JP4453497B2 - Imaging apparatus and program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus and the like, and more particularly to an imaging apparatus and the like that can process and display a captured image.

  In a mobile communication terminal (such as a mobile phone) with a digital camera or a photographing function, various optional functions (for example, a game function) are added in addition to the basic function. One of them is an image roulette (image shuffle) function that displays a plurality of captured images at random on a monitor (for example, Patent Document 1). With such a function, it is possible to use the photographed image more intentionally than simply displaying it.

However, in the conventional image roulette as disclosed in Patent Document 1, the captured image is simply displayed as it is at random. For this reason, there is no change in the displayed image, and the freshness and taste are lacking. In addition, since a monitor provided in an imaging apparatus such as a digital camera is small in size, the game performance may be hindered, for example, it may be difficult to recognize a roulette-displayed image depending on the angle of view of the captured image.
JP 2000-196918 A

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide an imaging apparatus or the like having an additional function with higher taste.

In order to achieve the above object, an imaging apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention provides:
In an imaging apparatus comprising: an imaging unit; and a display unit that displays an image captured by the imaging unit.
Image extracting means for extracting a plurality of images to be displayed from a captured image captured by the imaging means ;
Selection means for randomly selecting one of the plurality of images extracted by the image extraction means in a state where one of the images extracted by the image extraction means is fixedly displayed on the display means;
Display control means for displaying an image randomly selected by the selection means on the display means together with the fixedly displayed image ;
When the image randomly selected by the selection means is the same image as the image fixedly displayed on the display means, the image randomly selected by the selection means is displayed on the display means together with the image fixedly displayed. Prohibition means to prohibit display,
It is characterized by providing.

The imaging apparatus sequentially switches the image displayed on the display unit together with the fixedly displayed image by repeatedly selecting a random image by the selection unit and displaying the selected image by the display control unit. You may make it further provide the shuffle display means to perform a shuffle display.

In the imaging apparatus , the image extraction unit extracts a partial image from one captured image captured by the imaging unit, and adds the extracted one partial image to a display target. And a second image extraction unit that extracts a plurality of partial images from one captured image captured by the imaging unit and adds the extracted partial images to a display target.

The imaging apparatus uses the first image extraction unit or the second image extraction unit to extract one or a plurality of images to be displayed for each captured image captured by the imaging unit. You may make it further provide the image extraction control means to select.
In the imaging apparatus, the image extraction unit may extract an arbitrary portion designated by a user as the partial image.
In the imaging apparatus, the image extraction unit further includes a scaling unit that scales the extracted partial image in accordance with a size of a display area on the display unit that displays the randomly selected image. It may be.

In order to achieve the above object, a program according to the second aspect of the present invention is:
A computer for controlling an imaging apparatus comprising: an imaging unit ; and a display unit that displays an image captured by the imaging unit.
Image extracting means for extracting a plurality of images to be displayed from a captured image captured by the imaging means;
Selection means for randomly selecting one of the plurality of images extracted by the image extraction means in a state where one of the images extracted by the image extraction means is fixedly displayed on the display means;
Display control means for displaying an image randomly selected by the selection means on the display means together with the fixedly displayed image;
When the image randomly selected by the selection means is the same image as the image fixedly displayed on the display means, the image randomly selected by the selection means is displayed on the display means together with the image fixedly displayed. Prohibition means to prohibit display,
It is characterized by functioning .

According to the present invention, a plurality of images to be displayed are extracted from the captured image captured by the imaging unit , and the extracted plurality of images are fixedly displayed on the display unit. In an imaging device such as a digital camera having a function of displaying one of the images at random and displaying the randomly selected image together with the fixedly displayed image on the display means, the randomly selected image is: In the case where the image is the same as the image fixedly displayed on the display means, the randomly selected image is prohibited from being displayed on the display means together with the fixedly displayed image. This can be used when a combination of a plurality of images is shuffled and displayed in order to determine a combination or a combination .

