JP2001024971A - Device and method for processing image and memory medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve efficiency in the erasure of image data with an image processor such as digital camera. SOLUTION: The plural categories of a most significant hierarchy are displayed on a display (214a) and when any one of these categories (photograph information) is selected, plural categories belonging to that category are displayed on the display (214b). When one of these categories (photographing mode) is selected, plural categories belonging to that category are displayed on the display (214c). When any one of these category (portrait) is selected, image data belonging to that category are specified on the basis of additional data (data corresponding to the category) in a recording medium and an index image corresponding to these image data is displayed on the display (214d and 214e). Then, the index image is selected by a user and image data corresponding to the selected index image are erased from the recording medium.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus, an image processing method, and a memory medium, and more particularly, to an image processing apparatus and an image processing method for recording and managing image data and associated additional data on a recording medium, and The present invention relates to a memory medium used for the control.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As an image recording / reproducing apparatus for recording an image and reproducing the recorded image, a video tape recorder (VTR) for recording an analog image signal on a magnetic tape
There is. For such an analog image recording / reproducing apparatus, a digital VTR that converts an image signal into a digital signal and then records it on a magnetic tape, a disk video that records on a solid disk or a magneto-optical disk, a flash memory or an S
A solid-state memory video or the like for recording in a solid-state memory such as a RAM has been proposed. In these video recording systems, compression processing is performed on an input digital signal in order to reduce the amount of information, and a large amount of moving image information and still image information can be recorded with a small storage capacity.

There are various types of compression methods for such an image recording apparatus. For example, in the orthogonal transform method, one image is divided into a plurality of blocks each having a size of n pixels in the horizontal direction and n pixels in the vertical direction, and each block is subjected to a direct cosine transform (DCT) or the like. Conversion is performed, and each coefficient is quantized by being rounded to a predetermined number of bits. Since the image information is biased toward the low band, the data amount can be reduced by reducing the number of bits of the high frequency component. Also, variable-length coding such as Huffman coding performs efficient data compression by assigning a shorter code to a bit sequence having a higher appearance probability.

[0004] In the case of compressing a moving image, it is possible to greatly compress the moving image by extracting the difference between the frames by utilizing the property that the image has a strong correlation between frames. .

[0005] Still images,
Various still image or moving image recording systems have been proposed in which a moving image is compressed to reduce the amount of data and then recorded on a recording medium.

On the other hand, as a recording medium, a large-capacity, small-power, small-sized solid-state memory is being supplied at a low cost due to remarkable progress in semiconductor technology in recent years.

As described above, more information can be recorded by the high-efficiency image compression technique and the memory technique that enables a large storage capacity.

[0008]

However, there is a limit to the increase in storage capacity. In addition, the increased storage capacity allows more information to be stored, but also increases the possibility that the memory contains a large amount of unnecessary information. As a result, the frequency of the information erasing operation is increased in order to reuse the information once stored or to delete unnecessary information, but the operation such as information retrieval becomes complicated, and this leads to operability. Causes a decline. In particular, in consumer devices such as video cameras and digital cameras, a decrease in operability is a major problem.

The present invention has been made in view of the above background, and has as its object to apply, for example, an apparatus and a method capable of efficiently erasing image data recorded on a recording medium.

[0010]

An image processing apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention is an image processing apparatus having a function of recording and managing image data and additional data attached thereto on a recording medium. Display means for displaying the category on the display unit, and category selection means for selecting at least one category from the plurality of categories displayed on the display unit by the first display means in accordance with an instruction given by the user Searching means for searching the recording medium for image data belonging to the category selected by the category selecting means by referring to the additional data recorded on the recording medium; and image data searched for by the searching means. And a second display means for displaying index information for specifying on the display unit.

In the above-described image processing apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention, the image data corresponding to the index information displayed on the display unit by the second display means is stored in the recording medium in accordance with an instruction from a user. It is preferable to further include an erasing means for erasing from the data.

In the image processing apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention, when there are a plurality of image data belonging to the category selected by the category selecting means,
It is preferable that the erasing means erases image data selected by a user from the plurality of image data.

In the image processing apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention, when there are a plurality of image data belonging to the category selected by the category selecting means,
It is preferable that the erasing means erases all of the plurality of image data at once.

[0014] In the image processing apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention, the image data is classified according to a hierarchical classification in which each layer includes a plurality of categories.
Each time a category is selected by the category selection means, the first display means checks whether there is a lower hierarchy of the hierarchy to which the selected category belongs. Displays a plurality of categories belonging to the lower hierarchy on the display unit, and the search means searches the recording medium for image data belonging to the category belonging to the lowest hierarchy selected by the category selection means. Is preferred.

In the image processing apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention, the additional data includes information indicating which category the corresponding image data belongs to in each layer, and the search means includes , Based on the category in each layer sequentially selected by the category selecting means, in addition to the additional data recorded on the recording medium, and belonging to the category belonging to the lowest hierarchy finally selected by the category selecting means. Preferably, image data is retrieved from the recording medium.

