JP3461205B2 - System and method for copying image data between a plurality of recording media - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a photographic film, a semiconductor memory storing image data read from the film, a memory card (or a memory cartridge) storing image data obtained by photographing using a digital still camera. ), Or from a recording medium (optical disc, magneto-optical disc, magnetic disc, optical tape, magnetic tape, etc.) that stores an image file (a collection of image data representing a plurality of images) (these are referred to as the recording medium of the copy source), To transfer the image data to another recording medium (these are referred to as a copy destination recording medium, for example, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a magnetic disk, an optical tape, a magnetic tape, a semiconductor memory, etc.) and record the copy destination recording medium The present invention relates to a copying system and a copying method.

[0002]

[Background Art] Taking 12 or 24 shots on photographic film
There are 36 shots. Pictures are often stored in units of the number of frames that a film has (the number of films). For example, athletics, summer festivals, family trips, and other photographs are contained in one or more films. Therefore, it is often managed for each film.

Mounted on a digital still camera,
Even for a memory card that stores digital image data representing an image captured by this camera, the image data is often managed in units of the memory card.

The management of image data recorded on other portable recording media (floppy disks, etc.) is also often done by recording media. When multiple image files are stored in one recording medium, the recording medium may be managed as a large classification unit and the image file as a small classification unit.

An image is visual and is stored in the human head as a kind of pattern. The pattern is memorized by the human being with the event (the above-mentioned athletic meet, summer festival, etc.) that generated the image as a key. This is because one or more portable image recording media (film, memory card, other media) are created for each event. Therefore, by using the medium on which the image is first recorded as a unit for managing the image, the retrieval at a later date becomes easy.

[0006] It is required to copy an image or image data stored in such a portable recording medium to a recording medium having a larger capacity and save it. This is for storing the image data of a plurality of recording media in one place.

[0007]

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention, the image data of the first recording medium is copied to another recording medium in the form in which the group of the image data in the first recording medium is as it is and the later retrieval is easy. System and method therefor.

An image data copying system according to the present invention is an image data reading device for reading image data from a copy source recording medium for each image, and data including image data read from the copy source recording medium is written on a copy destination recording medium. An image data writing device to be inserted, and reduced image data representing an image obtained by reducing the image represented by the image data read from the copy source recording medium is created for each image, and an index file including the created reduced image data is copied. The original recording medium is formed as a unit, and the image file containing the image data read from the copy source recording medium is formed as a unit in the copy source recording medium in association with the index file. Is provided with a control device for controlling the image data writing device so as to write the above data to the copy destination recording medium. It is intended.

A method of copying image data according to the present invention is
Image data is read from the copy source recording medium for each image, reduced image data representing a reduced image obtained by reducing the image represented by the image data read from the copy source recording medium is created for each image, and read from the copy source recording medium. The image file containing the created image data and the index file containing the created reduced image data are associated with each other and are recorded on the copy destination recording medium in units of the copy source recording medium.

Preferably, image data (preferably reduced image data) of an image representative of the copy source recording medium is recorded on the copy destination recording medium in association with the image file or index file.

When the copy source recording medium includes a plurality of image files and these image files form one group, the image files may be written as one unit in the copy destination recording medium.

The image data recorded on the copy source recording medium is recorded on the copy destination recording medium so that the copy source recording medium becomes one unit. Since the original medium is one unit, it is possible to perform classification by event (time unit or time period) as a unit,
It is easy to search for an image on the copy destination recording medium.

Reduced image data is created based on the image data read from the copy source recording medium, and this reduced image data is also recorded on the copy destination recording medium. Retrieval of image data can be performed using reduced image data, and a large number of reduced images can be displayed on the display device at the same time, which also facilitates the retrieval.

By recording the representative image data, it is easy to search the copy source recording medium.

The image file and the index file, which are formed on the copy destination recording medium and have the copy source recording medium as a unit, are not only recorded in a recording place having a unity, but also the image data or the reduced image data is logical. It goes without saying that they may be related to each other by the physical structure.

[0016]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 shows an example of an image data copying system. This system uses an image (or image data obtained by reading the image on the film and stored in the semiconductor memory) (the recording medium of the copy source) on an optical disk (the recording medium of the copy destination). ) To be stored in memory.

