JP3972527B2 - Imaging apparatus and automatic folder creation method - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a technique for allocating a storage area when an image taken by an imaging device such as a digital camera is recorded on a recording medium, and more particularly to a group area such as a folder for storing an image so as to be easily retrieved during reproduction. Related to automatic creation technology.
[0002]
[Prior art]
There is a method of attaching a shooting date to each image when recording the shot image on a recording medium. In addition, when shooting a lot of images, if dates are attached to each image, images of different shooting dates are mixed, and it is inconvenient when searching by shooting date during playback. For this reason, there is a method of manually selecting one of group areas such as a plurality of folders set in advance and storing the captured image in the folder at the time of shooting. Here, the group area is a place (storage area) for storing data and files grouped like a folder. However, it may not be a place where physical data or files are stored (actual data or real files may be stored in another location on the storage medium, and a pointer that logically associates them may be stored).
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, manually selecting a folder at the time of shooting is cumbersome and has a problem that the usability of the camera is poor. In addition, even if the date changes, there is a possibility that the user forgets to select a folder and images with different shooting dates are mixed in one folder.
[0004]
The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problem, and relates to an imaging apparatus capable of automatically collecting and recording captured images in a folder for each shooting date and a method for automatically creating a group area such as a folder.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
  In order to solve the above problems, an imaging apparatus according to a first inventionIn an imaging apparatus having an imaging unit that captures a subject and obtains an image, a date change detection unit that detects a change in date and a date change detected by the date change detection unit are stored in a storage medium. A determination unit that determines whether an image is stored in a folder having the latest creation date among the folders, and a result of the determination by the determination unit indicates that the image is not stored in the folder having the latest creation date. Creation date update means for updating the creation date of the folder with the date after the change detected by the date change detection means; if an image is stored, a new folder is created on the storage medium, and after the change Folder creation means that sets the date to be the creation date of a newly created folder, and a folder in which an image captured by the imaging means is associated with the latest creation date A storage control means for storing for, characterized by comprising a.
[0009]
  The second2The image pickup apparatus according to the invention has an image pickup unit that takes an image of a subject and obtains an image. When the date change is detected by the date change detection unit and the date change detection unit, A determination unit that determines whether an image is stored in a folder having the latest creation date among folders stored in the storage medium, and an image is stored in the folder having the latest creation date as a result of the determination by the determination unit. If a date change is detected by the folder deletion means for deleting the folder from the storage medium and the date change detection means if not, a new folder is created on the storage medium and the change is made The folder creation means that sets the later date as the creation date of the newly created folder, and the image captured by the imaging means corresponds to the latest creation date A storage control means for storing the vignetting folder,
It is characterized by having.
[0011]
  The second3The automatic folder creation method according to the invention is an automatic folder creation method in an imaging apparatus that has an imaging means for capturing an image by photographing a subject and can create a plurality of folders for storing the captured images in a storage medium. Then, when the date is changed, it is checked whether an image is stored in the folder with the latest creation date on the storage medium. If no image is stored in the folder with the latest creation date, the folder The creation date is updated with the date after the change, and when an image is stored, a folder is newly created in which the date after the change is associated with the creation date as a creation date.
[0012]
  The second4The automatic folder creation method according to the invention is an automatic folder creation method in an imaging apparatus that has an imaging means for capturing an image by photographing a subject and can create a plurality of folders for storing the captured images in a storage medium. Then, when the date is changed, it is checked whether an image is stored in the folder with the latest creation date on the storage medium. If no image is stored in the folder with the latest creation date, the folder Is deleted from the storage medium and a new folder is created with the new date as the creation date, and if an image is stored, a new folder with the new date as the creation date is newly created on the storage medium. It is characterized by creating.
[0013]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a circuit configuration example of an embodiment (digital camera) of an imaging apparatus. The digital camera 100 includes an imaging unit 10, a DRAM 14, a control unit 20, a timer 25, an operation unit 30, a display unit 40, and storage. A storage unit 50 is provided.
