JP2008124963A - Image file generating apparatus for image file for three-dimensional image data and image reproducing device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electronic device capable of facilitating image file management even in a case where a 3D image file and a 2D image file are mixed. <P>SOLUTION: At least two image files (e.g., image files F11 and F12) necessary for generating stereoscopically viewable image data are recorded as files having coincident file names except for extensions and different extensions. Thus, an analysis or management file for the header of the image file is not needed and only by retrieving the file name, a 3D image file and a 2D image file can be distinguished. In a 3D reproducing device, two images are used to perform display so that stereoscopic view is enabled and in a 2D reproducing device, only one image file is used to perform 2D display. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image file generation device such as a digital camera that generates an image file for stereoscopic viewing, and an image playback device such as a display or printer that plays back an image file for stereoscopic viewing.

  An image processing apparatus that generates an image file for stereoscopic viewing is disclosed in, for example, Patent Document 1. The prior art described in Patent Document 1 aims to eliminate the complexity of the user that occurs when the same processing is simultaneously performed on a plurality of images constituting a stereoscopic image.

  In order to achieve the object, a plurality of pieces of image data constituting a stereoscopic image are stored in separate image files, and attribute information of image files related to each other is stored in a header portion of each image file. It is said that.

  This will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. FIG. 11 shows a file structure of an image file in the prior art. The left image data DL and the right image data DR are stored in the data portions of the image files “P1000101.JPG” and “P1000102.JPG”, respectively. The left image data DL and the right image data DR are a pair and constitute one stereoscopic image. The header portion H stores a mutual image file name. Specifically, the image file name “P1000102.JPG” is stored in the header portion H of the image file “P1000101.JPG”, and the image file name “P1000101” is stored in the header portion H of the image file “P1000102.JPG”. .JPG "is stored.

By making the file structure of the image file as described above, when processing such as deleting one of the related image files, the same processing can be performed for the other image file. Processing can be automated.
JP 2000-99758 A

  However, in the conventional configuration, when reading a 3D image file, the image file to be paired cannot be specified unless the header portion H of the image file is read. For this reason, it takes time to reproduce the 3D image. Further, if the header portion is not read, it is impossible to determine whether the image file is a 3D image file or a 2D image file. Therefore, when a 3D image file and a 2D image file are mixed, those images are displayed to the user. File management was complicated.

  In view of the above, an object of the present invention is to solve the above-described problem, and to provide an electronic apparatus that can facilitate image file management even when 3D image files and 2D image files coexist.

  In order to achieve this object, the present invention assumes that the first and second image files necessary for stereoscopic viewing have the same part (file identification name) other than the file name extension, for two files. File names with different extensions only.

  This makes it possible to specify the paired image file without reading the header portion of each file, and to shorten the time required for the 3D image playback process. Further, even if the header part is not read out, it is possible to know whether the image file is a 3D image file or a 2D image file depending on whether there is a file name that differs only in extension. Even when 2D image files coexist, image file management becomes easy. When deleting one of the related image files, the other image file to be deleted at the same time can be searched only by the file name without reading the header portion, and simultaneous operation of two image files necessary for stereoscopic viewing can be easily performed. be able to.

(Embodiment 1)
(1-1) Overview of First Embodiment The digital camera 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention selects two necessary image files other than the file name extension when generating stereoscopically viewable image data. Two file names having the same (file identification name) but different file name extensions are assigned and generated.

  FIG. 1 shows the file structure recorded by this embodiment. Since the file name “P1000001.JPG” of the left image file F11 and the file name “P1000001.J3D” of the right image file F12 differ only in extension, these two files are managed in a combined state. The image files F11 and 12 include a header part H and a data part D. The left image data DL1 is stored in the data part D of the image file F11. The right image data DR1 is stored in the data portion D of the image file F12. These left and right image data DL1 and DR1 are image data necessary for generating one stereoscopically viewable (stereoscopic) image data. That is, these left and right image data DL1 and DR1 respectively indicate images from two viewpoints arranged in parallel on the left and right, and parallax occurs in these images. Using this parallax, the user can view a stereoscopic image by stereoscopic viewing.

