Abstract:
A piece of mobile equipment has a display processor that displays an image and at least one icon on a screen, and a touch-sensitive device disposed on said screen. The display processor displays input information in accordance with an input operation to said touch-sensitive device, and removes the icon on the screen in accordance with the input operation.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to mobile electronic equipment, such as digital cameras, cell phones, PDAs (Personal Digital Assistants), and image viewers, that is capable of displaying characters and drawings together with an image. In particular, it relates to an image-editing process. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     In mobile equipment with image editing functions, characters and drawings may be superimposed on a displayed image by the user&#39;s input operation, and the edited image is recorded or printed out. For example, a touch screen is provided on an LCD monitor as an input device, and the user writes and draws on the touch screen using a stylus. Usually, a tool bar, composed of a series of icons, is displayed on the monitor so that the user can select a line type, stamp type, etc., by touching a given icon with the stylus. The display area of the toolbar grows as editing functions increase, so that the are a available for writing decreases. Since mobile equipment has very limited display are, the user cannot write or draw freely over an entire image. 
     On the other hand, in the popular amusement arcade photo booths, in which a tool bar is not displayed on the monitor during image-editing. The user can edit a photograph freely. The toolbar is displayed only on depressing a button attached to the stylus. However, in this case, the user must remember many tool functions and consider how to use an editing tool when the tool bar is not displayed. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     An object of the present invention is to provide mobile equipment that is capable of effectively displaying information related to the image editing process while allowing free editing of the entirety of a displayed image. 
     Mobile equipment according to the present invention has a display processor that displays an image and at least one icon on the screen, and a touch-sensitive device disposed over the screen. For example, an icon for setting photographing functions and a mode, and for editing a photographic image is displayed. When a playback mode is changed to an image-editing mode, the icon is superimposed on the image. Also, an enlargement and reduction processor for enlarging and reducing an image may be provided. In this case, the display processor may display a position-indicating icon that indicates the position of the displayed image area within the overall image. 
     In the present invention, the display processor displays input information in accordance with an input operation to the touch-sensitive device. For example, the input operation indicates a writing, drawing, illustrating, or pasting patterns. The display processor, for example, superimposes the input information and the icon on the image. Then, the display processor removes the icon from the screen in accordance with the input operation. The user views the icons before the input operation, and selects a tool. Then, the user performs the input operation over the whole screen, on which the icon is not displayed, after the input operation begins. 
     To allow the user to change to a different operation, the display processor may re-display the icon when contact with the touch-sensitive device breaks. For example, the display processor may display the icon after a given period passes after contact with the touch-sensitive device is broken. 
     To allow the user to select a process associated with a displayed icon, the display processor may maintain the icon on display or switch to a display screen associated with the selected icon when the touch point is within the display area of the selected icon. For example, in the case of pasting a stamp, the display processor may erase the icon when the touch point moves outside the display area of the icon while contact is maintained. 
     An apparatus for controlling a display process in mobile equipment according to another aspect of the present invention has a first display processor that displays an image and at least one icon on a touch screen in a state that allows input using the touch screen; a detector that detects contact with the touch screen; a second display processor that displays input information in accordance with the input operation; and an erasing processor that removes the icon when contact is detected. 
     A computer-readable medium that stores a program for controlling the display process in mobile equipment, according to another aspect of the present invention, has a first display-process code segment that displays an image and at least one icon on a touch screen in a state that allows input using the touch screen; a detecting code segment that detects contact with the touch screen; a second display-process code segment that displays input information in accordance with the input operation; and an erasing process code segment that removes the icon when contact is detected. 
     A method for controlling the display-process in mobile equipment, according to another aspect of the present invention, includes: a) displaying an image and at least one icon on a touch screen in a state that allows input using the touch screen; b) detecting contact with the touch screen; c) displaying input information in accordance with the input operation; and d) removing the icon when contact is detected. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The present invention will be better understood from the description of the preferred embodiment of the invention set forth below together with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a block diagram of a digital camera according to the first embodiment; 
         FIGS. 2A and 2B  are flowcharts of camera control processes performed by the system control circuit; and 
         FIGS. 3A and 3B  are views showing an editing screen. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Hereinafter, the preferred embodiment of the present invention is described with reference to the attached drawings. 
