JP4922149B2 - Display control device, camera, display control method, display control program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a display control device, a camera, a display control method, a display control program, more specifically, a display control device for displaying an image based on image data recorded on a recording medium on a display unit, and a camera having the display control device. The present invention relates to a display control method applied to the display control device and a display control program for causing a computer to execute the display control method.

  In recent years, an optical image formed based on a light beam from a subject incident through a photographing lens is photoelectrically converted by an image sensor to generate electronic digital image data, and this image data is stored in a recording medium such as a semiconductor memory. 2. Description of the Related Art A digital camera configured to have an image display device that can record and read image data recorded on a recording medium and reproduce and display it as an image on a display unit of the display device has been put into practical use and widely used.

  The image data acquired by such a digital camera and recorded on a recording medium is not limited to the digital camera itself that acquired the image data, such as other image display devices and image data processing devices that can handle similar image data. The image data can be used also in an external device, and the image data is not only displayed but also used for various purposes.

  On the other hand, in such conventional digital cameras and image display devices (hereinafter abbreviated as “digital cameras” and the like), since the recording media to be applied have become inexpensive, the recording capacity tends to increase. It is in. Accordingly, for example, the image data acquired by the digital camera and recorded and stored in the recording medium of the digital camera is not deleted or moved to another large-capacity medium, that is, on the recording medium of the digital camera. There is a tendency that the use of the digital camera is continued in a state where a large number of image data is held. In such a case, the number of image data recorded on the recording medium inevitably increases as the recording medium has a larger capacity. For this reason, in a conventional digital camera having a large-capacity recording medium, this is often used as an image display device.

  On the other hand, in a general conventional digital camera, for example, related information (also referred to as shooting information) about a shot image such as shooting date and time information at the time of shooting operation or set shooting conditions is attached to the header portion of the corresponding shot image data. An image data file of the form described above is generated and recorded on a recording medium. In this case, a predetermined standard is defined for the data file format and the like (for example, the Exif standard).

  When an image based on the image data recorded in this way is reproduced and displayed using an image display device, the image data is read from the recording medium and decompressed, and further an image signal for display is generated. The image signal obtained by performing image processing, resizing processing, and the like is sent to the display unit. Upon receiving this image signal, the display unit reproduces and displays the corresponding image. In this case, the shooting information attached to the image data read from the recording medium is also read, and the necessary information is displayed on the display unit using characters and symbols representing the specified language. It is also possible to display the image superimposed on the image. The shooting information displayed at this time includes, for example, shooting date / time information, exposure information such as aperture and shutter speed, white balance information, presence / absence of exposure correction, and correction amount.

  By the way, when using a digital camera or an image display device, a large number of image data recorded on a recording medium is used for the purpose of, for example, displaying a specific image or printing the specific image. A desired image is searched from the inside. In such a case, the target image is searched for while sequentially reproducing and displaying the image on the display unit based on the image data recorded on the recording medium according to the procedure described above.

  However, as described above, in recent years, the number of image data recorded on a recording medium has increased with the increase in capacity of the recording medium itself. Searching for the target image while checking it is very time consuming and inefficient.

  In addition, when searching for a target image while reproducing and displaying an image, there are many occasions where shooting information such as shooting date and time becomes an important clue. When performing an image search, the shooting date and time information attached to the image data is particularly important information.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in digital cameras and image display apparatuses that have been widely used, a relatively small display unit is usually used as a display unit for displaying an image. For this reason, if the above-described shooting information or the like is displayed superimposed on a small-size image displayed on the display unit, a display state that is disadvantageous for clearly discriminating the image itself will occur. In particular, in a digital camera, there is a limit to adopting a display unit having a large display area, and thus there may be a problem when the digital camera adopts a method of displaying shooting information superimposed on a display image. It can be said.

  Therefore, in the conventional digital camera, the user controls whether to display the shooting information when the image is displayed on the display unit, that is, whether to display or hide the shooting information. There is a control that can be instructed by arbitrarily operating.

  FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an operation procedure of display / non-display selection instruction of shooting information performed at the time of image reproduction display in a conventional digital camera.

  First, as shown in FIG. 10A, it is assumed that the image of image number 1 is displayed in the display area 121d of the display screen 121a, and the shooting information is displayed superimposed on this image. In FIG. 10A, the number shown in the predetermined area 121b in the upper left corner of the screen indicates the image number. In addition, it is assumed that the shooting information is displayed in a region 121c in a predetermined range near the approximate center of the display region 121d. In order to avoid complication of the drawings, the reference numerals are omitted in FIGS. 10B to 10F, but the reference numerals indicating the respective regions are the same as those in FIG. To do.

  In this state, when the image feed button, which is an operation member for switching the image display, is operated once by the user, the display on the display screen 121a is switched as shown in FIG. That is, the image with the image number 2 is displayed in the display area 121d, and the shooting information is displayed in the area 121c so as to be superimposed on the image.

  Thus, when shooting information is displayed superimposed on an image, the image displayed in the display area 121d is hidden by the shooting information displayed in the area 121c, and the image is clearly displayed. It becomes a situation that cannot be confirmed.

  Therefore, in the state of FIG. 10B, the user performs a selection instruction operation to hide the shooting information using a predetermined operation member, so that the display area 121d is displayed as shown in FIG. It is possible to switch so that only the image is displayed on the screen, so that the image can be easily confirmed. Even in this case, in the example of FIG. 10, the image number is displayed in the area 121b.

  Subsequently, when the user performs the image feed operation again in the state of FIG. 10C, the state of FIG. 10D, that is, the shooting information is not displayed, and the next image No. 3 image and its image are displayed. Only the number is displayed in the display areas 121d and 121b.

  Here, in the state shown in FIG. 10D, when it is desired to display the shooting information relating to the image number 3 being displayed, the user performs a selection instruction operation for displaying the shooting information using a predetermined operation member. By doing so, as shown in FIG. 10 (E), an image can be displayed in the display area 121d, and the display can be switched to a display in which the shooting information is displayed in the area 121c. Information can be verified.

  Here, when the image feeding operation is further performed by the user from the state of FIG. 10E, the shooting information is superimposed and displayed together with the image of the image number 4 as shown in FIG. 10F. The

  As described above, when displaying an image using a conventional digital camera, in order to display or hide shooting information, the user arbitrarily performs a selection switching operation as appropriate, and shooting information corresponding to the image is displayed. The target image is searched while confirming the above.

  On the other hand, in a conventional digital camera, when displaying and displaying an image, a method for simultaneously displaying an image and corresponding shooting information on a display unit is not limited to the above-described method, and for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2006-129370. In the past, various means have been proposed.

  The camera disclosed in the above Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-129370 has a color display unit for image display and a monochrome display unit for information display, and has two display modes as display modes for displaying information. That is, it has a normal display mode and an abbreviated display mode.

In the normal display mode, a large number of items of shooting information are displayed by superimposing them on the image displayed on the color display portion, while in the abbreviated display mode, the shooting information displayed in the normal display mode is displayed. Some of the items, for example, items related to exposure settings, shooting lens focal length, information on flashlight usage, etc., are omitted, and shooting information items displayed on the color display section are omitted. By reducing the number, the display area of the photographing information displayed on the color display unit is reduced. As a result, the content of the image is relatively easy to see on the color display unit. In this case, the items of the shooting information whose display is omitted on the color display unit are displayed on the information display unit (monochrome display unit).
JP 2006-129370 A

  However, in the example of the conventional digital camera shown in FIG. 10 described above, that is, in the method of switching the display and non-display of the shooting information by the user's arbitrary selection operation, in order to check the image and the shooting information, Each time, a selection operation must be performed. Therefore, the user is forced to perform a display switching operation in addition to the image forwarding operation, and there is a problem that it cannot be said that the operability is comfortable.

