JP2011205327A - Image output device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image output device displaying appropriate operation function information on another apparatus regardless of whether a remote controller of the other apparatus has a predetermined button or not.SOLUTION: This image output device 2 electrically connectable to a display apparatus including a display part operating in response to an output signal emitted by a remote controller and displaying an image includes: a connection part 22 electrically connected to the display apparatus; an output part 18 for outputting an image to be displayed on the display part of the display apparatus through the connection part 22; a determination part 10 for inputting an operation state signal output from the display apparatus having received the output signal of the remote controller and indicative of the operation state of the remote controller through the connection part 22, and determining whether a specific button is present in the remote controller based on the operation state signal; and a control part 10 for controlling whether operation function information indicative of a function of the image output device 2 allocated to an operation instruction to the specific button is displayed on the display part based on a determination result of the determination part 10.

Description

  The present invention relates to an image output apparatus capable of outputting image data to a display device.

  An operation guide for operating a display state of an image displayed on the video display by a remote controller (hereinafter referred to as a remote controller) when displaying an image based on the image data read from the memory card on the video display. An image display device that displays an icon together with an image has been proposed (for example, see Patent Document 1). In the image display device described in Patent Document 1, the color of each color key of the remote control and the image display are displayed together with the image so that the function assigned to the operation instruction for each color key of the remote control can be easily grasped. The icon color to be used is the same.

JP 2006-108748 A

  By the way, in the image display device described in Patent Document 1 described above, it is assumed that the remote controller is provided with color keys, but not all remote controllers are provided with color keys. Therefore, the function of displaying an operation guide using an icon or the like with the same color as the color key is a convenient function for a user who uses a remote controller provided with the color key, but the color key is not provided. This can be confusing for users who use the remote control. On the other hand, when the operation guide is not displayed, the color key is provided for the color key because it is difficult to guess the operation function unlike the buttons such as the cross key and the OK button, which are easy to guess the operation function. It is inconvenient for the user who uses the remote control.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an image output capable of displaying appropriate operation function information about a remote controller on a display unit of the display device when connected to the display device regardless of whether or not the remote controller has a specific button. Is to provide a device.

  The present invention solves the above problems by the following means. In addition, in order to make an understanding easy, it attaches | subjects and demonstrates the code | symbol corresponding to embodiment of this invention, but this invention is not limited to this.

  The image output device of the present invention includes an image that can be electrically connected to a display device (4) that includes a display unit (4a) for displaying an image and that can operate in response to an output signal from a remote controller (6). In the output device (2), a connection unit (22) electrically connected to the display device (4) and an image to be displayed on the display unit (4a) of the display device (4) are displayed on the connection unit (22). ) And an operation state signal indicating the operation state of the remote controller output from the display device (4) that has received the output signal of the remote controller (6). ) And a determination unit (30) for determining whether or not the specific button (6e) is present on the remote controller (6) based on the operation state signal, and a determination result by the determination unit (30) Based on before A control unit (10) for controlling whether or not operation function information indicating the function of the image output device (2) assigned to the operation instruction for the specific button (6e) is displayed on the display unit (4a); It is characterized by providing.

  According to the image output apparatus of the present invention, regardless of whether or not the remote controller has a specific button, appropriate operation function information about the remote controller is displayed on the display unit of the display device when connected to the display device. Can do.

It is the figure which showed typically the schematic structure of the camera which concerns on embodiment, the television connected to this camera, and the remote control of a television. It is a block diagram which shows the system configuration | structure of the camera which concerns on embodiment. It is a figure which shows the external appearance of the remote control of a television. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the process for controlling the display image displayed on the display part of a television in the camera which concerns on embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of the display part of a television.

