JP2000013732A - File storing method, production of file, recording medium and electronic camera - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve file processing by storing all files in a dedicated single image directory in a root directory which is provided in a storing means that has 1st image data having many data amounts about the same image and 2nd image data having a few data amounts. SOLUTION: A personal computer P produces a new file that includes both image data based on a 1st file (e.g. MAN 0001/JPG) including 1st image data that is related to the same image and a 2nd file (e.g. THM 0001.JPG) including 2nd image data and stores it in a dedicated image directory. It is enough that one file is performed in the same image processing by exchanging and storing the 1st file format type file in a new format file in this way. A file conversion program based on a new format can be installed on the computer P or an MPU 5 of an electronic camera through a recording medium such as a CD.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a technique for storing image data, and more particularly to a technique for storing image data obtained from an electronic camera.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art With the improvement of electronic technology, an electronic camera that converts a captured image into digital data and stores it has been developed and is already on the market. A user can display an image captured by an electronic camera on, for example, a display of his / her personal computer, and can print the image via a printer, so that the application range is wide.

[0003] Image data obtained by taking an image with an electronic camera is stored in a recording medium such as a memory card as one file for each image. By the way, there are roughly two types of file formats. For example, in the case of an electronic camera that adopts the first file format, a directory dedicated to image data of the electronic camera is provided under the root directory, and one or more directories provided thereunder further store the main image. A file containing the image data (hereinafter, referred to as first image data) (hereinafter, referred to as first image data)
(Hereinafter referred to as a first file) and a file (hereinafter referred to as a second file) including image data relating to the sum mail (hereinafter referred to as a second image data) are stored separately and independently. ing.

On the other hand, in the case of an electronic camera adopting the second file format, files are stored directly in one or more directories provided under a root directory, and one file contains: The first image data and the second image data of the same image are included.

[0005]

By the way, in the electronic camera adopting the first file format, when the first file is deleted, the second file is also deleted in conjunction with the deletion. However, in a normal personal computer, since both files must be deleted independently, for example, only the first file is deleted and the second file is deleted.
You may forget to delete the file. In such a case, the thumb mail image can be displayed on the monitor of a personal computer or electronic camera, and when the user tries to display the corresponding main image, the image data has actually been deleted. sell.

On the other hand, a file stored by an electronic camera adopting the second file format is
Since the file is directly stored in one or more directories provided under the root directory, for example, when searching for such a file using a personal computer, it is mixed with another file (eg, a program) having no image data. Sometimes you need to search for a location. In such a case, there is a problem that it takes time to find a specific image if there are many other files.

Further, when searching for a file related to a specific image on, for example, a personal computer, the image data must be searched by relying on the file name, but the file name is automatically given by the electronic camera. Therefore, there is also a problem that it is not possible to immediately judge what image data is included just by looking at the file name.

The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-described problems of the related art, and has as its object to provide a file storage method, a file creation method, a recording medium, and an electronic camera capable of improving file processing efficiency.

[0009]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, a file storage method according to the present invention comprises: first image data, which is formed by imaging by an electronic camera and has a large data amount for at least the same image; A file storage method for storing a file having a small amount of second image data in a storage unit, wherein all the files are stored in a single image-dedicated directory in a root directory provided in the storage unit. It is characterized by the following.

According to the file creation method of the present invention, a first file having first image data having a large amount of data for at least the same image, and a second image data having a small amount of data are formed. The second with
A single file including both image data is created based on the above file.

According to the file storage method of the present invention, a file having image data obtained by imaging with an electronic camera is stored in a file.
A file storage method for storing in a storage unit, wherein image data is classified for each model of an electronic camera that has taken an image, and the classified image data is stored in a directory having a name including information on the model of the electronic camera for each of the classified image data. It is characterized by the following.

[0012]

According to the file storage method of the present invention, all the files are stored in a single image-dedicated directory in the root directory provided in the storage means.
When searching for a file containing image data, it is sufficient to search only in the image-only directory, thereby improving search efficiency.