  On the other hand, according to the means disclosed in the above Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-129370, it is necessary to have a separate display unit for displaying information in addition to the display unit for displaying images. However, in consideration of the fact that in recent years, small digital cameras and the like that have been widely used generally do not include the sub display unit for displaying information, and only include a display unit for displaying images. It is necessary to provide a new one, and as a result, problems such as hindering downsizing and an increase in manufacturing cost occur.

  In addition, although it is possible to apply the means of the above publication without providing a sub-display unit, in that case, the display of items omitted in the abbreviated display mode remains omitted. . Therefore, when it is desired to check the shooting information of the item whose display is omitted in the abbreviated display mode, an operation for switching the display mode is required again, which causes a problem that the operability is hindered.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described points, and an object of the present invention is to provide an image display unit that displays an image and related information corresponding thereto without performing a switching operation related to display of the related information. In both cases, when it is necessary to display related information of the captured image, the related information is appropriately displayed, and when display of the related information is not necessary, display control is performed so that the related information is hidden. Display control device capable of performing efficient image search only by simple operation, camera having this display control device, display control method applied to the display control device, and display control for causing computer to execute this display control method Is to provide a program.

  In order to achieve the above object, an image display device according to the present invention is a display control device that displays an image based on image data recorded on a recording medium on a display unit. An image management unit that manages switching of images in the order in which they are arranged, and whether to display the specific image-related information, and displays an image on the display unit based on management by the image management unit The display control unit, and when the switching instruction is made continuously, the display control unit sequentially and sequentially switches the images in the order arranged based on the specific image-related information. After the continuous switching display of images, the specific image related information corresponding to each displayed image is displayed, and the continuous switching display of images is stopped. It is characterized by controlling so as not performed the display of the specific image-related information.

  A camera according to the present invention includes the display control device.

The display control method according to the present invention includes an image switching instruction in a display control method in which images based on image data recorded on a recording medium are sequentially switched in the order arranged based on specific image related information and displayed on the display unit. If the image is continuously displayed, control is performed to continuously switch and display images in the order in which they are arranged based on the specific image-related information. The specific image related information corresponding to each of the images is displayed, and control is performed so that the specific image related information is not displayed after the continuous switching display is completed.

  A display control program according to the present invention causes a computer to execute a display control method in which images based on image data recorded on a recording medium are sequentially switched in the order in which they are arranged based on specific image-related information and displayed on a display unit. When the image switching instruction is continuously issued, the control is performed to continuously switch and display the images in the order arranged based on the specific image related information, and the continuous switching display is performed. The step of displaying the specific image related information corresponding to each image being displayed during execution, and the specific image related information not being displayed after the execution of continuous switching display is completed. And a step of performing.

  According to the present invention, an image display unit that displays an image and related information corresponding thereto is provided, and when it is necessary to display related information of a captured image without performing a switching operation related to display of the related information, the related information is displayed. Is displayed appropriately, and when it is not necessary to display related information, the display control device realizes display control so that related information is not displayed, and can perform efficient image search only with a simple operation; A camera having the display control device, a display control method applied to the display control device, and a display control program for causing a computer to execute the display control method can be provided.

  The present invention will be described below with reference to the illustrated embodiments.

  One embodiment described below has a photographing optical system that forms an optical image of a subject with an optical lens or the like, and an optical image of the subject that is imaged by a light beam from the subject incident through the photographing optical system Is received by an image sensor, and the image sensor performs photoelectric conversion processing to acquire electronic image data. At the same time, setting information at the time of image capturing, information related to the captured image, etc. (referred to as image-related information). Image capturing apparatus capable of recording these image data and image-related information data as a single digital image data on a recording medium, and reading various image data recorded on the recording medium. For a digital camera configured integrally with an image display device capable of reproducing and displaying an image based on the generated image signal using a display unit after performing signal processing, It is an example of applying the invention.

  First, an outline of an internal configuration of a digital camera provided with the display control apparatus of the present embodiment will be described below with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 1 is a block configuration diagram showing an outline of an internal configuration of a display control apparatus (digital camera) according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the digital camera 1 has a CPU 10 that is a control circuit that controls electrical control of the entire digital camera 1 and a light image of a subject (hereinafter referred to as a subject image) that transmits a light beam from the subject side. ) And an incident amount (that is, exposure) of a light beam that is provided on the same axis as the optical axis O of the photographing optical system 11 and passes through the photographing optical system 11 and enters the digital camera 1. A photoelectric conversion element that receives a subject image formed by the photographing optical system 11 and performs photoelectric conversion processing to generate and output an electrical image signal, for example, CCD, CMOS An image pickup device 13 configured to receive the image signal output from the image pickup device 13 and convert it into a digital signal, and the like. Operation of the digital camera 1, an image processing unit 15 that performs various signal processing related to image signals handled in the camera 1, a RAM 16 that is a non-volatile semiconductor memory that temporarily stores image data being processed, and the like. ROM 19 composed of a nonvolatile semiconductor memory in which various control programs for control and various specified setting information are stored in advance, a display unit 21 for displaying a captured image, a menu setting screen for performing various settings, and the like, A display driving unit 20 that drives and controls the display unit 21, an image storage unit 18 that converts an image signal acquired by the digital camera 1 into image data in a recording format and performs recording processing on the recording medium 18 a, An operation of outputting a predetermined instruction signal to the CPU 10 in conjunction with the operation of various operation members provided in the digital camera 1. A control line 23 that connects the constituent blocks in the digital camera 1 and constructs a flow path of an electrical signal, and the like. Has mainly composed.

  In particular, the CPU 10 includes an image management unit 10 a for an image being displayed on the display unit 21. The image management unit 10a has an arrangement in which the order of switching display of images to be displayed on the display unit 21 is determined based on specific image related information in response to a switching operation instruction performed by the user using the operation unit 22. It is a control part for managing to perform.

  The image processing unit 15 receives the digital image signal output from the imaging unit 14, performs various signal processing to generate a display form image signal, and outputs the image signal to the display control unit 17. Processing such as generating an image signal and outputting it to the image storage unit 18 is performed. Specifically, for example, the image processing unit 15 performs a signal compression process that converts the digital image signal output from the imaging unit 14 into an image signal that conforms to a predetermined recording method, thereby converting the image signal in the recording form. This is generated and output to the image storage unit 18. Further, the image processing unit 15 reads the image data recorded on the recording medium 18a and performs a signal expansion process for converting the image data into an image signal in a form that can be handled by the digital camera 1, thereby generating an image signal in a display form. Then, this is output to the display control unit 17.

  The display control unit 17 is a display system control circuit that controls the display unit 21 and the like under the control of the CPU 10. For example, the display control unit 17 receives the image data that has been subjected to the signal processing in the image processing unit 15 and controls the display unit 21 to display an image based on the image signal.

  The display control unit 17 reads image-related information (photographing information) attached to the image data that has been subjected to signal processing in the image processing unit 15, and for the necessary information, for example, characters representing a specified language The display unit 21 controls the display unit 21 so as to superimpose the display on a predetermined area on the image being displayed on the display unit 21.

  Further, the display control unit 17 sequentially controls and displays the images displayed on the display unit 21 according to an instruction signal generated when the user performs a predetermined operation on the operation unit 22, and displays on the display unit 21. Controls switching between display and non-display of image-related information for the inside image. More specifically, the display control unit 17 operates in response to an instruction to select an operation mode including display or non-display of specific image-related information among the contents previously selected by the user by operating the operation unit 22. And control to display an image on the display unit 21 based on management by the image management unit 10a.