In the image processing apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention, the category to which the image data recorded in the recording medium belongs, based on the additional data recorded in the recording medium. It is preferable that the display unit further include an extracting unit for extracting the category, and the first display unit displays the category extracted by the extracting unit as a selectable category on the display unit.

In the above-described image processing apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention, the image processing apparatus may further include an image pickup unit, and recording means for recording image data relating to image pickup by the image pickup unit together with additional data on the recording medium. preferable.

In the above-described image processing apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention, it is preferable that the recording unit records the image data obtained by the image pickup unit as a still image on the recording medium.

In the above-described image processing apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention, it is preferable that the recording unit continuously records the image data obtained by the imaging unit as a moving image on the recording medium.

An image processing method according to a second aspect of the present invention is an image processing method for recording and managing image data and additional data associated therewith on a recording medium, wherein a plurality of categories are displayed on a display unit. One display step; a category selection step of selecting at least one category from a plurality of categories displayed on the display unit in the first display step in accordance with an instruction given by a user; A search step of searching the recording medium for image data belonging to the category selected in the category selection step by referring to the additional data; and displaying the index information specifying the image data searched in the search step in the display unit. And a second display step of displaying the information.

A memory medium according to a third aspect of the present invention comprises:
A memory medium storing a control program for recording and managing image data and additional data attached thereto on a recording medium, the control program comprising: a first display step of displaying a plurality of categories on a display unit; A category selection step of selecting at least one category from the plurality of categories displayed on the display unit in the first display step in accordance with an instruction given by a user, and referring to additional data recorded on the recording medium. A search step of searching the storage medium for image data belonging to the category selected in the category selection step, and a second display for displaying index information for specifying the image data searched in the search step on the display unit And a step.

[0022]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, as a preferred embodiment of the present invention, an example in which the present invention is applied to a digital camera as an image processing device will be described.

(First Embodiment) FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a digital camera (image processing apparatus) provided with a recording medium for recording image data and additional data. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 200 denotes an entire camera block, 201 denotes a lens for forming a subject image, 202 denotes a solid-state sensor (CCD) that converts an optical signal into an electric signal, and 203 denotes analog data output from the solid-state sensor 202. Is an A / D converter for converting digital data into digital data, 204 is a motor for driving the lens 201, 209 is a microphone for capturing audio, 210 is a microphone amplifier for amplifying the audio signal, 211
, An A / D converter for converting an audio signal into digital data; 212, an operation key panel for inputting various instructions; 213, a display driver for converting image data into a display format; 214, a display device for displaying images; 215 is a speaker driver for outputting sound, 216 is a speaker,
217 is an input / output terminal for inputting and outputting various information, 221 is a power supply, 223 is a recording / reproducing device for recording data on a recording medium and reproducing the recorded data, and 230 is a CPU for controlling a camera system.

FIG. 2 shows the operation key panel 212 shown in FIG.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a specific configuration example of FIG. The operation key panel 212 shown in FIG. 2 includes four switches 212a for selecting the up, down, left, and right directions, an erase switch 212b for instructing the start of an erase operation, and a confirmation for confirming an instruction (operation). The switch 212c.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a specific configuration example of the CPU 230 shown in FIG. 251 is a CPU
A clock circuit that generates a clock for operating the
252 is a core part of the CPU 230 (CPU core part);
53 is a ROM for storing programs, 254 is a RAM for storing data, 255 is a memory controller for controlling an external memory and the like, 256 is a bus controller for controlling a bus, and 257 is an I / O controller serving as an interface with external input / output. 258, a programmable pulse generator for generating pulse data; 259, a serial communication interface for controlling communication with an external device; 260, an extra bus controller for controlling communication with an external bus; D / for converting to data
An A converter 262 is a display controller for controlling the display 214 via a display driver 213, and 263 is a DMA for data transfer. Each block is mutually connected by a data bus, an address bus, and a control bus. I have.

The operation of the digital camera 200 will be described with reference to FIG. Light from a subject incident through the lens 201 is converted into an electric signal by the solid-state sensor 202.
The electric signal is sampled by the A / D converter 203, converted into digital data, and input to the CPU 230. The lens 201 is driven by the motor 204 in accordance with a control command of the CPU 230 in order to realize an autofocus function and a zoom function. Further, a timing signal for reading an electric signal from the solid-state sensor 202 is generated by the CPU 230.

The audio signal is converted into an electric signal by the microphone 209, amplified by the microphone amplifier 210, sampled by the A / D converter 211, converted into digital data, and input to the CPU 230.

The digital image data output from the A / D converter 203 is subjected to basic processing such as color separation, white balance, gamma correction, and aperture correction by the CPU 230, and to image size and image quality adjustment set by the operation keys 212. And additional processing such as position adjustment. Also, the CPU 230
Then, the image data is compressed according to the set compression method and compression parameters, and is converted into compressed image data.

The audio data output from the A / D converter 211 is subjected to additional processing such as sound quality adjustment set by the operation keys 212, and is further compressed according to the set compression method and compression parameters. Converted to data.

