DISPLAY PROCESSING DEVICE, DISPLAY PROCESSING METHOD AND DISPLAY CONTROL PROGRAM

Abstract

The image browse function is activated and the image is displayed. When the function key (playback) is depressed, the pointer is placed at the top of the image file chunk corresponding to the displayed image. The operation then judges whether or not the position of the pointer is the text chunk. When the text chunk is discovered by the position of the pointer, the operation judges whether or not the keyword (image display control information) which indicates insertion of the image display control information was inserted and described. When the keyword has been inserted, the operation extracts the keyword and performs display processing of the image according to the keyword (image display control information).

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a display processing device, display processing method and display control program which displays images without performing a particular display control operation.

2. Description of the Related Art

In recent years, a camera (including attachable and detachable types) comprising a communications terminal, such as a cellular/mobile phone and the like, from being able to connect with the Web to receive various multimedia files to improvement in the number of display colors, it is possible to display images with a lot of informational content (or image media). Furthermore, as the image display process method conventionally known, for example, the user personally performs an enlargement (zoom)/reduction (shrink) operation of the image data or the prior art display process technique is applied when the image display size differs from the display viewable size of the receiving side. Consequently, the number of times (scale factor) in which the image scrolls is determined automatically when the image size is larger than the display viewable size, and automatic scrolling is commonly disclosed (for example, Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application (Kokai) (A) No. 2000-267646, title “AUTOMATIC PICTURE SCROLLING DEVICE,” refer to page 3, FIG. 3).

However, when sending and receiving images on a wireless communications terminal, namely cellular/mobile phones and the like, and such a display process method is applied, there exists a drawback with the user's transmitting side of the wireless communications terminal whereby the image file corresponding to the image and the display processing information which accompanies the image has to be transmitted as separate data when the user desires to display an image and specify the scroll direction, desires to make an image zoom in to observe a portion of an image or even when desiring to zoom out from a portion of an image to its entirety in the receiver's side of the wireless communications terminal.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been made in view of the circumstances mentioned above. Accordingly, the purpose of the present invention is to provide a display processing device, a display processing method and a display control program in which the image display processing can be performed by simpler data processing without needing the complicated file management and data management regarding the image display processing. In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a display processing device for achieving the above-described objects which comprises storage means for storing an image file; display means for displaying an image based on the image file stored in the storage means; and display control means for controlling the display to return directly to a first display state when switched to a second display state upon changing the display sequentially to be significantly different from the first display state, wherein the image from the first display state to the second display state is different from the first display state, based on an image display control information included in the same image file as the image file included in the image displayed on the display means.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the image display control information is inserted a text description area included in the image file.

In yet another aspect of the present invention, the display control means commences changing the display of the image based on detected timing of the image display control information included in the image file.

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a display processing method which comprises acquiring an image included in an image file stored in a storage section for displaying on a display; controlling the display to return directly to a first display state when switched to a second display state upon changing the display sequentially to be significantly different from the first display state, wherein the image included in the image file from the first display state to the second display state is different from the first display state, based on an image display control information included in the acquired image file.

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a computer-readable storage medium having a display control program stored thereon that is executable by a computer to perform functions of: acquiring an image included in an image file stored in a storage section for displaying on a display; and controlling said display to return directly to a first display state when switched to a second display state upon changing said display sequentially to be significantly different from said first display state, wherein the image included in the image file from the first display state to the second display state is different from the first display state, based on an image display control information included in the acquired image file.

The above and further objects and novel features of the present invention will more fully appear from the following detailed description when the same is read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It is to be expressly understood, however, that the drawings are for the purpose of illustration only and are not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the cellular phone according to the first embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram showing the PNG image format file in conventional prior art;

FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram showing a type of chunk in conventional prior art;

FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram showing the structure of a chunk in conventional prior art;

FIGS. 5A and 5B are conceptual diagrams showing an example of the text chunk data in conventional prior art;

FIGS. 6A-6D are conceptual diagrams showing an example of the text chunk data according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the cellular phone which displays the images in the first embodiment;

FIGS. 8A-8C are mimetic diagrams showing an example of the image display scrolled in the horizontal direction;

FIGS. 9A-9C is a mimetic diagram showing an example of the image display scrolled in the vertical direction;

FIGS. 10A-10C are mimetic diagrams showing an example of an enlarged image display;

FIGS. 11A-11C are mimetic diagrams showing an example of a reduced image display;

FIGS. 12A-12D are conceptual diagrams showing an illustrative example of the used text chunk in the second embodiment;

FIG. 13 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the cellular phone which displays the images in the second embodiment;

FIGS. 14A-14D are mimetic diagrams showing an example of the image display control according to the second embodiment;

FIGS. 15A and 15B are conceptual diagrams showing an illustrative example of the used text chunk in the third embodiment;

FIG. 16 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the cellular phone according to the third embodiment;

FIG. 17 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the image processing;

FIGS. 18A and 18B are mimetic diagrams showing an example of the image display control according to the third embodiment;

FIG. 19 is a conceptual diagram showing the configuration of an example system operation of the fourth embodiment;

FIGS. 20A and 20B are outline views of the cellular phones 3a and 3b applicable to the fourth embodiment;

FIG. 21 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the cellular phones 3a and 3b according to the fourth embodiment;

FIGS. 22A and 22B are conceptual diagrams showing an illustrative example of the used text chunk in the fourth embodiment;

FIG. 23 is a flowchart for explaining the operation which inserts additional information in the image text chunk in the cellular phone 3a;

FIG. 24 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the cellular phone 3b;

FIGS. 25A-25D are mimetic diagrams showing an example of the image display control according to the fourth embodiment;

FIG. 26 is a mimetic diagram showing an example of the file structure when inserting additional information into an Exif standard image file in conventional prior art being used according to the fifth embodiment;

FIG. 27 is a flowchart for explaining the operation which inserts additional information into the tag information of the image file in the cellular phone 3a; and

FIG. 28 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the cellular phone 3b.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention will hereinafter be described in detail with reference to the embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings.

