U.S. patent application number 13/687011 was filed with the patent office on 2013-06-20 for imaging apparatus, user interface, and associated methodology for a co-existent shooting and reproduction mode.
This patent application is currently assigned to Sony Corporation. The applicant listed for this patent is Sony Corporation. Invention is credited to Yoshimitsu Funabashi, Shinichi Iriya, Motoki Kobayashi, Kayo Sasaki, Miwako Yoritate.
Application Number | 20130155310 13/687011 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35394522 |
Filed Date | 2013-06-20 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130155310 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kobayashi; Motoki ; et
al. |
June 20, 2013 |
IMAGING APPARATUS, USER INTERFACE, AND ASSOCIATED METHODOLOGY FOR A
CO-EXISTENT SHOOTING AND REPRODUCTION MODE
Abstract
A currently captured image of an object is displayed at a center
of a display frame on a display screen in a shooting mode. When a
dial is rotated, the currently captured image is moved rightward. A
reproduced image captured before the currently captured image is
displayed on the left thereof. Another reproduced image captured
before the reproduced image is displayed on the left thereof. The
currently captured image and the reproduced images are displayed
simultaneously on the display screen as a co-existent shooting and
reproducing mode. When the dial is rotated in the counterclockwise
direction, only the reproduced images are displayed in a
reproducing mode. The reproduced images are displayed along a time
axis.
Inventors: |
Kobayashi; Motoki; (Tokyo,
JP) ; Yoritate; Miwako; (Tokyo, JP) ;
Funabashi; Yoshimitsu; (Tokyo, JP) ; Iriya;
Shinichi; (Kanagawa, JP) ; Sasaki; Kayo;
(Tokyo, JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Sony Corporation; |
Tokyo |
|
JP |
|
|
Assignee: |
Sony Corporation
Tokyo
JP
|
Family ID: |
35394522 |
Appl. No.: |
13/687011 |
Filed: |
November 28, 2012 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
13487672 |
Jun 4, 2012 |
|
|
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13687011 |
|
|
|
|
12750179 |
Mar 30, 2010 |
8218057 |
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13487672 |
|
|
|
|
11568810 |
Nov 8, 2006 |
7714926 |
|
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PCT/JP05/08658 |
May 2, 2005 |
|
|
|
12750179 |
|
|
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
348/333.12 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F 3/0412 20130101;
H04N 5/232939 20180801; H04N 5/232933 20180801; G06F 3/0485
20130101; H04N 5/23293 20130101; G06F 3/0488 20130101; H04N 5/225
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
348/333.12 |
International
Class: |
H04N 5/225 20060101
H04N005/225 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
May 13, 2004 |
JP |
2004-143438 |
May 13, 2004 |
JP |
2004-143439 |
Claims
1. An image display apparatus comprising: a control unit configured
to control a display to display a current image of an object
currently being captured by an imaging unit and a previously
captured image simultaneously, wherein the control unit is
configured to control, responsive to an instruction, the imaging
unit to capture the current image as a new previously captured
image, and the control unit is configured to control, responsive to
the instruction, the display to animate a gradual decrease in size
of the new previously captured image, the gradual decrease
including at least a two-step decrease.
2. The image display apparatus according to claim 1, further
comprising: an input device configured to generate the instruction
in response to an external input.
3. The image display apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the
input device is a shutter button.
4. A method of causing an image display apparatus to display at
least one image, comprising: displaying, on a display, a current
image of an object currently being captured by an imaging unit and
a previously captured image simultaneously; capturing, in the
imaging unit and responsive to an instruction, the current image as
a new previously captured image; and animating, on the display, a
gradual decrease in size of the new previously captured image,
wherein the gradual decrease including at least a two-step
decrease.
5. The method according to claim 4, wherein the instruction is
generated in response to depression of a shutter button.
6. A non-transitory computer-readable medium encoded with
computer-readable instructions thereon that when executed by a
processor cause the processor to perform a method comprising:
displaying a current image of an object currently being captured by
an imaging unit and a previously captured image simultaneously;
capturing, responsive to an instruction, the current image as a new
previously captured image; and animating a gradual decrease in size
of the new previously captured image, wherein the gradual decrease
including at least a two-step decrease.
7. The non-transitory computer-readable medium according to claim
6, wherein the instruction is generated in response to depression
of a shutter button.
8. An image display controlling apparatus, comprising: a control
unit configured to control a display to display a current image of
an object currently being captured by an imaging unit and a first
previously captured image simultaneously, wherein the control unit
is configured to control, responsive to an instruction, the imaging
unit to capture the current image as a second previously captured
image, and the control unit is configured to control, responsive to
the instruction, the display to animate the second previously
captured image to gradually move in a direction corresponding to
the first previously captured image.
9. The image display apparatus according to claim 8, further
comprising: an input device configured to generate the instruction
in response to an external input.
10. The image display apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the
input device is a shutter button.
11. A method of causing an image display controlling apparatus to
control image display, comprising: displaying a current image of an
object currently being captured by an imaging unit and a first
previously captured image simultaneously on a display; controlling,
responsive to an instruction, the imaging unit to capture the
current image as a second previously captured image; and
controlling, responsive to the instruction, the display to animate
the second previously captured image to gradually move in a
direction corresponding to the first previously captured image.
12. The method according to claim 11, wherein the instruction is
generated in response to depression of a shutter button.
