JP2007172113A - File processor, printer and file processing method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent duplicate writing in backup of digital camera image by a simple method. <P>SOLUTION: The file processor (e.g., printer) comprises an identification means for identifying a file recorded in a storage medium (memory card) of a backup source with a file recorded in a storage medium (CD-R) of a backup destination; and a means for excluding a file identified by the identification means from the object of backup. The identification means identifies files of the same file name based on whether headers of the files (Exif headers) are same or not. The determination can be performed also by comparison of checksum or CRC value as well as the header. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a file processing method at the time of backup, a file processing apparatus using the same, and a printing apparatus.

  An apparatus is known that backs up a file in a memory card in which a photographed image of a digital camera is recorded to a CD-R or the like (see Patent Document 1). In such an apparatus, a new folder (a folder with a name such as “001”, “002”, “003”, etc.) is created every time backup is performed, and all files in the memory card are stored in the folder (FIG. 9). (See "First time").

Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2005-210433

  By the way, when the user takes a picture again with the digital camera without deleting the file in the memory card, a new file is added to the memory card. Even in such a case, when receiving a backup request, the conventional apparatus creates a new folder and stores all files in the memory card in the folder (see “second time” in FIG. 9). Therefore, the same file is stored repeatedly, and the recording capacity is wasted.

  In this regard, as a method of finding the same file, a method of comparing file names is conceivable. However, an image file taken with a digital camera is usually determined according to the DCF (Design Rule for Camera File system) standard. Therefore, different images may have the same file name. Therefore, it is not known whether the files are the same image by simply examining the file name. On the other hand, it is not realistic to perform a complicated process for determining identity.

  Therefore, the present invention is to prevent duplicate writing during backup by a simple method.

In order to achieve the above object, a first aspect of the present invention is a file processing apparatus,
Identity determining means for determining whether or not a file recorded on a backup source recording medium and a file recorded on a backup destination recording medium are the same;
Means for excluding files determined to be identical by the identity determining means from backup targets. The identity determination means determines whether the files are the same depending on whether the headers of the files are the same.

  The file may be an Exif (Exchangeable Image File Format for digital still cameras, registered trademark) format file.

  Further, the identity determination unit determines whether or not the files are identical by comparing values (for example, checksum and CRC value) generated by a predetermined calculation based on the header of the file. May be.

  In addition, the identity determination unit determines whether or not the files are the same when the backup destination recording medium includes a file having the same file name as the file recorded on the backup source recording medium. May be performed.

A second aspect of the present invention is a file processing apparatus,
An identity determination means for determining whether or not the same file as the file recorded on the backup source recording medium exists in the backup destination recording medium;
And means for excluding the file from the backup target when there is a file having the same header by the identity determination means. Then, the identity determination means determines whether or not the files are the same by comparing values (for example, a checksum and CRC value) generated by a predetermined calculation from the data of the entire file.

A third aspect of the present invention is a printing apparatus,
First file reading means for reading a file from a first recording medium on which a file of image data photographed by a digital camera is recorded;
A second file reading means for reading a file recorded on the second recording medium for backup;
Identity determining means for determining whether or not the same file as the file recorded on the first recording medium exists in the second recording medium;
And a means for excluding, from the backup target, a file determined to be the same recorded in the first recording medium when the identity determining means determines that the same file exists. The identity determination unit determines whether the files are the same based on whether the headers of the files are the same.

A fourth aspect of the present invention is a printing apparatus,
First file reading means for reading a file from a first recording medium on which a file of image data photographed by a digital camera is recorded;
A second file reading means for reading a file recorded on the second recording medium for backup;
Identity determining means for determining whether or not the same file as the file recorded on the first recording medium exists in the second recording medium;
And a means for excluding, from the backup target, a file determined to be the same recorded in the first recording medium when the identity determining means determines that the same file exists. The identity determination means determines whether the files are identical by comparing values generated by a predetermined calculation from the data of the entire file.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a printing apparatus to which an embodiment of the present invention is applied. The printing apparatus according to the present embodiment is a so-called direct printer that performs printing by directly connecting to a portable recording medium (memory card) 45 without a host computer. However, the printing apparatus has a function of connecting to a host computer and executing printing in response to a control command from a printer driver. The digital camera is also a host and has a function to execute printing.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the printing apparatus includes a controller 10 that performs various processes for printing, an operation panel 20, a print engine 30 that executes printing, a memory card reading device 40, and a backup recording medium reading. Device 50.

