JP2001157146A - Image information processor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To convert even if it is an image, that is different from the storage format (DCF standard) of an image corresponding to the type of an electronic camera into the image of a format adapted to the electronic camera using a simple operation. SOLUTION: This image information processor for storing image information in a memory card that can be inserted and extracted into/from the electronic camera, stores a DCF directory configuration, corresponding to the type of the electronic camera in a memory 14, converts optional image data into an image size and a file format which can be controlled by the electronic camera, also reads the directory configuration from the memory 14 to prepare it on the memory card 22 and stores the image data which underwent image conversion in the prescribed directory of the card 22.

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 for an electronic camera, and more particularly, to converting image data stored in a storage medium detachable from the electronic camera into a predetermined format that can be controlled by the electronic camera. The present invention relates to an image information processing apparatus having a function.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, an electronic camera (digital still camera) that captures a subject image with a solid-state imaging device such as a CCD and stores the captured image in a storage medium such as a card memory has attracted attention. In this type of electronic camera, an image stored in a storage medium can be reproduced (displayed) on a screen such as a liquid crystal display device provided in the electronic camera.

[0003] A card memory as a storage medium is provided so as to be detachable from an electronic camera, and images can be stored by another electronic camera or a personal computer in addition to the electronic camera. Therefore, by attaching a card memory storing an image with another electronic camera or a personal computer to the electronic camera, images other than those captured by the electronic camera can be displayed on the screen.

[0004]

However, if the images stored in the card memory attached to the electronic camera are not stored in a format (directory tree structure or image size) that can be controlled by the electronic camera, the card memory is Cannot be displayed on the screen of the display device of the electronic camera. In such a case, a computer or the like checks the format according to the model of the electronic camera, manually inputs the directory tree configuration according to the format, and converts the image size to a size suitable for the electronic camera. Operation was required.

The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and has as its object to realize a simple operation even for an image different from the image storage format corresponding to the model of the electronic camera. An object of the present invention is to provide an image information processing apparatus capable of converting an image into a format suitable for a predetermined electronic camera.

[0006]

(Structure) In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the present invention employs the following structure.

That is, the present invention relates to an image information processing apparatus for storing image information in a storage medium detachable from an electronic camera, a memory for storing a directory tree structure corresponding to a model of the electronic camera, Image data conversion means for converting data into an image size and a file format that can be controlled by the electronic camera, and reading a directory tree configuration from the memory to create the storage medium,
Storage control means for storing the image data converted by the image data conversion means in a predetermined directory of the storage medium.

Here, it is preferable that the storage control means automatically assigns a file name to the image data and stores the image data in a storage medium. The image data conversion means automatically recognizes the image size from the model name of the electronic camera, converts the image size into an image size that can be controlled by the electronic camera, and converts the image size into a file format allowed by the electronic camera. It is desirable.

(Operation) According to the present invention, a directory tree structure suitable for the format of the electronic camera is automatically created in a storage medium detachable from the electronic camera, and an arbitrary image can be controlled by the electronic camera. The converted image data is stored in a predetermined directory of the created directory tree structure.

Therefore, even an image different from the storage format of the image corresponding to the model of the electronic camera can be converted into an image of a format suitable for a predetermined electronic camera by a simple operation, and a memory card or the like can be converted. It is possible to store an image that can be displayed by an electronic camera in which this is set in a storage medium.

[0011]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The details of the present invention will be described below with reference to the illustrated embodiments.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a personal computer (hereinafter, referred to as a personal computer) for realizing an image information processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, reference numeral 10 denotes a personal computer main body, which includes a CPU 11, a key input buffer 12, a file input / output I
/ O13, a memory 14, a display I / F 15, and the like. 21 is a keyboard as input means, 22 is a storage medium such as smart media, and 23 is a CRT display as display means.

The basic configuration is the same as the general configuration of a personal computer, but the memory 14 stores a directory tree configuration corresponding to the type of the electronic camera, for example, a DCF standard directory tree configuration. And the CPU 11
Is an image data conversion function of converting arbitrary image data into an image size and a file format that can be controlled by an electronic camera, and a directory tree configuration read from the memory 14 and created in the storage medium 22, and the created directory tree configuration is created. A function of storing the converted image data in a predetermined directory.

FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the DCF specification, which is a unified standard of the image format in the electronic camera of the present embodiment.

There is a DCIM directory under the ROOT directory, and a plurality of subfolders under the DCIM directory.
Each subfolder contains image data. The file name of the subfolder is eight characters, the first three characters of which are numbers (directory numbers) of 100 to 999, and the remaining five characters.
The letters are free. The file name of the image data (DCF file) to be placed in the subfolder is eight characters, the first four characters are free, and the remaining five characters are 0001 to 999.
9 is the number. Accordingly, a maximum of 9999 pieces of image data are stored in one subfolder.

