Imaging device, display control device, display device, and image display system for improved thumbnail image display

An imaging device which outputs an optical image of an object as an electrical image signal and which is connectable to a display device, the imaging device comprising:

• an imaging optical system for forming the optical image of the object;
• an imaging sensor for receiving the optical image of the object formed by the imaging optical system, for converting the optical image into the electrical image signal, and for outputting the electrical image signal;
• 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 signal and attitude information indicative of the detected attitude;
• a reception section for receiving a selection of either a vertical image or a horizontal image from a user;
• and
• a display control signal output section for outputting a signal for restoring an orientation of the reduced image 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 display device to display the restored reduced image, wherein
• when the vertical image and the horizontal image are arranged on the display device, the display control signal includes a signal for changing, in accordance with a result of the selection, locations of the vertical image and the horizontal image on the display device, and for changing a display size of either the vertical image or the horizontal image, which corresponds to the selection, to be larger than the other, and
• the image display control section changes the number of the vertical images and the horizontal images to be displayed on the display section in accordance with the result of the selection.

A display control device connectable to a display device, comprising:

• a reading section for reading an image signal and attitude information corresponding to the image signal, the image signal and the attitude information being recorded in a recording section;
• a reception section for receiving a selection of either a vertical image or a horizontal image from a user;
• and
• a display control signal output section for outputting a signal for restoring an orientation of the reduced image 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 display device to display the restored reduced image, wherein
• when the vertical image and the horizontal image are arranged on the display device, the display control signal includes a signal for changing, in accordance with a result of the selection, locations of the vertical image and the horizontal image on the display device, and for changing a display size of either the vertical image or the horizontal image, which corresponds to the selection, to be larger than the other, and
• the display control signal includes a signal for changing the number of the vertical images and the horizontal images to be displayed on the display device in accordance with the result of the selection.

An image display system including an imaging device for outputting an optical image of an object as an electrical image signal, and a display device for displaying a shot image,

• the imaging device comprising:
• an imaging optical system for forming the optical image of the object;
• an imaging sensor for receiving the optical image formed by the imaging optical system, for converting the optical image into the electrical image signal, and for outputting the electrical image signal;
• 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 signal and attitude information indicative of the detected attitude;
• a reception section for receiving a selection of either a vertical image or a horizontal image from a user;
• and
• a display control signal output section for outputting a signal for restoring an orientation of the reduced image 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 display device to display the restored reduced image,
• the display device comprising:
• a reception section for receiving the recorded image signal and the outputted display control signal;
• and
• a display section for displaying the reduced image in accordance with the display control signal, the reduced image being based on the image signal, wherein
• when the vertical image and the horizontal image are arranged on the display section, the display control signal includes a signal for changing, in accordance with a result of the selection, locations of the vertical image and the horizontal image on the display section, and for changing a display size of either the vertical image or the horizontal image, which corresponds to the selected attitude information, to be larger than the other, and
• the display control signal includes a signal for changing the number of the vertical images and the horizontal images to be displayed on the display device in accordance with the result of the selection.

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 an optical image of an object,
• the imaging device comprises:
• an imaging sensor for receiving the optical image of the object formed by the imaging optical system connected thereto, for converting the optical image into the electrical image signal, and for outputting the electrical image signal;
• 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 signal and attitude information indicative of the detected attitude;
• a display section for displaying a reduced image based on the recorded image signal;
• a reception section for receiving a selection of either a vertical image or a horizontal image from a user;
• and
• an image display control section for restoring an orientation of the reduced image 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 display section to display the restored reduced image, and
• when the vertical image and the horizontal image are arranged on the display section, the image display control section changes, in accordance with a result of the selection, locations of the vertical image and the horizontal image on the display section, and changes a display size of either the vertical image or the horizontal image, which corresponds to the selected attitude information, to be larger than the other, and
• the image display control section changes the number of the vertical images and the horizontal images to be displayed on the display section in accordance with the result of the selection.