  The controller 10 includes a CPU 101 as a main control device, a ROM 102 in which programs and the like are recorded, a RAM 103 that temporarily stores data and the like as a main memory, an interface 105 that controls input and output with the operation panel 20 and the like, And a system bus 106 serving as a communication path between the devices. The interface 105 can be an ASIC designed to perform each process exclusively.

  The operation panel 20 includes a liquid crystal display device, operation buttons, and the like. The user receives a layout instruction from the user, receives a selection of an image file to be printed, and receives a backup request for a file in the memory card. It is responsible for the interface function.

  The memory card reading device 40 reads the file recorded on the memory card 45 and sends it to the controller 10. Further, in accordance with an instruction from the controller 10, processing for deleting or rewriting a file recorded on the memory card 45 is performed.

  The backup recording medium reading device 40 reads a file recorded on a backup recording medium (for example, CD-R, CD-RW, DVD-R, DVD-RW, etc.) 55 and sends it to the controller 10. Further, in accordance with an instruction from the controller 10, processing for deleting or rewriting the file recorded on the backup recording medium 55 is performed.

  Next, a characteristic functional configuration of the controller 10 will be described with reference to the block diagram of FIG.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of the controller 10. Each functional unit can be realized by software or hardware.

  As illustrated, the controller 10 includes an instruction analysis unit 111, an identity determination unit 112, and a backup processing unit 113.

  The instruction analysis unit 111 analyzes a request from the user input via the operation panel 20, and performs a process of instructing each functional unit so that a process according to the request is performed. For example, when a file backup request is received, the backup processing unit 113 is instructed to perform processing for backup.

  The identity determination unit 112 determines the identity between the file recorded on the memory card 45 and the file recorded on the backup recording medium 55.

  The backup processing unit 113 records a file recorded on the memory card 45 on the backup recording medium 55 and performs a process of backing up the file. Prior to backup, the identity determination unit 112 determines the identity of the file in the memory card 45 and the file in the backup recording medium 55, and the same file is recorded in duplicate on the backup recording medium 55. Do not be.

<Description of operation>
Next, the operation of the printing apparatus configured as described above will be described. As described above, the printing apparatus according to the present embodiment has a function of backing up files recorded on the memory card 45 to the backup recording medium 55. Furthermore, a function for preventing the same file from being written to the backup recording medium 55 is provided.

  The printing apparatus uses information in the header of the file to prevent duplicate writing.

  Here, the format of the file recorded on the memory card 45 will be described. The memory card 45 stores a file of image data taken with a digital camera. This file is an Exif (Exchangeable Image File Format for digital still cameras, registered trademark) format file ("Exif file") defined by the Japan Electronics and Information Technology Industries Association (JEITA).

  FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the structure of an Exif file. An Exif file is usually composed of a header 71 and image data 72. The header 71 stores information such as the number of pixels, compression mode, shooting date and time, model name, aperture value, and color space. The image data 72 stores thumbnail image data and main image data.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing when backing up a file in the printing apparatus.

  This flow is started when the instruction analysis unit 111 receives a backup request from the user via the operation panel 20.

  The backup processing unit 113 reads one file recorded in the memory card 45 in order (S11). Then, the header is extracted (S12), and the shooting date is specified from the header (S13).

  Next, the backup processing unit 113 determines whether or not the backup recording medium 55 has a folder corresponding to the shooting date specified in S13 (S14). If such a folder does not exist (S14: N), a shooting date folder is created in the backup recording medium 55 (S15). Then, the file read in S11 is stored in the folder (S16), and the process proceeds to S21.

  On the other hand, when the backup recording medium 55 includes a folder corresponding to the shooting date specified in S13 (S14: Y), the backup processing unit 113 includes a file having the same name as the file read in S11. Is determined (S17). If it does not exist (S17: N), the file read in S11 is stored in the folder (S16), and the process proceeds to S21.

  On the other hand, if a file with the same name as the file read in S11 exists in the folder of the shooting date specified in S13 (S17: Y), the identity determination unit 112 checks whether the file headers match. Thus, a process for determining the identity of the file is performed (S18).

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing for determining the identity of a file.

  The identity determination unit 112 acquires the header start address add of the comparison source file (the file read in S11 of FIG. 4). Note that the head address of the header of the comparison destination file (the file recorded in the backup recording medium 55 and having the same name as the comparison source file) may be acquired.

  Next, the identity determination unit 112 reads the address add value of the comparison source file and the address add value of the comparison destination file (S32 and S33).