The files constituting the DCF object are defined by three types of files: a basic file, an extended image file, and a thumbnail file. The DCF basic file is an image file based on the Exif standard, and has an extension of “JPG”. DCF extended image files are DCF
This is an image file with an extension and data format other than the basic file. A DCF thumbnail file is a file that includes only thumbnail images.

FIG. 3A is a diagram for explaining an order for converting a predetermined image into a camera playback compatible format in this embodiment, and FIG. 3B is finally obtained on a storage medium. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a directory tree configuration.

Two image data to be converted (Pic1, Pic1)
2) Yes, these are bitmap data (BMP). These images are converted to a camera playback compatible format, for example, JPG. On the other hand, model setting and resolution selection are performed in advance. Then, the image converted to JPG is resized to an appropriate resolution based on the above setting / selection information.

Next, the directory tree structure of the storage medium is checked, and if there is no DCF standard directory tree structure, it is created. Further, the file name is renamed so as to conform to the DCF standard. Then, a file is created under the hierarchical directory.

Thus, two image data (Pic1, Pi)
c2) is converted from BMP to JPG, for example, “P99030
001.JPG, P99030002.JPG "are automatically stored in the subfolder 100OLYMP.

As described above, even BMP image data that is not in a format that can be controlled by an electronic camera is automatically converted into JPG data, and is further converted to an image size and file that conforms to the DCF standard unique to the electronic camera. The image data is stored in a storage medium for an electronic camera in a format state. Therefore, by attaching this storage medium to an electronic camera, the previous image can be displayed on a liquid crystal display device or the like provided in the electronic camera.

The sequence for converting an image to a camera compatible format will be described in more detail. As a means for designating a plurality of images, a file is designated with a mouse from a thumbnail list. Here, the image data is, for example, bitmap data (BMP). As a selection means for selecting a resolution, a camera model name, a resolution specification, and a transfer destination are specified.

As the contents of the conversion process, the maximum sub-folder number and the maximum file number are searched, and if necessary, a sub-folder is created. The image file is read (including the tag information), and the image size is converted based on the resolution information. A thumbnail (for example, 160 × 120) is created (resized from the main image with a fixed aspect ratio), and an appropriate tag is added and updated (a tag required for camera playback compatibility is added). Then, the image is converted into a camera compatible image, a file name is determined and stored.

Next, the batch conversion processing of a plurality of images in the present embodiment will be described in more detail.

FIG. 4A is a diagram showing a dialog configuration of a screen when performing the conversion process. A camera model name selection list 100 is used to set a resolution corresponding to each electronic camera. 101 is an image width setting window, and 102 is an image height setting window. When the camera model is selected from the selection list 100, the width and height are automatically set, but these may be set manually as needed.

Reference numeral 103 denotes a check box for fixing the aspect ratio. When this is checked, data is automatically embedded at 4: 3 by inputting the image width or the image height. A check box 104 is used to select a resolution. The check box 104 has a low resolution (SQ) and a medium resolution (H).
Q), high resolution (SHQ) and the like.

Reference numeral 200 denotes a conversion result display window.
This window displays information such as conversion OK, conversion NG, and SKIP. Reference numeral 201 denotes a window for displaying a conversion destination folder, and 202 denotes a folder reference button. When this button 202 is pressed, a list of folders is displayed in a tree format.

Reference numeral 203 denotes a check box for determining whether to create a playback compatible folder (camera playback compatible folder) at the conversion destination, and reference numeral 204 denotes a progress display for displaying the progress of the conversion of the camera playback compatible image. Bar, 2
Reference numeral 10 denotes a conversion button for starting a conversion operation, and reference numeral 211 denotes a cancel button for canceling input processing.

FIG. 4B shows a thumbnail window. The thumbnail window is opened, a plurality of images are selected, a menu such as a compatible conversion is selected, and a dialog as shown in FIG. The display is displayed and each setting is performed.

FIG. 5 is a view showing the structure of a playback compatible file of the camera. This file includes image headers such as tag information, photographing information, and comments, thumbnail data (160 × 120), and main image data. In addition,
In the resizing process when creating the thumbnail data, if the vertically long image is resized normally, the original size will not be the original size. Therefore, the aspect ratio is fixed and the size is resized, and those outside the area are filled with a specific color. The hatched portion in FIG. 5 is a region filled with a specific color.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining the collective conversion of a plurality of images in this embodiment.
As described above, it is assumed that a plurality of thumbnails have already been selected in the thumbnail window or the like, and then the conversion process is selected in the menu.

First, a dialog as shown in FIG. 4A is opened, and a camera model, a resolution and the like are selected. Further, an output destination (conversion destination folder) is designated, and an image file list to be converted is created. Subsequently, it is determined whether to create a directory tree structure at the output destination. If necessary, create a directory tree structure for playback compatibility. Then, the created directory tree configuration is stored.

