JP4630749B2 - Image output apparatus and control method thereof - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image output apparatus and an image output method, and more particularly to an image output technique for controlling the arrangement and size of each image when a plurality of images are output simultaneously.

  With the widespread use of digital cameras, an increasing number of users enjoy displaying electronic still images and moving images on a monitor screen of a PC (Personal Computer).

  In addition, the capacity of a memory that can be attached to a digital camera has increased dramatically in recent years, and the number of images that can be stored has increased dramatically.

  Because of the above-mentioned background, many application software for PCs that manage electronic photographs are provided. Some of them include an album creation function that can organize and decorate electronic photographs as if they were “albums” in conventional silver halide photography.

  On the other hand, recent television receivers are capable of displaying powerful images with higher image quality than before due to the support for high-definition video accompanying the start of digital high-definition broadcasting.

Also, there is a movement to use this high-definition television receiver not only for television broadcast content but also for displaying electronic photographs as described above, and the function to capture and display electronic photographs from memory cards, USB, etc. TV receivers equipped with are on the market. In addition, many techniques for displaying content data such as electrophotography with higher image quality regardless of a PC or a television receiver have been disclosed. Some of them detect human faces from electrophotographic data and perform appropriate image processing. As a method for detecting a human face area, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for detecting a human face area by detecting a pupil in an image having a gradation distribution.
JP 2002-183731 A

  There are two album creation functions in existing PC applications: album creation semi-automatically and album creation manually.

  A variety of layouts and backgrounds are prepared semi-automatically. Generally, an album is automatically arranged by simply specifying the layout, background, and content group. As an example of the layout, there is a layout in which four electronic photographs are displayed side by side as shown in FIGS. 12 (a) and 12 (b). When the number of images exceeds 4, the next 1 to 4 images are displayed in the same layout after a user operation or a certain period of time.

  However, in the conventional technology, the order of images arranged in the designated layout is almost in the order of ascending or descending shooting date and time, regardless of the contents of the images. Also, the display size of an image is mostly determined uniformly according to the layout regardless of the content of the image.

  In the case of FIG. 12 (a), the selected image group is laid out in the order of 51 to 54, and the fifth and subsequent images are similarly laid out on the next page and thereafter. Similarly, in the case of FIG. 12B, the layout is performed in the order of 55 to 58. The character string in the figure is a file name corresponding to each image.

  An example of the layout result of FIG. 12 (b) is shown in FIG. As described above, since the images are laid out in chronological order, the contents of the images are not reflected. As a result, the group photo with a large number of people like 61 is laid out in a small layout, and each person's facial expression may be difficult to distinguish from the album display.

  The album created in this way does not always produce what the user expects, and the only way to create a work as expected is to set it manually.

  On the other hand, what is created manually is generally one in which the number of images displayed per page, the layout and display size of each image, etc. can be set in detail using a mouse or keyboard that is a PC input device. Is.

  However, for users who are not familiar with PC operations, manual operations such as those described above are cumbersome and do not use because they feel that the threshold is high, or even if they are used, they will not be able to learn the operation procedure and gradually use it. There is a concern that it will not.

  The input device in a television receiver is generally a remote controller. Although it is possible to install an album creation function on a television receiver, the manual album creation function with multiple steps as described above using a remote control has a very heavy user operation load. It is unlikely that the user wants to do it.

In order to solve the above-described problems, an image output apparatus according to the present invention includes an input unit that inputs a plurality of image data, and a face detection unit that detects a face area of a person existing in each image data input by the input unit. The comparison means for comparing the number of persons existing in the individual image data based on the information on the face area detected by the face detection means, and the number of the persons based on the comparison result by the comparison means Determining means for determining a display layout of the plurality of image data so as to display a larger amount of image data; and an output means for outputting the plurality of image data in the display layout determined by the determining means. The comparing means applies the entire face area image existing in the first image data when the number of persons existing in the first image data and the second image data is the same. Comparing the percentage of the total image of the face region exists in the Mel proportion second image data, when the number of persons existing in the first image data and the second image data are the same, said determining means determines the display layout to display image data percentage of the total image of the face region is small among said first image data a second image data larger than the other image data.