13. A non-transitory computer-readable medium encoded with
computer-readable instructions thereon, the computer-readable
instructions when executed by a computer cause the computer to
perform a method comprising: displaying a current image of an
object currently being captured by an imaging unit and a first
previously captured image simultaneously on a display; controlling,
responsive to an instruction, the imaging unit to capture the
current image as a second previously captured image; and
controlling, responsive to the instruction, the display to animate
the second previously captured image to gradually move in a
direction corresponding to the first previously captured image.
14. The non-transitory computer-readable medium according to claim
13, wherein the instruction is generated in response to depression
of a shutter button.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a divisional of U.S. application Ser.
No. 13/487,672, filed Jun. 4, 2012, which is a divisional of U.S.
application Ser. No. 12/750,179, filed Mar. 30, 2010, which is a
continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/568,810, filed Nov. 8,
2006, the entire contents of each of which are incorporated herein
by reference. U.S. application Ser. No. 11/568,810 is the National
Stage of PCT/JP05/08658 filed May 2, 2005 and is based upon and
claims the benefit of priority from prior Japanese Patent
Application No. 2004-143439, filed May 13, 2004, and Japanese
Patent Application No. 2004-143438, filed May 13, 2004.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Technical Field
[0003] The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus, a
screen displaying method, and a user interface that allow
transitions between a shooting mode and a reproducing mode to
smoothly take place.
[0004] 2. Background Art
[0005] Digital cameras that have a displaying device for example an
LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) with a relatively large screen have
been widespread. When an object is shot, the LCD is used to set a
composition, an angle of view, and so forth. In addition, when a
recorded image is reproduced, the LCD is used to display the
reproduced image.
[0006] An electronic camera that can shoot moving images and still
images and that can display them in the order of days, months, and
years of which they were shot along a time axis is described in the
specification of Japanese Patent No. 303324. The digital camera
described in the document displays captured images so that they can
be easily searched for an image to be reproduced.
[0007] The conventional digital camera needed an operation of an
input device to switch a mode between a shooting mode and a
reproducing mode. As a result, since the shooting mode and the
reproducing mode were separated, for example it was difficult for
the user to shoot an image while checking an image that has been
just captured. It is preferred that a user interface of a digital
camera be predictable and intuitional by a plurality of users. It
can be said that such an interface has an affinity with a user's
conceptual model. The electronic camera described in the
specification of Japanese Patent No. 3403324 deals with only images
that were captured. Thus, the specification does not mention an
image captured in the shooting mode. The specification does not
mention that modes are switched having an affinity with the user's
conceptual model.
[0008] In addition, when a recorded image needed to be deleted,
after the shooting mode was switched to the reproducing mode, the
recorded image needed to be deleted. Thus, the operability of the
digital camera was not good.
[0009] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide
an imaging apparatus, a screen displaying method, and a user
interface that allow a shooting mode and a reproducing mode to be
switched having an affinity with a seamless conceptual model and
thereby their operability to be improved.
[0010] Another object of the present invention is to provide an
imaging apparatus, a screen displaying method, and a user interface
that allow a shooting mode and a reproducing mode to co-exist and
thereby their operability to be improved.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
[0011] To solve the foregoing problem, a first aspect of the
present invention is an imaging apparatus, comprising: an imaging
unit; a display; a storage which temporarily stores an image signal
which is output from the imaging unit and an image signal which is
output to the display; an input unit which accepts an operation
input of a user; and a control unit which controls writing and
reading of the storage,
[0012] wherein the control unit controls the storage so that a
first image signal as an image signal of an object which the
imaging unit is currently capturing and a second image signal which
has been already captured are successively displayed along a time
axis on the display, and
[0013] wherein the control unit controls the storage so that
transitions from one of a shooting mode in which the first image
signal is displayed on the display and a reproducing mode in which
only the second image signal is displayed on the display to the
other seamlessly take place according to an operation input from
the input unit.
[0014] A second aspect of the present invention is a screen
displaying method of displaying image signals for an imaging
apparatus having a display, the method comprising the steps of:
displaying a first image signal which is an image signal of an
object which an imaging unit is currently capturing on the display
when a shooting mode takes place; displaying only a second image
signal which has been already captured on the display when a
reproducing mode takes place; and causing transitions from one mode
of the shooting mode and the reproducing mode to the other mode to
seamlessly take place according to an operation input.
[0015] A third aspect of the present invention is a user interface
for an imaging apparatus, comprising: a display; an input unit
which is operable in at least two directions; a shooting mode in
which a first image signal as an image of an object which an
imaging unit is currently capturing is displayed on the display;
and a reproducing mode in which only a second image signal which
has been already captured is displayed on the display,
[0016] wherein transitions from one mode of the shooting mode and
the reproducing mode to the other mode seamlessly take place
according to the directions of the operation of the input unit.
[0017] A fourth aspect of the present invention is an imaging
apparatus, comprising: an imaging unit; a display; a storage which
temporarily stores an image signal which is output from the imaging
unit and an image signal which is output to the display; an input
unit which accepts an operation input of a user; and a control unit
which controls writing and reading of the storage,
[0018] wherein the control unit controls the storage so that a
first image signal as an image signal of an object which the
imaging unit is currently capturing and a second image signal which
has been already captured are displayed at the same time, but the
first image signal and the second image signal do not overlap.
[0019] A fifth aspect of the present invention is an image signal
displaying method for an imaging apparatus having a display,
comprising the step of:
[0020] displaying a first image signal as an image signal of an
object which an imaging unit is currently capturing and a second
image signal which has been already captured at the same time so
the first image signal and the second image signal do not
overlap.
