JP2003299008A - Image pickup device and image recording method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image pickup device and an image recording method for effectively organizing and reproducing image files recorded on a recording medium of a digital camera, etc. <P>SOLUTION: A digital camera 100 generates a directory having a directory name of 'DCIM' conforming to the DCF standard immediately under a root directory and generates a directory having a directory name of 'DCIM*' not conforming to the DCF standard as the directory structure when recording an image file in a recording medium 9. By using the 'DCIM' directory as an active directory, image files stored in the directory can be displayed in a normal mode, and image files recorded in the recording medium 9 can be effectively managed by using the 'DCIM*' directory as a library. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a photographing device such as a digital camera for recording digital image data of a subject as an image file and an image recording method.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, digital cameras have become widespread in which digital image data obtained by photographing a subject is recorded in a recording medium or the like as an image file together with various incidental information. Since a plurality of models of such digital cameras are manufactured by various manufacturers, compatibility of image files cannot be maintained between a plurality of models if the standards of the image files are different for each manufacturer. So DC
According to the F (Design rule for Camera File system) media standard, when recording an image file on a recording medium or the like, standards such as a directory structure and a data recording method are commonly defined among manufacturers. Therefore, DC
Image files can be exchanged between digital cameras compatible with the F standard even if the manufacturers and models are different. In addition, information such as a shooting model, a shooting date, and a thumbnail is attached to the image file in the DCF format according to regulations.

The DCF media standard will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a directory structure in a recording medium recorded based on the DCF media standard. As shown in FIG. 10, each directory is configured in a hierarchical directory structure based on the DCF regulation, and a “DCIM” directory is configured immediately below the root directory at the top of the hierarchy. In addition, a plurality of subdirectories are formed in the lower layer of the DCIM directory, and the first three characters of the subdirectory name are set to directory numbers 100 to 999 that do not overlap. That is, 900 subdirectories can be created under the DCIM directory. This subdirectory is DCF
The directory may be created with a directory name that does not comply with the rule of. Further, in the lower layer of the subdirectory, Exif standard-compliant image data is stored in JPEG format.

[0004]

However, in the conventional digital camera manufactured according to the DCF standard as described above, all the image files are stored in the DCIM directory created immediately below the root directory. Therefore, for example, when 100 image files are stored in the recording medium of the digital camera, when reproducing the image file in the digital camera, the desired image is selected from all 100 image files. There is a problem in that the operation is complicated because it is necessary to select and reproduce the image file of. Further, as the capacity of the recording medium increases, the number of image files that can be recorded on the recording medium will increase in the future, so that a desired image file can be easily selected and displayed from among the huge amount of image data. The problem was that it was difficult.

The image files stored in the DCIM directory described above are transferred to a personal computer or the like by the user, and it is necessary to manually sort the image files into each folder on the personal computer to organize the data. As for the image file whose date and time has passed, there is a problem that it is difficult to organize the image file. Alternatively, for example, when a single digital camera is used by a plurality of persons, an image file personally photographed may be inadvertently touched by another person, which is not preferable for privacy. .

An object of the present invention is to provide a photographing device and an image recording method capable of efficiently organizing and reproducing image files recorded in a recording medium such as a digital camera.

[0007]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the invention according to claim 1 provides a specific directory having a predetermined directory structure in a layer immediately below the root directory at the top of the hierarchical structure. In a photographing apparatus including a recording control unit that generates and stores digital data including at least an image file in the directory and records the digital data in a recording unit, the recording control unit has at least one directory structure that is the same as the specific directory. It is characterized by creating one or more directories.

Therefore, when the digital data recorded in the recording means is read in the photographing apparatus satisfying the predetermined standard, among the plurality of directories,
Only the digital data stored in the directory conforming to the predetermined standard can be handled by the photographing device. That is, by generating a plurality of directories, storing necessary digital data in a directory satisfying a predetermined standard, and storing unnecessary digital data in another directory, the digital data recorded in the recording means can be easily recorded. Can be managed.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the photographing apparatus according to the first aspect, the directory generated by the recording control means is generated in the same hierarchy as the specific directory or in a hierarchy lower than that. It has a feature.

