JP2006217510A - Image display device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image display device capable of easily and quickly searching the best shot among a series of images obtained by high-speed consecutive photographing. <P>SOLUTION: When images recorded in a consecutive photographing mode are reproduced, first, the latest image is displayed on a liquid crystal monitor 222 (step S101). The degree of matching between the present image displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 222 and a new image read for display is determined before a user's button operation to display the next image (step 131 and step S141). In the determination, only images with low matching degrees are displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 222. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an image display device, and more particularly, to an image display device that displays an image obtained by continuous shooting using a digital camera or the like.

  In recent years, many digital cameras have a single shooting mode and a continuous shooting mode as operation modes at the time of shooting. The single shooting mode is an operation mode in which an image of one frame is taken in response to a user pressing the release button. On the other hand, the continuous shooting mode is an operation mode in which the shooting operation is repeated while the user presses the release button, thereby shooting a plurality of frames of images. Here, the continuous shooting speed in the continuous shooting mode is expected to reach several tens of frames per second in the future. When shooting is performed in such an ultra-high speed continuous shooting mode, image files for several tens of frames are recorded on a recording medium in one continuous shooting.

  By the way, the biggest reason for photographing in the continuous shooting mode is to surely obtain the best shot. Therefore, after continuous shooting, it is important to be able to easily and quickly find the best shot image from a series of images obtained by continuous shooting. As a technique for searching for such a best shot image, a technique is generally known in which a button for image selection is operated and images are displayed one by one on a liquid crystal monitor or the like. However, with such a method, the confirmation work may become complicated if the number of images taken by continuous shooting increases.

Therefore, for example, methods such as Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2 have been proposed. In Patent Document 1 and the like, a plurality of images taken by continuous shooting are reduced and displayed simultaneously (multi-index display). In Patent Document 2, only the representative image (one or a plurality of images) is displayed in the first selection operation. In addition to this, there is a method of displaying an image taken by continuous shooting as one moving image.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-304301 JP 2001-28579 A

  Here, in the case of the multi-index display proposed in Patent Document 1, it is difficult to confirm the details of the image because the image is displayed in a reduced size. Further, the method of displaying the representative image proposed in Patent Document 2 is suitable for searching for a group of images including the best shot, but for searching for the best shot image, one image in the group is used. Since it is necessary to check images one by one, it is not very efficient. Furthermore, in the method of displaying an image obtained by continuous shooting as a moving image, it takes time to reproduce as the number of images increases, and accordingly, confirmation of the image also takes time.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide an image display device that can easily and quickly find a best shot from a series of images obtained by high-speed continuous shooting. To do.

  In order to achieve the above object, an image display device according to the first aspect of the present invention reads a plurality of images taken in the continuous shooting mode, and reads out images stored in the storage means. A reading means for displaying the image read by the reading means, an image being displayed on the display means and an image newly read by the reading means, Display control means for controlling the display means to display the image newly read by the reading means instead of the image being displayed on the display means when the degree of coincidence of the images is low. It is characterized by.

  According to the first aspect, the image displayed on the display unit and the image newly read from the storage unit are compared, and the image is displayed on the display unit only when there is a predetermined difference or more between the images. The image to be changed is changed. Therefore, since an image unnecessary for searching for the best shot is not displayed on the display means, the best shot can be found easily and quickly.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an image display device capable of easily and quickly finding a best shot from a series of images obtained by high-speed continuous shooting.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 shows a configuration of a digital camera (hereinafter simply referred to as a camera) in which an image display apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is built. It is the perspective view shown schematically. Here, as an example, the camera 1 in FIG. 1 is a single-lens reflex camera.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the camera 1 includes a lens barrel 100 and a camera body 200.

  In the lens barrel 100, a photographing optical system 102 composed of a plurality of optical lenses is disposed. The photographing optical system 102 is configured to be movable in the optical axis direction by a lens driving mechanism to be described later, and transmits a light beam from a subject (not shown) in the internal direction of the camera body 200.

  An exposure opening having a predetermined aperture for guiding the light beam transmitted through the photographing optical system 102 to the inside of the camera body 200 is formed at a substantially central portion on the front side of the camera body 200. A photographing optical system mounting portion 200a is formed at the peripheral edge of the exposure opening, and the lens barrel 100 is detachably attached to the camera body 200 via the photographing optical system mounting portion 200a. Here, the camera body 200 can be equipped with various lens barrels 100 according to the purpose of shooting.

  Furthermore, various constituent members such as a viewfinder device 202, a shutter unit 208, an imaging unit 211, and a circuit board 200b are disposed at predetermined positions inside the camera body 200.

  The viewfinder device 202 includes a quick return mirror (hereinafter referred to as a main mirror) 202a, a focusing screen 202b, a pentaprism 202c, and an eyepiece lens 202d.

  The main mirror 202a has a half-mirror on the light incident surface, and a position on the optical axis of the photographing optical system 102 (the position shown in FIG. 1 hereinafter referred to as a down position) and a position retracted from the optical axis (hereinafter referred to as up). (Referred to as position). In the normal state, the main mirror 202a is arranged with a predetermined angle, for example, 45 degrees from the optical axis of the photographing optical system 102. With such a configuration, when the camera 1 is in a normal state, a part of the light beam transmitted through the photographing optical system 102 is reflected by the main mirror 202a and a part of the light beam is transmitted through the main mirror 202a. Here, a sub mirror 203 is provided on the back surface of the main mirror 202a, and the light beam transmitted through the main mirror 202a enters an AF sensor unit described later.