[0014]
The imaging unit 10 converts the subject image captured via the optical system 11 into digital data by the signal conversion unit 12, and the signal processing unit 13 converts the digital data into digital luminance and color difference multiplexed signals (Y, Cb, Cr data). And the like are transferred to the DRAM 14. Further, the signal processing unit 13 thins out the captured image data and sends it to the display unit 40 in order to display a through image. When the shutter operation is performed, the image data at that time is sent to the display unit 40 to display a still image. The signal processing unit 13 also reads out the image data written in the DRAM 14 at the time of image storage and recording, performs JPEG compression processing, and converts the image data extracted from the storage memory (memory card) 51 during reproduction. The decompression process is performed to reproduce the image data.
[0015]
The DRAM 14 is used as a work memory, and an image buffer area 141 for temporarily storing captured images and reproduced images, a work area 142 for JPEG compression / decompression, and the like are secured.
[0016]
The control unit 20 has a microprocessor structure having peripheral circuits such as a CPU 21, a RAM 22, a program storage memory 23, and a timer 25. The CPU 21 provides a bus line to each of the above-described circuits and a power supply switching switch (not shown). And the entire digital camera 100 is controlled by a control program stored in the program storage memory 23, and each of the digital camera 100 stored in the program storage memory 23 corresponding to the status signal from the operation unit 30 is controlled. A mode processing program or an automatic folder creation program based on the present invention is taken out, and execution control of each function of the digital camera 100, for example, execution control of photographing processing and stored image reproduction processing, etc. is performed, and the date changes. Automatic creation of a new folder (FIG. 3) on the storage memory 51 to be performed every time Performing storage, etc. to the folder of the photographed image data (JPEG compressed data).
[0017]
The operation unit 30 includes keys and switches such as a processing mode switching switch, a function selection button, and a shutter button 36, and a status signal is sent to the control unit 20 when these keys or switches are operated.
[0018]
The display unit 40 is composed of a video encoder, a VRAM, a liquid crystal screen (LCD), and the like. By the display control of the control unit 20, a through image at the time of imaging, a still image, a reproduced image at the time of reproduction, and a processing selection time are selected. In addition to displaying a selection menu (or icon), an operation instruction message, etc., imaging information is displayed together with a through image, a still image, and a reproduced image.
[0019]
The storage unit 50 is configured such that a removable storage memory (a memory card, a compact flash, or the like, a small recording medium configured to be detachable from the camera body: hereinafter, a memory card as an example) 51 can be mounted. At the time of imaging, each time the date changes in the memory card 51 attached, the captured image, the shooting information, and the like are stored and recorded in the newly created folder among the folders that are additionally created. Further, at the time of image reproduction, the image and imaging information stored and recorded in the memory card 51 are taken out. Note that the storage recording unit 50 may include a storage recording medium such as a flash memory.
[0020]
FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of an embodiment of the layout of the storage area of the memory card 51. On the memory card 51, an ID area 511 for registering the format, identification information, directory, etc. of the memory card 51 is stored in the memory card 51. A management file 512 for storing the creation date and pointer (index address (storage address information)) of each folder to be set, a plurality of image storage folders 1, 2,... (= Image storage folders 513-1, 513- .., An image storage folder area 513 for storing preview image storage folders 1 ′, 2 ′,..., An image file 1 composed of image data for one frame each. , 2, 3,..., And a preview image obtained by reducing image data for one frame. Preview image files 1, 2, and 3 consisting of the thumbnail image), the image file area 516 for storing ... is ensured.
[0021]
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a main part of the directory structure of the memory card 51. A management file is created by starting an automatic folder creation program stored in the program storage memory 23. Each folder is automatically created according to the procedure shown in the flowchart of FIG.
