JP2008245108A - Digital camera - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a digital camera capable of simplifying operation and easily performing image retrieval and browsing to obtain excellent operability and also efficiently managing image files when images are displayed in a calendar manner. <P>SOLUTION: The digital camera comprises a photographing means, a recording medium, a display unit, a first timer means of setting a fixed time, a second timer means of setting a time different from that of the first timer means, an image recording means of adding first and second photography times that the first and the second timer means acquires as photography date and time information to an image file, a selecting means of selectively setting one of the first photography time as a first time system and the second photographic time as a second time system, an index display means of displaying an index image from the image file together with the photography time of the time system selected by the selecting means, a switching means of switching settings of the time systems, and a time display update means of updating the photography time display on a display means according to the switching operation of the switching means. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  When displaying an image based on a digital camera, more specifically, an image file acquired during a shooting operation, the image file is classified based on date and time information included in the image file, and various types of image display are performed. The present invention relates to a digital camera having a display reproduction function for performing the above.

  Conventionally, an optical image formed by a photographing optical system is subjected to photoelectric conversion processing by a photoelectric conversion element such as an image pickup element, whereby an optical image of a desired subject is obtained as an electrical image signal, and then the image signal is digitally converted. A so-called digital camera configured to be recorded on a recording medium as a digital image data file (hereinafter referred to as an image file) formed by including image data in the form of data and various information data related to the image signal. Such a photographing apparatus (hereinafter simply referred to as a digital camera) is widely spread.

  Conventional digital cameras are usually configured to include a display device such as a liquid crystal display device. For example, the display device reproduces and displays an image based on a plurality of image files recorded on a recording medium, and displays various information related to the display image, for example, shooting date and time information, superimposed on the display image. It is used in cases such as

  In this display device, the shooting date and time information displayed together with the image is generated by a clock function provided inside the digital camera, and when the shooting operation is executed, the date and time information at the time of shooting is the same time. In general, the image data is associated with the image data acquired in step (1) and written in the header portion of the image file.

  Further, in the conventional digital camera, when performing reproduction display of an image based on a plurality of image files recorded on a recording medium, various forms are considered as the display form. For example, a display mode in which images for each frame are reproduced and displayed in the order of shooting, or different reduced images (hereinafter referred to as thumbnail images) are displayed in order of the shooting in each area obtained by dividing one screen into a plurality of areas. In addition to the above, for example, there is a display form that determines the display order of images based on the date / time information included in each image file, such as a display form in a calendar form (hereinafter simply referred to as a calendar display). It is common.

  Among them, the calendar display refers to a classification based on a predetermined standard, for example, a date with reference to shooting date / time information recorded in a header portion of each image file, for example, for a plurality of image files recorded on a recording medium. In such a display form, thumbnail images of representative image files (index images) of the grouped image files are displayed in each of the corresponding date fields on the calendar displayed on the display device. is there.

  By the way, in recent years, when traveling over a long distance on the earth, such as traveling abroad, it is often the case that a digital camera or the like is carried around and photographed in various places. In this case, there may be a time difference between the area where the digital camera is normally used (the place before departure) and the area where the destination is moved (a place such as a travel destination). In this case, the user changes the setting of the internal clock of the digital camera each time according to the local time of the destination.

  In this way, since the local date and time information is recorded in the form associated with the image data in each image file acquired at the time of shooting operation, the contents and date and time information of each shot image are recorded. Can maintain a correspondence with no sense of incongruity without causing a time lag.

  However, for a plurality of image files obtained while changing the setting of the internal clock of the digital camera each time the shooting location is moved as described above, a certain time axis (for example, the time axis in the home country time) Inconsistency may occur when the calendar is displayed based on the above.

  For example, when you travel between your country and an area that crosses the date change line, the date and time of the image you took in your country before departure (your country date and time information) and the local clock setting change when you arrive at the local time There will be a time difference between the date and time (local date and time information) of the images taken locally after the time is taken (if you cross the date change line, the local time will be relative to the departure time of your home country) The day before) Therefore, when viewing the other date and time information on one time axis, the date and time reversal phenomenon that the image of the local date and time (actually later time) is displayed before the date and time image of the home country Is seen.