  Hereinafter, a camera as an image output apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing a schematic configuration of a camera 2 according to this embodiment, a television 4 connected to the camera 2, and a remote controller 6 that is a remote controller for the television 4. As shown in FIG. 1, the camera 2 and the television 4 are digital interface standards via the HDMI terminal 22 (see FIG. 2) of the camera 2, the HDMI cable 8, and the HDMI terminal (not shown) of the television 4. They are electrically connected according to the HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) standard. The HDMI can transmit and receive an image signal, an audio signal, and a control signal (hereinafter referred to as a CEC signal) by CEC (Consumer Electronics Control) via the HDMI cable 8 that connects the camera 2 and the television 4.

  When the camera 2 is electrically connected to the television 4, the camera 2 outputs an image to be displayed on the display unit 4 a of the television 4 via the HDMI cable 8. The television 4 controls the operation of the television in accordance with the display unit 4a for displaying images and the like, the receiving unit (light receiving unit) 4b for receiving the output signal (remote control signal) emitted from the remote controller 6, and the output signal from the remote controller 6. A control unit (not shown) is provided. The display unit 4 a displays an image output from the camera 2 when the camera 2 is electrically connected to the television 4. The remote controller 6 can operate the display state of the display unit 4 a of the television 4. When a remote control 6 is operated and a remote control signal is received by the receiving unit 4b, a television control unit (not shown) analyzes the code of the remote control signal and determines which operation button of the remote control is operated (operation of the remote control). Status). When the determination is made, the control unit of the television sets an operation state signal (hereinafter referred to as “message signal” in the present embodiment) which means “the remote control XX button has been operated” (indicating the operation state of the remote control). The message signal is output to the camera 2 via the HDMI cable 8 (HDMI CEC line). When the remote controller 6 is operated when the camera 2 is connected to the television 4 via the HDMI cable 8, the camera 2 receives the above message signal as a CEC signal via the HDMI cable 8 and the HDMI terminal 22. The camera 2 can also transmit a CEC signal as will be described later to the television 4 via the HDMI cable 8.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a system configuration of the camera 2 according to this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, the camera 2 includes a control unit 10, an image sensor 12, a recording medium 14, an operation unit 16, an image signal output unit 18, a CEC signal control unit 20, an HDMI terminal 22, and a storage unit 24. It is configured. The control unit 10 is configured by a CPU or the like, and comprehensively controls each unit of the camera 2. In this embodiment, when an image output from the camera 2 is displayed on the display unit 4a, it is determined whether or not there is a color key on the remote controller 6, and the operation function information is displayed based on the determination result. Control whether to display in 4a. The operation function information will be described later.

  The imaging device 12 is configured by a CCD or a CMOS, and images subject light from a subject that has passed through a photographing lens (not shown). The recording medium 14 is a portable recording medium that is detachably attached to a recording medium insertion port (not shown) provided in the camera 2. In the recording medium 14, image data generated based on the imaging signal output from the imaging element 12 is recorded together with other information related to the image data such as the shooting date, aperture value, shutter speed, and the like. The operation unit 16 includes a power switch (not shown) for turning on / off the power of the camera 2, a shutter button (not shown) for instructing photographing, a cross operation key (for example) for selecting menu items and moving a cursor. (Not shown), and an OK (decision) button (not shown) for performing a selection confirmation operation for various selection items.

  The image signal output unit 18 is a through image based on the imaging signal output from the imaging element 12, an image recorded on the recording medium 14, information about the image recorded on the recording medium 14, an image signal based on the menu screen, etc. Is output. The CEC signal control unit 20 controls transmission / reception of CEC signals. The image signal output unit 18 and the CEC signal control unit 20 are connected to the HDMI terminal 22, and the image signal output from the image signal output unit 18 and the CEC signal output from the CEC signal control unit 20 are the HDMI terminal 22. And transmitted to the television 4 via the HDMI cable 8 connected to the HDMI terminal 22.