       FIG. 1  is a block diagram of a digital camera according to the present embodiment. 
     The digital camera  10  is a compact camera, and a memory card  36  is removably installed into the camera  10 . The camera  10  has a system control circuit  30 , which includes a CPU, a ROM unit and a RAM unit, and controls the action of the camera  10 . The system control circuit  30  connects to a zoom switch  39 , a release half-push switch  40 , a release full-push switch  38 , and an OK button switch  43 , and detects an operation signal when the release button, zoom lever, or OK button (not shown) is operated by the user. 
     Also, the camera  10  has a mode-change button (not shown) for switching mode between the photographing mode and the playback mode. The system control circuit  30  detects a signal from a mode-change switch  37 . When the main power button (not shown) is turned on, a photographing operation can be carried out, and the system control circuit  30  controls the photographing process. The program for controlling the camera  10  is stored in the ROM. 
     When the photographing mode is selected, signal processing for displaying a moving image or live image is performed. An object image is formed on the light-receiving surface of a CCD  16  by light passing through a photographing optical system  12  and shutter  14 , so that analog image-pixel signals corresponding to the object image are generated in the CCD  16 . The generated image-pixel signals are successively read from the CCD  16  at constant intervals (e.g., 1/60 th —second intervals) by a CCD driver  46 , and fed to an amplifier  42 . The read image-pixel signals are amplified in the amplifier  42 , and are converted to digital image signals in an A/D converter  44 . 
     In the present embodiment, anon-chip color filter method using one color filter is applied. On the light-receiving area of the CCD  16 , a primary-color filter, checkered by Red (R), Green (G), and Blue (B) color elements, is arranged such that each area of the three color elements is opposite a pixel. 
     In an image-signal processor  20 , various processes, such as a white-balance adjustment and gamma-correction, are performed on the digital image signals. The processed image signals are temporarily stored in a frame memory (not shown) in the image-signal processor, and are fed to an LCD driver  22 . The LCD driver  22  drives an LCD monitor  24 , provided on the back surface of the camera  10 , on the basis of the image signals. Thus, a moving image is displayed on the LCD monitor  24 . A timing generator  32  outputs clock-pulse signals for synchronizing the timing of signal processes in the camera  10 . 
     While displaying a moving image, a focusing controller (not shown) detects the focus condition of the subject, and outputs a control signal to the lens driver  28 , so that the focusing lens in the photographing optical system  12  is driven by the lens driver  28  to bring the subject into focus. Also, when the zoom lever is operated by a user while displaying the moving image, an exposure controller  26  outputs a control signal to the lens driver  28  so that the zoom lens in the photographing optical system  12  is driven. The focusing lens is driven accordingly. 
     When the release button is depressed halfway and the release half-push switch  40  is turned ON, the brightness of the subject and the distance between the subject and the camera  10  are detected in an exposure detector (not shown). Furthermore, an exposure value is calculated in the exposure controller  26 . When the release button is fully depressed and the release full-push switch  38  is turned ON, the photographing process to record a still image is carried out. Namely, the shutter  14  is opened for a determined period by a driving signal from the exposure controller  26 . Thus, one frame&#39;s worth of image-pixel signals corresponding to a single still image are read from the CCD  16 , and fed to the image-signal processor  20  via the amplifier  42  and the A/D converter  44 . 
     The one frame&#39;s worth of image-signals is subjected to processing in the image-signal processor  20 , so that still image data is generated and temporarily stored in the frame memory. In a recording processor  34 , the image data is then compressed in accordance with a compression standard such as JEPG, and the compressed image data is recorded in the memory card  36 . 
     A resistive touch screen  25 , in which opposing matrix electrodes are arranged between resisters, completely covers the LCD monitor  24 . In the image-editing mode, input by the user&#39;s finger or a stylus  35  is allowed. A user interface circuit  33  detects the location of a touch on the touch screen  25 . When the user writes characters, or draws on the touch screen  25  using the stylus  35 , the user interface circuit  33  detects the contact. The system control circuit  30  outputs a control signal to the image-signal processor  20 , and the image-signal processor  20  outputs a driving signal to the LCD driver  24  on the basis of the control signal. Thus, input data is temporarily stored in the frame memory of the image-signal processor  20 , and characters or drawings are displayed on the touched locations of the touch screen  25 . Input data is updated and stored in the frame memory every time a user writes or draws on the touch screen  25 . 