A. First Embodiment

A-1. Configuration of the First Embodiment

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the cellular phone according to the first embodiment of this invention. Referring to FIG. 1, a transmitting and receiving section 20 (hereinafter referred to as “transceiver” for convenience) consists of a frequency conversion section and a modem. In order to carry out base station and wireless communications which are not illustrated, frequency conversion of the electromagnetic waves as well as modulation and demodulation are performed via an antenna ANT1. Next, a communications controller 21 performs telecommunications control based on predetermined transmission methods (for example, Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA), Code-Division Multiple Access (CDMA) and the like). A voice processing section 22 performs encoding/decoding of the audio signal. This audio signal is decoded by the Code Excited Linear Predictor (CELP) encoding method from the communications controller 21 which is converted into an analog audio signal by Digital-Analog (D/A) conversion and made to pronounce from a loudspeaker 23. Whereas, the analog signal inputted from a microphone 24 is encoded by the CELP encoding method digitized by Analog-Digital (A/D) conversion and sent to the communications controller 21. Additionally, the communications controller 21 converts the image files which are transmitted and received in this embodiment into the data format specified by the above-mentioned transmission methods and inputs/outputs them to/from the transceiver 20.

Next, a controller 25 controls the entire device according to a predetermined program. Specifically, the control section 25 controls the display of images according to the image display control information extracted from the text chunk of the image file by a chunk processing section 30 (described later) when executing a browser application for displaying images. As an image file, for example, an image file attached to a download from a network or received E-mail, there is an image file and the like inserted with the image display control information in the text chunk already to transmit.

A key input section 26 consists of an alphanumeric keypad to input other person's telephone numbers or character strings, specifically the keyword or parameters equivalent to the display control information inserted/described in the text chunk in this embodiment, a switch to perform on hook/off hook, a volume switch to change the audio output and the like. The program and various kinds of parameters and the like performed by the above-mentioned controller 25 are stored in a Read-Only Memory (ROM) 27. Additionally, a Random Access Memory (RAM) 28 comprises an area for storing an address book and schedules, a storage area to store data generated with control of the above-mentioned controller 25, a working area and the like.

Next, the display 29 is composed of a liquid crystal display comprising Quarter Video Graphics Array (QVGA) class full-color display capabilities which displays a variety of information, such as the operation mode, telephone numbers, duration of a call, characters, images and the like under control of the above-mentioned controller 25. The chunk processing section 30 inserts the image display control information in the text chunk of the Portable Network Graphics (PNG) image file format (transmitting side). Whereas, on the receiving side, the image display control information inserted in the text chunk is extracted (receiving side). An image memory 31 stores the image file attached to the image file downloaded from a network, an E-mail or the like.

FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram showing the PNG image format file 100. The PNG image file format consists of a number of chunks called independent blocks of data. The chunks include the IHDR header chunk 101 which contains the basic information about the image data as being a PNG image file format; the ancillary chunk 102 which describes the text, color transparency, and the like; the IDAT image data chunk 103 which stores the actual image data; and the IEND image trailer chunk 104 which marks the end of the PNG file or data stream.

In the chunks, as shown in FIG. 3, many types are available. Among these is the text (tEXt) chunk 105 which has a free insertion point within the file and, if the contents are also text codes, it can be constituted freely.

With the chunk structure shown in FIG. 4, since dividing the data length is possible, a plurality of chunks can be written in order arbitrarily and can constitute the entire data.

FIGS. 5A and 5B are conceptual diagrams showing examples of the text chunk data. The text chunk comprises two elements, the “keyword” 106 and the actual “text” 107. Between these, the original data with the “keyword” is defined and image browsing software performs a predetermined operation when judged that this keyword has been added.

FIGS. 6A-6D are conceptual diagrams showing an example of the text chunk data according to the first embodiment. In the example shown in FIGS. 6A˜6D, “Command” is used as the keyword. Additionally, as the value, the text data indicates what type of image display control is to be performed. For example, the value can be set as in FIG. 6A “PANORAMA1” which indicates scrolling in the horizontal direction as the image display control; in FIG. 6B “PANORAMA2” which indicates the image scrolling in the vertical direction as the image display control; in FIG. 6C “ZOOM” which performs an enlarged display of the image as the image display control; and in FIG. 6D “WIDE” which performs reduced display of the image as the image display control.

A-2. Operation of the First Embodiment

Next, operation of the cellular phone according to the first embodiment mentioned above will be explained. Here, FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the cellular phone which displays the images in the first embodiment. In the cellular phone 1, when the image browse function is activated, the image is displayed (Step S10), and subsequently the operation will be in a waiting state for keystrokes containing the function key (Step S12). Next, the operation judges whether or not the function key (playback) has been depressed (Step S14). When the function key has not been depressed, the operation progresses to other processing.

Conversely, when the function key (playback) is depressed, the operation places the pointer at the top of the image file chunk corresponding to the image currently displayed (Step S16). Next, the operation judges whether or not the position of the pointer is the text chunk (Step S18). If the pointer is not the text chunk, the pointer will be moved to the following chunk (Step S20), and the operation judges whether or not the pointer is at the end of the file (Step S22).

Further, if the pointer is at the end of the file, the operation judges whether or not the end command has been directed (Step S30). If the end has not been directed, the operation returns to Step S12 and the processing mentioned above is repeated. However, if end is directed at step S30, the processing will be completed.

Meanwhile, if the pointer is not at the end of the file, the operation will return to Step S18, the processing mentioned above will be repeated and the image file text chunk will be searched. When the text chunk is discovered, the operation will judge whether or not the keyword has been inserted which indicates insertion of the image display control information (Step S24). If the keyword is not inserted, the retrieval of the text chunk mentioned above progresses to Step S20 and will be continued. Meanwhile, when the keyword has been inserted in the text chunk, the keyword is extracted from the image file text chunk as image display control information, and the display processing of the image is performed according to this image display control information (Step S26). Next, the operation judges whether or not the function key was operated (Step S28), and if the function key was not operated, processing of Step 26 is continued. As the function key, for example, there is “stop” and the like which suspends playback.

