IMAGING DEVICE, DISPLAY CONTROL DEVICE, DISPLAY DEVICE, PRINTING CONTROL DEVICE, AND PRINTING DEVICE

• US 20090102931A1
• Filed: 02/06/2006
• Published: 04/23/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 05/25/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Panasonic Corporation (Panasonic Holdings Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Company Limited (Panasonic Holdings Corporation)
• Inventors: Yumiki, Naoto, Yoshikawa, Motonobu
• Granted Patent: US 7,911,511 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/207.200
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/329 on a disc [VTOC]
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00127 Connection or combination of a still picture apparatus with another apparatus, e.g. for storage, processing or transmission of still picture signals or of information associated with a still picture
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00323 with a measuring, monitoring or signaling apparatus, e.g. for transmitting measured information to a central location
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/2112 using still video cameras
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/215 Recording a sequence of still pictures, e.g. burst mode
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2101/00 Still video cameras
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0082 Image hardcopy reproducer H04N2201/0091 - H04N2201/0094 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0084 Digital still camera
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0089 Image display device
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/325 Modified version of the image, e.g. part of the image, image reduced in size or resolution, thumbnail or screennail
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3252 Image capture parameters, e.g. resolution, illumination conditions, orientation of the image capture device H04N2201/3256 and subgroups take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3274 Storage or retrieval of prestored additional information
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/631 Graphical user interfaces [GUI] specially adapted for controlling image capture or setting capture parameters
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/633 for displaying additional information relating to control or operation of the camera
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/6812 based on additional sensors, e.g. acceleration sensors
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/6815 by distinguishing pan or tilt from motion
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/687 by shifting the lens or sensor position
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/698 for achieving an enlarged field of view, e.g. panoramic image capture
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/765 Interface circuits between an apparatus for recording and another apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/772 the recording apparatus and the television camera being placed in the same enclosure
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/775 : between a recording apparatus and a television receiver
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/7921 : for more than one processing mode
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/8047 : using transform coding
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/8205 : involving the multiplexing of an additional signal and the colour video signal
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/8227 : the additional signal being at least another television signal

Abstract

In an imaging device, a display control device, and a display device which are operable to conveniently display reduced images in accordance with a motion and an attitude at the time of shooting, a motion detection section detects the motion of the imaging device during continuous shooting. A recording section records reduced images of the shot images obtained by the imaging device, and motion information on the motion of the imaging device corresponding to the reduced images. An image extraction section extracts a plurality of the reduced images of the consecutively shooting from among the recorded reduced images. An image display control section causes a display section to display the extracted reduced images. An image display control section arranges the extracted reduced images in accordance with the motion information and causes the display section to display the extracted reduced images.

Claims

1. An imaging device operable to output an optical image of an object as an electrical image signal, the imaging device comprising:

a display unit for displaying an image in accordance with the image signal;

an imaging optical system for forming the optical image of the object;

an imaging unit for receiving the optical image which is formed by the imaging optical system and for converting the optical image into the electrical image signal;

a motion detection unit for detecting a motion of the imaging device during consecutive shooting;

a recording unit for recording shot images obtained by the imaging unit, reduced images of the shot images, and motion information indicating the motion of the imaging device, which has been detected by the motion detection unit, for each of the reduced images, wherein the shot images, the reduced images, and the motion information are related with one another;

an image extraction unit for extracting a plurality of reduced images of the consecutive shooting from among the reduced images recorded in the recording unit; and

an image display control unit for causing the display unit to display the reduced images extracted by the image extraction unit, wherein

the image display control unit arranges the reduced images extracted by the image extraction control unit in accordance with the motion information and causes the display unit to display the reduced images.

2. The imaging device according to claim 1, further comprising

an attitude detection unit for detecting a shooting attitude of the imaging device, wherein

the recording unit records attitude information indicating an attitude of the imaging device for each of the reduced images of the consecutive shooting, and

the image display control unit restores respective angles of the reduced images extracted by the image extraction unit to angles corresponding to the shooting attitudes of the imaging device in accordance with the attitude information, and causes the display unit to display the restored reduced images.

3. The imaging device according to claim 2, wherein

the image display control unit controls the number of the reduced images of the consecutive shooting, which are to be displayed, in accordance with the motion information or the attitude information.

4. The imaging device according to claim 1, further comprising

a recording control unit for storing the reduced images of the consecutive shooting in a common folder in the recording unit.

5. The imaging device according to claim 1, further comprising

an image blurring compensation unit for detecting vibration applied to the imaging optical system, and driving a compensation lens of the imaging optical system in two directions respectively perpendicular to an optical axis thereof, wherein

the motion detection unit determines the motion in accordance with a signal from an angular velocity detection device for detecting vibration.

6. The imaging device according to claim 1, further comprising

an image blurring compensation unit for detecting vibration applied to the imaging optical system, and driving a compensation lens of the imaging optical system in two directions respectively perpendicular to an optical axis thereof, wherein

the motion detection unit determines the motion by detecting a signal for driving the compensation lens.

