JP5703971B2 - Information processing apparatus, program, and information processing method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, a program, and an information processing method for displaying candidate images for searching image data stored in an external storage medium and selecting an image on a display unit.

  For example, in Patent Document 1, the file name and path of an image file are read from an external storage medium such as a memory card, the file name and path are stored in a file list in RAM, and the memory card is stored based on the file list. There has been disclosed a printing apparatus that performs a count-up process for grasping where and how many image files with what file names exist. In this printing apparatus, an image selection menu for selecting an image file in the memory card is displayed, and the user selects an image to be printed from the image selection menu. In this manner, an image based on the file stored in the external storage medium is displayed on the screen, and the desired image is selected by switching the images in order.

  For example, Patent Document 2 discloses a printer that backs up all files stored in an external storage medium such as a memory card to another external storage medium such as a CD-R (hereinafter referred to as a backup storage medium). . At this time, the image data stored in the memory card is displayed on the backup target image selection screen of the display unit, and the image data selected by the user on this image selection screen is transferred to another CD-R disk or the like connected to the printer. Backed up to an external storage medium.

  Also, a printer with a scanner (image processing apparatus) disclosed in Patent Document 3 stores scanned image data in a specific directory in a memory card, and an image information list (file list) for the image data in the specific directory. ) Is generated. The image processing apparatus generates an image information list based on the image management information read out through the interface unit, and stores it in the storage unit. When the image data stored in the image recording medium is changed, the image information list is also updated.

  Also, in Patent Document 4, file information is sorted in order from the newest date information attached to the image file based on the image file list acquired when the memory card is inserted, and the images are printed in the sorted date order. A printing apparatus is disclosed. The printing apparatus also has a function of sorting the order of the directories to be printed in the new order of the date the directory was created.

  Patent Document 5 discloses management information generation means for generating management information (management data) for managing individual image information stored in a storage means such as a memory card, and management associated with image information. An image forming apparatus is disclosed that includes control means for controlling retrieval, erasure, compression, and image forming operation (printing output) of image information stored in a storage means based on the information. The management information includes “priority”, “index number (management number)”, “reading date / time (input time)”, “storing time limit”, and the like. For example, when the storage capacity of the memory card approaches the limit, the control means Are deleted in order from image data having a low “priority” (importance) and having passed a “storage period”.

JP 2008-179084 A (for example, paragraph [0025]) JP 2010-160601 A (for example, paragraph [0023]) JP 2010-49705 A (for example, paragraph [0066]) JP 2006-240244 A JP 2001-30550 A

  By the way, in the printer having the backup function described in Patent Document 2, since there are many opportunities to print the backed up image after the backup, it is determined whether or not it is a backup folder when displaying the image on the image selection screen. Preferably only the images in the backup folder are displayed. For example, backup data may be stored using an external storage medium that stores image data read by a scanner as a backup destination. In this case, you can search the backup folder in the external storage medium, enable only the searched backup folder, and display the backup image based on the files in the backup folder on the display unit. Could not be displayed on the display.

  As described above, the image data in the backup source first external storage medium may be backed up to the second external storage medium in which other image data such as scan image data is stored. However, in this case, there is a problem that an image based on data other than the scanned image and backup data that should be stored in the second external storage medium is not displayed on the display unit and cannot be selected as a print target. .

  Even if an image based on a file other than the backup folder can be displayed, an image based on the backup data (first image data) and an image based on the scan data (second image data) are displayed when displayed. There arises a problem that the display order varies, for example, they are displayed alternately. In Patent Document 4, file information can be sorted in order from the newest date information attached to an image file. However, even if the images are displayed sequentially from the newest date information, the images based on the backup data and the images based on the scan data (second image data) are displayed in a disjoint display order.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and one of its purposes is to separate the display order of an image based on image data backed up on an external storage medium and an image based on image data other than backup. It is to provide an information processing apparatus, a program, and an information processing method that can be displayed.

In order to achieve one of the above objects, one of the aspects of the present invention is to display an image based on image data acquired by accessing the external storage medium based on image management information read from the external storage medium. A plurality of interfaces connectable to an external storage medium, image management information relating to first image data in at least one backup folder backed up to the external storage medium, and a backup Information acquisition means for acquiring image management information related to second image data outside the folder from the external storage medium via the interface, and a storage location of the first image data among the image management information can be specified At least one drive of a first full path name and a second full path name capable of specifying the storage position of the second image data A conversion means for converting a part including the data to have a different drive letter, the first full path name and the second full path name after conversion by the conversion means, and a group of the first full path names Rearrangement means for rearranging the second full path name group in the order of arrangement.
In the information processing apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention, the image data is read from the external storage medium by requesting a full path name in the arrangement order by the rearrangement unit, and an image based on the image data is read in the arrangement order. Display processing means for displaying on the display means is further provided.
In order to achieve one of the above objects, one of the aspects of the present invention is to display an image based on image data acquired by accessing the external storage medium based on image management information read from the external storage medium. A plurality of interfaces connectable to an external storage medium, and image data read from the first external storage medium via the interface via the other interface, the second external storage medium Backup means for writing to the second external storage medium, image management information relating to at least a part of the first image data backed up to the second external storage medium, and image management information relating to second image data other than the backup. Information acquisition means for acquiring from an external storage medium, and at least a part of the management information of the image management information are provided with pointers A first list creating means for creating a first list by registering in a state, and a pointer associated with a pointer of the first list in a full path name capable of specifying a storage location of the image data among the image management information And a plurality of full path names are rearranged in the order in which the first full path name group related to the first image data and the second full path name group related to the second image data can be separated. A second list creation means for creating a list;
The gist is provided with sorting means for associating the management information registered in the first list with the pointer as a key in the arrangement order of the full path names registered in the second list.

  According to one embodiment of the present invention, the image data of the first external storage medium is backed up to the second external storage medium by the backup unit. The information acquisition means stores the image management information related to at least a part of the first image data backed up in the second external storage medium and the image management information related to the second image data other than the backup to the second external storage medium. Get from. The first list creation means creates at least a part of the management information of the image management information with the pointer attached thereto to create the first list. The second list creating means attaches a pointer associated with the pointer of the first list to a full path name capable of specifying the storage position of the image data in each image management information, and the first list related to the first image data. A second list is created by rearranging a plurality of full path names in the order in which they can be separated into a full path name group and a second full path name group related to the second image data. The sorting means associates the management information registered in the first list with the pointer as a key in the arrangement order of the full path names registered in the second list. For this reason, the management information in the first list can be acquired in the arrangement order of the full path names in the second list by the association by the sorting means. Therefore, the group of images based on the backed up first image data and the group of images based on the second image data can be displayed separately on the display unit.

  The information processing apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention further includes conversion means for converting at least one drive letter of the first full path name and the second full path name to have different drive letters. Preferably, the second list creating means creates the second list by arranging the first full path name and the second full path name in ascending or descending order of the character codes after the conversion by the converting means.

  According to an embodiment of the present invention, the converting means converts at least one drive letter of the first full path name and the second full path name so as to have different drive letters. The second list creating means creates the second list by arranging the first full path name and the second full path name in ascending or descending order of the character codes after the conversion by the converting means. As a result, in the second list, the first full path name group and the second full path name group are arranged separately. For this reason, when image data is read from the external storage medium and an image based on the image data is displayed on the display means in the order of arrangement of the full path names in the second list, the group of images based on the first image data and the second image data It is possible to display a group of images based on the display means separately.

  In the information processing apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention, the second list created by the second list creating unit is binary searched under drive letters having different first full path names and second full path names. It is preferable to have a tree structure in which the leaves are stored in order from the leaves on one end of the tree, and each leaf has a pointer associated with the pointer of the first list.

