JP2002230014A - Electronic album device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To retrieve a recording medium in which desired pictures are recorded from among a plurality of recording media. SOLUTION: This electronic album device 100 for displaying pictures is provided with a plurality of housing parts for housing a plurality of recording media 10 in which pictures are recorded, a central picture deciding part 140 for deciding central pictures based on the pictures recorded in the respective recording media 10, and an output part 130 for outputting the central pictures of the recording media 10 corresponding to the housing parts in which the recording media 10 are housed when the recording media 10 are housed in any of the plurality of housing parts.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] The present invention relates to an electronic album apparatus for displaying images.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Images and the like taken by a digital camera or the like are stored in a recording medium such as a memory card or a magnetic disk. The electronic album device reads an image stored in a recording medium and displays the image on a display. The user of the electronic album apparatus assigns a character index so that the image recorded on the recording medium can be recognized.

[0003]

However, it is difficult to intuitively recognize what image is stored in the recording medium only by looking at the character index attached to the recording medium. For example, when there are a plurality of recording media, it becomes difficult for the user of the electronic album apparatus to find a recording medium storing a desired image only by looking at the character index.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an electronic album apparatus which can solve the above-mentioned problems. This object is achieved by a combination of features described in the independent claims. The dependent claims define further advantageous embodiments of the present invention.

[0005]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, an electronic album apparatus for displaying an image includes a plurality of storage sections for storing a plurality of recording media on which images are recorded, and a plurality of storage sections for each recording medium. A representative image determination unit that determines a representative image based on a recorded image, and a storage medium storing the representative image of the recording medium when the recording medium is stored in any of the plurality of storage units. And an output unit for outputting the data in association with the storage unit.

The output section may have a display section for displaying and outputting the representative image in association with the storage section in which the recording medium is stored. The output unit may output visible information capable of identifying each of the plurality of storage units in association with the representative image. The output unit may output the representative images of the respective recording media in an arrangement order substantially similar to the arrangement order of the plurality of storage units.

[0007] The electronic album apparatus includes a storage unit for storing identification information indicating a storage unit in which a recording medium is stored and a representative image of the recording medium in association with each other.
A representative image corresponding to the identification information read from the storage unit may be output. The storage unit may record the identification information on the recording medium when the recording medium is stored in the storage unit, and the storage unit may store the identification information read from the recording medium. The representative image determination unit may determine a representative image from images recorded on the recording medium, and the storage unit may store the representative image read from the recording medium.

[0008] The electronic album apparatus may include a detection section for detecting identification information when the recording medium is stored in the storage section, and the storage section may store the identification information detected by the detection section.

The representative image determining section records instruction information indicating the determined representative image on a recording medium, and the storage section stores, when the recording medium on which the instruction information is recorded is stored, the representative image corresponding to the instruction information. May be read and input to the output unit, and the output unit may output the input representative image.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, a representative image for outputting each representative image on a plurality of recording media on which images are recorded, in association with each of a plurality of storage units for storing the recording medium. The output method includes a step of determining a representative image based on an image recorded for each recording medium, and a step of recording the representative image of the recording medium when the recording medium is stored in any of the plurality of storage units. Outputting the data in association with the storage unit in which the medium is stored.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, a computer is caused to output a representative image on a plurality of recording media on which images are recorded, in association with each of a plurality of storage units for storing the recording medium. A program for determining a representative image based on an image recorded for each recording medium, and, when the recording medium is stored in any of the plurality of storage units, the representative image of the recording medium Outputting the data in association with the storage unit in which the recording medium is stored.

The above summary of the present invention does not enumerate all of the necessary features of the present invention, and a sub-combination of these features can also be an invention.

[0013]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, the present invention will be described through embodiments of the present invention. However, the following embodiments do not limit the claimed invention and have the features described in the embodiments. Not all combinations are essential to the solution of the invention. Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an electronic album apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment. Electronic album device 100
Has a hinge mechanism 30 that can be opened and closed like a book. The electronic album device 100 includes a plurality of storage units 20 for storing the recording media 10 on which images and the like are recorded, respectively, on the left half surface 50 inside the device in the figure. The left half surface 50 is provided with an identification code 25 for identifying the storage unit 20. The identification code 25 is, for example, a character such as a number, an alphabet or a symbol, a picture, or the like. Identification code 25
Is preferably provided in the vicinity of each corresponding storage unit 20.

The electronic album device 100 includes a storage unit 2
0, a detection unit 150 such as an optical sensor for detecting the presence or absence of the recording medium 10 and a contact sensor. This detector 150
For example, as shown in FIG. 6 may be provided in the storage section 20. This can prevent erroneous detection of the detection unit 150. The detection unit 150 is similarly provided in the other storage units 20.

On the other hand, the electronic album apparatus 100 has a display section 132 for displaying images and the like recorded on the recording medium 10 on the right half surface 55 inside the apparatus in the figure. This display unit 132
Is, for example, a CRT display or a liquid crystal display. In addition, the electronic album device 100 includes a medium insertion port 40 of a data reading device that reads an image or the like of the recording medium 10. Further, the electronic album apparatus 100 includes a speaker 60 for outputting a sound read from the recording medium 10 or the like, and a printed matter outlet 70 for discharging a printed matter such as an image read from the recording medium 10 or the like.

The user of the electronic album apparatus 100 takes out a desired recording medium 10 from the storage section 20. The user
The recording medium 10 is inserted into the medium insertion slot 40. The electronic album device 100 reads an image or the like from the inserted recording medium 10 and causes the display unit 132 to display the image or the like.

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of the electronic album device 100 according to the first embodiment. The electronic album apparatus 100 includes an input unit 110, a control unit 120, and an output unit 1
30, a representative image determination unit 140, a detection unit 150, and a storage unit 160.

The input section 110 has a data reading device for reading data such as images from the recording medium 10. The recording medium 10 is, for example, a memory card such as an EEP-ROM,
An optical recording medium such as a CD-ROM and a magneto-optical recording medium such as an MO. Data readers corresponding to these various recording media 10 are, for example, a memory card reader, a CD-
ROM drive and MO drive. Control unit 120
Stores the image and the like received from the input unit 110 in the storage unit 160
To be stored.

The representative image determining section 140 determines a representative image of the recording medium 10 from among the images stored for each recording medium 10. The user selects a representative image from the images displayed on the display unit 132 for each recording medium 10 by using the selection button 35, for example. Based on the selection information, the representative image determining unit 140 determines a representative image.
The control unit 120 reads the representative image based on the determination information from the representative image determination unit 140 and stores the representative image in the storage unit 160. Note that the representative image determining unit 140 may determine a representative image from images recorded for each recording medium 10 in the storage unit 160.

The storage section 160 stores identification information indicating the storage section 20 in which the recording medium 10 is stored and the representative image of the recording medium 10 in association with each other. This identification information is information indicating, for example, the identification code 25 described above. The operation of acquiring the identification information and the representative image will be described later.

The output section 130 outputs a representative image corresponding to the identification information stored in the storage section 160. Output unit 13
0 indicates the display unit 132, the printing unit 134, and the audio unit 136.
And The display unit 132 displays and outputs an image and the like.
The printing unit 150 prints out an image or the like stored in the storage unit 160. The printed matter is the printed matter outlet 70 shown in FIG.
Is discharged from. The audio unit 160 outputs the audio stored in the storage unit 160 from the speaker 60 shown in FIG. For example, the audio unit 160 outputs the identification information associated with the selected representative image from the speaker 60 as audio.

The detecting unit 150 detects that the recording medium 10
When stored in the storage unit 0, the identification information of the storage unit 20 is detected. The detection unit 150 is, for example, an optical sensor attached inside the storage unit 20. This optical sensor is stored in the storage unit 20.
Then, the light reflectance when the recording medium 10 is inserted is detected. If the detection unit 150 is provided as described above, the electronic album device 10
0 can automatically acquire the identification information of the storage unit 20 in which the recording medium 10 is stored.

FIG. 3 shows a display example of a representative image in the electronic album device 100 according to the first embodiment. When the recording medium 10 is stored in any of the plurality of storage units 20, the output unit 130 outputs a representative image of the recording medium 10 in association with the storage unit 20 in which the recording medium 10 is stored. The display section 140 of the output section 130 displays the representative image 80 in association with the storage section 20 in which the recording medium 10 is stored.

For example, the output unit 130 includes a plurality of storage units 20.
Of the recording media 10 in substantially the same order as
Is read from the storage unit 160 and displayed for output. Thus, the user can grasp the association between the storage unit 20 and the representative image 80 of the recording medium 10 stored in the storage unit 20.

The output section 130 may display and output the visible information 90 indicating the storage section 20 in which the recording medium 10 on which the representative image 80 is recorded is stored in association with the representative image 80. The output unit 130 displays, for example, the visible information 90 near the representative image 80. This visible information 90 is preferably the above-mentioned identification information. Thus, the output unit 1
If the 30 displays the visible information 90, the user can identify the storage unit 20 in which the recording medium 10 on which the representative image 80 is recorded is stored.