  Here, as specific image related information among the image related information included in the image data, for example, image number information, shooting date / time (year / month / day) information, shooting position information, album information, subject information (person name information) (See Tables 1 and 2). Of the specific image-related information, album information, subject information (person name information), and the like are attached to the image data, and in addition to the image data, the recording medium 18a, ROM 19, etc. It may be configured to be recorded on.

  As the recording medium 18a in the image storage unit 18, a detachable recording medium composed of, for example, a non-volatile semiconductor memory, a flash memory, or the like is mainly applied in a normal case, but other than that, for example, a CD-ROM, DVD, etc. An optical recording medium such as MD, a magneto-optical recording medium such as MD, a magnetic recording medium such as a tape medium, a semiconductor memory such as an IC card, a built-in flash memory, or the like is used.

Various operation members provided in the digital camera 1 and connected to the operation unit 22 include a power switch for turning on and off the main power of the digital camera 1 and a reproduction for starting the digital camera 1 in a reproduction mode. A mode start button, an operation mode switching button for switching between the shooting mode and the playback mode, a shutter button for giving a shooting instruction, an up / down / left / right operation button for generating a predetermined instruction signal by operating in the up / down / left / right direction, etc. There are operation buttons provided on a general digital camera. Of these, the up / down / left / right operation buttons are, in this embodiment,
An up button (UP button) for generating an upward instruction signal;
A down button (DN button) for generating an instruction signal in a downward direction;
Left button (left feed button) that generates an instruction signal to the left,
A light button (right feed button) that generates an instruction signal to the right,
A configuration constituted by four direction instruction buttons is applied.

  In the present embodiment, in the following description, the left button is referred to as a left feed button, and the right button is referred to as a right feed button. These left feed button and right feed button are collectively referred to as an image feed button.

  In the present embodiment, the right-forward button is a button that is operated when, for example, an image having a smaller number in the arrangement order than the currently displayed image is displayed. Further, the left feed button is a button operated when, for example, an image having a larger number in the arrangement order than the currently displayed image is displayed.

  Of the operations of the digital camera 1 configured as described above, the operation when operating in the reproduction mode for reproducing and displaying the image based on the image data recorded on the recording medium 18a will be described below.

The breakdown of the image data recorded on the recording medium 18a of the digital camera 1, that is, the image number information, the shooting date (year / month / day) information, the shooting position among the specific image related information corresponding to each image data. The details of information, album information, subject information (person name information), etc. are also used in the following description for the examples shown in Tables 1 and 2.

  2 and 3 are flowcharts showing the flow of processing when the digital camera of this embodiment is operated in the playback mode. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a change in the display screen that changes in accordance with the operation of the image advance button during the image advance operation during the playback mode operation of the digital camera of the present embodiment. FIG. 4 shows a display example when the display condition of the image related information is set to the interlocking display and the image arrangement reference is the shooting date / time. In order to avoid complication of the drawings, the reference numerals are omitted in FIGS. 4B, 4D to 4H, and FIGS. 4J to 4M. However, the reference numerals indicating the respective regions are the same as those in FIGS. 4 (A) and 4 (C). In addition, an arrow indicated by a dotted line in FIG. 4 indicates that the progress of the display change is omitted.

  First, when the digital camera 1 is in a power-off state, when the user turns on a power switch among the operation members of the digital camera 1, a power-on signal is generated from the operation unit 22, and the signal is sent to the CPU 10. Is output. In response to this, the internal circuit of the digital camera 1 is turned on under the control of the CPU 10. As a result, the digital camera 1 is activated in a photographing mode state in which a photographing operation can be performed and enters a photographing standby state.

  Next, when the user operates the operation mode change switch among the operation members of the digital camera 1, a predetermined operation mode change signal is generated from the operation unit 22, and the signal is output to the CPU 10. In response to this, the CPU 10 performs processing for switching the operation mode of the digital camera 1 from the currently set shooting mode to the playback mode. As a result, the digital camera 1 is switched to a state in which the digital camera 1 operates in a reproduction mode capable of performing an image reproduction display operation, and the processing of the reproduction mode operation is started (start).

  In the above description, a method of starting the digital camera 1 in the playback mode by two operations of turning on the power switch and switching the operation mode changeover switch to the playback mode is shown. Alternatively, the digital camera 1 can be activated in the playback mode by the following operation.

  That is, when the digital camera 1 is in a power-off state, if a user turns on a playback mode start button among the operation members of the digital camera 1, a playback mode start signal is generated from the operation unit 22, and the same signal Is output to the CPU 10. In response to this, the digital camera 1 starts the playback mode operation processing to start in the playback mode at the same time as the internal circuit is turned on under the control of the CPU 10 (start).

  Note that the display screen of the display unit 21 at the start of the playback mode operation is, for example, as shown in FIG. In other words, for example, an image of image number 1 is displayed in the display area 21d of the display screen 21a of the display unit 21 (the image itself is not shown in FIG. 4). At this time, the number shown in the predetermined area 21b in the upper left corner of the screen indicates the image number. At this time, the image-related information is not displayed.

  When the operation process in the reproduction mode is started by any of the above-described methods, first, in step S1 shown in FIG. 2, the CPU 10 monitors the instruction signal generated from the operation unit 22 and arranges it in an array for displaying an image. It is confirmed whether or not an instruction signal for changing the specific image-related information to be used, that is, the arrangement information is generated. If the sequence information change instruction signal is not confirmed, the process proceeds to the next step S3.

  In step S <b> 3, the CPU 10 executes processing for instructing the display control unit 17 to handle shooting date / time information as array information. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S4.

  That is, in the digital camera of the present embodiment, the shooting date / time information is set as the default setting of the array information. Therefore, if the user does not particularly specify the display condition, “shooting date / time information” is automatically set as the array information in the process of step S3.

  On the other hand, if the sequence information change instruction signal is confirmed in the process of step S1, the process proceeds to step S2.

  In step S <b> 2, the CPU 10 receives the instruction signal generated from the operation unit 22 in the process of step S <b> 1 described above, and the image related information newly selected by the user according to the change instruction, that is, image related information other than the shooting date / time information. Then, for example, a change process for instructing the display control unit 17 to handle one of the shooting position information, album information, subject information, and the like as the array information is executed. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S4.

  In step S <b> 4, the display control unit 17 refers to the image related information attached to all the image data recorded on the recording medium 18 a of the image storage unit 18 under the control of the CPU 10 and is currently selected from each image data. After the specific image information (array information) is read and temporarily stored in the RAM 16, processing for setting the order for arranging the images based on the specific image information (array information) is executed. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S5.

  In the present embodiment, an example of image related information accompanying a plurality of image data recorded on the recording medium 18a of the digital camera 1 is shown in Table 1 above.

  In Table 1 above, the information shown in the image number column is serial number information given every time image data is acquired by the digital camera 1, that is, in the order of photographing.

  The information shown in the shooting date / time column is shooting date / time information related to the shooting date when the image data is acquired by the digital camera 1. In the table, the shooting date / time information is year / month / day information, but also includes time information regarding the hour, minute, and second at the time of shooting.

  The information shown in the shooting position column is shooting position information indicating the place name of the shooting place when the corresponding image is shot. This shooting position information may be information that is input each time by the user at the shooting location, or information obtained by using a global positioning system (GPS). Also good.

  The information shown in the album column is information on a group name that collectively refers to a group of image groups classified based on conditions arbitrarily set by the user, and is created using, for example, an album function in the digital camera 1. Information such as album name (referred to as album information).

