Patent Publication Number: US-2011066979-A1

Title: Nondestructive testing apparatus

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims benefit of Japanese Application No. 2009-212245 filed in Japan on Sep. 14, 2009, and No. 2009-216218 filed in Japan on Sep. 17, 2009, the contents of which are incorporated by this reference. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a nondestructive testing apparatus, and more particularly to a nondestructive testing apparatus capable of recording test data such as images. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     Conventionally, endoscope apparatuses as a kind of nondestructive testing apparatuses have been widely used for testing inside of a test object. 
     For example, a person who performs testing can pick up images of inside a test object such as a plant or an aircraft engine and observe inside the test object, by using an industrial endoscope apparatus. The person who performs testing can record endoscopic images as still images or moving images in a storage apparatus in the endoscope apparatus, for example, a recording medium such as a memory card, during testing. Image data of the recorded endoscopic images are downloaded from the endoscope apparatus to a storage apparatus in a personal computer and the like, and detailed examination is later performed on the data. 
     Such an endoscope apparatus is provided with various functions. A user can select a desired function by sequentially selecting a corresponding item, from items displayed in hierarchical structure on a monitor, in each of the hierarchies. For example, when the user performs setting as to whether an image is recorded as a still image or both as a still image and a moving image, the user first selects items in the respective hierarchies. When selection of all the items in the respective hierarchies for the setting is completed, a screen for setting as to whether an image is recorded as a still image or a moving image is finally displayed. The user can perform the setting of image recording on the screen. 
     In addition, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. 2004-121855 discloses a technique for enabling a user to easily understand functions in an endoscope apparatus by displaying the functions using graphics. 
     During testing, a person who performs testing inserts an insertion portion of the endoscope apparatus inside an object and brings a distal end portion of the insertion portion closer to a region to be observed. Not only the person who performs testing can observe inside the object while viewing an image displayed on a monitor of the endoscope apparatus, i.e., a live image, but also, when the person finds a region to be recorded, for example, the person can record a still image (or still image and moving image) of the region by operating a freeze button with the distal end portion of the insertion portion of the endoscope located at a desired position. 
     The picked-up still image is once displayed on the monitor. However, after checking the picked-up still image, the person who performs testing can further continue the testing by returning the screen to a live-image displaying state. The person who performs testing can also record the picked-up still image by adding a title thereto. Texts such as the added title and the like are information on the image and the information is used later when the person who performs testing analyzes the image while viewing the image. 
     For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. 2009-142461 discloses an endoscope apparatus to which an external keyboard is connectable for inputting characters. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     According to one aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide a nondestructive testing apparatus including: a menu display instruction section for inputting an instruction for displaying a menu screen in a hierarchical structure on a monitor; and a display control section which emphasis-displays a display portion in a hierarchy selected on the menu screen displayed in response to the instruction by the menu display instruction section compared with a display portion in a higher-level hierarchy than the selected hierarchy and a display portion in a lower-level hierarchy than the selected hierarchy, the selected hierarchy being derived from an item in the higher-level hierarchy, and which identifiably displays the item in the higher-level hierarchy, and identifiably displays an already-set item among items in the lower-level hierarchy, when the display portion in the selected hierarchy is emphasis-displayed, the lower-level hierarchy being derived from an item in the selected hierarchy. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a configuration view illustrating an appearance of an endoscope apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view illustrating each component of an operation portion  5  according to the embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  is a block diagram of an endoscope apparatus  1  for illustrating a hardware configuration of a main body unit  2  according to the embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  is a flowchart showing an example of a flow of processing steps to be performed when a freeze button  5   k  is depressed, according to the embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing steps to be performed when the freeze button  5   k  is depressed, according to the embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 6  is a view for illustrating an example of transition of screen displayed on an LCD  4 , according to the embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 7  is a view for illustrating an example of transition of screen displayed on the LCD  4 , according to the embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 8  is a view showing a configuration of a menu screen G 2  according to the embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 9  is a flowchart showing a content of a processing in step S 4  according to the embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 10  is a view showing a menu screen G 2   b   1  which is in a title input enable state, according to the embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 11  is a view showing an example of character input according to the embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 12  is a view for illustrating one example of another title input method according to the embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 13  is a view for illustrating the one example of the other title input method according to the embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 14  is a view for illustrating the one example of the other title input method according to the embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 15  is a view for illustrating the other example of the other title input method according to the embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 16  is a view for illustrating the other example of the other title input method according to the embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 17  is a view showing an example of a retrieve screen according to the embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 18  is a view showing a configuration of a menu screen G 12  of the retrieve screen according to the embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 19  is a view showing the menu screen G 12  on which an icon  111   b   2  is in a selectable state according to the embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 20  is a view showing a screen G 12   b   3  for creating a new folder according to the embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 21  is a view showing that an icon  101   b   2  is in a selectable state according to the embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 22  is a view showing a menu screen G 2   b   2  indicating a white balance executable state according to the embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 23  is a view showing that an icon  101   b   3  is in a selectable state according to the embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 24  is a view showing a menu screen G 2   b   3  displayed when a recording operation is selected according to the embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 25  is a view showing a menu screen G 2   ba  displayed when a recording button operation is selected according to the embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 26  is a view showing that an icon  101   b   4  is in a selectable state according to the embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 27  is a view showing a menu screen G 2   b   4  indicating a date and time setting executable state according to the embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 28  is a view showing the menu screen G 2   b   4  indicating the date and time setting executable state according to the embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 29  is a view showing the menu screen G 2   b   4  indicating the date and time setting executable state according to the embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 30  is a view showing the state where an icon  101   b   5  is in a selectable state according to the embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 31  is a view showing a menu screen G 2   b   5  displayed when a setup operation is selected according to the embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 32  is a view showing a menu screen G 2   b   51  displayed when a formatting operation is selected according to the embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 33  is a view showing the menu screen G 2   b   5  displayed when the setup operation is selected according to the embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 34  is a view showing a menu screen G 2   b   52  displayed when a screen display operation is selected according to the embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 35  is a view showing a menu screen G 2   b   5  displayed when the setup operation is selected according to the embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 36  is a view showing a menu screen G 2   b   53  displayed when a beep sound setting operation is selected according to the embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 37  is a view showing that an icon  101   b   6  is in a selectable state according to the embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 38  is a view showing a menu screen G 12   b   5  displayed when an icon  111   b   5  is selected according to the embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 39  is a view showing a transition of the screen on the LCD  4  of the endoscope apparatus  1 , according to the embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. 
     1. Overall Configuration 
     First, a configuration of an endoscope apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 1  is a configuration view illustrating an appearance of the endoscope apparatus according to the present embodiment. 
     An endoscope apparatus  1  is a kind of nondestructive testing apparatus, and is a testing apparatus which is capable of observing and testing inside a test object without taking the test object to pieces. 
     In  FIG. 1 , the endoscope apparatus  1  is configured by including a main body unit  2  as a main unit and a scope unit  3  connected to the main body unit  2 . The main body unit  2  includes a liquid crystal panel (hereinafter abbreviated as LCD)  4  as a display device on which an endoscopic image, an operation menu, and the like are displayed. The scope unit  3  includes an operation portion  5  and connected with the main body unit  2  via a universal cable  6  as a connection cable. The scope unit  3  also includes an insertion portion  7  made of a flexible insertion tube. The insertion portion  7  incorporates, at a distal end portion  8  thereof, an image pickup device such as a CCD, not shown. An image pickup optical system such as a lens is arranged on an image pickup surface side of the image pickup device. A bending portion  9  is provided on a proximal end side of the distal end portion  8 . An optical adapter  10  is attachable to the distal end portion  8 . 
     Image data obtained by picking up an image of a test object is a test data of the test object. The image data is recorded in a storage medium  15  such as a memory card. The storage medium  15  is attachable to and detachable from a slot  19  provided to the main body unit  2  (See  FIG. 3 ). 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view for illustrating each component of the operation portion  5 . Description will be made on each component of the operation portion  5  with reference to  FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
     The operation portion  5  has a grip portion  5   a . A user as a person who performs testing can hold the operation portion  5  by grasping the grip portion  5   a  with his or her hand. In addition, a hanger Sb for fixing the operation portion  5  to the main body unit  2  is provided on one side surface of the operation portion  5 . The user hangs the operation portion  5  on the main body unit  2  by engaging the hanger Sb with a hook portion, not shown, of the main body unit  2 . 
     The grip portion  5   a  includes a live screen display button  5   c  for displaying a live endoscopic image, a menu display button  5   d  for displaying a menu screen, a joystick Se for selecting a menu, and a view button  5   f  for displaying a retrieve screen on which recorded images are displayed as thumbnail images. 
     The function of the joystick Se is not limited to move a cursor on the screen of the LCD  4  as a monitor. When the joystick Se is depressed, the joystick Se also functions as a decision button for instructing a decision of the selected state. 
     A joystick  5   g  for bending operation of the bending portion  9  is disposed on a proximal end portion of the grip portion  5   a . A zoom lever  5   h  for zooming in an image is disposed on the right side of the joystick  5   g , when viewed from the user. A luminance lever  5   i  for adjusting brightness of an observation image is disposed on the left side of the joystick  5   g , when viewed from the user. Furthermore, two freeze buttons  5   k  for freezing or recording the observation image are disposed such that each of the freeze buttons is located on the left side and the right side of the joystick  5   g  at positions more distant from the joystick  5   g  than the positions of the luminance lever  5   i  and the zoom lever  5   h . The user can observe inside the test object and record images of the test object by operating such buttons while grasping the grip  5   a  of the operation portion  5 . 