     In order to change the mode or photographing condition, icons are displayed on the LCD monitor  24  in accordance with the display state. The icons have functions such as those of a setting button or selection button. When the user touches a given icon, the process associated with the touched icon is carried out. 
     In the playback mode, a recorded photographic image is displayed on the LCD monitor  24 . Photographic image data is read from the memory card  36 , and is subjected to an expansion process. The restored image data is fed to the image signal processor  20  so that the recorded photographic image is displayed on the LCD monitor  24 . The image to be displayed is selected by touching two icons. When the user touches one of the icons, image data associated with the user&#39;s operation is read from the memory card  36 , and the recorded image is displayed on the LCD monitor  24 . Thus, the user can shift a displayed image one by one. 
     When the user touches the touch screen  25  during the playback mode, as described later, the image-work mode for working on or processing a photographic image, which is one of the image editing modes, is set. In the image-work mode, the user can superimpose characters and drawings on the photographic image using the stylus  35 , and can superimpose a stamp (e.g., a flower pattern) on the photographic image. When the zoom lever is operated, a part of the photographic image is enlarged. Thus, the user can write and draw finely. In addition, a stamp mode for creating an original stamp, and a frame mode for creating an original frame can be selected as one of the image-editing modes. 
     An interface circuit  41  allows the camera  10  to transmit data to peripheral equipment such as a printer. When a given touch operation is performed by the user, image data is transmitted to the peripheral equipment via a signal cable. 
       FIGS. 2A and 2B  are flowcharts of camera control processes performed by the system control circuit  30 .  FIGS. 3A and 3B  are views showing the display screen in the image-editing mode. When electric power is turned ON, the process is started. 
     In Step S 101 , an initialization is carried out on the shutter  14 , CCD  16 , and each signal circuit. In Step S 102 , the photographing mode is set so that the photographing optical system  12  extends with the lens barrel, and a moving image is displayed on the LCD monitor  24 . In the present embodiment, the photographing mode is set at the same time as electric power is turned on. 
     In Step S 103 , it is determined whether the mode-change button has been operated to switch the photographing mode to the playback mode. When it is determined that the mode-change button has been operated, the process goes to Step S 104 , wherein the playback mode is set and the playback process is carried out. Namely, compressed image data is expanded, and a selected image is displayed on the LCD monitor  24 . As shown in  FIG. 3A , icons A 1  and A 3  for changing the playback image are displayed on the LCD monitor  24 . The user switches the playback image while depressing the icons A 1  and A 3 . 
     In Step S 105 , it is determined whether the playback mode has been switched to the photographing mode. If it is determined that the playback mode has been switched to the photographing mode, the process returns to Step S 102 . On the other hand, if it is determined that the playback mode has not been switched to the photographing mode, the process goes to Step S 106 . 
     In Step S 106 , it is determined whether an operation for switching the playback mode to the image-work mode has been performed. In the image-work mode, the photographic image can be marked up with a drawing, stamp, note, and illustration, etc., or can be recorded. Herein, the image-work mode is set when a given position on the screen  24 S of LCD monitor  24  is touched by the user. 
     When it is determined that the operation for setting image-work mode has been performed, the process goes to Step S 107 , in which the editing menu for editing or working on a photographic image is displayed. As shown in  FIG. 3A , a tool bar B, composed of a drawing icon B 1 , a stamp icon B 2 , and an eraser icon B 3 , is displayed at the bottom of the LCD monitor  24 . Also, a cancellation icon C 1  and an OK icon C 2  are displayed on opposite sides of the screen  24 S, and an enlargement scale icon D is displayed on the upper central part of the screen  24 S. 
     In Step S 108 , it is determined whether the playback mode has been performed. Herein, the playback mode is set again when the cancellation icon C 1  is touched. When it is determined that the cancellation icon C 1  has been touched, the process returns to Step S 104 . On the other hand, when it is determined that the cancellation icon C 1  has not been touched, the process goes to Step S 109 , in which it is determined whether the zoom lever has been operated. Herein, a displayed photographic image is enlarged or reduced by operating the zoom lever provided on the back surface of the camera  10 . When it is determined that the zoom lever has been operated, the process goes to Step S 110 , wherein an enlargement or reduction process is performed. 