[0022]
In this case, on the memory card 51, as shown in FIG. 3, the management file, the image storage folder 1, the preview image storage folder 1, the image storage folder 2, the preview image storage folder 2,... The image storage folders 1, 2,... Created for each shooting date (or date change) have a folder identifier consisting of a 4-digit character string and a serial number (serial number), an image file name, a shooting mode, and the like. An internal management file in which information such as an image group number is stored, and pointers (image file names) of the image files 1-1, 1-2,. In addition, pointers (image file names) of the preview image files 1'-1, 1'-2, ... are stored in the preview image storage folders 1, 2, ....
[0023]
When a memory card 51 provided with a directory configured as shown in FIG. 3 is attached to an external device (for example, a personal computer) in which a memory card can be attached, the memory card 51 is used on the external device side using a WWW browser, album software, or the like. You can browse and search images stored in
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing the relationship among management files, folders, and image files. 4, the creation dates 1, 2, 3,... Of each folder registered in the management file 512 and the folders 513-1, 513-2, 513-3,... Are pointers p1, p2, p3. (The pointer is stored in the management file as a pair with the creation date of the folder as address information. However, in FIG. 4A, for the sake of explanation, the lines p1, p2, p3,...
[0024]
Each folder is given a folder name as shown in FIG. 3, and a pointer (image pointer 1, 2,...) To the image file (FIG. 4C) as shown in FIG. )have.
That is, the folder 513-1 in FIG. 4B is the image file 1-1, 1-2 stored in the image area 515 in FIG. 4C with the image pointers 1, 2, 3, 4,. , 1-3, 1-4,..., And the folder 513-2 is an image file 2-1, 2-2 stored in the image area 515 with the image pointers 1, 2,. -2, 1-to-1 correspondence (not shown, but the folder 513-4 is similarly stored in the image area 515 with the image pointers 1, 2, 3,... File 1 to 1). Similarly, the preview images are associated with each other.
[0025]
By combining with the pointers in this way, the physical storage order of the image files is actually changed (by deletion, addition, etc.) as in the example of the image files 1-3, 2-1 and 1-4 in FIG. Even if it is different from the storage order, it can be logically stored in date order, so that it can be read in the actual storage order during reproduction. In this way, if the folder is regarded as a small area divided for image storage, and the folder name is designated when the image is stored (the image pointer is stored in the folder internal management file and the image area 515), the image is stored. You can store files.
In the embodiment, the image area 515 is collectively secured in the memory card 51. However, if a small area (folder area) for image storage is assigned to each image storage folder and a folder name is designated, the folder area is designated. You may make it memorize | store an image file (and preview image). The same applies to the preview image area 516.
In the above description, the folder creation date and pointer are registered in the management file 512. However, the folder name, folder creation date, and pointer may be registered.
[0026]
The folder name may be set by the user by key input, but may be set automatically on the camera body side. In addition, when automatically setting, as described below, each time the shooting date changes, the folder name (or as part of the folder name) is registered and the shooting date is automatically specified as the folder name when the shot image is recorded. If it does so, the image image | photographed on the same day will be automatically memorize | stored in the folder which makes the date (= imaging | photography date) a folder name.
[0027]
The image storage folder is represented by a serial number (serial number) + a folder name consisting of an arbitrary character string (in the embodiment, a four-digit shooting date or a change date (for example, a shooting date or a change date)). A folder identifier is attached. Similarly for each stored image file (and preview file), a serial number + a 4-digit shooting date (for example, month and day) + file type (type of image file (indicates whether the image is a normal image, movie image, etc.) Is attached.
[0028]
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an embodiment of an automatic folder creation operation and an image recording operation at the time of imaging using the digital camera 100 configured as described above.
[0029]
Step S1: (Acquisition date acquisition)
After the digital camera 100 is started, when the transition to S1 is made by the user's selection of the shooting mode, the control unit 20 operates a well-known date creation program and the current date (for example, 1999) based on the timing information by the timer 25. (May 10) is obtained and stored in the RAM 22 as the shooting date and time.