Therefore, when a plurality of directories are created directly under the root directory, or a directory having a predetermined directory structure can be created under the root directory,
It is possible to efficiently distinguish and classify a plurality of directories to manage digital data.

The invention according to claim 3 is the invention according to claim 1 or 2.
In the photographing apparatus described in the above, the display means for displaying the image file recorded in the recording means, and the directory created in the hierarchy directly under the root directory are stored in a directory to which a specific directory name is set. Display control means for displaying only the image file on the display means.

Therefore, only the image file stored in the directory in which the predetermined directory name is set can be displayed on the display means, and the image file desired by the user can be easily selected and displayed.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the photographing apparatus according to any one of the first to third aspects, the recording control means edits a directory created in a layer immediately below the root directory. In the directory edit mode, the directory name of an arbitrary directory among the directories generated in the hierarchy immediately below the root directory is changed and set.

Therefore, of the plurality of directories,
Since it is possible to change and set the directory name of an arbitrary directory, in an image capturing apparatus that meets a predetermined standard that is set in advance, the directory name is changed to a predetermined directory name, and the directory is stored in the desired directory. Image files can be handled separately from image files stored in other directories.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the photographing apparatus according to the fourth aspect, the recording control means sets a directory name of "DCIM" in the specific directory,
The other directories are characterized by setting directory names other than "DCIM".

Therefore, for example, in an image pickup device conforming to the DCF media standard, an image file stored in a directory in which a directory name of "DCIM" is set can be handled, and a directory name other than "DCIM" is set. Image files stored in directories can be made unhandled.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the image-taking apparatus according to the fourth aspect, the recording control means stores "D" in a directory generated in a layer immediately below the root directory.
The feature is that a directory name other than "CIM" is set.

Therefore, for example, it is possible to make all the image files stored in the recording means unhandleable in a photographing device conforming to the DCF media standard. As a result, for example, it is possible to prevent an image file from being inadvertently reproduced, erased, or edited, and protect an important image file.

According to a seventh aspect of the invention, in the photographing apparatus according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, the recording control means edits a directory created in a layer immediately below the root directory. In the directory edit mode, at least two or more directories among the directories generated in the hierarchy immediately below the root directory are merged into one directory.

Therefore, by merging a plurality of directories generated directly under the root directory,
The digital data recorded in the recording means can be organized and classified to efficiently manage the digital data.

The invention according to claim 8 is the invention according to claim 4 or 7.
In the photographing apparatus described above, the display control means causes the display means to display an image file stored under a directory in which a directory name other than the specific directory name is set in the directory edit mode. I am trying.

Therefore, in the directory edit mode, the image file stored in the directory in which the directory name other than the predetermined directory name is set can be displayed. Changes can be made, directories can be merged, and digital data can be easily managed.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, a step of recording digital data including at least an image file in a hierarchical structure in a recording means provided in the photographing device, and a layer immediately below the root directory at the top of the hierarchical structure. To
An image recording method including a step of generating a specific directory having a predetermined directory structure and storing and recording the digital data in the directory, at least one or more having the same directory structure as the specific directory. It is characterized by including a step of generating a directory of.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the image recording method according to the ninth aspect, a step of displaying the image file recorded in the recording means and a directory generated in a layer immediately below the root directory are selected. And displaying only the image files stored in the directory in which the specific directory name is set.

According to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, in the image recording method according to the ninth or tenth aspect, a step of setting a directory edit mode for editing a directory generated in a layer directly below the root directory, and the directory edit In the mode, a step of changing and setting a directory name of an arbitrary directory among directories generated in a layer immediately below the root directory is included.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in the image recording method according to the eleventh aspect, a step of setting a directory name "DCIM" in the specific directory and a directory other than "DCIM" in the other directories And a step of setting a name.

The thirteenth aspect of the present invention is the image recording method according to the eleventh aspect, which includes a step of setting a directory name other than "DCIM" to a directory generated in a layer immediately below the root directory. I am trying.

The invention described in claim 14 is from claim 9 to claim 1.
In the image recording method according to any one of 3), a step of setting a directory edit mode for editing a directory generated in a layer immediately below the root directory,
In the directory edit mode, a step of merging at least two or more directories among directories created in a layer immediately below the root directory into one directory is included.