In the image output device control method according to the present invention, the input unit of the image output device inputs a plurality of image data, and the face detection unit of the image output device inputs the input step. A face detection step for detecting a human face region existing in individual image data, and a comparison means of the image output device, in the individual image data, based on the face region information detected by the face detection step. The comparison step of comparing the number of existing persons and the determination means of the image output device display the plurality of image data having a larger number of persons based on the comparison result of the comparison step so that the image data having a larger number of persons is displayed larger. A determination step of determining a display layout of the image data, and an output in which the output means of the image output device outputs the plurality of image data in the display layout determined by the determination step It includes a degree, a, as the comparison Engineering, if the number of persons existing in the first image data and second image data are the same, the total image of the face region exists in the first image data The ratio is compared with the ratio of the face area in the entire image in the second image data, and the determination is performed when the number of persons in the first image data and the second image data is the same. Engineering more determines the display layout to display image data percentage of the total image of the face region is small among said first image data a second image data larger than the other image data.

According to the present invention, since the layout of individual image data is determined according to the number of persons existing in the image data, a more powerful and impressive album can be easily created. In particular, since the number of the person as a subject is when laying the same image data to the same page, determines the display layout to display larger priority what percentage of the total image of the face region is small, each person Because it makes it easier to recognize the expression of the album, more impressive album work can be output very effectively.

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  The embodiment described below is an example as means for realizing the present invention, and should be appropriately modified or changed according to the configuration and various conditions of the apparatus to which the present invention is applied. It is not limited to the embodiment.

[First Embodiment]
First, a first embodiment according to the present invention will be described.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a digital television receiver 100 as an image output apparatus to which the present invention is applied.

  In FIG. 1, a signal input from an antenna or cable is input to the tuner unit 101. The tuner unit 101 performs processing such as demodulation and error correction on the input signal to generate digital data in a format called a transport stream (TS).

  The descrambler 102 receives TS data that is scrambled for viewing restriction from the tuner unit 101. When descrambler 102 receives TS data, descrambler 102 performs descrambling based on descrambling information included in TS data and key information output from an IC card (not shown). Output.

  In the TS data input from the descrambler 102, video data, audio data, electronic program guide data (EPG) data, data broadcasting data, and the like for a plurality of channels are time-division multiplexed. The demultiplexer 103 extracts video data and audio data from the TS data, and outputs them to the video decoder 106 and the audio decoder 104. The video data processed by the video decoder 106 is written in the video memory 110 and output to the display unit 112 via the display synthesis unit 111. On the other hand, the audio data is processed by the audio decoder 104 and then output to the audio output unit 105.

  A card slot 107 is used to connect a removable memory card such as a Compact Flash (registered trademark) (CF) card and exchange data with the digital camera. An image data input unit 108 reads digital image data from a memory card connected to the card slot 107. An image processing / face detection unit 109 performs image processing and face detection processing on the digital image data input from the image data input unit and writes the digital image data into the video memory 110.

  Reference numeral 114 denotes a control unit that instructs the image processing / face detection unit 109 to execute processing, writes display data to the video memory 110, combines processing for the display combining unit 111, specifies an image display area, and stores information about the storage unit 113. The storage instruction is controlled. In addition, the photographing data attached to the digital image data is also acquired via the image data input unit 108. Further, an operation input from the user is received via the remote controller 116 and the light receiving unit 115, and appropriate control is performed according to the input instruction.

  Reference numeral 117 denotes an external storage device such as an HDD, which stores and saves information about an album created by the user, which will be described later, and an image file included in the album.

  An example of the remote controller 116 is shown in FIG. However, this figure shows a button for performing an operation for realizing a function necessary for explaining the present embodiment, and the button necessary for an actual television receiver is not limited to this.

  In FIG. 2, 116 is a remote control body, 201 is a light emitting unit for performing infrared communication between the remote control and the light receiving unit 115 of FIG. 1, and 202 is a number key in which numbers 1 to 9 and 0 are arranged on a matrix. 203 is a power key for turning on / off the power, 204 is a channel up / down key for switching channel selection of television broadcasting, and 205 is a volume up / down key for adjusting the volume. 206 is a menu key for displaying a menu that can be set according to various states, 207 is a viewer key for calling an image viewer function, and 208 is a cursor & determination key in which a determination key is arranged at the center of the up, down, left, and right keys. Reference numeral 209 denotes an album key for calling an album created later, and reference numeral 210 denotes a return key for returning to the previous display. Reference numeral 211 denotes a color key in which four color keys of blue, red, green, and yellow are arranged in a horizontal row.

