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Digital Camera Patent Abstract
A digital camera comprising an imaging device, a memory, a monitor,
and a monitor controller is provided. The digital camera is used
for photographing an optical image of an object as an image of a
first rectangle. An aspect ratio of the first rectangle is a first
aspect ratio. The imaging device generates an image signal. The
monitor is a second rectangle. An aspect ratio of the second rectangle
is a second aspect ratio. The second aspect ratio is decided to
be lower than the first aspect ratio if the first aspect ratio is
higher than one. The second aspect ratio is decided to be higher
than the first aspect ratio if the first aspect ratio is lower than
one. The monitor controller makes a displayed-image be displayed
on the monitor according to a first or a second replay mode.
Digital Camera Patent Claims
1. A digital camera for photographing an optical image of an object
as an image of a first rectangle, an aspect ratio of said first
rectangle being a first aspect ratio, said first rectangle having
first long sides and first short sides, said digital camera comprising:an
imaging device that generates an image signal corresponding to an
optical image of said object;a memory that stores said image signal
generated by said imaging device;a monitor on which an image corresponding
to said image signal is displayed, said monitor being a second rectangle,
an aspect ratio of said second rectangle being a second aspect ratio,
said second aspect ratio being decided to be lower than said first
aspect ratio if said first aspect ratio is higher than one, said
second aspect ratio being decided to be higher than said first aspect
ratio if said first aspect ratio is lower than one, said second
rectangle having first sides and second sides; anda monitor controller
that causes a displayed-image corresponding to said image signal
stored in said memory to be displayed on said monitor according
to a first or a second replay mode, said displayed-image being displayed
as said first long side is parallel to said first side and such
that an aspect ratio of said displayed-image is the same as said
first aspect ratio in said first replay mode, said displayed-image
being displayed as being rotated by 90 degrees such that said first
long side is parallel to said second side and such that an aspect
ratio of said displayed-image is the same as a reciprocal number
of said first aspect ratio in said second replay mode.
2. A digital camera according to claim 1, wherein said displayed-image
is displayed at maximum along said first side in said first replay
mode, and said displayed-image is displayed at maximum along said
second side in said second replay mode.
3. A digital camera according to claim 1, wherein said second aspect
ratio is substantially one.
4. A digital camera according to claim 1, further comprising a
switch that causes said monitor controller to switch between said
first replay mode and said second replay mode.
5. A digital camera according to claim 1, further comprising a
position sensor that generates an inclination-signal when said position
sensor detects that said digital camera is inclined with respect
to a straight line perpendicular to a light receiving surface of
said imaging device,said memory storing said inclination-signal,
generated at the same time as when said image signal is generated,
associated with said image signal, andsaid monitor controller switching
between said first replay mode and said second replay mode based
on said inclination-signal.
6. A digital camera according to claim 5, whereinsaid monitor controller
displays photographing information on a portion of said monitor
separate from a portion of said monitor for displaying said displayed-image
on said monitor, andsaid monitor controller changes a direction
of said displayed photographing information based on said inclination-signalin
a photographing mode where said image signal generated by said imaging
device is stored in said memory when photographing command is input.
7. A digital camera according to claim 1, wherein said monitor
controller displays photographing information on a portion of said
monitor separate from a portion of said monitor for displaying an
image corresponding to said image signal generated by said imaging
device on said monitor in a photographing mode where said image
signal generated by said imaging device is stored in said memory
when photographing command is input.
8. A digital camera according to claim 1, whereinsaid memory stores
photographing signal, corresponding to photographing information,
associated with said image signal, said photographing signal and
said image signal, which are associated with each other, being generated
at the same time, andsaid monitor controller displays said photographing
information on a portion of said monitor separate from a portion
of said monitor for displaying said displayed-image on said monitor
in said first or said second replay mode.
9. A digital camera according to claim 1, wherein an image receiving
area, which captures an optical image of said object, of said imaging
device is similar in aspect ratio to said first rectangle.
