JP2000082127A - Picture data output device and method therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make it easier to output picture data by the desired order. SOLUTION: In plural picture files, a definition file including order information which indicates display order of the picture data is prepared and stored. In displaying a picture, the picture files are sequentially acquired by using names of the picture files stored in a file name storage area according to the order indicated by the selected definition file. Then, picture display is sequentially performed on the basis of the picture data included in the acquired picture file. Here, each of the pictures is displayed only for a display time recorded in a display time storage area.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to an image data output apparatus and method for storing and outputting image data.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, in a device for storing and displaying image data, when the stored image data is sequentially displayed, the display order is determined by an input device (digital camera, digital camera,
Digital video, files on a PC, etc.). In addition, when it is desired to change the display order or arbitrarily determine an image to be displayed, arbitrary information (for example, file name, update date and time, etc.)
Or re-save the data in another folder.

[0003]

However, in the conventional example described above, 1) When the order is changed based on arbitrary information, the order can be changed by, for example, date and time, file name, etc. Can not be arranged in the order that suits the purpose of. 2) When the files are classified and stored in a folder or the like, one or more files are stored for one or more purposes.
If one wants to use two files, it is necessary to place a copy of the same file in each folder, and the same file is redundantly stored.

[0004] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to enable image data to be output in a desired order.

It is another object of the present invention to allow an image to belong to a plurality of output purposes without storing a plurality of copies of the same image data.

[0006]

An image data output apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention for achieving the above object has, for example, the following arrangement. That is, storage means for storing a plurality of image files including image data and a definition file including order information indicating a display order of the image data, and sequentially storing the image files from the plurality of image files in accordance with the order information of the definition file. The image processing apparatus includes a selection unit for selecting, and an output unit for outputting data based on image data included in the image file selected by the selection unit.

Further, an image data output method according to another aspect of the present invention for achieving the above object includes, for example, the following steps. That is, an image data output method having storage means for storing a plurality of image files including image data, wherein a storing step of storing a definition file including order information indicating a display order of the image data; A selection step of sequentially selecting an image file from the plurality of image files according to the order information; and an output step of outputting data based on image data included in the image file selected in the selection step.

[0008]

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

(First Embodiment) FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of an image data output device according to the present embodiment. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 11 denotes a CPU, which implements various controls according to a control program stored in a ROM 12 or a RAM 13. Reference numeral 12 denotes a ROM which stores a boot program executed when the image data output device is started and various data. 13 is a RAM,
It stores a control program loaded from the external storage device 16 and provides a work area necessary for the CPU 11 to execute various processes.

An input unit 14 includes a keyboard and a pointing device. Reference numeral 15 denotes a display, on which various displays are performed by the CPU 11. Display 1
Reference numeral 5 denotes one mode of image output in the present embodiment. 16
Is an external storage device, for example, a magnetic disk. In the external storage device 16, image data 16a, definition file 16b, definition file generation program 16
c, a display program 16d is stored. These data groups and program groups will be clarified later. A printer 17 records an image. The printer 17 together with the display 15 also constitutes one mode of image output in the present embodiment. Reference numeral 18 denotes a bus that interconnects the above-described components.

It should be apparent that the configuration of the image data output apparatus of the present embodiment as described above can be realized by a personal computer.

A plurality of image data are registered as the image data 16a, and desired image data can be obtained by specifying a file name. In the image data 16a, for example, image files are registered by a file management structure having a general directory structure.

In the definition file 16b, the display order of image files and their display times are registered for each program number. FIG. 2 is a view for explaining the contents of the definition file according to the present embodiment. The definition file includes information defining the display order of the image files. FIG.
Shows the data structure of the definition file of “program N”. As illustrated, the image file names are stored in association with the display order and the display time.

Next, registration of an image file in the definition file as shown in FIG. 2 will be described. When registering an image file in the definition file or generating a new definition file, the definition file generation program 16c (FIG. 1) for realizing the procedure shown in the flowchart of FIG. CPU11
Performed by

FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining the procedure for generating a definition file according to the present embodiment.

When the definition file generation process is started,
First, in step S11, a registration screen as shown in FIG. 4 is displayed.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a registration screen for registering an image file in the definition file according to the present embodiment. Reference numeral 41 denotes a registration window. Reference numeral 42 denotes an image file designation unit which designates the right triangle mark with a pointing device (in this example, designation is made by a click operation; hereinafter, this designation operation is simply referred to as click). A list of file names is displayed in a pull-down list. Therefore, the user can select an image file by clicking a desired image file from the image files displayed in the pull-down display. 4
Reference numeral 3 denotes a thumbnail display, in which a thumbnail image of the image file specified by the image file specifying unit 42 is displayed.

