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Digital Camera Patent Abstract
A digital camera includes: an image processing unit that creates
first display image data and second display image data; a display
device that displays a first screen image and a second screen image
so as to allow a user to observe the first screen image when viewed
along a first direction with respect to a display face and so as
to allow the user to observe the second screen image when viewed
along a second direction that differs from the first direction;
and a control unit that instructs the display device to display
the first display image data as the first screen image, and the
second display image data as the second screen image.
Digital Camera Patent Claims
1. A digital camera comprising: an image processing unit that creates
first display image data and second display image data; a display
device that displays a first screen image and a second screen image
so as to allow a user to observe the first screen image when viewed
along a first direction with respect to a display face and so as
to allow the user to observe the second screen image when viewed
along a second direction that differs from the first direction;
a control unit that instructs the display device to display the
first display image data as the first screen image, and the second
display image data as the second screen image; and an imaging device
that captures an image of a subject, and outputs a subject image
signal, wherein: the image processing unit creates the first display
image data based upon the subject image signal; and the control
unit instructs the image processing unit to serially create the
first display image data, and instructs the display device to display
the first display image data thus serially created in a form of
a moving image.
2. A digital camera according to claim 1, wherein: the image processing
unit creates the second display image data by superimposing predetermined
information on the first display image data; and the control unit
instructs the image processing unit to serially create the second
display image data, and instructs the display device to display
the second display image data thus serially created in a form of
a moving image.
3. A digital camera according to claim 1, further comprising: a
storage unit that temporarily stores an original image to be used
for creating the second display image data with the image processing
unit, wherein: the image processing unit creates the second display
image data based upon the original image data stored in the storage
unit; and the control unit instructs the display device to display
the second display image data as the second screen image in a form
of a still image.
4. A digital camera, comprising: an image processing unit that
creates first display image data and second display image data;
a display device that displays a first screen image and a second
screen image so as to allow a user to observe the first screen image
when viewed along a first direction with respect to a display face
and so as to allow the user to observe the second screen image when
viewed along a second direction that differs from the first direction;
a control unit that instructs the display device to display the
first display image data as the first screen image, and the second
display image data as the second screen image; and a menu storing
unit that stores first menu screen information and second menu screen
information for displaying multiple menu items on the display device,
wherein: the image processing unit creates the first display image
data and the second display image data based upon the first menu
screen information and the second menu screen information, respectively.
5. A digital camera, comprising: an image processing unit that
creates first display image data and second display image data;
a display device that displays a first screen image and a second
screen image so as to allow a user to observe the first screen image
when viewed along a first direction with respect to a display face
and so as to allow the user to observe the second screen image when
viewed along a second direction that differs from the first direction;
a control unit that instructs the display device to display the
first display image data as the first screen image, and the second
display image data as the second screen image; an imaging device
that captures an image of a subject, and outputs a subject image
signal; and a storage unit that temporarily stores an original image
to be used for creating the first display image data with the image
processing unit, wherein: the image processing unit creates the
first display image data based upon the original image data stored
in the storage unit and creates the second display image data representing
image information based upon image information attached to the original
image data.
6. A digital camera, comprising: an image processing unit that
creates first display image data and second display image data;
a display device that displays a first screen image and a second
screen image so as to allow a user to observe the first screen image
when viewed along a first direction with respect to a display face
and so as to allow the user to observe the second screen image when
viewed along a second direction that differs from the first direction;
a control unit that instructs the display device to display the
first display image data as the first screen image, and the second
display image data as the second screen image; and a storage unit
that temporarily stores an original image to be used for creating
the first display image data and the second display image data with
the image processing unit, wherein: the image processing unit creates
the first display image data based upon the original image data
stored in the storage unit and creates the second display image
data that differs from the first display image data by subjecting
the original image data to image processing.
7. A digital camera according to claim 6, wherein: the image processing
unit creates a trimmed image data by trimming the original image
data and then creates the second display image data based upon the
trimmed image data.
8. A digital camera, comprising: an image processing unit that
creates first display image data and second display image data;
a display device that displays a first screen image and a second
screen image so as to allow a user to observe the first screen image
when viewed along a first direction with respect to a display face
and so as to allow the user to observe the second screen image when
viewed along a second direction that differs from the first direction;
a control unit that instructs the display device to display the
first display image data as the first screen image, and the second
display image data as the second screen image; an imaging device
that captures an image of a subject, and outputs a subject image
signal; and a storage unit that temporarily stores image data, wherein:
the image processing unit performs processing (a) in which the first
display image data is created based upon the subject image signal
captured by and output from the imaging device with first camera
settings, and the first display image data thus created is stored
in the storage unit, and processing (b) in which the second display
image data is created based upon the subject image signal captured
by and output from the imaging device with second camera settings
that differ from the first camera settings, and the second display
image data thus created is stored in the storage device; and the
control unit instructs the display device to display the first image
display data and the second display image data, which are stored
in the storage unit, in the form of the first screen image and the
second screen image, respectively.
Digital Camera Patent Description
INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE
[0001] The disclosures of the following priority applications are
herein incorporated by reference:
[0002] Japanese Patent Application No. 2006-098778 filed Mar. 31,
2006
[0003] Japanese Patent Application No. 2007-080233 filed Mar. 26,
2007
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0004] 1. Field of the Invention
[0005] The present invention relates to a digital camera.
[0006] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0007] Conventional digital single lens reflex cameras are known
having multiple display members such as a back face display member
for displaying a captured image and so forth, and an upper face
display member for displaying the setting information with respect
to the camera such as the shutter speed, the aperture value, etc.
However, such an arrangement including multiple display members
leads to difficulty in providing a camera with a small size or at
a reduced cost. In order to solve the aforementioned problem, Japanese
Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2004-254302 discloses a digital
camera which displays both a moving image and the camera information
on a single display unit in a superimposed manner.
[0008] However, with the digital camera disclosed in the aforementioned
publication, a moving image and the camera information are displayed
in a superimposed form, leading to a problem of difficulty in ascertaining
both the image and the information.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] A digital camera according to a first aspect of the present
invention includes: an image processing unit that creates first
display image data and second display image data; a display device
that displays a first screen image and a second screen image so
as to allow a user to observe the first screen image when viewed
along a first direction with respect to a display face and so as
to allow the user to observe the second screen image when viewed
along a second direction that differs from the first direction;
a control unit that instructs the display device to display the
first display image data as the first screen image, and the second
display image data as the second screen image; and an imaging device
that captures an image of a subject, and outputs a subject image
signal, wherein: the image processing unit creates the first display
image data based upon the subject image signal; and the control
unit instructs the image processing unit to serially create the
first display image data, and instructs the display device to display
the first display image data thus serially created in a form of
a moving image.
[0010] In the digital camera according to the first aspect, the
image processing unit may create the second display image data by
superimposing predetermined information on the first display image
data; and the control unit may instruct the image processing unit
to serially create the second display image data, and instructs
the display device to display the second display image data thus
serially created in a form of a moving image.
[0011] The digital camera according to the first aspect further
includes a storage unit that temporarily stores an original image
to be used for creating the second display image data with the image
processing unit, wherein the image processing unit may create the
second display image data based upon the original image data stored
in the storage unit; and the control unit may instruct the display
device to display the second display image data as the second screen
image in a form of a still image.
[0012] A digital camera according to a second aspect of the present
invention includes: an image processing unit that creates first
display image data and second display image data; a display device
that displays a first screen image and a second screen image so
as to allow a user to observe the first screen image when viewed
along a first direction with respect to a display face and so as
to allow the user to observe the second screen image when viewed
along a second direction that differs from the first direction;
a control unit that instructs the display device to display the
first display image data as the first screen image, and the second
display image data as the second screen image; and a menu storing
unit that stores first menu screen information and second menu screen
information for displaying multiple menu items on the display device,
wherein: the image processing unit creates the first display image
data and the second display image data based upon the first menu
screen information and the second menu screen information, respectively.
[0013] A digital camera according to a third aspect of the present
invention includes: an image processing unit that creates first
display image data and second display image data; a display device
that displays a first screen image and a second screen image so
as to allow a user to observe the first screen image when viewed
along a first direction with respect to a display face and so as
to allow the user to observe the second screen image when viewed
along a second direction that differs from the first direction;
a control unit that instructs the display device to display the
first display image data as the first screen image, and the second
display image data as the second screen image; an imaging device
that captures an image of a subject, and outputs a subject image
signal; and a storage unit that temporarily stores an original image
to be used for creating the first display image data with the image
processing unit, wherein: the image processing unit creates the
first display image data based upon the original image data stored
in the storage unit and creates the second display image data representing
image information based upon image information attached to the original
image data.