  Then, the identity determination unit 112 determines whether or not both values are the same (S34). If they are not the same (S34: N), it is determined that the comparison source file and the comparison destination file are not identical (S35), and the process ends.

  On the other hand, when both values are the same (S34: Y), the identity determination unit 112 determines whether or not the address add is the last of the header (S36). If it is the last (S36: Y), it is determined that they are the same file (S37), and the process is terminated.

  On the other hand, if the address add is not the last (S36: N), the identity determining unit 112 increments the address add (S38), and returns to the process of S32.

  In this way, the identity of the file is determined.

  Returning to FIG. 4, the description will be continued. When the identity determination unit 112 determines that the files are the same (S19: Y), the backup processing unit 113 proceeds to the process of S21. On the other hand, if it is determined that the files are not identical (S19: N), the file read in S11 is stored in the shooting date folder specified in S14 of the backup recording medium 55 after the file name is changed. .

  In S <b> 21, the backup processing unit 113 determines whether the next file exists in the memory card 45. And when it exists, it returns to S11 and continues a process. In this way, the processing of S11 to S20 is performed for all the files in the memory card 45.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining how files in the memory card 45 are backed up to a CD-R which is a backup recording medium 55.

  As shown in the figure, in the first backup, folders (“2005/11/01”, “2005/11/03”, and “2005/11/05”) 80 corresponding to the shooting date are created on the CD-R. The shooting date files 81 are stored respectively.

  In the second backup, the added files (“AAAA0007.JPG”, “AAAA0008.JPG” and “AAAA0009.JPG”) are added to the folder (“2005/11/11”) added according to the shooting date. Stored.

  In the third backup, the added files (“AAAA0009.JPG” and “AAAA0010.JPG” are stored in a folder (“2005/11/16”) added according to the shooting date.

  Here, a case where “AAAA0003.JPG” in the memory card 45 has been edited by the digital camera will be described. Specifically, it is assumed that “AAAA0003.JPG” is edited by the user using the editing mode of the digital camera, although the file name is not changed. For example, it is assumed that editing such as a size change, a retouch process, and a change in orientation has been performed.

  In such a case, although the file name is not changed, the header is rewritten. Accordingly, the file identity determination process shown in FIG. 5 determines that “AAAA0003.JPG” in the memory card 45 and “AAAA0003.JPG” recorded on the CD-R are not identical. . 4 is renamed, for example, “AAAB0003.JPG” and recorded on the CD-R. At this time, since the shooting date remains the same, it is stored in a folder corresponding to the original shooting date.

  The embodiment of the present invention has been described above.

  According to the embodiment, the printing apparatus excludes duplicate files from the target to be backed up. Therefore, the same file is not recorded on the backup recording medium twice.

  Further, it is not determined from the file names alone whether or not they are the same, but is determined by whether or not the Exif format headers match. Therefore, according to the DCF standard, it is possible to appropriately determine the identity even in the case of different image data but the same file name.

  Further, when the user edits the image, the header is changed, so that it is reliably backed up as a different file.

  Furthermore, since it is stored in a folder for each shooting date, it is easy for the user to search.

<Modification>
The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. The above embodiment can be variously modified within the scope of the technical idea of the present invention.

  For example, as in the above-described embodiment, a checksum or CRC (Cyclic Redundancy Check) value can be used instead of checking the header as it is to determine the identity of the file.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart of processing for determining file identity in such a case.

  The identity determination unit 112 acquires the header address (S51), reads the header of the comparison source file and the header of the comparison destination file, and calculates the checksum (or CRC value) (S52). , S53).

Then, it is determined whether or not both checksums (or CRC values) are the same (S54). If they are the same (S54: Y), it is determined that they are the same file. On the other hand, if different (S54: N),
Judged as non-identical files.

  In this way, processing can be performed quickly. In the checksum, if two or more pieces of data change at the same time, they may cancel each other and be regarded as a normal state, but this problem can be avoided by using a CRC value.

  It is also possible to determine the identity from the entire file without using a header.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart of processing for determining file identity in such a case.

  The identity determination unit 112 reads and checks all the parts of the comparison source file (may be the header and image data part or only the image data part) and the comparison destination file. Sum (or CRC value) is calculated (S61, S62).

  Then, it is determined whether or not both checksums (or CRC values) are the same (S63). If they are the same (S63: Y), it is determined that they are the same file. On the other hand, if they are different (S64: N), they are determined to be non-identical files.

