JP2002044592A - Recording device and recording method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a recording device that generates in advance meta data that are attached to information of binary data and repetitively attaches the generated same meta data to a plurality of binary data so as to reduce the generation time of the binary data with the meta data attached to them. SOLUTION: The meta data having been generated in advance are read in a step S801, and image data are read in a step S802. The meta data are attached to the image data in a step S803 to generate the image data with the meta data attached to them, and the image data with the meta data generated in a step S804 are stored. Applying a series of the jobs repetitively to read different image data can attach the same meta data to a plurality of the binary data.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a recording apparatus, a recording method, and a storage medium. The present invention relates to a recording apparatus, a recording method, and a storage medium for adding metadata which is information on binary data.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art With the spread of digital still cameras and digital video cameras, the amount of still image data and moving image data handled in ordinary households is increasing dramatically. In order to use these image data, some search method or management method is required.

When searching and managing image data,
For example, it is efficient if there is auxiliary information describing image data, such as a name of a person, a name of an event, a date, a keyword, etc., that is, so-called metadata, which is shown in the image data.

[0004] The metadata (meta-data) is "data relating to data" and is used as ancillary data describing the contents of binary data such as image data and audio data. By adding this metadata to each piece of binary data, image data, audio data, and the like can be searched using keywords. Also, the more metadata is added to each binary data, the more each keyword can be searched for with more keywords.

[0005]

Therefore, by adding the metadata to the binary data, it is possible to easily search and manage each binary data. However, in practice, it is sometimes observed that one piece of metadata is not added to each binary data, rather than a lot of metadata.

[0006] One of the reasons is that it takes time to input metadata to binary data. For example, in order to input appropriate metadata for each binary data, it is necessary to input the contents while confirming the contents of each binary data one by one.

Further, when the same metadata can be used by adding it to binary data, for example, even if metadata is added to binary data generated under almost the same conditions, the number of times each binary data can be changed. Must be added after inputting the same metadata.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide auxiliary information used in advance to represent data information of binary data such as image data, moving image data, and audio data. A recording device and a recording device capable of easily generating binary data with metadata by repeatedly generating and using the same metadata generated as described above to a plurality of binary data read from a storage medium or the like. Is to provide a way.

Another object of the present invention is to store and save the same generated metadata in a detachable and portable storage medium, and attach the storage medium to the storage medium when using the stored metadata from the storage medium. Provided is a recording device and a recording method that can easily generate binary data with metadata by repeatedly adding and using the same generated metadata to a plurality of binary data read from a storage medium or the like by reading and using the same. It is to be.

[0010]

A method for solving the above-mentioned input problem is to repeatedly use binary data such as still image data, moving image data or audio data before photographing or recording. Metadata may be generated in advance, and when the binary data is generated, the generated metadata may be repeatedly used to save the trouble of generating binary data with metadata.

That is, in order to achieve the above object, a recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention has the following configuration. That is, a recording device that adds metadata that is information on the binary data to the binary data, and a metadata generation unit that generates the metadata.
Binary data reading means for reading the binary data to which the metadata is added from a detachable first storage medium or an external device, and a plurality of the binary data read by the binary data reading means; Metadata adding means for adding metadata and generating metadata-added binary data.

For example, the apparatus further comprises storage means for storing the metadata-added binary data output from the metadata adding means.

[0013] Further, for example, a binary data with metadata writing means for writing the binary data with metadata output from the metadata adding means to the first storage medium or an external device from which the binary data is read is further provided. It is characterized by having.

Also, for example, writing the binary data with metadata output from the metadata adding means to a removable second storage medium different from a source from which the binary data is read or to the external device for writing binary data with metadata It is characterized by further comprising means.

[0015] Further, for example, there is further provided a binary data with metadata writing means for writing the binary data with metadata stored in the storage means to the first storage medium or an external device from which the binary data is read. It is characterized by having.

Also, for example, writing the binary data with metadata stored in the storage means to a removable second storage medium or an external device different from the source from which the binary data is read, or writing the binary data with metadata to the external device It is characterized by further comprising means.

For example, the apparatus further comprises metadata reading means for reading metadata stored in a removable storage medium or an external device in advance, and the metadata adding means comprises:
The metadata read by the metadata reading means is added to the binary data.