  In the storage unit 24, identification data for identifying a television connected to the camera 2 in the past in accordance with the HDMI standard, for example, a vendor name and a model name of the television, together with the date and time of connection of the electrical connection, Stored in association with presence / absence information indicating whether or not a color key is present on the remote controller used. The color key will be described later.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an external appearance of the remote controller 6. As shown in FIG. 3, for example, the remote control 6 has a power button 6a for turning on / off the TV 4, a direct channel selection button 6b for directly selecting a TV broadcast channel, and a menu item on the menu screen. A cross key 6c, an OK button 6d for selecting and confirming various selection items, and blue (B), red (R), green (G), yellow (Y) color keys 6e, and the like. . A predetermined operation function is assigned to the color key 6e corresponding to the display image displayed on the display unit 4a of the television 4.

  Next, processing for controlling a display image displayed on the display unit 4a of the television 4 in the camera 2 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to a flowchart shown in FIG.

  First, the control unit 10 determines whether or not the camera 2 is electrically connected to the television 4 according to the HDMI standard (step S10). In step S10, when it is determined that the camera 2 is electrically connected to the television 4 as shown in FIG. 1 (step S10, Yes), the control unit 10 displays the display unit 4a of the television 4. An image signal based on the display image to be displayed on the screen is output from the image signal output unit 18 and transmitted to the television 4 via the HDMI terminal 22 and the HDMI cable 8 (step S11). As described above, the display image is a through image (in the shooting mode), an image recorded in the recording medium 14 (in the reproduction mode), information about the image recorded in the recording medium 14, or a menu screen. It is.

  Next, the control unit 10 outputs a CEC signal for requesting transmission of information regarding the vendor name and model name of the television 4 from the CEC signal control unit 20, and the television 4 via the HDMI terminal 22 and the HDMI cable 8. (Step S12). Then, the control unit 10 returns a response to the CEC signal (CEC signal requesting to transmit information on the vendor name and model name of the television 4) transmitted in step S12, that is, information on the vendor name and model name of the television 4. It is determined whether or not reception has been possible from the television 4 (step S13).

  When the information regarding the vendor name and model name of the television 4 can be received in step S13 (step S13, Yes), the control unit 10 determines whether the camera 2 has been connected to the television 4 in the past. Is determined (step S14). Specifically, when the vendor name and model name of the television 4 are stored in the storage unit 24, it is determined that the camera 2 has been connected to the television 4 in the past (step S14, Yes). If the vendor name and model name of the television 4 are not stored in the storage unit 24, it is determined that the camera 2 has not been connected to the television 4 in the past (No in step S14). When it is determined in step S14 that the camera 2 has been connected to the television 4 in the past (step S14, Yes), the control unit 10 applies the color key 6e to the remote controller 6 used for the television 4. Is determined (step S15).

  Specifically, when the storage unit 24 stores information indicating that the color key 6e exists in the remote controller 6 used for the television 4 in association with the vendor name and model name of the television 4. The controller 10 determines that the color key 6e is present on the remote controller 6 (step S15, Yes). On the other hand, when information indicating that the color key 6e does not exist in the remote control 6 used for the television 4 is stored in the storage unit 24 in association with the vendor name and model name of the television 4, the control is performed. The unit 10 determines that the color key 6e does not exist in the remote controller 6 (No in step S15).

  On the other hand, if the information regarding the vendor name and model name of the television 4 cannot be received in step S13 because the television 4 cannot transmit the vendor name and model name or the like (step S13, No), or the camera in step S13 When it is determined that 2 has not been connected to the television 4 in the past (step S14, No), the control unit 10 checks whether or not the color key 6e is present on the remote controller 6. (Step S16). Specifically, operation instruction information for causing the operation instruction for the color key 6e to be displayed on the display unit 4a, for example, a color key such as “please press any of the blue, red, green, and yellow color keys.” An image signal based on a message screen instructing to press 6 e is output from the image signal output unit 18 and transmitted to the television 4 via the HDMI terminal 22 and the HDMI cable 8. Then, when the message screen instructing the depression of the color key 6e is displayed on the display unit 4a (the remote controller output signal generated from the remote controller 6 in accordance with the operation of the color key 6e It is determined whether or not a message signal (CEC signal) indicating that the color key 6 e has been operated is input from the television 4 via the HDMI cable 8. When it is determined that a message signal indicating an operation on the color key 6e is input, it is determined that the color key 6e is present on the remote controller 6 (step S17, Yes), and a message signal indicating an operation on the color key 6e is input. If it is determined that the remote controller 6 does not exist, it is determined that the remote controller without the color key is used instead of the remote controller 6 with the color key 6e (No in step S17).