10. A digital camera according to claim 1, further comprising a
signal processor that carries out a trimming process for said image
signal generated by said imaging device so that a processed image
corresponding to an image signal having undergone said trimming
process is similar in aspect ratio to said first rectangle, said
processed image being displayed on said monitor.
11. An image replay machine, comprising:an image signal receiver
that receives an image signal corresponding to an image of a first
rectangle, an aspect ratio of said first rectangle being a first
aspect ratio, said first rectangle having a first long side and
a first short side;a monitor on which an image corresponding to
said image signal is displayed, said monitor being a second rectangle,
an aspect ratio of said second rectangle being a second aspect ratio,
said second aspect ratio being decided to be lower than said first
aspect ratio if said first aspect ratio is higher than one, said
second aspect ratio being decided to be higher than said first aspect
ratio if said first aspect ratio is lower than one, said second
rectangle having a first side and a second side; anda monitor controller
that causes a displayed-image corresponding to said image signal
received by said image signal receiver to be displayed on said monitor
according to a first or a second replay mode, said displayed-image
being displayed such that said first long side is parallel to said
first side and such that an aspect ratio of said displayed-image
is the same as said first aspect ratio in the first replay mode,
said displayed-image being displayed as being rotated by 90 degrees
such that said first long side is parallel to said second side and
such that an aspect ratio of said displayed-image is the same as
a reciprocal number of said first aspect ratio in the second replay
mode.
12. An image replay machine according to claim 11, whereinsaid
image signal receiver receives a photographing signal, corresponding
to photographing information, associated with said image signal,
said photographing signal and said image signal, which are associated
with each other, being generated at the same time, andsaid monitor
controller displays said photographing information on a portion
of said monitor separate from a portion of said monitor for displaying
said displayed-image on said monitor in said first or said second
replay mode.
13. A digital camera for photographing an optical image of an object
as an image of a first rectangle, an aspect ratio of said first
rectangle being a first aspect ratio, said first rectangle having
first long sides and first short sides, said digital camera comprising:an
imaging device that generates an image signal corresponding to an
optical image of said object;a memory that stores said image signal
generated by said imaging device;a monitor on which an image corresponding
to said image signal is displayed, said monitor being a square,
said square having first sides and second sides; anda monitor controller
that causes a displayed-image corresponding to said image signal
stored in said memory to be displayed on said monitor according
to a first or a second replay mode, said displayed-image being displayed
as said first long side is parallel to said first side and such
that an aspect ratio of said displayed-image is the same as said
first aspect ratio in said first replay mode, said displayed-image
being displayed as being rotated by 90 degrees such that said first
long side is parallel to said second side and such that an aspect
ratio of said displayed-image is the same as a reciprocal number
of said first aspect ratio in said second replay mode.
Digital Camera Patent Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001]1. Field of the Invention
[0002]The present invention relates to a digital camera that can
display a captured image while being rotated according to a position
of the digital camera on photographing.
[0003]2. Description of the Related Art
[0004]In the prior art, the imaging device used for a digital camera
is formed to a rectangle, having long and short sides. The imaging
device is mounted in the digital camera so that the long sides can
be parallel to the horizon when the digital camera is in the regular
position. In addition, the digital camera has a rectangular monitor,
whose aspect ratio is the same as that of the imaging device. The
monitor is usually mounted in the digital camera so that the long
sides of the monitor can be parallel to the horizon when the digital
camera is in the regular position.
[0005]Accordingly, a wide-width-photograph, whose width is greater
than the height, is taken when the digital camera is in the regular
position. On the other hand, a tall-height-photograph, whose height
is greater than the width, is taken when the digital camera is in
a vertical position, where the digital camera is rotated around
the optical axis by 90 degrees. When the tall-height-photograph
is replayed on the monitor, a user should rotate the digital camera
by 90 degrees.
[0006]As for the above problem, Japanese Patent Publication No.
2002-232753 discloses a digital camera to display the tall-height-photograph
automatically rotated by 90 degrees. Then, the tall-height-photograph
is displayed on the monitor with a scale-down.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007]Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide
a digital camera that can display a tall-height-photograph on the
monitor without a scale-down.