  Further, the light beam reflected by the main mirror 202a forms an image on the focusing screen 202b. The image formed on the focusing screen 202b is inverted by the pentaprism 202c to become an erect image. The image formed by the pentaprism 202c is magnified by the eyepiece lens 202d. With such a configuration, the user can visually check the image of the subject.

  On the other hand, when the camera 1 is in the photographing operation state, the main mirror 202a is moved to a predetermined up position where it is retracted from the optical axis of the photographing optical system 102. At this time, the light beam from the subject that has passed through the imaging optical system 102 enters the imaging unit 211 via the shutter unit 208. The shutter unit 208 is composed of, for example, a focal plane shutter mechanism. The shutter unit 208 is configured to be opened and closed by a shutter control circuit, which will be described later. By controlling the opening and closing time of the shutter unit 208, the exposure time and the like of the imaging unit 211 disposed behind the shutter unit 208 are controlled. Be controlled.

  The imaging unit 211 includes a dustproof filter (also referred to as dustproof glass) 213, an imaging element 212, and the like. The dust filter 213 is disposed on the front side of the image sensor 212, and the dust filter 213 prevents dust from adhering to the photoelectric conversion surface of the image sensor 212. Further, the dustproof filter 213 is configured to be vibrated by a piezoelectric element described later, and dust attached to the dustproof filter 213 is removed by vibrating the dustproof filter 213. The image sensor 212 includes a large number of photoelectric conversion elements (for example, photodiodes) that form a photoelectric conversion surface, and a light beam incident on the photoelectric conversion surface of the image sensor 212 is converted into an electrical signal.

  Various electric circuits of the camera 1 are mounted on the circuit board 200b.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing in detail the internal electric circuit configuration of the camera 1 shown in FIG. Note that the components described in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in FIG.

  As described with reference to FIG. 1, the camera 1 includes the lens barrel 100 and the camera body 200.

  Control of each part of the lens barrel 100 is performed by a lens control microcomputer 101 (hereinafter referred to as “Lucom”). On the other hand, each part of the camera body 200 is controlled by a body control microcomputer (hereinafter referred to as Bucom) 201. Here, when the lens barrel 100 is attached to the camera body 200, the Lucom 101 and the Bucom 201 are communicably connected via the communication connector 101a. In this case, as a camera system, the Lucom 101 is operated so as to be subordinate to the Bucom 201.

  Further, as described above, the photographing optical system 102 is disposed inside the lens barrel 100. Here, in FIG. 2, a plurality of optical lenses constituting the photographing optical system 102 are representatively illustrated as one optical lens. The photographing optical system 102 is driven in the optical axis direction by a DC motor (not shown) existing in the lens driving mechanism 103.

  A diaphragm 104 is provided behind the photographic optical system 102. The diaphragm 104 is driven to open and close by a stepping motor (not shown) existing in the diaphragm drive mechanism 105. By controlling the opening and closing of the diaphragm 104, the amount of light flux from the subject incident on the camera body 200 via the photographing optical system 102 is controlled.

  Here, the control of the DC motor in the lens driving mechanism 103 and the control of the stepping motor in the aperture driving mechanism 105 are performed by the Lucom 101 that has received a command from the Bucom 201.

  In addition, a finder device including a main mirror 202a, a focusing screen 202b, a pentaprism 202c, and an eyepiece lens 202d is provided inside the camera body 200. When the camera 1 is in the normal state, as described above, a part of the light beam from the subject incident through the photographing optical system 102 is reflected by the main mirror 202a. As a result, an observation image is formed via the focusing screen 202b, the pentaprism 202c, and the eyepiece 202d.

  Here, a photometric circuit 204 is provided in the vicinity of the pentaprism 202c, and a part of the light beam that has passed through the pentaprism 202c enters a photosensor (not shown) in the photometric circuit 204. In the photometry circuit 204, a well-known photometry process is performed based on the light amount of the light beam detected by the photosensor. The result processed by the photometry circuit 204 is transmitted to the Bucom 201. In the Bucom 201, the exposure amount at the time of photographing is calculated based on the result input from the photometry circuit 204. This result is transmitted from Bucom 201 to Lucom 101. In the Lucom 101, drive control of the diaphragm 104 is performed based on the exposure amount notified from the Bucom 201.

  Further, the light beam transmitted through the main mirror 202a and reflected by the sub mirror 203 is guided to an AF sensor unit 205 for performing an automatic focus adjustment process (AF process). An AF sensor for performing, for example, phase difference AF is provided inside the AF sensor unit 205. The light beam incident on the AF sensor is converted into an electric signal. The output from the AF sensor of the AF sensor unit 205 is transmitted to the Bucom 201 via the AF sensor driving circuit 206. Then, ranging processing is performed in Bucom 201, and the driving amount of the photographing optical system 102 necessary for focus adjustment is calculated. This result is transmitted from Bucom 201 to Lucom 101. In the Lucom 101, drive control of the photographing optical system 102 is performed based on the drive amount notified from the Bucom 201.

  Further, when the camera 1 is in the photographing operation state, the main mirror 202a is moved to a predetermined up position where it is retracted from the optical axis of the photographing optical system 102. Such driving of the main mirror 202 a is performed by the mirror driving mechanism 207. The mirror drive mechanism 207 is controlled by the Bucom 201. Here, when the main mirror 202a is moved to the up position, the sub mirror 203 is folded accordingly.

