JP2002218402A - Device and method for converting image file format - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To convert a JFIF(JPEG File Interchange format) image file into an Exif(Exchangeable Image File Format). SOLUTION: An original image reproducing means 120 reproduces an original image from compressed image data acquired via an image file inputting means 110. A thumbnail generating means 130 generates a thumbnail from the reproduced original image data, and outputs the thumbnail to an Exif generating means 140. The Exif generating means 140 inputs an APP0 marker, the compressed image data and the thumbnail, extracts data applicable to the APP1 of the Exif from the APP0 to generate tag information, and combines the tag information with the thumbnail and a header to generate an APP1 marker. The generating means 140 further combines the APP1 marker with the compressed image data to generate an Exif image file and sends the Exif image file to an image file outputting means 150. The outputting means 150 outputs the Exif image file to the outside or stores the Exif image file in a storing means 160.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image file format conversion apparatus and format conversion method, and more particularly to a format conversion of an image file for converting a JFIF image file composed of compressed image data and related information into Exif. The present invention relates to an apparatus and a format conversion method thereof.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, digital image data photographed by a digital camera or the like has been recorded in JFIF. JFIF is composed of a header and a compressed image.

[0003] For image data such as photographic data, the contents of the file cannot be understood only by looking at the file name. Therefore,
In recent years, a thumbnail function for displaying a data image in a small size just by selecting a file name has been installed not only in an image processing application but also in an application such as a word processor.

From such a background, recently, Exif, which records information such as photographing conditions and records a compressed image including a thumbnail file, has become mainstream. An Exif data file includes an APP1 marker including tag information, a thumbnail, and a header, and compressed image data.

[0005]

However, the Exi
The device corresponding to f has a problem that image data recorded by JFIF may not be able to be reproduced.

As described above, JFIF is a header + compressed image, and a thumbnail can be included in the header. However, among devices compatible with JFIF, particularly, devices that record image data on a floppy (registered trademark) disk do not generate thumbnails in order to reduce the time from shooting to recording. Was. And they created another file instead of a thumbnail. For this reason, there has been a problem that the image data recorded in JFIF cannot be reproduced by a device compatible with Exif.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has as its object to provide an image file format conversion apparatus and a format conversion method for converting a JFIF image file into Exif.

[0008]

According to the present invention, there is provided an image file format conversion apparatus for converting a JFIF image file composed of compressed image data and related information into Exif. J
Original image reproducing means for extracting and decompressing the compressed image data from the FIF image file and reproducing the original image data of the compressed image data; thumbnail generating means for generating a thumbnail of the reproduced original image data; The JFI
Exif generation means for extracting information applicable to Exif from the image file of F and generating a digital image file of Exif using the thumbnail and the applicable information. A format conversion device is provided.

In the format conversion apparatus having such a configuration, the original image reproducing means extracts the compressed image data from the JFIF image file composed of the compressed image data and the related information, and decompresses the extracted image data. Play image data. The thumbnail generating means generates a thumbnail of the reproduced original image data. Exif generating means is a JFI
Exif among the digital image files created in F
Then, information that can be applied to the image is extracted, and an Exif image file is generated using the extracted information and the thumbnail.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image file format conversion method for converting a JFIF image file composed of compressed image data and related information into Exif. Extracting image data, decompressing the compressed image data to reproduce the original image data, generating a thumbnail of the reproduced original image data, extracting information applicable to Exif from the JFIF image file, Exi
generating an Exif image file by generating tag information that is related information of the f, and editing the thumbnail, the tag information, and the compressed image data of the JFIF image file. A file format conversion method is provided.

In the format conversion method of such a procedure, first, compressed image data in which an original image is compressed is extracted from a JFIF image file composed of compressed image data and related information, and the extracted compressed image data is extracted. The original image data is reproduced by expanding the image data. Next, a thumbnail is generated based on the reproduced original image data. further,
Among the related information created by JFIF, information applicable to Exif is extracted, and tag information is generated based on the extracted information. Subsequently, the thumbnail, the tag information, and the compressed image data of the JFIF image file are edited to generate an Exif image file.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image file format conversion method for converting a JFIF image file composed of compressed image data and related information into Exif. The image data is extracted, the compressed image data is expanded, the original image data is reproduced, the thumbnail of the reproduced original image data and the compressed image data are generated, the Exif image file is edited, and the JFIF file is edited. Exif information applicable to Exif is extracted from the related information and replaced with the corresponding information of the edited Exif image file to generate an Exif image file. A method is provided.