[0008]According to the present invention, a digital camera comprising
an imaging device, a memory, a monitor, and a monitor controller
is provided. The digital camera is used for photographing an optical
image of an object as an image of a first rectangle. An aspect ratio
of the first rectangle is a first aspect ratio. The first rectangle
has first long sides and first short sides. The imaging device generates
an image signal. The image signal corresponds to an optical image
of the object. The memory stores the image signal generated by the
imaging device. An image corresponding to the image signal is displayed
on the monitor. The monitor is a second rectangle. An aspect ratio
of the second rectangle is a second aspect ratio. The second aspect
ratio is decided to be lower than the first aspect ratio if the
first aspect ratio is higher than one. The second aspect ratio is
decided to be higher than the first aspect ratio if the first aspect
ratio is lower than one. The second rectangle has first sides and
second sides. The monitor controller causes a displayed-image to
be displayed on the monitor according to a first or a second replay
mode. The displayed-image corresponds to the image signal stored
in the memory. The displayed-image is displayed such that the first
long side is parallel to the first side and an aspect ratio of the
displayed-image is the same as the first aspect ratio in the first
replay mode. The displayed-image is displayed as being rotated by
90 degrees in the second replay mode. The displayed-image is displayed
such that the first long side is parallel to the second side and
the aspect ratio of the displayed-image is the same as a reciprocal
number of the first aspect ratio in the second replay mode.
[0009]Further, the displayed-image is displayed at maximum along
the first side in the first replay mode. The displayed-image is
displayed at maximum along the second side in the second replay
mode.
[0010]Further, the second aspect ratio is substantially one.
[0011]Further, the digital camera comprises a switch. The switch
causes the monitor controller to switch between the first replay
mode and the second replay mode.
[0012]Further, the digital camera comprises a position sensor.
The position sensor detects whether the digital camera is inclined
with respect to a straight line perpendicular to a light receiving
surface of the imaging device. The position detector generates inclination-signal
when the position sensor detects that the digital camera is inclined.
The memory stores the inclination-signal associated with the image
signal. The inclination-signal is generated at the same time as
when the image signal is generated. The monitor controller switches
between the first replay mode and the second replay mode based on
the inclination-signal.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013]The objects and advantages of the present invention will
be better understood from the following description, with reference
to the accompanying drawings in which:
[0014]FIG. 1 illustrates a front side appearance of a digital camera
of an embodiment of the present invention;
[0015]FIG. 2 illustrates a back side appearance of a digital camera
of an embodiment of the present invention;
[0016]FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the internal structure
of the digital camera;
[0017]FIG. 4 illustrates an arrangement of the imaging device in
the digital camera as viewed from the front side;
[0018]FIG. 5 illustrates an image displayed on the monitor in the
photographing mode when the digital camera is kept in a regular
position;
[0019]FIG. 6 illustrates an image displayed on the monitor in the
photographing mode when the digital camera is kept in a vertical
position;
[0020]FIG. 7 illustrates an image displayed on the monitor in the
first replay mode;
[0021]FIG. 8 illustrates an image displayed on the monitor in the
second replay mode;
[0022]FIG. 9 is a flowchart to explaining some operations in the
photographing mode carried out by the system controller and the
DSP; and
[0023]FIG. 10 is a flowchart to explaining some operations in the
replay mode carried out by the system controller and the DSP.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0024]The present invention is described below with reference to
the embodiment shown in the drawings.
[0025]FIG. 1 illustrates a front side appearance of a digital camera
of an embodiment of the present invention.
[0026]FIG. 2 illustrates a back side appearance of a digital camera
of an embodiment of the present invention.
[0027]A photographing lens 11 and a flash 12 are mounted on the
front side of the digital camera 10. The photographing lens 11 enables
an optical image of an object to be in focus on the light receiving
surface of the imaging device 13 mounted in the digital camera 10.
The flash is used to illuminate an object when the periphery of
the object is dark.
