JP2006345402A - Image file information display device with date sorting function, image file information display method and imaging apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image file information display device with a date sorting function, an image file information display method and an imaging apparatus capable of sorting dates of image files and displaying their results so that retrieval of a desired image file, etc. can be performed using information about a photographing date and time without spoiling convenience. <P>SOLUTION: On a screen of a liquid crystal monitor in a reproduction mode of a digital camera, thumbnail images on the photographing date selected by a user are displayed as shown in a drawing 4(D). In displaying them, dates of image files recorded in storage media are stored. If the number of image files is equal to or less than a prescribed threshold, the dates are sorted based on the photographing date and time recorded in the image files and if the number of image files is more than the threshold, the dates are sorted based on update dates and time of the files. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image file information display device with a date sort function, an image file information display method, and an imaging device, and more particularly to an image file information display device with a date sort function that can be applied to a digital camera, an image file information display method, and an imaging device. Relates to the device.

  Conventionally, a digital camera having a date sorting function for sorting image files of captured images by date has been provided.

Patent Document 1 discloses a file editing apparatus that sorts a plurality of files by date or file name.
JP 2004-258957 A

  An image photographed by an imaging device such as a digital camera is generally recorded as an image file in Exif (Exchangeable Image File Format) format in which additional information such as photographing date and time is added to the image data. When multiple image files recorded in such a file format are sorted by date (classification or rearrangement) and file identification information (file names, thumbnail images, etc.) is displayed as a list, additional information in each image file It is desirable to sort based on the shooting date and time recorded as information (ExifTAG).

  However, when date sorting is performed based on the shooting date and time, tag analysis inside the file needs to be performed for all files, and when the number of files is large, there is a problem that enormous time is required until sorting ends. For this reason, conventionally, date sorting is performed based on the update date and time of a file recorded as file management information in a predetermined area of the memory.

  Here, a FAT (File Allocation Table) file system is generally used as a file management system in a memory card or the like for recording data. In this FAT file system, the memory area is divided into a system area and a data area. In the system area, directory entry and FAT data are recorded as file management information, and actual file data is recorded in the data area. Is done.

  The directory entry contains the file name, extension, attribute, reserved area, file creation time, file creation date, last access date, update date and time, and data at the beginning of the file for each file recorded in the memory. The cluster address (start cluster address), file size, etc. of the recorded cluster are recorded. In the FAT, data indicating a connection of clusters in which each file is recorded is recorded.

  Such date sorting of files managed by the FAT file system is generally performed based on the update date and time of the file as described above. Thus, if it is desired to perform date sorting by shooting date and time, an appropriate result may not be obtained.

  For example, the update date and time of the image file recorded in the memory at the time of shooting is substantially the same as the shooting date and time, and when the date is sorted in that state, the same result as when the date is sorted by the shooting date and time is obtained. On the other hand, once the image of the image file recorded in the memory is trimmed, the update date is changed to the date when the read-modify-write was executed by the read-modify-write at that time. There is a problem that the result of date sorting by update date / time is different from the result of date sorting by shooting date / time. In addition, when an image file is copied, the update date / time is also the copy date / time. Therefore, if the image file recorded in the copy destination memory is date-sorted by the update date / time, the result is completely different from the date-sort result by the shooting date / time. There was a case to invite.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and the date of an image file is used so that a desired image file can be searched using information on the shooting date and time as much as possible without impairing convenience. An object is to provide an image file information display device with a date sort function, an image file information display method, and an imaging device capable of sorting and displaying the result.

  In order to achieve the object, the image file information display device with a date sorting function according to claim 1 has a plurality of image files each including image data of a captured image and information of a shooting date and time when the image was captured. A memory in which the update date and time of each image file is recorded as file management information, and a date sort means for sorting the date-sorted image file recorded in the memory based on the shooting date and time. When the number of image files subject to date sorting or the time required for date sorting based on the shooting date / time exceeds a predetermined threshold, date sorting is performed based on the update date / time. A date sorting unit to perform, and based on the date sorting result obtained by the date sorting unit, the date sorting target image file It is characterized and display means for list display to conform to a predetermined condition associated with the information to date, further comprising a.

  According to the present invention, as a rule, date sorting is performed based on the shooting date and time. Therefore, in the date sorting of image files, a result that matches the purpose can be obtained. Also, date sorting by shooting date and time requires a huge amount of processing time, and if the user's waiting time is long, it is processed quickly by date sorting by the update date and time of the image file, improving convenience To do.

  The image file information display device with a date sorting function according to claim 2 records a plurality of image files having image data of captured images and information on the shooting date and time when the images were captured. Memory in which update date / time is recorded as file management information, date sort means for date-sorting image files to be date-sorted recorded in the memory based on the update date / time, and date obtained by the date sort means Display means for displaying a list of information related to the date-sorted image file based on the result of sorting so as to meet a predetermined condition related to date, the update date and time of the date-sorted image file, A warning display means for displaying warning information when an image file having a different shooting date / time exists. It is a symptom.

  According to the present invention, the date sorting of the image file is quickly performed according to the update date and time of the file. On the other hand, if the update date and time and the shooting date and time are different, a result that does not match the purpose may occur. This is notified to the user. As a result, it is possible to alert the user that there is a possibility that the result is different from the result of date sorting by shooting date and time.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the image file information display device with a date sorting function according to the second aspect, the warning display means includes the update date and time of the image file that meets the predetermined condition in the display means, The photographing date / time is compared, and the warning information is displayed when the updated date / time is different from the photographing date / time.

  According to the present invention, as a result of the date sorting based on the update date and time of the image file, the update date and time and the shooting date and time are compared only for image files that meet the conditions for displaying the list, and whether or not the update date and time are different. Even if the number of date-sorted image files is huge, if the number of image files that meet the list display conditions is limited, or while the user confirms the list display, If the determination is made, it takes a long time to determine whether or not the update date and time and the shooting date and time are different, and the warning can be given without the disadvantage of waiting for the user for the determination.

  In particular, when displaying an image (low-resolution image) as information about the image file to be displayed in a list, it is necessary to read the image file of the image to be displayed in a list, and refer to the shooting date and time information of the image file at that time. By comparing with the update date and time, the processing time and the processing load for determining whether or not the update date and time are different from each other hardly increase.

  The image file information display device with a date sorting function according to claim 4 records a plurality of image files having image data of captured images and information on the shooting date and time when the images were captured. Memory in which update date / time is recorded as file management information, date sort means for date-sorting image files to be date-sorted recorded in the memory based on the update date / time, and date obtained by the date sort means Display means for displaying a list of information related to the date-sorted image file based on the result of sorting so as to meet a predetermined condition related to date, the update date and time of the date-sorted image file, Update date and time changing means for changing the update date and time to the shooting date and time for an image file having a different shooting date and time; It is characterized in that was example.

  According to the present invention, date sorting of an image file is quickly performed according to the update date and time of the file. On the other hand, if the update date / time and the shooting date / time are different, a result that does not match the purpose may occur. In such a case, the update date / time is changed to the shooting date / time, so the same result as the date sorting by the shooting date / time. Can be obtained.

  The image file information display device with a date sorting function according to claim 5 is the invention according to claim 4, wherein the update date and time changing means includes an understanding means for accepting a user instruction to understand the change of the update date and time. And the update date / time is changed only when an approval instruction is received by the approval means.

  According to the present invention, since the user's consent is obtained before the update date and time of the image file is changed to the shooting date and time as in claim 4, the user selects to change the update date and time to the shooting date and time as necessary. can do.

  The image file information display device with a date sort function according to claim 6 is the invention according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the update date / time changing means performs the update date / time before the date sort is performed by the date sort means. It is characterized by making changes.

  According to the present invention, since the shooting date / time of the update date / time is changed before the date sorting based on the update date / time of the image file, it is possible to save useless date sorting time when the update date / time is changed. .

