Digital Camera Patent AbstractIn a digital camera, when a motion image reducing mode is set, a
pointer is displayed on a monitor. When the operator operates on
cursor key, the pointer moves, and when the operator operates a
determination key at two different pointer positions, a rectangular
frame is formed. Namely, the two pointer positions represent upper
left and lower right coordinates of the frame. The picked up real
time motion image is displayed in the rectangular frame. The displayed
motion image is reduced to a magnification corresponding to the
ratio of the rectangular frame with respect to the monitor frame.
When the operator operates a shutter button at this time, the image
in the motion image frame is recorded on a memory card. As the motion
image is displayed in the motion image frame in accordance with
the instruction by the operator and the image in the motion image
frame is recorded in accordance with the operation of the shutter
button, a processed image can be obtained without the necessity
of preparing a separate image processing apparatus.
Digital Camera Patent ClaimsWhat is claimed is:
1. A digital camera, comprising: image pickup unit for picking
up an image of an object; a monitor for displaying an image; first
forming unit responsive to a motion image frame forming instruction
by an operator for forming a motion image frame smaller than a monitor
frame on said monitor; and motion image display unit for displaying
a motion image of said object picked up by said image pickup unit
in said motion image frame, wherein the motion image frame is formed
at a first point in the top left position of the monitor frame and
a second point in the bottom right position of the monitor frame
to form a rectangle, wherein an aspect ratio of a motion image frame
or through image can be set arbitrarily since a bottom right point
with respect to a top left point can be set arbitrarily as long
as said bottom right point is below and right to said top left point,
setting the size and shape of a motion image frame by setting an
upper left point and a lower right point, said motion image frame
being movable on a monitor frame, and a position of the motion image
frame on the monitor frame is set separately, wherein when the aspect
ratio of an outer frame of said motion image or through image display
area attains a prescribed ratio, the user of said digital camera
is notified of said aspect ratio of the outer frame attaining the
prescribed ratio.
2. The digital camera according to claim 1, wherein said first
forming unit includes input unit for receiving, as inputs, size
information of said motion image frame, and motion image frame forming
unit for forming said motion image frame on said monitor based on
said size information and said position information.
3. The digital camera according to claim 2, wherein said motion
image frame is a rectangle, said size information includes horizontal
size and vertical size of said rectangle, and said position information
includes vertex coordinates of at least one corner of said rectangle.
4. The digital camera according to claim 1, wherein said motion
image display unit includes zoom processing unit for performing
reduction zoom processing on said motion image based on said monitor
frame and said motion image frame, and reduced image display unit
for displaying a reduced motion image reduced by said zoom processing
unit on said motion image frame.
5. The digital camera according to claim 1, further comprising:
a recording medium for recording an image; and first recording unit
for recording an image in said motion image frame on said recording
medium in response to a first recording instruction by said operator.
6. The digital camera according to claim 5, wherein said first
recording unit includes first file forming unit for forming a first
image file having a first identifier added thereto, and first storing
unit for storing an image in said motion image frame in said first
image file.
7. The digital camera according to claim 6, wherein said first
recording unit further includes size information writing unit for
writing size information of said motion image frame in said first
image file.
8. The digital camera according to claim 1, further comprising;
a recording medium for recording an image; reproducing unit responsive
to a reproduction instruction by said operator for reproducing a
still image from said recording medium; second forming unit responsive
to said reproduction instruction for forming a still image frame
equal to said monitor frame on said monitor; and still image displaying
unit for displaying said still image in said still image frame.
9. The digital camera according to claim 8, wherein said motion
image display unit includes motion image synthesizing unit for synthesizing
said motion image with said still image based on said motion image
frame forming instruction.
10. The digital camera according to claim 9, wherein said first
forming unit includes motion image frame moving unit responsive
to a motion image frame moving instruction by said operator for
moving said motion image frame.
11. The digital camera according to claim 10, wherein said reproducing
unit includes same still image reproducing unit for reproducing
one same said still image in response to said motion image frame
moving instruction; and said motion image frame moving unit includes
position information updating unit for updating position information
of said motion image frame after said still image is displayed.
12. The digital camera according to claim 9, further comprising
second recording unit responsive to a second recording instruction
by said operator for recording an image in said monitor frame on
said recording medium.
13. The digital camera according to claim 12, wherein said second
recording unit includes second file forming unit for forming a second
image file having a second identifier added thereto, and second
storing unit for storing the image in said monitor frame in said
second image file.
14. The digital camera according to claim 1, wherein the user of
said digital camera is notified of said aspect ratio of the outer
frame attaining the prescribed ratio by a change of color of said
outer frame.
15. A digital camera having a recording mode for recording a through
image of an object picked up through an optical system, a reproducing
mode for reproducing a second recorded image, and an image synthesizing
mode for generating a synthesized image of the through image and
the reproduced image, comprising: image display unit for displaying
an image; setting unit for setting, in said image synthesizing mode,
a through image display area on a part of a reproduced image displayed
by said image display unit; image synthesizing unit for generating
said synthesized image by displaying the through image on the through
image display area set by said setting unit; and recording unit
for recording the synthesized image generated by said image synthesizing
unit, wherein the through image is formed at a first point on the
object in a top left position picked up through the optical system
and intersecting at a second point on the object in a bottom right
position picked up through the optical system to form a rectangle,
wherein an aspect ratio of a motion image frame or through image
can be set arbitrarily since a bottom right point with respect to
a top left point can be set arbitrarily as long as said bottom right
point is below and right to said top left point, setting the size
and shape of a motion image frame by setting an upper left point
and a lower right point, said motion image frame being movable on
a monitor frame, and a position of the motion image frame on the
monitor frame is set separately, wherein when the aspect ratio of
an outer frame of said motion image or through image display area
attains a prescribed ratio, the user of said digital camera is notified
of said aspect ratio of the outer frame attaining the prescribed
ratio.
16. The digital camera according to claim 15, wherein said setting
unit includes drawing unit for drawing an outer frame of the through
image display area of a desired size at a portion of the reproduced
image displayed by said image display unit, and position adjusting
unit for adjusting the position of the outer frame of the through
image display area drawn by said drawing unit.
17. The digital camera according to claim 15, wherein the user
of said digital camera is notified of said aspect ratio of the outer
frame attaining the prescribed ratio by a change of color of said
outer frame.
18. A digital camera having a recording mode for recording a through
image of an object picked up through an optical system, a reproducing
mode for reproducing a recorded image, and an image synthesizing
mode for generating a synthesized image of the through image and
the reproduced image, comprising: image display unit for displaying
an image; setting unit for setting, in said image synthesizing mode,
a through image display area on a part of a reproduced image displayed
by said image display unit; image synthesizing unit for generating
said synthesized image by displaying the through image on the through
image display area set by said setting unit; and recording unit
for recording the synthesized image generated by said image synthesizing
unit, wherein when an aspect ratio of an outer frame of said through
image display area attains a prescribe ratio, the user of said digital
camera is notified of said aspect ratio of the outer frame attaining
a prescribed ratio by a change of color of said outer frame. Digital Camera Patent DescriptionBACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a digital camera and, more specifically,
to a digital camera in which a picked up motion image or a reproduced
still image is displayed on a monitor.
