JP2007079638A - Image supply device, image processor, image supply method and image processing method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve the problem that an operation corresponding to each application is required in a digital camera and a PC in the setting method of wallpaper in a conventional PC. <P>SOLUTION: In a digital camera, an image to be displayed as the wallpaper of a PC is selected, and a display mode as the wallpaper are set (S7). Then, the set setting description information is transmitted to the PC (S8) so that the selected image can be displayed as the wallpaper of the screen of the PC in the set display mode. Also, it is possible for a digital camera to perform processing to convert the size of the image into the size of the background of the PC. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus such as a PC, an image supply apparatus that supplies image data to the information processing apparatus, and a control method thereof.

  Conventionally, when an image taken with a digital camera is set as the background (hereinafter referred to as wallpaper) of a PC screen, the user has to operate the PC after transferring the image data from the camera to the PC as an image file. . That is, the user needs to set the wallpaper of the PC screen by specifying the transferred image file name using an application provided by the OS installed on the PC or capable of setting the wallpaper of the PC. there were. For example, in Microsoft (registered trademark) Windows (registered trademark) 2000, the wallpaper of the PC screen can be set by designating the image file information in the API parameter for acquiring or setting the system parameters. Alternatively, the PC screen can be opened by starting the “screen” of the control panel, selecting the “background” tab from the displayed image property dialog, and selecting an image file stored in the OS as the background. Can set wallpaper.

Also, when setting multiple images as the PC screen wallpaper, each image is synthesized in advance using photo retouching software, etc., and a composite image is created for display as the PC screen wallpaper. It was necessary to set as wallpaper. Patent Document 1 describes associating a specific action with a predetermined area of wallpaper.
JP 09-288558 A

  In the above-described conventional wallpaper setting method for a PC, a work corresponding to each application is required in each of the digital camera and the PC. As described above, in each of the PC and the camera, it is inconvenient to execute each application and work on an image desired to be used as wallpaper. Further, when a plurality of images are simultaneously displayed as wallpaper, it is necessary to create a file in which the plurality of images are synthesized using photo retouching software or the like, which requires troublesome work. Further, in the display method using a screen saver or viewer, work other than image display is not taken into consideration, and thus the above-described wallpaper display control cannot be performed.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a technique capable of easily setting a background image displayed on a screen of an information processing apparatus.

The image supply apparatus of the present invention is characterized by having the following configuration. That is,
An image supply device for transferring image information to an information processing device,
Selecting means for selecting an image to be a background image of the information processing apparatus;
Obtaining means for obtaining a background size which is a size of a background image display area of the information processing apparatus;
Generating means for converting the image size of the image selected by the selection means based on the background size to generate the background image;
Transfer means for transferring setting information of a background image including the background image generated by the generation means to the information processing apparatus;
It is characterized by having.

The information processing apparatus of the present invention is characterized by having the following configuration. That is,
An information processing apparatus for displaying image information input from an image supply apparatus,
Receiving means for receiving setting information of a background image from the image supply device;
Obtaining means for obtaining image data of an image included in the setting information received by the receiving means from the image supply device;
Display control means for displaying the image data acquired by the acquisition means as a background image according to the setting information;
It is characterized by having.

The image supply method of the present invention includes the following steps. That is,
An image supply method for transferring image information to an information processing apparatus,
A selection step of selecting an image to be a background image of the information processing apparatus;
An acquisition step of acquiring a background size that is a size of a background image display area of the information processing apparatus;
A generation step of generating the background image by converting an image size of the image selected by the selection step based on the background size;
A transfer step of transferring setting information of a background image including the background image generated by the generation step to the information processing device;
It is characterized by having.

The information processing method of the present invention is characterized by comprising the following steps. That is,
An information processing method for displaying image information input from an image supply device,
A receiving step of receiving setting information of a background image from the image supply device;
An acquisition step of acquiring image data of an image included in the setting information received by the reception step from the image supply device;
A display control step of displaying the image data acquired by the acquisition step as a background image according to the setting information;
It is characterized by having.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to easily set wallpaper in the information processing apparatus.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, a host computer (PC) 10 and a digital camera 20 are connected, and the digital camera 20 is configured to be able to set the wallpaper displayed on the monitor screen of the PC 10.

  In the figure, reference numeral 10 denotes a computer device such as a personal computer (PC) which is a host computer. The computer device (hereinafter referred to as PC) 10 includes a monitor 12 for displaying images and menu items, a pointing device (hereinafter referred to as mouse) 14 having buttons 16, a keyboard 18, and the like.

  Reference numeral 20 denotes a digital camera which is connected to the PC 10 via the USB data transfer cable 22 and can capture image data captured by the digital camera 20 or image data stored in the memory card of the camera 20 into the PC 10. . In addition, the digital camera 20 transmits setting description information, which is created by using the user interface (UI) of the digital camera 20, for setting display of wallpaper on the PC 10 to the PC 10. The digital camera 20 transfers the image data accessed from the PC 10 to the PC 10 based on the setting description information.

  The digital camera 20 connected via the USB interface is recognized as newly added hardware when viewed from the PC 10. Therefore, if the path information of the image data stored in the storage medium (memory card) of the digital camera 20 is known, the PC 10 can easily obtain the desired image data stored in the storage medium.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the PC 10 according to the present embodiment.

  In FIG. 2, reference numeral 110 denotes application software, and 120 denotes an operating system (OS). The application software 110 and the OS 120 are preinstalled in the hard disk 180 of the PC 10, loaded into the RAM 191 at the time of execution, and executed under the control of the CPU 190. It should be noted that elements other than those described above that are not particularly necessary for understanding the present embodiment, such as the memory management system of the operating system 120, are omitted in FIG.