According to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, in the image recording method according to the eleventh or fourteenth aspect, in the directory editing mode, an image stored under a directory in which a directory name other than the specific directory name is set It is characterized by including a step of displaying a file.

[0030]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to FIGS. However, the scope of the invention is not limited to the illustrated example. In addition, in the present embodiment, the case where the image capturing apparatus of the present invention is a digital camera will be described as an example. Here, the correspondence relationship between the respective components of the image capturing apparatus according to the present invention and the digital camera 100 according to the present embodiment will be clearly shown. That is,
The recording means of the photographing apparatus of the present invention corresponds to the recording medium 9 of the digital camera 100 of the present embodiment, and the recording control means and the display control means of the present invention correspond to the control unit 6 of the present embodiment. There is. The display means of the present invention corresponds to the image display unit 4 of the present embodiment, and the directory edit mode of the present invention corresponds to the folder edit mode of the present embodiment.

First, the structure will be described. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the external configuration of a digital camera 100 according to this embodiment. FIG. 1A is a front perspective view of the digital camera 100, and FIG. 1B is a rear perspective view.

As shown in FIG. 1A, at the center of the upper surface of the digital camera 100, there is arranged a data display section 11 for displaying information such as various modes, remaining battery level, and number of remaining frames. In addition, the input unit 1 is provided above the data display unit 11.
0 is a flash key 10a, a self-timer key 10b, and an image quality mode key 10c. Further, on the left side of the upper surface, the shutter key 1
0d is arranged.

A lens 1 composed of a zoom lens or the like is arranged in the center of the front surface, and a flash 12 for instantaneously generating strong light and enabling photographing in a dark place is arranged on the upper right side. ing. In addition, I / on the left side
A card cover 14 for covering the upper surface of the F portion 8 is arranged, and a card access LED 13 which is turned on at the time of card access is arranged on the upper side of the card cover.

Further, as shown in FIG. 1B, a finder eyepiece window 15 which is a window of a camera through which a subject is seen during photographing is arranged above the center of the back surface.
A finder LED 16 that is turned on at the time of shooting or at the time of autofocus is arranged on the right side of. Further, on the right side of the finder LED 16, a power key 10e and a zoom key 10f are arranged as the input unit 10. Further, below the power key 10e and the zoom key 10f, a liquid crystal monitor key 10g, a menu key 10h, and a four-direction key / OK key 10i are arranged as the input unit 10. And finder eyepiece window 15
A liquid crystal monitor for displaying the image data recorded on the recording medium 9 or the image data input from the CCD 2 is arranged on the lower side as the image display unit 4.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a main configuration of the digital camera 100. As shown in FIG. 2, the digital camera 100 includes a lens 1, a CCD 2, a signal processing unit 3,
Image display unit 4, memory 5, control unit 6, image processing unit 7, I
Recording medium 9 and input unit 1 connected via the / F unit 8
0, a data display unit 11, etc., and each unit except the recording medium 9 is connected by a bus.

The lens 1 is composed of a single focus lens using a refractive optical element, a double focus lens capable of switching the focal length in two steps, a zoom lens capable of continuously changing the focal length, and the like. The lens 1 converges a bundle of rays input from the outside and forms an optical image on a light receiving portion of a CCD 2 described later.

The CCD (Charge Coupled Device) 2 is
In the light receiving part of a semiconductor element (photodiode, etc.) whose storage capacity changes according to the input of light (photon), a pixel surface in which a large number of elements (pixels) in which transfer electrodes are overlapped are arranged in a plane, and in each pixel An output unit that converts the accumulated charge into a voltage and outputs the voltage. The light that has entered through the lens 1 is received by the pixel surface, and an electric charge proportional to the amount of received light is accumulated in each pixel. The accumulated charge of each pixel is sequentially read out as an image pickup signal (analog signal) for each pixel by the output unit, and is output to the signal processing unit 3.

The signal processing unit 3 is an A / D converter for converting an analog signal into a digital signal, a CDS (correlated double sampling) circuit for reducing noise, or a D / A for converting a digital signal into an analog signal. Equipped with a converter,
The image data input from the CCD 2 is subjected to various kinds of signal processing to output an analog image signal (hereinafter abbreviated as “image signal”) to the image display unit 4 and a digital image to the control unit 6 or the image processing unit 7. Data (hereinafter abbreviated as "image data") is output. In addition, the image data input from the image processing unit 7 is subjected to D / A conversion according to the control signal input from the control unit 6, and the image signal is output to the image display unit 4.