     2. Circuit Configuration 
       FIG. 3  is a block diagram of the endoscope apparatus  1  for illustrating a hardware configuration of the main body unit  2 . The main body unit  2  includes a CPU  11 , a ROM  12 , a RAM  13 , an interface section (hereinafter abbreviated as I/F)  14  with the LCD  4 , an I/F  16  with the storage medium  15 , and an I/F  17  with the operation portion  5 , and these components are connected to one another via a bus  18 . The storage medium  15  is detachably attached to the slot  19  provided to the main body unit  2 . 
     The I/F  17  receives an operation signal from the operation portion  15 . The main body unit  2  receives an operation signal from the operation portion  5 . 
     The ROM  12  stores a software program (hereinafter just referred to as program) for carrying out various functions of the endoscope apparatus  1 , and the CPU  11  executes the program. The CPU  11  is configured to operate so as to carry out the various functions depending on operation signal received from the operation portion  5 . 
     When the menu display button  5   d  and the like provided on the operation portion  5  is operated, a signal corresponding to the operation is inputted to the CPU  11  via the I/F  17  and the inputted signal is detected. The CPU  11  executes various operation controls, display control, and the like, based on the detected signal. 
     For example, as described later, when the menu display button  5   d  is operated, the CPU  11  executes a processing such as displaying of a menu screen on the LCD  4  which is a monitor, depending on the display state, the setting state, and the like at the time. 
       FIG. 3  omits illustration of components related to the communication with the power source and external apparatuses other than the screen display control of the LCD to be described in the present embodiment. 
     When the user as the person who performs testing tests a turbine blade in an aircraft engine as a test object using the endoscope apparatus  1 , for example, the user operates the insertion portion  7  by hand to insert the insertion portion  7  into the engine, and performs testing inside the engine while viewing the endoscopic image displayed on the LCD  4 . 
     The endoscope apparatus  1  includes various functions, and a live endoscopic image (hereinafter shortly referred to as live image) is normally displayed on the LCD  4 . When the person who performs testing desires to obtain a still image of the live endoscopic image, he or she depresses the freeze button  5   k . The button operation enables the still image to be recorded in the storage medium  15 . 
     Next, display processing of the endoscope apparatus  1  will be described. First, description will be made on title input processing according to the present embodiment. 
     3. Processing Related to Menu Screen Display and Title Input Screen Display 
     It is supposed that the person who performs testing depresses the freeze button  5   k  when he or she is viewing a live endoscopic image.  FIG. 4  is a flowchart showing an example of a flow of processing steps to be performed when the freeze button  5   k  is depressed.  FIG. 5  is a flowchart specifically showing an example of a flow of title input processing steps to be performed when the freeze button  5   k  is depressed.  FIG. 6  is a view illustrating an example of transition of the screen displayed on the LCD  4 .  FIG. 7  is a view specifically illustrating an example of transition of the screen related to title input which is displayed on the LCD  4 . Description will be made with reference to  FIGS. 4 ,  5  and  FIGS. 6 ,  7 . The processing steps shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5  are performed by the CPU  11  reading out the program stored in the ROM  12  and executing the read out program.  FIG. 4  shows a part of the processing steps performed by the program, that is, mainly the display processing of the menu screen. 
     When the freeze button  5   k  is depressed, the CPU  11  executes a still image data generating processing for generating a still image from a video signal received from the image pickup device provided at the distal end portion  8  of the insertion portion  7  (step S 1 ). As a result, the obtained still image is displayed on the LCD  4  as a live/freeze screen G 1 . The live/freeze screen G 1  normally displays a live image, but when the freeze button  5   k  is depressed, the live/freeze screen G 1  displays the still image. Return operation from the still image to the live image is performed by depressing the live screen display button  5   c  or the menu display button  5   d . Depending on a setting regarding a recording mode in the endoscope apparatus  1 , the endoscope apparatus  1  is set in a mode for recording both still image and moving image by depression of the freeze button. In that case, in the step S 1 , a processing for generating both still image data and moving image data is performed. In this state, the still image based on the generated still image data is displayed on the LCD  4 . The still image data at this time is temporarily stored in the RAM  13 . 
     Next, determination is made on whether or not the user has depressed the menu display button  5   d  (step S 2 ). When the menu display button  5   d  is depressed, that is, an instruction for displaying the menu screen is given, it is determined as YES in the step S 2 , and as shown by the arrow A 1  in  FIG. 6 , the CPU  11  changes the screen from the live/freeze screen G 1  to a menu screen G 2  and displays the menu screen G 2  (step S 3 ). 
     The step S 2  constitutes a menu display instruction section for inputting an instruction for displaying a menu screen in a hierarchical structure on the LCD  4 . 
       FIG. 8  is a view showing a configuration of the menu screen G 2 . The menu screen G 2  is a graphical user interface (GUI) displayed when the menu display button  5   d  is depressed, in other words, the instruction for displaying the menu screen is given. 
     As shown in  FIG. 8 , the menu screen G 2  includes a menu item display portion  101  as a higher-level layer display portion which is the highest-level layer screen and includes a plurality of menu items, and a lower-level layer display portion  102  for displaying a lower-level layer screen corresponding to the menu item in the selectable state. As described later, in  FIG. 8 , the icon is the selectable state is an icon  101   b   1 , so that the contents corresponding to the icon  101   b   1  are displayed on the lower-level layer display portion  102 . As shown in  FIG. 8 , on the menu screen G 2 , the lower-level layer display portion  102  is so displayed as to cover a part of the higher-level layer display portion  101 . At this time, the lower-level layer display portion  102  which is a display portion in the lower-level hierarchy is displayed superposed on the higher-level layer display portion  101  such that the items, that is, icons  101   b   1  to  101   b   6  on the higher-level layer display portion  101  which is a display portion in the higher-level hierarchy can be visually identified. 
     Note that, as shown in  FIG. 8 , the display portions in the respective hierarchies are displayed as rectangular windows in such a manner as to be superposed on each other from the left to the right direction of the display screen of the monitor when facing the monitor. 
     The menu item display portion  101  includes a display area where characters “MENU”  101   a  indicative of the highest-level layer screen and a plurality of icons  101   b  corresponding to a plurality of selectable menu items are displayed. The plurality of icons  101   b  include six icons arranged so as to align in the vertical direction on the screen. 
     The uppermost icon  101   b   1  is an icon for displaying a title input screen. Similarly, an icon  101   b   2  below the icon  101   b   1  is an icon for displaying a screen related to execution of white balance. An icon  101   b   3  below the icon  101   b   2  is an icon for displaying a screen related to a setting of recording mode. 
     In addition, below the icon  101   b   3 , an icon  101   b   4  for displaying a date and time setting screen, an icon  101   b   5  for displaying a setup screen, and an icon  106   b  for displaying a language setting screen. 
     The three icons  101   b   1  to  101   b   3  are icons related to the functions which are relatively frequently used by the user. The three icons  101   b   4  to  101   b   6  are icons related to the functions which is relatively less frequently used by the user than those of the above three icons. 
     With reference to  FIG. 4  again, on the menu screen G 2  displayed when the menu display button  5   d  is depressed in step S 2 , among the menu items, the item of the title input screen is displayed in a selectable state. That is, as shown in  FIG. 8 , the frame of the icon  101   b  is displayed in bold so that the icon  101   b   1  for displaying the title input screen can be distinguished from other icons  101   b   2  to  101   b   6 , that is, the icon  101   b   1  is identifiable, thereby indicating that the icon  101   b  is in the selectable state. The selectable state of the icon means the state where the function of the icon can be executed only by receiving execution instruction. Furthermore, the title input screen corresponding to the icon  101   b   1  in the selectable state is displayed grayed out on the lower-level layer display portion  102 . The grayed-out display means an achromatic low-luminance display by changing the color and decreasing the luminance, such as the display only with pale white and black colors, for example. 
     If already-inputted texts related to image data exist on the title input screen as the text input screen, the title input screen is displayed in the selectable state with the already-inputted texts being displayed. 
     In other words, immediately after the procedure of the processing transited from the step S 2  to step S 3  and the menu screen G 2  was displayed, the menu item display portion  101  on the menu screen G 2  notifies the user that a plurality of menu items are selectable while indicating that the title input screen is in the selectable state, and the grayed-out lower-level layer display portion  102  displays the contents of the title input screen in a visually identifiable manner for the user. 
     The step S 3  constitutes a text input screen display section which allows a text input screen for inputting text data related to image data as test data to be displayed in the selectable state on the screen of the LCD  4 . 
     In this embodiment, the frame of the icon in the selectable state is displayed in bold. However, the icon in the selectable state may be displayed highlighted by changing color, for example, so as to be distinguishable from other icons. 
     When one item is selected from the six menu items by a user in the screen state shown in  FIG. 8 , the processing moves on to the processing of the selected menu item as shown by the arrow A 2  in  FIG. 6  (step S 4 ). The processings in step S 3  and S 4  constitute a display control section. 
     When the user depresses the decision button, that is, depresses the joystick  5   e  or tilts the joystick rightward in the screen state shown in  FIG. 8 , for example, the menu item for title input is selected, and the CPU  11  allows the lower-level layer display portion  102  on the title input screen G 2  to be in a title input enable state. As a result, the screen of the LCD  4  is changed to a menu screen G 2   b   1  ( FIG. 10 ) which is in the title input enable state. 
     The depression of the joystick  5   e  constitutes a decision instruction section for instructing the selection decision of the selectable item in the display of the menu. 