  According to one embodiment of the present invention, the second list created by the second list creating means is sequentially from the leaves on the one end side of the binary search tree under drive letters having different first full path names and second full path names. And each leaf has a pointer associated with the pointer of the first list. For this reason, the group of the first full path name and the group of the second full path name can be arranged separately, and the capacity necessary for storing the second list can be reduced as compared with the case of the configuration not having the tree structure. .

  In the information processing apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention, the sorting unit registers management information related to the first image data registered in the first list in the second list using the pointer as a key. The second full path registered in the second list is associated with the management information related to the second image data registered in the first list after the association in the arrangement order of the first full path names. It is preferable to associate them in the order of names.

  According to one embodiment of the present invention, the sorting means uses the pointer as a key to manage the management information related to the first image data registered in the first list in the order of arrangement of the first full path names registered in the second list. After the association and the association, the management information related to the second image data registered in the first list is associated with the arrangement order of the second full path names registered in the second list. For this reason, it is possible to display a group of images on the backup side with priority and then display a group of images other than the backup.

  In the information processing apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention, the count value that can specify the number of each of the first image data backed up in the second external storage medium and the second image data other than the backup It is preferable that the counting means further counts the first full path name group and the second full path name group based on a counting result of the counting means.

  According to one embodiment of the present invention, the counting means counts a count value that can specify the number of each of the first image data backed up in the second external storage medium and the second image data other than the backup. . The sorting means identifies the first full path name group and the second full path name group based on the counting result of the counting means. Therefore, when the management information related to the first image data is associated with the arrangement order of the first full path names registered in the second list, the first full path name group can be specified. In addition, after this association, when the management information related to the second image data registered in the first list is associated with the arrangement order of the second full path names registered in the second list, the group of the second full path names is Can be identified.

  In the information processing apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention, the first list creation unit is configured to assign an index to the management information registered in the first list in the registration order, and the index is in the registration order. The apparatus further comprises third list creating means for creating a registered third list, wherein the sorting means registers the index registered in the third list in the second list using the pointer and the index as keys. It is preferable to sort in correspondence with the arrangement order of the full path names.

  According to one embodiment of the present invention, the third list creating means creates the third list by registering the indexes in the registration order. The sorting means sorts the indexes registered in the third list in association with the order of the full path names registered in the second list, using the pointer and the index as keys. Therefore, in the order of the index of the third list after sorting, the full path name of the second list is acquired from the pointer associated with the pointer attached to the management information of the first list specified by the index, Image data can be acquired from the storage location specified in the second external storage medium by the full path name. In addition, since the sorting process refers to the first list in the order of the third list index, it is possible to sort at high speed.

One aspect of the present invention is a computer provided in an information processing apparatus that displays an image based on image data acquired by accessing the external storage medium based on image management information read from the external storage medium on a display unit. The image management information related to the first image data in at least one of the backup folders backed up to the external storage medium and the image management related to the second image data outside the backup folder An information acquisition step for acquiring information from the external storage medium via an interface, and a storage of the first full path name and the second image data capable of specifying the storage position of the first image data among the image management information A part that includes at least one drive letter and the second full path name that can be specified A conversion step for converting each drive letter to have a different drive letter, and the first full path name and the second full path name after conversion by the conversion step are grouped into the first full path name group and the second full path name group. And a rearrangement step of rearranging in the order of the separated sequences.
One aspect of the present invention is an information processing method for displaying an image based on image data obtained by accessing the external storage medium based on image management information read from the external storage medium on a display means, Acquire image management information related to the first image data in at least one of the backup folders backed up in the storage medium and image management information related to the second image data other than the backup from the external storage medium via the interface. And at least one of a first full path name that can specify a storage position of the first image data and a second full path name that can specify a storage position of the second image data in the image management information. A conversion step for converting a part including one drive letter to have a different drive letter; A rearrangement step of rearranging the first full path name and the second full path name after conversion by the step in the order of arrangement separated into the first full path name group and the second full path name group; Prepared.
One aspect of the present invention is a computer provided in an information processing apparatus that displays an image based on image data acquired by accessing the external storage medium based on image management information read from the external storage medium on a display unit. A backup step of writing image data read from the first external storage medium via the interface to the second external storage medium via another interface, and a program to be executed on the second external storage medium. An information acquisition step of acquiring, from the second external storage medium, image management information related to at least a part of the first image data that has been backed up and image management information related to second image data other than the backup; Register at least a part of the management information with the pointer attached to the first A first list creating step for creating a list, and a pointer associated with the pointer of the first list is attached to a full path name capable of specifying a storage location of the image data in each of the image management information, A second list that creates a second list by rearranging a plurality of full path names in an arrangement order in which a group of first full path names related to one image data and a group of second full path names related to the second image data can be separated. The gist of the present invention is to execute a creation step and a sorting step of associating the management information registered in the first list with the order of the full path names registered in the second list using the pointer as a key. According to one embodiment of the present invention, by causing a computer to execute a program, it is possible to obtain the same functions and effects as those of the information processing apparatus.

  One aspect of the present invention is an information processing method for displaying an image based on image data obtained by accessing the external storage medium based on image management information read from the external storage medium on a display unit, and an interface A backup step of writing image data read from the first external storage medium via the other interface to the second external storage medium via another interface, and at least a part of the first image backed up to the second external storage medium Information acquisition step for acquiring image management information related to data and image management information related to second image data other than backup from the second external storage medium, and at least a part of the management information of the image management information, A first list creation step for creating a first list by registering with a pointer attached, and for each image management information A pointer associated with the pointer of the first list is attached to a full path name capable of specifying the storage position of the image data, and the first full path name group and the second image data related to the first image data are added to the full path name. A second list creating step for creating a second list by rearranging a plurality of full path names in the order in which they can be separated from the second full path name group, and registered in the first list using the pointer as a key The present invention includes a sorting step of associating management information with the order of arrangement of the full path names registered in the second list. According to one embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to obtain the same effects as those of the information processing apparatus.

1 is a perspective view of a multifunction machine according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an electrical configuration of the multifunction machine. The block diagram which shows the function structure of an application part and a file system. The schematic diagram which shows the data hierarchical structure of an external storage medium. (A) The block diagram explaining file list creation processing, (b) Explanatory drawing which shows the conversion process of a full path file name. (A), (b) The data structure figure of the file information registered into a file list. The schematic diagram which shows the tree structure of a pointer list. (A), (b) The schematic diagram which shows a sort process. The flowchart which shows a count-up process routine. The flowchart which shows a sort process routine.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment embodying the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a multifunction machine 11 having a scanner function. A multifunction machine 11 as an example of an information processing apparatus includes a main body 12 and a cover 13. The lower part of the main body 12 is a printer unit 14, and the upper part is a scanner unit 15. The printer unit 14 employs, for example, an ink jet recording method. On the front side of the main body 12, an operation panel 17 is provided in the upper stage portion, and a paper discharge section 18 from which printed paper P is discharged is provided in the lower stage portion. Further, a card slot 20 into which a memory card 19 can be inserted and removed and a USB port 22 (USB connector) into which a connector of the USB memory 21 can be inserted and removed are provided on the front side of the main body 12 at a position on the right side in FIG. .

  As shown in FIG. 1, the operation panel 17 includes a display unit 23 arranged at the center in the width direction, a power button 24, a mode selection button 25, a start button 26 for starting printing / scanning, a selection button 27, and the like. And an operation unit 28 including

  In the multifunction machine 11 of this embodiment, one of a plurality of modes including “memory card”, “copy”, “scan”, “backup”, and the like can be selected by operating the mode selection button 25. A menu screen corresponding to the selected mode is displayed on the display unit 23, and desired printing conditions and the like can be set by operating the selection button 25 or the like. Here, the “memory card” mode is used when the memory card 19 is inserted into the card slot 20 and an image such as a photograph based on the image data read from the memory card 19 is printed.