  When the main mirror 202 a is moved to the up position, the light beam from the subject that has passed through the photographing optical system 102 enters the direction of the shutter unit 208. The spring force for driving the front curtain and rear curtain constituting the focal plane type shutter unit 208 is charged by the shutter charge mechanism 209. The front curtain and the rear curtain are driven by the shutter control circuit 210. The shutter charge mechanism 209 and the shutter control circuit 210 are controlled by the Bucom 201.

  The light beam that has passed through the shutter unit 208 is incident on the image sensor 212 inside the imaging unit 211 disposed behind the shutter unit 208. The image pickup device 212 is protected by a dustproof filter 213 disposed between the image pickup device 212 and the photographing optical system 102. The dust filter 213 is made of a transparent member such as glass.

  In addition, a piezoelectric element 214 for vibrating the dustproof filter 213 at a predetermined vibration frequency is attached to the periphery of the dustproof filter 213. The piezoelectric element 214 has two electrodes and is driven by a dustproof filter driving circuit 215. The dust filter 21 is controlled by the Bucom 201. The dust filter 213 vibrates by vibrating the piezoelectric element 214 by the dust filter driving circuit 215. As a result, dust adhering to the surface of the dustproof filter 213 is removed.

  Here, the image sensor 212 and the piezoelectric element 214 are integrally stored in a case having the dust filter 213 as one surface. Thereby, adhesion of dust to the image sensor 212 can be reliably prevented.

  A temperature measurement circuit 216 is provided in the vicinity of the imaging unit 211. Usually, the temperature affects the elastic modulus of a glass material. That is, since the change in temperature becomes one of the factors that change the natural frequency of the dust filter 213, the ambient temperature is always measured when the dust filter 213 is vibrated. Note that the temperature measurement point of the temperature measurement circuit 216 is preferably set in the vicinity of the vibration surface of the dust filter 213. In this way, by controlling the vibration of the dustproof filter 213 in consideration of changes in temperature, the dustproof filter 213 can always be vibrated under optimum conditions.

  The electrical signal (image signal) obtained by the image sensor 212 is read out and digitized via the image interface circuit 217 at every predetermined timing. Image data obtained by digitization by the imaging interface circuit 217 is stored in a buffer memory 219 configured by SDRAM or the like via an image processing controller 218. Here, the buffer memory 219 is a memory for temporarily storing data such as image data, and is used as a work area when various processes are performed on the image data.

  When electronic viewfinder (EVF) display is performed, the image processing controller 218 reads out the image data read out via the imaging interface circuit 217 and stored in the buffer memory 219. The image data read by the image processing controller 218 is subjected to image processing such as white balance correction for EVF display, and then stored in the buffer memory 219. Thereafter, the image data stored in the buffer memory 219 is read out by the image processing controller 218 in units of frames and converted into video signals. This video signal is resized to a predetermined size for display and then displayed on a liquid crystal monitor 222 as a display means. The EVF display is performed only before the photographing operation, that is, when the main mirror 202a is at the up position.

  Further, after the photographing is finished, the image processing controller 218 reads out the image data read out via the imaging interface circuit 217 and stored in the buffer memory 219. The image data read by the image processing controller 218 is stored in the buffer memory 219 after being subjected to known image processing such as white balance correction, gradation correction, and color correction. Thereafter, the image data stored in the buffer memory 219 is read by the image processing controller 218, converted into a video signal, resized to a predetermined size for display, and then output and displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 222. The user can confirm the photographed image with the image displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 222.

  At the time of image recording, the image data processed by the image processing controller 218 is compressed by a known compression method such as the JPEG method. JPEG data obtained by JPEG compression is stored in the buffer memory 219 and then recorded on the Flash ROM 220 or the recording medium 221 as a JPEG file to which predetermined header information is added. Here, the Flash ROM 220 is assumed to be a memory built in the camera 1, and the recording medium 221 is assumed to be mounted outside the camera 1. As the recording medium 221, for example, a memory card or a hard disk drive configured to be detachable from the camera 1 is used.

  Further, when an image is reproduced from a JPEG file recorded on the Flash ROM 220 or the recording medium 221, the JPEG data recorded on the Flash ROM 220 or the recording medium 221 is read and decompressed by the image processing controller 218. Thereafter, the decompressed data is converted into a video signal, resized to a predetermined size for display, and output and displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 222.

  The Bucom 201 is connected to a nonvolatile memory 223 that stores predetermined control parameters necessary for camera control. The non-volatile memory 223 is composed of, for example, a rewritable EEPROM.

  Further, a battery 225 as a power source is connected to the Bucom 201 via a power circuit 224. In the power supply circuit 224, the voltage of the battery 225 is converted into a voltage required by each part of the camera system and supplied to each part of the camera system.

  Further, the Bucom 201 includes an operation display LCD 226 for notifying the user of the operation state of the camera 1 by display output, and a camera operation switch (SW) 227 for detecting operation states of various operation members of the camera 1. And are connected.

  Here, the operation member of the camera 1 will be described. 3 to 6 are external views of the camera 1 for explaining the operation members of the camera. 3 shows a top view of the camera 1, FIG. 4 shows a front view of the camera 1, FIG. 5 shows a side view of the camera 1, and FIG. 6 shows a rear view of the camera 1.