  The image file information display device with a date sort function according to claim 7, wherein the update date and time change means is the update date and time after the date sort is once performed by the date sort means. The date sorting means updates the date sorting result based on the changed update date when the update date is changed by the update date change means. Yes.

  According to the present invention, after the date sorting based on the update date and time of the image file, when the update date and time are different from the shooting date and time, the update date and time is changed to the shooting date and time after obtaining the user's consent. In the aspect, when the update date / time is changed, the date sort result is updated based on the update date / time, so that the change of the update date / time can be immediately reflected in the date sort result.

  The image file information display device with a date sort function according to claim 8 is the invention according to claim 7, wherein the update date and time changing means is the update date and time of the image file that meets the predetermined condition in the display means. And the shooting date and time are compared, and when the update date and time are different from each other, the update date and time is changed.

  According to the present invention, the update date / time and the shooting date / time are compared only for image files that meet the conditions for displaying a list based on the result of date sorting by the update date / time of the image file, and the update date / time and the shooting date / time are different. Even if the number of date-sorted image files is huge, if the number of image files that meet the list display conditions is limited, or while the user confirms the list display Therefore, it is possible to change the update date and time without penalizing the user for the determination without taking much time to determine whether or not the update date and time is different from the shooting date and time. be able to.

  In particular, when displaying an image (low-resolution image) as information about the image file to be displayed in a list, it is necessary to read the image file of the image to be displayed in a list, and refer to the shooting date and time information of the image file at that time. By comparing with the update date and time, the processing time and the processing load for determining whether or not the update date and time are different from each other hardly increase.

  The image file information display device with a date sort function according to claim 9 records a plurality of image files each including image data of captured images and information on the shooting date and time when the images were captured. Memory in which update date / time is recorded as file management information, date sort means for date-sorting image files to be date-sorted recorded in the memory based on the update date / time, and date obtained by the date sort means Based on the result of sorting, display means for displaying a list of information related to the date sorting target image file so as to meet a predetermined condition related to the date, and an image file conforming to the predetermined condition in the display means The update date and time and the shooting date and time are compared. If the update date and time and the shooting date and time are different, the update date and time is based on the shooting date and time. Updating the date sorting result by the date sorting means, and updating means for displaying a list of information on the image file by the display means based on the updated date sorting result. .

  According to the present invention, date sorting of an image file is quickly performed according to the update date and time of the file. On the other hand, if the update date and time and the shooting date and time are different, a result that does not match the purpose may occur. In such a case, for image files that meet the conditions for displaying a list, date sorting and list display by shooting date and time Therefore, the same result as the date sorting by the shooting date and time can be obtained.

  In addition, the update date / time and the shooting date / time are compared only for image files that meet the list display conditions, and it is determined whether or not they are different. If the number of image files conforming to is limited, or if the determination is made while the user confirms the list display, it takes a lot of time to determine whether the update date / time and the shooting date / time are different. Therefore, it is possible to change the update date and time without penalizing the user for the determination.

  In particular, when displaying an image (low-resolution image) as information about the image file to be displayed in a list, it is necessary to read the image file of the image to be displayed in a list, and refer to the shooting date and time information of the image file at that time. By comparing with the update date and time, the processing time and the processing load for determining whether or not the update date and time are different from each other hardly increase.

  The image file information display device with a date sort function according to claim 10 is the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the display means displays each image file as information relating to the image file to be displayed in a list. Is characterized by displaying a low-resolution image of image data.

  According to the present invention, a low resolution image (thumbnail image) is displayed as an aspect of a list display of information regarding image files.

  An image file information display device with a date sorting function according to claim 11 is the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the display means is a user's predetermined condition related to the date. A list of information on the date-sorted image files is displayed so as to meet a condition for displaying a list of information on image files corresponding to a specified date.

  The present invention shows an example of conditions for displaying a list of image files sorted by date. When a user designates a desired date, information related to the image file corresponding to the date is displayed in a list.

  The image file information display device with a date sort function according to claim 12 is the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the image file is an EXIF image file, and the shooting date and time is The image data is recorded in the image file as additional information of the image data.

  The present invention shows a case where an EXIF (Exchangeable Image File Format) format is applied as a file format of an image file.

  The image file information display device with date sort function according to claim 13 is the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the image file recorded in the memory is managed by a FAT file system. The update date and time of the image file is recorded in a system area in which management information in the memory is recorded in the FAT file system.

  The present invention shows a case where a FAT (File Allocation Table) file system of a management system for files stored in a memory is applied.

  The image file information display method according to claim 14, wherein a plurality of image files having image data of a photographed image and information of a photographing date and time when the image is photographed are recorded, and an update date and time of each image file is a file. A date sorting step for sorting the date-sorted image files in the memory recorded as management information based on the shooting date and time, based on the number of the date-sorted image files or the shooting date and time When the time estimated to be required for the date sorting process exceeds a predetermined threshold, a date sorting step for performing date sorting based on the update date and time, and a date sorting result obtained by the date sorting step A table for displaying a list of information relating to the date-sorted image file based on a predetermined condition related to the date. Is characterized by comprising the steps, a.

  The present invention is an invention of a method applied in the image file information display device with a date sort function according to claim 1, and has the same effect as the invention of claim 1.

  The image file information display method according to claim 15, wherein a plurality of image files having image data of a photographed image and information of a photographing date and time when the image is photographed are recorded, and an update date and time of each image file is a file. A date sorting step for sorting the date-sorted image files in the memory recorded as management information based on the update date and time, and the date sorting based on the date sorting result obtained by the date sorting step. There is a display process for displaying a list of information related to the target image file so as to conform to a predetermined condition related to the date, and among the image files to be sorted by date, there are image files having different update dates and times of shooting. A warning display step for displaying warning information.

  The present invention is an invention of a method applied in the image file information display device with a date sort function described in claim 2, and has the same effect as that of the invention of claim 2.

  According to a sixteenth aspect of the present invention, in the image file information display method according to the fifteenth aspect, the warning display step includes the update date and time of the image file and the photographing date and time that meet the predetermined condition in the display step. The warning information is displayed when the update date and time and the shooting date and time are different.

  The present invention is a method invention applied to the image file information display device with a date sort function according to claim 3, and has the same effect as the invention of claim 3.

  The image file information display method according to claim 17, wherein a plurality of image files having image data of a photographed image and information of a photographing date and time when the image is photographed are recorded, and an update date and time of each image file is a file. A date sorting step for sorting the date-sorted image files in the memory recorded as management information based on the update date and time, and the date sorting based on the date sorting result obtained by the date sorting step. A display step of displaying a list of information related to the target image file so as to meet a predetermined condition related to the date, and the update for the image file having the update date and time and the shooting date and time out of the date sort target image files And an update date / time changing step for changing the date / time to the shooting date / time.

  The present invention is a method invention applied to the image file information display device with a date sort function according to claim 4, and has the same effects as the invention of claim 4.

  In the image file information display method according to claim 18, in the invention according to claim 17, the update date / time changing step includes an understanding step of accepting an instruction of a user who understands the change of the update date / time, The update date / time is changed only when an approval instruction is accepted in the approval process.

  The present invention is an invention of a method applied in the image file information display device with a date sort function according to claim 5, and has the same effect as the invention of claim 5.

  In the image file information display method according to claim 19, in the invention according to claim 17 or 18, the update date / time changing step changes the update date / time before date sorting is performed by the date sort step. It is characterized by that.

  The present invention is an invention of a method applied in the image file information display device with a date sort function described in claim 6, and has the same effect as that of the invention of claim 6.

  According to a twentieth aspect of the present invention, in the image file information display method according to the twentieth aspect, the update date / time changing step changes the update date / time after the date sorting is once performed by the date sort step. The date sorting step updates the date sorting result based on the updated update date when the update date is changed by the update date change step.

  The present invention is an invention of a method applied in the image file information display device with a date sort function described in claim 7, and has the same effect as that of the invention of claim 7.