Reference numeral 44 denotes a program designation unit for designating a definition file for registering the image file designated by the image file designation unit 42. As in the case of the image file specification unit 42, by clicking on the ▽ mark on the right side of the program specification unit 44, the program name of the registered definition file (the program number is used in this example) is displayed in a pull-down list. Therefore, when an image file is to be added to an existing definition file, a desired one can be selected from the program numbers displayed in the pull-down list. If a new program number is input to the program specifying section 44, a new definition file can be generated. In this example, the file names of the definition files are named by program numbers such as program 1 and program 2. However, it goes without saying that an arbitrary character string may be used as the file name.

Reference numeral 45 denotes an order designation unit for designating the display order of the image files designated by the image file designation unit 42 in the definition file designated by the program designation unit 44. It should be noted that when the definition file to be registered is specified by the program specifying unit 44, a numerical value of the number of image files registered in the specified file + 1 is set in the order specifying unit 45. Therefore, if the registration processing is performed as it is, new image files are registered in the order of the end in the specified definition file.
Of course, if a desired numerical value (a numerical value equal to or less than the number of image files + 1) is set in the order specifying section 45, new image files are registered in that order, and existing image files after the order are sequentially shifted one by one. Descends.

Reference numeral 46 denotes a display time setting section for setting a display time of a designated image file. Reference numeral 47 denotes a registered image number designation unit for setting the number of image files to be registered. Reference numeral 48 denotes a cancel button, which is used to end this processing before registering the number of image files set in the registered image number designation unit 47. Reference numeral 49 denotes a registration button, which is an image file designation unit 42, a program designation unit 44,
An instruction is given to register an image file with the contents set in the order designation section 45 and the display time setting section 46. Reference numeral 50 denotes a registration status button. When this button is clicked, the registered contents of the definition file specified by the program specification section 44 are displayed. As a display form of the registered contents, a table as shown in FIG. 2 may be displayed. Alternatively, the thumbnail of the corresponding image file may be displayed together with the file name shown in FIG.

Returning to FIG. 3, the number of registrations set in the registered image number designation section 47 is set in step S12.

Next, in step S13, registration conditions are set. That is, the image file to be registered is designated by the image file designation unit 42 and the program designation unit 4
4, a definition file for registering the image file is specified, an order specifying unit 45 specifies a display order in the definition file, and a display time setting unit 46 sets a display time of the image file.

If it is determined in step S14 that the registration button 49 has been clicked, step S15
Proceed to the following. In steps S15 to S20,
The definition file specified in the program number specification section 44 is opened, and the definition file is updated in accordance with the order specified in the order specification section 45. For example, the image file “789” is specified in the image file specifying unit 42, the “program N” shown in FIG. 2 is specified as the definition file in the program specifying unit 44, and the order specifying unit 45 specifies R-1. It is assumed that the registration button 49 is clicked with the display time setting unit 46 setting 10 seconds. In this case, the image files “999” and “123”
Are moved down by one, and the image file "789" is recorded at the (R-1) th time with a display time of 10 seconds. This is shown in FIG.

The above processing of steps S13 to S20 is performed for the number of registrations set in step S12, and this processing ends (steps S21 and S22).

Next, a processing procedure for displaying an image using the definition file registered as described above will be described. When displaying the image file using the definition file, the display program 16d (FIG. 1) for realizing the procedure shown in the flowchart of FIG.
The program is loaded into M13 and executed by the CPU 11.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining an image display procedure according to the present embodiment. When the display of the image file is instructed, first, in step S41, an image display window 70 as shown in FIG. 7 is displayed.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a display example of an image display window. Reference numeral 71 denotes a definition file specifying unit for specifying a definition file to be used for displaying an image file.
When you click the ▽ mark on the right side of the definition file 71,
A list of registered definition files is displayed in a pull-down list, and a desired definition file can be designated by clicking a desired definition file from the list. Reference numeral 72 denotes a start button. When this button is clicked, an image is displayed based on the definition file specified by the definition file specifying unit 71. An image display unit 73 displays an image based on an image file. In the present embodiment, a full image is displayed, but a thumbnail may be displayed.

Reference numeral 74 denotes a next image button.
3 is used to switch to the next image before the image being displayed reaches the display time specified in the definition file. A cancel button 75 is used to forcibly end the image display processing. Reference numeral 76 denotes a remaining display time display unit, which shows the remaining display time of the image being displayed on the image display unit 73 as a percentage of the total display time of the image in a bar graph. The display form of the remaining time is not limited to this, and the remaining seconds and the like may be displayed as numerical values.

Referring back to FIG. 6, in step S42, a desired definition file is specified by the definition file specifying unit 71. Then, in a step S43, it is determined whether or not the start button 72 is clicked, and if it is, the process proceeds to a step S44.

