JP2002185841A - Image-reproducing device and electronic camera, and image-reproducing method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image-reproducing device that can retrieve a mixed image, consisting of a single image and a set image for a desired image with a simple operation and search for each image included in the set image with a simple operation. SOLUTION: A system controller 30 selects a designated image from an image group consisting of a single image and a representative image of a set image recorded in a memory card 20 through the operations of left/right keys of a selection use cross button 34B. Furthermore, the system controller 30 selects a designated image from an image group, included in the set image through the operations of upper/lower keys of the selection use cross button 34B. The system controller 30 reproduces the selected image and displays the image on an image LCD 41.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electronic camera device having a continuous shooting function for continuous shooting or moving image shooting, and an image playback technology such as an image playback device applicable to the electronic camera device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, electronic cameras that convert a subject into image data by an electronic imaging function and record the image data on a recording medium have become widespread. The electronic camera is also called a digital camera, and usually has a still image photographing function as a main function. Recently, an electronic camera having a still image shooting function in a continuous shooting (continuous shooting) mode and a moving image shooting function in addition to a still image shooting function in a single shooting (single shooting) mode has been developed.

[0003] Here, an image shot in the continuous shooting mode and the moving image shooting mode is called a combined image composed of a plurality of images and handled collectively. When each shooting function is used, an image group in which a single image and a combined image are mixed (hereinafter, referred to as “mixed image”) is recorded on a recording medium such as a memory card.

An electronic camera is provided with an image reproducing device (function) for retrieving a designated image from a group of photographed images recorded on a recording medium and reproducing the designated image on an image LCD (LCD monitor). ing. In addition, a dedicated image reproducing device (a dedicated device corresponding to an electronic album or the like) for storing and collectively managing a large number of images captured by an electronic camera has been developed.

[0005] In the image reproduction process, a function of searching for a desired image from a recording medium is required. As a still image search method, a method using an index display format is frequently used. The index display format is a format in which a multi-screen divided for each image is displayed on the display screen of the LCD, and a single image and a combined image are displayed on the multi-screen. However, when a mixed image in which a single image (single shot image) and a combined image are mixed is index-displayed, the display state is such that single shot images are scattered in a large number of image groups constituting the combined image. . In such a display state, searching for a desired image is inefficient and is not effective as a practical search method.

[0006]

As a method of searching for a desired image from a recording medium in which a single shot image and a combined image are mixedly recorded, a representative image of the single shot image and the combined image (a specific image) is used. (For example, see Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 5-181905). Since this search method does not display any image other than the representative image included in the set image, the index display state is simplified, and particularly, the search for a single shot image is facilitated.
In addition, although not in the index display format, another method of displaying a representative image of a group of images (for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No.
No. 88) has also been proposed.

[0007] However, in the proposed conventional search method, specific contents of an actual search operation are not disclosed. Also, with a search method that displays only the representative image of a set image, it is not so easy to search for each image other than the representative image from the set image.

An object of the present invention is to provide an image reproducing apparatus which can search for a desired image from a mixed image of a single image and a combined image by a simple operation and can search each image included in the combined image by a simple operation. Is to provide.

[0009]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A first aspect of the present invention is as follows.
Operating means for selecting a designated image from an image group consisting of a single image (single shot image) and a specific image (representative image) of a combined image when searching for a desired image from the mixed images recorded on the recording medium; The present invention also relates to an image reproducing apparatus separately provided with operation means for selecting a desired image from the set of images or an electronic camera apparatus incorporating the same.

More specifically, the present apparatus is provided with a first operation means (selecting a specified image from a group of images composed of a single image recorded on a recording medium and a specific image included in a set image). For example, left and right keys of a cross button), second operation means (for example, up and down keys of the cross button, or a newly provided development button) for selecting a specified image from an image group included in the set image, Display means for displaying a designated image selected by the first or second operation means.

With this configuration, when searching for a desired image from the mixed images recorded on the recording medium, the user can operate the first operation means to select a desired single image. That is, as a group of images to be searched,
Since the image is composed of the single image and the specific image (representative image) included in the group image, it is easy to search for a desired single image. Further, by operating the second operation means, a desired image can be easily selected from the set image.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, a desired image can be selected from a set image by operating means corresponding to the second operating means, and a representative image of the set image is selected and deleted. The present invention relates to an image reproducing device (method) having a function of erasing all images of the set of images when an operation is performed, or an electronic camera device incorporating the device.