  Returning to FIG. 2, in step S <b> 5, the CPU 10 monitors the instruction signal generated from the operation unit 22 and confirms the presence / absence of the instruction signal that specifies the display condition for displaying the image-related information. Here, when the instruction to specify the display condition of the image related information is confirmed, the process proceeds to step S7.

Here, the display condition of the image related information is
(1) “Always Hide” display condition in which image related information is not always displayed on the screen,
(2) “Constant display” display conditions for always displaying image-related information on the screen,
(3) Display conditions for “linked display” in which image-related information is displayed in conjunction with image display switching,
There is.

  The display conditions for the image-related information are designated by the user in advance under the menu setting screen for performing various settings of the digital camera 1 by the above three display conditions (“always display”, “always display”). , “Interlocked display”), a desired display condition is designated. In the digital camera of this embodiment, “linked display” is set as the default setting of the display condition of the image related information. Therefore, when the user does not specify the display condition, “linked display” is automatically selected and set as the display condition of the image related information.

  While the digital camera 1 is operating in the playback mode, when the image feed button (left feed button or right feed button) of the operation members is operated, the button is continuously pressed for a predetermined time or more. By switching between “continuous pressing” and “single pressing” that keeps pressing the button within a predetermined time, it is possible to switch the displayed image.

  That is, when the “continuous pressing” operation of the image advance button is performed, a control process is performed in which the image being displayed on the display screen of the display unit 21 is continuously switched at predetermined time intervals. In addition, when a “press once” operation of the image advance button is performed, a control process is performed in which the image currently displayed on the display screen of the display unit 21 is switched to an image in the next order.

  In this case, the “continuous pressing” operation performs the same display control regardless of whether the display condition is set to “always display”, “always nondisplay”, or “interlocked display”. However, the “Press once” operation is performed when the display condition is set to “Always display” or “Always hide” or when “Interlocked display” is set. Different controls are made.

  Specifically, the display control by the operation of the image advance button for the setting of each display condition is as follows.

  That is, when the display condition is set to “always display” and the image feed button is operated “continuously pressed”, the image displayed on the display unit 21 is continuously cut at predetermined time intervals. At the same time, switching control is performed so that image-related information is displayed corresponding to each image along with the image switching operation. Further, when the “press once” operation is performed, switching control is performed so that the display of the image being displayed and the corresponding image-related information is switched to the display of the next image and the image-related information.

  In addition, when the display condition is set to “always non-display”, when the image feed button is operated “continuously pressed”, only the image currently displayed on the display unit 21 is continuously displayed at a predetermined time interval. Control to switch to is performed. In the case of a “single press” operation, control is performed so that the currently displayed image is switched to the next image.

  When the display condition is set to “linked display”, only the image is displayed on the display screen of the display unit 21 and the image related information is not displayed before the image feed button is operated. It is displayed. Subsequently, when the image advance button is operated, it is determined that the operation is “press once” at the initial stage, and control is performed so that the displayed image is switched to the next image. Here, when it is confirmed that the pressing operation is continued after the lapse of the predetermined time, it is determined that the “continuous pressing” operation is performed, and the image related information corresponding to the displayed image is the same. Displayed in a form superimposed on the image, this display state continues for a predetermined time, and subsequently, image display switching control is performed with the display of image related information continuously at predetermined time intervals.

  In addition, when it is determined that the operation is a “single press” operation and the screen is switched to the next image and it is confirmed that the pressing operation is not continued after a predetermined time has elapsed, that is, the previous operation is performed as “pressing once”. If it is an operation, only the image is displayed as it is, and the non-display state of the image related information is maintained.

  Returning to FIG. 2, in step S <b> 7, the CPU 10 monitors an instruction signal generated from the operation unit 22 and performs a process of setting display conditions for image-related information selected and designated by the user. Thereafter, processing according to the set display conditions is performed. Note that the detailed processing sequence in this case is a part not directly related to the present invention, and thus description and illustration are omitted.

  However, if “linked display” is instructed by the user to set the display condition of the image related information, the process proceeds to step S8.

  In the digital camera 1, the display condition of the image related information is set by the user operating the operation button of the predetermined operation unit 22 according to a predetermined operation procedure as described above. It is done using. The operation procedure is an operation performed by a conventional general digital camera, and conforms to the operation at the time of setting various conditions using the menu setting screen. Here, the specific operation procedure is described. Omitted.

  On the other hand, if the instruction for specifying the display condition of the image related information is not confirmed in the process of step S5, the process proceeds to step S6.

  In step S <b> 6, the CPU 10 sets “linked display” as the display condition of the image related information. As described above, in the present embodiment, “linked display” is set as the default setting of the display condition of the image related information. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S8.

  Subsequently, in step S8, the CPU 10 monitors an instruction signal generated from the operation unit 22 and confirms whether or not the user has performed an end instruction operation. Here, when the end instruction is confirmed, the series of processing ends (end). On the other hand, if the end instruction has not been confirmed, the process proceeds to the next step S9.

  In step S <b> 9, the CPU 10 monitors the instruction signal generated from the operation unit 22 and confirms whether or not the image advance button has been operated by the user, that is, the display switching instruction signal. This display switching instruction signal is an instruction signal generated when the user operates an image feed button (left feed button or right feed button) among the up / down / left / right operation buttons of the operation member.

  That is, in the present digital camera 1, the user can switch from the image displayed on the display unit 21 to the display of the next image or the previous image in the arrangement order by operating the image advance button. It has become.

  If it is not confirmed in the process of step S9 that the image feed button has been operated, the process returns to the above-described step S8, and the subsequent processes are repeated. If the operation of the image advance button is confirmed, the process proceeds to the next step S10. That is, in the process of step S9, the digital camera 1 is in a standby state until the image advance button is operated.

  In step S <b> 10, the CPU 10 controls the display control unit 17 to execute display switching processing for displaying the next image after the image being displayed on the display unit 21. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S11.

  Here, when the image advance button is operated, the display on the display unit 21 is, for example, as shown in FIG. That is, in the display area 21d of the display screen 21a of the display unit 21, the image of the image number 1 is switched and displayed from the image of the image number 2 which is the next image in the order arranged based on the shooting date and time. Even at this time, the image-related information remains in a non-display state. In FIG. 4A, the image advance button is indicated by reference numeral 22a, and the downward arrow indicated by reference numeral 50 indicates that the image advance button 22a is being pressed. In this regard, in FIGS. 4B to 4H, (K), and (L), the reference numerals are omitted, but the same as in FIG. 4A is shown.

  In step S <b> 11, the CPU 10 confirms whether or not the operation of the image advance button confirmed in the process of step S <b> 9 described above is a “press once” operation. The confirmation performed here detects the operation time of the image advance button, that is, the time when the instruction signal generated by the operation of the image advance button is continuously output, and when the instruction signal is within a predetermined time, It is determined that the operation is a “continuous pressing” operation, and when the instruction signal continues continuously for a predetermined time or more, it is determined that the operation is a “continuous pressing” operation.

  If it is determined in step S11 that the operation executed in the above-described step S9 is not a “single pressing” operation but a “continuous pressing” operation, step S21 in FIG. 3 is performed. (See symbol A in FIGS. 2 and 3). On the other hand, when it is determined that the operation executed in the process of step S9 described above is a “press once” operation, the process proceeds to the next step S12.

  In step S <b> 12, the CPU 10 continues the process being executed via the display control unit 17, that is, the display control of only the image being displayed on the display unit 21. Then, it returns to the process of step S8 and repeats the subsequent processes. That is, in the process of step S12, the digital camera 1 is in a standby state for an instruction signal generated by an end instruction operation or an image feed button operation.

