image A is displayed in the first image display
region 51, Image B is displayed in the second image display region
52, and the first image display region 51 is activated. Upon
operation of the delete button 29 in FIG. 3 in the display state of
FIG. 14A, the microcomputer 8 performs control to display a message
54 asking whether or not to delete the image displayed in the
activated image display region as shown in FIG. 14B. In the example
shown in 14, because the first image display region 51 is
activated, Image A is an object to be deleted. Accordingly, a
message 54 as shown in FIG. 14B is displayed.
[0121] Upon operation of the third button 26c in the state shown in
FIG. 14B, the microcomputer 8 performs control to remove the
message 54 and to restore the display shown in FIG. 14A. Upon
operation of the fourth button 26d, the microcomputer 8 performs
control to remove the message 54 and to display Image C in the
first image display region 51 as shown in FIG. 14C. The
microcomputer 8 also deletes the image file of Image A recorded in
the memory card 4 or the internal memory 5. When the image file of
Image A is deleted, normally, Image B is displayed in the first
image display region 51, but in FIG. 14, because Image B is already
displayed in the second image display region 52, Image C, which is
the image next to Image B, is displayed in the first image display
region 51.
[0122] According to this embodiment, the message 54 is displayed
such that it does not overlap the image that serves as an object to
be deleted (Image A in the case of FIG. 14), and therefore the user
can determine whether or not to delete the image after visually
checking the entire image that serves as an object to be
deleted.
[2-4-6. Operation for Displaying Image of Memory Card 4 and
Internal Memory 5]
[0123] In FIG. 15A, the first image display region 51 is controlled
to display only images based on the image files recorded in the
memory card 4. The second image display region 52 is controlled to
display only images based on the image files recorded in the
internal memory 5. The images based on the image files recorded in
the memory card 4 are referred to as "Image Ac", "Image Bc", "Image
Cc" and so on. The images based on the image files recorded in the
internal memory 5 are referred to as "Image Ab", "Image Bb", "image
Cb" and so on.
[0124] In FIG. 15A, by activating the first image display region 51
and operating the first button 26a or the second button 26b in FIG.
3, the images based on the image files recorded in the memory card
4 can be page-forwarded. Also, by activating the second image
display region 52 and operating the first button 26a or the second
button 26b in FIG. 3, the images based on the image files recorded
in the internal memory 5 can be page-forwarded. The switching of
the activated state between the first image display region 51 and
the second image display region 52 can be performed by moving the
solid frame 53 to a desired image display region by operating the
third button 26c or the fourth button 26d in FIG. 3.
[0125] Thereby, the images recorded in the memory card 4 and the
internal memory 5 can be displayed simultaneously in the liquid
crystal monitor 22.
[2-4-7. Display Operation when Copying Image Between Memories]
[0126] A description will be given of an operation for copying
image files between memories in the state in which an image based
on the image files recorded in the memory card 4 is displayed in
the first image display region 51 and an image based on the image
files recorded in the internal memory 5 is displayed in the second
image display region 52 as shown in FIGS. 15A and 15B. The
operation for copying the image files can be performed by operating
the copy button 27 in FIG. 3.
[0127] First, when copying an image file recorded in the internal
memory 5 into the memory card 4, as shown in FIG. 15A, Image Bc is
displayed in the first image display region 51, image Ab is
displayed in the second image display region 52, and the second
image display region 52 is activated. In FIG. 15A, upon operation
of the copy button 27, the microcomputer 8 performs control to copy
the image file of Image. Ab displayed in the second image display
region 52 into the memory card 4. At the same time, the
microcomputer 8 performs control to display Image Ab in the first
image display region 51 as shown in FIG. 15B. In other words, the
image file of Image Ab is stored in both the memory card 4 and the
internal memory 5, and Image Ab is displayed in both the first
image display region 51 and the second image display region 52.
[0128] When copying another image file recorded in the internal
memory 5 into the memory card 4, in FIG. 15A or 15B, the second
image display region 52 is activated. Subsequently, when the user
operates the first button 26a or the second button 26b in FIG. 3,
an image that the user wants to copy is displayed in the second
image display region 52. Then, with the operation of the copy
button 27, the microcomputer 8 performs control to copy the image
file of the image displayed in the second image display region 52
into the memory card 4.
[0129] When copying the image file recorded in the memory card 4
into the internal memory 5, by operating the third button 26c or
the fourth button 26d shown in FIG. 3, the solid frame 53 shown in
FIG. 15B is moved to the first image display region 51 so as to
activate the first image display region 51. Subsequently, when the
user operates the first button 26a or the second button 26b, the
image displayed in the first image display region 51 is
page-forwarded, and the image that the user wants to copy is
displayed in the first image display region 51. Then, with the
operation of the copy button 27, the microcomputer 8 performs
control to copy the image file of the image displayed in the first
image display region 51 into the internal memory 5.
[0130] In the manner described above, image files can be copied
between memories in the state in which an image based on the image
files recorded in the memory card 4 and an image based on the image
files recorded in the internal memory 5 are displayed
simultaneously, and therefore the state before copying (FIG. 15A)
and the state after copying (FIG. 15B) can be checked visually, so
that the copying operation can be performed in a simple and sure
manner.
[0131] In the description given above, the operation for copying
image files is described, but the operation for moving image files
can be performed similarly.