The image display unit 4 is composed of a color liquid crystal display or the like, and displays a color image on the display screen based on the image signal input from the signal processing unit 3. Further, the image display unit 4 serves as a finder to display an image of a subject captured through the lens 1 at the time of shooting, and also reproduces and displays image data recorded on the recording medium 9 after shooting.

The memory 5 includes a RAM (Random Access Memory) composed of a rewritable semiconductor element and a ROM (Read Only Memor) composed of a non-volatile semiconductor memory.
y) etc. ROM is the digital camera 10
Among various control programs for controlling each part of 0,
Stores a basic program that does not need to be rewritten. RAM
When the control unit 6 executes various control processes, the program develops a program that controls the control processes and temporarily stores various data to be processed.

The control unit 6 develops a program specified from various programs corresponding to the camera 100 recorded in the memory 5, various instructions input from the input unit 10, or data into the work area of the memory 5. Then, various processes are executed according to the program according to the input instruction and the input data, and the processing results are stored in a predetermined area in the memory 5 and displayed on the image display unit 4 or the data display unit 11. .

Specifically, the control unit 6 reads out various processing programs stored in the memory 5, and stores a library storage process (see FIG. 5), a library take-out process (see FIG. 6), and a library editing process (see FIG. 6) described later. 8)). The control unit 6 sets a folder edit mode when executing the above-mentioned archive storage process, archive extraction process, and archive edit process, and executes each process in this folder edit mode.

For example, the folder edit mode is set,
When the user inputs an instruction to store the image data in the archive via the input unit 10, the control unit 6 changes the directory name of the DCIM directory recorded on the recording medium 9 from “DCIM” to “DCIM *”. Change to
The recording is performed on the recording medium 9.

Here, the archive is a directory (for example, a directory having a directory name other than "DICM" among directories generated immediately below the root directory (for example,
“DCIM *” and the like, and * is preferably an integer or the like). Since this directory has a directory name that does not comply with the DCF standard, it becomes a directory that cannot be displayed in the normal display mode in a digital camera that supports the DCF standard, and can be handled as a so-called archive. In the digital camera 100, when the directory name of the “DCIM” directory is changed and the “DCIM” directory is stored in the archive, the control unit 6 creates a new “DCIM” directory at the next shooting.

Further, the control unit 6 is controlled by the input unit 1 by the user.
When an instruction to take out an image file from the archive is input via 0, “DCI recorded in the recording medium 9 is recorded.
A directory having a directory name of "M *" is displayed on the image display unit 4, and the user is allowed to select a desired image file. When the user selects a desired image file, the control unit 6 controls the directory name “DCI”.
"M" is changed to "DICM *" and the directory name of the directory in which the image file selected by the user is stored is changed from "DCIM *" to "DCIM" and recorded on the recording medium. .

Further, when the user inputs an instruction to merge the archives via the input unit 10 via the input unit 10, the control unit 6 records "DCIM" recorded on the recording medium 9.
The directory having the directory name of "*" and the image file stored in this directory are displayed on the image display unit 4 to allow the user to select the directory to be merged. Further, the control unit 6 stores the selected directory as a merge list in the memory 5 and displays it on the image display unit 4. Further, when the selection of the directories to be merged is completed, the control unit 6 merges the image files stored in all the directories included in the merge list into the first selected directory and stores the merged image files. Then, the directories included in the merge list other than the initially selected directory are deleted from the recording medium 9.

The image processing unit 7 performs predetermined image processing such as gradation conversion, pixel interpolation, color conversion, YCC conversion, and data compression on the image data input from the signal processing unit 3 or the recording medium 9. Run.

The I / F unit 8 is an interface for connecting the camera 100 and the recording medium 9. The I / F unit 8 adjusts the transfer speed of image data and the like and converts the data format between the camera 100 and the recording medium 9. And mediates the exchange of data between them.