  As shown in FIG. 3, on the upper surface of the camera 1, a power switch lever 301, a release button 302, a mode dial 303, a sub dial 304, an ISO button 305, an exposure correction button 306, a white balance (WB) ) Button 307, image quality mode button 308, flash mode button 309, and LIGHT button 310.

  The power switch lever 301 is an operation member for turning on / off the power of the camera 1. By turning the power switch lever 301, the main power supply of the camera 1 is switched on / off.

  The release button 302 is a button for executing a shooting preparation operation and an exposure operation. This release button is composed of a two-stage switch of a first release switch and a second release switch. When the release button 302 is pressed halfway, the first release switch is turned on to perform photometry processing or distance measurement. A shooting preparation operation such as processing is executed. Further, when the release button 302 is fully pressed, the second release switch is turned on to perform the exposure operation.

  A mode dial 303 is an operation member for setting a shooting mode at the time of shooting. By rotating the mode dial 303, a shooting mode at the time of shooting is set. In the example of FIG. 3, for example, five modes of a program AE mode (P), an aperture priority AE mode (A), a shutter priority AE mode (S), a manual mode (M), and a scene mode (SCN) can be set. .

  The program AE mode is a mode in which an exposure operation is performed according to the exposure conditions (aperture value and shutter speed) calculated by the camera 1. The aperture priority AE mode is a mode in which exposure is performed with the shutter speed set according to the aperture value set by the user. The shutter priority AE mode is a mode in which exposure is performed with an aperture value set according to the shutter speed set by the user. The manual mode is a mode in which exposure is performed with an aperture value and shutter speed set by the user. The scene mode is a mode in which shooting is performed under conditions suitable for various shooting scenes. In the scene mode, it is necessary to set a desired scene on the menu screen with the mode dial 303 set to SCN.

  The sub dial 304 is an operation member that is operated in a state where another operation member is pressed. By rotating the sub dial 304, it is possible to change the setting of the function related to the operation member currently pressed by the user. Here, when the setting using the sub dial 304 is performed, the operation state of the camera 1 at that time is displayed on the operation display LCD 226. The user can change the setting while viewing this display.

  The ISO button 305 is a button for setting the imaging device sensitivity (corresponding to the ISO sensitivity of the film) during the exposure operation. When the dial operation is performed while the ISO button 305 is pressed, the setting of the image sensor sensitivity during the exposure operation is changed.

  The exposure correction button 306 is a button for setting an exposure correction value for correcting the exposure amount during the exposure operation. When the dial operation is performed while the exposure correction button 306 is pressed, the value of the exposure correction value is changed. By setting the exposure correction value, for example, even when the exposure amount automatically calculated by the camera 1 in the program AE mode or the like is not appropriate, it is possible to perform shooting while correcting this.

  The WB button 307 is a button for setting how white balance is performed. By performing a dial operation while the WB button 307 is pressed, the white balance setting is changed to auto white balance or preset white balance.

  In auto white balance, white balance correction is automatically performed by the camera 1. Further, in the preset light source white balance, white balance correction is performed under conditions set in advance according to various light sources such as sunlight in fine weather, fluorescent lamps, and light bulbs.

  The image quality mode button 308 is a button for setting an image quality mode (image size and compression rate) at the time of image recording. The image quality mode is changed by performing a dial operation while the image quality mode button 308 is pressed.

  The flash mode button 309 is a button for setting the light emission mode of the external flash device when an external flash device (not shown) is attached to the camera 1. By performing a dial operation while the flash mode button 309 is pressed, the light emission mode is changed in the order of, for example, an auto light emission mode, a red-eye reduction light emission mode, a slow sync mode, and a forced light emission mode.

  The auto light emission mode is a mode in which conditions such as the light emission amount of the external flash device are automatically set by the camera 1. The red-eye reduction flash mode is a mode in which pre-flash for red-eye reduction is performed prior to shooting. The slow sync mode is a mode in which flash emission is performed by using a low-speed shutter together, and is an effective mode for night scene shooting and the like. The forced light emission mode is a mode in which the flash is emitted regardless of shooting conditions.

  The LIGHT button 310 is a button for turning on or off the backlight of the operation display LCD 226.

  As shown in FIG. 4, a one-touch white balance (WB) button 311 is provided on the front of the camera 1. The one-touch WB button 311 is a button for registering white balance conditions that cannot be handled by auto white balance or preset white balance.

  As shown in FIG. 5, an auto bracket (BKT) button 312, a photometry mode button 313, a DRIVE mode button 314, and a focus mode lever 315 are provided on the side surface of the camera 1.

  The BKT button 312 is a button for setting the number of shots, exposure correction amount, and white balance gain during bracket shooting. In bracket shooting, a plurality of images with different exposure amounts and white balance gains are shot. When the dial operation is performed while the BKT button 312 is pressed, the number of shots, the exposure correction amount, and the white balance gain are changed.

  The photometry mode button 313 is a button for setting a photometry mode at the time of photometry processing. When a dial operation is performed while the photometry mode button 313 is pressed, the photometry mode is changed in the order of, for example, spot photometry mode, center-weighted average photometry mode, and evaluation photometry mode.

  The spot photometry mode is a mode in which photometry processing is performed based on the amount of light within an extremely narrow range on the screen. Further, the center-weighted average metering mode is a mode in which metering processing is focused on the center portion in the screen. Further, the evaluation photometry mode is a mode in which the final photometry result is obtained by dividing the inside of the screen into a plurality of areas and performing photometry processing and evaluating the result obtained for each divided area.