[0132] Further, in the state shown in FIG. 15A, by operating the
copy button 27, for example, a message such as "Copy image?" may be
displayed to ask the user whether or not to copy the image
file.
[2-4-8. Display Operation when Mark Setting]
[0133] The "favorite function" refers to a function of adding a
mark to a specific image. By adding a mark to images, it is
possible to delete all images except the image(s) having an added
mark by a single operation, or to perform a slide show in which
only the images having an added mark are shown. This function is
referred to as the "favorite function" or a "mark function", and
many digital still cameras available in recent years have this
function. Hereinafter, the operation to add a mark to a specific
image using this function is referred to as "mark setting", and the
operation to remove the added mark is referred to as "mark
removal". The operation for mark setting and mark removal can be
performed by the mark button 28 in FIGS. 2 and 3.
[0134] The method for mark setting will be described first.
[0135] In FIGS. 16A and 16B, the first image display region 51 is
controlled to display only images not having a mark set, and only
images not having a mark set can be page-forwarded. The second
image display region 52 is controlled to display only images having
a mark set, and only images having a mark set can be
page-forwarded. For the images having a mark set, a mark 55 is
displayed on the image by the OSD controller 9 (see FIG. 1).
Further, page-forwarding in the first image display region 51 or
the second image display region 52 can be performed by operating
the first button 26a or the second button 26b in FIG. 3. The
switching of the activated state can be performed by operating the
third button 26c or the fourth button 26d in FIG. 3.
[0136] In FIG. 16A, Image A not having a mark set is displayed in
the first image display region 51, Image B having a mark set is
displayed in the second image display region 52, and the first
image display region 51 is activated. In FIG. 16A, upon operation
of the mark button 28, the microcomputer 8 performs a mark setting
for Image A displayed in the first image display region 51. When a
mark setting is performed for Image A, a favorite flag is set in
the management information in the file management table shown in
FIG. 4, and at the same time, Image A is displayed in the second
image display region 52 as shown in FIG. 16B. When Image A is
displayed in the second image display region 52 as shown in FIG.
16B, the microcomputer 8 performs control to display the image
after the mark 55 is added by the OSD controller 9. Because the
microcomputer 8 performs control to display an image not having a
mark set in the first image display region 51, instead of Image A,
Image C (an image next to Image A and not having a mark set) is
displayed in the first image display region 51.
[0137] When a mark setting is performed for another image not
having a mark set, the first image display region 51 is activated,
and the first button 26a or the second button 26b in FIG. 3 is
operated to display an image the user wants to mark in the first
image display region 51. Subsequently, with the operation of the
mark button 28, the microcomputer 8 performs a mark setting for the
image file of the image displayed in the first image display region
51.
[0138] When removing the mark setting, by operating the third
button 26c or the fourth button 26d in FIG. 3, the second image
display region 52 is activated as shown in FIG. 17A. Then, upon
operation of the mark button 28, the microcomputer 8 removes the
mark setting of Image B displayed in the second image display
region 52. The Image B from which the mark setting is removed is
displayed in the first image display region 51 as shown in FIG.
17B. Image D, which is next to Image B and has a mark set, is
displayed in the second image display region 52.
[0139] Subsequently, mark setting information will be
described.
[0140] The information on mark setting is contained in the
AUTPLAY3.MRK file stored in the MISC folder shown in FIG. 5. FIG.
18 shows a configuration of the AUTPLAY3.MRK file. The AUTPLAY3.MRK
file is roughly divided into a header portion in which information
on the image pickup apparatus and the date and time of mark setting
is written, and information on the image file having a mark
set.
[0141] As shown in FIG. 18, the information on the image file
contains the format and file name of the image files to which a
mark is newly set. As described previously, when a mark setting is
performed for an image file, the information of the image file to
which a mark is newly set is written into the AUTPLAY3.MRK file,
and the AUTPLAY3.MRK file is overwritten. Further, as shown in the
second image display region 52 of FIGS. 16 and 17, when the image
of the image file having a mark set is displayed, by referring to
the AUTPLAY3.MRK file, the image files having a mark set are
managed separately.
[2-4-9. Display Operation of Vertical Image]
[0142] In the description given above, the display of images whose
short side direction serves as the vertical direction is described.
However, according to this embodiment, images whose long side
direction serves as the vertical direction (hereinafter referred to
as "vertical images") can be displayed. The vertical images are
images photographed by, for example, the image pickup apparatus
held in the position shown in FIG. 3.
[0143] When photographing a vertical image with the image pickup
apparatus, an angle sensor contained in the image pickup apparatus
detects that the image pickup apparatus is in the position shown in
FIG. 3. By the detection signal of the angle sensor, the rotation
information of the image is written into the header information of
the image file shown in FIG. 9. The angles detected by the angle
sensor are 90 degrees, 180 degrees, 270 degrees, and the like
relative to the upright position of the image pickup apparatus as
shown in FIG. 2 being set as reference (0 degrees). For example,
the position shown in FIG. 3 corresponds to 270 degrees.
[0144] When playing back the vertical image, the rotation
information in the header information of the image file is read
out, and based on the rotation information, the display starting
position of the image is determined. FIGS. 19A and 19B show a
vertical image that is read out from the memory card 4 and stored
temporarily in the buffer memory 6. Because photographed images are
recorded relative to the direction of the angle of view of the
imaging element, vertical images are recorded as shown in FIG.