With the apparatus having such a configuration, when erasing a combined image from a recording medium, there is no need to designate each image constituting the combined image and perform erasure processing. All of the set images can be deleted. When the set image is composed of a large number of image groups, the efficiency of the erasing operation can be improved.

When the set image is a set image obtained by continuous shooting (a set image in the continuous shooting mode), when a specified image other than the representative image is selected, only the specified image is selected. May be deleted. Further, when the combined image is a combined image captured by moving image shooting, all the images other than the representative image included in the combined image may be erased from the recording medium as an erase target.

[0015]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(Structure of Electronic Camera) FIG.
FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating a main part of an electronic camera according to the second embodiment. The electronic camera is assumed to be a digital camera having a shooting function in a continuous shooting (continuous shooting) mode and a moving image shooting mode in addition to a still image shooting function in a normal single shooting (single shooting) mode. The image reproducing apparatus of the present invention is assumed to be incorporated in the electronic camera.

As shown in FIG. 1, the electronic camera is roughly divided into a photographing system 1, a recording system 2, a control / operation system 3, and a display / output system 4.

The photographing system 1 includes an optical lens unit (including a zoom lens, a diaphragm, an autofocus lens, and the like).
10, an imaging element 11, an imaging circuit 12, and an A / D converter 13. Note that the mechanical shutter is omitted. The mechanical shutter is normally open, and closes in response to the ON operation of a release button of the operation unit 34 described later to control the exposure time.

The image pickup device 11 has a CCD (ch) of several million pixels.
arge coupled device) and an optical lens unit 1
0 is photoelectrically converted into the subject image incident through the “0”. The imaging circuit 12 receives an imaging signal from the imaging device 11 and
Various kinds of signal processing such as (automatic gain adjustment) processing and CDS (correlated double sampling) processing are performed. The A / D converter 13 converts the imaging signal processed by the imaging circuit 12 into a digital signal and outputs image data.

The recording system 2 has a recording medium 20 for storing image data, and a memory interface 21 including a slot for mounting the recording medium 20. The recording medium 20 is, for example, a memory card including a flash EEPROM. The recording medium 20 may be a removable magneto-optical disk (MO) or an ultra-compact card-type hard disk drive other than the memory card.

The control / operation system 3 includes a system controller 30, a buffer memory 31, an imaging adjustment circuit 32,
It has a control memory 33 and an operation unit 34. The system controller 30 includes a control CPU (microprocessor) and a memory that stores a control program for the CPU. The control CPU usually comprises a main CPU and a sub CPU. The main CPU is an image processing unit 3
00, recording processing unit 301, and continuous shooting / moving image shooting control unit 3
02 and the like, and controls the entire camera including image reproduction processing and erasure processing of the present invention described later.

The sub CPU receives an operation instruction input from an operation unit 34 described later and transmits it to the main CPU, and transmits mode information necessary for operating the camera to the control LC.
The control for displaying on the D (control panel) 40 is executed. In addition, the sub CPU operates a lens drive system (not shown) and a strobe 50 in response to an operation instruction from the operation unit 34.
Control the operation of.

The image processing unit 300 includes a buffer memory 31
Image compression processing of image data stored in
Various image processes such as a G-system still image compression process and a motion JPEG-type moving image compression process), an image decompression process, and a display data generation process are executed. Recording processing unit 301
Controls the recording operation of the recording system 2. The continuous shooting / moving image control unit 302 performs shooting in a normal single shooting mode (single shooting)
In addition, it controls the shooting operation in the continuous shooting mode or the moving image shooting mode.

The imaging adjustment circuit 32 roughly includes an AE (automatic exposure) function, an AF (automatic focus) function, and an AWB (automatic white balance) function. The control memory 33 is
This is a flash EEPROM that stores various control information necessary for the control operation of the system controller 30.