For example, when the image display control information is “PANORAMA1,” as shown in FIGS. 8A-8C, the image is displayed scrolling automatically in the horizontal direction. For example, when the image display control information is “PANORAMA2,” as shown in FIGS. 9A-9C, the image is displayed scrolling automatically in the vertical direction. Also, when the image display control information is “ZOOM,” as shown in FIGS. 10A-10C, the image is displayed automatically and enlarges gradually. Besides, when the image display control information is “Wide,” as shown in FIGS. 11A-11C, the image is displayed automatically and reduces gradually.

Next, the operation judges whether or not the end of playback of the image has been directed (Step S30). If end has not been directed, the operation returns to Step S12 and the processing mentioned above is repeated. Conversely, if end has been directed at Step S30, processing will be terminated.

According to the first embodiment mentioned above, the image display control information for controlling image reconstruction to the text chunk area in the PNG image file format has been described. Since the image was reproduced according this image display control information in the receiving side, it is related to image display processing. The image display processing can be performed by simpler operation processing and data processing without requiring complicated file management and data management.

B. Second Embodiment

B-1. Configuration of the Second Embodiment

Next, the second embodiment will now be explained. In the second embodiment, which adds to the functions of the first embodiment above, assignment of the parameters in the text chunk at the time of performing display control of the image is enabled. The description of the configuration of the cellular phone 1 is omitted as it is the same as FIG. 1.

FIGS. 12A-12D are conceptual diagrams showing an illustrative example of the used text chunk in the second embodiment. In the examples shown in FIGS. 12A-12D, “Command” is used as the keyword. Moreover, as the same value, while containing the text data which indicates what type of image display control is to be performed, further contains the parameters for when performing image display control. For parameters, “PARAMETER1” for directing the playback speed, “PARAMETER2” for directing the playback start coordinates and the playback end coordinates are prepared. The parameter “PARAMETER1” is expressed by slow speed playback with “−” and fast forward playback with “+” on the basis of “0.” Thus, it is possible to increase the playback speed as the numerical value becomes larger. Furthermore, the parameter “PARAMETER 2” expresses the playback starting coordinate and the playback ending coordinate which are the coordinates at the time of setting the upper left corner of the image to “0,0.” For example, in FIG. 12A, “PANORAMA1” for displaying the image with scrolling in a horizontal direction and “+5” is set as “PARAMETER 1” which directs the playback speed as the image display control. In this case, it shows that the image is scrolled in the horizontal direction (“+” indicates right direction, and “−” indicates left direction) with playback speed “+5.”

In FIG. 12B, “PANORAMA1” for displaying the image with scrolling in a horizontal direction is set, and “x1, y1 (playback starting coordinates), x2, y2 (playback ending coordinates)” are set as “PARAMETER2” which indicates the playback starting coordinates and the playback ending coordinates as the image display control. In this case, the image scrolls in the horizontal direction from x1, y1 (playback starting coordinate) at the screen center, and then is stopped at x2, y2 (playback ending coordinate) as the screen center is shown.

In FIG. 12C, “ZOOM” for displaying the image with enlarging is set, “+5” is set as “PARAMETER1” which directs the playback speed, and “x1, y1” are set as “PARAMETER2” which indicates the zoom center coordinates. In this case, it shows that the image is zoomed with the playback speed “+5” as the coordinates x1, y1 as the screen center is shown.

Furthermore, in FIG. 12D, “Wide” for displaying the image data with reduction is set, “+6” is set as “PARAMETER1” which directs the playback speed, and “x1, y1 (center coordinates)” are set as “PARAMETER2” which indicates the center coordinate. In this case, it shows that image performs reduced display with the playback speed “+6” as the coordinates x1, y1 as the screen center is shown.

B-2. Operation of the Second Embodiment

Next, the operation of the cellular phone according to the above second embodiment will be explained. FIG. 13 is a flowchart explaining the operation of the cellular phone which displays the images in the second embodiment. When the image browsing function is activated in the cellular phone 1, the image is displayed (Step S40), the operation will be in a waiting state waiting for the keystroke including the function key afterwards (Step S42). Next, the operation judges whether or not the function key (playback key) has been depressed (Step S44). When the function key has not been depressed, the operation progresses to other processing.

On the other hand, when the function key (playback key) is depressed, the pointer is located at the top of the text chunk of the image file corresponding to the displayed image (Step S46). Next, the operation judges whether or not the position of the pointer indicates the text chunk (Step S48). When the pointer does not indicate the text chunk, the pointer is moved to the next chunk (Step S50), and the operation then judges whether or not the position of the pointer indicates the end of the chunk (Step S52).

When the pointer is located at the end of the file, the operation judges whether or not the processing end has been directed (Step S64). If the processing end has not been directed, the operation then returns to Step S42, and repeats the above-mentioned processes. On the other hand, when the processing end is directed at Step S64, the operation will be completed.

On the other hand, if the pointer is not at the end of the file, the operation will return to Step S48, the process mentioned above will be repeated and the image file text chunk will be searched. When the text chunk is discovered, the operation judges whether or not the keyword insertion of the image display control information has been inserted (Step S54). If the keyword is not inserted, the operation proceeds to Step S50 and continues searching for the text chunk.

On the other hand, when the keyword is inserted in the text chunk, the “PARAMETER1” and the “PARAMETER2” are extracted from the text chunk of the image file (Steps S56, S58). The display processing of the image is performed using the “PARAMETER1” and the “PARAMETER2” according to the image display control information (Step S60). Next, the operation judges whether or not the function key was operated (Step S62), and if the function key was not operated, the operation then continues the processing of Step S60. For example, as the function key, there is “stop” and the like which suspends the playback operation.

For example, when “ZOOM” is designated as the command, and the predetermined point (+) of the image, as shown in FIG. 14A, is designated at “PARAMETER 2” as the playback starting coordinate, the operation caries out zooming for the image data so that the playback starting coordinates are set as the screen center as shown in FIGS. 14B˜14D.

