JP2002211049A - Image processor, method for controlling image processor, and method for processing image - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To output in units of groups while grouping and centrally managing a plurality of related image data among a plurality of recorded pickup image data. SOLUTION: In outputting pickup image data recorded to an external memory 110 in which a plurality of pickup image data having pickup times as additional information are recorded, a control part 103 automatically groups the plurality of image data recorded in the external memory 110 according to respective pickup times by segmenting the data by a preliminarily determined constant time width, and outputs every images belonging to the same group to a display part 107 or a printing part 108.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus for controlling output of photographed image data from a recording medium on which a plurality of photographed images are recorded to an output device, and a control method and a method for the image processing apparatus. It is about.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, the spread of digital cameras has been remarkable. Here, a digital camera digitizes an image obtained by shooting and records it in an image memory. Here, a semiconductor memory is particularly often used as the image memory. The captured image thus obtained is displayed by connecting a device such as a digital camera including the image memory or the like to a device having a display unit, and is also connected to a device having a printing unit and printed for viewing. Also,
Some devices, such as digital cameras, include a display unit or a printing unit. In such a device, the device itself can display, print, and view a captured image.

[0003] Examples of such a device for displaying and printing a photographed image include an image printing device for printing a photographed image of a digital camera. Here, the image printing apparatus prints a captured image recorded in an image memory by connecting a digital camera or an image memory detached from the digital camera. The images are displayed on the screen as a list, and the operator selects a captured image to be printed based on the display screen, and selects a captured image to be printed by the operation unit.

[0004] On the other hand, such an image memory has been relatively expensive, has a small recording capacity, and cannot record a sufficient number of captured images. For this reason, photographed images that have already been printed are often erased from the image memory, and it is generally easy to select a photographed image to be printed from all the photographed images recorded in the image memory. .

[0005]

However, recently, the development of semiconductor technology has made small image memories cheaper and larger in capacity. For this reason, it is possible to record a large number of captured images in the image memory, and it is less necessary to delete already printed captured images from the image memory.

For this reason, it has become difficult to select a photographed image to be printed from all the photographed images recorded in the image memory.

Generally, when such a large number of photographed images are arranged in chronological order according to the photographing time, the photographing time intervals are different. In some cases, images are taken after a distance.

In many cases, images taken at short intervals have a high correlation between the contents being shot. For example, 1
Images taken at intervals of 0 minutes and 20 minutes are likely to have been taken at the same place, and images taken at intervals of 1 second and 2 seconds are considered to represent the same subject.

However, since a plurality of photographed images are not managed according to the photographing time, there is a problem that the load of selecting a photographed image to be printed from all the photographed images recorded in the image memory is heavy. It was pointed out.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to divide a plurality of photographed image data recorded in a recording means into groups based on their photographing times. By controlling the output of the captured image data so as to output to the output means, while grouping a plurality of linked captured image data in a plurality of recorded captured image data and centrally managing, Each captured image data can be displayed or printed in a unit such as a group taken in the same place or a group taken in the same subject.Select the captured image you want to print from all the captured images stored in the image memory An object of the present invention is to provide an image processing apparatus and a control method of the image processing apparatus which are excellent in convenience and can greatly reduce the load when performing the processing.

[0011]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, a first recording means (external memory 110 shown in FIG. 1) in which a plurality of photographed image data having a photographing time as additional information is recorded. An output unit (a display unit 107 and a printing unit 108 shown in FIG. 1) for outputting recorded captured image data;
A plurality of image data recorded in the first recording means are automatically grouped according to their respective photographing times, with a predetermined fixed time width as a delimiter, and the image data belonging to the same group is And a control unit (the control unit 103 shown in FIG. 1) for outputting to the output unit.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, a photographed image recorded in a first recording means (external memory 110 shown in FIG. 1) in which a plurality of photographed images having a photographing time as additional information is recorded. Output means for outputting (display unit 10 shown in FIG. 1)
7, the printing unit 108) and the plurality of images recorded in the first recording means are arranged in the order of the photographing time, the photographing time difference is calculated for the adjacent images, and one or more images are counted from the place where the photographing time difference is large. And a control unit (the control unit 103 shown in FIG. 1) that divides the image into groups by using the section as a delimiter and outputs the images to the output unit for each image belonging to the same group.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the control means arranges the photographed images belonging to one group in a one-dimensional manner in a horizontal direction, enumerates each group in a vertical direction, and outputs the groups from the output means. It is to let.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the control means is arranged such that, when the images are arranged and output one-dimensionally in the horizontal direction, the output width reaches a specified value, When the output is completed, a line feed or page break is output from the output means.

In a fifth aspect according to the present invention, the output means is a display means (display unit 107 shown in FIG. 1).

In a sixth aspect according to the present invention, the output means is a printing means (printing unit shown in FIG. 1).

In a seventh aspect according to the present invention, the output means is a second recording means (external memory 120 shown in FIG. 13).
It is.