Next, it is determined whether a directory tree structure has been created. When the directory tree structure is created, the maximum value of the file number is searched to determine whether the file number is the maximum. If it was the maximum,
Create a new directory. If the directory number exceeds the maximum value, an error message is displayed. If the file number is not the maximum, a file name of file number + 1 is created to add a new file.

Next, the image file is read. At this time, if there is tag information, the tag information is also read. Subsequently, the image magnification is calculated from the read image size and the set image size information, and the image is resized at the calculated magnification. Create a thumbnail image from the image and save it as a temporary file. The tag of the information necessary for reproducing the image is added or the tag is updated, and further, the maker tag is updated and added. Then, the thumbnail information and the main image are added, and saved with the directory structure + file name.

Next, it is determined whether or not the file list has been completed. If multiple selections have not been made,
The above process is repeated. The conversion ends when the file list finally ends.

FIG. 7A is a diagram for explaining the operation of the image size conversion input means, and particularly shows a flow when inputting a camera model and the like.

First, camera model information is read in advance. Then, it is determined whether or not a camera model has been selected. If a camera model is selected, the resolution information is read for each model, and one of the resolutions is selected. Further, if necessary, image size data (width, height) is manually input. If the camera model has not been selected, the image size data (width, height) is manually input here. Then, the image size is stored in the memory.

FIG. 7B is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the image size conversion input means, and particularly is a flowchart showing the order of image size conversion.

First, an image size to be converted is read. Then, the tag information is loaded into the memory, and the main image data is loaded into the memory. Further, the main image is resized to the specified image size. Then, add the image size to the tag information
Rewrite and add necessary tags to compatible images. From the main image, thumbnails (160 × 12
0) is created, and a process of filling the surplus area with a specific color as necessary. Then, header information (tag information, thumbnail, main image) is written.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is necessary to store image data with a personal computer or the like in a storage medium 22 such as a memory card that is detachable from an electronic camera whose image format is set to the DCF standard. For example, the DCF directory tree configuration is read from the memory 14 and the storage medium 2
2 and, if necessary, converting the image size and file format, and storing image data conforming to the DCF standard and the electronic camera standard in a predetermined directory of the storage medium 22. Therefore, even if the image is different from the storage format of the image corresponding to the model of the electronic camera, it is possible to convert the image into an image of a format suitable for the camera by a very simple operation. On the obtained liquid crystal display or the like in the same manner as the image captured by the camera.

In this embodiment, the image data can be automatically given a file name and stored in the storage medium 22. In addition, the camera automatically recognizes the image size from the model name of the electronic camera, converts it to an image size that can be controlled by the electronic camera, and converts it to a file format allowed by the electronic camera. Can be

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, but can be implemented in various modifications without departing from the gist thereof.

[0043]

As described in detail above, according to the present invention, a directory suitable for the format of an electronic camera is automatically created on a storage medium that can be attached to and detached from the electronic camera without requiring complicated operations. At the same time, images are automatically converted to a predetermined image size and then stored in the directory, so that even images having different image storage formats can be converted to a format suitable for a predetermined electronic camera by a simple operation. Can be.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an exemplary block diagram showing the configuration of a computer that realizes an image information processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exemplary view for explaining DCF regulations which are a unified standard of an image format in the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is an exemplary view for explaining the order of image conversion and a finally obtained directory tree configuration in the embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a dialog configuration and a thumbnail window of a screen when performing a conversion process.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a configuration of a playback compatible file of the camera.

FIG. 6 is an exemplary flowchart for explaining batch conversion of a plurality of images according to the embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the image size conversion input means.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 10 PC body 11 CPU 12 Key input buffer 13 File input / output I / O 14 Memory 15 Display I / F 21 Keyboard 22 Storage medium 23 CRT display 100 Camera model name selection list 101 Image Width setting window 102: Image height setting window 103, 104, 203 ... Check box 200 ... Conversion result display window 201 ... Conversion destination folder display window 202 ... Folder reference button 204 ... Progress display bar 210 ... Conversion button 211 ... Cancel button

Claims (3)

[Claims] A memory for storing a directory tree structure corresponding to a model of the electronic camera; an image data converting means for converting arbitrary image data into an image size and a file format that can be controlled by the electronic camera; Storage control means for reading a directory tree structure and creating it in a storage medium detachable from the electronic camera, and storing the image data converted by the image data conversion means in a predetermined directory of the storage medium;
An image information processing apparatus comprising: 2. The image information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said storage control means automatically assigns a file name to the image data and stores the image data in the storage medium. 3. The image data converting means automatically recognizes an image size from a model name of the electronic camera, converts the image size into an image size controllable by the electronic camera, and a file format allowed by the electronic camera. 2. The image information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image information is converted into.