  The image file information display method according to claim 21, in the invention according to claim 20, wherein the update date and time changing step includes the update date and time and the shooting date and time of the image file that meets the predetermined condition in the display step. The update date / time is changed when the update date / time is different from the shooting date / time.

  The present invention is an invention of a method applied in the image file information display device with a date sort function according to claim 8, and has the same effect as that of the invention of claim 8.

  The image file information display method according to claim 22, wherein a plurality of image files having image data of a photographed image and information of a photographing date and time when the image is photographed are recorded, and an update date and time of each image file is a file. A date sorting step for sorting the date-sorted image files in the memory recorded as management information based on the update date and time, and the date sorting based on the date sorting result obtained by the date sorting step. A display step for displaying a list of information related to a target image file so as to meet a predetermined condition related to a date, and a comparison between the update date and time and the shooting date and time of an image file that meets the predetermined condition in the display step If the update date and time and the shooting date and time are different, the date sorting by the date sorting step is performed based on the shooting date and time. Updates the result of, and comprising: the updating step of the the display step list information about the image file based on a result of the date Sort with the update, the.

  The present invention is a method invention applied to the image file information display device with a date sort function according to the ninth aspect, and has the same effect as that of the ninth aspect.

  The image file information display method according to claim 23, in the invention according to any one of claims 14 to 22, wherein the display step includes image data included in each image file as information relating to the image file to be displayed as a list. It is characterized by displaying a low-resolution image.

  The present invention is a method invention applied to the image file information display device with a date sort function according to the tenth aspect, and has the same effect as the tenth aspect.

  The image file information display method according to claim 24 is the image file information display method according to any one of claims 14 to 23, wherein the display step includes a date specified by a user as a predetermined condition related to the date. The information regarding the image file to be sorted by date is displayed in a list so as to meet the condition for displaying the information regarding the image file corresponding to the above.

  The present invention is a method invention applied to the image file information display device with a date sort function according to claim 11, and has the same effect as that of the invention according to claim 11.

  The image file information display method according to claim 25 is the invention according to any one of claims 14 to 24, wherein the image file is an EXIF image file, and the shooting date and time is the image data. The additional information is recorded in an image file.

  The present invention is a method invention applied to the image file information display device with a date sort function according to the twelfth aspect, and has the same effects as the twelfth aspect.

  The image file information display method according to claim 26 is the image file information display method according to any one of claims 14 to 25, wherein the image file recorded in the memory is managed by a FAT file system. The update date / time is recorded in a system area in which management information in the memory is recorded in the FAT file system.

  The present invention is a method invention applied to the image file information display device with a date sort function according to the thirteenth aspect, and has the same effect as the thirteenth aspect.

  An image pickup apparatus according to a twenty-seventh aspect is characterized by including means for configuring the image file information display apparatus with a date sort function according to any one of the first to thirteenth aspects.

  The present invention shows a case where the inventions according to claims 1 to 13 are applied to an imaging apparatus such as a digital camera.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to perform date sorting of image files and display of the results so that a desired image file can be searched based on information of shooting date and time as much as possible without impairing convenience.

  The best mode for carrying out an image file information display device with a date sorting function, an image file information display method, and an imaging device according to the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  1 and 2 are a front perspective view and a rear perspective view, respectively, showing an external configuration of a digital camera to which the present invention is applied. As shown in the figure, the digital camera 10 of the present embodiment is a portable compact digital camera, and the camera body 12 is formed in a rectangular box shape that is elongated in the horizontal direction.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a photographing lens 14, a finder window 16, a self-timer lamp 17, a strobe 18, a microphone 20, and the like are provided on the front of the camera body 12, and a shutter button 22, power / A mode switch 24, a mode dial 26, and the like are provided.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 2, a finder eyepiece 28, a liquid crystal monitor 30, a zoom button 32, a cross button 34, a MENU / OK button 36, a DISP / BACK button 40, a speaker 42, etc. A USB terminal 44, a power supply terminal 46, and an AV output terminal 48 are provided on one side surface.

  Further, a cover that can be opened and closed is provided on the bottom surface of the camera body 12 (not shown). A battery storage chamber for storing a battery and a memory card slot for loading a memory card are provided inside the cover. Is provided.

  The photographing lens 14 is constituted by a retractable zoom lens, and is extended from the camera body 12 (in photographing mode) when the camera is turned on.

  The self-timer lamp 17 is composed of an LED lamp. During self-timer shooting, the self-timer lamp 17 emits light and flashes at a predetermined timing to notify the subject of the shooting timing (for example, after lighting for about 5 seconds, it changes to flashing, Shooting is performed about 5 seconds later).

  The shutter button 22 is configured by a two-stage stroke type switch composed of so-called “half press” and “full press”. In the digital camera 10, AE (Automatic Exposure), AF (Auto Focus), and AWB (Automatic White Balance) function when the shutter button 20 is half-pressed, and shooting processing is performed when the shutter button 20 is fully pressed.

  The power / mode switch 24 functions as a power switch for turning on / off the power of the digital camera 10 and also functions as a mode switch for setting the mode of the digital camera 10. The “OFF position”, “playback position”, “shooting” It is slidably provided between “positions”. The digital camera 10 is turned on when the power / mode switch 24 is set to the “reproduction position” or “photographing position”, and is turned off when the power is turned to the “OFF position”. Further, the “reproduction mode” is set by setting the power / mode switch 24 to the “reproduction position”, and the “shooting mode” is set by setting the power / mode switch 24 to the “shooting position”. When the digital camera 10 is set to the “shooting mode”, an image can be recorded. When the digital camera 10 is set to the “playback mode”, the recorded image can be played.

  The mode dial 26 functions as a shooting mode setting means for setting the shooting mode of the digital camera 10. Depending on the setting position of the mode dial 26, the shooting mode of the digital camera 10 is set to “auto shooting mode” or “movie shooting mode”. , “Portrait shooting mode”, “Sport shooting mode”, “Landscape shooting mode”, “Night scene shooting mode”, “Program shooting mode”, “Aperture priority shooting mode”, “Shutter speed priority shooting mode”, “Manual shooting mode” "Is set.

  The liquid crystal monitor 30 is composed of a liquid crystal display capable of color display. The liquid crystal monitor 30 is used as a display screen for captured images and is used as a user interface for various settings. In addition, a through image is displayed as necessary at the time of shooting and is used as an electronic viewfinder for viewing angle confirmation.

  The zoom button 32 includes a zoom tele button 32T for instructing zooming to the telephoto side and a zoom wide button 32W for instructing zooming to the wide-angle side. Changes.

  The cross button 34 can be pressed in four directions, up, down, left, and right, and functions as a button for inputting an instruction in each direction.

  The MENU / OK button 36 functions as a button (MENU button) for instructing transition from the normal screen to the menu screen in each mode, and functions as a button (OK button) for instructing selection confirmation, execution of processing, and the like. To do.

  The DISP / BACK button 40 functions as a button for instructing switching of the display contents of the liquid crystal monitor 30 or canceling an input operation.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the digital camera 10. As shown in the figure, the digital camera 10 includes a CPU 110, an operation unit (shutter button 22, power / mode switch 24, mode dial 26, zoom button 32, cross button 34, MENU / OK button 36, DISP / BACK button 40. 112), ROM 116, EEPROM 118, memory (SDRAM) 120, VRAM 122, photographing optical system 126, focus motor driver 128, zoom motor driver 130, iris motor driver 132, image sensor 134, timing generator (TG) 136, analog signal processing Circuit 138, A / D converter 140, image input controller 142, image signal processing circuit 144, compression / decompression processing circuit 146, media controller 148, storage medium (memory card) 150, encoder 152, AE / AWB detection circuit 154, AF detection circuit 156, a strobe control circuit 158, an audio input processing circuit 160, the audio output processing circuit 162, and a power supply control circuit 164 or the like.

  The CPU 110 functions as a control unit that controls the overall operation of the digital camera 10, and also functions as a calculation unit that performs various calculation processes, and controls each circuit according to a predetermined control program based on an input from the operation unit 112. .

