JP2005274661A - Image display apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image display apparatus, in which an image desired by a user is properly displayed, when a single frame step reproduction is performed using thumbnail image data. <P>SOLUTION: If an image number of the image which is desired by the user is 007, depressing of an instruction key 22 by the user is canceled only after a predetermined time period T2 from 007 displaying, when the image 010 is displayed. Consequently, the image 007, which is displayed at the time before the predetermined time period T2, is made to be displayed on a liquid crystal display (LCD) 18. Thereby, a time lag, from when the user finds desired image on the LCD 18 to when the user cancels pressing of the instruction key 22, is canceled, and the image desired by the user is properly displayed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an image display device, and more particularly to an image display device capable of displaying a full image and a thumbnail image corresponding to the full image.

  Conventionally, when a user confirms an image of image data recorded on a recording medium, the image is displayed on a display device. However, as the capacity of the recording medium increases, the number of pixels of an image that can be recorded also increases, so that image data with a large number of pixels is recorded and the time taken to display the image has become longer. Therefore, in the technique described in Patent Document 1, a full image is down-sampled to reduce the number of pixels, and the down-sampled image is displayed to shorten the time required for image display. Further, in the technique described in Patent Document 2, the development of the next second image data is started while the full image display of the first image data is being executed, and from the display of the first image to the display of the second image. The time required is shortened. In the technique disclosed in Patent Document 3, first, a thumbnail image is displayed, and a full image is expanded while the thumbnail image is displayed. When an instruction to display the next image is input, the expansion of the full image is interrupted. By executing the display of the next thumbnail image, the time until the display of the next image is shortened.

  However, with the technique described in Patent Document 1, the user can confirm the image only with the downsampled image. In the technique described in Patent Document 2, the time for full image display is absorbed within the display time of the previous image, but the display time cannot be sufficiently shortened. In the technique described in Patent Document 3, since thumbnail images are displayed first, it takes a long time to display full images.

  On the other hand, Patent Document 4 discloses a technique for switching between normal reproduction for displaying a full image and high-speed selective reproduction for displaying a thumbnail image in accordance with a user's key operation. In Patent Document 5, a normal playback mode is set in which an original image is played each time the forward button (reverse button) is pressed once. When the button is held down for 2 seconds or longer, thumbnail image data is sequentially read out. A technique in which a continuous playback mode for playback is set is disclosed.

  According to the techniques described in Patent Documents 4 and 5, since it is possible to reproduce an image using thumbnail image data, it is possible to execute frame-by-frame high-speed reproduction that meets the user's needs.

However, when frame-by-frame playback at high speed is executed, even if the user wants to check the image displayed on the display in order to find a desired image, a situation may occur in which the image display time is too short to be checked . In addition, even if a desired image is found and frame advance is stopped, a time lag occurs between the point at which frame advance is stopped and the desired image display time because the frame advance is performed at high speed, and the desired image is displayed. There may be situations where it is not displayed above.
JP 2000-293145 A JP 2000-125252 A JP 2000-201321 A Japanese Patent No. 3379536 Japanese Patent No. 3177483

  The present invention has been made in consideration of the above facts, and provides an image display device capable of appropriately displaying a user-desired image when performing frame-by-frame playback using thumbnail image data. The purpose is to do.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, the image display device according to claim 1 includes a reading unit that reads a plurality of full images stored in a storage unit and thumbnail images corresponding to the full images, and the full images and thumbnails. Display means for displaying an image, control means for causing the display means to display at least one of a full image and a thumbnail image read by the reading means, and display of the full image on the display means by a display instruction operation from a user An instruction and an instruction to display a thumbnail image on the display means can be selectively input to the control means, and the thumbnail image is displayed when the duration of the display instruction operation from the user is equal to or longer than a predetermined duration. An input means for instructing display of a full image when the duration of the display instruction operation is less than a predetermined duration, The control means interrupts the continuous sequential switching display of the plurality of thumbnail images by releasing the display instruction operation, and displays the thumbnail images displayed on the display means a predetermined operation time before the display instruction action is released. It is displayed on the display means.

  In the image display device according to the first aspect, at least one of the plurality of full images stored in the storage means and the thumbnail images corresponding to the full images is read by the reading means and displayed on the display means by the control means. From the input means, it is possible to perform an input to alternatively instruct to display a full image or a thumbnail image on the display means by a display instruction operation from the user. This alternative instruction is displayed when the duration of the display instruction operation from the user is equal to or longer than the predetermined duration, and is displayed when the duration of the display instruction operation is less than the predetermined duration. The display of each image is instructed. Therefore, when the user wants to shorten the time until the image is displayed on the input means, the display instruction operation duration is set to a predetermined duration or more, and when the user wants to display an accurate image, the display instruction operation is performed. By setting the continuation time to less than the predetermined continuation time, an image can be displayed on the display means according to needs.