[0021] A sixth aspect of the present invention is a user interface
for an imaging apparatus having a display,
[0022] wherein a first image signal as an image signal of an object
which an imaging unit is currently capturing and a second image
signal which has been already captured at the same time are
displayed so the first image signal and the second image signal do
not overlap.
[0023] According to the present invention, regardless of whether
the current mode is the shooting mode or the reproducing mode,
folders can be switched using direction keys. In addition, with up
and down keys of directional keys or left and right keys thereof,
folders or image files are switched. Thus, folders and image files
can be switched in the same manner as a film changing operation and
a film feeding operation. Since folders can be directly switched,
their operations can be simplified.
[0024] In addition, according to the present invention, since an
image that is being currently captured (this image may be
hereinafter referred to as a currently captured image) and an image
that has been captured immediately after the currently captured
image and that has been recoded (this image may be hereinafter
referred to as a recoded image) are displayed at the same time,
while the recorded image is being observed, a newly shot object,
its composition, and so forth can be decided. In addition,
according to the present invention, since the shooting mode and the
reproducing mode co-exist, the modes can be seamlessly switched. In
addition, while an image is being captured, a recorded image can be
deleted without need to switch the modes.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0025] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a structure of an imaging
apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0026] FIG. 2A is a schematic diagram describing one example of a
time dial according to the embodiment of the present invention.
[0027] FIG. 2B is a schematic diagram describing another example of
a time dial according to an embodiment of the present
invention.
[0028] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram describing an arrangement of
images along a time axis according to the embodiment of the present
invention.
[0029] FIG. 4A is a first schematic diagram describing data stored
in an internal record medium and displayed according to the
embodiment of the present invention.
[0030] FIG. 4B is a second schematic diagram describing the data
stored in the internal record medium and displayed according to the
embodiment of the present invention.
[0031] FIG. 4C is a third schematic diagram describing the data
stored in the internal record medium and displayed according to the
embodiment of the present invention.
[0032] FIG. 5A is a first schematic diagram showing a first example
screen of display screens transitions on a wide LCD when modes are
switched.
[0033] FIG. 5B is a second schematic diagram showing a second
example screen of display screen transitions on a wide LCD when
modes are switched.
[0034] FIG. 5C is a third schematic diagram showing a third example
screen of display screen transitions on a wide LCD when modes are
switched.
[0035] FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing transitions of operations
when modes are switched.
[0036] FIG. 7A is a first schematic diagram showing a first screen
in an exemplary animation of transitions of display screens on the
wide LCD when modes are switched.
[0037] FIG. 7B is a second schematic diagram showing a second
screen in an exemplary animation of transitions of display screens
on the wide LCD when modes are switched.
[0038] FIG. 7C is a third schematic diagram showing a third screen
in an exemplary animation of transitions of display screens on the
wide LCD when modes are switched.
[0039] FIG. 7D is a fourth schematic diagram showing a fourth
screen in an exemplary animation of transitions of display screens
on the wide LCD when modes are switched.
[0040] FIG. 7E is a fifth schematic diagram showing a fifth screen
in an exemplary animation of transitions of display screens on the
wide LCD when modes are switched.
[0041] FIG. 8A is a first schematic diagram showing a first screen
of transitions of display screens on the wide LCD when a shutter
button is pressed.
[0042] FIG. 8B is a second schematic diagram showing a second
screen of transitions of display screens on the wide LCD when a
shutter button is pressed.
[0043] FIG. 8C is a third schematic diagram showing a third screen
of transitions of display screens on the wide LCD when a shutter
button is pressed.
[0044] FIG. 9A is a first schematic diagram showing a first screen
of transitions of display screens on the wide LCD when a deleting
operation is performed with a delete button.
[0045] FIG. 9B is a second schematic diagram showing a second
screen of transitions of display screens on the wide LCD when a
deleting operation is performed with a delete button.
[0046] FIG. 10A is a first schematic diagram describing a first
screen of a switching of modes and corresponding transitions of
display screens with a cross key as an operation key according to
the embodiment.
[0047] FIG. 10B is a second schematic diagram describing a second
screen of a switching of modes and corresponding transitions of
display screens with a cross key as an operation key according to
the embodiment.
[0048] FIG. 10C is a third schematic diagram describing a third
screen of a switching of modes and corresponding transitions of
display screens with a cross key as an operation key according to
the embodiment.
[0049] FIG. 10D is a fourth schematic diagram describing a fourth
screen of a switching of modes and corresponding transitions of
display screens with a cross key as an operation key according to
the embodiment.
[0050] FIG. 10E is a fifth schematic diagram describing a fifth
screen of a switching of modes and corresponding transitions of
display screens with a cross key as an operation key according to
the embodiment.
[0051] FIG. 10F is a sixth schematic diagram describing a sixth
screen of a switching of modes and corresponding transitions of
display screens with a cross key as an operation key according to
the embodiment.
[0052] FIG. 11A is a first schematic diagram describing a first
screen corresponding to a process of enlarging a selected
reproduced image and displaying it in the reproducing mode.
[0053] FIG. 11B is a second schematic diagram describing a second
screen corresponding to a process of enlarging a selected
reproduced image and displaying it in the reproducing mode.
[0054] FIG. 11C is a third schematic diagram describing a third
screen corresponding to a process of enlarging a selected
reproduced image and displaying it in the reproducing mode.
[0055] FIG. 11D is a fourth schematic diagram describing a fourth
screen corresponding to a process of enlarging a selected
reproduced image and displaying it in the reproducing mode.
[0056] FIG. 11E is a fifth schematic diagram describing a fifth
screen corresponding to a process of enlarging a selected
reproduced image and displaying it in the reproducing mode.