[0014] A digital camera according to a fourth aspect of the present
invention includes: an image processing unit that creates first
display image data and second display image data; a display device
that displays a first screen image and a second screen image so
as to allow a user to observe the first screen image when viewed
along a first direction with respect to a display face and so as
to allow the user to observe the second screen image when viewed
along a second direction that differs from the first direction;
a control unit that instructs the display device to display the
first display image data as the first screen image, and the second
display image data as the second screen image; and a storage unit
that temporarily stores an original image to be used for creating
the first display image data and the second display image data with
the image processing unit, wherein: the image processing unit creates
the first display image data based upon the original image data
stored in the storage unit and creates the second display image
data that differs from the first display image data by subjecting
the original image data to image processing.
[0015] In the digital camera according to the fourth aspect, it
is preferable that the image processing unit creates a trimmed image
data by trimming the original image data and then creates the second
display image data based upon the trimmed image data.
[0016] A digital camera according to a fifth aspect of the present
invention includes; an image processing unit that creates first
display image data and second display image data; a display device
that displays a first screen image and a second screen image so
as to allow a user to observe the first screen image when viewed
along a first direction with respect to a display face and so as
to allow the user to observe the second screen image when viewed
along a second direction that differs from the first direction;
a control unit that instructs the display device to display the
first display image data as the first screen image, and the second
display image data as the second screen image; an imaging device
that captures an image of a subject, and outputs a subject image
signal; and a storage unit that temporarily stores image data, wherein:
the image processing unit performs processing (a) in which the first
display image data is created based upon the subject image signal
captured by and output from the imaging device with first camera
settings, and the first display image data thus created is stored
in the storage unit, and processing (b) in which the second display
image data is created based upon the subject image signal captured
by and output from the imaging device with second camera settings
that differ from the first camera settings, and the second display
image data thus created is stored in the storage device; and the
control unit instructs the display device to display the first image
display data and the second display image data, which are stored
in the storage unit, in the form of the first screen image and the
second screen image, respectively.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a digital camera according
to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0018] FIG. 2 is a block diagram which shows the digital camera
shown in FIG. 1;
[0019] FIGS. 3A and 3B show examples of through images displayed
on a back face monitor;
[0020] FIGS. 4Athrough 4C show examples of image data displayed
on the back face monitor;
[0021] FIGS. 5A through 5D show examples of menu images displayed
on the back face monitor;
[0022] FIGS. 6A and 6B are perspective views showing the digital
camera in the level state and the digital camera in a tilt state,
respectively.
[0023] FIG. 7 is a flowchart for describing a processing procedure
for displaying a through image;
[0024] FIG. 8 is a flowchart for describing a processing procedure
for updating a replay screen;
[0025] FIG. 9 is a flowchart for describing a processing procedure
for menu processing;
[0026] FIG. 10 is a flowchart for describing a processing procedure
for menu processing according to a modification 1;
[0027] FIG. 11 is a flowchart for describing a processing procedure
for updating a replay screen according to a modification 2;
[0028] FIGS. 12A and 12B show examples of the screens A and B displayed
on the back face monitor according to a modification 3;
[0029] FIGS. 13A and 13B show examples of the screens A and B displayed
on the back face monitor according to a modification 3;
[0030] FIGS. 14A and 14B show examples of the screens A and B displayed
on the back face monitor according to a modification 4;
[0031] FIGS. 15A and 15B show examples of the screens A and B displayed
on the back face monitor according to a modification 5;
[0032] FIG. 16 is a flowchart for describing a processing procedure
for displaying an image according to a modification 6;
[0033] FIGS. 17A and 17B show examples of the screens A and B displayed
on the back face monitor according to a modification 7; and
[0034] FIGS. 18A and 18B show examples of the screens A and B displayed
on the back face monitor according to a modification 8.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0035] Description will be made regarding a digital camera 1 according
to an embodiment to which the present invention has been applied.
Digital Camera 1
[0036] FIG. 1 is an external view of a digital camera las viewed
from the back side thereof. Here, the digital camera 1 is a compact
camera having a configuration in which a lens barrel and a camera
main body are provided in the form of a single unit.
[0037] The digital camera 1 according to the present embodiment
is formed in a shape of a rectangular parallelepiped. The digital
camera 1 includes: a shutter release button 10 provided on an upper
face 1a thereof; a zoom button 11, a replay button 12; a menu button
13, a cross button 14, a back face monitor 15, a function button
16, and so forth provided on a back face 1b thereof. Note that the
digital camera 1 further includes a lens, which is included in a
photographic optical system 32 (see FIG. 2), provided on a front
face 1c thereof.
[0038] The shutter release button 10 is a double-action switch
having a half-press switch and a full-press switch. Upon half-pressing
the shutter release button 10, the half-press switch is turned on.
On the other hand, upon full-pressing the shutter release button
10, the full-press switch is turned on. The zoom button 11 is a
switch that allows the zoom power of the photographic optical system
32 to be changed. The replay button 12 is a switch that allows the
operation mode to be switched to a replay mode for displaying captured
images on the back face monitor 15. The menu button 13 allows a
menu to be displayed on the back face monitor 15. The menu button
13 is a switch that allows the operation mode to be switched to
a menu mode that allows the user to select the operation settings
of the digital camera 1, and so forth. The cross key 14 is a known
cross key having four contacts in four directions, i.e., the upper
direction, the lower direction, the left direction, and the right
direction. Furthermore, the cross key 14 has a decision button 14a
in the central portion thereof. The function button 16 is a switch
which is to be operated by the user, and which allows the user to
input various operation instructions to the digital camera 1.
[0039] The back face monitor 15 is a liquid crystal display device
that provides: a function of displaying a moving image of the subject
at the time of capturing an image, i.e., a function of displaying
a through image; and a function of displaying a stored image, a
menu screen, and so forth. The back face monitor 15 according to
the present embodiment has a configuration in which micro-prism
arrays, each of which has a slender shape that corresponds to two
display pixel lines, are disposed parallel to each other. Such a
configuration of the digital camera 1 allows the user to ascertain
information that differs between a case in which the back face monitor
15 is viewed from the upper side (along the arrow A) and a case
in which the back face monitor 15 is viewed from the lower side
(along the arrow B). Let us refer to the display screen that can
be examined in a case in which the back face monitor 15 is viewed
from the upper side (along the arrow A) as "screen A"
hereafter. On the other hand, let us refer to the display screen
that can be examined in a case in which the back face monitor 15
is viewed from the lower side (along the arrow B) as "screen
B" hereafter.
Block Diagram of the Digital Camera 1
[0040] Description will be made below regarding the components
and the basic operation of the digital camera 1 according to the
present embodiment with reference to a block diagram. FIG. 2 is
a block diagram which shows the digital camera 1.
Control Unit
[0041] A control unit 20 includes a CPU and so forth, which controls
the overall system of the digital camera 1. The control unit 20
is connected to an image sensor 21, an image processing unit 22,
a monitor control unit 23, a display unit 24, RAM 25, ROM 26, EEPROM
27, external memory 28, internal memory 29, an operation unit 30,
an attitude sensor 31, a lens control unit 33, and so forth, and
controls each of these components.
Image Capturing And Image Processing
[0042] The photographic optical system 32 is an optical system
having a configuration including multiple lenses for forming an
image of the subject on the image sensor 21. Furthermore, the photographic
optical system 32 further includes a zoom optical system that allows
the focal distance to be changed. The lens control unit 33 drives
the zoom optical system so as to change the focal distance according
to a control signal received from the control unit 20.
[0043] The image sensor 21 is a solid state image sensor such as
a CCD, a CMOS, or the like, for converting the image of the subject
formed by the photographic optical system 32 into an electric signal.
The image sensor 21 also includes a driver or the like, which provides
a function of readout control for an image signal and so forth,
and a function of driving control for an electronic shutter and
so forth. The image signal read out from the image sensor 21 is
transmitted to the image processing unit 22. The image processing
unit 22 performs various processing such as noise removal, A/D conversion,
color interpolation, resizing, coding, and so forth, as necessary,
thereby creating the display image data which is to be displayed
on the back face monitor 15, storage image data, or the like. The
aforementioned storage image data is stored in the external memory
28 in the form of an image file along with the image capturing information
at the moment of image capturing. On the other hand, the display
image data is displayed on the back face monitor 15 of the display
unit 24 by the monitor control unit 23.
[0044] The term "image capturing information" as used
here represents the image capturing information at the moment of
image capturing, such as the shutter speed, the aperture value,
date at which the image was captured, and so forth. The image capturing
information is included in a file header in the form of EXIF information,
for example. Note that the image file may be stored in the EEPROM
27, the internal memory 29, or the like.
[0045] Note that the image processing unit 22 also provides a function
of reading out an image stored in the external memory 28 or the
internal memory 29, and creating a display image which is to be
displayed on the back face monitor 15. Also, the image processing
unit 22 can perform various kinds of image processing for the image
data stored in the external memory 28.
[0046] Here, examples of such image processing include: color conversion
processing for converting a color component of the image data to
another color component (for example, conversion of a color image
into a monochrome image, color density adjustment, etc); tone correction
processing; edge enhancement processing; contrast adjustment processing;
trimming processing for trimming apart of the image data area; resize
processing for changing the resolution of the image data.
