JP2003296162A - File management method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To perform an efficient file management by confirming that data files are mutually or the same, for different two data files having the same file name. <P>SOLUTION: In a copying processing for copying an image data file between different recording media, when an image data file having the same file name as a copy source file is present in a recording medium of a copy designation, the contents of data of both the files are compared. When both the files are imaged data files having the same data content as a result of the comparison of data content, the copying processing is stopped. When both the files are image data files having different data contents, the writing to the recording medium of the designation is performed after changing the file name of the copy source file. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a file management method for moving or copying a data file between a plurality of recording media.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Images taken by a digital camera are stored as image data files in a memory card such as SmartMedia (registered trademark). Since the memory card has a small memory capacity, the user can delete the unnecessary image data file when the free memory capacity is exhausted, copy the image data file to the hard disk of the computer, etc. I was creating.

In order to simplify the complicated file management as described above, a plurality of media drives for accessing the memory card to read and write the image data file and the image data file recorded in the CD-ROM. A data filing device having a CD-R drive for reading an image and writing an image data file to a CD-R medium and a printer function is on the market. In this data filing apparatus, image data files recorded on a memory card can be moved or copied onto a CD-R medium, and a large amount of image data files can be easily managed.

When copying a data file between different recording media, a data file having the same file name as the data file to be copied may be recorded in the copy destination recording medium. For example, JP-A-10
In the conventionally used file management method as in the invention described in Japanese Patent No. 240593, by comparing update date information (time stamps) of two data files when the file names of the data files are the same, I was checking if the two data files were the same.

[0005]

However, since the time stamp of the data file is updated simply by opening the data file on the computer and saving the file again, the two data files cannot be compared when comparing the file stamps. It is not possible to confirm that they have the same contents. Therefore, the same data file having different time stamps may be recorded in duplicate, which is not an efficient file management method.

An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems, and it is an object of the present invention to confirm the difference between two data files having the same file name so that efficient file management can be performed. .

[0007]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the file management method of the present invention reads a first data file from a first recording medium and sets the first data file to a second data file. When writing to the recording medium, the first step of searching whether a data file having the same file name as the first data file is recorded in the second recording medium, and the same file name as the first data file A second data file having a second data file recorded in the second recording medium, the second step of comparing the contents of the first data file and the second data file, and the first data file. The third step of prompting the user to change the file name of the first data file when the content is different from the second data file, and the first step in which the file name is changed. Those constructed from the fourth step of writing over datafile in the second recording medium.

Further, in the second step, when the contents of the first data file and the second data file are the same, writing of the first data file to the second recording medium is stopped. It was done.

[0009]

1 and 2 are perspective views showing the appearance of a data filing apparatus embodying the present invention. The data filing device 10 accesses each recording medium such as the first and second memory cards 11 and 12 and the CD-R medium 13 to read or write an image data file, and print an image based on the image data file. Do.

The device body 1 of the data filing device 10
A tray 16 for setting the CD-R medium 13 and an opening 18 for setting the paper feed cassette 17 are provided on the front surface of the recording medium 5. Tray 14 is CD-R
It is a component of the drive 19 and is moved between the pull-out position shown in FIG. 1 and the storage position shown in FIG. This movement is performed by pressing the eject button 20.

The CD-R medium 13 is, as is well known,
It is an optical recording medium in which data is recorded and read using laser light. CD-R media 13
It has a storage capacity of about 650 MB to 700 MB, which is larger than that of various memory cards. Therefore, it is used as a recording medium for filing and storing the image data file recorded on the memory card.

Opening 18 in which the paper feed cassette 17 is set
A printer unit 22 (see FIG. 5) is provided at the back of the printer. The sheet cassette 17 includes sheet-shaped recording paper 2
A plurality of 4 are stored. An image is printed on the recording paper 24 pulled out from the paper feed cassette 17 by the printer unit 22. The printed recording paper 24 is discharged onto the upper surface of the paper feed cassette 17.

On the front surface of the apparatus main body 11, there is attached a lid 26 which can be opened and closed between a closed position for covering the tray 16 and the opening 18 and an open position for exposing the tray.

A power switch 28 is provided on the left side of the front surface of the apparatus main body 11. On the right side of the tray 16 and the opening 18, an operation panel 29 for operating each part of the data filing device 10 is provided. In this operation panel 29, in addition to various operation buttons, LC
D30 and first and second slots 31, 32 are provided.

The first memory card 11 is a smart media (registered trademark) and is set in a dedicated first slot 31. The second slot 32 is a slot into which the second memory card 12 of the PC card type is set. Behind the first and second slots 31 and 32, first and second card readers 34 and 35 (see FIG. 5), which are media drives of the memory cards 11 and 12, are arranged. First and second card reader 3
4, 35 are selectively used, and switching between them is performed by a slide switch 36.

