JP2008203846A - Electrophotograph stand - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To display different images for appreciation in all display parts even if a plurality of photograph stands are arranged side by side. <P>SOLUTION: An electrophotograph stand is provided with: a display part for displaying an image for appreciation; a communication means for communicating with external equipment provided with the display part; and a control means for making control so as to select an image from among the plurality of the images for appreciation and so as to display the image in the display part. The control means makes control so as to display the images for appreciation different from each other in the respective display parts when the communication with the external equipment via the communication means is made, thereby preventing the same images from being appreciated even if the plurality of the photograph stands are arranged side by side. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an electrophotographic frame that electronically displays an ornamental image.

Digital photo frames have been commercialized by Sony as devices for displaying ornamental images input from input devices such as digital cameras.
Further, as an electrophotographic frame for displaying an information image such as a calendar together with an ornamental image, techniques described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open Nos. 9-308558 and 10-83146 have been proposed.

  However, the above prior art does not disclose display control when a plurality of electrophotographic frames are connected. For this reason, when a plurality of electronic photo stands are installed side by side, the same ornamental image may be displayed.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, in the electronic photo frame, the display unit that displays an ornamental image, a communication unit that communicates with an external device including the display unit, and a plurality of ornamental images are selected and displayed. Control means for controlling to display on the display unit, and when the control means is able to communicate with the external device via the communication means, the control means for controlling to display different ornamental images on each display unit It was. Thereby, for example, even when a plurality of photo frames are installed side by side, different ornamental images can be displayed on all the display units.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the electrophotographic frame of the first aspect, the electronic photo frame includes switching means for switching an ornamental image to be displayed on a display unit of the electrophotographic frame, and the control means is configured to switch the electrophotographic image by the switching means. When the ornamental image to be displayed on the vertical display unit is switched, the display unit of the external device displays the electrophotographic frame after switching to the ornamental image displayed on the display unit of the electrophotographic frame before switching. The display is controlled to display an ornamental image other than the ornamental image displayed on the display unit. Thus, different ornamental images can be displayed in a plurality of photo frames, and the image that was displayed before switching after the viewing is stopped is not displayed, so there is no need to switch again.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the electrophotographic frame of the first aspect, the electronic photographic frame includes switching means for switching an ornamental image to be displayed on a display unit of the electrophotographic frame, and the control means is configured to switch the electrophotographic image by the switching means. Configuration for controlling to switch the ornamental image displayed on the display unit of the external device when the ornamental image displayed on the vertical display unit is switched to the ornamental image displayed on the display unit of the external device It was. Thereby, it can maintain displaying a different ornamental image on a some display part.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the electronic photo frame of the first aspect, the electronic photo frame includes a switching unit that switches an ornamental image to be displayed on the display unit of the electrophotographic frame, and the switching unit is provided on the display unit of the external device. It is configured to prohibit switching to the displayed ornamental image. Thereby, it can maintain displaying a different ornamental image on a some display part.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the electrophotographic frame according to the first aspect, the communication unit transmits an ornamental image to be displayed on the display unit of the external device to the external device. As a result, the viewing image of the electronic photo stand can be displayed on the display unit of the external device.
According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the electrophotographic frame of the first aspect, the electronic photographic frame includes switching means for switching an ornamental image to be displayed on the display unit of the electrophotographic frame, and the control unit has an ornamental image on the external device. In this case, the switching means controls to switch to an ornamental image that the external device has. As a result, the ornamental image of the external device can be displayed on the display unit of the electrophotographic frame.

(Embodiment 1)
Hereinafter, the electrophotographic frame of the first embodiment will be described. The electronic photo frame according to the first embodiment is an electronic image that is used for an ornamental image that is an image input by a digital camera, a scanner, or the like, and an information image for transmitting information such as a calendar, time, and a message. It has a function to display.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the appearance of the electrophotographic frame of the first embodiment. The electrophotographic frame of the first embodiment includes a frame 1 and a pedestal 2. 2 and 3 are external views of the frame 1 in the electrophotographic frame of the first embodiment, and FIG. 4 is an external view of a pedestal in the electrophotographic frame of the first embodiment.
First, the frame 1 will be described. As shown in FIG. 2, a display unit 107, a remote control light receiving unit 113, and a speaker 127 are provided on the front surface of the frame 1. As shown in FIG. 3, a menu button 121, an up button 123, a down button 124, a determination button 125, a rotation button 122, a power button 126, a power supply unit 120, and an IEEE1394 connector 117 are provided on the back surface of the frame 1. ing. A card slot 103 and two connection terminals 118 and 119 are provided on the side surface of the frame 1.