  On the other hand, when it is determined in the process of step S11 described above that the “continuous pressing” operation of the image feed button has been performed and the process proceeds to the process of step S21 in FIG. 3, the CPU 10 displays the display in step S21. In the display area 21 d of the display unit 21, the control unit 17 is controlled to superimpose image related information corresponding to the image being displayed on the display unit 21 (in this embodiment, date information of shooting date and time information). The display is controlled in a predetermined area 21c (see FIG. 4C). Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S22.

  In step S22, the CPU 10 monitors the instruction signal generated from the operation unit 22 and checks whether or not the display switching instruction signal is continuously generated. Thereby, the CPU 10 determines whether or not the user continues to press the image feed button. Here, when the display switching instruction signal is not confirmed, it is determined that the pressing operation of the image advance button by the user is interrupted, and the process proceeds to step S27.

  In step S <b> 27, the CPU 10 controls the display control unit 17 to perform display control for hiding image-related information (see FIG. 4J) being displayed in the predetermined area 21 c of the display unit 21. At this time, the display of the image being displayed on the display unit 21 is maintained. As a result, the display shown in FIG. Note that FIG. 4J shows a state in which the pressed state of the image feed button 22a is released. Thereafter, the process returns to step S8 in FIG. 2, and the subsequent processes are repeated. That is, the digital camera 1 is in a standby state for an instruction signal generated by an end instruction operation or an image feed button operation.

  On the other hand, if the display switching instruction signal is confirmed in the process of step S22 described above, it is determined that the pressing operation of the image advance button by the user is continued, and the process proceeds to step S23.

  In step S <b> 23, the CPU 10 determines whether the image related information of the image to be displayed next (the shooting date / time information as the array information in the present embodiment) is the same as the image related information of the image displayed on the display unit 21. Confirm. If it is confirmed that the image related information of the next image is not the same, the process proceeds to step S28.

  In step S <b> 28, the CPU 10 controls the display control unit 17 to perform display switching control to the next image, and executes display control to display related information corresponding to the image superimposed on the image. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S25.

  The display control in this case is, for example, display control when switching from the display in FIG. 4E to the display in FIG. That is, as shown in FIG. 4E, from the state where the image display of the image number 20 and the related information “2007/8/8” corresponding to this image are displayed, the image shown in FIG. In this way, display control is performed to switch between the image display of image number 21 and the related information “2007/8/20” corresponding to this image.

  On the other hand, returning to FIG. 3, if it is confirmed in the process of step S23 described above that the image-related information of the next image is the same, the process proceeds to step S24.

  In step S24, the CPU 10 controls the display control unit 17 to perform display switching control to the next image. At this time, since the relevant information corresponding to the image is the same as the relevant information being displayed, control is performed so as to maintain the superimposed display of the relevant information. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S25.

  The display control in this case is, for example, display control when switching from the display in FIG. 4C to the display in FIG. That is, as shown in FIG. 4C, in the state where the image display of the image number 2 and the related information “2007/8/8” corresponding to this image are displayed, as shown in FIG. Thus, display control for switching to the image of image number 3 is performed. At the same time, display control is performed so as to maintain the superimposed display of related information. The display control when switching from the display in FIG. 4F to the display in FIG. 4G is the same.

  Returning to FIG. 3, in step S <b> 25, the CPU 10 monitors the instruction signal generated from the operation unit 22 to determine whether or not the pressing force of the image feed button has changed, specifically whether or not the pressing force has increased. Check. If it is confirmed that the pressing force of the image advance button is large, the process proceeds to step S26. If it is confirmed that the pressing force of the image feed button is not large but small (or no change has occurred), the process returns to step S22 and the subsequent processes are repeated.

  Here, all of the image feed buttons (left feed button or right feed button) applied to the digital camera 1 are assumed to be two-stage press type switches. Along with this, the CPU 10 operates the operation unit according to the first signal L generated from the operation unit 22 by the first step pressing operation (small pressing force) of the image feed button and the second step pressing operation (high pressing force). The second signal H generated from the signal 22 can be detected separately.

  The first signal L and the second signal H also serve as an image feed speed instruction signal. That is, the user can switch and execute the image feed speed by properly using the first-step pressing operation and the second-step pressing operation of the image feed button.

  Specifically, when detecting the first signal L, the CPU 10 controls the display control unit 17 to set the image feed speed to the first speed (low speed). That is, the display switching control is performed at long time intervals with the display time of one image when the image feed button is continuously pressed being set as a relatively long time (for example, a predetermined time of 1 second or more).

  On the other hand, when detecting the second signal H, the CPU 10 controls the display control unit 17 to set the image feed speed to the second speed (high speed). That is, the display switching control is performed at short time intervals by setting the display time of one image when the image feed button is continuously pressed to a relatively short time (for example, a predetermined short time of less than 1 second).

  Here, FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an output state of the first signal L and the second signal H generated by the image advance button.

  As described above, when the first signal L is output, the image feed speed is low, and when the second signal H is output, the image feed speed is high.

  In the example shown in FIG. 5, the output period of the first signal L is image numbers 1 to 4 and image numbers 10 to 13, and the output period of the second signal H is image numbers 4 to 10. As described above, when the pressing force of the image feed button is large, the second signal H is output and the image feed speed becomes high. Therefore, when searching for a large number of images, for example, when the search target image is narrowed down to some extent, the time to reach the target position can be shortened by performing the image feed operation at a high speed.

  Further, when the pressing force of the image feed button is adjusted to be small, the first signal L is output and the image feed speed becomes low. Therefore, for example, when searching in the vicinity of the search target image, the image and related information can be visually confirmed while performing the image feed operation by performing the image feed operation at a low speed. Therefore, more efficient image search can be performed.

  Returning to FIG. 3, when it is confirmed that the pressing force of the image feed button is large in the process of step S <b> 25 described above and the process proceeds to step S <b> 26, in this step S <b> 26, the CPU 10 causes the display control unit 17 to move. Control is performed to set the image display switching time to a predetermined short time. Thereafter, the processing returns to step S22, and the subsequent processing is repeated.

  As described above, after branching from step S22 to step S27, in a series of processing sequences returning to step S8 in FIG. 2, from FIG. 4 (J) to FIG. 4 (K). The display switches. The display state shown in FIG. 4K is in a standby state.

  In this state, as shown in FIG. 4 (K), when the image feed button 22a is pressed again by the user, the image feed operation is restarted, and the image feed button 22a is displayed through the display of FIG. 4 (L). When the pressing state continues, the display changes to the display of FIG. The display control at this time is exactly the same as the processing sequence from the processing in steps S9, S10, and S11 in FIG. 2 to the processing in step S21 in FIG.

  As described above, according to the embodiment, in the digital camera 1 as a display control device that displays an image based on the image data recorded on the recording medium 18a on the display unit 21, the display condition of the image related information is When “linked display” is set among the three display conditions of “always hidden”, “always displayed”, and “linked display”, the display control unit 17 sets the image feed button of the operation unit 22 by the user. When a continuous operation is performed (when a switching instruction signal is continuously generated), the images are sequentially consecutive in the order arranged based on the shooting date (year / month / day) information as specific image-related information. The display control is performed so that specific image related information (shooting date information) corresponding to the image being displayed is superimposed on the image and displayed during the continuous image switching display. It is as in Nau. In addition, when the continuous operation of the image advance button of the operation unit 22 by the user is stopped (when the switching instruction signal is interrupted), the display control unit 17 does not display specific image related information (shooting date information). The display is controlled.

  Accordingly, during execution of continuous switching display of images, shooting date / time information corresponding to the images can be automatically displayed in a specific display area every time the images are switched. Can search for the position where the target image is located with reference to the display of the shooting date and time displayed superimposed on the image during the image feed operation.

