JP2003333470A - Data management method for digital camera - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable a user to classify data arbitrarily to put the data in order in a digital camera. <P>SOLUTION: When the user selects a new folder, it is judged that the user requests to create the new folder and to switch a data storing folder to the new folder, the new folder is created in a smart medium (step 104), the setting of the data storing folder is switched to the created new folder (step 106), and then a process shifts to photographing processing step (step 110). On the contrary, when the user selects any one of existing folders, it is judged that the user requests to switch the data storing folder to the selected folder, the setting of the data storing folder is switched to the selected existing folder (step 108), and then the process shifts to the photographing processing (step 110). The digital image data obtained by the subsequent photographing are stored in the data storing folder after switching setting. <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 data management method for a digital camera, and more particularly to a data management method for a digital camera which acquires at least data representing a subject image by photographing and stores the acquired data in a storage medium. .

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in digital cameras,
2. Description of the Related Art Digital image data representing a subject image obtained by photographing is stored in a storage medium. In this storage processing, all the digital image data is stored in a predetermined folder. Therefore, for example, an image based on the desired digital image data is displayed on the display unit, or is transferred to the PC and is transferred from the PC to the printer. It was difficult to find the desired digital image data from the folder when printing it on the screen.

Therefore, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-233225 proposes to create a folder for each shooting mode of a digital camera and store each digital image data in the folder corresponding to the shooting mode. In recent years,
There are digital cameras equipped with not only a still image shooting function for acquiring digital image data indicating a still image, but also a moving image shooting function for acquiring digital image data indicating a moving image, a voice memo function for acquiring audio data, and the like. Generally, in such a digital camera, as shown in FIG.
In a predetermined folder (root directory) 300, each function such as a still image shooting function (Still), a moving image shooting function (Movie), a voice memo function (Voice), or other functions such as text input (Etc) is acquired. A folder 302 for storing data is created, and digital image data 304 indicating a still image, digital image data 306 indicating a moving image, audio data 308, document data 310, etc., which have been acquired, are separate folders 302.
It was supposed to be stored in.

In the figure, digital image data representing a still image is JPEG (Joint Photographic Cod).
ing Experts Group) format, and "jpg" indicating the JPEG format is added to the extension of the file name. Digital image data representing a moving image is in AVI (Audio Visual Interleaved) format, and “avi” indicating AVI format is added to the extension of the file name. The audio data is in WAV (Word Audio Video) format,
The file name extension is "w" indicating the WAV format.
av ”is given. This will be applied to the following description.

[0005]

However, in the prior art, the acquired data can be classified only in a predetermined category such as the shooting mode or function of the digital camera, and the user can be irrespective of the shooting mode or function. Was unable to sort and organize the data according to his preference.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a data management method for a digital camera, which allows a user to arbitrarily classify and organize data.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above object, the invention described in claim 1 is a digital camera which acquires at least data showing a subject image by photographing and stores the acquired data in a storage medium. A data management method, which comprises inputting a request, selecting a folder for storing the data from the folders created in the storage medium according to the input request, and storing the data in the storage medium. It is characterized in that either one of a process for newly creating a folder for storing data is selected, and the folder for storing the data is switched according to the selected process.

According to the first aspect of the invention, the digital camera obtains at least data representing a subject image by photographing, that is, digital image data representing a still image or a moving image, and stores it in a storage medium. Although stored, a folder for storing the acquired data when the data is actually acquired from the folders created in the storage medium in response to the input request from the user in response to the input request ( Change the data storage folder) or create a new folder for storing data on the storage medium (hereinafter, the newly created folder is referred to as "new folder"), and set the data storage folder to this new folder. It can be switched.

As the data acquired by the digital camera, in addition to digital image data, voice data can be used as long as it is a digital camera having a so-called voice memo function. Further, in the case where a digital camera having a character input function is developed in the future, text data and document data are also included.