  In other words, for example, when shooting is performed by appropriately changing the setting for each shooting location, a calendar image based on a single time axis is displayed for a plurality of image files obtained thereby, and a shot image before departure is displayed. The photographed image after arrival at the site may be displayed in the date column before the date.

  In consideration of such problems, for example, if the shooting operation is performed while moving between regions where there is a time difference without changing the internal clock setting at the destination, for example, while maintaining the setting of the home country time In this case, even if the calendar display is performed based on a single time axis (for example, the home time), there is no contradiction between the date and time and the order of photographing.

  However, in this case, the date / time information associated with each image and the content of the image are associated with a discrepancy due to a time difference, for example, even if the image is actually taken outdoors in the daytime, the night time is associated. There is a case where a contradiction occurs.

  Therefore, various proposals have been made as means for solving such problems by, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-148952.

  The means disclosed in the above Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-148952 obtains two types of time, the reference time (home time) and the local time, from the clock function of the camera, and obtains these two date / time information. In other words, the image can be displayed superimposed on the captured image.

  On the other hand, the conventional digital camera is provided with information acquisition means for measuring its own position to obtain position information and date / time information, and together with image data acquired by the shooting operation, position information at the time of shooting acquired by the information acquisition means, etc. Various configurations have been proposed that can be recorded in association with each other.

  In this case, as information acquisition means for obtaining own position information and date / time information, for example, a positioning technique called a global positioning system (hereinafter referred to as GPS) or a global positioning system is widely used. This GPS can acquire information on the current position on the earth (latitude, longitude, altitude, etc.) and date / time information (Greenwich Mean Time; GMT) by receiving radio signals transmitted from a plurality of orbiting satellites. It is a satellite positioning system that can.

  In a digital camera equipped with such information acquisition means such as GPS, basically, image data is acquired by performing a shooting operation, and specific position information regarding the shooting location at the time of acquisition of the image data, Date / time information and the like are acquired, and the acquired various types of information (position data, time data, and the like) are associated with corresponding image data and recorded on a recording medium as an image file in a predetermined form.

In particular, with regard to an apparatus that acquires date and time information such as time data using the GPS, various proposals have been disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent No. 3130586 and Japanese Patent No. 3047868.
JP 2006-148952 A Japanese Patent No. 3130586 Japanese Patent No. 3047868

  However, the means disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2006-148952 only discloses that two times are superimposed on the image, and the two times are effectively used to reproduce and display the image. There is no disclosure about the form of image processing, the classification of images, and the like.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described points, and its object is to perform reproduction display of an image based on a plurality of image files acquired by a photographing operation in a digital camera, When displaying a calendar based on the date and time information at the time of shooting operation, it is possible to easily search and view images while minimizing the number of operations to be performed by the user, thereby obtaining good operability and image files. It is to provide a digital camera that can efficiently manage the camera.

  In order to achieve the above object, a digital camera according to the present invention includes a photographing means for photographing a subject to generate an image signal, a recording medium for recording an image file based on the image signal, and a display device for displaying information. A first clock means for setting a unique time, a second clock means for setting a time different from the first clock means, and date and time information at the time of the photographing operation by the photographing means. Image recording means for adding to the image file as the first shooting time and the second shooting time earned by the means and the second clock means, and the first shooting time as a first time system, A selection means for selecting and setting either one of the time systems with the second shooting time as the second time system, and an index image based on the image file recorded on the recording medium, Index display means for displaying on the display means together with the photographing time based on the time system selected in the above, a switching means for switching the set time system to the other time system, and the display means according to the switching operation by the switching means And a time display updating means for updating the display of the photographing time displayed on the screen.

  According to the present invention, when a digital camera performs playback display of an image based on a plurality of image files acquired by a shooting operation, and performs calendar display based on date and time information at the time of the shooting operation, the user It is possible to provide a digital camera that can easily perform image search and browsing while minimizing the number of operations to be performed, thereby obtaining good operability and efficiently managing image files. .