In the format conversion method of such a procedure, first, compressed image data in which an original image is compressed is extracted from a JFIF image file composed of compressed image data and related information, and the extracted compressed image data is extracted. The original image data is reproduced by expanding the image data. Next, a thumbnail and compressed image data are generated based on the reproduced original image data, and the Exif image file is edited. Next, J
From the related information created by the FIF, information applicable to Exif is extracted, and the extracted information is replaced with the corresponding information of the Exif image file to generate an image file.

[0014]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an image file format conversion apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

An image file format conversion apparatus 100 according to the present invention includes an image file input means 110 for inputting a JFIF image file, an original image reproducing means 120 for reproducing an original image from the input image file, and a thumbnail for generating a thumbnail. The image processing apparatus includes: a generation unit 130; an Exif generation unit 140 that generates an Exif image file; an image file output unit 150 that outputs the generated Exif image file to the outside; and a storage unit 160 that stores the generated image file. You.

The image file input means 110 converts digital image data taken by a digital camera or the like into a JPE.
Compressed image data compressed in the G format and an application marker (hereinafter referred to as AP) which is related information of the compressed image data.
PF marker) is input from outside. The compressed image data is extracted from the image file and sent to the original image reproducing means 120. Further, it outputs the APP0 marker and the compressed image data to the Exif generation means 140. The image file input means 110 may input an image file taken from the outside and temporarily store the image file, and the original image reproducing means 120 and the Exif generating means 140 may read the temporarily stored data as needed.

The original image reproducing means 120 expands the compressed image data extracted from the JFIF image file and reproduces the original image data. The compressed image data may be extracted from the image file temporarily stored in the image file input unit 110, and the original image data may be reproduced. The reproduced original image data reproduced is output to the thumbnail generating means 130.

The thumbnail generating means 130 receives the reproduced original image data from the original image reproducing means 120 and generates this thumbnail. The thumbnail is stored in the Exif generation unit 14.
Output to 0.

The Exif generation means 140 obtains the APP0 marker and the compressed image data via the image file input means 110, obtains the thumbnail from the thumbnail generation means 130, and generates an Exif image file. This will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a converted image file in the image file format conversion apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention. The JFIF image file 200 includes an APP0 marker 210 and compressed image data 220. On the other hand, an Exif image file 300 includes an APP1 marker 310 including a header, tag information, and a thumbnail, and a compressed image data 220.
It is composed of Tag information of the APP1 marker 310 includes shooting date and time, image size, Exif version, and the like.
It has an association with the compressed image data. The Exif generation unit 140 determines the AP of the JFIF image file 200
Data 2 applicable to the tag information of the APP1 marker 310 of the Exif image file 300 from the P0 marker 210
11, 212, and 213 are extracted and used. For other data, a default value or a value that does not hinder the operation is set, and tag information of the APP1 marker 310 is generated. Subsequently, the thumbnail generation means 130 is used to convert the reproduced original image data 400 reproduced from the compressed image data 220
Is combined with the thumbnail 320 and the header generated by
A P1 marker 310 is generated. Further, the compressed image data 220 of the JFIF image file 200 is fetched and combined with the compressed image data 220 to generate the Exif image file 300.

Returning to FIG. The image file output unit 150 outputs the Exif generated by the Exif generation unit 140.
The image file is output to an external device via an external terminal or to a storage unit 160 provided inside the apparatus.

The storage means 160 stores the generated Exif image file under the control of the image file output means 150. The operation of the format conversion apparatus 100 having such a configuration will be described.

The image file input means 110 receives the APP0
A JFIF image file composed of a marker and compressed image data is input, and the compressed image data is output to the original image reproducing means 120. The original image reproducing means 120 reproduces the original image data from the compressed image data. The thumbnail generating unit 130 generates a thumbnail from the reproduced original image data and outputs the thumbnail to the Exif generating unit 140. Ex
The if generation unit 140 inputs the APP0 marker, the compressed image data, and the thumbnail, and outputs
Data applicable to APP1 of if is extracted to generate tag information, and combined with a thumbnail and a header to generate an APP1 marker. Further, the APP1 marker and the compressed image data are combined to generate an Exif image file and send it to the image file output unit 150. The image file output unit 150 outputs an Exif image file to the outside,
Alternatively, it is stored in the storage means 160.

