JP2008005057A - Photographing recording device and control method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a file management technology whereby a camera side can delete part of data or files among recorded data and a recording medium can efficiently be used. <P>SOLUTION: In deleting an image file including image data generated by one recording form among a plurality of image files recorded by one photographing, attribute information of image files including image data recorded and produced by the other recording form is updated. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a photographing recording apparatus that generates a plurality of image data of different recording formats in one photographing operation, adds attribute information to each image data, and records them as a plurality of image files, and a control method thereof. is there.

  Various formats have been proposed for recording digital image data such as still images and moving images on a recording medium. For example, in a digital camera, there is a JPEG format in which image data captured by an image sensor is irreversibly compressed and recorded on a recording medium as compressed data converted to a size smaller than the original data size. In this recording format, the number of image files (number of shots) that can be recorded on a recording medium can be increased by compressing the data. At the time of data compression, a dedicated image processor can be used to correct the tone and contrast intended by the user, and the image size and compression rate can be arbitrarily set.

  On the other hand, there is also a RAW format in which an image signal from an image sensor is converted into a digital signal and then recorded on a recording medium as uncompressed data without being compressed. Since this recording format has a large file size, there is a demerit that the number of files that can be recorded on the recording medium is more limited than when data is compressed. On the other hand, since the uncompressed format is data in a state of being imaged by the image sensor, it is possible to arbitrarily correct and compress color tone, brightness, saturation, contrast, and the like using an application on a PC. For this reason, there is an advantage that not only the failure at the time of shooting can be corrected, but also image correction with a higher degree of freedom can be performed.

  In contrast, when image data recorded in the JPEG format is used to arbitrarily correct color tone, brightness, saturation, contrast, etc., the amount of information in the original data is greatly lost during compression. Therefore, there is a drawback in that the image quality is deteriorated compared to when processing is performed on uncompressed data.

  As described above, the RAW format and the JPEG format have advantages and disadvantages, respectively, and some digital cameras have been able to simultaneously record in these two recording formats during shooting. This digital camera has an advantage that JPEG data and RAW data can be recorded by one shooting, and there are not a few users who are shooting using this recording mode. However, since there is a disadvantage that the file size becomes large, a technique for solving these problems is described in Patent Document 1.

In Patent Document 1, JPEG data is first recorded, and the recorded image is displayed. The user can determine whether the RAW data is left or discarded by looking at the displayed image. When leaving RAW data, the first recorded JPEG data is discarded, and RAW data is recorded instead. In other words, since it is possible to select which recording method will be used for final recording after shooting, accumulation of unnecessary image data is prevented, and the recording medium is used efficiently.
JP 2004-104601 A

  When the photographed image is recorded in the JPEG format and the RAW format, the capacity of the recording medium may become full during the photographing, and a new image may not be recorded. In this case, in order to continue photographing, it is conceivable to delete data or files in an arbitrary recording format from already recorded data. However, when an image is recorded in both the JPEG format and the RAW format, information indicating that the image is recorded in both the JPEG format and the RAW format is recorded in the header portion of each image file. Therefore, simply erasing data or files will cause inconsistencies in the header information of the remaining image files.

  When an image is recorded in both the JPEG format and the RAW format, for example, even if the RAW data is deleted, information indicating that the image is recorded in both the JPEG format and the RAW format is included in the header portion of the JPEG data. It remains recorded. When this JPEG data is reproduced, there is a possibility that some inconvenience may occur such that the reproduction becomes impossible or incorrect attribute information is displayed at the time of reproduction.

  In addition, when data in which images are recorded in both the JPEG format and the RAW format are recorded in one file, when deleting only one of the data, not only the attribute information is updated but also the appropriate deletion is performed. If it is not performed according to the procedure, there is a risk of hindering image reproduction and file management after erasure.

  In Patent Document 1, when recording image data, it is only possible to select data in either a compressed or uncompressed format.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and the object thereof is inconsistency in header information of an image file even if image data or a file generated by one recording method among image files recorded by a plurality of methods is deleted. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image recording apparatus that does not cause the trouble.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention generates a plurality of image data in different recording formats in one shooting, adds attribute information to each image data, and records them as a plurality of image files. In the apparatus, an erasing unit for erasing an image file including image data generated in one recording format among a plurality of image files recorded in one shooting, and the erasing unit generates the image file in one recording format. Update means for updating attribute information of the image file including the generated image data recorded in the other recording format when the image file including the image data is deleted.