[0057] FIG. 12A is a first schematic diagram describing a first
screen corresponding to a process of reducing a selected reproduced
image and displaying it in the reproducing mode.
[0058] FIG. 12B is a second schematic diagram describing a second
screen corresponding to a process of reducing a selected reproduced
image and displaying it in the reproducing mode.
[0059] FIG. 12C is a third schematic diagram describing a third
screen corresponding to a process of reducing a selected reproduced
image and displaying it in the reproducing mode.
[0060] FIG. 12D is a fourth schematic diagram describing a fourth
screen corresponding to a process of reducing a selected reproduced
image and displaying it in the reproducing mode.
[0061] FIG. 12E is a fifth schematic diagram describing a fifth
screen corresponding to a process of reducing a selected reproduced
image and displaying it in the reproducing mode.
[0062] FIG. 13A is a first schematic diagram showing a first screen
corresponding to transitions of display screens on an LCD having an
aspect ratio of (4:3) when modes are switched.
[0063] FIG. 13B is a second schematic diagram showing a second
screen corresponding to transitions of display screens on an LCD
having an aspect ratio of (4:3) when modes are switched.
[0064] FIG. 13C is a third schematic diagram showing a third screen
corresponding to transitions of display screens on an LCD having an
aspect ratio of (4:3) when modes are switched.
[0065] FIG. 14A is a first schematic diagram showing a first screen
corresponding to animations of transitions of display screens on
the LCD having the aspect ratio of (4:3) when modes are
switched.
[0066] FIG. 14B is a first schematic diagram showing a first screen
corresponding to animations of transitions of display screens on
the LCD having the aspect ratio of (4:3) when modes are
switched.
[0067] FIG. 14C is a second schematic diagram showing a second
screen corresponding to animations of transitions of display
screens on the LCD having the aspect ratio of (4:3) when modes are
switched.
[0068] FIG. 14D is a third schematic diagram showing a third screen
corresponding to animations of transitions of display screens on
the LCD having the aspect ratio of (4:3) when modes are
switched.
[0069] FIG. 14E is a fourth schematic diagram showing a fourth
screen corresponding to animations of transitions of display
screens on the LCD having the aspect ratio of (4:3) when modes are
switched.
BEST MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0070] Next, with reference to the accompanying drawings, an
embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 shows
an example of a structure of a digital camera according to an
embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, a block surrounded
by dotted lines is a processing unit controlled by a CPU (Central
Processing Unit) 1.
[0071] The processing unit 1 is composed of an internal record
medium 3, for example a RAM, an image processing unit 4, an
external interface 5, an RGB processing unit 6, a signal processing
unit 7, and a video output processing unit 8. An operating unit 9
is connected to the CPU 2. Signals corresponding to operations for
a shutter and so forth disposed on the operating unit 9 are
supplied to the CPU 2.
[0072] Data of which an image signal has been compressed according
to for example JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group) are recorded
to an external record medium 11 through a media processing unit 10.
The external record medium 11 is an optical disc, a memory card, or
the like on which data can be written.
[0073] An image signal captured by a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) 12
that is an image sensor is supplied to the signal processing unit
7. The signal processing unit 7 processes the captured image
signal. The signal processing unit 7 outputs the image signal
captured by the CCD 12 regardless of an input from the operating
unit 9. The captured image signal is stored in the internal record
medium 3. While an object is being captured, an image stored in the
internal record medium 3 is usually updated. Data writing, data
reading, and so forth for the internal record medium 3 are
controlled by the CPU 2.
[0074] The captured image signal is supplied from the internal
record medium 3 to the RGB processing unit 6 through the signal
processing unit 7. A display image signal formed by the RGB
processing unit 6 is supplied to an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) 13
that is a display unit. For example, the LCD 13 is disposed on the
rear surface of the camera body. Not only an image signal captured
by the CCD 12 and an image signal that is read from the external
record medium 11 through the media processing unit 10 are displayed
on the LCD 13.
[0075] When the shutter of the operating unit 9 is pressed, the
image signal stored in the internal record medium 3 is converted
into for example a JPEG image file by the image processing unit 4.
The image file is stored as data different from a captured image
signal to the internal record medium 3. The image file that is read
from the internal record medium 3 is stored in the external record
medium 11 through the media processing unit 10.
[0076] A captured image is always updated and displayed on the LCD
13. The captured image and OSD data such as a reduced image of
recorded image data and icons are combined by the signal processing
unit 7 and displayed on the LCD 13. The OSD (On Screen Display) is
a general term that denotes a memory area and a mechanism that
prepare data of icons and so forth that are combined with a real
time image captured by the camera.
[0077] When OSD data are generated, latest image data recorded on
the external record medium 11 are obtained. The image processing
unit 4 converts the obtained image data into image data
corresponding to a size of the OSD. The converted image data are
stored in an OSD display area of the internal record medium 3. When
an OSD display size image corresponding to an image that has been
just captured is stored in the internal record medium 3, it is not
necessary to read data from the external record medium 11. The
image processing unit 4 is controlled by the CPU 2 so that the
image processing unit 4 performs an enlarging or reducing process
for an image to be displayed corresponding to user's operations for
keys and so forth on the operating unit 9.
[0078] An analog color video signal is supplied from the video
output processing unit 8 and extracted from a video output terminal
(not shown). When an external monitor 14 is connected to the video
output terminal, an image stored in the internal record medium 3 or
the external record medium 11 can be displayed on the external
monitor 14. In addition, for example a printer 15 is connected to
the external interface 5. The printer 15 can print an image.