     Note that the processing in the step S 4  in  FIG. 4  is executed also when the retrieve menu screen to be described later is displayed. 
       FIG. 9  is a flowchart showing the content of the processing in the step S 4 . First, the contents of the processing steps in  FIG. 9  are described briefly, and the specific content of each of the processing steps in  FIG. 9  will be described later with reference to screen display examples. 
     First, the CPU  11  emphasis-displays the display portion in the hierarchy (i.e., active hierarchy) selected on the menu screen G 2  (step S 11 ). 
     Next, the CPU  11  displays the item in the selectable state so as to be identifiable, that is, distinguishable from other items in the selected hierarchy (step S 12 ). 
     Then, the CPU  11  displays, in the display portion in the higher-level hierarchy, the item related to the selected hierarchy so as to be identifiable, that is, distinguishable from other items (step S 13 ). 
     Furthermore, the CPU  11  displays the items related to the selectable item in the display portion in the lower-level hierarchy (step S 14 ). In the step S 14 , if there is an item which has been already selected or set in the lower-level hierarchy, also the processing for displaying the already-selected or already-set item so as to be identifiable, that is, distinguishable from other items is performed. 
     That is, in the step S 4  constituting the display control section, the following processing is performed. The display portion in the hierarchy selected on the menu screen displayed in response to the instruction is emphasis-displayed compared with the display portion in the higher-level hierarchy than the selected hierarchy and the display portion in the lower-level hierarchy than the selected hierarchy. When the display portion in the selected hierarchy is emphasis-displayed, the item in the higher-level hierarchy which is related to the selected hierarchy is identifiably displayed (that is, the selected hierarchy is derived from the item in the higher-level hierarchy), and among the items in the lower-level hierarchy related to (derived from) the item in the selected hierarchy, the already-set item is identifiably displayed. 
     In addition, when the selected hierarchy and the lower-level hierarchy related thereto are displayed, the display portion in the selected hierarchy is displayed superposed on the display portion in the higher-level hierarchy such that the items in the higher-level hierarchy can be visually identified, and the display portion in the lower-level hierarchy is displayed superposed on the display portion in the selected hierarchy such that the item in the selected hierarchy can be visually identified. 
     The step S 12  is not executed when a selectable item is not set or selected. Similarly, the step S 13  is not executed when no higher-level hierarchy relative to the selected hierarchy exists. The step S 14  is not executed when no lower-level hierarchy relative to the selected hierarchy exists. 
     Furthermore, the order of the four processing steps from the step S 11  to step S 14  is not limited to the order shown in  FIG. 9 . 
     Restoration to the menu screen G 12  from each menu screen can be performed by depression of the menu display button  5   c  or leftward tilting of the joystick  5   e.    
     Furthermore, the screen is changed to the menu screen G 2   b   1  in the title input enable state also by rightward tilting operation of the joystick  5   e  in the state shown in  FIG. 8  (that is, performing the operation which means the movement to the lower-level layer on the right side of the higher-level layer on the screen in  FIG. 8 ). 
     In addition, when the menu display button  5   d  or the live screen display button  5   c  is depressed in the state where the menu screen G 2  is displayed as shown in  FIG. 8 , the screen returns to the live/freeze screen G 1  as shown by the arrow A 3  in  FIG. 6 . 
     Therefore, the user can select a desired hierarchy in the hierarchical structure by depressing the decision button or tilting the joystick  5   e , to allow the desired hierarchy to be in an active state. For example, on the menu screen, the user can change the state of screen from the state where the menu item display portion  101  is active as shown in  FIG. 8  to the state where the lower-level layer display portion  102  is active as shown in  FIG. 10 . 
     Restoration to the live/freeze screen G 1  from each menu screen can be performed by selecting setting or execution of item function in the lower-level layer display portion, or depressing live screen display button  5   c.    
     Now, with reference to  FIG. 5 , detailed description will be made on the case where the title input was selected in the step S 4  in  FIG. 4 . 
     Determination is made on whether or not the menu item other than the title input has been selected in the state shown in  FIG. 8  (step S 5 ). When it is determined that the menu item other than the title input has been selected, the processing step moves on to the processing of the selected menu item (step S 4 ). 
     When it is determined that the menu item other than the title input is not selected, determination is made whether or not the user has depressed the decision button, i.e., the joystick  5   e  (step S 6 ). The depression of the joystick  5   e  which also serves as the decision button means selection of the icon in the selectable state. Accordingly, when the joystick  5   e  has been depressed, the CPU  11  allows the lower-level layer display portion  102  on the title input screen G 2  to be in the title input enable state (step S 7 ). That is, as shown by the arrow A 2  in  FIG. 7 , the CPU  11  changes the screen of the LCD  4  to the menu screen G 2   b   1  ( FIG. 10 ) in the title input enable state and displays the menu screen G 2   b   1 . 
     The depression of the joystick  5   e  in step S 6  constitutes the decision instruction section for instructing the selection decision of the selectable item in the display of the menu. Step S 7  constitutes a text input state change section which changes the state of the text input screen to allow text data to be inputtable in a title input field in the text input screen, when the instruction for selection decision in step S 6  is given by the decision instruction section in the state where the title input screen as the text input screen is displayed in the selectable state. 
     If the joystick  5   e  as the decision button is not depressed, it is determined as NO in the step S 6 , the processing step returns to the step S 3 , and the screen remains as the title input screen G 2 . Furthermore, the screen is changed to the menu screen G 2   b   1  in the title input enable state also by rightward tilting operation of the joystick  5   e  in the state shown in  FIG. 8  (that is, performing the operation which means movement to the lower-level layer on the right side of the higher-level layer on the screen shown in  FIG. 8 ). 
     In addition, when the menu display button  5   d  or the live screen display button  5   c  is depressed in the display state of the menu screen G 2  shown in  FIG. 8 , the screen returns to the live/freeze screen G 1  as shown by the arrow A 3  in  FIG. 7 . 
       FIG. 10  is a view showing a menu screen G 2   b   1  which is in the title input enable state. As shown in  FIG. 10 , when the menu screen is in the title input enable state, the higher-level layer display portion  101  is grayed out, and the lower-level layer display portion  102  is emphasis-displayed and becomes bright. This is because the lower-level layer display portion  102  is displayed in a more emphasized manner compared with the higher-level layer display portion  101  by the processing in the step S 11  in  FIG. 9 . In addition, since the lower-level layer display portion  102  relates to the item indicated by the icon  101   b   1  on the higher-level layer display portion  101 , the icon  101   b   1  is displayed with a bold frame such that the icon  101   b   1  can be distinguished from other icons such as  101   b   2  by the processing in the step S 13  in  FIG. 9 . 
     The title input screen on the lower-level layer display portion  102  includes: characters “title input”  102   a  which indicates that the lower-level layer relates to the title input; a title input field  102   b  shown by dotted lines; a sequential number setting portion  102   c , a software keyboard display portion  102   d , a preset button  102   e , an entry button  102   f , a cancel button  102   g , and a create button  102   h.    
     When the screen changed from the screen shown in  FIG. 8  to the screen shown in  FIG. 10 , a cursor  102   i  indicative of a character input position is displayed so as to be positioned at the head position (left end position in  FIG. 10 ) in the title input field  102   b . If already-inputted text data exists, the cursor  102   i  is displayed at the position next to (right side of) the last letter of the already-inputted text. 
     In the state of the menu screen G 2   a  shown in  FIG. 10 , the user can input characters in the title input field  102   b  using the software keyboard  102   d.    
     The user can switch the screen to Japanese syllabary input enable screen by switching between symbol input and Japanese syllabary input, not shown. 
       FIG. 11  shows an example of character input. The user sequentially selects the character which he or she desires to input while moving the cursor (not shown) on the screen by operating the joystick  5   e  of the operation portion  5 , thereby capable of inputting a title composed of the selected characters in the title input field  102   b .  FIG. 11  shows the state where the character “E” is selected and inputted in the title input field  102   b . In  FIG. 11 , selection of the character “E” is shown by the frame of the character “E” displayed in bold. In addition,  FIG. 11  also shows that the character “E” is inputted in the character input field  102   b.    
     The number set in the sequential number setting portion  102   c  is added to the inputted title. The sequential number setting portion  102   c  is a portion in which a plurality of digits of number, three-digit number in the present embodiment, is displayed. The user can increment and decrement the number by performing a predetermined operation. 
     (Another Title-Input Method) 
     Furthermore, the user can input characters by using another title-input method.  FIGS. 12 to 16  are views for illustrating the other title-input method.  FIGS. 12 to 14  are views for illustrating one example of the other title-input method.  FIGS. 15 and 16  are views for illustrating another example of the other title-input method. 
     As a first method, characters can be inputted by selecting a previously registered text as shown in  FIGS. 12 and 13 . When the preset button (“PRESET”)  102   e  is selected on the menu screen G 2   b   1  as shown in  FIG. 12 , a pop-up window  102 A is displayed as shown in  FIG. 13 . In the pop-up window  102 A, a plurality of preset texts are displayed in a list form. In  FIG. 13 , the text “ABC” is displayed at the uppermost position in the pop-up window  102 A. When the text is selected, the text is inputted in the title input field  102   b . That is, it is possible to efficiently input the title by preparing and registering fixed texts in advance. Correction, addition, and the like can be performed on the selected and inputted text with the text inputted in the title input field  102   b . When the user desires to remove the pop-up window  102 A from the screen, if the user selects the cross mark “x”  102 A a  for closing the window, as shown in  FIG. 14 , the screen of the LCD  4  returns from the state shown in  FIG. 13  to the state shown in  FIG. 11 . 