  Embodiments according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the present embodiment, an imaging device that acquires image data using an imaging device such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) is used. This imaging apparatus is, for example, a digital camera or a mobile communication terminal (for example, a mobile phone) having a photographing function. In the present embodiment, an example in which the imaging apparatus is a digital camera will be described below.

  A configuration of an imaging apparatus (digital camera) according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a system configuration (internal configuration) of a digital camera 100 according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 2 shows an example of the appearance of the digital camera 100 (FIG. 2A is a front view, FIG. ) Is a rear view). As illustrated, the digital camera 100 according to the present embodiment includes a control unit 110, a lens unit 121, a lens driving unit 122, an image sensor 123, an A / D converter 124, an operation unit 130, a display unit 141, and a display control unit. 142, an image memory 150, an image processing unit 160, a storage unit 170, an image processing unit 180, and the like.

  The control unit 110 includes, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and controls each unit of the digital camera 100.

  The lens unit 121 is composed of an optical member composed of a lens group, diaphragm blades, and the like, and collects incident light to form an image on the image sensor 123.

  The lens driving unit 122 includes a power unit such as a motor, a power transmission unit that transmits power of the power unit through a shaft, a gear, and the like, and drives an optical member of the lens unit 121 under the control of the control unit 110.

  The imaging device 123 is configured by, for example, a CCD (Charge Coupled Device), and converts visible light (incident light) incident through the lens unit 121 into electric charge by photoelectric conversion and accumulates it.

  The A / D converter (analog-digital converter) 124 converts the charge amount (analog signal) into digital data. That is, the converted digital data constitutes image data obtained from incident light.

  The operation unit 130 is composed of a member operated by the user, and receives an instruction from the user. The operation unit 130 inputs a user instruction to the control unit 110 by sending a predetermined signal corresponding to the operation to the control unit 110. In the present embodiment, the operation unit 130 includes at least a shutter button 131 and an operation input unit 132 (see FIG. 2).

  The shutter button 131 includes a button that can be moved up and down in response to a press by the user, and a signal that instructs the start of shooting (hereinafter referred to as a “shutter signal”) when pressed by the user. 110. Note that the shutter button 131 may be constituted by, for example, a release or a remote controller.

  The operation input unit 132 includes, for example, predetermined operation buttons, dials, cursor keys, and the like, and instructions for changing various settings are input by user operations. In the present embodiment, it is used for changing / setting various modes including a photographing mode.

  The display unit 141 is composed of, for example, a liquid crystal display device, and displays and outputs image information. In the present embodiment, in addition to displaying an image obtained by the image sensor 123 and an image recorded in the storage unit 170, a menu screen for changing settings is displayed. Note that when the display unit 141 includes a touch panel or the like, the display unit 141 may function as an input device equivalent to the operation input unit 132.

  The display control unit 142 controls the display unit 141 to display an image or the like according to an instruction from the control unit 110. In the present embodiment, display control is performed so that the image processed image is displayed on the display unit 141 in cooperation with the image processing unit 160.

  The image memory 150 is composed of a storage device such as a RAM (Random Access Memory), for example, and image data processed by the image processing unit 160 is developed.

  The image processing unit 160 includes, for example, a circuit for image processing, and performs various image processing on the image captured by the digital camera 100.

  The storage unit 170 includes, for example, a storage device such as a ROM (Read Only Memory) or a flash memory, and a program executed by the control unit 110, data necessary for each process (hereinafter referred to as “process data”), and the like. Remember.

  In the present embodiment, the storage unit 170 includes a detachable memory card 171 and records captured image data to be stored. In the present embodiment, an original image folder that is an area for storing original image data indicating a captured image and a partial image folder that is an area for storing a partial image obtained by extracting a part of the original image are created in the memory card 171. Shall.

  The image processing unit 180 includes an image processing circuit and the like, and processes image data stored in the memory card 171. In the present embodiment, an image shuffle control unit 181 that performs processing for extracting a partial image from an image stored in the memory card 171 and performing shuffle display is provided. The image processing unit 180 cooperates with the control unit 110 and the display control unit 142 to display the processed image on the display unit 141 as an image roulette (details will be described later).