  In addition, the present invention provides a shooting and recording apparatus that generates a plurality of image data of different recording formats in one shooting, adds attribute information to each image data, and records the image data as one image file. An erasing unit for erasing image data generated in one recording format from one image file recorded in the above, and the image file generated when erasing the image data generated in one recording format by the erasing unit Updating means for updating the attribute information.

Further, the present invention provides a method for controlling a photographing and recording apparatus that generates a plurality of image data of different recording formats in one photographing, adds attribute information to each image data, and records as a plurality of image files. An erasing step of erasing an image file including image data generated in one recording format among a plurality of image files recorded in one shooting;
An update step of updating attribute information of an image file including the generated image data recorded in the other recording format when erasing the image file including the image data generated in the one recording format by the erasing step; Have

  According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for controlling a photographing and recording apparatus, wherein a plurality of pieces of image data having different recording formats are generated by one photographing, and attribute information is added to each piece of image data and recorded as one image file. When erasing the image data generated in one recording format from one image file recorded in one shooting, and erasing the image data generated in one recording format by the erasing step, An update step of updating attribute information of the image file.

  According to the present invention, in a shooting and recording apparatus that generates a plurality of image data of different recording formats in one shooting, adds attribute information to each image data, and records them as a plurality of image files. Even if an image file including image data generated in one recording format is deleted from among a plurality of image files recorded by shooting, the image file including the generated image data recorded in the other recording format is deleted. There is no inconsistency in attribute information.

  According to the present invention, a plurality of image data of different recording formats are generated by one shooting, and attribute information is added to each image data and recorded as one image file. Even if the image data generated in one recording format is deleted from one recorded image file, there is no inconsistency in the attribute information of the image file.

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  The embodiment described below is an example as means for realizing the present invention, and should be appropriately modified or changed according to the configuration and various conditions of the apparatus to which the present invention is applied. It is not limited to the embodiment.

[Camera configuration]
FIG. 1 is a front view (a), a side view (b), and a rear view (c) showing an external configuration of a digital camera according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 1, 101 is a camera unit, 102 is a lens unit, and 105 is a strobe light emitting unit.

  The camera unit 101 is provided with a release button 103, a mode setting dial 104 for selecting a shooting mode, an LCD panel 119 for displaying a shot image, and an optical viewfinder 118. In addition, the camera unit 101 is provided with a button 114 that also functions as an AE lock and a reproduction / reduction function, a button 115 that also functions as an AF AF point selection and reproduction / enlargement, a cross button 117, and a set button 116 that selects a menu item. Further, the camera unit 101 is provided with a button 110 for displaying a menu, a button 111 for switching display / non-display of file information, a button 112 for skipping a predetermined number of images, and an erase button 113. .

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically showing the electric circuit configuration and the flow of each signal processing of the camera unit 101, the lens unit 102, and the strobe light emitting unit 105 shown in FIG.

  In FIG. 2, 201 is an arithmetic logic unit (ALU (Arithmetic and Logic Unit)), ROM, RAM, A / D converter, D / A converter, timer (Timer), parallel I / O port (PIO), A one-chip microcomputer incorporating a serial I / O port (SIO) and the like, and controls the overall operation of the camera (hereinafter referred to as a camera control microcomputer).

  A focus detection sensor (AF sensor) 204 measures the distance to the subject. A photometric sensor (AE sensor) 203 measures the luminance of the subject. Output signals from the focus detection sensor 204 and the photometric sensor 203 are input to the A / D converter of the camera control microcomputer 201 and converted into digital data, and then processed in the microcomputer.

  Similar to 201, 202 is a one-chip type microcomputer dedicated to image processing that incorporates an ALU, A / D converter, D / A converter, timer (Timer), SIO, PIO and the like (hereinafter referred to as an image). This is called a processing microcomputer.)

  The image processing microcomputer 202 controls the timing generator (TG) 220 in accordance with a command from the camera control microcomputer 201. The TG 220 adjusts the operation timing of the image sensor 222 including an AFE (Analog Front End) 221 and a photoelectric conversion element such as a CCD so that the image processing microcomputer 202 can smoothly transfer the image data. An imaging signal output from the imaging element 222 is converted into digital data by the AFE 221 and temporarily buffered in the memory 219. The memory 219 is a large-capacity volatile memory such as SDRAM that can be accessed at high speed.

  The imaging data stored in the memory 219 is recorded on the recording medium 217 in the raw format (uncompressed format) as it is. Furthermore, it is also possible to record on the recording medium 217 in JPEG format (compression format) after performing development processing such as various correction / interpolation, color conversion, gain adjustment, compression / expansion processing.

