JP5657223B2 - Imaging apparatus, image reproduction system, and image reproduction method - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus , an image reproduction system, and an image reproduction method having a function of reproducing an image using an external display device.

  In recent imaging apparatuses such as digital cameras, an increasing number of models can transfer images obtained by shooting to a display device having a large-screen display unit such as a television receiver (hereinafter abbreviated as TV). Yes. By making it possible to transfer an image obtained by shooting to a television set, it is possible to view the image obtained by shooting in the imaging apparatus on a large screen and in large numbers.

  Considering the convenience of viewing an image on a television, it is desirable that various operations on the image displayed on the television screen can be performed by a remote controller (hereinafter abbreviated as a remote controller). For example, a technique disclosed in Patent Document 1 has been proposed as a technique that enables an operation performed when an image transferred by such an imaging apparatus is displayed on a television to be performed by a remote controller. In this patent document 1, when a television and a digital camera are connected by a cable, the digital camera can be used as a remote controller for operating the television.

JP 2007-324975 A

  With the technique such as Patent Document 1, the convenience in displaying an image photographed by the imaging device on a television is improved. Here, when a captured image is displayed on a television set, it is considered that some of the captured images recorded in the imaging device do not want the owner of the imaging device to show to others. It is not very preferable to make such images easily visible with a remote controller.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an image pickup apparatus , an image reproduction system, and an image reproduction method capable of displaying only an image that the owner of the image pickup apparatus may view on an external display device. The purpose is to provide.

In order to achieve the above object, an imaging apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention is recorded in an imaging unit that acquires an image, a recording unit that records an image acquired by the imaging unit, and the recording unit. Recorded in the recording unit when there is an image request from a remote controller in a state where the imaging device is connected to the display device and the image transmission unit transmits the image to a display device outside the imaging device. The image that is permitted to be transmitted is transmitted to the display device by the image transmission unit, and the image acquired by the imaging unit is displayed on the display device when a photographing operation is performed in the imaging device. characterized by a control unit for controlling to transmit to the display device by the image transmission unit for.
In order to achieve the above object, an image reproduction system according to a second aspect of the present invention is an image reproduction system including an imaging device and a display device external to the imaging device, wherein the imaging device An imaging unit to acquire, a recording unit to record an image acquired by the imaging unit, an image transmission unit to transmit an image recorded in the recording unit to an external display device, and the imaging device to the display device In the connected state, when there is an image request from the remote controller, an image permitted to be transmitted among the images recorded in the recording unit is transmitted to the display device by the image transmitting unit, and the imaging device child and a control unit for controlling the image acquired by the imaging unit when a photographing operation to be sent to the display device by the image transmission unit in order to display in the display device in The features.
In order to achieve the above object, an image reproduction method according to the third aspect of the present invention acquires an image by an imaging unit, records the acquired image in a recording unit, and records the image recorded in the recording unit. Is transmitted to a display device outside the imaging device, and when there is an image request from a remote controller in a state where the imaging device is connected to the display device , transmission is performed in the image recorded in the recording unit. The permitted image is transmitted to the display device, and when there is a shooting operation in the imaging device , the image acquired by the imaging unit is transmitted to the display device for display on the display device. To do.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an imaging apparatus , an image reproduction system, and an image reproduction method that can display on an external display device only images that the owner of the imaging apparatus may view.

1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an image reproduction system having a digital camera as an example of an imaging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a 1st figure which shows the mode at the time of use of an image reproduction system. It is a 2nd figure which shows the mode at the time of use of an image reproduction system. It is FIG. 1 of the flowchart which shows the main operation | movement by the side of a digital camera. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of the display part at the time of the reproduction | regeneration mode of a digital camera. It is FIG. 2 of the flowchart which shows the main operation | movement by the side of a digital camera. It is a figure shown about the example of a synthesis | combination of a face image. It is FIG. 3 of the flowchart which shows the main operation | movement by the side of a digital camera. It is a figure shown about the example of a remote control operation display image. It is a flowchart shown about an external reproduction end process. It is a figure shown about the example of a display of a confirmation screen. It is a flowchart which shows the main operation | movement by the side of a television. It is FIG. 1 of the flowchart shown about the modification which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of a picked-up image. It is FIG. 2 of the flowchart shown about the modification which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an image reproduction system having a digital camera as an example of an imaging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the present image reproduction system is configured by a digital camera 100 and a television receiver 200 that are communicably connected via a communication cable 300.

  The digital camera 100 according to the present embodiment includes an imaging unit 101, a face detection unit 102, a display unit 103, a sound collection unit 104, a recording unit 105, a clock unit 106, a control unit 107, and an operation unit 108. And a communication interface unit 109 and a vibration detection unit 110. Note that the digital camera 100 according to the present embodiment has at least an image shooting mode for shooting an image, an image playback mode for playing back an image, and a communication mode for performing data communication with the television 200 as operation modes. Have.

  The imaging unit 101 includes a lens for condensing a subject image (not shown), an imaging element for converting the subject image condensed by the lens into an electrical signal, and the like. The imaging unit 101 captures a subject and acquires a still image of the subject. A moving image can also be acquired by continuously performing imaging by the imaging unit 101. In the following description, still images and moving images are simply referred to as images without any particular distinction.

