Electronic handheld camera with print mode menu for setting printing modes to print to paper

An information processing device converts images to image data and records the image data to a recording medium. The device includes a selector, an arrangement adjuster and an output. The selector selects desired image data to be output to a printing device from among the image data recorded in the recording medium. The arrangement adjuster adjusts an arrangement of the image data when there is image data of more than one image selected by the selector. The output outputs the plurality of image data arranged by the arrangement adjuster to the printing device. The plurality of image data can be, for example, continuously shot image data.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

This invention relates to an information processing device and method of controlling an information processing device, and to a recording medium. In particular, it relates to an information processing device, method of controlling an information processing device, and a recording medium that converts an optical image of an object to corresponding image data and stores it to a recording medium.

2. Description of Related Art

In a conventional electronic camera, when printing a plurality of shot images using a printer or the like, if these plurality of images are printed on one sheet of recording paper, the images are arranged on the recording paper and are printed according to the number of divisions, such as 4 divisions, 9 divisions, or 16 divisions in the conventional electronic camera.

However, in the conventional electronic camera, there is the problem that an arbitrary number of images cannot be printed to one sheet of recording paper because the number of divisions is predetermined.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned conditions. This invention allows the user to automatically adjust the size of each image, and print according to the number of images to be printed and the size of the recording paper.

The information processing device of this invention includes: a selector that selects desired image data which is output to the printing device from among the image data recorded to the recording medium; an arrangement adjustor that adjusts the arrangement of a plurality of image data when a plurality of image data that has been selected by the selector exists; and an outputting part that outputs the plurality of image data that has been arranged by the arrangement adjustor to a printing device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Hereafter, embodiments of this invention are explained with reference to the drawings.

FIGS. 1 and 2are perspective views that show a structural example of an embodiment of an electronic camera according to this invention. In the electronic camera of this embodiment, when shooting an object, the surface facing an object is face X1, and the surface facing the user is face X2. On the top part of the face X1are provided a viewfinder2that is used for the confirmation of the shooting range of the object, a shooting lens3that takes-in the optical image of the object, and a light emission part (strobe)4to irradiate light that illuminates the object.

Additionally, in the face X1are provided a red-eye reduction lamp15, a photometry element16and a colorimetry element17. The red-eye reduction lamp15reduces the red eye phenomenon by emitting light before the light emission of the strobe4when shooting is to be performed with the strobe4. The photometry element16performs photometry while the operation of the CCD20(FIG. 4) is stopped. The colorimetry element17performs colorimetry while the operation of the CCD20is stopped.

On the top part of the face X2, opposed to the face X1(the position corresponding to the top part of the face X1in which the viewfinder2, the shooting lens3and the light emission part4are formed), the above-mentioned viewfinder2and a speaker5that outputs sound that is recorded in the electronic camera1are provided. Additionally, an LCD6and operation keys7are formed on the face X2vertically lower than the viewfinder2, the shooting lens3, the light emission part4and the speaker5. On the surface of the LCD6, a so-called touch tablet6A is arranged that outputs position data corresponding to a position designated by the touching operation of, e.g., a later-mentioned pen-type designating device.

Touch tablet6A is made from a transparent material such as glass, resin or the like. Thus, the user can observe, through the touch tablet6A, an image that is displayed on the LCD6formed below the touch tablet6A.

The operation keys7are keys to be operated when reproducing (replaying) and displaying the recorded data on the LCD6, or the like. They detect the operation (input) by a user and supply it to CPU39. The menu key7A, among the operation keys7, is a key to be operated to display the menu screen on the LCD6. The execution key7B is a key to be operated to reproduce the recorded information selected by the user. The clear key7C is a key to be operated to delete recorded information. The cancel key7D is a key to be operated to suspend the reproduction processing of the recorded information. The scroll key7E is a key to be operated to scroll the screen in the vertical direction when the list of the recorded information is displayed on the LCD6.

On the face X2, a slidable LCD cover14is provided that protects the LCD6when it is not being used. The LCD cover14covers the LCD6and the touch tablet6A when it is shifted to the upper position as shown inFIG. 3. When the LCD cover14is shifted to the lower position, the LCD6and the touch tablet6A appear, and a power switch11(later-mentioned) that is arranged on the face Y2is switched to the ON condition by the arm member14A of the LCD cover14.

On the face Z, which is the top face of the electronic camera1, are provided a microphone8that collects sound and an earphone jack9to which an earphone, not shown in the figure, is connected.

On the left side face Y1are provided a release switch10, a continuous shooting mode switch13and a printer connecting terminal18. The release switch10is operated when shooting the object. The continuous shooting mode switch13is operated when switching to the continuous shooting mode at the time of shooting. The printer connecting terminal18is for connecting the electronic camera1to an external printer. The release switch10, continuous shooting mode switch13and printer connecting terminal18are arranged vertically below the viewfinder2, the shooting lens3and the light emission part4, provided at the top end of the face X1.

On the face Y2(the right side face) that opposes the face Y1are provided a recording switch12, that is operated when recording sound, and a power switch11. The recording switch12and the power switch11are arranged vertically below the viewfinder2, the shooting lens3and the light emission part4, provided on the top end of the face X1, in a similar manner as the above-mentioned release switch10and continuous shooting mode switch13. Preferably, the recording switch12is formed at approximately the same height as the release switch10of the face Y1, and it is structured so that the user does not sense a difference, no matter whether he or she holds the camera by the left hand or the right hand.