Further, for example, the metadata adding means includes:
The metadata is embedded at a predetermined position of the binary data.

Also, for example, the metadata adding means includes:
Only a file name of the metadata or information indicating a location of the metadata is added to a predetermined position of the binary data.

In order to achieve the above object, a recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention has the following configuration. That is, a recording method for adding metadata, which is information about the binary data, to the binary data, comprising: a metadata generation step of generating the metadata; and a second method of attaching and detaching the binary data to which the metadata is added. 1
A binary data reading step for reading from a storage medium or an external device, and a meta for generating binary data with metadata by adding the same metadata to the plurality of binary data read in the binary data reading step. And a data adding step.

For example, the apparatus further comprises storage means for accumulating the metadata-added binary data output in the metadata adding step.

For example, the method further includes a binary data-added metadata writing step of writing the binary data with metadata output in the metadata adding step to the first storage medium or an external device from which the binary data is read. It is characterized by the following.

Also, for example, a binary data-added metadata writing step for writing the binary data with metadata output in the metadata adding step to a removable second storage medium different from a source from which the binary data is read or to the external device Is further provided.

Further, for example, a binary data with metadata writing step of writing the binary data with metadata stored in the storage means to the first storage medium or an external device from which the binary data is read is further provided. It is characterized by having.

Also, for example, writing the binary data with metadata stored in the storage means to a removable second storage medium different from a source from which the binary data is read or to the external device for writing binary data with metadata The method further comprises a step.

For example, the method further comprises a metadata reading step of reading metadata stored in a removable storage medium or an external device in advance.
The metadata read in the metadata reading step is added to the binary data.

Further, for example, the metadata adding step includes:
The metadata is embedded at a predetermined position of the binary data.

For example, in the metadata adding step,
Only a file name of the metadata or information indicating a location of the metadata is added to a predetermined position of the binary data.

Further, in order to achieve the above object, a storage medium according to an embodiment of the present invention has the following configuration. That is, a storage medium storing a processing program for adding metadata, which is information on the binary data, to the binary data, wherein the processing program includes: a metadata generation step of generating the metadata; A binary data reading step of reading the binary data to be added from a detachable first storage medium or an external device, and adding the same metadata to the plurality of binary data read in the binary data reading step And generating metadata-added binary data.

[0030]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

In the following embodiment, description will be made using still image data as binary data. In the present embodiment, a description will be given using a recording device that embeds all metadata in still image data and a recording device that adds only the metadata file name to the still image data and associates the metadata with the still image data. However, it is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention to the described examples.

[Hardware Configuration of Recording Apparatus] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a system configuration of the recording apparatus 200.

The data input / output unit 100 is for inputting / outputting binary data, metadata, and the like. In the case of a memory card such as a PC card or a PCMCIA card 109 as shown in FIG. In addition, as shown in FIG.
In the case of a memory card such as 1 or smart media 113, the memory card is inserted via the adapter 110 or the card adapter 112. Further, a removable medium (not shown) may be used instead of the memory card.

When the data input / output unit 100 is connected to an external device 107 such as a digital camera, the data input / output unit 100 is connected via input terminals such as a USB terminal, a SCSI terminal, and a parallel terminal. In the following description, USB is used as the input terminal.
Description will be given using terminals.

Data (binary data, metadata) recorded by the external device 107 can be directly transmitted from the external device 107 via an input terminal or once to the memory card 403.
And then read into the recording device 200 via the memory card 403.

Conversely, the data processed by the recording device 200 is written directly to the external device 107 via the input terminal or once stored in the memory card 403 and then via the memory card 403. Further, the data processed by the recording device 200 is written to the storage unit 102. The external device 107 and the data input / output unit 1
The connection with 00 may be made using a wireless line, instead of being directly connected as described above. In this case, a wireless line interface corresponding to the external device 107 is provided in the data input / output unit 100.

The input unit 101 is used to input an instruction or data from a user.
Remote control and the like. The storage unit 102 stores binary data and metadata. For example, a hard disk is used.

The display unit 103 displays a GUI, image data, and the like. For example, a CRT or a liquid crystal display is used.

A CPU 104 controls the entire recording apparatus 200. The ROM 105 and the RAM 106
The program, data, work area, and the like necessary for the processing of U104 are provided to CPU104.