A computer 10 is provided to control the entire image data transfer and copying process. The computer 10 has a SCSI (Small Computer System In
terface) hard disk driver via bus
14, an optical disk device 14, and a film scanner 20 are connected.

The computer system 10 includes a CPU 11 and its peripheral circuits, a memory (ROM, RAM, floppy disk, etc.) 12, and a SCSI control unit 13 for transmitting and receiving commands and data in the SCSI system. Although not shown, a display device (for example, a CRT display device) for displaying images and other information, an input device (keyboard or mouse) for inputting data and commands, and an output device (printer, etc.) are provided. Needless to say, it is provided in the computer 10.

The film scanner 20 stores a reading device 22 for picking up an image represented on a film and outputting image data (for example, 2048 × 3072 pixels) representing the image, the image data and other data. Memory (RAM, ROM, etc.), commands with the computer 10,
It includes a SCSI control unit 24 for transmitting and receiving data, and a controller 21 for controlling reading of film images, storage of image data, transfer of image data, and the like.

The hard disk driver 14 is a hard disk
It writes data to the disk and reads data from the hard disk. The image data transferred from the film scanner 20 is temporarily stored in the hard disk as described later.

The optical disk device 15 writes data (including image data) to the optical disk and reads data from the optical disk.

FIG. 2 shows another example of the image data copying system. In this system, image data stored in a memory card is transferred to and recorded on an optical disc.

Instead of the film scanner shown in FIG.
A memory card interface 31 is connected to the SCSI bus. Under the control of the CPU 11, the image data of the memory card 31 will be read.

FIG. 3 shows still another example of the image data copying system. In this system, image data stored on a floppy disk is transferred to and recorded on an optical disk.

In place of the film scanner shown in FIG. 1 and the memory card interface shown in FIG. 2, a disk driver 32 is connected to the SCSI bus. CP
Under the control of U11, the image data stored on the floppy disk is transferred to and recorded on the optical disk.

It goes without saying that the disk driver 32 may be included in the computer 10.

In place of the disk driver 32, a hardware
A disk driver, a magneto-optical disk device for reading or writing image data from a magneto-optical disk, a tape recording / reproducing device for reading or writing image data from an optical tape or a magnetic tape, etc. can be connected.

It is also possible to connect a plurality of devices to the SCSI bus. For example, film scanner, memory
A card interface, disk driver, etc. may be connected. The image data of the film, the image data of the memory card, the image data of the disc, etc. are transferred to the optical disc and stored.

As described above, the recording medium of the copy source includes a film, a semiconductor memory, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a magnetic disk, an optical tape, a magnetic tape, and the like.
These are generally portable recording media. Further, at least the image data can be read out.

The recording medium of the copy destination is not limited to the above-mentioned optical disk, but may be a magnetic disk (hard disk, floppy disk, etc.).
Disk), magneto-optical disk, optical tape, magnetic tape,
Includes semiconductor memory. In general, these recording media can write and read data, and have a larger storage capacity than the recording media of the copy source.

Next, the transfer and recording operations of image data will be described by taking the copying system shown in FIG. 1 as an example.

In order to obtain more appropriate image data, prescan is performed in the film scanner 20,
In the computer 10, parameters for brightness, color correction, etc. are set based on the prescan result. Thereafter, the film scanner 20 performs a main scan, and the image data obtained by this is scanned by the computer 10.
Sent to. The computer 10 edits the received image data (the process of creating an index including reduced image data is also performed as described later) and writes it on the optical disc.

FIG. 4 shows the operation of the CPU 11 of the computer 10 which controls the prescan operation of the film scanner 20. FIG. 5 shows a prescan operation in the film scanner.

In the film scan 20, the power is turned on and the film to be read is set. The film scanner 20 checks whether the first frame is in the scan position (step 51). At the position of the first frame of the film, a mark or the like indicating that is provided. For example, a hole is formed at the position of the first frame of the film, and a symbol indicating the first frame is displayed, so that these are optically read. Or the number of frames in a new type of film coated with a transparent magnetic layer,
Since the frame number and the like are magnetically recorded, it is possible to recognize whether or not it is the first frame by reading these numbers. If the first frame of the film is not in the scan position, rewinding is performed and the first
The piece is positioned at the scan position (step 52). With the above, the film scanner 20 becomes operable.

