JP2001333352A - Image filing device and image filing method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a device that arranges the images which are read from a photographing recording medium and then write these images into a storing recording medium. SOLUTION: This image filing device 100 is provided with a file reading part 120 which reads plural image files from plural photographing recording media, a medium series setting part 160 which detects the difference of continuity among the photographing recording media for setting the medium series that are sorted into series, a filing processing part 140 which sorts the image files in the medium series and a file writing part 190 which writes the image files recorded on the photographing recording media into a storing recording medium after the image files are sorted in the medium series.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an apparatus for organizing images of a digital still camera, and more particularly to an apparatus for organizing images read from a recording medium for photographing and writing the images on a recording medium for storage.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A digital still camera records a photographed image on a photographing recording medium such as a memory card or a PC card. Since the recording medium for photographing can be used repeatedly as long as the data is erased, it is possible to take many pictures more easily than a film camera. The recorded image file is read out using, for example, a reading device connected to a personal computer, and written and stored in a large-capacity storage recording medium such as a hard disk built in the personal computer or an externally connected MO. Often.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 11-66736 discloses an apparatus for copying MPEG moving image data, JPEG still image data, and the like from a PC card to a large-capacity recording medium. Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 9-83935 discloses a device for writing data from a small memory card to a large memory card. JP-A-11-331742 discloses that
An apparatus for writing data recorded on a PC card to a CD is disclosed.

[0004]

However, when a plurality of image files are recorded on the recording medium for photographing, the user has to manually classify them in order to keep them organized. Therefore, it is convenient if the image files are automatically arranged for each recording medium. In particular, when the photographer uses a plurality of recording media properly while aiming for continuity of use, it is desirable to organize and store the recording media in accordance with the intention.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an image filing apparatus and an image filing method which can solve the above problems. This object is achieved by a combination of features described in the independent claims. The dependent claims define further advantageous embodiments of the present invention.

[0006]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a file reading unit for reading a plurality of image files from a plurality of photographing recording media used for photographing. A medium series setting unit that sets a medium series divided by detecting a difference in continuity of use among the plurality of recording media, and a filing processing unit that divides the plurality of image files by the medium series. A file writing unit for writing a plurality of image files recorded on the plurality of recording media on a storage recording medium in a state of being divided according to the medium series.

Here, the "difference in continuity of use" means whether or not the photographer intended the continuous use when the photographer successively uses a plurality of recording media for photographing. The “medium series” refers to a series of recording media for photographing that the photographer intends to use continuously.

[0008] The medium series setting section refers to the free space of each of the plurality of recording media and the photographing date and time information of the plurality of image files recorded on the plurality of recording media. A media series may be set. The medium series setting unit, a medium order setting unit that sets a medium use order that is a use order of the plurality of recording media for recording based on the shooting date and time information, and a break of the medium series in the medium use order. A delimiter for judging based on the free space.

The medium order setting unit extracts a shooting date and time range, which is a range of date and time when the plurality of image files were shot, for each of the shooting recording media based on the shooting date and time information, and based on the shooting date and time range. The medium use order may be set in such a manner. The partition determination unit may be configured such that, between the two recording media consecutively preceding and succeeding in the medium use order, the free space of the previous recording media for recording is recorded on the subsequent recording media for recording. When the file size of the first image file is larger than the file size of the first image file, it may be determined that the space between the two photographing recording media is a break of the medium series.

The filing processing unit includes a file holding unit that temporarily holds the plurality of image files until writing is performed by the file writing unit, and a file holding unit that holds the plurality of image files held by the file holding unit. A medium division processing unit that divides each of the imaging recording media, an order processing unit that arranges the plurality of image files divided for each of the imaging recording media in the medium use order, A series division processing unit for dividing the plurality of image files by the medium series.