  The ROM 116 connected via the bus 114 stores a control program executed by the CPU 110 and various data necessary for the control. The EEPROM 118 stores various setting information relating to the operation of the digital camera 10 such as user setting information. Etc. are stored.

  The memory (SDRAM) 120 is used as a calculation work area for the CPU 110 and is also used as a temporary storage area for image data, and the VRAM 122 is used as a temporary storage area dedicated to image data for display.

  The photographing optical system 126 includes the photographing lens 14 and a diaphragm 50. The photographing lens 14 includes a focus lens 14F that is driven by a focus motor (not shown) to move back and forth along the optical axis, and a zoom lens 14Z that is driven by a zoom motor (not shown) to move back and forth along the optical axis. . The CPU 110 controls the focus of the photographic lens 14 by controlling the drive of the focus motor via the focus motor driver 128, and controls the drive of the zoom motor via the zoom motor driver 130. Control the zoom. The aperture 50 is driven by an iris motor (not shown) to change the opening amount (aperture value). The CPU 110 controls the iris value of the iris 50 by controlling the driving of the iris motor via the iris motor driver 132.

  The image sensor 134 is composed of a color CCD having a predetermined color filter array (for example, a Bayer array). Light incident on the light receiving surface of the image sensor 134 via the photographing optical system 126 is converted into signal charges of an amount corresponding to the amount of incident light by each photodiode regularly arranged on the light receiving surface.

  A timing generator (TG) 136 mainly generates a timing signal for driving the image sensor 134 in accordance with a command from the CPU 110. The image sensor 134 outputs the signal charge accumulated in each photodiode as a voltage signal (image signal) in accordance with the timing signal applied from the timing generator 136.

  The analog signal processing circuit 138 performs correlated double sampling processing and amplifies the image signals sequentially output from the image sensor 134. The A / D converter 140 converts the R, G, and B analog image signals output from the analog signal processing circuit 138 into digital image signals.

  The image input controller 142 includes a buffer memory having a predetermined capacity, accumulates one frame of image signals output from the A / D converter 140, and stores them in the memory 120.

  The image signal processing circuit 144 includes a synchronization circuit, a gamma correction circuit, a contour correction circuit, a luminance / color difference signal generation circuit, and the like, processes the image signal stored in the memory 120 in accordance with a command from the CPU 110, and performs the luminance signal and color difference processing. A YUV signal comprising the signal is generated.

  When displaying a through image on the liquid crystal monitor 30, images are continuously captured by the image sensor 134, and the obtained image signal is continuously processed to generate a YUV signal. The generated YUV signal is applied to the encoder 152 via the VRAM 122, converted into a signal format for liquid crystal display, and output to the liquid crystal monitor 30. As a result, a through image is displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 30.

  When an image is recorded, an image is picked up by the image pickup device 134 in accordance with a shooting command, and the obtained image signal is processed to generate a YUV signal. The generated YUV signal is applied to the compression / decompression processing circuit 146 to form predetermined compressed image data, and then stored in the storage medium (memory card) 150 via the media controller 148.

  The compressed image data stored in the storage medium 150 is read out via the media controller 148 in response to a reproduction command, converted into an uncompressed YUV signal by the compression / decompression processing circuit 146, and then liquid crystal via the encoder 152. It is output to the monitor 30. As a result, the image recorded on the storage medium 150 is reproduced and displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 30.

  The AE / AWB detection circuit 154 calculates a physical quantity necessary for AE control and AWB control from the input image signal in accordance with a command from the CPU 110. For example, as a physical quantity necessary for AE control, one screen is divided into a plurality of areas (for example, 16 × 16), and an integrated value of R, G, and B image signals is calculated for each divided area. The CPU 110 detects the brightness of the subject (subject brightness) based on the integrated value obtained from the AE / AWB detection circuit 154, and determines the aperture value and the shutter speed from a predetermined program diagram.

  In addition, as a physical quantity required for AWB control, one screen is divided into a plurality of areas (for example, 16 × 16), and an average integrated value for each color of R, G, and B image signals is calculated for each divided area. To do. The CPU 110 obtains the ratio of R / G and B / G for each divided area from the obtained integrated value of R, integrated value of B, and integrated value of G, and calculates the R / G and B / G values obtained. The light source type is determined based on the distribution in the color space of R / G and B / G. Then, according to the white balance adjustment value suitable for the determined light source type, for example, the value of each ratio is approximately 1 (that is, the RGB integration ratio is R: G: B≈1: 1: 1 in one screen). Then, a gain value (white balance correction value) for the R, G, and B signals of the white balance adjustment circuit is determined.

  The AF detection circuit 156 calculates a physical quantity necessary for AF control from the input image signal in accordance with a command from the CPU 110. In the digital camera 10 of the present embodiment, AF control is performed based on the contrast of the image, and the AF detection circuit 156 calculates a focus evaluation value indicating the sharpness of the image from the input image signal. The CPU 110 controls the movement of the focus lens 14F by driving the focus motor via the focus motor driver 128 so that the focus evaluation value calculated by the AF detection circuit 156 is maximized.

  The strobe control circuit 158 controls the light emission of the strobe 18 in accordance with a command from the CPU 110.

  The voice input processing circuit 160 processes a voice signal input via the microphone 20 in accordance with a command from the CPU 110, and the voice output processing circuit 162 processes a voice signal to be output from the speaker 42 in accordance with a command from the CPU 110. .

  The power supply control circuit 164 controls power supplied from the battery 166 to each unit of the digital camera 10 in accordance with a command from the CPU 110.

  Next, the processing operation of the digital camera 10 of the present embodiment configured as described above will be described. As described above, when the digital camera 10 is set to the “shooting mode”, it is possible to record an image, and when it is set to the “playback mode”, the recorded image can be played back.

  First, the processing operation of the digital camera 10 when the “shooting mode” is set will be described. When the camera mode is set to the shooting mode by setting the power / mode switch 24 to the “shooting position”, the digital camera 10 executes the AE, AF, AWB processing by half-pressing the shutter button 22, and the image by pressing the shutter button 22 fully. Execute the recording process.

  First, when the shutter button 22 is half-pressed, the image signal output from the image sensor 134 is taken into the memory 120 via the analog signal processing circuit 138, the A / D converter 140, and the image input controller 142, and the memory 120 is added to the AE / AWB detection circuit 154 and the AF detection circuit 156.

  The AE / AWB detection circuit 154 calculates a physical quantity necessary for AE control and AWB control from the input image signal, and outputs it to the CPU 110. The CPU 110 determines an exposure value (aperture value and shutter speed) based on the output from the AE / AWB detection circuit 154 and also determines a white balance correction value.

  The AF detection circuit 156 calculates a physical quantity necessary for AF control from the input image signal, and outputs the calculated physical quantity to the CPU 110. The CPU 110 controls the driving of the focus motor based on the output from the AF detection circuit 156, and focuses the photographing lens 14 on the main subject.

  Thereafter, when the shutter button 22 is fully pressed, the CPU 110 executes an image recording process. First, the image sensor 134 is exposed with the exposure value obtained by the AE process, and an image signal for recording is captured.

  The image signal output from the image sensor 134 is taken into the memory 120 via the analog signal processing circuit 138, the A / D converter 140, and the image input controller 142, and is added from the memory 120 to the image signal processing circuit 144. The image signal processing circuit 144 performs necessary signal processing on the input image signal to generate image data (YUV data). The generated image data is temporarily stored in the memory 120, then added to the compression / decompression processing circuit 146, compressed in a predetermined compression format (for example, JPEG format), and stored in the memory 120 again.

  The CPU 110 generates an image file of a predetermined format (Exif format in the present embodiment) in which additional information such as the shooting date / time, aperture value, and shutter speed is added to the compressed image data stored in the memory 120, and the media Recording is performed on the storage medium 150 via the controller 148.