When the playback of image is finished, the operation judges whether or not the process end is directed (Step S64). When the process end has not been directed, the operation returns to Step S42, and repeats the above mentioned processes. On the other hand, when the process end is ordered at Step S64, the operation finishes this process.

According to the second embodiment, it is possible to process the display of the image by the simple operation processing and the information processing without needing any complicated file management or data management special operation, on the display processing of the image, since parameters (position coordinates) to indicate how the image is played is described in the image file in addition to the image playback control information to control image playback.

C. Third Embodiment

C-1. Configuration of the Third Embodiment

Next, the third embodiment of this invention will be explained. In the third embodiment, it is possible to designate the display pixels, when the image is played back, in the text chunk of image file in the function of the above-mentioned first embodiment. Furthermore, when assignment of the display pixels at the time of reproducing the image in the image file text chunk is enabled and the display pixels are not in agreement with the display screen size of the cellular phone, the image is enlarged/reduced automatically. In addition, the description of the configuration of the cellular phone 1 is omitted as it is the same as FIG. 1.

FIG. 15A is a conceptual diagram showing an illustrative example of the used text chunk in the third embodiment. In FIG. 15A, “Coordinate” is used as the keyword. As this value, the keyword “Command” has a starting point coordinates “x1, y1” to show which portion is displayed by the text data on the display screen of the cellular phone. Furthermore, by using “Pixels” as the keyword, as this value, the keyword “Pixels” has a display pixel size “x2, y2” by the text data. That is to say, these keywords indicate that the image is cut down into the size of “x2, y2” and with the starting point of “x1, y1” of the image to be displayed is displayed on the display screen of the cellular phone, as shown in FIG. 15B. At this time, the image data is reduced and is displayed when the display pixel size “x2, y2” is larger than size of the display screen of the cellular phone. On the contrary, the image data is enlarged and is displayed when the display pixel size “x2, y2” is smaller than that.

C-2. Operation of the Third Embodiment

Next, an operation of the cellular phone according to the above third embodiment will be explained. FIG. 16 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the cellular phone according to the third embodiment. When the image browse function is activated in cellular phone 1, the image is displayed (Step S70), the operation becomes a key operation wait state including the function key afterwards (Step S72). Next, the operation judges whether or not the function key (playback) has been operated (Step S74). When the function key has not been depressed, the operation proceeds to other processes.

On the other hand, when the function key (playback) is operated, the pointer is located at the top of the text chunk of the image file corresponding to the displayed image (Step S76). Next, the operation judges whether or not the position of the pointer indicates the text chunk (Step S78). When the pointer does not indicate the text chunk, the pointer is moved to the next chunk (Step S80), and the operation then judges whether or not the position of the pointer indicates the end of the chunk (Step S82).

When the pointer is located at the end of the file, the operation judges whether or not the processing end has been directed (Step S94). If the processing end has not been directed, the operation then returns to Step S72, and repeats the above mentioned processes. On the other hand, when the processing end is directed at Step S94, the operation finishes this process.

On the other hand, the pointer is not located at the end of the file, the operation returns to Step S78, and repeats the above mentioned processes, and searches the text chunk in the image file. When the text chunk is found, the operation judges whether or not the keyword indicating the insertion of the image display control information is inserted (Step S84). When the keyword is not inserted, the operation proceeds to Step S80, and continues the search of the text chunk.

On the other hand, when the keyword “Coordinate” is described in the text chunk, the text “x1, y1” showing origin coordinate is extracted from the text chunk of the image file, and the text “x2, y2” showing display pixel size is extracted (Steps S86, S88). The display process of image is then carried out by using the starting point coordinates and the display pixel size according to the image display control information (Step S90). Next, the operation judges whether or not the function key has been depressed (Step S92), if the function key has not been depressed, the operation then continues the processing of Step S90. For example, as the function keys, there are “back,” “next” and “end” for stopping playback.

In the image display processing, the operation is carried out according to the flowchart shown in FIG. 17. At first, the clipping is carried out for the image according to the origin coordinate “x1, y1” and the display pixel size “x2, y2” (Step S100). Next, the operation judges whether or not the size of image is larger than the display screen size (Step S102). When the display pixel size “x2, y2” is larger than the display screen size of the cellular phone, the clipped image is reduced and displayed as shown in FIG. 18A (Step S104). The operation then returns to the flowchart shown in FIG. 16.

On the other hand, when the display pixel size “x2, y2” is not larger than the display screen size of the cellular phone, the operation judges whether or not the size of image is smaller than the display screen size (Step S106). When the display pixel size “x2, y2” is smaller than the display screen size of the cellular phone, the clipped image is enlarged and is displayed as shown in FIG. 18B (Step S108). The operation then returns to the flowchart shown in FIG. 16.

Next, when the playback of image is finished, the operation judges whether the process end is ordered (Step S94). When the process end is not ordered, the operation returns to Step S72, and repeats the above mentioned processes. On the other hand, when the process end is ordered at Step S94, the operation finishes this process.

According to the third embodiment, it is possible to play the image according to the starting point coordinates and the display pixel size when the image is displayed, since the starting point coordinates and display pixel size of image are described in the image file as the image playback control information for controlling the playback of image. Therefore, it is possible to process the display of the image by the simple operation processing and the information processing without needing any complicated file management or data management special operation. In this case, for example, in the transmission/reception of E-mail that the image file is attached, When the user of transmission side of E-mail want to let pay attention to a specific part of the image corresponding to the attached image file for another user of reception side of E-mail, so far it is necessary to transmit image file after the user of transmission side performs processing to cut an unnecessary part from image file. On the other hand, the user of the reception side must previously get intention of the user of the transmission side, and must display image data after operated reduction, enlargement or scroll, etc. Against this, in the third embodiment, it is possible to fully display on the display screen a part image directed in the transmission side without operating reduction, enlargement or scroll in the reception side, if the transmission side transmits the image file with designating the origin coordinate and the display pixel size so that only the image of specific part which wants to let pay attention to the user of the reception side is displayed.