  The header portion H of the left image file F11 stores a pair file name D1, 3D identifier D2, reduced image D3, 3D information D4, file creation date D5, and the like. The pair file name D1 indicates the other file name necessary for stereoscopic viewing. The 3D identifier D2 is an identifier indicating that the image file is a stereoscopic image file. Further, when the 3D identifier D2 is “3D_L”, this indicates that the image file is a left image file storing the left image data, and when the 3D identifier D2 is “3D_R”, that Indicates that the image file is a right image file that stores right image data. The reduced image D3 is also called a thumbnail image, and is small-sized image data created based on the left image data DL. The user can perform an image search or the like using the reduced image D3. The 3D information indicates distance measurement data, a parallax amount, and the like used when reproducing a 3D image.

  The header portion H of the right image file F12 stores a pair file name D1, 3D identifier D2, reduced image D3, 3D information D4, file creation date D5, and the like. By storing “3D_R” as the 3D identifier D2, it indicates that the image file F12 is the right image file.

  Note that the header portion H of the right image file F12 may be configured not to store the 3D identifier D2 and the 3D information D4. This is because, even if the 3D identifier D2 is not stored, the image file F12 is known to be the right image file from the extension “J3D” of the file name. Further, even if the 3D information D4 is not stored, the 3D information D4 stored in the left image file F11 may be used.

  Further, the 3D identifier D2 and 3D information D4 may be stored in the header portion H of the right image file F12, and the 3D identifier D2 and 3D information D4 may not be stored in the header portion H of the left image file F11. good. Since it is sufficient that one piece of such information exists in the left and right image files, unnecessary information is not duplicated and stored by using the above configuration.

  Further, the pair file name D1 is self-evident by searching for a file having a file name that differs only in extension, and therefore may not be stored in either the left image file F11 or the right image file F12. By omitting these stored information, the processing time for creating information can be shortened and management can be facilitated.

(1-2) Configuration of Digital Camera 100 FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the digital camera 100. The digital camera 100 has two imaging systems, a right optical system 101 and a left optical system 102. Both the optical signal via the right optical system 101 and the optical signal via the left optical system 102 are imaged on the CCD 103. The CCD 103 photoelectrically converts optical signals acquired from the right optical system 101 and the left optical system 102 to generate an electrical signal. The image processing unit 104 processes the electrical signal generated by the CCD 103 to generate right image data DR and left image data DL. Here, the right image data DR is image data generated based on an optical signal input via the right optical system 101, and the left image data DL is an optical signal input via the left optical system 102. Is generated based on the image data.

  The controller 105 controls the digital camera 100. Further, the controller 105 receives the right image data DR and the left image data DL generated by the image processing means 104, and creates an image file for each image data. When a left image file is created based on the left image data DL, a header portion H is added to the data portion D, the left image data DL is stored in the data portion D, and the pair file name D1 is stored in the header portion H. Necessary information such as a 3D identifier D2, a reduced image D3, 3D information D4, and a file creation date D5 is stored. On the other hand, when creating a right image file based on the right image data DR, a header portion H is added to the data portion D, the right image data DR is stored in the data portion D, and a file is created in the header portion H. Necessary information such as date and time D5 is stored.

  The distance measuring means 106 is a sensor for measuring the distance between the subject and the digital camera 100. The measurement result obtained by the distance measuring means 106 is output to the controller 105, and is stored in the header portion H of the left image file as a part of the 3D information D4.

  The storage unit 108 stores the image files F11 to F12 generated by the controller 105. The storage unit 108 may be a memory card that can be attached to and detached from the digital camera 100, or may be a built-in memory built in the digital camera 100. The storage unit 108 may be a semiconductor memory such as a flash memory, or may be an optical recording medium or a magnetic recording medium.