In an eighth aspect according to the present invention, the control means collects the photographed image data in the same folder for each group and outputs the data to the second recording means (external memory 120 shown in FIG. 13). It is to let.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an operation means for selecting photographed image data to be output from the output means, wherein the operation means performs all operations on all photographed images belonging to one group by one operation. Has the function of selecting

[0020] In a tenth aspect according to the present invention, the first recording means is a storage medium detachable from an imaging device.

According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, a photographed image recorded in first recording means (external memory 110 shown in FIG. 1) in which a plurality of photographed image data having a photographing time as additional information is recorded. An output step of outputting data to an output device; and automatically grouping a plurality of image data recorded in the first recording means by respective photographing times with a predetermined time width as a delimiter. Then, a control step of outputting to the output device for each image belonging to the same group (step s503 shown in FIG. 5)
For details, see steps s601 to s6 shown in FIG.
08).

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, a photographed image recorded in a first recording means (external memory 110 shown in FIG. 1) in which a plurality of photographed images each having a photographing time as additional information is recorded. An output step for outputting to an output device (FIG. 5)
Step s504), and arranging a plurality of images recorded in the first recording means in order of photographing time, taking a difference in photographing time between adjacent images, and obtaining one or more images from a portion where the photographing time difference is large. A control step (step s503 shown in FIG. 5) in which the image data is divided into groups by using the places as delimiters, and the images are output to the output device for each image belonging to the same group.
For details, see step s1201 shown in FIG.
To s1214).

According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, in the control step, the photographed images belonging to one group are arranged one-dimensionally in a horizontal direction, and the groups are enumerated in a vertical direction and output from the output device. It is to let.

According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, in the control step, when the images are arranged one-dimensionally in the horizontal direction and output, a case where the output width reaches a specified value and a case where the image width of one group When the output is completed, a line feed or page break is output from the output means.

According to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, the output device is a display device.

In a sixteenth aspect according to the present invention, the output device is a printing device.

In a seventeenth aspect according to the present invention, the output device is a second recording unit.

According to an eighteenth aspect of the present invention, in the control step, the photographed image data is grouped into one folder for each group and outputted to the second recording means.

A nineteenth invention according to the present invention has an operation step (steps s701 to s710 shown in FIG. 7) of selecting photographed image data to be output from the output device.
The operation step is to select all captured images belonging to one group by one operation.

In a twentieth aspect according to the present invention, the first recording means is a storage medium (FIG. 1) which is detachable from an imaging device.
3 is an external memory 120).

According to a twenty-first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a grouping means (control section 103 shown in FIG. 1) for grouping a plurality of image data each having time information according to the time information. Output means (FIG. 1) for outputting a plurality of images so that the groups divided by the means can be recognized.
And a printing unit 108) shown in FIG.

In a twenty-second invention according to the present invention, the grouping means sets a group in which time series of time information included in the plurality of image data are separated by a predetermined time interval into another group.

A twenty-third invention according to the present invention further provides a DCF
It has a reproducing means (control unit 103 shown in FIG. 1) for reproducing the plurality of images from a storage medium storing image data based on a format conforming to the format.

According to a twenty-fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a grouping step (step s503 shown in FIG. 5) for grouping a plurality of image data each having time information according to the time information. Has an output step (step s504 shown in FIG. 5) of outputting a plurality of images so that the group divided by the step can be recognized.

According to a twenty-fifth aspect of the present invention, in the grouping step, those in which the time series of the time information included in the plurality of pieces of image data are separated by a predetermined time interval are set as another group.

A twenty-sixth invention according to the present invention further provides a DCF
A reproducing step of reproducing the plurality of images from a storage medium storing image data based on a format conforming to the format.

[0037]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [First Embodiment] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of an image processing apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 110 denotes an external memory constituted by, for example, a semiconductor memory.
F file) or DCF format. Reference numeral 101 denotes an image processing apparatus main body;
10 is attached to the connection part 105. An internal memory 106 is a captured image (captured image) read out or reproduced from the external memory 110 connected to the connection unit 105.
The data is stored.

In this embodiment, in the DCF format, a file name with a serial number is given to each image according to the order in which the images were taken. Further, one directory stores a maximum of 50 image data.

Reference numeral 103 denotes a control unit which outputs data of the captured image data stored in the internal memory 106 to the display unit 107 in accordance with an instruction from the operation unit 104, or the printing unit 10
8 is generally controlled.

In the thus configured image processing apparatus, the image memory 110 is connected to the connection unit 105 of the image processing apparatus 101 by the operator, and the image memory 11
The captured image recorded at 0 is output to the internal memory 106 through the connection unit. The control unit 103 is notified from the connection unit 105 that the external memory 110 has been connected, performs grouping on each of the captured images in the internal memory 106 based on the capturing time, and outputs each group from the internal memory to the display unit 1.
07.