Storage Processing
[0047] The RAM 25 is used as a temporary storage device for the
data in a step in which the control unit 20, the image processing
unit 22, or the like performs processing. The RAM 25 is a storage
unit that to be used when creating a display image at the image
processing unit 22. The ROM 26 stores a program necessary for the
operation of the digital camera 1, the initial values used in the
program, and so forth. The ROM 26 also stores various menu items
to be displayed in a menu mode to be detailed later. The EEPROM
27 is a rewritable memory such as flash memory or the like, which
has a function of holding the stored information after the power
supply of the digital camera 1 has been turned off. The EEPROM 27
stores the information such as the user settings, the customized
settings, etc., with respect to the digital camera 1. The external
memory 28 is a detachable memory card for storing image files and
so forth. The internal memory 29 is a storage medium for storing
image files and so forth, examples of which include: a large-capacity
magnetic disk such as a hard disk, etc; a large-capacity optical
disk such as a DVD etc.; and flash memory.
Image Display Processing
[0048] The monitor control unit 23 creates a composite image based
upon an image data set that consists of two images, i.e., the image
data for the screen A and the image data for the screen B, transmitted
according to an instruction from the control unit 20, and displays
the composite image on the back face monitor 15 of the display unit
24. The display unit 24 includes the back face monitor 15 and a
driver. Let us consider a case in which the user views the back
face monitor 15, on which the composite image is displayed, from
the upper side (along the direction A). In this case, such an arrangement
allows the user to examine (observe) the image data for the screen
A. On the other hand, in a case in which the user views the back
face monitor 15 from the lower side (along the direction B), such
an arrangement allows the user to examine (observe) the image data
for the screen B. Note that such an arrangement allows the user
to examine both the image data for the screen A and the image data
for the screen B in a single mode.
Operation Unit
[0049] The operation unit 30 includes the shutter release button
10, the zoom button 11, the replay button 12, the menu button 13,
the cross button 14, and the function button 16, and so forth.
Attitude Sensor
[0050] The attitude sensor 31 includes multiple acceleration sensors,
whereby the attitude of the digital camera 1 can be detected in
a three-dimensional manner. With the present embodiment, the attitude
sensor 31 provides a function of determining whether the digital
camera 1 is in the level state, in which the display face of the
back face monitor 15 is approximately parallel to the direction
of gravity, or the tilt state, in which the display face of the
back face monitor 15 is tilted with respect to the direction of
gravity, based upon the detection results received from the attitude
sensor 31. Note that any kind of sensor may be employed as such
an attitude detection sensor as long as the sensor is capable of
detecting at least two attitudes.
Operation Mode
[0051] The digital camera 1 according to the present embodiment
provides operation modes, i.e., a photographing or image capturing
mode for performing an image capturing operation and processing
for the image thus captured according to image capturing/processing
settings set by the user, a menu mode which allows the user to set
various kinds of settings while examining the menu screen displayed
on the back face monitor 15, and an image display mode for displaying
the storage image data thus captured or the like on the back face
monitor 15. The operation control of the digital camera 1 for each
of the image capturing mode, the menu mode, and the image display
mode, is known processing, and accordingly, detailed description
thereof will be omitted.
[0052] Description will be made regarding display images displayed
on the back face monitor 15 in the form of the screen A and the
screen B for each operation mode.
Image Capturing Mode
[0053] The digital camera 1 according to the present embodiment
in the image capturing mode provides: a function of instructing
the image processing unit 22 to perform processing for the image
signals serially captured by the aforementioned image sensor 21
so as to create display image data (which will be referred to as
"through images" hereafter); and a function of serially
displaying the through images thus created on the back face monitor
15 (which will be referred to as "through image display"
hereafter).
[0054] In the image capturing mode, in a case that the user views
the display monitor 15 from the upper side (in the direction of
the arrow A), the display monitor 15 allows the user to observe
only the through images. On the other hand, in a case that the user
views the display monitor 15 from the lower side (in the direction
of the arrow B), the display monitor 15 allows the user to observe
a screen that includes the camera information such as the image
capturing settings, the number of images which can be captured,
etc., and the through image in a superimposed form. With regard
to the digital camera 1 shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 3A shows an example
of the screen A displayed on the back face monitor 15 in a case
in which the display monitor 15 is being viewed from the upper side
(in the direction of the arrow A). On the other hand, FIG. 33 shows
an example of the screen B displayed on the back face monitor 15
in a case in which the display monitor 15 is being viewed from the
lower side (in the direction of the arrow B).
[0055] As shown in FIG. 3A, in a case that the user views the back
face monitor 15 from the upper side (in the direction of the arrow
A), such an arrangement allows the user to observe only the through
image, which denotes the subject image. On the other hand, in a
case that the user views the back face monitor 15 from the lower
side (in the direction of the arrow B), such an arrangement allows
the user to observe the camera information superimposed on the through
image as shown in FIG. 3B. FIG. 3B shows an example of the camera
information thus displayed, which includes: a camera operation mode
mark 50 which indicates the operation mode of the digital camera
1; a storage destination mark 51 which indicates that the storage
destination to which the captured image is to be stored is the internal
memory 29; a resolution value 52 which indicates the resolution
with which a captured image is stored; a flash icon 53 which indicates
the flash mode; a remaining frame value 54 which indicates the number
of frames that can be stored in the storage medium specified as
the storage destination; etc.
[0056] Description will be made with reference to the flowchart
in FIG. 7 regarding the processing procedure for displaying a through
image on the back face monitor 15 in the image capturing mode.
[0057] Upon setting the operation mode of the digital camera 1
to the image capturing mode, the through image processing shown
in FIG. 7 is started. In Step S101, the image sensor 21 captures
an image of the subject, and outputs an image signal. In Step S102,
the image processing unit 22 performs image processing for the image
signal output from the image sensor 21 so as to create the image
data for the screen A (through image). The image data for the screen
A is stored in the screen A region of the RAM 25. In Step S103,
the camera information is acquired. Note that the camera information
acquired in Step S103 includes the operation mode, the image storage
destination setting, storage resolution setting value, the flash
mode, the number of frames that can be stored, and so forth.
[0058] In the following Step S104, the image processing unit 22
reads out the image data for the screen A (through image data) from
the screen A region of the RAM 25, and superimposes the camera information
thus acquired in Step S103 onto the image data for the screen A,
thereby creating the image data for the screen B (the through image
data including the camera information in a superimposed form). The
image data for the screen B thus created is stored in the screen
B region of the RAM 25. Note that, instead of the image capturing
information for capturing an image of the subject in step S101,
the camera information to be superimposed on the through image may
include: the setting values with respect to the image capturing
operation of the camera such as the shutter speed setting value,
aperture setting value, etc., used for capturing an image at the
time of full-pressing the shutter release button 10 for creating
the storage image data; the setting values with respect to the image
processing such as the white balance setting value etc.
[0059] In Step S105, the image processing unit 22 reads out the
image data for the screen A and the image data for the screen B
from the image A region and the image B region of the RAM 25, and
creates data for a composite image based upon the image data for
the screen A and the image data for the screen B. The composite
image data thus created is stored in the display image region of
the RAM 25. In Step S106, the monitor control unit 23 reads out
the composite image data stored in the display image region of the
RAM 25, and displays the composite image data on the back face monitor
15. In this stage, the back face monitor 15 displays the image for
the screen A and the image for the screen B at the same time, based
upon the image data for the screen A and the image data for the
screen B, respectively. In a case that the user views the back face
monitor 15 from the upper side (in the direction of the arrow A),
such an arrangement allows the user to observe the screen A. On
the other hand, in a case that the user views the back face monitor.
15 from the lower side (in the direction of the arrow B), such an
arrangement allows the user to observe the screen B.
[0060] In step S107, determination is made whether or not the through
image stop processing has been performed. In a case that the through
image stop processing has been performed, the through image processing
shown in FIG. 7 is terminated. On the other hand, in a case that
the through image stop processing has not been performed, the flow
returns to Step S101, and the through image processing is continued.
Examples of the cases in which the through image stop processing
is performed include: a case in which the image capturing processing
for an image for storage is started according to the operation of
full-pressing the shutter release button 10 of the digital camera
1; a case in which the power supply is turned off; and a case of
switching the operation mode from the image capturing mode to other
operation modes.
[0061] As described above, in a case that the user views the back
face monitor 15 from the upper side, such an arrangement allows
the user to examine only the through image, which allows the user
to check the composition of the image to be photographed. On the
other hand, in a case that the user has tilted the digital camera
1, or in a case that the user views the back face monitor 15 from
the lower side, such an arrangement allows the user to ascertain
the camera information, in addition to examining the through image.
[0062] Also, an arrangement may be made in which, in the image
capturing mode, a through image is displayed on the screen A, and
an image which has already been captured is displayed on the screen
B. With such an arrangement, the screen A displays a through image
including the camera information in a superimposed form as described
in FIG. 3B, and the screen B displays the most recently captured
image that is stored in the external memory 28 or the internal memory
29, for example. Such an arrangement allows the user to instantly
examine the image that had been captured and stored immediately
before, without the need to switch the operation mode to the replay
mode, which is a mode that allows the user to examine the captured
images. Furthermore, such an arrangement allows the user to set
the image capturing conditions (angle, the direction of the subject,
the focal distance, etc.) for capturing an image while examining
the image thus captured immediately before. This allows the user
to effectively capture an image.