  The display means 107 is a stereoscopic display. The display unit 107 may be a direct-viewing type three-dimensional display capable of stereoscopic viewing without glasses, or may be a display that switches between left and right images using liquid crystal shutter glasses. The display unit 107 is not limited to these, and may be a display that allows the user to stereoscopically view. For example, a display that displays left image data and right image data side by side may be used.

  Here, the left image file F11 is an example of the first image file or the second image file of the present invention. The right image file F12 is also an example of the first image file or the second image file of the present invention. When the left image file F11 corresponds to the first image file, the right image file F12 is the second image file. When the left image file F11 corresponds to the second image file, the right image file F12 corresponds to the first image file. The configuration including the right optical system 101, the left optical system 102, the CCD 103, the image processing means 104, and the controller 105 is an example of the obtaining means of the present invention. The controller 105 is an example of an image file generation unit of the present invention. The storage means 108 is an example of the first storage means and the second storage means of the present invention.

  In the present invention, stereoscopically viewable image data broadly means image data that can be viewed stereoscopically by a user. For example, it is a concept that includes image data that is output to a liquid crystal display for three-dimensional display and displayed three-dimensionally, and also includes image data that is output to a printer and displayed side by side with images having different parallaxes. The stereoscopically viewable image data may be the left image data DL and the right image data DR as they are, or may be obtained by modifying these or adding other information. In short, what is necessary is just to be generated based on the left image data DL and the right image data DR.

(1-3) File Creation Operation in Digital Camera 100 Next, the operation of the digital camera 100 when creating the left image file F11 and the right image file F12 will be described. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation at this time.

  An optical signal is imaged on the CCD 103 via the right optical system 101 and the left optical system 102. The CCD 103 photoelectrically converts the imaged optical signal to generate an electrical signal (S101).

  Next, the distance measuring means 106 measures the distance between the digital camera 100 and the subject and outputs the result to the controller 105. The controller 105 stores the distance measurement data acquired from the distance measurement means 106 and other information as 3D information (S102).

  Next, the image processing means 104 generates left image data DL and right image data DR based on the electrical signal generated by the CCD 103 (S103). Then, the image processing unit 104 outputs the left and right image data DL and DR to the controller 105.

  Next, the controller 105 creates a reduced image D3 based on the left image data DL acquired from the image processing means 104 (S104). Then, the controller 105 creates image files F11 and F12 having a structure in which the header part H is added to the data part D. At this time, the left image data DL is stored in the data portion D of the image file F11, and the right image data DR is stored in the data portion D of the image file F12. Then, the pair file name D1, 3D identifier D2, reduced image D3, 3D information D4, creation date D5, and the like are stored in the header portion H of the image file F11 (S105). In contrast, the creation date D5 and the like are stored in the header portion H of the image file F12 (S106).

  Finally, the controller 105 stores the created image files F11 and F12 in the storage unit 108.

(1-4) Display of Image Files F11 and F12 in Digital Camera 100 Next, display operations of the image files F11 and F12 in the digital camera 100 will be described. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation at this time.

  First, an image file to be displayed is searched from a file whose file name extension is “JPG” according to a user instruction (S201). This search may be performed by displaying thumbnail images and allowing the user to select, or displaying a list of file names of image files and allowing the user to select them. Alternatively, the image may be selected while being fed forward or backward.

  For example, when the image file F11 is selected as the target image file, the controller 105 determines from the storage unit 108 whether a part other than the file name extension matches F11 and the file extension is “J3D”. It is determined whether or not (S203). As a result, if a file with the extension “J3D” exists, the process proceeds to step S204, and if not, the process proceeds to step S205.

  In step S204, the controller 105 determines whether or not to output to a display device for three-dimensional display. Here, the display device for three-dimensional display refers to a display device that allows a user to perceive a stereoscopic image by displaying images with different viewpoints so that they can be seen by the left and right eyes. For example, using polarized light and color, a display device using dedicated glasses (vertical polarized light for the right eye, horizontal polarized light for the left eye), or a display device provided with a filter on the display surface (more specifically, And a display device that displays a different image depending on a viewing direction by providing a lenticular lens.