  The “backup mode” means, for example, that data stored in the memory card 19 inserted in the card slot 20 is written in the USB memory 21 inserted in the USB port 22 and the data in the memory card 19 is written. It is a function to take a backup of. In this example, the memory card 19 is a backup source external storage medium (first external storage medium), and the USB memory 21 is a backup destination external storage medium (second external storage medium). Of course, the external storage medium of the backup destination is not limited to the USB memory 21, and any configuration that can be connected (inserted) to the USB port 22 is sufficient, and data can be transferred via an external hard disk or an external disk drive. It may be an optical disk or a magnetic disk to be written. Also, the interface for connecting the external storage medium is not limited to the USB port (USB interface), and may be another interface. Further, in the case where the multifunction machine 11 has a built-in disk drive (not shown), the optical disk or magnetic disk set on the disk tray may be the second external storage medium. Further, the second external storage medium may be a memory card, and the first external storage medium may be a USB memory.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the multifunction machine 11. The multifunction machine 11 includes a computer 31 (for example, a microcomputer). The computer 31 accesses the memory card 19 via a memory card interface (hereinafter referred to as “memory card I / F 32”) with the memory card 19 inserted in the card slot 20. In addition, the computer 31 accesses the USB memory 21 via the USB interface (hereinafter referred to as “USB I / F 33”) in a state where the USB memory 21 is inserted into the USB port 22.

  An operation unit 28 and a display unit 23 of the operation panel 17 are connected to the computer 31. Further, a scan engine 34 that causes the scanner unit 15 to perform a scanning operation and a print engine 35 that causes the printer unit 14 to perform a printing operation are connected to the computer 31. In the scan mode, the user operates the operation unit 28 to store the scan data read by the scan engine 34 as a storage destination of the USB memory 21 connected to the USB I / F 33 or a personal computer connected to the multifunction machine 11. It is also possible to specify a host device. When the computer 31 is in the “backup mode”, the data read from the memory card 19 (first external storage medium) designated as the backup source is transferred to the USB memory 21 (second external storage medium) designated as the backup destination. ) Also has a backup function.

  The computer 31 includes a CPU 36, an ASIC 37 (Application Specific IC), a ROM 38, a RAM 39, and the like. The ROM 38 stores a count-up processing routine program (for example, FIG. 9), a sort processing routine program (for example, FIG. 10), various programs including a backup processing program, and setting data necessary for various processing. Has been. The CPU 36 shown in FIG. 2 executes various processes such as a backup process, a count-up process, and a sort process by executing a program read from the ROM 38.

  Here, the backup process is a process for backing up from the first external storage medium to the second external storage medium performed in the above-described backup mode. The count-up process is a process for counting the number of images (image files) in the memory card 19 or the USB memory 21 when the connection of the memory card 19 or the USB memory 21 is detected. In the following description, the memory card 19 or USB memory 21 that is to be counted up is referred to as an external storage medium MM in FIG. The external storage medium MM stores an image file F and file information FJ for each image file. In the count-up process, the file information FJ for each file F stored in the external storage medium MM is sequentially read, and it is determined whether the file is an image file based on the file information FJ. Every time a judgment is made, a count-up process is performed. Further, in the count-up process, the file list FL is created by storing the file information FI generated using at least a part of the file information FJ related to the image file in a predetermined storage area of the RAM 39. At this time, the file list FL stores a plurality of file information FIs in the order of the index IDs assigned to the file information FIs.

  At this time, only the image corresponding to the file information FI counted up and registered in the file list FL is to be displayed on the display unit 23. In the present embodiment, among all data stored in the external storage medium MM (backup medium), all files in one backup folder BF selected by the user and all files other than the backup folder BF (for example, a scan image storage folder) Both all files in the SF) are counted up and registered as file information FI.

  FIG. 3 shows a functional configuration of a part that performs backup processing, count-up processing, image display processing based on data in the external storage medium MM, and printing processing in the computer. In FIG. 3, the memory I / F 32 and the USB I / F 33 are omitted. The computer 31 includes an application unit 41 constructed by the CPU 36 executing the application program, and a file system 42 constructed by the CPU 36 executing the file system program.

  The application unit 41 detects the external storage medium MM, displays an image based on the data in the external storage medium MM on the display unit 23, or prints an image file F (image data) to be printed from the external storage medium MM. When reading, the external storage medium MM is accessed via the file system 42. Specifically, when the application unit 41 issues an access request to the file system 42, the file system 42 accesses the external storage medium MM, reads the requested file information FJ and image file F (image data), and reads the read information. File information FJ and the like are sent to the application unit 41. The file system 42 includes a plurality of types of FAT (File Allocation Table), and requested file information FJ based on the FAT corresponding to the format used in the external storage medium MM. Etc.

  The application unit 41 displays a menu screen, a folder selection screen, an image selection screen, and the like on the main control unit 50 that controls the overall control of the application unit 41 based on an operation signal from the operation unit 28 and the like. And a display processing unit 51. The application unit 41 also includes a scan writing unit 52 and a backup processing unit 53 as means for writing the image file F to the external storage medium MM.

  The scan writing unit 52 converts the image data read by the scan engine 34 into an image file, and writes the image file F to the external storage medium MM via the file system 42. At this time, the file system 42 writes the file information FJ including the full path file name FP indicating the storage position of the image file F in a predetermined storage area of the external storage medium MM.

  The backup processing unit 53 is activated in the backup mode and backs up all files F stored in the first external storage medium (for example, the memory card 19) to the second external storage medium (for example, the USB memory 21). It should be noted that the writing destination of the image file F by the scan writing unit 52 and the writing destination of the file F by the backup processing unit 53 may be the same external storage medium MM.

  Here, a data hierarchical structure in the external storage medium MM subjected to the scan writing process and the backup process will be described with reference to FIG. When all files of the backup source external storage medium are stored in the backup destination external storage medium MM, the backup processing unit 53 has three digits from “001” to a maximum of “999” immediately below the root directory of the external storage medium MM. Folders whose folder names are indicated by numerical values (hereinafter also referred to as “backup folder BF”) are sequentially created.

  Further, when the scan writing unit 52 stores the scan image in the external storage medium MM, first, the scan image storage folder SF (folder name “SCAN” in the example of FIG. 4) is directly below the root directory of the external storage medium MM. Create a folder or file in the lower hierarchy of the scanned image storage folder SF. In the example of FIG. 4, folders having folder names “001” to “999” are created immediately below the scan image storage folder SF.

  When backup is executed for the external storage medium MM such as the USB memory 21 in which the scan image storage folder SF is created, a backup folder BF is created in the same hierarchy as the scan image storage folder. In the example of FIG. 4, in addition to the backup folder BF and the scan image storage folder SF, for example, an image file written in the external storage medium MM by a personal computer is stored.

  Returning to FIG. 3, the application unit 41 includes a detection unit 54 that detects insertion (connection) of the external storage medium MM, and a folder search unit 55 that searches for a folder in the external storage medium MM according to an instruction from the detection unit 54. And a determination unit 56 for determining whether or not the backup folder BF exists based on the search result by the folder search unit 55. The determination unit 56 of the present embodiment determines whether there is a folder having a folder name of any one of “001” to “999” immediately below the root directory, so that the backup folder BF exists. It is determined whether or not.

  When the determination unit 56 determines that the backup folder BF exists, the display processing unit 51 causes the display unit 23 to display a folder selection screen where all backup folders BF can be viewed. On this folder selection screen, the user can select one of all backup folders BF by operating the selection button 27. In the present embodiment, the file F belonging to one backup folder BF selected by the user's operation and the file F not belonging to the backup folder BF are counted up.