[0063] Also, an arrangement may be made in which, in the image
capturing mode, the screen A displays a through image, and the screen
B displays the information with respect to the settings and the
status of the camera. With such an arrangement, the screen A displays
the through image shown in FIG. 3A, and the screen B displays the
information with respect to the image capturing setting information
for the digital camera 1 (storage resolution, image compression
ratio, ISO, white balance setting, shutter speed, aperture value,
etc.), a histogram of the image displayed as the through image,
etc., for example. FIG. 4C shows an example of the camera setting/status
information thus displayed on the screen B. Such an arrangement
allows the user to capture an image while immediately ascertaining
the conditions of the camera for capturing an image as necessary
without the need to operate any menu, dial, or the like. This allows
the user to effectively capture an image. Also, with such an arrangement,
the screen A preferably displays only the through image, or the
through image including only the minimum necessary information in
a superimposed form. With such an arrangement, the display of the
through image does not become excessively complex. Note that the
screen B may display only the camera setting/status information,
or may display a through image including the camera setting/status
information in a superimposed form.
Image Display Mode
[0064] With the digital camera 1 according to the present embodiment
in the image display mode, in a case that the user views the display
monitor 15 from the upper side (the direction of the arrow A), such
an arrangement allows the user to observe only one captured image
in a single-frame display format. On the other hand, in a case that
the user views the display monitor 15 from the lower side (the direction
of the arrow B), such an arrangement allows the user to observe
multiple frames (e.g., four frames) of the captured images.
[0065] FIG. 4A shows an example of the screen A displayed on the
back face monitor 15 in a case that the user views the digital camera
1 from the upper side (in the direction of the arrow A). FIG. 4B
shows an example of the screen B displayed on the back face monitor
15 in a case that the user views the digital camera 1 from the lower
side (in the direction of the arrow B). In a four-frame display
format as shown in FIG. 4B, a selection frame 100 is displayed on
the image data (selected image) which has been selected as the image
to be displayed in a single-frame display format shown in FIG. 4A.
[0066] Upon pressing the cross key 14 in the upper direction, the
image data that had been captured immediately before the image data
(selected image) currently displayed on the screen A is displayed
on the screen A in the single frame format. At this time, in the
four-frame display screen displayed on the screen B, the selection
frame 100 is moved to the image data that had been captured immediately
before the image data currently selected, i.e., the data to be displayed
on the screen A in the single-frame display format. On the other
hand, upon pressing the cross key 14 in the lower direction, the
image data that had been captured immediately after the image data
(selected image) currently displayed on the screen A is displayed
on the single frame screen. At this time, in the four-frame display
screen displayed on the screen B; the selection frame 100 is moved
to the image data that had been captured immediately after the image
data currently selected, i.e., the data to be displayed on the screen
A in the single-frame display format.
[0067] Description will be made with reference to the flowchart
shown in FIG. 8 regarding the procedure of the replay screen update
processing for switching the selected image and updating the images
displayed on the screen A and the screen B on the back face monitor
15 according to the user's operation via the cross key 14.
[0068] Upon switching the selected image according to the user's
operation of pressing the cross key 14 in the upper or lower direction,
a sub-routine of the replay screen update processing shown in FIG.
8 is started. In Step S201, the image processing unit 22 reads out
the image data of the selected image from the external memory 28
or the internal memory 29. In Step S202, the image processing unit
22 creates the image data for the screen A which is to be displayed
on the single frame display screen of the back face monitor 15.
The image data for the screen A thus created is stored in the screen
A region of the RAM 25.
[0069] In Step S203, the image processing unit 22 reads out the
four image data sets, including the selected image, from the external
memory 28 or the internal memory 29. Then, the image processing
unit 22 reduces the size of these image data sets, which are to
be displayed on a single screen in a four-frame display format.
Then, the image processing unit 22 creates the image data for the
screen B in which the selection frame 100 is superimposed on the
selected image displayed in the four-frame display screen so as
to surround the selected image. The image data for the screen B
thus created is stored in the RAM 25.
[0070] In Step S204, the image processing unit 22 reads out the
image data for the screen A and the image data for the screen B
from the RAM 25, and creates composite image data based upon the
image data for the screen A and the image data for the screen B.
The composite image data thus created is stored in the display image
region of the RAM 25. In Step S205, the monitor control unit 23
reads out the composite image data from the display image region
of the RAM 25, and displays the composite image data on the back
face monitor 15. Accordingly, the image on the screen A and the
image on the screen B based upon the image data for the screen A
and the image data for the screen B are displayed on the back face
monitor 15 at the same time.
[0071] In Step S206, in a case that determination has been made
that the images displayed on the screen A and the screen B have
been updated according to the user's operation via the cross key
14, the replay screen update processing shown in FIG. 8 ends. On
the other hand, in a case that the images thus displayed have not
been updated, the flow returns to Step S201.
[0072] As described above, such an arrangement allows the user
to examine the captured image in the single frame display format
by viewing the back face monitor 15 from the upper side (in the
direction of the arrow A). Furthermore, in a case that the user
has tilted the digital camera 1, or in a case that the user has
changed viewpoints and views the back face monitor 15 from the lower
side (in the direction of the arrow B), such an arrangement allows
the user to examine multiple frames (e.g., four frames) of captured
images at the same time.
Menu Mode
[0073] With the digital camera 1 according to the present embodiment,
in a case that the user views the back face monitor 15 from the
upper side (in the direction of the arrow A) in the menu mode, such
an arrangement allows the user to observe a first menu. On the other
hand, in a case that the user views the back face monitor 15 from
the lower side (in the direction of the arrow B), such an arrangement
allows the user to observe a second menu.
[0074] FIG. 5A shows an example of the screen A displayed on the
back side monitor 15 in a case that the user views the digital camera
1 from the upper side (in the direction of the arrow A). On the
other hand, FIG. 5B shows an example of the screen B displayed on
the back face monitor 15 in a case that the user views the digital
camera 1 from the lower side (in the direction of the arrow B).
In the first and second menus displayed on the screens A and B,
the selection frame 100 is displayed superimposed on a selected
menu item. Such an arrangement allows the user to move the selection
frame 100 by operating the cross key 14.
[0075] In the examples shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the menu mode
has six menu items. Specifically, the screen A displays the first
menu including three menu items (1. image mode, 2. white balance,
3. exposure correction). Also, the screen B displays the second
menu including three menu items (4. continuous shooting, 5. BBS,
6. color settings). Such an arrangement allows the user to move
the selection frame 100 by operating the cross key 14, thereby allowing
a desired menu item to be selected. Subsequently, upon pressing
the decision button 14a of the cross key 14, the change processing
for the camera settings represented by the menu item thus selected
is executed.
[0076] The digital camera 1 has a function of detecting the level
state, in which the display face of the back face monitor 15 is
approximately parallel to the direction of gravity, and the tilt
state, in which the display face of the back face monitor 15 is
tilted with respect to the direction of gravity. FIG. 6A is a perspective
view which shows the digital camera 1 in the level state. FIG. 6B
is a perspective view which shows the digital camera 1 in the tilt
state.
[0077] In a case that the digital camera 1 is in the level state,
the selection frame 100 is displayed on the first menu displayed
on the screen A. On the other hand, in a case that the digital camera
1 is in the tilt state, the selection frame 100 is displayed on
the second menu displayed on the screen B.
[0078] In a case that the digital camera 1 is in the level state
in the menu mode as shown in FIG. 6A, and in a case that the user
C views the back face monitor 15 along the direction of the arrow
A, such an arrangement allows the user C to observe the first menu
displayed on the screen A shown in FIG. 5A. In the example of the
menu thus displayed shown in FIG. 5A, the menu item (3. exposure
correction) is selected from among the menu items, and the selection
frame 100 is superimposed on the selected menu item. On the other
hand, the screen B displays the second menu shown in FIG. 5B.
[0079] Then, let us consider a case in which the user has tilted
the digital camera 1, and the camera is in the tilt state. In this
case, the user C views the back face monitor 15 along the direction
of the arrow B as shown in FIG. 6B. Accordingly, the user C observes
the second menu displayed on the screen B as shown in FIG. 5D. With
the digital camera 1, in a case that the attitude sensor 31 has
detected a change in the attitude from the level state to the tilt
state, the selection frame 100, which has been displayed on the
screen A, is moved so as to be positioned over the top menu item
(4. continuous shooting) of the second menu displayed on the screen
B. At this time, the screen A displays the first menu shown in FIG.
5C.