  Here, if the display unit 107 of the digital camera 100 is a display device for three-dimensional display, it is determined as “Yes”, and the process proceeds to step S206. The controller 105 reads out the image file F12 from the storage unit 108 in addition to the image file F11, and controls to display them on the display unit 107. More specifically, the controller 105 reads the left image data DL1 from the data part D of the image file F11, reads the right image data DR1 from the data part D of the image file F12, and outputs it to the image processing unit 104. Next, the controller 105 reads 3D information D4 and the like from the header portion H of the image file F11, and controls the image processing means 104 based on these information. The image processing unit 104 converts the left and right image data DL1 and DR1 into image data that can be displayed on the display unit 107, and outputs the image data to the display unit 107. Then, the display unit 107 displays the image data acquired from the image processing unit 104. More specifically, the display unit 107 causes an image generated based on the left image data DL1 to enter the user's left eye, and causes an image generated based on the right image data DR1 to enter the user's right eye. To display. The display method is not limited to the above-described method. For example, an image generated based on the left image data DL1 is incident on the user's right eye, and an image generated based on the right image data DR1 is displayed on the user's right. You may display so that it may inject into the left eye.

  The state of the display means 107 at this time is shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is a rear view of the digital camera 100. The digital camera 100 has display means 107 on the back. Stereoscopic image data 301 is displayed on the display means 107. Further, when displaying the stereoscopic image data 301, the display unit 107 may display a display 302 for notifying that the image is a stereoscopic image. By displaying this display 302, the user can easily grasp that the image 301 is a three-dimensional image.

  Further, the stereoscopically viewable image data 301 has a vertical / horizontal ratio larger than that of the two-dimensional image data due to the relationship composed of the left and right two image data. When the entire image is displayed on the display means corresponding to the display of the three-dimensional image, the image is displayed small as shown in FIG. In order to solve this problem, as shown in FIG. 6, only the center part may be displayed without displaying the top and bottom of the image 301. By doing in this way, the user can see the part which he wants to see in the center part of an image with sufficient size.

  On the other hand, if there is no file with the extension “J3D” in step S203 (that is, if the target image file is a 2D image file), the controller 105 detects this and proceeds to step S205. . In step S205, the controller 105 controls the display unit 107 to output the image file as a 2D image.

(1-5) Reproduction of Reduced Image In the above-described step S201, when searching for an image file to be displayed according to a user instruction, a thumbnail image (reduced image D3) may be displayed and selected by the user. did. Here, the operation of the digital camera 100 when displaying the reduced image D3 will be described in detail. A flowchart showing the operation of the digital camera 100 at this time is shown in FIG.

  First, in order to search for a reduced image to be displayed, an image file whose file name extension is “JPG” is searched from the storage means 108 (S301). This search may be performed in the recording order of image files or in the reverse order of recording. Further, the search may be performed by another predetermined method. Next, it is determined whether or not a file having the extension “JPG” matches a portion other than the extension of the file name and a file having the extension “J3D” exists (S303).

  As a result, if a file with the extension “J3D” exists, the process proceeds to step S304. In step S304, the controller 105 determines whether to output to a display device for 3D display. If it is determined to output to the three-dimensional display device, the reduced image D3 stored in the header portion H of the file with the extension “JPG” and the file with the extension “J3D” is read and displayed. By outputting to the means 107, the reduced image is displayed in three dimensions (S305). At this time, the reduced image D3 may be displayed separately from the 2D image. For example, as compared with the case where a reduced image is displayed as a 2D image, the thickness of the frame line on the outer periphery of the reduced image display may be increased. If it is determined in step S304 that the data is not output to the three-dimensional display device, the process proceeds to step S307. In step S307, the controller 105 reads the reduced image D3 stored in the header portion H of the file with the extension “JPG” and displays it on the display means 107 (S307).

  In this way, when outputting to a display device for 3D display, a reduced image of two images is displayed in 3D, and when not outputting to a display device for 3D display, the extension is “JPG”. By displaying the reduced image D3 of the file, it is possible to avoid a situation in which the reduced image is displayed for only one of the left and right image files and the reduced image is displayed for both the left and right image files. Makes image management easier.