Alternatively, it is possible to arrange the position of the recording switch12so that it is different from the position of the release switch10so that when the user presses one of the switches, when the user holds the opposite side face of the camera with a finger in order to cancel the moment induced by this pressure, the user does not accidentally press the switch that is provided on the other side face.

The above-mentioned continuous shooting mode switch13is used when setting whether an object is shot for only one frame (single shot) or shot for a plurality of frames (continuous shooting) when the user shoots the object by pressing the release switch10. For example, when the indicator of the continuous shooting mode switch13is moved to the position “S” (in other words, it is switched to the S mode), when the release switch10is pressed, shooting is performed for only one frame. When the indicator of the continuous shooting mode switch13is moved to the position “L” (in other words, it is switched to the L mode), when the release switch10is pressed, shooting of 8 frames per second is performed during the period when the release switch10is pressed (in other words, it is placed in a low speed continuous shooting mode). Furthermore, when the indicator of the continuous shooting mode switch13is moved to the position “H” (in other words, it is switched to the H mode), when the release switch10is pressed, shooting of 30 frames per second is performed during the period when the release switch10is pressed (in other words, it is placed in a high speed continuous shooting mode).

Next, the internal structure of the electronic camera1is explained.FIG. 4shows a structural example of the inside of the electronic camera shown inFIGS. 1 and 2. A CCD20is provided at the rear side (face X2side) of the shooting lens3. CCD20is a photoelectric converter in that it photoelectrically converts the optical image of an object that is image-formed via the shooting lens3into an electrical signal.

An in-finder display element26is arranged in the field of view of the viewfinder2, and displays the setting conditions of various kinds of functions to the user viewing an object through the viewfinder2.

Below the LCD6, four cylinder-shaped batteries (AAA dry cell batteries)21are vertically aligned. The electric power that is stored in the batteries21is supplied to each part of the camera. Additionally, below the LCD6is arranged a condenser22that accumulates a charge in order to cause the light emission part4to emit light.

On a circuit board23, various control circuits are formed that control each part of the electronic camera1. Additionally, between the circuit board23and the LCD6and batteries21, a memory card24is detachably provided. Various kinds of information that are input to the electronic camera1are recorded respectively in predetermined areas of the memory card24.

An LCD switch25that is arranged adjacent to the power switch11is a switch that is placed in the ON condition only while its plunger is pressed. This occurs when the LCD cover14is shifted downward, as shown inFIG. 5A. LCD switch25is switched to the ON condition along with the power switch11by the arm member14A of the LCD cover14.

When the LCD cover14is positioned in the upper position, the power switch11can be operated by the user independent of the LCD switch25. For example, as shown inFIG. 5B, when the LCD cover14is closed and the electronic camera1is not being used, the power switch11and the LCD switch25are in the OFF condition. In this condition, when the user switches the power switch11to the ON condition as shown inFIG. 5C, the power switch11is placed in the ON condition, however the LCD switch25stays in the OFF condition. Meanwhile, when the power switch11and the LCD switch25are in the OFF condition as shown inFIG. 5B, when the LCD cover14is open, as shown inFIG. 5A, the power switch11and the LCD switch25are placed in the ON condition. Then, after this, when the LCD cover14is closed, only the LCD switch25is placed in the OFF condition as shown inFIG. 5C.

In this embodiment, the memory card24is detachable. However, it is also acceptable to provide a memory on the circuit board23and it is possible to record various kinds of information in that memory. Additionally, it is acceptable to output various kinds of information recorded in the memory (memory card24) to an external personal computer via an interface48(not shown).

Next, the internal structure of the electronic camera1of this embodiment is explained with reference to the block diagram ofFIG. 6. The CCD20, which includes a plurality of pixels, photoelectrically converts an optical image that is image-formed on each pixel into an image signal (electrical signal). The digital signal processor (hereafter DSP)33supplies a CCD horizontal driving pulse to the CCD20, controls the CCD driving circuit (CCD driver)34, and also supplies a CCD vertical driving pulse to the CCD20.

An image processor31is controlled by the CPU39, and samples the image signal that is photoelectrically converted by the CCD20at a predetermined timing, and amplifies the sampled signal to a specified level. The analog/digital converting circuit (hereafter A/D converter)32digitizes the image signal that is sampled at the image processor31, and supplies it to the DSP33.

The DSP33controls a data bus that is connected to the buffer memory36and to the memory card24. After temporarily storing the image data that is supplied from the A/D converter32to the buffer memory36, the DSP33reads out image data stored in the buffer memory36and records the image data to the memory card24. Additionally, the DSP33stores the image data that is supplied from the A/D converter32in the frame memory35, displays it on the LCD6, and reads out the shot image data from the memory card24. After decompressing the shot image data, the DSP33stores the decompressed image data in the frame memory35and displays it on the LCD6.

When the electronic camera1is active, the DSP33repeatedly operates the CCD20while adjusting the exposure time (exposure value) until the exposure level of the CCD20reaches an appropriate value. At this time, it is also acceptable for the DSP33to operate the photometry circuit51at first, and to calculate the initial value of the exposure time of the CCD20according to the light receiving level that is detected by the photometry element16. By doing this, the adjustment of the exposure time of the CCD20can be performed in a short period.