At the time of recording (recording), the compressed image data and compressed audio data include, for example, “photographing information” such as image size, image resolution, photographing mode and photographing state, and “image information” The information is supplied to the recording / reproducing device 223 together with additional data such as "information" or "other information" such as an input mode, an audio mode, a photographer, and a photographing environment, and is recorded on a recording medium therein. As the recording medium, any storage device such as a magnetic tape, a hard disk, and a solid-state memory may be used. Further, these data are sent to the external input / output terminal 217 as needed.

At the time of reproduction, image data (if compressed, decompressed by the CPU 230) is transmitted to the display driver 2
The image is supplied to the display 214 through 13, whereby an image is displayed on the display 214. The audio data (if compressed, decompressed by the CPU 230) is supplied to the speaker 216 through the speaker driver 215, whereby the speaker 216 outputs audio.

The power of the camera 200 is supplied from a power supply 221.

Next, the details of the CPU 230 will be described with reference to FIG. The clock circuit 251 generates a drive clock and supplies it to each circuit. In this configuration example, 27 MHz
Is multiplied by 20 with a PLL to generate a 540 MHz clock signal, which is used as a drive clock.

The ROM 253 is a memory storing a program code, and the code is used to execute a program. This memory is, for example, a mask ROM,
It is composed of a flash memory, an EEPROM or the like. RA
M254 is a data memory used for temporary storage of data. The memory control 255 is a circuit connected to an external memory. The external memory is used for temporarily storing large-scale data such as images and sounds.

The display controller 262 converts the digital image data into a display driver 213 (display 214).
This is a circuit that converts the data into a format to be supplied to The D / A converter 261 converts, for example, digital audio data into analog audio data. The serial communication interface 259 is, for example, an external input / output terminal 21.
Serial data communication is performed with an external peripheral device and the like via the. The programmable pulse generator 258 includes a driving pulse for driving the solid-state sensor 202, a motor 2
04 is generated. Here, by arbitrarily setting the drive pulse of the solid-state sensor 202, it is possible to arbitrarily set input conditions such as the size of the input image and the number of pixels.

The I / O control 257 is an interface for inputting and outputting data, and is used, for example, for inputting and outputting digital image data, digital audio data, operation keys, and control signals.

The above peripheral circuits are connected by a bus 264. This bus 264 is connected to a bus controller 256
, And the data transfer is controlled by the DMA 263. The bus 264 can also be connected to an external bus by the extra bus control 260. Using these peripheral circuits, the CPU core 252
Performs data processing.

The process related to data erasure in the camera 200 is started by operating the erase switch 212b arranged on the operation key 212 of the camera 200.

During the execution of the process related to data erasure, the erasure category (classification) is hierarchically displayed on the display 214 by operating the selection switch 212a arranged on the operation key 212. On the background of the display of the erasure category, for example, an image captured by the solid-state sensor 202, a blue-back image, a wallpaper image, or the like may be displayed according to selection by the user.

When the user selects the erasure category of the lowest hierarchy among the hierarchical erasure categories, an index image (or a thumbnail image) indicating image data belonging to the selected erasure category is displayed. .
Further, the user operates the selection switch 212a to select desired image data.
The operation of erasing the image data is performed by operating 2c.

It should be noted that a message sound or the like may be output from the speaker 216 at the time of executing the processing relating to the deletion of the image data.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a display example of the display unit 214 during execution of a process relating to erasure of image data.
Hereinafter, the flow of processing related to erasure of image data will be described with reference to FIG.

First, when the erase switch 212b is operated, an image 214a indicating an erase category ("shooting information", "image information", "others") belonging to the highest hierarchy (first hierarchy) is displayed on the display 214. Will be displayed.

In this state, the user operates the selection switch 212.
When the cursor is moved up and down by a to select, for example, the “photographing information” category (erasing category 1) and further operate the confirmation switch 212c to confirm the selection, the second layer belonging to the “photographing information” category is erased. Category ("A
E "," New function "," Shooting mode "," ZOOM "
) Is displayed on the display 214.

In this state, the user operates the selection switch 212.
Move the cursor up and down with a, for example, "Shooting mode"
When a category (erasing category 1-3) is selected and the confirmation switch 212c is further operated to confirm the selection,
Third-level erasure categories belonging to the “shooting mode” category (“Auto”, “Sand & Snow”, “Spot”,
Image 214 showing "portrait", "text", etc.
c is displayed on the display 214.

In this state, the user operates the selection switch 212.
When the cursor is moved up and down by a to select, for example, the “portrait” category (erase category 1-3-4), and further operate the confirmation switch 212c to confirm the selection, the contents belonging to the “portrait” category Is displayed on the display 214. In this example,
This hierarchy is the lowest hierarchy.

In this example, the image 214d includes “image 1” to “image 9” as index images.
Further, “9/12” in the image 214d indicates that there are a total of 12 images belonging to this category, and the index image of the ninth of the images is displayed on the display 214. . To display the index images of the tenth and subsequent images, for example, the selection switch 212
What is necessary is to operate a.

Here, the display order of the plurality of images belonging to the category follows, for example, the shooting date and time, the position stored in the memory, the image size, and the like. The user may be able to specify a rule for determining the display order.

In this example, an index image (for example, "image 1") indicating the selected image data is displayed surrounded by a thick line. For example, when “image 5” is selected by the selection switch 212a, the image 214e is displayed on the display 214.