  The file system 124 is a file system that constitutes the operating system 120, and enables application software 110 to input and output files without directly controlling hardware. Such file systems are well known. The disk interface 170 allows the file system 124 to access the hard disk 180 to read / write data. Reference numeral 123 denotes a drawing management system included in the operating system 120, and the application software 110 has a function of generating an image without directly controlling the hardware. It is assumed that the application software 110 also includes an application for setting the background (wallpaper) of the screen of the monitor 12 in the PC 10. The video interface 160 controls the image data generated by the drawing management system 123 to be converted into a video signal suitable for the monitor 12 and displayed. Reference numeral 121 denotes an image device management system constituting the operating system 120. The image device management system 121 manages devices that handle image data such as the digital camera 20 and the scanner. Then, a device driver that automatically assigns an appropriate device driver to the device connected to the PC 10 and that manages input / output from the connected device without the application software 110 directly controlling the hardware is provided. provide. Further, the application software 110 can be activated by a request from the connected device. The keyboard interface 140 and the mouse interface 150 control interfaces between the PC 10, the keyboard 18, and the mouse 14, respectively.

  As described above, the digital camera 20 is connected to the USB interface 130 via the USB cable 22. Control commands, status signals, image data, and the like can be transmitted / received to / from the digital camera application software stored in the application software 110. At that time, the image device management system 121 and the device driver 122 of the digital camera 20 are used.

  The application software 110 is application software that acquires image data from the digital camera 20 and controls the digital camera 20. The application software 110 according to the present embodiment has the following functions. For example, a communication management unit 111 that communicates with the digital camera 20 by accessing the image device management system 121 and an image transfer management unit 112 that acquires an image captured by the digital camera 20 using the communication management unit 111 are provided. Yes. Further, an image processing unit 113 that performs image processing such as image reduction, enlargement, and composition based on the image and control commands transferred from the digital camera 20 and information of the PC 10 is provided. Further, the data display unit 114 displays information on the application software 110 on the screen of the monitor 12, and the file management unit 115 stores and manages the information on the application software 110 in the hard disk 180. . In addition to this, the PC 10 is provided with a timer (not shown) for timing according to an instruction from the CPU 190 and an interface (not shown) for controlling an interface with other input / output devices.

  FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram showing a functional configuration of the digital camera 20 according to the present embodiment.

  The digital camera 20 includes an optical unit 204 including a lens, a CCD, a drive circuit, a signal processing unit 203 that processes image data, an arithmetic unit 202 including a CPU, a temporary storage unit 205 such as a DRAM, and the like. . Also, a secondary storage unit 206 such as a built-in flash ROM, an operation unit 207 including various buttons and switches shown in FIG. 4, a display unit 208 such as a liquid crystal, and a read-only memory 209 such as a ROM used for storing programs. Etc. Furthermore, a removable storage medium 210 such as a memory card such as a compact flash (registered trademark) memory, a communication control unit 201 that manages connection with the computer 10, and the like are provided.

  In this configuration, the photographed image signal is JPEG compressed and stored in the storage medium 210. Further, the image data stored in the storage medium 210 can be read out and displayed on the display unit 208 by an operation using the operation unit 207. Further, the digital camera 20 can be set to select one or a plurality of images from the images stored in the storage medium 210 and display the selected images as the wallpaper of the PC 10.

  As is well known, this setting not only sets one image as wallpaper, but also divides the screen of the monitor 12 of the PC 10 into a plurality of areas and displays the selected image in each area. Images can be displayed as wallpaper. Alternatively, an image that sequentially changes the image displayed in each area like a slide show can be displayed as wallpaper. Hereinafter, these processes will be described in detail.

  FIG. 4 is a view for explaining the rear structure of the digital camera 20 according to this embodiment.

  The screen of the display unit 208 displays various menus for performing various settings of the digital camera 20. Also, it is used as a viewfinder at the time of shooting and is used to display an image to be shot. Further, it is also used for displaying a photographed image stored in the memory card 210. The power button 251 is a power switch for turning on / off the power of the digital camera 20. The shooting / playback switching button 257 is used to set a shooting mode for taking a picture using the digital camera 20, and to switch a playback mode of an image stored in the memory card 210 and a connection mode with a PC. It is. The playback mode and the connection mode with the PC (hereinafter referred to as playback / PC connection mode) refer to a state in which the PC 10 is connected and an image can be captured by the PC 10. The shutter button 252 is a button for performing shooting.

  The menu button 253 is used to display a menu screen for setting and specifying the operation of the camera 20. When the menu button 253 is pressed, various menus are displayed on the display unit 208. The contents displayed as this menu vary depending on the state of the digital camera 20. The set button 254 and the movement (cursor) button 256 are used when operating the setting of various modes using the menu screen. Use the move button 256 to move the selected item sequentially, and use the set button 254 to select the selected mode or data, or to select one or more images of the digital camera 20 in the playback / PC connection mode Realize the operation. The PC background setting button 255 is a button for instructing to set the selected image as the wallpaper of the PC 10 by operating the menu button 253 or the set button 254 in the PC connection mode. Even if the PC background setting button 255 is not provided as a physical button as in this embodiment, for example, by specifying the item “PC background setting” on the menu screen, the same as the button 255 is performed. Of course, you may make it provide a function.

  5A and 5B show display examples (UI) displayed on the display unit 208 of the digital camera 20 when the PC background setting button 255 is pressed in the digital camera 20 according to the present embodiment. It is a figure explaining.

  The digital camera 20 has a function for setting the wallpaper of the connected PC 10 and various optional functions attached to the setting function. By operating the cursor button 256 and the set button 254, the presence / absence of repeated display of wallpaper, the display time interval of wallpaper, the number of divisions of the background screen of the PC 10, and the like can be set.

  For example, the example of FIG. 5A is a diagram showing a setting example in the PC background setting mode. Here, the repeated display is “None”, the image display time interval is “None (0)”, and the PC wallpaper is divided. The number is set to “1 × 1”. This shows a general wallpaper display setting conventionally performed, and shows a case where one wallpaper is displayed on the screen.

  FIG. 5B is a diagram showing a setting example in the PC background setting mode. Here, the repeated display is “Y (Yes)”, the image display time interval is “15 seconds”, and the PC wallpaper division number is “ This shows a case where “2 × 2” is set. In this case, the display screen of the PC displaying the wallpaper is divided into four areas, and the display in each area is changed every 15 seconds.

  In this UI, the time of “display interval” is set by setting the cursor to the position of “0” and pointing the cursor button 256 upward, and the time value increases every 5 seconds. By indicating the direction, it can be specified that the time value decreases every 5 seconds. Similarly, the number of divisions can be set by moving the cursor to the position of the numeral and instructing the cursor button 256 upward or downward.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining an example of such a screen division. In this example, the screen of the monitor 12 of the PC 10 is divided into 2 × 2 and displayed. Here, the screen size is 1024 pixels in the horizontal direction and 768 pixels in the vertical direction.

  In this example, the area for setting the wallpaper of the PC 10 is logically divided into four areas. Respective divided logical areas are divided into a first area [A (1,1)] 301, a second area [A (1,2)] 302, and a third area [A from the upper left to the lower right of the screen, respectively. (2, 1)] 303 and the fourth area [A (2, 2)] 304. In this case, the size of each area is 512 (= 1024/2) pixels horizontally and 384 (= 768/2) pixels vertically.

  FIGS. 7A to 7H are diagrams for explaining the display order of images in the respective regions divided into 2 × 2.

  In this example, the number of images selected as wallpaper is 8, and the screen is divided into 2 × 2 areas. In this case, for each time set at the display time interval, as shown in FIGS. 7A to 7D, the image 1 (Pic.1) is sequentially displayed in the order of the first area to the fourth area. ~ Image 4 (Pic.4) is displayed. In this example, when the next display time interval elapses, all the images 1 to 4 displayed so far are deleted, and the next image 5 (Pic.5) is displayed in the first area 301. it's shown. 7 (F) to (H), images 6 (Pic. 6) to 8 (Pic. 8) are sequentially arranged in the order of the second area to the fourth area for each time set at the display time interval. ) Is displayed in each image area.

  Alternatively, a temporary work area may be provided in the RAM 191 of the PC 10, and the image 1 (Pic.1) image to the image 4 (Pic.4) may be combined and displayed in advance. In this case, FIG. 7D is first displayed on the monitor 12, and when the display time interval elapses, FIG. 7H is displayed.

  FIGS. 8A to 8D are diagrams illustrating modifications of FIGS. 7E to 7H. Here, after the images 1 to 4 are displayed as shown in FIG. 7D, when the next display time interval elapses, all the images 1 to 4 that have been displayed so far are not erased, and FIG. ), The next image 5 (Pic. 5) is displayed in the first area 301. 8B to 8D, images 6 (Pic. 6) to 8 (Pic. 8) are sequentially displayed in the corresponding areas for each time set at the display time interval. Yes. In this case, as shown in FIGS. 7E to 7H, there is no blank image area.

  Thus, by using the wallpaper display control according to the present embodiment, each image can be sequentially displayed like a slide show.

  FIGS. 9A to 9C are diagrams illustrating an example of wallpaper setting description information transferred from the digital camera 20 to the application software 110 of the PC 10 according to the present embodiment. This setting description information is information describing the display information of the wallpaper set in the digital camera 20 as described above.

  This setting description information is described in text, and describes information set in the PC background setting mode shown in FIGS. For example, the presence / absence of repeated display, the image display time interval, the number of divisions of the PC background screen, the total number of selected images, the path information in the storage medium 210 of each selected image, and the like are described. In the present embodiment, by describing the setting information in the text as described above, for example, even when data transfer between the digital camera 20 and the PC 10 is executed using PTP, arbitrary setting information is exchanged with the camera 20. Communication with the PC 10 is possible. PTP is an abbreviation for Picture Transfer Protocol.

  The PC 10 that has received the setting description information stores setting information such as presence / absence of repeated display, image display time interval, the number of divisions of the background screen of the PC, and the total number of selected images. Then, the image data of the selected image is read from the storage medium 210 of the digital camera 20 based on the path information of the image and stored in the hard disk 180. When it is time to actually display the wallpaper, the stored image data is read and displayed as wallpaper according to the setting information.

  In FIG. 9A, reference numeral 901 denotes a transfer mode, in which “PC background setting mode” is set. Reference numeral 902 denotes a repeated display. Here, the repeated display is set to “none”. Reference numeral 903 denotes an image display time interval, which is set to “none”, that is, “0” here. Reference numeral 904 denotes the number of divisions of the background screen of the PC, which is set to “1 × 1” here. Reference numeral 905 denotes the total number of selected images, which is [1] here. Reference numeral 906 denotes path information of the selected image, which describes “\ DCIM \ 100ABC \ IMG — 0001.JPG”.

  The PC 10 that has received the setting description information reads the image specified in 906 from the storage medium 210 of the digital camera 20 based on the path information, and does not divide the screen of the monitor 12 and the wallpaper on the entire screen. Display as.

  In FIG. 9B, the transfer mode is “PC background setting mode”, 910, and the repeated display is set to “present”. The image display time interval is “15 seconds” (911), and the PC background division number is “1 × 1” (912). The total number of selected images is “4” (913), and 914 describes the path information of these selected images 1 to 4. That is, the path information of these selected images 1 to 4 is “\ DCIM \ 100ABC \ IMG_0001.JPG” to “\ DCIM \ 100ABC \ IMG_0004.JPG”.