  In this way, it is possible to determine the identity even for a file having no Exif format header.

  In the above-described embodiment, the case has been described in which the apparatus that performs the backup process is a printing apparatus capable of direct printing, but the present invention is not limited to this.

  An information processing apparatus such as a personal computer may perform the backup process described above. Further, a personal computer may be connected to the printing apparatus, read a file from a memory card attached to the printing apparatus, and back up to a backup recording medium such as a CD-R. Also in this case, the present invention can be applied to prevent duplicate writing.

  The backup source recording medium is not limited to a memory card, and may be a portable recording medium that can be attached to a digital camera, such as a USB memory or a small hard disk.

  Further, the printing apparatus is not limited to a printer, and may be a multifunction machine having functions such as copying, scanning, and facsimile.

1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a printing apparatus. The block diagram which shows an example of a function structure of a controller. The block diagram of an Exif file. The flowchart of a backup process. The flowchart of the process of judgment of the identity of a file. The figure for demonstrating the mode of backup. The flowchart of the process of judgment of the identity of a file. The flowchart of the process of judgment of the identity of a file. The figure for demonstrating the mode of the conventional backup.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Controller, 101 ... CPU, 102 ... ROM, 103 ... RAM, 105 ... Interface, 106 ... System bus,
20 ... operation panel,
30 ... Print engine,
40 ... Memory card reading device, 45 ... Memory card,
50 ... Reading device for backup recording medium, 55 ... Recording medium for backup,
111 ... Instruction analysis device, 112 ... Identity determination unit, 113 ... Backup processing unit

Claims (9)

A file processing device,
Identity determining means for determining whether or not a file recorded on a backup source recording medium and a file recorded on a backup destination recording medium are the same;
Means for excluding files determined to be identical by the identity determination means from backup targets,
The identity determination means includes
A file processing apparatus for determining whether or not files are the same depending on whether or not the headers of the files are the same. In claim 1,
The file processing apparatus characterized in that the file is an Exif format file. In claim 1,
The identity determination unit
A file processing apparatus for determining whether or not files are identical by comparing values generated by a predetermined calculation based on file headers. In claim 1,
The identity determination means includes
A file process for determining whether or not the files are the same when the backup destination recording medium includes a file having the same file name as the file recorded on the backup source recording medium; apparatus. A file processing device,
An identity determination means for determining whether or not the same file as the file recorded on the backup source recording medium exists in the backup destination recording medium;
A file having the same header by the identity determination means, and a means for excluding the file from backup targets;
The identity determination means includes
A file processing apparatus characterized by comparing values generated by a predetermined calculation from data of an entire file to determine whether or not the files are identical. A printing device,
First file reading means for reading a file from a first recording medium on which a file of image data photographed by a digital camera is recorded;
A second file reading means for reading a file recorded on the second recording medium for backup;
Identity determining means for determining whether or not the same file as the file recorded on the first recording medium exists in the second recording medium;
A means for excluding, from the backup target, a file determined to be the same recorded in the first recording medium when the identity determining means determines that the same file exists,
The identity determination means includes
A printing apparatus that determines whether or not files are the same based on whether or not the headers of the files are the same. A printing device,
First file reading means for reading a file from a first recording medium on which a file of image data photographed by a digital camera is recorded;
A second file reading means for reading a file recorded on the second recording medium for backup;
Identity determining means for determining whether or not the same file as the file recorded on the first recording medium exists in the second recording medium;
A means for excluding, from the backup target, a file determined to be the same recorded in the first recording medium when the identity determining means determines that the same file exists,
The identity determination means includes
A printing apparatus comprising: comparing values generated by a predetermined calculation from data of an entire file to determine whether the files are the same. A file processing method for a file processing apparatus, comprising:
An identity determination step for determining whether or not the file recorded on the backup source recording medium and the file recorded on the backup destination recording medium are the same;
And a step of excluding files determined to be identical by the identity determination step from backup targets,
The identity determination step includes
A file processing method for determining whether or not files are the same depending on whether or not the headers of the files are the same. A file processing method for a file processing apparatus, comprising:
An identity determination step for determining whether or not the same file as the file recorded on the backup source recording medium exists in the backup destination recording medium;
If there is a file with the same header by the identity determination means, the step of excluding the file from the backup target,
The identity determination step includes
A file processing method comprising: comparing values generated by a predetermined calculation from data of an entire file to determine whether or not the files are the same.

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