The printing unit 150 of the output unit 130 may print out a list image such as the representative image 80. Audio part 1
The 60 may output the information indicated by the visible information 90 by voice. In addition, the control unit 120 outputs the representative image 80 to the output unit 130 at any time during use of the electronic album apparatus 100.
Can be output as a list image. For example, at the start of use of the electronic album device 100, the control unit 120 may cause the display unit 132 to display a list image of the representative images 80.
Therefore, the user can use the recording medium 10 on which the desired image is recorded.
Can be easily found.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a representative image registration process in the electronic album device 200 according to the first embodiment. The display unit 132 of the output unit 130 displays a list of the representative images 80 of each recording medium 10 shown in FIG. 3 for a predetermined time (S100). When there is no empty storage unit 20 in which the representative image 80 is not registered (S110-No), the output unit 130 ends the process after a predetermined time has elapsed. on the other hand,
If there is an empty storage unit 20 (S110-Ye
s), the input unit 110 reads an image from the recording medium 10 inserted into the medium insertion slot 40 to register a representative image. The control unit 120 causes the display unit 132 to display the image received from the input unit 110.

The representative image determination unit 140 selects the selection button 36
, The selection information of the representative image 80 of the recording medium 10 is received from the user. The representative image determining unit 140 determines the representative image 80 of the recording medium 10 based on the selection information (S120). The control unit 120 causes the display unit 132 to display a confirmation display regarding the determination of the representative image 80. When the representative image 80 is determined again (S130-No), S
Return to 120. On the other hand, when the determination of the representative image 80 is not changed (S130-Yes), the control unit 120 stores the representative image 80 determined by the representative image determination unit 140 in the storage unit 160.
(S140).

Next, the user inserts the recording medium 10 into the device 1
00 and stored in a desired storage unit 20. At this time, the detection unit 150 detects the storage unit 20 in which the recording medium 10 is stored. The control unit 120 acquires the identification information of the storage unit 20 based on the detection information received from the detection unit 150 (S150). Finally, the control unit 120 associates the acquired identification information with the determined representative image 80, and
60 (S160).

The above description is for the case where the detection unit 150 is used. In the case where the detection unit 150 is not used, before and after the determination of the representative image 80 (S120), a step of the user instructing the identification information using the selection button 35 may be inserted.

The above-described operation of acquiring identification information is an operation of acquiring identification information using the detection unit 150.
The operation of acquiring the representative image is performed by the
This is an operation in which the representative image 32 is acquired from the recording medium 10 inserted in the recording medium 10.

In the following, another example of the operation for obtaining the identification information and the representative image will be described. The storage unit 20 stores the recording medium 10
When identification information is stored in the storage unit 20, the identification information is stored in the recording medium 1.
There is a data writing means for recording data to 0. First, the user
The recording medium 10 is stored in a desired storage unit 20. Storage section 2
0 records the identification information on the stored recording medium 10. When the user inserts the recording medium 10 into the medium insertion slot 40, the control unit 120 causes the storage unit 160 to store the identification information read from the recording medium 10 by the input unit 110. Next, when the representative image determination unit 140 determines the representative image, the control unit 120 associates the representative image with the identification information and stores the representative image in the storage unit 16.
0 is stored.

FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram of an electronic album device 200 according to the second embodiment. In the present embodiment, the storage section 220 is the storage section 20 according to the first embodiment.
And different. Also, the electronic album device 200 of the present embodiment
Does not have the storage unit 160 in the first embodiment. In other respects, the present embodiment is the same as the first embodiment. Hereinafter, points of the present embodiment that are different from the first embodiment will be described. In the following description, the functional blocks already described in the first embodiment include the first
The same reference numerals are used as those used in the embodiment.

The storage section 220 of this embodiment has means for reading data such as images from the stored recording medium 10. The storage unit 220 stores the read image and the like in the control unit 12.
Enter 0. The output unit 130 outputs the image received from the control unit 120.

First, the user inserts the recording medium 10 into the medium insertion slot 40 of the electronic album device 100. Input unit 110
Reads an image or the like from the recording medium 10. Control unit 120
Receives an image or the like from the input unit 110 and causes the display unit 132 to display the image or the like. When the user selects the representative image 80 from the displayed images, the representative image determination unit 140 sends instruction information indicating the determined representative image 80 to the control unit 120. The control unit 120 controls the input unit 110 to control the recording medium 10
To record the instruction information. The instruction information is, for example, information such as an image number assigned to each of the plurality of images recorded on the recording medium 10.