The image data files generated by the digital camera 38 are stored in these memory cards 1.
It is recorded electrically at 1 and 12. There are various storage capacities of memory cards, but currently about 16MB to about 6MB.
A storage capacity of about 4 MB is standard.

The LCD 30 is a display means for reproducing and displaying an operation screen and image data files recorded on the memory cards 11 and 12 or the CD-R medium 13. Below the LCD 30, a general-purpose key 40 that is used for general purposes such as moving a cursor on the operation screen and selecting a frame is provided. Reference numeral 41 is an execution button for executing the selected menu, and reference numeral 42 is a cancel button for canceling the immediately preceding operation. Various instructions are given by the operation screen and these various operation buttons.

Further, the operation panel 29 is provided with dedicated buttons for instructing frequently used functions, in addition to the operation buttons used for general purpose. The print button 44 is a dedicated button for instructing to print the selected image or index image. The save button 45 uses all image files in the first or second memory card 11 or 12 as CD data as CD data.
-A dedicated button for instructing filing to the R medium 13.

As shown in FIG. 3, the image data files photographed by the digital camera 38 are, for example, photographed image data files MA1 to M1 in the first memory card 11.
Recorded as An. These captured image data files MA1 to MAn are collectively stored in a captured image folder. The file format and folder structure of these captured image data files are DCF (Design ru
le of Camera File system)
Determined by the standard. The captured image data files MA1 to MAn are recorded in the EXIF format, for example.

In the EXIF format, EXIFTAG data is added to the captured image data. The captured image data is recorded, for example, in the JPEG format in which the image data is compressed and stored. As the format of the captured image data, in addition to this JPEG, a TIFF (Taged Image File Forma) including image data and a TAG that records information indicating the storage position of this data in a file, etc.
t) format may be used. Further, the EXIF format can also include thumbnail image data for use in index display and the like. The file name of the captured image data file is also determined by the DCF. When JPEG is used as the format of the captured image data, the file names of the captured image data files MA1 to MAn are DSCF0001. JPG ~ DSCF00
0n. It will be JPG.

The EXIFTAG data includes shooting condition data relating to shooting conditions such as exposure value, focal length, and whether or not strobe light is emitted, and MakerNoteTAG data. The MakerNoteTAG is an area in which each camera maker can freely set information unique to the maker. In this area, for example, model data used for shooting is recorded. Data such as shooting date is also EXI
It is recorded as FTAG data.

FIG. 4 shows a folder structure of the CD-R medium 13 in which data is recorded in the data filing apparatus 10. The image data files are collectively stored in the folders 50a, 50b, 50c, ... Created for each album. The name of each folder is given so that each name is unique within one CD-R. As a result, each album is identified. In this example, each folder name is created such that the name of the folder 50a of the album 1 created first is “100” and the name of the folder 50b of the album 2 created next is “101”. Sequential numbers are assigned in order.

Further, each folder 50a, 50b, 50c
The image data files in ... Are sorted and stored in the order of creation date. Then, new file names are assigned in the sorted order. In this example, "DSCF00
The file names are given in serial numbers starting with "01".

Since the creation dates of the image data files taken by the digital camera 38 coincide with the shooting dates, if they are sorted in order of creation date, they are consequently sorted in order of shooting date. However, when the image data file is saved again in the computer, the creation date is updated, which causes a discrepancy with the shooting date. Therefore, the EXIFTA in the image data file is not the creation date of the image data file.
The shooting date recorded as G data may be read and used for sorting.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the data filing apparatus 10. System controller 53
Executes various programs according to instructions from the operation panel 29 to control each unit in the apparatus. Various programs executed by the system controller 53 are written in the ROM 54. The main memory 55 is used as a working memory when the system controller 53 executes various programs. The image processing unit 56 performs various kinds of image processing on the image data file, as well as various kinds of processing such as sort processing of the image data file, file name changing processing, and index image creation processing in which a plurality of frame images are arranged side by side. Give.

Further, the first and second card readers 3
4, 35 and the CD-R drive 19 are controlled by the system controller 53 to read and write the image data file.

An image data file obtained by photographing with the digital camera 38 is normally created as an album in the CD-R medium 13 in units of memory cards whose photographing dates are close to each other. However, there are cases where it is desired to create albums for each shooting content or genre, instead of only the shooting dates and times that are close to each other. The data filing device 10 also supports such album creation for each genre.

In the following, referring to the flow chart of FIG. 6, the "album 1 (folder 50a)" classified into the genres already created in the CD-R medium 13 is recorded in the memory card 11. Image data file “DSCF0002.JPG” of the same genre
File management method when adding is explained.