19A.
[0145] When playing back the vertical image, a rotation process is
performed, based on the rotation information of the header
information, for an image 60 read out from the memory card 4 or the
like and played back as shown in FIG. 19A. More specifically, when
the image file of the image 60 is read out from the memory card 4
or the like, the read-out starting position of the image 60 is
changed according to the rotation information of the header
information. When playing back a normal image (the rotation
information is 0 degrees), the read-out is performed from the upper
left of the image, but when the rotation information is, for
example, 270 degrees, the read-out is performed from the lower left
of the image. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 19B, the read-out
is performed for each row, starting from a position 62 located at
the lower left of the image 60 toward the direction of the arrow A.
Subsequently, the image is read out from each row toward the
direction of the arrow B. Thereby, a vertical image 61 as shown in
FIG. 19C can be obtained.
[0146] When the rotation information is 90 degrees, the read-out is
performed from the upper right of the image 60 shown in FIG. 19A.
When the rotation information is 180 degrees, the read-out is
performed from the lower right of the image 60 shown in FIG.
19A.
[0147] A description will now be given of the display of vertical
images in the second display mode.
[0148] In FIG. 20, a vertical image 56 is displayed in the second
image display region 52 in the second display mode. As shown in
FIG. 20, when the vertical image 56 is displayed in the image
display region while retaining its aspect ratio, the vertical image
56 is displayed at a size smaller than the horizontal image
displayed in the first image display region 51. On both right and
left sides of the vertical image 56, for example, a black image 57
is displayed.
[2-5. Method for Externally Outputting Image]
[0149] A description will now be given of an operation for
displaying an image based on the image files recorded in the memory
card 4 or the internal memory 5 in a television receiver.
[0150] When outputting image data to a television receiver, a video
cable capable of transferring image signals is connected to the
external output portion 11 of FIG. 1. The other end of the video
cable is connected to a video input terminal of the television
receiver. Subsequently, the television receiver is turned on, and
an external input mode is set. Then, the image pickup apparatus is
turned on, and the playback mode is set. Thereafter, by operating
the operation portion 12, an image file that the user wants to
output to the television receiver is selected. Thereby, the image
data of the selected image file is converted into an image signal
(analog image signal), and the image signal is output to the
television receiver.
[0151] When outputting images to the television receiver while the
image pickup apparatus is in the second display mode, only the
image signal of the activated image is output by the control of the
microcomputer 8.
[0152] For example, when the image pickup apparatus displays as
shown in FIG. 12A in the liquid crystal monitor 22, the image
signal of Image A displayed in the activated first image display
region 51 is output to the television receiver. The television
receiver displays Image A on its screen based on the input image
signal.
[0153] Further, when the second image display region 52 is changed
from the state shown in FIG. 12A to the activated state as shown in
FIG. 12B, the image signal of Image B displayed in the second image
display region 52 is output to the television receiver. The
television receiver displays Image B on its screen based on the
input image signal.
[0154] As shown in FIG. 12C, when the image of the activated second
image display region 52 is page-forwarded to display Image C, the
image signal of Image C is output to the television receiver. The
television receiver displays Image C based on the input image
signal.
[0155] The video input terminal of the television receiver may be a
terminal capable of inputting analog image signals or a terminal
capable of inputting image data (digital data). Examples of the
terminal capable of inputting analog image signals include a
composite video terminal (RCA terminal), a component video terminal
(chrominance input terminal), an S terminal (separate terminal) and
a D terminal. Examples of the terminal capable of inputting image
data include a terminal according to the HDMI standard (High
Definition Multimedia interface), a terminal according to the
IEEE1394 standard (IEEE Std.1394-1995 IEEE Standard for a High
Performance serial Bus), and a LAN (Local Area Network)
terminal.
[0156] Although the configuration described above is one in which
the image data recorded in the memory card 4 or the internal memory
5 is converted to an analog image signal, and the analog image
signal is output to a television receiver, it is also possible to
adopt a configuration in which, if the television receiver can
decode the image data, the image data may be output to the
television receiver without converting the image data into an
analog image signal.
[0157] It is also possible to adopt a configuration in which the
image data (digital data) produced in the image pickup apparatus is
decoded into an analog image signal in the image pickup apparatus,
and the analog image signal is output to the television receiver,
or a configuration in which the image data is transferred directly
to the television receiver from the image pickup apparatus, and
then decoded into an analog image signal in the television
receiver.
[0158] Further, a configuration is also possible in which not only
image signals are transferred from the image pickup apparatus to
the television receiver, but also HTML (Hypertext Markup Language)
data containing images in the image pickup apparatus is
transferred. More specifically, in the image pickup apparatus, HTML
data containing image data recorded in the memory card 4 or the
like is produced, and the produced HTML data is transferred to the
television receiver. The television receiver executes a browser
software and displays the HTML data transferred from the image
pickup apparatus.
[2-6. Image Enlarging Process in Second Display Mode]
[0159] FIGS. 21A to 21C show changes when the images displayed in
the first image display region 51 and the second image display
region 52 are enlarged simultaneously.
[0160] First, as shown in FIG. 21A, while the first image display
region 51 (or the second image display region 52) is activated, by
performing a predetermined operation, both of the image display
regions can be activated as shown in FIG. 21B. According to this
embodiment, by depressing the third button 26c and the fourth
button 26d of the cursor button 26 (see FIG. 3) simultaneously, the
image display regions can be switched to the state shown in FIG.