  Further, the application unit 41 relates to a search unit 57 that searches for a count-up process target file, a count-up process unit 58 that performs a count-up process of the file searched by the search unit 57, and a count-up process target file. A file list creation unit 59 for creating a file list FL in which the file information FI is arranged. Further, the application unit 41 displays a tree structure management unit 60 that manages the full path file name FP in the file information FJ in a tree structure, a list management unit 61 that manages a management list CL described later, and an image on the image selection screen. A file request unit 62 for requesting a thumbnail image for printing and a request for a main image at the time of printing. The tree structure management unit 60 creates a file name item pointer list PL (hereinafter simply referred to as “pointer list” in FIG. 3) in which the full path file name FP is managed in a tree structure. Note that the file information FI constituting the file list FL is based on the file information FJ read by the search unit 57 from the external storage medium MM, and information related to the full path file name FP is stored in the item pointer IP (see FIG. 6). It has been replaced. This item pointer IP is assigned with a serial number in the registration order of the file information FI read from “1” in the FAT order. That is, the item pointer IP is linked to the item pointer IP attached to the full path file name FP in the file name item pointer list PL.

  The search unit 57 shown in FIG. 3 searches the file information FJ related to the file belonging to the backup folder BF as the count-up process target, and the file related to the file not belonging to the backup folder BF. A second file search unit 72 that searches and acquires the information FJ. When the determination unit 56 determines that the backup folder BF exists, the first file search unit 71 searches and acquires the file information FJ related to the file belonging to the backup folder BF.

  The count-up processing unit 58 includes a file counter 73 that counts the number of file information FJ searched by the search unit 57 (that is, the number of files), and a storage unit 74 that stores a count result of the file counter 73. Specifically, the count-up processing unit 58 writes the backup file number M, which is the number of file information FJ searched by the first file search unit 71, in the first storage area 74 a of the storage unit 74 and also the first file search unit 71. The total file number N, which is the total number of file information FJ searched by the second file search unit 72, is written in the second storage area 74b.

  Here, the process in which the file list creation unit 59 creates a file list will be described with reference to FIGS. 3, 5, and 6. FIG. There is a case where a backup is taken from the memory card 19 in which image data photographed by the digital camera is written to the external storage medium MM. For this reason, there are two types of files including images stored in the external storage medium MM: normal image files such as the JPEG format, and PIF files that are image file formats adopted by digital cameras. In the present embodiment, the file list FL is created separately for image files and PIF files. Therefore, the file list creation unit 59 creates an image file list FL1 that is a file list of image files and a PIF file list FL2 that is a file list of PIF files (see FIGS. 3 and 5A). .

  As shown in FIG. 6A, the file information FI registered in the image file list FL1 includes an item pointer IP, a file creation date, a file creation time, and image check information. As shown in FIG. 6B, the file information registered in the PIF file list includes item pointer IP, file creation date, file creation time, PIF type, support paper size (dedicated paper), support paper size ( Plain paper), UUID, number of photo frames, and number of cast images. The item pointer IP will be described later.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the file list creation unit 59 includes a determination unit 75, a conversion processing unit 76, and a registration unit 77 in order to create a file list FL (FL 1, FL 2) in the first storage area of the RAM 39. .

  As shown in FIG. 5, the search unit 57 searches the external storage medium MM (backup medium) for a file and acquires file information FJ related to the file. The file information FJ acquired by the search unit 57 is passed to the file list creation unit 59.

  In the file list creation unit 59, the determination unit 75 determines whether the file information acquired from the search unit 57 is file information FJ of a file belonging to the backup folder BF.

  Here, the file information FJ acquired by the search unit 57 is information including a full path file name FP instead of the item pointer IP with respect to the file information FI registered in the file list FL shown in FIG. For example, in the example of the file belonging to the backup folder BF stored in the external storage medium MM, the file belongs to a folder having a folder name indicated by a three-digit number immediately below the D drive, and the full path file name FP is, for example, It is expressed as “D: \ 002 \ DCIM \ EP01 \ EP001.JPG” (example of backup folder name “002”). On the other hand, if the file name is located directly under the D drive, for example, a file other than the backup folder BF stored in the external storage medium MM, the full path file name FP is, for example, “D: \ 001.JPG” It is expressed as follows.

  If the file processing information FJ belongs to the backup folder BF, the conversion processing unit 76 converts the drive letter. Specifically, the conversion processing unit 76, as shown in FIG. 5B, the drive letter “D” in the full path file name FP “D: \ 002 \ DCIM \ EP01 \ EP001.JPG” of the file belonging to the backup folder BF. : ”And the part“ D: \ 002 ”including the backup folder name“ 002 ”are converted to the virtual drive“ S: ”. Here, the drive letter after conversion may be a drive letter that is on the rear side in ASCII order from the drive letter before conversion. In this way, the conversion processing unit 76 replaces the drive letter to the selected folder (user selected folder) with the virtual drive, and temporarily stores the file information FJ including the full path file name FP after the replacement in the RAM 39. That is, by replacing the drive letter with a virtual drive, the files belonging to the backup folder BF can be easily classified. Further, the conversion processing unit 76 does not perform the conversion process of the full path file name FP for files other than the backup folder BF (not belonging to the folder BF). For example, as shown in FIG. 5B, a file other than the backup folder BF is represented as “D: ¥ 001.JPG”, for example.

  When all the file information FJ to be counted up is temporarily stored in the RAM 39 while converting the full path file name FP for the files belonging to the backup folder BF, the tree structure management unit 60 is started next. Is done. The tree structure management unit 60 manages the full path file names FP of files belonging to one backup folder BF selected by the user and the full path file names FP of files not belonging to the backup folder BF in a tree structure. PL (hereinafter also simply referred to as “item pointer list PL”) is created.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the tree structure management unit 60 arranges the full path file names FP in a tree structure in the ascending order of ASCII. The full path file names FP related to files other than the backup folder BF are arranged in the ascending order of ASCII from the top to (MN) because the drive letter is “D”. Further, the full path file name FP relating to the file belonging to one backup folder BF selected by the user is arranged from (N−N + 1) th to Nth in ASCII ascending order because the drive letter is “S”. . Further, each full path file name FP registered in the item pointer list PL is assigned an item pointer IP for identifying the full path file name FP. The item pointer IP attached to each full path file name FP registered in the item pointer list PL is associated with the item pointer IP attached as one information in each file information FI registered in the file list FL. (See FIG. 6). As shown in FIG. 7, the item pointer list PL manages N full-path file names FP in a tree structure, so that the same folder name (directory name) is a plurality of subfolders (subfolders) belonging to the folder (directory). Directory) and files. For this reason, it is possible to reduce the storage capacity of the RAM 39 used for storing the full path file name FP as compared with the configuration in which the N full path file names FP are stored as they are.

  The list manager 61 creates a management list CL and registers (stores) it in the RAM 39. FIG. 8 shows the relationship between the file list FL and the management list CL. The management list CL is a list for managing the index ID assigned to each file information FI registered in the file list FL. As shown in FIG. 8A, each file information FI is registered in the file list FL in the order of FAT. For this reason, the index IDs are also assigned in the FAT order. In this example, as shown in FIG. 8A, the index ID of the file list FL is assigned a serial number from “0”. As shown in FIG. 8A, the list management unit 61 initially creates a management list CL by registering index IDs in the order of FAT. In this management list CL, for each registered index ID, the index IN is assigned with a serial number from “0” in the order of storage from the upper side of FIG.

  The list management unit 61 includes a sort processing unit 78. The sort processing unit 78 performs a sort process for rearranging the index IDs registered in the FAT order as in the management list CL shown in FIG. The list management unit 61 shows the initial management list CL shown in FIG. 8A by the sort processing by the sort processing unit 78 as shown in FIG. 8B in which the index ID is registered in the ASCII ascending order of the full path file name FP. Convert to management list CL. The order in which images are displayed on the image selection screen follows the order of index IDs registered in the management list CL shown in FIG.

  The file request unit 62 shown in FIG. 3 requests the thumbnail image data by specifying the full path file name FP to the file system 42 when displaying the image selection screen on the display unit 23. The file request unit 62 requests the image file F by specifying the full path file name FP to the file system 42 when printing the image selected on the image selection screen. Here, the image selection screen is displayed on the display processing unit 51 by the main control unit 50 based on an operation signal from the operation unit 28, and the user operates the operation unit 28 on this image selection screen to display an image. Each time switching is instructed, the main control unit 50 instructs the file request unit 62 to switch to the next image. When the user operates the operation unit 28 to start printing the image selected on the image selection screen, the main control unit 50 instructs the file request unit 62 to read the image file F corresponding to the selected image. .

  Here, when the image selection screen is displayed and when there is an instruction to switch images on the image selection screen, the file request unit 62 is a full path file required when requesting the next thumbnail image data from the list management unit 61. Instructs acquisition of name FP. The list management unit 61 acquires the index IDs one by one in the ASCII ascending order of the full path file name FP from the management list CL shown in FIG. Then, the file information FI corresponding to the acquired index ID is acquired from the file list FL shown in FIG. 8B, and the item pointer IP in the file information FI is acquired. The list management unit 61 acquires the full path file name FP corresponding to the item pointer IP from the item pointer list PL shown in FIG. 7 using the item pointer IP as a clue, and passes the acquired full path file name FP to the file request unit 62. . The file request unit 62 requests the thumbnail image data from the file system 42 by specifying the full path file name FP. Also, when printing the image selected on the image selection screen, the full path file name FP of the designated image is acquired in the same procedure as the processing for switching the image on the image selection screen. In this case, the file request unit 62 requests the image file F from the file system 42 by specifying the acquired full path file name FP. Of course, the full path file name FP acquired when switching images on the image selection screen may be used when the file request unit 62 requests an image file necessary for starting printing.

Next, the operation of the multifunction machine 11 configured as described above will be described.
For example, when the user operates the operation unit 28 to designate the “scan” mode, designates the USB memory 21 connected to the USB port 22 of the multifunction machine 11 as the storage destination, and scans the document by the scanner unit 15, The scan writing unit 52 stores the scan image data file F in the USB memory 21. At this time, the scan writing unit 52 creates a scan image storage folder SF (folder name “SCAN”) in the USB memory 21 as shown in FIG. Create Then, the scan writing unit 52 stores the file F related to the scan image in a folder immediately below the scan image storage folder SF, for example, “001.JPG”, “002.JPG”,.

  Thereafter, when backing up data (image file) stored in the memory card 19 taken out from the digital camera, the user operates the operation unit 28 to select the “backup” mode. Then, the user inserts the backup source memory card 19 into the card slot 20 of the multi-function peripheral 11 according to the guidance displayed on the display unit 23, and uses the USB memory 21 in which the scanned image file F is stored first as the backup destination. Connect to the USB port 22. Then, the operation unit 28 is operated to instruct backup of data from the memory card 19 (first external storage medium) to the USB memory 21 (second external storage medium). As a result, the backup processing unit 53 creates a backup folder BF with the folder name “001” immediately below the root directory as shown in FIG. For example, when the memory card 19 is the storage medium A, the backup processing unit 53 stores all the files F in the storage medium A in the backup folder BF having the file name “001”. Next, when replacing the backup source memory card 19 and continuing the backup, assuming that the next backup source memory card 19 is the storage medium B, the backup processing unit 53 has the folder name “002” directly under the root directory. A backup folder BF is created, and all files F of the storage medium B are stored in the backup folder BF. Thus, a backup folder BF is created for each backup source storage medium, and all files F of the backup source storage medium are stored therein.

  When the backup is completed, the user operates the operation unit 28 to select the “memory card” mode. When the mode is switched to the “memory card” mode after the backup is completed, the main control unit 50 validates the backup destination external storage medium MM. After switching to the “memory card” mode, the detection unit 54 detects the connection of the external storage medium MM. Upon detection of the connection of the external storage medium MM, the CPU 36 performs the count-up process shown in FIG. Run the routine. Hereinafter, the count-up process will be described with reference to FIG.

  First, in step S1, it is determined whether the medium is a backup medium. If the external storage medium MM is not removed after the backup process is completed, it is determined that the backup medium is used. When the backup is not performed, the folder search is performed until the backup folder BF is found for the external storage medium MM. When the backup folder BF is found, it is determined that the backup medium is the backup medium. If it is not found, it is determined that it is not backup media. If it is a backup medium, the process proceeds to step S2, and if it is not a backup medium, the process proceeds to step S9.

  In step S2, a folder search is performed. Specifically, the folder search unit 55 searches for a folder in the external storage medium MM. If a folder search is performed for the determination process in step S1, a folder search may be performed from the continuation of the already completed folder search.

  In the next step S3, it is determined whether or not the backup folder BF exists. Specifically, the determination unit 56 determines whether or not the backup folder BF exists in the folder searched in step S2. In this example, since the backup folder BF is a folder having a three-digit numerical value located immediately under the root directory in the folder name, the determination unit 56 has a folder having a three-digit numerical value in the folder name immediately below the root directory. It is determined whether or not to do. If there is even one folder with a three-digit numerical value in the folder name directly under the root directory, it is determined that the backup folder BF exists. On the other hand, there is a folder with such a three-digit numerical value in the folder name. If not, it is determined that the backup folder BF does not exist. If the backup folder BF exists, the process proceeds to step S4, and if the backup folder BF does not exist, the process proceeds to step S9. In the case of the example shown in FIG. 4, since the determination unit 56 determines that the backup folder BF exists, the process proceeds to step S4.

  In step S4, the backup folder is displayed. Specifically, the main control unit 50 that has received the determination result that the backup folder exists from the determination unit 56 notifies the display processing unit 51 of the information (folder name and the like) of the backup folder BF, and the folder to the display processing unit 51. Instructs the selection screen to be displayed. The display processing unit 51 that has received the notification and instruction causes the display unit 23 to display a folder selection screen on which all backup folders BF in the external storage medium MM can be viewed in a list.

  In the next step S5, it is determined whether or not a user has been selected. After displaying the backup folder, the user operates the operation unit 28 to select one desired backup folder on the folder selection screen. In this step, it is determined whether or not one desired backup folder BF has been selected by operating the operation unit 28. If there is a user selection for selecting one backup folder BF, the process proceeds to step S6. If there is no such user selection, the process waits until there is a user selection. If there is a user selection, the main control unit 50 notifies the search unit 57 to that effect.

  In step S6, files under the selected backup folder are searched. That is, the first file search unit 71 in the search unit 57 searches for a file belonging to the backup folder BF selected by the user. In this file search, the first file search unit 71 searches the external storage medium MM for file information FJ related to a file belonging to one selected backup folder BF, and sequentially reads the searched file information FJ.

  In step S7, the number M of detected files is stored. Here, the number of files searched by the first file search unit 71 is counted by the file counter 73 in the count-up processing unit 58. That is, the file counter 73 counts up by “1” each time the count-up processing unit 58 acquires one file information FJ. Then, the count-up processing unit 58 uses the detected file number M, which is a count value of the file counter 73 that counts the number of files belonging to one backup folder BF selected by the user, to the first storage area 74a of the storage unit 74. Write to.

  In step S8, a file other than the selected backup folder is searched. That is, the second file search unit 72 of the search unit 57 searches for files belonging to folders other than the backup folder BF. In this file search, the second file search unit 72 searches the external storage medium MM for file information FJ related to a file that does not belong to the backup folder BF, and sequentially reads the searched file information FJ.

  If the external storage medium MM is not a backup medium (No in S1) and if the backup folder BF does not exist (No in S3), file search is performed for all folders in Step S9. That is, the second file search unit 72 of the search unit 57 searches for files belonging to all folders in the external storage medium MM. In this file search, the second file search unit 72 searches the external storage medium MM for file information FJ relating to files belonging to all folders BF, and sequentially reads the searched file information FJ.

  In step S10, the total number N of detected files is stored. Here, the file counter 73 counts the total number of detected files N of the number M of files searched by the first file search unit 71 and the number of files (N−M) searched by the second file search unit 72. Yes. The count-up processing unit 58 detects the number N of detected files, which is a count value of the file counter 73, which is the sum of the number of files belonging to one backup folder BF selected by the user and the number of files not belonging to the backup folder BF. Is written in the second storage area 74 b of the storage unit 74.

  In parallel with the count-up process or after the count-up process ends, the file list creation unit 59 performs a file list creation process for creating the file list FL based on the file information FJ acquired by the search unit 57. The file information FJ acquired by the search unit 57 in the count-up process is temporarily saved in a predetermined storage area of the RAM 39, for example. In the file list creation unit 59, the determination unit 75 first acquires the full path file name FP from the file information FJ, and determines whether or not it is the full path file name FP of the file belonging to the backup folder BF. In the case of the full path file name FP of the file belonging to the backup folder BF, the conversion processing unit 76 performs conversion processing of the full path file name FP. That is, as shown in FIG. 5B, the conversion processing unit 76 drives the drive letter “D: in the full path file name FP“ D: \ 002 \ DCIM \ EP01 \ EP001.JPG ”belonging to the backup folder BF. ”And the backup folder name“ 002 ”are converted to a virtual drive“ S: ”that uses a drive letter after“ D ”in ASCII order.

  Then, the tree structure management unit 60 performs sorting to rearrange the full path file names FP subjected to conversion processing as necessary in the ASCII structure in the ASCII ascending order in the tree structure shown in FIG. An item pointer list PL is created which is separated into a group belonging to the backup folder BF and a group not belonging to the backup folder BF. As shown in FIG. 7, since the full path file names FP are arranged in the ascending order of ASCII, the item pointer list PL is an item pointer IP that is a serial number from the 1st to the NMth except for the backup folder BF. Full path file name FP is registered, and the full path file name FP of the backup folder BF is registered in the item pointer IP from the (N−M + 1) th to the Nth.

  Next, a sorting process routine performed using the item pointer list PL will be described with reference to FIG. This sort processing is performed by the CPU 36 executing a sort processing routine shown in FIG.

  First, in step S21, the NM + 1st to Nth file name item pointer lists PL are acquired. Specifically, the sort processing unit 78 of the list management unit 61 reads the number M of detected files in the backup folder BF from the first storage area 74a of the storage unit 74 and reads the total number N of files from the second storage area 74b. Then, the sort processing unit 78 requests the tree structure management unit 60 for the item pointer list PL from the (N−M + 1) th to the Nth. In response to a request from the sort processing unit 78, the tree structure management unit 60 sends the (N−M + 1) th to Nth file name item pointer lists PL to the list management unit 61 as sort information. As a result, the list management unit 61 acquires the (N−M + 1) th to Nth item pointer lists PL as sort information.

  In the next step S22, a sort process is performed based on the acquired list PL. That is, the item pointer IP from the (N−M + 1) th to the Nth item is that of one backup folder BF selected by the user. Initially, as shown in FIG. 8A, the index IDs are registered in the management list CL in the order of the index IDs of the file list FL, that is, in the FAT order. Further, as shown in FIG. 6, an item pointer IP is registered in each file information FI in the file list FL. Then, the sort processing unit 78 compares the item pointer IPs from the (N−M + 1) th to the Nth in the ASCII path ascending order of the full path file name FP with the item pointer IP in the file information FI in the file list, and compares the management list Register the index ID of the backup folder BF managed by the CL in ascending ASCII order of the full path file name FP. As a result, a sort process is performed in which the index IDs of the file information FI belonging to the backup folder BF are rearranged in the ASCII ascending order of the full path file name FP.

  In step S23, the 1st to NMth file name item pointer lists PL are acquired. Specifically, the sort processing unit 78 of the list management unit 61 uses the number of detected files M and the total number N of files previously read from the storage unit 74 to the tree structure management unit 60 from the first to the NMth. The item pointer list PL up to is requested. In response to a request from the sort processing unit 78, the tree structure management unit 60 sends the first to NMth file name item pointer lists PL to the list management unit 61 as sort information. As a result, the list management unit 61 acquires the item pointer list PL from the first to the NMth as the sort information.

  In the next step S24, a sort process is performed based on the acquired list PL. That is, the first to NM item pointers IP are other than the backup folder BF. In the management list CL, the index IDs are registered in the ASCII ascending order for the backup folder BF, and the index IDs are registered in the FAT order for the parts other than the backup folder BF. Then, the sort processing unit 78 compares the item pointer IPs from the (N−M + 1) th to the Nth in the ASCII path ascending order of the full path file name FP with the item pointer IP in the file information FI of the file list FL, and manages the management list. Reregister index IDs other than the backup folder BF managed by the CL in ascending ASCII order of the full path file name FP. As a result, a sort process is performed in which the index IDs of the file information FI that do not belong to the backup folder BF are rearranged in the ASCII ascending order of the full path file name FP. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 8B, the index ID belonging to the backup folder BF and the index ID not belonging to the backup folder BF are re-registered in the ascending order of ASCII. Thus, the sort process is completed.

  When displaying an image on the image selection screen, the thumbnail image data is read from the external storage medium MM with reference to the management list CL. That is, the index ID is acquired in the order of the index IN of the management list CL, and the file information FI with the acquired index ID is acquired. Then, the item pointer IP in the acquired file information FI is acquired, and the full path file name FP corresponding to the item pointer IP in the pointer list PL associated with the item pointer IP is acquired from the item pointer list PL. The file request unit 62 requests the thumbnail image data from the file system 42 by specifying the acquired full path file name FP. The file system 42 acquires the thumbnail image data from the external storage medium MM using the designated full path file name FP as a clue, and sends the acquired thumbnail image data to the file request unit 62. The file request unit 62 sends the acquired thumbnail image data to the display processing unit 51, and the display processing unit 51 displays an image based on the thumbnail image data on the image selection screen.

  In this image selection screen, an image based on the file in the backup folder BF selected by the user first is displayed. Then, when the user operates the operation unit 28 to perform the image switching operation, the index IN of the management list CL is switched according to the switching operation direction, so that the image on the image selection screen is displayed according to the switching operation direction. The image can be switched to. At this time, when the user proceeds with the switching operation, the images based on the files in the backup folder BF are switched in order, and when there are no more images based on the files in the backup folder BF, the images based on files other than the backup folder BF are next. Switch to. When the user further advances the switching operation from this state, images based on files other than the backup folder BF are switched in order.

  When the image to be printed is determined on the image selection screen, the user instructs the execution of printing by operating the operation unit 28 while the image is displayed. This instruction is accepted by the main control unit 50. Then, the main control unit 50 instructs the file request unit 62 to make a file request. The file request unit 62 requests the file system 42 to read the main image data by specifying the full path file name FP of the image. When the main image data is acquired from the file system 42, the main image data is sent to the ASIC 37. The ASIC 37 performs known image processing such as resolution conversion processing, color conversion processing, and halftone processing on the main image data, generates print data from the main image data, and sends the generated print data to the print engine 35. Then, the print engine 35 prints an image on the paper P based on the print image data.

As described above in detail, in the present embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) Since the first file search unit 71 counts up files in the backup folder BF and the second file search unit 72 counts up files other than the backup folder BF, the backup folder selected by the user Not only the BF file but also files other than the backup folder BF are searched. As a result, the scanned image previously stored in the external storage medium MM is not excluded from the count-up target. Then, an image corresponding to a file stored in both one backup folder BF selected by the user through the operation unit 28 and other than the backup folder BF (for example, the scan image storage folder SF) is displayed on the image selection screen of the display unit 23. Can be displayed. Therefore, the user can select both the file in the selected one backup folder BF and the file in the scanned image storage folder SF as a print target, and can print an image based on the selected file. .

  (2) The file list creating unit 59 (first list creating means) creates the file list FL (first list) by registering the file information FI with the item pointer IP attached. The tree structure management unit 60 (second list creating means) attaches an item pointer IP associated with the item pointer IP of the file list FL to the full path file name FP, and creates a file (first image data) in the backup folder BF. ) And a full path file name FP (second full path name) group related to a file (second image data) other than the backup folder BF. The item pointer list PL (second list) is created by rearranging a plurality of full path file names FP. The sort processing unit 78 (sort means) associates the file information FI registered in the file list FL with the item pointer IP as a key in the arrangement order of the full path file names FP registered in the item pointer list PL. Therefore, the file information FI in the file list FL can be acquired in the arrangement order of the full path file names FP in the item pointer list PL by the association by the sort processing unit 78. Therefore, a group of images based on files in the backup folder BF selected by the user and a group of images based on files other than the backup folder BF can be displayed separately on the display unit 23.

  (3) For the files related to the backup folder BF among the full path file names FP, the drive letters are converted from “D” to “S” and the tree structure management unit 60 arranges them in the tree structure in the ASCII ascending order. Therefore, when the full path file names FP are arranged in a tree structure, a group of full path file names FP (first full path names) related to files belonging to the backup folder BF and a full path file name FP (first file related to files other than the backup folder BF). 2 full path names) can be separated and arranged. Therefore, a group of images based on each file belonging to the backup folder BF and a group of images based on each file not belonging to the backup folder BF can be displayed on the display unit 23 separately.

  (4) The item pointer list PL (second list) includes a full path file name FP (first full path name) relating to files in the backup folder BF and a full path file name FP (second full path) relating to files other than the backup folder BF. The tree structure is stored in order from a leaf on one end side of the binary search tree under a drive letter different in name). Each leaf has an item pointer IP associated with the item pointer IP of the file list FL (first list). For this reason, a group of full path file names FP relating to files in the backup folder BF and a group of full path file names FP relating to files other than the backup folder BF can be arranged separately and necessary for storing the item pointer list PL. The capacity can be kept small as compared with the case of a configuration not having a tree structure.

  (5) The sort processing unit 78 (sort means) associates the file information FI registered in the file list FL with the item pointer IP as a key in the arrangement order of the full path file names FP registered in the item pointer list PL, After this association, the file information FI registered in the file list FL is associated in the arrangement order of the full path file names FP registered in the item pointer list PL. For this reason, a group of images based on files in the backup folder BF can be displayed with priority, and thereafter a group of images based on files other than the backup can be displayed.

  (6) The file counter 73 (counting means) displays the number M of files (first image data) in the backup folder BF selected by the user and the total number of all files (image data) in the external storage medium MM. N is counted up (counted). Based on the counting result of the file counter 73, the sort processing unit 78 selects a group of first full path file names FP related to files in the backup folder BF and a group of second full path file names FP related to files other than the backup folder BF. Identify. For this reason, when the file information FI (management information) related to the files in the backup folder BF is associated with the arrangement order of the first full path file names FP registered in the item pointer list PL, the group of the first full path file names FP is assigned. Can be identified. In addition, after this association, when the file information FI related to files other than the backup folder BF registered in the file list FL is associated with the order of arrangement of the second full path file names FP registered in the item pointer list PL, 2 A group of full path file names FP can be specified.

  (7) The list management unit 61 (third list creation means) creates the management list CL (third list) by registering the index IDs of the file list FL in the order of registration. The sort processing unit 78 sorts the index IDs registered in the management list CL using the item pointer IP and the index ID as keys, so that the file information FI registered in the file list FL is sorted. Compared to this, the sorting process can be done easily. In addition, in the order of the index ID of the sorted management list CL, the item pointer list PL is changed from the item pointer IP linked to the item pointer IP attached to the file information FI of the file list FL specified by the index ID. The full path file name FP is acquired, and the file F can be acquired from the storage location specified in the external storage medium MM by the full path file name FP. In addition, since the sort process refers to the file list FL in the order of the index ID of the management list CL, the sort process can be performed at high speed.

  (8) The search unit 57 counts the number M of files in the backup folder BF and the total number N of files, and uses the count values M and N to use item pointers used for sorting processing for files in the backup folder BF. The IP and the item pointer IP used for the sort processing for files other than the backup folder BF are specified. Therefore, an appropriate item pointer IP can be acquired for each of the backup folder BF and the non-backup folder BF. Therefore, the group of images for the backup folder BF and the group of images other than the backup folder BF can be separated.

  (9) Counting the number of files in the backup folder BF selected by the user after backing up the data in the external storage medium such as the memory card 19 to the external storage medium such as the USB memory 21 storing the scanned image Since the scan image is also recognized as a count-up target at the time of up, the scan image can be selected and printed.

  (10) Since the sorting process for the files in the backup folder BF selected by the user and the sorting process for the files other than the backup folder BF are performed separately, it is easy to recognize whether the image is a backup image or any other image. it can.

In addition, the said embodiment can also be changed into the following forms.
A configuration that sorts the file information FI registered in the file list FL may be employed instead of the configuration that sorts the index IDs registered in the management list CL.

  The file information FI registered in the file list FL may include the full path file name FP. In this case, an image file can be acquired based on the full path file name FP in the file information FI without referring to the item pointer list PL.

  The management list CL is abolished, and the arrangement order (FAT order) of the file information FI registered in the file list FL is rearranged in the arrangement order of the item pointer list PL (full path file name ASCII ascending order) using the item pointer as a key. It is good also as a structure which performs a sort process.

  The sort order by the sort process may be ASCII descending order. Furthermore, the character code employed when rearranging the full path file name FP is not limited to the ASCII code, and other character codes such as Shift JIS and Unicode can be employed. Further, the ascending order or descending order of the character codes is not limited, and other sort methods that do not use character codes may be used as long as files in the backup folder and files other than the backup can be separated and arranged.

  The data structure for registering the full path file name FP in the item pointer list PL is not limited to the tree structure. The full path file name FP may be stored as it is. In this case as well, if the drive letters are different, the files in the backup folder and the files other than the backup can be arranged in a separable arrangement order.

  -Depending on customer needs, a group of images based on files other than the backup folder may be displayed prior to the group of images based on files in the backup folder. In short, it is sufficient that these two types of images are displayed separately.

  The file information to be acquired from the file list FL is changed to a configuration in which the index ID in the management list CL is selected as a key, and the file information to be acquired from the file list FL is set using the item pointer IP of the pointer list PL as a key. The configuration may be selected.

  ・ Drive letter conversion may be a full path file name other than backup. In this case, the same effect can be obtained if the drive letter is converted to a character in front of “D” in alphabetical order (for example, “C”). Alternatively, the drive letter may be converted to a character (for example, “S”) in alphabetical order after “D”. In this case, the image data specified by the item pointer IP from the first to Mth full path file names is preferentially read, and thereafter the image data specified from the M + 1st to Nth full path file names is read later. Read it out. Even with this configuration, an image based on image data belonging to the backup folder BF can be displayed on the display unit in preference to an image based on image data not belonging to the backup folder BF. Furthermore, it may be configured to convert both a drive letter having a full path file name other than backup and a drive letter having a full path file name related to the backed up file to different drive letters.