[0028]A release button 14 and a power button 15 are mounted on
the top face of the digital camera 10, hereinafter referred to as
TF. The power of the digital camera 10 is switched on and off by
pushing on the power button 15. An object is photographed by pushing
on the release button 14.
[0029]A bottom face of the digital camera 10, hereinafter referred
to as BF, and the TF are parallel. Both faces are formed so that
both faces can be parallel to an optical axis of the photographing
lens 11. Incidentally, a position where the TF and BF are parallel
to the horizon is defined as a regular position of the digital camera
10. On the other hand, a position where the digital camera 10 is
rotated around the optical axis of the photographing lens 11 by
90 degrees is defined as a vertical position.
[0030]A replay button 16, a menu button 17, a cross key 18, a zoom
button 19, and a monitor 20 are mounted on the back face of the
digital camera 10. The replay button 16, the menu button 17, the
cross key 18, and the zoom button 19 are used for user's command
input for some functions.
[0031]The monitor 20 is formed as a square. The monitor 20 is arranged
so that two sides of the monitor 20 are parallel to the TF and BF.
Incidentally, the sides parallel to the TF and BF is defined as
a first side, hereinafter referred to as FS. The side perpendicular
to the TF and BF is defined as a second side, hereinafter referred
to as SS.
[0032]A photographing mode, a replay mode, and a setting mode are
set up for the digital camera 10. A user may change and select the
mode.
[0033]When the digital camera 10 is powered on, the digital camera
10 is in the photographing mode. The change between the photographing
mode and the replay mode is carried out by pushing the replay button
16. The change between the photographing mode and the setting mode
is carried out by pushing the menu button 17.
[0034]In the photographing mode, a thru-image is displayed on the
monitor 20. Incidentally, the thru-image is the same as the optical
image of an object captured by the imaging device 13 in real time.
In the replay mode, the saved static image of an object by a photographing
operation is displayed on the monitor 20. In the setting mode, a
setting-image for changing some settings of the digital camera 10
(for example, an exposure compensation) is displayed on the monitor
20, and a user may change some settings.
[0035]The zoom button 19 is used to adjust a focal length of the
photographing lens 11 in the photographing mode. The zoom button
19 is used to zoom in and to zoom out a replayed image in the replay
mode. The cross key 18 is used to change some settings of the digital
camera 10.
[0036]Next, the internal structure of the digital camera 10 is
explained with reference to FIG. 3. The digital camera 10 comprises
the photographing lens 11, the imaging device 13, a digital signal
processor, hereinafter referred to as a DSP 21, a system controller
22, the monitor 20, a memory connector 23, a position sensor 24,
and other components.
[0037]The photographing lens 11 is optically connected to the imaging
device 13. An optical image of an object through the photographing
lens 11 is incident to the light receiving surface of the imaging
device 13. The photographing lens 11 and the imaging device 13 are
arranged so that an optical axis of the photographing lens 11 can
be perpendicular to the light receiving surface of the imaging device
13. The imaging device 13 is a CMOS imaging device. When the imaging
device 13 captures an optical image of the object, the imaging device
13 generates an image signal corresponding to the optical image.
[0038]As shown in FIG. 4, an image receiving area is formed in
the center of the light receiving surface of the imaging device
13. A black area is formed around the image receiving area at the
light receiving surface. An optical image through the photographing
lens 11 is received by the image receiving area, and then the image
receiving area generates a signal corresponding to the optical image.
The black area generates a signal corresponding to a standard black
level of the received optical image. The signal corresponding to
the optical image and the signal corresponding to the standard black
level together form one frame of the image signal. The imaging device
13 outputs the image signal generated as described above.
[0039]Incidentally, the image receiving area is formed so that
the aspect ratio of the image receiving area is 4:3. In addition,
the imaging device 13 is arranged inside of the digital camera 10
so that the longer side of the image receiving area is parallel
to the TF and the BF.