The control program necessary for the processing of the flowcharts of FIGS. 5, 6, 7, and 9 is stored in the storage unit 102.
Or stored in the ROM 105.
However, when the control program is stored in the storage unit 102, the control program is temporarily read into the RAM 106 and then executed.

Although there are various other components in the system configuration other than those described above, they are not the main subject of the present invention, and the description thereof will be omitted.

FIGS. 2A and 2B are views showing the exterior of the recording apparatus 200. FIG. On the front surface of FIG.
A slot, which is one of the data input / output units 100, is provided, and data in the storage medium is stored in the recording device 2 via a memory card 403, which is a storage medium inserted in the slot.
00 can be read.

The power switch 202 operates the power of the recording apparatus 200. Infrared light receiving section 203 receives a signal from wireless keyboard 204 or remote controller 205. Wireless keyboard 204 and remote control 205
Are used as one of the input units 101, respectively.

A display output terminal 206 is provided on the rear surface shown in FIG. 2B, to which the display unit 103 such as a CRT or a liquid crystal display is connected. In order to directly connect to an external device 107 such as a digital camera, a USB terminal 30 of an input terminal which is one of the data input / output units 100 is required.
7 is used. Further, input terminals such as a SCSI terminal (not shown) and a parallel terminal (not shown) may be provided at an arbitrary place such as the front or back of the recording apparatus 200.

[Input of Metadata] Next, the recording device 20
A series of operations from generating information of still image data as metadata using 0 to storing the information in the memory card 403 or the like will be described in detail. First, an input method for registering metadata will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 4 shows an example of a GUI screen used when registering metadata.

On the GUI screen, display input units 301 to 304 for displaying metadata registered in advance and newly generated metadata, and buttons 3011 to 3041 for displaying a list registered in advance as metadata. ,
When there is no appropriate information in the displayed list and it is desired to add new information, an additional button 3 for adding information input using the wireless keyboard 204 or the remote controller
05, 307, 308, a change button 306 for changing the shooting date and time of the still image data input using the wireless keyboard 204, and metadata to be pre-registered when the selection, addition, and change of the metadata to be pre-registered are completed Is determined.

Next, using the GUI screen shown in FIG. 4, the items "Who?", "When?", "Where?", And "What to do?" Are specifically registered as metadata information of the still image data. The method will be described.

Here, "Who?"
o "," when? "," 1999-6-14 ",
“Where?” Is “exercise park” and “what do you do?” Is “athletic meet”, and these are selected from a list or newly inputted and registered as metadata.

First, "who?" Will be described. When the inverted triangle button 3011 at the right end of the display input unit 301 is pressed, the first content of the list registered in the button 3011 is displayed on the display input unit 301. When the inverted triangle button 3011 is pressed twice, the second content of the list registered in advance in the button 3011 is displayed on the display input unit 301. Therefore, by repeatedly pressing the button 3011, “Taro” registered in the list in advance is searched for. If “Taro” is not included in the registered list, “Taro” is input using the wireless keyboard 204 and then an add button 305 is pressed, so that “Who?” "
Taro "is added.

Next, "when?" Will be described. GU
When the I-screen is activated, the display input unit 302 displays the current date and time. If the date is different from the shooting date, the user inputs “1999-06-14” as the shooting date using the wireless keyboard 204 and then presses the change button 306 to obtain the “when?” Item. "199
9-06-14 "is added.

Next, "Where?" Will be described. When the inverted triangle button 3031 on the right end of the display input unit 303 is pressed, the first content of the list registered in advance in the button 3031 is displayed on the display input unit 301.
When the inverted triangle button 3011 is pressed twice, the button 30
The second content of the list registered in advance in 31 is displayed on the display input unit 301. So, button 30
By repeatedly pressing 31, “exercise park” registered in the list in advance is searched for. If “exercise park” is not included in the registered list, the user inputs “exercise park” using the wireless keyboard 204 and then presses the add button 307 to display “who?”. "Exercise park" is added to the item.

Next, "What?" Will be described. When the inverted triangle button 3041 at the right end of the display input unit 304 is pressed, the first content of the list registered in advance in the button 3041 is displayed on the display input unit 304. When the inverted triangle button 3041 is pressed twice, the button 304
The second content of the list registered in advance in No. 1 is displayed on the display input unit 304. So button 304
By repeatedly pressing 1, a “athletic meeting” registered in the list in advance is searched for. If “athletic meet” is not in the registered list, the user inputs “athletic meet” using the wireless keyboard 204 and then presses the add button 307 to display the “who?” Item. "Athletic meet" is added.