The operator browses the display on the display unit 107, selects a photographic image to be printed which is difficult to display on the operation unit 104, and notifies the control unit 103 of the selected image. The control unit 103 outputs the selected photographed image from the internal memory to the printing unit 108 to perform printing.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the recorded contents of the external memory 110 shown in FIG.

In FIG. 2, photographed images 201 to 210 and 10 photographed images are recorded, and the photographing times are recorded together. The captured image includes an image captured by a digital camera and image data created by another image processing apparatus. In the case of the latter image, the time when the image was created is processed as the shooting time.

FIG. 3 shows the image processing apparatus main unit 1 shown in FIG.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view for explaining an external configuration of the apparatus of FIG. 1, and the same parts as those of FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

In FIG. 3, the image processing apparatus 101 has a console shape having a display unit 104 located at the upper part, a connection part 105 of the image memory located at the right hand thereof, and a printing part 108 at the lower part.

The operation unit 104 is, for example, a touch panel,
It is integrated with the display unit 107, and various operations can be performed by an operator touching the display unit 107.
The operator connects the external memory 110 to the connection unit 105, selects a captured image to be printed by the operation unit 104 according to the display on the display unit 107, and takes out the printed matter 301 output from the printing unit 108.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen of the display unit 107 shown in FIG.

In FIG. 4, photographed images 201 to 210 recorded in the external memory 110 are displayed together with the photographing times. However, the captured images 201, 202, 204
Are not shown in this figure because they are located outside the display area.

The photographed images are grouped by the photographed date, and the photographed images of each group are displayed side by side. The group with the latest photographed date (the photographed images 209 and 216) is displayed at the bottom, and the group with the older date is displayed at the top. Within the group, the most recent captured image (captured image 203,
208, 210) are displayed at the left end, and are displayed to the right as the time gets older.

By displaying in this manner, the operator can comprehend the photographed images as a group by date of photographing, and at the same time, grasp the photographed images in the time history even on the same date.

As a display format of a captured image on the display unit 107, for example, there is a method of displaying a captured image as a thumbnail image that fits in a predetermined size.

As described above, the operation unit 104 of the touch panel type is placed on the display unit 107. By touching the position of the captured image displayed on the screen, the captured image can be selected. . Touching the position of the captured image again cancels the selection.

At the left end of the group, group selection instruction buttons 401 to 403 corresponding to each group are displayed. By touching this button, all the shot images of the group can be selected.

When a group selection instruction is touched in a state where all of the captured images of the group are selected, the selection of all the captured images of the group is released.

For example, in FIG. 4, when the group selection instruction button 402 is touched, the photographed images 204 to 208 are selected. If not all captured images fit on the screen,
When the display portion of the upward scroll instruction button 421 is touched, the screen is scrolled upward, and a group with a more photographed date is displayed.

When the display portion of the downward scroll instruction button 422 is touched, the screen scrolls downward, and a new group with a more photographed date is displayed. When the left scroll instruction button 423 is touched, the screen scrolls leftward, and a captured image with a newer capturing time is displayed in the group.

Further, when the display portion of the right scroll instruction button 424 is touched, the screen scrolls rightward, and a photographed image having a later photographing time in the group is displayed. When the user touches the display section of the all selection instruction button 425, all the captured images are selected, and when touched again, the selection of all the captured images is released.

By selecting a photographed image to be printed by these selection operations and touching the display portion of the print instruction button 411, all the selected photographed images are printed. If the user touches the display portion of the stop instruction button 412 during the operation, printing is not performed, and the image processing apparatus main body 101 and the external memory 11 are not printed.
The connection with 0 is disconnected. Reference numeral 426 denotes a cancel button.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of a first data processing procedure in the image processing apparatus according to the present invention, and corresponds to the image display processing procedure performed by the control unit 103 shown in FIG. In addition, s501 to s509 indicate each step.

This processing is executed by the external memory 1
When the connection is notified, the captured image recorded in the external memory 110 is read into the internal memory 106, and the subsequent processing is started.

First, in step s501, all the shot images are sorted in ascending order based on the shooting times, and are arranged in descending order of the shooting times. Next, in step s502, the display coordinates (x, y) are set to (1, 1) and the counter n
Is initialized with the total number N of captured images, and in step s503, the captured images are grouped based on the capturing time.

As a result, group (n) is set so as to return the group number for the number n of the photographed images arranged in the time history.

Then, in step s504, the n-th photographed image is displayed at the coordinates (x, y) on the display unit 107. Here, x and y are units of display intervals in the horizontal and vertical directions of the image, respectively, where x is rightward and y
Increases upward.

If the coordinates do not fit in the display area of the display unit 107, the coordinates are displayed in a virtual display area exceeding the display area. This virtual display area is
Can be displayed by the scroll operation in.

Next, in step s505, it is determined whether or not the value of the counter n is greater than "1", and if false (NO), the process ends.