  The display unit 107 is a liquid crystal display device that displays ornamental images, information images, and menu images. The display unit 107 has a rectangular shape in which the ratio of length to width is different. The menu button 121 is a button operated to shift to a menu setting environment where various settings can be made. The up button 123 is a button operated when various settings are selected. The down button 124 is a button that is operated when various settings are selected, like the up button 123. The determination button 125 is a button operated to determine the setting selected by the up button 123 and the down button 124. The rotation button 122 is a button operated to rotate the ornamental image by 90 degrees. The power button 126 is a button for turning on and off the main power of the electrophotographic frame 1. The remote control light receiving unit 113 is a light receiving device that receives a signal using infrared rays from a remote control device (not shown). The remote control device is provided with buttons similar to the menu button 121, the up button 123, the down button 124, the enter button 125, and the rotation button 122 provided on the frame 1, and various settings can be performed by button operation. .

  The card slot 103 is an insertion unit for inserting a card type memory used in a digital camera such as a compact flash, a smart media, and a memory stick and reading data. The power supply unit 120 is equipped with a power supply, for example, four AA rechargeable batteries, and supplies power to each device inside the frame 1. In addition, the power supply unit 120 is provided at a position where the center of gravity is located near the bottom of the frame 1 so that the frame 1 is stable when the frame 1 is stood and placed, regardless of whether the frame 1 is stood in a vertical posture or a horizontal posture. . The connection terminals 118 and 119 are provided on the lateral side surface and the longitudinal side surface of the frame 1. The connection terminals 118 and 119 are used to determine whether the posture of the frame 1 is a vertical posture or a horizontal posture by detecting a terminal that is connected when mounted on a pedestal 2 described later. Each of the connection terminals 118 and 119 is electrically connected to a power supply circuit 115 described later. The IEEE1394 connector 117 is a connector for connecting an IEEE1394 cable. The speaker 127 is for reproducing audio data.

  Next, the base 2 will be described. The pedestal 2 is used when the frame 1 is leaned in the horizontal posture or the vertical posture, and is also used for detecting whether the frame 1 is in the horizontal posture or the vertical posture. Further, the pedestal 2 supplies power to the frame 1 from an external commercial power source using the built-in AC adapter 204. The pedestal 2 includes a protrusion 201, a connection terminal 202, and a cable 203.

  The protrusion 201 is for fixing with the frame 1 interposed therebetween. The connection terminal 202 is a connection terminal that is electrically connected to any one of the connection terminals 118 and 119 of the frame 1 in a state where the frame 1 is fixed by the protruding portion 201. The connection terminal 202 is also used as a power supply terminal for transmitting power from a commercial power supply supplied via the cable 203 and the AC adapter 204 to the frame 1. The cable 203 is a cable for connecting to a commercial power source.

5 and 6 are diagrams showing the function of the electrophotographic frame in blocks. FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram of the frame 1 and FIG.
First, the function of the frame 1 will be described with reference to FIG. The CPU 101 is a control unit for executing functions that can be performed in the frame 1. The card driver 102 is driven to read data in the card type memory inserted into the card slot 103. The memory 104 is a nonvolatile memory for storing an ornamental image. The memory 104 is also a memory that stores programs for displaying ornamental images and information images, display settings, and the like. The memory driver 105 is a circuit for driving the memory 104. The image processing circuit 106 converts the ornamental image or the like according to various display settings such as a 90-degree rotation of the ornamental image. The display driver 108 drives the display unit 107 and controls an image displayed on the display unit 107. The buffer memory 109 is a volatile memory that temporarily stores an ornamental image. It is also used as a display image memory to be displayed on the display unit 107. The JPEG decoder 110 decompresses a still image compressed and recorded by the JPEG method so that it can be reproduced. The MPEG decoder 111 decompresses a moving image compressed and recorded by the MPEG method so as to be reproducible. The audio processing circuit 128 is a circuit that processes an audio signal so that it can be output by the speaker 127. The switch circuit 112 is electrically connected to various buttons, detects operations of the various buttons, and transmits them to the CPU 101. The remote control receiving unit 113 converts the infrared signal from the remote control into a predetermined signal and transmits it to the switch driver. The switch circuit 112 analyzes a signal from the remote control receiver and transmits it to the CPU 101. The external button 114 is a generic name for all the various buttons described above. The external button 114 transmits a signal to the switch circuit 112 when various buttons are operated.