[0011] The medium order setting section may set the medium use order on condition that the plurality of photographing date and time ranges extracted from the plurality of photographing recording media do not temporally overlap. The medium series setting unit further includes a model information generation unit configured to generate used camera model information for each of the plurality of recording media by referring to information on a camera model of the plurality of image files, and The setting unit may set the medium use order by dividing the plurality of recording media for recording into a plurality of model groups based on the used camera model information.

In a second embodiment of the present invention, a step of reading a plurality of image files from a plurality of recording media used for photographing, and dividing the plurality of image files for each of the recording media for photographing Storing and storing, and setting a series of media divided by detecting a difference in continuity of use between the plurality of recording media, and storing the divided media series separately for each of the recording media. There is provided an image filing method including a step of dividing a plurality of image files by the medium series, and a step of writing the plurality of image files into a storage medium in a state of being divided by the medium series.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a recording medium storing a program for causing a computer to execute a plurality of image files, wherein the recording medium includes a plurality of recording mediums used for photographing. Reading the plurality of image files; storing the plurality of image files separately for each of the recording media for photographing;
Setting a series of media divided by detecting differences in continuity of use between the plurality of recording media, and the plurality of image files stored separately for each of the recording media, There is provided a computer-readable recording medium comprising: a step of dividing by the medium series; and a step of writing the plurality of image files into the storage recording medium in a state of being divided by the medium series.

[0014]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, the present invention will be described through embodiments of the present invention. However, the following embodiments do not limit the invention according to the claims and are described in the embodiments. Not all combinations of features are essential to the solution of the invention.

(First Embodiment) In this embodiment,
In the case where image files are recorded on a plurality of recording media for recording and the photographer uses a plurality of recording media properly while aiming for continuity of use, the present apparatus arranges and arranges the photographer's intention. Keep it.

Here, "use continuity" refers to whether or not the photographer intends to use continuously when the photographer successively uses a plurality of recording media for photographing. For example, a plurality of camera media are used in succession when one camera media does not fit an image to take many pictures. On the other hand, if you want to distinguish it from previously captured images, for example, because the shooting scene changes,
Sometimes the photographer intentionally exchanges the camera media for another new one and shoots. Therefore, when the photographer intends to use a plurality of media continuously, it is said that "there is continuous use". Conversely, when the photographer uses a plurality of media sequentially and exchanges the media for the purpose of intentionally putting a break, it is referred to as “there is no continuity of use”. In this case, the free space of the intentionally replaced medium is generally large. Also, when the photographer intentionally puts a break, the use of the medium continues in time, but it is not said that there is "continuity of use" here. The image filing apparatus of the present embodiment detects the continuity of use based on the free space of the recording medium for photographing and the photographing date and time of the image file.

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of the image filing apparatus of the present embodiment. The image filing apparatus 100 is an apparatus that reads out a plurality of image files from a camera medium (recording medium for photographing), organizes the files, and writes the arranged files on a storage medium (recording medium for storage). The image filing apparatus 100 includes a file reading unit 120, a filing processing unit 140, a medium series setting unit 160, and a file writing unit 190.

The file reading section 120 sequentially reads a plurality of image files from a plurality of camera media. The camera media includes, for example, a memory card and a PC card. The file reading unit 120 may be a memory card drive or a PC card drive. The file reading unit 120 may have one slot, or may have a plurality of slots.

The filing unit 140 divides a plurality of image files according to a medium series. The medium series setting unit 160 sets a medium series among a plurality of camera media. The media series is a series divided by detecting a difference in continuity of use among a plurality of camera media. Each media series is composed of one or more camera media. The medium series setting unit 160 detects a difference in the continuity of use of the camera media, and divides the plurality of camera media into some series.

The file writing unit 190 writes a plurality of image files recorded on a plurality of camera media into a storage medium in a state of being divided into a series of media. Examples of the storage medium include a magnetic recording medium such as a hard disk, an optical recording medium such as a CD / DVD / MD, and a magneto-optical recording medium such as an MO. The storage medium is preferably a large-capacity medium because image files are copied from a plurality of camera media.

Next, the configuration of the filing processing unit 140 will be described. The filing processing unit 140 includes a file holding unit 141, a directory creation unit 142, a medium division processing unit 144, an order processing unit 146, and a series division processing unit 148.
And The file holding unit 141 temporarily holds a plurality of image files until writing is performed by the file writing unit. The directory creation unit 142 creates a plurality of directories in the file holding unit 141 corresponding to a plurality of camera media. The medium division processing unit 144
The plurality of image files held by the file holding unit 141 are divided for each camera medium. The order processing unit 146 arranges a plurality of image files divided for each camera medium into a medium use order described later. Series division processing unit 1
Reference numeral 48 divides a plurality of image files arranged in the medium use order into medium series described later.

As described above, the image filing apparatus 100 of this embodiment includes the filing processing unit 140. Therefore, it is possible to organize and write all together without directly writing from the camera medium to the storage medium, so that it is possible to organize efficiently. In addition, after repeatedly reading image files from a plurality of camera media, it is possible to organize them collectively.

Next, the configuration of the medium series setting section 160 will be described. The medium series setting unit 160 includes a free space reference unit 162, a shooting date / time reference unit 164, and a medium order setting unit 16
6 and a break setting unit 168. Free space reference section 1
Reference numeral 62 refers to the free space of each of the plurality of camera media, and generates free space information for each camera medium. The shooting date / time reference unit 164 refers to shooting date / time information of each of the plurality of image files held in the file holding unit 141. The shooting date / time reference unit 164 may directly access camera media and refer to shooting date / time information of a plurality of image files.

The medium order setting section 166 sets a medium use order, which is an order of a plurality of camera media, based on shooting date and time information. The break setting unit 168 determines the break of the medium series in the medium use order based on the free space of the camera medium.

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing details of the medium order setting section 166. The medium order setting unit 166 includes a first image file selecting unit 170, a last image file selecting unit 172, a shooting date / time range extracting unit 174, a shooting date / time range comparing unit 176, and a medium order generating unit 178. The earliest image file selection unit 170 selects the earliest image file that has been photographed first in time. First image file selector 17
0 selects the earliest image file for each camera medium. The last image file selection unit 172 selects the last image file that has been photographed last in time. The last image file selection unit 172 selects the last image file for each camera medium.

The shooting date / time range extracting section 174 extracts a shooting date / time range based on the earliest image file and the last image file. The shooting date / time range extracting unit 174 extracts a shooting date / time range for each camera medium. Photo date and time range comparison unit 1
Reference numeral 76 compares the shooting date and time ranges for each camera medium. The medium order generation unit 178 generates a medium use order based on the comparison result by the shooting date / time range comparison unit 176.

FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram showing details of the partition setting section 168. The delimiter setting unit 168 includes a previous medium free space reference unit 180, a rear medium first file size reference unit 182, a front and rear medium comparison unit 184, and a delimiter information generation unit 1.
86. The previous medium free space reference unit 180 obtains, from the free space reference unit 162, information on the free space of the camera media whose order is the front of two specific camera media that are consecutive before and after in the medium use order. The subsequent medium first file size reference unit 182 obtains the file size of the following first image file of the camera medium from the file holding unit 141. The front and rear medium comparison unit 184 performs
Compare the free space of the camera media and the file size of the earliest image file between two camera media.

The delimiter information generating unit 186 generates delimiter information based on the comparison result of the front and rear medium comparing unit 184.
That is, when the free space of the preceding medium is larger than the file size of the earliest image file of the succeeding medium, the delimiter information generating unit 186 determines that the separation between the two media is a break of the medium series. Thus, the medium series in the medium use order is separated based on the separation information.

As described above, the image filing apparatus 100
Finds breaks in media usage order,
It is possible to detect a series of media that the photographer has intentionally used continuously. Then, since the image files are arranged according to the series, they are conveniently arranged in an order reflecting the intention of the photographer.