That is, the user can arbitrarily create a folder (new folder) and switch the data storage folder to this new folder, and obtain data such as digital image data, voice data, text data and document data. In this case, the acquired data can be stored in the new folder. Further, the data storage folder can be arbitrarily selected from the existing folders created previously, and the acquired data can be stored in this selected folder.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, when the digital camera has a recording function and the folder is newly created, the recording function creates data indicating the contents of the newly created folder by voice. The data obtained by storing the data indicating the contents of the obtained folder by voice in association with the newly created folder is stored in the storage medium, and the data is selected from the folders created in the storage medium. When the folder to store is selected,
It is characterized in that data indicating the contents of the selected folder by voice is reproduced.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the digital camera has a recording function, and each folder for storing the data acquired by photographing or the like created in the storage medium is Data showing the contents by voice,
That is, the audio data is associated with the user, and when any of the existing folders is selected to switch the data storage folder, the audio data indicating the contents of the selected folder is reproduced. Even if the number is large, the contents of the folders can be distinguished and the data can be easily classified and organized. This can be easily realized with a digital camera having a recording function represented by a voice memo function without adding any special member.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, when the digital camera has a recording function and the folder is newly created, the recording function generates data indicating the contents of the newly created folder by voice. It is characterized in that the acquired data is converted into text, and the data indicating the content of the acquired folder is converted into text, and a folder name is given to the newly created folder by the text after the text conversion.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, each folder for storing the data acquired by photographing or the like created in the storage medium is given a folder name indicating the contents of the folder. The user can easily classify and organize data by distinguishing the contents of folders even if the number of folders is large. This can be easily realized with a digital camera having a recording function typified by a voice memo function, only by providing a function of converting voice into text.

[0015]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

<First Embodiment> As shown in FIG.
On the back surface of the digital camera 10 according to the present embodiment, a liquid crystal display 14 for displaying a subject image obtained by shooting, various menus, parameters relating to image processing, messages, and the like, and various displays on the liquid crystal display 14. A display button 20 that is pressed when executing,
A finder 18 for determining the composition of the subject when performing shooting, and a dial 23 that is rotated when selecting any one of auto shooting, manual shooting, continuous shooting, and moving image shooting as a shooting mode. And a menu / OK that is pressed when displaying a menu screen on the liquid crystal display 14 or instructing the start of movie shooting or recording.
A button 60, a cross button 16 for selecting a desired menu item or a data storage folder from the menu screen displayed on the liquid crystal display 14, and a speaker 62 for outputting a voice are provided.

On the side surface of the digital camera 10, when a portable storage medium (in this embodiment, smart media) for storing image data obtained by photographing as digital data is attached to the digital camera 10. A storage medium interface (hereinafter referred to as "storage medium I / F") 46 to which the storage medium is attached.
(See FIG. 2, not shown in FIG. 1) is provided, and a microphone 6 for capturing sound is provided on the front surface of the digital camera 10.
4 (see FIG. 2, not shown in FIG. 1) are provided.

Further, on the upper surface of the digital camera 10, a power switch 21 for switching between supplying / stopping supply of power to each part of the digital camera 10 and a shutter switch which is pressed by a user when performing photographing. (A so-called release switch) 22 is provided,
A lens 32 for forming a subject image on the front of the digital camera 10 and a strobe 3 which emits light when the subject has a low illuminance at which an appropriate exposure light amount cannot be obtained during exposure.
6 and 6 are provided (the upper surface and the front surface of the digital camera 10 are not shown, see FIG. 2).

Next, the configuration of the electric system of the digital camera 10 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

As shown in the figure, the digital camera 10
Is a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) 28 that captures an image of a subject based on incident light that represents the subject image that has passed through the lens 32 and outputs an analog image signal that represents the subject image, and a predetermined analog signal with respect to the input signal. An analog signal processing unit 40 that performs processing, an analog / digital converter (hereinafter, referred to as “A / D converter”) 42 that converts an input analog signal into a digital signal, and an input digital signal DS that performs predetermined digital signal processing
A P (Digital Signal Processor) 26 and an SDRAM (Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Mem) that stores information mainly indicated by a digital signal indicating a subject image.
ory) 48 and a flash ROM (Flash Read Only Memory) for storing various programs and predetermined data.
50, a motor driver 34 that generates a drive signal for driving a motor (not shown) that moves the lens 32 in the optical axis direction, a CCD control unit 30 that controls the timing of the CCD 28 during shooting, and a strobe 36. And a strobe control unit 38 for controlling light emission.