The above “when?” “Where?” “Who?”
After the input for all items of "What do you want to do?" Is completed, by pressing the enter button 309, the setting items are determined, and the registration of metadata is completed.

In the above description, only the method of displaying, selecting, and inputting the items of “when?”, “Where?”, “Who?”, And “what?” As metadata have been described. It is possible to add a method of displaying on the screen, selecting, or inputting.

[Generation and Storage of Metadata File] Next, referring to FIGS. 5 to 8, a series of operations from generation of metadata by the recording apparatus 200 to storage of the metadata in the memory card 403, the storage unit 102, and the like will be described. This will be described in detail.

FIG. 5 shows a case where metadata is generated by the recording device 200 and the generated metadata is stored in the memory card 40.
3 is a flowchart showing a process up to storage in No. 3.

First, in step S401, "who is?"
Button 3 for “when?” “Where?” “What to do”
01 to 3041, and the display input units 301 to 30
4 is read into the RAM 106.

Next, in step S402, the read list is displayed on the GUI screen of FIG.

Next, in step S403, the user asks "Who?""When?""Where?"
And the like are input to the display input units 301 to 304 in FIG. Note that the input method is as described in detail with reference to FIG. 4, and the description is omitted here.

Next, in step S404, when the enter button 309 in FIG. 4 is pressed, the input metadata, for example, X, which is a markup language shown in FIG.
A metadata file is generated using a data description language such as ML. The example of FIG. 8 indicates that the input metadata is registered as a metadata file having a file name: “CardInfo.xml”. The description of the metadata at this time is XML, which is a markup language.
Is used. In addition, instead of XML, SGML, H
It is also possible to use TML or the like.

Next, the generated metadata file is
In step S405, the data is written to the memory card 403 via the data input / output unit 100, and stored with the file name: "CardInfo.xml". Note that the process of writing to the memory card 403 and the storage unit 102 will be described later in detail with reference to FIG. 7, and a description thereof will be omitted. Further, the generated metadata file is also stored in the storage unit 102 of the recording device 200 as needed.

In the above description, an example of generating one metadata file has been described. However, a plurality of metadata files may be generated. In this case, a plurality of metadata files can be generated by repeatedly generating the metadata file.

[Generation of Metadata File] FIG. 6 shows the generation of a metadata file performed by the recording apparatus 200 in step S404 based on the input value of the metadata input by the user in step S403 in steps S404 to S404. It is a flowchart shown.

First, in step S501, 301
It is checked whether there is a button input of 1 to 3041, and if there is no input, it waits until there is an input. Also, 3011
If there is any button input of ~ 3041
The process advances to step S502, and if any of the buttons 305 to 308 has been input, the process advances to step S503.
If there is a button input of step S309, step S504 is executed.
Proceed to.

Next, when step S502 is selected, the contents of the list file corresponding to the list display buttons 3011 to 3041 are displayed, and the flow advances to step S505. In step S505, when a list file displayed corresponding to the list display buttons 3011 to 3041 is selected, the process proceeds to step S506, where the selected item is copied to the input area, and then returns to step S501. If the displayed list file is not selected in step S505, the process returns to step S501 without doing anything.

On the other hand, if the step S503 is selected, it is checked whether the add button 305, 307 or 308 has been pressed or the change button 306 has been pressed. As a result, if the add button 305, 307 or 308 is pressed, the process proceeds to step S507, where the content of the input display unit added by the user using the keyboard is added to the corresponding list file, and The process proceeds to S508. If the change button 306 is pressed, the process proceeds to step S508 without doing anything. Next, in step S508, the date and time in the list file are changed to the contents of the input display section,
Return to 01.

On the other hand, step S504 is selected,
When the decision button is pressed, a series of operations are completed after the generation of the metadata file.

Thus, the metadata file shown in FIG. 8 is generated.

In the above description, an example in which the user makes an input using the wireless keyboard 204 has been described.
Other input methods include voice input from a remote control using G code (registered trademark) or the like, input using voice recognition,
Any input method such as input from an external device via a network can be used.