FIG. 4 is an external view of the image filing apparatus 100. The image filing apparatus 100 includes a camera media slot 210 into which the camera media 220 is inserted.
, A storage medium slot 230 into which the storage medium 240 is inserted, and switches 250 on the housing. Insert camera media 220 into camera media slot 2
10, the plurality of image files recorded on the camera medium 220 are temporarily stored in the file holding unit 141 in the image filing apparatus 100. When the camera media 220 is removed and other camera media 220 are inserted into the camera media slot 210 one after another, image files are stored in the file holding unit 141 one after another.
Then, when the copy button included in the switches 250 is finally pressed, the image files are collectively stored in the storage medium 240 inserted into the storage medium slot 230. At this time, the image files are stored in the storage medium 240 in a medium series. The image filing apparatus 100 may be connected to an external monitor 200 for use.

FIG. 5 is a hardware configuration diagram of the image filing apparatus 100. Image filing device 100
Is mainly composed of a CPU 402, an HDD 400, a system memory 406, and the like. Each of the functions shown by the blocks in FIGS. 1 to 3 may be realized by the operation of the CPU 402. Further, programs, image files, and other data necessary for the operation of the image filing apparatus 100 are stored in the HDD 400 or the system memory 406.

The image filing apparatus 100 includes a card interface 40 for reading an image file from the camera media 220 via the camera media slot 210.
4 is further provided. The image filing apparatus 100 stores the storage medium 2 through the storage medium slot 230.
The apparatus further includes a media interface 408 for writing an image file to the media interface 40. Image filing device 100
Further includes a switch interface 412 that receives an operation instruction from the user via the switches 250.

The image filing apparatus 100 further includes a compression / decompression unit 414, a frame memory 410, a D / A converter 418, an OSD (On Screen Display) 416, and a video terminal 420. The image data is temporarily stored in the frame memory, and is converted into monitor output information by the D / A converter 418. The monitor output information is output to the external monitor 200 via the video terminal 420. The image data may be compressed or expanded by the compression / expansion unit 414. The OSD 416 is an external monitor 200
A superimposed display such as a caption or a channel display may be displayed on the screen.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a plurality of camera media. In the present embodiment, five camera media A
ＥE to read the image file and copy it to the storage medium. The photographer first took a picture using the camera media A to C continuously in the first series of photographing scenes. The camera media A and B are used until the free space is exhausted. Then, after the photographer intentionally exchanges the camera media in another shooting scene, the camera media D and E
Was taken continuously. As described above, the five camera media A to E are the first series in which A to C
Is the second series.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the image filing method. First, the file reading unit 120 reads a plurality of image files from camera media (S1).
00). File storage unit 1 stores the read image file
41 is temporarily stored (S102). If other camera media to be read remain (S104),
100 to S102 are repeated. Next, after reading and storing image files from all camera media, the medium series setting unit 160 determines and sets the medium series (S106). Next, a series division processing unit 148
Divides a plurality of image files into media series (S10
8). Next, the file writing unit 190 writes the plurality of image files on the storage medium in a state of being divided into the medium series (S110).

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing in detail the medium series determination step in FIG. First, the earliest image file selection unit 170 selects the earliest image file for each camera medium (S200). Next, the last image file selection unit 172 selects the last image file for each camera medium (S202). Next, the shooting date / time range extracting unit 174 extracts the shooting date / time range (S20).
4). Next, the shooting date / time range comparing unit 176 compares the shooting date / time ranges (S206). Next, the medium order generation unit 1
78 generates information on the medium use order (S208). Next, the order processing unit 146 sets the order of the camera media to the medium use order based on the medium order information (S21).
0).