7. The imaging device according to claim 6, wherein

the image blurring compensation unit includes a first actuator and a second actuator for driving the compensation lens in the two directions respectively perpendicular to the optical axis thereof, and

the motion detection unit determines the motion by detecting a value of a driving current of at least one of the first actuator and the second actuator.

8. An imaging device which is operable to output an optical image of an object as an electrical image signal, and is connectable to a display unit, the imaging device comprising:

an imaging optical system for forming the optical image of the object;

an imaging unit for receiving the optical image which is formed by the imaging optical system and for converting the optical image into the electrical image signal;

a motion detection unit for detecting a motion of the imaging device during consecutive shooting;

a recording unit for recording shot images, reduced images of the shot images, and motion information indicating the motion of the imaging device, which has been detected by the motion detection unit, for each of the reduced images, wherein the shot images, the reduced images and the motion information are related with one another;

an image extraction unit for extracting a plurality of reduced images of the consecutive shooting from among the reduced images;

an image display control unit for generating a control signal for controlling display of the reduced images extracted by the image extraction unit; and

an output unit for providing the control signal and the reduced images to the display unit, wherein

the control signal includes a signal for causing the display unit to arrange and display the extracted reduced images in accordance with the motion information.

9. The imaging device according to claim 8, comprising

an attitude detection unit for detecting a shooting attitude of the imaging device, wherein

the recording unit records attitude information indicating attitudes of the imaging device for each of the reduced images of the consecutive shooting, and

the image display control unit restores respective angles of the reduced images extracted by the image extraction unit to angles correspond to shooting attitudes of the imaging device in accordance with the attitude information, and causes the display unit to display the restored reduced images.

10. The imaging device according to claim 9, wherein

the image display control unit controls the number of the reduced images of the consecutive shooting, which are to be displayed, in accordance with the motion information or the attitude information.

11. The imaging device according to claim 8, further comprising

a recording control unit for storing the reduced images of the consecutive shooting in a common folder in the recording unit.

12. The imaging device according to claim 8, further comprising

an image blurring compensation unit for detecting vibration applied to the imaging optical system, and driving a compensation lens of the imaging optical system in two directions respectively perpendicular to an optical axis thereof, wherein

the motion detection unit determines the motion in accordance with a signal from an angular velocity detection device for detecting vibration.

13. The imaging device according to claim 8, further comprising

an image blurring compensation unit for detecting vibration applied to the imaging optical system, and driving a compensation lens of the imaging optical system in two directions respectively perpendicular to an optical axis thereof, wherein

the motion detection unit determines the motion by detecting a signal for driving the compensation lens.

14. The imaging device according to claim 13, wherein

the image blurring compensation unit includes a first actuator and a second actuator for driving the compensation lens in the two directions respectively perpendicular to the optical axis thereof, and

the motion detection unit determines the motion by detecting a value of a driving current of at least one of the first actuator and the second actuator.

15. A display device operable to read and display images which are recorded in a recording unit, the recording unit being for recording shot images, reduced images of the shot images, and motion information indicating a motion of an imaging device for each of the shot images, wherein the shot images, the reduced images, and the motion information are related with one another, the display device comprising:

a display unit for displaying images;

a reading unit for reading the reduced images and the motion information related therewith from the recording unit;

an image extraction unit for extracting a plurality of reduced images of consecutive shooting from among the read reduced images; and

an image display control unit for causing the display unit to display the extracted images, wherein

the image display control unit causes the display unit to arrange and display the extracted reduced images in accordance with the motion information.

16. The display device according to claim 15, wherein the image display control unit causes restores angles of the extracted reduced images to angles corresponding to shooting attitudes of the imaging device in accordance with attitude information indicating an attitude of the imaging device for each of the shot images, and causes the display unit to display the restored reduced images.

17. The display device according to claim 16, wherein

the image display control unit controls the number of reduced images of the consecutive shooting, which are to be displayed, accordance with at least one of the motion information and the attitude information.

18. A display control device connectable to a display unit, and operable to control the display of images which are recorded in recording unit, the recording unit being for recording shot images, reduced images of the shot images, and motion information indicating a motion of an imaging device for each of the shot images, wherein the shot images, the reduced images, and the motion information are related with one another, the display control device comprising:

a reading unit for reading the reduced images and motion information related therewith from the recording unit;

an image extraction unit for extracting a plurality of reduced images of consecutive shooting from among the read reduced;

an image display control unit for generating a control signal for causing the display unit to display the extracted reduced; and

an output unit for providing the control signal and the shot images to the display unit, wherein

the control signal includes a signal for causing the display unit to arrange and display the reduced images extracted by the image extraction unit in accordance with the motion information.

19. The display control device according to claim 18, wherein

the control signal includes a signal for causing respective angles of the extracted reduced images to be restored to angles corresponding to shooting attitudes of the imaging device in accordance with attitude information indicating an attitude of the imaging device for each of the shot images, and for causing the display unit to display the restored reduced images.