[0040]The imaging device 13 is connected to the DSP 21 through
an A/D converter 25 (see FIG. 3). An image signal generated by the
imaging device 13 is converted into a digital signal from an analog
signal by the A/D converter 25. The image signal, having undergone
the A/D conversion processing, is sent to the DSP 21.
[0041]The DSP 21 carries out predetermined signal processing for
the image signal sent to the DSP 21. The image signal, having undergone
the predetermined signal processing, is sent to the monitor 20.
An image, corresponding to the image signal sent to the monitor
20, is displayed on the monitor 20.
[0042]When a release operation is carried out, one frame of the
image signal, having undergone the predetermined signal processing,
is stored on a memory card 28, which is connected to the DSP 21
via a memory connector 23. Incidentally, the memory card 28 may
be connected to and disconnected from the memory connector 23 as
necessary.
[0043]The DSP 21 is connected to the system controller 22. The
system controller 22 commands the DSP 21 to carry out the predetermined
signal processing. In addition, the system controller 22 controls
the entire operation of the digital camera 10.
[0044]The system controller 22 is connected to the position sensor
24. The position sensor 24 detects whether the digital camera 10
is kept substantially in a vertical position. The position sensor
24 outputs a vertical-position signal to the system controller 22
when the digital camera 10 is kept substantially in a vertical position.
The vertical-position signal is used by the system controller 22
when storing the image signal on the memory card 28, and when displaying
an image corresponding to the image signal stored on the memory
card 28, as described later.
[0045]The system controller 22 is connected to the input unit 26,
which comprises the replay button 16, the menu button 17, the cross
key 18, the zoom button 19, the release button 14, and the power
button 15. When a user inputs a command to the input unit 26, a
command signal corresponding to the command given is sent to the
system controller 22. The system controller 22 controls the components
of the digital camera 10 according to the command signal.
[0046]For example, when the replay button 16 is pushed on, the
system controller 22 commands the DSP 21 so that the thru-image
and a static image to display on the monitor 20 are switched. When
the menu button 17 is pushed on, the system controller 22 commands
the DSP 21 so that the thru-image and the setting-image to display
on the monitor 20 are switched.
[0047]Also, when the zoom button 19 is pushed on in the photographing
mode, the system controller 22 commands a lens driving unit (not
depicted) so that the focal length of the photographing lens 11
can be adjusted.
[0048]In addition, when the release button 14 is fully pushed on
in the photographing mode, the system controller 22 commands a timing
generator 27 to drive the imaging device 13 so that the imaging
device 13 captures an optical image and generates an image signal.
Further, if the vertical-position signal is sent to the system controller
22 when the release button 14 is fully pushed, the vertical-position
signal is added to the image signal as rotate-information and stored
on the memory card 28.
[0049]Further, when the zoom button 19 is pushed on in the replay
mode, the system controller 22 commands the DSP 21 so that the static
image is displayed on the monitor 20 enlarged, and the magnification
of the enlargement is adjusted.
[0050]Also, when the cross key 18 is pushed in the replay mode,
the system controller 22 commands the DSP 21 so that the displayed
static image is changed.
[0051]Next, an image, displayed on the monitor 20 in the photographing
mode, is described in detail below with reference to FIG. 5 and
FIG. 6.
[0052]The thru-image is displayed on a portion of the monitor 20
designed for displaying the thru-image, hereinafter referred to
as the image-displaying portion. The image-displaying portion is
near the TF of the monitor 20 in the photographing mode. In addition,
photographing information is displayed on a separate portion of
the monitor 20, hereinafter referred to as the information-displaying
portion. In addition, the information-displaying portion is near
the BF of the monitor 20 in the photographing mode. Incidentally,
the photographing information is information regarding some settings
of the digital camera 10 and the current status of the photographing
mode.
[0053]The information regarding some settings of the digital camera
10 may contain, for example, the focus, the shutter speed, the aperture
value, the on/off status of the flash, the picture quality, the
white balance, the photometry area, and the ISO sensitivity. The
information regarding the current status may contain, for example,
the current time, the remaining power of the battery, and a histogram
of the thru-image.