  The digital images used in this embodiment are still images and moving image data taken by a digital camera. The still image data is subjected to JPEG compression processing by the digital camera and then stored in a memory card as a still image data file. Use the recorded one. Similarly, moving image data uses a group of images that have been JPEG-compressed in frame units by a digital camera and recorded as a moving image data file on a memory card. In the following description, “image file” indicates still image data or moving image data.

  Each image file can be provided with information at the time of photographing with a digital camera as related information associated with the image based on the Exif standard. The information at the time of shooting includes the camera model name, shooting mode, focus position information, and the like. In this embodiment, information on the shooting date and time and information on the orientation of the image such as vertical and horizontal (Orientation information) are used. .

  In addition, manufacturer-specific data called Makernote can be stored in an Exif image file. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the number of subjects is detected by the image processing / face detection unit based on the face area existing in each image data and stored in the Makernote.

  The digital image viewer function in the digital television receiver 100 according to the present embodiment is started when the user inserts a memory card into the card slot 107 and presses the 207 viewer key on the remote control 116.

  Hereinafter, the basic operation flow of the viewer function in the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 3, and the screen outline will be described with reference to FIG.

  In accordance with an input instruction (viewer key 207 input) from the user from the light receiving unit 115, the control unit 114 acquires photographing data given to the digital image data via the image data input unit 108. First, the control unit 114 reads and stores the total number of image files in the memory card inserted into the card slot 107 via the image data input unit 108, and initializes the counter (S301, S302). Subsequently, the thumbnail data is read from the Exif header information of the first image file (S303). Then, the thumbnail data is decoded and rendered at a predetermined location (S304).

  Similarly, the processing of the second image, the third image,... Is continued, and when the processing of the image data for the number of image files is completed, the focus is displayed around the first image (S306). The processing order is performed in order from the oldest shooting date / time based on the shooting date / time information described in the Exif header.

  If the number of files that can be displayed at one time, which is 16 or less in the present embodiment, the process ends. If not, the scroll bar is displayed (S308), and the process ends.

  With the above operation flow, the basic screen of the viewer function in this embodiment is displayed on the screen display unit 112.

  FIG. 4 (a) is a screen immediately after the viewer function is started, and is a list display screen (400) on which thumbnail images of image files included in the memory card are displayed in a 4 × 4 matrix. Reference numeral 401 in FIG. 4 denotes a focus display for showing the image to be operated to the user, and the user can move to another image using the cursor key 208 of the remote control 116. If the number of image files is 16 or more, the 17th and subsequent images can be displayed by a scroll operation accompanying the movement of the focus.

  When the user focuses on a desired image and presses the enter key 208, the control unit 114 instructs the image processing unit 109 to decode the target image file (Exif data). After the decoding of the image processing unit 109 is completed, the selected image is displayed on one screen by being output to the image display unit 112 via the video memory 110 and the display synthesis unit 111 (FIG. 4B). . Further, when the return key 210 is pressed in this state, the screen returns to the list display screen (FIG. 4 (a)).

  Next, the screen for executing the album creation function in this embodiment will be outlined.

  Reference numeral 403 in FIG. 4C denotes a menu list displayed when the menu key 206 is pressed while the images in the memory card are displayed as a list by the viewer function. When the control unit 114 receives an input instruction (menu key 206 input) from the user via the light receiving unit 115, the control unit 114 acquires a menu list corresponding to the current status from the storage unit 113 and displays the menu list on the screen as a menu list. The user moves / selects the focus 404 for selecting the menu item with the cursor & determination key 208, and determines the menu item to be executed. Here, the menu item “(4) Create album” for creating an album is selected and determined.

  When album creation is instructed by a user operation, the control unit 114 acquires a plurality of layout templates from the storage unit 113 and displays a list on the screen (405). The layout template is a type indicating how images are displayed as an album, and the number of images to be displayed on one page, the position and size of each image, the background, and the like are determined. As with the menu item selection, the user moves / selects the focus 406 using the cursor & determination key 208 to determine a desired template. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4 (e), it is assumed that a template that simultaneously displays four images on one page and displays only one large image is selected.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an image arrangement determination process.