  If the user stops the image feed operation at any time, the display of the shooting date and time is automatically hidden and the display is switched so that only the image is displayed. Only the image can be confirmed without performing a switching operation for displaying or hiding information or the like.

  In this case, when the display switching operation for each frame is performed in the vicinity of the position where the target image is considered to be present, only the image is displayed on the display unit 21. Image search can be performed while confirming the display of only the image.

  Furthermore, when the continuous operation of the image feed button is performed again to restart the continuous image switching display, the display of the shooting date and time is automatically restarted, so that the image search can be performed efficiently.

  By the way, in the operation in the playback mode while performing the image feeding operation in the digital camera of the above-described embodiment, the user arbitrarily performs the pressing operation (continuous pressing or single pressing) of the image feeding button, Control of image display switching according to the display switching instruction signal is performed.

  In other words, in order to search for a desired image, the user performs appropriate operations such as continuous pressing operation and single pressing operation of the image feed button, and adjustment of pressing force on the display unit 21 as appropriate. It is necessary to continue observing images displayed one after another and corresponding information corresponding thereto.

  Therefore, it is convenient to perform control to automatically pause the image display switching operation when a predetermined condition is met during execution of the image feed operation. A display example and its operation when such display control is applied will be briefly described below with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a display example by another display control of the image forwarding operation during the playback mode operation of the digital camera according to the embodiment. FIG. 6 also shows an example in which the display condition of the image related information is set to the interlocked display and the image arrangement reference is set to the photographing date and time as in FIG. Further, in order to avoid complication of the drawings, reference numerals are attached to FIGS. 6B, 6D to 6H, 6J, and 6L to 6P. However, the reference numerals indicating the respective regions are the same as those in FIGS. 6A, 6C, 6F, and the like. In addition, an arrow indicated by a dotted line in FIG. 6 indicates that the progress of the display change is omitted.

  The flow of operation in the case of this other display control is basically the same as in the above-described position embodiment. Therefore, the processing sequence shall refer to the flowcharts of FIGS. 2 and 3, and based on FIG. 6, the outline of the flow of the image sending operation during the reproduction operation in the case of another display control described here will be described below. explain.

  First, when the digital camera 1 starts the operation process in the reproduction mode through the predetermined procedure (start), the display screen of the display unit 21 at the start time is displayed as shown in FIG. For example, the image of image number 1 is displayed in the display area 21d of the display screen 21a of the unit 21 (the image itself is not shown in FIG. 6), and at the same time, a number indicating the image number is displayed in the predetermined area 21b in the upper left corner of the screen. Is displayed. At this time, the image related information is not displayed.

  In this state, when the user presses the image advance button 22a (reference numeral 50), in response to the instruction signal, the display control unit 17 displays the display screen 21a of the display unit 21 as shown in FIG. In the area 21d, instead of the image of the image number 1, the image of the image number 2 that is the next image in the order arranged based on the shooting date and time is switched and displayed. Even at this time, the image-related information remains in a non-display state.

  Here, when the user continues to press the image feed button 22a, as shown in FIG. 6C, the display control unit 17 controls the predetermined area 21c of the display unit 21. The related information “2007/8/8” corresponding to the currently displayed image (image number 2) is displayed in a form superimposed on the image.

  In this state, when the user continues to press the image feed button 22a and is instructed to continuously switch and display images, only the currently displayed image is displayed as the next image (image number 3). Display control is performed (display change from FIG. 6C to FIG. 6D). The same switching display control is repeated until the display shown in FIG.

  In the display of FIG. 6E, an image with an image number 20 is displayed. This image number 20 is the last image having “2007/8/8” as photographing date and time information as shown in Table 1. The image management unit 10a also manages and detects corresponding specific image related information for the image being displayed on the display unit 21 and the next image to be displayed during the continuous image feeding operation. For this reason, if it is detected that specific image related information (photographing date / time information) changes in the next image immediately before the image switching display is performed, continuous image feed operation is temporarily performed. (Fig. 6E).

  Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 6 (F), control is performed so that the image-related information is not displayed while the display of the image on the display unit 21 is maintained.

  As described above, in this example, when there is a change within a certain range with respect to specific image-related information during execution of continuous switching display of images, execution of continuous switching display of images is stopped. Control is performed. When the switching display is stopped, the specific image related information is hidden and only the image is displayed.

  If the pressing operation of the image feed button 22a by the user is continued in this state, the temporary stop state of the switching display of the image is canceled after a predetermined time has elapsed, as shown in FIG. Switching to the next image (image number 21) is displayed. Furthermore, if the pressing operation of the image feed button 22a is continued, the subsequent image feed operation is restarted.

  The control process at the time of restart is the same as the control process at the time of start that starts from the above-described FIG. Therefore, after the display of FIG. 6G is obtained by the switching display process from the display of FIG. 6F (display only the image of image number 20) to the next image (display of only the image of image number 21), As shown in FIG. 6H, specific image related information (shooting date information) corresponding to the image of the image number 21 is superimposed and displayed in the area 21c. Thereafter, only the image is switched and displayed until the specific image related information (shooting date information) changes, and the superimposed display of the image related information in the region 21c is maintained.

  When the display is switched to the display of FIG. 6J, specifically, when the last image (image number 25) having “2007/8/20” as the shooting date / time information is displayed, continuous display is performed. The image feed operation is paused. Then, as shown in FIG. 6K, control is performed so that the image-related information is hidden and only the image is displayed.

  In this state, it is assumed that the user releases the pressing operation of the image advance button 22a. Then, while maintaining the display shown in FIG. 6K, that is, the state where only the image with the image number 25 is displayed, the digital camera 1 enters a standby state in which it waits for some operation instruction. In addition, the code | symbol 50a of FIG. 6 (K) has shown that the press operation of the image advance button 22a was cancelled | released.

  In the state of FIG. 6K, the user can restart the image feed operation by pressing the image feed button 22a again.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 6K, after the user releases the pressing operation of the image feed button 22a, the image feeding operation is restarted by performing the pressing operation of the image feed button 22a again. The

  When the image feed operation is restarted, the display (image number 25) in FIG. 6K is switched to the next image (image number 26) as shown in FIG. As shown in (M), control for superimposing and displaying the corresponding image related information is executed while the display of the image on the display unit 21 (image number 26) is maintained.

  When the image advance button is continuously operated, the same processing is repeated thereafter, and only the image is switched and displayed until the specific image related information (shooting date information) changes, and the image related in the region 21c is displayed. The superimposed display of information is maintained.

  Then, at any time after switching to the display of FIG. 6M, when the user releases the pressing operation of the image feed button 22a (reference numeral 50a), for example, the display of FIG. The last image (image number 30) having “2007/9/25” as the shooting date / time information is displayed, and the continuous image feed operation is controlled to stop. Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 6 (P), the display of the display unit 21 is controlled such that the image-related information is not displayed and only the image is displayed. Here, the digital camera 1 enters a standby state for waiting for some operation instruction.

  As described above, in the above-described another display control, when the specific image related information of the image being displayed has changed within a certain range during execution of continuous switching display of images, Execution of continuous switching display of images is controlled to be temporarily stopped. Therefore, when the image forwarding operation is temporarily stopped by a predetermined display condition (for example, shooting date / time information), control is performed so that specific image related information is not displayed and only the image is displayed.

  Therefore, when there is a change in the shooting date / time information during the continuous display switching, the continuous display switching operation is automatically paused, and the image related information non-display processing corresponding to the displayed image is not displayed. Therefore, when searching for a target image from among images that are continuously switched and displayed, a change in specific image-related information is not overlooked. Therefore, certainty of image search can be obtained.