  If it is determined in step S303 that there is no file whose extension matches the searched image file and the file name has the extension “J3D”, the process proceeds to step S306, and the reduced image included in the image file is displayed. Is displayed separately from the 3D image.

  FIG. 8 shows a state when the reduced image is displayed on the non-three-dimensional display device as described above. FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating a state when the reduced images 401 to 404 are displayed on the display unit 107 of the digital camera 100. The reduced images 401 and 404 are reduced images read from the 3D image file. Reduced images 402 and 403 are reduced images read from the 2D image file. These are distinguished by the thickness of the frame line. A cursor 405 is a mark indicating selection by the user. The cursor 405 can be moved to another reduced image using a cursor key (not shown) provided in the digital camera 100 or the like. The user can select an image file by moving the cursor to a desired reduced image and making a decision with a decision button (not shown) or the like.

  In this way, by displaying the reduced images 401 and 404 read from the 3D image file and the reduced images 402 and 403 read from the 2D image file separately, whether the image the user wants to display is displayed three-dimensionally. It can be easily grasped whether it is displayed in two dimensions.

(1-6) Deletion of Image File When deleting the image file stored in the storage unit 108, the controller 105 first checks whether or not the image file is a stereoscopic image file. As a confirmation method, the header portion of the image file may be read to confirm whether or not the 3D identifier D2 exists, and the second image file having the extension “J3D” is stored in the storage unit 108. It may be confirmed depending on whether or not.

  Thereafter, when the image file to be deleted is an image file for stereoscopic viewing, the controller 105 specifies two image files having the same file identifier as that to be deleted. Next, the controller 105 confirms that the extensions of these image files are “JPG” and “J3D”, respectively. Then, the controller 105 deletes these image files from the storage unit 108.

  In this way, when deleting one related image file (for example, P1000001.JPG), the other image file (for example, P1000001.J3D) to be deleted at the same time is read without reading the header portion of the other image file. Search by name only. Therefore, simultaneous operation (for example, deletion operation) of two image files necessary for stereoscopic viewing can be easily performed.

  In the above-described embodiment, the search is performed using only the file name without reading the header portion of the other image file, and then the deletion is performed. However, the header portion of the image file may be read before and after the search. Thereby, it is possible to reliably grasp the combination of the stereoscopic image files.

(1-7) Output by Printer The image files F11 to F12 created by the digital camera 100 can be printed out by the printer. Some printers have a function of processing a 3D image, and some do not have such a function. Hereinafter, the operation of the printer when printing out the image files F11 to F12 will be described separately for the case where the printer has such a function and the case where the printer does not have such a function.

(1-7-1) When Printer has Function to Process 3D Image In this case, the printer operates according to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  First, the printer acquires the image files F11 to F12 from the digital camera 100 by communication or using a memory card. Then, an image file to be printed out is selected according to a user instruction or the like (S201). Here, it is assumed that the image file F11 is selected. Then, the controller built in the printer determines whether or not there is a file that matches the selected image file except for the file name extension and has the extension “J3D” (S203). Since there is a file F12 that matches F11 except for the extension of the file name and has the extension “J3D”, the process proceeds to step S204. In step S204, if the printer can print a three-dimensional image, the process advances to step S206. In step S206, the printer controller reads the left image data DL1 stored in the image file F11 and the right image file DR1 stored in the image file F12, and prints the images 202 and 203 generated from them to print a three-dimensional image. And a printout on a recording sheet 201 as a recording medium. An example of the printout at this time is shown in FIG. The user can recognize a three-dimensional image by stereoscopically viewing the printout result.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S203 that the file other than the extension matches the image file to be printed out and the extension is “J3D”, the process proceeds to step S205 to print out the 2D image. To do.