  The power supply circuit 115 is electrically connected to the power supply unit 120 and supplies power to various devices in the frame 1. Further, in a state where the frame 1 and the pedestal 2 are connected, the power supply circuit 115 prioritizes the power supply from the power supply unit 120 and uses the power supplied from the pedestal 2 via the connection terminals 118 and 119 to generate the frame. In addition to supplying electric power to the various devices within 1, the rechargeable battery is charged when the rechargeable battery is attached to the power supply unit 120. The IEEE1394 interface 116 is an interface for transmitting / receiving image data, control signals, and the like to / from an IEEE1394 interface provided in an external device. In addition, the control shown in the flow chart is performed by connecting to another frame via an IEEE1394 cable. The IEEE1394 connector 117 is a connector for electrically connecting the IEEE1394 interface 116 and the IEEE1394 cable.

Next, the function of the base 2 is demonstrated using FIG.
As described above, the connection terminal 202 is a connection terminal that is electrically connected to one of the connection terminals 118 and 119 of the frame 1 in a state where the frame 1 is fixed. The cable 203 is a cable for connecting the AC adapter 204 and a commercial power source. The AC adapter 204 converts the power from the commercial power supplied via the cable 203 so that the frame 1 can handle it.

Hereinafter, the display operation of the electrophotographic frame according to the first embodiment will be described. First, the outline of the display operation in the electrophotographic frame of the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 7, 8, and 9.
7, 8, and 9 are diagrams illustrating display examples of the display unit 107 of the frame 1. This is a display example in a case where image data taken with a digital camera or the like is displayed as an ornamental image, and further, the time is overlapped with the ornamental image for display. In general, image data used for an ornamental image is different in the ratio of length to length. The display unit 107 of the frame 1 of the first embodiment is also adapted to the aspect ratio of the ornamental image. For example, if you want to change the head of the airplane shown in FIG. 7 from right to down (turn 90 degrees), the aspect ratio is different, so the image on the display is not rotated, but the frame 1 itself is rotated. Let However, when the frame 1 is rotated, it is difficult to see if the time displayed overlapping the ornamental image is also rotated together with the frame 1. Thus, in the electrophotographic frame of the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, the display of the information image such as the time is controlled in accordance with the posture of the frame 1.

  Further, when it is desired to change the head of the airplane shown in FIG. 8 from downward to upward (rotate 180 degrees), it can be realized by rotating the frame 1 itself by 180 degrees. This is realized by rotating the image on the display based on the connection relationship with. However, if the displayed image is rotated, the time display is reversed. Therefore, in the electronic photo frame of the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9, display is controlled so that an ornamental image such as an airplane photo and an information image such as time can be rotated independently.

In addition, when there are a plurality of electronic photo frames, control is performed so that different images can be viewed without displaying the same viewing image on the display section of each frame.
Next, display control in the electrophotographic frame of Embodiment 1 will be described in detail. Display control executed by the CPU 101 in the frame 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 10, 11, 15, and 19.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a main flowchart of display control in the electrophotographic frame according to the first embodiment. The flowchart shown in FIG. 10 starts when the power button 126 of the frame 1 is pressed or the card-type memory is inserted into the frame 1 to turn on the power. First, in step S100, it is detected whether another frame (frame 2) is connected. Detection of connection with the frame 2 is performed by communication between the IEEE1394 interface of the frame 1 and the IEEE1394 interface of the frame 2. When the connection with the frame 2 is detected, the process proceeds to step S401 shown in FIG. When the connection with the frame 2 is not detected, the process proceeds to step S101. In step S101, it is detected whether a card type memory is attached to the frame 1 and an image file exists in the card type memory. When the image file exists, the process proceeds to step S102, and when it does not exist, the process proceeds to step S103. In step S102, the latest image file existing in the card type memory is read out. The read image file is decompressed by the JPEG decoder 110 and used as an ornamental image. In step S103, the image data stored in the memory 104 is read. The read image data is used as an ornamental image. Here, when the card-type memory is installed, the reason why the image file in the card-type memory is preferentially read out over the image file in the memory 104 is that the image in the memory 104 is already newer than the image in the memory 104. This is because there is a high possibility of wanting to view images.

  In step S104, the image processing circuit 106 changes the size of the read ornamental image to a display size suitable for display on the display unit 107, and stores it in the buffer memory 109. In step S105, the previously stored display setting is read from the memory 104 and stored in the buffer memory 109. In step S 106, the image processing circuit 106 forms a display image according to the ornamental image stored in the buffer memory 109 and the display setting, and displays the display image on the display unit 107. Details of this step will be described with reference to FIG. In step S107, it is detected whether or not the menu button 121 has been operated. If detected, the process proceeds to step S108, and if not detected, the process proceeds to step S112. In step S108, the menu mode is set and display setting is performed. Details of this step will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. When the display setting in this step is completed, the process returns to step S106.