The recording medium 9 is composed of a non-volatile memory such as a rewritable flash memory that electronically stores data in a semiconductor element, and image data generated by various processes is associated with incidental information about photographing. The recorded image file is recorded according to the DCF media standard. Although the recording medium 9 is shown as an external memory that is detachably attached to the digital camera 100, it may be an internal memory built in the digital camera 100.

Here, referring to FIG. 3, the recording medium 9
The directory structure of the image file recorded in 1 is explained. As shown in FIG. 3, the recording medium 9 has a “DICM” directory and a plurality of “DCIM *” directories immediately below the root directory. Further, under the "DCIM" and "DCIM *" directories, a plurality of subdirectories are provided, and the image files are stored in the subdirectories.

Here, the only directory active in the digital camera 100 is the "DCIM" directory. Therefore, only the image files stored under the subdirectory stored in the “DCIM” directory can be reproduced in the normal mode of the digital camera 100. That is, the sub-directories and the image files stored under the "DCIM *" directory cannot be reproduced in the normal mode of the digital camera.

Next, the directory structure when the directory name of the "DCIM" directory is changed will be described with reference to FIG. For example, when an instruction to take out the image file stored in the "DCIM2" directory shown in FIG. 3 from the archive is input, the directory name of the "DCIM" directory shown in FIG.
It is changed to "CIM4" and the "DCIM" directory is stored in the archive. Further, by changing the directory name of the “DCIM2” directory shown in FIG. 3 to “DCIM”, the “DCIM2” directory stored in the archive becomes an active directory and can be handled by the digital camera 100 in the normal mode. It becomes a directory.

The input unit 10 comprises a power key, a shutter key, a selection key, a zoom key, etc., and generates various operation signals according to the pressing operation of various keys and outputs them to the control unit 6.

The data display section 11 is an LCD (Liquid Cry).
The display information is generated and displayed based on a control signal input from the control unit 6.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. As a premise of the description of the operation, a program for realizing each process described in the following flowcharts is stored in the memory 5 in the form of a program code that can be read by the control unit 6 of the digital camera 100, The control unit 6 sequentially executes the operation according to the program code.

FIG. 5 shows the control section 6 of the digital camera 100.
6 is a flowchart showing a storage process of a library executed by the. At the time of executing this archive storage processing, the control unit 6
Sets the folder edit mode according to the instruction input from the input unit 10 (step S1). In the folder edit mode, when an instruction to store the currently displayed image in the archive is input via the input unit 10 (step S2; YES), the control unit 6 is recorded in the recording medium 9. The directory name of the "DCIM" directory is changed to "DCIM *" (step S3), the currently active directory is stored in the library, and this library storage processing ends.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing the library take-out process executed by the control unit 6. When executing this archive removal process, the control unit 6 sets the folder edit mode in accordance with the instruction input from the input unit 10 (step S11). In this folder edit mode, when an instruction to take out an image file from the archive is input through the input unit 10 (step S12), the control unit 6 determines that the directory name among the directories stored in the recording medium 9 is " The directory "DCIM *" and the image files stored in this directory are displayed on the image display unit 4 (step S13). Next, the user is caused to select a predetermined image file according to the display on the image display unit 4 (step S14), and the control unit 6 acquires the directory storing this image file.

Then, the control unit 6 changes the directory name of the currently active "DCIM" directory to "DCIM".
IM * ”(step S15), and the directory name of the directory containing the image file selected by the user is changed from“ DCIM * ”to“ DCIM ”.
To the recording medium 9 (step S1
6) Then, the process of taking out the book store is completed.

Next, FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of screen transitions displayed on the image display unit 4 in the above-mentioned library storage processing and library extraction processing. Here, in the example of the display screen, the above-mentioned directory is displayed as a “folder”, and hence the directory will be described as a folder in the following description. As shown in FIG. 7, the menu key 10h
When is pressed, the setup menu screen 401 is displayed on the image display unit 4. Then, when "edit folder" is selected with the 4-way key 10i and the OK key 10i is pressed, the folder edit mode is set and the folder edit menu screen 402 is displayed.

Here, in the case of executing the archive storing process, 4
When selecting "Put image in archive" with direction key 10i and pressing OK key 10i, selection screen 405 for determining whether or not the displayed image is archived is displayed. Here, by selecting "Yes" with the four-way key 10i and pressing the OK key 10i, the currently displayed image can be stored in the archive.