  The face detection unit 102 detects the face of the subject in the image obtained by imaging by the imaging unit 101. The face information detected by the face detection unit 102 can be used for, for example, control for adjusting the focus of the lens constituting the imaging unit 101 to the face position, or control for appropriately exposing the face in the image. . Note that the face detection in the face detection unit 102 is performed, for example, by detecting the feature amount of the face in the image (the shape and positional relationship of eyes and nose). In addition, the face detection unit 102 according to the present embodiment can detect facial expressions (especially smiles).

  The display unit 103 displays the image acquired by the imaging unit 101. The display unit 103 is a liquid crystal display disposed on the back surface of the digital camera 100, for example. The display unit 103 is provided with a touch panel 1031. The touch panel 1031 detects contact of the user's finger or the like with the display unit 103. When the user's finger or the like touches the screen of the display unit 103, the touch panel 1031 outputs a signal indicating the contact position to the control unit 107.

  The sound collection unit 104 acquires sound around the digital camera 100 at the time of image shooting, and converts the acquired sound signal into an electric signal.

  The recording unit 105 records the image acquired by the imaging unit 101. The recording unit 105 is, for example, a semiconductor memory card that is detachable from the digital camera 100. The clock unit 106 measures the date and time when the image capturing unit 101 captured an image. The shooting date and time counted by the clock unit 106 is recorded in the recording unit 105 in association with the image acquired by the imaging unit 101.

  The control unit 107 controls each block in the digital camera 100 including control of the imaging operation of the imaging unit 101, control of the display operation of the display unit 103, operation control of the sound collection unit 104, and the like. In addition, the control unit 107 also performs various data processing such as image processing on the image obtained by the imaging unit 101 and sound processing on the sound obtained by the sound collection unit 104. Here, the control unit 107 in this embodiment also has a function as a synthesis unit. That is, the control unit 107 synthesizes the image of the user who is viewing the image with the image recorded in the recording unit 105 and also performs a process of associating the user's voice with the image recorded in the recording unit 105. Further, the control unit 107 also has a function as a trimming unit, and also trims and extracts a face image (face image) in the image obtained by the imaging unit 101.

  The operation unit 108 is an operation unit for the user to perform various operations on the digital camera 100. After identifying the operation of the operation unit 108, the control unit 107 executes processing corresponding to the operation of the operation unit 108. As the operation unit 108, for example, an operation unit for setting the operation mode of the digital camera 100, an operation unit for instructing execution / termination of shooting by the digital camera 100, and an operation unit for performing various selection operations Etc. are included.

  A communication interface unit 109 having a function as an image transmission unit is an interface through which the digital camera 100 performs data communication with a television receiver (hereinafter abbreviated as a television) 200. In the present embodiment, HDMI (High Definition Multimedia Interface) (registered trademark) is used as the communication interface unit 109. However, the communication interface unit 109 is not particularly limited as long as it is an interface suitable for image transfer. In addition, although a wired interface is shown in FIG. 1, a wireless interface corresponding to infrared communication, radio wave communication, or the like may be used.

  The vibration detection unit 110 includes, for example, an angular velocity sensor, and outputs a signal corresponding to the vibration of the digital camera 100 to the control unit 107.

  A television 200 as an example of a display device according to the present embodiment includes a broadcast receiving unit 201, a display unit 202, a network communication unit 203, an information superimposing unit 204, a control unit 205, a remote control signal receiving unit 206, and a communication. And an interface unit 207.

  The broadcast receiving unit 201 includes an antenna or the like for receiving a television broadcast from a television station (not shown) or the like. The display unit 202 displays an image based on the television broadcast received via the broadcast receiving unit 201. The display unit 202 in the present embodiment is also capable of displaying an image transferred as digital data from the digital camera 100.

  The network communication unit 203 is an interface for the television 200 to communicate with a server or the like (not shown) via the Internet. The information superimposing unit 204 superimposes various data obtained from a server (not shown) via the network communication unit 203 on the image displayed on the display unit 202.

  The control unit 205 controls each block in the television 200 including control of display operation of the display unit 202 and operation control of the information superimposing unit 204. The remote control signal receiving unit 206 receives a remote control signal from a remote controller (remote controller) 400 of the television 200. Recognizing the remote control signal received by the remote control signal receiving unit 206, the control unit 205 executes processing corresponding to the operation of the remote control 400.

  The communication interface unit 207 is an interface for the TV 200 to perform data communication with the digital camera 100. The communication interface unit 207 is also HDMI, for example.

  2 and 3 are diagrams showing a state in use of the image reproduction system according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, the digital camera 100 is connected to the television 200 via a communication cable 300. In such a state, the user 500 can view the image 202 a displayed on the display unit 202 of the television 200. Further, the user 500 can remotely operate the television 200 by operating the remote controller 400.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 2, an image of the face of the user 500 is acquired by the imaging unit 101 of the digital camera 100 during the reproduction of the image 202 a transferred from the digital camera 100 via the communication cable 300. The face image 202 b can be combined with an image transferred from the digital camera 100 and displayed on the display unit 202 of the television 200. By performing such display, for example, as shown in FIG. 2, when two users 500 are viewing the image 202a, the mutual reaction can be confirmed on the display unit 202, and thus the user can view the image 202a. It is possible to excite the place. In this way, even if the image to be reproduced is not edited in advance, the image is given pleasure not only to view the image. Thus, in the present embodiment, an image having the same effect as that of viewing an edited image is displayed on the display unit 202 of the television 200.