D. Fourth Embodiment

Next, the fourth embodiment according to the present invention will be explained. In the fourth embodiment, in the functions of the above-mentioned first embodiment, the position information (i.e. this information indicates a position such as image pick-up location; latitude and longitude) can be designated in the text chunk of the image file. When the above position information is inserted into the text chunk of the image file, the reception side transmits the inserted position information and the position information of itself to a map server which provides map information on a network through the network such as the Internet, and then obtains the map information of the range that both position information is included, from the map server. Furthermore, the reception side enlarges/reduces the map information automatically, and scrolls automatically the map information from present position to the position inserted in the image data.

D-1. Configuration of the Fourth Embodiment

(1) System Configuration

FIG. 19 is a conceptual diagram showing the configuration of the system operation of the fourth embodiment. The cellular phones 3a, 3b comprise a function to receive the latitude and longitude information of each of the neighboring base transceiver stations 53, 53 wherein the latitude and longitude is transmitted from the a plurality of neighboring base transceiver stations 53, 53, and to receive the latitude and longitude information received from a plurality of geodetic satellites 5050 (two in FIG. 19) connected with the cellular phone. Furthermore, the cellular phones 3a, 3b comprise a function to obtain a self-position by receiving compensation information replies from the above-mentioned plurality of neighboring base transceiver stations 53, 53 by transmitting the compensation information to the above-mentioned plurality of neighboring base transceiver stations 53, 53. The cellular phone 3a has an image pick-up function by a pick-up device. Furthermore, the cellular phone 3a has a function to insert the positional information of a photographic location into an image file and to transmit the image file by attachment in an E-mail to the cellular phone 3b through the base transceiver station 53 via the mail server 521 of the communications service provider 52. The communication service provider 52 consists of the main system 520, the mail server 521, the Web server 522, the switchboard 523 and the router 524, and manages the wireless communications network, and is also the Internet Service Provider (ISP).

The cellular phone 3b transmits the positional information inserted into the text chunk of the image file which is attached in E-mail received from the cellular phone 3a and the position information of itself to the map information service system 51 through the base transceiver station 53, Web server 522 of the communication service provider 52 and WWW (World Wide Web) 54, and requires the transfer of the map information (image file) of the range that these positional information are included. The map information service system 51 consists of the main system 510, Web server 511, the map information database 512 and the router 513. The map information service system 51 replies the map information (image file) extracted from the map information database 512 to the cellular phone 3b according to the positional information. When the cellular phone 3b obtains the map information, the cellular phone 3b automatically enlarges or reduces the image file, and may automatically scroll the image file, which is enlarged or reduced, from the present position to the position which is inserted in the image file attached to the received E-mail. When the map information service system 51 receives the position information from the cellular phones 3a, 3b, the map information service system 51 may transmit the map information of the range that both position information are included. The map information database 512 stores map information of plural kinds of all areas every predetermined distance unit.

(2) External View of the Cellular Phone

Next, FIGS. 20A and 20B are external views of the cellular phones 3a and 3b applied in the fourth embodiment. Incidentally, as the same reference numbers are shown for the configuration having the same function as the first embodiment, a detailed explanation has been omitted. In this fourth embodiment, the cellular phone 3a comprises at least the photography function and the positional information obtaining function by Global Positioning System (GPS), and the cellular phone 3b comprises at least the positional information obtaining function.

The cellular phones 3a, 3b in the fourth embodiment are double fold structures comprising a cover and a main body, and FIG. 20A shows a front view of the cellular phones 3a, 3b in an open state. In the same figure, an antenna ATN1 is mounted on the back of the cover, and is telescopic. A speaker 23 is mounted on the front of the cover, and outputs the voice. A display (main display) 29 is a liquid crystal device comprising full color display function of QVGA class. A key input section 26 is mounted the front of the main body, and a microphone 24 is mounted below the main body. On the other hand, FIG. 20B shows a back view of the cellular phones 3a, 3b in the open state.

(3) Constitution of the Cellular Phone

Next, FIG. 21 is a block diagram showing a constitution of the cellular phone 3a according to the fourth embodiment. Incidentally, the same reference numbers are shown for the part corresponding to FIG. 1, a detailed explanation has been omitted. In the fourth embodiment, the antenna ATN1, transmitting/receiving section (particularly, receiving function) 20 and the communication controller 21 further comprise a function to receive various information for generating latitude, longitude and time information from a plurality of geodetic satellites 50, 50, . . . . In this figure, an image pick-up module 61 includes CCD or CMOS, and takes in color image of a subject through an imaging lens. Digital Signal Processor (DSP) 62 carries out the encoding process for an image taken in by the image pick-up module 61. The image memory 31 stores images which are digitized, i.e. files. This image file is coded by DSP 62, and is compressed by the controller 25.

A GPS controller 63 calculates a phase (a difference of a reception timing) of each received electric wave about an electric wave (1.22760 G/1.57542 GHz), which is demodulated by the transmitting/receiving section 20 and the communication controller 21, and is transmitted from at least about four geodetic satellites 50, 50, . . . , among the Global Positioning Satellites (NAVigation Satellite Timing And Ranging (NAVSTAR)) which the Pentagon launched (twenty four satellites go around the earth at present). The satellites may be less than four to obtain the positional information, but the precision will deteriorate. Furthermore, the GPS controller 63 obtains the position information which includes latitude, longitude (altitude) information indicating the present position, by carrying out the triangular surveying between the cellular phones 3a, 3b and these land survey satellites 50, 50, . . . .

The controller 25 may control operations of each section. A chunk editing processing section may insert the position information obtained by the GPS controller 63 into the text chunk of the image file at the time of photography. The image file is formed on the basis of the image which is photographed by image pick-up module 61 and which is coded by DSP 62.

FIGS. 22A and 22B are conceptual diagrams showing an illustrative example of the used text chunk in the fourth embodiment. In the example shown in FIG. 22B, the keyword “Position” is used. This value may have the position information data obtained by GPS controller 63 at the time that the image is photographed as text data.