On the other hand, in step s505, the judgment is true (Y
ES), in step s506, n is decremented, and in step s507, it is determined whether the n-th captured image to be displayed next is in the same group as the previously displayed (n + 1) -th captured image by group (n) and group (n).
If it is determined by comparing p (n + 1) that the images belong to the same group, in step s508, the horizontal direction x of the image is incremented (x + 1), the display position is advanced in the horizontal direction, and the process returns to step s504. .

On the other hand, if it is determined in step s507 that they are not in the same group, the process has shifted to the next group. In step s509, the horizontal direction x of the image is initialized to "1", and The display position is changed to the upper left end by one step by incrementing the vertical direction y of. This post-processing loops and returns to step s504 again to display the captured image.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing an example of the second data processing procedure in the image processing apparatus according to the present invention. In the grouping in step s503 shown in FIG. Corresponds to the detailed processing procedure when performing. Note that s601 to s
608 indicates each step.

First, in step s601, the group number g, the counter n, and head (1) representing the first captured image in the first group are initialized to "1". In step s602, group
G is substituted for (n), and the n-th image is associated as a group number g.

In step s603, n is incremented. In step s604, it is determined whether or not n does not exceed the total number of images N. If it is determined that n does not exceed the total number N, the next step is to associate group numbers in step s605. The date of the n-th image is compared with the date of the (n-1) -th image to which the group number is previously associated, and it is determined whether or not the shooting dates of both images are the same. Then, returning to the processing of step s602, if it is determined that the date is different, the group number g is incremented in step s606 to allocate a new group number, and the number of the first captured image in the group of group number g In step s607, the value of the counter n is substituted for head (g) so that n can be referred to later. Place, step loops s602
Return to the processing of

On the other hand, in step s604, n becomes N
Is exceeded, "0" is substituted for group (n) in step s608 to represent the end of the group matrix, and the process ends.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of the third data processing procedure in the image processing apparatus according to the present invention. When the operator touches the group selection instruction buttons 401 to 403 on the operation unit 104, the group is displayed. When all the captured images are selected or when all the captured images of the group are selected, the operator touches the group selection instruction buttons 401 to 403 to release the selection of all the captured images of the group. This corresponds to the processing procedure performed by the control unit 103. Note that s701 to s710 indicate each step.

This processing starts with the number g of the selected group as an argument, and in step s701, the number hea of the first photographed image in this group
d (g) is obtained, and this is substituted for the number n of the photographed image to be processed. First, as a first stage, step s702
In steps s706, it is determined whether or not any of the captured images of the group has already been selected (step s702). It should be noted that whether or not the n-th photographed image is selected is determined based on whether list (n) is “1” or “0”.

Then, in step s702, list
If it is determined that (n) = 1, step s703
In, the number n of the photographed image is incremented, and the process proceeds to the determination of the next photographed image.

Then, in step 704, it is determined whether or not the next photographed image belongs to the group of the number g as in the previous photographed image. If it does not belong to the group of the number g, it is assumed that all the captured images belonging to the group of the number g have been selected (list (n) = 1), and
In order to cancel the selection (list (n) = 0), in step s705, the substitution value b for list (n) is set to “0”.

On the other hand, in step s702, lis
If it is determined that t (n) is not 1, that is, if it is determined that at least one captured image is not selected in the group, in step s706, the substitution value b for list (n) is set to “1”. Set.

Next, at step s707, head is again
After substituting (g) for the number n of the captured image, the process proceeds to the second stage of steps s708 to s710.

First, in step s707, the substitution value b determined in the first stage is substituted for list (n). Thus, the captured image is in a selected state (list (n) = 1) or a deselected state (list (n) = 0).

In step s709, the number n of the photographed image is incremented. In step s710, it is determined whether the next photographed image belongs to the same group as the previous photographed image and belongs to the same group. If it is determined that there is a loop, the processing loops and returns to the processing of s708.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step s710 that the groups are not the same group, the group selection processing ends here.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing printed materials 301 and 302 printed by the printing unit 108 shown in FIG.

In FIG. 8, photographed images 201 to 206 recorded in the external memory 110 are printed on a printed matter 301, and photographed images 207 to 210 are printed on a printed matter 302 together with the photographing time.

As described above, the shot images are grouped according to the shooting date, and the shot images of each group are printed side by side. The group with the oldest photographed date (the photographed images 201 and 202) is printed at the top, and the group with the newer date is printed at the bottom.
However, if the printable range is exceeded in the lower direction, a page break is performed. In the group, the oldest captured images (captured images 201, 203, 204, 2)
07, 209) are printed at the left end, and are printed rightward as the time becomes newer. However, if the printable range is exceeded in the right direction, printing is performed from the left end, one step lower, with a new column.

By printing in this way, the operator can grasp the photographed images collectively for each date of photographing, and at the same time, grasp the photographed images in the time history even on the same date.