  In step S109, it is detected whether or not the up button 123 and the down button 124 are operated to instruct to change the ornamental image. If any button operation is detected, the process proceeds to step S110. If no button operation is detected, the process proceeds to step S112. The up button 123 and the down button 124 are used for changing the ornamental image when the menu mode is not set. Even if the display setting for displaying the ornamental image is not performed before the up button 123 and the down button 124 are operated, the card type memory or the memory is stored by operating the up button 123 and the down button 124. Display setting is performed in step S114, which will be described later, so that the image data stored in 104 can be selected and displayed as an ornamental image. If there is no image data other than the currently displayed ornamental image in the card-type memory or the memory 104, the operation of the up button 123 and the down button 124 is not accepted and there is no image data. Control to display. When frame 2 is connected to frame 1, image data stored in a card-type memory or a built-in memory attached to another frame can be selected.

  In step S110, the image data selected by operating the up button 123 and the down button 124 in step S109 is read from the card type memory or the memory 104. In step S111, the ornamental image stored in the buffer memory 109 is replaced with the image data read in step S110, and the process proceeds to step S114. In step S112, it is detected to which connection terminal of the frame 1 the pedestal 2 is connected, and it is detected whether or not the orientation of the frame 1 has been changed vertically and horizontally. If a change is detected, the process proceeds to step S114. If no change is detected, the process proceeds to step S113. In step S113, it is detected whether or not the rotation button 122 has been operated so as to rotate the ornamental image. If an operation is detected, the process proceeds to step S114. If no operation is detected, the process proceeds to step S115. In step S114, the display settings are changed in accordance with the operations in steps S109, S112, and S113, and the display settings stored in the buffer memory 109 are replaced with the changed display settings.

In step S115, it is detected whether or not the power button 126 has been turned off. If detected, the process proceeds to step S116. If not detected, the process returns to step S107, and the display on the display unit 107 is continued.
In step S117, the ornamental image stored in the memory 104 is replaced with the ornamental image currently displayed on the display unit 107. Further, the display setting stored in the memory 104 is replaced with the current display setting. In step S118, the power is turned off and this flow ends.

  The display setting control performed in the menu mode in step S108 in the flowchart shown in FIG. 10 will be described below with reference to FIG. Here, only some display settings will be described. First, in step S201, a menu screen as shown in FIG. The menu screen shown in FIG. 12 is displayed when the frame 1 is in the vertical posture, and when the frame 1 is in the horizontal posture, the menu screen rotated 90 degrees is displayed as shown in FIG. . In step S202, the setting is performed according to the user's operation. The setting method will be described below with reference to FIGS.

  The menu screen shown in FIG. 12 displays a mode that can be set, and further displays its operating state. The modes that can be activated are “Photo”, “Movie”, “Calendar”, “Clock”, “Message”, “Sound”, and “Screen Saver”, and the operational status is indicated by “On” and “Off” attached to each. . Those that are “on” indicate that they are in operation.

  When the menu mode is changed, the cursor is placed on “Photo”. In this state, when the up button 123 or the down button 124 is operated, the cursor moves to a mode different from “photo” → “movie”. When the determination button 125 is operated in a state where the cursor is placed on “Photo”, the cursor moves to “On” displayed to the right of “Photo”. If the up button 123 or the down button 124 is operated while the cursor is placed on “ON”, the state is switched from “ON” to “OFF”. When the determination button 125 is operated with the cursor placed on “ON”, the setting screen shown in FIG. 14 is displayed. The setting screen shown in FIG. 14 is for setting in detail the operating environment in the mode selected on the menu screen of FIG. FIG. 14 shows a setting screen for the operating environment in the photo setting mode as an example. In the photo setting mode, “change”, “zoom”, “rotation”, “slide show”, and “erase” can be selected. The change mode can change image data to be displayed as an ornamental image when a plurality of image data exists in the card-type memory or the memory 104. When frame 2 is connected to frame 1, image data stored in a card-type memory or a built-in memory attached to another frame can be selected. The zoom mode sets enlargement / reduction of the ornamental image. The rotation mode sets the rotation angle of the ornamental image. On the right of “change”, “zoom”, and “rotation” in FIG. 14, the currently set ornamental image is displayed as a small thumbnail image.

  The slide show mode sets whether or not to execute a slide show function that automatically and sequentially displays when a plurality of image data exists in the card-type memory and the memory 104. In the erase mode, the image data set in the change mode is erased from the card type memory or the memory 104. These modes are also set using the up button 123, the down button 124, and the enter button 125. In addition, a movement mode may be provided in which the center of the zoom can be moved so that an appropriate composition can be obtained when zooming.