  In such an image reproduction system, there may be a case where an image recorded in the digital camera 100 is inadvertently displayed on the display unit 202 of the television 200. In general, the image displayed on the display unit 103 of the digital camera 100 is sized so that only a limited number of people close to the digital camera 100 can see. On the other hand, the screen of the display unit 202 of the television 200 is large, and if an image is displayed on the display unit 202 having such a large screen, there is a high possibility that an unintended person can see the image. Become. In the present embodiment, a screen for selecting an image to be transmitted to the television 200 is displayed on the display unit 103 of the digital camera 100 as shown in FIG. 3, and only the image selected in this screen is displayed on the television 200. It is displayed on the display unit 202. Further, until an image is selected by the digital camera 100, even if the user 500b operates the remote controller 400, the image is not transferred from the digital camera 100.

  By performing such processing, if the user 500a who owns the digital camera 100 does not show the screen of the display unit 103, the user 500b knows what image is recorded on the digital camera 100. The privacy of the user 500a is protected.

Details of the operation of the image reproduction system as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 will be described below.
First, the operation on the digital camera 100 side will be described. In FIG. 4, the control unit 107 of the digital camera 100 first determines whether or not the operation mode of the digital camera 100 is the image shooting mode (step S101). If it is determined in step S101 that the operation mode of the digital camera 100 is the image shooting mode, the control unit 107 continuously operates the imaging unit 101 to capture an image (step S102), and the continuous operation of the imaging unit 101 is performed. A through image display for displaying the obtained through image on the display unit 103 in real time is performed (step S103). With this through image display, the user can determine the shooting start timing, composition, and the like. After the image is displayed on the display unit 103, the control unit 107 determines whether an instruction to start capturing an image is given by the user operating the operation unit 108 (step S104). If it is determined in step S104 that an instruction to start capturing an image has not been given, the control unit 107 determines the operation mode in step S101 again. Further, in the determination in step S104, when an instruction to start capturing an image is given, the control unit 107 records the image obtained via the imaging unit 101 and the sound obtained via the sound collecting unit 104. Recording is started (step S105). Here, it is assumed that the recording of the image via the imaging unit 101 and the recording of the sound via the sound collection unit 104 are performed simultaneously so as to be synchronized with each other.

  After the start of image capturing, the control unit 107 determines whether an instruction to end image capturing has been given by the user operating the operation unit 108 (step S106). If it is determined in step S106 that an instruction to end image capturing has not been given, the process returns to step S105, and the control unit 107 continues image recording. Further, in the determination in step S106, when an instruction to end image capturing is given, the control unit 107 ends image recording. At this time, the control unit 107 records the image recorded in the recording unit 105 in association with the shooting date and time recorded by the clock unit 106. After the image recording is completed, the control unit 107 performs the processing after step S101.

  The operations in steps S105 and S106 in FIG. 4 are operations at the time of moving image shooting. Although illustration of the operation during still image shooting is omitted, in the case of still image shooting, the processing of steps S105 and S106 is performed by operating the imaging unit 101 only once (or a plurality of times). One or a plurality of still images may be replaced with processing for recording in the recording unit 105.

  In step S101, when the operation mode of the digital camera 100 is not the image shooting mode, the control unit 107 determines whether or not the operation mode of the digital camera 100 is the image playback mode (step S107). When the operation mode of the digital camera 100 is the image playback mode in the determination in step S107, the control unit 107 selects an image recorded in the recording unit 105 (in the case of a moving image, audio is also associated). The thumbnail image shown is displayed on the display unit 103 as shown in FIG. 5A (step S108). In the case of a moving image, an image displayed as a thumbnail image is a representative image of each image. This representative image is, for example, an image of the first frame or an image of a frame with an index. Instead of the thumbnail image of FIG. 5A, a chart according to the shooting time and the recording time of the shot image (in the case of a moving image) as shown in FIG. 5E may be displayed. . In this case, when the user touches the predetermined time zone display, the time zone portion 1031a is displayed in a frame and an image is selected. The display in FIG. 5E is considered to be preferable to the example in FIG. 5A from the viewpoint of privacy protection because the content of the image recorded in the recording unit 105 is not directly understood.

  After the thumbnail image is displayed, the control unit 107 determines whether or not an image has been selected by the user's operation on the operation unit 108 or the touch panel 1031 (step S109).

  If it is determined in step S109 that no image has been selected, the control unit 107 continues to display the thumbnail image. Further, when an image is selected in the determination in step S109, the control unit 107 causes the display unit 103 to display a screen for selecting an image reproduction destination as illustrated in FIG. In the example of FIG. 5B, “1. playback” indicates that the playback destination of the image is the display unit 103 of the digital camera 100, and “2. TV” indicates that the playback destination of the image is the display of the television 200. This indicates that the unit 202 is used. After the screen of FIG. 5B is displayed, the control unit determines whether to permit external transmission of the image selected by the operation of the operation unit 108 by the user (step S110). The determination as to whether external transmission is permitted is performed by determining whether “2. TV” is selected by the operation of the operation unit 108 of the user, for example. In the determination of step S110, when permitting external transmission of the selected image, the control unit 107 gives transmission permission information, which is information indicating that external transmission is permitted, to the selected image (step S111). . On the other hand, when it is determined in step S110 that external transmission of the selected image is not permitted, the control unit 107 skips the process of step S111.