  The DRIVE mode button 314 is a button for setting the operation mode of the camera 1. When the dial operation is performed while the DRIVE mode button 314 is pressed, the operation mode is changed in the order of, for example, a single shooting mode, a continuous shooting (continuous shooting) mode, a self mode, and a remote control mode.

  The single shooting mode is a mode in which an image of one frame is shot in response to a full pressing operation of the release button 302 by the user. Further, the continuous shooting mode is a mode in which the shooting operation is repeated while the user fully presses the release button 302, thereby shooting a plurality of frames of images. The self mode is a mode in which so-called self-timer shooting is performed in which an exposure operation is performed after a predetermined time after the release button 302 is fully pressed. The remote control mode is a mode for enabling the camera 1 to be operated by a remote controller (not shown).

  The focus mode lever 315 is an operation member for setting an AF mode at the time of shooting. By switching the focus mode lever 315, the AF mode is changed in the order of, for example, a single AF mode, a continuous AF mode, and a power focus (PF) mode.

  The single AF mode is a mode in which the focus state of the photographing optical system 102 is fixed until the half-press of the release button 302 is released after the focus control of the photographing optical system 102 is once performed. The continuous AF mode is a mode in which focus control of the photographing optical system 102 is performed following the movement of the subject. The PF mode is a mode in which the user can manually adjust the focus of the photographing optical system 102.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 6, on the back of the camera 1, there are a main dial 316, an AF frame button 317, an AE lock button 318, a playback mode button 319, an erase button 320, a protect button 321 and information. A display button 322, a menu button 323, a cross button 324, and an OK button 325 are provided.

  The main dial 316 is an operation member having the same function as that of the sub dial 304. When the main dial 316 is rotated, the setting of the function related to the operation member currently pressed by the user can be changed. Is possible.

  The AF frame button 317 is a button for selecting an AF method at the time of shooting. When the dial operation is performed while the AF frame button 317 is being pressed, the AF method is changed to, for example, multi AF or spot AF.

  In multi AF, the focus state of a plurality of ranging points in the screen is detected. On the other hand, in the spot AF, the focus state of one point (can be selected from a plurality of candidates) in the screen is detected.

  The AE lock button 318 is a button for fixing exposure conditions. While the AE lock button 318 is being pressed, the exposure amount calculated at that time is fixed.

  The playback mode button 319 is a button for switching the operation mode of the camera 1 to a playback mode in which an image can be played back from a JPEG file recorded on the Flash ROM 220 or the recording medium 221.

  The delete button 320 is a button for deleting the image data (JPEG file) from the flash ROM 220 and the recording medium 221 during the playback mode.

  The protect button 321 is a button for protecting the image data so that the image data is not accidentally erased during the reproduction mode.

  The information display button 322 is a button for displaying image information based on additional information (for example, Exif information) of image data.

  The menu button 323 is a button for displaying a menu screen on the liquid crystal monitor 222. This menu screen is composed of menu items having a plurality of hierarchical structures. The user can select a desired menu item with the cross button 324 and can determine the item selected with the OK button 325. Here, the menu items include, for example, a setup menu for the Flash ROM 220 and the recording medium 221, a shooting menu capable of setting image data quality, image processing, scene mode, and the like, playback conditions during image playback, and settings during image printing. There are a playback menu that allows the user to perform various operations, a custom menu that allows various fine settings according to the photographer's preference, and a setup menu that sets the operating state of the camera such as the type of warning sound.

  For example, when setting the scene mode, a desired scene can be selected on the menu screen while the mode dial 303 is set to the scene mode (SCN). Examples of this scene include portrait, sports, commemorative photo, landscape, night view, and the like. In accordance with the selected scene, shooting conditions such as exposure conditions, flash emission conditions, photometry mode, AF method, and continuous shooting interval are set.

  Next, the operation at the time of shooting of the camera 1 having the above-described configuration will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the operation of the camera 1 during shooting. Note that the processing of the flowchart of FIG. 7 is started when the release button 302 is half-pressed by the user.

  When the release button 302 is half-pressed by the user, the first release switch is turned on. In response to this, the photometric circuit 204 performs photometric processing. This result is transmitted to Bucom 201, and the exposure amount is calculated in Bucom 201 (step S1). Next, a signal detected by the AF sensor unit 205 is transmitted to the Bucom 201 via the AF sensor driving circuit 206. In response to this, the Bucom 201 performs distance measurement processing and calculates the drive amount of the photographing optical system 102 necessary for focus adjustment. Then, the photographing optical system 102 is driven based on the driving amount calculated here (step S2).

  Thereafter, it is determined whether or not the second release switch has been turned on by the user, that is, whether or not the release button 302 has been fully pressed (step S3). If the second release switch is not turned on in step S3, the process branches from step S3 to step S19 to determine whether or not the first release switch remains on (step S19). If it is determined in step S19 that the first release switch remains ON, the process returns from step S19 to step S3. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S19 that the first release switch has been turned OFF, the processing of FIG. 7 is terminated and the processing returns to the main processing of the camera 1 (not shown).

  If the second release switch is turned on in step S3, the process branches from step S3 to step S4, and the main mirror 202a is moved to the up position (step S4). Next, it is determined whether or not the operation mode of the camera 1 is a continuous shooting mode (step S5).