Next, the previous medium free space reference section 180
The free space of the first camera medium in the medium use order is referred to (S212). Next, the subsequent medium first file size reference unit 182 refers to the first file size of the camera media next to the camera media in step S212 (S214). Next, the front and rear medium comparison unit 184 compares the free space and the file size of the two front and rear camera media (S216). Next, the delimiter information generation unit 186
Determines the break based on the comparison result (S21)
8). If there is a next camera medium in the medium use order, the process returns to step S212 to determine whether there is a break. Then, steps S212 to S218
Is repeated, it is determined whether or not there is a break between all the camera media in the medium use order.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the directory hierarchical structure of the file holding unit 141 before being divided in the medium use order. The hierarchical structure in the file holding unit 141 before being divided in the medium use order has a temporary directory in the next hierarchy with the highest level as a root directory. Below the temporary directory, there are five subdirectories Temp1 to Temp5. Subdirectory Temp1
Image files are stored in each of .about.5. A user of the image filing apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment reads an image file by mounting a plurality of camera media in a random order regardless of continuity of use.
Accordingly, the sub-directories Temp1 to Temp5 contain camera media C, B,
Image files are stored in the order of E, A, and D.

FIG. 10 shows the sub directories Temp1 to Temp1.
5 is a table showing shooting date and time information, file size, free space, and the like of the image file stored in No. 5. Camera media C, B, E, A, and
D respectively correspond. The “shooting date and time of the earliest image file” in the table indicates the shooting date and time information of the image file selected by the earliest image file selecting unit 170. The photographing date and time information may be information that the photographing camera included in the image file as supplementary information. The shooting date and time information may be a time stamp when the camera that shot the image created the image file. The “shooting date and time of the last image file” in this table indicates shooting date and time information of the image file selected by the last image file selecting unit 172. Based on these pieces of information, the shooting date and time range extracting unit 174 extracts the shooting date and time range for each camera medium.

The "file size of the earliest image file" in this table is the size of the earliest image file on a medium whose medium use order is later. The “free space” in this table is the free space of the medium whose medium use order is earlier. The medium series setting unit 160 sets a medium series based on these pieces of information.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a photographing date and time range.
This drawing shows the image data stored in the sub-directories Temp1 to Temp5 when the photographing date / time ranges are arranged in chronological order. In the present embodiment, the sub directories are Temp4, Temp2, Temp1, Temp3, and Temp3. This order is the medium use order referred to in the present embodiment.

Here, the medium order setting section 166 may set the medium use order on the condition that a plurality of photographing date / time ranges extracted from a plurality of camera media do not temporally overlap. If multiple shooting date and time ranges overlap in time,
The image filing apparatus 100 may collectively write the image files for each camera medium to the storage medium without setting the medium order and the medium series.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a directory hierarchical structure of the file holding unit 141 after being divided in the medium use order. File holding unit 1 after being divided in the medium use order
In the hierarchical structure in 41, there are five subdirectories Order1 to Order5 below the temporary directory.
The order of the subdirectories Order1 to 5 indicates the medium use order. These sub directories Order1-5
Among the media A, B, C,
Image files are stored in the order of D and E.

FIG. 13 shows a subdirectory Order1.
6 is a table showing shooting date and time information, file size, free space, and the like of the image files stored in. The sub-directories Order 1 to 5 correspond to camera media A, B, C, D, and E in the order of medium use. Each column of this table is common to FIG. “Series” in this table indicates the media series to which each media belongs. In the present embodiment, the free space of the medium C is 2501 KB, which is larger than the file size (150 KB) of the first image file of the medium D. Therefore, the section between the media C and D is a break of the media series. Media A to C are the first series and Media D
E is the second series.

As described above, by arranging a plurality of image files in order of date and time in units of camera media, it becomes easier to find a break in continuity of use intended by the photographer. Also,
By comparing the free space and the earliest image file with respect to the two camera media whose media usage order is before and after, a break in continuity of use can be easily found.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a directory hierarchical structure of the storage medium 240 on which image files are written in a state of being divided into medium series. Storage media 24
Below the root directory, which is the top directory of 0, there is an image directory as a directory for storing image files. Below the image directory,
There are subdirectories of groups 001 to 009. In the groups 001 to 007, previously written image files are stored in a medium series.