  The PC 10 that has received the setting description information displays the wallpaper without dividing the screen of the monitor 12. At this time, the first image read from “\ DCIM \ 100ABC \ IMG_0001.JPG” is displayed as wallpaper, and after 15 seconds, the second image read from “\ DCIM \ 100ABC \ IMG_0002.JPG” is displayed. Display as wallpaper. Similarly, when images up to image 4 are sequentially displayed here, since the repeated display is set to “Yes” 910, the images are again displayed on the screen of the monitor 12 as wallpaper sequentially from image 1 as described above.

  FIG. 9C shows that the transfer mode is “PC background setting mode”, the repeated display image “present” 920, the image display time interval image “20 seconds” 921, and the PC background division number “2 × 2”. 922 shows a case where the total number of selected images is “8” 923. Reference numeral 924 describes path information of the eight images 1 to 8 thus selected, that is, “\ DCIM \ 100ABC \ IMG_0001.JPG” to “\ DCIM \ 100ABC \ IMG_0008.JPG”.

  The PC 10 that has received the setting description information divides the screen of the monitor 12 into 2 × 2 and displays the wallpaper. At this time, for example, as shown in FIGS. 7 (A) to (H), or as shown in FIGS. 7 (A) to (D) and FIGS. 8 (A) to (D), 20 seconds each. Every time elapses, the displayed image is updated and displayed as wallpaper. After all the images are displayed, the repeated display is set to “Yes” 920, so that the images are again displayed on the screen of the monitor 12 as wallpaper sequentially from the image 1 as described above. Here, the display form is not limited to that shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, and images 1 to 4 are simultaneously displayed in a 2 × 2 region. After 20 seconds, the next image 5 to image 8 are displayed 2 × 2. You may make it display simultaneously on these areas.

  In FIG. 9, when image data is transferred from the digital camera 20 to the PC 10 without setting the wallpaper of the PC 10, “image transfer mode” is set as the transfer mode. The application software 110 of the PC 10 determines whether to store the image data from the digital camera 20 in the hard disk 180 of the PC 10 or to set it as the wallpaper of the PC 10 according to the transfer mode from the digital camera 20. Then, the subsequent processing is executed.

  Next, processing in the first embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  In the PC 10 according to the present embodiment, an application 110 for setting a wallpaper on the screen of the PC 10 is already installed. When connected to the digital camera 20, the application can be automatically activated by the image device management system 121 of the operating system 120. This is well known in a known OS (for example, Windows (registered trademark) 2000). In the case of an OS that does not automatically start, the user may start the application manually. In the digital camera 20, it is assumed that images taken by the user are stored in a removable storage medium 210.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining processing in the digital camera 20 according to the present embodiment. A program for executing this processing is stored in the ROM 209 and is executed under the control of the CPU of the arithmetic unit 202. In the flowchart of FIG. 10, the processing in steps S1 and S2 shows the operation procedure by the user, and the processing by the calculation unit 202 is after step S3.

  In step S1, the user operates the shooting / playback switching button 257 of the digital camera 20 to set the playback / PC connection mode. In step S <b> 2, when the digital camera 20 is connected to the PC 10 using the USB cable 22, the PC 10 detects that the digital camera 20 is connected and activates the application 110. In the present embodiment, the digital camera 20 and the PC 10 are described as being connected by a cable, but a wireless connection may be used. Further, the order of steps S1 and S2 is not limited to this. In step S3, an index of an image stored in the memory card 210 is displayed, and an image to be set as the wallpaper of the PC 10 is selected. Here, one or a plurality of images can be selected.

  In step S4, it is checked whether the PC background setting button 255 has been operated by the user. When the PC background setting button 255 is not operated, the process proceeds to step S5, and processing corresponding to the operated button or menu setting is executed.

  In step S4, when the PC background setting button 255 is operated by the user, the process proceeds to step S6. In step S6, the digital camera 20 shifts to the PC background setting mode. Then, for example, the screen shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B is displayed on the display unit 208, and the user can determine whether or not to repeatedly display, the image display time interval (unit: seconds), the number of divisions of the PC screen, and the like. Setting is performed using the cursor button 256 and the set button 254. In step S7, it is determined whether or not these set items have been confirmed. This can be determined, for example, by pressing the set button 254 for a predetermined time. If not confirmed, the process returns to step S6 to execute the above-described setting process. If confirmed, the process proceeds to step S8. In step S8, the digital camera 20 displays the information such as the presence / absence of repeated display, the image display time interval, the number of divisions of the PC wallpaper, and the selected image in the text format as shown in FIG. Send to.

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing processing executed by the PC 10 according to the present embodiment. A program for executing this processing is registered as application software 110.

  First, in step S11, when it is detected that the camera 20 is connected via the USB interface 130, the process proceeds to step S12, and the application software 110 is activated. In step S13, the process waits for reception of setting description information set in the digital camera 20 transmitted from the digital camera 20 in the above-described processing of the digital camera 20 (step S8). When this setting description information is received, the process proceeds to step S14, and it is checked whether or not the division number is set to “1”, that is, “1 × 1” in the setting description information. When the number of divisions is “1”, that is, when one image is displayed on the screen as wallpaper as in the conventional case, the process proceeds to step S15. In step S <b> 15, the PC 10 refers to the image path information described in the received setting description information and acquires image data from the memory card 210 of the digital camera 20. In step S16, the image is converted into a screen size, and the process proceeds to step S17. The acquired image data of image 1 is stored in the temporary area of the hard disk 180, and the image data and wallpaper setting information are stored in the wallpaper setting application. To hand. Thereby, the wallpaper setting application uses the data display function 114 to set and display the image data as the wallpaper of the PC 10. After completing the setting, the application software 110 deletes the image 1 stored in the temporary area of the hard disk 180.