  If it is determined in step S5 that the operation mode of the camera 1 is the continuous shooting mode, step S5 is branched to step S6, and the processing of the continuous shooting mode is started. First, the aperture 104 is reduced based on the exposure amount calculated in step S1 (step S6). Next, the imaging operation of the image sensor 212 is started (step S7). Thereafter, the shutter 208 is opened / closed based on the exposure amount calculated in step S1 (step S8). After the shutter unit 208 is closed, the imaging operation of the imaging device 212 is stopped (step S9).

  Next, EVF display is started based on the image signal obtained by the image sensor 212 (step S10). Here, while the main mirror 202a is moved to the up position, the subject cannot be observed by the finder device. In the continuous shooting mode, since a plurality of times of shooting are performed with the main mirror 202a being moved to the up position, such an EVF can be used so that the subject can be observed even during continuous shooting. Display is done.

  Thereafter, image data based on the image signal obtained by the image sensor 212 is stored in the buffer memory 219 (step S11). The buffer memory 219 has a capacity sufficient to temporarily store a large number of image data shot by high-speed continuous shooting.

  Next, it is determined whether or not the second release switch has been turned off by the user (step S12). If it is determined in step S11 that the second release switch remains ON, step S12 is branched to step S7, and the next image is captured. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S11 that the second release switch is turned off, step S12 is branched to step S13, and the continuous shooting is terminated. First, the EVF display is terminated (step S13). Next, the aperture 104 is opened (step S14), and the main mirror 202a is moved to the down position (step S15). Thereafter, the image data stored in the buffer memory 219 is recorded in the flash ROM 220 or the recording medium 221 in, for example, the JPEG format (step S16). Thereafter, the processing of FIG. 7 is terminated, and the processing returns to the main processing of the camera 1.

  If it is determined in step S5 that the operation mode of the camera 1 is the single shooting mode, step S5 is branched to step S21, and the single shooting mode processing is started. First, the aperture 104 is narrowed based on the exposure amount calculated in step S1 (step S21). Next, the imaging operation of the image sensor 212 is started (step S22). Thereafter, the shutter 208 is opened and closed based on the exposure amount calculated in step S1 (step S23). After the shutter unit 208 is closed, the imaging operation of the imaging device 212 is stopped (step S24). After the image capturing operation of the image sensor 212 is stopped, the image data is recorded on the Flash ROM 220 or the recording medium 221 in, for example, JPEG format (step S25).

  Next, the diaphragm 104 is opened (step S26), and the main mirror 202a is moved to the down position (step S27). Thereafter, it is determined whether or not the first release switch has been turned off by the user (step S28). The determination in step S28 is repeated until the first release switch is turned off.

  If it is determined in step S28 that the first release switch has been turned off, the process in FIG. 7 is terminated and the process returns to the main process in the camera 1.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing processing when image data recorded on the Flash ROM 220 or the recording medium 221 is reproduced in the continuous shooting mode. 8 is performed by the Bucom 201 and the image processing controller 218 constituting the display control means.

  When the playback mode button 319 is pressed by the user and the operation mode of the camera 1 is switched to the playback mode, the processing in FIG. 8 is started. First, the latest image among a plurality of image data recorded on the Flash ROM 220 or the recording medium 221 is displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 222 (step S101). Here, the latest image is image data taken last. However, when the image is the last image in a series of images obtained by continuous shooting, the first image of continuous shooting is displayed as the latest image.

  After the latest image is displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 222, the displayed image data is set as a reference image (step S102). This reference image is image data that serves as a basis for image comparison in an image search process to be described later.

  Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the right side of the cross button 324 has been pressed (step S103). If it is determined in step S103 that the right side of the cross button 324 has been pressed, step S103 is branched to step S111, and the image immediately before the image currently displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 222 is displayed. (Step S111). If the image currently displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 222 is the first image taken, the last image taken is displayed. After the previous image is displayed, the process proceeds to step S107.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S103 that the right side of the cross button 324 has not been pressed, step S103 is branched to step S104, and it is determined whether or not the left side of the cross button 324 has been pressed (step S104). ). If it is determined in step S104 that the left side of the cross button 324 has been pressed, step S104 is branched to step S121, and the image immediately after the image currently displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 222 is displayed. (Step S121). If the image currently displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 222 is the last image taken, the first image taken is displayed. After the next image is displayed, the process proceeds to step S107.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S104 that the left side of the cross button 324 has not been pressed, step S104 is branched to step S105, and it is determined whether or not the upper side of the cross button 324 has been pressed (step S105). ). If it is determined in step S105 that the upper side of the cross button 324 has been pressed, step S105 is branched to step S131, and the image search 1 process is performed (step S131). The processing of this image search 1 will be described later. After the end of the image search 1 process, the image searched for by the image search 1 process is displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 222 (step S132). After the image is displayed, the process proceeds to step S107.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S105 that the upper side of the cross button 324 has not been pressed, step S105 is branched to step S106, and it is determined whether or not the lower side of the cross button 324 has been pressed (step S106). ). If it is determined in step S106 that the lower side of the cross button 324 is pressed, step S106 is branched to step S141, and the image search 2 process is performed (step S141). The processing of this image search 2 will be described later. After completion of the image search 2 process, the image searched by the image search 2 process is displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 222 (step S142). After the image is displayed, the process proceeds to step S107.