In addition to these operations, the DSP33performs timing control of data input/output when recording to the memory card24, when storing decompressed image data in the buffer memory36, and the like.

The buffer memory36is used to accommodate the difference between the speed of data input/output of the memory card24and the processing speed of the CPU39and the DSP33.

The microphone8inputs sound information (collects sound) and supplies that sound information to the A/D and D/A converter42. The A/D and D/A converter42, after converting the analog signal that corresponds to the sound detected by the microphone8into a digital signal, outputs the digital signal to the CPU39. The A/D and D/A converter42also analyzes digital sound data that is supplied from the CPU39and outputs an analog sound signal to the speaker5.

The photometry element16measures the light amount of the object and its surroundings, and outputs the measurement result to the photometry circuit51. The photometry circuit51, after performing a specified processing to the analog signal that is the photometric result supplied from the photometry element16, converts it into a digital signal and outputs the digital signal to the CPU39.

The colorimetry element17measures the color temperature of the object and its surroundings, and outputs the measurement result to the colorimetry circuit52. The colorimetry circuit52, after performing a specified processing to the analog signal that is the colorimetric result supplied from the colorimetry element17, converts it into a digital signal and outputs the digital signal to the CPU39.

The timer45has a built-in clock circuit, and outputs data that corresponds to the current time to the CPU39.

A stop driver53sets the aperture diameter of the stop54to a specified value. The stop54is arranged between the shooting lens3and the CCD20, and changes the aperture of the incident light from the shooting lens3to the CCD20.

The CPU39stops the operation of the photometry circuit51and the colorimetry circuit52when the LCD cover14is opened in response to the signal from the LCD switch25, and, when the LCD cover14is closed, operates the photometry circuit51and the colorimetry circuit52and also stops the operation of the CCD20(for example, the electronic shutter operation) until the release switch10is placed in the half-pressed condition (the condition in which a first operation is performed). The CPU39controls the photometry circuit51and the colorimetry circuit52when the operation of the CCD20is stopped, and receives the photometric result of the photometry element16and also receives the colorimetric result of the colorimetry element17. Then, the CPU39calculates the white balance adjustment value that corresponds to the color temperature supplied from the colorimetry circuit52with reference to a specified table, and supplies the white balance adjustment value to the image processor31. In other words, when the LCD cover14is closed, the LCD6is not used as an electronic viewfinder and therefore the operation of the CCD20is stopped. The CCD20consumes a large amount of electric power. Therefore, electric power of the batteries21can be saved by suspending the operation of the CCD20as described above.

Additionally, the CPU39controls the image processor31when the LCD cover14is closed so that the image processor31does not perform various kinds of processing until the release switch10is operated (until the release switch10is placed in the half-pressed condition). Additionally, the CPU39controls the stop driver53when the LCD cover14is closed so that the stop driver53does not perform the operation of the change in the aperture diameter of the stop54or the like until the release switch10is operated (until the release switch10is placed in the half-pressed condition).

The CPU39controls the red-eye reduction lamp driver38and makes the red-eye reduction lamp15emit the appropriate amount of light before the strobe4is emitted. The CPU39also controls the strobe driving circuit37and makes the strobe4emit the appropriate amount of light. Additionally, when the LCD cover14is opened (in other words, when the electronic viewfinder is used) the CPU39makes the strobe4not emit light. By doing this, the object can be shot in the condition of the image displayed in the electronic viewfinder.

The CPU39records the shooting date as header information of the image data in the shooting image recording area of the memory card24in accordance with the date data supplied from the timer45. In other words, the data of the shooting date is attached to (associated with) the shot image data recorded in the shooting image recording area of the memory card24. Additionally, the CPU39, after compressing the digitized sound information, stores the digitized and compressed sound data temporarily in the buffer memory36, and then records it in a specified area (sound recording area) of the memory card24. Additionally, at this time, the data of the recording date is recorded as header information of the sound data in the sound recording area of the memory card24.

The CPU39performs the auto-focus operation by controlling the lens driving circuit (lens driver)30and shifting the shooting lens3. The CPU39also controls the stop driver53and changes the aperture diameter of the stop54arranged between the shooting lens3and the CCD20. Furthermore, the CPU39controls the in-finder display circuit40and makes the in-finder display element26display the settings of the various operations or the like.

The CPU39performs sending and receiving of specified data to/from a specified external device (not shown) via the interface (I/F)48. Additionally, the CPU39receives signals from the operation keys7and appropriately processes them.

When a specified position of the touch tablet6A is pressed by a pen (pen-type designating member)41that is operated by the user, the CPU39reads out the X-Y coordinates of the pressed position of the touch tablet6A, and accumulates the coordinate data (later-mentioned line drawing information) into the buffer memory36. Additionally, the CPU39records the line drawing information stored in the buffer memory36into the line drawing information memory of the memory card24along with header information of the line drawing information input date.

Next, various operations of the electronic camera1of this embodiment are explained. First, the electronic viewfinder operation of the LCD6of this device is explained. When the user half-presses the release switch10, the DSP33determines whether the LCD cover14is opened from the value of the signal that corresponds to the condition of the LCD switch25supplied from the CPU39. When it determines that the LCD cover14is closed, DSP33does not perform the electronic viewfinder operation. In this case, the DSP33suspends processing until the release switch10is operated.