  This is the case, for example, when the setting description information is shown in FIG. Based on this setting description information, the application software 110 uses the PC background setting mode for the transfer mode, “None” for the repeated display setting, “0” for the image display time interval, “1 × 1” for the PC screen division, The number of images is recognized as “1”. Then, the image 1 (IMG_0001.JPG) of the removable storage medium 210 whose path information of the digital camera 20 is “\ DCIM \ 100ABC \ IMG_0001.JPG” is read and displayed as wallpaper.

  On the other hand, if it is set in step S14 to divide the screen displaying the wallpaper, the process proceeds to step S18. In step S 18, the application software 110 acquires the image data of the image 1 set by the setting description information from the digital camera 20 based on the path information of the removable storage medium 210. In step S 19, the acquired image data of image 1 is scaled according to the size of the divided area and stored in the temporary area of the hard disk 180. Next, in step S20, it is checked whether the image data of all the selected images has been acquired. If all the images have not been captured, the process returns to step S18 to acquire the next selected image data. Execute the process.

  When the image data of all the selected images are acquired in step S20, the process proceeds to step S21 to notify the digital camera 20 that the acquisition of image data is completed. As a result, the digital camera 20 and the PC 10 can be separated. Next, in step S22, the image is displayed as the wallpaper of the PC 10 by the wallpaper display application. This process will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  This is the case where the setting description information is, for example, that shown in FIG. Based on the setting description information, the application software 110 sets the transfer mode to the PC background setting mode, the repeated display setting to “Yes”, the image display time interval to “20”, the PC screen division to “2 × 2”, the total image The number is recognized as “8”. Then, from the image 1 whose path information of the digital camera 20 is “\ DCIM \ 100ABC \ IMG_0001.JPG” to the image 8 whose path information is “\ DCIM \ 100ABC \ IMG_0008.JPG” is sequentially read from the memory card 210 of the digital camera 20. . Then, each is converted into a quarter size (512 pixels wide and 384 pixels long) of the screen and stored in the temporary area of the hard disk 180.

  In the above example, processing for deleting an image acquired from the digital camera 20 stored in the temporary area is performed. However, when the application software 110 has a function of designating a folder for saving an image in the PC background setting mode, the image acquired from the digital camera 20 may be saved in the designated folder without being deleted.

Further, the application software (110) may additionally write the path information of the image stored in the setting description information, and reproduce the image set as the background of the PC based on the added setting description information.
FIG. 12 is a flowchart for explaining a wallpaper display process (step S22) by the wallpaper display application according to the present embodiment.

  First, in step S31, the number of divided areas (N) and the total number of selected images (T) are acquired from the setting description information described above. In step S32, the variables n and t for counting the number of areas and the number of images are initialized to “1”. In step S33, the t-th image t is set as the n-th area n and displayed as a wallpaper. In step S34, the display time interval set in the setting description information described above is acquired, and the process waits for the time to elapse. This is performed based on the time measured by a timer (not shown). When the time has elapsed, the process proceeds to step S35, and the variable n for counting the area is incremented by one. In step S36, it is checked whether the value of the variable n is equal to or greater than the number of divided areas (N). If not, the process proceeds to step S38, and the variable t for counting the number of images is incremented by one. Then, it is checked whether or not the value of the variable t is equal to or greater than the total number T of images. When the value of the variable t is not equal to or greater than the total number T of images, or after executing step S41, in step S40, the t-th image t is assigned to the n-th image region n and displayed as wallpaper. In step S36, if the value of variable n is equal to or greater than the number of divided areas (N), the process proceeds to step S37, the value of variable n is set to “1”, and the process proceeds to step S38.

  As a result, as shown in FIGS. 7A to 7D and FIGS. 8A to 8D, the first image 1 to the image 8 in order are displayed in respective corresponding image areas. Each one is displayed sequentially. In the example of FIG. 7, after all the image areas (image areas 1 to 4) are displayed, all the image areas are cleared. This can be realized, for example, by clearing all image areas in step S37 in the flowchart of FIG.

  Further, as described above, images 1 to 4 are simultaneously displayed in each of the four image areas, and after the image display time interval has elapsed, the remaining images 5 to 8 are displayed in the image areas 1 to 4. May be repeated. In this case, in step S33 of FIG. 12, images (images 1 to 4) respectively corresponding to all image regions are simultaneously displayed, and after the display time interval has elapsed in step S34, the remaining images 5 to 8 are displayed. What is necessary is just to display simultaneously on all the image areas.

  Further, by performing the processing shown in the flowchart of FIG. 12, when the number of divided image areas is not equal to the total number of selected images, or the total number of selected images is divided into images. Even if it is not an integer multiple of the number of areas, it can be dealt with.

  In the above-described embodiment, the digital camera 20 has a function of setting the number of divisions of the background of the PC 10, but the application software 110 may have a function of setting the number of divisions of the wallpaper of the PC 10. .

[Second Embodiment]
In the first embodiment, the PC 10 converts the size of an image used as wallpaper according to the screen size of the monitor 12. When the background of the PC 10 is divided, the size of the image used as the wallpaper is converted into a size after the division by the PC 10 and synthesized.

  On the other hand, in the second embodiment, the digital camera 20 acquires the screen size of the monitor 12, and the digital camera 20 converts the size of an image used as wallpaper. Further, when the background of the PC 10 is divided, the digital camera 20 generates a composite image corresponding to the number of divisions in advance and transmits it to the PC 10.

  Thereby, in many cases, the amount of data transmitted from the digital camera 20 to the PC 10 is reduced, and the time required for transmission can be shortened. This is because the image size captured by the digital camera 20 is generally larger than the screen size of the monitor 12, and the size conversion is often a size reduction. This is particularly noticeable when the background of the PC 10 is divided and the size per image becomes smaller.

  Note that the configuration of the PC 10 and the digital camera 20 is the same as that of the first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted.