In step S44, the designated definition file is opened (in this example, "program N" is designated), the maximum value of the order is set in the counter S, and 0 is set in the counter U. I do. When the contents of the “program N” are as shown in FIG. 2, R is set to the counter S.

Next, in step S45, the U-th image file name is extracted from the definition file, the image file corresponding to the image file name is opened, and the image is displayed on the image display unit 73. In step S46, the display time associated with the image file is acquired and set to T. Then, time measurement is started in step S47, and it is determined in step S48 whether or not the time T has elapsed. Steps S48 and S49 are repeated until the time T elapses. In step S49, it is determined whether the next image button 74 has been clicked. If the next image button 74 is clicked, the process proceeds to step S50 without waiting for the time T to elapse, and the next image is displayed. On the other hand, if the time T has elapsed without clicking the next image button 74, step S
From 48, the process proceeds to step S50.

In step S50, the counter U is incremented by one, and the next image file is designated. At this time, if the counter U exceeds the number of registered image files, that is, if U> S, it means that all the registered image files have been displayed, and thus this processing is ended. On the other hand, if not U> S, the process returns to step S45 and the above-described processing is repeated.

As described above, when an arbitrary definition file (for example, “program N”) is selected, an image corresponding to the image file registered in the U-th file storage area is displayed. At this time, information relating to image information (data portion) in which information of a header portion or a file name is stored in a file storage area, or
From the file names and the like registered in the program according to the application, those relating to only the thumbnails (compressed simplified images) of the file are replaced with 0 in accordance with the order of the program.
To S are displayed. That is, the image itself can be displayed, or only the thumbnail can be displayed.

As shown in FIG. 2, a display time storage area is provided for each file storage area. Then, as described with reference to FIG. 6, after the U-th image is displayed, a weight is inserted only during the time T stored in the time storage area. Here, the unit of the time T is temporarily assumed to be a unit of seconds, but this unit is 1/1 according to the application.
00 seconds or 1 minute may be used.

If the next image button 74 is clicked during the wait period, the process shifts to the next image display. However, a predetermined key input from the keyboard may be used instead of the next image button 74. .

As described above, according to the first embodiment, the definition file that defines the display order completely independent of the image data is created, and the original image is displayed based on the file. Eliminates the need to process data (if the original image data is an image file of a fixed format such as * .jpq (JPEG compressed file), * .bmp (bitmap format file), file compatibility will be lost ). Further, the display time can be arbitrarily set according to the use of the user. Even when the same image file is used by a plurality of programs, only one image data exists, so that the required storage capacity does not increase.

(Second Embodiment) In the first embodiment,
Although the image file is stored in the definition file according to the display order, it is not limited to this. In the second embodiment, a case will be described in which a definition file in which image files are arranged in ascending order of file names is used. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data configuration of a definition file according to the second embodiment. Definition file according to the first embodiment (FIG. 2)
The difference is that the image file names are stored not in the display order but in ascending order of the file names, and the order in which the image data is displayed is registered in a separately prepared order storage area. In this order storage area, the number designated by the order designation section 45 in FIG. 4 is recorded.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining an image display procedure according to the second embodiment. However, FIG.
5 shows only the processing that replaces step S45 in the image display procedure (FIG. 6) of the first embodiment. In step S61, a record having the order U in the order storage area is searched from the definition file. If the record is found, the process proceeds from step S62 to step S63, and the image or thumbnail of the image file registered in the file name storage area of the record is displayed on the image display unit 73.

If the corresponding record is not found, the process proceeds from step S62 to step S50 (FIG. 6), and processing is performed in the next order.

As described above, in the second embodiment, FIG.
As shown in (1), the image information is registered in an arbitrary order in the definition file, and the order in which the image data is displayed is registered in a separately prepared order storage area. Then, as shown in FIG. 9, the file names are extracted by referring to the order storage area in accordance with the display order 0, 1,... S. Then, based on the information in the file name storage area and the display time storage area corresponding to the found information, the image is displayed in the same manner as the method described in the first embodiment.

As described above, according to each of the above-described embodiments, the definition file itself in which the display order of the stored image data files is described is stored, and the image is displayed according to the definition file. Therefore, since the image data file itself is not processed, there is no fear of losing compatibility when the image data is a file of a general format. On the other hand, if there is no definition file, it is necessary to incorporate the order information and the display time information into the file itself in the form of a header or the like, and the file is not a general format file.

According to each of the above-described embodiments, a program for displaying image files in the order described in the definition file is separately prepared and stored, so that the program can be easily adapted to the user's preference. Image can be displayed.

Since the storage location of the image data itself is not moved or copied to another location, the storage capacity is not wasted and the processing time is not spent on file copying or the like.