  In the present embodiment, when a template that displays a specific image large as shown in FIG. 4E is selected, control is performed to display a large image with a large number of subjects.

  First, the control unit 114 acquires the first image data from the memory card inserted in the card slot 107 via the image data input unit 108. Subsequently, the acquired data is output to the image processing / face detection unit 109 to instruct decoding processing. The image processing / face detection unit 109 decodes the image data based on an instruction from the control unit 114, and outputs the decoded data to the video memory 110 (S503).

  Here, it is determined whether or not subject number information is described in Makernote of the target image data Exif information (S504). If the number of subjects information is already described in the Exif file as a result of the face detection by the face detection unit, the subject number information is temporarily stored in the storage unit 113 together with the storage location of the decoded image data (S505). . On the other hand, when the subject number information is not described, the image processing / face detection unit executes face detection processing on the target image data (S506).

  In this embodiment, as described in Patent Document 1, a technique for detecting a human face region by detecting a pupil in an image having a gradation distribution is used. Further, in this embodiment, only when a pair of two pupils can be detected, it is counted as one face area, that is, one person.

  When the face detection process of the image processing / face detection unit 109 detects the number of faces, the number of faces is written in the makernote of the Exif information as “subject number information” (S507).

  After the subject number information is determined, the subject number information is temporarily stored in the storage unit 113 together with the storage location of the decoded image data (S505).

  When the processing from S502 to S505 is executed for the number of simultaneously displayed sheets (S508), the control unit 114 determines the layout for each image (S509). Similar to the list display processing, the processing order is performed in order from the oldest shooting date / time based on the shooting date / time information described in the Exif header.

  The control unit 114 determines an image to be displayed largely according to the template information. This template displays one of the four images displayed larger (Fig. 4 (e)). Therefore, the control unit 114 determines that the image with the largest number of subjects in each image data temporarily stored in the storage unit 113 is one to be displayed in a large size. Since the size of the other images is constant, the other images are laid out in time series as before. Through the processing as described above, the layout of four images to be displayed simultaneously is determined.

  When the icon 408 in FIG. 4 (e) indicating the next page is selected by a remote control operation from the user, the same four processes are repeated to determine the next four layouts to be displayed and present them to the user. .

  FIG. 4 (f) shows a menu list displayed by pressing the menu key 206 while displaying the album created as described above. When the control unit 114 receives an input instruction (menu key 206 input) from the user via the light receiving unit 115, the control unit 114 acquires a menu list corresponding to the current status from the storage unit 113 and displays the menu list on the screen as a menu list.

  The user can save the created album by selecting and determining the menu item “(5) Save album” for saving the album being displayed.

  When album saving is instructed by a user operation, the control unit 114 starts processing for saving. If the layout for all images has not been determined, the layout for all images is determined by the processing described above, and then each image file, layout information, and layout template are recorded in the external storage device 117. When the user wants to view the stored album, the album list 209 is displayed by pressing the album key 209 of the remote control 116, and can be viewed again by selecting a desired album.

  By the above processing, it is possible to create an album having an image layout and an image size reflecting the contents of the image by a simple operation.

  FIG. 6 (a) shows one screen example of an album arranged in time series according to the prior art, and FIG. 6 (b) shows one screen example of an album created according to the present embodiment. In (a), the image files are displayed in time series in the order of 601 to 604 regardless of their contents. Therefore, a photo such as a group photo such as a group photo in which a large number of people are photographed may be arranged in a relatively small display area. On the other hand, in (b), since the number of subjects is obtained and reflected in the layout by the face detection process with reference to time series, an image in which a large number of people are shown as in 603 ′ is arranged in a large display area. Is possible. This makes it easier to confirm the facial expression of each subject, creating a more impressive and powerful album.

  In the present embodiment, the process is such that an album is created using all the images stored in the memory card. On the other hand, it is also possible to add a step of designating an image that the user likes among images in the memory card and to create an album using only the designated image.