When the image 214e is displayed (when "image 5" is selected), the enter switch 212c is further pressed.
Is operated, the image 214f is displayed on the display 214.

The image 214f includes a message urging the user to confirm whether to delete the “image 5” that has been definitely selected. When "Yes" (when erasing) is selected by the selection switch 212a while the image 214f is displayed, and the confirmation switch 212c is further operated, the image data is erased.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a hierarchical erasure category table. This table 500 is stored in the ROM 253, for example. Recording / reproducing device 223
It can be determined based on the additional data recorded with the image data as to which erasure category each image data recorded on the recording medium belongs to.

In the table 500 shown in FIG. 5, the uppermost category is "category X", the lower category is "category XY", and the lower category is "category X-Y".
YZ ". That is, the category belonging to the lowest layer can be specified by the values of X, Y, and Z.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing relating to erasure of image data in digital camera 200. The processing shown in this flowchart is C
More specifically, the CPU 230 executes the CPU core unit 252 based on the control program stored in the ROM 253.
Is controlled by

In S101, it is confirmed whether or not the erase switch 212b has been operated. If the erase switch 212b has been operated, the process proceeds to S102, and if not, a series of processing ends.

In step S102, it is confirmed whether or not image data exists in the recording medium. If image data does not exist, the process proceeds to step S120. If image data does exist, the process proceeds to step S10.
Proceed to 3.

In S103, the table 500 shown in FIG.
With reference to the image showing the top-level erasure category (for example,
The image 214 a) of FIG. 4 is generated and displayed on the display 214.

In S104, the process waits until the uppermost erasure category (for example, "photographing information") is definitely selected by the selection switch 212a and the confirmation switch 212c, and if it is selected, the process proceeds to S105. This selection determines the value of X.

In S105, it is confirmed whether image data belonging to the highest erasure category (for example, "shooting information") selected in S104 exists in the recording medium based on the additional data in the recording medium. If the image data does not exist, the process proceeds to S120, and if the image data exists, the process proceeds to S106.

In S106, the display 21 displays an image (for example, 214b in FIG. 4) indicating the erasure category belonging to the erasure category (for example, "photographing information") selected in S103.
4 is displayed.

In step S107, the control waits until the deletion category (for example, “photographing mode”) of one level lower than the highest level is definitely selected by the selection switch 212a and the confirmation switch 212c. move on. This selection determines the value of Y.

In S108, it is confirmed whether or not image data belonging to the erasing category (for example, "shooting mode") selected in S107 exists in the recording medium based on the additional data in the recording medium. If no data exists, the process proceeds to S120, and if the image data exists, S1
Go to 09.

In S109, an image (for example, 214c in FIG. 4) indicating the erasing category (lowest erasing category) belonging to the erasing category (for example, "photographing mode") selected in S107 is displayed on the display 214. .

In S110, the process waits until the lowest erasure category (for example, "portrait") is definitely selected by the selection switch 212a and the confirmation switch 212c, and if it is selected, the process proceeds to S111. This selection determines the value of Z.

In S111, it is confirmed whether image data belonging to the erasure category (for example, “portrait”) selected in S110 exists in the recording medium based on the additional data in the recording medium. If the data does not exist, the process proceeds to S120, and if the image data exists, the process proceeds to S120.
Proceed to 112.

In S112, image data (X, Y, Z of additional data) belonging to the deletion category selected in S110
A list of index images (e.g., 214 d in FIG. 4) indicating the image data specified by the
To be displayed. At this time, all of the index images indexing the image data belonging to the erasure category are displayed on the display 2 at a time.
If it cannot be displayed on 14,
For example, the index to be displayed may be switched according to the operation of the selection switch 212a.

Further, in S112, the selection switch 212
a, and waits for the image data to be erased to be definitely selected by the determination switch 212c.
Proceed to 113.

In step S113, the display unit 21 displays a message image (eg, 214f in FIG. 4) for asking the user to confirm whether to delete the selected image data.
4 is displayed. Then, when the execution of the erasure is instructed by the selection switch 212a and the confirmation switch 212c, the process proceeds to S114, and when the instruction of the erasure is canceled, a series of processes is ended.

In S114, the image data selected in S112 is erased from the recording medium. This erasure involves erasing all additional data associated with the image data. Note that erasing includes not only a process of initializing a region where data is stored in a recording medium, but also a process of enabling new data to be overwritten in the region, for example. It is obvious to those skilled in the art.

In S 120, a message indicating that no image data exists in the category (for example, “No corresponding image data exists”) is displayed on display 214.

In the above processing, S105, S108, S
If the corresponding image data does not exist in step 111, a series of processing is terminated after an error display is performed in step S120, and the process returns to steps S104, S107, and S110 after this error display or without performing the error display. It may be possible to select whether or not.

Further, for example, S103, S106, S1
In step 09, it is effective to make the user recognize that the erasure category in which the image data exists and the erasure category in which the image data does not exist are made different in color, font, and the like.

Further, for example, S103, S106, S1
In 09, it is also effective that the deletion category in which no image data exists is not displayed on the display 214.