The CPU 11 checks the state of the film scanner 20 and if it is in an operable state (YES in step 41).
S), initial parameters for prescan are sent to the film scanner 20 (step 42). The initial parameters include film feed pitch (which makes the resolution rougher than in the main scan), brightness, and color correction value (all of these are default values, that is, predetermined values).

When this initial parameter is set in the film scanner (step 53), the CPU 11 confirms this (step 43) and gives a prescan instruction for the first frame to the film scanner 20 (step 44). ), And then gives an instruction to transfer the image data obtained by the prescan (step 45).

In response to this, the film scanner 20 scans the image of the first frame of the film to obtain image data representing it (step 54). This digital image data is sent to the CPU 11 (step 55).

When the CPU 11 receives the image data (step 46), it generates a parameter for the main scan based on the image data and stores it in the memory 12 corresponding to the frame number (step 47). In addition, the film scanner 20 is instructed to advance the frame (step 49).

Film scanner in response to frame feed instruction
20 positions the next piece at the scan position (step 5
7).

Prescan instruction and image data transmission instruction by the CPU 11 (steps 44, 45), prescan of one frame image by the film scanner 20 in response to this, and transmission of the obtained image data (steps 54, 55),
The CPU 11 repeats the generation of parameters (steps 46 and 47) based on the received image data until the end of the last frame (steps 48 and 56). Whether or not it is the last frame in the film scanner 20 is judged based on the holes, marks, magnetic data, etc. provided in the film.

FIG. 6 shows the operation of the CPU 11 which controls the main scan operation in the film scanner 20, and FIG. 7 shows the main scan operation in the film scanner 20.
Differences from the prescan processing will be described.

The CPU 11 sends initial parameters for main scanning to the film scanner 20 (step 62). This initial parameter includes the film feed pitch. It is a feed pitch for obtaining a fine resolution, and is set so that the resolution becomes 2048 × 3072 pixels, for example.

In addition, the parameters (brightness, color correction values, etc.) created for each frame in the prescan processing are stored in the CPU.
11 is given to the film scanner 20 for each main scan of each frame (step 64).

In response to this, the film scanner 20
The parameters given from the CPU 11 are set prior to the scanning of each frame (step 74).

The film scanner 20 accumulates digital image data of fine resolution obtained while scanning the image of each frame in the memory 23 (step 25). After scanning one frame of image,
The scanner 20 sends the obtained image data to the CPU 11 (step 76). It goes without saying that trimming and enlargement processing may be performed when obtaining the image data of each frame of the film.

The CPU 11 controls the hard disk driver 14 to temporarily store the image data transferred from the film scanner 20 in the hard disk (steps 67 and 68).

When the image data of all the frames of one film are received and stored in the hard disk,
The CPU 11 moves to the process of editing these image data and storing them in the optical disc. This process is shown in FIG.

Basically, one name is given to a collection of image data (image file) obtained from one film. This name is called an album name here (generally a file name). As will be shown later, the album name or file name can have a hierarchical structure.

In the computer system 10, the album name is input from the input device according to the instruction displayed on the display device (steps 81 and 82). When using the album name used in the past, the operator may make an input to confirm the displayed album name. A directory is created (addition of directory data) in the optical disc using the album name input or confirmed (step 83).

The image data of the n-th (n = 1, 2, 3, ...) Image (frame) temporarily stored in the hard disk is read (step 84) and converted into a predetermined format (step 84). (Including image data compression), written in album (image file) on optical disc (steps 85, 8)
6).

Further, reduced image data representing a reduced image of the nth image is created (step 8).
7). The reduced image data is generated by thinning out, averaging processing, or the like. The reduced image data is stored in the index file in the optical disc (step 88).

Step 84 for each image (frame) of all the image data temporarily stored in the hard disk
~ 88 processes are sequentially performed.