21B.
[0161] In the state shown in FIG. 21B, when the zoom switch 25 is
operated to the T side, a portion indicated by a region 58a in the
image displayed in the first image display region 51 is cut out,
and then stored temporarily in the buffer memory 6 (see FIG. 1),
after which the portion undergoes an image enlarging process in the
image processing portion 2. At the same time, a portion indicated
by a region 58b in the image displayed in the second image display
region 52 is cut out, and then stored temporarily in the buffer
memory 6, after which the portion undergoes an image enlarging
process in the image processing portion 2. FIG. 21C shows the
display state of the liquid crystal monitor 22 after the image
enlarging process.
[0162] Although, in this embodiment, the regions 58a and 58b to be
cut out are set substantially at the center of the image displayed
in the first image display region 51 and the second image display
region 52, the region to be cut out is not limited to the center of
the image, and another portion may be cut out.
[0163] Further, the enlargement magnification for the image
enlarging process is changed to 120%, 140% and so on, each time the
zoom switch 25 is operated to the T side as described previously,
but the enlargement magnification is not limited to the above
values.
[0164] Although the configuration described in this embodiment is
one in which, with the simultaneous depression of the third button
26c and the fourth button 26d of the cursor button 26 in the state
shown in FIG. 21A, the image display regions are switched to the
state shown in FIG. 21B, it is also possible to adopt a
configuration in which, with the operation of the zoom switch 25 to
the T side in the state shown in FIG. 21A, both the first image
display region 51 and the second image display region 52 undergo
the image enlarging process. In this case, the operation to
activate both image display regions is unnecessary, so operability
can be improved.
[0165] Also, the position of the regions 58a and 58b is not
necessarily fixed, and a configuration can be employed in which the
user can freely set the position of the regions 58a and 58b. In
this case, for example, when the liquid crystal monitor 22 is
switched into the display state as shown in FIG. 22A (the same
state as that of FIG. 21B) by performing a predetermined operation,
frames (e.g., the dotted line frames in FIG. 22A) surrounding the
regions 58a and 58b are displayed within the first image display
region 51 and the second image display region 52. Subsequently, the
user operates the cursor button 26 in a direction of up, down,
right or left, whereby the frames are moved to a desired position
as shown in FIG. 22B. Then, with the operation of the zoom switch
25 to the T side, the portions indicated by the regions 58a and 58b
in the images displayed in the first image display region 51 and
the second image display region 52 are cut out and stored
temporarily in the buffer memory 6 (see FIG. 1), after which the
portions undergo the image enlarging process in the image
processing portion 2. In the example shown in 22B, in the first
image display region 51 and the second image display region 52, the
upper left portions in FIG. 22B undergo the image enlarging
process. FIG. 22C shows the display state of the liquid crystal
monitor 22 after the image enlarging process.
[0166] As shown in FIGS. 23A to 23C, a configuration is also
possible in which, with the operation of the cursor button 26 in a
direction of up, down, right or left after the images are enlarged,
the cut-out position indicated by the regions 58a and 58b is
changed. When this operation is performed, the images displayed in
the first image display region 51 and the second image display
region 52 are scrolled according to the direction in which the
cursor button 26 is operated. In the example shown in FIGS. 23A to
23C, with the operation of the zoom switch 25 to the T side in the
display state shown in FIG. 23A, the centers of the images
indicated by the regions 58a and 58b are cut out, and enlarged as
shown in FIG. 23B. In the state shown in FIG. 23B, when the third
button 26c of the cursor button 26 is operated, the cut-out
position of the regions 58a and 58b is moved upward in the drawing,
so that the display changes to the state shown in FIG. 23C.
[0167] As described above, a configuration is employed in which the
images displayed in the first image display region 51 and the
second image display region 52 can be enlarged simultaneously,
which is useful when comparing the details of a plurality of
images.
[2-7. Method for Externally Outputting Two Images]
[0168] In the method for externally outputting an image described
in 2-5 above, in the second display mode, only the image signal of
the activated image is output to a television receiver or the like.
In the method for externally outputting images described here, in
the second display mode, the image signals of both images displayed
in the first image display region 51 and the second image display
region 52 are output simultaneously to a television receiver or the
like.
[0169] When externally outputting image signals, first, a video
cable is connected to the external output portion 11 (see FIG. 1).
The other end of the video cable is connected to a television
receiver (not shown). Then, the image pickup apparatus is switched
into, for example, the second display mode as shown in FIG. 10C.
Thereby, the image processing portion 2 produces an output image 71
including an image 72 having been displayed in the first image
display region 51 and an image 73 having been displayed in the
second image display region 52 as shown in FIG. 24. The image
signal of the output image 71 is output from the external output
portion 11 and input to a television receiver via the cable. The
television receiver displays the output image 71 in its screen
based on the input image signal. In order to display the images at
an aspect ratio suitable for the screen of the television receiver,
in the output image 71, the images 72 and 73 are arranged
horizontally as shown in FIG. 24.