  The recording medium 217 is a memory card such as a compact flash (registered trademark) or a small hard disk. The recording medium 217 can be attached to and detached from the camera unit 101, and data can be moved by mounting or connecting to another device such as a PC or a printer. Reference numeral 218 denotes a nonvolatile memory such as an EEPROM other than the recording medium 217.

  Reference numeral 119 denotes a display device represented by an LCD panel, which displays a captured image. A small LCD panel 206 displays the number of shots, date information, exposure information, and the like. Reference numeral 210 denotes an external communication port for connecting to an external device other than the PC.

  A clock circuit 223 outputs a clock signal to the camera control microcomputer 201.

  Reference numeral 228 denotes a video output terminal for outputting an analog video signal, and reference numeral 215 denotes a high-speed communication port for connection to a peripheral device such as a printer or a PC.

  In the lens unit 102, reference numeral 221 denotes an AF motor driver which drives an AF motor 226 for performing AF adjustment. An aperture motor driver 227 drives an aperture motor 227 for performing aperture control. Reference numeral 212 denotes a distance detection encoder for converting the extension amount of the AF adjustment lens into an electric signal, and the distance information is input to the camera control microcomputer 201. Reference numeral 227 denotes a zoom detection encoder for obtaining focal length information at the time of shooting when the lens 102 is a zoom lens, and is input to the camera control microcomputer 201. The camera control microcomputer 201 also performs focus detection processing and exposure calculation processing, controls the AF motor driver 211 based on the focus information and aperture information as the calculation results, and controls the aperture motor driver 213 according to the aperture information.

  The strobe light emitting unit 109 includes a light emitting unit 225 typified by a xenon tube and a dimming circuit 224 that generates a high voltage of about 300 V necessary for the light emission.

  Next, the operation of the camera configured as described above will be described.

  When the camera is directed to the subject via the optical viewfinder 118 and the release button 103 is pressed halfway, appropriate distance information and aperture information are output from the AF sensor 204 and the AE sensor 203 to the camera control microcomputer 201. The camera control microcomputer 201 drives the AF motor 226 and the aperture motor 227 via the AF motor driver 211 and the aperture motor driver 213 according to the focus information and the aperture information as the calculation result, and controls the lens position and the aperture to appropriate positions. To do. If the user visually confirms the framing, focus, and exposure state via the optical finder 118 and there is no problem, the user further presses the release button 103 and captures the subject image at that moment by the image sensor 222.

  A subject image incident from the lens unit 102 is formed on the image sensor 222 and subjected to photoelectric conversion. The photoelectrically converted electrical signal is converted into a digital signal by the AFE 221 and output to the image processing microcomputer 202. Data input to the image processing microcomputer 202 is temporarily stored in the memory 219, and the image processing microcomputer 202 sequentially performs image processing. Thereafter, the image is resized to the display size of the LCD panel 119, displayed as an image, and simultaneously stored in the recording medium 217 in an arbitrary recording format set in advance. The recording medium 217 records image data generated in one of the recording formats of JPEG format or RAW format for one captured image, or image data generated by the recording method of JPEG format and RAW format, respectively. It can be recorded separately or as a single file. These recording formats can be arbitrarily set by the user before shooting.

  Here, a case will be described in which image data generated by the JPEG format and RAW format recording methods is recorded. In the header information of each image file, information regarding “recording format and file at the time of shooting” is included as attribute information for file management. In this example, the information is the content of “recording in files of two recording formats, JPEG format and RAW format”. The configuration of the file created as described above is shown in FIG. In addition to this, the attribute information may indicate that “a plurality of files of the same image in different recording formats exist other than the own file”. Such information may be displayed on the LCD panel 119 as information at the time of shooting together with the image when the image is reproduced by the camera, or may be used for file management on the application of the camera or personal computer.

  Next, image file erasing processing by the camera having the above-described configuration and operating will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  In the first embodiment, a file is created in a plurality of recording formats for the same image. There are two types of recording formats: JPEG format (compressed recording format) and RAW format (uncompressed recording format).

  In FIG. 3, when the user selects an image file to be deleted from the file list displayed on the LCD panel 119, the image of the corresponding file is displayed on the LCD panel 119 (S301). When the delete button 113 is pressed (S302), a user interface (UI) screen for selecting whether to delete an image file in JPEG format or RAW format is displayed on the LCD panel 119. The user selects a file in either the JPEG format or the RAW format using the UI screen (S303).