In the group 008, image files of the media A to C belonging to the first series are written in the sub directories Order 1 to 3 separately. In group 009, media D belonging to the second series,
The image file of E is in the subdirectory Order4,
5 is written. In this way, the captured images recorded over a plurality of camera media are written to the storage medium in a state that reflects the intention of the photographer, so that it is easy to manage a large number of images.

(Second Embodiment) The image filing apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment sorts a plurality of image files by using information of a camera model included in the image files.
For example, when media used by different types of cameras are mixed in a plurality of camera media, media between different types of media are considered to have no continuity of use. It is also conceivable that the shooting date and time ranges overlap between different models. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the filing process in the first embodiment is performed after the image file is divided according to the camera model.

FIG. 15 is a functional block diagram of the image filing apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment. The configuration of the image filing apparatus 100 in the present embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment except for the configuration of the medium series setting unit 160.

The medium series setting section 160 further has a model information generating section 163. The model information generation unit 163
Reference is made to model information on the camera model of each of the plurality of image files stored in the file holding unit 141. The model information generation unit 163 generates used camera model information for each of a plurality of camera media based on the model information. The medium order setting unit 166 sets the medium use order by dividing a plurality of camera media into a plurality of model groups based on the used camera model information generated by the model information generation unit 163.

FIG. 16 is a table showing the shooting date and time information, the file size, the free space, and the like of the image files stored in the sub directories Temp1 to Temp5 in this embodiment. Camera media C, B, E, A, and D correspond to the subdirectories Temp1 to Temp5, respectively. The order of the camera media C, B, E, A, and D is the order of reading the media.

The "use camera model information" in this table is
Indicates the model of the camera that uses the corresponding media. In the present embodiment, only the medium E is used in the model of FP1400, and all the other media are FP470.
0 is used in the model. The shooting date and time range of the medium E partially overlaps with the shooting date and time range of the medium B.

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a directory hierarchical structure of the file holding unit 141 according to the medium use order in this embodiment. The order processing unit 146 of the present embodiment includes:
First, the image files divided for each medium are divided into model groups for each camera model. (A) shows a directory structure divided by model group. Below the temporary directory are subdirectories FP4700 and FP1400 divided by model group. FP4700
, Image files of the corresponding media C, B, A, and D are separately stored in subdirectories Temp1, Temp2, Temp4, and Temp5. The FP 1400 has a subdirectory Temp3 in which image files of the medium E are stored. Next, the order processing unit 146 divides the image files according to the medium use order for each model group, as shown in (b).

FIG. 18 is a diagram showing a shooting date and time range in the present embodiment. As shown in the figure, the image file of the medium E stored in the subdirectory Temp3 partially overlaps the image file of the medium B stored in Temp2 in the shooting date and time range.

As described above, the image filing apparatus 100 of this embodiment sets the medium use order for each camera model. Therefore, even if the shooting date and time ranges overlap, a plurality of image files can be easily divided to set a medium series. Then, a media series can be set for each camera model.

(Third Embodiment) In the present embodiment,
The image filing apparatus 100 according to the first and second embodiments is provided in the form of a recording medium in which program software for realizing the functions of the hardware is recorded.
This program operates on an apparatus having a hardware configuration substantially similar to the configuration shown in FIG. 4, for example. The program according to the present embodiment includes the CPU 402 and the HDD 4 in FIG.
00 and at least one of the system memory 406 and the like. As hardware operating based on this program, for example, an electronic computer such as a personal computer or a workstation may be used.

FIG. 19 is a functional block diagram of the program software according to the present embodiment. This program software is stored in a recording medium such as a CD-ROM and provided to the user. The software stored on the recording medium may be compressed or uncompressed. Generally, the program software is installed on the HDD 400 from a recording medium, and stored in the system memory 4.
06 or read directly from the recording medium into the system memory 406 and executed by the CPU 402.