20. The display control device according to claims 19, wherein

the control signal includes a signal which is operable to control the number of the reduced images of the consecutive shooting, which are to be displayed, in accordance with at least one of the motion information and the attitude information.

21. A display control device connectable to a reading unit and to a display unit, the reading unit being for reading reduced images and motion information related therewith from a recording unit, and the recording unit being for recording shot images, the reduced images of the shot images, and motion information indicating a motion of an imaging device for each of the shot images, wherein the shot images, the reduced images, and the motion information are related with one another, the display control device comprising:

an image extraction unit for extracting a plurality of reduced images of consecutive shooting from among the read reduced images;

an image display control unit for generating a control signal for causing the display unit to display the extracted reduced images; and

an output unit for providing the control signal and the shot images to the display unit, wherein

the control signal includes a signal for causing the display unit to arrange and display the extracted reduced images in accordance with the motion information.

22. The display control device according to claim 21, wherein

the control signal includes a signal for causing respective angles of the extracted reduced images to be restored to angles correspond to shooting attitudes of the imaging device in accordance with attitude information indicating an attitude of the imaging device for each of the shot images, and for causing the display unit to display the restored reduced images.

23. The display control device according to claim 22, wherein

the control signal includes a signal which is operable to control the number of the reduced images of the consecutive shooting, which are to be displayed, in accordance with at least one of the motion information and the attitude information.

24. A printing device operable to read and print images which are recorded in a recording unit, the recording unit being for recording shot images, reduced images of the shot images, and motion information indicating a motion of an imaging device for each of the shot images, wherein the shot images, the reduced images, and the motion information are related with one another the printing device comprising:

a printing unit for printing images;

a reading unit for reading the reduced images and the motion information related therewith from the recording unit;

an image extraction unit for extracting a plurality of reduced images of consecutive shooting from among the read reduced images; and

an image printing control unit for causing the printing unit to print the extracted reduced images, wherein

the image printing control unit causes the printing unit to arrange and print the extracted reduced images in accordance with the motion information.

25. The printing device according to claim 24, wherein the image printing control unit causes respective angles of the extracted reduced images to be restored to angles corresponding to shooting attitudes of the imaging device in accordance with attitude information indicating an attitude of the imaging device for each of the shot images, and causes the printing unit to print the restored reduced images.

26. The printing device according to claim 25, wherein the image printing control unit controls the number of reduced images of the consecutive shooting, which are to be printed, in accordance with at least one of the motion information and the attitude information.

27. A print control device connectable to a printing unit and operable to control the print of images which are recorded in a recording unit, the recording unit being for recording shot images, reduced images of the shot images, and motion information indicating a motion of an imaging device for each of the shot images, wherein the shot images, the reduced images, and the motion information are related with one another, the print control device comprising:

a reading unit for reading the reduced images and the motion information related therewith from the recording unit;

an image extraction unit for extracting a plurality of reduced images of consecutive shooting;

an image printing control unit for generating a control signal for causing the printing unit to print the extracted reduced images; and

an output unit for providing the control signal and the reduced images to the printing unit, wherein

the control signal includes a signal for causing the printing unit to arrange and print the extracted reduced images in accordance with the motion information.

28. The print control device according to claim 27, wherein the control signal includes a signal for causing respective angles of the extracted reduced images to be restored to angles corresponding to shooting attitudes of the imaging device in accordance with attitude information indicating an attitude of the imaging device for each of the shot images, and for causing the printing unit to print the restored reduced images.

29. The print control device according to claim 28, wherein the control signal includes a signal which is operable to control the number of reduced images of the consecutive shooting, which are to be printed, in accordance with at least one of the motion information and the attitude information.

30. A print control device connectable to a reading unit and to a printing unit, the reading unit being for reading reduced images and motion information related therewith from a recording unit, and the recording unit being for recording shot images, reduced images of the shot images, and motion information indicating a motion of an imaging device for each of the shot images, wherein the shot images, the reduced images, and the motion information are related with one another the print control device comprising:

an image extraction unit for extracting a plurality of reduced images of consecutive shooting from among the read shot images;

an image printing control unit for generating a control signal for causing the printing unit to print the extracted reduced images; and

an output unit for providing the control signal and the images to the printing unit, wherein

the control signal includes a signal for causing the printing unit to arrange and print the extracted reduced images in accordance with the motion information.

31. The print control device according to claim 30, wherein the control signal includes a signal for causing respective angles of the extracted reduced images to be restored to angles corresponding to shooting attitudes of the imaging device in accordance with attitude information indicating an attitude of the imaging device for each of the shot images, and for causing the printing unit to print the restored reduced images.

32. The print control device according to claim 31, wherein the control signal includes a signal which is operable to control the number of reduced images of the consecutive shooting, which are to be printed, in accordance with at least one of the motion information and the attitude information.