Next, a format conversion method of an image file will be described. FIG. 3 is a flowchart of an image file format conversion method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

When the format conversion process is started (S1)
0), the compressed image data is extracted from the JFIF image file (S11). Next, the original compressed image data is reproduced by performing inverse conversion on the extracted compressed image data (S1).
2). Next, a thumbnail is generated from the reproduced original image data (S13). Subsequently, data applicable to the Exif tag information is extracted from the APP0 marker of the JFIF image file, and is used. For other data, tag information is created by setting a default value or a value that does not interfere with the operation (S14). Subsequently, the files are combined (S15) to create an Exif image file. In combining files, first, the generated thumbnail, tag information, and a header are combined to generate an APP1 marker. Next, the compressed image data of the JFIF image file is extracted, combined with the APP1 marker, and
Create an xif image file. Thereafter, the process ends (S16).

As described above, the original image is reproduced from the JFIF compressed image data to generate a thumbnail, and the APP1 marker is generated using the information that can be used for the tag information, thereby performing the conversion from JFIF to Exif. be able to. For this reason, an image recorded in the past by JFIF can be reproduced by a device compatible with Exif. In addition, since the JFIF compressed image data is used for the Exif image file, the main image does not deteriorate.

In the above description, the compressed image data of the JFIF image file is used for Exif. However, new compressed image data can be created from the reproduced original image data. Such a format conversion device will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram of an image file format conversion apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention. The same components as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.

The second image file format converter 101 according to the present invention comprises: an image file input means 111 for inputting a JFIF image file; an original image reproducing means 121 for reproducing an original image from the input image file;
Exif generating means 14 for generating an if image file
1. An image file output unit 150 for outputting the generated Exif image file to the outside, and a storage unit 160 for storing the generated image file.

The image file input means 111 has a JFIF
The compressed image data is sent to the original image reproducing means 121. Exif generating means 1
An APP0 marker is output to 41.

The original image reproducing means 121 expands the compressed image data extracted from the JFIF image file and reproduces the original image data. The reproduced original image data is
Output to Exif generating means 141.

The Exif generating means 141 acquires the APP0 marker from the image file input means 111 and the reproduced original image data from the original image reproducing means 121, and generates an Exif image file. This will be described with reference to FIG. FIG.
FIG. 11 is a configuration diagram of a converted image file in an image file format conversion apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention. The same components as those in FIG. 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted. The Exif generation unit 141 includes the original image reproduction unit 121
The tag information and the thumbnail 312 are generated on the basis of the reproduced original image data 400 generated in the step (a), the APP1 marker 311 is created, and the reproduced original image data 400 is converted to generate the compressed image data 320. The APP1 marker 311 thus generated and the compressed image data 320
And edits the Exif image file 301.
Subsequently, the data 211, 212, and 213 applicable to the APP1 marker 311 among the APP0 markers 210 of the JFIF image file 200 are reflected in the tag information of the APP1 marker 311.

The format conversion apparatus 1 having such a configuration
Operation 01 will be described again with reference to FIG. The image file input unit 111 inputs a JFIF image file composed of an APP0 marker and compressed image data,
The compressed image data is output to the original image reproducing means 121. The original image reproducing means 121 reproduces the original image data from the compressed image data, and outputs the reproduced image data to the Exif generating means 141. Ex
The if generation unit 141 receives the APP0 marker and the reproduced original image data, and generates a thumbnail and compressed image data from the reproduced original image data. Next, tag information and a header are set, and combined with the generated thumbnail, APP1
Generate a marker. Further, the generated compressed image data is combined with the APP1 marker, and the Exif image file is edited. Then, the APP0 marker data is transferred to APP
An Exif image file is generated by reflecting it in the tag information of one marker, and this is sent to the image file output means 150.
The image file output unit 150 outputs the Exif image file to the outside or stores it in the storage unit 160.

Next, a method for converting the format of an image file will be described. FIG. 6 is a flowchart of an image file format conversion method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

When the format conversion process is started (S2
0), the compressed image data is extracted from the JFIF image file (S21). Next, the original compressed image data is reproduced by performing inverse conversion on the extracted compressed image data (S2).
2). Subsequently, an Exif image file is generated from the reproduced original image data (S23). Generate a thumbnail from the original image data, combine it with the tag information and header set with default values or values that do not interfere with operation,
Create an APP1 marker. Next, the reproduced original image data is compressed to generate compressed image data, which is combined with the APP1 marker. Next, JFIF image file APP
Data applicable to the tag information of the generated APP1 marker is extracted from the 0 marker, and the tag information of the APP1 marker is replaced using the extracted data (S24). Thereafter, the process ends (S25).