  Although detailed explanation is omitted, when the mode dial 26 is set to “moving image shooting mode” in the “shooting mode”, a moving image is shot and the shutter button 22 is fully pressed. The captured moving image is recorded in the storage medium 150 as a moving image file of a predetermined format together with the sound taken in from the microphone 20. However, moving image files created in the “moving image shooting mode” are not particularly considered in the following description.

  Here, the file management system of the storage medium 150 will be described. File management of the storage medium in the digital camera 10 is performed by, for example, a FAT (File Allocation Table) file system. In the FAT file system, the memory area of the storage medium 150 is divided into a system area and a data area.

  In the system area, directory entry and FAT data are recorded as file management information, and data of actual files (image files, moving image files, etc.) are recorded in the data area. The directory entry in the system area includes the file name, extension, attribute, reserved area, file creation time, file creation date, last access date, update date and time of the file recorded on the storage medium 150, and data at the beginning of the file Is recorded, such as the cluster address (starting cluster address) and the file size. In the FAT, data indicating a connection of clusters in which each file recorded on the storage medium is actually recorded is recorded.

  The CPU 110 and the media controller 148 perform recording of an image file or the like on the storage medium 150 or reading described later according to such a file management system.

  Next, the processing operation of the digital camera 10 when the “reproduction mode” is set will be described.

  When the power / mode switch 24 is set to the “playback position” and the camera mode is set to the playback mode, the CPU 110 outputs a command to the media controller 148 and the compressed image of the image file recorded last on the storage medium 150. Read data.

  The read compressed image data is added to the compression / decompression processing circuit 146, converted into uncompressed image data, and then output to the liquid crystal monitor 30 via the encoder 152. As a result, the image recorded on the storage medium 150 is reproduced and displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 30 (single frame reproduction display).

  When the left / right key operation of the cross button 34 is performed while single-frame playback is being performed, image frame advance is performed, and when the right key is operated, compressed image data of the next frame number is stored from the storage medium 150. After being read out and subjected to a required expansion process, it is reproduced and displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 30. When the left key of the cross button 34 is operated, the compressed image data of the previous frame is read from the storage medium 150, subjected to a necessary expansion process, and reproduced and displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 30.

  On the other hand, when the DISP / BACK button 40 is pressed while single frame playback display is being performed in the playback mode, the display on the liquid crystal monitor 30 is switched in the following order.

  As shown in FIG. 4 (A), an image of a predetermined frame (an image recorded as image data in a predetermined image file) and additional information of the image are displayed on the screen of the liquid crystal monitor 30 by one-frame playback display. Suppose that At this time, when the DISP / BACK button 40 is pressed once, the screen is switched to a single-frame playback display in which additional information other than the image displayed on the screen is not displayed as shown in FIG. Further, when the DISP / BACK 40 button 40 is pressed once, the display is switched to multi-playback display with thumbnail images (low-resolution images) of nine frames as shown in FIG.

  When switching to multi-playback display, thumbnail images of up to 9 frames in order from the frame number displayed in the previous single-frame playback display are displayed in 3 frames from left to right starting from the top left corner of the screen. They are displayed in 3 columns in order from top to bottom.

  Here, assuming that the format of the image file recorded on the storage medium 150 is the JPEG format, the thumbnail images of each frame displayed in multiple reproduction are added to the image data main body in the image file of each frame, for example. It is created from the thumbnail image data in the additional information (ExifTAG). The CPU 110 outputs a command to the media controller 148, sequentially reads thumbnail image data for nine frames to be displayed in multiple reproduction from each image file, and arranges the thumbnail images in a maximum 3 × 3 array as shown in FIG. 4C. Are sequentially synthesized on the VRAM 122 and displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 30. Note that the thumbnail image may be created from the original image data in the image file when performing multi-playback display.

  In the multi-playback display as shown in FIG. 4C, one of a maximum of nine frames displayed on the screen as thumbnail images is selected as a selected frame, and the selection is made. The thumbnail image of the frame is displayed with a size slightly larger than the thumbnail images of the other frames and with a frame image corresponding to the cursor added. Immediately after switching from single-frame playback display to multi-playback display, the frame displayed in single-frame playback display as shown in FIG. 4C is selected as the initial selected frame, and the thumbnail image 200 of that frame is displayed with the cursor (frame ) Enlarged and displayed with 200A added.

  When the up / down / left / right key operation of the cross button 34 is performed in the multi-playback display, the cursor (frame) is placed at the position of the thumbnail image corresponding to the direction of the key operation with respect to the display position of the thumbnail image of the currently selected frame. The frame displayed as a thumbnail image at the position of the cursor is switched to the selected frame. If there is a frame that is not displayed on the screen, if you perform key operations in that direction (other than the direction for selecting other images displayed as thumbnail images on the screen), the thumbnail image will scroll up and down to the top. A thumbnail image of a new frame is displayed in the row or the bottom row.

  Further, when the MENU / OK button 36 is pressed in the multi-playback display, the screen is switched to the single-frame playback display shown in FIG. 4A, and the image of the selected frame selected in the multi-playback display is displayed on the screen by the single-frame playback display. Is displayed.

  On the other hand, when the DISP / BACK button 40 is pressed once in the multi playback display, the display is switched to the date playback display as shown in FIG. This date reproduction display is a screen that displays a list of only thumbnail images of the shooting dates designated (selected) by the user, and switches from the multi reproduction display of FIG. 4C to the date reproduction display of FIG. 4D. At this time, date sorting processing of the image files recorded in the storage medium 150 is performed as described later. As shown in FIGS. 5A to 5C, the multi-reproduction display (FIG. 5A corresponding to FIG. 4C) is changed to the date reproduction display (FIG. 5D corresponding to FIG. 4D). At the time of date sorting at the time of switching to C)), a sorting display in FIG. 5B indicating that the date sorting is being performed is displayed on the screen of the liquid crystal monitor 30.

  The date reproduction display is divided into a date selection area 210 on the left side of the screen and an image display area 212 on the entire right side thereof.

  The date selection area 210 is an area for selecting the shooting dates of frames to be displayed in a list in the image display area 212. In the date selection area 210, all (or a specific target area) recorded on the storage medium 150 are displayed. In any one of the image files, the shooting date recorded as the shooting date / time of ExifTAG is displayed as the selectable shooting date from the top to the oldest.

  Immediately after switching from the multi-playback display of FIG. 4C to the date playback display of FIG. 4D, the shooting date of the frame selected in the multi-playback display is selected, as will be described later. When the cursor is moved to the date selection area 210, the shooting date to be selected can be switched by operating the cross button 34 up and down. The character of the currently selected shooting date is highlighted. If the selectable shooting date does not fit within the screen, the upper or lower key of the cross button 34 is operated with the date displayed at the top or bottom of the date selection area 210 selected. When a direction outside the screen is designated, selectable shooting dates before and after the currently displayed shooting date are displayed on the screen.

  The image display area 212 is an area for displaying a list of thumbnail images of frames corresponding to the shooting date selected in the date selection area 210. In the image display area 212, thumbnail images of up to 11 frames are displayed in four columns from the top to the bottom, 3 frames from left to right (the top row is 2 frames) starting from the center of the top row of the screen. .

  Immediately after switching from the multi playback display in FIG. 4C to the date playback display in FIG. 4D, the shooting date of the frame selected in the multi playback display is selected as the initial shooting date as described above. At the same time, thumbnail images of the frames on the shooting date are displayed in a list in the image display area 212. Similarly to the case of multi-playback display, any one frame is selected as the selected frame, and the thumbnail image of the selected frame is slightly larger than the thumbnail image of the other frame, and It is displayed with a frame image corresponding to the cursor added. Immediately after switching from the multi-playback display to the date-playback display, the frame selected in the multi-playback display becomes the initial selected frame, and the thumbnail image 220 is added with a cursor (frame) 220A as shown in FIG. It is displayed in a larger state than others.

