Imaging device, display control device, image display system and imaging system

An imaging device which outputs optical images of objects as electrical image signals, and which is connectable to a display device, the imaging device comprising:

• an imaging optical system for forming the optical images of the objects;
• an imaging sensor for receiving the optical images of the objects formed by the imaging optical system, for converting the optical images into the electrical image signals, and for outputting the electrical image signals;
• an aspect ratio switching section for switching aspect ratios of shot images based on the outputted image signals;
• an attitude detection section for detecting an attitude of the imaging device at the time of shooting;
• an image recording section for interrelating and recording the outputted image signals, aspect ratio information indicative of the aspect ratios, and attitude information indicative of the detected attitude;
• a specification section for receiving a specification made by a user with respect to at least one of the aspect ratio information and the attitude information on reduced images to be displayed on the display device;
• and
• a display control signal output section for determining a location and a display size of each of the reduced images on the display device, and the number of the reduced images displayed on the display device in accordance with the specified at least one of the aspect ratio information and the attitude information, for restoring an orientation of each of the reduced images so as to correspond to the attitude of the imaging device at the time of the shooting in accordance with the attitude information, and for outputting a display control signal for causing the reduced images to be displayed on the display device.

A display control device which is connectable to a display device having a display section, the display control device comprising:

• a reading section for reading image signals recorded in a recording section, and aspect ratio information and attitude information which correspond to the image signals;
• a specification section for receiving a specification made by a user with respect to at least one of the aspect ratio information and the attitude information of reduced images to be displayed on the display device;
• and
• a display control signal output section for determining a location and a display size of each of the reduced images on the display section, and the number of the reduced images displayed on the display section in accordance with the specified at least one of the aspect ratio information and the attitude information, for restoring an orientation of each of the reduced images so as to correspond to an attitude of an imaging device at the time of shooting in accordance with the attitude information, and for outputting a display control signal for causing the restored reduced images to be displayed on the display section.

An image display system including an imaging device for outputting optical images of objects as electrical image signals and a display device for displaying shot images, wherein

• the imaging device comprises:
• an imaging optical system for forming the optical images of the objects;
• an imaging sensor for receiving the optical images of the objects formed by the imaging optical system, for converting the optical images into the electrical image signals, and for outputting the electrical image signals;
• an aspect ratio switching section for switching aspect ratios of shot images based on the outputted image signals;
• an attitude detection section for detecting an attitude of the imaging device at the time of shooting;
• an image recording section for interrelating and recording the outputted image signals, aspect ratio information indicative of the aspect ratios, and attitude information indicative of the detected attitude;
• a specification section for receiving a specification made by a user with respect to at least one of the aspect ratio information and the attitude information on reduced images to be displayed on the display device;
• and
• a display control signal output section for determining a location and a display size of each of the reduced images on the display device, and the number of the reduced images displayed on the display device in accordance with the specified at least one of the aspect ratio information and the attitude information, for restoring an orientation of each of the reduced images so as to correspond to the attitude of the imaging device at the time of the shooting in accordance with the attitude information, and for outputting a display control signal for causing the reduced images to be displayed on the display device,
• the display device comprises:
• a receiving section for receiving the recorded image signals and the outputted display control signal;
• and
• a display section for displaying the reduced image based on the image signals in accordance with the display control signal.

An imaging system including a lens barrel and an imaging device which is detachably fixed to the lens barrel, wherein

• the lens barrel comprises
• an imaging optical system for forming optical images of objects,
• the imaging device comprises:
• an imaging sensor for receiving the optical images of the objects formed by the imaging optical system coupled thereto, for converting the optical images into the electrical image signals, and for outputting the electrical image signals;
• an aspect ratio switching section for switching aspect ratios of shot images based on the outputted image signals;
• an attitude detection section for detecting an attitude of the imaging device at the time of shooting;
• an image recording section for interrelating and recording the outputted image signals, aspect ratio information indicative of the aspect ratios, and attitude information indicative of the detected attitude;
• a display section for displaying reduced images based on the recorded image signals;
• a specification section for receiving a specification made by a user with respect to at least one of the aspect ratio information and the attitude information on the reduced images to be displayed on the display section;
• and
• an image display control section for determining a location and a display size of each of the respective reduced images on the display device, and the number of the reduced images displayed on the display section in accordance with the specified at least one of the aspect ratio information and the attitude information, for restoring an orientation of each of the reduced images so as to correspond to the attitude of the imaging device at the time of the shooting in accordance with the attitude information, and for causing the reduced images to be displayed on the display section.

An imaging system including a lens barrel and an imaging device which is detachably fixed to the lens barrel, wherein

• the lens barrel comprises:
• an imaging optical system for forming optical images of objects;
• and
• an attitude detection section for detecting an attitude of the imaging device at the time of shooting,
• the imaging device comprises:
• an imaging sensor for receiving the optical images of the objects formed by the imaging optical system connected thereto, for converting the optical images into the electrical image signals, and for outputting the electrical image signals;
• an aspect ratio switching section for switching aspect ratios of shot images based on the outputted image signals;
• an image recording section for interrelating and recording the outputted image signals, aspect ratio information indicative of the aspect ratios, and attitude information indicative of the detected attitude;
• a display section for displaying reduced images based on the recorded image signals;
• a specification section for receiving a specification made by a user with respect to at least one of the aspect ratio information and the attitude information on the reduced images to be displayed on the display section;
• and
• an image display control section for determining a location and a display size of each of the reduced images on the display section, and the number of the reduced images on the display section in accordance with the specified at least one of the aspect ratio information and the attitude information, for restoring an orientation of each of the reduced images so as to correspond to the attitude of the imaging device at the time of the shooting in accordance with the attitude information, and for causing the reduced images to be displayed on the display section.