  The digital camera 100 according to the present embodiment has the above configuration. Note that each of the above-described configurations is a main part necessary for carrying out the present invention, and in addition to these, the digital camera 100 includes other configurations and functions necessary as a digital camera, and other additional configurations and functions. Etc. shall be provided as necessary.

  Next, the operation of the digital camera 100 configured as described above will be described with reference to the drawings. The digital camera 100 according to the present embodiment is assumed to have a game function for providing a game using a photographed image in addition to a normal photographing function and a display function for displaying a photographed image. In the game function in the present embodiment, a virtual roulette game (image roulette) is provided by randomly displaying (shuffling) the captured images. That is, the digital camera 100 according to the present embodiment is provided with a mode (hereinafter referred to as “image shuffle mode”) for performing image roulette by displaying the captured image in a shuffle manner in addition to the normal shooting mode and display mode. It is assumed that

  An image used for the image roulette is captured by the digital camera 100. In the present embodiment, image data of an image captured by the digital camera 100 is stored in the original image folder of the memory card 171.

  To start the image roulette, the image shuffle mode is selected on a predetermined menu screen displayed on the display unit 141. Here, the mode is selected and determined by the user operating the operation input unit 132.

  When the image shuffle mode is selected, an “image roulette execution process” for performing image roulette is executed by the image shuffle control unit 181.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining image roulette execution processing. When the process is started, the image shuffle control unit 181 first substitutes “1”, which is an initial value, for a variable n for counting the number of images to be shuffled (step S101). Here, in the present embodiment, for example, the number of images that can be displayed in one image roulette operation is determined in advance according to the processing capability of the digital camera 100, and the upper limit number is a constant Pmax.

  Next, the image shuffle control unit 181 accesses the original image folder of the memory card 171 and acquires image data of the stored captured image. The image shuffle control unit 181 creates reduced images (thumbnail images) of the images indicated in the acquired image data, and creates a list image as shown in FIG. 7A arranged so as to be displayed as a list. The image shuffle control unit 181 displays the created list image on the display unit 141 in cooperation with the control unit 110 and the display control unit 142 (step S102). Here, thumbnail images constituting the list image are displayed on the display unit 141 so as to be selectable.

  That is, the user operates the operation input unit 132 to select a desired image from a plurality of images displayed on the display unit 141.

  When a desired image is selected, the image shuffle control unit 181 displays the selected image in full size (a size in which the entire area of the image is displayed) on the display unit 141, as shown in FIG. 7B. In addition, selection fields “snap” and “collection” for selecting a selection form of the partial images to be shuffled are displayed.

  Here, “snap” is a selection form in the case of selecting a partial image, for example, an image in which a single person is shown like a snapshot. That is, if there is one part in the image that is to be shuffled, “Snap” is selected.

  On the other hand, “group” is a selection form in the case of selecting a partial image, for example, an image in which a plurality of persons are shown like a group photo. That is, when there are a plurality of parts to be shuffled display objects in the image, “set” is selected.

  Here, each selection column is associated with a predetermined button constituting the operation input unit 132, and the image shuffle control unit 181 and the control unit 110 can select “snap” or “snap” depending on which button is operated. It is determined which of “set” is selected.

  When “snap” is selected (step S103: Yes), “partial image selection processing 1” for selecting one partial image from one image is executed (step S200), and “set” is selected. If this is the case (step S103: No), “partial image selection processing 2” for selecting a plurality of partial images from one image is executed (step S300).

  First, a case where “snap” is selected will be described. FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the partial image selection process 1 executed in this case.

  When the processing is started, the image shuffle control unit 181 creates a partial selection screen S1 as shown in FIG. 8A in which a predetermined rectangular frame PB is combined with the selected image, and the display unit 141 displays the partial selection screen S1. It is displayed (step S201).

  Here, as shown in FIG. 8A, the selected image is displayed in full size. In addition, a rectangular frame PB having a predetermined size (default size) defined in advance is displayed on the partial selection screen S1, for example, at the center (default position) of the image. The size and position can be arbitrarily set by the user. Can be changed by specifying.