[0086] Regarding the print format of the photographed image on the printed materials 301 and 302, there is a method of displaying the photographed image in a normal size or printing it as a thumbnail image that fits in a predetermined size.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of the fourth data processing procedure in the image processing apparatus according to the present invention, and corresponds to the image printing processing procedure performed by the control unit 103 shown in FIG. In addition, s901 to s913 indicate each step.

Note that this processing starts when the operator touches the print instruction button 411 on the operation unit 104.

First, in step s901, the print coordinates (x, y) are initialized to (1, 1), the print page P is initialized to “1”, the counter n is initialized to “0”, and the counter stored value n ′ is initialized to “0”. Become

Here, x and y are in units of horizontal and vertical display intervals of the image, respectively, where x increases rightward and y increases downward.

Next, in step s902, n is incremented. In step s903, n is compared with the total number N of photographed images to determine whether n is greater than N. If it is determined that n is less than or equal to N, the process is terminated.
At 904, the selected state list (n) of the n-th captured image
Is "1".

Here, if list (n) ≠ 1, that is, if it is determined that the state is not the deselection state, a loop is performed and s90
Return to 2.

On the other hand, in step s904, list
If it is determined that (n) = 1, step s905
In step (2), it is determined whether or not the counter storage value n ′ is “0”. If n ′ = 0, that is, if it is determined that no printing has yet been performed, the subsequent processing jumps to step s912.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step s905 that n ≠ 0, in step s906, the group of the previously printed photographed image (number n ′) and the currently processed photographed image (number n) are the same. Grou
If p (n ') is determined by comparing group (n) with group (n), and if they are determined to be in the same group, step s
In step 907, x is incremented, and in step s908,
It is determined whether or not x exceeds the print area width X, and
If it is determined that it has not exceeded, the process proceeds to step s912.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step s908 that x exceeds X, or the group of the photographed image (number n ') printed before and the group of the photographed image currently being processed (number n) are not the same, That is, group (n ′) ≠ gr
If it is determined to be up (n), step s909
In step (1), "1" is substituted for x to return the print coordinates in the horizontal direction to the left end, and y is incremented to lower the print coordinates by one step.

In step s910, it is determined whether or not y exceeds the print area height Y. If it is determined that y does not exceed y, the flow advances to step s912.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step s910 that y exceeds Y, then in step s911,
By substituting “1” for y, the print coordinates in the vertical direction are returned to the top, and the page number p is incremented to perform a page break, and the flow advances to step s912.

After performing the above processing, step s91
In 2, the n-th captured image is displayed at the coordinates (x, y) of the p-th page of the printed matter 301 (or 302). Thereafter, the counter n, which is the number of the captured image printed, is substituted for the counter storage value n ', and the process loops to return to step s902.

[Second Embodiment] In the first embodiment,
When the control unit 103 classifies the recorded images, the case where the photographing times are grouped by a scale such as a date has been described. However, the configuration is such that the photographed images are arranged in the order of the photographing time and the grouping is performed at intervals. Then, for example, a plurality of images shot continuously over a date may be handled as one group. Hereinafter, the embodiment will be described.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of grouped display of captured images in the image processing apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The control unit 103 shown in FIG.
Corresponds to an example of a screen to be displayed.

In FIG. 10, photographed images 201 to 210 recorded in the external memory 110 are displayed together with their photographing times. However, since 201 and 202 are located outside the display area, they are not shown in this figure.

Further, in the present embodiment, the photographed images are grouped by the one near the photographing time, and
The captured images of each group are displayed side by side. The most recent group at the time of photographing (the photographed image 208,
209 and 210) are displayed at the bottom, and the group with the older time is displayed at the top. Within the group, the most recently captured images (the captured images 203, 207, and 2)
10) is displayed at the left end, and is displayed to the right as the time gets older.

By displaying in this way, the operator can comprehend the photographed images collectively for each time zone in which they were photographed, and at the same time, can grasp the photographed images in the time history even in the same time period.

As a display format of a captured image on the display unit 107, for example, there is a method of displaying a captured image as a thumbnail image that fits in a predetermined size.

FIG. 11 shows the external memory 110 shown in FIG.
FIG. 4 is a characteristic diagram illustrating an example of a variation in shooting time of captured images recorded in an image, and shows an interval between shooting times between adjacent images for captured images arranged in order of shooting time.
Note that the horizontal axis indicates a photographing interval, and the vertical axis indicates a photographed image.

In FIG. 11, the plot on the graph 1120 indicates the photographing interval 1 between the photographed image 201 and the photographed image 202.
101, photographing interval 1 between photographed image 202 and photographed image 203
102, the shooting interval 1109 between the shot image 209 and the shot image 210 is reached. The shooting intervals 1101 to 1109 are
After adding “1” to the interval seconds Δs of the photographing time, a natural logarithm is obtained to obtain log ₁₀ (Δs + 1).