  In the display example (FIG. 4) and another display example (FIG. 6) according to the above-described embodiment, the display condition at the time of the playback mode operation is set to the interlocking display, and the image arrangement reference includes the specific image related information. An example of taking shooting date / time information will be described. As a result, the image arrangement at the time of the image feeding operation is displayed by switching the images in the order of the shooting date and time, and the shooting date and time information is superimposed on the image displayed during the execution of the image feeding operation. Yes.

  As described above, information that can be handled as specific image-related information in the display control device to which the present invention is applied is not limited to the above-described shooting date / time information, but other information such as shooting position information or an album function may be used. There is album information to be created.

  Accordingly, in the screen display shown in the display example of the above-described embodiment (FIG. 4) and the above-described another display example (FIG. 6), other information such as shooting position information is added in addition to the shooting date / time information. You may make it do. In this case, the image arrangement needs to be controlled so that one of the image related information displayed at the same time is given priority. As for the priority order, a predetermined priority order may be set in advance for each image-related information item, or the user can arbitrarily set the priority order using, for example, a menu setting screen or a predetermined operation unit 22. You should be able to set it.

  FIG. 7 shows an example of a display form when a plurality of pieces of image related information are superimposed on the image.

  In the display form shown in FIG. 7, the shooting date / time information is displayed in the area 21 c so as to be superimposed on the image displayed in the display area 21 d of the display screen 21 a of the display unit 21, and the place name that is the shooting position information is displayed in the area 21 e. It is an example of a display at the time of displaying. Reference numeral 21b is a number indicating an image number.

  Of course, the display form is not limited to that shown in FIG. 7, and various display forms can be obtained by variously combining the items of the image-related information.

  Further, in the display example different from the above-described embodiment, the shooting date / time information is used as the image arrangement reference as described above, but instead of this, the display example when the shooting position information is used as the image arrangement reference is shown in FIG. It is shown in FIG. FIG. 9 shows a display example when album information is used as an image arrangement reference. Refer to Table 1 for details of the image data recorded on the recording medium 18a.

  First, referring to FIG. 8, an example of display when the shooting position information is used as an image arrangement reference and an outline of the flow of the image feeding operation in that case will be described.

  First, when the digital camera 1 starts the operation process in the reproduction mode through the predetermined procedure (start), the display screen of the display unit 21 at the start time is displayed as shown in FIG. For example, the image of image number 1 is displayed in the display area 21d of the display screen 21a of the unit 21 (the image itself is not shown in FIG. 8), and at the same time, a number indicating the image number is displayed in the predetermined area 21b in the upper left corner of the screen. Is displayed. At this time, the image related information is not displayed.

  In this state, when the user presses the image advance button 22a (reference numeral 50), in response to the instruction signal, the display control unit 17 displays the display screen 21a of the display unit 21 as shown in FIG. In the area 21d, instead of the image of the image number 1, the image of the image number 2 which is the next image in the order arranged based on the shooting position is switched and displayed. Even at this time, the image-related information remains in a non-display state.

  Here, when the user continues to press the image feed button 22a, the display control unit 17 controls the predetermined area 21c of the display unit 21 as shown in FIG. 8C. The related information “Tokyo” corresponding to the currently displayed image (image number 2) is displayed in a form superimposed on the image.

  In this state, when the user continues to press the image feed button 22a and is instructed to continuously switch and display images, only the currently displayed image is displayed as the next image (image number 3). Display control to switch to () is performed (display change from FIG. 8C to FIG. 8D). The same switching display control is repeated until the display shown in FIG.

  The display in FIG. 8E is a state in which an image having an image number 60 is displayed. This image number 60 is the last image having “Tokyo” as the photographing position information as shown in Table 1. The image management unit 10a also manages and detects corresponding specific image related information for the image being displayed on the display unit 21 and the next image to be displayed during the continuous image feeding operation. For this reason, together with the image switching display control, when a change occurs in specific image related information (shooting position information), the image related information is switched and displayed.

  That is, when the pressing operation of the image feed button 22a is further continued at the time point when the display of FIG. 8E is made, the display is switched to the image of the image number 21 as shown in FIG. 8F. At the same time, control for superimposing and displaying the corresponding image related information “Yokohama” is performed.

  Further, when the pressing operation of the image advance button 22a by the user is continued, the same image display switching is continuously performed, and the display (image number 27, shooting position information “Yokohama” in FIG. 8G) is performed. "; See also Table 1) to display (Image No. 34, shooting position information" Kyoto "; see also Table 1) from Fig. 8H, then display (Image No. 40, shooting position information). Switching display control is continuously performed to “Kyoto” (see also Table 1).

  When the user releases the pressing operation of the image feed button 22a at the time when the display is switched to the display of FIG. 8J (reference numeral 50a), the display of FIG. An image having “Kyoto” (image number 40) is displayed, and continuous image feed operation is controlled to stop. Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 8 (K), the display of the display unit 21 hides the image-related information and displays only the image with the image number 40.

  Further, in the stop state of FIG. 8K, when the image feed button 22a is pressed again by the user, the image feed operation is restarted.

  That is, the display of only the image number 40 illustrated in FIG. 8K is switched to the display of only the image number 41 illustrated in FIG. At this time, the image-related position information is not displayed.

  If the image advance button is continuously operated even at this time, the corresponding image related information “Osaka” is superimposed and displayed on the image while the display of the image is maintained as shown in FIG. . Thereafter, the same operation continues.

  Next, a display example when album information is used as an image arrangement reference and an outline of the flow of an image feeding operation in that case will be described with reference to FIG.

  First, when the digital camera 1 starts the operation process in the playback mode through the predetermined procedure (start), the display screen of the display unit 21 at the start time is displayed as shown in FIG. For example, the image of image number 1 is displayed in the display area 21d of the display screen 21a of the unit 21 (the image itself is not shown in FIG. 9), and at the same time, a number indicating the image number is displayed in the predetermined area 21b in the upper left corner of the screen. Is displayed. At this time, the image related information is not displayed.

  In this state, when the user presses the image advance button 22a (reference numeral 50), in response to the instruction signal, the display control unit 17 displays the display screen 21a of the display unit 21 as shown in FIG. In the area 21d, instead of the image of the image number 1, the image of the image number 2 which is the next image in the order arranged based on the album information is switched and displayed. Even at this time, the image-related information remains in a non-display state.

  Here, when the user continues to press the image feed button 22a, as shown in FIG. 9C, the display control unit 17 controls the predetermined area 21c of the display unit 21 as shown in FIG. The related information “A” corresponding to the currently displayed image (image number 2) is displayed in a form superimposed on the image.

  In this state, when the user continues to press the image feed button 22a and is instructed to continuously switch and display images, only the currently displayed image is displayed as the next image (image number 3). The display control to switch to () is performed (display change from FIG. 9C to FIG. 9D). Then, the same switching display control is repeated until the display shown in FIG.

  The display in FIG. 9E is a state in which an image with an image number 27 is displayed. As shown in Table 1, the image number 27 is the last image in the first group of images having “A” as album information. The image management unit 10a also manages and detects corresponding specific image related information for the image being displayed on the display unit 21 and the next image to be displayed during the continuous image feeding operation. Therefore, when a change occurs in specific image related information (album information) together with the image switching display control, the image related information is switched and displayed in accordance with the change.