Further, in the case of executing the library take-out process, when the "take out image from the library" is selected by the four-way key 10i and the OK key 10i is pressed, the image stored in the currently inactive folder is selected. Screen 403
Is displayed in. In this image selection screen 403, use the four-way key 10i to change the folder or image,
It is possible to appropriately display a desired image.

Further, the user selects the image selection screen 403.
When a desired image is selected in, a selection screen 404 for determining whether to take out the folder storing the displayed image from the library is displayed. Here, use the four-way key 10i to select "Yes" and then press the OK key 10i.
By pressing, the folder storing the currently displayed image can be taken out from the library.

Next, FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the archive editing process executed by the control unit 6. When executing this archive editing process, the control unit 6 controls the input unit 10
The folder edit mode is set according to the instruction input from (step S21). In this folder edit mode, when an instruction to merge (merge) archives is input via the input unit 10 (step S22; YES), the control unit 6 causes the user to select a directory to be merged,
Memory 5 with selected directory as merge list
(Step S23).

Subsequently, the control unit 6 judges whether or not the selection of the directory is completed (step S24), and when the instruction to complete the selection of the directory to be merged is input (step S24; YES), the selection is made. All the image files stored in the selected directory are merged into the initially selected directory (step S25). Then, the control unit 6 deletes the directories included in the merge list other than the initially selected directory (step S26), and ends the book archive editing process.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a transition screen displayed on the image display section 4 in the above-mentioned library editing process. As shown in FIG. 9, when an instruction to edit a folder is input through the input unit 10, the folder edit mode is set and the folder edit menu screen 411 is displayed. Here, when executing the archive editing process, the four-way key 10i
To select "Merge archives" and press the OK key 10
When i is pressed, a selection screen 412 for selecting a folder to be merged is displayed.

By operating the four-direction key 10i on the selection screen 412, the folders and images stored in the library can be displayed, and the user can
On this selection screen 412, a desired folder and image can be displayed and a folder to be merged can be selected.

For example, when the OK key 10i is pressed on the selection screen 412, "DCIM3" is added to the merge list and the screen changes to the selection screen 413. Further, when the OK key 10i is pressed on the selection screen 413, “DCIM2” is added to the merge list, and the screen changes to the selection screen 414. Further, in the selection screen 414, if the OK key 10i is pressed to add "DCIM4" to the merge list and then select "Yes" at the end of the selection, it is confirmed whether the folders added to the merge list will be merged. A selection screen 415 for selecting is displayed. Here, when the 4-way key 10i is operated to select "Yes" and the OK key 10i is pressed, all the image files are stored in "DCIM3" and "DCIM3" is stored.
2 ”and“ DCIM4 ”are deleted.

As described above, according to the digital camera 100 of the present embodiment, the directory structure for recording an image file on the recording medium 9 has a directory "DCIM" compliant with the DCF standard immediately below the root directory. Create a directory with the name,
A directory having a directory name of "DCIM *" that does not comply with the DCF standard is generated. And, "DCI
"M" directory as the active directory,
The image files stored in this directory can be displayed in the normal mode, and the “DCIM *” directory is treated as an archive, so that the image files recorded in the recording medium 9 are efficiently managed.

As a result, the image files photographed by the digital camera 100 can be sorted into the active directory and the directory serving as the archive, and the image files can be easily managed.
It is possible to improve operability when displaying a desired image file.

Further, the digital camera 100 has a folder edit mode, and in this folder edit mode,
An image file can be stored in an archive, an image file stored in the archive can be taken out, and a plurality of archives can be merged. By providing this folder edit mode, it is possible to display an image file stored in the archive, which cannot be performed in the normal mode. As a result, the user can display the image files stored in the archive and edit the archive, and for example, the digital camera 100 can organize the image files that were conventionally performed in the personal computer.

Therefore, for example, by quickly organizing the image files photographed at the travel destination and storing them in the archive, a plurality of image files will not be intermixed.
The convenience of the digital camera is improved. Alternatively, by storing the image file in the archive, it is possible to prevent the important image file from being edited or deleted by mistake.

