Image processing apparatus and method

Abstract

An image processing apparatus provided with a display unit for displaying an operation picture, showing control indicia (e.g., icons) corresponding to multiple image processing functions, is operated to display the operation picture on an external display device. The operator selects one of the indicia shown on the external display device by operating an input device, such as touch screen of the apparatus or a remote control, to indicate the position of the desired one of the indicia. The operator can thereby quickly and reliably select an image processing function to be executed, without any need to view an operation picture on the display unit when making the selection.

1 . An image processing apparatus, comprising:
 operation picture producing means for producing an operation picture containing indicia corresponding to a plurality of image processing functions among which a selection can be made by an external operation;   display means for displaying said operation picture;   position input means, including a portion placed over a screen of said display means to detect a touch operation as said external operation, said position input means having a first operating mode to enter a position designated by the touch operation as an absolute position on the operation picture displayed on said display means;   identifying means for identifying a selected image processing function, among said plurality of image processing functions, based on the position entered through said position input means;   image processing means for carrying out the image processing function identified by said identifying means; and   output means for outputting the operation picture produced by said operation picture producing means to an external display device,   wherein, then the operation picture is output to the external display device through said output means, said position input means can operate in a second operating mode to enter the position designated by the touch operation as a relative position on the operation picture displayed on the external display device.   
     
     
         2 . An image processing apparatus as defined in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 display control means for turning off a display of the operation picture on said display means when the operation picture is output to the external display device through said output means.   
     
     
         3 . An image processing apparatus as defined in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 image adding means for adding a cursor, indicating the position entered through said position input means, to the operation picture produced by said operation picture producing means and supplied to said output means.   
     
     
         4 . An imaging processing apparatus as defined in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 remote input means for allowing the external operation to be performed by a remote operation, and   wherein, when the operation picture is output to the external display device through said output means, said position input means operates in said second mode to enter the position designated by the remote operation as a relative position on the operation picture displayed on the external display device, and   said identifying means identifies a selected image processing function among said plurality of image processing functions, based on the position entered through said remote input means.   
     
     
         5 . An image processing apparatus as defined in  claim 4 , further comprising:
 image adding means for adding a cursor, indicating the position entered through said remote input means, to the operation picture produced by said operation picture producing means and supplied to said output means.   
     
     
         6 . An image processing apparatus as defined in  claim 1 , and which is constituted by an electronic camera. 
     
     
         7 . An image processing apparatus, comprising:
 an operation picture producing portion which produces an operation picture containing indicia corresponding to a plurality of image processing functions among which a selection can be made by an operator;   an image display unit;   an output unit which outputs said operation picture to an external display device;   a position input portion which inputs a position designated by the operator on the operation picture displayed on the external display device;   an identifying portion which identifies a selected image processing function, among said plurality of image processing functions, based on the designated position input by said position input portion; and   an image processing portion which carries out the selected image processing function.   
     
     
         8 . An image processing apparatus as defined in  claim 7 , wherein said position input portion is constructed to input a position designated by the operator, on the operation picture displayed on the external display device, with a remote control which provides a signal to said position input portion. 
     
     
         9 . An image processing apparatus as defined in  claim 7 , wherein said position input portion includes a touch-responsive unit, having a portion placed over a screen of said image display unit, with which the operator can designate a position on the operating picture displayed on the external display device by touch operation. 
     
     
         10 . An image processing apparatus as defined in  claim 9 , wherein said image display unit is connected to said operation picture producing portion to display the operation picture; said position input portion has a first operating mode to input a position designated by the operator via said touch-responsive unit on the operation picture displayed on said image display unit, and a second operating mode to input a position designated by the operator via said touch-responsive unit on the operation picture displayed on the external display device. 
     
     
         11 . An image processing apparatus as defined in  claim 10 , wherein said position input portion is constructed to input a position designated by the operator, on the operation picture displayed on the external display device, with a remote control which provides a signal to the position input portion. 
     
     
         12 . An image processing apparatus as defined in  claim 7 , and which is constituted by an electronic camera. 
     
     
         13 . An operating method of an image processing apparatus having an image display unit and an output unit which is to be connected to an external display device, said method comprising:
 producing an operation picture containing indicia corresponding to a plurality of image processing functions among which a selection can be made;   outputting the operation picture to the external display device;   inputting a position designated by the operator on the operation picture displayed on the external display device;   identifying a selected image processing function, among said plurality of image processing functions, based on the input position; and   performing the selected image processing function.   
     
     
         14 . A method as defined in  claim 13 , wherein said position is designated by the operator performing a touch operation of a touch-responsive unit having a touch portion placed over a screen of said image display unit. 
     
     
         15 . A method as defined in  claim 13 , wherein said position is designated by the operator with a remote control unit which provides a signal to the image processing apparatus. 
     
     
         16 . A method as defined in  claim 13 , wherein said inputting constitutes one of two selectable inputting modes, the other of said inputting modes including inputting a position designated by the operator on the operation picture displayed on said image display unit. 
     
     
         17 . A method as defined in  claim 13 , wherein said image processing apparatus is an electronic camera.