[0079] The operating unit 9 includes a time axis operation dial.
FIG. 2A shows an example of the time axis operation dial. A time
axis operation dial 22a slightly protrudes from a rear surface and
a side surface of a camera body 21. In an example shown in FIG. 2B,
a time axis operation dial 22b is disposed on a top surface of the
camera body 21.
[0080] The time axis operation dials 22a and 22b have the same
shape and sense of operation as a windup dial of a sliver salt film
camera. In other words, the time axis operation dials 22a and 22b
can be rotated for a predetermined amount in each step. Viewed from
the top surface of the camera body 21, the time axis operation
dials 22a and 22b can be rotated in the clockwise direction and the
counterclockwise direction. In the following description, the time
axis operation dials 22a and 22b are generally referred to as the
time dial 22.
[0081] Instead of the dial, the time axis may be operated by an
input device such as a cross key, a roller, a track ball, a touch
panel, or the like. When edge portions of a cross shape operation
portion of the cross key (these edge portions are referred to as a
left button, a right button, an up button, and a down button) are
pressed, moving directions of the cursor are designated to upward,
downward, leftward, and right ward, respectively. The time dial 22
is not limited to a mechanical structure. Instead, a GUI (Graphical
User Interface) that operates buttons or the like on the display
screen may be used.
[0082] FIG. 3 describes images displayed on the LCD 13 according to
the embodiment. Reference letter R denotes an image that is
currently being captured (hereinafter this image may be referred to
as a currently captured image). Reference letter P denotes an image
that has been captured and that is reproduced in the reproducing
mode (thereinafter this image may be referred to as a reproduced
image). The currently captured image R is followed by reproduced
images P1, P2, P3, and so forth and arranged along the time axis.
In FIG. 3, the right direction denotes a direction from the past to
the present on the time axis, whereas the left direction denotes a
direction from the present to the past on the time axis.
[0083] The LCD 13 may be either an LCD having an aspect ratio of 4
to 3 or a wide LCD having an aspect ratio of for example 16 to 9.
In FIG. 3, reference letter SC denotes a display frame for the wide
LCD. In this case, the currently captured image R and the
reproduced images P1 and P2 are displayed at the same time. As will
be described later, whenever the time dial 22 is rotated in the
counterclockwise direction viewed from the top surface of the
camera body 21, the time axis is varied from the present to the
past.
[0084] To easily distinguish the currently captured image R from
the reproduced image P, the size of the currently captured image R
is larger than that of the reproduced image P. Instead, with
different shape icons added to the currently captured image R and
the reproduced image P, they may be distinguished.
[0085] FIGS. 4A-C schematically show display data that form images
displayed on the LCD 13 and that are stored in the internal record
medium 3. The currently captured image R shown in FIG. 4A is stored
in the internal record medium 3. During the shooting mode, even if
the operating unit 9 is not operated, the currently captured image
R is updated at intervals of a frame or the like.
[0086] FIG. 4B shows OSD data that are stored in the internal
record medium 3 besides the currently captured data R. The OSD data
are data of icons combined with the currently captured data R.
According to the embodiment of the present invention, the
reproduced images P1 and P2 of a plurality of recently recorded
images are stored in a storage area MC of the internal record
medium 3 corresponding to the display frame SC. The reproduced
image data P1 and P2 are read from the external record medium 11,
decoded and size-reduced by the image processing unit 4, and then
stored in the internal record medium 3. When there are OSD display
size images corresponding to images that have been just captured,
it is not necessary to read data from the external record medium
11.
[0087] The size of the reproduced images P1 and P2 is smaller than
that of the currently captured image R. Depending on the size of
the image, the type thereof can be identified. The OSD data contain
an icon 31 that indicates a currently captured image and an icon 32
that indicates a reproduced image. With these icons 31 and 32, the
user can easily identify the types of the images. In the following
description, illustrations of the icons 31 and 32 will be omitted.
The OSD data may be composed of data having a plurality of
hierarchical levels. As shown in FIG. 4C, the currently captured
image R and the OSD data are combined and displayed on the wide
type LCD 13.
[0088] Next, with reference to FIGS. 5A-C, transitions of display
screens that take place when modes are switched will be described.
In an example shown in FIG. 5A, the display frame SC of the LCD 13
disposed on the rear surface of the digital camera is a wide type
LCD having an aspect ratio of for example (16:9). Reference letter
ST1 in FIG. 5A denotes a display screen that appears in a shooting
mode. An image R of an object currently captured through a lens is
displayed nearly at a center portion of the display frame SC. In
the shooting mode, when a shutter button 24 is pressed, the object
can be shot.
[0089] A plurality of keys, buttons, and so forth are disposed on
the rear surface of the digital camera. They are for example a menu
button 25 and a delete button 26.
[0090] When the time dial 22 is rotated with the thumb or the like
of the user for one step in the counterclockwise direction viewed
from the top surface of the camera body 21, the currently captured
image R is moved rightward. The reproduced image P1 that has been
just captured and obtained is displayed on the left of the
currently captured image R. The reproduced image P2 captured before
the reproduced image P1 is displayed on the left thereof The
display screen ST2 in FIG. 5B on which the currently captured image
R and the reproduced images P1 and P2 are displayed at the same
time is a co-existent state of the shooting mode and the
reproducing mode. While the user is watching an image that has been
just captured, he or she can decide a composition and so forth of
an image that he or she will shoot.