2. Description of the Background Art
In a conventional digital camera of this type, an image recorded
on a recording medium is reproduced and displayed on a built in
monitor.
The prior art digital camera, however, is capable of simple reproduction
of the recorded image, and in order to process the recorded image,
a separate image processing apparatus has been necessary.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a digital
camera capable of image processing without the necessity of preparing
a separate image processing apparatus.
According to an aspect, the present invention includes an image
pickup section for picking up an image of an object, a first forming
section responsive to a motion image frame forming instruction of
an operator for forming a motion image frame smaller than a monitor
frame on a monitor, and a motion image display section for displaying
the motion image of the object picked up by the image pickup section
on the motion image frame.
Therefore, a motion image is displayed on a desired frame formed
on the monitor in accordance with the frame forming instruction
by the operator, and hence a processed image can be obtained without
the necessity of preparing a separate image processing apparatus.
According to another aspect, the present invention provides a digital
camera in which a first still image corresponding to the monitor
frame is reproduced from a recording medium and displayed on the
monitor, which includes a second still image reproducing section
responsive to a synthesization instruction from the operator for
reproducing a second still image smaller than the monitor frame
from the recording medium, and a synthesizing section for synthesizing
the second and the first still images.
Therefore, the second still image smaller than the monitor frame
is synthesized with the first still image in response to the synthesization
instruction by the operator, and therefore a processed image can
be obtained without the necessity of preparing the image processing
apparatus.
According to a still further aspect, the present invention includes
a setting section for setting a through image display area (an image
of the object seen through) at a portion of the displayed reproduced
image, an image synthesizing section for generating a synthesized
image by displaying the through image on the set area, and a recording
section for recording the generated synthesized image. Therefore,
the reproduced image and the through image can be synthesized in
a simple manner by a digital camera by itself, and a processed image
can be obtained without the necessity of preparing an image processing
apparatus.
The foregoing and other objects, features, aspects and advantages
of the present invention will become more apparent from the following
detailed description of the present invention when taken in conjunction
with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIGS. 1A and 1B are perspective views showing appearance of the
digital camera in accordance with a first embodiment of the present
invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing configuration of an image recording
and reproducing circuit contained in the digital camera shown in
FIGS. 1A and 1B.
FIGS. 3A and 3B are illustrations representing image pickup modes
of the digital camera shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B.
FIGS. 4A and 4B are illustrations representing the reproduction
mode of the digital camera shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B.
FIGS. 5A to 5D are illustrations representing the image synthesizing
function of the digital camera shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B.
FIGS. 6A to 6F represent a modification of the first embodiment.
FIG. 7 is a block diagram representing a configuration of an image
recording and reproducing circuit contained in the digital camera
in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a zoom circuit
shown in FIG. 7.
FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a memory control
circuit shown in FIG. 7.
FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an address
calculating section shown in FIG. 9.
FIG. 11 is a flow chart representing part of an operation in a
camera mode.
FIG. 12 is a flow chart showing another part of the operation in
the camera mode.
FIG. 13 is a flow chart showing a still further part of the operation
in the camera mode.
FIG. 14 is a flow chart showing a part of an operation in a reproduction
mode.
FIG. 15 is a flow chart showing another part of the operation in
the reproduction mode.
FIG. 16 is a flow chart showing a further part of the operation
in the reproduction mode.
FIG. 17 is a flow chart showing a still further part of the operation
in the reproduction mode.
FIG. 18 is a flow chart showing a still further part of the operation
in the reproduction mode.
FIG. 19 is a flow chart showing a part of an operation in a motion
image reducing mode.
FIGS. 20A to 20F are illustrations representing an exemplary operation
in the motion image reducing mode.
FIGS. 21A to 21F are illustrations representing another exemplary
operation in the motion image reducing mode.
FIGS. 22A to 22E are illustrations representing an exemplary operation
of a still image cutting mode.
FIGS. 23A to 23D are illustrations representing an exemplary operation
in a still image pasting mode.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
First Embodiment
FIG. 1A is a perspective view taken from the front side (from the
side of the lens) and FIG. 1B is a perspective view taken from the
rear side, showing the appearance of the digital camera in accordance
with the first embodiment of the present invention.
Referring to FIGS. 1A and 1B, on the front side of the digital
camera, there are provided a lens 1, a lens cover 2 linked to a
power switch, an optical finder 3, a flashlight 4 and an LED (Light
Emitting Diode) 5 for a self timer, and on the upper and side surfaces,
there are a shutter button 6, a three point type main switch 7,
a macro switch lever 8 and a terminal 9. On the rear surface of
the digital camera, there are provided an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display)
10, a mode button 11, a set button 12, a direction designating button
13 and a microphone 14.
Main switch 7 is used for switching among three modes, that is,
an image pickup mode with LCD 10 on, an image pickup mode with LCD
10 off, and a reproduction mode. In the image pickup mode with LCD
10 on, a through image is displayed on LCD 10 and the through image
is recorded. In the image pickup mode with LCD 10 off, image is
picked up using optical finder 3 in the similar manner as the conventional
camera using silver film. In the reproduction mode, LCD 10 is turned
on and a reproduced image is displayed on LCD 10. On LCD 10, in
addition to the through image and the reproduced image, various
icons (characters) representing recording condition, reproduction
function and so on are also displayed.
By pressing lightly each of left, right, up and down direction
designating sections 13a, 13b, 13c and 13d of direction designating
button 13, feeding/reversing of the reproduced image, setting of
recording condition, selection of reproduction function and so on
can be set.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram representing a configuration of an image
recording and reproducing circuit 20 contained in the digital camera.
Referring to FIG. 2, in image recording and reproducing circuit
20, a system controller 41 applies various control signals to a
CPU (Central Processing Unit) 42 at prescribed timings, in response
to signals from lens cover 2, shutter button 6, main switch 7, macro
switch lever 8, mode button 11, set button 12 and direction designating
button 13. In accordance with the control signals applied from system
controller 41, CPU 42 controls a memory control circuit 27 and a
flash memory control circuit 47.
Memory control circuit 27 controls a first signal processing circuit
24, a second signal processing circuit 29, a JPEG (Joint Photographic
Expert Group) circuit 44, buffers 25, 28, 43 and an SDRAM (Synchronous
Dynamic random Access Memory) 26. Write/read of image data to and
from SDRAM 26 are performed through buffers 25, 28 and 43. As the
speed of transfer between buffers 25, 28 and 43 and SDRAM 26 (write/read)
is made faster than the speed of data transfer among buffers 25,
28, 43, the first signal processing circuit 24, the second signal
processing circuit 29 and JPEG circuit 44, the circuit 24, 29 and
44 can operate almost simultaneously.
Memory control circuit 27 controls a character generator 30 and
a switch 31 so that a part of image data is replaced with a character
image data, whereby a character image is overwritten on the through
image or the reproduced image.
Flash memory control circuit 47 controls buffer 45 and flash memory
46, writes image data compressed by JPEG circuit 44 to flash memory
46 through buffer 45, and applies data read from flash memory 46
to JPEG circuit 44 through buffer 45.
In the image pickup mode, an optical image entering through lens
1 is incident on a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) imager 21 through
a complementary color filter, not shown. CCD imager 21 outputs electric
signals (progressive scan signals) of pixels in accordance with
progressive scanning (progressive scanning of pixels). The progressive
scan signals from CCD imager 21 is applied to a CDS/AGC (Correlate
Double Sampling/Auto Gain Control) circuit 22.