  If the color key 6e is pressed while the message screen instructing to press the color key 6e is displayed, it is determined that the remote control having the color key is being used (step S17, Yes), not only during the display of the message screen, but also when the color key 6e is pressed for a predetermined time after the message screen is no longer displayed, the remote control equipped with the color key is used. You may make it the structure which discriminate | determines that it is. The predetermined time is stored in a memory or the like (not shown) and can be changed.

  In addition, when a message screen instructing to press the color key 6e is displayed on the display unit 4a, when the color key 6e is operated in accordance with the message screen, the operation is assigned to the operation on the color key 6e. The function of the camera 2 is not executed. For example, when the function of the camera 2 assigned to the blue (B) color key 6e is a reproduction process of an image recorded on the recording medium 14, the message screen is displayed when the message screen is displayed. Even when the color key 6e of (B) is pressed by the user, the reproduction process of the image recorded on the recording medium 14 is not executed.

  In addition, when displaying a message screen requesting the pressing of the color key on the display unit 4a, for example, “Cancel” for a user who does not use the color key, a user who uses a remote controller without the color key, or the like. The icon that is selected when the check for the presence or absence of the color key is canceled only this time, or the icon that is selected when the check for the presence or absence of the color key such as “Do not display this message in the future” is not performed. It can also be displayed.

  If it is determined in step S15 or step S17 that there is no color key on the remote control (step S15 or step S17, No), the control unit 10 is assigned to an operation instruction for each of the color keys 6e on the remote control 6. The operation guide indicating the function of the camera 2 is set to be hidden (step S18). Specifically, only the display image (image 30 in FIG. 5) is displayed without displaying the operation guide 32 as shown in FIG. 5 on the display unit 4a. At this time, the function of the camera 2 assigned to the operation instruction for the color key 6e is assigned so that it can be selected and set by another operation button provided on the remote controller, such as a cross key or an OK button. That is, when the function of the camera 2 assigned to the blue (B) color key 6e is a reproduction process of an image recorded on the recording medium 14, it is assigned to the blue (B) color key 6e. For example, by pressing the OK button, the menu screen is displayed, and the up / down buttons of the cross key are used to select one of the menu items “image playback” in the menu screen. For example, even if the blue (B) color key 6e is not provided, the operation of reproducing the image can be executed by operating another operation button.

  Next, the control unit 10 is generated and output from the television in accordance with the operation of the color key of the remote controller in the CEC signal received by the television 4 and input via the HDMI cable 8 and the HDMI terminal 22. It is determined whether or not a message signal (CEC signal) indicating a color key operation is included (step S19). If it is determined that the message signal signal indicating the operation of the color key of the remote control is included (step S19, Yes), it is determined that the color key 6e exists in the remote control 6, and the operation of the color key of the remote control is performed. If it is determined that the message signal indicating is not included (step S19, No), it is determined that there is no color key on the remote control.

  If it is determined in step S15 or step S17 that the color key 6e is present on the remote controller 6 (step S15 or step S17, Yes), or it is determined in step S19 that an output signal emitted from the color key is included. When it is determined that the color key 6e is present on the remote controller 6 (Yes in step S19), the control unit 10 displays the operation guide 32 (step S20). Specifically, the operation guide 32 stored in the storage unit 24 is read out, the read operation guide 32 is output from the image signal output unit 18, and is transmitted to the television 4 via the HDMI terminal 22 and the HDMI cable 8. Send. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 5, an operation guide 32 is displayed on the display image 30 on the display unit 4 a based on a signal transmitted from the camera 2.