(1-7-2) When the printer does not have a function for processing a 3D image In step S204, when the printer does not have a function for processing a 3D image, other than the extension matches, and the extension is “JPG”. Even if there is an image file F11 with "J3D" and an image file F12 with extension "J3D", the printer prints out only the image file F11 with extension "JPG" as a 2D image and expands it. The image file F12 whose child is “J3D” is not printed out. FIG. 10 shows the result of printing out the image file F11 at that time. An image 202 created based on the left image data DL1 stored in the image file F11 is printed on the recording paper 201.

  As described above, even if the printer does not have a function of processing a 3D image, only an image file having the extension “JPG” can be printed out. As a result, it is possible to avoid a situation in which both of the 3D-compatible image files F11 to F12 are duplicated and printed out in 2D, or a situation in which printing is not possible at all.

(1-8) Summary of Embodiment 1 The digital camera 100 of the present invention is a right optical as an acquisition unit that acquires the left image file F11 and the right image file F12 necessary for generating stereoscopically viewable image data. A system 101, a left optical system 102, a CCD 103, an image processing means 104, and a controller 105 are provided. Further, the digital camera 100 uses the function of the controller 105 to match the left image file F11 and the right image file F12 with an image file having an extension “JPG” and a portion other than the extension of the file name. The image file “J3D” is recorded in the storage unit 108. With this function, the controller 105 can manage 3D image files collectively for each image file necessary for stereoscopic viewing, and therefore can easily manage 3D image files.

  Also, the digital camera 100 searches for an image file having the extension “JPG” by the function of the controller 105, and the file and the part other than the extension of the file name match and the extension is “J3D”. Can be checked. With this function, the digital camera 100 can determine whether to perform 2D image reproduction processing or 3D image reproduction processing only by searching for a file name without performing analysis in the header of the image file. Therefore, it is possible to easily perform playback processing and management of 3D image files.

  The printer of the present invention is a printer that outputs stereoscopically viewable image data using a left image file and a right image file. The printer of the present invention includes storage means and a controller. The storage means stores a left image file and a right image file. The controller searches for an image file with the extension “JPG”, reads the left image from the image file with the extension “JPG”, matches the file except for the extension of the file name, and the extension is “J3D”. The right image is read from the image file “”. Control is performed so that these image data are processed and output to recording paper 201 as a recording medium as stereoscopically viewable image data. With this configuration, the user can enjoy stereoscopic viewing simply by printing out on the recording paper 201.

  Further, when the digital camera 100 does not output to the display device for 3D display, the digital camera 100 controls to read only the reduced image included in either the left image file or the right image file and output the read reduced image. You may make it do. By doing so, it is possible to avoid a situation in which reduced images are displayed in duplicate for both the left and right image files, and the user can easily manage images. Further, when outputting to a display device for three-dimensional display, the digital camera 100 can also perform three-dimensional display of a reduced image using the reduced images stored in the headers of both the left and right image files. is there.

(Embodiment 2)
Other embodiments other than the first embodiment described above will be collectively described below.

  In the first embodiment, the CCD image sensor 103 is used as the image sensor. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a CMOS sensor or the like may be used.

  The digital camera 100 may generate a still image or a moving image as a three-dimensional image.

  In Embodiment 1 of the present invention, the digital camera 100 and the printer are exemplified as the electronic device that generates stereoscopically viewable image data, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, a television receiver, a PDA or a mobile phone terminal may be used as long as it can output an image.

  In the first embodiment of the present invention, the image files F11 to F12 are all image files conforming to the JPEG standard. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the image files F11 to F12 may be conforming to the MPEG standard or be in a bitmap format. It may be compliant.

  The electronic device of the present invention can be used for an electronic device that generates or processes three-dimensional image data because it can facilitate image file management even when 3D image files and 2D image files coexist. It is. For example, in addition to a digital camera, it can be used for a printer, a mobile phone terminal, a television receiver, and the like.