  When the user can confirm the desired image on the display means and want to display the image on the display means, the display instruction operation may be canceled, but the display is performed after the user confirms the desired image. A little time has passed until the instruction operation is canceled. That is, there is a time lag between when the user confirms the desired image and when the display instruction operation is canceled. Therefore, in the present invention, the thumbnail image displayed on the display unit is displayed on the display unit a predetermined operation time before the user cancels the display instruction operation. As a result, the display unit can display the previous image by the time lag, and the desired image can be automatically displayed.

  The image display device according to claim 2, a reading unit that reads a plurality of full images stored in the storage unit and a thumbnail image corresponding to the full images, a display unit that displays the full images and the thumbnail images, Control means for displaying at least one of the full image and the thumbnail image read by the reading means on the display means, a display instruction of the full image on the display means by a display instruction operation from a user, and the display means Display instruction of the thumbnail image can be selectively input to the control means, and when the duration of the display instruction operation from the user is equal to or longer than a predetermined duration, the display of the thumbnail image is instructed, and the display Input means for instructing display of a full image when the duration of the instruction operation is less than a predetermined duration, and the control means includes the thumbnail. When display time Le image is displayed on the display means it is less than a predetermined display time, wherein the display time to control the display means to a predetermined display time, those.

  In general, since the thumbnail image has a small amount of data constituting the image, the time required for the display is shortened. However, if the display time is too short, the user may not be able to confirm the image. Therefore, when the display time of the thumbnail image on the display means is less than the predetermined display time, the control means controls the display means so that the display time becomes the predetermined display time. Here, the predetermined display time is a time during which the user can visually confirm the image. Thereby, the user can confirm the image displayed on the display unit with certainty.

  As described above, according to the image display device of the present invention, when performing frame-by-frame playback using thumbnail image data, it is possible to appropriately display an image desired by the user.

  Hereinafter, an image display device of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the present embodiment, a digital camera will be described as an example of the image display device.

  As shown in FIG. 1A, the digital camera 10 of this embodiment includes a housing 12, a lens 14 on the front surface, and a release button 16 on the upper surface. Further, as shown in FIG. 1B, a liquid crystal display (hereinafter referred to as “LCD”) 18, a finder 20, an instruction key 22, a power source SW 24, and a plurality of other input keys 26 for performing various inputs, as shown in FIG. Is provided.

  The LCD 18 can display full images and thumbnail images recorded in an external memory 60 described later, various menu screens, messages, and the like.

  The instruction key 22 includes three keys, a return key 22A arranged on the left side, a determination key 22B in the middle, and a forward key 22C arranged on the right side as viewed from the back. The return key 22A is used to move the cursor displayed on the LCD 18 to the left or up, and is used to return the images reproduced and displayed on the LCD 18 in order of decreasing image numbers. The enter key 22B is used for determining and inputting the instruction content selected by the cursor on the LCD 18. The forward key 22C is used to move the cursor displayed on the LCD 18 to the right or down, and is used to sequentially forward the images reproduced and displayed on the LCD 18 in order of increasing image numbers.

  FIG. 2 shows a schematic block diagram of a control system of the digital camera 10. The digital camera 10 includes a diaphragm 32 that adjusts the amount of light passing through the lens 14, a shutter 34 that adjusts the passage time of light, and a CCD 36 that photoelectrically converts light and outputs an analog image signal.

  The CCD 36 is connected to an analog signal processing unit 38, the analog signal processing unit 28 is connected to an analog / digital converter (hereinafter referred to as “A / D converter”) 40, and the A / D converter 40 is a digital signal processing unit. 42 is connected. The analog signal processing unit 38 performs predetermined analog signal processing on the signal input from the CCD 36. The A / D converter 40 converts the analog signal input from the analog signal processing unit 38 into a digital signal and outputs the digital signal to the digital signal processing unit 42. The digital signal processing unit 32 performs various processes on the input digital signal to generate digital image data.

  Further, the digital camera 10 includes a CPU 50, an internal memory 52, a display control unit 54, a recording control unit 56, and a compression / decompression unit 58. The digital signal processing unit 32, CPU 50, internal memory 52, display control unit 54, recording control unit 56, and compression / decompression unit 58 are connected to each other via a bus 59.