[0080] On the other hand, in a case that the attitude of the digital
camera 1 has been changed from the tilt state to the level state,
the selection frame 100 thus displayed on the screen B is moved
to the first menu displayed on the screen A. In this case, the selection
frame 100 is moved so as to be positioned over the bottom menu item
(3. exposure correction) of the first menu.
[0081] Description will be made regarding the processing procedure
of the menu processing for displaying the first and second menus
on the screens A and B with reference to the flowchart shown in
FIG. 9.
[0082] In Step S301, the image processing unit 22 reads out the
first menu screen information from the EEPROM 27, and creates the
image data for the screen A based upon the first menu screen information.
Furthermore, the image processing unit 22 reads out the second menu
screen information from the EEPROM 27, and creates the image data
for the screen B based upon the second menu screen information.
The image data for the screen A and the image data for the screen
B are stored in the image A region and the image B region of the
RAM 25, respectively. Note that the setting is made such that the
selection frame 100 is superimposed on the first menu item of the
first menu.
[0083] In Step S302, the image processing unit 22 reads out the
image data for the screen A and the image data for the screen B,
and combines the image data for the screen A and the image data
for the screen B, thereby creating composite image data. The composite
image data thus created is stored in the composite image region
of the RAM 25. The monitor control unit 23 reads out the composite
image data from the RAM 25, and displays the composite image on
the back face monitor 15. Such an arrangement allows the back face
monitor 15 to display the screen A and the screen B at the same
time based upon the image data for the screen A and the image data
for the screen B.
[0084] In Steps S303 through S305, determination is made whether
or not the attitude of the digital camera 1 has changed from the
tilt state to the level state, whether or not the attitude of the
digital camera 1 has changed from the level state to the tilt state,
and whether or not the cross key 14 has been operated in the upper
direction or the lower direction.
[0085] In a case that determination has been made in Step S303
that the attitude of the digital camera 1 has changed from the tilt
state to the level state, the flow proceeds to Step S306. In Step
S306, the setting is made such that the selection frame 100 is superimposed
on the bottom menu item of the first menu displayed on the screen
A, whereupon the flow proceeds to Step S309.
[0086] In a case of "NO" in Step S303, the flow proceeds
to Step S304. In a case that determination has been made in Step
S304 that the attitude of the digital camera 1 has changed from
the level state to the tilt state, the flow proceeds to Step S307.
In Step S307, the setting is made such that the selection frame
100 is superimposed on the top menu item of the second menu displayed
on the screen B, whereupon the flow proceeds to Step S309.
[0087] In a case of "NO" in Step S304, the flow proceeds
to Step S305. In a case that determination has been made in Step
S305 that the cross key 14 has been operated in the upper or lower
direction, the flow proceeds to Step S308. In a case that the cross
key 14 has been operated in the upper direction, the setting is
made in Step S308 such that the selection frame 100 is moved upward
to the first menu item up from the menu item currently selected.
On the other hand, in a case that is the cross key 14 has been operated
in the lower direction, the setting is made such that the selection
frame 100 is moved downward to the first menu item down from the
menu item currently selected. Subsequently, the flow proceeds to
Step S309.
[0088] In a case of "NO" in Step S305, i.e., in a case
that the attitude of the digital camera 1 has not been changed,
and in a case that the cross key 14 has not been operated in the
upper or lower direction, the flow proceeds to Step S311.
[0089] In Step S309, the image processing unit 22 reads out the
first menu screen information from the EEPROM 27, and creates the
image data for the screen A based upon the first menu screen information.
Furthermore, the image processing unit 22 reads out the second menu
screen information from the EEPROM 27, and creates the image data
for the screen B based upon the second menu screen information.
The image data for the screen A and the image data for the screen
B thus created are stored in the screen A region and the screen
B region of the RAM 25, respectively. Note that the selection frame
100 is superimposed on the image data for the screen A or the image
data for the screen B so as to surround the menu item thus set in
each of Steps S306 through S308.
[0090] In Step S310, the image processing unit 22 reads out the
image data for the screen A and the image data for the screen B
from the RAM 25, and combines the image data for the screen A and
the image data for the screen B, thereby creating composite image
data. The composite image data thus created is stored in the composite
image region of the RAM 25. The monitor control unit 23 reads out
the composite image data from the RAM 25, and displays the composite
image data on the back face monitor 15. Such an arrangement allows
the back face monitor 15 to display the image for the screen A and
the image for the screen B at the same time based upon the image
data for the screen A and the image data for the screen B, respectively.
[0091] In Step S311, determination is made whether or not the decision
button 14a of the cross key 14 has been pressed. In a case that
the decision button 14a of the cross key 14 has been pressed, the
flow proceeds to Step S312. On the other hand, in a case that the
decision button 14a of the cross key 14 has not been pressed, the
flow proceeds to Step S313. In step S312, setting processing is
performed according to the menu item thus selected via the selection
frame 100. In Step S313, determination is made whether or not the
operation mode is to be switched from the menu mode to anyone of
other operation modes. In a case that the operation mode is to be
switched from the menu mode to any one of the other operation modes,
the menu processing ends. On the other hand, in a case that the
setting has been made such that the menu mode is to be continued,
the flow returns to Step S303.
[0092] As described above, such an arrangement allows the user
to examine the first menu by viewing the back face monitor 15 from
the upper side (in the direction of the arrow A). Also, such an
arrangement allows the user to examine the second menu immediately
after examining the first menu by tilting the digital camera 1,
or by shifting viewpoints and viewing the back face monitor 15 from
the lower side (in the direction of the arrow B).
[0093] Furthermore, the digital camera 1 has a function of detecting
whether the digital camera 1 is in the level state or in the tilt
state. With such an arrangement, the selection frame 100 is moved
between the first menu displayed on the screen A and the second
menu displayed on the screen B according to the detection results.
This allows the user to select a menu item quickly.
[0094] Description has been made regarding the digital camera 1
according to an embodiment to which the present invention has been
applied. However, the present invention is not restricted to such
an embodiment. Description will be made below regarding modifications
of the embodiment according to the present invention.
Modification 1
[0095] Let us consider a case in which there are many menu items
included in the menu mode, such that the menu items cannot all be
contained in the first menu and the second menu, i.e., a case in
which three or more menu pages are required to contain the menu
items. In this case, an arrangement may be made having a function
of scrolling the menu screen pages displayed on the screens A and
B according to the change in the attitude of the digital camera
1. For example, an arrangement may be made in which, upon returning
the attitude of the digital camera 1 from the tilt state to the
level state, the menu screen pages displayed on the screen A and
the screen B are scrolled.
[0096] With the digital camera 1 according to the modification
1 in the menu mode, a total of six menu items can be displayed on
the screens A and B. Here, let us say that the first menu includes
the menu items 1 through 3, and the second menu includes the menu
items 4 through 6, as shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B. Furthermore, let
us say that the third menu includes the menu items 7 through 9,
and the fourth menu includes the menu item 10 through 12. The total
number of menu screen pages is determined based upon the number
of menu items.
[0097] The modification 1 provides a menu processing procedure
that differs from the procedure described above with reference to
the flowchart shown in FIG. 9. Description will be made regarding
the processing procedure of the menu processing according to the
modification with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 10. Note
that the same steps as those in the menu processing shown in FIG.
9 are denoted by the same step numbers, and description thereof
will be omitted. Description will be made below mainly regarding
the points of difference from the processing shown in FIG. 9.
[0098] In a case that determination has been made in Step S303
that the attitude of the digital camera 1 has changed from the tilt
state to the level state, the flow proceeds to Step S401. In Step
S401, the menu screen two frames after the menu screen that had
been currently displayed on the screen A is displayed on the screen
A. On the other hand, the menu screen two frames after the menu
screen that had been currently displayed on the screen B is displayed
on the screen B. Furthermore, after switching of the menu screens,
the selection frame 100 is displayed on the top menu item of the
screen A, whereupon the flow proceeds to Step S404. For example,
let us consider a case in which, in the current stage, the first
menu is displayed on the screen A, and the second menu is displayed
on the screen B. In this case, in Step S401, the third menu is displayed
on the screen A, and the fourth menu is displayed on the screen
B. Furthermore, the setting is made such that the selection frame
100 is displayed on the top menu item of the third menu, which is
displayed on the screen A.
[0099] In a case of "NO" in Step S303, the flow proceeds
to Step S304. In a case that determination has been made in Step
S304 that the attitude of the digital camera 1 has changed from
the level state to the tilt state, the flow proceeds to Step S402.
In Step S402, the setting is made such that the selection frame
100 is displayed on the top menu item of the menu screen displayed
on the screen B, whereupon the flow proceeds to Step S404.
[0100] In a case of "NO" in Step S304, the flow proceeds
to Step S305. In a case that determination has been made in Step
S305 that the cross key 14 has been operated in the upper direction
or the lower direction, the flow proceeds to Step S403. In a case
that the cross key 14 has been operated in the upper direction,
the setting is made in Step S403 such that the selection frame 100
is moved upward to the first item up from the menu item currently
selected. On the other hand, in a case that the cross key 14 has
been operated in the lower direction, the setting is made such that
the selection frame 100 is moved downward to the first item down
from the menu item currently selected. Subsequently, the flow proceeds
to Step S404.