Additionally, when the LCD cover14is closed, since the electronic viewfinder operation is not performed, the CPU39suspends operation of the CCD20, the image processor31and the stop driver53. Then, the CPU39operates the photometry circuit51and the colorimetry circuit52instead of operating the CCD20, and supplies these measurement results to the image processor31. The image processor31uses the values of these measurement results when performing the white balance control and control of the luminance value. When the release switch10is operated, the CPU39performs the operation of the CCD20and the stop driver53.

On the other hand, when the LCD cover14is opened, the CCD20performs the electronic shutter operation at a specified exposure amount per specified time period, photoelectrically converts the optical image of the object that is light collected by the shooting lens3, and outputs the image signal obtained by the operation to the image processor31. The image processor31performs the white balance control and control of the luminance value, and after performing a specified processing to the image signal, outputs the image signal to the A/D converter32. Additionally, when the CCD20is operated, the image processor31uses an adjustment value that is used for the white balance control and the luminance value control calculated by the CPU39using the output of the CCD20. Then, the A/D converter32converts the image signal (an analog signal) into image data (a digital signal), and outputs the image data to the DSP33. The DSP33outputs the image data to the frame memory35, and displays the image that corresponds to the image data on the LCD6.

Thus, when the LCD cover14is opened, the CCD20performs the electronic shutter operation at a specified time interval, converts the signal output from the CCD20each time into image data, outputs the image data to the frame memory35, and displays the image of the object constantly on the LCD6. The electronic viewfinder operation is thus performed in the electronic camera1. Additionally, as described above, when the LCD cover14is closed, the electronic viewfinder operation is not performed, the operation of the CCD20, the image processor31and the stop driver53are suspended, and the consumption of electric power is saved.

Next, the shooting of an object by this device is explained. First, the case is explained in which the continuous shooting mode switch13provided on the face Y1is switched to the S mode (the mode that performs shooting for only one frame). First, the power of the electronic camera1is turned on by switching the power switch11shown inFIG. 1to the side at which ON is printed. The object is confirmed by the user in the viewfinder2, the release switch10provided on the face Y1is pressed, and the shooting processing of the object is started.

Additionally, when the LCD cover14is closed, the CPU39restarts the operation of the CCD20, the image processor31and the stop driver53when the release switch10is placed in the half-pressed condition, and starts the shooting processing of the object when the release switch10is placed in the full-pressed condition (the condition in which a second operation is performed).

The optical image of the object observed by the viewfinder2is light collected by the shooting lens3, and is image-formed on the CCD20, which includes a plurality of pixels. The optical image of the object that is image-formed on the CCD20is photoelectrically converted into an image signal at each pixel, and sampled by the image processor31. The image signal sampled by the image processor31is supplied to the A/D converter32, digitized and output to the DSP33.

The DSP33, after temporarily outputting the image data to the buffer memory36, reads out the image data from the buffer memory36, compresses it in accordance with, e.g., the JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group) method, which is a combination of discrete cosine transformation, quantization and Huffman encoding, and records it in the shot image recording area of the memory card24. At this time, in the shot image recording area of the memory card24, the data of the shooting date also is recorded as header information of the shot image data.

Additionally, when the continuous shooting mode switch13is switched to the S mode, shooting of only one frame is performed, and even if the release switch10is continuously pressed (i.e., held down continuously), no shooting is performed after one frame. When the release switch10is continuously pressed, the shot image is displayed on the LCD6when the LCD cover14is open. Next, the case will be described in which the continuous shooting mode switch13is switched to the L mode (the mode that performs continuous shooting of 8 frames per second). When the power switch11is switched to the side on which is printed ON and the release switch10provided on the face Y1is pressed, the shooting processing of the object is started. Additionally, when the LCD cover14is closed, the CPU39restarts the operation of the CCD20, the image processor31and the stop driver53when the release switch10is placed in the half-pressed condition, and the shooting processing of the object is started when the release switch10is placed in the full-pressed condition.

The optical image of the object observed by the user in the viewfinder2is light collected by the shooting lens3, and image-formed on the CCD20, which comprises a plurality of pixels. The optical image of the object that is image-formed on the CCD20is photoelectrically converted into an image signal at each pixel of the CCD20, and sampled at a rate of 8 times per second by the image processor31. Additionally, at this time, the image processor31thins out ¾ of the pixels among the image electrical signals of all the pixels of the CCD20.

In other words, as shown inFIG. 7, the image processor31divides the pixels of the CCD20that are arranged in a matrix shape into areas each having 2×2 pixels (4 pixels), samples the image signal of one pixel arranged in a specified position from each area, and thins out the remaining three pixels. For example, at the first sampling cycle (first frame), the pixel “a” at the top left corner of each area is sampled, and the other pixels “b”, “c” and “d” are thinned out. At the second sampling cycle (second frame), the pixel “b” at the top right corner of each area is sampled, and the other pixels “a”, “c” and “d” are thinned out. Thereafter, at the third, fourth, and following sampling cycles, the pixel “c” at the bottom left and the pixel “d” at the bottom right are sampled, respectively, and the other pixels are thinned out. In other words, each pixel is sampled once for every four frames.