  After step S110 or S111, the control unit 107 determines whether or not “1. playback” is instructed by a user operation on the operation unit 108 or the touch panel 1031 (step S112). When “1. playback” is instructed in the determination in step S112, the control unit 107 reads out and reads out the image currently selected by the user from the recording unit 105 as shown in FIG. Thus, it reproduces | regenerates on the display part 103 (step S113). At this time, as shown in FIG. 5C, a message indicating that the image is being reproduced may be displayed.

  After starting the reproduction of the image, the control unit 107 determines whether or not the image to be reproduced on the display unit 103 has been switched by the operation of the operation unit 108 by the user (step S114). If it is determined in step S114 that the image has been switched, the control unit 107 switches the image to be played after finishing the playback of the image (step S115). This switching is performed, for example, by switching to an image whose shooting date is old (or new) with respect to the image being played each time the operation unit 108 is operated. After the image switching, the control unit 107 performs the processing after step S109 on the image selected by the switching.

  If the image is not switched in the determination in step S114, the control unit 107 determines whether or not the end of the image reproduction mode is instructed by the operation of the operation unit 108 by the user (step S116). If the end of the image reproduction mode is not instructed in the determination in step S116, the control unit 107 performs the processing from step S109. On the other hand, when it is determined in step S116 that the end of the image reproduction mode has been instructed, the control unit 107 performs processing subsequent to step S101.

  Further, in the determination in step S107, when the operation mode of the digital camera 100 is not the image playback mode, the control unit 107 executes the processing of the flowchart shown in FIG. The process of FIG. 6 is a process corresponding to the communication mode. Although details will be described later, in the communication mode, an image is reproduced on the display unit 202 of the television 200. The digital camera 100 operates in accordance with an external signal input from the television 200 in response to an operation of the remote control 400 by the user.

  During the communication mode, the control unit 107 determines whether the digital camera 100 is connected to the television 200 by determining whether an external signal from the television 200 is received via the communication interface unit 109. (Step S201). If it is determined in step S201 that an external signal is not received from the television 200, the process returns to step S101 in FIG. Further, in the determination of step S201, when an external signal is received from the television 200, the control unit 107 causes the display unit 202 of the television 200 to perform the thumbnail display shown in FIG. The thumbnail image shown in a) is transmitted to the television 200 (step S202). Of course, the chart shown in FIG. 5E may be transmitted to the television 200.

  After step S202, the control unit 107 identifies the received external signal (step S203). Then, the control unit 107 determines whether or not the external signal is a signal indicating a face image synthesis command (step S204). If it is determined in step S204 that the external signal is not a signal indicating a facial image compositing command, the control unit 107 stops the operation of the imaging unit 101 if the imaging unit 101 is currently operating (step S205). . As will be described in detail later, in the communication mode, the imaging unit 101 operates while a signal indicating a face image synthesis command is being input. After stopping the operation of the imaging unit 101, the control unit 107 determines whether or not the external signal is a signal indicating an image selection command (step S206). If it is determined in step S206 that the external signal is a signal indicating an image selection command, the control unit 107 transmits the next image to be transmitted to the television 200 (step S207). Here, in the present embodiment, switching between the thumbnail image display shown in FIG. 5A and the chart display shown in FIG. In this case, a selection command is issued in accordance with the operation of the remote controller 400, and either a thumbnail image or a chart image is instructed according to the selection command.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S206 that the external signal is not a signal indicating an image selection command, the control unit 107 performs an external reproduction end process after elapse of a predetermined time, for example (step S208). The external reproduction end process will be described later. After the processing in step S207 or step S208 is completed, the control unit 107 performs processing after step S101 in FIG.

  If it is determined in step S204 that the external signal is a signal indicating a compositing command, the control unit 107 suspends image reproduction and then activates the imaging unit 101 to acquire a user image (step S204). S209). Then, the control unit 107 detects the face portion in the user image obtained via the imaging unit 101 by the face detection unit 102, trims the detected face image, and displays the image being reproduced on the display unit 202 of the television 200. For example, the recording unit 105 temporarily records the face image so that the user's face image and the currently reproduced image can be combined and stored as necessary (for example, afterwards). Step S210). In this way, it is possible to save the recording capacity of the recording unit 105 by trimming only the face image. In addition, by limiting the range to be combined to a narrow range, it is possible to make the user's facial expression easier to see without any extra background or the like being captured. At this time, the sound collection unit 104 is activated, and the voice is simultaneously captured so that the change in the voice can be monitored as necessary. As will be described later, the face is synthesized into the image being reproduced by the change in the voice. You may make it decide the timing to perform. Of course, either a face image or a sound may be designated.