  After the above processing, it is determined whether or not the playback mode button 319 or the release button 302 has been pressed (step S107). In step S107, if neither the playback mode button 319 nor the release button 302 is pressed, step S107 is branched to step S102, and the image currently displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 222 is the next reference image. Set to On the other hand, if it is determined in step S107 that the playback mode button 319 or the release button 302 is pressed, the processing in FIG. 8 is terminated and the processing returns to the main processing of the camera 1.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the image search 1 process in step S131 of FIG.

  In the process of image search 1, first, the previous image data displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 222 is read out via the image processing controller 218 as a reading means (step S201). Note that if the image currently displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 222 is the first photographed image, the last photographed image data is read out.

  Next, the image data (that is, the reference image) currently displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 222 is compared with the image data newly read in step S201 (hereinafter referred to as a comparison image), and the reference image and the comparison image are compared. Are compared with each other (step S202). The comparison process with the reference image will be described later.

  Next, as a result of the comparison process with the reference image, it is determined whether or not the degree of coincidence between the reference image and the comparison image is high (step S203). If it is determined in step S203 that the degree of coincidence is high, step S203 is branched to step S201, and the previous image data is read out.

  On the other hand, if the degree of coincidence is low in the determination in step S203, step S203 is branched to step S204, and the image read in step S201 is selected as the next image to be displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 222. (Step S204).

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the image search 2 process in step S141 of FIG.

  In the process of image search 2, first, the next image data displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 222 is read from the flash ROM 220 or the recording medium 221 via the image processing controller 218 (step S211). Note that if the image currently displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 222 is the last image captured, the image data captured first is read out.

  Next, the reference image currently displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 222 is compared with the comparison image, and the degree of coincidence between the reference image and the comparison image is determined (step S212). The comparison process with the reference image will be described later.

  Next, as a result of the comparison process with the reference image, it is determined whether or not the degree of coincidence between the reference image and the comparison image is high (step S213). If it is determined in step S213 that the degree of coincidence is high, step S213 is branched to step S211, and the next image data is read out.

  On the other hand, if the degree of coincidence is low in the determination in step S213, step S213 is branched to step S214, and the image read in step S211 is selected as the next image to be displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 222. (Step S214).

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a comparison process with the reference images of FIGS. 9 and 10.

  In the comparison process with the reference image, first, image data of the peripheral area in the center of the reference image is extracted (step S301). For example, when the image data 401 in FIG. 12 is set as a reference image, the image data 401a in the central peripheral area is extracted.

  Next, image data of the peripheral area in the center of the comparison image is extracted (step S302). For example, when the image data 402 in FIG. 12 is read as a comparative image, the image data 402a around the central region is extracted.

  Next, the color information of the central peripheral area of the reference image and the central peripheral area of the comparison image is discarded (step S303). Then, the difference (luminance difference) for each pixel between the central peripheral area of the reference image and the central peripheral area of the comparison image is calculated (step S304). Next, a luminance image in which each pixel has two gradations according to the luminance difference between the pixels is generated (step S305). Here, pixels with a difference of 0 are converted to black (gradation 0), and pixels with a difference of 0 are converted to white (gradation maximum). For example, when the reference image data 401a and the comparison image data 402a are compared, there is no difference between the two images, and luminance image data 412a with all pixels having gradation 0 is obtained.

  Next, the number of pixels whose gradation is not 0 (mismatched pixels) is counted (step S306). Then, the ratio of pixels whose gradation is not 0 with respect to all the pixels in the central region is calculated (step S307). Next, it is determined whether or not the ratio of pixels whose gradation is not 0 is a predetermined amount m (for example, about 40%) or more (step S308).

  If the ratio of pixels whose gradation is not 0 is less than the predetermined amount m in the determination in step S308, it is determined that the degree of coincidence between the reference image and the comparison image is high (step S309). On the other hand, when the proportion of pixels whose gradation is not 0 is equal to or greater than the predetermined amount m, it is determined that the degree of coincidence between the reference image and the comparison image is low (step S310).

  For example, when the reference image data 401a and the comparison image data 402a are compared to obtain the luminance image data 412a, the reference image data 401a and the comparison image data 402a are small because the luminance image data 412a has few pixels whose gradation is not 0. It is determined that the degree of coincidence is high. Therefore, the image 402 is not selected as an image to be displayed next on the liquid crystal monitor 222 in the processing of FIGS. 9 and 10. Then, the comparison described with reference to FIG. 11 is performed between the next comparison image 403 and the reference image 401. In this case, the luminance image data 413a is obtained. However, since the luminance image data 413a has few pixels whose gradation is not 0, it is determined that the degree of coincidence between the reference image data 401a and the comparison image data 403a is high. Comparison with the image 404 is performed. In this case, luminance image data 414a is obtained. Since the luminance image data 414a has many pixels whose gradation is not 0, it is determined that the degree of coincidence between the reference image data 401a and the comparison image data 404a is low. As a result, the image 404 is selected as an image to be displayed next on the liquid crystal monitor 222 in the processing of FIGS. 9 and 10.