  If the up / down / left / right key operation of the cross button 34 is performed when the cursor is in the image display area 212, the key operation is performed with respect to the display position of the thumbnail image of the currently selected frame as in the case of multi-playback display. The cursor (frame) moves to the position of the thumbnail image corresponding to the direction of, and the frame displayed as the thumbnail image at the position of the cursor is switched to the selected frame. If there is a frame that is not displayed on the screen, if you perform key operations in that direction (other than the direction for selecting other images displayed as thumbnail images on the screen), the thumbnail image will scroll up and down to the top. A thumbnail image of a new frame is displayed in the row or the bottom row.

  Immediately after switching from the multi-playback display to the date playback display, the cursor is in the image display area 212 (the cursor moves in the image display area 212 when the cross button 34 is operated), and the cursor is moved to the date selection area 210. If the cursor is moved from the date selection area 210 to the image display area 212, the following operation is performed.

  Assume that the cursor is in the image display area 212 as shown in FIG. 6A immediately after switching from the multi-playback display to the date playback display, and a predetermined frame is selected as the selected frame. 6A shows a state where the selected frame (the frame of the thumbnail image 220) selected in the multi-playback display is selected as in FIG. 5C. When the cursor is in the image display area 212 in this way, the cross button 34 is operated up, down, left, and right, and the cursor is moved to the switching frame 222 displaying “←” in the upper left as shown in FIG. 6B. . Subsequently, when the left key of the cross button 34 is pressed, the cursor moves to the date selection area 210 as shown in FIG. 6C, and the photographing date can be selected. In this state, when the cross button 34 is operated up and down, the shooting date to be selected is changed as shown in FIG. 6D (in the example shown in the figure, changed from December 31, 2005 to July 11, 2006). ), A thumbnail image of the selected shooting date is displayed in the image display area 212.

  When the cursor is in the date selection area 210 as shown in FIG. 6C (or FIG. 6D), when the right key of the cross button 34 is pressed, the cursor moves to the switching frame 222 in FIG. 6B. As a result, the cursor moves into the image display area 212, and a desired frame can be selected as a selected frame in the image display area 212.

  In the date playback display as described above, when a desired frame is selected as a selected frame and the DISP / BACK button 40 is pressed once, the screen is switched to the single frame playback display shown in FIG. The selected frame image is displayed on the screen.

  Next, processing related to date sorting when shifting from the multi-playback display to the date playback display will be described. As described above, the image file recorded on the storage medium 150 when the multi-playback display in FIG. 4C or 5A is switched to the date playback display in FIG. 4D or 5C. The date sorting process is performed.

  In the first to fourth embodiments shown below, the date sorting employs two methods, and one of the methods is to sort each image file recorded on the storage medium 150. When date sorting is performed based on the shooting date and time (ExifTAG shooting date and time) added as additional information (ExifTAG) to the image data, as another method, it is recorded as file management information in the system area of the storage medium 150. In some cases, it is performed based on the update date and time (FAT update date and time) of each image file.

  First, the first embodiment will be described. In the first embodiment, in principle, date sorting is performed based on the ExifTAG shooting date and time of each image file to be date sorted. However, when the number of date sorting target image files is large and a long time is required for the date sorting process, the date sorting is performed based on the FAT update date and time. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure related to date sorting in the CPU 110 in the first embodiment.

  When performing the date sorting process, the CPU 110 first determines whether or not the number of image files stored in the storage medium 150 is greater than a predetermined threshold (step S10). If NO is determined, the shooting date / time is read from the ExifTAG of each image file, and date sorting processing is executed based on the shooting date / time (step S12). On the other hand, if YES in step S10, that is, if it is determined that the number of image files is larger than the threshold value, the update date / time of each image file (FAT update) from the system area of the storage medium 150 (directory entry in the FAT file system). Date and time) is read, and date sort processing is executed according to the update date and time (step S14).

  According to the present embodiment, in principle, date sorting is performed based on the shooting date and time suitable for the user's purpose, and in the date reproduction display of FIG. 4D, the shooting date and time frames corresponding to the shooting date selected by the user are displayed. A list of thumbnail images is displayed. On the other hand, when the number of image files subject to date sorting is large, date sorting is performed based on the update date / time (FAT update date / time) of each image file. However, there is a possibility that the date sorting process takes a long time, and the user's waiting time until switching from the multi-playback display to the date playback display becomes too long.

  In the above processing, when the number of image files recorded in the storage medium 150 is larger than a predetermined threshold, the date sort is performed according to the FAT update date and time. If the time is less than or equal to a predetermined threshold, date sorting may be performed based on the ExifTAG shooting date and time, and if the time is larger than the threshold, switching to date sorting based on the FAT update date and time may be performed.

  Next, a second embodiment will be described. In the second embodiment, date sorting is performed based on the update date / time (FAT update date / time) of each image file to be date-sorted. Further, the date reproduction display of FIG. 4D is performed based on the result of the date sorting, and the thumbnail image of the image file with the update date and time that matches the date selected by the user is displayed on the date selected by the user. A list of thumbnail images of the corresponding frame is displayed. When the thumbnail image data (or original image data) is read from the image file of the frame displayed in the list and displayed on the screen in the date playback display, the shooting date / time of the ExifTAG is also read at the same time, and the shooting date / time and update date / time of the frame And compare. When it is detected that the shooting date / time is different from the update date / time, information to that effect is displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 30 to warn the user.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure in the CPU 110 when performing the warning. As described above, the CPU 110 reads the ExifTAG shooting date and time from the update date and time image file whose date matches the shooting date selected by the user in the date reproduction display, and compares the shooting date and time with the FAT update date and time. Then, it is determined whether or not the shooting date / time and the update date / time are inconsistent (step S20). If it is determined as YES, information “The shooting date and time and the file update date and time are different” is displayed on the screen of the liquid crystal monitor 30 to give a warning (step S22). And the process of this flowchart is complete | finished. On the other hand, if NO is determined in step S20, the process in this flowchart is terminated without warning.

  According to the present embodiment, date sorting is performed according to the update date and time of the image file. Therefore, even if the number of image files is large, the processing time is short and the waiting time of the user is short. On the other hand, when trimming processing or the like is performed by the function of the digital camera 10, when the shooting date / time and the update date / time do not match, a list of thumbnail images of frames different from the shooting date selected by the user in the date reproduction display is displayed. In such a case, a warning is displayed, which does not cause a serious problem for the user. In addition, it is necessary to read the shooting date / time from the image file to determine whether the shooting date / time is different from the update date / time. As a result, the processing load and processing time will not increase significantly.

  In the above processing, the shooting date / time and the update date / time are compared for the image files of the frames displayed as a list in the date playback display. When the shooting date / time and the update date / time are different, a warning is displayed. There is an effect that the user can be alerted even if a warning display is performed by comparing the shooting date and time and the update date and time for the image file. For example, for image files other than the frames to be displayed in a list, the shooting date and the update date are compared as background processing while the user confirms the date playback display screen, and a warning is displayed when necessary. You may do it.

  Next, a third embodiment will be described. In the third embodiment, as in the second embodiment, based on the update date / time (FAT update date / time) of each image file to be date-sorted. Date sorting shall be performed. Further, the date reproduction display of FIG. 4D is performed based on the result of the date sorting, and the thumbnail image of the image file with the update date and time that matches the date selected by the user is displayed on the date selected by the user. A list of thumbnail images of the corresponding frame is displayed. When the thumbnail image data (or original image data) is read from the image file of the frame displayed in the list and displayed on the screen in the date playback display, the shooting date / time of the ExifTAG is also read at the same time, and the shooting date / time and update date / time of the frame And compare. When it is detected that the shooting date / time is different from the update date / time, information to that effect is displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 30 to warn the user, and after confirmation by the user, the update date / time is changed to the shooting date / time. When the update date / time of the image file is changed, the result of the date sorting performed previously is updated based on the changed update date / time, and the list display in the date reproduction display is also changed based on the result.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure in the CPU 110 when the warning and update date / time are changed. As described above, the CPU 110 reads the ExifTAG shooting date and time from the update date and time image file whose date matches the shooting date selected by the user in the date reproduction display, and compares the shooting date and time with the FAT update date and time. Then, it is determined whether or not the shooting date / time and the update date / time are inconsistent (step S30). If NO is determined, the process in this flowchart is terminated. On the other hand, if it is determined as YES, a warning and confirmation message “The shooting date and time and the file update date and time are different. Do you want to change the file update date and time to the shooting date and time?” Is displayed (step S32). Subsequently, it is determined whether or not YES is selected by the user input (step S34). For example, it is determined whether or not YES is selected depending on whether or not the MENU / OK button 36 is pressed. If YES is determined, a process of changing the FAT update date / time to the shooting date / time is executed (step S36). And the process of this flowchart is complete | finished. On the other hand, if it is determined as NO in step S34, the process of this flowchart is terminated without changing the update date and time.