According to the file creation method of the present invention, a first file having first image data having a large data amount with respect to at least the same image and a second file having a small data amount are formed by imaging with an electronic camera. Since one file including both image data is created based on the second file having the image data, for example, files of different formats can be organized and a file of a uniform format can be created. Management can be facilitated.

According to the file storage method of the present invention, image data is classified for each type of electronic camera that has taken an image, and the classified image data is stored in a directory having a name including information on the type of electronic camera. Therefore, when processing a file, just by looking at the directory name, it is possible to immediately determine which electronic camera's file is stored in that directory, thereby improving file processing efficiency. Becomes

[0015]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the electronic camera according to the present embodiment. FIG.
The photoelectric conversion means 2 as an imaging means, in which an optical image is formed on the light receiving surface by the photographing lens 1, performs so-called photoelectric conversion for converting an optical image of a subject into a corresponding charge amount. The / D conversion device 3 includes the photoelectric conversion unit 2
Is converted into a digital signal and output. The image data obtained via the A / D conversion circuit 3 is temporarily stored in the image memory 4.

The image data stored in the image memory 4 is subjected to various types of image processing by the MPU 5 and is finally created as one file for each image.
Is stored in the storage means 6 including the memory card MC connected to the memory card MC. The MPU 5 receives power from a power source 7 such as a built-in battery, and sends the file stored in the memory card 6 to an external personal computer P via an interface means 8 (232C serial port, USB, IrDA communication device, etc.). Can be transferred and received. In addition, the memory card MC itself is directly
May be read. The image is displayed on the display of the personal computer P or printed by the printer Pt connected to the personal computer P based on the file.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a directory in the personal computer P. In FIG. 2, the personal computer P sets a directory IMGDRCT dedicated to images captured by an electronic camera under a root directory ROOT. Here, when a file including image data is transferred from two electronic cameras, directories A01X0001 and B05X000 in which the files are formed.
Each time, the personal computer P stores the image directory IMGDR.
It is stored under the CT. In each of the directories A01X0001 and B05X0001, a file (for example, AAAA0001) including image data corresponding to an individual image is set. And image data (see FIG. 3B).

On the electronic camera side, the directory name is determined according to a certain rule. More specifically, information on the model name of the electronic camera is included in the directory name. For example, directory A01X000
1 is a model of the manufacturer A company 01
Means that the data includes an image captured by an electronic camera. On the other hand, the files stored in the directory B05X0001
Includes data related to an image captured by an electronic camera, model 05 of the company.

When processing a file on the personal computer P, a file containing image data from an electronic camera of a different manufacturer or an electronic camera of a different model even from the same manufacturer may be handled. In such a case, the user can immediately recognize the file including the data relating to the image captured by the electronic camera just by looking at the directory name, thereby facilitating processing such as image search and reformatting.

In this embodiment, all files transferred from the electronic camera are stored in the image directory IMGDRCT. As described above, since all files including image data are stored in the image-dedicated directory, it is clearly distinguished from other directories (AUTOEXEC or DOC) set under the root directory ROOT.
This makes file management easier. still,
The program for performing such processing can be installed in the personal computer P via a recording medium such as a CD, or can be installed in the MPU 5 of the electronic camera in advance or newly.

FIG. 3A is a diagram showing an example of a directory storing files created based on a first file format according to the prior art. FIG. 3 (b)
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a directory storing files created based on a new format according to the present embodiment.

Taking FIG. 1 as an example, it is assumed that the electronic camera employs a first file format as a file format. MPU5 of such an electronic camera
According to FIG. 3A, as shown in FIG.
A file containing image data for the main image (first image data) and a file containing image data for thumbnails (second image data) are separately and independently stored in the memory card MC in the FF0000. Because they are stored, there is a risk of confusion during file processing.

Accordingly, the personal computer P can convert the file in the file PRFF0000 shown in FIG. 3A into a new file shown in FIG. 3B in response to a request from the user. ing. More specifically, a first file (for example, MAN 0001.JPG) containing first image data relating to the same image,
Of a second file (for example, THM
0001. JPG), a new file AAAA0001. Create a JPG. This file is stored in the image dedicated directory IMGDRCT, as shown in FIG.