  After the combined display process and provisional recording of the face image outside the reproduction screen (or the peripheral part of the image being reproduced), the control unit 107 performs a position change process (step S211). In the position change process, as shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, the face image 202b of the user is combined with a predetermined position of the image 202a reproduced and displayed on the display unit 202 of the TV 200, or This is a process for determining a synthesis position for changing the position of the synthesized face image 202b. This change in position is performed in accordance with an external signal input in accordance with the user's operation on the remote control 400. Further, the result of face detection or the like may be used.

  After the position changing process, the control unit 107 determines whether an image is selected, that is, whether a signal indicating an image selection command is input as an external signal (step S212). If it is determined in step S212 that a signal indicating an image selection command is not input as an external signal, the control unit 107 performs an external reproduction end process in step S208. On the other hand, in the determination in step S212, when a signal indicating an image selection command is input as an external signal, the control unit 107 synthesizes the face image 202b at the position determined in the position changing process in the selected image. Then, this composite image is transmitted to the television 200 (step S213).

  Thus, in this embodiment, during the communication mode, thumbnail images are transmitted to the television 200 so that images can be selected on the screen of the television 200.

  Here, it returns to description of FIG. 4 again. In the determination of step S110 in FIG. 4, if “1. Replay” is not instructed, the processes in FIG. In FIG. 8, the control unit 107 determines whether or not the digital camera 100 is connected to the television 200 by determining whether or not an external signal from the television 200 is received via the communication interface unit 109 ( Step S301). If it is determined in step S301 that no external signal is received from the television 200, the process returns to step S101 in FIG. Further, in the determination in step S301, when an external signal is received from the television 200, the control unit 107 communicates an image to which transmission permission information is assigned among images recorded in the recording unit 105. It transmits to the television 200 via the interface unit 109 (step S302). As described above, when the digital camera 100 is communicable with the television 200 in the image reproduction mode, only the image selected by the user is transmitted to the television 200. Thereby, only the image that the user who is the owner of the digital camera 100 wants to see can be displayed on the display unit 202 of the television 200.

  After transmitting the image, the control unit 107 transmits a remote control operation display image to the television 200 via the communication interface unit 109 (step S303). The remote control operation display image guides the operation of the remote control 400 when an image from the digital camera 100 is displayed on the display unit 202 of the television 200 as shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B. It is a display image 202c for doing. By viewing such a remote control operation display image 202c, the user can easily understand what operation can be performed by operating which button of the remote control 400.

  Here, the remote control operation display image 202c shown in FIG. 9A is an image displayed on the display unit 202 of the television 200 after the representative image is transmitted. When the playback button of the remote control 400 is pressed while the remote control operation display image 202 c shown in FIG. 9A is being made, a signal indicating a playback command is input from the television 200 to the digital camera 100. In this case, the control unit 107 of the digital camera 100 transmits the selected image in order to reproduce the selected image on the television 200. On the other hand, when the imaging button of the remote controller 400 is pressed, a signal indicating a compositing command is input from the television 200 to the digital camera 100. A remote control operation display image 202c shown in FIG. 9B is an image displayed on the display unit 202 of the television 200 after the imaging button of the remote control 400 is pressed. When the playback button of the remote control 400 is pressed while the remote control operation display image 202c shown in FIG. 9B is being made, a signal indicating a playback command is input from the television 200 to the digital camera 100. On the other hand, when the position change button of the remote controller 400 is pressed, the position of the face image 202b displayed on the display unit 202 is changed and the composition position of the face image 202b from the television 200 to the digital camera 100 is changed. A signal indicating the change is input.

  After transmitting the remote control operation display image 202c, the control unit 107 turns off the display of the display unit 103 of the digital camera 100 (step S304). After turning off the display of the display unit 103, the control unit 107 performs the processing after step S101 in FIG. That is, in the communication mode, an image recorded in the digital camera 100 is displayed on the display unit 202 of the television 200, so that it is considered that the user does not see the display unit 103 of the digital camera 100. Therefore, the display on the display unit 103 is turned off in order to save energy. After turning off the display of the display unit 103, the control unit 107 shifts the operation mode of the digital camera 100 to the communication mode (step S305). In addition, you may make it perform the display which shows that it is in communication mode as shown in FIG.5 (d), without turning off the display of the display part 103. FIG.

  Next, the external reproduction end process will be described with reference to FIGS. In FIG. 10, the control unit 107 determines whether or not a face image has been combined with an image for which reproduction has ended (step S401). When the face image is synthesized in the determination in step S401, the control unit 107 displays a screen for confirming to the user whether or not to record the synthesized image of the face image in the recording unit 105. The image is transmitted to the television 200 (step S402). FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a confirmation screen displayed on the display unit 202 of the television 200. In the example of FIG. 11, a representative image 202a of an image that has been reproduced is displayed on the display unit 202, and a remote control operation display image 202c for guiding the user's operation of the remote control 400 during the external reproduction end process is displayed. .