  That is, when the user operates the operation input unit 132, the size and position of the rectangular frame PB are changed. Here, for example, a predetermined pointer corresponding to each of the size change and the position change is displayed together with the partial selection screen S1, and the size and position of the rectangular frame PB are operated by operating the pointer using the operation input unit 132. To change.

  In the selected image, the user designates the size and position so that the rectangular frame PB fits the portion (for example, the face portion of a person) to be shuffled.

  The control unit 110 and the image shuffle control unit 181 identify that the size or position of the rectangular frame PB has been changed according to the operation of the operation input unit 132 by the user. When the size and / or position of the rectangular frame PB is changed (step S202: Yes), the image shuffle control unit 181 sets a value (current value) indicating the changed position and size of the current rectangular frame PB. Obtain (step S203). Here, the position and size of the rectangular frame PB are identified based on the coordinate values on the image.

  On the other hand, when there is no change of the rectangular frame PB by the user (step S202: No), the image shuffle control unit 181 acquires a default value of the rectangular frame PB (step S204). This default value is a value (coordinate value) indicating the default position and default size of the rectangular frame PB initially displayed on the partial selection screen S1.

  When the position and size of the rectangular frame PB are identified by the acquired current value or default value, the image shuffle control unit 181 extracts a portion within the rectangular frame PB and cuts it out as a partial image (step S205). Here, based on the coordinate value indicating the position and size of the rectangular frame PB, a pixel in the rectangular frame PB is specified, and data (pixel value or the like) indicating the specified pixel is acquired, and is cut out as a partial image.

  The image shuffle control unit 181 stores the cut-out partial image in the partial image folder in the memory card 171 (step S206). Here, a new partial image file is created and stored in the partial image folder. The partial image file has a data structure as shown in FIG. As shown in the figure, the partial image file includes an image address and partial image data. The image address is address information (for example, directory path information) indicating the storage location of the partial image data included in the partial image file.

  When the partial image is stored, the image shuffle control unit 181 updates the current variable n by adding 1 (step S207), and ends the process. That is, the process returns to the image roulette execution process flow shown in FIG.

  Next, a case where “set” is selected will be described. FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining the partial image selection processing 2 executed in this case.

  When the processing is started, the image shuffle control unit 181 creates a partial selection screen S2 as shown in FIG. 8B, in which a predetermined rectangular frame PB is combined with the selected image, and is displayed on the display unit 141. Display (step S301).

  Here, as shown in FIG. 8B, the selected image is displayed in a full size (a size in which the entire area of the image is displayed). In addition, on the partial selection screen S2, a rectangular frame PB having a predetermined size (default size) defined in advance is displayed, for example, at the center (default position) of the image. Can be changed by specifying. Here, when the face portion of a person is specified in a group photo or the like, these are smaller than the snapshot. Therefore, by making the default size of the rectangular frame PB when “set” is selected smaller than the default size of the rectangular frame PB when “snap” is selected, the user can easily specify a part. become.

  That is, when the user operates the operation input unit 132, the size and position of the rectangular frame PB are changed. Here, for example, a predetermined pointer corresponding to each of the size change and the position change is displayed together with the partial selection screen S1, and the size and position of the rectangular frame PB are operated by operating the pointer using the operation input unit 132. To change.

  In the selected image, the user designates the size and position so that the rectangular frame PB fits the portion (for example, the face portion of a person) to be shuffled.

  The control unit 110 and the image shuffle control unit 181 identify that the size or position of the rectangular frame PB has been changed according to the operation of the operation input unit 132 by the user. When the size and / or position of the rectangular frame PB is changed (step S302: Yes), the image shuffle control unit 181 sets a value (current value) indicating the changed position and size of the current rectangular frame PB. Obtain (step S303). Here, the position and size of the rectangular frame PB are identified based on the coordinate values on the image.