These average values 1110 correspond to a difference of about 21 minutes, and a portion having an interval longer than this is set as a boundary of grouping, thereby realizing grouping based on time zone. are doing.

In this case, the photographing intervals 1103, 110
7, 1108 and 10009 exceed the average value 1110, and the captured images 201, 202, 203, 204 to
207 and 208 to 210 are grouped into five groups.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing an example of the fifth data processing procedure in the image processing apparatus according to the present invention. Step s503 (FIG. 5) of the image display processing performed by the control section 103 shown in FIG. Corresponds to the processing procedure in the case where the shot images are arranged in the order of the shooting time and grouping is performed at intervals. In addition, s1201 to s1214 indicate each step.

First, in step s1201, the group number g, the counter n, and head (1) representing the first captured image in the first group are set to “1”.
, And the average value mds of the photographing intervals is initialized to “0”.

Then, as a first stage, step s1
In steps 202 to s1206, the photographing interval ds (n) and its average value mds are obtained, and in step s1202,
It is determined whether or not the value of the counter n has not reached the total number of captured images N. If it is determined that the value has not reached, the capturing interval ds (n) between the nth and (n + 1) th captured images is determined in step s1203. calculate.

The specific calculation is the difference sec (n + 1) -sec (n) between the respective photographing times expressed in seconds.
Is added to "1" and the natural logarithm is calculated to obtain log ₁₀ (1
+ Sec (n + 1) -sec (n)).

Then, in step s1204,
Before obtaining the average value mds of the shooting intervals, ds
Take the sum of (n). Next, n is incremented in step s1205, and the process loops back to s1202.

If it is determined in step S1202 that n has reached N, in step s1206, the average value mds of the photographing intervals is divided by N to obtain the average value mds of the photographing intervals. Ends the stage.

Next, in step s1207, n is initialized to "0", and the process proceeds to the second stage. In the second stage, in steps s1207 to s1214, the captured images are grouped. In step (s1209), n is incremented.
It is determined whether or not has not reached N. If it is determined that has not been reached, gr is determined in step s1210.
g is substituted for up (n), and the n-th image is associated as a group number g.

Next, in step s1211, the next n + 1
It is determined whether or not the shooting interval ds (n) with the second image exceeds the average value mds. If it is determined that the shooting interval ds (n) does not exceed the average value mds, the next shot image is determined to belong to the same group, and the process returns to s1208.

On the other hand, in step s1211, the average value md
If it is determined that the number exceeds s, it is determined that the image belongs to the next group from the next captured image, and g is incremented in step s1212. In step s1213, the head of the group with the group number g can be referred to later.
After substituting n into head (g) in step s607 shown in FIG. 6, the process loops back to s1208.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step s1209 that n has reached N, then in step s1214, in order to represent the end of the group matrix, group
“0” is substituted for up (n), and the process ends.

[Third Embodiment] In the first and second embodiments, the grouped shot images are displayed on the display unit 1307.
Has been described, but it is configured to output to the second external memory, that is, the grouped photographed images are grouped into folders for each group and recorded in the second external memory. This may be configured so that operations such as output, copy, and deletion can be easily performed in group units. Hereinafter, the embodiment will be described.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of an image processing apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention. Less than,
The configuration and operation will be described.

The image processing apparatus main body 1 is operated by the operator.
The first external memory 11 is connected to the first
0 is connected, and the captured image recorded in the external memory 110 is output to the internal memory 1306 through the connection unit.

A second image memory 120 for recording the captured images in groups is connected to a second connection unit 1309. The control unit 1303 is notified from the first connection unit 1305 that the first external memory 110 has been connected, performs grouping on each of the captured images in the internal memory 1306 based on the capturing time, and stores each in the internal memory 1306. From the display unit 1307.

Based on the display on the display unit 1307, the operator selects a photographed image to be recorded in the second external memory 120 by grouping with the operation unit 1304 and notifies the control unit. The control unit 1303 outputs the selected captured image from the internal memory 1306 to the second image memory 120 via the second connection unit 1309 and records the image.

FIG. 14 is a diagram for explaining the recorded contents of the second image memory 120 shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 14, in the present embodiment, similarly to the grouping by the control unit in the second embodiment, the captured images 201, 202, and 203 are grouped by the control unit 1303 in FIG. , 204-2
07 and 208 to 210 are folders 1401 and 1 respectively.
402, 1403, 1404, and 1405 are collectively recorded.

FIG. 15 is an external perspective view illustrating the configuration of an image processing apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention. Less than,
The configuration and operation will be described.

In FIG. 15, an image processing apparatus 1301
Is a display unit 1304 located at the top, a connection unit 1305 of the first external memory 110 located to the right of the display unit 1304,
It has a console shape having a connection 1309 for the external memory 120.

The operation unit 1304 is a touch panel and is integrated with the display unit 1307, and various operations can be performed by an operator touching the display unit.