     Furthermore, as a second method, also the title input method as shown in  FIGS. 15 and 16  can be used. By performing a predetermined operation, the title input screen as shown in  FIG. 15  is displayed on the LCD  4 . 
     In  FIG. 15 , a command display portion  102 B is displayed together with the title input field  102   b . The command display portion  102 B includes buttons such as “EDIT” for editing, “DELETE ALL” for deleting all, “EXECUTE” for instructing execution of processing, and “CANCEL” for cancel of the processing. In  FIG. 15 , “EDIT” button is displayed with a bold frame in a selectable state, and on the right side of the screen, an input character setting portion  102 B 1  for selecting characters to be inputted such as letters and numerical symbols is displayed grayed out. 
     Selection of a command from the commands displayed in the command display portion  102 B can be made by moving the cursor displayed with bold frame. The bold frame can be moved by upward or downward tilting operation of a luminance lever  5   i . The user is notified by triangular arrows  102 Ba displayed above and below the “BRT” in  FIG. 15  that the bold frame can be moved using the luminance lever  5   i.    
     In  FIG. 15 , the “EDIT” is in a selectable state. When the “EDIT” command is executed by depressing the joystick  5   e , the screen as shown in  FIG. 16  is displayed on the LCD  4 . In  FIG. 16 , an alphabet input enable state is selected on the input character setting portion  102 B 1 . When inputting another kind of characters, the user can change the kind of characters to be inputted by moving the cursor displayed with bold frame on the input character setting portion  102 B 1 . The user is notified by arrow symbols  102 B 1   a  displayed above and below “ZOOM” in  FIG. 16  that the bold frame can be moved using the zoom lever  5   h.    
     As shown in  FIG. 16 , the user can input a desired character at a position where the cursor is located in the title input field  102   b  by selecting alphabetic characters to be inputted. The user can select the alphabetic characters to be inputted by upward or downward tilting operation of the luminance lever  5   i . The user is notified by triangular arrows  102 Ba displayed above and below the “BRT” in  FIG. 16  that the alphabetic characters can be selected by the upward and downward tilting operation of the luminance lever  5   i . Furthermore, character display portions  102 B 2   b  are provided above and below the arrow mark  102 B 2   a . The character display portions  102 B 2   b  shows the previous and the next character of the inputted character when the inputted character is set so as to be sequentially changed. 
     Even if the user inputs a title to be added to a still image obtained by freezing the screen using the input method as shown in  FIG. 10  and the like in the step S 7  in  FIG. 5 , when the cancel button  102   g  is selected, it is determined as YES in the step S 8 . As a result, no processing is performed and the screen returns to the display of the live/freeze screen G 1 . “No processing is performed” means that processing of discarding the editing contents of the inputted title is performed. In addition, when the create button  102   h  is selected, it is determined as YES in step S 9  and the CPU  11  associates the inputted text data with the still image data (step S 10 ). After that, the screen returns to the display of the live/freeze screen G 1 . 
     In addition, when the title input screen is displayed in the step S 7  and neither the cancel button  102   g  nor the create button  102   h  is selected, it is determined as NO in the steps S 8  and S 9 , the processing remains as-is in the step S 7 . 
     Note that also when the menu display button  5   d  or the live screen display button  5   c  is depressed in the display states shown in  FIGS. 10 ,  13  and the like, the display of the LCD  4  returns to the display of the live/freeze screen G 1 . 
     After the desired title is added to the still image (or both still image and moving image) obtained by depressing the freeze button  5   k , the screen returns to the live screen of the live/freeze screen G 1 . Accordingly, the user can continue the testing by using the endoscope apparatus  1 . 
     Subsequently, after obtaining a still image by depressing the freeze button  5   k  again, the user can add the title to the obtained still image data only by performing the above-described operation, more specifically, by depressing the menu display button  5   d  and then depressing the joystick  5   e . After the completion of the input of the desired title, the live screen is displayed again, that is, the screen returns to the state where the user can continue the testing. 
     Accordingly, every time the user obtains a still image, the user can switch the screen to the title input screen with a simple operation, more specifically, the depression operations of the menu display button  5   d  and the joystick  5   e  as the decision button. Therefore, the user can efficiently perform the testing. 
     One of the reasons why the depression operation of the joystick  5   e  as the decision button is required is to cause the user to check the operation contents. Another reason is that the relatively frequently used menu items are the other menu items other than the title input. 
     Note that the characters of the title may be inputted with another title input method other than the methods described in  FIGS. 10 to 16 . 
     4. Retrieve Screen 
     The person who performs testing can record the still images and the like of the test object in the storage medium  15  by using the endoscope apparatus  1 . The person who performs testing also enables the recorded still images and the like to be displayed on the LCD  4 . However, in some cases, the person who performs testing desires to combine the recorded still images and the like into one folder in the endoscope apparatus  1 . Furthermore, in other cases, the person who performs testing desires to copy or delete the data of the already-recorded still images or moving images, for example. 
     In such cases, in the endoscope apparatus  1 , the person who performs testing can switch from the live/freeze screen G 1  to a retrieve screen G 11  as shown by the arrow A 4  in  FIG. 6  by depressing the view button  5   f  of the operation portion  5 , i.e., by pressing the view button  5   f  for a long time in the present embodiment. 
       FIG. 17  is a view showing an example of the retrieve screen. As shown in  FIG. 17 , the retrieve screen G 11  is a screen on which the recorded images such as the still images recorded in the storage medium  15  as thumbnails.  FIG. 17  illustrates nine thumbnail images displayed in matrix. 
     Each of the thumbnail images displayed on the retrieve screen G 11  in  FIG. 17  is displayed together with a “check” mark display portion indicating a selection state. The user can put or remove the “check” mark on or from each of the thumbnail images. The “check” mark indicates whether or not the image is specified as the processing target among the recorded images. When the retrieve screen G 11  is displayed for the first time after the still images and the like were recorded, no check mark is put in any of the “check” mark display portions of the thumbnail images. The thumbnail images are selected as the processing targets by putting the “check” marks in the “check” mark display portions. 
     When a folder name is assigned to the folder, the assigned folder name is displayed on the upper side of the retrieve screen G 11 , as shown in  FIG. 17 . 
     In addition, the user can select a desired thumbnail image using a cursor, not shown, on the screen shown in  FIG. 17 . The file name of the thumbnail image in the selected state is shown below the folder name on the retrieve screen G 11 , and the photographed date and the title corresponding to the thumbnail image are displayed on the lower side of the retrieve screen. 
     For example, if the user depresses the menu display button  5   d  after putting the “check” marks on the nine thumbnail images as shown in  FIG. 17 , the screen as shown in  FIG. 18  is displayed. 
       FIG. 18  is a view showing a configuration of a menu screen of the retrieve screen (hereinafter, referred to as retrieve menu screen) G 12 . The retrieve menu screen G 12  is a Graphical User Interface (GUI) displayed when the menu display button  5   d  is depressed in the display state of the retrieve screen G 11 , as shown by the arrow A 5  in  FIG. 6 . 
     The retrieve menu screen G 12  is the highest-level layer screen, and includes a menu item display portion  111  on the retrieve screen including a plurality of menu items, and a lower-level layer display portion  112  for displaying thumbnail images of the recorded still images and the like. As shown in  FIG. 18 , the retrieve menu screen G 12  is displayed in such a manner that the lower-level layer display portion  112  covers a part of the menu item display portion  111  which is a higher-level layer display portion. At this time, the lower-level layer display portion  112  which is a display portion in the lower-level hierarchy is displayed superposed on the higher-level layer display portion  111  such that the items, that is, the items from icons  111   b   1  to  111   b   6  on the higher-level layer display portion  111 , which is a display portion in the higher-level hierarchy, can be visually identified. 
     The menu item display portion  111  includes a display area where characters “MENU”  111   a  indicative of the highest-level layer screen, and a plurality of icons  111   b  corresponding to a plurality of selectable menu items are displayed. The plurality of icons  111   b  include six icons arranged so as to align in the vertical direction on the screen. 
     The uppermost icon  111   b   1  is an icon for instructing deletion of recorded images. Similarly, an icon  111   b   2  below the icon  111   b   1  is an icon for newly creating a folder. An icon  101   b   3  below the icon  111   b   2  is an icon for copying a file. 
     In addition, below the icon  111   b   3 , an icon  111   b   4  for moving a file, an icon  111   b   5  for changing a file name, and icon  111   b   6  for deleting all of the recorded image data are displayed. 
     The user causes the retrieve menu screen G 12  in  FIG. 18  to be displayed and selects an icon for a desired processing, thereby capable of executing various processings on the recorded images. 
     In the present embodiment, setting is made in advance such that the icon  111   b   1  is displayed in a selectable state when the screen is changed from the retrieve screen G 11  to the retrieve menu screen G 12  and the retrieve menu screen G 12  is displayed. 
     In  FIG. 18 , the uppermost icon  111   b   1  is displayed with bold frame on the menu item display portion  111  on the retrieve menu screen G 12 , which shows that the icon is in the selectable state. The icon  111   b   1  which is a selectable item is displayed so as to be distinguished from other items on the higher-level layer display portion  111 , by the processing in the step S 12  in  FIG. 9 . The characters “DELETE”  112   a  corresponding to the icon  111   b   1  and button displays  112   b  indicative of two operation items of “CANCEL” and “EXECUTE” are displayed on the grayed-out lower-level layer display portion  112 . In particular, the characters “DELETE”  112   a  indicate the content of the icon  111   b   1 . The icons  112   b  indicative of the items related to the icon  111   b   1  of a selectable item are displayed on the lower-level layer display portion  112  by the processing in the step S 14  in  FIG. 9 . 