The image signals sampled by the image processor31(the image signals of ¼ of all the pixels of the CCD20) are supplied to the A/D converter32, digitized and output to the DSP33. The DSP33reads out the image signals after temporarily outputting the digitized image signal to the buffer memory36, and after compressing it in accordance with the JPEG method, for example, records the shot image data that is digitized and compressed to the shot image recording area of the memory card24. At this time, in the shot image recording area of the memory card24, the data of the shooting date also is recorded as header information of the shot image data.

The case is now described in which the continuous shooting mode switch13is switched to the H mode (a mode that performs continuous shooting of 30 frames per second). When the power of the electronic camera1is turned on by switching the power switch11to the side printed ON and the release switch10provided in the face Y1is pressed, the shooting processing of the object is started.

Additionally, when the LCD cover14is closed, the CPU39restarts the operation of the CCD20, the image processor31and stop driver53when the release switch10is placed in the half-pressed condition, and the shooting processing of the object is started when the release switch10is placed in the full-pressed condition.

The optical image of the object observed by the user in the viewfinder2is light collected by the shooting lens3and image-formed on the CCD20. The optical image of the object that is image-formed on the CCD20is photoelectrically converted into an image signal at each pixel of the CCD20, and is sampled at the rate of 30 times per second by the image processor31. Additionally, at this time, the image processor31thins out 8/9 of pixels among the image electrical signal of all the pixels of the CCD20.

In other words, the image processor31, as shown inFIG. 8, divides the pixels of the CCD20, that are arranged in a matrix shape, into areas each having 3×3 pixels (9 pixels), and the image electrical signal of one pixel arranged in a specified position in each area is sampled at a rate of 30 times per second, and the remaining 8 pixels are thinned out.

For example, in the first sampling cycle (first frame), pixel “a” at the left top of each area is sampled, and the other pixels “b” through “i” are thinned out. At the second sampling cycle (second frame), the pixel “b” arranged to the right of the pixel “a” is sampled and the other pixels “a” and “c” through “i” are thinned out. Thereafter, at the third and following sampling cycles, pixel “c”, pixel “d” . . . are sampled, respectively, and the other pixels are thinned out. In other words, each pixel is sampled once every 9 frames.

The image signals that are sampled by the image processor31(the image signals of 1/9 of all the pixels of the CCD20) are supplied to the A/D converter32, and there digitized and output to the DSP33. The DSP33reads out the image signal after temporarily outputting the digitized image signal to the buffer memory36, and after the image signal is compressed in accordance with the JPEG method, the shot image data that is digitized and compressed is recorded in the shot image recording area of the memory card24with header information of the shooting date attached.

Additionally, depending on the necessity, it is possible to operate the strobe4and irradiate light onto the object. However, when the LCD cover14is open, in other words, when the LCD6is performing the electronic viewfinder operation, the CPU39preferably controls the strobe4to not emit light.

Next, the operation is described in which two-dimensional information (pen input information) is input by the touch tablet6A. When the touch tablet6A is pressed with tip of the pen41, the X-Y coordinates of the point where the pen contacted is input to the CPU39. These X-Y coordinates are stored in the buffer memory36. Additionally, it is possible to write the data corresponding to each point of the above-mentioned X-Y coordinates in the frame memory35, to display line drawings that correspond to the contact of the pen41on the above-mentioned X-Y coordinates on the LCD6.

As described above, since the touch tablet6A is a transparent member, the user can observe the point displayed on the LCD6(the point of the position pressed by the tip of the pen41), and can feel as if he or she were performing a direct pen input on the LCD6. Additionally, when the pen41is shifted on the touch tablet6A, a line is displayed on the LCD6in accordance with the movement of the pen41. Furthermore, when the pen41is intermittently shifted on the touch tablet6A, a broken line that follows the movement of the pen41is displayed on the LCD6. As described above, the user inputs line drawing information of desired characters, drawings or the like on the touch tablet6A (LCD6).

Additionally, when a shot image is displayed on the LCD6, when line drawing information is input by the pen41, this line drawing information is combined with the shot image information in the frame memory35and simultaneously displayed on the LCD6.

Additionally, the user can select the color of the line drawing displayed on the LCD6from among black, white, red, blue or the like by operating a color selection switch, not shown in the figures.

After inputting line drawing information to the touch tablet6A by the pen41, when the execution key7B of the operation keys7is pressed, the line drawing information that is accumulated in the buffer memory36is supplied to the memory card24along with header information of the input date, and is recorded in the line drawing information recording area of the memory card24.

Additionally, the line drawing information recorded in the memory card24is information to which compression processing has been performed. Since the line drawing information input by the touch tablet6A contains much information having a high spatial frequency component, if the compression processing is performed by the JPEG method, used for compression of the above-mentioned shot image, the compression efficiency is poor, the information amount is not reduced, and the time that is necessary for the compression and decompression becomes long. Additionally, compression by the JPEG method is non-reversible (lossy) compression, and therefore is not suitable for the compression of line drawing information, which has a small information amount (because gathering and smearing are emphasized in accordance with the lack of information when it is decompressed and displayed on the LCD6).

Therefore, in this embodiment, the line drawing information preferably is compressed by the run-length method, which is used for fax machines or the like. The run-length method is a method used to compress line drawing information by scanning the line drawing screen in a horizontal direction and encoding the length over which the information (dots) of each color of black, white, red, blue or the like continues, and the length over which non-information (the portions at which there is no pen input) continues. By using this run-length method, the line drawing information can be compressed to a minimum amount. Additionally, even when the compressed line drawing information is decompressed, information deficiencies can be suppressed. Additionally, it is also possible to not compress the line drawing information when its information amount is relatively small.