Next, the user stores the recording medium 10 on which the instruction information is recorded in a desired storage section 220. The storage unit 220 has a unit for reading data from the recording medium 10. The storage unit 220 reads the instruction information from the stored recording medium 10. Then, the representative image corresponding to the read instruction information is read out, and output to the output unit 13 via the control unit 120.
Enter 0. The output unit 130 displays the input representative image 80 on the display unit 132, for example.

If the instruction information is recorded on the recording medium 10 as described above, the control unit 120 operates the storage unit 1 shown in FIG.
The representative image 80 can be received from the recording medium 10 stored in the storage unit 20 without storing the representative image 80 in the storage unit 60.

FIG. 6 shows a display example of a representative image of the electronic album device 200 according to the second embodiment. The electronic album device 200 according to the present embodiment includes a wiring unit 230 for inputting an image or the like from the recording medium 10 stored in the storage unit 220 to the control unit 120. As shown in FIG. 1 to No. 6 storage units 20
When the recording medium 10 is stored in the
0 outputs only the representative image 80 to the control unit 120 based on the instruction information recorded on the recording medium 10 stored therein. The display unit 132 of the output unit 130 displays a list of the representative images 80 in association with the received storage units 220. Note that in FIG. Recording medium 1 stored in 6
Since No. 0 has been extracted, the display unit 132 displays No. 0. The image F which is the representative image 80 of No. 6 is not displayed.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. When the recording medium 10 stored in the recording medium 6 is inserted into the medium insertion slot 40, the input unit 110 may read the representative image F based on the instruction information recorded on the recording medium 10. In FIG. 3B, the output unit 130 is the storage unit 2
The representative image F of the recording medium 10 not stored in the storage medium 20 is also displayed as the representative image 80.

By recording the instruction information on the recording medium 10 as described above, the output unit 130
Thus, the representative image 80 corresponding to the storage unit 220 can be appropriately output. In addition, even if the user moves the recording medium 10 to a different storage unit 220, the output unit 130 can output the representative image 80 corresponding to the moved storage unit 20 based on the instruction information.

FIG. 7 is a hardware configuration diagram of an electronic album device 300 according to the third embodiment. In the present embodiment, the electronic album device in the first and second embodiments is provided in the form of a recording medium in which program software for causing hardware to realize the function is recorded. The electronic album device 300 according to the present embodiment includes, for example, an electronic computer such as a personal computer and a work station,
Includes electronic devices such as electronic books and digital cameras.

Electronic album device 300 according to the present embodiment
The CPU 360 operates based on programs stored in the ROM 362 and the RAM 364. A selection device 366 such as a keyboard or a mouse sends information input by the operator to the input device 361. The input device 361 sends information input by the operator to the CPU 360 and the RAM 364. The auxiliary storage device 363 stores data such as images and CPs.
A program for operating U60 is stored. The data reading unit 365 reads data or a program from the recording medium 350, and stores the RAM 364, the auxiliary storage device 363, and the CP
U360.

The software of the program executed by the CPU 360 is stored in the recording medium 350 and provided to the user. The software stored in the recording medium 350 may be compressed or uncompressed. The software is installed from the recording medium 350 to the auxiliary storage device 363, read out to the RAM 364, and executed by the CPU 360.

The software of the program executed by the CPU 360, that is, the software stored and provided in the recording medium 350 has the same functional configuration as each functional unit shown in FIG. , An output module, a representative image determination module, a detection module, and a storage module. The software may also include the storage module shown in FIG. The configuration and operation of each module are the same as the configuration and operation of each unit in the electronic album devices 100 and 200 described with reference to FIGS.
The recording medium 350 can store some or all of the functions of the operation of the electronic album device 300 described in the present application. The recording medium 350 can store some or all of the functions of other devices. These programs may be read directly from the recording medium to the RAM 364 and executed.

As the recording medium 350, a CD-ROM,
Use of optical recording media such as DVD and PD, magnetic recording media such as floppy (registered trademark) disk and mini disk (MD), magneto-optical recording media such as MO, tape-shaped recording media, and non-volatile semiconductor memory cards Can be. The recording medium 350 storing the above program is used only for manufacturing the electronic album device 300. Therefore, it is obvious that manufacturing and selling the above-mentioned program and a recording medium on which the program is recorded constitute infringement of the patent right based on the present application.

As described above, the present invention has been described using the embodiments. However, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the scope described in the above embodiments. Various changes or improvements can be added to the above embodiment. It should be noted that such modified or improved embodiments may be included in the technical scope of the present invention.
It is clear from the description of the claims.