     When the joystick  5   e  is depressed in the state where the icon  111   b   1  for instructing the deletion of the recorded images is selectable as shown in  FIG. 18 , the lower-level layer display portion  112  is changed from the grayed-out state to a bright display state and emphasis-displayed, on the other hand, the menu item display portion  111  is brought into a grayed-out state by the processing in the step S 11  in  FIG. 9 , though not shown. In addition, the icon  111   b   1  is displayed so as to be distinguishable from the icon  11   b   2  and the like of other items in the higher-level layer display portion  111 , by the processing in the step S 13  in  FIG. 9 . 
     That is, when the user selects a desired item on the retrieve menu screen G 12 , the screen is changed to the menu screen corresponding to the selected item as shown by the arrow A 6  in  FIG. 6 . 
     When the user selects one of the two buttons  112   b  on the lower-level layer display portion  112  and depresses the joystick  5   e  as a decision button, the selected processing, i.e., deletion processing is executed. 
     As described above, when the user depresses the menu display button  5   d  in the state of the retrieve screen G 11  shown in  FIG. 17 , the retrieve menu screen G 12  in  FIG. 18  is displayed, and the menu item display portion  111  in the selected hierarchy is more emphasis-displayed than the lower-level layer display portion  112  in the lower-level hierarchy and becomes bright by the processing in the step S 11  in  FIG. 9 . 
     Note that the emphasis display is performed by displaying the lower-level layer display portion  112  in grayed-out manner in the present embodiment. However, an alternative method may be adopted. For example, luminance may be increased or the color may be changed to an eye-catching color only in the layer display portion in the selected hierarchy. 
     In addition, on the retrieve menu screen G 12 , a plurality of selectable menu items are displayed in the menu item display portion  111  in the higher-level hierarchy, and the function, i.e., the content of the operation item related to or corresponding to the icon in the selectable state in the menu item display portion  111  are displayed in the grayed-out lower-level layer display portion  112  by the processing in the step S 14  in  FIG. 9 , in a visually identifiable manner for the user. 
     When the menu display button  5   d  is depressed in the state where the retrieve menu screen G 12  is displayed, the screen display returns to the retrieve screen G 11  in  FIG. 17 , as shown by the arrow A 7  in  FIG. 6 . Furthermore, when the live screen display button  5   c  is depressed in the state where the retrieve screen G 11  is displayed, the screen returns to the live/freeze screen G 1  as shown by the arrow A 8  in  FIG. 6 . 
     In a case of selecting the icon  111   b   2  for creating a new folder, when the user tilts the joystick  5   e  downward in the display state shown in  FIG. 18 , the icon  111   b   2  is displayed with bold frame and brought into the selectable state as shown in  FIG. 19 , by the processing in the step S 12  in  FIG. 9 .  FIG. 19  is a view showing the menu screen G 12  on which the icon  111   b   2  is in the selectable state. 
     When the joystick  5   e  as the decision button is depressed in the display state shown in  FIG. 19 , the selected processing, that is, the processing of creating a new folder is executed.  FIG. 20  is a view showing the screen G 12   b   3  for creating a new folder. 
     As shown on the screen G 12   b   3  in  FIG. 20 , the characters “NEW FOLDER CREATION”  112   c  indicating that the lower-level layer display portion  112  relates to creation of a new folder, a folder name input field  112   d  shown by the dotted lines, a software keyboard display portion  112   e , a preset button  112   f , a cancel button  112   g , create button  112   h , and a cursor  102   i  indicative of the character input position are displayed on the lower-level layer display portion  112 . The folder name input field  112   d , the software keyboard display portion  112   e , the preset button  112   f , the cancel button  112   g , the create button  112   h , and the cursor  102   i  indicative of the character input position have the same functions as those of the title input field  102   b , the software keyboard display portion  102   d , the preset button  102   e , the cancel button  102   g , the create button  102   h , and the cursor  102   i  described with reference to  FIG. 9 , respectively. Accordingly, descriptions on how to use these buttons are omitted. 
     Note that the folder name may be inputted by using the methods described above with reference to  FIGS. 12 to 16 . 
     Also in  FIG. 20 , the lower-level display portion  112  is displayed in a more emphasized manner than the higher-level layer display portion  111  by the processing in the S 11  in  FIG. 9 . In addition, by the processing in the step S 13  in  FIG. 9 , the icon  111   b   2  related to the active lower-level layer display portion  112  is displayed on the higher-level layer display portion  111  so as to be distinguishable from the icons  111   b   1 ,  11   b   3 , and the like of other items. 
     5. Other Menu Items 
     Next, description will be made on other menu items related to the menu screen G 2  and the retrieve menu screen G 12 . 
     5.1 Menu Screen G 2   
     Description will be made on processings to be performed by selecting the icons  101   b   2  to  101   b   6  on the menu screen G 2 . 
     The user can allow an arbitrary item on the menu item display portion  101  to be in a selectable state by tilting the joystick  5   e  in the up/down direction. The icon in the selectable state is displayed with bold frame. 
     (White Balance) 
       FIG. 21  is a view showing that the icon  101   b   2  is in the selectable state. When the joystick  5   e  is depressed or tilted rightward in the display state shown in  FIG. 21 , the icon  101   b   2  for white balance adjustment is selected, and the lower-level layer display portion  102  is emphasis-displayed and becomes bright. In the case shown in  FIG. 21 , the higher-level layer display portion  101  is displayed in a more emphasized manner than the lower-level layer display portion  102  by the processing in the step S 11  in  FIG. 9 . The icon  101   b   2  of the item in the selectable state is displayed on the higher-level layer display portion  101  such that the icon  101   b   2  is distinguishable from the icons  101   b   1 ,  101   b   3  and the like of other items, by the processing in the step S 12  in  FIG. 9 . In addition, by the processing in the step S 14  in  FIG. 9 , the items related to the selectable item on the active higher-level layer display portion  101  are displayed on the lower-level layer display portion  102 . 
       FIG. 22  is a view showing a menu screen G 2   b   2  in a white balance executable state. As shown in  FIG. 22 , when the screen becomes white balance executable state, the higher-level layer display portion  101  is grayed out and the lower-level layer display portion  102  is emphasis-displayed and becomes bright. Furthermore, on the higher-level layer display portion  101 , the icon  101   b   2  is displayed with bold frame so as to be distinguishable from other icons by the processing in the step S 13  in  FIG. 9 . 
     A white balance adjustment screen on the lower-level layer display portion  102  includes characters “WHITE BALANCE”  202   a  indicating that the lower-level layer display portion  102  relates to white balance, and a cancel button  202   b  and an execute button  202   c  which indicate operation items. 
     For example, in  FIG. 22 , the cancel button  202   b  is displayed with bold frame by the processing in the step S 12  in  FIG. 9 , which shows that the cancel button is in the selectable state, i.e., executable state. When the joystick  5   e  is depressed and the cancel button  202   b  is selected, the white balance adjustment processing is canceled, and the screen returns to the menu screen G 2  shown in  FIG. 21 . When the execute button  202   c  is selected, the white balance adjustment is executed. When the white balance adjustment processing is completed, the screen returns to the menu screen G 2  shown in  FIG. 21 . 
     As described above, regarding the white balance adjustment, the method of displaying a picked-up image of an object and nondestructively testing the object according to the present embodiment includes the following steps. First, the user obtains the picked-up image of the object and displays the image on the monitor. In addition, the method includes steps of: displaying a hierarchical menu screen for performing a white balance adjustment processing on the image on the monitor, the hierarchical menu screen including at least two hierarchies; emphasis-displaying a display portion in a higher-level hierarchy selected on the hierarchical menu screen or a display portion in a lower-level hierarchy selected on the hierarchical menu screen, the lower-level hierarchy being derived from an item in the higher-level hierarchy; identifiably displaying the item in the higher-level hierarchy, when the display portion in the selected lower-level hierarchy is emphasis-displayed; identifiably displaying an executable item in the lower-level hierarchy, when the display portion in the selected higher-level hierarchy is emphasis-displayed; emphasis-displaying the display portion in the lower-level hierarchy as a result of a selection of an item of the white balance adjustment processing in the higher-level hierarchy and allowing the white balance adjustment processing to be executed or canceled in the lower-level hierarchy on the hierarchical menu screen; and displaying on the monitor the image on which the white balance adjustment processing was executed or for which the white balance adjustment was canceled in the lower-level hierarchy. 
     (Recording) 
       FIG. 23  is a view showing that the icon  101   b   3  is in a selectable state. When the joystick  5   e  is tilted downward in the display state shown in  FIG. 21  to bring the icon  101   b   3  for recording into the selectable state, a plurality of selectable items (two icons in the case shown in  FIG. 23 ) related to recording are displayed grayed out on the lower-level layer display portion  102  in a visually identifiable manner for the user by the processing in the step S 14  in  FIG. 9 . Furthermore, in  FIG. 23 , the higher-level layer display portion  101  is emphasis-displayed by the processing in the step S 11  in  FIG. 9 . On the grayed-out lower-level layer display portion  102 , characters “RECORDING”  102   p   1  indicating that the selected icon relates to recording and two icons  102   p   2  and  102   p   3  as selectable items are displayed. The icon  102   p   2  and the icon  102   p   3  relate to a print screen and recording button operation, respectively. In  FIG. 23 , a lower-level layer display portion  103 , the layer level of which is further lower than that of the lower-level layer display portion  102 , is also displayed grayed out. However, no icon is selected in the lower-level layer display portion  102 , so that nothing is displayed on the lower-level layer display portion  103 . 