[0030]
Step S2: (Date comparison)
The control unit 20 compares the shooting date acquired in step S1 with the folder identifier (four-digit shooting date (= creation date)) of each folder created on the memory card 51. If the dates do not match, the process proceeds to S3. Transition to create a new folder. If the dates match, the process proceeds to S5.
Specifically, if the previous shooting was performed on April 30, 1999, the folder identifier of the folder is [xxx — 0430]. The photographing date “0510” and each folder name (= date “MMDD”) are sequentially compared by the comparison operation, but the date does not match even when compared to the latest (that is, the previous) folder, and the process proceeds to S3.
On the other hand, when shooting is repeated on the same day (May 10, 1999), the folder identifier of the latest folder is [xxx — 0510], and the shooting date “0510” matches the folder name “0510”, so S5 Transition to. Here, xxx is a serial number incremented by 1 each time a folder is newly created, _ is an underbar, MM is a month, and DD is a day.
[0031]
Step S3: (Create a new folder)
The control unit 20 creates a new (image storage) in the folder area 513 secured in the memory card 51 with the four digits (shooting date (MMDD)) of the shooting date as a part (folder name) of the folder identifier [xxx_MMDD]. Folder). Along with this, a folder management file and a preview image storage folder are generated.
[0032]
Step S4: (Register folder creation date)
Next, the control unit 20 registers the creation date (year / month / day) of the new image storage folder [xxx_MMDD], the pointer, and the pointer of the preview image storage folder in the management file 512.
[0033]
Step S5: (Image capture and through image display)
When the user selects a shooting mode after the digital camera 100 is activated, the imaging unit 10 captures a subject image, converts it into image data, and temporarily stores it in the DRAM 14. The control unit 20 sends the image data stored in the DRAM 14 to the display unit 40 to display a through image. In FIG. 5, this step is depicted as being performed after steps S1 to S4 in the drawing, but in practice, it is performed in parallel with steps S1 to S4 (usually the operation of S5 is performed). The operation of S1 to S4 is finished while it is being performed).
[0034]
Step S6: (Photographing)
When the user fully presses the shutter button 36 at a desired timing, shooting (normal shooting in this example) is performed, and a still image is displayed on the display unit 40.
[0035]
Step S7: (compression processing of photographed image etc.)
The control unit 20 controls the signal processing unit 13 to perform JPEG compression on the image data stored in the DRAM 14. Also, preview image data is created by reducing the image data stored in the DRAM 14 by thinning out at a predetermined ratio, and the same compression processing is performed.
[0036]
Step S8: (Recording of images in a folder)
The control unit 20 examines the management file 512 of the memory card 51, and sets the image storage folder whose folder name is the latest creation date (month day) (that is, the shooting date (= current date) acquired in step S1) as the folder name. Compressed image data is stored in a folder to be used. Similarly, the preview image is stored in the preview image storage folder.
[0037]
With the above configuration, when shooting on a date newer than the creation date of the folder created on the recording medium, a folder with the shooting date as the creation date is automatically created, and the shot image is stored in the folder, If the dates match, the shot image is stored in a folder with the same creation date as the shooting date, so the shot image can always be stored in a folder with the date of shooting as the folder creation date (ie, Images with the same shooting date can be stored in the same folder).
[0038]
In the above embodiment, when shooting, if the shooting date is different from the previous shooting date, a folder with a new shooting date as the creation date is automatically created, and the shot images are stored in that folder. Shooting images are stored in a folder with the same creation date as the shooting date, but it is not limited to shooting, but a folder may be created with the changed date as the shooting date and time when the imaging device detects a date change. Good.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an embodiment of the automatic folder setting operation and the image recording operation at the time of imaging using the digital camera 100 having the configuration shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 6 (a) shows a folder automatically created by date change. This is an example of updating the creation date of the folder with the date after the change when no image is stored (that is, when shooting was not performed on that date). FIG. 6B shows a modified example in which, when an image is not stored in a folder automatically created by date change, the created folder is deleted and a new folder is created.