When all the image data have been stored in the optical disk (YES in step 89), the representative image is selected (steps 90 and 91). The reduced image created in advance is displayed on the display device of the computer 10, and the reduced image which the operator briefly shows the image contained in one film (or is considered to be useful for later retrieval) is displayed. Select. The data of the selected reduced image is registered in the index file as representative image data (step 92).

In this way, the image data representing all the images displayed on one film, the reduced image data thereof, and the representative image data are combined under one album name (file name). , It will be recorded on the optical disc in the form of one unit.

The reduced image or the representative image is used when the image of this film or this film is searched at a later time, which makes the search extremely easy.

The image data contained in a plurality of films may be stored on the optical disc as one unit under one album. This may be useful when taking photographs of multiple films at one event.
Also in this case, it is preferable to identify each film by attaching a film number to each film.

When the image data is read from the memory card, the image data read from the memory card is once stored in the hard disk and the process shown in FIG. 8 is performed, as in the above process. See. Also in this case, 1
All the image data read from one (or a plurality of, if necessary) memory cards will be combined into a single album name.

The same applies when the image data read from the hard disk or floppy disk is stored in the optical disk. If a plurality of mutually distinguishable (file names) image files (collection of image data representing a plurality of images) are already formed on these discs, each of these image files is classified into one category. You may make it store on an optical disk as a unit.

9 to 12 show albums and indexes.
The recording format (data structure) in the copy destination recording medium for recording the file in units of the copy source recording medium (or the image file recorded therein) is shown.

FIG. 9 shows the overall recording structure, in which directories, index files and albums (image files) are provided.

In the directory, the album name of athletic meet, summer festival, family trip, etc. and the path to the index file of the album (offset or address length to each index file, necessary for accessing other index files) Information) is described for each album.

A large number of albums can be classified in a hierarchical structure. For example, in the upper hierarchy, 1991, 19
Albums are roughly classified according to age, such as 1992, 1993, and 1994. Below this major classification, there are subordinate classifications (hierarchies). It is classified as, for example, spring, summer, autumn, winter. Therefore, the album name will be spring 1993 or summer 1994. In this case, a subdirectory is provided in the directory, and the search route of each album is described in this subdirectory.

Further, a small classification may be provided to have three layers or more. For example, Summer 1994 Summer Festival, 19
The album name will be set like "Fireworks" in the summer of 1994.

FIG. 10 shows an example of an index file for one album (image file). This index file contains the index file header, the date when this index file was created, the date when this index file was modified,
The number (for example, n) of images (frames) stored in this album (index file), the path to the representative image of this album, the image entry of the number of images n, reduced image data for each of the n images, and Representative image data is recorded. Since the data length of all these items is fixed, all items can be accessed from the position of the header.

Instead of the path to the representative image, the representative image data may be stored at this position. If the representative image data is arranged at the end of all the reduced image data, it is not necessary to provide a path to the representative image.

In the image entry, a path for accessing the image data of the frame stored in the album (image file), an attribute of the image or image data (for example, a rotation direction of the image, that is, a portrait orientation, a landscape orientation or an angle) , Creation date and modification date of the image data, parameters about the image data (keyword that directly represents the image, brightness of the image, shutter speed of the camera when the image is obtained, etc.), and other Information is described.

FIG. 10 shows the structure of an album (image file). Image data for n frames contained in one album is stored here.

There are various types of photographic film, such as 12 frames, 24 frames, 36 frames, etc., and the number of frames contained therein varies depending on the type, so the number of images contained in one album also differs. In order that the index file can be used in common for all types of copy source recording media to be used, the area for storing image entry and reduced image data is set to the number of images included in all types of copy source recording media. The maximum number of minutes may be provided in advance. The index file created in this way is shown in FIG.

13 to 16 show another example of the recording format in the copy destination recording medium.

As shown in FIG. 13, a class file is provided to describe the upper classification of the album, and a subclass file is provided to describe the lower classification. In addition, directories, image files and index files are provided.

The directory stores information for accessing a class file for higher classification.

As shown in FIG. 14, the class file includes a class file header, attributes of the class file (depth of the hierarchy from the root, etc.), a serial number of the class file, and a class file name (name). ), The date of creation of the class file, the date of modification, the number of subclasses belonging to this class file, the subclass entry (provided by the number of subclasses), and the like. The subclass entry includes information such as the subclass path.