  In the present embodiment, the created album is stored in the external storage device. However, the storage destination is not limited to this, and for example, the storage can be performed in a memory card.

  Although not specified in the present embodiment, the portrait image is automatically rotated based on the orientation information described in the Exif information.

  In the present embodiment, the layout of the image is changed within the page according to the number of subjects while using the time series as a reference. On the other hand, it is also possible to arrange such that all image files are first sorted by the number of subjects and are preferentially arranged in a large area of each page in this order.

  The present invention can be implemented in various forms without departing from the spirit or main features thereof. Accordingly, the above-described embodiment is merely an example in all respects and should not be interpreted in a limited manner.

[Second Embodiment]
A second embodiment according to the present invention will be described.

  The second embodiment of the present invention has a different feature in the process of determining the number of subjects according to the first embodiment.

  Hereinafter, the description according to the second embodiment will be described only with respect to differences from the first embodiment. The same configurations and operations as those of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as those described in the first embodiment, and this is represented.

  FIG. 7 shows an example of an image used in this embodiment. FIG. 7 (a) is a group photo taken by five men and (b) is a snapshot of one scene of a children's athletic meet. In both (a) and (b), five face areas are detected based on the processing result of the image processing / face detection unit 109 (the face areas are indicated by circles).

  From the viewpoint of the photographer, in (a) the facial expressions of all five people are important because of the group photo, while in (b) the facial expressions of the children facing the front are particularly important. In an image in which a large number of people are photographed as shown in Fig. 7 (b), a person who was accidentally photographed or a person photographed to represent an event (such as an athletic meet) and a person to be photographed The degree of attention during viewing is different.

  In this embodiment, in the detected face area, the centers of two paired pupil areas are connected by a straight line, and whether or not the straight line is horizontal is determined whether or not it is facing the front. A person who faces the front is regarded as a particularly noticeable person, and output at the time of creating an album is controlled in accordance with the number of noticeable persons.

  The attention person determination process in the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  Similar to the first embodiment, the image processing / face detection unit 109 executes face detection processing based on a face detection instruction from the control unit 114. Specifically, the face area is determined from the detection result of the pupil area in the image having the gradation distribution, and the number of subjects is determined (S801, S802). Each detected face area and two paired pupil areas are temporarily stored in the storage unit 113. Subsequently, the counter value N is initialized with the number of subjects (S803).

  The control unit 114 calls the two pupil regions that form pairs of each face region from the storage unit 113, and calculates an angle that connects these centers with a straight line and forms a horizontal line (S804). If it is determined that the calculation is horizontal, the process for the next face area is continued. If it is determined that the calculation is not horizontal, the number of subjects is decremented (S805, S806). After executing the above processing for all face areas, the number of target subjects of the target image is determined (S809). Finally, the control unit 114 writes the determined number of subjects of interest in Makernote of Exif information.

  FIG. 9 shows an image obtained by adding a straight line connecting the centers of the paired pupil regions to each of the face regions in FIGS. 7 (a) and 7 (b).

  As a result of the above control, in FIG. 9 (a), it can be determined that the number of subjects of interest is four with respect to the number of subjects of five. In (b), the number of subjects of interest is one for five subjects. Therefore, for example, in the case of a layout in which one image is displayed larger than the other three images, (a) is arranged in a larger area than (b).

  By the above processing, it is possible to create an album having an image layout and an image size reflecting the contents of the image by a simple operation.

  In particular, in an image in which a large number of people are photographed, it is possible to preferentially display an image that has a large effect due to large display by the face detection process and the determination process of whether or not the person is facing the front. , Finished in a more impressive and powerful album.

  In the present embodiment, a straight line connecting the centers of two paired pupil regions is determined to be a person of interest, but a specific range is given to an angle between the horizontal line and the range is defined. If it is within the range, it is also possible to perform a process for determining that the person is a person of interest.

  Further, although not particularly specified in the present embodiment, for the portrait image, the above processing is performed on the image after the rotation processing based on the orientation information described in the Exif information.

[Third Embodiment]
A third embodiment according to the present invention will be described.

  The third embodiment has a different feature in the prioritization process in the case of the same number of subjects according to the first embodiment.