[0039]
Step T1: (Date change detection)
In FIG. 6A, the control unit 20 operates a well-known date creation program at all times (regardless of whether the main power supply of the digital camera 100 is turned on or off), and based on the time information by the timer 25, the current date. If the date is changed, the process proceeds to T2. If the date is the same, the monitoring is continued.
[0040]
Step T2: (Determination of presence / absence of image storage)
The control unit 20 checks the latest folder among the folders set on the memory card 51 to determine whether or not the image file is stored. If the image file is stored, the process proceeds to T3. Otherwise, the process proceeds to T5 for changing the folder creation date. The latest folder included in the memory card 51 can be identified by examining the management file 512 and searching for the folder with the latest date among the folder creation dates.
[0041]
Step T3: (New folder creation)
The control unit 20 creates a new (with four digits (month / day: MMDD) of the changed date (= current date) in the folder area 513 secured in the memory card 51 as a part of the folder identifier [xxx_MMDD] ( One image storage folder) is created. Along with this, a folder management file and a preview image storage folder are generated.
[0042]
Step T4: (Register folder creation date)
Next, the control unit 20 registers the creation date (year / month / day) of the new image storage folder [xxx_MMDD], the pointer, and the pointer of the preview image storage folder in the management file 512, and returns to T1.
[0043]
Step T5: (Change of folder creation date, etc.)
If no image is stored in the latest folder (= the folder with the creation date of yesterday) in step T2, the control unit 20 rewrites the folder name “xxx_MMDD” of the folder to “xxx_mmdd”. Here, mmdd is the date after change (= current date (month / day)). The folder name is rewritten in the same manner for the preview folder. Next, the folder creation date [ymmdd] (year / month / day) after the change is registered in the management file 512, and the process returns to T1.
[0044]
With the above configuration, if the date changes regardless of whether the main power is on / off or in the shooting mode, a folder with that date is automatically created. In addition, when shooting is not performed on the date of the date, the folder is changed to a folder of a new date, so there is no increase in empty folders (folders where no images are recorded).
[0045]
In addition, by configuring the program of the above procedure so that it stays resident in the memory and operates continuously, the date is also displayed when various processing modes (including the shooting mode) are executed when the main power of the digital camera is turned on (at startup). If it changes, you can automatically create a folder for that date.
[0046]
This makes it possible to automatically create a folder with a new date even when the date changes during rapid shooting / continuous shooting, panoramic shooting, movie shooting, or the like in which shooting is continuously performed in the shooting mode.
[0047]
Note that if the date changes during shooting in continuous shooting mode, a new folder is created, so the captured images are placed in the previous and next folders (the folder one day ago or a newly created folder). It is necessary to determine in advance which of these should be stored.
For example, if the date changes during rapid shooting / continuous shooting in mode, the shot images are stored in the previous and subsequent date folders according to the date, and if the date changes during panoramic shooting, the previous day's The image storage means is configured to store in the date folder and store it in the date folder after the change when the predetermined number of images is exceeded, and store it in the date folder of the previous day in the case of movie shooting. Can do.
[0048]
(Modification)
In FIG. 6A of the second embodiment, when the date is changed, if no image is stored in the folder with the latest creation date (= the creation date of the previous day), the creation date of the folder is changed at step T5. However, as shown in FIG. 6B, step T5 ′ is provided instead of step T5 to delete the previous day's folder (from the management file). Alternatively, the information on the previous day's folder may be deleted), and a transition to T3 may be made to newly create a folder with the current date.
[0049]
Even in this configuration, if the date changes regardless of whether the main power is on / off or in the shooting mode, a folder with that date is automatically created. In addition, when shooting is not performed on the date of the date, the folder is deleted and a folder with a new date is created, so there is no increase in empty folders (folders where no images are recorded).