[0091] When the time dial 22 is rotated for one more step in the
counterclockwise direction viewed from the top surface of the
camera body 21, a display screen ST3 in FIG. 5C appears on which
only the reproduced images P1, P2, P3, and P4 are displayed. This
state is the reproducing mode. A plurality of reproduced images P1,
P2, P3, and P4 are displayed along the time axis.
[0092] FIGS. 5A-C show transitions of screens from the present to
the past that take place when the time dial 22 is rotated in the
counterclockwise direction viewed from the top surface of the
camera body 21. When the time dial 22 is rotated in the clockwise
direction viewed from the top surface of the camera body 21,
transitions of screens from the past to the present take place.
When the time dial 22 is rotated, the shooting mode and the
reproducing mode can be switched as seamless operations. The
rotating operation of the time dial 22, the mode switching, and the
image switching have an affinity with the user's conceptual model.
Thus, they have an excellent operability. Instead, the shooting
mode and the reproducing mode may be directly switched not through
the co-existent state thereof.
[0093] FIG. 6 shows transitions of operations that take place when
the time dial 22 is rotated. When the time dial 22 is rotated in
the counterclockwise direction viewed from the top surface of the
camera body 21, the operations change from the top to the bottom
shown in FIG. 6. In contrast, when the time dial 22 is rotated in
the clockwise direction viewed from the top surface of the camera
body 21, operations change from the bottom to the top shown in FIG.
6. When the time dial 22 is rotated for one step (at step S2) in
the shooting mode (step S1) in which only the currently captured
image R is displayed, the co-existent state of the shooting mode
and the reproducing mode in which both the currently captured image
R and the reproduced image P are displayed takes place (at step
S3).
[0094] When the time dial 22 is rotated for one step at step S4,
the reproducing mode in which only reproduced images are displayed
takes place (at step S5). When the time dial 22 is rotated for one
step in the reproducing mode (at step S6), reproduced images are
moved one by one along the time axis and displayed (at step
S7).
[0095] When the time dial 22 is rotated in the reverse direction
(in the counterclockwise direction viewed from the top surface of
the camera body 21) in the reproducing mode, images are changed
from the past to the latest along the time axis. When the time dial
22 is rotated for one step at relatively low speed, images are
moved for one position each. When the time dial 22 is rotated for
one step at high speed, images may be moved for a plurality of
positions each.
[0096] When the time dial 22 is rotated in the reverse direction at
high speed, in the state at step S5, the moving of images is
momentarily stopped. In other words, even if the time dial 22 is
rotated, the moving of reproduced images is stopped. After a
momentary stop time elapsed, the co-existent state of the shooting
mode and the reproducing mode of step S3 takes place. Since the
momentary stop state is provided, the user can know that the
reproducing mode is switched to the shooting mode. Since the moving
of reproduced images stops for a short time, it does not prevent
modes from being seamlessly switched.
[0097] To further improve the affinity with the user's conceptual
model, it is preferred that the shooting mode, the co-existent mode
of the shooting mode and reproducing mode, and the reproducing mode
be indicated with animations corresponding to the operations of the
time dial 22. FIGS. 7A-E show examples of animations of transitions
of screens.
[0098] When the time dial 22 is rotated for one step in the
counterclockwise direction viewed from the top surface of the
camera body 21 while a display screen ST11 of FIG. 7A appears on
which only the currently captured image R is displayed, a display
screen ST13 of FIG. 7C on which the currently captured image R and
reproduced images P1 and P2 are displayed appears through a
transition display screen ST12. On the transition display screen
ST12 in FIG. 7B between the display screens ST11 and ST13, while
the time dial 22 is being rotated, the currently captured image R
is gradually moved rightward and reproduced images are gradually
entered from the left.
[0099] When the time dial 22 is rotated for one more step, as
displayed on a transition display screen ST14 (FIG. 7D), the
currently captured image R is gradually moved rightward and exited
from the display frame SC. Thereafter, a display screen ST15 in
FIG. 7E appears on which only the reproduced images P1, P2, and P3
are displayed as a reproducing mode. In the reproducing mode, a
frame-shaped cursor denoted by solid lines indicates the reproduced
image P1 that is being currently focused. When the time dial 22 is
rotated for one more step, the reproduced image P1 is exited from
the screen and then the reproduced image P2 is focused.
[0100] As described above, when the time dial 22 is rotated, a
plurality of images arranged one-dimensionally along the time axis
are slid in the horizontal direction of the display screen so that
the currently captured image R is followed by reproduced
images.
[0101] Next, with reference to FIGS. 8A-C, the case of which a
cross key 27 is used will be described. Reference letter ST101 in
FIG. 8A denotes a normal display screen that appears when the power
is turned on. A currently captured image R of an object that is
being captured through the lens and a reproduced image P1 that has
been just captured and obtained are displayed so that the currently
captured image R is followed by the reproduced image P1 on the left
thereof and they do not overlap. Since the currently captured image
R and the reproduced image P1 do not overlap, the currently
captured image can be prevented from being obstructed by the
reproduced image. The reproduced image P1 is followed by a
reproduced image P2 on the left thereof.
[0102] The display screen ST101 in FIG. 8A on which the currently
captured image R and reproduced images P1 and P2 are displayed at
the same time is a co-existent state of the shooting mode and the
reproducing mode. In other words, when the shutter button 24 is
pressed while the display screen ST101 appears, a new image can be
recorded and a desired image can be displayed as a reproduced
image. Thus, while the user is watching an image that has been just
captured, he or she can decide a composition and so forth of an
image that he or she will shoot.