The operator connects the first external memory 110 to the first connection unit 1305 and the second image memory 120 to the second connection unit 1309, and according to the display on the display unit 1307, sets a folder for each group. The photographed images to be collectively recorded are selected by the operation unit 1304 and recorded in the second image memory 120.

According to each of the above embodiments, grouping can be performed according to the photographing time, and the operator can manage and output a large number of photographed images as several groups according to the contents.

Further, the grouping can be performed according to the photographing time zone, and the operator can manage and output a large number of photographed images as several groups according to the contents.

Further, the operator can generate a large number of captured images,
The photographing time history of the photographed images in the group can be easily recognized by capturing the photographed images in the group.

Further, even when the output means having a limited output range is used, the operator can grasp a large number of images in a group unit and in a shooting time history. Photographed images can be collectively managed in groups, such as outputting, copying, and deleting. It is possible to select a photographed image in a group unit and easily output only an image to be output.

Hereinafter, the configuration of a data processing program readable by an image processing system to which the image processing apparatus according to the present invention can be applied will be described with reference to a memory map shown in FIG.

FIG. 16 is a view for explaining a memory map of a storage medium for storing various data processing programs which can be read by an image processing system to which the image processing apparatus according to the present invention can be applied.

Although not shown, information for managing a group of programs stored in the storage medium, for example, version information, a creator, etc. are also stored, and information dependent on the OS or the like on the program reading side, for example, a program is stored in the storage medium. An icon or the like for identification display may also be stored.

Further, data dependent on various programs is also managed in the directory. Also, a program for installing various programs on a computer, and a program for decompressing a program to be installed when the program to be installed is compressed, may be stored in some cases.

The functions shown in FIG. 5 to FIG. 7, FIG. 9, and FIG. 12 in this embodiment may be executed by a host computer by a program installed from the outside. In this case, the present invention is applied even when a group of information including a program is supplied to the output device from a storage medium such as a CD-ROM, a flash memory, or an FD, or from an external storage medium via a network. Things.

As described above, the storage medium storing the program code of the software for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiment is supplied to the system or the apparatus, and the computer (or the CPU or MP) of the system or the apparatus is supplied.
It goes without saying that the object of the present invention is also achieved when U) reads and executes the program code stored in the storage medium.

In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the novel function of the present invention, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.

As a storage medium for supplying the program code, for example, a floppy (registered trademark) disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, C
D-ROM, CD-R, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, ROM, EEPROM, etc. can be used.

When the computer executes the readout program code, not only the functions of the above-described embodiment are realized, but also the OS (Operating System) running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. ) And the like perform part or all of the actual processing, and the processing realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments.

Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written in a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a 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 board or 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.

[0144]

As described above, the first embodiment according to the present invention is described.
According to the twenty-sixth to twenty-sixth aspects, when outputting photographed image data recorded in the first recording means in which a plurality of photographed image data each having a photographing time as additional information are recorded, the first image data is output.
The plurality of image data recorded in the recording means are automatically grouped according to the respective photographing times, with a predetermined fixed time width as a delimiter, and the output means is output to the output means for each image belonging to the same group. Or by arranging a plurality of images recorded in the first recording means in order of photographing time, taking a difference in photographing time between adjacent images, and arranging one or more points in the order of large difference in photographing time. Is divided into groups, and the output means outputs the images belonging to the same group to the output unit. While managing, display or print each captured image data in a unit such as a group where the same subject is shot or a group where the same subject is shot. It is possible to freely construct a convenient image processing environment that can significantly reduce the load when selecting a photographed image to be printed from all the photographed images recorded in the image memory. This has the effect.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of an image processing apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of recorded contents of an external memory shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating an external configuration of an image processing apparatus main body illustrated in FIG. 1;

4 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen of a display unit shown in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a first data processing procedure in the image processing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a second data processing procedure in the image processing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a third data processing procedure in the image processing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a view showing a printed matter printed by the printing unit shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a fourth data processing procedure in the image processing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of grouped display of captured images in an image processing apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

11 is a characteristic diagram illustrating an example of a variation in shooting time of a captured image recorded in an external memory illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a fifth data processing procedure in the image processing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image processing apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a diagram for describing recorded contents of a second external memory shown in FIG.