Further, for example, when the digital camera 100 is shared and used by a plurality of users, it is possible to generate a directory as an archive for each individual. As a result, by using the digital camera 100 with the directory of the user who is using the digital camera 100 as the active directory, it is possible to protect the privacy of the individual without accidentally displaying the image file of another person. be able to.

Alternatively, when the recording medium 9 in which an image file is recorded by the digital camera 100 having the folder edit mode is read by another digital camera not having the folder edit mode, “DCIM” recorded in the recording medium 9 is read. Image files stored in directories other than directories cannot be displayed. Therefore, with a normal digital camera that complies with the DCF standard, unnecessary image files are not displayed,
The compatibility of image files can be maintained by displaying only necessary image files.

The above description in the present embodiment is an example of a suitable photographing apparatus according to the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the digital data recorded on the recording medium 9 has been described by taking an image file as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this.
It may be configured to store text data and the like. Further, although the present embodiment has been described as a configuration conforming to the DCF media standard, if various other standards are set, it is needless to say that the configuration corresponding to these standards can be changed. .

Further, for the "DCIM *" directories other than the "DCIM" directory created immediately below the root directory, the directory names shown in the figure are examples, and various other directory names can be set. For example, change the directory name of "DCIM" to "\ DC
By changing to "IM * \ DCIM"
The configuration may be such that the "DCIM" directory is stored under the "*" directory.

Further, in the archive storing process and the archive extracting process, the user is made to select a desired image file,
By changing the directory name of the directory in which this image file is stored, the directory is stored in or taken out of the library, but the user may directly select the directory. Alternatively, in the archive editing process, the directory to be merged has been described as an example other than the “DCIM” directory, but the “DCIM” directory may be merged.

In addition, the detailed configuration and the detailed operation of the components of the digital camera 100 according to the present embodiment can be appropriately changed without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0078]

According to the invention of claim 1 or 9,
In an imaging device that satisfies a predetermined standard,
When reading the digital data recorded in the recording means,
Of the plurality of directories, only the digital data stored in the directory conforming to the predetermined standard can be handled by the image capturing device. That is, by generating a plurality of directories, storing necessary digital data in a directory satisfying a predetermined standard, and storing unnecessary digital data in another directory, the digital data recorded in the recording means can be easily recorded. Can be managed.

According to the invention described in claim 2, in addition to the effect of the invention described in claim 1, when a plurality of directories are created immediately below the root directory, or when a directory created immediately below the root directory is specified. You can create a directory with the directory structure of
It is possible to efficiently distinguish and classify a plurality of directories to manage digital data.

According to the invention of claim 3 or 10,
In addition to the effect of the invention described in claim 1 or 2, only the image file stored in the directory in which the predetermined directory name is set can be displayed on the display means, and the image file desired by the user can be easily selected. Then, it can be displayed.

According to the invention of claim 4 or 11,
In addition to the effect of the invention described in any one of claims 1 to 3, the directory name of an arbitrary directory can be changed and set among a plurality of directories.
In an imaging device that satisfies a predetermined standard,
By changing the directory name to a predetermined directory name, image files stored in a desired directory can be handled separately from image files stored in other directories.

According to the invention of claim 5 or 12,
In addition to the effect of the invention as set forth in claim 4, for example, in a photographing device conforming to the DCF media standard, "DCIM"
The image files stored in the directory with the directory name set can be handled, and the image files stored in the directories with directory names other than “DCIM” can be handled unhandled.

According to the invention of claim 6 or 13,
In addition to the effect of the fourth aspect of the present invention, for example, in an image pickup device conforming to the DCF media standard, all image files stored in the recording means can be made unhandled. As a result, for example, it is possible to prevent an image file from being inadvertently reproduced, erased, or edited, and protect an important image file.

According to the invention of claim 7 or 14,
In addition to the effect of the invention described in any one of claims 1 to 6, by merging a plurality of directories generated directly under the root directory, the digital data recorded in the recording means is sorted and classified, It is possible to manage digital data efficiently.

According to the invention of claim 8 or 15,
In addition to the effect of the invention described in claim 4 or 7, in the directory edit mode, an image file stored in a directory in which a directory name other than a predetermined directory name is set can be displayed. While checking the files, the directory name can be changed or the directories can be merged, and the digital data can be easily managed.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an external configuration of a digital camera according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a main configuration of a digital camera 100 shown in FIG.