     In  FIG. 23  and in other figures, the display portions in the respective hierarchies are displayed as rectangular windows so as to be superposed on each other from the left to the right direction on the display screen of the monitor when facing the monitor. 
     When the joystick  5   e  is depressed or tilted rightward in the display state shown in  FIG. 23 , the screen changes to the screen shown in  FIG. 24 .  FIG. 24  is a view showing a menu screen G 2   b   3  displayed when the recording operation is selected. In  FIG. 24 , the lower-level layer display portion  102  is emphasis-displayed and becomes bright by the processing in the step S 11  in  FIG. 9 , and the higher-level layer display portion  101  is displayed grayed out. In  FIG. 24 , the icon  102   p   3  of the two selection items is displayed with bold frame by the processing in the step S 12  in  FIG. 9 , which indicates that the icon  102   p   3  is in a selectable state. Furthermore, the lower-level layer display portion  103 , the layer level of which is lower than the layer display portion  102 , is displayed grayed out. The grayed-out lower-level layer display portion  103  includes characters “RECORDING BUTTON OPERATION”  102   p   31  indicating that the icon  102   p   3  in the selectable state relates to the recording button operation, and two icons  102   p   32  and  102   p   33  indicative of “STILL IMAGE+MOVING IMAGE” and “STILL IMAGE”, respectively. That is, as shown in  FIG. 24 , on the menu screen G 2   b   3 , a plurality of selection items corresponding to the item in the selectable state on the lower-level layer display portion  102  are also displayed on the lower-level display portion  103  displayed grayed out. 
     As described above, characters (“RECORDING” in this case) indicative of the content of the item selected in the higher-level hierarchy are displayed on the display portion in the selected hierarchy, and characters (“RECORDING BUTTON OPERATION” in this case) indicative of the content of the item in the selectable state in the selected hierarchy are displayed on the display portion in the lower-level hierarchy. Furthermore, characters (“STILL IMAGE+MOVING IMAGE” and “STILL IMAGE” in this case) indicative of the content of the item in the lower-level hierarchy are displayed on the display portion in the lower-level hierarchy. 
       FIG. 24  shows the layer display of three hierarchies. In other words, the highest-level layer display portion  101  is a higher-level layer display portion, the layer display portion  102  is a middle-level layer display portion, and the layer display portion  103  is a lower-level layer display portion. The higher-level layer display portion is displayed under the lower-level layer display portion. However, the lower-level layer display portion is displayed on the higher-level layer display portion such that the items displayed on the higher-level layer display portion can be visually identified, in other words, such that the item displayed on the higher-level layer display portion is not interfered. 
     When the joystick  5   e  is depressed or tilted rightward in the display state shown in  FIG. 24  and the icon  102   p   3  is selected, the screen is changed to a screen shown in  FIG. 25 .  FIG. 25  is a view showing the menu screen G 2   b   31  displayed when the recording button operation is selected. 
     In  FIG. 25 , the lowest-level layer display portion  103  is emphasis-displayed and becomes bright by the processing in the step S 11  in  FIG. 9 , and the icon  102   p   32  as one of the selection items is in the selectable state by the processing in the step S 12  in  FIG. 9 . Furthermore, in  FIG. 25 , the icons  101   b   3  and  102   p   3  of the items related to the lowest-level layer display portion  103  are displayed on the two layer display portions  101 ,  102  of the higher level, respectively, such that the icons are displayed identifiably, i.e., distinguishably from the icons of other items by the processing in the step S 13  in  FIG. 9 . 
     In  FIG. 24 , since the icon  101   b   3  is identifiably displayed in bold on the grayed-out higher-level layer display portion  101  by the processing in the step S 13  in  FIG. 9 , the user can easily understand that the emphasis-displayed middle-level layer display portion  102  is displayed as a result of the selection of the icon  101   b   3  on the higher-level layer display portion  101 . 
     In addition, in  FIG. 24 , by the processing in the step S 14  in  FIG. 9 , the two icons  102   p   32  and  102   p   33  are displayed on the grayed-out lower-level layer display portion  103  and the icon  102   p   32 , in particular, is identifiably displayed in bold. Accordingly, the user can easily understand that the icon  102   p   32  which is one of the two selection items is selected, i.e., set regarding the icon  102   p   3  in the selectable state on the emphasis-displayed middle-level layer display portion  102 . The two icons  102   p   32  and  102   p   33  on the lower-level layer display portion  103  are displayed with the characters indicative of the contents of the icons. The icon  102   p   32  includes the characters “STILL IMAGE+MOVING IMAGE” and the icon  102   p   33  includes the characters “STILL IMAGE”. Accordingly, the user can easily understand from the display state shown in  FIG. 24  that the icon  102   p   3  relates to the recording button operation, and “STILL IMAGE+MOVING IMAGE” is selected, i.e., set in the recording button operation. 
     That is, when the plurality of layers having the hierarchical structure are displayed, the user can easily understand that the emphasis-displayed middle-level layer (selected hierarchical layer) is displayed as a result of the selection of which item in the higher-level layer. Furthermore, the user can understand the selected, that is, set contents regarding the icon displayed in the selectable state in the middle-level layer from the lower-level layer. 
     As described above, regarding the setting of the recording mode of the picked-up image, the method of displaying the picked-up image of an object and nondestructively testing the object according to the present embodiment includes the following steps. First, the user obtains the picked-up image of the object and displays the image on the monitor. Furthermore, the method includes steps of: displaying a hierarchical menu screen for setting a recording mode for recording the image in a storage medium on the monitor, the hierarchical menu screen including at least three hierarchies; emphasis-displaying a display portion in a hierarchy selected on the hierarchical menu screen compared with a display portion in a higher-level hierarchy than the selected hierarchy and a display portion in a lower-level hierarchy than the selected hierarchy, the selected hierarchy being derived from an item in the higher-level hierarchy; identifiably displaying the item in the higher-level hierarchy, when the display portion in the selected hierarchy is emphasis-displayed; identifiably displaying an executable item in the lower-level hierarchy, when the display portion in the selected hierarchy is emphasis-displayed, the lower-level hierarchy being derived from an item in the selected hierarchy; emphasis-displaying the display portion in the lower-level hierarchy as a result of a selection of an item of the recording mode setting and allowing the recording mode to be selected in the lower-level hierarchy on the hierarchical menu screen; displaying the image on the monitor after the selection of the recording mode in the lower-level hierarchy; and recording the image according to the selected recording mode after the selection of the recording mode in the lower-level hierarchy. 
     (Date and Time Setting) 
       FIG. 26  is a view showing that the icon  101   b   4  is in a selectable state. When the joystick  5   e  is depressed or tilted rightward in the display state shown in  FIG. 26 , the icon  101   b   4  for date and time setting is selected. Then, as shown in  FIG. 27 , the higher-level layer display portion  101  is grayed out and the lower-level layer display portion  102  is emphasis-displayed and becomes bright by the processing in the step S 11  in  FIG. 9 . As shown in  FIG. 26 , on the grayed-out lower-level layer display portion  102 , characters “DATE AND TIME SETTING”  102   q   1  indicating that the lower-level layer relates to the date and time setting, a date and time display portion  102   q   2  for displaying set time and date, and an arranging order display portion  102   q   3  for displaying the arranging order of the set “year”, “month” and “date” are displayed. 
       FIGS. 27 to 29  are views showing a menu screen G 2   b   4  in the date and time setting executable state. As shown in  FIGS. 27 to 29 , a setting portion for “year” is shown with bold frame in  FIG. 27 , for example, and marks  102   q   4 ,  102   q   5  indicative of increase and decrease of the numeric characters are displayed above and below the setting portion, respectively. The user can set a desired “year” by tilting the joystick  5   e  in the up/down direction. The user tilts the joystick  5   e  rightward or leftward and decides an item to be set by shifting the bold frame to each of the setting portions for “month”, date”, “hour”, and “minute”, thereby capable of setting a desired “month” and the like, similarly as “year”. In  FIG. 28 , the setting portion for “minute” is displayed with bold frame. In  FIG. 29 , the arranging order display portion  102   q   3  indicative of the arranging order of the “year”, “month” and “date” is displayed with bold frame. The user tilts the joystick  5   e  rightward, thereby capable of moving the bold frame (item to be set) from the setting portion for “minute” in  FIG. 28  to the arranging order display portion  102   q   3  in  FIG. 29 . 
     The arranging order can be set in an order of “month”, “date” and “year”, or can be set in an order of “date”, “month”, and “year”. When the date and time setting is completed, the screen returns to the menu screen G 2  in  FIG. 26 . In  FIG. 26 , the set date and time are displayed on the lower-level layer display portion  102  displayed grayed out. The user can return the screen to the menu screen G 2  shown in  FIG. 26  from the screen state as shown in  FIG. 27  also by tilting the joystick  5   e  to the left. 
     (Setup) 
       FIG. 30  is a view showing that the icon  101   b   5  is in a selectable state. When the joystick  5   e  is depressed in the display state shown in  FIG. 26  and the icon  101   b   5  for the setup operation is selected, a plurality of selectable items (three icons in the case shown in  FIG. 30 ) related to the setup operation are displayed grayed out on the middle-level layer display portion  102  in a visually identifiable manner for the user, by the processing in the step S 14  in  FIG. 9 . On the middle-level layer display portion  102  displayed grayed out, characters “SETUP”  102   r   1  indicating that the selected icon relates to the setup operation, and three icons  102   r   2 ,  102   r   3 , and  102   r   4  as selectable items are displayed. The icon  102   r   2  relates to a formatting operation, the icon  102   r   3  relates to a screen display operation, and the icon  102   r   4  relates to a beep sound operation. In  FIG. 24 , the lower-level layer display portion  103 , the layer level of which is lower than the middle-level layer display portion  102 , is also displayed grayed out. However, since no icon is selected on the middle-level layer display portion  102 , nothing is displayed on the lower-level layer display portion  103 . 