CDS/AGC circuit performs known noise removal and level adjustment
on the progressive scan signals, and the progressive scan signals
which have been subjected to such processings are converted to digital
data (image data) by A/D converter 23. First signal processing circuit
24 performs known white balance adjustment and gamma correction
on the image data output from A/D converter 23, and thereafter,
applies the image data to SDRAM 26 through buffer 25.
Memory control circuit 27 writes the image data to SDRAM 26, and
thereafter reads the image data by interlace scanning. Therefore,
odd-numbered field image data and even-numbered field image data
are output alternately from SDRAM 26. The image data output from
SDRAM 26 are input to second signal processing circuit 29 through
buffer 28 and to JPG circuit 44 through buffer 43.
The second signal processing circuit 29 performs processing such
as color interpolation on the input image data, and image data output
from second signal processing circuit 29 are applied to D/A converter
32 through switch 31. D/A converter 32 converts the image data to
analog signals (image signals), which image signals are output through
an output terminal 33 and applied to LCD 10. Therefore, real time
motion image (through image) 50 is displayed on LCD 10, as shown
in FIG. 3A.
When mode button 11 is pressed in this state, various icons 51
to 59 indicating the recording condition are displayed on an end
portion of LCD 10. In FIG. 3B, the icons are represented as a simple
white rectangle and hatched rectangles, for simplicity of the drawing.
Actually, the icons are marks representing corresponding recording
conditions. Icons 51 to 59 are for setting a still image pickup
mode, high speed continuous image pickup mode, resolution, voice
memo, self timer, macro mode display, exposure correction and digital
zooming. Icons 51 to 59 are selected by direction designating button
13. Among icons 51 to 59, the selected icon (in the figure, icon
51) is displayed in a positive state (white rectangle) and other
icons are displayed in a negative state (hatched rectangles). When
set button 12 is pressed in this state, the condition represented
by the selected icon (in this case, icon 51) is set (in this case,
still image pickup mode). When mode button 11 is pressed after the
setting of recording conditions, icons 51 to 59 disappear and the
display returns to the state of FIG. 3A.
When an operator presses a shutter button 6, JPEG circuit 44 is
activated, image data read from SDRAM 26 and input to JPEG circuit
44 through buffer 43 are compressed in accordance with a JPEG format,
and the compressed data is written to flash memory 46 through buffer
45. In a reproduction mode, the compressed data read from flash
memory 46 is input to JPEG circuit 44 through buffer 45. JPEG circuit
44 decompresses the input compressed data and applies the data to
SDRAM 26 through buffer 43. Memory control circuit 27 writes the
image data to SDRAM 26, and thereafter, read the image data by interlace
scanning.
The image data read from SDRAM 26 are applied through buffer 28,
second signal processing circuit 29 and switch 31 to D/A converter
32 and converted to analog image signals. The analog image signals
are output to the outside through output terminal 33 and to LCD
10. Thus as shown in FIG. 4A, reproduced image 60 is displayed on
LCD 10. When left direction designating section 13a of direction
designating button 13 is pressed, an image recorded prior to the
reproduced image is reproduced, and when the right direction designating
section 13b is pressed, an image recorded after the reproduced image
is reproduced. In this manner, a desired image can be selected and
reproduced.
When mode button 11 is pressed in this state, various icons 61
to 68 representing reproducing functions are displayed on an end
portion of LCD 10 as shown in FIG. 4B. Icons 61 to 68 are for selecting
reproduction mode, multireproduction, reproduction zooming, protection,
erasure, image synthesization, card operation and setting of date
and time, respectively. A desired one of icons 61 to 68 is selected
by direction designating button 13 and when set button 12 is pressed,
the function represented by the icon is selected. When mode button
11 is pressed without pressing set button 12, the display returns
to the state of FIG. 4A.
The image synthesizing function, which is the feature of the present
invention, will be described. First, in the state shown in FIG.
4A, direction designating button 13 is used to feed/reverse the
reproduced image, and a desired reproduced image 60 as a background
is selected. Thereafter, mode button 11 is pressed so that icons
61 to 68 are displayed as shown in FIG. 4B, icon 66 for image synthesization
is selected by using direction designating button 13, and set button
12 is pressed.
In this manner, image synthesizing function is selected, and a
vertical line L1 and a horizontal line L2 are displayed on reproduced
image 60 as shown in FIG. 5A. When the left direction designating
section 13A or the right direction designation section 13b of direction
designating button 13 is pressed, the vertical line L1 moves to
the left or the right, and when the upper direction designating
section 13c or the lower direction designating section 13d is pressed,
the horizontal line L2 moves upward or downward. By moving the vertical
line L1 and the horizontal line L2, position of a first point P1
which is an intersecting point of these lines is determined. The
first point P1 is an upper left point of a frame F.
When set button 12 is pressed in this state, the first point P1
is determined as shown in FIG. 5B, and a vertical line L3 and a
horizontal line L4 are further displayed on reproduced image 60.
When the left direction designating section 13a or the right direction
designating section 13b of direction designating button 13 is pressed,
the vertical line L3 moves to the left or to the right, and when
the upper direction designating section 13c or the lower direction
designating section 13d is pressed, the horizontal line L4 moves
upward or downward. The vertical line L3 and the horizontal line
L4 are movable on the lower side and to the right of the first point
P1. When one of the vertical line L3 and the horizontal line L4
is moved, the other of the vertical line L3 and the horizontal line
L4 follows such that the aspect ratio of the frame F having L1 to
L4 as its four sides is always kept at 3:4. By moving vertical line
L3 and horizontal line L4, the position of the second point P2 which
is an intersection of these lines is determined. The second point
B2 is the lower right point of frame F.
When set button 12 is pressed in this state, the size and approximate
position of frame F is determined as shown in FIG. 5C. When the
direction designating section 13a to 13d of direction designating
button 13 is pressed, the frame F moves in the designated direction.
By moving the frame F, the position of the frame F is determined.
When set button 12 is pressed in this state, a through image 50
is displayed in an area surrounded by the frame F, as shown in FIG.
5D. At this time, in the circuit 20 shown in FIG. 2, the through
image data generated by A/D converter 23 is thinned out, that is,
subjected to a so called reduction zooming, by the first signal
processing circuit 24 conforming to the size and position of the
frame F. The thinned out through image data are applied to SDRAM
26 through buffer 25, and overwritten on that area of the reproduced
still image data written in SDRAM 26 which corresponds to the area
surrounded by the frame F. As the through image is a motion image,
the overwriting data is successively updated. In this manner, a
window of a desired size and position is opened in the reproduced
image 60, and through image 50 is displayed on the window.
When shutter button 6 is pressed in this state, the image data
of the synthesized image displayed on the LCD 10 at that time are
compressed by JPEG circuit 44 and written to flash memory 46 through
buffer 45. Therefore, it becomes possible to reproduce the synthesized
image in the similar manner as the still image picked up in the
normal image pickup mode.
When mode button 11 is pressed in the state represented by FIGS.
5A to 5D, the display returns to the state of FIG. 5A, and when
mode button 11 is pressed again in this state, the display returns
to the state of FIG. 3B.