In FIG. 1, the storage section 20 is mounted inside the electronic album apparatus 100. However, the mounting position of the storage section 20 may be on the outer surface of the apparatus. Further, the storage section 20 may be provided collectively in a separate album.

The input unit 110 may acquire data such as images via a wired communication network such as the Internet or a wireless communication network such as satellite communication. In this case, the user classifies the plurality of images stored in the storage unit 160 using folders and directories.
For example, if a representative image is determined for each folder, the same processing as that of the recording medium 10 described above can be performed.

[0050]

As is clear from the above description, according to the present invention, a recording medium storing a desired image can be found from a plurality of recording media.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an electronic album device 100 according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of the electronic album device 100 according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is an exemplary view showing a display example of a representative image in the electronic album device 100 according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a representative image registration process in the electronic album device 200 according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram of an electronic album device 200 according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a display example of a representative image of the electronic album device 200 according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a hardware configuration diagram of an electronic album device 300 according to a third embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10, 350 Recording medium 20, 220 Storage unit 25 Identification code 30 Hinge mechanism 35 Select button 40 Medium insertion port 50 Left half surface 55 Right half surface 60 Speaker 70 Print outlet 80 Representative image 90 Visible information 100, 200, 300 Electronic album device 110 Input unit 120 Control unit 130 Output unit 132 Display unit 134 Printing unit 136 Audio unit 140 Representative image determination unit 150 Detection unit 160 Storage unit 230 Wiring unit

──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (reference) G11B 27/00 G11B 27/00 E 33/04 33/04 A 33/06 33/06 Z F term (reference 5B075 ND06 NK10 NK21 PP13 PQ02 PQ03 PQ04 5D110 AA17 AA19 AA29 BB25 BB30 DA11 DA14 DA19 DB09 DC05 DC06 EA08 EA12 FA02 FA08 FA09

Claims (11)

[Claims] 1. An electronic album apparatus for displaying an image, comprising: a plurality of storage units for storing a plurality of recording media on which the images are recorded; and a representative based on the images recorded for each of the recording media. A representative image determining unit for determining an image, and when the recording medium is stored in any of the plurality of storage units, the representative image of the recording medium corresponds to the storage unit in which the recording medium is stored. An electronic album apparatus comprising: 2. The electronic album apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the output unit has a display unit for displaying and outputting the representative image in association with the storage unit storing the recording medium. . 3. The electronic album apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the output unit outputs visible information capable of identifying each of the plurality of storage units in association with the representative image. 4. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the output unit outputs the representative images of the recording media in an arrangement order substantially similar to the arrangement order of the plurality of storage units. Album device. 5. A storage unit for storing identification information indicating the storage unit in which the recording medium is stored and the representative image of the recording medium in association with each other, wherein the output unit reads out from the storage unit 2. The electronic album apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the representative image corresponding to the identification information is output. 6. The storage section records the identification information on the recording medium when the recording medium is stored in the storage section, and the storage section reads the identification information read from the recording medium. The electronic album device according to claim 5, wherein the electronic album device is stored. 7. The representative image determination section determines the representative image from the images recorded on the recording medium, and the storage section stores the representative image read from the recording medium. The electronic album device according to claim 5, wherein the electronic album device performs the operation. 8. A detection unit for detecting the identification information when the recording medium is stored in the storage unit, wherein the storage unit stores the identification information detected by the detection unit. The electronic album apparatus according to claim 5, wherein 9. The method according to claim 8, wherein the representative image determination unit records instruction information indicating the determined representative image on the recording medium, and the storage unit stores the instruction information when the recording medium on which the instruction information is recorded is stored. The electronic album device according to claim 1, wherein the representative image corresponding to the instruction information is read and input to the output unit, and the output unit outputs the input representative image. 10. A representative image output method for outputting a representative image in a plurality of recording media on which images are recorded, in association with each of a plurality of storage units for storing the recording medium, wherein Determining a representative image based on the image recorded for each recording medium; and, when the recording medium is stored in any of the plurality of storage units, recording the representative image of the recording medium. Outputting the image in association with the storage section in which a medium is stored. 11. A program for causing a computer to output a representative image in a plurality of recording media on which images are recorded, in association with each of a plurality of storage units that store the recording medium, Determining a representative image based on the images recorded for each recording medium; and, when the recording medium is stored in any of the plurality of storage sections, the representative image of the recording medium is Outputting the data in association with the storage unit in which the recording medium is stored.