     In  FIG. 3A , an enlarged image having four enlargement factors is shown, and total area icon E is displayed in the upper-left corner. The enlargement factor icon D indicates the enlargement factors for an image. When the enlargement factor is 1, the whole photographic image is displayed over the whole of the screen  24 S. When the enlargement scale is larger than 1, a part of the photographic image is displayed over the whole of the screen  24 S. A position-indicating icon E 1  displayed within the icon E indicates the position of the displayed image area. When the user moves the stylus  35  while holding the stylus  35  against the icon E 1 , the image area shifts in accordance with the location of the touched point. The user can write and draw finely by enlarging the image. 
     In Step S 111 , it is determined whether the stylus  35  is touching the screen  24 S, that is, whether an input operation for writing and drawing or for attaching a stamp has been performed. Note that the input operation in the image-work mode is herein performed by the stylus  35 . When it is determined that the stylus  35  is touching the screen  24 S, the process goes to Step S 112  in  FIG. 2B . 
     In Step S 112 , it is determined whether the contact point of the stylus  35  is out of the display area of the editing menu, including the toolbar B and the icons C 1  and C 2 . Namely, it is determined whether an input operation for writing or drawing using the stylus  35  has been performed. Herein, the user can write and draw while the image-work mode is set. When it is determined that the contact point is out of the display area of the tool bar B, the process goes to Step S 113 , in which all icons, namely, the tool bar B, the enlargement scale icon D, and the OK and cancellation icons C 1  and C 2  are erased from the screen  24 S (see  FIG. 3A ). In particular, a signal process is carried out in the image-signal processor  20  so as not to display the editing menu. Then, in Step S 114 , input such as a drawn line is displayed in accordance with the user&#39;s input (see  FIG. 3B ). 
     In Step S 115 , it is determined whether the contact by the stylus  35  has broken or stopped, that is, whether the stylus  35  has been removed from the screen  24 S. When it is determined that the stylus pen  35  is in contact with the screen  24 S, the process returns to Step S 114 . During the input operation, the series of icons is not displayed on the screen  24 S, and characters and drawings input by the user are displayed. 
     On the other hand, when it is determined at Step S 115  that the stylus  35  has been removed from the screen  24 S, the process goes to Step S 116 , in which it is determined whether a predetermined period (herein, 1 second) has passed after the detachment of the stylus  35 . Namely, it is determined whether the input operation is ongoing. When it is determined that the predetermined period has not passed, the process returns to Step S 113 . The editing menu is not displayed and characters and drawings may continue to be input. 
     On the other hand, when it is determined at Step S 116  that the predetermined period has passed, namely, that the input operation has stopped, the process goes to Step S 117 , in which the editorial menu is displayed (see  FIG. 3B ). The user may perform an input operation again, or perform different operation, such as a change of ruled line, a stamp pasting, etc. After Step S 117  is carried out, the process goes to Step S 134 . 
     On the other hand, when it is determined at Step S 112  that the stylus  35  touches the display area of the image editorial menu, in other words, that the contact point is in the tool bar B or the icons C 1  or C 2 , the process goes to Step S 118 . In Step S 118 , it is determined whether the contact point is within the icon B 2 , namely, that the stamp pasting has been selected. A flower pattern stamp can thereby be superimposed on the image. 
     When it is determined that the contact point is in the icon B 2 , the process goes to Step S 119 , in which a display for stamp pasting is set. Thus, the user can place a flower pattern stamp at a desired position by using the stylus  35 . As shown in  FIG. 3A , the editing menu is displayed while the contact point is within the icon B 2 . 
     In Step S 120 , it is determined whether the stylus  35  is in contact with the screen  24 S. When it is determined that the stylus  35  is not in contact with the screen  24 S, the process returns to Step S 119 . On the other hand, when it is determined that the stylus  35  is touching the screen  24 S, the process goes to Step S 121 , in which it is determined whether the contact point is beyond the area of the tool bar B including the icon B 2 . Namely, it is determined whether the operation for pasting the stamp has been performed. When it is determined that the contact point is within the area of the tool bar B, the process returns to Step S 118 . On the other hand, when it is determined that the contact point is beyond the area of the icon B 2 , the process goes to Step S 122 . 