Schematic diagram showing the file structure of a management file and an image file in Embodiment 1 of the present invention 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a digital camera according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. The flowchart which shows the image file preparation operation | movement of the digital camera in Embodiment 1 of this invention. 7 is a flowchart showing an image file output operation of the digital camera or printer according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The rear view of the digital camera in other Embodiment 1 of this invention The rear view of the digital camera in other Embodiment 1 of this invention The flowchart which shows the reduction image display operation | movement of the digital camera in Embodiment 1 of this invention. Schematic diagram showing an example of reduced image display of the digital camera according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. Plan view of recording paper printed out by the printer of the present invention Plan view of recording paper printed out by another printer of the present invention Schematic diagram showing the file structure of a conventional image file

Explanation of symbols

100 Digital Camera 101 Right Optical System 102 Left Optical System 103 CCD
104 Image processing means 105 Controller 107 Display means 108 Storage means D Data portion DL1 Left image data DR1 Right image data D1 File name D2 3D identifier D3 Reduced image D4 3D information F11 to F12 Image file H Header portion

Claims (11)

First acquisition means for acquiring first image data necessary for generating stereoscopically viewable image data;
Second acquisition means for acquiring second image data necessary for generating stereoscopically viewable image data together with the first image data;
First file generation means for generating a first image file for storing the first image data;
Second file generation means for generating a second image file for storing the second image data,
The first file generation means generates a first file name by adding a first extension to a file identification name for identifying each image file, and generates the first image file when the first image file is generated. Give the file name as the file name of the image file,
The second file generation means generates a second file name by assigning a second extension different from the first extension to the same file identification name as the file identification name in the first file name, and generating the second file name. When generating two image files, the second file name is given as the file name of the image file.
Image file generator. The first file generation means generates a header part when generating the first image file, and the first image file is an image file necessary for generating stereoscopically viewable image data. An identifier to be stored in the header part;
The image file generation device according to claim 1. The second file generation means generates a header part when generating the second image file, and the second image file is an image file necessary for generating stereoscopically viewable image data. An identifier to be stored in the header part;
The image file generation device according to claim 1. The identifier includes information indicating whether the first image data is an image to be incident on the right eye or an image to be incident on the left eye among image data necessary for generating stereoscopically viewable image data.
The image file generation device according to claim 2. The identifier includes information indicating whether the second image data is an image to be incident on the right eye or an image to be incident on the left eye among image data necessary for generating stereoscopically viewable image data.
The image file generation device according to claim 3. The first file generating means generates a header part when generating the first image file, and stores information indicating the second file name in the header part.
The image file generation device according to claim 1. The second file generation means generates a header part when generating the second image file, and stores information indicating the first file name in the header part.
The image file generation device according to claim 1. A recording unit that records the first image file and the second image file in a storage unit;
Each file stored in the storage means is managed using a directory structure,
The recording means records the first image file and the second image file in the same directory in the storage means;
The image file generation device according to claim 1. The image according to claim 1, further comprising a control unit having a stereoscopic image generation mode for generating the first image file and the second image file and a planar image generation mode for generating only the first image file. File generator. A first image file in which a first file name with a first extension added to a file identification name for identifying each image file is given as a file name, and stores first image data; A file acquisition unit capable of acquiring a second image file storing a second image data, wherein a second extension different from the first extension is given as a file name to the same file identification name as ,
Display means capable of displaying the acquired first image data or / and the second image data;
A stereoscopic display mode for controlling the display means to display a stereoscopically visible image using the first image data and the second image data, and one of the first image data and the second image data Control means having a planar display mode for controlling the display means to display an image that cannot be stereoscopically viewed using
An image reproduction apparatus comprising: A first image file in which a first file name with a first extension added to a file identification name for identifying each image file is given as a file name, and stores first image data; A file acquisition unit capable of acquiring a second image file storing a second image data, wherein a second extension different from the first extension is given as a file name to the same file identification name as ,
Display means capable of switching between 3D display and 2D display;
Searching for the first image file, searching for a corresponding second image file having a file name having the same file identification name as the first image file and a second extension different from the first extension; If the corresponding second image file exists, stereoscopic display is performed using the first image file and the corresponding second image file, and if the corresponding second image file does not exist, only the first image file is used. Control means for performing planar display;
An image reproduction apparatus comprising:

Images