  FIGS. 13A and 13B show display examples (UI) displayed on the display unit 208 of the digital camera 20 when the PC background setting button 255 is pressed in the digital camera 20 according to the present embodiment. It is a figure explaining.

  In FIG. 13A, the repeated display is “None”, the image display time interval is “15 seconds”, the number of divisions of the PC wallpaper is “1 × 1”, and the resized transfer is “Y (Yes)”. Is set.

  In FIG. 13B, the repeated display is “None”, the image display time interval is “15 seconds”, the PC background division number is “2 × 2”, and the combined transfer is “Y (Yes)”. Is set.

  When the number of divisions is “1 × 1”, the situation of “compositing and transferring” cannot occur, and when “combining and transferring”, the digital camera 20 sets the image size to the number of divisions and the screen of the monitor 12. Convert according to size. Therefore, the UI displayed on the display unit 208 is configured to switch between FIG. 13A and FIG. 13B depending on whether the number of divisions is “1 × 1” or other.

  FIGS. 14A and 14B are diagrams illustrating an example of wallpaper setting description information transferred from the digital camera 20 to the application software 110 of the PC 10 according to the present embodiment. This setting description information is information describing the display information of the wallpaper set in the digital camera 20 as described above.

  First, in the setting shown in FIG. 13A, a case where four images to be set as the wallpaper of the PC 10 are selected by the digital camera 20 will be described. The background area of the PC 10 is 768 pixels vertically and 1024 pixels horizontally, and the sizes of the four images selected by the digital camera 20 are 1200 pixels vertically and 1600 pixels horizontally, respectively.

  The digital camera 20 converts the size of the selected image (from \ DCIM \ 100ABC \ IMG_0001.JPG to \ DCIM \ 100ABC \ IMG_0004.JPG) to 768 pixels vertically and 1024 pixels horizontally. The digital camera 20 stores the converted image in the removable storage medium 210 as \ DCIM \ 100ABC \ TMP_0004.JPG from \ DCIM \ 100ABC \ TMP_0001.JPG. The setting description information in this case is as shown in FIG.

  Next, the case where eight images to be set as the wallpaper of the PC 10 are selected by the digital camera 20 in the setting shown in FIG. 13B will be described. The background area of the PC 10 and the size of the selected image are the same as in the case of FIG.

  The digital camera 20 converts the size of the selected image (from \ DCIM \ 100ABC \ IMG_0001.JPG to \ DCIM \ 100ABC \ IMG_0008.JPG) to 384 pixels vertically and 512 pixels horizontally. The digital camera 20 synthesizes the converted images to generate the images shown in FIGS. 7A to 7H, and is removable from \ DCIM \ 100ABC \ TMP_0001.JPG as \ DCIM \ 100ABC \ TMP_0008.JPG Save to 210. The setting description information in this case is as shown in FIG.

  Next, processing in the second embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  Similar to the first embodiment, an application 110 for setting wallpaper on the screen of the PC 10 is already installed in the PC 10 according to the present embodiment. When connected to the digital camera 20, the application can be automatically activated by the image device management system 121 of the operating system 120.

  FIG. 15 is a flowchart for explaining processing in the digital camera 20 according to the present embodiment. A program for executing this processing is stored in the ROM 209 and is executed under the control of the CPU of the arithmetic unit 202. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the step which performs the same process as 1st Embodiment (refer FIG. 10), and description is abbreviate | omitted.

  In step S31, the digital camera 20 shifts to the PC background setting mode. This process is the same as step S6 except that “resizing and transferring” and “combining and transferring” shown in FIGS. 13A and 13B are added as settable items.

  In step S <b> 32, the digital camera 20 determines whether “Resize and transfer” or “Combine and transfer” is set (“Y”). If not set, the process is the same as in the first embodiment, so the process proceeds to step S8, and then the process ends. If set, the process proceeds to step S33.

  In step S <b> 33, the digital camera 20 acquires the size of the background area (here, vertical 768 pixels, horizontal 1024 pixels) from the PC 10.

  In step S34, the digital camera 20 performs size conversion or composition of the image selected in step S3. When the number of divisions is “1 × 1”, the size of the image is converted into the size of the background area. When the number of divisions is other than “1 × 1”, for example, “2 × 2”, the image size is converted to 384 pixels vertically and 512 pixels horizontally, as shown in FIGS. Synthesize. In step S8, the setting description information is transmitted to the PC 10, and the process is terminated.

  FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing processing executed by the PC 10 according to this embodiment, and a program for executing this processing is registered as application software 110. Steps that perform the same processing as in the first embodiment (see FIG. 11) are assigned the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof are omitted.

  In step S51, the PC 10 determines whether or not the digital camera 20 has requested information on the size of the background area. If so, the process proceeds to step S52. If not, the process returns to step S13.

  In step S <b> 52, the PC 10 transmits the size of the background area to the digital camera 20.

  In step S <b> 53, the PC 10 determines whether “Resize and transfer” or “Combine and transfer” included in the setting description information is set (“Y”). If not set, the process is the same as in the first embodiment, and the process proceeds to step S56. Step S56 is equivalent to steps S14 to S22 in FIG. If set, the process proceeds to step S54.

  In step S <b> 54, the PC 10 refers to the image path information described in the setting description information and acquires image data from the memory card 210 of the digital camera 20.

  In step S55, the PC 10 performs wallpaper display according to the contents described in the setting description information.

  In this embodiment, after saving the image whose size has been converted or synthesized, the setting description information is transferred to the PC. However, when the setting description information in which the selected image information is described is transferred to the PC 10 without converting or synthesizing the size of the selected image, the image whose size is converted or synthesized when the image is transferred to the PC 10 May be transferred.