  Hereinafter, the description according to the third embodiment will be described only with respect to differences from the first embodiment. The same configurations and operations as those of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as those described in the first embodiment, and this is represented.

  FIG. 10 shows an example of an image used in this embodiment. FIGS. 10 (a) and 10 (b) are group photographs taken by collecting five men, and five face areas are detected based on the processing result of the image processing / face detection unit 109 (face area). Is indicated by a circle).

  Although the maximum number of subjects in the same page image group is the same, there may be a case where a different size must be displayed depending on the layout. In the present embodiment, an optimum image arrangement and image size are realized even in such a situation.

  Similar to the first embodiment, the image processing / face detection unit 109 executes face detection processing based on a face detection instruction from the control unit 114. The control unit 114 calculates the ratio of the face area in the image together with the number of subjects obtained as a result of the face detection process, and writes it in Makernote of the Exif information. The ratio of the face area to the image is a value obtained by dividing the number of pixels of all detected face areas by the total number of pixels of the image.

  The control unit 114 temporarily stores the number of subjects, the ratio of the face area, and the storage location of the decoded image data in the storage unit 113 for each image laid out on the same page.

  When determining the layout of an image, there are cases where images laid out on the same page have the same number of subjects but must be displayed in different sizes. In this case, the control unit 114 compares the ratios of the face areas held by the respective images as described above, and performs control so that a smaller face area is preferentially laid out in a larger area.

  Therefore, in the example of FIG. 10, the layout of (b) is preferentially laid out in a larger area than (a).

  With the above processing, when the number of subjects is the same, images with a small face area are displayed preferentially and large, making it easier to recognize each person's facial expressions and creating an impressive and powerful album. it can.

[Fourth Embodiment]
A fourth embodiment according to the present invention will be described.

  The fourth embodiment of the present invention has a different feature in the prioritization process in the case of the same number of subjects according to the first embodiment.

  Hereinafter, the description according to the fourth embodiment will be made only with respect to differences from the first embodiment. The same configurations and operations as those of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as those described in the first embodiment, and this is represented.

  FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a digital television receiver 1100 as an image output apparatus to which the present invention is applied. The difference from the first embodiment is that it has an output image processing unit 118 and a printer I / F 119 and can be connected to an external printer 120.

  An output image control unit 118 reads layout information determined by the image processing / face detection unit 109 and the control unit 114 from the storage unit 113 and processes the data in a printable form. More specifically, the control unit 114 instructs the output image processing unit 118 to perform processing in accordance with an input instruction (printing instruction) from the light receiving unit 115 from the user.

  A printer I / F 119 receives print data output from the output image processing unit 118 and outputs the image data to an external printer 120 that can be connected.

  With the above processing, an album having an image layout and an image size reflecting the contents of the image can be displayed as well as printed out, and the user can enjoy viewing the album like an actual album. .

[Other Embodiments]
The embodiment according to the present invention has been described in detail using specific examples. However, the present invention can take an embodiment as a system, apparatus, method, program, storage medium (recording medium), or the like. is there. Specifically, the present invention may be applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices, or may be applied to an apparatus composed of a single device.

  Further, it is needless to say that the object of the present invention can be achieved even if any part of the functional blocks and operations shown in FIGS. 1 and 11 is realized by a hardware circuit or by software processing using a computer. .

  Note that the present invention includes a case where the present invention is achieved by supplying a software program for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments directly or remotely to a system or apparatus. In that case, a computer such as a system reads and executes the program code.

  Accordingly, since the functions of the present invention are implemented by computer, the program code installed in the computer also implements the present invention. In other words, the present invention includes a computer program itself for realizing the functional processing of the present invention.

  In that case, as long as it has the function of a program, it may be in the form of object code, a program executed by an interpreter, script data supplied to the OS, or the like.

  Examples of the recording medium (storage medium) for supplying the program include a flexible disk, a hard disk, an optical disk, and a magneto-optical disk. In addition, there are MO, CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, ROM, DVD (DVD-ROM, DVD-R) and the like.

  As another program supply method, a client computer browser can be used to connect to a homepage on the Internet, and the computer program itself of the present invention can be downloaded from the homepage. It can also be supplied by downloading a compressed file including an automatic installation function to a recording medium such as a hard disk. It can also be realized by dividing the program code constituting the program of the present invention into a plurality of files and downloading each file from a different homepage. That is, a WWW server that allows a plurality of users to download a program file for realizing the functional processing of the present invention on a computer is also included in the present invention.