  On the other hand, when there is no change of the rectangular frame PB by the user (step S302: No), the image shuffle control unit 181 acquires a default value of the rectangular frame PB (step S304). This default value is a value (coordinate value) indicating the default position and default size of the rectangular frame PB initially displayed on the partial selection screen S1.

  When the position and size of the rectangular frame PB are identified by the acquired current value or default value, the image shuffle control unit 181 extracts a portion within the rectangular frame PB and cuts it out as a partial image (step S305). Here, based on the coordinate value indicating the position and size of the rectangular frame PB, a pixel in the rectangular frame PB is specified, and data (pixel value or the like) indicating the specified pixel is acquired, and is cut out as a partial image.

  The image shuffle control unit 181 changes the size of the clipped partial image (step S306). That is, for example, in an image in which a plurality of persons are shown like a group photo, the face portion of each person is small. Therefore, the cut-out partial image is scaled (enlarged) according to the size of the display area to be shuffled, for example.

  The image shuffle control unit 181 stores the partial image data after scaling in the partial image folder in the memory card 171 (step S307). Here, as in the case of the partial image selection process 1, a partial image file having a data structure as shown in FIG. 9A is created and stored in the partial image folder.

  When the partial image is stored in the memory card 171, the image shuffle control unit 181 updates the current variable n by adding 1 (step S308), and determines whether or not the updated variable n is less than Pmax. (Step S309).

  Here, when the updated variable n is less than Pmax, that is, when the number of selected partial images has not reached the upper limit (step S309: Yes), a further partial image can be designated. In this case, the image shuffle control unit 181 displays a confirmation screen as shown in FIG. 8C on the display unit 141 in order to inquire the user whether or not to continue designating further partial images (step S310). . As shown in the figure, the confirmation screen displays a message for inquiring whether or not to continue further designation, and a selection field for selecting continuation or termination.

  The user selects the selection field “Continue” when further designating a partial image in the selected image, and selects the selection field “End” when finishing designating the partial image. Each of these selection fields is associated with, for example, a predetermined button that constitutes the operation input unit 132, and when any one of the buttons is operated, the control unit 110 and the image shuffle control unit 181 have “ It is identified that either “Continue” or “End” is selected.

  If continuation of partial image designation is selected (step S311: No), the process returns to step S301, and the user is allowed to designate a further partial image.

  On the other hand, if the end of the partial image designation is selected (step S311: Yes), and if the updated variable n has reached Pmax (step S309: No), the process ends, and the image shown in FIG. Return to the roulette execution process flow.

  In the image roulette execution process (FIG. 3), when a partial image is selected by the partial image selection process 1 or the partial image selection process 2 described above, it is determined whether or not the current variable n is 3 or more ( Step S104). This is because an image roulette is not established unless at least two images (partial images) are designated. Therefore, the number of partial images that have been designated so far is 2 or more (n−1 ≧ 2), that is, the current variable n updated in the partial image selection process 1 or the partial image selection process 2 is 3 It is determined whether or not (n ≧ 3).

  When the number of partial images specified up to now is less than 2, that is, when the variable n is less than 3 (No in step S104), the process returns to step S102 to allow the user to specify a further partial image.

  On the other hand, when the number of partial images specified up to now is 2 or more, that is, when the variable n is 3 or more (step S104: Yes), the image shuffle control unit 181 further determines that the updated variable n is It is determined whether or not Pmax, which is the upper limit of the number of images that can be shuffled, has been reached (step S105).

  If the variable n is less than Pmax (step S105: Yes), a further partial image can be designated. In this case, the image shuffle control unit 181 displays a confirmation screen as shown in FIG. 8C on the display unit 141 in order to inquire the user whether or not to continue designating further partial images (step S106). . As shown in the figure, the confirmation screen displays a message for inquiring whether or not to continue further designation, and a selection field for selecting continuation or termination.

  The user selects the selection field “Continue” when further designating the partial image, and selects the selection field “End” when finishing the designation of the partial image. Each of these selection fields is associated with, for example, a predetermined button that constitutes the operation input unit 132, and when any one of the buttons is operated, the control unit 110 and the image shuffle control unit 181 have “ It is identified that either “Continue” or “End” is selected.