  The CPU 50 controls the entire digital camera 10 by executing various programs. The CPU 50 is connected to the instruction key 22, the power SW 24, the input key 26, and the release button 16, and various instructions are input from these units. The internal memory 52 stores digital image data generated by the digital signal processing unit 42, various programs for controlling the digital camera 10, and the like. Further, the internal memory 52 stores a predetermined time T2 set in consideration of a time lag when the user confirms a desired image on the LCD 18 and when the instruction key 22 is released, and the user performs an operation on the LCD 18. A predetermined time T3 as a display time necessary for confirming the image displayed on the screen is stored. The recording control unit 56 can be connected to the external memory 60, and can execute a process of writing digital image data to the external memory 60 and a process of reading digital image data from the external memory 60. The display control unit 54 is connected to the LCD 18 and performs processing for displaying an image or the like on the LCD 18. The compression / decompression unit 58 performs compression processing and decompression processing on the digital image data.

  Further, the digital camera 10 includes a lens driving unit 62 for driving the lens 14, an aperture driving unit 64 for driving the aperture 32, a shutter driving unit 56 for driving the shutter 34, and when the CCD 36 is imaged. A CCD control unit 68 for performing the timing control is provided. The lens driving unit 62, the aperture driving unit 64, the shutter driving unit 66, and the CCD control unit 68 are connected to the CPU 50.

  Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described.

  When the user takes a subject with the digital camera 10, first, power on is input from the power SW 24. As a result, the power of the digital camera 10 is turned on, the lens 50 is instructed from the CPU 50 to the lens driving unit 62, and the lens 14 protrudes to the outside of the housing 12. When the user presses the release button 16 at a predetermined photo opportunity, the CPU 50 instructs the shutter control unit 56 to perform shutter control, and the shutter 34 is driven. Also, the CPU 50 instructs the CCD control unit 58 to perform CCD control, and the CCD 26 receives light from the subject at a predetermined timing, performs photoelectric conversion, and outputs an analog signal obtained by photoelectric conversion to the analog signal processing unit 38. . The analog signal processing unit 38 performs predetermined processing such as noise removal, and outputs the processed signal to the A / D converter 40. The analog signal is converted into a digital signal by the A / D converter 40, and the digital signal is output to the digital signal processing unit 42. The digital signal processing unit 42 performs predetermined processing on the input digital signal to generate digital image data. At this time, as digital image data, a set of R, G, B, 8-bit full image data and thumbnail image data obtained by downsizing the full image data are generated as one set. An image number is assigned to the generated set of digital image data and is output to the compression / decompression unit 58. In the compression / decompression unit 58, the full image data is subjected to compression processing, and the compressed full image data and thumbnail image data are output to the recording control unit 56 and recorded in the external memory 60.

  When the user reproduces and displays the image data recorded in the external memory 60 on the LCD 18, an instruction to switch to the reproduction display mode is input from the input key 26. When this input is made, a full image of the last captured digital image data is displayed on the LCD 18, and the CPU 50 performs a display feed process shown in FIG.

  In step S10, the process waits until the instruction key 22A or the instruction key 22C is pressed. The instruction key 22A is used to instruct display of digital image data having the next smallest image number from among the images recorded in the external memory 60 with reference to the image number of the currently displayed image. The key 22C is used to instruct display of digital image data having the next largest image number. Here, the instruction keys 22A and 22C are not distinguished from each other, and will be described as the instruction key 22 for instructing the next image display based on the image number of the currently displayed image.

  When the instruction key 22 is pressed, it is determined in step S12 whether or not the instruction key 22 has been continuously pressed for a predetermined time T1. If the pressing time of the instruction key 22 is less than the predetermined time T1, the compressed full image data of the next image number is read from the external memory 60 in step S14, and the full image data is expanded in step S16. In S18, a full image is displayed on the LCD 18 based on the full image data, and this process is terminated. Accordingly, the user can confirm the image by displaying the full image on the LCD 18 by pressing the instruction key 22 once in a time shorter than the predetermined time T1.

  If the duration time of the full instruction key 22 is equal to or longer than the predetermined time T1, the next image number (one smaller image number in the case of the instruction key 22A, one in the case of the instruction key 22C) is obtained from the external memory 60 in step S20. ) Is read, and the thumbnail image is displayed on the LCD 18 based on the thumbnail image data in step S22. In step S24, it is determined whether or not the pressing of the instruction key 22 is released. If the determination is negative, in step S26, the thumbnail image of the next image number of the currently displayed thumbnail image is read. Returning to step S22, the following processing is repeated. Thus, the user can check the images by sequentially displaying the thumbnail images in the order of the image numbers on the LCD 18 until the pressing is released by continuously pressing the instruction key 22 for a predetermined time T or longer. That is, according to the above processing, the user switches between displaying a full image or displaying a thumbnail image on the LCD 18 depending on whether one instruction key 22 is pressed discretely or continuously. Can do. Since the thumbnail image has a small amount of data, the time required for display is shortened, and when it is continuously pressed, the display can be switched to the next image at a high speed.