The operation unit 34 includes a mode dial 34A for setting an image reproduction mode, a selection cross button 34B, and a delete button 34C, in addition to a release button (shutter button for instructing start of a shooting operation) necessary for a shooting operation. And an OK button 34D for inputting commands and information necessary for shooting and image reproduction operations. The selection cross button 34B has a left / right key and an up / down key, and is used for an image search operation in a playback mode described later.

The display / output system 4 includes a control LCD (liquid
In addition to the crystal display 40, the image display device includes an image LCD 41 for displaying a captured image and a reproduced image, an LCD control circuit 42, an external output terminal 43, and an external interface 44. The image LCD 41 is usually a display monitor arranged on the back of the camera body, and is a captured image (including a through image) in a single shooting mode, a multi-image in a continuous shooting mode, and a moving image in a moving image shooting mode. (Through image) is displayed. The image LCD 41 displays an index display screen for image search in the playback mode. LCD control circuit 42 includes a VRAM (video RAM) for storing display data. External output terminal 4
3 and the external interface 44 output image data to an external device such as a television or a personal computer.

(First Embodiment) Hereinafter, referring to the flowcharts of FIGS. 2, 3, 4, and 5 together with FIG. 1,
An image reproduction process according to the first embodiment will be described.

First, in the embodiment, a photographing operation of the photographing system 1 or the like of the electronic camera is executed, and a single image in the single photographing mode, and a combined image in the continuous photographing mode and the moving image photographing mode are mixed. It is assumed that an image is recorded on the memory card 20. Here, the combined image means a group of images composed of a plurality of images captured in the continuous shooting mode or the moving image shooting mode and handled collectively.

FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram showing a format of an image group recorded on the memory card 20. Each image is managed by frame numbers (1 to 5). Here, each image of frame numbers 1, 3, and 4 means a single image. Frame numbers 2 and 5 are a combined image (mark 200) of a moving image (mark 201) and a continuously shot image (mark 202), respectively. A group of moving images includes a plurality of image groups (2-1 to 2-
5), and the specific image (head image 2-1 here) is set as the representative image. Control information for indicating the marks 200 and 201 is added to the representative image (2-1). Further, the set of continuous shot images is composed of a plurality of image groups (5-1 to 5-4), and the specific image (here, the top image 5-1) is set as the representative image. Control information for indicating the marks 200 and 202 is added to the representative image (5-1).

In the recording image format described above, FIG.
The image reproduction process in the electronic camera will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

First, the mode dial 34A of the operation unit 34
To set the playback mode (step S
1). In the playback mode, the system controller 30 performs index display for searching for a specified image (desired image) from a group of images (format shown in FIG. 2) recorded on the memory card 20.

When the left and right keys included in the selection cross button 34B of the operation unit 34 are operated, as shown in FIG. 3, images in the order of frame numbers are displayed on the LCD 41 (YES in step S2). Here, by operating the left and right keys, a representative image (2-1, 5) of a single image (frame numbers 1, 3, 4) and a combined image (moving image or continuous shot image) displayed as an index is displayed.
One image is selected from -1). The selected image is displayed by changing the display color of the frame number. When a desired image is determined from the display image group by operating the OK button 34D or the like of the operation unit 34, the selected image is reproduced and displayed on the screen of the LCD 41 in full screen (this display is referred to as “single screen display”). Is performed (steps S3 and S6).

Here, in the index display of the representative image (2-1, 5-1), as shown in FIG. 3, a mark 200 indicating a set image and a moving image and a continuous image are identified. Marks 210 and 202 are displayed. Therefore, from the index display by operating the left and right keys, the user can:
It can be recognized that a set of moving images or continuous shot images is mixed.

Here, when the desired image is a set image,
When the up / down key is operated after selecting the representative image by operating the left / right key and the OK button 34D, an image group included in the combined image is displayed on the LCD 41 (step S).
4 YES). As a specific example, when the representative image (2-1) of the set of moving images is selected and the up / down key is operated,
As shown in FIG. 4, the image group (2-
1 to 2-5) are displayed as indexes. A desired image is selected from the display image group by operating the up and down keys, and when the desired image is determined by operating the OK button 34D of the operation unit 34, the selected image is reproduced in full screen on the screen of the LCD 41. It is displayed (steps S5 and S6). Similarly, when the representative image (5-1) of the continuously shot images is selected and the up / down key is operated, the image group (5-1 to 5-4) included in the set image is displayed as an index. (FIG. 6
See).