[0170] In the above configuration, the output image 71 shown in
FIG. 24 is output to the television receiver when the images are
displayed vertically in the liquid crystal monitor 22 as shown in
FIG. 10C, but it is also possible to perform a control such that
the display in the liquid crystal monitor 22 automatically changes
from the display state shown in FIG. 10C in which images are
arranged vertically to that shown in FIG. 25 in which images are
arranged horizontally upon connection of a cable 74 to the main
body 21 as shown in FIG. 25. By changing the display of the liquid
crystal monitor 22 in synchronization with the connection of the
cable 74 as described above, the image that is actually displayed
in the television receiver can be imagined easily.
[0171] Although the configuration shown in this embodiment is one
in which the main body 21 and the television receiver are connected
with the cable 74, it is also possible to adopt a configuration in
which the main body 21 and the television receiver are connected
via wireless communication. In this case, it is also possible to
adopt a configuration in which, when the microcomputer 8 detects
that the data transmission between the main body 1 and the
television receiver is established, the display of the liquid
crystal monitor 22 is changed to that as shown in FIG. 25.
[2-8. Method for Capturing Still Image]
[0172] The method for capturing a still image from a moving image
will now be described. The capturing of still images can be
performed for moving image files recorded in the memory card 4 or
the internal memory 5, but, in the following description, the
method for capturing a still image while a moving image file
recorded in the memory card 4 is being played back will be
described.
[0173] Many digital still cameras available in recent years have,
in addition to a function of photographing still images, a function
of shooting moving images. The moving image shot by the image
pickup apparatus of this embodiment is recorded in the memory card
4 in a predetermined file format (a moving image format such as
MPEG). The moving image file recorded in the memory card 4 can be
read out from the memory card 4 and played back. Further, as long
as the moving image file is in a format that can be decoded by the
image pickup apparatus of this embodiment, it is also possible to
play back a moving image file recorded into the memory card 4 using
other devices (personal computer, DVD recorder or the like).
[0174] To play back a moving image using this apparatus, when the
image pickup apparatus is set to the playback mode by the user, the
microcomputer 8 performs control to display an image list (still
images/moving images) in the liquid crystal monitor 22. The user
selects a moving image file from the image list displayed in the
liquid crystal monitor 22 by operating the cursor button 26.
Thereby, the still image included at the top of the moving image
file is displayed in the liquid crystal monitor 22 as shown in FIG.
10A.
[0175] Subsequently, upon operation of the center button 26e by the
user, the microcomputer 8 performs control to display a playback
menu in the liquid crystal monitor 22 as shown in FIG. 10B. Then,
when the cursor button 26 is operated by the user and "double
screen display" is selected, the microcomputer 8 switches the
display state of the liquid crystal monitor 22 into the second
display mode. Then, when the third button 26c of the cursor button
26 is operated by the user, the microcomputer 8 decodes the
selected moving image file, and the playback of the moving image
starts.
[0176] During the playback of the moving image, the liquid crystal
monitor 22 appears as shown in FIG. 26A. As shown in FIG. 26A, in
the first image display region 51, the moving image being played
back is displayed. In the second image display region 52, a
monochrome image or a message 59a that guides the user in
performing the capture operation is displayed.
[0177] With the operation of the release switch 23 by the user
while the moving image is being played back as shown in FIG. 26A, a
still image at the timing of the operation of the release switch 23
can be captured from the moving image being played back. FIG. 26B
shows the display state of the liquid crystal monitor 22 when a
still image is captured.
[0178] As shown in FIG. 26B, at the time of capturing a still
image, the moving image being played back stays displayed in the
first image display region 51, whereas in the second image display
region 52, the captured still image is displayed. At the same time,
a message 59b is displayed near the second image display region 52.
At the time of FIG. 26B, the captured still image is only stored in
the buffer memory 6 and is not recorded in the memory card 4. By
performing a predetermined operation (in this embodiment, by
depressing the fourth button 26d) in the state shown in FIG. 26B,
the microcomputer 8 performs control to convert the captured image
stored in the buffer memory 6 into an image file and to record the
image file in the memory card 4.
[0179] FIG. 26C shows the display state after the image file is
recorded in the memory card 4. As shown, a message 59c is
displayed.
[0180] After a still image is captured as shown in FIG. 26B, or
after the image file of a captured still image is recorded in the
memory card 4 as shown in FIG. 26C, the second image display region
52 keeps displaying the still image captured the last time until
the release switch 23 is operated again. In this state, when the
release switch 23 is operated again, a newly captured still image
is displayed in the second image display region 52.
[0181] In the above description, the last captured image is
displayed in the second image display region 52, but it is also
possible to adopt a configuration in which a plurality of captured
still images are displayed simultaneously. FIGS. 27A to 27C show
examples of simultaneously displaying a plurality of captured still
images.
[0182] When the release switch 23 is operated the first time during
the playback of a moving image, one captured still image is
displayed in the second image display region 52 as shown in FIG.
27A. Subsequently, when the release switch 23 is operated the
second time, two captured still images are displayed simultaneously
in the second image display region 52 as shown in FIG. 27B. At this
time, the second image display region 52 is divided into a
plurality of regions so that a plurality of still images can be
displayed simultaneously (quadrants in the example shown in FIG.
27B). In the example shown in 27B, the second image display region
52 is divided into four regions, so that a maximum of four still
images can be displayed simultaneously.
[0183] Subsequently, while the liquid crystal monitor 22 appears as
shown in FIG. 27B, when the release switch 23 is operated, the
second image display region 52 is divided into nine regions as
shown in FIG. 27C, so that a maximum of nine still images can be
displayed simultaneously.