The cellular phone 3b receiving E-mail which the image file based on the photographed image is attached therein is also the same constitution as FIG. 1. But there are some different points. First of all, the controller 25 transmits the own position information which is obtained by GPS controller 63, and the position information which is inserted in the text chunk of the image file, to the map information service system 51. To the second, the controller 25 receives the map information including both position information, which is transmitted from the map information service system 51, and enlarges/reduces the map information automatically, and then scrolls the image from the present position to the position inserted in the image data.

D-2. Operation of the Fourth Embodiment

Next, the operation of the cellular phones 3a, 3b according to the above mentioned fourth embodiment will be explained. At first the insertion operation of the additional information into the image data by the cellular phone 3a will be explained. Here FIG. 23 is a flow chart for explaining operation to insert addition information into the text chunk of image data in cellular phone 3a. The operation judges whether or not the image pick-up mode is selected (Step S120). When the image pick-up mode is selected, the image pick-up module and DSP are activated (Step S122), and the image taken by image pick-up module 28 through the imaging lens 12 is coded to digital data, and is displayed on the display 6 as through image sequentially (Step S124). Next, the operation judges whether or not the shutter key 7 is operated (Step S126). When the operation of shutter key 7 is detected, the image is taken by image pick-up module 28 through the imaging lens 12, and is coded to digital data by DSP 27, and then stored temporarily to RAM 25 (Step S128). The position information is then obtained by the antenna ATN1, the transmitting/receiving section 20, the communication controller 21 and the GPS controller 63 (Step S130).

Next, the operation proceeds to the forming processing of the image file on the basis of the picked-up image, and sets the pointer on the top of the chunk in the data block to be filed (Step S132). The operation then judges whether the position of the pointer is in IHDR (Step S134). When the pointer is not at IHDR, the pointer is moved to the next chunk (Step S136). The operation then judges whether the pointer is at the end of file (Step S138). When the pointer is not at the end of file, the operation returns to Step S134. The operation repeats the above mentioned processing, and searches IHDR in the image data. When IHDR is found, the position information is inserted into the back of IHDR as the text chunk (Step S140). According to the above-mentioned operation, the additional information is inserted into the text chunk of image file. Thus the image file is formed, and is stored to the image memory 31.

Next, an operation which carries out the image control for the image according to the image display control information inserted in the image file of E-mail (the image file is attached) which is received by cellular phone 3b, and is transmitted from cellular phone 3a will be explained. Here, FIG. 24 is a flow chart to explain the operation of the cellular phone 3b. In the cellular phone 3b, when the image browsing function is activated, the image based on the attached image file is displayed (Step S150), and the operation then becomes the wait state for the key operation including the function key (Step S152). Next, the operation judges whether the function key (playback) is pushed down (Step S154). When the function key is not pushed down, the operation proceeds to other processing.

On the other hand, when the function key (playback) is push down, the pointer is set at the top of the chunk in the image file corresponding to this image (Step S156). Next, the operation judges whether the position of pointer is in the text chunk (Step S158). When the pointer is not at the text chunk, the pointer is moved to next chunk (Step S160). The operation then judges whether the pointer is at the end of file (Step S162).

When the pointer is at the end of the file, the operation judges whether the processing end is ordered (Step S180). When the processing end is not ordered, the operation returns to Step S152, and repeats the above-mentioned processes. On the other hand, when the processing end is ordered at step S164, the operation finishes this process.

On the other hand, when the pointer is not at the end of the file, the operation returns to Step S158, and repeats the above-mentioned processes, and searches the text chunk in the image file. When the text chunk is found, the operation judges whether the keyword “Position” indicating the insertion of the image display control information is inserted (Step S164). When the keyword “Position” is not inserted, the operation proceeds to Step S160, and continues the search of the text chunk.

On the other hand, when the keyword “Position” is described in the text chunk, the position information Data is extracted from the text chunk of the image file (Step S166). Next, the position information of itself is obtained by GPS controller 63 (Step S168), and the cellular phone 3b is connected to the map information service system 51 through Web server 522 of the communication service enterprise 52 and WWW (World Wide Web) 54 (Step S170). Furthermore, the position information Data and the position information of itself are transmitted to the map information service system 51, and the reply of map information (image file) is required (Step S172). In the map information service system 51, the map information of the range that the position information Data and the position information of itself are included is extracted from the map information database 51, and is replied.

In the cellular phone 3b, the above map information is obtained, and is stored to the image memory 31 (Step S174). Next, the image based on the map information is displayed on the display 29 instead of the image based of the attached image file, and is also scrolled from the present position to the position which is specified by the position information Data inserted in the text chunk of image file (Step 176). In addition, the map information displayed first is reduced so that an area including the position of cellular phone 3b and the position inserted in the text chunk of image file can be displayed at the time, as shown in FIG. 25A. Next, the operation judges whether the function key such as pause or stop is operated (Step S178). When the function key is not operated, the operation returns to Step S168, and updates the position information of itself, and also scrolls the map from the present position to the position inserted in the image file by continuing the processing to display the map.

Next, when the playback of the map information is finished, the operation judges whether the process end is ordered (Step S180). When the process end is not ordered, the operation returns to Step S152, and repeats the above-mentioned processes. On the other hand, when the process end is ordered, this process is finished. In addition, at the end of display processing in this case, when the end order for the display processing of the map information, the image based on the attached image file may be displayed again, or both of the map information and the image based on the attached image file may be displayed.

According to the fourth embodiment, in the transmitting side, it is possible to insert the position information which relates to the pick-up place of the image into the text chunk of the image file to attach to E-mail to be transmitted as the image playback control information for controlling the playback of the image. Furthermore, in the receiving side, it is possible to display the map information, and to automatically scroll the map information from the present position to the position inserted in the image file, by obtain the map information from the map information service system according to the positional information of itself and the position information which is attached to the received E-mail. Thus, according to the fourth embodiment, it is possible to process the display of image by simple operation processing and simple information processing without needing any special operation, any complicated file management or data management in the receiving side. Furthermore, it is possible to identify a destination easily even if an error occurs in GPS function because the picked-up image (buildings or stores etc. at that place) also is displayed. In addition, in the fourth embodiment, the image and the map information which are based on the received image file may be displayed on each sub window at the same time, or may be displayed on respective windows more even if the display has a small screen area, if the display has more high-resolution image displaying ability.