In the present embodiment, the thinned out through image data are
overwritten on the reproduced image data at the time of image synthesization
to produce a synthesized image. However, the embodiment is not limited
thereto. For example, all the through image data and the reproduced
image data may be separately written to memory areas of SDRAM 26,
the reproduced image data may be read outside the frame F and the
through the image data may be read inside the frame F, to produce
the synthesized image.
Further, the vertical line L3 and the horizontal line L4 are moved
with the aspect ratio of the frame F having L1 to L4 as four sides
is always kept at 3:4 in the above described embodiment. However,
the ratio is not limited, and the position of the second point P2
may be set regardless of the ratio of 3:4.
FIGS. 6A to 6F represent a modification of the first embodiment.
FIG. 6A shows a reproduced image displayed on LCD 10, and FIG.
6B shows the through image. In the embodiment described above, when
set button 12 is pressed after the position of frame F is determined,
through image 50 which has been thinned out and reduced in size
is displayed in the area surrounded by frame F as shown in FIG.
6D.
By contrast, in this modification, when set button 12 is pressed
continuously, only a part of the through image corresponding to
the frame extracted from the whole image is displayed as shown in
FIG. 6C, without thinning out as shown in FIG. 6D.
Further, when the position of the first point P1 is determined
by moving the vertical line L1 and the horizontal line L2, the color
of the vertical and horizontal lines L1 and L2 may be changed from
white to orange, for example, and when the aspect ratio of frame
F is set at 3:4 by moving the vertical line L3 and the horizontal
line L4, the color of the vertical and horizontal lines L3 and L4,
represented by the double lines in FIG. 6E, may be changed from
white to green, for example, as represented by a thick black line
in FIG. 6F.
Second Embodiment
In the present embodiment, when a motion image reducing mode is
set, a pointer is displayed on the monitor. When the operator operates
a cursor key, the pointer moves, and when the operator operates
a determination key at two different pointer positions, a rectangular
frame is formed. More specifically, the two pointer positions present
the upper left and lower right coordinates of the frame. The picked
up real time motion image is displayed in the rectangular frame.
The displayed motion image is reduced to a magnification corresponding
to the ratio of the rectangular frame with respect to the monitor
frame. In the portion of the monitor frame outside the rectangular
frame, a still image reproduced from the recording medium may be
displayed. When the operator operates the shutter button in this
state, the image in the monitor frame is recorded on the recording
medium.
Further, when a still image paste mode is set with the reproduced
still image being displayed on the monitor, a partial still image
recorded separately is synthesized with the still image which is
displayed originally. When the cursor key is operated in the upward/downward
direction, display of the partial still image is switched, and when
the cursor key is operated in the left/right direction, the still
image displayed below the partial image is switched. When the shutter
button is operated, the synthesized image which is being displayed
is recorded on the recording medium.
This embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the
figures.
Referring to FIG. 7, the digital camera 70 in accordance with the
present embodiment includes a lens 71. An incident optical image
of the object enters CCD imager 72 through lens 71. CCD imager 72
has 640 pixels and 480 lines of pixels in the horizontal and vertical
directions.
When a mode setting switch 87 is set to the side of the camera,
a system controller 85 sets camera mode in CPU 83 through an interruption
terminal 83. At this time, CPU 83 designates reading of pixel signals
(camera signals) to timing generator 84, and timing generator 84
reads camera signals in ruster scan method, from CCD imager 72.
The read camera signals are converted to digital signals (camera
data) by an A/D converter 73, and the converted camera data are
input to a signal processing circuit 74. In front of CCD imager
72, a complementary color filter, not shown, is attached, and pixels
of the input camera data each has only one complementary color component
of Ye, Cy, Mg or G. Therefore, signal processing circuit 74 performs
color separation on the input camera data, and RGB data obtained
through color separation are subjected to YUV conversion.
The YUV data obtained in this manner, that is, the image data is
subjected to a prescribed zooming process by a zoom circuit 75,
input to DRAM 81 through a bus 76 and written to a video memory
area 81a in accordance with ruster scan method. Video area 81a has
a capacity corresponding to a frame of monitor 80 (monitor frame),
and image data output from zoom circuit 75 are written to the video
memory area 81 by DMA (Direct Memory Access). More specifically,
CPU 83 applies, together with a write request, the frame data, that
is, the X and Y coordinates at the upper left corner of the frame
as well as the data of horizontal and vertical sizes (X size and
Y size) to memory control circuit 78, and in accordance with the
frame data, memory control circuit 78 writes the image data at a
prescribed position of video memory area 81a. In the normal camera
mode, frame data of the monitor frame are input to memory control
circuit 78. The upper left coordinates of the monitor frame are
(0, 0), and the horizontal and vertical sizes are 640 pixels and
480 lines, respectively. Therefore, image data are written in the
full video memory area 81a.
After the completion of writing, the image data of video memory
area 81a are read in accordance with the ruster scan method by memory
control circuit 78, and applied to a video encoder 79 through a
bus 76. Video encoder 79 encodes the input image data in accordance
with NTSC method, and the resulting composite video signals are
output to monitor 80 which also serves as a view finder. The motion
picture picked up by CCD imager 72 is displayed fully on the monitor
frame. A buffer, not shown, is provided at an input/output port
of DRAM 81, and transfer rate of the image data is converted. Therefore,
writing and reading of image data can be executed in parallel.
When the operator operates the shutter button 89 in the normal
camera mode, CPU 83 instructs timing generator 84 to stop reading
of charges. Thus new reading of image data from CCD imager 72 is
stopped, and image data at the time point when shutter button 89
is pressed is kept maintained in video memory area 81. CPU 83 reads
the image data from video memory area 81a by DMA, and inputs the
data to a compression/decompression circuit 77 through a bus 76.
At the same time, CPU 83 applies a compression instruction to compression/decompression
circuit 77. Compression/decompression circuit 77 compresses the
input image data in accordance with the JPEG method, stores the
compressed image data in an image file, and applies the image file
to a memory card 82. To memory card 82, a write instruction is also
applied from CPU 83, and the image file output from compression/decompression
circuit 87 is recorded on memory card 82.
When the operator sets the mode setting switch 87 to the reproducing
side, system controller 85 sets CPU 83 in the reproduction mode.
In response, CPU 83 reproduces a desired image file from memory
card 82, and applies the image file to compression/decompression
circuit 77 through bus 76. A decompression instruction from CPU
83 is also applied to compression/decompression circuit 77. Compression/decompression
circuit 77 decompresses the image data of the input image file in
accordance with the JPEG method, and inputs the decompressed image
data, that is, the reproduced image data to DRAM 81. In order to
write the reproduced image data to video memory area 81a, a write
request is applied from compression/decompression circuit 77 to
memory control Circuit 78, and frame data defining the position
of writing is applied from CPU 83 to memory control circuit 78.
In accordance with the write request and the frame data, memory
control circuit 78 writes the reproduced image data to video memory
area 81a. When writing is completed, CPU 83 inputs the same frame
data and a read request to memory control circuit 78 and, in response,
memory control circuit 78 reads the reproduced image data from video
memory area 81a. The read reproduced image data is applied to video
encoder 79 and, finally, the reproduced still image is displayed
on monitor 80.