[0054]The photographing information is displayed symbolically using
predetermined icons, characters, and/or graphs. There are top and
bottom sides for the photographing information. When the digital
camera 10 is kept in any position except for a vertical position,
the photographing information is displayed so that the top and bottom
sides of the photographing information are toward the TF and BF,
respectively (see FIG. 5).
[0055]On the other hand, when the digital camera 10 is kept in
a vertical position, the photographing information is displayed
so that the top and bottom sides of the photographing information
are toward the left and right faces of the digital camera 10, hereinafter
referred to as LF and RF, respectively (see FIG. 6).
[0056]Consequently, the top and bottom sides of the photographing
information and the arrangement of the individual items comprising
the photographing information are different when the digital camera
10 is held in the vertical position and when the digital camera
10 is held in any other position arrived at by rotating the digital
camera 10 between 0-180 degrees from the vertical position. On the
other hand, the locations of the image-displaying portion and the
information-displaying portion are the same in the photographing
mode.
[0057]It is determined that the digital camera 10 is in the regular
position when the vertical-position signal is not added to the image
signal. On the other hand, it is determined that the digital camera
10 is in a vertical position when the vertical-position signal is
added to the image signal.
[0058]Next, an image, displayed on the monitor 20 in the replay
mode, is described in detail below with reference to FIG. 7 and
FIG. 8.
[0059]The replay mode comprises a first and a second replay mode.
Either the first or the second replay mode is automatically selected
according to an image signal corresponding to a displayed image
in the replay mode. The system controller 22 selects the first replay
mode when the vertical-position signal is not added to the image
signal. On the other hand, the system controller 22 selects the
second replay mode when the vertical-position signal is added to
the image signal.
[0060]In the first replay mode, the static image is displayed on
the monitor 20 so that the longer side of the static image is parallel
to the FS. In addition, the magnification is adjusted so that the
longer side of the static image occupies proportionally the same
length of the FS as the captured optical image. Incidentally, the
photographing information is displayed on a portion of the monitor
20 separate from the portion of the monitor 20 for displaying the
static image on the monitor 20. Accordingly, the static image is
displayed on the same portion of the monitor 20 in the first replay
mode as the image-displaying portion in the photographing mode,
and the photographing information is displayed on the same portion
of the monitor in the first replay mode as the information-displaying
portion in the photographing mode.
[0061]In the second replay mode, the static image is displayed
on the monitor 20 so that the longer side of the static image is
parallel to the SS. In addition, the magnification is adjusted so
that the longer side of the static image occupies proportionally
the same length of the SS as the captured optical image. In addition,
the static image is displayed on a portion of the monitor 20 near
the LF of the monitor 20. Incidentally, the photographing information
is displayed on a portion of the monitor 20 separate from the portion
of the monitor 20 for displaying the static image on the monitor
20. Accordingly, the portion of the monitor 20 displaying the photographic
information is near the RF of the monitor 20.
[0062]Incidentally, the top and bottom sides of the photographing
information are toward the TF and BF, respectively.
[0063]Next, some operations in the photographing or replay mode
carried out by the system controller 22 and the DSP 21 are explained
below, using the flowcharts of FIG. 9 and FIG. 10.
[0064]The photographing mode starts when the power of the digital
camera 10 is switched on, the replay button 16 is pushed on in the
replay mode, or the menu button 17 is pushed on in the setting mode.
At step S100, the DSP 21 receives an image signal generated by the
imaging device 13. Then the predetermined signal processing is carried
out for the received image signal.
[0065]At step S101, it is determined whether the position sensor
24 outputs the vertical-position signal. If the vertical-position
signal is output, the process goes to step S102. At step S102, the
thru-image and the photographing information are displayed on the
monitor 20. Incidentally, the direction and the location of the
displayed photographing information are adjusted so that the direction
from the top side to the bottom side of the photographing information
is parallel to the FS (see FIG. 6).
[0066]If the vertical-position signal is not output at step S101,
the process goes to step S103. Also at step S103, the thru-image
and the photographing information are displayed on the monitor 20.