[0184] Although the configuration shown in this embodiment is one
in which the capturing of a still image is performed each time the
release switch 23 is operated, it is also possible to adopt a
configuration in which the microcomputer 8 performs control to
automatically capture still images at a predetermined time interval
(e.g., every several seconds) and to record them in the memory card
4 or the internal memory 5.
[0185] Further, although the configuration shown in this embodiment
is one in which a captured still image is once stored in the buffer
memory 6, and the still image file is recorded in the memory card 4
or the internal memory 5 with the operation of the fourth button
26d, it is also possible to adopt a configuration in which, without
storing a captured image, the still image file is stored in the
memory card 4 or the internal memory 5. This eliminates the need
for the operation of recording the still image file into the memory
card 4 (the operation of the fourth button 26d in this embodiment),
and the operability can be improved.
[0186] Further, although a configuration was employed in which the
capture operation is performed during the playback of a moving
image, it is also possible to perform the capture operation while a
moving image is played back frame by frame or paused. Thereby, it
is possible to capture a still image at a desired timing.
3. Effects of Embodiment, Etc.
[0187] As described above, according to this embodiment, a second
display mode is provided in which two images are displayed such
that they are arranged vertically with the short side direction of
the images aligned with the vertical direction in the liquid
crystal monitor 22 held with the long side direction aligned with
the vertical direction, and therefore the images can be displayed
at a resolution as high as possible when they are displayed in a
double screen, and the visual recognition of images can be
improved.
[0188] Further, it is possible easily to compare a plurality of
images by displaying the plurality of images simultaneously.
[0189] Further, a configuration is adopted in which either one of
the first image display region 51 and the second image display
region 52 is activated and the image displayed in the activated
display region can be switched to an image based on other image
data stored in the memory card 4 or the like, and thus a desired
image can be displayed in the first image display region 51 or the
second image display region 52.
[0190] Further, a configuration is adopted in which the control
portion accepts an instruction to select either of the first image
display region 51 and the second image display region 52 to
activate, and thus a desired image can be displayed in the first
image display region 51 or the second image display region 52.
[0191] Further, a control is performed such that, in the first
display mode, an on-screen display is displayed in the display
screen with the short side direction of the display screen aligned
with the vertical direction, and, in the second display mode, an
on-screen display is displayed in the display screen with the long
side direction of the display screen aligned with the vertical
direction, and thus, in the first display mode and the second
display mode, the display direction of the image can be matched
with the display direction of the on-screen display.
[0192] Further, in the second display mode, it is possible to
display an image based on vertically long image data.
[0193] Further, a configuration is adopted in which the internal
memory 5 that can store image data and the medium holding unit
(card slot 3) capable of removably holding the memory medium
(memory card 4) that can store image data further are provided, and
in the second mode, the microcomputer 8 performs control to display
an image based on the image data stored in the memory card 4 in one
of the first image display region 51 and the second image display
region 52 and to display an image based on the image data stored in
the internal memory 5 in the other of the first image display
region 51 and the second image display region 52, and thus an image
based on the image data recorded in the internal memory 5 and an
image based on the image data recorded in the memory card 4 can be
displayed simultaneously.
[0194] Further, a configuration is adopted in which, in the second
display mode, when an instruction to change the storage location of
the image file of the image displayed in the display region is
input, a control is performed to store the image file into the
internal memory when the image file has been stored in the memory
medium, and to store the image file into the memory medium when the
image file has been stored in the internal memory, and thus image
data can be copied or moved easily between the internal memory 5
and the memory card 4.
[0195] Further, in the second display mode, when an instruction to
delete image data is input while either of the first display region
51 and the second display region 52 is activated, a control is
performed to delete the image data of the image displayed in the
activated display region, and thus it is possible to view the image
to be deleted before deleting it.
[0196] It is also possible to adopt a configuration in which, in
the second display mode, when an instruction to output image data
to an external device is input while either of the first display
region 51 and the second display region 52 is activated, a control
is performed to output the image data of the image displayed in the
activated display region to the external device.
[0197] Further, it is also possible to adopt a configuration in
which, in the second display mode, while either of the first image
display region 51 and the second image display region 52 is
activated, when the zoom switch 25 shown in FIG. 2 is operated, the
image displayed in the activated display region can be enlarged or
reduced. In this case, for example, a control can be performed to
reduce the image when the zoom switch 25 is operated to the W side,
and to enlarge the image when the zoom switch 25 is operated to the
T side. The enlargement/reduction magnification of the image can be
increased/decreased at a pre-set magnification each time the zoom
switch 25 is operated to the T side/W side. For example, each time
the zoom switch 25 is operated to the T side, the magnification can
be increased gradually to 120%, 140% and so on, and each time the
zoom switch 25 is operated to the W side, the magnification can be
decreased gradually to 80%, 60% and so on. It is also possible to
adopt a configuration in which, when the zoom switch 25 is operated
continuously to the T side, the enlargement magnification of the
image is increased continuously to enlarge the image continuously.
Further, it is also possible to adopt a configuration in which,
when the zoom switch 25 is operated continuously to the W side, the
reduction magnification of the image is decreased continuously to
reduce the image continuously. A configuration may be adopted in
which the enlarged or reduced image is restored to the original
size when the display is changed to another image, or in which each
image retains the enlarged/reduced size even when the display is
changed to another image.