  Here, when a RAW format file is selected, a JPEG format file of the same image is read from the recording medium 217 to the memory 219 (S304). The image processing microcomputer 202 corrects the attribute information for the read JPEG format file. Here, in order to delete only the RAW format file, the original attribute information “record in two recording formats of JPEG format and RAW format” is changed to the content of “record only in JPEG format” (S305). Further, the number of files of the same image is changed from two to one (S306). The file whose attribute information has been changed is overwritten and saved again on the recording medium 217 with the same file name as when it was read (S307). Finally, the RAW file stored in the recording medium 217 is deleted (S308).

  If a JPEG file is selected in S303, the attribute information may be changed to the opposite of the above. That is, the RAW format file that is not erased is read into the memory 219 (S309), and the attribute information of the read file is changed to the content of “record only in RAW format” (S310). Further, the number of files of the same image is changed from two to one (S311). The file whose attribute information has been changed is overwritten and stored again in the recording medium 217 (S312). Finally, the JPEG format file stored in the recording medium 217 is deleted (S313).

  FIG. 5 exemplifies the state of the attribute information before and after erasure when only the RAW file B of the same image is erased by the above-described procedure.

[Second Embodiment]
In the first embodiment, data in each recording format of JPEG format and RAW format is recorded in two separate files for one captured image, whereas the data in both formats is recorded in the second embodiment. Is an erasure process in the case of being recorded in one file.

  Note that the configuration of the camera of the second embodiment and the operations up to shooting are the same as those of the first embodiment.

  Even when each piece of image data generated in the JPEG format and RAW format is recorded as one file, the file management information includes information related to “recording format and file at the time of shooting”. The contents are related to “type of format and number of data included in own file”. Here, the content is “recording in two recording formats, JPEG format and RAW format”. These pieces of information may be used for file management on a camera or PC application, as in the first embodiment.

  The image file erasing process of the second embodiment will be described below with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  In the second embodiment, image data recorded in two types of recording formats, JPEG format and RAW format, for the same image is made into one file.

  In FIG. 4, when the user selects an image file to be deleted from the file list displayed on the LCD panel 119, the corresponding file is displayed on the LCD panel 119 (S401). When the delete button 113 is pressed (S402), a UI screen for selecting whether to delete image data in the JPEG format or the RAW format is displayed on the LCD panel 119, and the user can select the JPEG format. Alternatively, data in either recording format of RAW format is selected (S403). When RAW format data is selected, the corresponding file is read from the recording medium 217 to the memory 219 (S404). The image processing microcomputer 202 corrects the attribute information for the read file. Here, in order to delete only the data in the RAW format, the original attribute information “record in two recording formats of JPEG format and RAW format” is changed to the content “record only in JPEG format” (S405). Further, the number of data of the same image is changed from two to one (S406). Next, the changed attribute information and JPEG format data are synthesized, and a file that does not include RAW format data is created again (S407). Finally, a new image file from which RAW format data has been deleted is overwritten and saved on the recording medium 217 (S408).

  If JPEG format data is selected, the attribute information may be changed to the opposite of the above. That is, the corresponding file is read into the memory 219 (S409), and the attribute information of the read file is changed to the content “record only in RAW format” (S410). Further, the number of data of the same image is changed from two to one (S411). Next, the changed attribute information and RAW format data are synthesized, and a file not including JPEG format data is created again (S412). Finally, the new image file from which the data in the JPEG format has been erased is overwritten and saved on the recording medium 217 (S413).

  FIG. 6 illustrates the state of the attribute information before and after erasure when only JPEG format data α is erased from an image file C by the above-described procedure.

  In the two embodiments described above, it is assumed that both are recorded in two types of recording formats, but there are options for selecting a file or image data to be deleted even in three or more types of recording formats. Only the increase will not change the basic configuration and procedure. Further, when recording is performed only in a single recording format, it is not necessary to select a recording format to be erased.

  If both of the two types of recording formats are to be erased, an option “Erase all recording formats” may be provided on the UI screen for selecting the recording format to be erased.

  Further, the erasing process described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4 may be executed only when there is not enough free space on the recording medium 217 and the captured image file cannot be stored any more. It is not necessary to select a format to be erased every time data is erased.

[Other Embodiments]
The present invention includes a case where the computer program for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments is achieved by supplying the system or apparatus directly or remotely. In that case, a computer such as a system reads and executes the computer program.