  Similarly, in the movie mode other than the photo mode, the calendar mode, etc., the operating environment can be set according to the setting screen. For example, as the operating environment set on the setting screen in the calendar mode, clock mode, and message mode, the calendar display and the time display can be selected to be displayed superimposed on the ornamental image or displayed side by side, and the display character color Selection etc. can be set.

Further, the menu button 121 is operated to move from the setting screen shown in FIG. 14 to the menu mode screen shown in FIG. The menu button 121 is also operated when moving the cursor from “ON” to “PHOTO” on the mode screen shown in FIG. Set the menu as described above.
Next, in step S203, it is determined whether or not the menu mode is to be canceled, and if so, the process proceeds to step S204. If not canceled, the menu mode is maintained. In step S204, it is detected whether the image data has been changed on the setting screen. If a change is detected, the process proceeds to step S205, and if no change is detected, the process proceeds to step S207. In step S205, the set image data is read from the card type memory or the memory 104. In step S206, the ornamental image stored in the buffer memory 109 is replaced with the read image data. In step S207, the display settings stored in the buffer memory 109 are replaced with the display settings made on the menu screen and the setting screen, and the process returns.

  Next, the image formation and display control performed in step S106 of the flowchart shown in FIG. 10 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing image formation and display control performed in accordance with the display settings stored in the buffer memory 109. Here, only display control corresponding to some display settings will be described.

  In step S301, it is detected whether or not it is set to display an ornamental image. If it is set, the process proceeds to step S302. If it is not set, the process proceeds to step S312. In step S302, it is detected whether or not the set ornamental image is set to be rotated and zoomed. If it is set, the process proceeds to step S303. If it is not set, the process proceeds to step S304. In step S303, image processing for rotation and zoom is performed on the ornamental image according to the set rotation and zoom amount. In step S304, it is detected whether or not the information image is set to be displayed. If it is set, the process proceeds to step S305. If it is not set, the process proceeds to step S317, and only the ornamental image is displayed alone. In step S305, it is detected whether or not the posture of the frame 1 is the vertical posture based on the display settings stored in the buffer memory 109. If it is a vertical posture, the process proceeds to step S306, and if it is not a vertical posture, the process proceeds to step S309.

  In step S306, vertical display processing is performed so that information images such as a calendar and a clock are in a normal display state when the frame 1 is placed in the vertical posture. In step S307, it is detected whether or not the ornamental image and the information image are set to be displayed in a superimposed manner. If it is set to display in a superimposed manner, the process proceeds to step S308. If not set, the process proceeds to step S318. In step S308, the ornamental image and the information image are superimposed to form and display an image as shown in FIG.

If it is detected in step S307 that it has not been set, in step S318, the ornamental image and the information image are arranged side by side, and an image as shown in FIG. 16 is formed and displayed.
In addition, when the vertical posture is not set in step S305, the horizontal display processing is performed so that the information image such as the calendar and the clock is in a normal display state when the frame 1 is placed in the horizontal posture in step S309. Apply. In step S310, it is detected whether or not it is set to display the ornamental image and the information image in a superimposed manner. If it is set to display in a superimposed manner, the process proceeds to step S311. If not set, the process proceeds to step S319. In step S311, the ornamental image and the information image are superimposed to form and display an image as shown in FIG.

  When it is detected in step S310 that it is not set to be displayed in a superimposed manner, in step S319, the ornamental image and the information image are arranged side by side to form and display an image as shown in FIG. To do. FIG. 18 shows a display example formed when the image for ornamentation is subjected to rotation and zoom image processing in step S303.

  If it is not set to display the ornamental image in step S301, it is detected in step S312 whether or not the information image is set to be displayed. If it has been set, the process proceeds to step S313. If it has not been set, the process proceeds to step S316, and a warning is displayed to the effect that the image to be displayed has not been set. In step S313, it is detected whether or not the posture of the frame 1 is the vertical posture based on the display setting stored in the buffer memory 109. If it is a vertical posture, the process proceeds to step S314. If it is not a vertical posture, the process proceeds to step S315. In step S314, vertical display processing is performed so that an information image such as a calendar or a clock is in a normal display state when the frame 1 is placed in the vertical posture. In step S315, horizontal display processing is performed so that information images such as a calendar and a clock are in a normal display state when the frame 1 is placed in the horizontal posture. In step S320, only the information image is displayed alone.