[0103] When the shutter button 24 is pressed while the display
screen ST101 appears, animations of transitions to a display screen
ST103 of FIG. 8C through a transition display screen ST102 of FIG.
8B appear. On the transition display screen ST102, the size of the
currently captured image R is gradually decreased and the currently
captured image R is moved leftward. On the display screen ST103, a
currently captured image R' of the object is followed by a
reproduced (recorded) image P0 derived from the captured image R on
the left of the currently captured image R'. The reproduced image
P0 is followed by a reproduced image P1 on the left thereof. The
transition display screen ST102 momentarily appears. The animations
of transitions allow the user to know that the currently captured
image R was changed to the reproduced image P0. The display screen
ST103 allows any of the shooting mode and the reproducing mode to
take place.
[0104] FIGS. 9A-B show transitions of screens in the co-existent
state of the shooting mode and the reproducing mode in which the
currently captured image R and the reproduced images P1 and P2 are
displayed at the same time when a delete button 26 is pressed. When
the delete button 26 is pressed while the transition screen ST111
of FIG. 9A appears, transitions to a display screen ST112 of FIG.
9B take place.
[0105] A frame shaped cursor C is displayed at a position
corresponding to the reproduced image P1 so that the cursor
indicates that the reproduced image P1 has been selected. A
deletion dialog 28 is displayed at the position of the currently
captured image R. When the left button of the cross key 27 is
pressed, a reproduced image on the left of the cursor C (namely, a
reproduced image earlier than the reproduced image at the position
of the cursor C) can be selected. The deletion dialog 28 has
"delete" and "end" which can be selected by the up and down buttons
of the cross key 27. The selected item is highlighted.
[0106] While the cursor C indicates the reproduced image P1 and the
"DELETE" of the deletion dialog 28 is highlighted on the display
screen ST112, when an "OK" key is pressed, the selected reproduced
image P1 is deleted. When the left or right button of the cross key
27 is operated, an image to be deleted is selected. The "OK" key is
a mechanical key disposed on the camera body, a GUI key, a center
portion of the cross key 27, or the like. According to this
embodiment of the present invention, a desired reproduced image
(captured image) can be deleted without need to switch from the
shooting mode to the reproducing mode.
[0107] Next, with reference to FIGS. 10A-F, another example of an
operation using the cross key 27 will be described. On a display
screen ST21 shown in FIG. 10A, a currently captured image R and
reproduced images P1 and P2 are displayed in the display frame SC
of the LCD 13. In other words, the display screen ST21 is a
co-existent state of the shooting mode and the reproducing mode.
When the menu button 25 is pressed in this state, a menu with
respect to the shooting mode is displayed in the display frame
13.
[0108] When the left button of the cross key 27 is pressed, a
display screen ST22 of FIG. 10B appears on which the frame-shaped
cursor C indicates the reproduced image P1. The state of which the
reproduced image P1 is selected is the reproducing mode. An arrow
cursor is also displayed beside the cursor C. The arrow cursor
indicates that images on the left can be selected. When the menu
button 25 is pressed in the reproducing mode, a menu with respect
to the reproducing mode is displayed in the display frame SC.
[0109] When the left button of the cross key 27 is pressed again,
animations of transitions to a display screen ST24 of FIG. 10D
through a transition display screen ST23 of FIG. 10C appear. The
transition display screen ST23 momentarily appears. On the display
screen ST24, the currently captured image R is exited from the
display frame SC. The cursor C indicates the reproduced image P2.
Since reproduced images can be switched in both the directions,
arrow cursors are displayed on both the sides.
[0110] When the left button of the cross key 27 is pressed again,
animations of transitions to a display screen through a transition
display screen ST25 of FIG. 10E appear. The transition display
screen ST25 momentarily appears. On the display screen ST26 of FIG.
10F, the cursor C indicates the reproduced image P3. Since
reproduced images can be switched in both the directions, arrow
cursors are displayed on both the sides.
[0111] With the cross key 27, modes can be seamlessly switched. In
addition, images can be switched having an affinity with the user's
conceptual model. In the reproducing mode, a reproduced image
indicated by the cursor C can be displayed in an enlarged size or a
reduced size.
[0112] Next, with reference to FIGS. 11A-D and FIGS. 12A-E, the
reproducing mode will be described in detail. In the state that a
desired reproduced image is selected with the time dial 22 or the
cross key 27, the selected image can be displayed in an enlarged
size or a reduced size.
[0113] FIGS. 11A-E show transitions of screens when a reproduced
image is displayed in an enlarged size. A display screen ST26 of
FIG. 11A is the same as the display screen shown in FIG. 10F.
First, a tele key or "OK" key is pressed. The tele key is a
mechanical key disposed on the camera body, a GUI key, or the like.
The "OK" key is a mechanical key disposed on the camera body, a GUI
key, a center switch of the cross key 27, or the like.
[0114] Animations of transitions of display screens until a display
screen ST28 of FIG. 11C through a transition display screen ST27 of
FIG. 11B appear according to the operation of the tele key or the
"OK" key. Enlarged reproduced images P21, P31, and P41 displayed on
the transition display screen ST27 are slightly larger than the
original reproduced images P2, P3, and P4, respectively. An
enlarged reproduced image P32 displayed at the center position on
the display screen ST28 is larger than the reproduced image P31.
When the selected reproduced image P3 is displayed as an enlarged
image P32, the contents of the reproduced image P3 can be easily
checked.