     When the joystick  5   e  is depressed or tilted rightward in the display state shown in  FIG. 30 , the screen changes to the screen shown in  FIG. 31 .  FIG. 31  is a view showing a menu screen G 2   b   5  displayed when the setup operation is selected.  FIG. 31  also shows the layer display of three hierarchies similarly as  FIG. 24 . 
     In  FIG. 31 , by the processing in the step S 11  in  FIG. 9 , the middle-level layer display portion  102  is emphasis-displayed and becomes bright and the higher-level layer display portion  101  is displayed grayed out. In  FIG. 31 , the first icon  102   r   2  among the three selectable items is identifiably displayed with bold frame by the processing in the step S 12  in  FIG. 9 , which shows the icon is in a selectable state. Furthermore, the further lower-level layer display portion  103  which corresponds to the icon  102   r   2  on the middle-level layer display portion  102  is displayed grayed out by the processing in the step S 14  in  FIG. 9 . The lower-level layer display portion  103  displayed grayed out includes characters “FORMATTING”  102   r   21  indicating that the selected icon relates to the formatting operation, and icons  102   r   22 ,  102   r   23  of the two operation items “cancel” and “execute”. Since the icon “cancel” is displayed in the selectable state, a descriptive text for “cancel” is displayed on a description display portion  102   r   24 . That is, as shown in  FIG. 31 , on the menu screen G 2   b   5 , a plurality of selection items corresponding to the item in the selectable state in the middle-level layer display portion  102  are further displayed on the lower-level layer display portion  103  displayed grayed out. 
     When the joystick  5   e  is depressed or tilted rightward in the display state shown in  FIG. 31  and the icon  102   r   2  is selected, the screen is changed to the screen shown in  FIG. 32 .  FIG. 32  is a view showing the menu screen G 2   b   51  displayed when the formatting operation is selected. 
     In  FIG. 32 , the lowest-level layer display portion  103  is emphasis-displayed and becomes bright by the processing in the step S 11  in  FIG. 9 , and the icon  102   r   22  which is one of the selection items is in the selectable state. 
     In  FIG. 31 , since the icon  101   b   5  is displayed in bold on the grayed-out higher-level layer display portion  101  by the processing in the step S 13  in  FIG. 9 , the user can easily understand that the emphasis-displayed middle-level layer display portion  102  is displayed as a result of the selection of the icon  101   b   5  on the higher-level layer display portion  101 . 
     Furthermore, in  FIG. 31 , the icon  102   r   22  is displayed in bold on the grayed-out lower-level layer display portion  103  by the processing in the step S 14  in  FIG. 9 . Accordingly, the user can easily understand that the icon  102   r   22  or the icon  102   r   23  is executable regarding the icon  102   r   2  in the selectable state on the emphasis-displayed middle-level layer display portion  102 . The two icons  102   r   22  and  102   r   23  on the lower-level layer display portion  103  are displayed with characters indicative of the contents of the icons. The icon  102   r   22  includes the characters “cancel” and the icon  102   r   23  includes the characters “execute”. Therefore, the user can easily understand that the icon  102   r   2  relates to the formatting operation from the display state shown in  FIG. 31 , and “cancel” or “execute” can be set in the formatting operation. 
     That is, when the plurality of layers having the hierarchical structure are displayed, the user can easily understand that the emphasis-displayed middle-level layer (selected hierarchical layer) is displayed as a result of the selection of which item in the higher-level layer. Furthermore, the user can understand the executable contents regarding the icon in the selectable state in the selected hierarchical layer from the lower-level layer. 
     As described above, regarding the formatting processing, the method of displaying a picked-up image of an object and nondestructively testing the object according to the present embodiment includes the following steps. First, the user obtains the picked-up image of the object and displays the image on the monitor. Furthermore, the method includes steps of: displaying a hierarchical menu screen for performing a formatting processing of a storage medium for recording the image on the monitor, the hierarchical menu screen including at least three hierarchies; emphasis-displaying a display portion in a hierarchy selected on the hierarchical menu screen compared with a display portion in a higher-level hierarchy than the selected hierarchy and a display portion in a lower-level hierarchy than the selected hierarchy, the selected hierarchy being derived from an item in the higher-level hierarchy; identifiably displaying the item in the higher-level hierarchy, when the display portion in the selected hierarchy is emphasis-displayed; identifiably displaying an executable item in the lower-level hierarchy, when the display portion in the selected hierarchy is emphasis-displayed, the lower-level hierarchy being derived from an item in the selected hierarchy; emphasis-displaying the display portion in the lower-level hierarchy as a result of a selection of an item of the formatting processing and allowing the formatting processing to be executed or canceled in the lower-level hierarchy on the hierarchical menu screen; and displaying the image on the monitor after the formatting processing performed in the lower-level hierarchy. 
     When the joystick  5   e  is tilted downward in the display state shown in  FIG. 31 , the screen is changed to the screen shown in  FIG. 33 .  FIG. 33  is a view showing the menu screen G 2   b   5  displayed when the setup operation is selected. When the joystick  5   e  is depressed or tilted rightward in the display state shown in  FIG. 33 , the icon  102   r   3  is selected and the screen is changed to the screen shown in  FIG. 34 .  FIG. 34  is a view showing a menu screen G 2   b   52  displayed when the screen display operation is selected. 
     In  FIG. 34 , the lowest-level layer display portion  103  is emphasis-displayed and becomes bright by the processing in the step S 11  in  FIG. 9 , and the icon  102   r   32  which is one of the selection items is in the selectable state. 
     In  FIG. 33 , the icon  101   b   5  is displayed in bold on the grayed-out higher-level layer display portion  101  by the processing in the step S 13  in  FIG. 9 . Therefore, the user can easily understand that the emphasis-displayed middle-level layer display portion  102  is displayed as a result of the selection of the icon  101   b   5  on the higher-level layer display portion  101 . 
     In addition, in  FIG. 33 , the icon  102   r   32  is identifiably displayed in bold on the grayed-out lower-level layer display portion  103  by the processing in the step S 14  in  FIG. 9 . Therefore, the user can easily understand that the icon  102   r   32  is selected, i.e., set regarding the icon  102   r   3  displayed in the selectable state on the emphasis-displayed middle-level layer display portion  102 . Four icons  102   r   32 ,  102   r   33 ,  102   r   34 , and  102   r   35  on the lower-level layer display portion  103  are displayed with characters indicative of the contents the icons. The icon  102   r   32  includes characters “DISPLAY ALL”, the icon  102   r   33  includes characters “DATE AND TIME+LOGO”, the icon  102   r   34  includes “DATE AND TIME”, and the icon  102   r   35  includes characters “NO DISPLAY”. Accordingly, the user can easily understand from the display state in  FIG. 33  that the icon  102   r   3  relates to the screen display operation and “DISPLAY ALL” is currently selected, i.e., set in the screen display operation. 
     When the joystick  5   e  is tilted downward in the display state shown in  FIG. 33 , the screen is changed to the screen shown in  FIG. 35 .  FIG. 35  is a view showing the menu screen G 2   b   5  displayed when the setup operation is selected. When the joystick  5   e  is depressed or tilted rightward in the display state shown in  FIG. 35 , the icon  102   r   4  is selected and the screen is changed to the screen shown in  FIG. 36 .  FIG. 36  is a view showing a menu screen G 2   b   53  displayed when the beep sound setting operation is selected. 
     In  FIG. 36 , the lowest-level layer display portion  103  is emphasis-displayed and becomes bright by the processing in the step S 11  in  FIG. 9 , and an icon  102   r   42  which is one of the selection items is in the selectable state. 
     In  FIG. 35 , since the icon  101   b   5  is identifiably displayed in bold on the grayed-out higher-level layer display portion  101  by the processing in the step S 13  in  FIG. 9 , the user can easily understand that the emphasis-displayed middle-level layer display portion  102  is displayed as a result of the selection of the icon  101   b   5  on the higher-level layer display portion  101 . 
     In addition, in  FIG. 35 , the icon  102   r   42  is identifiably displayed in bold on the grayed-out lower-level layer display portion  103  by the processing in step S 14  in FIG.  9 . Accordingly, the user can easily understand that either one of the two icons  102   r   42 ,  102   r   43  is settable regarding the icon  102   r   4  displayed in the selectable state on the emphasis-displayed middle-level layer display portion  102 , and the icon  102   r   42  is selected, i.e., set. The two icons  102   r   42  and  102   r   43  on the lower-level-layer display portion  103  displayed with characters indicative of the contents the icons. The icon  102   r   42  includes characters “ON”, and the icon  102   r   43  includes characters “OFF”. Therefore, the user can easily understand from the display state shown in  FIG. 35  that the icon  102   r   4  relates to the beep sound setting operation, and “ON” is currently set in the beep sound setting. 
     (Language Setting) 
     When the joystick  5   e  is tilted downward in the display state shown in  FIG. 30 , the screen is changed to the screen shown in  FIG. 37 . 
       FIG. 30  is a view showing that the icon  101   b   6  is in a selectable state. When the joystick  5   e  is depressed or tilted rightward in the display state shown in  FIG. 37 , the icon  101   b   6  for language setting is selected. The display for instructing execution of language setting is emphasis-displayed and becomes bright on the lower-level layer display portion  102 , though not shown. 