  That is, in this example, album information is used as an image arrangement reference. As shown in Table 1, the album information is recorded so as to be scattered in the recording medium 18a in a plurality of groups with respect to image numbers. When album information is used as an image arrangement reference, arrangement is made for each album of the same type. Therefore, specifically, when the image data having the album information “A” is first arranged, the image data having the album information “B” continues after the order of the image numbers 1 to 27 and 41 to 52 is determined. Will be arranged.

  Accordingly, when the pressing operation of the image advance button 22a is further continued at the time when the display of FIG. 9E is made, the image of the image number 27 and the album information “A” as the image related information are displayed. Instead, as shown in FIG. 9F, switching control is performed to the image of the image number 52 having the album information “A”. Here, the superimposed display of the corresponding image-related information “A” is maintained.

  Further, when the user continues to press the image feed button 22a, the same image display switching is continuously performed, and the display (image number 52, album information “A beach”; 9 (G), the display (image number 34, album information “B”; see also Table 1), and the display of FIG. 9 (image number 40, shooting position information “B”; (See also Table 1), display of FIG. 9J (image number 53, shooting position information “B”; see also Table 1), display of FIG. 9K (image number 28, shooting position information “C”; The display control is continuously switched to the display of FIG. 9L (image number 29, photographing position information “C”; see also Table 1).

  When the user releases the pressing operation of the image advance button 22a (reference numeral 50a) at the time of switching to the display of FIG. 9L, the display of FIG. Is displayed (image number 29), and the continuous image feed operation is controlled to stop. At this time, as shown in FIG. 9 (M), the display of the display unit 21 hides the image-related information and displays only the image with the image number 29.

  When the image feed button is pressed again, the image feed operation restarts, and the same operation continues thereafter.

  As described above with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9, the image related information applied as the image arrangement reference is replaced with the shooting date / time information in the above-described position embodiment or the like, and the shooting position information and the album information are applied. It is possible to perform the same operation by substantially the same control. Therefore, the display conditions for performing the image search can be changed as appropriate, so that the image can be searched more efficiently and reliably.

  The flow of operations shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 is basically the same as that in the above-described position embodiment (FIG. 4), but apart from this, it corresponds to another display example described above. Similar to the flow of the operation, it is possible to easily correspond to the control for temporarily stopping the continuous image feeding operation when the image-related information changes.

  In the embodiments described above (FIGS. 4 to 9), the image number has been described as being always displayed, unlike the image related information. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Display / non-display may be switched integrally.

  A part or all of the processing by the CPU 10 described in the above embodiment may be configured by hardware.

  The control processing by the CPU 10 is realized by a software program stored in the ROM 19 being supplied to the CPU 10 and performing the above operation according to the supplied program. Therefore, the software program itself realizes the functions of the CPU 10, and the program itself constitutes the present invention.

  A recording medium for storing the program also constitutes the present invention. As the recording medium, besides a flash memory, an optical recording medium such as a CD-ROM or DVD, a magneto-optical recording medium such as an MD, a tape medium, a semiconductor memory such as an IC card, or the like can be used.

  In the above-described embodiment, the present invention is applied to a digital camera as a display control apparatus having an image display function. The display control apparatus according to the present invention is described in detail as an example in the case of applying the present invention. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and may be applied to an electronic device such as a mobile phone or an electronic notebook having a camera function or an image display function.

  Furthermore, it has a recording medium for accumulating a large number of image data acquired and recorded by a normal digital camera or the like, and displays an image based on the image data recorded on the recording medium, or performs various data processing. Similarly, it is possible to apply the present invention to various devices such as an image display device or an image processing device configured to perform the above.

  Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications and applications can of course be implemented without departing from the spirit of the invention. Further, the above embodiments include inventions at various stages, and various inventions can be extracted by appropriately combining a plurality of disclosed constituent elements. For example, even if some constituent elements are deleted from all the constituent elements shown in the embodiment, the problem described in the column of the problem to be solved by the invention can be solved, and the effect described in the effect of the invention Can be obtained as an invention.

The block block diagram which shows the outline of the internal structure of the display control apparatus (digital camera) of one Embodiment of this invention. 6 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing when the digital camera of the present embodiment is operated in a playback mode. 6 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing when the digital camera of the present embodiment is operated in a playback mode. The figure which shows the change of the display screen which changes according to operation of the image advance button in the image advance operation | movement at the time of the reproduction | regeneration mode operation | movement of the digital camera of this embodiment. The figure which shows the output state of the 1st signal L and the 2nd signal H which arise with the image advance button of the digital camera of this embodiment. The figure which shows the example of a display by another display control of the image sending operation | movement at the time of the reproduction | regeneration mode operation | movement of the digital camera of one Embodiment. The figure which shows an example of the display format at the time of making a display part of the digital camera of this embodiment superimpose and display several image relevant information on an image. The figure which shows the example of a display when imaging | photography position information is utilized as an image arrangement | sequence reference | standard in the digital camera of this embodiment. The figure which shows the example of a display at the time of using album information as an image arrangement | sequence reference | standard in the digital camera of this embodiment. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an operation procedure for displaying / not-displaying shooting information, which is performed at the time of image reproduction display in a conventional digital camera.

Explanation of symbols

1 …… Digital camera 10 …… CPU
10a: Image management unit 11: Shooting optical system 12: Shutter unit 13: Imaging element 14: Imaging unit 15: Image processing unit 16: RAM
17: Display control unit 18: Image storage unit 18a: Recording medium 19: ROM
20 …… Display drive unit 21 …… Display unit 22 …… Operation unit 22a …… Image feed button 23 …… Control line

Claims (9)

In a display control apparatus for displaying an image based on image data recorded on a recording medium on a display unit,
An image management unit that manages switching of images in an order arranged based on specific image-related information in accordance with an image switching instruction;
A display control unit that selects whether to display the specific image-related information and causes the display unit to display an image based on management by the image management unit;
With
When the switching instruction is continuously issued, the display control unit sequentially switches the images in the order arranged based on the specific image related information, and continuously switches and displays the images. The specific image related information corresponding to each displayed image is displayed during the execution of the image, and the specific image related information is not displayed after the continuous switching display of the image is stopped. A display control device characterized by controlling as described above.   The display control unit performs control for stopping execution of continuous image switching when the specific image-related information changes within a certain range during execution of continuous image switching. The display control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display control apparatus performs the display control.   The said display control part performs control which stops execution of the continuous switching display of an image, when predetermined | prescribed operation by the operation part for switching image display is cancelled | released. Display control device.   The display control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image management unit uses shooting date / time information as the specific image-related information.   The display control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image management unit uses shooting position information as specific image-related information.   4. The display control unit according to claim 1, wherein the display control unit performs control so as to use album information indicating a predetermined group name to which the grouped image belongs as the specific image related information. The display control apparatus as described in any one of them.   A camera comprising the display control device according to any one of claims 1 to 6. In a display control method for sequentially switching an image based on image data recorded on a recording medium in an order arranged based on specific image-related information and displaying the image on a display unit,
When the image switching instruction is made continuously, the control is performed to continuously switch and display the images in the order in which they are arranged based on the specific image related information, and the continuous switching display is being executed. Display the specific image-related information corresponding to each image being displayed, and control to not display the specific image-related information after the continuous switching display is finished. A characteristic display control method. In a program for causing a computer to execute a display control method in which images based on image data recorded on a recording medium are sequentially switched in the order in which they are arranged based on specific image-related information and displayed on a display unit.
When the image switching instruction is made continuously, the control is performed to continuously switch and display the images in the order in which they are arranged based on the specific image related information, and the continuous switching display is being executed. Displaying the specific image-related information corresponding to each of the displayed images,
A step of preventing the display of the specific image-related information after execution of continuous switching display is completed;
A display control program characterized by comprising:

Images