The contents of the subclass file are shown in FIG. Information about images included in the subclass (that is, album) and information about the index file are described in the subclass file. The information of the subclass file can be used to access the image data (image file or album) and the index file. Instead of the path to the index file, the path to each reduced image data may be recorded.

FIG. 16 shows an index file. The index file contains reduced image data.

No subclass is provided if subclassing is not required. Needless to say, when a smaller fraction is required, a class file lower than the subclass is provided.

As mentioned above, various types of file structures are conceivable. In any case, any format may be used as long as the image data and its index file (including reduced image data) can be recorded with the copy source recording medium as one unit.

When the representative image of the copy source recording medium is displayed on the menu screen for searching the recording medium and used, the search is easy. On the menu screen, representative images of a plurality of copy source recording media are displayed together with album names (file names). By viewing the representative image, the user can easily search for the desired copy source recording medium on the copy destination recording medium.

The reduced image is used for searching the copy destination recording medium for any one of a plurality of images in one copy source recording medium. Since reduced images of a plurality of images contained in one copy source recording medium are displayed on the menu screen, the user can select a desired one from them.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of an image data copying system.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing another example of the image data copying system.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing still another example of the image data copying system.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing a control procedure of a CPU for prescan processing.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing a prescan operation in the film scanner.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing the control procedure of the CPU for the main scan processing.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing a main scanning operation in the film scanner.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart showing a processing procedure of album creation and index file creation by the CPU.

FIG. 9 shows an overall recording format in a copy destination recording medium.

FIG. 10 shows an example of an index file.

FIG. 11 shows an example of an album (image file).

FIG. 12 shows another example of an index file.

FIG. 13 shows another example of the recording format in the copy destination recording medium.

FIG. 14 shows an example of a class file.

FIG. 15 shows an example of a subclass file.

FIG. 16 shows an example of an index file.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 computer system 11 CPU 14 hard disk driver 15 Optical disk device 20 film scanner 31 memory card interface 32 disk driver

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (58) Fields investigated (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G06T 1/00 G06F 17/30 H04N 5/765 H04N 5/781 G11B 27/00-27/08

Claims (9)

(57) [Claims] 1. An image data reading device for reading image data from a copy source recording medium for each image, an image data writing device for writing data including image data read from the copy source recording medium to a copy destination recording medium, and Reduced image data representing a reduced image of the image represented by the image data read from the copy source recording medium is created for each image, and an index file containing the created reduced image data is formed in units of the copy source recording medium. as such, and the image file including the image data read from the copy source recording medium, so as to form a unit of the copy source recording medium in the form of connection with the index file, these data to the copy destination recording medium An image data copying system comprising a control device for controlling the above-mentioned image data writing device so as to write. 2. The control device controls to write image data of an image representing an image on a copy source recording medium in a copy destination recording medium in association with the image file or index file. The copying system according to claim 1. 3. When the copy source recording medium includes a plurality of image files, the control device controls the index file and the image file to form the image file of the copy source recording medium as a unit. The copying system according to claim 1. 4. The copying system according to claim 1, further comprising a temporary storage device for temporarily storing the image data read from the copy source recording medium. 5. Image data is read from the copy source recording medium for each image, reduced image data representing a reduced image obtained by reducing the image represented by the image data read from the copy source recording medium is created for each image, and copied. The image file containing the image data read from the original recording medium and the index file containing the created reduced image data are associated with each other and are recorded in the copy destination recording medium in units of the copy source recording medium. , How to copy image data. 6. The reduced image data is created immediately after reading the image data from the copy source recording medium or immediately before or after writing the image data to the copy destination recording medium.
The copying method described in. 7. Image data of an image representative of an image on a copy source recording medium is stored in the image file or index.
The copying method according to claim 5, wherein the writing is performed on the copy destination recording medium in association with the file. 8. The copying method according to claim 7, wherein the representative image data is reduced image data. 9. The copy source recording medium according to claim 5, wherein when the copy source recording medium includes a plurality of image files, the image file and the index file are recorded on the copy destination recording medium in units of each of these image files. Copy method.