Incidentally, the direction and the location of the displayed photographing
information are adjusted so that the direction from the top side
to the bottom side of the photographing information is parallel
to the SS (see FIG. 5).
[0067]After step S102 or step S103, the process goes to step S104.
At step S104, it is determined whether the release switch 14 is
switched on. If the release switch 14 is not switched on, the process
returns to step S100, and step S100.about.step S104 are repeated
until the release switch 14 is switched on.
[0068]If the release switch 14 is switched on, the process goes
to step S105. At step S105, the image signal, having undergone the
predetermined signal processing, is stored on the memory card 28.
[0069]After storing the image signal on the memory card 28, the
process goes to step S106. At step S106, it is determined whether
the position sensor 24 outputs the vertical-position signal. If
the vertical-position signal is output, the process goes to step
S107. At step S107, the vertical-position signal is added to the
image signal, and the image signal is stored on the memory card
28.
[0070]If the vertical-position signal is not output at step S106,
or after finishing the processing of step S107, the process goes
to step S108. At step S108, it is determined whether there is a
command to finish photographing, such as a command by pushing the
replay button 16, or by pushing the menu button 17. If such a command
is not input, the process returns to step S100, and step S100.about.step
S108 are repeated until such a command is input. If such a command
is input at step S108, the operations in the photographing mode
are finished.
[0071]The replay mode starts when the replay button 16 is pushed
on in the photographing mode, as described above. In the replay
mode, a user may select an image to display on the monitor 20. At
step S200, the DSP 21 receives an image signal, corresponding to
the selected image to display, from the memory card 28. After receiving,
the process goes to step S201. At step S201, it is determined whether
a vertical-position signal was added to the received image signal.
[0072]If, at step S201, the vertical-position signal was not added
to the received image signal, the process goes to step S202. At
step S202, the first replay mode is selected, and then the static
image of wide width is displayed on the monitor 20 while the digital
camera 10 is kept in the regular position.
[0073]If, at step S201, the vertical-position signal was added
to the received image signal, the process goes to step S203. At
step S203, the second replay mode is selected, and then the static
image of tall height is displayed on the monitor 20 while the digital
camera 10 is kept in the regular position.
[0074]After displaying the static image of wide width or of tall
height, the operations to display a static image are finished.
[0075]In the above embodiment, it is possible to display a rotated
static image of tall height that is photographed in a vertical position
of the digital camera 10 even if the magnification of the enlargement
of the displayed static image is the same as that of the static
image of wide width. The reason is described as follows. The first
side of the monitor 20 is as long as the second side of the monitor
20. The static image of wide width is displayed so that the longer
side of the static image is as long as the first side of the monitor
20 and the static image of tall height is displayed so that the
longer side of the static image is as long as the second side of
the monitor 20.
[0076]In addition, a user can easily check the photographing information
in the photographing mode, especially in the vertical position of
the digital camera 10. The reason is that the direction of the displayed
photographing information changes according to whether the digital
camera 10 is kept in a vertical position.
[0077]In addition, a user can easily observe a thru-image or a
static image, and the photographing information, together. In the
prior art, the photographing information is superimposed on a thru-image
or a static image. However, in the above embodiment, the photographing
information is displayed on a portion of the monitor 20 separate
from the portion of the monitor 20 for displaying a thru-image or
a static image of the monitor 20. Consequently, the thru-image or
the static image and the photographing information are observed
respectively easily, as described above.
[0078]The monitor 20 is formed as a square in the above embodiment.
However, the monitor 20 may be formed as a rectangle as long as
the aspect ratio of the monitor 20 is lower than the aspect ratio
of the image receiving area of the imaging device 13, which is 4/3,
for displaying the static image of tall height as tall as possible.
Further, it is preferable that the aspect ratio of the monitor 20
be higher than a reciprocal number of the aspect ratio of the image
receiving area in order to prevent the displayed static image of
wide width from being too small. Further, it is more preferable
that the aspect ratio of the monitor 20 be near one.