After performing the above processing, this flow is finished, and the process returns to the main flow shown in FIG.
Next, display control that is executed when it is determined in step SS100 in the flowchart of FIG. 10 that the frame 2 is connected will be described. The outline of this control is to control to display a different image for each frame. When a card type memory is attached to each of the frames 1 and 2, and an image is stored in each card type memory, the image is read out from each card type memory and displayed. If only one card type memory is installed, the latest image recorded in the card type memory is displayed in frame 1 and the second image is displayed in frame 2. In the description here, the frame 2 has the same structure as the frame 1 and has the same functions.

Hereinafter, the display control executed when the frame 2 is connected will be described in detail with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The flowchart of FIG. 19 starts when frame 1 is connected to frame 2 in step S100 of FIG.
First, in step S401, it is detected whether or not a card type memory is attached to the frame 1 and image data exists in the card type memory. If image data exists, the process proceeds to step S402. If no image data exists, the process proceeds to step S404. In step S402, it is detected whether or not a card type memory is attached to the frame 2 and image data exists in the card type memory. If image data exists, the process proceeds to step S403. If no image data exists, the process proceeds to step S409. In step S403, since the image data exists in the card type memory attached to each frame, the latest image data is read from each card type memory. Then, the process proceeds to step S412.

  In step S409, it is detected whether or not a plurality of image data exists in the card type memory mounted on the frame 1. If there are a plurality of image data, the process proceeds to step S410, and if there are not a plurality of image data, the process proceeds to step S411. In step S410, the latest image data and the second newest image data are read from the card-type memory attached to the frame 1. Then, the second most recent image data is transferred to frame 2. Here, the card type memory is not attached to the frame 2 or there is no image data even if it is attached, but there are a plurality of image data in the card type memory attached to the frame 1. . Therefore, control is performed so that the latest image data is displayed in frame 1 and the second new image data is displayed in frame 2 among the plurality of image data existing in the card-type memory attached to frame 1. Then, the process proceeds to step S412. In step S411, image data is read from the card-type memory attached to frame 1 in frame 1, and image data stored in the built-in memory of frame 2 (corresponding to memory 104 in frame 1) is read in frame 2. Here, the frame 2 cannot read image data from the card-type memory, and the card-type memory attached to the frame 1 has no data other than the image data to be displayed on the frame 1, so that control is performed in this way. Then, the process proceeds to step S412.

  If no image data exists in the card type memory of frame 1 in step S401, it is detected in step S404 whether a card type memory is attached to frame 2 and image data exists in the card type memory. . If image data exists, the process proceeds to step S405. If no image data exists, the process proceeds to step S408. In step S405, it is detected whether or not a plurality of image data exists in the card type memory mounted on the frame 2. If a plurality of image data exists, the process proceeds to step S406, and if a plurality of image data does not exist, the process proceeds to step S407. In step S406, the latest image data and the second newest image data are read from the card-type memory attached to the frame 2. Then, the second most recent image data is transferred to frame 1. Here, the card type memory is not attached to the frame 1 or no image data exists even if it is attached, but a plurality of image data exists in the card type memory attached to the frame 2. . Therefore, control is performed so that the latest image data is displayed on the frame 2 and the second new image data is displayed on the frame 1 among the plurality of image data existing in the card-type memory mounted on the frame 2. Then, the process proceeds to step S412. In step S407, image data is read from the card-type memory attached to frame 2 in frame 2, and image data stored in memory 104 of frame 1 is read in frame 1. Here, the frame 1 cannot read image data from the card type memory, and the card type memory mounted on the frame 2 has no data other than the image data to be displayed on the frame 2, so that control is performed in this way. Then, the process proceeds to step S412.

  If no image data exists in the card type memory of frame 2 in step S404, the image data stored in the memory 104 of frame 1 is read in frame 1 and the built-in memory of frame 2 in frame 2 The image data even stored in is read out. Here, since there is no image data in the card type memory in both the frame 1 and the frame 2, the image data stored in the memory built in each frame is controlled to be read out. Then, the process proceeds to step S412. In step S412, the image data read in frame 1 or the image data transferred from frame 2 is stored in the buffer memory 109 in frame 1. Further, the image data read in frame 2 or the image data transferred from frame 1 is stored in a buffer memory in frame 2 (corresponding to buffer memory 109 in frame 1). In step S 413, the display setting previously stored in frame 1 is read from the memory 104 and stored in the buffer memory 109. Further, the display setting is similarly read from the built-in memory in the frame 2 and stored in the buffer memory. Then, the process returns to step S106 of the flow shown in FIG.

  When the frame 2 is connected to the frame 1, the image data stored in the card-type memory or the built-in memory attached to another frame can be selected when changing the displayed ornamental image. In this case, when the ornamental image newly selected to be displayed on the display unit 107 of the frame 1 is displayed on the frame 2, the image (frame 2) newly selected to be displayed on the frame 1 is displayed. And an image other than the image displayed in the frame 1 until now are displayed on the display unit of the frame 2.