  According to the present embodiment, date sorting is performed according to the update date and time of the image file. Therefore, even if the number of image files is large, the processing time is short and the waiting time of the user is short. On the other hand, if the shooting date / time and the update date / time do not match, there may be a list of thumbnail images of frames that differ from the shooting date selected by the user in the date playback display. In that case, a warning is displayed. Therefore, this is not a major problem for the user. In addition, it is necessary to read the shooting date / time from the image file to determine whether the shooting date / time is different from the update date / time. However, as described above, it is necessary to read the thumbnail images of the frames displayed as a list from the image file. For example, the processing load and processing time do not increase significantly. Furthermore, if the user permits, the image file update date / time is changed to the shooting date / time and the image is re-sorted. As a result, the same result as when the date sorting is performed by the ExifTAG shooting date / time can be obtained.

  In the above processing, the shooting date / time and the update date / time are compared for the image files of the frames displayed as a list in the date reproduction display, and if the shooting date / time and the update date / time are different, the warning display and the update date / time change confirmation are made and changed. However, it is possible to compare the shooting date and time and update date and time for any image file at any timing, to alert the user even if the warning display and update date and time are confirmed and changed, and to take a picture by date sorting based on the update date and time. There is an effect that the same result as the date sorting by date and time can be obtained. For example, for image files other than the frames to be displayed in a list, the shooting date / time and the update date / time are compared as background processing while the user confirms the date playback display screen, and a warning is displayed and updated when necessary. Date change confirmation and change may be performed. Further, before the first date sorting, the shooting date and the update date and time may be compared for all the image files, and the date display may be performed after confirming and changing the warning display and the update date and time. Further, when the shooting date / time and the update date / time are different, the update date / time may be automatically changed to the shooting date / time without confirming with the user. Furthermore, since the confirmation of the update date / time change substantially corresponds to a warning display, it is not always necessary to display the information of the warning itself.

  Next, the fourth embodiment will be described. In the fourth embodiment, as in the second and third embodiments, the update date and time (FAT) of each image file to be date-sorted is described. The date sorting is performed on the basis of the update date and time. Further, the date reproduction display of FIG. 4D is performed based on the result of the date sorting, and the thumbnail image of the image file with the update date and time that matches the date selected by the user is displayed on the date selected by the user. A list of thumbnail images of the corresponding frame is displayed. When the thumbnail image data (or original image data) is read from the image file of the frame displayed in the list and displayed on the screen in the date playback display, the shooting date / time of the frame is also read and the shooting date / time and update date / time of the frame are also read. And compare. If it is detected that the shooting date / time is different from the update date / time, the date sorting result for the frame is updated using the shooting date / time, and a list display in the date reproduction display is performed based on the updated result. Is displayed again.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure in the CPU 110 when the date sorting result based on the update date / time is updated with the shooting date / time. As described above, the CPU 110 reads the ExifTAG shooting date and time from the update date and time image file whose date matches the shooting date selected by the user in the date reproduction display, and compares the shooting date and time with the FAT update date and time. Then, it is determined whether or not the shooting date / time and the update date / time are inconsistent (step S40). When it determines with YES, the date sort result by update date is updated based on imaging | photography date, and the list display in a date reproduction display is redisplayed based on the updated result (step S42). And the process of this flowchart is complete | finished. On the other hand, if it is determined as NO in step S40, the process of this flowchart is terminated without updating the date sort by the update date.

  According to the present embodiment, date sorting is performed according to the update date and time of the image file. Therefore, even if the number of image files is large, the processing time is short and the waiting time of the user is short. On the other hand, if the shooting date / time and the update date / time do not match, there may be a list of thumbnail images of frames that differ from the shooting date selected by the user in date playback display. As a result, the list display is re-displayed, and as a result, the same result as when the date sorting is performed by the shooting date and time can be obtained.

  As described above, in the first to fourth embodiments, the case where thumbnail images are displayed as a list based on the result of date sorting in date reproduction display has been described. However, not only thumbnail images but also information on image files, for example, file names are displayed. The present invention can be applied even when displaying.

  Further, the present invention is effective even if the condition for displaying a list of image file information based on the result of the date sorting is other than the condition corresponding to the shooting date designated by the user.

  In the above embodiment, the image file is recorded in the Exif format. However, the present invention has information on the shooting date and time even for an image file recorded in a format other than the Exif format. If applicable. Further, the case where the FAT file system is used as the memory file management system has been described. However, in the present invention, even when the image file is managed by a method other than the FAT file system, the file update date / time is determined. Applicable if it is recorded.

  In the above-described embodiment, the aspect in which the present invention is applied to an imaging apparatus such as a digital camera has been described. However, the present invention can be applied to the case where image files are date-sorted in an arbitrary apparatus such as a computer. .

1 is a front perspective view showing the appearance of a digital camera to which the present invention is applied. 1 is a rear perspective view showing the appearance of a digital camera to which the present invention is applied. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the digital camera of FIGS. 1 and 2. The figure which showed the example of switching of the screen display of the liquid crystal monitor in reproduction | regeneration mode. The figure which showed the example of a display informing on the screen of a liquid crystal monitor that the date sort is being performed while switching from multi reproduction display to date reproduction display. Explanatory drawing used for description of operation which moves a cursor between an image display area and a date selection area in date reproduction display. The flowchart which showed the process sequence regarding the date sort in CPU in 1st Embodiment. The flowchart which showed the process sequence regarding the date sort in CPU in 2nd Embodiment. The flowchart which showed the process sequence regarding the date sort in CPU in 3rd Embodiment. The flowchart which showed the process sequence regarding the date sort in CPU in 4th Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Digital camera, 12 ... Camera body, 14 ... Shooting lens, 18 ... Strobe, 22 ... Shutter button, 24 ... Power / mode switch, 26 ... Mode dial, 28 ... Viewfinder eyepiece, 30 ... LCD monitor, 32 ... Zoom button, 34 ... cross button, 36 ... MENU / OK button, 40 ... DISP / BACK button, 110 ... CPU, 112 ... operation unit, 116 ... ROM, 118 ... EEPROM, 120 ... memory, 122 ... VRAM, 126 ... shooting Optical system 134 ... Image sensor (CCD) 136 ... Timing generator 138 ... Analog signal processing circuit 142 ... Image input controller 144 ... Image signal processing circuit 146 ... Compression / decompression processing circuit 148 ... Media controller 150 ... Storage media (memory card), 152 ... Enko Da, 154 ... AE / AWB detection circuit, 156 ... AF detecting circuit, 158 ... flash control circuit, 164 ... power supply control circuit

Claims (27)