Referring to FIG. 8, XML is used to describe the metadata. XML (Extensible Mar
kup Language) is the current Hypertext Markup Languag
e (HTML) is a markup language for use in applications that require functions beyond HTML.
It was developed by the eb consortium and mainly has the following features. 1. The information provider can define new tags and attribute names at will. 2. Document structures can be nested in any complexity. 3. A grammar description can be embedded as an option in the XML document, and the grammar can be used by the application to verify the validity of the structure.

The XML description shown in FIG. 8 can be written using a general-purpose text editor program. To do
It is convenient to use an editor program for XML.

[Write of Metadata to Memory Card] FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining the process of writing the metadata file shown in FIG. 8 to the storage unit 102 or the memory card 403, which is executed in step S405 of FIG. It is.

First, in step S 601, when the writing process to the memory card 403 is performed, the data input / output unit 100 transmits the data to the memory card 4 such as a PC card.
03 is attached. Alternatively, it may be connected to the memory card 403 mounted on the external device 107 via the input terminal of the data input / output unit 100.

Next, after the connection is completed, step S60
In step 2, the metadata generated in step S404 is written to the memory car 403.

Next, in step S603, if there is an eject function of the memory car 403, the memory car 403 is ejected and the processing is terminated.

In the above description, the memory card 4
As for the writing of metadata to the data input / output unit 03, an example of writing to the memory card 403 directly inserted into and connected to the data input / output unit 100 and writing to the memory card 403 attached to the external device 107 via the input terminal Although an example has been described, the connection method may be any connection that can access the memory card 403, such as a wireless connection as described above. Also, the storage unit 1
02 can also be written.

[Process of Associating Metadata with Plural Binary Data] Next, the process of associating the generated metadata with binary data will be described with reference to FIGS. In the following description, a case where the binary data is still image data will be described as an example. Note that, as a method of associating metadata with binary data, 1) an example in which all metadata is embedded in still image data (FIG. 10A), and 2) an example in which only metadata information is added to still image data (FIG. 10B) will be described as an example.

FIG. 10A is a schematic diagram showing an example of the data structure when the metadata generated by the recording device 200 is embedded in the image data and associated with the image data. In the example of FIG. 10A, the generated metadata is embedded after the image data. The position where the metadata is embedded is
The metadata is not limited to the example shown in FIG. 10A, and may be embedded in the header of the image data.

In FIG. 10A, reference numeral 901 denotes image data, for example, data in JPEG compression format. 90
2, 903 and 904 are metadata blocks,
Is a metadata block header, 903 is a metadata body, 904 is a metadata footer, and the metadata header 902 and the metadata footer 904 are used to correctly recognize whether or not metadata is linked to image data. The identification information and the size of the block are recorded. The metadata body 903 is the Card shown in FIG.
Info.XML is recorded.

As described above, at the end of the binary data, X
By connecting the metadata described in the ML data, the metadata can be registered without affecting other applications. That is, since the information of the header portion of the binary data does not change before the connection of the metadata, for example, when the binary data is image data, the image can be reproduced by a general browser. However, in that case, the connected metadata is ignored.

Further, since the metadata is described in XML, many devices that can read the XML format can read the information of the metadata.
If there is a tool that understands L data, it is possible to add, change, and refer to metadata, and it is very versatile. As described above, information that is known in advance is prepared as a template for metadata, and is linked to image data at the time of shooting, thereby reducing the trouble of inputting metadata.

FIG. 10B is a schematic diagram showing an example of the data structure before and after the metadata is associated with the image data by adding the information of the metadata generated by the recording apparatus 200 to the image data. In the example of FIG.
In this example, only the metadata file name (CardInfo.XML) is added as information of the generated metadata after the image data, and the metadata file exists separately and independently. The position where the metadata is added is
The metadata is not limited to the example of FIG. 10B, and may be added to the header of the image data. FIG.
In the example of (b), the example in which the file name of the generated metadata is added after the image data has been described, but the information to be added may be information indicating the location of the metadata file.

As a method of recording metadata in such image data, a URL (Uniform Resource Location) for specifying a physical position of data on the Web or a unique name is used to store data. URN (Uniform Resour
A standard called ce Name), or a standard URI (Uniform Resource Identifier) currently under consideration, which includes these standards, can be used. If URIs will spread in the future,
By using this, it is most suitable for specifying data on the Web, for example. When JPEG is used as the image compression method as a method for recording the metadata, an APP marker defined by the JPEG standard may be used.