As described above, if a file based on the first file format can be converted into a file of a new format and stored, it is sufficient to perform the processing for the same image on one file. , Which facilitates file processing and management.

A program for converting a file based on the first file format into a file based on a new format can be installed in a personal computer P via a recording medium such as a CD, and can be installed in an MPU of an electronic camera.
5 can be installed in advance or newly.

Further, a printer Pt capable of directly reading the contents of the memory card MC and printing an image.
In (see FIG. 1), a program for converting a file based on the first file format into a file based on a new format can be installed in advance. According to such a printer Pt, the memory card M
By changing the format according to the format stored in C, the file can be stored again in a new format.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to the embodiments, it should be understood that the present invention should not be construed as being limited to the above embodiments, and that modifications and improvements can be made as appropriate. is there.

[0028]

According to the file storage method of the present invention, all the files are stored in a single image-dedicated directory in the root directory provided in the storage means, so that when searching for a file containing image data, It is sufficient to search only in the image-dedicated directory, thereby improving search efficiency.

According to the file creation method of the present invention, a first file having first image data having a large data amount with respect to at least the same image and a second file having a small data amount are formed by imaging with an electronic camera. Since one file including both image data is created based on the second file having the image data, for example, files of different formats can be organized and a file of a uniform format can be created. Management can be facilitated.

According to the file storage method of the present invention, image data is classified for each type of electronic camera that has taken an image, and the classified image data is stored in a directory having a name including information regarding the type of electronic camera. Therefore, when processing a file, just by looking at the directory name, it is possible to immediately determine which electronic camera's file is stored in that directory, thereby improving file processing efficiency. Becomes

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an electronic camera according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a directory on a personal computer P.

FIG. 3A is a diagram illustrating an example of a directory storing files created based on a first file format according to the related art. FIG. 3B is a diagram illustrating an example of a directory storing files created based on the new format according to the present embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 shooting lens 2 photoelectric conversion means 3 A / D conversion device 4 image memory 5 MPU 6 storage means 7 power supply 8 interface device 9 display means P personal computer Pt printer MC memory card

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[Procedure amendment]

[Submission date] September 4, 1998 (1998.9.4)

[Procedure amendment 1]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] Name of invention

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

Patent application title: File storage method, file creation method, recording medium, and electronic camera

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. A file storage for storing, in a storage means, a file formed by imaging by an electronic camera and having first image data having a large data amount and second image data having a small data amount for at least the same image. A method according to claim 1, wherein all of the files are stored in a single image-dedicated directory in a root directory provided in the storage means. 2. A file stored in the storage means,
2. The file storage method according to claim 1, wherein the file is a file transmitted from an electronic camera or a duplicate of a file transmitted from an electronic camera. 3. When transferring a file individually stored in a root directory of one storage unit to a root directory of another storage unit, a single image in a root directory provided in another storage unit is transferred. 3. The file storage method according to claim 1, wherein the file is stored in a dedicated directory for each original directory. 4. The file storage method according to claim 3, wherein said storage means is provided in each electronic camera, and said file is transferred through communication between said electronic cameras. 5. A first file having first image data having a large data amount with respect to at least the same image formed by imaging by an electronic camera, and a second file having a small data amount.
A file including both image data based on the second file having the image data. 6. A file storage method, wherein all new files obtained by the file creation method according to claim 5 are stored in a single image-dedicated directory in a root directory of the storage means. 7. A file storing method for storing a file having image data obtained by imaging by an electronic camera in a storage unit, wherein the image data is classified for each model of the electronic camera that has captured the image data, A file storage method, wherein a file is stored in a directory having a name including information on a model of an electronic camera for each electronic camera. 8. A computer-readable recording medium on which a program for executing the method according to claim 1 is recorded. 9. An electronic camera incorporating a program for executing the method according to claim 1. Description: 10. A printer having a program for executing the method according to claim 5 built therein.