Furthermore, as described above, when the shot image is displayed on the LCD6, if pen input is performed, the shot image data and the line drawing information of the pen input are combined in the frame memory35and the combined image of the shot image and line drawing is displayed on the LCD6. Meanwhile, in the memory card24, the shot image data is recorded in the shot image recording area, and the line drawing information is recorded in the line drawing information recording area. Because two pieces of information are thus recorded in their respective areas, the user can delete either of the images (e.g., the line drawing) from the combined image of the shot image and the line drawing, and can also compress the respective image information by individual (different) compression methods.

When data is recorded in the sound recording area, the shot image recording area, or the line drawing information recording area of the memory card24, as shown inFIG. 9, a specified message is displayed on the LCD6. On the display screen of the LCD6shown inFIG. 9, the recording date on which the information is recorded (recording date) is displayed at the base of the screen (in this case, Aug. 25, 1995). The recording times of the information recorded on the recording date are displayed at the far left on the screen.

To the right of the recording times, thumbnail images are displayed when there is shot image information. The thumbnail images are created by thinning out (reducing) the bit map data of each image data of the shot image data recorded on the memory card24. An entry with this kind of display is an entry including shot image information. That is, the information recorded (input) at “10:16” and “10:21” contains shot image information, and the information recorded at “10:05”, “10:28”, “10:54” and “13:10” does not contain shot image information. Furthermore, the memo symbol “*” indicates that a specified memo is recorded as line drawing information. To the right of the thumbnail image display area, a sound information bar is displayed. The length of the bar (line) corresponds to the length of the recording time (when no sound information is input, no line is displayed).

The user presses any part of the display line of the desired information on the LCD6shown inFIG. 9with the tip of the pen41to designate the information to be reproduced. By pressing the execution key7B shown inFIG. 2with the tip of the pen41, the designated information is selected and then reproduced. For example, when the line on which “10:05” shown inFIG. 9is displayed is pressed by the pen41(and then the key7B is pressed), CPU39reads the sound data corresponding to the selected recording time and date (10:05) from the memory card24. After the sound data is decompressed, it is supplied to the A/D and D/A converter42. After the supplied sound data is converted to analog data in the A/D and D/A converter42, the data is reproduced through the speaker5.

When the shot image data that has been recorded in the memory card24is to be reproduced, the user can designate the information by pressing the desired thumbnail image with the tip of the pen41and pressing the execution key7B to select the designated information to be reproduced. CPU39instructs DSP33to read out the shot image data corresponding to the selected shooting time and date from the memory card24. DSP33decompresses the shot image data (compressed shot image data) read from the memory card24, stores this shot image data in the frame memory35as bit map data, and displays it on the LCD6.

An image that has been shot in the S mode is displayed as a still image on the LCD6. Needless to say, this still image is an image in which the image signals of all the pixels of the CCD20are reproduced. An image that was shot in the L mode is continually displayed (e.g., as a moving picture) at the rate of 8 frames per second on the LCD6. At this time, the number of pixels that are displayed in each frame is ¼ of the number of all the pixels of the CCD20. Usually, human eyes sensitively respond to the deterioration of the resolution of the still image, so the user will perceive the image as being deteriorated in image quality if the pixels of the still image are thinned out. However, when the continuous shooting speed is increased by shooting 8 frames per second in the L mode, and the image is reproduced at the rate of 8 frames per second, the number of pixels per frame becomes ¼ of the number of pixels of the CCD20. However, because human eyes observe 8 frames of images per second, the amount of information that enters the human eyes per second becomes double compared to the case of the still image.

That is, when the number of pixels of one frame of the image that has been shot in the S mode is 1, the number of pixels of one frame of the image that has been shot in the L mode is ¼. When the image (still image) that has been shot in the S mode is displayed on the LCD6, the information amount that enters the human eyes per second is 1(=(number of pixels 1)×(number of frames 1)). Meanwhile, when the image that has been shot by the L mode is displayed on the LCD6, the information amount that enters the human eyes per second is 2(=(number of pixels ¼)×(number of frames 8)). That is, double the amount of information of the still image enters the human eyes. Therefore, even if the number of pixels in one frame is ¼, the user can observe the reproduced image without noticing deterioration of the image quality during the reproduction.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, because the pixels that vary depending upon each frame are sampled and the sampled pixels are displayed on the LCD6, the residual image effect occurs in the human eyes. Even if ¾ of the pixels per frame are thinned out, the user can observe the image that has been shot in the L mode displayed on the LCD6without noticing deterioration of the image quality.

Additionally, an image that has been shot in the H mode is continually displayed at the rate of 30 frames per second on the LCD6. At this time, the number of pixels that are displayed per frame is 1/9 of the number of the pixels of the CCD20, but the user can observe the image that has been shot by the H mode displayed on the LCD6without noticing deterioration of the image quality because of the same reason as for the L mode.

In this embodiment, when objects are shot in the L mode and the H mode, the image processor31thins out pixels of the CCD20to a degree where the user does not notice deterioration of the image quality during the reproduction, so the load of the DSP33can be decreased and the DSP33can be operated at low speed and low power. Furthermore, because of this, low cost and low power consumption of the device are possible.