  The present invention will be described below with reference to the illustrated embodiments.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the main configuration of the digital camera according to the first embodiment of the present invention. 2 and 3 are diagrams showing a time setting screen displayed on the display device when setting the time in the digital camera of FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram conceptually showing the file structure of an image file generated and recorded by the digital camera of FIG. 5 to 8 are flowcharts for explaining the operation of the digital camera shown in FIG. Among these, FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an outline of the action at the time of photographing operation in the digital camera of FIG. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an operation when performing playback display in a calendar display form when the digital camera of FIG. 1 is operated in the playback mode. FIG. 7 is a flowchart for displaying the basic time in the calendar display process of FIG. FIG. 8 is a flowchart for displaying the additional time in the calendar display process of FIG. 9 and 10 are illustrations of display forms of calendar display by the digital camera of FIG. 1, and FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of calendar display based on the home country time as the basic time. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a calendar display based on the local time as the additional time.

  The digital camera according to the present embodiment receives, for example, a subject image formed by an optical lens or the like, and photoelectrically converts the image by an imaging element or the like, and generates an electrical image signal. Image recording means for recording the image signal thus recorded on a recording medium or the like as an image data file (hereinafter referred to as an image file) composed of digital image data and photographing data related thereto, and a plurality of transmission sources It is configured to include information acquisition means for receiving positioning signal and time data for receiving a GPS signal from a positioning satellite and specifying its own position on the earth. The image recording means is configured to record information such as the positioning data and time data in association with the image file.

  That is, the digital camera of the present embodiment has a lens 1, an imaging device 2, an imaging circuit 3, and an A / D converter (in FIG. 1, simply “A / D”) as shown in FIG. ) 4, signal processing circuit 5, frame memory 6, FIFO memory 7, TFT liquid crystal drive circuit 9, TFT panel 10, backlight unit 11, video output circuit 12, video output terminal 13, Recording buffer 14, recording medium interface (recording medium I / F) 15, recording medium 16, actuator 17, actuator drive circuit 18, external wired data interface (external wired data I / F) 22, and key matrix 23, LCD display circuit 24, LCD panel 25, battery 26, power supply circuit 27, backup power supply 28, battery state detection circuit 29, A CPU 31, and the CPU 32, the EEPROM 19, and the GPS signal calculation function unit 36, a GPS signal processing function unit 37 is mainly configured by the GPS antenna 38 and the like.

  The lens 1 is provided to form an optical subject image and form it on the light receiving surface of the image sensor 2.

  The image sensor 2 is an element that receives an optical subject image formed by the lens 1 and performs photoelectric conversion processing to output an electrical image signal. The image pickup device 2 is a solid-state image pickup device that can perform high-speed reading, and includes, for example, a CCD (charge coupled device), a CMOS (complementary metal oxide semiconductor), or other various types of image pickup devices. Can be applied.

  The imaging circuit 3 is an electronic circuit that receives an output signal from the imaging device 2 and performs various analog signal processing on the image signal.

  The A / D converter 4 is a circuit for receiving an analog image signal output from the imaging circuit 3 and converting it into a digital image signal.

  The signal processing circuit 5 is a circuit that receives the digital image signal output from the A / D converter 4 and performs various digital signal processing.

  The frame memory 6 is a temporary storage unit that receives the image signal processed by the signal processing circuit 5 and temporarily stores the processed image signal and various data related to the image signal. As the frame memory 6, for example, a semiconductor memory element such as SDRAM is applied.

  In the digital camera of the present embodiment, the subject is photographed by the lens 1, the image sensor 2, the image sensor 3, the A / D converter 4, the signal processing circuit 5, the frame memory 6 and the like, and the image signal is obtained. The main part of the imaging | photography means to produce | generate is comprised.

  The FIFO memory 7 is a memory provided to temporarily store the image signal when outputting the image signal to various display devices.