FIG. 15 is an external perspective view illustrating a configuration of an image processing apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating a memory map of a storage medium that stores various data processing programs that can be read by an image processing system to which the image processing device according to the present invention can be applied.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 101 Image processing device 103 Control unit 104 Operation unit 105 Connecting unit 106 Internal memory 107 Display unit 108 Printing unit 110 First external memory 120 Second external memory

Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat II (reference) H04N 5/76 H04N 5/76 E 5C053 5/91 5/91 N 5/92 J 5/92 HF term (reference) 2C087 AA13 AB01 BC12 BD53 CA03 CA13 CB03 CB20 2C187 AE01 CD17 2H054 AA01 2H103 AA11 BA44 ZA42 ZA51 5C052 AA12 AC08 DD02 DD04 FA02 FA03 FB06 5C053 FA04 FA07 FA14 GA11 HA29 JA22 LA01 LA03

Claims (26)

[Claims] An output unit configured to output photographed image data recorded in a first recording unit in which a plurality of photographed image data having a photographing time as additional information is recorded; and an output unit that is recorded in the first storage unit. A plurality of image data, with a predetermined time width as a delimiter, automatically grouping by each shooting time, control means for outputting to the output means for each image belonging to the same group, An image processing apparatus comprising: 2. An output unit for outputting a photographed image recorded in a first recording unit in which a plurality of photographed images each having a photographing time as additional information are recorded, and recorded in the first recording unit. A plurality of images are arranged in order of photographing time, a difference in photographing time is calculated for adjacent images, and one or more places are divided into groups starting from a part having a large difference in photographing time, and the output is performed for each image belonging to the same group. An image processing apparatus, comprising: a control unit for causing a unit to output. 3. The control unit according to claim 1, wherein the control unit arranges the photographed images belonging to one group in a one-dimensional manner in a horizontal direction, enumerates each group in a vertical direction, and outputs the group from the output unit. 3. The image processing device according to 1 or 2. 4. The control means, when arranging images one-dimensionally in the horizontal direction and outputting the images, when the output width reaches a specified value, and when the output of one group of images is completed. 4. The image processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the output unit outputs a line feed or a page feed. 5. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the output unit is a display unit. 6. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the output unit is a printing unit. 7. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the output unit is a second recording unit. 8. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit collects the photographed image data for each group in the same folder and outputs the collected image data to the second recording unit. 9. An operation unit for selecting photographed image data to be output from the output unit, wherein the operation unit has a function of selecting all photographed images belonging to one group by one operation. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein 10. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first recording unit is a storage medium that is detachable from an imaging device.
Or the image processing apparatus according to 2. 11. An output step of outputting, to an output device, photographed image data recorded in a first recording unit in which a plurality of photographed image data having a photographing time as additional information is recorded, and the first recording unit. Control that automatically groups a plurality of image data recorded in each of the plurality of image data according to respective photographing times with a predetermined fixed time width as a delimiter, and outputs the images to the output device for each image belonging to the same group. And a control method for the image processing apparatus. 12. An output step of outputting a photographed image recorded in a first recording unit on which a plurality of photographed images each having a photographing time as additional information are recorded to an output device, and recording the photographed image in the first recording unit. Are arranged in the order of shooting time, the difference in shooting time between adjacent images is taken, and one or more places are divided into groups starting from the place where the difference in shooting time is large. Controlling the image processing apparatus to output the data to the output device. 13. The control step of arranging photographed images belonging to one group one-dimensionally in a horizontal direction, listing each group in a vertical direction, and outputting the group from the output device. 13. The method for controlling an image processing apparatus according to 11 or 12. 14. The control step includes: when arranging images one-dimensionally in a horizontal direction and outputting the images, when an output width reaches a specified value, and when outputting one group of images is completed.
14. The control method for an image processing apparatus according to claim 13, wherein a line feed or a page feed is output from the output unit. 15. The method according to claim 11, wherein the output device is a display device. 16. The method according to claim 11, wherein the output device is a printing device. 17. The control method according to claim 11, wherein the output device is a second recording unit. 18. The method according to claim 18, wherein the control step includes: collecting photographed image data for each group into a same folder;
13. The control method for an image processing apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the output is performed by a recording unit. 19. An operation step of selecting photographed image data to be output from the output device, wherein the operation step selects all photographed images belonging to one group by one operation. A method for controlling an image processing apparatus according to claim 11. 20. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said first recording means is a storage medium which is detachable from an imaging device.
13. The method for controlling an image processing apparatus according to 1 or 12. 21. A grouping means for grouping a plurality of image data each having time information according to the time information, and outputting a plurality of images such that the groups divided by the grouping means can be recognized. An image processing apparatus comprising: an output unit. 22. The image processing apparatus according to claim 21, wherein the grouping unit sets a group in which time series of time information included in the plurality of image data are separated by a predetermined time interval into another group. . 23. The image processing apparatus according to claim 21, further comprising a reproducing unit that reproduces the plurality of images from a storage medium that stores image data based on a DCF format. . 24. A grouping step of grouping a plurality of image data each having time information according to the time information, and outputting a plurality of images so that the groups divided in the grouping step can be recognized. And an output step. 25. The image processing method according to claim 24, wherein in the grouping step, the time series of the time information included in the plurality of image data is separated into groups separated by a predetermined time interval. . 26. The image processing method according to claim 24, further comprising a reproducing step of reproducing the plurality of images from a storage medium storing image data based on a format conforming to a DCF format. .