As described above, since the URI for specifying the attached information is recorded as the metadata, it is easy to handle the image data and the attached information separately. In particular, the present invention is widely used, for example, by storing auxiliary information on a network and reading the information using a URI. In addition, by providing a certain relationship between the URI of metadata and the URI of image data, it is easy to understand the correspondence between image data and metadata,
For example, there is an effect that correspondence can be understood by looking at the file name.

Next, a method of repeatedly associating the same metadata generated by the recording apparatus 200 with a plurality of input image data will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 11 shows the metadata (file name: Card
Info.xml) Multiple still image data (file name: Aut 001.JPG, Aut 002.JPG, Aut 003.JPG,
FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing an example of repeatedly copying and embedding in.

That is, as shown in FIG. 11 (before association), the image data (file name: AUT_001.JPG) and the metadata file (file name: CardInfo.xml) which exist independently of each other are stored in the recording device. When the association process is performed by 200, as shown in (after association) in FIG. 11, all information of the metadata is copied and embedded after the image data (file name: AUT_001.JPG).

Further, the second image data (file name:
AUT_002.JPG) and a metadata file (file name: Card)
Info.xml) is similarly processed by the recording apparatus 200, and as shown in (after association) in FIG. 11, metadata is added after the image data (file name: AUT_002.JPG). All information is copied and embedded. In this way, the same metadata generated by the recording device 200 is repeatedly associated with a plurality of image data.

On the other hand, FIG. 12 shows a plurality of still image data (file names: Aut 001.JPG, Aut 002.JPG, Aut 001.JPG) to which only information of metadata (file name: CardInfo.xml) is input.
Aut 003.JPG,...).

That is, as shown in (before association) in FIG. 12, the image data (file name: AUT_001.JPG) and the metadata file (file name: CardInfo.xml) which exist independently of each other are stored in the recording device. When the association process is performed by 200, information indicating the file name of the metadata (CardInfo.xml) is added to the end of the image data as shown in (after association) in FIG. File (file name: CardInfo.xml)
Associated with

Further, the second image data (file name:
AUT_002.JPG) and a metadata file (file name: Card)
Info.xml) is similarly processed by the recording device 200, and as shown in (after association) in FIG. 12, metadata is added after the image data (file name: AUT_002.JPG). Indicates the file name of (CardInfo.x
ml) is added. In this way, the same metadata generated by the recording device 200 is repeatedly associated with a plurality of image data.

In FIG. 12, instead of embedding the metadata itself in the image data, an association process of adding only the metadata file name is performed. However, instead of the metadata file name, the metadata is added to the image data. Information indicating the storage location where the file is stored can also be added.

[Generation of Image Data with Metadata] Next, image data with metadata is generated by associating the metadata described with reference to FIG. 11 or FIG. The process of storing image data with data will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. However, in the following description,
A description will be given using an example in which the same metadata is collectively added to all image data stored in the memory card 403.

In addition to the explanation below, for example,
It is possible to add the same metadata only to a plurality of selected image data. Further, it is also possible to add different metadata to each of a plurality of selected image data. Further, image data stored in the memory of the external device 107 may be used.

First, in step S800, the above-described metadata (CardInfo.xm
l) is read into the RAM 106. Alternatively, the aforementioned metadata (CardInfo.
xml) is read into the RAM 106 from the memory card 403 directly connected to the data input / output unit 100 or from the memory card 403 mounted on the external device 107 connected via the input terminal. In the above example, an example in which one piece of metadata stored in the memory card 403 is read and used has been described. However, there is a plurality of pieces of stored metadata, and even if a plurality of pieces of metadata are read and used. Good. The metadata remaining on the memory card 403 after being read into the RAM 106 is deleted.

Next, in step S801, it is checked whether or not the read metadata is described in XML in a proper format. If not, the flow advances to step S806 to display an XML error and perform the work. If the process has been properly described, the process proceeds to step S802.

Next, in step S 802, image data is read from the memory card 403 into the RAM 106 via the data input / output unit 100. The image data read from the memory card is stored in the memory card 4
03 is deleted.

Next, in step S803, metadata is associated with the image data to generate image data with metadata. That is, when a command for associating metadata with image data (a selected one of the above two) is issued, metadata is added to the image data to generate image data with metadata. For example, the image data with metadata shown in FIG. 10A or 10B is generated.