  That is, in the example of FIG. 12, when the user presses the playback mode button 319, first, the latest image (or the first image in the continuous shooting when the image is the last image in the continuous shooting) is displayed. An image 401 is displayed as shown in FIG. Thereafter, when the lower side (or upper side) of the cross button 324 is pressed by the user, the image 402 and the image 403 are skipped without being displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 222 because the degree of coincidence with the image 401 is high. Next, an image 404 having a low degree of coincidence with 401 is displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 222. At the same time, the image 404 is set as a reference image, and thereafter, comparison is performed based on the image 404.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, when the right or left button of the cross button 324 is operated when displaying a plurality of images obtained by continuous shooting on the liquid crystal monitor 222, Regardless of single shooting or continuous shooting, images are displayed one by one in order. On the other hand, when the upper side or the lower side of the cross button 324 is operated, only an image greatly different from the image displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 222 is displayed. As a result, even if a large number of images are taken by continuous shooting, the images can be checked efficiently and the best shot can be easily found.

  It should be noted that to what extent dissimilar images are displayed is determined by the predetermined amount m in step S308 in FIG. This m may be set by the user.

  In the example of FIG. 11, when comparing the reference image and the comparative image, only the central peripheral region is extracted and compared. However, it is also possible to compare with all pixels. Needless to say. Further, the area to be extracted is not limited to the central peripheral area. Since this comparison only needs to be performed in an area where the existence probability of the subject is high, in addition to the central peripheral area, for example, an area including a distance measuring point focused during AF may be extracted. In addition, the user may be able to select an area to be extracted.

  Although the present invention has been described based on the above embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications and applications are naturally possible within the scope of the gist of the present invention.

  Further, the above-described embodiments include various stages of the invention, and various inventions can be extracted by appropriately combining a plurality of disclosed constituent elements. For example, even if some constituent requirements are deleted from all the constituent requirements shown in the embodiment, the problem described in the column of the problem to be solved by the invention can be solved, and the effect described in the column of the effect of the invention Can be extracted as an invention.

1 is a perspective view schematically showing an internal configuration of a digital camera main body cut away in order to show the configuration of a digital camera in which an image display device according to an embodiment of the present invention is built. It is a block diagram which shows in detail about the electric circuit structure inside a digital camera. It is an external appearance top view of a digital camera. It is an external appearance front view of a digital camera. It is an external appearance side view of a digital camera. It is an external appearance rear view of a digital camera. It is a flowchart shown about the operation | movement at the time of imaging | photography of a digital camera. It is a flowchart shown about the process at the time of the image data image | photographed in continuous shooting mode being reproduced | regenerated. It is a flowchart shown about the process of the image search. It is a flowchart shown about the process of the image search. It is a flowchart shown about a comparison process with a reference image. It is a figure for demonstrating the specific example of a comparison process with a reference image. It is a figure for demonstrating the specific example at the time of image reproduction.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Digital camera (camera), 100 ... Lens barrel, 101 ... Microcomputer for lens control (Lucom), 101a ... Communication connector, 102 ... Shooting optical system, 103 ... Lens drive mechanism, 104 ... Aperture, 105 ... Aperture drive Mechanism 200 ... Camera body 200a ... Shooting optical system mounting part 200b ... Circuit board 201 ... Body control microcomputer (Bucom) 202a ... Quick return mirror (main mirror) 202b ... Focusing screen 202c ... Penta prism , 202d ... eyepiece, 203 ... sub-mirror, 204 ... photometry circuit, 205 ... AF sensor unit, 206 ... AF sensor drive circuit, 207 ... mirror drive mechanism, 208 ... shutter part, 209 ... shutter charge mechanism, 210 ... shutter control circuit , 21 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS ... Imaging unit, 212 ... Imaging element, 213 ... Dustproof filter, 214 ... Piezoelectric element, 215 ... Dustproof filter drive circuit, 216 ... Temperature measurement circuit, 217 ... Imaging interface circuit, 218 ... Image processing controller, 219 ... Buffer memory (SDRAM) ), 220 ... Flash ROM, 221 ... recording medium, 222 ... liquid crystal monitor, 223 ... nonvolatile memory (EEPROM), 224 ... power supply circuit, 225 ... battery, 226 ... operation display LCD, 227 ... camera operation switch (SW)

Claims (9)

Storage means for storing a plurality of images shot in the continuous shooting mode;
Reading means for reading an image stored in the storage means;
Display means for displaying the image read by the reading means;
The image being displayed on the display means is compared with the image newly read by the reading means. When the degree of coincidence between the two images is low, the reading means replaces the image being displayed on the display means. Display control means for controlling the display means to display a newly read image;
An image display device comprising: The display control means includes
Determination means for determining the degree of coincidence between the two images by determining whether or not a difference between the image being displayed on the display means and the image newly read by the reading means is greater than or equal to a predetermined value;
Selection means for selecting an image to be displayed next on the display means based on a determination result of the determination means;
The image display apparatus according to claim 1, comprising:   3. The determination unit according to claim 2, wherein the determination unit determines a difference between images for a predetermined region corresponding to each of an image being displayed on the display unit and an image newly read by the reading unit. Image display device.   The image display apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the predetermined area includes an area having a high probability that a main subject exists.   The image display apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the predetermined area includes an area around a central portion.   The determination unit detects a mismatch pixel between an image being displayed on the display unit and an image newly read by the reading unit, and determines a difference between the images based on a ratio occupied by the mismatch pixel. The image display device according to claim 2.   The determination means calculates the difference for each pixel between the image being displayed on the display means and the image newly read by the reading means, and detects the non-coincidence by detecting pixels whose calculation result is not zero. The image display device according to claim 6, wherein a pixel is detected.   The image display device according to claim 7, wherein the difference for each pixel of the image is a difference in luminance value for each pixel.   9. The image display device according to claim 1, wherein the image display device is built in a digital camera.

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