The electronic camera1of this embodiment can be connected to the external printer100by the cable200via the printer connecting terminal18as shown inFIG. 10, and the shot image can be printed on recording paper.

FIG. 11is a block diagram which shows a structural example of the printer100which is shown inFIG. 10. In this figure, CPU102performs various kinds of processing in accordance with a program which is stored in ROM103. RAM104stores data and programs or the like during calculations when CPU102is performing specified processing. IF106converts the format of the data as needed when the CPU102exchanges data with an external machine. Bus105mutually connects the CPU102, the ROM103, the RAM104and the IF106, and transfers data between these devices.

An external electronic camera1and a printing part107are connected to IF106.

The printing part107prints image data, which is transmitted from the electronic camera1and to which specified processing is performed by CPU102, on recording paper.

Next, the setting processing and the printing processing of the printer100when the printer100is connected to the electronic camera1of this embodiment is explained below.

FIG. 12is a flowchart which explains one example of the setting processing of the printing mode of the printer100. This processing is executed when the selection item “setting of the printing mode” is selected on a menu screen (not shown in the figure) which is displayed when the menu key7A is pressed.

When this processing is executed, the CPU39of the electronic camera1displays the setting screen which is shown inFIG. 13on the LCD6in step S1. Then, it receives the input of the printing mode.

A title “mode setting” is displayed at the top of the screen in the display example which is shown inFIG. 13. Underneath the title, the selection items “plurality of frames/one sheet print mode”, “plurality of frames combined/one sheet print mode” and “one frame/one sheet print mode” are displayed. At the left side of each selection item, a box is displayed that is checked when the item is selected.

The selection item “plurality of frames/one sheet print mode” is to print a plurality of frames (shot images) on one recording paper. The “plurality of frames combined/one sheet print mode” is to superimpose a plurality of frames and record them as one image. The “one frame/one sheet print mode” is to print one image on one respective recording paper.

In step S1, when any one of the aforementioned three selection items is selected (when any one of the three boxes is checked), the CPU39stores information which shows the selected mode into a setting of information recording area of the memory card24, and proceeds to step S2.

In step S2, the CPU39displays the setting screen which is shown inFIG. 14on the LCD6and receives the setting of the recording paper.

In this display example, the selection items “paper size” and “printing direction” are displayed underneath the title “recording paper setting”. To the right of each setting item, a window is arranged in which the setting content is displayed. The setting content which is displayed in this window can be set by the user to select a desired item among the selection items that are listed on a pull-down menu (not shown in the figure) which is displayed by pressing the window with a pen41. In this example, “A4” is selected as the paper size, and “vertical” is selected as the paper direction. The content which is thus set is stored in the setting information recording area of the memory card24.

When the processing of step S2is completed, the CPU39completes the print mode setting processing (END).

According to the above processing, the setting of the printing mode of the printer100can be performed.

Next, printing processing is explained which performs printing according to the content which is set by the above processing.

FIG. 15is a flow chart which explains one example of printing processing. This processing is executed when the selection item “printing” is selected on a menu screen (not shown in the figure) which is displayed when the menu key7A is pressed.

When this processing is executed, in step S10, the CPU39displays recorded information such as a shot image which is recorded in the memory card24, for example, on the LCD6as shown inFIG. 9. Then, the program proceeds to step S11.

In step S11, after the thumbnail image which is the subject of printing is selected, the CPU39evaluates whether the execution key7B is pressed. As a result, when it is evaluated that a thumbnail image is not selected, or that the execution key7B is not pressed (NO), the program returns to step S11and repeats the same processing as mentioned above. When it is evaluated that the execution key7B is pressed (YES) after a thumbnail image is selected, the program proceeds to step S12.

In step S12, the CPU39evaluates whether there is more than one selected thumbnail image in step S11. As a result, when it is evaluated that only one thumbnail image is selected (NO), the program proceeds to step S14. In step S14, the CPU39reads out the shot image which corresponds to the selected thumbnail image from the memory card24, and displays it on the LCD6after performing decompression processing. Then, the program proceeds to step S23.

When it is evaluated in step S12that a plurality of thumbnail images are selected (YES), the program proceeds to step S13. In step S13, the CPU39reads out the shot images which correspond to the selected thumbnail images from the memory card24, performs decompression processing, and then reduces each image (for example, thins out pixels) according to the number of images, and multi-list displays the obtained images as shown inFIG. 16. In the display example which is shown inFIG. 16, images which were continuously shot (images of a sunrise that was shot) are displayed such that the screen is divided into 9 parts. Then, the program proceeds to step S15.

In the display example which is shown inFIG. 16, since 9 images are selected, it is possible to display the images on an equally divided screen. However, for example, when 7 images are selected, it is acceptable to display 4×2 frames including one empty space, or to display 3×3 frames including two empty spaces.

In step S15, after the specified image or images is/are selected from among the images that are multi-list displayed on the LCD6in step S13, it is evaluated whether the execution key7B is pressed. In other words, the CPU39evaluates whether a specified image or images is/are selected from among the images that are displayed on LCD6with reference to the output from the touch tablet6A, and also evaluates whether the execution key7B is pressed. As a result, when it is evaluated that a specified image or images is/are not selected, or that the execution key7B is not pressed (NO), the program returns to step S15, and the same processing as mentioned above is repeated. After a specified image or images is/are selected, when it is evaluated that the execution key7B is pressed (YES), the program proceeds to step S16.