In addition, in frame 1, the image displayed in frame 2 may not be selected, or a warning that the same image is displayed in frame 2 may be issued.
In the above flow, control is performed so that different ornamental images are displayed so that the same ornamental images are not simultaneously displayed in frame 1 and frame 2. Thereby, even if the frame 1 and the frame 2 are placed side by side, the same image is not viewed. In the first embodiment, control is performed so that the same image is not displayed for the ornamental image, but the same can be applied to the information image. For example, when a calendar is displayed on the frame 1, control is performed so that a time other than the calendar is displayed on the frame 2.

In the present embodiment, the image data in the card type memory mounted in another frame is displayed with priority over the image data stored in the memory built in the own frame. .
Although the above-described control is described as being processed by the CPU of frame 1, the CPU of frame 1 and the CPU of frame 2 may perform the processing in cooperation. In this case, the control for the frame 1 is processed by the CPU on the frame 1 side, and the control for the frame 2 is processed by the CPU on the frame 2 side. Further, the remaining power of the frames 1 and 1 may be detected, and processing may be performed using a CPU of a frame having a large remaining power.

Further, the above control is performed not only by connection with the frame 2 which is an electrophotographic frame but also by being connected to a display device having an IEEE1394 interface. For example, when connected to a television, it is controlled to display on a television monitor. Further, when it is detected by the IEEE1394 interface that no other JPEG or MPEG decoder exists in the other display device, the decoded image data is transferred. Of course, the decoded image data may also be transferred to a device equipped with JPEG and MPEG decoding such as frame 2.
(Embodiment 2)
The electrophotographic frame of the second embodiment will be described below. Although the electrophotographic frame of the second embodiment is different from the electrophotographic frame of the first embodiment in the control method described with reference to FIG. 20, the appearance and the internal configuration are the same as those of the first embodiment. In the second embodiment, display is controlled by detecting whether the image data stored in the card-type memory or the memory 104 is an image for vertical display or an image for horizontal display. When the frame 1 of the electrophotographic frame is in the vertical posture, the image for vertical display is displayed, and when it is in the horizontal posture, the image for horizontal display is displayed. Whether the image is a vertical display image or a horizontal display image is recorded in the header portion of the image data file by the digital camera. This flowchart starts when the power button 126 of the frame 1 is pressed or the card-type memory is inserted into the frame 1 to turn on the power.

  First, in step S500, it is detected whether or not the frame 1 is in the vertical posture. The detection method is based on the connection relationship between the connection terminal of the base 2 and the connection terminal of the frame 1. If the frame 1 is in the vertical posture, the process proceeds to step S501. If the frame 1 is not in the vertical position, that is, in the horizontal posture, the process proceeds to step S506. In step S501, the image data for vertical display is searched based on the vertical / horizontal information recorded in the header portion of the image data file. In step S502, it is detected from the search result in step S501 whether vertical display image data exists. If the vertical display image data exists, the process proceeds to step S503. If not, the process proceeds to step S504. In step S 503, the latest vertical display image data is read from the searched vertical display image data and stored in the buffer memory 109. In step S505, the image data stored in the buffer memory 109 is displayed on the display unit 107.

  If there is no vertical display image data, in step S504, a warning image having a warning text “Please set the frame orientation to horizontal or press the rotation button” is stored in the buffer memory 109. In step S505, the image data stored in the buffer memory 109 is displayed on the display unit 107.

  If the posture of the frame 1 is detected as the horizontal posture in step S500, the horizontal display image data is searched based on the vertical and horizontal information recorded in the header portion of the image data file in step S506. In step S507, it is detected from the search result in step S506 whether horizontal display image data exists. If the horizontal display image data exists, the process proceeds to step S508. If not, the process proceeds to step S509. In step S 508, the latest horizontal display image data is read from the searched horizontal display image data and stored in the buffer memory 109. In step S505, the image data stored in the buffer memory 109 is displayed on the display unit 107.

  If there is no horizontal display image data, a warning image having a warning text “Please set the frame orientation to vertical or press the rotation button” is stored in the buffer memory 109 in step S509. In step S505, the image data stored in the buffer memory 109 is displayed on the display unit 107. In step S510, it is detected whether or not the posture of the frame 1 has been changed. If it is detected that the change has been made, the process returns to step S500, and the above-described steps are repeated. If no change is detected, the process proceeds to step S511. In step S511, it is detected whether or not the power button 126 has been turned off. When it detects, it progresses to step S512, turns off a power supply, and complete | finishes this flow. If not detected, the process returns to step S505, and the display on the display unit 107 is continued.