E. Fifth Embodiment

Next, the fifth embodiment according to the present invention will be explained. In the fifth embodiment, the image file in the function of the fourth embodiment is stored as the image file according to Design rule for Camera File system (DCF) format, for example, by adding information in accordance with Exchangeable image file format (Exif) standard to the compressed image with Joint Photographic Experts Group (JPEG) format. In Exif standard, the pick-up information, the file information and so on can be recorded to an additional information part called “tag” in a file. In the fifth embodiment, it is possible to designate the keyword indicating the insertion of the image display control information to the additional information part (user comment tag), and to designate the position information (information indicating the position such as photography place of the image; latitude, longitude) to the GPS Info tag. In the receiving side which receives such an image file, when the above image display control information and the position information are inserted into the tag information (user comment tag, GPS Info tag) of the received image file, the inserted position information and the position information of the receiving side are transmitted to the map information service system 51 through the network such as WWW 54 as shown in FIG. 19, and the receiving side requests the reply of the map information. Next, the map information of the range that both position information is included, transmitted from the map information service system 51 in response to the above-mentioned request is obtained. Furthermore, the map information is automatically enlarged/reduced, and is automatically scrolled from the present position to the position inserted into the image data.

E-1. Constitution of the Fifth Embodiment

Incidentally, the system configuration, and the appearance and the constitution of cellular phone according to the fifth embodiment are the same as that of shown in FIGS. 19, 20A˜20B and 21, so that a detailed explanation has been omitted.

(1) Constitution of an Image File

FIG. 26 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of data format of an image file (Exif) 200 being used by the fifth embodiment. The image file of Exif standard consists of a header 201 to distinguish that the image file is an image file of Exif standard, an image additional information 202 which consists of a tag information including various information about image data and a thumbnail image data 205, and a photographed original image data 203. Various information such as the number of the pixels, the compression mode, the model name of the camera, the iris value, shutter speed, photography date, user information, positional information (GPS Info tag) are recorded into tag information 204. In this embodiment, the display processing control for scroll display is recorded to the user comment tag arranged on the tag information, and the position information (information indicating the position such as photography place of the image; latitude, longitude) is recorded to GPS Info tag, respectively.

E-2. Operation of the Fifth Embodiment

Next, the operation of the cellular phones 3a, 3b according to the fifth embodiment will be explained. At first the generating operation of image file from the image data by the cellular phone 3a, and the insertion operation of the additional information to the image file will be explained. Here, FIG. 27 is a flow chart explaining the operation to insert the additional information into the tag information of the image file in the cellular phone 3a. The operation judges whether the photography mode is selected or not (Step S190), when the photography mode is selected, the image pick-up module and DSP are activated (Step S192), and an image taken by image pick-up module 28 through the imaging lens 12 is coded to digital data by DSP 27 of the latter part, and is displayed as through image on display 6 sequentially (Step S194). Next, the operation judges whether the shutter key 7 is operated (Step S196). When the operation of shutter key 7 is detected, the image is taken by image pick-up module 28 through the imaging lens 12, and is coded to digital data, and also compressed by DSP 27, and then stored temporarily to RAM 25 (Step S198). The position information is then obtained by the GPS controller 63 (Step S200).

Next, the obtained position information is inserted in the GPS Info tag of the image file to be generated, and the display processing control information “keyword ‘Position’ ” for carrying out the scrolling display of the section including two position information is inserted in the user comment tag of the image file to be generated, respectively, and the image file is generated in accordance with Exif standard, and the generated image file is stored to the image memory 31 (Step S202). By the above-mentioned operation, the additional information is inserted in the tag information (user comment) of the image file according to Exif standard.

Next, the operation that the display control is carried out for the image on the basis of the image file received by the cellular phone 3b, and generated and transmitted (as image file attached to E-mail) by the cellular phone 3a as the mentioned above, according to the display control information inserted in the image file, will be explained. Here, FIG. 28 is a flowchart to explain the operation of the cellular phone 3b. When the image browsing function is activated in the cellular phone 3a, the image based on the received image file is displayed (Step S210), the operation then becomes the key operation wait state including the function key (Step S212). Next, the operation judges whether the function key (playback) is pushed down (Step S214). When the function key is not is not pushed down, the operation proceeds to other process.

On the other hand, when the function key (playback) is pushed down, the tag information (user comment) of the image file corresponding to the displayed image is searched (Step S216). Next, as the result, the operation judges whether the display processing control information “keyword ‘Position’ ” is in the user comment tag (Step S218). When the display processing control information “keyword ‘Position’ ” is not in the user comment tag, the operation judges whether the process end is ordered (Step S236). When the process end is not ordered, the operation returns to Step S212, and repeats the above-mentioned processes. On the other hand, when the process end is ordered, the processing is finished.

On the other hand, when the display processing control information “keyword ‘Position’ ” is found in the user comment tag, the operation judges whether the position information is inserted in GPS Info tag (Step S220). When the position information is not inserted, the operation proceeds to Step S236, and judges whether this process is finished or not.

On the other hand, when the position information is described in the GPS Info tag, the position information is extracted (Step S222). Next, the position information of itself is obtained by GPS controller 63 (Step S224), and the cellular phone 3b is connected to the map information service system 51 through Web server 522 of the communication service enterprise 52 and WWW (World Wide Web) 54 (Step S226). Furthermore, the position information and the position information of itself are transmitted to the map information service system 51, and the reply of map information (image file) is requested (Step S228). In the map information service system 51, the map information of the range that the position information data and the position information of itself are included is extracted from the map information database 51, and is replied.