  After transmitting the image for displaying the confirmation screen as shown in FIG. 11, the control unit 107 determines whether or not an instruction to save the image is given by the operation of the remote controller 400 by the user (step S403). If it is determined in step S403 that storage is instructed, the face image recorded in the recording unit 105 is combined with the image that has been reproduced and recorded in the recording unit 105 (step S404). By re-recording the image obtained by synthesizing the face image, for example, other members can later experience the situation when the image is viewed together. For example, when an athletic meet or the like is taken with the digital camera 100, an image of the athletic meet is first viewed by the parent and child, and the image is sent to the grandparents. You can experience the experience as if you were part of a group. As described above, when there is no invasion processing of the face image in the image being played back, when the face image is outside the screen of the image being played back, or when it is in the periphery as shown in FIG. It is assumed that there is no synthesis history. Only the face image intrusion scene as shown in FIG. In this case, the size of the face may be changed with the remote controller 400. In addition, if the face is displayed as it is, there is a person who does not like to see his / her face, so other face images such as an avatar may be displayed instead.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, since the face image synthesis history is recorded, it is possible to easily replace the recorded face image with another image.

  If the face image is not synthesized in step S401, if the image storage is not instructed in step S403, or after step S404, the control unit 107 reproduces the image in the communication mode by operating the remote controller 400 by the user. It is determined whether or not an instruction to end is issued (step S405). When it is determined in step S405 that the end of image reproduction in the communication mode is instructed, the control unit 107 changes the operation mode of the digital camera 100 to the reproduction mode (step S406). Thereafter, the processing after step S101 is performed. On the other hand, when it is determined in step S405 that the end of image reproduction in the communication mode is not instructed, the control unit 107 determines whether or not replay is instructed by the operation of the remote controller 400 by the user (step S407). ). If it is determined in step S407 that replay has not been instructed, the control unit 107 performs processing subsequent to step S405. Further, when the replay is instructed in the determination in step S407, the control unit 107 executes the processing after step S201 in FIG.

  Next, the operation on the television 200 side will be described. In FIG. 12, the control unit 205 of the television 200 determines whether or not the television 200 is connected to the digital camera 100 by determining whether or not an external signal is received from the digital camera 100 via the communication interface unit 207. Is determined (step S501). In the determination in step S501, when an external signal is received from the digital camera 100, the control unit 205 transmits information indicating the specification of the television 200 to the digital camera 100 (step S502). This operation specification mainly transmits information related to the specification of the remote controller 400. By transmitting information related to the specifications of the remote control 400 to the digital camera 100, it is possible to generate and display a remote control operation guide screen as shown in FIGS.

  After transmitting the information indicating the specifications of the television 200, the control unit 205 enters a standby state waiting for an image from the digital camera 100. When an image is transmitted from the digital camera 100 after the digital camera 100 is connected, the image is displayed on the display unit 202 (step S503). Next, the control unit 205 determines whether or not an operation signal of the remote control 400 is received via the remote control signal receiving unit 206 (step S504). If it is determined in step S504 that the operation signal of the remote controller 400 has not been received, the control unit 205 performs the processing subsequent to step S501 again.

  Also, in the determination in step S504, when an operation signal of the remote controller 400 is received, the control unit 205 determines whether or not it is necessary to perform a conversion process for transmitting the received operation signal to the digital camera 100. Is determined (step S505). For example, the operation signal of the remote control 400 is the above-described selection command (when an image is selected), a playback command (when the playback button is pressed), and a compositing command (when the imaging button is pressed) to the digital camera 100. If the signal is an instruction signal, it is necessary to convert the remote control signal into a signal that the digital camera 100 can identify. The determination in step S505 is for determining this necessity.

  If conversion is necessary in the determination in step S505, the control unit 205 converts the remote control signal into a signal according to the specifications of the digital camera 100, and then uses the signal obtained by the conversion as an external signal of the digital camera 100. Then, the data is transmitted via the communication interface unit 207 (step S506). On the other hand, in the determination in step S505, when the conversion is not necessary, that is, when the operation signal of the remote controller 400 is a signal for operating the television 200 itself (for example, volume adjustment), the control unit 205 responds to the content of the operation signal. The process is performed (step S507).

  In the determination in step S501, when an external signal from the digital camera 100 is not received, the control unit 205 performs a normal television operation (step S508). For example, the control unit 205 performs control for causing the display unit 202 to display an image based on a television broadcast received via the broadcast receiving unit 201.

  After step S507 or step S508, the control unit 205 determines whether the power of the television 200 has been turned off by the user operating the remote control 400 or the like (step S509). If it is determined in step S509 that the power has not been turned off, the control unit 205 performs the processing subsequent to step S501 again. In the determination in step S509, when the power is turned off, the control unit 205 ends the process in FIG.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, when the digital camera 100 shifts from the playback mode to the communication mode, only the image to which the transmission permission information is given by the user is transmitted to the television 200. It can be displayed. As a result, an image that the owner of the digital camera 100 does not want to show is not displayed on the large screen on the display unit 202 of the television 200. On the other hand, when the digital camera 100 shifts to the communication mode when not in the playback mode, a thumbnail image (or chart image) can be transmitted to the television 200 and displayed. Thereby, it is possible to select an image on the display unit 202 of the television 200. In this way, by changing the form of image transmission according to the situation, it is possible to perform image transmission in consideration of both privacy protection and convenience.

  Here, in the above-described embodiment, when the digital camera 100 shifts from the playback mode to the communication mode, only the image to which the transmission permission information is given by the user is transmitted to the television 200. However, in the present embodiment, the image displayed on the display unit 103 may be transmitted to the television 200 when the digital camera 100 shifts from the playback mode to the communication mode.