[0101] Let us consider a case in which the setting has been made
in Step S401 such that the menu screens displayed on the screen
A and the screen B have been switched. In this case, in Step S404,
the menu screen information is read out from the EEPROM 27 for displaying
the screen A, and the image data for the screen A is created based
upon the menu screen information. Furthermore, the menu screen information
is read out from the EEPROM 27 for displaying the screen B, and
the image data for the screen B is created based upon the menu screen
information. The image data for the screen A and the image data
for the screen B are stored in the screen A region and the screen
B region of the RAM 25. Note that, at this time, the selection frame
100 is superimposed on the image for the screen A or the image for
the screen B so as to surround the menu item selected in each of
Steps S401 through S403.
[0102] As described above, such an arrangement allows the user
to quickly scroll through each of the menu screen pages by changing
the attitude of the digital camera 1 from the tilt state to the
level state.
[0103] Note that an arrangement may be made in which, in the image
display mode, the first image is displayed on the screen A in a
single frame display format, and the second image is displayed on
the screen B in a single frame display format. Furthermore, let
us consider a case in which there are three or more display images
(captured images). In this case, an arrangement may be made in which
images to be displayed on the screens A and B are scrolled upon
returning the attitude of the digital camera 1 from the tilt state
to the level state. With such an arrangement, in the same way as
the page scrolling for the menu screens described above, upon changing
the attitude of the digital camera 1 from the tilt state to the
level state, the image data captured two frames before the image
data that had been currently displayed on the screen A is displayed
on the screen A. Furthermore, the image data captured two frames
before the image data that had been currently displayed on the screen
B is displayed on the screen B.
[0104] Such an arrangement allows the user to quickly scroll the
display images to the screens by changing the attitude of the digital
camera 1 from the tilt state to the level state.
[0105] As described above, such an arrangement allows the user
to quickly ascertain multiple pages of the information with respect
to the digital camera, such as multiple pages of the menu items
and multiple pages of the captured images, without the need to operate
any operation member.
Modification 2
[0106] Also, an arrangement may be made in which a captured image
is displayed on the screen A in a single frame display format, and
the image information attached to the image data thus displayed
on the screen A is displayed on the screen B.
[0107] With the digital camera 1 according to the modification
2 in the image display mode, in a case that the user views the back
face monitor 15 from the upper side (in the direction of the arrow
A), such an arrangement allows the user to observe the captured
image in the single display format. On the other hand, in a case
that the user views the display monitor 15 from the lower side (in
the direction of the arrow B), such an arrangement allows the user
to observe the image in the single frame display format, where the
image information attached to the image has been superimposed on
the image.
[0108] The term "image information" as used here represents
the information described in the file header such as the image capturing
information etc., as described above, the histogram of the image,
etc. Note that the image information thus displayed is not restricted
to such information. Rather, any information may be employed as
long as the information has been attached to the image, or as long
as the information is associated with the image. FIG. 4A shows an
example of the screen A displayed on the back face monitor 15 in
a case that the user views the digital camera 1 from the upper side
(in the direction of the arrow A). On the other hand, FIG. 4C shows
an example of the screen B displayed on the back face monitor 15
in a case that the user views the digital camera 1 from the lower
side (in the direction of the arrow B). With such an arrangement,
the image data thus displayed on the screen A in a single frame
format is set to the selected image.
[0109] When the cross key 14 is operated by pressing in the upper
direction, the image data which had been captured one frame before
the image data currently displayed on the screen A is set to be
the selected image which is to be displayed in the single frame
display format. On the other hand, when the cross key 14 is operated
by pressing in the lower direction, the image data which had been
captured one frame after the image data currently displayed on the
screen A is set to be the selected image which is to be displayed
in the single frame display format.
[0110] After the selected image has been changed, replay screen
update processing is started. Description will be made regarding
the processing procedure of the replay screen update processing
with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 11.
[0111] In a case that the user has performed operation of the cross
key 14 in the image display mode by pressing in the upper or lower
direction, the selected image is changed, and the replay screen
update processing sub-routine is started. First, in Step S501, the
image processing unit 22 reads out the image data of the selected
image from the external memory 28 or the internal memory 29. In
Step S502, the image processing unit 22 creates the image data for
the screen A, which is to be displayed on the screen A of the back
face monitor 15 in a single frame display format, based upon the
image data thus read out in Step S501. The image data for the screen
A thus created is stored in the screen A region of the RAM 25.
[0112] Next, in Step S503, the image processing unit 22 reads out
the image data for the screen A from the RAM 25, and superimposes
the image information that is attached to the selected image on
the image data for the screen A, thereby creating the image data
for the screen B. The image data for the screen B thus created is
stored in the screen B region of the RAM 25. Note that, in Step
S503, the image processing unit 22 may create the image data for
the screen B such that it only displays the image information.
[0113] In Step S504, the image processing unit 22 reads out the
image data for the screen A and the image data for the screen B
from the RAM 25, and combines the image data for the screen A and
the image data for the screen B, thereby creating composite image
data. The composite image data thus created is stored in the display
image region of the RAM 25. In Step S505, the monitor control unit
23 reads out the composite image data from the display image region
of the RAM 25, and displays the composite image data on the back
face monitor 15. Thus, the back face monitor 15 displays the screen
A based upon the image data for the screen A and the screen B based
upon the image data for the screen B at the same time.
[0114] In a case that determination has been made in Step S506
that the images thus displayed on the screens A and B have been
updated according to the user's operation via the cross key 14,
the replay screen update processing shown in FIG. 11 ends. On the
other hand, in a case that the updating of the images thus displayed
has not been completed, the flow returns to Step S501.
[0115] As described above, in a case that the user views the back
face monitor 15 from the upper side (in the direction of the arrow
A), such an arrangement allows the user to observe the captured
image in a single screen display format. Furthermore, upon the user
tilting the digital camera 1, or upon the user shifting viewpoints
and viewing the back face display 15 in the direction of the arrow
B, such an arrangement allows the user to immediately ascertain
the image information with respect to the image thus displayed in
the single frame display format.
[0116] The present invention is not restricted to the above-described
embodiment, and the modifications 1 and 2.
[0117] Description has been made in the above-described embodiment
and modifications 1 and 2 regarding an arrangement in which the
back face monitor 15 has a configuration of allowing the user to
observe various screens that change when the direction along which
the user views the back face monitor 15 of the digital camera 1
changes between the upper direction and the lower direction. However,
the present invention is not restricted to such an arrangement.
Also, an arrangement maybe made in which the back face monitor 15
has a configuration of allowing the user to observe various screens
that change when the direction along which the user views the back
face monitor 15 of the digital camera 1 changes between the left
direction and the right direction. Also, an arrangement may be made
in which the back face monitor 15 has a configuration of allowing
the user to observe various screens that change when the direction
along which the user views the back face monitor 15 of the digital
camera 1 changes among the front direction, the upper direction,
the lower direction, the left direction, and the right direction.
[0118] Description has been made regarding an arrangement in which
the image processing unit 22 creates the image data for the screen
A, and in the following step, the image data for the screen B. However,
the present invention is not restricted to such an arrangement.
Also, an arrangement may be made including two image processing
units, i.e., a first image processing unit for creating the image
data for the screen A and a second image processing unit for creating
the image data for the screen B. Such an arrangement including the
two image processing units enables the image data for the screen
A and the image data for the screen B to be created in parallel,
thereby improving the display update speed.
[0119] Note that the present invention may be applied to an image
capturing or image display device such as an interchangeable lens
digital single lens reflex camera, or a digital video camera, or
the like.
[0120] Description will be made below regarding other modifications
of the embodiment according to the present invention.
Modification 3
[0121] Let us consider a case in which the digital camera 1 has
an electronic zoom function. In this case, an arrangement may be
made in which, in the image capturing mode, a through image is displayed
on the screen A, and the through image electronically zoomed is
displayed on the screen B. FIG. 12A shows an example of the screen
A displayed on the back face monitor 15. FIG. 12B shows an example
of the screen B displayed on the back face monitor 15.
[0122] The image processing unit 22 creates the image data for
the screen A based upon the image signal acquired by the image sensor
21, and stores the image data for the screen A thus created in the
screen A region of the RAM 25. Next, the image processing unit 22
trims the image data for the screen A thus created, according to
the magnification of the electronic zoom set by the user's operation
via the zoom button 11. Then, the image processing unit 22 resizes
the image data thus trimmed. The image data thus resized is stored
in the screen B region of the RAM 25. Furthermore, the image data
for the screen A and the image data for the screen B are subjected
to processing by the monitor control unit 23, and are displayed
on the back face monitor 15.
[0123] Also, an arrangement may be made in which the screen A displays
a through image with the current angle of view, and the screen B
displays the through image with an intermediate angle of view or
with the angle of view that corresponds to the telephoto end of
the optical zoom, which is obtained by trimming and resizing the
image data for the screen A. Note that the term "intermediate
angle of view" as used here represents an intermediate angle
of view between the angle of view that corresponds to the wide-angle
end of the optical zoom and the angle of view that corresponds to
the telephoto end of the optical zoom.