  In the operation guide 32 shown in FIG. 5, the function of the camera 2 assigned to the operation instruction for the blue (B) color key 6 e of the remote controller 6 is a reproduction process of the image recorded on the recording medium 14. It is shown. That is, when the blue (B) color key 6e of the remote controller 6 is pressed, an output signal emitted from the remote controller 6 is received by the television 4 and then converted into a message signal (CEC signal), and the HDMI cable 8 And input to the camera 2 via the HDMI terminal 22. The control unit 10 recognizes from the input message signal (CEC signal) that the blue (B) color key 6e is pressed, and the function of the camera 2 assigned to the blue (B) color key 6e. That is, the reproduction process of the image recorded on the recording medium 14 is executed. Specifically, an image signal based on the image recorded on the recording medium 14 is output from the image signal output unit 18 and transmitted to the television 4 via the HDMI terminal 22 and the HDMI cable 8. When the image signal is transmitted, an image based on the transmitted image signal (an image recorded on the recording medium 14) is displayed on the display unit 4a of the television 4.

  Similarly, in the operation guide 32, the function of the camera 2 assigned to the operation instruction for the red (R) color key 6e of the remote controller 6 is a menu screen display process, and the green (G) of the remote controller 6 is green. The function of the camera 2 assigned to the operation instruction for the color key 6e is the enlargement process of the display image 30, and the function of the camera 2 assigned to the operation instruction for the yellow (Y) color key 6e of the remote controller 6 It is shown that this is a reduction process of the display image 30. That is, when the red (R) color key 6e is pressed, a menu screen is displayed on the display unit 4a, and when the green (G) color key 6e is pressed, an enlarged display image 30 is displayed on the display unit 4a. When the yellow (Y) color key 6e is pressed, a reduced display image 30 is displayed on the display unit 4a. For example, the function of the camera 2 assigned to the red (R) color key 6e is not a display process for displaying the menu screen on the display unit 4a, but a process for deleting the display image 30 from the recording medium 14, etc. The function of the key 6e can be set freely.

  Next, the control unit 10 updates the connection history with the television 4 (step S21). Specifically, the vendor name and model name of the television 4 stored in the storage unit 24, the connection date and time of electrical connection to the television 4, and the color key on the remote controller 6 used for the television 4 are displayed. The presence / absence information indicating whether or not 6e exists is rewritten to the latest one. For example, information indicating that the color key does not exist in the remote control used for the television 4 when it was last connected to the television 4 was stored in the storage unit 24. When it is determined that the color key 6e is present in the remote controller 6 used for the television 4, for example, when the determination is different between the previous time and the current time, the determination result is updated and stored in the storage unit 24.

  And the control part 10 discriminate | determined whether the camera 2 was electrically disconnected with respect to the television 4 (step S22), and it was discriminate | determined that it was electrically disconnected with respect to the television 4 in step S22. In that case (step S22, Yes), the output of the image signal based on the display image to be displayed on the display unit 4a of the television 4 is stopped.

  According to the camera 2 according to this embodiment, since it can be determined whether or not the remote control has a color key, when the remote control has a color key, the camera assigned to the color key. The operation guide 32 showing the second function is displayed, and the operation guide 32 is not displayed when the remote controller does not have color keys. Therefore, remote control operation can be facilitated for both a user who uses a remote controller provided with color keys and a user who uses a remote controller without color keys. That is, a user who uses a remote controller provided with color keys can perform remote control operations while referring to the operation guide 32, and a user who uses a remote controller provided with no color keys displays the operation guide 32. The remote controller can be operated using the cross key or the OK button without any confusion.