Zoom circuit 75 is configured as shown in FIG. 8. Image data output
from single Processing circuit 74 is written to a line memory 75a
in response to a pixel clock and thereafter read, delayed by one
line by the same pixel clock. The read image data is a grin written
to another line memory 75b and read delayed by one line. Therefore,
from line memories 75a and 75b, image data of continuous two lines
are output simultaneously. The image data output from line memories
75a is directly imposed to a multiplexer 75g and in addition,"
to a multiplexer 75f delayed by one pixel by latch circuit 75c.
Image data output from line memory 75b is directly and puts to multiplexer
75h delayed by one pixel by latch circuit 75d.
To multipliers 75g and 75i, a decimal of the numerical value data
output from an adder 75y is input, and to multipliers 75f and 75h,
a complement obtained by subtracting the decimal from "1.0"
by a subtracter 75e is input. Therefore, the image data applied
to multipliers 75g and 75i are weighted by the decimal while the
image data applied to multipliers 75f and 75h are weighted by the
complement. Outputs of multipliers 75f and 75g are added by an adder
75j, while outputs of multipliers 75h and 75i are added by an adder
75k. By such multiplexing and adding operations, the image data
are subjected to horizontal zooming.
The added data output from adders 75j and 75k are input to multipliers
75n and 75p. A decimal of the numerical value data output from adder
75z is input to a multiplier 75p, and a complement obtained by subtracting
the decimal from "1.0" by a subtracter 75m is input to
a multiplier 75n. Thus the added data output from adder 75j is multiplied
by the complement, while the added data output from adder 75k is
multiplied by the decimal. Thereafter, the outputs from multipliers
75n and 75p are added by an adder 75q, whereby image data subjected
to zooming both in the horizontal and vertical directions are obtained.
The numerical value data output from adders 75y and 75z are calculated
in the following manner. CPU 83 inputs X size data and Y size data
included in the frame data to an H counter 75r and a V counter 75s,
respectively. Thus the X size is the maximum count value of H counter
75r, and Y size is the maximum count number of V counter 75s. H
counter 75r is incremented by the output of an AND circuit 75x,
outputs a carry signal at the maximum count value, and is reset
by a horizontal synchronizing signal and a vertical synchronizing
signal. V counter 75s is incremented by the carry signal output
from H counter 75r and reset by the vertical synchronizing signal.
An output from AND circuit 75x is a clock which rises at the timing
of each pixel constituting the zoom image, that is, a zoom pixel
clock. Based on the zoom pixel clock, the horizontal pixel number
and the vertical pixel number of the zoom image are counted by the
H and V counters 75r and 75s.
A divider 75t divides the count value of H counter 75r by a horizontal
zoom magnification output from CPU 83, and a divider 75u divides
the count value of V counter 75s by the vertical zoom magnification
output from CPU 83. The result of division by divider 75t is added
to X coordinate data included in the frame data by adder 75y, whereas
the result of division by divider 75u is added to Y coordinate data
included in the frame data by adder 75j. The results of adders 75y
and 75z represent which horizontal position and which vertical position
of the original image the zoom pixel output from adder 75q at present
correspond to. The horizontal position data and vertical position
data of the original image are output from adders 75y and 75z, the
decimal of the horizontal position data is input to subtracter 75e,
multipliers 75g and 75i and the decimal of the vertical position
data is input to subtracter 75m and multiplier 75p.
Integers of the horizontal and vertical position data output from
adders 75y and 75z are input to comparators 75v and 75w. A horizontal
count value which represents the count of horizontal pixel number
of the original image is input to comparator 75v, and a vertical
count value representing the count of vertical pixel number of the
original image is input to comparator 75w. Comparators 75v and 75w
output a match pulse when input to numerical values match each other.
AND circuit 75x provides logical product of match pulses output
from comparators 75b and 75w and outputs a logical product signal
(AND signal) as a zoom pixel clock. The zoom pixel clock is input
to memory control circuit 78, and memory control circuit 78 writes
only the pixel data output from adder 75q simultaneously with zoom
pixel clock to DRAM 81. Thus image data of a desired zoom magnification
is obtained in the DRAM 81. Here, the original image refers to an
image of the object entering the CCD imager 72, and the original
image data is obtained from signal processing circuit 74.
Memory control circuit 78 is configured as shown in FIG. 9. X size
data and Y size data included in the frame data are loaded to decoders
93 and 94, respectively, and X coordinate data and Y coordinate
data are loaded to an address operating circuit 95. Address operating
circuit 95 is configured as shown in FIG. 10, and X coordinate data
and Y coordinate data are loaded to registers 105 and 106, more
specifically. In the normal camera mode, decoders 93 and 94 hold
numerical value data of "640" and "480", and
registers 105 and 106 both hold numerical value data of "0".
The numerical value data held in registers 105 and 106 are updated
at the input timing of vertical synchronizing pulse V.sub.sync.
An H counter 91 is incremented by the zoom pixel clock input from
zoom circuit 75, and count value of H counter 91 (horizontal count
value) is input to address operating circuit 95 and decoder 93.
Decoder 93 compares the input horizontal count value with "640",
and when these match each other, outputs a match pulse. H counter
91 is reset by the match pulse, and V counter 92 is incremented
by the match pulse. The counter value of V counter 92 (vertical
count value) is applied to address operating circuit 95 and decoder
94, and decoder 94 resets V counter 92 when the vertical count value
matches "480". In this manner, H counter 91 is reset when
pixels corresponding to the X size of the frame is counted, and
V counter 92 is reset when lines corresponding to the Y size of
the frame is counted.
Referring to FIG. 10, the horizontal and vertical count values
are applied to adders 101 and 102 provided in address operating
circuit 95. Adder 101 adds the horizontal count value to the X coordinate
data held in register 105, while adder 102 adds the vertical count
value to Y coordinate data held in register 106. The result of addition
of adder 102 is thereafter applied to a multiplier 103 and multiplier
103 multiplies the input result of addition by the numerical value
data "640" held in register 107. Adder 104 adds the result
of addition by adder 101 to the result of multiplication by multiplier
103. More specifically, address operating circuit 95 generates an
address signal by an operation represented by the following equation
(1). Address=(Horizontal Count Value+Upper Left X Coordinate)+(Vertical
Count Value+Left Y Coordinate).times.640 (1)
Controller 96 receives the address signal from address operating
circuit 95 and a write/read request from CPU 83 or compression/decompression
circuit 77, and outputs an address signal, W/R signal and an enable
signal to DRAM 81. More specifically, controller 96 outputs the
address signal from address operating circuit 95 as it is, and sets
the enable signal to the high level at the same time. When a write
request is applied, the controller sets the W/R signal to the high
level, and when a read request is applied, sets the W/R signal to
the low level. By such address signal, W/R signal and enable signal,
an access to the desired address of video memory area 81a is performed.
Memory control circuit 78 operates in the above described manner
based on the frame data from CPU 83, and forms a desired frame on
video memory area 81a, and therefore, on monitor 80.
CPU 83 performs the processing represented by the flow chart of
FIGS. 11 to 13 when the mode setting switch 87 is set to the side
of the camera, and performs the process represented by the flow
chart of FIGS. 14 to 18 when the mode setting switch 87 is set to
the reproducing side. Further, CPU 83 processes the subroutine represented
by FIG. 19, as needed.