  Hereinafter, another modification of the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a transition process to a communication mode instead of FIG.

  In FIG. 13, the control unit 107 determines whether or not the digital camera 100 is connected to the television 200 by determining whether or not an external signal from the television 200 is received via the communication interface unit 109 ( Step S701). If it is determined in step S701 that an external signal is not received from the television 200, the process returns to step S101 in FIG. In step S701, when an external signal is received from the television 200, the control unit 107 determines whether an image with transmission permission information has been transmitted to the television 200 (step S701). S702). If it is determined in step S702 that the image with the transmission permission information has been transmitted to the television 200, the control unit turns off the power of the imaging unit 101 and the display unit 103 (step S703). This is a process for energy saving.

  If it is determined in step 702 that the image with the transmission permission information has not been transmitted to the television 200, the control unit 107 determines whether the captured image has been transmitted (step S704). This captured image is an image to be displayed on the television 200 while the user selects an image permitted to be transmitted. Details of the captured image will be described later.

  If the captured image has not been transmitted in the determination in step S704, the control unit 107 activates the imaging unit 101 and transmits the through image obtained via the imaging unit 101 to the television 200 in order to capture the captured image. (Step S705). As a result, a through image obtained by the imaging unit 101 of the digital camera 100 is displayed on the display unit 202 of the television 200.

  After transmitting the through image to the television 200, the control unit 107 determines whether an instruction to start capturing an image has been given by the user operating the operation unit 108 (step S706). If it is determined in step S706 that an instruction to start capturing an image is given, the control unit 107 performs still image shooting by the imaging unit 101 (step S707). After executing still image shooting, the control unit 107 stores the still image obtained by shooting in the recording unit 105 as a shot image (step S708). Thereafter, the control unit 107 transmits the captured image to the television 200 (step S709). Then, the control unit 107 performs a through image display in which a through image obtained by activating the imaging unit 101 is displayed on the display unit 103 (step S710).

  As a result of the processing in step S709, an image captured by the digital camera 100 is displayed on the display unit 202 of the television 200 as shown in FIG. This photographed image is an image photographed at a timing determined by the user himself, and is considered to be an image that the user may see. If the user selects an image that may be transmitted to the television 200 while such a captured image is displayed, it is possible to reduce the possibility of other users becoming bored. .

  In the determination in step S704, when the captured image has already been transmitted, the control unit 107 processes the captured image as necessary, for example, when a user operation is performed (step S711). Thereafter, the control unit 107 transmits the captured image to the television 200 (step S712). By allowing the photographed image to be processed in this way, the photographed image of FIG. 14A can be processed to display an image as shown in FIG. 14B on the display unit 202 of the television 200, for example. It is. 14B is an image obtained by synthesizing an image obtained by combining the images of FIG. 14A in a three-dimensional manner with a predetermined background image. If the synthesis position, the viewpoint position of the processed image, and the like are sequentially changed, it is possible to cause the captured image to be accompanied by a motion as shown in FIG.

  After step S703, or when there is no instruction to start photographing in the determination in step S706, the control unit 107 identifies the input external signal (step S713). Then, the control unit 107 determines whether or not the external signal is a signal indicating an image request (for example, a reproduction command) (step S714). If it is determined in step S714 that the external signal is a signal indicating an image request, the control unit 107 determines whether there is an image to which transmission permission information is given among the images recorded in the recording unit 105. Is determined (step S715). If it is determined in step S715 that there is an image to which the transmission permission information is given, the control unit 107 transmits the image to which the transmission permission information is given to the television 200 (step S716). If there are a plurality of images to which transmission permission information is assigned, a thumbnail image made up of images to which transmission permission information is assigned is transmitted to the television 200. By performing such processing, only the image permitted to be transmitted by the user of the digital camera 100 can be displayed on the display unit 202 of the television 200, and the privacy of the digital camera 100 is protected.

  If the identification signal is not an image request in the determination in step S714, or if there is no image to which transmission permission information is given in the determination in step S715, the control unit 107 determines that the identification signal is a signal (image reproduction , Fast forward, reverse return, etc.) (step S717). If it is determined in step S717 that the identification signal is not a signal related to reproduction control of the selected image, the control unit 107 performs processing subsequent to step S701. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S717 that the identification signal is a signal related to reproduction control of the selected image, the control unit 107 transmits an image corresponding to the content of the instruction to the television 200 (step S718). For example, when image reproduction is instructed, the control unit 107 transmits an image selected by the remote controller 400. In addition, when a fast-forward is instructed, the control unit 107 transmits an image whose shooting date and time is one later than the image transmitted once before. In addition, when an instruction to reverse is given, the control unit 107 transmits an image whose shooting date and time is one before the image transmitted one time before.

  By performing the processing of FIG. 13 as described above, the privacy of the user of the digital camera 100 can be protected, and the user of the digital camera 100 selects the image to be transmitted to the television 200 by operating the digital camera 100 In doing so, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the user watching the TV 200 is bored by displaying the captured image.