In the cellular phone 3b, the above map information is obtained, and is stored to the image memory 31 (Step S230). Next, the image based on the map information is displayed on the display 29 instead of the image based of the attached image file, and is also scrolled from the present position to the position which is specified by the position information described in the GPS Info tag of the attached image file (Step S232). In addition, the map information displayed first is reduced so that an area including the position of cellular phone 3b and the position described in the GPS Info tag can be displayed at the time. Next, the operation judges whether the function key such as pause or stop is operated (Step S234). When the function key is not operated, the operation returns to Step S224, and updates the position information of itself, and also scrolls the map from the present position to the position inserted in the image file by continuing the processing to display the map.

Next, when the playback of the map information is finished, the operation judges whether the process end is ordered (Step S236). When the process end is not ordered, the operation returns to Step S212, and repeats the above-mentioned processes. On the other hand, when the process end is ordered, this process is finished.

According to the fifth embodiment, it is possible to play back the image data as the transmitting side intended without the specific operation in the receiving side as the transmitting side intended as the same as the first to fourth embodiments by inserting the image playback control information and position information in the tag information of the image file in accordance with Exif standard as the same as the image playback control information for controlling the image playback is inserted in the text chunk of the image data in the first to fourth embodiments.

Although the details of a cellular phone with a digital camera (image pick-up function) have been described in the above-mentioned embodiments, if the device are the portable multimedia player that the image data and movie data are stored to a built in semiconductor memory, and a digital camera comprising an image pick-up function, this invention can be applied in several forms and must not be construed to limit this invention.

Furthermore, although the details of an image file of PNG format and an image file (an image file of JPEG format) wherein the tag is set according to the Exif standard have been described in the above-mentioned embodiments, if the image file has an area where a description to correspond to the tag information or the text chunk is permitted, in the image file compressed with Moving Picture Experts Group (MPEG) format or a compression coding manner based thereon, this invention can be applied in several forms and must not be construed to limit this invention.

As set forth above, the advantages of the present invention are as follows:

According to the present invention, it is possible to process the display of the image by simple information processing without needing complicated file management and data management in respect to display processing of the image, since when the image based on the image file stored in said stored means is displayed on said display means, the display of the image is controlled on the basis of the image display included in the image file corresponding to the image by said display control means.

According to the present invention, it is possible to process the display of the image by simple information processing without needing complicated file management and data management in respect to display processing of the image, since the image based on the image file stored in said stored means is displayed on the basis of the image display control information described in the text description area of the image file.

According to the present invention, it is possible to process the display of the image by simple information processing without needing complicated file management and data management in respect to display processing of the image, since when the display of image based on the image file is indicated at the indicating step, the image display control information included in the image file is extracted at the extracting step, the display of the image is then controlled on the basis of the extracted image display control information at the control step.

According to the present invention, it is possible to process the display of the image by simple information processing without needing complicated file management and data management in respect to display processing of the image, since a computer extracts the image display control information included in the image file at the extracting step when the display of image based on the image file is indicated at the indicating step, and controls the display of the image on the basis of the extracted image display control information at the control step.

Furthermore, although the display control program of the display processing device which is a preferred embodiment of the present invention is stored in the memory (for example, ROM, etc.) of the display processing device, this processing program is stored on a computer-readable medium and should also be protected in the case of manufacturing, selling, etc. of only the program. In that case, the method of protecting the program with a patent will be realized by the form of the computer-readable medium on which the processing program is stored.

While the present invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiments, it is not intended that the invention be limited by any of the details of the description of the preferred embodiments. The invention includes all embodiments which fall within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A display processing device comprising: a storage section for storing an image file in a file format including an image storage field for storing an image and a text data storage field for storing text data;a first direction section for reading the image file from said storage section and directing display of the image stored in the image file;a display section for reading the image file which stores said image and displaying the image stored in the image file when display of said image is directed by said first direction section;a second direction section for directing display control of said image when the image is displayed by the display section;a judgment section for judging whether or not information which designates a display control method of said image and positional information comprising latitude and longitude are included in the text data stored in said image file when display control of said image is directed by the second direction section;a positional information acquisition section for acquiring positional information comprising latitude and longitude of a current position when the judgment section judges that the text data includes the information which designates the display control method of said image and said positional information;a map information storage section for storing a range of map information including said positional information of said image file and said positional information acquired by said positional information acquisition section; anda map information display control section for reading map information stored by the map information storage section and displaying the map information on said display section while controlling the display of said map information based on the positional information.

2. The display processing device according to claim 1, further comprising: an image input section for inputting the image;a positional information input section for inputting positional information comprising latitude and longitude; andan image file generation section for generating the image file which includes the image inputted by said image input section and the positional information inputted by said positional information input section.

3. The display processing device according to claim 2, wherein said image input section includes an imaging section.

4. A display control method comprising the steps of: reading an image file from a storage section, which stores the image file in a file format including an image storage field for storing an image and a text data storage field for storing text data, and directing display of the image;reading the image file which stores said image and displaying the image stored in the image file on a display area when display of said image is directed;directing display control of said image when the image is displayed;judging whether or not information which designates a display control method of said image and positional information comprising latitude and longitude are included in the text data stored in said image file when display control of said image is directed;acquiring positional information comprising latitude and longitude of a current position when it is judged that the text data includes the information which designates the display control method of said image and said positional information; andreading a range of map information which includes said positional information of said image file and said acquired positional information from a map information storage section, and displaying the range of map information on said display area while controlling said display of said map information based on the positional information.

5. A computer-readable medium having a computer program stored thereon that is executable by a computer of a display processing device to cause the computer to control the display processing device to perform functions comprising: reading an image file from a storage section, which stores the image file in a file format including an image storage field for storing an image and a text data storage field for storing text data, and directing display of the image;reading the image file which stores said image and displaying the image stored in the image file on a display area when display of said image is directed;directing display control of said image when the image is displayed;judging whether or not information which designates a display control method of said image and positional information comprising latitude and longitude are included in the text data stored in said image file when display control of said image is directed;acquiring positional information comprising latitude and longitude of a current position via a positional information acquisition section, when it is judged that the text data includes the information which designates the display control method of said image and said positional information; andreading a range of map information including said positional information of said image file and said acquired positional information from a map information storage section, and displaying the range of map information on said display area while controlling display of said map information based on the positional information.