  When continuation of partial image designation is selected (step S107: No), the process returns to step S102, and the user is caused to designate a further partial image.

  On the other hand, when the end of partial image designation is selected (step S107: Yes), or when the number of designated partial images reaches the upper limit value Pmax (step S105: No), the image shuffle control unit 181 The process for designating the image is terminated, and the “shuffle display process” for shuffled display of the designated partial image is executed (step S400).

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining the shuffle display process. When the processing is started, the image shuffle control unit 181 accesses the partial image folder of the memory card 171 and acquires a partial image file including the image data of the designated partial image (step S401). Hereinafter, the number of target partial images is P. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that nine partial images are designated (P = 9).

  When the partial image data is acquired, the image shuffle control unit 181 displays a list of the acquired partial images on the display unit 141 (step S402).

  In the present embodiment, a specific partial image (hereinafter referred to as “current image”) is displayed in a left half area of the screen (hereinafter referred to as current image display area CR), and is randomly displayed as a roulette image (shuffle display). ) Is displayed in a right half area of the screen (hereinafter referred to as a roulette image display area RR). Therefore, on the list screen, each partial image is displayed so as to be selectable in order to allow the user to designate the current image.

  The user selects and designates a desired partial image as the current image by operating the operation input unit 132.

  When the current image is designated (step S403: Yes), an image listing table to be referred to in order to display the partial images at random is created in the memory card 171 (step S404). FIG. 9B is a diagram illustrating an example of an image listing table.

  As illustrated, the image listing table includes items “image number”, “current flag”, “random number”, “image address”, and the like. In the item “image number”, an identification number uniquely assigned to each acquired partial image file is recorded. Here, since nine partial images are targeted, for example, numbers 1 to 9 are assigned to each image. In the item “current flag”, a flag indicating which is the current image is recorded. It is assumed that the flag “1” is assigned to the current image and the flag “0” is assigned to the other images. In the item “random value”, a random value assigned to each partial image is recorded. Note that “0” is assigned to the random value of the partial image designated as the current image, and values in the range of 1 to 8 (1 to (P−1)) are uniquely assigned to the other images. In “image address”, address information indicating the storage location of each image is recorded.

  When the image listing table is created, the image shuffle control unit 181 records the current flag of the image designated in step S403 as “1” and the current flags of other images as “0” in the image listing table (step S405). ).

  Next, the image shuffle control unit 181 cooperates with the control unit 110 and the display control unit 142 to display the current image specified in the current image display region CR on the display unit 141 as shown in FIG. Display (step S406).

  Next, the image shuffle control unit 181 determines the image cycle number R (step S407). The number of image rounds is the number of times the image roulette is turned. The image circulation number R may be specified in advance or may be arbitrarily designated by the user.

  Next, the image shuffle control unit 181 generates a random number in the range of the image number of the target image, that is, in the range of 1 to 9 (1 to P) (step S408). Here, for example, the image shuffle control unit 181 may include a predetermined random number generation circuit to generate a random number, or the image shuffle control unit 181 or the control unit 110 may generate a random number by software processing. .

  When a random number is generated, the image shuffle control unit 181 accesses the image listing table created in the memory card 171 and records a record whose numerical value shown in the “random number” column matches the generated random number as a current value. The position is set (step S409), and it is determined whether or not the flag recorded in the “current flag” column of the record is “0” (step S410).

  That is, it is determined whether or not the image corresponding to the generated random number is an image other than the current image. Here, since the current image is fixedly displayed in the current image display region CR, the current image is not targeted for roulette (shuffle). Therefore, when the current flag of the image corresponding to the generated random number is 1, that is, when the image is the current image (step S410: No), the process returns to step S408, and the random number is generated again.

  On the other hand, when the current flag of the image corresponding to the generated random number is 0, that is, when the image is not the current image (step S410: Yes), the image shuffle control unit 181 is illustrated in FIG. In this manner, the image (roulette image) is displayed in the roulette image display area RR (step S411).