In addition to displaying the erasure category, it is also effective to display the scale of the image data belonging to the erasure category, the number of images, and the like.

FIG. 7 shows S102, S105, S1 of FIG.
It is a flowchart which shows the detail of a process which confirms whether image data exists in a recording medium in 08 and S111.

First, in S201, a search condition for image data is set. Specifically, additional data (X, Y, Z values) belonging to the selected erasure category can be used as a search condition. In S202, the image data in the recording medium is searched according to the search condition set in S201. In S203, the image data searched (specified) in S202 is sorted according to a preset sorting condition or a sorting condition arbitrarily designated by the user.

In S204, the process branches depending on whether or not the image data has been searched. Specifically, for example, S
When the process shown in FIG. 7 is executed as the process of 105, the process proceeds to S106 if there is image data matching the search condition, and proceeds to S120 if it does not exist.

As described above, according to this embodiment,
Since the user can select the image data to be deleted while referring to the hierarchical deletion category, the user can efficiently select the image data to be deleted. Specifically, for example, when erasing specific image data shot by selecting “portrait” as a shooting mode, the user must select “shooting information”, “shooting mode”, and “portrait” in this order. By selecting an erasing category, image data to be erased can be selected from a list of index images of image data shot in the “portrait” shooting mode. In addition, for example, when erasing specific image data shot on “New Year”, the user
By selecting an erasing category in the order of "image information", "title", and "new year", image data to be erased can be selected from a list of index images of image data shot on "new year".

(Second Embodiment) This embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that
The processing relating to the erasure of image data in the first embodiment is replaced by another processing. Here, only the differences from the first embodiment will be described.
Matters that are not particularly mentioned are the same as in the first embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a display example of the display 214 during execution of a process relating to erasure of image data according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, the flow of processing related to erasure of image data will be described with reference to FIG.

First, when the erase switch 212b is operated, an image 214g indicating an erase category ("shooting information", "image information", "other") belonging to the highest hierarchy (first hierarchy) is displayed on the display 214. Will be displayed.

In this state, the user operates the selection switch 212.
a to move the cursor up and down to select, for example, the “Others” category (erase category 3),
When "12c" is operated to confirm the selection, "Other"
An image 214h indicating the second category erasure category (“photographer”, “voice mode”, “input”, “season”...) Belonging to the category is displayed on the display 214.

In this state, the user operates the selection switch 212
By moving the cursor up and down a to select, for example, the “photographer” category (erase category 3-1), and further operating the confirmation switch 212c to confirm the selection, the erasure category (delete category ( "AAA", "B
Image 21 showing “BB”, “CCC”, “DDD”...
4i is displayed on the display 214. “AAA” and the like are symbols, codes, names, and the like that identify the photographer.

In this state, the user operates the selection switch 212.
When the cursor is moved up and down by a to select, for example, the “BBB” category (erase category 3-1-2) and further operate the confirmation switch 212c to confirm the selection.
Image 21 indicating image data belonging to the “BBB” category
4j is displayed on the display 214. In this example, this hierarchy is the lowest hierarchy.

In this example, the image 214j includes “image 1” to “image 9” as index images.
Also, “9/12” in the image 214j indicates that there are 12 images belonging to this category, and the index images of the ninth of the images are displayed on the display 214. In order to display the index images of the tenth and subsequent images, for example, the selection switch 212a may be operated.

Here, the display order of the plurality of images belonging to the category follows, for example, the shooting date and time, the position stored in the memory, the image size, and the like. The user may be able to specify a rule for determining the display order.

When the enter switch 212c is operated in this state, an image 214k is displayed on the display 214.
The image 214k includes a message urging the user to confirm whether to delete all the image data belonging to the deletion category at once. When "Yes" (batch erasure) is selected by the selection switch 212a while the image 214k is displayed, and the confirmation switch 212c is further operated, all the image data belonging to the erasure category are collectively erased. .

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing relating to data erasure in the digital camera 200. The processing shown in this flowchart is performed by the CPU.
More specifically, the CPU 230 controls the CPU 230 based on a control program stored in the ROM 253.

In S301, it is confirmed whether or not the erase switch 212b has been operated. If the erase switch 212b has been operated, the process proceeds to S302, and if not, a series of processing ends.

In S302, it is confirmed whether or not image data exists in the recording medium. If no image data exists, the process proceeds to S320, and if image data exists, S30.
Proceed to 3.

In S303, the table 500 shown in FIG.
With reference to the image showing the top-level erasure category (for example,
An image 214g in FIG. 8 is generated and displayed on the display 214.

In S304, the process waits until the highest-order erasure category (for example, "Other") is definitely selected by the selection switch 212a and the confirmation switch 212c, and if it is selected, the process proceeds to S305. This selection determines the value of X.

In S305, it is determined based on the additional data in the recording medium whether or not the image data belonging to the uppermost erasing category (the erasing category specified by the value of X) selected in S304 exists in the recording medium. If the image data does not exist, the process proceeds to S320, and if the image data exists, the process proceeds to S306.

In S306, an image (for example, 214h in FIG. 8) indicating the erasure category belonging to the erasure category (for example, "Other") selected in S303 is displayed on the display 214.
To be displayed.