As shown in FIG. 19, the program is configured in the form of a program module that performs various functions.
The image filing program 300 according to the present embodiment includes a file reading module 320, a filing processing module 340, a medium series setting module 360, and a file writing module 390. The filing processing module 340 includes the file holding module 341
And a directory creation module 342, an order processing module 346, and a series division processing module 348. The medium series setting module 360 includes a free space reference module 362 and a shooting date / time reference module 364.
And a medium order setting module 366 and a partition setting module 368. The functions of these modules are the same as those shown in the blocks of FIG.

A CD-ROM as an example of a recording medium can store some or all of the functions of the CPU 402. The CD-ROM can store some or all of the functions of other devices.

As a recording medium, in addition to a CD-ROM, an optical recording medium such as a DVD and a PD, a magnetic recording medium such as a floppy (registered trademark) disk and a mini disk (MD), and a magneto-optical recording medium such as an MO disk. A medium, a tape-shaped recording medium, a nonvolatile semiconductor memory card, or the like can be used. The recording medium storing the above-mentioned program is used only for manufacturing the image filing apparatus 100, and the manufacture and sale of such a recording medium as a business infringes the patent right based on the present application. It is clear to configure.

As described above, according to the image filing apparatuses of the first to third embodiments, image files can be organized according to the continuity of use of the recording medium for photography.

The image filing apparatus 100 can detect a series of media intentionally used continuously by the photographer by finding a break in the medium use order. Then, since the image files are arranged according to the series, they are conveniently arranged in an order reflecting the intention of the photographer.

The image filing apparatus 100 includes a filing processing unit 140. Therefore, it is possible to organize and write all together without directly writing from the camera medium to the storage medium, so that it is possible to organize efficiently. In addition, after repeatedly reading image files from a plurality of camera media, it is possible to organize them collectively.

Further, by arranging a plurality of image files in order of date and time in units of camera media, it becomes easy to find a break in continuity of use intended by the photographer. Further, regarding two camera media whose order of use of the media is two, the free space can be easily found by comparing the free space with the earliest image file.

Further, since the photographed images recorded over a plurality of camera media are written on the storage medium in a manner reflecting the photographer's intention, it is easy to manage a large number of images.

The image filing apparatus 100 according to the second embodiment sets a medium use order for each camera model. Therefore, even if the shooting date and time ranges overlap, a plurality of image files can be easily divided to set a medium series. Then, a media series can be set for each camera model.

The directory created in the file holding unit in this embodiment is a GUI (Graphic User).
Interface) The folder in the display may be used. Further, the change to the directory structure does not need to involve physical data movement of image files or the like, as long as the directory structure is substantially changed by changing the data in the management file that manages the directory structure.

As described above, the present invention has been described using the embodiments. However, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the scope described in the above embodiments. Various changes or improvements can be made to the above embodiment. It will be understood by those skilled in the art from the description of the claims that the embodiments with such changes or improvements can be included in the technical scope of the present invention.

[0069]

As is clear from the above description, according to the image filing apparatus of the present invention, image files can be organized according to the continuity of use of the recording medium for photography.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an image filing apparatus 1 according to a first embodiment.
It is a functional block diagram of 00.

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing details of a medium order setting unit 166.

FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram illustrating details of a partition setting unit 168.

FIG. 4 is an external view of the image filing apparatus 100.

FIG. 5 is a hardware configuration diagram of the image filing apparatus 100.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a plurality of camera media.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an image filing method.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing details of a medium series determination step in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 shows a file holding unit 14 before being divided in the medium use order.
1 is a diagram showing a directory hierarchical structure of FIG.

FIG. 10 is a table showing shooting date and time information, file size, free space, and the like of image files stored in subdirectories Temp1 to Temp5.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a shooting date and time range in the first embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a directory hierarchical structure of the file holding unit at a stage after the division in the medium use order.

FIG. 13 is a table showing shooting date and time information, file size, free space, and the like of image files stored in subdirectories Order1 to Order5.

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a directory hierarchical structure of a storage medium 240 in which image files are written in a state of being divided into medium series.