In each of the above embodiments, the same storage device is used to store a definition file for defining image data and their display order and a program file for displaying images in accordance with the information in the definition file. Can also. Further, the storage device may be configured to be detachable from the image data display device. Thus, by attaching the removable storage device to another image data display device, the other image data display device can output an image in accordance with the program file.

In this embodiment, the image data is displayed on the display device (display 15) in accordance with the definition file. However, the output destination of the image data is not limited to the display device, and the printer 17 (FIG. 1) ) May be used for printing. Thus, an image can be output according to the created definition file even in a system without an image display function. However, when printing out, the display time has no meaning, so this information is not used and printing is performed using only the order information.

Even if the present invention is applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices (for example, a host computer, an interface device, a reader, a printer, etc.), an apparatus (for example, a copying machine, a facsimile, etc.) composed of one device. Device).

Another object of the present invention is to provide a storage medium storing a program code of software for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or apparatus, and to provide a computer (or CPU) of the system or apparatus.
And MPU) read and execute the program code stored in the storage medium.

In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiment, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.

As a storage medium for supplying the program code, for example, a floppy disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, CD
-R, a magnetic tape, a nonvolatile memory card, a ROM, or the like can be used.

When the computer executes the readout program code, not only the functions of the above-described embodiment are realized, but also the OS (Operating System) running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. ) May perform some or all of the actual processing, and the processing may realize the functions of the above-described embodiments.

Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written in a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, based on the instruction of the program code, It goes without saying that the CPU included in the function expansion board or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the processing realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments.

[0052]

As described above, according to the present invention,
It is possible to easily output image data in a desired order.

Further, according to the present invention, one image can belong to a plurality of output purposes without storing a plurality of copies of the same image data.

[0054]

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image data output device according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the contents of a definition file according to the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure for generating a definition file according to the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a registration screen for registering an image file in a definition file according to the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a state of registering an image file in a definition file.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure for displaying an image according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a display example of an image display window.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a data configuration example of a definition file according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an image display procedure according to the second embodiment.

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification code FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference)

Claims (16)

[Claims] 1. A storage unit for storing a plurality of image files and a definition file including order information indicating an output order of image data included in the image files, and sequentially from the plurality of image files according to the order information of the definition files. An image data output apparatus comprising: a selection unit that selects an image file; and an output unit that outputs data based on image data included in the image file selected by the selection unit. 2. The image data output device according to claim 1, further comprising a generation unit that generates the definition file. 3. The image data output device according to claim 1, wherein the output unit outputs data to display image data included in the image file selected by the selection unit on a display. 4. The definition file includes time information indicating a display time for each image file when displaying image data in the order specified by the order information, and the output unit is specified by the time information. 4. The image data output apparatus according to claim 3, wherein data output is performed to display image data of the selected image file for a certain time. 5. The image data output device according to claim 1, wherein said output means outputs a thumbnail image corresponding to the selected image file. 6. The image data output apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the definition file forms order information by arranging image files according to an output order. 7. The image according to claim 1, wherein the storage unit stores a plurality of definition files, and further comprises a definition file selection unit that selects a desired definition file from the plurality of definition files. Data output device. 8. An image data output method having storage means for storing a plurality of image files, wherein: a storing step of storing a definition file including order information indicating an output order of image data included in the image file; A selecting step of sequentially selecting an image file from the plurality of image files according to the order information of the definition file; and an output step of outputting data based on image data included in the image file selected in the selecting step. Characteristic image data output method. 9. The image data output method according to claim 8, further comprising a generation step of generating the definition file. 10. The image data output method according to claim 8, wherein in the output step, data is output to display image data included in the image file selected in the selection step on a display. 11. The definition file includes time information indicating a display time for each image file when displaying image data in the order specified by the order information, and the output step is performed using the time information specified by the time information. 11. The image data output method according to claim 10, wherein data output is performed to display image data of the selected image file for a certain time. 12. The image data output method according to claim 8, wherein the output step outputs a thumbnail image corresponding to the selected image file. 13. The image data output method according to claim 8, wherein the definition file forms order information by arranging image files according to an output order. 14. The image according to claim 8, wherein the storage unit stores a plurality of definition files, and further comprises a definition file selecting step of selecting a desired definition file from the plurality of definition files. Data output method. 15. A storage medium storing a control program for causing a computer to output image data obtained from storage means for storing a plurality of image files including image data, wherein the control program includes an image file. A code of a storage step of storing a definition file including order information indicating an output order of image data; a code of a selection step of sequentially selecting image files from the plurality of image files according to the order information of the definition file; And a code for an output step of outputting data based on the image data included in the image file selected in (1). 16. A storage medium for storing a plurality of image files composed of image data and at least one definition file, wherein the definition file is a file name storage area indicating an image file to be output. And a sequence information indicating an image file selection order.