[0115] When the right button of the cross key 27 is pressed or the
arrow cursor .fwdarw. is pressed on the display screen ST28, the
cursor C is moved rightward and enlarged reproduced images are
moved as files. As a result, animations of transitions of display
screens to a display screen ST30 of FIG. 11E through a transition
display screen ST29 of FIG. 11D appear. The enlarged reproduced
image P32 is displayed at the center position of the display screen
ST30. Thus, enlarged images can be also moved as files.
[0116] FIGS. 12A-E show transitions of screens when an image is
displayed in a reduced size. A display screen ST26 of FIG. 12A is
the same as the display screen shown in FIG. 10F. First, a wide key
or the "OK" key is pressed. The wide key is a mechanical key of the
camera body, a GUI key, or the like. The "OK" keys is a mechanical
key disposed on the camera body, a GUI key, the center switch of
the cross key 27, or the like.
[0117] Animations of transitions of display screens until a display
screen ST38 of FIG. 12C through a transition display screen ST37 of
FIG. 12B appear according to the operation of the wide key or the
"OK" key. Reduced reproduced images P13, P24, P33, P43, and P54
displayed on the transition display screen ST37 are slightly
smaller than original reproduced images P1, P2, P3, and P4,
respectively. A reduced reproduced image P34 displayed at the
center position on the display screen ST38 is smaller than the
reproduced image P33. When the selected reproduced image P3 is
displayed as the reduced image P34, the contents of a plurality of
reproduced images followed by and preceded by the reproduced image
P3 can be easily checked.
[0118] When the left button of the cross key 27 is pressed or the
arrow cursor .rarw. is pressed on the display screen ST38, the
cursor C is moved leftward and reduced reproduced images are moved
as files. As a result, animations of transitions of display screens
to a display screen ST40 of FIG. 12E through a transmission display
screen ST39 of FIG. 12D appear. A reduced reproduced image P44 is
displayed at the center position of the display screen ST40. Thus,
reduced images can be moved as files.
[0119] In the foregoing description, the display frame SC of the
LCD 13 is an oblong wide screen. However, according to the present
invention, an LCD having a display frame SC whose aspect ratio is
(4:3) may be used instead of the wide screen. In FIGS. 13A-C,
reference letter SC' denotes a display frame whose aspect ratio is
(4:3). Reference letter ST41 of FIG. 13A denotes a display screen
that is a shooting mode. A currently captured image R of an object
through a lens is displayed nearly at the center portion of the
display frame SC. When the shutter button 24 is pressed in the
shooting mode, the object can be shot.
[0120] When the time dial 22 is rotated for one step in the
counterclockwise direction viewed from the top surface of the
camera body 21, the currently captured image R is reduced and moved
rightward. A reproduced image P1 captured immediately before the
currently captured image R is displayed on the left thereof. A
display screen ST42 of FIG. 13B on which both the currently
captured image R and the reproduced image P1 are displayed at the
same time is a co-existent state of the shooting mode and the
reproducing mode. While the user is watching an image that has been
just captured, he or she can select a new image that he or she will
shoot.
[0121] When the time dial 22 is rotated for one more step in the
counterclockwise direction viewed from the top surface of the
camera body 21, a display screen ST43 of FIG. 13C appears on which
only reproduced images P1, P2, and P3 are displayed. This state is
the reproducing mode. A plurality of reproduced images P1, P2, and
P3 are displayed along the time axis.
[0122] FIGS. 13A-C show transitions of screens from the present to
the past that take place when the time dial 22 is rotated in the
counterclockwise direction viewed from the top surface of the
camera body 21. When the time dial 22 is rotated in the clockwise
direction viewed from the top surface of the camera body 21,
transitions of screens from the past to the present take place.
When the time dial 22 is rotated, the shooting mode and the
reproducing mode can be seamlessly switched.
[0123] The transitions of the shooting mode, the co-existent mode
of the shooting mode and the reproducing mode, and the reproducing
mode are represented by animations according to operations of the
time dial 22. FIGS. 14A-E show examples of animations of
transitions of screens.
[0124] When the time dial 22 is rotated for one step in the
counterclockwise direction viewed from the top surface of the
camera body 21 on a display screen ST51 of FIG. 14A on which only a
currently captured image R is displayed, transitions of display
screens through a transition display screen ST52 of FIG. 14B to a
display screen ST53 of FIG. 14C take place on which the currently
captured image R and reproduced images P1 and P2 are displayed at
the same time. While the time dial 22 is being rotated, the
currently captured image R is gradually moved rightward and a
reproduced image is gradually entered from the left of the screen
between the display screens ST51 and ST53. The reproduced image P1
is displayed adjacent to the currently captured image R on the
display screen ST53.
[0125] When the time dial 22 is rotated for one more step, the
currently captured image R is gradually moved rightward and exited
from the display frame SC' as shown on a transition display screen
ST54 of FIG. 14D. Thereafter, a display screen ST55 of FIG. 14E
appears. Only the reproduced images P1, P2, and P3 are displayed on
the display screen ST55 that is a reproducing mode. In the
reproducing mode, a frame-shaped cursor denoted by solid lines
indicates the reproduced image P1 that is being currently focused.
When the time dial 22 is rotated for one more step, the reproduced
image P1 is exited from the screen and the reproduced image P2 is
focused (not shown).
[0126] The present invention is not limited to the foregoing
embodiment. Instead, various modifications and ramifications may be
made without departing from the sprit and scope of the present
invention. For example, the present invention is not limited to a
digital camera that records still images. Instead, the present
invention may be applied to an imaging apparatus that records
moving images and an imaging apparatus that can record both still
images and moving images. When a moving image is recorded, for
example the top image thereof is displayed on an LCD or the
like.
* * * * *