The output end of the CCD 28 is the input end of the analog signal processing unit 40, and the output end of the analog signal processing unit 40 is A
The input end of the / D converter 42 and the output end of the A / D converter 42 are connected to the input end of the DSP 26, respectively. Also,
The DSP 26 and the SDRAM 48 are both connected to the main bus MB, and the analog image signal representing the subject image output from the CCD 28 is subjected to predetermined analog signal processing by the analog signal processing unit 40, and then the A / D converter 42. Converted to digital image signal by DSP,
A predetermined digital signal processing is performed by 26 and is temporarily stored in the SDRAM 48 as digital image data.

On the other hand, the storage medium I / F 46 and the liquid crystal display 14 are connected to the DSP 26, and the SDR
The digital image data stored in the AM 48 is compressed by a predetermined compression method, and stored in the smart medium mounted on the storage medium I / F 46 via the DSP 26 as needed, and stored in the smart medium at the time of image reproduction. Digital image data to be reproduced is DSP2
The liquid crystal display 1 is read out and expanded by 6
4 is displayed.

Although the present invention does not particularly limit the format of digital image data, in the present digital camera 10, the digital image data showing a still image is JPEG format, and the digital image data showing a moving image is AVI format. It is supposed to be stored in smart media.

By the way, the digital camera 10 of the present embodiment is provided with a voice memo function capable of adding a comment or the like to digital image data by voice and a moving image shooting function capable of storing a moving image together with voice. These functions require a function of capturing audio and a function of reproducing audio data. Therefore, the digital camera 10 has a microphone interface (hereinafter, referred to as “microphone”) that controls electrical connection with the microphone 64 for capturing audio. An audio interface (hereinafter, referred to as “audio I / F”) 66 that controls electrical connection between the “I / F”) 66 and a speaker 62 that reproduces audio data, or a reproducing unit such as headphones.
44). This microphone I / F
66 and the audio I / F 44 are respectively connected to the DSP 26, and the audio data taken in from the microphone 64 via the DSP 26 is stored in the storage medium or the SDRAM 4
8 is stored, or the stored voice data is played,
Audio is output from the speaker 62 or headphones.

Although the present invention does not particularly limit the format of audio data, the present digital camera 1
At 0, the audio data is in the WAV format and is stored in the smart media.

On the other hand, the digital camera 10 has a CPU (central processing unit) for controlling the operation of the entire digital camera 10.
24 is further provided.

The CPU 24 includes a power switch 21,
Shutter switch 22, cross button 16, menu / O
The K button 60 is connected, and the CPU 24 can always grasp the operation state of these switches or buttons by the user.

Further, the CPU 24 has a CCD control unit 3
0, motor driver 34, strobe control unit 38, DSP
26, the audio I / F 44, and the liquid crystal display 14 are connected, and the CPU 24 controls the operation of these units.

The CPU 24 and the flash ROM 5
0 are both connected to the main bus MB, and the CPU 24
Can arbitrarily access the SDRAM 48 and the flash ROM 50.

The operation of this embodiment will be described below. The digital camera 10 according to the present embodiment has a power switch 21.
It is started by the operation of. When shooting a still image or a moving image of a subject, the user operates the changeover switch (not shown) to switch to the shooting mode, operates the dial 23 to select the type of shooting mode, and then opens the viewfinder 18. Determine the composition of the subject while looking through,
The shutter switch 22 is pressed to shoot a still image, and the menu / OK button 60 is pressed to shoot a moving image. As a result, digital image data representing a subject image (still image or moving image) is generated by the DSP 26, and SDR
Once stored in the AM 48. After that, the digital image data is read from the SDRAM 48 by the DSP 26, and is stored in the folder set as the data storage folder of the smart media in advance via the storage medium I / F 46.