When the camera mode is set, CPU 83 initializes horizontal zoom
magnification, vertical zoom magnification and frame data in step
S1 of FIG. 11. At this time, zoom magnification is set to 1 both
in the vertical and horizontal directions. As to the frame size,
X and Y sizes are set to "640" and "480", and
X and Y coordinates are both set to "0". Therefore, from
zoom circuit 75, the picked up image data is output with the zoom
magnification of 1, and an instruction is given to memory control
circuit 78 so that a motion picture frame corresponding to the monitor
frame is formed. CPU 83 instructs timing generator 84 to read charges
in step S2, that is, enables CCD imager 72 in step S2, and thereafter,
in step S3, outputs a write request to memory control circuit 78
so that image data of one frame are written from zoom circuit 75
to video memory area 81a. As a result, a motion image frame corresponding
to the monitor frame is formed on video memory area 81a, and image
data are written to the motion image frame.
In step S5, CPU 83 applies a read request to memory control circuit
78 and reads all image data from video memory area 81a. Consequently,
a real time object image is displayed fully on the monitor frame.
More specifically, a motion image frame of the same size as the
monitor frame is formed on monitor 80, and the picked up motion
image is displayed on the motion image frame. Thereafter, in steps
S7 and S9, CPU 83 determines whether a motion image reducing mode
is set or not and whether shutter button 89 is pressed or not. If
the answer in each step is "NO", the flow returns to step
S3. Therefore, unless the operator performs any key operation, the
processes of steps S3 and S5 are repeated, and a motion image is
continuously displayed on monitor 80.
When the operator operates shutter button 89 with the motion image
being output from monitor 80, CPU 83 determines that the answer
of step S9 is "YES", and in step S24 of FIG. 13, CPU 83
instructs timing generator 84 to stop reading of charges. Thus CCD
imager 72 is disabled, and image data at the time point when shutter
button 89 is pressed is maintained in video memory area 81a. Thereafter,
CPU 38 reads the image data from video memory area 81a in step S25,
applies the data to compression/decompression circuit 77 and performs
JPEG compression. In step S25, in addition to reading of image data,
a compression instruction is applied to compression/decompression
circuit 77, whereby the image data is compressed.
In step S27, whether the present operation mode is the motion image
reducing mode or not is determined. If it is "NO", then
in steps S30 and S31, an instruction to form a pic file and an instruction
to store the compressed image data to the pic file are applied to
compression/decompression circuit 77, respectively. In step S31,
writing of the size data of the motion image frame to the pic file
is also instructed. Therefore, the image data picked up in the normal
camera mode are stored in the image file "pic000P.jpg"
having an identifier "pic" added thereto (where P is an
integer), and the size data of the motion image frame is written
to the header portion of the image file. CPU 83 records such a pic
file in memory card 82 in step S33, and the flow returns to step
S1. In step S33, memory card 82 is instructed to write the image
file.
When the operator sets the motion image reducing mode by the operation
of a menu, CPU 83 determines it is "YES" in step S7, disables
CCD imager 72 in step S10 of FIG. 12, and performs frame determining
process in step S11.
More specifically, referring to FIG. 19, in step S119, pointer
data is read from character area 81b of DRAM 81, and the pointer
is displayed on monitor 80. Thereafter, in steps S121 and S125,
operations of cursor keys 86a to 86d and determination key 88 are
monitored, respectively. When any of cursor keys 86a to 86d is operated,
CPU 83 determines that it is "YES" in step S121, changes
the position of display of the pointer in accordance with the key
operation in step S123, and the flow returns to step S119. When
determination key 88 is operated, whether flag 83a is set or not
is determined in step S127. If flag 83a is not set, CPU 83 determines
the present pointer position as an upper left coordinates of the
motion image frame in step S129, sets flag 83a in step S131, and
the flow returns to step S119.
When it is determined in step S127 that flag 83a is set, CPU 83
determines the present pointer position as the lower right coordinates
of the motion image frame in step S133. In step S135, flag 83a is
reset, and in step S137, the X and Y sizes of the motion image frame
are calculated in accordance with the following equation (2). More
specifically, by subtracting the upper left X coordinate from the
lower right X coordinate of the motion image frame, the X size is
calculated, and by subtracting the upper left Y coordinate from
the lower right Y coordinate of the motion image frame, the Y size
is calculated. X size=lower right X coordinate-upper left X coordinate
Y size=lower right Y coordinate-upper left Y coordinate Upper left
X coordinate: X coordinate at an upper left vertex of rectangular
frame Upper left Y coordinate: Y coordinate at the upper left vertex
of rectangular frame Lower right X coordinate: X coordinate at a
lower right vertex of rectangular frame Lower right Y coordinate:
Y coordinate at the lower right vertex of the rectangular frame
(2)
Returning to FIG. 12, in step S12, zoom magnification of the motion
image is calculated in accordance with the following equation (3).
The calculated zoom magnification is set in the zoom circuit 75.
More specifically, the Z size of the calculated motion image frame
is divided by the X size of the monitor frame to calculate the horizontal
zoom magnification, and the Y size of the calculated motion image
frame is divided by the Y size of the monitor frame to calculate
the vertical zoom magnification. Horizontal zoom magnification=X
size of the motion image frame/X size of the monitor frame Vertical
zoom magnification=Y size of the motion image frame/Y size of the
monitor frame (3)
Thereafter, in step S13, the size data and the upper left coordinate
data of the frame obtained in step S11 and the zoom magnification
calculated in step S12 are set in zoom circuit 75. In this manner,
the data of reduced image which has been reduced in size to be within
the motion image frame are generated.
Thereafter, in step S14, CPU 83 instructs timing generator 84 to
read charges, and enables CCD imager 72. In step S15, CPU 83 applies
a write request to memory control circuit 78, and data of X and
Y sizes and upper left X and Y coordinates calculated in step S11,
that is, frame data of the motion image frame are applied to memory
control circuit 78. Accordingly, a desired motion image frame is
formed in video memory area 81a, and the reduced image data output
from zoom circuit 75 is written to the motion image frame. In step
S17, CPU 83 applies a read request and the initial frame data to
memory control circuit 78, and all image data stored in video memory
area 81a are read. Accordingly, the reduced motion image and gray
image are displayed on monitor 80. More specifically, the reduced
motion image is displayed on the motion image frame formed on monitor
80, and on the portion other than the motion image frame of the
monitor frame, gray image is displayed. When the motion is image
frame formed by the operator has an aspect ratio different from
that of the monitor frame, the reduced motion image displayed is
distorted in the horizontal or vertical direction.
CPU 83 monitors operations of cursor keys 86a to 86d and shutter
button 89 in steps S19 and S23, and when none of these is operated,
repeats the processes of steps S15 and S17. Thus the reduced motion
image is displayed in the motion image frame. When any of cursor
keys 86a to 86d is operated, the image data in video memory area
81a is cleared in step S21, the X and Y coordinates data contained
in the frame data, that is, the upper left coordinate data of the
motion image frame are updated, and thereafter the flow returns
to step S15. In this manner, the write position of reduced image
data is changed, and as a result, the motion image frame displayed
on monitor 80 moves.