     In Step S 122 , the display of the editorial menu is removed. Then, in Step S 123 , the stamp T is displayed in accordance with the contact point of the stylus  35  (see  FIG. 3B ). In short, when the contact point moves beyond the area of the icon B 2  in the condition that the stylus  35  is touching the screen  24 S, the series of icons is removed from the screen  24 S. While the contact with the screen  24 S is continues, only the stamp T is displayed. The performance of Steps S 124  to S 126  is the same as those of Step S 115  to S 117  in  FIG. 2A . Namely, the editing menu is not displayed until the stylus  35  detaches from the screen  24 S and the predetermined period has passed. When the predetermined period has passed, it is determined that the operation for pasting the stamp has ended, and the editorial menu is displayed (see  FIG. 3B ). After Step S 126  is carried out, the process goes to Step S 134 . 
     On the other hand, when it is determined at Step S 118  that the contact point is within the area of the stamp icon B 2 , the process goes to Step S 127 , in which it is determined whether the contact point is within the eraser icon B 3 . Namely, it is determined whether the operation for erasing input characters and drawings has been performed. When it is determined that the contact point is within the area of the eraser icon B 3 , the erasing process is carried out (Step S 218  to S 131 ). While the user erases the characters and drawings using the stylus  35 , the editing menu is not displayed. After Step S 131  is carried out, the process goes to Step S 134 . 
     On the other hand, when it is determined at Step S 127  that the contact point is not within the area of the eraser icon B 3 , the process goes to Step S 132 , in which it is determined whether the contact point is within the ruled line icon B 1 , namely, whether the operation for setting the type of ruled line has been performed. When it is determined that the contact point is within the ruled line icon B 1 , the process goes to Step S 133 , in which a ruled-line setting process is carried out. After step S 133  is carried out, the process goes to Step S 134 . 
     In Step S 134 , it is determined whether the stylus  35  is touching the OK icon C 2 , Namely, whether an operation for recording the edited or processed photographic image has been performed. When it is determined that the contact point is not within the OK icon C 2 , the process returns to Step S 107  in  FIG. 2A . On the other hand, when it is determined that the contact point is within the OK icon C 2 , the process goes to Step S 135 , and the edited image is recorded. Steps S 102  to S 135  are repeatedly carried out until electric power is turned OFF. 
     Note that the display process explained above is carried out for other image-editing modes, for example, the mode for making an original stamp, and the mode for making an original frame. 
     Thus, in the present embodiment, the editing menu including the tool bar B and icons C 1  and C 2  are displayed on the screen  24 S in the image-work mode. When an input operation using the stylus  35  is started, the editing menu is erased from the screen  24 S (S 113 , S 122 , S 130 ). The user can write and draw using the whole of the screen  24 S. Then, when the predetermined period passes after the stylus  35  is removed from the screen  24 S, the editing menu is displayed again. Thus, by stopping the input operation, the user can easily review the editing functions, and smoothly change the mode. Furthermore, when the contact point of the stylus  35  is within one of the series of icons, the process associated with the touched icon can be carried out directly. 
     The input operation in the image-work mode may be performed by a blunt, pointed object or a finger instead of the stylus  35 . Icons not associated with image editing functions may also be displayed. Also, an editing menu may be displayed on a screen in which the photographic image is not displayed (e.g., a function setting screen or a note screen). A cell phone, viewer, or a PDA may be used as mobile equipment. 
     When the input operation stops, the editing menu may be instantly displayed again. Also, the editing menu may be erased when the stylus  35  touches a given icon. Furthermore, the editing menu may also be erased after the stylus  35  is removed from the screen. 
     Finally, it will be understood by those skilled in the arts that the foregoing description is of preferred embodiments of the device, and that various changes and modifications may be made to the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. 
     The present disclosure relates to subject matter contained in Japanese Patent Applications No. 2007-023708 (filed on Feb. 2, 2007), which is expressly incorporated herein by reference, in its entirety.