     As shown in  FIG. 37 , characters “LANGUAGE SETTING”  102   s   1  indicating that the lower-level layer relates to the language setting operation and a plurality of settable languages (two languages in the present embodiment) are displayed on the grayed-out lower-level layer display portion  102  by the processing in the step S 14  in  FIG. 9 . In  FIG. 37 , the settable languages are displayed with characters “JAPANESE” and “ENGLISH” on buttons  102   s   2  and  102   s   3 . As shown in  FIG. 37 , the button  102   s   2  is identifiably displayed with bold frame by the processing in the step S 14  in  FIG. 9 , and the user can understand that “JAPANESE” is currently selected. 
     5.2 Menu Screen G 12   
     As shown in  FIG. 18 , the menu screen G 12  includes four more icons in addition to the above-described icons  111   b   1 ,  111   b   2 . Description will be made on the processings indicated by the icons  111   b   3  to  111   b   6 . 
     The user can allow an arbitrary icon among the icons on the menu item display portion  101  to be in the selectable state by tilting the joystick  5   e  in the up/down direction in the display state shown in  FIG. 18 . The frame of the icon in the selectable state is displayed with bold frame. 
     (File Copying) 
     The icon  111   b   3  in  FIG. 18  is an icon for file copying operation. The icon  111   b   3  is used when creating a copy of a file. 
     (File Moving) 
     The icon  111   b   4  in  FIG. 18  is an icon for file moving operation. The icon  111   b   4  is used when the user moves a file which he or she desires to move from a certain folder to another holder. 
     (File Name Change) 
     The icon  111   b   5  in  FIG. 18  is an icon for changing a file name. 
       FIG. 38  shows a screen G 12   b   5  displayed when the icon  11   b   5  is selected. When the image file is in the DCF format, for example, the file name is specified conforming to the DCF standard. Now description will be made on a case where the user desires to change the file name. As shown in  FIG. 38 , a lower-level layer display portion  112  includes the characters  121   a  indicating that the active lower-level layer display portion  112  relates to the file name changing operation, and a file name input field  121   b  arranged under the characters  121   a . In addition, a region  121   c  in which various buttons, a software keyboard and the like for inputting characters are displayed is arranged under the file name input field  121   b . Furthermore, a region  121   d  for displaying the thumbnail image of the image whose file name is to be changed is arranged at a part of the screen. 
     Initially, the file name is automatically created and attached to each image. When the user changes the name of the file, the initially attached or previously changed file name is displayed in the file name input field  121   b . The user can change the file name by editing the current file name using the various keys, the buttons and the like in the region  121   c.    
     6. Screen Transition 
     As described above, the screen displayed on the LCD  4  transits according to a predetermined operation by the user. Here, the above-described screen transition will be summarized and briefly described. 
     Hereinafter, though description will be made on  FIG. 39  by using examples in which some items are selected on the menu screen G 2  and the retrieve menu screen G 12 , the screens displayed as the results of selection of the respective items are as described above. 
       FIG. 39  is a view showing a transition of the screen on the LCD  4  of the endoscope apparatus  1 . When the menu display button  5   d  is depressed in the state where the live/freeze screen G 1  is displayed, the display on the screen transits from the live/freeze screen G 1  to the menu screen G 2  as shown by the arrow A 11 . When the joystick  5   e  is tilted in the up/down direction in the state where the menu screen G 2  is displayed, the display on the menu screen G 2  is brought into the state where the menu item is selectable, as shown by the arrow A 12 . When the menu display button  5   d  or the live screen display button  5   c  is depressed in the state where the menu screen G 2  is displayed, the display on the screen transits from the menu screen G 2  to the live/freeze screen G 1  as shown by the arrow A 13 . 
     When the joystick  5   e  is depressed or tilted rightward in the state where the icon for title input is selected on the menu screen G 2 , the display on the screen transits to the menu screen G 2   b   1  in the title input enable state, as shown by the arrow A 14 . 
     When the cancel button is selected on the menu screen G 2   b   1 , the display on the screen transits from the menu screen G 2   b   1  to the live/freeze screen G 1  as shown by the arrow A 15 . In addition, when the menu display button  5   d  or the live screen display button  5   c  is depressed in the state where the menu screen G 2   b   1  is displayed, the display on the screen transits from the menu screen G 2   b   1  to the live/freeze screen G 1  as shown by the arrow A 16 . 
     When the joystick  5   e  is depressed or tilted rightward in the state where an icon other than the icon for title input is selected on the menu screen G 2 , the display on the screen transits to the state where the lower-level layer display portion related to the item selected on the menu screen G 2  is emphasis-displayed. When there is a selection item on the emphasis-displayed lower-level layer display portion, if the user allows the icon of the selection item to be in the selectable state and then depresses or tilts rightward the joystick  5   e , the lower-level layer display portion related to the selected item is emphasis-displayed on the screen as shown by the arrow A 18 .  FIG. 39  shows an example in which the icon for item of recording is selected, the display on the screen transits to the screen G 2   b   3 , and subsequently to the screen G 2   b   31 . 
     When the menu display button  5   d  is depressed or the joystick  5   e  is tilted leftward in the case where the lower-level layer display portion is emphasis-displayed, the display on the screen transits to the screen on which the higher-level layer display portion is emphasis-displayed, as shown by the arrows A 19  and A 20 . 
     When the user selects setting or execution of the function of the item on the lower-level layer display portion, the display on the screen returns to the live/freeze screen G 1  as shown by the arrow A 21 . 
     When the view button  5   f  is continued to be pressed for a long time in the state where the live/freeze screen G 1  is displayed, the display on the screen transits from the live/freeze screen G 1  to the retrieve screen G 11  as shown by the arrow A 22 . 
     When the menu display button  5   d  is depressed in the state where the retrieve screen G 11  is displayed, the display on the screen transits from the retrieve screen G 11  to the retrieve menu screen G 12  as shown by the arrow A 23 . When the joystick  5   e  is tilted in the up/down direction in the state where the retrieve menu screen G 12  is displayed, the display on the retrieve menu screen G 12  is brought into the state where the menu item can be selected as shown by the arrow A 24 . 
     When the menu display button  5   d  is depressed in the state where the retrieve menu screen G 12  is displayed, the display on the screen transits from the retrieve menu screen G 12  to the retrieve screen G 11  as shown by the arrow A 25 . 
     When the live screen display button  5   c  is depressed in the state where the retrieve screen G 11  is displayed, the display on the screen transits from the retrieve screen G 11  to the live/freeze screen G 1  as shown by the arrow A 26 . 
     When the joystick  5   e  is depressed or tilted rightward in the state where the icon for new folder creation is selected on the retrieve menu screen G 12 , the display on the screen transits to the screen G 12   b   3  for new folder creation as shown by the arrow A 26 . 
     When the cancel button is selected on the screen G 12   b   3  for new folder creation, the display on the screen transits from the menu screen G 12   b   3  to the retrieve screen G 11  as shown by the arrow A 27 . In addition, when the menu display button  5   d  is depressed in the state where the screen G 12   b   3  for new folder creation is displayed, the display on the screen transits from the screen G 12   b   3  to the retrieve screen G 11  as shown by the arrow A 28 . 
     As described above, the method of displaying a picked-up image of an object and nondestructively testing the object according to the present embodiment includes the following steps. First, the user obtains the picked-up image of the object and displays the image on the monitor. Furthermore, the method includes steps of: displaying a hierarchical menu screen for performing a setting related to recording of the image or change in the setting on the monitor, the hierarchical menu screen including at least three hierarchies; emphasis-displaying a display portion in a hierarchy selected on the hierarchical menu screen compared with a display portion in a higher-level hierarchy than the selected hierarchy and a display portion in a lower-level hierarchy than the selected hierarchy, the selected hierarchy being derived from an item in the higher-level hierarchy; identifiably displaying the item in the higher-level hierarchy, when the display portion in the selected hierarchy is emphasis-displayed; identifiably displaying a content of an already-set item among items in the lower-level hierarchy, when the display portion in the selected hierarchy is emphasis-displayed, the lower-level hierarchy being derived from an item in the selected hierarchy; emphasis-displaying the display portion in the lower-level hierarchy as a result of a selection of the lower-level hierarchy and allowing the setting or a change in the setting to be performed in the lower-level hierarchy on the hierarchical menu screen; displaying the image on the monitor after the setting or the change in the setting performed in the lower-level hierarchy; and recording the image based on the setting or the change in the setting performed in the lower-level hierarchy. 
     As described above, according to the endoscope apparatus  1  of the above-described present embodiment, even if the user does not select the item corresponding to a desired function in each of the hierarchies on the menu screen, the user can grasp the relationship between the selected hierarchy and the item in the higher-level hierarchy, and the set contents in the lower-level hierarchy. As a result, it is not necessary for the user to perform conventional troublesome operations, which increases the efficiency of the testing. 
     In addition, according to the endoscope apparatus  1  of the above-described present embodiment, it is possible to input a text such as a title with a simple operation. Therefore, it is not necessary for the user to perform conventional troublesome operations, which increases the efficiency of the testing. 
     Note that the above-described endoscope apparatus is a kind of nondestructive testing apparatuses, and the above described text input method according to the above-described present embodiment can be also applied to a nondestructive testing apparatus which obtains an ultrasonic image and the like as test data. 
     In addition, unless departing from the scope of the present invention, the steps in each of the procedures in the present embodiment and claims may be executed in a different order, and multiple steps in each of the procedures may be executed at the same time, or the execution order of the steps may be different for each of the procedures. 
     The present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above, and various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention in implementation of the present invention.