FIG. 15 is a functional block diagram of an image filing apparatus 100 according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 16 shows a subdirectory Te in the second embodiment.
shooting date and time information of image files stored in mp1 to mp5,
6 is a table showing a file size, a free space, and the like.

FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating a directory hierarchical structure of a file holding unit according to a medium use order according to the second embodiment;

FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating a shooting date and time range in the second embodiment.

FIG. 19 is a functional block diagram of program software according to the third embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 100 image filing device 120 file reading unit 140 file storage unit 142 directory creation unit 144 directory storage unit 146 order change unit 148 series classification unit 160 medium series setting unit 162 free capacity reference unit 163 model information generation unit 164 shooting date / time reference unit 166 medium Order setting section 168 Delimiter setting section 190 File writing section

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page F-term (reference)

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. A file reading unit for reading a plurality of image files from a plurality of recording media used for photography, and a series division by detecting a difference in continuity of use among the plurality of recording media. A media series setting unit for setting the obtained media series; a filing processing unit for dividing the plurality of image files by the media series; and a plurality of image files recorded on the plurality of recording media for recording by the media series. An image filing apparatus, comprising: a file writing unit that writes a file to a storage medium in a state. 2. The medium series setting unit refers to free space of each of the plurality of recording media and shooting date / time information of the plurality of image files recorded on the plurality of recording media. The image filing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the medium series is set by setting. 3. The medium series setting unit, comprising: a medium order setting unit configured to set a medium use order, which is an order of use of the plurality of recording media, based on the shooting date and time information; The image filing apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a division determination unit that determines a series break based on the free space. 4. The medium order setting unit extracts a shooting date and time range, which is a range of date and time when the plurality of image files are shot, for each of the shooting recording media based on the shooting date and time information. 4. The image filing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the order of using the medium is set based on the following. 5. The recording device according to claim 1, wherein the space determining unit determines that the free space of the preceding recording medium is the difference between the two consecutive recording media in the medium use order. 5. The method according to claim 3, wherein when the file size of the first image file recorded in the recording medium is larger than that of the first image file, it is determined that the space between the two recording media is a break of the medium series. An image filing apparatus according to any one of the above. 6. The filing processing unit includes: a file holding unit that temporarily holds the plurality of image files until the plurality of image files are written by the file writing unit; and the plurality of images held by the file holding unit. A medium division processing unit that divides a file for each recording medium for photography; a sequence processing unit that arranges the plurality of image files divided for each recording medium for photography in the medium use order; The image filing apparatus according to any one of claims 3 to 5, further comprising a series division processing unit that divides the plurality of image files according to the medium series. 7. The medium order setting unit sets the medium use order on the condition that the plurality of shooting date / time ranges extracted from the plurality of shooting recording media do not overlap in time. The image filing apparatus according to any one of claims 4 to 6. 8. The medium series setting unit further includes a model information generating unit that generates used camera model information for each of the plurality of recording media by referring to information of a camera model included in the plurality of image files. 8. The method according to claim 3, wherein the medium order setting unit sets the medium use order by dividing the plurality of recording media for shooting into a plurality of model groups based on the used camera model information. An image filing device according to any one of the above. 9. A method of reading a plurality of image files from a plurality of recording media used for photographing, a step of storing the plurality of image files separately for each of the recording media, and a plurality of photographing. Setting a medium series divided by series by detecting a difference in use continuity between recording media, and the plurality of image files stored separately for each of the photographing recording media, An image filing method, comprising: separating the plurality of image files into a storage recording medium in a state where the plurality of image files are divided according to the medium series. 10. A recording medium storing a program for causing a computer to execute a plurality of image files, wherein the program stores the plurality of image files from a plurality of photographing recording media used for photographing. A step of reading, a step of storing the plurality of image files separately for each of the photographing recording media, and a medium series divided by detecting a difference in continuity of use among the plurality of photographing recording media. Setting; dividing the plurality of image files stored separately for each of the photographing recording media according to the medium series; and storing the plurality of image files divided according to the medium series. And a computer-readable recording medium.