  In the present embodiment, a total of eight composite images are generated by the digital camera 20 (see FIG. 14B), but two images of only the fourth and eighth composite images may be transferred. In this case, only two images are included in the setting description information, and only two images are set as the wallpaper of the PC 10. If the number of selected images is seven, for example, the fourth and seventh composite images may be transferred.

  Further, even when only the fourth and eighth composite images are transferred, the images set as the wallpaper of the PC 10 can be made into eight patterns as shown in FIGS. This is because the PC 10 can generate a combined image of all the patterns in FIG. 7 from FIGS. 7D and 7H by changing the portion not to be displayed to a transparent color. By doing so, the amount of data transmitted by the digital camera 20 can be reduced, and the transmission time can be shortened.

  As described above, in this embodiment, the digital camera 20 acquires the screen size of the monitor 12, and the digital camera 20 converts the size of an image used as wallpaper. Further, when the background of the PC 10 is divided, the digital camera 20 generates a composite image corresponding to the number of divisions in advance and transmits it to the PC 10.

  Thereby, in many cases, the amount of data transmitted from the digital camera 20 to the PC 10 is reduced, and the time required for transmission can be shortened. This is because the image size captured by the digital camera 20 is generally larger than the screen size of the monitor 12, and the size conversion is often a size reduction. This is particularly noticeable when the background of the PC 10 is divided and the size per image becomes smaller.

[Third Embodiment]
In the first and second embodiments, the aspect ratio of the background size of the PC 10 and the image size captured by the digital camera 20 is assumed to be 3: 4, and the case where the aspect ratios do not match is not considered. In the third embodiment, a case where the aspect ratio of the background size of the PC 10 and the image size captured by the digital camera 20 is different will be described.

  Note that the configuration of the PC 10 and the digital camera 20 is the same as that of the first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 17, the size of the image selected by the digital camera 20 is 1200 pixels long and 1600 pixels wide (aspect ratio 3: 4), the background of the PC 10 is 768 pixels long and 1280 pixels wide (aspect ratio 3: 5). ) And the number of background divisions of the PC is “2 × 2”.

  In this case, when the background of the PC 10 is divided, the divided areas are 384 pixels long and 640 pixels wide. Therefore, the PC 10 or the digital camera 20 may perform image processing by converting the image to 384 pixels in length and 640 pixels in width without maintaining the aspect ratio of the image, and may perform image synthesis.

  In order to maintain the aspect ratio, for example, the image is converted into a size that can be displayed at the maximum in the divided area (in this case, 384 pixels in the vertical direction and 512 pixels in the horizontal direction). Placed in the center of the selected area. As shown in FIG. 18, the region of 112 pixels horizontally and 384 pixels vertically formed at both ends may be filled with a single color (for example, white).

  Here, the case where the aspect ratio of the image size is longer than the aspect ratio of the background of the PC 10 has been described as an example. However, the same is true even when the aspect ratio of the image size is longer than the aspect ratio of the background of the PC 10. That is, the size of the image can be converted according to the horizontal length of the background of the PC 10, and the upper and lower areas of the background of the PC 10 can be filled with a single color (for example, white).

  In addition, when a rotation flag is added to an image stored by a digital camera, image processing for converting the image to 384 pixels vertically and 512 pixels horizontally may be performed without considering the rotation flag. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 19, the image may be synthesized after the image is rotated and converted into 288 pixels vertically and 384 pixels horizontally after considering the rotation flag. Also in this case, the region of 176 pixels in the horizontal direction and 384 pixels in the vertical direction is filled with, for example, white.

  As described above, the image held by the digital camera 20 can be set as the wallpaper of the PC 10 without being aware of the relationship between the background size of the PC 10 and the image size.

[Other Embodiments]
The processing of each embodiment described above may provide a system or apparatus with a storage medium storing software program codes embodying each function. The functions of the above-described embodiments can be realized by the computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus reading and executing the program code stored in the storage medium. In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiment, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention. As a storage medium for supplying such a program code, for example, a floppy (registered trademark) disk, a hard disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, or the like can be used. Alternatively, a CD-ROM, CD-R, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, ROM, or the like can be used.

  The functions of the above-described embodiments are not only realized by executing the program code read by the computer. In some cases, an OS (operating system) running on the computer performs part or all of the actual processing based on the instruction of the program code, and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing. include.

  Further, the program code read from the storage medium may be written in a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer. After that, the CPU of the function expansion board or function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing based on the instruction of the program code, and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing. Is also included.

It is a figure explaining the system configuration concerning each embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the function structure of PC concerning each embodiment. It is a functional block diagram which shows the function structure of the digital camera which concerns on each embodiment. It is a figure explaining the back composition of the digital camera concerning each embodiment. 6 is a diagram illustrating a display example on a display unit of a digital camera when a PC background setting button is pressed in the digital camera according to the first embodiment. FIG. It is a figure explaining the example of a division of the screen concerning a 1st embodiment. In each embodiment, it is a figure explaining the display order of the image to each area | region divided | segmented into 2x2. It is a figure explaining the modification of FIG.7 (E)-(H). It is a figure explaining an example of the setting description information of the wallpaper transferred from the digital camera which concerns on 1st Embodiment to the application software of PC. It is a flowchart explaining the process in the digital camera which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart explaining the process by PC concerning 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart explaining the display process of the wallpaper of step S22 of FIG. In the digital camera which concerns on 2nd Embodiment, it is a figure explaining the example of a display on the display part of a digital camera when a PC background setting button is pressed down. It is a figure explaining an example of the setting description information of the wallpaper transferred from the digital camera which concerns on 2nd Embodiment to the application software of PC. It is a flowchart explaining the process in the digital camera which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart explaining the process by PC concerning 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure explaining the example of a division of the screen concerning a 3rd embodiment. It is a figure explaining one area | region of the divided | segmented screen which concerns on 3rd Embodiment. It is a figure explaining one area | region of the divided | segmented screen which concerns on 3rd Embodiment.