[0124] Description will be made regarding an arrangement in which
the screen A displays a captured image (through image) with the
angle of view that corresponds to the current optical zoom level,
and the screen B displays the through image with the angle of view
that electronically corresponds to the telephoto end of the optical
zoom. FIG. 13A shows an example of the screen A displayed on the
back face monitor 15. FIG. 13B shows an example of the screen B
displayed on the back face monitor 15. Note that the region (trimming
region 200) surrounded by the dotted line represents the region
displayed on the screen B.
[0125] The image processing unit 22 creates the image data for
the screen A based upon the image signal acquired by the image sensor
21, and stores the image data thus created in the screen A region
of the RAM 25. The control unit 20 calculates the trimming region
200 based upon the image capturing angle of view of the current
optical zoom level, such that the image thus trimmed corresponds
to the image as captured with a predetermined angle of view (the
angle of view that corresponds to the telephoto end of the optical
zoom). The image processing unit 22 reads out the image data for
the screen A from the RAM 25, and trims the image data thus read
out so as to extract the image data of the trimming region 200.
Then, the image processing unit 22 resizes the image data of the
trimming region 200 such that the size of the trimming region 200
matches a size suitable for the image data to be displayed on the
back face monitor 15. The image data thus resized is stored in the
screen B region of the RAM 25. The image data for the screen A and
the image data for the screen B are subjected to processing by the
monitor control unit 23, and are displayed on the back face monitor
15.
[0126] Now, let us consider a case in which the image capturing
angle of view of the current optical zoom level is equal to or greater
than the angle of view of the through image which is to be displayed
on the screen B. In this case, trimming processing is not performed
for the image data for the screen A. Instead of the trimming processing,
the image processing unit 22 stores the image data for the screen
A in the screen B region of the RAM 25 as the image data for the
screen B.
[0127] Such an arrangement allows the user to ascertain an appropriate
zoom position without involving the optical zoom.
[0128] Also, an automatic zoom function may be assigned to the
function button l6. With such an arrangement, upon detection of
the user's operation via the function button 16 being pressed, the
control unit 20 drives the zoom lens of the photographic optical
system 32 by controlling the lens control unit 33 so as to perform
optical zooming such that the angle of view of the optical zoom
matches the angle of view that corresponds to the image displayed
on the screen B, Thus, the screen A displays the image captured
via the optical zoom with the angle of view that matches the angle
of view of the image displayed on the screen B.
Modification 4
[0129] Also, an arrangement may be made in which, in the image
capturing mode, the screen A displays a through image and the camera
information, and the screen B displays the through image and the
subject image information.
[0130] The term "camera information" as used here represents
the information that indicates the setting conditions of the camera
such as the operation mode, the image storage destination setting,
the storage resolution setting value, the flash mode, the number
of frames which can be stored, etc. The term "subject information"
as used here represents the information obtained by the control
unit 20 or the image processing unit 22 by calculating the subject
image data thus captured. Examples of such information include the
histogram information, the subject recognition information, etc.
[0131] Description will be made below regarding an arrangement
in which a through image and the camera information are displayed
on the screen A of the back face monitor 15, and the through image
and the subject recognition information are displayed on the screen
B thereof. FIG. 14A shows an example of the screen A displayed on
the back face monitor 15. FIG. 14B shows an example of the screen
B. Here, a face recognition mark 300 in FIG. 14B is a mark that
indicates the position of a human face.
[0132] The image processing unit 22 superimposes the camera information
acquired from the control unit 20 on the image data for the screen
A created based upon the image signal acquired by the image sensor
21, thereby creating the image data for the screen A. Then, the
image data for the screen A thus created is stored in the screen
A region of the RAM 25. Furthermore, the image processing unit 22
detects whether or not there is a human face in the image data for
the screen A by performing known face recognition processing for
the image data for the screen A.
[0133] In a case that the image processing unit 22 has not detected
a human face in the image data for the screen A, the image data
processing unit 22 stores the image data for the screen A in the
screen B region of the RAM 25. On the other hand, in a case that
the image processing unit 22 has detected a human face, the image
processing unit 22 superimposes the face recognition mark 300 on
the face region thus detected in the image data for the screen A
as shown in FIG. 14B, and stores the image data thus processed in
the screen B region of the RAM 25. The image data for the screen
A and the image data for the screen B are processed by the control
unit 23, and are displayed on the back face monitor 15. Note that
the term "face recognition processing" as used here represents
a known face recognition technique for detecting whether or not
there is a human face in the image data based upon the eyes, the
nose, the mouth, and the contours of the face, and the position
relationship among these features.
[0134] Such an arrangement allows the information sets to be displayed
in a distributed manner on the two screens, i.e., on the screen
A and the screen B. This allows the user to quickly ascertain a
great amount of information while avoiding complexity in the information
display.
Modification 5
[0135] Also, an arrangement may be made in which, in the image
capturing mode, the screen A displays a through image, and the screen
B displays an image that simulates the through image as captured
by the digital camera 1 with modified image capturing settings.
For example, an arrangement may be made in which the screen A displays
a through image captured with the exposure correction value currently
set (e.g., the correction value of zero), and the screen B displays
an image that simulates the through image as captured with the exposure
correction value incremented (or decremented) by 1 level from the
exposure correction value as currently set. Description will be
made below regarding such an arrangement.
[0136] FIG. 15A shows an example of the screen A displayed on the
back face monitor 15. FIG. 15B shows an example of the screen B
displayed on the back face monitor 15.
[0137] The image processing unit 22 creates the image data for
the screen A based upon the image signal acquired by the image sensor
21, and stores the image data for the screen A thus created in the
screen A region of the RAM 25. Furthermore, the image processing
unit 22 creates the image data for the screen B with the brightness
increased from that of the image data for the screen A or the image
signal acquired by the image sensor 21 by a value that corresponds
to a predetermined correction level (e.g., 1 level). Then, the image
data for the screen B thus created is stored in the screen B region
of the RAM 25. The image data for the screen A and the image data
for the screen B are processed by the monitor control unit 23, and
are displayed on the back face monitor 15.
[0138] Such an arrangement allows the user to observe a through
image displayed on the screen A, and to examine the image with a
different brightness, thereby allowing the user to ascertain an
appropriate exposure amount. Note that an arrangement may be made
in which the image data for the screen B is created by simulating
an image with other image capturing settings, e.g., the ISO sensitivity
or the like, instead of the exposure setting value.
Modification 6
[0139] Also, an arrangement may be made in which, in the image
capturing mode, the images each captured with different camera settings
are displayed on the screen A and the screen B of the back face
monitor 15, respectively, immediately after the image capturing.
Examples of the camera settings include: exposure correction setting,
ISO sensitivity setting, image quality adjustment, etc. Note that
the term "image quality adjustment" as used here represents
the setting of the image quality adjustment values used for the
image processing device 22 for creating image data, examples of
which include: the level of the edge enhancement, the contrast value,
the color density, the hue, etc.
[0140] Description will be made with reference to the flowchart
in FIG. 16 regarding an arrangement in which two images are consecutively
captured, one of which is captured without exposure correction,
and the other of which is captured with exposure correction.
[0141] Upon fully pressing the shutter release button 10, the flow
proceeds to Step S601 where the image sensor 21 captures a first
image of the subject without exposure correction. In the following
Step S602, the image processing unit 22 processes the image signal
output from the image sensor 21 so as to create the image data for
the screen A which is to be displayed on the back face monitor 15,
and the storage image data for the screen A which is to be stored
in the external memory 28. In Step S603, the image data for the
screen A and the storage image data for the screen A are stored
in the screen A region of the RAM 25.
[0142] In Step S604, determination is made again whether or not
the shutter release button 10 has been fully pressed. In a case
that the shutter release button lo has not been fully pressed, the
flow stands by in this step. In a case that the release button has
been fully pressed again, the flow proceeds to Step S605. Note that
an arrangement may be made in which, upon fully pressing the shutter
release button 10 once, the images are automatically and serially
captured. With such an arrangement, Step S604 can be eliminated.
[0143] In Step S605, the image sensor 21 captures a second image
of the subject. In Step S605, the image capturing processing is
performed using the exposure correction value set in advance while
the first image has been captured without exposure correction. For
example, let us consider a case in which the exposure correction
value of -1 has been set. In this case, the second image is captured
with an increased shutter speed, or a narrowed aperture, that differs
by 1 level from that of the first image capturing processing.