  Therefore, in order to realize the functional processing of the present invention with a computer, the computer program itself installed in the computer also implements the present invention.

  In that case, as long as it has the function of a program, it may be in the form of object code, a program executed by an interpreter, script data supplied to the OS, or the like.

  Examples of the recording medium (storage medium) for supplying the program include a flexible disk, a hard disk, an optical disk, and a magneto-optical disk. In addition, there are MO, CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, ROM, DVD (DVD-ROM, DVD-R) and the like.

  As another program supply method, a client computer browser can be used to connect to a homepage on the Internet, and the computer program itself of the present invention can be downloaded from the homepage. It can also be supplied by downloading a compressed file including an automatic installation function to a recording medium such as a hard disk. It can also be realized by dividing the computer program constituting the program of the present invention into a plurality of files and downloading each file from a different homepage. That is, a WWW server that allows a plurality of users to download a program file for realizing the functional processing of the present invention on a computer is also included in the present invention.

  In addition, the program of the present invention is encrypted, stored in a storage medium such as a CD-ROM, distributed to users, and a user who satisfies predetermined conditions downloads key information for decryption from a homepage via the Internet. You can also. In this case, the downloaded key information is used to execute the encrypted program and install it on the computer.

  In addition to the functions of the above-described embodiments being realized by the computer executing the read program, the OS or the like operating on the computer based on the instruction of the program may be a part of the actual processing. Alternatively, it can be realized by performing all of them.

  Furthermore, after the program read from the recording medium is written in the memory of a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the CPU of the board or the like performs a part of the actual processing. Alternatively, it can be realized by performing all of them.

It is a figure which shows the external appearance structure of the digital camera of embodiment which concerns on this invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the digital camera shown in FIG. 1. 6 is a flowchart showing file erasure processing when there is an image file in a compressed / uncompressed format according to the first embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the data erasure | elimination process when the data of the compression / non-compression format are recorded on one file by 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which illustrates the state of the attribute information before and behind deletion in the case of deleting only the file of the uncompressed format of the same image by 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which illustrates the state of the attribute information before and behind when deleting only the data of a compression format from a certain image file by 2nd Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 101 Camera part 102 Lens part 103 Release button 104 Mode setting dial 105 Strobe light emission part 113 Erase button 118 Optical finder 119 LCD panel 201 Camera control microcomputer 202 Image processing microcomputer 203 AE sensor 204 AF sensor 217 Recording medium 219 Memory 222 Image sensor

Claims (9)

In a shooting and recording apparatus that generates a plurality of image data of different recording formats in one shooting, and adds attribute information to each image data and records as a plurality of image files,
An erasing unit for erasing an image file including image data generated in one recording format among a plurality of image files recorded in one shooting;
Updating means for updating the attribute information of the image file including the generated image data recorded in the other recording format when erasing the image file including the image data generated in the one recording format by the erasing means; A photographic recording apparatus comprising:   The photographing / recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the attribute information includes information on a type of the different recording format and the number of image files. In a shooting and recording apparatus that generates a plurality of image data of different recording formats in one shooting, adds attribute information to each image data, and records as one image file,
Erasing means for erasing image data generated in one recording format from one image file recorded in one shooting;
An image capturing / recording apparatus comprising: an update unit configured to update attribute information of the image file when the image data generated in the one recording format by the deleting unit is deleted.   The photographing / recording apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the attribute information includes information regarding a type of the different recording format and the number of image data.   The photographic recording apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the different recording formats include at least a compressed recording format and an uncompressed recording format. In a control method for a photographing and recording apparatus, wherein a plurality of image data of different recording formats are generated in one photographing, and attribute information is added to each image data and recorded as a plurality of image files.
An erasing step of erasing an image file including image data generated in one recording format among a plurality of image files recorded in one shooting;
An update step of updating attribute information of an image file including the generated image data recorded in the other recording format when erasing the image file including the image data generated in the one recording format by the erasing step; A method for controlling a photographing and recording apparatus, comprising: In a method for controlling a photographing and recording apparatus, which generates a plurality of image data of different recording formats in one photographing, adds attribute information to each image data and records as one image file,
An erasing step of erasing image data generated in one recording format from one image file recorded in one shooting;
A control method for a photographing and recording apparatus, comprising: an updating step of updating attribute information of the image file when the image data generated in one recording format by the erasing step is erased.   A program for causing a computer to execute the control method according to claim 6 or 7.   A computer-readable storage medium storing the program according to claim 8.

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