[0079]In the above embodiment, the width of the image receiving
area of the imaging device 13 is greater than the height in the
regular position of the digital camera 10, and the aspect ratio
of the image receiving area is higher than one. However, the height
of the image receiving area may be greater than the width, as long
as the aspect ratio of the monitor 20 is higher than the aspect
ratio of the image receiving area for displaying the static image
of wide width as wide as possible. Further, it is preferable in
this case that the aspect ratio of the monitor 20 be lower than
the reciprocal number of the aspect ratio of the image receiving
area in order to prevent the displayed static image of tall height
from being too small.
[0080]A static image is displayed in the replay mode so that a
longer side of the static image is as long as either the FS or the
SS of the monitor 20 in the above embodiment. However, the length
of the longer side may be different from either the FS or the SS.
Of course, an entire static image may be displayed as large as possible
within the portion of the monitor for the image both in the first
and in the second replay mode, such as in the above embodiment.
However, even if the entire static image cannot be displayed as
large as possible either in the first or in the second replay mode,
the entire static image, both in the first and in the second replay
mode, can still be larger than in the prior art.
[0081]A position sensor 24 is used in the above embodiment. However,
another device or another system, which informs the system controller
22 of whether the digital camera 10 is kept in a vertical position
in the photographing or the replay mode, may alternatively be used.
For example, a position change switch may be used. The position
change switch may be used for the user's command input when the
user changes the position of the digital camera 10 in the photographing
mode. Alternatively, the position change switch may be used for
a user to select the first or the second replay mode directly.
[0082]The position sensor 24 is used for determining whether the
digital camera 10 is kept in a vertical position in the above embodiment.
However, a tilt sensor that detects an angle of inclination to the
ground may alternatively be used. Such a sensor may detect the angle
of rotation of the digital camera 10 around an imaginary axis perpendicular
to the light receiving surface relative to the regular position.
In addition, a situation in which the angle of inclination from
the regular position is over 45 degrees may be regarded as a vertical
position if the tilt sensor is used. Accordingly, the direction
of the photographing information may be rotated, or a vertical-position
signal may be added to the image signal, when the angle of inclination
is over 45 degrees.
[0083]The photographing information is displayed on a portion of
the monitor 20 separate from the portion of the monitor 20 for displaying
a static image on the monitor 20 in the above embodiment. However,
the photographing information may, alternatively be superimposed
on the static image. The rotated static image may then be displayed
without lowering the magnification, even while the photographing
information is superimposed. Of course, the photographing information
should be displayed on a portion of the monitor 20 separate from
the portion of the monitor 20 for displaying the static image on
the monitor 20, for a user's easy viewing. Incidentally, in any
embodiment, when the static image is zoomed in by adjusting the
magnification, the photographing information may be superimposed
on the static image. In addition, when the magnification is over
a predetermined cited value, the photographing information may disappear.
[0084]The aspect ratio of a static image is the same as that of
the image receiving area of the imaging device 13 in the above embodiment.
However, the aspect ratio of the static image may be decided according
to signal processing carrying out at the DSP 21. For example, a
static image, whose aspect ratio is different from that of the image
receiving area, may be generated by trimming, at the DSP 21, a image
captured by the image receiving area. The aspect ratio of the monitor
20 should be between the aspect ratio of the trimmed static image
and the reciprocal number of the aspect ratio of the trimmed static
image if the aspect ratio of the static image is decided according
to the signal processing.
[0085]A static image is displayed on the monitor 20 in the above
embodiment. However, the static image may alternatively be displayed
on another monitor of a display that is connected to the memory
card 28 storing the image signal having the vertical-position signal.
In addition, the static image may be displayed on another monitor
of a display that is connected to the digital camera 10.
[0086]Although the embodiments of the present invention have been
described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, obviously
many modifications and changes may be made by those skilled in this
art without departing from the scope of the invention.
[0087]The present disclosure relates to subject matter contained
in Japanese Patent Application No. 2006-014039 (filed on Jan. 23,
2006), which is expressly incorporated herein, by reference, in
its entirety. |