A memory in which a plurality of image files having image data of a photographed image and information on the photographing date and time when the image was photographed are recorded and the update date and time of each image file is recorded as file management information;
Date sorting means for sorting the date-sorted image files recorded in the memory based on the shooting date and time, the number of the date-sorted image files, or the date sorting based on the shooting date and time When the time estimated to be required for processing exceeds a predetermined threshold, date sorting means for performing date sorting based on the update date and time,
Based on the date sorting result obtained by the date sorting means, display means for displaying a list of information related to the date sorting target image file so as to meet a predetermined condition related to the date,
An image file information display device with a date sort function. A memory in which a plurality of image files having image data of a photographed image and information on the photographing date and time when the image was photographed are recorded and the update date and time of each image file is recorded as file management information;
Date sorting means for sorting the date-sorted image file recorded in the memory based on the update date and time;
Based on the date sorting result obtained by the date sorting means, display means for displaying a list of information related to the date sorting target image file so as to meet a predetermined condition related to the date,
Warning display means for displaying warning information when there is an image file with the update date and time and the shooting date and time different among the date sorting target image files;
An image file information display device with a date sort function.   The warning display means compares the update date and time and the shooting date and time of an image file that meets the predetermined condition in the display means, and displays the warning information when the update date and time and the shooting date and time are different. The image file information display device with a date sort function according to claim 2. A memory in which a plurality of image files having image data of a photographed image and information on the photographing date and time when the image was photographed are recorded and the update date and time of each image file is recorded as file management information;
Date sorting means for sorting the date-sorted image file recorded in the memory based on the update date and time;
Based on the date sorting result obtained by the date sorting means, display means for displaying a list of information related to the date sorting target image file so as to meet a predetermined condition related to the date,
Update date / time changing means for changing the update date / time to the shooting date / time for an image file having the date / date of sorting different from the update date / time and the shooting date / time;
An image file information display device with a date sort function.   The update date and time changing means has an acceptance means for accepting a user instruction to approve the change of the update date and time, and changes the update date and time only when an acceptance instruction is accepted by the acceptance means. The image file information display device with a date sort function according to claim 4.   6. The image file information display device with a date sort function according to claim 4, wherein the update date / time changing means changes the update date / time before the date sorting is performed by the date sorting means.   The update date / time changing means changes the update date / time after the date sorting is once performed by the date sort means, and the date sort means is changed by the update date / time change means. 6. The image file information display device with a date sort function according to claim 5, wherein the date sort result is updated based on the changed update date and time.   The update date / time changing means compares the update date / time of the image file that meets the predetermined condition in the display means with the shooting date / time, and changes the update date / time when the update date / time differs from the shooting date / time. 8. The image file information display device with a date sort function according to claim 7, wherein the image file information display device has a date sort function. A memory in which a plurality of image files having image data of a photographed image and information on the photographing date and time when the image was photographed are recorded and the update date and time of each image file is recorded as file management information;
Date sorting means for sorting the date-sorted image file recorded in the memory based on the update date and time;
Based on the date sorting result obtained by the date sorting means, display means for displaying a list of information related to the date sorting target image file so as to meet a predetermined condition related to the date,
The update date and time of the image file that meets the predetermined condition in the display means are compared with the shooting date and time. If the update date and time and the shooting date and time are different, the date sorting means is based on the shooting date and time. Updating means for updating the date sort result, and displaying a list of information on the image file by the display means based on the updated date sort result;
An image file information display device with a date sort function.   10. The date sorting function according to claim 1, wherein the display unit displays a low-resolution image of image data included in each image file as information on the image files to be displayed in a list. Image file information display device.   The display means lists information on the date sorting target image files so as to meet a condition for displaying a list of information on image files corresponding to the date specified by the user as a predetermined condition related to the date. The image file information display device with a date sort function according to claim 1, wherein the image file information display device has a date sort function.   12. The image file according to claim 1, wherein the image file is an image file in an EXIF format, and the shooting date and time is recorded in the image file as additional information of the image data. Image file information display device with date sort function.   The image file recorded in the memory is managed by a FAT file system, and the update date and time of the image file is recorded in a system area in which management information in the memory is recorded in the FAT file system. The image file information display device with a date sort function according to any one of claims 1 to 12. Date sort target existing in a memory in which a plurality of image files having image data of captured images and information on the shooting date and time when the images were captured are recorded and the update date and time of each image file is recorded as file management information Is a date sorting step of date-sorting the image files based on the shooting date and time, the number of image files to be date-sorted, or the time estimated to be required for the date sorting process based on the shooting date and time, If a predetermined threshold is exceeded, a date sorting step for performing date sorting based on the update date and time,
Based on the date sorting result obtained by the date sorting step, a display step for displaying a list of information related to the date sorting target image file so as to meet a predetermined condition related to the date;
An image file information display method characterized by comprising: Date sort target existing in a memory in which a plurality of image files having image data of captured images and information on the shooting date and time when the images were captured are recorded and the update date and time of each image file is recorded as file management information A date sorting step of sorting the image files of the date based on the update date and time,
Based on the date sorting result obtained by the date sorting step, a display step for displaying a list of information related to the date sorting target image file so as to meet a predetermined condition related to the date;
A warning display step of displaying warning information when there is an image file with the update date and time and the shooting date and time different from among the date sorting target image files;
An image file information display method characterized by comprising:   The warning display step compares the update date and time and the shooting date and time of an image file that meets the predetermined condition in the display step, and displays the warning information when the update date and time and the shooting date and time are different. The image file information display method according to claim 15. Date sort target existing in a memory in which a plurality of image files having image data of captured images and information on the shooting date and time when the images were captured are recorded and the update date and time of each image file is recorded as file management information A date sorting step of sorting the image files of the date based on the update date and time,
Based on the date sorting result obtained by the date sorting step, a display step for displaying a list of information related to the date sorting target image file so as to meet a predetermined condition related to the date;
An update date / time changing step of changing the update date / time to the shooting date / time for an image file in which the update date / time and the shooting date / time are different from among the date sorting target image files;
An image file information display method characterized by comprising:   The update date and time changing step has an approval step of accepting a user's instruction to understand the change of the update date and time, and the update date and time is changed only when an approval instruction is accepted by the approval step. The image file information display method according to claim 17.   19. The image file information display method according to claim 17, wherein the update date / time changing step changes the update date / time before date sorting is performed by the date sorting step.   The update date / time changing step changes the update date / time after the date sort is once performed by the date sort step, and the date sort step is performed by changing the update date / time by the update date / time changing step. The image file information display method according to claim 18, wherein the date sorting result is updated based on the changed update date and time.   The update date / time changing step compares the update date / time of the image file that meets the predetermined condition in the display step and the shooting date / time, and changes the update date / time when the update date / time differs from the shooting date / time. 21. The image file information display method according to claim 20, wherein the image file information display method is performed. Date sort target existing in a memory in which a plurality of image files having image data of captured images and information on the shooting date and time when the images were captured are recorded and the update date and time of each image file is recorded as file management information A date sorting step of sorting the image files of the date based on the update date and time,
Based on the date sorting result obtained by the date sorting step, a display step for displaying a list of information related to the date sorting target image file so as to meet a predetermined condition related to the date;
The update date and time of the image file meeting the predetermined condition in the display step are compared with the shooting date and time. If the update date and time and the shooting date and time are different, the date sorting step is performed based on the shooting date and time. Updating the date sort result, and displaying a list of information on the image file by the display step based on the updated date sort result;
An image file information display method characterized by comprising:   The image file information display according to any one of claims 14 to 22, wherein the display step displays a low-resolution image of image data included in each image file as information on the image files to be displayed in a list. Method.   In the display step, as a predetermined condition relating to the date, a list of information relating to the date sort target image file so as to meet a condition for displaying a list of information relating to an image file corresponding to a date designated by a user is listed. The image file information display method according to any one of claims 14 to 23, wherein the image file information is displayed.   25. The image file according to claim 14, wherein the image file is an EXIF format image file, and the shooting date and time is recorded in the image file as additional information of the image data. Image file information display method.   The image file recorded in the memory is managed by a FAT file system, and the update date and time of the image file is recorded in a system area in which management information in the memory is recorded in the FAT file system. The image file information display method according to any one of claims 14 to 25.   An image pickup apparatus comprising means for configuring the image file information display device with a date sort function according to any one of claims 1 to 13.

Images