  If the determination in step S24 is affirmative, in step S28, the thumbnail image data of the image displayed before the predetermined time T2 is read, and in step S30, the thumbnail image is displayed. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, when the image number of the image desired by the user is 007, the user releases the press of the instruction key 22 because the image of 010 is displayed after a predetermined time T2 from the display of 007. When it is displayed. Therefore, the 007 image displayed before the predetermined time T2 is displayed on the LCD 18. Thus, the time lag between when the user confirms the desired image on the LCD 18 and when the instruction key 22 is released can be eliminated, and the desired image of the user can be displayed appropriately.

  In the present embodiment, a configuration has been described in which an image displayed for a predetermined time T2 is displayed. However, the image displayed on the LCD 18 is not the image displayed for the predetermined time T2, and is for a predetermined number of frames (for example, 1 to 2 frames). It is also possible to display a previously displayed image.

  In addition, since the thumbnail image data has a smaller data amount than the full image data, the display switching process is fast in the above-described display advance processing, and the display time of one image on the LCD 18 is too short. It may happen that it becomes impossible to confirm. Therefore, in order to ensure that the image is confirmed by the user, the procedure shown in FIG. 5 is used when setting the display time of the thumbnail image to be equal to or longer than the predetermined time T3.

  Steps S10 to S24 are the same as described above, and thus detailed description thereof is omitted. If the determination in step S24 is negative, the thumbnail image of the next image number of the currently displayed thumbnail image is read in step S26, and the process waits until a predetermined time T3 elapses in step S32. That is, by waiting until the predetermined time T3 elapses before displaying the next thumbnail image, the previously displayed thumbnail image can be displayed for a predetermined time T3 or more.

  According to this process, since the display time of the thumbnail image is short, the inconvenience that the user cannot confirm the image can be solved, and an appropriate image can be displayed.

  In the above embodiment, a digital camera has been described as an example of an image display device. However, the present invention can be applied to any other image display device such as a mobile phone, a personal computer, and a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant). it can.

(A) of the digital camera of this embodiment is a front view, and (B) is a rear view. It is a schematic block diagram of the control system of the digital camera of this embodiment. It is a flowchart of a display sending process. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the image display of predetermined time ago. It is a flowchart of the modification of a display sending process.

Explanation of symbols

10 Digital camera (image display device)
18 LCD (display means)
22 Instruction keys (input means)
26 Input key 50 CPU (control means)
52 Internal memory (storage means)
60 External memory (storage means)
T1 predetermined time (predetermined duration)
T2 Predetermined time (predetermined operating time)
T3 Predetermined time (predetermined display time)

Claims (2)

Reading means for reading a plurality of full images stored in the storage means and thumbnail images corresponding to the full images;
Display means for displaying the full image and the thumbnail image;
Control means for causing the display means to display at least one of a full image and a thumbnail image read by the reading means;
A display instruction operation from the user allows a full image display instruction to the display means and a thumbnail image display instruction to the display means to be selectively input to the control means, and the display instruction from the user An input means for instructing display of the thumbnail image when the operation duration is equal to or longer than a predetermined duration, and for instructing display of a full image when the duration of the display instruction operation is less than the predetermined duration;
With
The control means interrupts sequential sequential switching display of the plurality of thumbnail images by releasing the display instruction operation, and displays thumbnail images displayed on the display means a predetermined operation time before the display instruction action is released. It is displayed on the display means,
Image display device. Reading means for reading a plurality of full images stored in the storage means and thumbnail images corresponding to the full images;
Display means for displaying the full image and the thumbnail image;
Control means for causing the display means to display at least one of a full image and a thumbnail image read by the reading means;
A display instruction operation from the user allows a full image display instruction to the display means and a thumbnail image display instruction to the display means to be selectively input to the control means, and the display instruction from the user An input means for instructing display of the thumbnail image when the operation duration is equal to or longer than a predetermined duration, and for instructing display of a full image when the duration of the display instruction operation is less than the predetermined duration;
With
The control means controls the display means so that the display time becomes a predetermined display time when the thumbnail image is displayed on the display means for less than a predetermined display time. ,
Image display device.

Images