As described above, according to the embodiment, in the reproduction mode, a desired image can be searched for from the mixed images recorded on the memory card 20 and reproduced and displayed on the display screen. In this case, a desired image (specified image) can be selected from an image group consisting of a single image or a representative image of a group of images by operating the left and right keys of the selection cross button 34B (operation relating to the first operation means). ). Further, by operating the up and down keys of the selection cross button 34B,
A desired image can be selected from an image group of a group of images including the representative image (operation relating to the second operation means).

In short, in the case of the image reproducing method according to the embodiment, the image search operation is divided into the first operation method using the left and right keys and the second operation method using the up and down keys, so that the desired image can be efficiently converted. Can be searched and displayed. Specifically, in the first operation method, since only the representative image is to be searched for the combined image among the mixed images, it is possible to easily select a desired single image or a representative image. Further, in the second operation method, since only the image group constituting the set image specified by the representative image is to be searched, a desired image including the representative image can be easily selected from the set image. is there.

(First Modification) This embodiment relates to an image reproducing method using an index screen display function. FIGS. 7 and 8 show a first modification of the embodiment, and show an image reproducing method using a one-frame display function.
That is, in the one-frame display mode, as shown in FIG.
(Representative image 2-1 of the moving image) can be selected and displayed. Further, from the representative image (2-1) 90 of the selected and displayed combined image, as shown in FIG.
The user can scroll up and down by operating the up / down key 4 to select and specify one image (for example, image 2-3) from the image.

(Second Modification) In the above first modification, when a set image is selected, when a set image having 2-1 as a representative image constituting the set image is selected. As shown in FIG. 4, only the image group constituting the set image is displayed. However, in this display method, since the front and back of the combined image are not known, the flow of photographing cannot be grasped. Therefore, in a second modification,
Even when an image group of a set image is developed, images taken before and after the group are displayed together. In the first modified example, the set image is expanded by operating the up and down keys of the operation unit 34. However, it is preferable to provide a dedicated expansion button. Therefore, in the following, description will be made assuming that a set image is developed by an operation using the development button. When the development button is pressed when the image 2-1 of FIG. 3 is selected, in the second modified example, as shown in FIG. The image is expanded to display not only the image group (images 2 to 5) but also the single images 1, 3, and 4 before and after the image group and the representative image 5-1 of the combined image. Here, when the representative image 5-1 is selected and the development button is pressed (refer to FIG. 9B), FIG.
As shown in (C), a set image having the image 5-1 as a representative image is developed and displayed before and after. In the present modification, after selecting a specific image of a desired set of images, by pressing an expansion button, only the selected set of images is expanded and displayed. Alternatively, the configuration may be such that the developed images of all the group images are displayed. That is, FIG.
In, when the development button is pressed, both of the set images having the image 2-1 and the image 5-1 as the representative images may be developed. Next, switching between index screen display and single screen display will be described. Conventionally, switching between the single screen display and the index display is usually performed by a T / W button (not shown). By operating the button, the single screen display and the normal index display (for example, see FIG. 3) are performed. Switching is possible. In the present invention, for example, when one image (for example, the image 2-3 in FIG. 4) of the continuously shot images is displayed on a single screen, the expand button is operated to obtain the image shown in FIG.
An index screen shown in (A) is displayed. In this case, an index screen as shown in FIG. 3 may be displayed. That is, it is possible to switch between the single screen display and various index screen displays by using the development button. It is preferable that the index screen displayed by switching from the single screen display to the index screen can be arbitrarily set by the user. For example, it is preferable that the index screen can be changed by a menu. As described above, according to the method of the second modification, various image displays and selections can be made by operating the development button or the cross key. (Second Embodiment) This embodiment relates to an erasing method for erasing an image selected using the above-described image search method from the memory card 20. Hereinafter, a specific image erasing procedure will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

First, the mode dial 34A of the operation unit 34
To set the playback mode (step S1).
1). In the playback mode, the system controller 30 performs index display for searching for a specified image (desired image) from a group of images (format shown in FIG. 2) recorded on the memory card 20.