Similarly, a folder with a new date is automatically created when the date changes during rapid firing / continuous shooting, panoramic shooting, movie shooting, or the like.
[0050]
In the above description of the first embodiment, a four-digit shooting date (month / day) is used for the folder name, and in the description of the second embodiment, an example using the changed four-digit date (month / day) has been described. These are not limited to 4 digits.
In each of the above explanations, an example in which a memory card is used as a recording medium has been described. However, a memory having a directory structure in which an image can be viewed using an external device such as a WWW browser or album software as shown in FIG. The memory card is not limited to a memory card (for example, a compact flash memory or a memory stick may be used, or a flash memory built in the main body may be used).
As mentioned above, although several Example of this invention was described, it cannot be overemphasized that this invention is not limited to said each Example, A various deformation | transformation implementation is possible.
[0051]
【The invention's effect】
  As explained above,According to the present invention,The user does not have the trouble of selecting a folder for each shooting date as in the past. Further, since images taken on the same day can be automatically stored in the same folder, it is not possible to mix images of different shooting dates in the folder.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a circuit configuration example of an embodiment (digital camera) of an imaging apparatus.
FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of an example of a layout of a storage area of a memory card.
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of an embodiment of a directory structure of a memory card.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a relationship between a management file, each folder, and an image file.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an automatic folder creation operation and an image recording operation during image capturing.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an embodiment of an automatic folder creation operation and an image recording operation during imaging.
[Explanation of symbols]
10 Imaging means
20 control unit (date acquisition means, comparison means, group area creation means, folder creation means, storage control means, folder name setting means, date change detection means, determination means, creation date change means)
51 Storage memory, memory card (storage medium)
100 Imaging device

Claims (4)

In an imaging apparatus having an imaging means for capturing an image of a subject and obtaining an image,
A date change detection means for detecting a date change;
Determining means for determining whether an image is stored in a folder having the latest creation date among folders stored in the storage medium when a date change is detected by the date change detecting means;
As a result of the determination by the determination means, if no image is stored in the folder with the latest creation date, the creation date update means updates the creation date of the folder with the date after the change detected by the date change detection means. When,
A folder creation means for creating a new folder on the storage medium when an image is stored, and setting the date after the change as the creation date of the newly created folder;
Storage control means for storing an image captured by the imaging means in a folder associated with the latest creation date;
An imaging apparatus comprising: In an imaging apparatus having an imaging means for capturing an image of a subject and obtaining an image,
A date change detection means for detecting a date change;
Determining means for determining whether an image is stored in a folder having the latest creation date among folders stored in the storage medium when a date change is detected by the date change detecting means;
As a result of the determination by the determination means, if an image is not stored in the folder with the latest creation date, a folder deletion means for deleting the folder from the storage medium;
When a date change is detected by the date change detection means, a folder creation means for creating a new folder on the storage medium and setting the date after the change as the creation date of the newly created folder;
Storage control means for storing an image captured by the imaging means in a folder associated with the latest creation date;
An imaging apparatus comprising: A method for automatically creating a folder in an imaging apparatus having an imaging means for capturing an image by capturing a subject and capable of creating a plurality of folders for storing captured images in a storage medium,
When the date changes, check whether the image is stored in the folder with the latest creation date on the storage medium,
When the image is not stored in the folder with the latest creation date, the creation date of the folder is updated with the changed date, and when the image is stored, the date after the change is created on the storage medium. Create a new folder associated with
A method for automatically creating a folder characterized by that. A method for automatically creating a folder in an imaging apparatus having an imaging means for capturing an image by capturing a subject and capable of creating a plurality of folders for storing captured images in a storage medium,
When the date changes, check whether the image is stored in the folder with the latest creation date on the storage medium,
When an image is not stored in the folder with the latest creation date, the folder is deleted from the storage medium, and a new folder is created with the modified date as the creation date. Creates a new folder on the storage medium with the modified date as the creation date,
A method for automatically creating a folder characterized by that.

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