In S307, the selection switch 212a and the confirmation switch 212c wait for the deletion category (for example, "photographer") of the one layer from the highest level to be definitely selected. move on.

In S308, it is confirmed whether image data belonging to the erasure category (for example, "photographer") selected in S307 exists in the recording medium based on the additional data in the recording medium. S if no data exists
Proceeding to S320, if the image data exists, S309
Proceed to.

In step S309, an image (for example, the image 214i in FIG. 8) indicating the deletion category (lowest deletion category) belonging to the deletion category (for example, “photographer”) selected in S307 is displayed on the display unit 214. I do.

In S310, the control waits until the lowest erasure category (for example, "BBB") is definitely selected by the selection switch 212a and the confirmation switch 212c, and if it is selected, the flow advances to S311.

In step S311, it is confirmed whether image data belonging to the erasure category (for example, "BBB") selected in step S310 exists in the recording medium based on the additional data in the recording medium. If there is no S
Proceeding to 320, if the image data exists, S312
Proceed to.

In S312, image data (X, Y, Z of additional data) belonging to the erasure category selected in S310.
A list of index images (214d in FIG. 8) indicating the image data specified by the value of (2) is displayed on the display 214. At this time, all of the list of index images indexing the image data belonging to the erasure category are displayed on the display 21 at once.
4 cannot be displayed, the index to be displayed may be switched according to the operation of the selection switch 212a, for example, as described above.

In step S313, a message image for asking the user to confirm whether to delete all the image data belonging to the deletion category (for example, “BBB”) selected in step S310 (for example, FIG. 8). Image 214 of
k) is displayed on the display 214. Then, when the execution of the erasure is instructed by the selection switch 212a and the confirmation switch 212c, the process proceeds to S314, and when the instruction of the erasure is canceled, a series of processing ends.

In S314, all the image data belonging to the erasing category (lowest erasing category) selected in S310 are erased from the recording medium. This erasure involves erasing all additional data associated with the image data.

In S320, a message indicating that no image data exists in the category (for example, "No corresponding image data exists") is displayed on display 214.

Note that S302, S305, and S30 in FIG.
8 and S311 are as shown in FIG.

In the above processing, S304, S307, S
At 310, it is possible to select only a single erasure category, respectively, but S304, S307, S310
May be able to select a plurality of erasure categories.

As described above, according to this embodiment,
The user can select an arbitrary erasing category while referring to the hierarchical erasing category, and instruct erasing of all image data belonging to the erasing category. Therefore, the image data erasing operation can be executed more quickly.

(Third Embodiment) This embodiment is similar to the third embodiment.
The processing relating to the erasure of image data in the first embodiment is replaced by another processing. Here, only the differences from the first embodiment will be described.
Matters that are not particularly mentioned are the same as in the first embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a display example of the display 214 during the execution of the process related to the erasure of image data according to the third embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, the flow of processing related to erasure of image data will be described with reference to FIG.

First, when the erase switch 212b is operated, an erase category is extracted based on the additional data recorded on the recording medium, and an image 2141 showing a list of the extracted erase categories is displayed on the display 214. Is done.
Here, the extracted erasure category is an erasure category in which image data exists in the recording medium. In this example, the erasure category to be extracted is an erasure category belonging to a hierarchy (second hierarchy) immediately below the highest hierarchy. However, other hierarchies (for example,
The erasure category belonging to the highest level) is first displayed on the display unit 2.
14 may be displayed as a list.

In the example shown in FIG. 10, based on the additional data in the recording medium, “AE”, “prevention function”, “photographing mode”, “ZO
An image 2141 indicating the “OM” category is displayed on the display 214.

In this state, the user operates the selection switch 212.
To move the cursor up and down to select, for example, the “shooting mode” category (erase category 3),
When the selection is confirmed by 12c, the “photographing mode”
The display unit 2 displays an image 214m indicating the third-level erasure category (“auto”, “sand & snow”, “spot”, “portrait”, “text”) belonging to the category.
14 is displayed.

In this state, the user operates the selection switch 212.
By moving the cursor up and down a to select, for example, the “portrait” category (erase category 3-4), and further confirming the selection by the decision switch 212c,
An image 214n indicating image data belonging to the “portrait” category is displayed on the display 214.

In this example, the image 214n includes “image 1” to “image 9” as index images. Further, “9/12” in the image 214n indicates that there are 12 images belonging to this category, and the index images of the ninth of the images are displayed on the display 214. In order to display the index images of the tenth and subsequent images, for example, the selection switch 212a may be operated.

Here, the display order of the plurality of images belonging to the category follows, for example, the shooting date and time, the position stored in the memory, the image size, and the like. The user may be able to specify a rule for determining the display order.

In this example, an index image (for example, “image 1”) indicating the selected image data is displayed surrounded by a thick line. For example, when “image 5” is selected by the selection switch 212a, the image 214o is displayed on the display 214.

While the image 214o is displayed (when "image 5" is selected), the enter switch 212c is further turned on.
Is operated, the image 214p is displayed on the display 214.