Here, as described above, the operation of the left and right keys (including the operation of the OK button 34D) included in the selection cross button 34B of the operation unit 34 allows the single image and the combined image (moving image or continuous shot image) to be obtained. The image to be erased is selected from the image group consisting of the representative images (see FIG. 3) (YES in step S12, S13).

Next, when the erase button 34C of the operation unit 34 is operated, the system controller 30 executes a process of erasing the selected image specified as the erasure target from the memory card 20. In this case, if the selected image to be deleted is a single image, the single image is deleted from the memory card 20 (YES in step S14, S15). The above processing is repeated until all the single images to be deleted are deleted (step S16).

Here, when the selected image to be deleted is a representative image of a set image, the system controller 30 sends the set image (moving image or continuous shot image) from the memory card 20.
Is erased (Y in step S21).
ES, S22). Therefore, as a result, the set image selected and designated as the representative image is erased from the memory card 20.

On the other hand, after the representative image is selected by operating the left / right keys (including the operation of the OK button 34D), the set image of the representative image (FIG. 4) is operated by operating the up / down keys (including the operation of the OK button 34D). ) Is selected (YES in step S17, S18). If the combined image is a continuous image from the representative image mark (202), the system controller 30 deletes only the image selected and designated as the deletion target from the memory card 20 (YES in step S19, S20).

On the other hand, when the set image is a moving image, the system controller 30 sets the representative image (2-1 in FIG. 2).
Except for all images including the selected and specified image (2-2 to 2-2)
2-5) is deleted from the memory card 20 (Step S)
19 NO, S23). Note that, even in the case where the set image is a continuous shot image, the system controller 30 selects and selects all the images (5-2 to 5-5) including the selected image except for the representative image (5-1 in FIG. 2). There may be a mode for erasing -4) from the memory card 20.

As described above, the image erasing method of the present embodiment makes it easy to select an image to be erased from the mixed images by using the image search method in the reproduction mode of the first embodiment. be able to.

Further, in the erasing method, when the object to be erased is a group image other than a single image, only the representative image is selected.
All the images constituting the combined image can be erased from the memory card 20 by one erasing operation. Therefore, in the case of a set image including a large number of image groups, the efficiency of the erasing process can be improved. When the combined image is a continuous shot image, only the designated image except the representative image can be deleted. Furthermore,
When the combined image is a moving image, when an image other than the representative image is designated, all the images constituting the moving image can be erased by one erasing operation except for the representative image. In short, with the image erasing method according to the embodiment, in particular, the specified image can be efficiently erased from the mixed image, and various erasing modes can be realized for the combined image.

In the first and second embodiments, it is assumed that a leading image of a group of constituent images is set as a representative image of a set of images. When a specific image other than the first image is set as the representative image, a configuration is required in which the specific image is arranged at the position of the representative image (2-1 or 5-1) in the format of the recorded image shown in FIG. Becomes

Further, the recording medium includes not only the apparatus directly but also a medium installed in a remote place in a communication form.

[0049]

As described in detail above, according to the present invention, first, a desired image can be searched for from a mixed image of a single image and a combined image by a simple operation, and each image included in the combined image can be searched. It is possible to provide an image reproducing device that can be searched by a simple operation.
Therefore, if the image reproducing device of the present invention is applied to an electronic camera device having functions of single shooting and continuous shooting, an electronic camera device excellent in image reproducing operation can be provided. Secondly, when erasing a specified image from a mixed image of a single image and a combined image, it is possible to realize various erasing modes, particularly for the combined image, while improving the efficiency of the erasing process.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a main part of an electronic camera according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram showing a recording format of an image group according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is an exemplary view for explaining an image search operation method according to the embodiment;

FIG. 4 is an exemplary view for explaining a set image search operation method according to the embodiment;

FIG. 5 is an exemplary flowchart for explaining the procedure of image reproduction processing according to the embodiment;