[0198] Further, a mark setting/removal function is provided, and
this enables simultaneous display of an image to which a mark has
been added and an image to which no mark has been added, and thus
it is possible to set or remove the mark easily while viewing the
image.
[0199] Further, the cursor button 26 is configured such that, in
the second display mode, the first button 26a enables an operation
instructing rightward movement relative to the display direction of
the images displayed in the display screen, the second button 26b
enables an operation instructing leftward movement relative to the
same, the third button 26c enables an operation instructing upward
movement relative to the same, and the fourth button 26d enables an
operation instructing downward movement relative to the same, and
thus, in the first display mode and the second display mode, the
display direction of the images can be matched with the operating
direction of the direction operation portion. Therefore, the
operability can be improved.
[0200] Note that the USB controller 7 and the external output
portion 11 need not necessarily be present. Although, in this
embodiment, both the card slot 3 and the internal memory 5 are
provided, a configuration is also possible in which either one is
provided.
[0201] The image displaying apparatus of the present invention
includes a display portion having at least short sides and long
sides, and is applicable to devices capable of displaying image
data. Examples of application include image pickup apparatus such
as digital still cameras, digital video cameras and camera-equipped
cell phones, PDAs (personal digital assistants), and portable game
consoles.
[Note 1]
[0202] The image displaying apparatus of the present invention
comprises: a display portion comprising a substantially rectangular
display screen including at least two long sides opposed to each
other and two short sides opposed to each other; and a control
portion that controls a display operation of the display portion,
wherein the control portion is provided with: a first display mode
in which a one-screen display region for one screen image is formed
in the display screen, with the short side direction of the display
screen aligned with the vertical direction; and a second display
mode in which a first display region and a second display region
for two screen images are formed in the display screen, with the
long side direction of the display screen aligned with the vertical
direction, and the first display region and the second display
region formed such that they are arranged up and down. According to
this configuration, when images are displayed in a double screen,
each image can be displayed as large as possible, and therefore the
visual recognition of the details of the images can be
improved.
[Note 2]
[0203] In the image displaying apparatus of the present invention,
a configuration is possible in which the control portion is capable
of reading out image data from a memory unit in which the image
data is recorded, and is capable of displaying images based on the
image data read out from the memory unit in the first display
region and the second display region, respectively, in the second
display mode. According to this configuration, a plurality of
images can be displayed simultaneously, and a comparison can be
made easily.
[Note 3]
[0204] In the image displaying apparatus of the present invention,
a configuration is possible in which the control portion activates
either one of the first display region and the second display
region, and performs control to change the image displayed in the
activated display region to an image based on another image data
stored in the memory unit. According to this configuration, a
desired image can be displayed in the first display region or the
second display region.
[Note 4]
[0205] In the image displaying apparatus of the present invention,
a configuration is possible in which, when the image displayed in
the activated display region is changed to the image based on other
image data stored in the memory unit, the control portion performs
control to display an image other than the image displayed in the
deactivated display region. According to this configuration,
simultaneous display of the same image in the first and second
display regions can be avoided; the displayed image can be changed
rapidly. Therefore, the operability of image display can be
improved.
[Note 5]
[0206] In the image displaying apparatus of the present invention,
a configuration is possible in which the control portion accepts an
instruction to select either of the first display region and the
second display region to activate. According to this configuration,
a desired image can be displayed in the first display region or the
second display region.
[Note 6]
[0207] In the image displaying apparatus of the present invention,
a configuration is possible in which, when an instruction to
enlarge or reduce an image is input, the control portion changes
the image displayed in either one of the first display region and
the second display region that is activated to an enlarged or
reduced image. According to this configuration, the image displayed
in the activated display region can be enlarged to a desired size,
and the details of the image can be viewed.
[Note 7]
[0208] In the image displaying apparatus of the present invention,
a configuration is possible in which the control portion performs
control to display an on-screen display within the display regions,
in the first display mode, the on-screen display is displayed, with
the short side direction of the display screen aligned with the
vertical direction, and in the second display mode, the on-screen
display is displayed, with the long side direction of the display
screen aligned with the vertical direction. According to this
configuration, in the first display mode and the second display
mode, the display direction of images can be matched with the
display direction of the on-screen display.
[Note 8]
[0209] In the image displaying apparatus of the present invention,
a configuration is possible in which the memory unit is capable of
storing vertically long image data whose long side direction is
matched substantially with the direction of gravity, and in the
second display mode, the control portion is capable of displaying
an image based on the vertically long image data.
[Note 9]
[0210] In the image displaying apparatus of the present invention,
a configuration is possible in which an internal memory capable of
storing image data and a medium holding unit that removably holds a
memory medium capable of storing image data are further provided,
and in the second display mode, the control portion performs
control to display an image based on the image data stored in the
memory medium in one of the first display region and the second
display region, and to display an image based on the image data
stored in the internal memory in the other of the first display
region and the second display region. According to this
configuration, simultaneous display of an image based on the image
data recorded in the internal memory and an image based on the
image data recorded in the memory medium can be achieved.
[Note 10]
[0211] In the image displaying apparatus of the present invention,
a configuration is possible in which, in the second display mode,
when an instruction to change the storage location of an image file
of the image displayed in the display region is input, the control
portion performs control to store the image file into the internal
memory when the image file has been stored in the memory medium,
and to store the image file into the memory medium when the image
file has been stored in the internal memory. According to this
configuration, image data can be copied or moved easily between the
internal memory and the memory medium.