Next, in step S804, the generated image data with metadata is stored in the memory card 403 or the storage unit 102. The image data with metadata may be stored in both the memory card 403 and the storage unit 102.

Next, in step S 805, it is determined whether there is image data that has not been read yet on the memory card 403. If image data that has not been read still remains on the memory card 403,
Returning to step S802, the above processing is continuously performed,
New image data with metadata shown in FIG. 11 or FIG. 12 is generated. For example, in the case of FIG. 11, image data with metadata is obtained by repeatedly adding the same metadata to a plurality of image data.

On the other hand, in step S805, when all image data on the memory card 403 has been read and addition of metadata to each image data has been completed, a series of operations is completed.

As described above, the metadata can be repeatedly added to a plurality of different pieces of image data input from the memory card 403 only by once generating the metadata in advance. Can easily perform the work of adding metadata. Alternatively, a plurality of metadata may be generated in advance and different types of metadata may be added to the plurality of image data by selecting the metadata as needed. In the present embodiment, still image data has been described as an example of binary data, but audio data, moving image data, or the like may be used as binary data.

In the example of step S802, the image data is transferred from the memory card 403 to the RAM 106 one by one.
Although the image data that has been read and read is deleted, the image data that has been read from the memory card 403 may be collectively read from the memory card 403 and may be collectively deleted.

In step S804, the image data to which the metadata has been added is stored in the storage unit 102, for example.
Alternatively, the example in which the data is stored in the memory card 403 attached to the data input / output unit 100 has been described.
Reference numeral 03 denotes, for example, a memory card 4 which is a first storage medium storing image data before adding metadata.
03 may be used, or may be stored in a memory card which is another second storage medium.

The image data to which the metadata has been added is directly or once stored in the memory card 403 or the storage unit 102 via the input terminal of the recording device 200, and then is stored in the memory card 403 or the storage unit 102. It may be written to the external device 107.

Further, the connection between the external device 107 and the data input / output unit 100 is not directly connected as described above.
It is also possible to connect using a wireless line. In this case, a wireless line interface corresponding to the external device 107 is provided in the data input / output unit 100.

The metadata may be generated in advance as described above, but may be prepared in advance in a memory card. FIG. 13 shows an example.
In this example, for example, a travel memory card is sold, and travel metadata stored in the memory card in advance is used. A memory card prepared in advance such as metadata for moving images, metadata for audio data, and metadata for still images may be used according to the binary data.

[0109]

[Other Embodiments] Even if the present invention is applied to a system including a plurality of devices (for example, a host computer, an interface device, a reader, a printer, etc.), a device including one device (for example, Copy machine, facsimile machine, etc.).

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. Or a CPU or MPU) reads out and executes the program code stored in the storage medium,
Needless to say, this is achieved. 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.
In addition, by executing the program code read by the computer, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also based on the instructions of the program code,
The operating system (OS) running on the computer performs part or all of the actual processing,
It goes without saying that a case where the function of the above-described embodiment is realized by the processing is also included.

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. , The CPU provided in the function expansion card or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing,
It goes without saying that a case where the function of the above-described embodiment is realized by the processing is also included.

When the present invention is applied to the storage medium, the storage medium stores program codes corresponding to the above-described flowcharts (shown in FIGS. 5, 6, 7, and 9). become.

[0113]

As described above, according to the present invention,
Generates auxiliary information used in advance to represent data information of binary data such as image data and audio data as metadata, and repeatedly adds the same generated metadata to multiple binary data read from a storage medium etc. As a result, it is possible to provide a recording device and a recording method that can easily generate binary data with metadata.

It is also possible to store and save the same generated metadata in a detachable and portable storage medium, read the stored metadata from the storage medium and use it when the storage medium is used. Accordingly, it is possible to provide a recording apparatus and a recording method capable of easily generating binary data with metadata by repeatedly adding and using the same generated metadata to a plurality of binary data read from a storage medium or the like. .

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a system configuration of a printing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2A is an exterior view of a recording apparatus according to the embodiment.