  When an image other than the current image is displayed in the right half area of the screen in this way, the image shuffle control unit 181 updates the image cycle number R by subtracting 1 from the image cycle number R (step S412). Whether or not is 0 is determined (step S413).

  Here, the image circulation number R indicates the roulette number (shuffle number). Therefore, by subtracting 1 every time a shuffle image is displayed, the remaining number of shuffles is indicated. Accordingly, when the updated image cycle count R is not 0 (step S413: No), the number of times of shuffle display still remains, so the process returns to step S408 to generate a random number again, and the right half area of the screen Change the image to be displayed at random.

  On the other hand, when the number of image rounds R is 0 (step S413: Yes), since the set number of times of shuffle display has been performed, the process ends. That is, the process returns to the image roulette execution process shown in FIG. In this case, the partial images displayed in the area on the right half of the screen change one after another until the image circulation number R becomes 0, and the selected partial image is displayed statically when the image circulation number R becomes 0. Let

  Through the above processing, a desired portion can be arbitrarily designated from the image captured by the digital camera 100 and displayed as an image roulette. In this case, the selection mode of the partial image can be changed and selected according to the size and number of subjects in the captured image. Accordingly, the user can easily designate a partial image, and can display a partial image with an appropriate size when performing image roulette (shuffle display).

  In the above shuffle display process, as shown in FIG. 11, a predetermined partial image (current image) is fixedly displayed in the current image display region CR, and another partial image (roulette image) is displayed in the roulette image display region RR. Randomly shuffled. In this case, after the combination of the left image and the right image changes a predetermined number of times, the last combined image is displayed statically, so that it can be played as, for example, a roulette game for determining a couple or combination.

  The said embodiment is an example and the application range of this invention is not restricted to this. That is, various applications are possible, and all embodiments are included in the scope of the present invention.

  For example, the number of partial images displayed in shuffle display is not limited to this and is arbitrary. That is, in the above shuffle display processing, an image roulette is used that uses two display areas: an area in which the current image is fixedly displayed and an area in which the partial image is shuffled (random display). It is good also as an image roulette which displays an image. In this case, for example, two or more other partial images may be shuffled with respect to one current image.

  Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 12, partial images may be randomly displayed one after another in one display area. For example, the face portion of a person shown in one group photo can be designated as a partial image and displayed one after another. In such a case, since the partial image is scaled and displayed by the partial image selection process 2, even if individual faces appearing in the group photo are reduced, they are displayed enlarged. Each person can be shuffled so that they can be recognized.

  In the shuffle display process, partial images are randomly displayed. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the partial images may be displayed in an arbitrary order such as a shooting order or a partial image designation order.

  In the above embodiment, the case where the image processing unit 180 and the display control unit 142 are included in the digital camera 100 as a hardware configuration is exemplified. However, these functions are performed by software processing by the control unit 110 executing a program. May be realized. In this case, an operation program for realizing the functions of these configurations is stored in advance in the storage unit 170 or the like and executed by the control unit 110, thereby functioning similarly to the digital camera 100 according to the above embodiment. It becomes.

  In this case, not only can the digital camera 100 in which such a program is incorporated in advance be provided, but also by applying such a program to an existing digital camera, the digital camera 100 according to the above embodiment can be caused to function. That is, by providing the operation program, installing it in an existing digital camera, and executing it, functions equivalent to those of the digital camera 100 according to the embodiment can be obtained.

  The method of providing such a program is arbitrary. For example, the program may be distributed via a communication medium such as the Internet as well as being provided by being stored in a recording medium such as a memory card.

  In the above embodiment, the case where the present invention is applied to a digital camera has been illustrated. However, the present invention can be applied to any apparatus as long as the apparatus has an imaging function and a display function. For example, the present invention may be applied to a mobile communication terminal (for example, a mobile phone) having an imaging function.