When shutter button 89 is operated, CPU 83 disables CCD imager
72 in step S24, and performs JPEG compression on the reduced image
data at the time when the shutter button 89 is pressed, in step
S25. At this time, CPU 83 applies a read request and the frame data
of the motion image frame to memory control circuit 78, and instructs
compression/decompression circuit 77 to perform JPEG compression.
Therefore, only the image data within the motion image frame are
compressed. In step S27, whether the present operation mode is the
motion image reducing mode or not is determined and if it is "YES",
then instruction to form an image file "syn000S.jpg" (where
S is an integer) with an identifier "syn" is applied to
compression/decompression circuit 77 in step S28, and an instruction
to store the compressed image data to syn file and to write the
size data of the motion image frame to the syn file is applied to
compression/decompression circuit 77 in step S29. Accordingly, the
image data of a frame smaller than the monitor frame is stored in
the syn file, and size data of the motion image frame is written
to the header portion of the syn file. CPU 83 stores the syn file
storing the image data in this manner in memory card 82 in step
S33, and the flow returns to step S1.
When the camera mode is set, a motion image of the object is displayed
on monitor 80 as shown in FIG. 20A, for example. When the operator
sets the motion image reducing mode here, display of the object
disappears as shown in FIG. 20B, and, instead, a cross shaped pointer
is displayed on monitor 80. The pointer moves on the screen in accordance
with the operation of cursor keys 86a to 86d. When the operator
operates the determination key 88 at the pointer position shown
in FIG. 20B, the pointer position serves as the upper left coordinates
of the motion image frame. After the upper left coordinates are
determined, display of the pointer continuous, and the pointer moves
on the screen in accordance with the operation of cursor keys 86a
to 86d. When the operator moves the pointer to a position represented
in FIG. 20C and presses determination key 88, the pointer position
will be the lower right coordinates of the motion image frame. In
this manner, the position and the size of the motion image frame
are determined. Then, the motion image frame is formed on monitor
80, and the motion image of the object is reduced and displayed
on the motion image frame. The display position of the reduced motion
image moves by operating cursor keys 86a to 86d after the reduced
motion image is displayed, as shown in FIG. 20E. When the operator
presses shutter button 89 while the reduced motion image is being
displayed on monitor 80, only the image in the motion image frame
is recorded on memory card 82 as shown in FIG. 20F.
When the operator sets the mode setting switch 87 to the reproducing
side, CPU 83 performs the processing represented by the flow chart
of FIGS. 14 to 18. First, in step S35, zoom magnification and the
frame data are initialized, and in step S37, the pic file is reproduced
from memory card 82. In step S37, a read instruction is applied
to memory card 82 so that the latest pic file is read, and the compressed
image data stored in the pic file are decompressed by compression/decompression
circuit 77. When decompression is completed, a write request of
decompressed image data is input from compression/decompression
circuit 77 to memory control circuit 78. CPU 83 inputs initial frame
data to memory control circuit 78 at the same timing as the write
request in step S38, so that the decompressed image data is written
to video memory area 81a. In this manner, a still image frame corresponding
to the monitor frame is formed in video memory area 81a, and the
decompressed image data, that is, the reproduced still image data
are written to the still image frame.
Thereafter, CPU 83 applies the initial frame data and the read
request to memory control circuit 78 in step S39, and reads the
reproduced image data from video memory area 81a. Accordingly, the
reproduced image is displayed on monitor 80. Thereafter, CPU 83
monitors operation of cursor key 86c or 86d, and monitors whether
the motion image reducing mode, a still image cutting mode and a
still image paste mode is set or not in steps S45, S47 and S49,
respectively. When there is no key operation and no mode setting,
CPU 83 repeats the operation of step S39, and accordingly, the same
still image is continuously displayed on monitor 80.
When the cursor key 86c or 86d is operated in step S41, CPU 83
reproduces another pic file from memory card 82 in step S43, and
thereafter returns to step S39. In this case also, CPU 83 applies
a read instruction to memory card 82 to read a desired pic file,
and the compressed image stored in the pic file is decompressed
by compression/decompression circuit 77. The decompressed image
data are overwritten on video memory area 81a in step S38. Thus
the reproduced image to be displayed on monitor 80 is updated. When
the motion image reducing mode is selected, the flow proceeds to
step S51, when the still image cutting mode is selected, the flow
proceeds to step S73, and when the still image paste mode is selected,
the flow proceeds to step S88.
When the motion image reducing mode is set, CPU 83 performs the
process of determining the motion image frame in accordance with
the subroutine shown in FIG. 19 in step S51, and calculates the
zoom magnification in accordance with the above equation (3) in
step S53. In step S54, the upper left coordinates data, the size
data and the zoom magnification are set in zoom circuit 75. Accordingly,
a reduced image data corresponding to the size of the motion image
frame are output from zoom circuit 75. CPU 83 further sets the frame
data of the motion image frame determined in step S51 and the write
request to memory control circuit 78 in step S55, and the reduced
image data are written to the motion image frame formed on video
memory area 81a. Accordingly, on the reproduced image data which
has been already written to the video memory area 81a, the reduced
image data are synthesized. Thereafter, CPU 83 applies the read
request and the initial frame data to memory control circuit 78
in step S57, reads all the image data stored in DRAM 81 and outputs
the data through monitor 80. When operator operates none of cursor
keys 86a to 86d and shutter button 89, CPU 83 repeats the processes
of steps S55 and S57. Consequently, a motion image is displayed
on the motion image frame formed on monitor 80, and on a portion
of the monitor frame other than the motion image frame, a still
image is displayed.
When the operator operates any of cursor keys 86a to 86d, CPU 83
determines that it is "YES" in step S59. In step S61,
the same pic file as the last time is reproduced from memory card
82, the initial frame data is input to memory control circuit 78
in step S62 and the reproduced image data are written to video memory
area 81a. Instep S63, the upper left X and Y coordinates of the
motion image frame are updated, and the flow returns to step S55.
In step S55, the reduced image data are written to the motion image
frame of which position has been moved, and in step S57, all the
image data in video memory area 81a are read. In this manner, as
reproduction of the pic file is repeated every time the cursor keys
86a to 86d is operated, the still image is not missed after the
motion image frame is moved.
When the operator operates shutter button 89, CPU 83 determines
that it is "YES" in step S65, and performs JPEG compression
on all the image data stored in video memory area 81a in step S67.
At this time, CPU 83 applies the read request and the initial frame
data to memory control circuit 78, and applies the compression instruction
to compression/decompression circuit 77. Consequently, compressed
image data are generated. Thereafter, in step S68, instruction to
form a pic file is applied, and in step S69, instruction to store
the compressed image data to the pic file and writing of the frame
data of the monitor frame are applied. Thereafter, in step S71,
the pic file in which the compressed image data are stored is stored
in memory card 82, and the flow returns to step S35.
When the motion image reducing mode is set with the reproduced
image being displayed on monitor 80 as shown in FIG. 21A, a pointer
is displayed on monitor 80 as shown in FIG. 21B. The pointer also
moves in accordance with the operation of cursor keys 86a to 86d,
and in accordance with the operation of determination key 70, the
upper left and lower right coordinates of the motion image frame
are determined. When the determination key is operated at the positions
shown in FIGS. 21B and 21C, the motion image frame is formed as
shown in FIG. 21D, within which the reduced motion image of the
object is displayed. The formed motion image frame moves on the
screen in accordance with the operation of cursor keys 86a to 86d.