  -The drive letter in the full path file name on the backup side may be converted to the letter before the letter (for example, "C") in alphabetical order from "D". Is obtained.

  -It is good also as a structure which can select several backup folder BF on an image selection screen. In this case, the drive letter of the full path file name FP may be different for each backup folder BF. For example, when two backup folders BF are selected, the drive letters of the full path file name FP relating to the files belonging to the backup folders BF are, for example, “S” and “T”.

The image displayed on the display unit 23 is not limited to a configuration in which the display is switched one by one,
A configuration in which a screen on which a group of images on the backup side is displayed and a screen on which a group of images other than the backup are displayed may be switched. Also in this case, it is possible to prevent the backup side image and the image other than the backup from being displayed separately.

  The external storage medium is not limited to a memory card, and may be another portable storage medium. For example, an optical disk such as a CD (compact disk) or a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk), an MO (magneto-optical disk), a USB flash memory, a removable hard disk, or the like may be used.

  In the above embodiment, a multi-function machine (recording apparatus) including the ink jet recording type printer unit 14 is employed. However, a recording apparatus such as a wire impact recording apparatus, a thermal transfer recording apparatus, or an electrophotographic recording apparatus is used. It may be adopted. Further, these recording apparatuses may adopt a monochrome recording apparatus. Further, a recording apparatus that does not have a scanner function may be employed.

  The information processing apparatus is not limited to a recording apparatus such as a multifunction peripheral, and can be widely applied to electronic devices such as a projector, a television, a digital photo frame, a digital camera, and an audio device.

The technical idea grasped from the embodiment will be described below.
(1) Operation means (28) for selecting one of the backup folders backed up to the second external storage medium is provided, and the information acquisition means is configured to store image data belonging to the backup folder selected by the operation unit. The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein image management information relating to the first image data is acquired as the first image data.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 ... The multifunctional machine as an example of information processing apparatus, 19 ... Memory card which is an example of 1st external storage medium, 20 ... Card slot, 21 ... USB memory which is an example of 2nd external storage medium, 22 ... USB port, 23 ... Display unit as an example of display means, 31 ... Computer, 32 ... Memory I / F as an example of interface, 33 ... USB I / F as an example of interface, 36 ... CPU, 37 ... ASIC, 38 ... ROM, DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 39 ... RAM, 41 ... Application part, 42 ... File system, 43 ... Count-up process part, 50 ... Main control part, 51 ... Display processing part, 52 ... Scan writing part, 53 ... Backup process which is an example of a backup means , 54... Detection unit, 55... Folder search unit, 56. 58, a count-up processing unit as an example of a counting unit, 59 ... a file list creation unit as an example of a first list creation unit, 60 ... a tree structure management unit as an example of a second list creation unit, 61 ... 3 List management unit as an example of list creation means, 62... File request unit, 71... First file search unit, 72... Second file search unit, 73. 75... Discriminating unit, 76... Conversion processing unit as an example of conversion unit, 77... Registration unit, 78... Sorting unit as an example of sorting unit, MM ... External storage medium, BF ... Backup folder, SF ... Scanned image storage Folder, FJ: File information as an example of image management information, FI: File information as an example of management information, F: File as an example of image data, FL FL1, FL2: File list as an example of the first list, PL ... Item pointer list as an example of the second list, CL ... Management list as an example of the third list, FP ... Full path file name as an example of the full path name , ID ... index, M ... number of files as an example of a count value, N ... total number of files as an example of a count value, P ... paper as a medium.

Claims (8)

An information processing apparatus for displaying an image based on image data acquired by accessing the external storage medium based on image management information read from the external storage medium on a display means,
Multiple interfaces to which external storage media can be connected;
And external image management information according to the first image data of at least one backup folder of backed up in a storage medium, and image management information according to the backup folder outside of the second image data from the front Kigai unit storage medium Information acquisition means for acquiring via the interface ;
The image management information includes at least one drive letter of a first full path name that can specify the storage position of the first image data and a second full path name that can specify the storage position of the second image data. A conversion means for converting a part to have a different drive letter,
Re-arrangement means for rearranging the first full path name and the second full path name after conversion by the conversion means into the first full path name group and the second full path name group in order of separation; An information processing apparatus comprising: Read image data by requesting the full path name to the arrangement order according to the reordering means from the external storage medium, and a display processing means for displaying an image based on the image data on the display unit in the arrangement order, with further this The information processing apparatus according to claim 1. First list creation means for creating a first list by registering at least a part of the image management information with a pointer attached thereto;
The reordering unit includes a pointer associated with the pointer of the first list to a full path name capable of specifying a storage position of the image data among the image management information, and the reordering unit A second list creating means for creating a second list by rearranging a plurality of full path names in the order of arrangement;
The second list created by the second list creating means stores the first full path name and the second full path name in order from the leaves on one end of the binary search tree under different drive letters. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information processing apparatus has a tree structure having pointers associated with the pointers of the first list. Sorting means for associating the management information registered in the first list with the pointer as a key, in order of arrangement of the full path names registered in the second list,
The sorting means uses the pointer as a key to associate management information related to the first image data registered in the first list in the order of arrangement of the first full path names registered in the second list, after correspondence, the management information according to the second image data registered in the first list, to claim 3, characterized in that associating the sequence order of the registered in the second list said second full path name The information processing apparatus described. Said first image data before Kigai part storage medium in at least one of the backup folder of backed, counting for counting an identifiable count the number of each data of the backup folder outside of the second image data Further comprising means,
5. The information processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the sorting unit specifies the first full path name group and the second full path name group based on a counting result of the counting unit. The first list creation means is configured to assign an index to the management information registered in the first list in the order of registration;
A third list creating means for creating a third list in which the indexes are registered in the registration order;
The sorting means sorts the indexes registered in the third list in association with the sequence of the full path names registered in the second list using the pointer and the index as keys. The information processing apparatus according to claim 4 or 5 . A program executed by a computer provided in an information processing apparatus for displaying an image based on image data acquired by accessing the external storage medium based on image management information read from the external storage medium on a display unit,
On the computer,
And the image management information according to the first image data in at least one of the backup folder of backed up to an external storage medium, and image management information according to the backup folder outside of the second image data from the front Kigai unit storage medium An information acquisition step for acquiring via an interface ;
The pre-Symbol least one drive letter of the second full path name capable of specifying a storage position of the second image data and the first full path name capable of specifying a storage location of the first image data among the image management information some comprising a conversion step of converting to have different drive letter, respectively,
Rearrangement step of rearranging said the first full path name after conversion by the conversion step and the second full path name, in the arrangement order that is separated into a group of the group of the first full path name the second full path name When,
A program that executes An information processing method for displaying an image based on image data acquired by accessing the external storage medium based on image management information read from the external storage medium on a display means,
Interface and the image management information according to the first image data in at least one of the backup folder of backed up to an external storage medium, and an image management information of the second image data other than the backup from the front Kigai unit storage medium An information acquisition step to acquire via
The pre-Symbol least one drive letter of the second full path name capable of specifying a storage position of the second image data and the first full path name capable of specifying a storage location of the first image data among the image management information some comprising a conversion step of converting to have different drive letter, respectively,
Rearrangement step of rearranging said the first full path name after conversion by the conversion step and the second full path name, in the arrangement order that is separated into a group of the group of the first full path name the second full path name When,
An information processing method characterized by comprising:

Images