First, the first memory slot 31 and the CD-
The R drive 19 includes a first memory card 11 and a CD-
R media 13 is set. At this time, it is necessary to operate the slide switch 36 to enable the first memory slot 31. Then, while confirming the LCD 30, the general-purpose key 40, the execute button 41, and the cancel button 42 are operated to set the processing content to be executed, for example, "copy from memory card to CD-R medium".

After selecting the processing content, the system controller 53 controls the first card reader 34 to access the first memory card 11, and the image data file recorded in the first memory card 11 is displayed on the LCD 30. List above. With this list display, for example,
A message "Please select the copy source file" is displayed on the LCD 30 to prompt the user to select the image data file to be copied. The user may, for example, "DSCF
0002. JPG ”as the copy source file.

The system controller 53 controls the CD-R drive 19 to access the CD-R medium 13, and displays a list of albums created in the CD-R medium 13 on the LCD 30. With this list display, for example, "Please select the copy destination album"
Is displayed on the LCD 30 to prompt the user to select the album to which the image data file is to be copied.
The user selects, for example, "album 1" as the copy source file.

The system controller 53 searches the folder 50a corresponding to the selected copy destination album,
Whether or not there is an image data file having the same file name as the copy source file “DSCF0002.JPG” is confirmed.

If the image data file having the same file name as the copy source file does not exist in "Album 1", the copy source file "DS" is read from the first memory card 11.
CF0002. "JPG" is read and written in the folder 50a of the CD-R medium 13. After that, the copying process of the image data file is ended.

When an image data file having the same file name as the copy source file exists in "Album 1", the copy source file of the first memory card 11 and the CD-R medium 13 are the same. The image processing unit 56 compares the data content with the name file. This data content comparison is performed by comparing captured image data, but EXIFTAG data may be compared, or both captured image data and EXIFTAG data may be compared.

As a result of the comparison between the copy source file and the same name file, if both are image data files having the same contents, the copying process is stopped. At that time, for example, a message “The same file already exists in this album” is displayed on the LCD 30.

Contrary to the above, when the copy source file and the same name file have different contents, information such as time stamps of both files is presented on the LCD 30.
Furthermore, for example, a message saying "Files with the same name exist in this album, please change the name of the copy source file when copying" is displayed on the LCD 30.
Prompts the user to change the file name of the copy source file.

As a method of changing the file name, a manual change made by the user and a data filing apparatus 10 are used.
It is preferable to provide automatic change of file name in (1) to allow the user to select one of them. When the manual change is selected, the copy source file is written in the copy destination album 1 after the file name changing operation by the user is completed.

When the automatic change is selected, the image processing unit 56 sets a continuous file name to the image data file of the last number recorded in the album 1 and assigns it to the copy source file. To do. The copy source file to which the new file name is added is purchased in the copy destination album 1.

In the above embodiment, the case where one copy source file is selected has been described. However, when a plurality of copy source files or all contents of the memory card are selected and copied, the above process is performed. It suffices to carry out in order for each copy source file.

Although the data filing apparatus having a built-in printer function has been described, the file management method of the present invention can be applied to other data filing apparatuses, data processing apparatuses and the like.

[0041]

As described above, according to the file management method of the present invention, it is possible to prevent the data files having the same contents from being redundantly stored, so that the recording medium can be used efficiently. You can

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing external appearances of a data filing device embodying the present invention and peripheral devices.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the front surface of the data filing device.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of a captured image file storage structure in a memory card and a data structure of a captured image file.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a folder structure in a CD-R medium.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an image filing device.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a procedure of a copying process of an image data file.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 data filing equipment 11 First memory card 12 Second memory card 13 CD-R media 19 CD-R drive 34 First Card Reader 35 Second Card Reader 50 folders

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Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A first media drive for accessing a first recording medium to write and read a data file, and a second recording medium different from the first recording medium for accessing a data file. A second media drive for writing and reading the
In a data filing device equipped with a controller for controlling these first and second media drives,
A file management method for moving or copying a data file between a first recording medium and a second recording medium, comprising: reading a first data file from the first recording medium; A first step of searching whether or not a data file having the same file name as the first data file is recorded in the second recording medium when writing the file to the second recording medium; A second step of comparing the contents of the first data file and the second data file when a second data file having the same file name as the file is recorded in the second recording medium; A third step of urging the user to change the file name of the first data file when the contents of the first data file and the second data file are different, And a fourth step of writing the first data file whose file name has been changed to a second recording medium. 2. In the second step, when the contents of the first data file and the second data file are the same, the writing of the first data file to the second recording medium is stopped. The file management method according to claim 1, further comprising: