JP2005269021A - Reproduction program, reproduction data generating program and data recording apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a reproduction program capable of causing a display means to efficiently display a series of image data obtained by photographing in a consecutive photographing mode or a panoramic mode, and to provide a reproduction data generating program and a data recording apparatus. <P>SOLUTION: The program causes a computer to function as a relating information acquiring means 28 for acquiring relating information of a series of image data by referring to an image file, the description of image data or a reproduction program, and the recording structure of a recording means; and as a reproduction control means 29 for specifying the series of image data acquired by photographing in the consecutive photographing mode by referring to the related information obtained, reproducing the image data while controlling a reproduction time of image based on each of image data or specifying the series of image data acquired by photographing in the panoramic mode, and reproducing the image data while controlling a display position of each of image data. This causes the display means to efficiently display the series of image data acquired in various mode. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a reproduction program and a reproduction data generation program for effectively displaying a series of image data associated with each other on a display means, and a data recording apparatus for generating and recording reproduction data.

  In recent years, various services related to photography have been provided. For example, a user takes a picture with a digital camera, brings the digital camera or digital camera media to a photo shop such as a minilab, and uses an unmanned terminal (kiosk) or store terminal provided in the store to Image data recorded on a medium can be written on a recording medium such as a CD-R or a DVD-R (for example, JP-A-5-182373).

JP-A-5-182373 (page 4-6, Fig. 3)

  By using the above service, various image data taken with a digital camera on a recording medium such as a CD-R or DVD-R, for example, image data taken in a normal shooting mode, a continuous shooting mode, or a panoramic mode. The image data can be displayed on the display means by loading the recording medium into a computer device such as a personal computer.

  Here, since each piece of image data is independent in the normal shooting mode, there is no problem even if images based on each image data are displayed one by one, but a series of images shot in the continuous shooting mode. The image data can be effectively displayed by being reproduced continuously as in the case of shooting. However, when shooting in continuous shooting mode, image data of a composite image (for example, a composite image in which 16 frames of images are arranged in 4 rows and 4 columns) created by arranging images based on the respective image data on the recording medium. In this case, a series of image data cannot be reproduced by frame advance. In addition, even when a series of image data is recorded, information for associating them is not recorded. Therefore, the relationship between the image data cannot be determined, and a continuous shot image can be easily obtained using the series of image data. There was a problem that could not be played.

  When shooting in the panorama mode, a panorama image is created by joining images based on each of a series of image data in the digital camera, and the image data of the panorama image is recorded on the recording medium. The user himself / herself cannot create a panoramic image using an image composition program or the like installed in advance on a computer device. In addition, a series of image data that is the basis of the panoramic image may be recorded, but in this case as well, information that associates these is not recorded, so the relationship between the image data cannot be determined. There has been a problem that panoramic images cannot be easily reproduced using a series of image data.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and its main purpose is to effectively display a series of image data obtained by shooting in a continuous shooting mode, a panorama mode, or the like on a display unit. An object of the present invention is to provide a reproduction program that can perform reproduction, a reproduction data generation program that generates reproduction data, and a data recording apparatus that generates reproduction data and records the reproduction data on a recording medium.

  In order to achieve the above object, the reproduction program according to the present invention relates to a computer associating information acquisition means for acquiring associating information for associating a series of image data, referring to the associating information, and associating the series of image data as described above. It is made to function as a reproduction control means to be displayed on the display means.

  In the present invention, the association information acquisition unit acquires the association information with reference to a description of a specific information file recorded in advance in the recording unit in which the series of image data is recorded, or Referring to a header area of image data or a description in the reproduction program, the association information is obtained, or a hierarchical structure of folders or folder names created in the recording means in which the series of image data is recorded The association information can be obtained by referring to a recording structure specified based on the file name or a file name of the series of image data.

  In the present invention, it is preferable that the series of image data is a plurality of image data obtained by photographing in the continuous shooting mode or a plurality of image data obtained by photographing in the panoramic mode.

  Also, in the present invention, the reproduction control means, when the series of image data is a plurality of image data obtained by shooting in the continuous shooting mode, the shooting described in the header area of the series of image data. The time interval at the time of shooting calculated based on the date and time information, or a predetermined time interval, or the time interval obtained by dividing the slide interval in slide show reproduction by the number of image data of the series of image data, A series of image data can be continuously reproduced.

  In the present invention, in the reproduction control means, when the series of image data is a plurality of image data obtained by shooting in the panorama mode, the shooting direction described in the header area of the series of image data The series of image data may be combined and reproduced according to the positional relationship specified based on the information.

  Further, the reproduction data generation program of the present invention relates to an association information generating means for generating association information for associating a series of image data with the computer, the series of image data, the association information, and the computer with reference to the association information. Then, it is made to function as a means for generating reproduction data including a program that functions as a reproduction control means for associating the series of image data and displaying on the display means.

  In the present invention, the association information may be described in a specific information file, described in a header area of the series of image data, or described in the reproduction program.

  The digital camera of the present invention includes at least means for acquiring a series of image data in a continuous shooting mode or a panoramic shooting mode, association information generating means for generating association information for associating the series of image data, and the series. Reproduction data including the image data, the association information, and a program that causes the computer to function as a reproduction control unit that associates the series of image data with each other and displays them on the display unit with reference to the association information. And at least means for recording the reproduction data on a recording medium.

  The data recording apparatus of the present invention includes at least a means for inputting a series of image data obtained by shooting in the continuous shooting mode or the panoramic shooting mode, and an association for generating association information for associating the series of image data. An information generation unit, the series of image data, the association information, and a program that causes the computer to function as a reproduction control unit that references the association information and associates the series of image data to be displayed on the display unit , Including at least means for generating reproduction data, and means for recording at least the reproduction data on a recording medium.

  The data recording apparatus of the present invention includes at least a means for inputting a series of image data obtained by shooting in the continuous shooting mode or the panoramic shooting mode, and an association for generating association information for associating the series of image data. An information generation unit, the series of image data, the association information, and a program that causes the computer to function as a reproduction control unit that references the association information and associates the series of image data to be displayed on the display unit Generating means for generating reproduction data including: a means for converting the image data including the series of image data into data in any one of a Video-CD format, a DVD-Video format, and an HDTV format; and at least the reproduction data And means for recording the converted data on a recording medium Than it is.

  As described above, according to the configuration of the present invention, since a series of image data obtained by shooting in the continuous shooting mode or the panorama mode is associated by the association information, the series of image data is effectively displayed on the display unit. be able to. Further, a series of image data and association information (may be described in a specific information file, may be described in a header area of the image data, or may be described in a reproduction program). Since reproduction data as a set with the reproduction program is generated and recorded on the recording medium, a series of image data can be effectively reproduced even in a computer device in which the reproduction program is not installed.

  The reproduction program, reproduction data generation program, and data recording means of the present invention have the following effects.

  The first effect of the present invention is that a series of image data obtained by photographing in various modes can be effectively reproduced on the display means.

  The reason for this is that the playback program refers to the description of the information file recorded in the recording means, the header area of the image data, the description in the playback program, the folder hierarchy structure and folder name of the recording means, the file name of the image data, etc. Then, association information for associating a series of image data obtained by shooting in the continuous shooting mode or the panorama mode is acquired, and the series of image data is associated with each other and displayed on the display means with reference to the association information. Because.

  The second effect of the present invention is that a series of image data can be effectively reproduced in the same manner even in a computer device in which a reproduction program is not installed.

  The reason is that in the reproduction data generation program, association information is generated and described in a specific information file, described in a header area of image data, or described in the reproduction program, and a series of image data, association information, and reproduction program This is because reproduction data including moving image data is generated as necessary.

  In a preferred embodiment of the reproduction program according to the present invention, the computer is described at least as a description of an information file recorded in a recording means such as a recording medium or a medium, a header area of image data or a description in the reproduction program, Reference information acquisition means for acquiring association information for associating a series of image data obtained by shooting in continuous shooting mode or panorama mode with reference to a recording structure of the recording means, a file name of image data, and the like. Referring to the association information, specify a series of image data obtained by shooting in continuous shooting mode, control the playback time of the image based on each image data, or playback in panoramic mode As a reproduction control means for specifying a series of image data and controlling and reproducing the display position of the image based on each image data. Is intended to be, by regeneration program, a series of image data obtained in various modes can be displayed on the effective display means. Further, the reproduction data generation program generates association information for associating a series of image data and describes the information in a specific information file, describes it in the header area of the image data, or describes association information in the reproduction program , Which functions as reproduction data generation means for generating reproduction data including a series of image data, association information, a reproduction program, and, if necessary, moving image data. By using this reproduction data, the reproduction program is installed. Similarly, a series of image data obtained in various modes can be effectively displayed on the display means even if a computer device that is not used is used.

  In order to describe the above embodiment in detail, a reproduction program, a reproduction data generation program, and a data recording apparatus according to an example of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating a configuration of an image data utilization system according to the present embodiment. FIGS. 2 to 4 are block diagrams illustrating functions of a digital camera, a recording medium creating apparatus, and a computer device, respectively. is there. 5 to 8 are diagrams schematically showing another configuration of the computer device according to the present embodiment. FIGS. 9 to 11 are a procedure for taking a photograph and a procedure for creating a recording medium, respectively. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a procedure for reproducing an image using a recording medium. 12 and 13 are diagrams showing a data recording structure, and FIGS. 14 to 17 are diagrams showing examples of screens displayed on the display means of the computer device.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the image data utilization system of the present embodiment is a photographing device (hereinafter referred to as a digital camera 7) such as a digital camera 7 (including both a digital still camera and a digital movie camera) and a mobile phone 7a with a camera. And a recording medium creation device 1 that generates reproduction data to be described later and records it on the recording medium 9, and a computer device 10 that effectively reproduces a series of image data associated with the reproduction data. At least.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the digital camera 7 is obtained by shooting in a continuous shooting mode or a panorama mode with a shooting unit 20 that takes a picture in various modes such as a normal shooting mode, a continuous shooting mode, and a panorama mode. Association information generating means 21 for generating association information for associating a series of image data and writing the description information in a specific information file or writing the association information in image data or a reproduction program, a series of image data, association information, and a reproduction program Reproduction data generation means 22 for generating reproduction data including the data, and the generated reproduction data as a recording medium (hereinafter referred to as a medium) such as a smart media, a compact flash (registered trademark), a memory stick (registered trademark), an SD memory card, and a multimedia card. 8) and data recording means 23 for recording The image data and a reproduction control unit 24 for performing control to play on display means such as a liquid crystal monitor. Here, the association information generation means 21 and the reproduction data generation means 22 are provided so that the digital camera 7 can generate reproduction data. However, the digital camera 7 records image data obtained in various modes as it is. Then, the recording medium creating apparatus 1 may generate a reproduction data by associating a series of image data. In this case, it is not necessary to provide the association information generation unit 21 and the reproduction data generation unit 22 in the digital camera 7.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the recording medium creating apparatus 1 is configured to connect a photographing device such as a medium loading unit 2 for loading a medium 8, a digital camera 7 or a camera-equipped mobile phone 7a by wire, wireless, infrared, or the like. Data input means 25 for inputting image data using the device connection unit 3 or the like for connection, and association information generation means for generating association information and writing description information in a specific information file or association information in image data or a reproduction program 21, reproduction data generation means 22 for generating reproduction data including a series of image data, association information, and a reproduction program, CD-R / RW, DVD ± R / RW, DVD-RAM, Blu-ray disc, etc. Using the recording medium loading unit 4 in which the recording medium 9 is loaded, playback data, DVD players, DVD recorders, game machines, etc. A data recording means 26 for recording image data converted into a possible format, an operation means 6 such as a button, a keyboard and a mouse, and a display means 5 such as an LCD and a CRT (in the figure, the operation means 6 and the display means 5 are provided. The touch panel which combines is shown.).

  Although FIG. 1 shows an unattended terminal (kiosk) installed in a store such as a photo shop or a convenience store as the recording medium creation device 1, the form of the recording medium creation device 1 is arbitrary, and input means and recording A dedicated set-top box equipped with means, a portable writer, a personal computer, or the like may be used. In addition, each of the above units may be configured as hardware in the digital camera 7 or the recording medium creation device 1, and a reproduction data generation program that causes the computer to function as at least the association information generation unit 21 and the reproduction data generation unit 22. The program may be installed in the digital camera 7 or the recording medium creating apparatus 1 and executed.

  In addition to the arithmetic processing means, the computer device 10 has a recording medium loading section 14 for loading the recording medium 9, a display means 15 such as a monitor, and operating means such as a keyboard and a mouse, as shown in FIG. 16, and an internal recording means such as a hard disk 11, a device connection unit 13 for connecting a photographing device such as a digital camera 7 or a mobile phone 7 a with a camera, and a medium for loading a medium 8 as necessary. The loading unit 12 and a network connection unit for connecting to the home server 18 and the web server 17 via the communication network 19 are provided.

  The main functions of the computer device 10 are shown in a block diagram in FIG. That is, the data input means 27 for reading image data from various recording means such as the recording medium 9, the media 8, the digital camera 7, the hard disk 11, the home server 18, the web server 17, and the description of the information file recorded in the recording means Referring to the header area of the image data and the description of the playback program, the hierarchical structure of the folder generated in the recording means, the data recording structure specified based on the folder name, etc., the file name, etc. Association information acquisition means 28 for acquiring association information for associating a series of recorded image data, and reproduction control for performing control for associating and displaying images based on the series of image data on the display means 15 with reference to the association information Means 29 at least.

  Each of the above units may be configured as hardware in the computer device 10, or the computer is configured as a reproduction program that causes at least the association information acquisition unit 28 and the reproduction control unit 29 to function. 10 may be installed and executed. 1 shows the case where a personal computer is used as the computer device 10, the computer device 10 may be of any form, and may have any arithmetic processing means capable of executing a reproduction program. For example, A dedicated set-top box as shown in FIG. 5, a portable writer as shown in FIG. 6, an HDD recorder, a DVD recorder or a game machine equipped with arithmetic processing means as shown in FIG. As shown, it may be a car navigation device or the like provided with arithmetic processing means.

  Next, a procedure for taking a photograph in various modes using the digital camera 7 having the above-described configuration will be described with reference to a flowchart of FIG.

  First, in step S101, an operation unit provided in the digital camera 7 is operated to set a shooting mode, and in step S102, a photograph is taken in the shooting mode. Next, in step S103, the set shooting mode is a mode in which a series of image data is generated (here, continuous shooting mode or panorama mode), or a mode in which single image data is generated (here, normal). In the case of shooting in the normal mode, one independent image data is acquired for each shooting in step S104.

  In the case of shooting in continuous shooting mode or panoramic mode, a series of image data (for example, in case of continuous shooting mode, obtained by continuously shooting at a preset time interval) is obtained in step S105. A plurality of image data obtained in the case of the panoramic mode, a plurality of image data captured during the mode setting), and in step S106, the association information generation unit 21 is used to associate these series of image data. Do.

  The following three modes can be considered as a method of associating a series of image data. In the first aspect, information indicating that each image data is one of a series of image data obtained by shooting in continuous shooting mode or panorama mode (for example, each image constituting the series of image data). In the case of the configuration shown in FIG. 12, “Ryymmdd00021, C1-001, Ryymmdd00022, C1-002,..., Ryymmdd00037, C1-016,” data file name, continuous shooting or panorama type, data order, etc. Or “Ryymmdd00050, P1-001, Ryymmdd00051, P1-002,..., Ryymmdd00055, P1-006,”, etc.), and is described in a specific information file (info.txt).

  The second mode is a method of writing association information into image data or a reproduction program. Specifically, information indicating that the image data is one of a series of image data obtained by shooting in the continuous shooting mode or the panorama mode during the header area of the image data in the exif format or the reproduction program, for example, In the header area of Ryymmdd00021.exif, “C1-001” is described, and the contents of the association information are described in the reproduction program.

  The third mode is a method of associating a series of image data with a recording structure or name. Specifically, the series of image data is classified and recorded in a folder having a predetermined hierarchical structure and name. For example, as shown in FIG. 13, a series of image data obtained in a continuous shooting mode is provided in a “RO” folder in a lower hierarchy of a folder named “PS_Roll” and a “CNT” folder provided in a lower hierarchy. Similarly, a series of image data obtained in the panorama mode is stored in the “PANORAMA” folder. In addition, the file name assigned to each series of image data is composed of serial number characters such as “yymmddEE-01, 02… (yymmdd: number specifying the date of writing, EE: sequential number for each frame)” Note that the above three aspects are merely examples, and other methods may be used as long as the target image data can be identified as a series of image data obtained by shooting in continuous shooting mode or panoramic mode. It may be used.

  In this way, an information file in which the association information is described is generated, the association information is written in the header area of the image data or the reproduction program, and the recording structure and name are set so that the association can be identified. In the digital camera 7 in which the program is installed, a series of image data can be associated and displayed on the display means with reference to the association information. However, a series of image data is similarly displayed in a computer device in which no reproduction program is installed. In order to be able to reproduce effectively, reproduction data is generated by using the reproduction data generation means 22 in step S107. Specifically, a series of image data and association information (the association information may be described in a specific information file, written in image data, or written in the reproduction program itself). And a reproduction program that associates a series of image data and displays them on the display means with reference to the association information. As described above, the reproduction data may be generated by the recording medium creating apparatus 1, and in this case, the generation of the association information in step S106 and the generation of the reproduction data in step S107 are unnecessary.

  In step S108, the data recording unit 23 is used to record the independent image data obtained by photographing in the normal mode and the reproduction data obtained by photographing in the continuous shooting mode or the panoramic mode on the medium 8. . At that time, when the association is performed in the above-described third mode, the association information is not written in a specific information file, image data, or reproduction program, but is classified into a folder having a predetermined hierarchical structure and name, and a series of image data is collected. Store or assign a predetermined name to each image data. Thereafter, the same processing is performed until shooting is completed.

  According to the above procedure, the medium 8 on which the reproduction data is recorded can be obtained, and the image data taken in various modes can be reproduced by loading the medium 8 into the computer device 10, but the reproduction data is generated. Even when a photograph is taken with a digital camera 7 having no means, a reproduction data is generated and recorded on the recording medium 9 by the recording medium creating apparatus 1 so that a series of image data can be effectively displayed. You can also. The procedure in that case will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  First, in step S <b> 201, the medium 8 is loaded into the medium loading unit 2 of the recording medium creating apparatus 1, or the digital camera 7 is connected to the device connection unit 3 and the recording medium 9 is loaded into the recording medium loading unit 4. Next, in step S202, image data (main image data, continuous image data, panoramic image data, moving image data, etc.) recorded in the digital camera 7 or the media 8 is read. In step S203, the read image data is stored in advance. Determine whether they are associated. Specifically, whether a predetermined information file exists, association information is written in the header area of the image data, or a folder or file having a predetermined hierarchical structure and name exists in the medium 8. Judgment based on such.

  If the read image data is not associated, a series of image data is associated using the association information generating unit 21 in step S204. As the association method, as shown in step S106 of FIG. 9 described above, a method of describing association information in a specific information file, a method of writing association information into image data or the reproduction program itself, and a recording structure of image data A method of associating by file name or the like can be considered, and association is performed by these methods.

  Next, in step S205, reproduction data is generated using the reproduction data generation means 22. Specifically, a series of image data and association information (the association information may be described in a specific information file, written in image data, or written in the reproduction program itself). And a reproduction program that associates a series of image data and displays them on the display means with reference to the association information.

  After the reproduction data is generated or when the image data is associated in advance in step S203, the read image data can be read by an image reproduction device such as a DVD player, a DVD recorder, or a game machine in step S206 as necessary. It is converted into moving image data (data in Video-CD format, DVD-Video format, HDTV format, etc.). The method for creating the moving image data from the image data is not particularly limited. For example, when still image data is displayed like a slide show, data with a difference 0 corresponding to the slide display time is added to the still image data. The moving image data may be generated by generating moving image data or adding difference data based on the slide effect set by the slide show program to the still image data. Further, as necessary, reduced image data such as thumbnail image data or screen nail image data obtained by reducing the data size of image data read from the digital camera 7 or the like is created. The reduced image data only needs to have a data size smaller than the input image data. For example, the reduced image data may be image data with a reduced number of pixels, color data, or image data with a reduced color reproduction range.

  Next, in step S207, a predetermined folder for writing provided in advance with data or the like (hereinafter referred to as an image reproduction device data group) converted so as to be reproduced by the image reproduction device using the data transfer means. Then, the data recording device is used to read out the image reproduction device data group from the folder and record it inside the logical address area of the recording medium 9. Thereafter, in step S208, before recording data for the computer device using the data recording means, the session is temporarily closed in order to classify the data area usable in the image reproducing device.

  Next, in step S209, using the data transfer means, the main image data, continuous shot image data, panoramic image data, reduced image data and music data as necessary, pre-recorded programs and setting files, etc. These are collectively referred to as a computer equipment data group.) Is transferred to a predetermined folder for writing, and the data recording means is used to read out the computer equipment data group from the folder, thereby recording the recording medium. 9 is recorded outside the image reproduction device data group previously recorded, and a series of writing processes is completed.

  The recording structure of the recording medium 9 created by the above procedure is as shown in FIG. 12, for example, main image data (such as Ryymmdd00001.jpg) in the “PS_Roll” folder, thumbnail image data (such as TyymmddEEEEE.jpg), Information files (such as info.txt) that describe image data groups such as screen nail image data (such as SyymmddEEEEE.jpg), continuous image data (such as Ryymmdd00021.jpg), panoramic image data (such as Ryymmdd00050.jpg), and association information ) And a slide show program functioning as a playback program in the “Slideshow” folder and a slide show setting file constitute a data group for a computer device, and image data in the “VCD” folder is converted into a Video-CD format or a DVD-Video format. , Files associated as HDTV format data, etc., and the TV screen in the “SEGMENT” folder And image data for displaying, "MPEGAV" and video data in the folder, "DAT" image reproduction device data group in an application for displaying still image data on the TV screen in a folder constructed.

  When a series of image data in various modes is classified and stored in a folder, it is as shown in FIG. 13, and this image data (such as RyymmddEEEEE.jpg), thumbnail image data (such as TyymmddEEEEE.jpg), and screen nail image A group of image data such as data (SyymmddEEEEE.jpg, etc.), continuous shot image data (CyymmddEE-01.jpg, etc.), panoramic image data (PyymmddEE-01.jpg, etc.) is stored in the “PS_Roll” folder.

  Note that the recording structure, folder name, file name, and the like of the image data group are arbitrary, but in order to facilitate management when the image data group is backed up to the hard disk 11 or the like of the computer device 10, a predetermined rule is used. It is preferable to construct a folder according to the above and assign a unique name to the folder. For example, as shown in FIG. 10, a folder (RO_AABC_XXXXX_YYMMDD_yyy_zzz) indicating the storage location of the image data for each medium 8 and each device is created in the lower hierarchy of the folder (PS_Roll) indicating the storage location of the image data. , AA: country-specific code number (00 to ZZ), B: region-specific code number (0 to Z), C: code number indicating how to make the recording medium (for example, k, lab XXXXX: Random ID number, yymmdd: Number specifying the date of writing, yyy: Sequential number for each day, zzz: For each predetermined unit (for example, for each film or media, device) The folder may be easily identified as a sequential number or the like.

  As described above, the recording medium creating apparatus 1 not only records reproduction data on the recording medium 9, but also records image data converted into a format readable by an image reproduction device such as a DVD player, a DVD recorder, or a game machine. Therefore, the recording medium can be used in both the computer device and the image reproducing device, and the convenience for the user can be improved.

  Here, in the computer device 10, a series of image data can be effectively displayed on the display means by using the reproduction data recorded on the medium 8 or the recording medium 9. The procedure for using the reproduced data will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. Here, a case will be described in which image data obtained in the normal shooting mode, continuous shot image data obtained in the continuous shooting mode, and panoramic image data obtained in the panoramic mode are displayed on the display unit 15 as a slide show.

  First, in step S301, the recording medium 9 is loaded into the recording medium loading unit 14 of the computer device 10. In step S302, the reproduction data generated by the above-described procedure is read from the recording medium 9, and the reproduction data is converted into the reproduction data in step S303. Start the included playback program.

  Next, the association information for associating a series of image data shot in the continuous shooting mode or the panorama mode in the image data recorded on the recording medium 9 using the reproduction program (association information acquisition unit 28) in step S304. To get. Specifically, the association information acquisition unit 28 acquires association information with reference to a specific information file, a header area of image data, and a description in a reproduction program. Further, the hierarchical structure of the folder created in the recording medium 9 and the name of the folder are checked. For example, if there is a folder named “PS_Roll” as shown in FIG. 13, the “RO” folder in the lower hierarchy is present. The series of image data stored in the “CNT” folder is recognized as continuous image data, and the series of image data stored in the “PANORAMA” folder is recognized as panoramic image data. Also, if the series of image data is composed of consecutive characters such as “CyymmddEE-01, 02 ...”, the continuous shot image data, and the series of image data is consecutive characters such as “PyymmddEE-01, 02…” Is recognized as panoramic image data.

  Next, in step S305, a reproduction condition for reproducing a series of associated image data is set. For example, when the series of image data is continuous image data, a time for reproducing each image data is set. Although this playback time can be set arbitrarily, for example, when displaying image data including continuous image data as a slide show, a series of continuous image data is displayed within the time set as the slide interval. As described above, the time obtained by dividing the slide interval by the number of image data constituting the continuous image data can be used as the reproduction time of each continuous image data. It is also possible to calculate the shooting interval by referring to the shooting date / time information described in the header area of the image data, and reproduce it under the same conditions as at the time of shooting. It is also possible to play back at a predetermined time interval, preferably at a time interval shorter than that at the time of shooting. In addition, you may make it make a user select which time is made into reproduction | regeneration time.

  When the series of image data is panoramic image data, the reproduction position relationship (for example, the left side, the center, and the like) of each image data is referred to by referring to the information regarding the shooting direction described in the header area of each image data. Right side, upper side, lower side, etc.).

  Next, a series of image data is reproduced according to the above reproduction conditions. Here, in order to perform various settings for the slide show, a menu screen 30 as shown in FIG. 14 is displayed on the display unit 15 in step S306. The configuration of the menu screen 30 is arbitrary. For example, a tag display field 31 for identifying an image data group displayed in the frame, an image display field 32 for displaying an image based on the image data, and image data It is possible to configure in a work menu column 33 or the like in which processing using is displayed in a selectable manner. In step S307, the user selects a desired image from the image display field 32 using the operation means 16, and presses the slide show display button in step S308. When the slide control display button is pressed in step S309, the reproduction control means 29 causes the normal mode. The image data photographed in the above is displayed with a predetermined slide interval and slide effect, and a series of image data photographed in the continuous shooting mode or the panorama mode is displayed in association with each other according to the reproduction condition.

  Specifically, when the series of image data is continuous-shot image data having the configuration shown in FIG. 12, an image based on the first image data (Ryymmdd00021.jpg) is displayed on the slide show screen 34 as shown in FIG. After the playback time determined by the playback conditions has elapsed, an image based on the second image data (Ryymmdd00022.jpg) is displayed, and thereafter, the image based on the 16th image data (Ryymmdd00037.jpg) is sequentially displayed. Is done. Note that FIG. 14 is an example, and the display size, display position, display effect, and the like of the image can be arbitrarily set. For example, the next image is displayed over the previous image, or the slide show screen 34 is displayed. May be divided into a predetermined number (for example, 16 divisions), and each image may be sequentially displayed at a corresponding position.

  If the series of image data is panoramic image data having the configuration shown in FIG. 12, as shown in FIG. 16, an image based on the first image data (Ryymmdd00050.jpg) is defined on the slide show screen 34 by the playback conditions. Is displayed at the position (here, the left end), and the image based on the second image data (Ryymmdd00051.jpg) is located at the position determined by the playback conditions (here, the position on the right side and partially overlapping the first image data). Thereafter, similarly, an image based on the sixth image data (Ryymmdd00055.jpg) is displayed, and a panoramic image is synthesized and displayed. Note that FIG. 16 is an example, and the display size, display position, display effect, and the like of the image can be arbitrarily set. For example, as shown in FIG. 17, the images are shifted in order from one end (for example, the left end). It can also be displayed (shifted to the left here) and displayed as if looking through the viewfinder. 16 and 17 show a case where images based on a series of image data are joined in the horizontal direction, but when a panoramic image is taken by turning the digital camera 7 in the vertical direction, the images are based on the series of image data. What is necessary is just to connect an image to the orthogonal | vertical direction. Alternatively, a panorama image may be generated by connecting images based on a series of image data using a predetermined image composition program, and the panorama image may be displayed in the same manner as an image based on normal image data.

  As described above, in this embodiment, since a series of image data captured in the continuous shooting mode or the panorama mode can be displayed in association with each other, the series of image data can be effectively reproduced. .

  In the above description, image data taken in the normal mode, image data taken in the continuous shooting mode, and image data taken in the panoramic mode have been described as examples of the image data. However, the present invention is limited to the above embodiment. Obviously, it is possible to use image data taken in other modes.

It is a figure which shows typically the structure of the photograph image utilization system which concerns on one Example of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the main means of the digital camera which concerns on one Example of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the main means of the recording medium production apparatus based on one Example of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the main means of the computer equipment concerning one Example of this invention. It is a figure which shows typically the other structure of the computer apparatus based on one Example of this invention. It is a figure which shows typically the other structure of the computer apparatus based on one Example of this invention. It is a figure which shows typically the other structure of the computer apparatus based on one Example of this invention. It is a figure which shows typically the other structure of the computer apparatus based on one Example of this invention. It is a flowchart figure which shows the photography procedure using the digital camera which concerns on one Example of this invention. It is a flowchart figure which shows the preparation procedure of the recording medium using the recording medium preparation apparatus which concerns on one Example of this invention. It is a flowchart figure which shows the utilization procedure of the image data using the computer apparatus concerning one Example of this invention. It is a figure which shows the recording structure in the recording medium based on one Example of this invention. It is a figure which shows the recording structure in the recording medium based on one Example of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the menu screen displayed on the display means of the computer apparatus which concerns on one Example of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the slide show screen of the continuous shooting image data displayed on the display means of the computer apparatus concerning one Example of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the slide show screen of the panorama image data displayed on the display means of the computer apparatus concerning one Example of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the slide show screen of the panorama image data displayed on the display means of the computer apparatus concerning one Example of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Recording medium production apparatus 2 Media loading part 3 Device connection part 4 Recording medium loading part 5 Display part 6 Operation part 7 Digital camera 7a Cellular phone with a camera 8 Media 9 Recording medium 9a ID information recording means 10 Computer apparatus 11 Hard disk 12 Media loading Unit 13 Device connection unit 14 Recording medium loading unit 15 Display unit 16 Operation unit 17 Home server 18 Web server 19 Communication network 20 Imaging unit 21 Association information generation unit 22 Reproduction data generation unit 23, 26 Data recording unit 24, 29 Reproduction control unit 25, 27 Data input means 28 Association information acquisition means 30 Menu screen 31 Tag display field 32 Image display field 33 Work menu field 34 Slide show screen

Claims (15)

Computer
Association information acquisition means for acquiring association information for associating a series of image data;
A reproduction program that functions as a reproduction control unit that refers to the association information and causes the display unit to display the series of image data in association with each other.   2. The association information obtaining unit obtains the association information by referring to a description of a specific information file recorded in advance in a recording unit in which the series of image data is recorded. Playback program.   2. The reproduction program according to claim 1, wherein the association information obtaining unit obtains the association information with reference to a header area of the series of image data or a description in the reproduction program.   The associating information acquisition means includes a hierarchical structure of folders created in the recording means in which the series of image data is recorded or a recording structure specified based on a folder name, or a file name of the series of image data The reproduction program according to claim 1, wherein the association information is acquired with reference to FIG.   The series of image data is a plurality of image data obtained by photographing in a continuous shooting mode or a plurality of image data obtained by photographing in a panoramic mode. The reproduction program according to 1.   In the reproduction control means, when the series of image data is a plurality of image data obtained by shooting in the continuous shooting mode, it is calculated based on the shooting date and time information described in the header area of the series of image data. The series of image data is continuously generated by either a time interval at the time of shooting, a predetermined time interval, or a time interval obtained by dividing the slide interval in slide show reproduction by the number of image data of the series of image data. 6. The reproduction program according to claim 5, wherein the reproduction program is reproduced.   In the reproduction control means, when the series of image data is a plurality of image data obtained by shooting in the panorama mode, the reproduction control means is specified based on the shooting direction information described in the header area of the series of image data. 6. The reproduction program according to claim 5, wherein the series of image data is synthesized and reproduced according to a positional relationship. Computer
Association information generating means for generating association information for associating a series of image data;
Reproduction data including the series of image data, the association information, and a program that causes a computer to function as a reproduction control unit that associates the series of image data and displays the association on the display unit with reference to the association information. A reproduction data generation program that functions as a means for generating the reproduction data.   9. The reproduction data generation program according to claim 8, wherein the association information is described in a specific information file, is described in a header area of the series of image data, or is described in the reproduction program.   The series of image data is a plurality of image data obtained by photographing in a continuous shooting mode or a plurality of image data obtained by photographing in a panoramic mode. Playback data generation program. Means for acquiring a series of image data at least in continuous shooting mode or panoramic shooting mode;
Association information generating means for generating association information for associating the series of image data;
Reproduction data that includes the series of image data, the association information, and a program that causes a computer to function as a reproduction control unit that associates the series of image data and displays on the display unit with reference to the association information. Means for generating
A digital camera comprising at least means for recording the reproduction data on a recording medium.   12. The digital camera according to claim 11, wherein the association information is described in a specific information file, is described in a header area of the series of image data, or is described in the reproduction program. Means for inputting a series of image data obtained by photographing at least in continuous shooting mode or panoramic shooting mode;
Association information generating means for generating association information for associating the series of image data;
Reproduction data including the series of image data, the association information, and a program that causes a computer to function as a reproduction control unit that associates the series of image data and displays the association on the display unit with reference to the association information. Means for generating
A data recording apparatus comprising at least means for recording the reproduction data on a recording medium. Means for inputting a series of image data obtained by photographing at least in continuous shooting mode or panoramic shooting mode;
Association information generating means for generating association information for associating the series of image data;
Reproduction data that includes the series of image data, the association information, and a program that causes a computer to function as a reproduction control unit that associates the series of image data and displays on the display unit with reference to the association information. Means for generating
Means for converting the image data including the series of image data into data of any one of Video-CD format, DVD-Video format, and HDTV format;
A data recording apparatus comprising: at least means for recording the reproduction data and the converted data on a recording medium.   15. The data recording apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the association information is described in a specific information file, is described in a header area of the series of image data, or is described in the reproduction program.

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