  In the above-described embodiment, a camera has been described as an example of an image output device. However, image data that can be electrically connected to a display device such as a television and displayed on a display unit of the display device. The present invention can also be applied to other image output devices capable of outputting the image, such as a photo storage, a DVD player, and a personal computer. In the above-described embodiment, the television is described as an example of the display device connected to the camera. However, the display device can be electrically connected to the image output apparatus and has a display unit for displaying an image. The present invention can be applied to other display devices.

  Next, in the camera 2 according to the above-described embodiment, another method (modified example) for determining whether or not the remote control includes a color key will be described. In the above-described embodiment, it is determined whether or not the remote controller 6 has the color key 6e based on the output signal of the remote controller 6, but in a modified example, an operation provided on the remote controller by the camera 2 in advance. The button is photographed, and the photographed image is registered as a remote control image used for the television 4 in association with the vendor name and model name of the television 4. That is, it is stored in the storage unit 24. Then, based on the registered remote control image, the control unit 10 determines, for example, whether or not a color key exists in the remote control by performing image analysis or the like of the remote control image.

  In an image output apparatus (for example, the above-described photo storage) that does not have an imaging unit that can photograph an operation button of a remote control, a remote control image obtained by photographing the operation button of the remote control photographed by a camera or the like is transmitted from the camera. It is good to have a configuration to transfer and register.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 2 ... Camera, 4 ... Television, 6 ... Remote control, 8 ... HDMI cable, 10 ... Control part, 12 ... Image sensor, 14 ... Recording medium, 16 ... Operation part, 18 ... Image signal output part, 20 ... CEC signal control part , 22 ... HDMI terminal, 24 ... storage unit.

Claims (10)

In an image output apparatus that includes a display unit that displays an image and is electrically connectable to a display device that can operate according to an output signal emitted by a remote controller.
A connection part electrically connected to the display device;
An output unit for outputting an image to be displayed on the display unit of the display device via the connection unit;
An operation state signal indicating an operation state of a remote controller output from the display device that has received the output signal of the remote controller is input via the connection unit, and a specific button exists in the remote controller based on the operation state signal A determination unit for determining whether or not
A control unit that controls whether or not to display operation function information indicating a function of the image output device assigned to an operation instruction for the specific button on the display unit, based on a determination result by the determination unit;
An image output apparatus comprising:   The determination unit determines that the specific button exists in the remote controller when the operation state signal output from the display device and indicating the operation to the specific button of the remote controller is input through the connection unit. The image output apparatus according to claim 1. A storage unit for storing identification data for identifying the display device electrically connected through the connection unit in association with presence / absence information of the presence of the specific button determined by the determination unit;
3. The control unit according to claim 1, wherein the control unit controls whether to display the operation function information based on presence / absence of the specific button stored in the storage unit. Image output device. When it is electrically connected to the display device through the connection unit, when the determination unit makes a determination different from the determination made when the display device was connected to the display device last time,
The image output apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the storage unit updates and stores a determination result by the determination unit.   5. The image output apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the identification data includes a vendor name and a model name of the display device. A display information output unit that outputs operation instruction display information for displaying an operation instruction for the specific button on the display unit;
The determination unit is configured to display the operation instruction on the display unit based on whether the operation state signal indicating an operation to the specific button is input through the connection unit. 6. The image output apparatus according to claim 1, wherein it is determined whether or not a button exists.   The function of the image output device assigned to the operation on the specific button is not executed when the specific button is operated in response to display of the operation instruction on the display unit. 6. The image output device according to 6. A registration unit for registering an image of the remote controller including operation buttons provided on the remote controller;
The image output apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the determination unit determines whether the specific button exists based on the image registered in the registration unit. If it is determined by the determination unit that the specific button does not exist,
The function of the image output device assigned to the operation instruction for the specific button is assigned so that it can be selected and set by another operation button provided in the remote controller. The image output device according to any one of claims 8 to 9.   The image output device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the specific button is a color button provided in a remote controller for a television.

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