As described above, the original image is reproduced from the JFIF compressed image data, and the Exif image file is generated from the reproduced original image data, whereby the conversion to Exif can be performed. For this reason, an image recorded in the past by JFIF can be reproduced by a device compatible with Exif. Also, in order to generate reproduced original image data from the compressed image data and generate an Exif image file from the reproduced original image data, it is originally installed in an Exif-compatible device that generates Exif from original image data captured or taken from outside. Functions can be diverted. This simplifies the process for format conversion.

The above processing functions can be realized by a computer. In this case, the processing contents of the functions that the image file format conversion device should have are:
It is described in a program recorded on a computer-readable recording medium. Then, by executing this program by a computer, the above processing is realized by the computer. Computer-readable recording media include magnetic recording devices and semiconductor memories.
When distributing to the market, CD-ROM (Compact Dis
c Read Only Memory) or store the program on a portable recording medium such as a floppy disk and distribute it, or store it in a storage device of a computer connected via a network and transfer it to another computer via the network. Can also. When the program is executed by the computer, the program is stored in a hard disk device or the like in the computer, and is loaded into the main memory and executed.

[0036]

As described above, in the format conversion apparatus of the present invention, compressed image data is extracted and decompressed from an image file created by JFIF, original image data is reproduced, and thumbnails are generated. Further, information applicable to Exif is extracted from a digital image file created by JFIF, and an Exif image file is generated using the extracted information.

As described above, since a compressed image file created in the past by JFIF can be converted to Exif, an image file recorded in JFIF can be reproduced even by a new Exif-compatible device. Further, the image quality does not deteriorate due to the conversion.

In the format conversion method of the present invention, first, compressed image data is extracted and decompressed from an image file created by JFIF, and the original image data is reproduced. A thumbnail is generated from the reproduced original image data, and an Ex.
An image file is generated by diverting information applicable to if.

As described above, the JFIF original image data is reproduced to generate thumbnails, and those that can be diverted from JFIF digital image files are diverted to Exif.
, The image quality does not deteriorate due to the conversion.
In addition, JFIF image data created in the past is used for Exi
It is possible to play back on a device that supports f.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an image file format conversion apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a converted image file in an image file format conversion apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of an image file format conversion method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram of an image file format conversion apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram of a converted image file in an image file format conversion apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of an image file format conversion method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

100 ... format conversion device, 110 ... image file input means, 120 ... original image reproduction means, 130 ... thumbnail generation means, 140 ... Exif generation means, 150
..Image file output means, 160 storage means

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. An image file format converter for converting a JFIF (JPEG File Interchange Format) image file composed of compressed image data and related information into Exif, comprising: converting the JFIF image file to the compressed image data An original image reproducing means for extracting and decompressing the original image data of the compressed image data, a thumbnail generating means for generating a thumbnail of the reproduced original image data, and applying to the Exif from the JFIF image file Exif generation means for extracting possible information and generating an Exif digital image file using the thumbnail and the applicable information. An image file format conversion apparatus. 2. The Exif generating means according to claim 1, wherein
The information applicable to the Exif is extracted from the related information of the compressed image file, and the Exif compressed image data related information is generated using the extracted information. The related information of the Exif compressed image file, the thumbnail, and the JFIF The image file format conversion apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the Exif image file is generated by combining the compressed image data with the compressed image data. 3. The Exif generating means, wherein
The information applicable to the Exif is extracted from the compressed image data-related information constituting the image file, and the Exif-compressed image data-related information is generated using the extracted information. And generating compressed image data of the reproduced original image, and combining the compressed image data related information of the Exif, the thumbnail, and the compressed image data of the reproduced original image to generate the Exif image file. 2. The image file format converter according to claim 1, wherein: 4. A format conversion method of an image file for converting a JFIF image file composed of compressed image data and related information into Exif, wherein the compressed image data is extracted from the JFIF related information, Decompress the image data to reproduce the original image data, generate a thumbnail of the reproduced original image data, extract information applicable to Exif from the JFIF image file, and tag information that is related to Exif Generating an Exif image file by editing the thumbnail, the tag information, and the compressed image data of the JFIF image file. 5. An image file format conversion method for converting a JFIF image file composed of compressed image data and related information into Exif, comprising: extracting the compressed image data from the JFIF image file; Decompress the image data to reproduce the original image data, generate thumbnails and compressed image data of the reproduced original image data, edit the Exif image file, and apply Exif from the JFIF related information. A method for converting the format of an image file, comprising extracting information, replacing the information with the corresponding information of the edited Exif image file, and generating an Exif image file.