In the electronic photo frame of the second embodiment, when the slide show function is executed, when the frame 1 is in the vertical position, control is performed so that only the image data for vertical display is sequentially displayed, and the frame 1 is in the horizontal position. In some cases, only the image data for horizontal display is controlled to be displayed sequentially.
Some digital cameras do not have a function of adding information for vertical display and horizontal display. For image data captured by such a digital camera, it is possible to input whether the image data is for vertical display or horizontal display by frame 1.

In the first and second embodiments described above, the latest image data is preferentially displayed. However, the oldest image data may be preferentially displayed.
Further, in the first and second embodiments, the electrophotographic frame that leans the frame using the pedestal has been described, but it can also be applied to an electrophotographic frame that hangs the frame on the wall.

The figure which shows the external appearance of the electrophotographic frame of embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows the surface external appearance of the flame | frame 1 in the electrophotographic frame of embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows the back surface external appearance of the flame | frame 1 in the electrophotographic frame of embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows the external appearance of the base 2 in the electrophotographic frame of embodiment of this invention. The block diagram which shows the internal function of the flame | frame 1 in the electrophotographic frame of embodiment of this invention. The block diagram which shows the internal function of the base 2 in the electrophotographic frame of embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows the example of a display in the electrophotographic frame of embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows the example of a display in the electrophotographic frame of embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows the example of a display in the electrophotographic frame of embodiment of this invention. The flowchart figure which shows the process performed by the electrophotographic frame of Embodiment 1 of this invention. The flowchart figure which shows the process performed by the electrophotographic frame of Embodiment 1 of this invention. The figure which shows the example of a display of the menu screen in the electrophotographic frame of embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows the example of a display of the menu screen in the electrophotographic frame of embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows the example of a display of the display setting screen in the electrophotographic frame of embodiment of this invention. The flowchart figure which shows the process performed by the electrophotographic frame of Embodiment 1 of this invention. The figure which shows the example of a display in the electrophotographic frame of embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows the example of a display in the electrophotographic frame of embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows the example of a display in the electrophotographic frame of embodiment of this invention. The flowchart figure which shows the process performed by the electrophotographic frame of Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a flowchart figure which shows the process performed by the electrophotographic frame of Embodiment 2 of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Frame 2 ... Base 107 ... Display part 121 ... Menu button 123 ... Up button 124 ... Down button 125 ... Decision button 122 ... Rotation button 126 ... Power button 120 ... Power supply part 117 ... IEEE1394 connector 103 ... Card slot 118, 119, 202 ... Connection terminal 101 ... CPU
106 ... Image processing circuit 104 ... Memory 109 ... Buffer memory 115 ... Power supply circuit 204 ... AC adapter

Claims (6)

A display unit for displaying an ornamental image;
A communication means for communicating with an external device including a display unit;
Control means for controlling to select from a plurality of ornamental images and display on the display unit,
The electrophotographic frame, wherein the control means controls to display different ornamental images on the respective display units when communication with an external device is possible via the communication means. Comprising switching means for switching an ornamental image to be displayed on the display unit of the electrophotographic frame,
When the switching means switches the ornamental image to be displayed on the display unit of the electrophotographic frame, the control unit displays the display unit of the external device on the display unit of the electrophotographic frame before switching. The electrophotographic frame according to claim 1, wherein an image for viewing other than the image for viewing displayed on the display unit of the electrophotographic frame after switching to the image for viewing is controlled to be displayed. Comprising switching means for switching an ornamental image to be displayed on the display unit of the electrophotographic frame,
When the switching means switches the ornamental image displayed on the display unit of the electrophotographic frame to the ornamental image displayed on the display unit of the external device, the control unit displays the image on the display unit of the external device. The electrophotographic frame according to claim 1, wherein control is performed so as to switch the displayed ornamental image. Comprising switching means for switching an ornamental image to be displayed on the display unit of the electrophotographic frame,
The electrophotographic frame according to claim 1, wherein the switching unit prohibits switching to an ornamental image displayed on a display unit of the external device. The electrophotographic frame according to claim 1, wherein the communication unit transmits an ornamental image to be displayed on a display unit of the external device to the external device. Comprising switching means for switching an ornamental image to be displayed on the display unit of the electrophotographic frame,
2. The electrophotographic frame according to claim 1, wherein when the external device has an ornamental image, the control unit controls the switching unit to switch to the ornamental image included in the external device.

Images