[0144] In Step S606, the image processing unit 22 processes the
image signal output from the image sensor 21 so as to create the
image data for the screen B which is to be displayed on the back
face monitor 15, and the storage image data for the screen B which
is to be stored in the external memory 28. In Step S607, the image
data for the screen B and the storage image data for the screen
B are stored in the screen B region of the RAM 25. In Step S608,
the image processing unit 22 reads out the image data for the screen
A and the image data for the screen B from the RAM 25, creates a
composite image based upon the image data for the screen A and the
image data for the screen B, and stores the composite image in the
display image region of the RAM 25. In Step S609, the monitor control
unit 23 reads out the composite image data from the display image
region of the RAM 25, and displays the composite image data on the
back face monitor 15.
[0145] In Step S610, determination is made whether or not the cross
key 14 has been operated in the left direction. In a case that the
cross key 14 has been operated in the left direction, the flow proceeds
to Step S611. In Step S611, the control unit 20 stores the storage
image data for the screen A, which has been stored in the RAM 25,
in the external memory 28, whereupon the process ends. On the other
hand, in a case that the cross key 14 has not been operated in the
left direction, the flow proceeds to Step S612. In Step S612, determination
is made whether or not the cross key 14 has been operated in the
right direction. In a case that the cross key 14 has been operated
in the right direction, the flow proceeds to Step S613. In Step
S613, the control unit 20 stores the storage image data for the
screen B, which has been stored in the RAM 25, in the external memory
28, whereupon the process ends. On the other hand, in a case that
the cross key 14 has not been operated in the right direction, the
flow returns to step S610.
[0146] As described above, with such an arrangement, two images
are captured, each with different settings, one of which is captured
without exposure correction, and the other of which is captured
with exposure correction. Then, the two images, each thus captured
with different settings, are displayed on the single back face monitor
15. Such an arrangement allows the user to make a comparison between
the two images, each captured with different settings, which are
displayed on the single back face monitor 15, specifically, on the
screens A and B of the back face monitor 15. Furthermore, such an
arrangement allows the user to store a desired image in the memory
card 28 by operating the cross key 14 in the left or the right direction.
[0147] Let us consider an arrangement for capturing images with
different ISO sensitivity settings. With such an arrangement, in
Step S605 shown in FIG. 16, the second image is captured with a
modified ISO sensitivity relative to the first captured image. On
the other hand, let us consider an arrangement for capturing images
with different image quality settings. With such an arrangement,
in Step S605 shown in FIG. 16, the second image is captured with
modified image quality settings relative to the first captured image.
[0148] Note that, with such an arrangement for capturing images
with different image quality adjustment settings, the image capturing
step may be performed only once. With such an arrangement, Steps
S604 and Step S605 are eliminated from the flowchart shown in FIG.
16. Furthermore, in Step S606, the image processing unit 22 processes
the image signal received from the image sensor 21 with image quality
adjustment settings that differ from those used in the image processing
in Step S602 so as to create the image data for the screen B and
the storage image data for the screen B.
[0149] On the other hand, let us consider a case in which the digital
camera 1 includes a vibration reduction mechanism. In this case,
the setting which is to be modified for capturing images may be
the ON/OFF setting of the vibration reduction mechanism. With such
an arrangement, the image captured with the vibration reduction
mechanism ON is displayed on the screen A. On the other hand, the
image captured with the vibration reduction mechanism OFF is displayed
on the screen B.
[0150] As described above, with the digital camera 1 having a function
of modifying various image capturing setting conditions, such an
arrangement allows the user to store a desired image after the user
has examined multiple images each captured with different settings
immediately after the images are thus captured.
Modification 7
[0151] Also, an arrangement may be made in which, in the image
display mode, the screen A displays a captured image in a single
frame display format, and the screen B displays a part of the image
data that is displayed on the screen A in an enlarged form. FIG.
17A shows an example of the screen A displayed on the back face
monitor 15. FIG. 17B shows an example of the screen B displayed
on the back face monitor 15.
[0152] Let us consider a case in which the image data stored in
the external memory 28 is displayed on the screen A of the back
face monitor 15 in a single frame format. In this case, upon the
zoom button 11 being operated by being pressed, the screen B displays
an enlarged image with an electronic zoom magnification that corresponds
to the user's operation via the zoom button 11. The region surrounded
by an enlargement frame 400 indicates the enlargement region which
is displayed on the screen B in an enlarged form. The position of
the enlargement frame 400 in the screen A, that is, the are of the
image to be displayed in an enlargement form can be selected through
the operation of the cross key 14 by the user. Description will
be made below regarding the processing for such an arrangement.
[0153] In the image display mode, the image processing unit 22
reads out the image data stored in the external memory 28, creates
the image data for the screen A, and stores the image data for the
screen A thus created in the screen A region and the screen B region
of the RAM 25. In this stage, the same image is displayed on the
screen A and the screen B. Next, upon the user operating the zoom
button 11 and the cross key 14 so as to input instructions to select
and enlarge a region of the image which the user wishes to enlarge,
the image processing unit 22 trims the image data for the screen
A so as to extract the region indicated by the enlargement region
400. The image data of the enlargement region 400 thus trimmed is
resized to a size suitable for the size of the back face monitor
15, and the image data thus resized is then stored in the screen
B region of the RAM 25 as the new image data for the screen B. The
image processing unit 22 reads out the image data for the screen
A and the image data for the screen B, and creates composite image
data based upon the image data for the screen A and the image data
for the screen B. Then, the monitor control unit 23 displays the
composite image data having been thus subjected to the combining
processing on the back face monitor 15.
[0154] Let us consider a case in which an enlarged image of the
captured image is displayed on the screen B. In this case, an arrangement
may be made in which, upon pressing the shutter release button 10,
the image data of the region which has been obtained by trimming
and which is indicated by the enlargement region 400 is stored in
the external memory 28, in addition to the captured image displayed
on the screen A. With such an arrangement, when an enlarged image
is displayed, upon pressing the shutter release button 10, the image
processing unit 22 trims the image data for the screen A so as to
extract the region indicated by the enlargement region 400, thereby
creating the trimmed image data. The trimmed image data thus created
is stored in the external memory 28. The trimmed image data may
be stored in the external memory after being resized to a size suitable
for the size of the back face monitor 15.
[0155] As described above, with such an arrangement, the captured
image and the enlargement of the captured image are displayed on
the screens A and B of the back face monitor 15, respectively. Such
an arrangement allows the user to immediately make a comparison
between the captured image without resizing and the enlargement
of the captured image. Furthermore, with such an arrangement, the
enlargement frame 400 is displayed on the screen A, thereby allowing
the user to immediately ascertain which region is to be extracted
by trimming.
Modification 8
[0156] Also, an arrangement may be made in which, in the image
display mode, the screen A displays the image data before image
processing, and the screen B displays the image data after image
processing. Examples of the image processing include: dark area
tone correction processing, which is primarily for correcting the
tone of a dark area in the image data; filter processing such as
edge enhancement processing, color conversion processing, etc.,
and so forth.
[0157] Description will be made regarding an arrangement which
performs dark area tone correction processing for the image data.
FIG. 18A shows an example of the screen A displayed on the back
face monitor 15. FIG. 18B shows an example of the screen B displayed
on the back face monitor 15.
[0158] Let us consider a case in which the image data of the captured
image stored in the external memory 28 is displayed on the screen
A of the back face monitor 15 in a single frame display format.
In this case, upon pressing the function button 16, the screen B
displays the image data as subjected to the dark area tone correction
processing. The hatched region shown in FIG. 18A corresponds to
the dark area which is to be subjected to the dark area tone correction
processing.
[0159] In the image display mode, first, the control unit 20 reads
out the image data of the captured image stored in the external
memory 28, and stores the image data thus read out in the RAM 25,
The image processing unit 22 processes the image data thus stored
in the RAM 25 so as to create the image data for the screen A, and
stores the image data for the screen A thus created in the screen
A region and the screen B region of the RAM 25. In this stage, the
screen A and the screen B display the same image.
[0160] Next, upon the user pressing the function button 16, the
image processing unit 22 performs the dark area tone correction
processing for the image data thus stored in the RAM 25, thereby
creating the processed image data. The processed image data thus
created is stored in the screen B region of the RAM 25 as the new
image data for the screen B. The image processing unit 22 reads
out the image data for the screen A and the image data for the screen
B from the RAM 25, and creates the composite image data based upon
the image data for the screen A and the image data for the screen
B. Then, the monitor control unit 23 displays the processed composite
image data on the back face monitor 15. In this state, upon further
pressing the shutter release button 10, the control unit 20 stores
the processed image data thus created in the external memory 28.
[0161] As described above, with such an arrangement, the screens
A and B of the back face monitor 15 display the captured image and
the processed image that is obtained by performing predetermined
image processing for the captured image, respectively. Let us consider
a case in which image processing is performed for the captured image
displayed on the screen A. In this case, such an arrangement allows
the user to immediately make a comparison between the image before
the processing and the image after the processing in a relatively
simple manner.
[0162] Note that the trimming processing described in Modification
7 may be understood to be included in the image processing explained
in Modification 8.
[0163] As described above, with the digital camera according to
the embodiment and Modifications 1-8 of the present invention, a
plurality of sets of information can be ascertained easily.
[0164] The above-described embodiments are examples, and various
modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the
invention.
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