Further, in the digital camera 10, a voice memo function can be used to add a comment to the digital image data acquired by photographing, or to record conversation contents such as a meeting. In this case, the user operates the changeover switch (not shown) to switch to the recording mode,
Press the menu / OK button 60. As a result, the DSP 26 generates voice data (digital) based on the voice input from the microphone 64 via the microphone I / F 66 and temporarily stores it in the SDRAM 48.
After that, the voice data is sent to the SDRAM 4 by the DSP 26.
8 and is stored in a folder set as a data storage folder of the smart media in advance via the storage media I / F 46.

On the other hand, when the user wants to change the data storage folder, the menu / OK button 60 is operated to display the menu screen on the liquid crystal display 14, and the cross button 16 is operated to operate the displayed menu screen. Select the "Switch folder" menu displayed as an item that can be selected in.

As shown in FIG. 3, in the CPU 16, if the folder switching operation is performed by the user, the process proceeds from step 100 to step 102, and if the photographing instruction is given, the process proceeds from step 100 to step 110. It is like this.

That is, when the "folder switching" menu selection operation is received as described above, the CPU 16 determines that the user has performed the folder switching operation, and proceeds from step 100 to step 102 to save the contents in the smart media. A list of existing folders that can be selected (file names, etc.) is displayed on the liquid crystal display 14, and the user is prompted to select one of the existing folders or a new folder by operating the cross button 16, and the new folder is created by the user. If it is selected, it is determined that it is requested to create a new folder and switch the data storage folder to the new folder, and the process proceeds to step 104.

In step 104, the storage medium I / F
A new folder (new folder) is created in the smart media (more specifically, in a predetermined folder called a root directory) via 46. The name of the new folder created at this time is automatically given according to a predetermined rule. And the next step 106
Then, the setting of the data storage folder is switched to the new folder created in step 104. After that, the user selects the shooting mode as described above, and the shutter switch 22 is used for still image shooting, and the menu / O is used for moving image shooting.
If the K button is pressed and shooting is instructed,
The process proceeds from step 109 to step 110, and a still image or a moving image is captured as described above.

As a result, the digital image data acquired by the subsequent photographing is stored in the new folder created in the smart media. Although the case of shifting to the photographing process has been described here, it is also possible to shift to the recording process by the voice memo function, and the voice data acquired by the recording process is also stored in the created new folder.

On the other hand, when any one of the existing folders is selected by the user, it is determined that the data storage folder is requested to be switched to the selected folder, and the process proceeds from step 102 to step 108. The setting of the data storage folder is switched to the selected existing folder. The user selects the shooting mode as described above, and presses the shutter switch 22 for still image shooting and the menu / OK button for moving image shooting,
When the photographing is instructed, the process proceeds from step 109 to step 110, and the still image or the moving image is photographed as described above.

As a result, the digital image data obtained by the subsequent photographing is stored in the selected existing folder of the smart media. Although the case of shifting to the shooting process has been described here, it is also possible to shift to the recording process by the voice memo function, and the voice data acquired by the recording process is also stored in this existing folder.

As described above, in the digital camera 10 of the present embodiment, a new folder can be created and used as a data storage folder or an existing folder can be selected as a data storage folder based on the user's operation. Therefore, the user can sort and organize the digital image data and the audio data acquired by shooting or recording according to his / her own preference, regardless of the shooting mode or function.

In the above description, the case where the digital camera 10 acquires the digital image data and the audio data has been described. However, the digital camera 10 needs to acquire the digital image data at least, and the audio data is not always required. It does not have to be obtainable. In addition, other types of data may be acquired. For example, in recent years, even a small device such as a mobile phone is provided with a character input function, and in the future, the character input function can be achieved without increasing the size of the camera body. May be added. If it is a digital camera with a character input function,
A folder for storing text data, document data, etc. may be switchable as in the case of the digital image data and voice data.

By the way, in the case where the name of the folder (new folder) created as described above is automatically given, as the number of folders increases, it becomes difficult for the user to distinguish the contents of each folder, and the classification / arrangement of digital image data is performed. Becomes difficult.

<Second Embodiment> Next, as a second embodiment, in order to identify the contents of a folder,
A case where the contents of each folder can be stored by voice data will be described. The second embodiment is the first
Since the configuration may be the same as that of the embodiment, detailed description will be omitted here.