  Next, another modification of this embodiment will be described. This modification is an example in which an image can be transmitted to the television 200 when the screen size of the television 200 is small. The process of this modification is shown in the flowchart of FIG. FIG. 15 is an alternative to the process of FIG. 8 performed when “1. Play” is not instructed in the determination of step S110 of FIG. In FIG. 15, the control unit 107 determines whether or not an external signal has been received via the communication interface unit 109 (step S801). If it is determined in step S801 that an external signal has not been received, the control unit 107 performs processing subsequent to step S101 in FIG. On the other hand, in the determination in step S801, when an external signal is received, the control unit 107 determines that the screen size of the display unit 202 of the television 200 is a predetermined value (for example, from the specification information of the television 200 transmitted from the television 200). It is determined whether it is equal to or less than 20 type (step S802). If it is determined in step S802 that the screen size of the display unit 202 is equal to or smaller than the predetermined value, the control unit 107 performs the same processing as that after step S302 in FIG. That is, an image with transmission permission information is transmitted to the television 200 and displayed on the display unit 202 of the television 200. Thereafter, a remote control operation display image is transmitted. After the remote control operation display image is transmitted, the display of the display unit 103 of the digital camera 100 is turned off and the operation mode of the digital camera 100 is shifted to the communication mode in order to save energy.

  In step S802, if the screen size of the display unit 202 of the television 200 exceeds a predetermined value, the control unit 107 determines whether vibration has occurred in the digital camera 100 from the output of the vibration detection unit 110. It is determined whether or not (step S803). If it is determined in step S803 that no vibration has occurred in the digital camera 100, the user of the digital camera 100 does not hold the digital camera 100 and does not intend to operate the digital camera 100. In this case, the image recorded in the recording unit 105 of the digital camera 100 is displayed on the display unit 202 of the television 200. For this purpose, the control unit 107 performs the same processing as that after step S302 in FIG. Further, in the determination in step S803, if vibration is generated in the digital camera 100, it is assumed that the user is holding the digital camera 100 and intends to select an image to be transmitted to the television 200. Therefore, in this case, the control unit 107 performs the processing after step S701 in FIG.

  Even in such a modification, it is possible to transmit an image in consideration of both privacy protection and convenience by changing the form of image transmission according to the situation.

  Although the present invention has been described above based on the embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications and applications are naturally possible within the scope of the gist of the present invention.

  Further, the above-described embodiments include various stages of the invention, and various inventions can be extracted by appropriately combining a plurality of disclosed constituent elements. For example, even if some configuration requirements are deleted from all the configuration requirements shown in the embodiment, the above-described problem can be solved, and this configuration requirement is deleted when the above-described effects can be obtained. The configuration can also be extracted as an invention.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 ... Digital camera, 101 ... Imaging part, 102 ... Face detection part, 103 ... Display part, 104 ... Sound collection part, 105 ... Recording part, 106 ... Clock part, 107 ... Control part, 108 ... Operation part, 109 ... Communication Interface unit, 110 ... vibration detecting unit, 200 ... television receiver (television), 201 ... broadcast receiving unit, 202 ... display unit, 203 ... network communication unit, 204 ... information superimposing unit, 205 ... control unit, 206 ... remote control Signal receiving unit, 207 ... communication interface unit, 300 ... communication cable, 400 ... remote controller (remote controller)

Claims (6)

An imaging unit for acquiring an image;
A recording unit for recording an image acquired by the imaging unit;
An image transmission unit that transmits an image recorded in the recording unit to a display device external to the imaging device;
In the state where the imaging device is connected to the display device, when an image request is made from a remote controller, an image permitted to be transmitted among the images recorded in the recording unit is displayed by the image transmitting unit. A control unit that controls to transmit to the display device by the image transmission unit in order to display the image acquired by the imaging unit on the display device when there is a shooting operation in the imaging device. When,
An imaging apparatus comprising: The said control part synthesize | combines the image acquired in the said imaging part by the said imaging operation with the image in which the said transmission was permitted, Then, it transmits to the said display apparatus by the said image transmission part. The imaging device described.   2. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image permitted to be transmitted is a thumbnail display or a chart image. It further comprises a vibration detection unit that detects vibration of the imaging device,
When the vibration detection unit has not detected the vibration of the imaging device, the control unit displays only the images permitted to be transmitted among the images recorded in the recording unit by the image transmission unit. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the imaging apparatus is controlled so as to transmit to the camera. An image reproduction system having an imaging device and a display device external to the imaging device,
The imaging apparatus is
An imaging unit for acquiring an image;
A recording unit for recording an image acquired by the imaging unit;
An image transmission unit for transmitting an image recorded in the recording unit to an external display device;
In the state where the imaging device is connected to the display device, when an image request is made from a remote controller, an image permitted to be transmitted among the images recorded in the recording unit is displayed by the image transmitting unit. A control unit that controls to transmit to the display device by the image transmission unit in order to display the image acquired by the imaging unit on the display device when there is a shooting operation in the imaging device. When,
An image reproduction system comprising: An image is acquired by the imaging unit,
Record the acquired image in the recording unit,
Send the image recorded in the recording unit to a display device outside the imaging device,
In the state where the imaging device is connected to the display device, when there is an image request from a remote controller, an image that is permitted to be transmitted among images recorded in the recording unit is transmitted to the display device, An image reproduction method comprising: transmitting an image acquired by the imaging unit to the display device in order to display the image on the display device when a photographing operation is performed in the imaging device .

Images