[Note 11]
[0212] In the image displaying apparatus of the present invention,
a configuration is possible in which, in the second display mode,
when an instruction to delete image data is input while either of
the first display region and the second display region is
activated, the control portion performs control to delete the image
data of the image displayed in the activated display region.
According to this configuration, it is possible to view the image
to be deleted before deleting it.
[Note 12]
[0213] In the image displaying apparatus of the present invention,
a configuration is possible in which, in the second display mode,
when an instruction to output image data to an external device is
input while either of the first display region and the second
display region is activated, the control portion performs control
to output the image data of the image displayed in the activated
display region to the external device.
[Note 13]
[0214] In the image displaying apparatus of the present invention,
a configuration is possible in which a mark is added to specific
image data in the image data recorded in the memory unit, and in
the second display mode, the control portion performs control to
display an image based on the image data to which the mark has been
added in one of the first display region and the second display
region, and to display an image based on image data to which the
mark has not been added in the other of the first display region
and the second display region. According to this configuration,
simultaneous display of an image having the mark added and an image
not having the mark added can be achieved, and it is possible to
set or remove the mark easily while viewing the image.
[Note 14]
[0215] in the image displaying apparatus of the present invention,
a configuration is possible in which, when an instruction to set
the mark is input while either of the first display region and the
second display region is activated, the control portion adds the
mark to the image data of the image displayed in the activated
display region, and displays an image of the image data to which
the mark has been added in the deactivated display region.
According to this configuration, simultaneous display of an image
having the mark added and an image not having the mark added can be
achieved, and it is possible to set the mark easily while viewing
the image.
[Note 15]
[0216] In the image displaying apparatus of the present invention,
a configuration is possible in which when an instruction to remove
the mark is input while either of the first display region and the
second display region is activated and the image data of the image
displayed in the activated display region has the mark, the control
portion removes the mark of the image data of the image displayed
in the activated display region, and displays an image of the image
data from which the mark has been removed in the deactivated
display region. According to this configuration, simultaneous
display of an image having the mark added and an image not having
the mark added can be achieved, and it is possible to remove the
mark easily while viewing the image.
[Note 16]
[0217] In the image displaying apparatus of the present invention,
a configuration is possible in which an operation portion is
further provided comprising: a first direction operation portion; a
second direction operation portion that enables an operation in a
direction opposite to the operation direction operable by the first
direction operation portion; a third direction operation portion
that enables an operation in a direction substantially orthogonal
to the operation directions operable by the first direction
operation portion and the second direction operation portion; and a
fourth direction operation portion that enables an operation in a
direction opposite to the operation direction operable by the third
direction operation portion, and in the first display mode,
relative to the display direction of the image displayed in the
display screen, the first direction operation portion enables an
operation instructing upward movement, the second direction
operation portion enables an operation instructing downward
movement, the third direction operation portion enables an
operation instructing leftward movement, and the fourth direction
operation portion enables an operation instructing rightward
movement, and in the second display mode, relative to the display
direction of the images displayed in the display screen, the first
direction operation portion enables an operation instructing
rightward movement, the second direction operation portion enables
an operation instructing leftward movement, the third direction
operation portion enables an operation instructing upward movement,
and the fourth direction operation portion enables an operation
instructing downward movement. According to this configuration, in
the first display mode and the second display mode, the display
direction of images can be matched with the operation direction of
the operation portion, and the operability can be improved.
[Note 17]
[0218] In the image displaying apparatus of the present invention,
a configuration is possible in which, in the second display mode,
when an instruction to enlarge image size is input while both or
either of the first display region and the second display region
are activated, the control portion performs control to enlarge the
image size of the image displayed in the activated display region.
This configuration is useful when comparing the details of a
plurality of images.
[Note 18]
[0219] In the image displaying apparatus of the present invention,
a configuration is possible in which, when enlarging the image size
of the image displayed in the activated display region, the control
portion is capable of setting a cut-out position to a desired
position in the image before the enlarging process. This
configuration is useful when comparing the details of desired
portions of the image.
[Note 19]
[0220] In the image displaying apparatus of the present invention,
a configuration is possible in which, in the second display mode,
when an instruction to output image data to an external displaying
device is input, the control portion performs control to convert
the image displayed in the first display region and the image
displayed in the second display region into image data that can be
displayed simultaneously in the external displaying device, and
then performs control to output the image data to the external
displaying device. According to this configuration, a plurality of
images can be displayed simultaneously in an external displaying
device having a large screen size such as a television receiver,
which is useful when comparing a plurality of images.
[Note 20]
[0221] In the image displaying apparatus of the present invention,
a configuration is possible in which, when playing back a moving
image file, the control portion displays a moving image based on
the moving image file in the first display region, and when a
capture operation is performed while the moving image file is being
played back, the control portion performs control to display the
captured still image in the second display region. According to
this configuration, capturing can be performed continuously while
viewing a captured still image, so operability can be improved.
[0222] The invention may be embodied in other forms without
departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The
embodiments disclosed in this application are to be considered in
all respects as illustrative and not limiting. The scope of the
invention is indicated by the appended claims rather than by the
foregoing description, and all changes which come within the
meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are intended to be
embraced therein.
* * * * *