In the second embodiment, when the user wants to change the data storage folder, the processing shown in FIG. 4 is executed under the control of the CPU 24. As shown in FIG. 4, in the CPU 16, when the folder switching operation is performed by the user, step 120 to step 122.
If the photographing instruction is given to step 120, step 120
To step 138.

That is, similarly to the first embodiment, the user operates the menu / OK button 60 to display the menu screen on the liquid crystal display 14, and the cross button 16
Is operated to select a “folder switching” menu displayed as selectable items on the displayed menu screen, the CPU 24 determines that the user has performed a folder switching operation, and steps 120 to 120 Proceed to 122. In step 122, a list of existing selectable folders (folder names, etc.) in the smart media is displayed on the liquid crystal display 14, and the user operates the cross button 16 to select one of the existing folders or a new folder. When a new folder is selected by the user, it is determined that the request for creating the new folder and switching the data storage folder to the new folder is requested, and the process proceeds to step 124.

In step 124, the storage medium I / F
Create a new folder (new folder) in SmartMedia via 46. The name of the new folder created at this time is automatically given according to a predetermined rule. In the next step 126, the DSP 26 fetches the voice data from the microphone 64 via the microphone I / F 66 and once stores the voice data in the SDRAM 48, and in the next step 128, the voice data is read from the SDRAM 48 and the predetermined rule is applied. A file name is assigned according to the rules, and the file is stored in a new folder created in SmartMedia. The CPU 24 automatically assigns the same file name as the name of the new folder (folder name) to the voice data, and distinguishes when other voice data is stored in the new folder later by the voice memo function or the like. You can do it.

Then, in the next step 130, the setting of the data storage folder is switched to the created new folder. Thereafter, the user selects the shooting mode as described above, and the shutter switch 22 is pressed in the case of still image shooting, and the menu / OK button is pressed in the case of moving image shooting, and from step 137 if shooting is instructed. In step 138, a still image or a moving image is captured as described above.

As a result, the digital image data of the still image and the moving image acquired by the subsequent photographing is stored in the new folder created in the smart media. In addition, here, the case of shifting to the photographing process has been described, but
It is also possible to shift to recording processing by voice memo function,
The voice data acquired by the recording process is also stored in this new folder.

On the other hand, when any one of the existing folders is selected by the user, it is determined that the data storage folder is requested to be switched to the selected folder, and the process proceeds from step 122 to step 132. D
The SP 26 is caused to reproduce the voice data stored in the selected existing folder, and to output the voice based on the voice data from the speaker or the like. This allows the user to check the contents of the selected existing folder.

Then, in the next step 134, for example, by displaying a selection menu of "OK" or "NG" on the liquid crystal display 14, the user operates the cross button 16 to check the contents of the existing folder. , Prompting the user to select whether or not the selected existing folder is acceptable, and if the user selects NG, the process returns to step 122,
You can try again after selecting the folder.

When OK is selected by the user, the process proceeds from step 134 to step 136, and the setting of the data storage folder is switched to the selected existing folder.
Then, the user selects the shooting mode as described above, and presses the shutter switch 22 for still image shooting and the menu / OK button for moving image shooting,
When shooting is instructed, the process proceeds from step 137 to step 138, and a still image or a moving image is shot as described above.

As a result, the digital image data obtained by the subsequent photographing is stored in the selected existing folder of the smart media. Although the case of shifting to the photographing process has been described here, it is also possible to shift to the recording process by the voice memo function, and the voice data acquired by the recording process is also stored in this existing folder.

That is, in the second embodiment, as shown in an example in FIG. 5, digital image data 202 or a moving image showing a still image acquired by the photographing process is stored in a predetermined folder 200 (under the root directory). Folders 208 for storing the digital image data 204 shown or the audio data 206 acquired by the recording process are created, and the names of the folders 208 are “0001” and “00”.
CPU such as "02", "0003", "0004"
Although it is automatically given according to a predetermined rule by 24,
In each folder 208, voice data 210 indicating the contents of the folder 208, such as “athletic meet”, “park”, and “walk”, is stored with a file name of the same name as the folder name. When switching the data storage folder, the audio data 210 indicating the contents of this folder is reproduced, so that the user can sort and organize the digital image data and audio data acquired by shooting and recording even if the number of folders increases. It can be done easily.