The image 214p contains a message urging the user to delete the “image 5” that is definitely selected or to confirm the countryside. When “Yes” (when erasing) is selected by the selection switch 212a while the image 214p is displayed, and the confirmation switch 212c is operated,
The image data is deleted.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing relating to erasure of image data in digital camera 200. The processing shown in this flowchart is:
More specifically, based on the control program stored in the ROM 253, the CPU 230
2 is controlled.

In S401, it is confirmed whether or not the erase switch 212b has been operated. If the erase switch 212b has been operated, the flow proceeds to S402, and if not, a series of processing ends.

In S402, it is confirmed whether or not image data exists in the recording medium. If no image data exists, the process proceeds to S420, and if image data exists, S40.
Proceed to 3.

In S403, referring to the additional data recorded on the recording medium, the erasure category is extracted based on the additional data. The method of this extraction is as described above.
In S406, an image (for example, the image 2141 in FIG. 10) indicating a series of the erasure categories extracted in S403 is displayed on the display 214.

In step S407, the process waits until an erasure category (for example, “photographing mode”) is definitely selected from the list display by the selection switch 212a and the confirmation switch 212c, and if the deletion category is selected, the process proceeds to step S409.

In step S409, an image (for example, the image 214m in FIG. 10) indicating the deletion category (lowest deletion category) belonging to the deletion category (for example, “photographing mode”) selected in S407 is displayed on the display 214. I do.

In S410, the process waits until the lowest erasure category (for example, “portrait”) is definitely selected by the selection switch 212a and the confirmation switch 212c, and if it is selected, the process proceeds to S412.

In S412, a list of index images (for example, 214n in FIG. 10) indicating the image data belonging to the erasure category selected in S410 is displayed on the display 214. At this time, if it is not possible to display all the index images indicating the image data belonging to the erasure category on the display 214 at a time, as described above, for example, the index displayed according to the operation of the selection switch 212a Can be switched.

Further, in S412, the selection switch 212
a, and waits for the image data to be erased to be definitely selected by the determination switch 212c.
Proceed to 413.

In step S413, a message image (eg, 214p in FIG. 10) for asking the user to confirm whether to delete the selected image data is displayed on the display unit 2.
14 is displayed. Then, when the execution of erasure is instructed by the selection switch 212a and the confirmation switch 212c, the process proceeds to S414, and when the instruction of erasure is canceled, a series of processes is ended.

In step S414, the image data selected in step S412 is deleted from the recording medium. This erasure involves erasing all additional data associated with the image data.

As described above, according to this embodiment,
Since an erasure category having no image data is not displayed on the display 214 as a selectable erasure category, image data to be erased can be efficiently selected.

(Other Embodiments) The present invention can be applied to, for example, image processing apparatuses such as analog and digital cameras for capturing still images and moving images.

The present invention can be applied to a system including a plurality of devices (for example, a computer, an interface device, an electronic camera, and a storage device). Camera).

Further, an object of the present invention is to supply a storage medium (or a recording medium) in which a program code of software for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments is recorded to a system or an apparatus, and to provide a computer (a computer) of the system or the apparatus. It is needless to say that the present invention can also be achieved by a CPU or an MPU) reading and executing the program code stored in the storage medium. In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium implements the functions of the above-described embodiment, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention. Also,
When the computer executes the readout program code, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also the operating system (OS) running on the computer based on the instructions of the program code.
It goes without saying that a case where the functions of the above-described embodiments are implemented by performing some or all of the actual processing, and the processing performs the functions of the above-described embodiments.

Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written into the memory provided in the function expansion card inserted into the computer or the function expansion unit connected to the computer, the program code is read based on the instruction of the program code. Needless to say, the CPU included in the function expansion card or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the processing realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments.

[0134]

According to the present invention, for example, image data recorded on a recording medium can be efficiently erased.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a digital camera (image processing apparatus) including a recording medium for recording image data and additional data.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a specific configuration example of an operation key panel shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a specific configuration example of a CPU shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a display example of a display unit during execution of a process related to erasure of image data according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a hierarchical erasure category table.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of processing relating to deletion of image data in the digital camera according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating details of a process for confirming whether image data exists in a recording medium.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a display example of a display device during execution of a process related to erasure of image data according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of processing related to data erasure in the digital camera according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a display example of a display device during execution of a process related to erasure of image data according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of processing related to erasure of image data in the digital camera according to the third embodiment.

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page F term (reference) 5B075 ND06 NK02 NK43 PP02 PP03 PP13 PP22 PQ02 PQ32 PQ46 UU40 5C052 AA01 AA17 AC08 CC11 5C053 FA08 FA14 FA22 FA24 GA11 GB21 JA21 KA24 KA25 LA02 LA06 5C073 AB05 AB05 AB05 AB05 AB05 CE10

Claims (21)