FIG. 2B is an exterior view of the back surface of the recording apparatus according to the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a memory card according to the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a GUI for registering metadata according to the embodiment;
Screen.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of generation and storage of metadata according to the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of generating a metadata file according to the embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart for storing generated metadata in the embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a metadata file according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating generation and storage of image data with metadata in the embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating the structure of two types of image data with metadata in the present embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a process of generating image data with metadata in the embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a generation process of image data with metadata in the present embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a metadata file according to the present embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 100 data input / output unit 101 input unit 102 storage unit 103 display unit 104 CPU 105 ROM 106 RAM 107 external device 200 recording device 403 memory card 404 reading unit 406 recording unit 407 metadata generation unit

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page F-term (reference) DA04 DA11 DB11 DD11

Claims (19)

[Claims] 1. A recording apparatus for adding metadata, which is information on the binary data, to the binary data, comprising: a metadata generating means for generating the metadata; and a detachable binary data for adding the metadata. Binary data reading means for reading from a possible first storage medium or an external device; binary data with metadata by adding the same metadata to the plurality of binary data read by the binary data reading means And a metadata adding means for generating the metadata. 2. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising storage means for storing the binary data with metadata output from the metadata adding means. 3. A binary data with metadata writing means for writing the binary data with metadata output from the metadata adding means to the first storage medium or an external device from which the binary data is read. The recording apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein 4. A binary data writing unit with metadata for writing the binary data with metadata output from the metadata adding unit to a removable second storage medium or an external device different from a source from which the binary data is read. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: 5. A binary data-added metadata writing means for writing the binary data with metadata stored in the storage means to the first storage medium or an external device from which the binary data is read. 3. The recording apparatus according to claim 2, wherein: 6. A binary data writing unit with metadata for writing the binary data with metadata stored in the storage unit to a removable second storage medium or an external device different from a source from which the binary data is read. The recording apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising: 7. Metadata reading means for reading metadata stored in a removable storage medium or an external device in advance, wherein said metadata adding means reads said metadata read by said metadata reading means. 7. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording apparatus is added to the binary data. 8. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the metadata adding unit embeds the metadata at a predetermined position of the binary data. 9. The method according to claim 1, wherein the metadata adding unit adds only a file name of the metadata or information indicating a location of the metadata to a predetermined position of the binary data. Any one of 7
The recording device according to Item. 10. A recording method for adding metadata, which is information on the binary data, to the binary data, comprising: a metadata generating step of generating the metadata; and attaching and detaching the binary data to which the metadata is added. A binary data reading step for reading from a possible first storage medium or an external device; and binary data with metadata by adding the same metadata to a plurality of the binary data read in the binary data reading step And a metadata adding step of generating the metadata. 11. The recording method according to claim 10, further comprising storage means for storing the metadata-added binary data output in the metadata adding step. 12. A binary data-added metadata writing step for writing the binary data with metadata output in the metadata adding step to the first storage medium or an external device from which the binary data is read. The recording method according to claim 10 or 11, wherein: 13. A binary data-added metadata writing step of writing binary data with metadata output from the metadata adding step to a removable second storage medium or the external device different from a source from which the binary data is read. The recording method according to claim 10, further comprising: 14. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of writing the binary data with metadata stored in the storage means to the first storage medium or an external device from which the binary data is read from the binary data. The recording method according to claim 11, wherein: 15. A binary data-added binary data writing step of writing the binary data with metadata stored in the storage means to a removable second storage medium or an external device different from a source from which the binary data is read. The recording method according to claim 11, further comprising: 16. A metadata reading step of reading metadata stored in a removable storage medium or an external device in advance, wherein the metadata adding step includes the step of reading the metadata read in the metadata reading step. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the data is added to the binary data.
The recording method according to any one of claims 0 to 15. 17. The recording method according to claim 10, wherein the metadata adding step embeds the metadata at a predetermined position of the binary data. 18. The method according to claim 10, wherein the metadata adding step adds only a file name of the metadata or information indicating a location of the metadata to a predetermined position of the binary data. 17. The recording method according to any one of items 16. 19. A storage medium storing a processing program for adding metadata, which is information on the binary data, to the binary data, wherein the processing program includes: a metadata generating step of generating the metadata; A binary data reading step of reading the binary data to which the metadata is added from a detachable first storage medium or an external device; and the same meta data for a plurality of the binary data read in the binary data reading step. A metadata adding step of generating binary data with metadata by adding data.