In FIG. 5, the text file 212 and the document file 214 are stored in the folder 208 of “0004”, but this will be added to the digital camera 10 in the future with a character input function such as a simple word processor. The case is assumed. That is, when a character input function is added to the digital camera, it is preferable that the text file and the document file can be classified and organized like the digital image data and the audio data.

Further, in recent years, voice recognition technology by computers has been improved. By storing voice data indicating the contents of each folder in association with each other in this manner, as shown in FIG. Digital image data 202 taken from the media by the digital camera 10,
The voice data 21 in each folder 208 is read using voice recognition technology on the PC side when reading the 204, the voice data 206, etc. together with the folder 208 and transferring to the PC.
It is also possible to convert 0 into text data, change the file name of the folder to the converted text data, and transfer the digital image data.

In the above description, the case where the voice data indicating the contents of the folder is stored in each folder has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and each folder and the folder It may be stored in association with voice data indicating the content.

In the above description, when the existing folder is selected, the case where the audio data indicating the contents of the folder is always reproduced has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. The audio data may be reproduced only when a reproduction operation of the audio data is instructed by a user operation.

<Third Embodiment> Next, as a third embodiment, a case where the voice recognition technique is applied to the digital camera 10 will be described. FIG. 7 shows a digital camera 10 according to the third embodiment. In addition,
In FIG. 7, the same members as those in the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted here.

As shown in FIG. 7, in the digital camera 10 of the third embodiment, a text conversion processing unit 70 for converting voice data into text data is added to the first embodiment. , This text conversion processing unit 70
Are mutually connected to the CPU 24.

In the third embodiment, when the user wants to change the data storage folder, the CPU 24 executes the processing shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 8, the CPU 16 shifts from step 140 to step 142 when the user performs a folder switching operation, and shifts from step 155 to step 156 when a shooting instruction is issued. ing.

That is, similarly to the first embodiment, the user operates the menu / OK button 60 to display the menu screen on the liquid crystal display 14, and the cross button 16 is pressed.
Is operated to select a “folder switching” menu displayed as selectable items on the displayed menu screen, the CPU 24 determines that the folder switching operation is performed by the user, and the steps from step 140 are performed. Proceed to 142. In step 142, the names of existing folders in the smart media are displayed in a list, and the existing folder list is displayed on the liquid crystal display 14, and the user operates the cross button 16 to select one of the existing folders or a new folder. If the user is prompted to select a folder and the new folder is selected by the user, it is determined that the creation of the new folder and the switching of the data storage folder to the new folder are requested, and the process proceeds to step 144.

At step 144, the storage medium I / F
Create a new folder (new folder) in SmartMedia via 46. In the next step 146, D
After the SP 26 takes in the voice data from the microphone 64 via the microphone I / F 66 and once stores it in the SDRAM 48, in the next step 148, the voice data is read from the SDRAM 48 and input to the text conversion processing unit 70. Then, the text conversion processing unit 70 converts the voice data into text data. Then, the next step 150
Then, control is performed so that this text-converted text data is given as the name of the created new folder. As a result, each folder can be given a file name indicating the contents of the folder.
When displaying a list of existing folders in SmartMedia, the user can confirm the contents of each folder from the respective file names.

Then, in the next step 152, the setting of the data storage folder is switched to the created new folder. Thereafter, the user selects the shooting mode as described above, and the shutter switch 22 is pressed for still image shooting, and the menu / OK button is pressed for moving image shooting, and if shooting is instructed, from step 155. The process moves to step 156, and a still image or a moving image is captured as described above.

As a result, the digital image data obtained by the subsequent photographing is stored in the new folder created in the smart media. Although the case where the process shifts to the photographing process has been described here, it is also possible to shift to the recording process by the voice memo function, and the voice data acquired by the recording process is also stored in this new folder.