It is a block diagram which shows the internal structure of the digital camera concerning Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the external appearance of the digital camera concerning Embodiment 1 of this invention, (a) shows the front of a digital camera, (b) shows the back of a digital camera. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the "image roulette execution process" concerning Embodiment 1 of this invention. 12 is a flowchart for explaining “partial image selection processing 1” executed in “image roulette execution processing”. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the "partial image selection process 2" performed by the "image roulette execution process". 12 is a flowchart for explaining “shuffle display processing” executed in “image roulette execution processing”; It is a figure which shows the example of a display in "image roulette execution processing", (a) shows the example of a thumbnail image, (b) shows the example of a display when an image is selected. It is a figure which shows the example of a display in "image roulette execution process", (a) shows the example of a display of the partial selection screen in the partial image selection process 1, (b) is the example of a display of the partial selection screen in the partial image selection process 2 (C) shows a display example of a confirmation screen. It is a figure which shows the example of the information produced and recorded in embodiment concerning this invention, (a) shows the example of a data structure of a partial image file, (b) shows the example of an image listing table. It is a figure which shows the example of the image displayed by "shuffle display process", (a) shows the example when a current image is displayed, (b) shows the example of a shuffle display. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of the image roulette in "shuffle display process". It is a figure which shows the other example of a display of the image roulette in a "shuffle display process."

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 ... Digital camera, 110 ... Control part, 132 ... Operation input part, 141 ... Display part, 170 ... Memory | storage part 170, 171 ... Memory card 171, 180 ... Image processing part, 181 ... Image shuffle control part, S1, S2 ... Partial selection screen, PB ... rectangular frame, CR ... current image display area, RR ... roulette image display area

Claims (7)

In an imaging apparatus comprising: an imaging unit; and a display unit that displays an image captured by the imaging unit.
Image extracting means for extracting a plurality of images to be displayed from a captured image captured by the imaging means ;
Selection means for randomly selecting one of the plurality of images extracted by the image extraction means in a state where one of the images extracted by the image extraction means is fixedly displayed on the display means;
Display control means for displaying an image randomly selected by the selection means on the display means together with the fixedly displayed image ;
When the image randomly selected by the selection means is the same image as the image fixedly displayed on the display means, the image randomly selected by the selection means is displayed on the display means together with the image fixedly displayed. Prohibition means to prohibit display,
An imaging apparatus comprising: Shuffle display for performing shuffle display in which images to be displayed on the display unit are sequentially switched together with the fixed display image by repeatedly selecting a random image by the selection unit and displaying the selected image by the display control unit. A display means ,
The imaging apparatus according to claim 1. The image extracting means includes
A first image extraction unit that extracts one partial image from one captured image captured by the imaging unit and adds the extracted partial image to a display target;
A second image extracting unit that extracts a plurality of partial images from one captured image captured by the imaging unit and adds the extracted plurality of partial images to a display target;
The imaging apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein Image extraction control for selecting whether to extract one or a plurality of images to be displayed using the first image extraction unit or the second image extraction unit for each captured image captured by the imaging unit Further comprising means,
The imaging apparatus according to claim 3 . The image extracting means extracts an arbitrary part designated by a user as the partial image;
The imaging apparatus according to claim 3 or 4, wherein The image extracting means further includes scaling means for scaling the extracted partial image in accordance with the size of a display area on the display means for displaying the randomly selected image.
The image pickup apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the image pickup apparatus is an image pickup apparatus. A computer for controlling an imaging apparatus comprising: an imaging unit ; and a display unit that displays an image captured by the imaging unit.
Image extracting means for extracting a plurality of images to be displayed from a captured image captured by the imaging means;
Selection means for randomly selecting one of the plurality of images extracted by the image extraction means in a state where one of the images extracted by the image extraction means is fixedly displayed on the display means;
Display control means for displaying an image randomly selected by the selection means on the display means together with the fixedly displayed image;
When the image randomly selected by the selection means is the same image as the image fixedly displayed on the display means, the image randomly selected by the selection means is displayed on the display means together with the image fixedly displayed. Prohibition means to prohibit display,
A program characterized by making it function .

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