3 is a diagram showing an example of a directory structure of image files recorded in a recording medium 9 shown in FIG.

4 is a diagram showing an example of a directory structure of image files recorded in a recording medium 9 shown in FIG.

5 is a flowchart showing an archive storing process executed by a control unit 6 shown in FIG.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a library take-out process executed by a control unit 6 shown in FIG.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a transition screen displayed on the image display unit 4 when executing a library storage process and a library extraction process.

8 is a flowchart showing a library editing process executed by a control unit 6 shown in FIG.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a transition screen displayed on the image display unit 4 when executing a library editing process.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a directory structure of digital data recorded based on the DCF media standard.

[Explanation of symbols]

100 digital camera 1 lens 2 CCD 3 Signal processing unit 4 Image display section 5 memory 6 control unit 7 Image processing unit 8 I / F section 9 recording media 10 Input section 11 Data display

Claims (15)

[Claims] 1. A recording means for generating a specific directory having a predetermined directory structure in a layer immediately below a root directory at the top of the hierarchical structure and storing digital data including at least an image file in the directory. In the image pickup apparatus, the image pickup apparatus is provided with a recording control unit that causes the recording to be performed on the recording medium. The recording control unit generates at least one directory having the same directory structure as the specific directory. 2. The directory created by the recording control means is created in the same hierarchy as the specific directory or in a hierarchy below it.
The imaging device described. 3. Display means for displaying an image file recorded in the recording means, and an image stored in a directory in which a specific directory name is set among directories generated in a layer immediately below the root directory. The image capturing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a display control unit that displays only a file on the display unit. 4. The recording control means has a directory edit mode for editing a directory created in a layer directly below the root directory, and in the directory edit mode, a directory created in a layer directly below the root directory. 4. The photographing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a directory name of an arbitrary directory is changed and set. 5. The recording control means sets a directory name of “DCIM” in the specific directory, and sets a directory name other than “DCIM” in the other directories. The imaging device described. 6. The recording control means adds "DCI to a directory created in a layer immediately below the root directory.
The imaging apparatus according to claim 4, wherein a directory name other than "M" is set. 7. The recording control means comprises a directory edit mode for editing a directory created in a layer directly below the root directory, and in the directory edit mode, a directory created in a layer directly below the root directory. 7. The photographing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least two or more directories are merged into one directory. 8. The display control means, in the directory edit mode, causes the display means to display an image file stored under a directory in which a directory name other than the specific directory name is set. The imaging device according to claim 4 or 7. 9. A step of recording digital data including at least an image file in a hierarchical structure in a recording means provided in a photographing device, and a predetermined directory structure in a hierarchy immediately below a root directory at the top of the hierarchical structure. An image recording method, the method further comprising: generating a specific directory having: and storing the digital data in the directory to record the digital data, wherein at least one directory having the same directory structure as the specific directory is generated. An image recording method comprising the step of: 10. A step of displaying an image file recorded in the recording means, and an image file stored in a directory in which a specific directory name is set among directories generated in a layer immediately below the root directory. 10. The image recording method according to claim 9, further comprising the step of displaying only. 11. A step of setting a directory edit mode for editing a directory created in a layer immediately below the root directory, and a step of setting a directory edit mode in the directory edit mode, the directory being created in a layer immediately below the root directory. 11. The image recording method according to claim 9, further comprising a step of changing and setting a directory name of an arbitrary directory. 12. The specific directory includes "DCI
The image recording method according to claim 11, further comprising: a step of setting a directory name of "M"; and a step of setting a directory name other than "DCIM" in other directories. 13. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of setting a directory name other than “DCIM” in a directory created in a layer immediately below the root directory.
1. The image recording method described in 1. 14. A step of setting a directory edit mode for editing a directory created in a layer immediately below the root directory, and a step of setting a directory edit mode in the directory created in a layer immediately below the root directory in the directory edit mode. 14. The image recording method according to claim 9, further comprising: merging at least two directories into one directory. 15. The directory edit mode according to claim 11, further comprising the step of displaying an image file stored under a directory in which a directory name other than the specific directory name is set. Image recording method.