[Claims] 1. An image processing apparatus having a function of recording and managing image data and additional data accompanying the image data on a recording medium, comprising: first display means for displaying a plurality of categories on a display unit; The first display means selects at least one category from among the plurality of categories displayed on the display unit according to an instruction given by the first display means, and by referring to additional data recorded on the recording medium, Search means for searching the recording medium for image data belonging to the category selected by the category selection means; second display means for displaying index information for specifying the image data searched for by the search means on the display unit; An image processing apparatus comprising: 2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an erasing unit for erasing, from the recording medium, image data corresponding to the index information displayed on the display unit by the second display unit in accordance with an instruction from a user. Item 2. The image processing device according to Item 1. 3. When there are a plurality of image data belonging to a category selected by the category selecting means,
3. The image processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the erasing unit erases image data selected by a user from the plurality of image data. 4. When there are a plurality of image data belonging to a category selected by the category selecting means,
3. The image processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the erasing unit erases all of the plurality of image data at once. 5. The image data is classified according to a hierarchical classification in which a plurality of categories are included in each layer, and the first display means selects the category each time the category is selected by the category selection means. It is confirmed whether or not there is a lower hierarchy of the hierarchy to which the selected category belongs. If the lower hierarchy exists, a plurality of categories belonging to the lower hierarchy are displayed on the display unit, The device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the means searches the recording medium for image data belonging to a category belonging to the lowest hierarchy selected by the category selecting means. Image processing device. 6. The additional data includes information indicating which category the corresponding image data belongs to in each layer, and the search means includes, in addition to the additional data recorded on the recording medium, The image data belonging to the category belonging to the lowest hierarchy finally selected by the category selection means is searched from the recording medium based on the category in each hierarchy sequentially selected by the category selection means. The image processing device according to claim 5. 7. An apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: an extracting unit configured to extract a category to which the image data recorded on the recording medium belongs based on the additional data recorded on the recording medium; The image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein a category extracted by the extraction unit is displayed as a selectable category on the display unit. 8. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: an imaging unit; and recording means for recording image data relating to imaging by the imaging unit together with additional data on the recording medium. 2. The image processing device according to claim 1. 9. The image processing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the recording unit records, on the recording medium, image data relating to imaging by the imaging unit as a still image. 10. The image processing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the recording unit continuously records image data relating to imaging by the imaging unit as a moving image on the recording medium. 11. An image processing method for recording and managing image data and additional data associated therewith on a recording medium, comprising: a first display step of displaying a plurality of categories on a display unit; and an instruction given by a user. A category selecting step of selecting at least one category from a plurality of categories displayed on the display unit in the first displaying step; and a category selecting step by referring to additional data recorded on the recording medium. A search step of searching the storage medium for image data belonging to the category selected in the above, and a second display step of displaying index information for specifying the image data searched for in the search step on the display unit. An image processing method characterized by the following. 12. In accordance with an instruction from a user, the second
12. The image processing method according to claim 11, further comprising an erasing step of erasing image data corresponding to the index information displayed on the display unit in the displaying step from the recording medium. 13. When there are a plurality of image data belonging to the category selected in the category selecting step, the erasing step deletes the image data selected by the user from the plurality of image data. The image processing method according to claim 12, wherein: 14. When there are a plurality of image data belonging to the category selected in the category selecting step, the erasing step deletes all of the plurality of image data at once. 13. The image processing method according to item 12. 15. The image data is classified according to a hierarchical classification in which each layer includes a plurality of categories. In the first display step, each time a category is selected in the category selection step, the selection is made. It is confirmed whether or not there is a lower hierarchy of the hierarchy to which the selected category belongs. If the lower hierarchy exists, a plurality of categories belonging to the lower hierarchy are displayed on the display unit, The method according to any one of claims 11 to 14, wherein, in the step, image data belonging to a category belonging to the lowest hierarchy selected in the category selecting step is searched from the recording medium. Image processing method. 16. The additional data includes information indicating which category the corresponding image data belongs to in each layer, and in the search step, in addition to the additional data recorded on the recording medium, The image data belonging to the category belonging to the lowest hierarchy finally selected in the category selection step is searched from the recording medium based on the category in each hierarchy sequentially selected in the category selection step. The image processing method according to claim 15. 17. The method according to claim 17, further comprising an extracting step of extracting a category to which the image data recorded on the recording medium belongs based on the additional data recorded on the recording medium; The image processing method according to any one of claims 11 to 16, wherein the category extracted in the extracting step is displayed as a selectable category on the display unit. 18. An image capturing step of controlling an image capturing unit to execute image capturing, and a recording step of recording image data relating to image capturing in the image capturing step together with additional data on the recording medium. Claims 11 to 1
8. The image processing method according to claim 7. 19. The image processing method according to claim 18, wherein, in the recording step, image data relating to imaging is recorded as a still image on the recording medium. 20. The image processing method according to claim 18, wherein in the recording step, image data relating to imaging is continuously recorded as a moving image on the recording medium. 21. A memory medium storing a control program for recording and managing image data and additional data associated therewith on a recording medium, the control program comprising: a first program for displaying a plurality of categories on a display unit; A display step; a category selection step of selecting at least one category from a plurality of categories displayed on the display unit in the first display step in accordance with an instruction given by a user; and an addition recorded on the recording medium. A retrieval step of retrieving image data belonging to the category selected in the category selection step from the recording medium by referring to data, and index information for specifying the image data retrieved in the retrieval step is displayed on the display unit. And a second display step of displaying.