As the still image is reproduced repeatedly in accordance with the
operation of cursor keys 86a to 86d, the still image which has been
covered by the motion image frame before movement is not missed
even when the motion image frame is moved. When the shutter button
89 is pressed after the motion image frame is moved to the position
represented by FIG. 21E, all the images displayed are stored in
the memory card 82 as shown in FIG. 21F.
Returning to FIG. 14, when it is determined in step S 47 that the
still image cutting mode is set, CPU 83 processes the subroutine
shown in FIG. 19 in step S 73 of FIG. 16, and determines the still
image frame. In step S 75, still image data are read from video
memory area 81a, and character data of the still image frame are
read from character area 81b and output to monitor 80. Accordingly,
a still image frame is synthesized and displayed on still image.
When the operator operates cursor key 86a to 86d, CPU 83 determines
it is "YES" in step S77, and updates the upper left coordinate
data of the still image frame in step S79. More specifically, the
X and Y coordinates of the frame data to be applied to memory circuit
78 are updated. Thereafter, the flow returns to step S75. Accordingly,
the still image frame moves on monitor 80. When the operator operates
shutter button 89 in step S81, CPU 83 applies the image data in
the still image frame to compression/decompression circuit 77 in
step S83 and performs JPEG compression thereon. Thereafter, a syn
file is formed in step S84, and the compressed image data are stored
in the syn file in step S85. In step S87, the sun file storing the
compressed image data is stored in memory card 82, and the flow
returns to step S35.
When the still image cutting mode is set with the still image reproduced
from memory card 82 being displayed as shown in FIG. 22A, a pointer
is displayed as shown in FIG. 22B. When the cursor keys 86a to 86d
and determination key 88 are operated in the similar manner as described
above, the upper left and lower right coordinates of the still image
frame are determined. The still image frame is displayed on monitor
80 as shown in FIG. 22D. The still image frame moves in the monitor
frame in accordance with the operation of cursor keys 86a to 86d.
When shutter button 89 is pressed with the still image frame being
displayed as shown in FIG. 22D, only the partial still image within
the still image frame is stored in memory card 82 as shown in FIG.
22E.
Returning to FIG. 14, if it is determined in step S49 that the
still image paste mode is selected, CPU 83 reads any of the syn
files from memory card 82 in step S88 shown in FIG. 17, and detects
the frame size data of the partial image data stored therein from
the header of the syn file. Further, CPU 83 determines the upper
left coordinate of the still image frame such that the partial still
image is displayed at the center of the monitor frame, in step S89.
When the frame data of the still image frame is determined in this
manner, CPU 83 reproduces the same syn file in step S90. More specifically,
the same syn file is read from memory card 82, and the compressed
image data contained in the read syn file are decompressed by the
compression/decompression circuit 77. Thereafter, the decompressed
image data are written to video memory area 81a in step S91. At
the time of writing to the video memory area 81a, CPU 83 applies
a write request and the frame data determined in steps S88 and S89
to memory control circuit 78. Accordingly, the still image frame
is formed in video memory area 81a, and the decompressed partial
still image data are written to the still image frame.
In step S91, the read request and the initial frame data are applied
to memory control circuit 78, and all the image data and video memory
area 81a are output to monitor 80. Accordingly, on the still image
displayed before the setting of the still image paste mode, the
still image frame is formed, and the partial still image newly reproduced
from memory card 82 is synthesized within the still image frame
in step S92. One operator operates cursor key 86a or 86b at this
time in step S93, the partial still image is switched. CPU 83 reproduces
the same pic file as the last time in step S94, and puts the initial
frame data to memory control circuit 78 in step S95 and writes the
reproduced image data to video memory area 81a. In steps S96 and
S97, processes similar to those in steps S88 and S89 are performed,
and the frame data of the still image frame are updated. Thereafter
another syn file is reproduced in step S97, and the flow returns
to step S91. If the partial still image to the reproduced this time
is smaller than the partial still image reproduced last time, part
of the still image displayed behind the partial still image will
be lost. Therefore, the same pic file is reproduced first, and thereafter
another syn file is reproduced.
When cursor key 86c or 86d is operated by the operator, the still
image displayed behind the partial still image is updated. At this
time, CPU 83 determines that it is "YES" in step S99,
and another pic file in accordance with the key operation is reproduced
in step S100, and the reproduced image data are written to video
memory area 81a in step S101. Thereafter, the same syn file is reproduced
in step S102 and the flow returns to step S91. In this manner, desired
two still images can be selected.
When determination key 88 is pressed in step S103 with desired
two still images being displayed, CPU 80 determines that it is "YES"
in step 103 and the flow proceeds to step S105. In step S105, all
image data of video memory 81a are output to monitor 80 as in step
S91. Thereafter in step S106, whether any cursor key 86a to 86d
is operated or not is determined and if it is a "YES",
the upper left coordinates of the frame data to be applied to memory
control circuit 78 are updated in step S108. Therefore, the same
pic file as last time is reproduced in step S109, and the same reproduced
image data are written to video memory area 81a in accordance with
the initial frame data in step S110. Thereafter in step S111, the
same syn as the last time is reproduced in step S111, and the reproduced
image data, that is, the partial still image data are written to
the still image frame which has been moved, in step S112. In step
S112, the updated frame data and the write request are applied to
memory control circuit 78 in the similar manner as described above,
and the partial still image data are written to the form still image
frame. Thereafter, the flow returns to step S105. In this manner,
the displayed position of the partial still image exchange in accordance
with the key operation.
When the operator operates the shutter button 89 in step S107,
CPU 83 performs compression process and on all the image data stored
in the video memory area 81a in step S113, a pic file is formed
in step S114, and the compressed image data are stored in pic file
in step S115. Thereafter, the pic file storing the compressed image
data is stored in the memory card 82 in step S117, and the flow
returns to step S35.
When the still image paste mode is set with the still image reproduced
from the pic file being displayed on monitor 80, the partial still
image reproduced from the syn file is synthesized with the still
image of the pic file as shown in FIG. 23B. When cursor key 86a
or 86b is operated in this state, the partial still image is switched,
and when cursor key 86c or 86d is operated, the still image behind
the partial still image is switched. When the any of cursor keys
86a to 86d is operated after the two images to be synthesized are
determined, the partial still image is moved as shown in FIG. 23C.
When shutter button 89 is pressed with the partial still image being
arranged at a desired position, all the still images displayed are
recorded on memory card 82, as shown in FIG. 23D.
Though the reduced motion image is displayed in the motion image
frame in the present embodiment, a motion image with the magnification
of one (1) may be displayed in the motion image frame. More specifically,
only a part of the motion image displayed in the monitor frame in
the normal camera mode may be displayed in the motion image frame.
In that case, the motion image displayed changes in accordance with
the position of the motion image frame.
Further, though the motion image frame and the still image frame
are formed to have a rectangle shape in the present embodiment,
the motion image frame and the still image frame may be circular.
In that case, the size of the frame can be identified by the radius
of the circle, and the position of the frame can be specified by
the coordinates of the center.
Although the present invention has been described and illustrated
in detail, it is clearly understood that the same is by way of illustration
and example only and is not to be taken by way of limitation, the
spirit and scope of the present invention being limited only by
the terms of the appended claims.
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