In step S16, the CPU39evaluates whether more than one image was designated in step S15. As a result, when it is evaluated that one image was designated in step S15(NO), the selected image is stored in a specified area of the memory card24(printing waiting image storing area) and the program proceeds to step S23. When it is evaluated that a plurality of images were selected (YES), the program proceeds to step S17.

In step S17, it is evaluated whether “plurality of frames combined/one sheet print mode” (hereafter combining mode) is selected at the setting screen which is shown inFIG. 13. In other words, the CPU39reads out the setting information from the setting information recording area of the memory card24, and evaluates whether the combining mode is selected. As a result, when it is evaluated that the combining mode is selected (YES), the program proceeds to the processing of step S19. When it is evaluated that the combining mode is not selected (NO), the program proceeds to the processing of step S18.

In step S18, it is evaluated whether “plurality of frames/one sheet print mode” is selected at the setting screen ofFIG. 13. In other words, the CPU39reads out the setting information from the setting information recording area of the memory card24, and evaluates whether the plurality of frames/one sheet print mode is set. As a result, when it is evaluated that the plurality of frames/one sheet print mode is not set, the selected plurality of images are stored to the printing waiting image storing area of the memory card24separately one by one, and the program proceeds to the processing of step S23. When it is evaluated that the plurality of frames/one sheet print mode is set (YES), the program proceeds to step S20.

In step S20, the content which is set at the setting screen ofFIG. 14is read out. In other words, the CPU39reads out the setting information from the setting information recording area of the memory card24, and obtains the setting content of the recording paper. Then, the program proceeds to step S21.

In step S21, reducing processing (for example, thinning-out processing of pixels) corresponding to the setting content of the recording paper which was obtained at step S20, is performed to each image that was selected in step S15.

In step S22, the CPU39refers to the number of selected images, the size of recording paper, and the printing direction of the recording paper, and decides the arrangement of the images to which the reducing processing has been performed. Then, according to the decided arrangement, the reduced images are combined, and the obtained image is stored as one image in the printing waiting image storing area of the memory card24.

Incidentally, in order to execute the processing of steps S21and S22, it is acceptable to prepare a table (seeFIG. 17) that shows the relationship of the arrangement to setting content of the recording paper, the number of selected images, and the size of the image which is going to be printed, and to appropriately compress each image and decide its arrangement in accordance with this table.

The table shown inFIG. 17corresponds to the case of printing on A4 size recording paper in the vertical orientation. In this example, the sizes of one image and the conditions of the arrangement of the image when printing 2-9 images are shown. For example, when two images are printed, images of 30 mm×190 mm are arranged so that the recording paper is divided vertically in two.

Additionally, in the table shown inFIG. 17, vertical-to-horizontal ratio of the image is ignored, and the vertical and horizontal length is decided such that the recording area of the recording paper of A4 size is fully used, and the images are compressed. However, depending on the image, it may be desirable to fix the vertical and horizontal ratio of the image and reduce it. This can be done by fixing the vertical-to-horizontal ratio so that it fits into one of the image sizes which are shown in the table, and then reducing it.

Additionally, the content of this kind of table can be appropriately changed by the user.

Returning toFIG. 15, in the processing of step S17, when it is evaluated that the combining mode is selected (YES), the program proceeds to step S19. In step S19, the combining processing of the images is executed. In other words, processing is performed to superimpose the selected plurality of images, then they are combined into one image (the details are later mentioned). Then, the program proceeds to step S23.

In step S23, the CPU39reads out the image which is stored in the printing waiting image storage area of the memory card24, and outputs it to the printer100via the interface48. When a plurality of images exist in the printing waiting image storing area, these images are output to the printer100in specified order.

As a result, the CPU102of printer100receives the image data which is output from the electronic camera1via the IF106, temporarily stores it in the RAM104, then supplies the image data to the printing part107and prints it on recording paper.

Now, if there are two images that were selected in step S15(for example, the images at the upper left and bottom center ofFIG. 16are selected), and if the plurality of frames/one sheet print mode is selected, as shown inFIG. 18, two images are displayed such that the top and bottom of A4 recording paper is divided in two.

Additionally, if the four images at the upper left, second level center, bottom center, and bottom right ofFIG. 16are selected in step S15, and if the combining mode is selected, the selected four images are superimposed and printed as one image as shown inFIG. 19.

When the processing of step S23is completed, the CPU39completes the printer processing (END). When the selected images are superimposed and printed as one image, it is also acceptable, as shown inFIG. 20, to print so that the changing part in each image can be noticed at a glance by gradually changing the print density of the changing portion (the moon inFIG. 20) of each selected image.

Additionally, as shown inFIG. 21, the shooting time of the changing portion in each image can be conveniently known by simultaneously printing the shooting time or the like near the characteristic portion of each selected image.

According to the above-mentioned embodiment, when printing a plurality of images on one recording paper, since the size and arrangement of the images are automatically decided according to the size of the recording paper, the printing direction and the number of images that are going to be printed, it is possible to improve the flexibility of printing.

Additionally, the control program which is shown inFIGS. 12 and 15is stored in the memory card24. This program can be provided to the user in the condition of being prestored in memory card24, or can be provided to the user in the condition of being stored on a CD ROM (compact disk ROM) so that it can be copied to the memory card24.