Claims (29)

An image supply device for transferring image information to an information processing device,
Selecting means for selecting an image to be a background image of the information processing apparatus;
Obtaining means for obtaining a background size which is a size of a background image display area of the information processing apparatus;
Generating means for converting the image size of the image selected by the selection means based on the background size to generate the background image;
Transfer means for transferring setting information of a background image including the background image generated by the generation means to the information processing apparatus;
An image supply apparatus comprising:   The image supply apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the setting information includes information indicating a display form of a background image in the information processing apparatus.   The image supply apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the setting information includes information for dividing a screen of the information processing apparatus into a plurality of regions.   The generation means converts the image size of the image selected by the selection means based on one area size of the plurality of areas instead of the background size, and converts the converted image to each of the plurality of areas. The image supply device according to claim 3, wherein the background image is generated by arranging and synthesizing the image.   The generation means maintains the aspect ratio of the image when the aspect ratio of the background size or one area size of the plurality of areas does not match the aspect ratio of the image selected by the selection means. 5. The image supply device according to claim 3, wherein the size of the image is converted so as to be within the background size or the region size.   6. The image according to claim 5, wherein the generation unit further paints a portion of the background image display area or one of the plurality of areas that does not include the converted image with a single color. Feeding device.   The said generation means produces | generates the said background image, after rotating this image based on the said rotation flag, when the rotation flag is added to the said image as incidental information. The image supply device according to any one of the above.   The image supply device according to claim 1, wherein the setting information includes information indicating an update time of a background image in the information processing device. Furthermore, the storage unit for storing the background image generated by the generation unit,
9. The image supply device according to claim 1, wherein the setting information includes path information of image data of the background image stored in the storage unit.   The image supply device according to claim 1, wherein the setting information is transferred to the information processing device in a text format. An information processing apparatus for displaying image information input from an image supply apparatus,
Receiving means for receiving setting information of a background image from the image supply device;
Obtaining means for obtaining image data of an image included in the setting information received by the receiving means from the image supply device;
Display control means for displaying the image data acquired by the acquisition means as a background image according to the setting information;
An information processing apparatus comprising: When the setting information includes information indicating the update time of the background image in the information processing apparatus, the setting information has time measuring means for measuring the display time,
The information processing apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the display control unit controls display of the background image based on the time measured by the time measuring unit and the update time.   The information processing according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the acquisition unit acquires image data from the image supply device based on path information in which image data included in the setting information is stored. apparatus.   The information processing apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the setting information is transferred from the image supply apparatus in a text format. An image supply method for transferring image information to an information processing apparatus,
A selection step of selecting an image to be a background image of the information processing apparatus;
An acquisition step of acquiring a background size that is a size of a background image display area of the information processing apparatus;
A generation step of generating the background image by converting an image size of the image selected by the selection step based on the background size;
A transfer step of transferring setting information of a background image including the background image generated by the generation step to the information processing device;
An image supply method comprising:   The image supply method according to claim 15, wherein the setting information includes information indicating a display form of a background image in the information processing apparatus.   The image supply method according to claim 15 or 16, wherein the setting information includes information for dividing a screen of the information processing apparatus into a plurality of regions.   The generating step converts the image size of the image selected by the selection step based on one region size of the plurality of regions instead of the background size, and converts the converted image to each of the plurality of regions. The image supply method according to claim 17, wherein the background image is generated by arranging and synthesizing.   The generation step maintains the aspect ratio of the image when the aspect ratio of the background size or one region size of the plurality of regions does not match the aspect ratio of the image selected by the selection step. The image supply method according to claim 17 or 18, wherein the size of the image is converted so as to be within the background size or the region size.   The image according to claim 19, wherein the generating step further includes painting a portion of the background image display area or the plurality of areas that does not include the converted image with a single color. Supply method.   21. The background image is generated by rotating the image based on the rotation flag when the rotation flag is added to the image as supplementary information. The image supply method according to any one of the above.   The image supply method according to any one of claims 15 to 21, wherein the setting information includes information indicating an update time of a background image in the information processing apparatus. Furthermore, the storage step of storing the background image generated by the generation step,
The image supply method according to any one of claims 15 to 22, wherein the setting information includes path information of image data of the background image stored in the storage step.   The image supply method according to any one of claims 15 to 23, wherein the setting information is transferred to the information processing apparatus in a text format. An information processing method for displaying image information input from an image supply device,
A receiving step of receiving setting information of a background image from the image supply device;
An acquisition step of acquiring image data of an image included in the setting information received by the reception step from the image supply device;
A display control step of displaying the image data acquired by the acquisition step as a background image according to the setting information;
An information processing method characterized by comprising: When the setting information includes information indicating the update time of the background image in the information processing method, it has a time measuring step of measuring the display time,
26. The information processing method according to claim 25, wherein the display control step controls the display of the background image based on the time measurement by the time measurement step and the update time.   27. The information processing according to claim 25 or 26, wherein the acquiring step acquires image data from the image supply device based on path information in which image data included in the setting information is stored. Method.   28. The information processing method according to claim 25, wherein the setting information is transferred from the image supply device in a text format. An information processing system in which a camera and a computer device are functionally connected,
The camera
Generating means for generating an image for wallpaper to be displayed on the wallpaper of the computer device from the held image;
Setting means for setting the wallpaper image and its display form;
Transmitting means for transmitting setting information describing the wallpaper image and its display form to the computer device, the computer device,
Acquisition means for acquiring image data of an image for wallpaper described in the setting information from the camera;
Display control means for displaying the wallpaper image acquired by the acquisition means in accordance with the display form of the wallpaper image included in the setting information;
An information processing system comprising:

Images