  In addition, the program of the present invention is encrypted, stored in a storage medium such as a CD-ROM, distributed to users, and a user who satisfies predetermined conditions downloads key information for decryption from a homepage via the Internet. You can also. In this case, using the downloaded key information, the encrypted program is executed and installed in the computer.

  In addition to the functions of the above-described embodiments being realized by the computer executing the read program, the OS running on the computer based on the instructions of the program may be part of the actual processing. Alternatively, it can be realized by performing all of them.

  Further, after the program read from the recording medium is written in the memory of a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the CPU of the board or the like performs a part of the actual processing. Alternatively, it can be realized by performing all of them.

It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of the television receiver in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is an external view of the remote control in the television receiver of this embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the basic operation | movement of the viewer function of this embodiment. It is a figure which shows the screen outline | summary of the viewer function of this embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the image arrangement | positioning determination process of the album creation function of this embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the image arrangement | positioning of the album creation function of this embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the image file which showed the face detection process result in 2nd Embodiment which concerns on this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the attention person determination process of this embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the image file which showed the result of the process which connects the center of two pupil areas used as a pair in a straight line in this embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the image file which showed the face detection process result of 3rd Embodiment concerning this invention. It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of the television receiver of 4th Embodiment concerning this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the layout template in an album creation function. It is a figure which shows an example of the album display produced by the album creation function of the prior art example.

Explanation of symbols

100, 1100 Digital TV receiver 101 Tuner 102 Descrambler 103 Demultiplexer 104 Audio decoder 105 Audio output unit 106 Video decoder 107 Card slot 108 Image data input unit 109 Image processing / face detection unit 110 Video memory 111 Display composition unit 112 Image display Unit 113 storage unit 114 control unit 115 light receiving unit 116 remote control 117 external storage device

Claims (5)

Input means for inputting a plurality of image data;
Face detecting means for detecting a face area of a person existing in individual image data input by the input means;
Comparison means for comparing the number of persons existing in individual image data based on the information of the face area detected by the face detection means;
Determining means for determining a display layout of the plurality of image data so as to display larger the image data having a larger number of persons based on the comparison result by the comparing means;
Output means for outputting the plurality of image data in the display layout determined by the determining means,
When the number of persons existing in the first image data and the second image data is the same, the comparing means determines the ratio of the face area in the first image data to the entire image and the second image data. Compare the ratio of the face area in the data to the entire image,
In the case where the number of persons existing in the first image data and the second image data is the same, the determination unit is configured to determine the image of the face area out of the first image data and the second image data. an image output apparatus characterized by determining a display layout to display larger than the other image data image data small percentage of total.   When the number of persons existing in the first image data and the second image data is the same, the comparison unit divides the number of pixels in the face area existing in the first image data by the number of pixels in the entire image. 2. The image output apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a value is compared with a value obtained by dividing the number of pixels of the face area in the second image data by the number of pixels of the entire image. A method for controlling an image output device, comprising:
An input step in which the input means of the image output device inputs a plurality of image data;
A face detection step in which the face detection means of the image output device detects a face area of a person existing in individual image data input by the input step;
A comparison step in which the comparison means of the image output device compares the number of persons existing in each image data based on the information of the face area detected by the face detection step;
A determining step in which the determining means of the image output device determines a display layout of the plurality of image data so as to display larger the image data having a larger number of persons based on the comparison result in the comparing step; ,
An output step of outputting the plurality of image data in the display layout determined by the determination step, the output means of the image output device,
As the comparison Engineering, if the number of persons existing in the first image data and second image data are the same, the ratio and the second in the entire image of the face region exists in the first image data Compare the ratio of the face area in the image data to the entire image,
If the number of persons existing in the first image data and the second image data are the same, the higher the determination Engineering is the the face region of the first image data and the second image data control method characterized by determining a display layout to display image data small percentage of total image larger than the other image data.   A program for causing a computer to execute the control method according to claim 3.   A computer-readable storage medium storing the program according to claim 4.

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