On the other hand, when any one of the existing folders is selected by the user, it is determined that the data storage folder is requested to be switched to the selected folder, and the process proceeds from step 142 to step 154. The setting of the data storage folder is switched to the selected existing folder. After that, the user selects the shooting mode as described above, and in the case of still image shooting, the shutter switch 2
2. In the case of shooting a moving image, if the menu / OK button is pressed and shooting is instructed, the process proceeds from step 155 to step 156, and a still image or a moving image is shot as described above.

As a result, the digital image data obtained by the subsequent photographing is stored in the selected existing folder of the smart media. Although the case of shifting to the photographing process has been described here, it is also possible to shift to the recording process by the voice memo function, and the voice data acquired by the recording process is also stored in this existing folder.

That is, in the third embodiment, a folder 208 for storing the digital image data 202, 204 or the audio data 206 is created in a predetermined folder (root directory) 200 as shown in FIG. Then, each of the generated folders 208 is given a file name indicating the contents of the folder, such as “athletic meet”, “park”, and “walk”. When switching the data storage folder, a list of switchable folder names in SmartMedia is displayed, so users can sort and organize digital image data and audio data acquired by shooting and recording even if the number of folders increases. Can be done easily.

In FIG. 9, the text file 212 and the document file 21 are stored in the “document” folder 208.
4 is stored, but it is assumed that the digital camera 10 will be provided with a character input function such as a simple word processor in the future. That is, when a character input function is added to the digital camera, it is preferable that the text file and the document file can be classified and organized like the digital image data and the audio data.

[0068]

As described above, the present invention has an excellent effect that a user can arbitrarily classify and organize data.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external view showing a back surface of a digital camera according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an electric system of the digital camera according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 shows a CP when changing a data storage folder in the digital camera according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
It is a flowchart which shows the process performed by U.

FIG. 4 is a view showing a CP when changing a data storage folder in the digital camera according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
It is a flowchart which shows the process performed by U.

FIG. 5 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of a file tree configuration of various data stored in a storage medium in the digital camera according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a file on the digital camera side and the PC side when the image data and the audio data are transferred from the digital camera to the PC for each folder and the audio data indicating the contents of the folder is converted into a folder name by text conversion on the PC. It is a conceptual diagram which shows an example of a tree structure.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an electric system of a digital camera according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 shows a CP when changing a data storage folder in the digital camera according to the third embodiment of the present invention.
It is a flowchart which shows the process performed by U.

FIG. 9 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of a file tree configuration of various data stored in smart media in a digital camera according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of a file tree structure of various data stored in a storage medium in a conventional digital camera.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 digital camera 14 LCD display 24 CPU 26 DSP 46 Storage media I / F 48 SDRAM 62 speakers 64 microphones 70 Text conversion processing unit 200 folders 202 Digital image data 204 digital image data 206 voice data 208 folder 210 voice data

Front page continuation (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification code FI theme code (reference) H04N 5/91 G10L 3/00 561C F term (reference) 5C022 AA13 AC11 AC32 AC42 AC69 AC71 AC72 5C052 AC08 DD04 GA02 GB06 GB07 GE08 5C053 FA14 GB11 GB36 GB37 HA29 JA01 JA05 JA16 KA04 LA02 5D015 KK02 LL05

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A data management method for a digital camera, wherein at least data representing a subject image is captured by photographing, and the acquired data is stored in a storage medium, wherein a request is input, and in response to the input request, Select one of a process of selecting a folder for storing the data from the folders created in the storage medium and a process of newly creating a folder for storing the data in the storage medium. A data management method for a digital camera, characterized in that a folder for storing the data is switched according to a selected process. 2. The digital camera has a recording function, and when the folder is newly created, the recording function acquires data indicating the contents of the newly created folder by voice, and creates the newly created folder. The data indicating the acquired contents of the folder by voice is stored in the storage medium in association with the folder, and the folder for storing the data is selected from the folders created in the storage medium. The data management method for a digital camera according to claim 1, further comprising: playing back data indicating the contents of the selected folder by voice. 3. The digital camera has a recording function, and when the folder is newly created, the recording function acquires data indicating the contents of the newly created folder by voice, and the acquired The data management method for a digital camera according to claim 1, wherein the data indicating the contents of the folder by voice is converted into text, and the folder name is given to the newly created folder by the text after the text conversion. .