FIG. 6 is an exemplary view for explaining a set image search operation method according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 7 is an exemplary view for explaining a set image search operation method according to a first modification of the first embodiment;

FIG. 8 is an exemplary view for explaining a set image search operation method according to a first modification of the first embodiment;

FIG. 9 is a view for explaining a second modification of the first embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining a procedure of a recording image erasing process according to the second embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Photographing system 2 ... Recording system 3 ... Control / operation system 4 ... Display / output system 10 ... Optical lens unit 11 ... Imaging element 12 ... Imaging circuit 13 ... A / D converter 20 ... Recording medium (memory card) 21 ... Memory Interface 30 ... System controller 31 ... Buffer memory 32 ... Imaging adjustment circuit 33 ... Control memory 34 ... Operation unit 41 ... Image LCD 42 ... LCD control circuit 43 ... External output terminal 44 ... External interface 50 ... Strobe

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page F term (reference) 5C022 AA13 AC03 AC42 AC69 AC80 5C052 AA17 AB02 AC08 CC11 DD02 EE03 EE08 GA02 GA03 GB01 GC05 GD03 GE06 GE08

Claims (9)

[Claims] An image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the single image and the combined image are recorded from a recording medium on which a single image taken alone and a combined image including a plurality of images captured by continuous shooting or moving image shooting are recorded. Reading means, and a first means for selecting a desired image from the specific images included in the single image and the combined image read from the recording medium
Operating means, a second operating means for selecting a desired image from the image group included in the set image, and a display means for displaying the image selected by the first or second operating means. An image reproducing apparatus, comprising: 2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the single image and the combined image are recorded from a recording medium on which a single image taken alone and a combined image including a plurality of images captured by continuous shooting or moving image shooting are recorded. Reading means, and a first means for selecting a desired image from the specific images included in the single image and the combined image read from the recording medium
An operating means for developing an image group included in a group image corresponding to at least the selected specific image; and an index including at least one of the single image, the specific image, and the developed image field An image reproducing apparatus, comprising: display means for displaying an image. 3. The method according to claim 2, wherein when the specific image is selected, the display unit displays an image group captured at least before or after the selected image together with an image group of a combined image corresponding to the specific image. The image reproduction device according to claim 1. 4. An image reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: an electronic imaging unit configured to electronically capture the single image and the combined image. An electronic camera device characterized by the following. 5. An operation means for selecting a desired image from a group of images included in the set image from a recording medium on which a set image handling a plurality of images taken by continuous shooting collectively is recorded, and If the image selected by the operation means is a specific image set as a representative image of an image group included in the set image, all images included in the set image are to be deleted, and images other than the representative image are deleted. An image reproducing apparatus, comprising: when, is selected, erases only the selected image as an erasure target and erases the image set as the erasure target from the recording medium. 6. An operation means for selecting a desired image from a group of images included in the group of images from a recording medium on which a group of images handling a plurality of images captured by moving image shooting is recorded collectively. If the image selected by the operation means is a specific image set as a representative image of an image group included in the set image, all images included in the set image are to be deleted, and images other than the representative image are deleted. And an erasing means for erasing from the recording medium all the images other than the representative image included in the set of images when erasing is selected. 7. An electronic camera device, comprising: the image reproducing device according to claim 5; and electronic imaging means for photographing the combined image by an electronic imaging function. 8. A desired image is selected from the group of images from a recording medium on which a group of images including a plurality of images captured by continuous shooting is recorded, and the selected image is included in the group of images. In the case of a specific image set as a representative image of an image group to be set, all images included in the set image are set as deletion targets, and when an image other than the representative image is selected, the selected image is deleted. An image reproducing method, wherein only an image to be erased is set as an object to be erased, and an image set as an object to be erased is erased from the recording medium. 9. A desired image is selected from the group of images from a recording medium in which a group of images including a plurality of images captured by moving image shooting is recorded, and the selected image is included in the group of images. In the case of a specific image set as a representative image of an image group to be set, all images included in the set image are set as deletion targets, and when an image other than the representative image is selected, the set image An image reproducing method comprising: setting all images other than the representative image included in the image data to be erased; and erasing the image set as the image to be erased from the recording medium.