  The TFT liquid crystal driving circuit 9 is a circuit that receives the image signal output from the FIFO memory 7 and controls the TFT panel 10.

  The TFT panel 10 is a display unit for displaying an image based on an image signal, various kinds of information in the digital camera, and the like under the control of the TFT liquid crystal driving circuit 9, and is capable of color display.

  The backlight unit 11 is provided on the back side of the TFT panel 10 and illuminates the TFT panel 10 from the back side.

  In the digital camera according to the present embodiment, the above-described TFT liquid crystal driving circuit 9, TFT panel 10, backlight unit 11 and the like display the subject image photographed by the photographing means as electronic images in various forms. The main part of the display device, which is display means for displaying various information associated with the displayed image, is configured.

  The video output circuit 12 receives the image signal from the FIFO memory 7, converts it into, for example, an NTSC format video signal, and outputs it to the external display device connected to the video output terminal 13 via the video output terminal 13. It is a circuit for doing.

  The video output terminal 13 is a connection terminal for connecting a signal line such as a video cable for electrically connecting the digital camera and an external display device.

  The recording buffer 14 records or records on the recording medium 16 as an image file composed of image data generated on the basis of the image signal temporarily stored in the frame memory 6 and photographing data associated therewith. This is a buffer (temporary storage area) used when, for example, a recorded image file is read from the medium 16 and temporarily stored in the frame memory 6.

  The recording medium I / F 15 is for controlling recording processing of image data and the like on the recording medium 16 and reading processing of image data and the like from the recording medium 16.

  The recording medium 16 is a non-volatile recording medium for recording an image file generated by including image data based on an image signal generated by the imaging means and other various data, for example, a memory having a thin plate shape or a card shape. Card etc. The recording medium 16 has various forms such as a form that can be attached to and detached from a device such as a digital camera and a form that is fixed to an electric circuit inside the device such as a digital camera. Any one of them can be applied to the digital camera of this embodiment.

  An image to be recorded on the recording medium 16 by the above-described recording buffer 14, the recording medium I / F 15, the recording medium 16 and the like, and the image data obtained by photographing by the photographing means and the accompanying photographing data. The main part of the recording means is configured.

  The actuator 17 is a drive source for driving the lens 1 to perform an autofocus operation or a zooming operation.

  The actuator drive circuit 18 is a circuit that controls and drives the actuator 17 based on the control of the first CPU 31.

  An external wired data interface (external wired data I / F) 22 is a connection portion (interface) for transmitting and receiving data and the like between the digital camera and an external device via a connection cable. ((Universal Serial Bus)) standards and IEEE 1394 standards are applied.

  The external wired data interface (external wired data I / F) 22 and a connection cable (not shown) constitute a main part of wired communication means for transmitting / receiving information to / from an external device in a wired manner.

  The key matrix 23 is used as a general term for operation input means including various operation switches and operation buttons provided in the digital camera of the present embodiment. That is, specific configuration examples of the key matrix 23 include, for example, a power button for instructing to switch the power state of the digital camera to an on or off state, a release button for instructing to start a photographing operation, and a zoom of the lens 1. When performing a zoom button for instructing operation, a four-way selection key (also called a cross key) used when performing various settings such as shooting mode selection setting and time setting, and a determination instruction for confirming the selected setting Various operation members such as a determination button (OK button) to be used, a switch member that generates a predetermined instruction signal in conjunction with each of the plurality of operation members, and an electric circuit that transmits the instruction signal from each switch member Etc. Signals generated by operating various operation members in the key matrix 23 by the user are output to the first CPU 31.

  The LCD display circuit 24 is a circuit that controls the LCD panel 25 based on the control of the first CPU 31 and displays various information on the LCD panel 25.

  The LCD panel 25 is constituted by, for example, a monochrome LCD or the like, and various setting information that has been set in the digital camera, for example, operation mode information such as a shooting mode, the number of images that can be recorded on the recording medium 16, and a shutter at the time of shooting. It is an information display member that displays information on exposure, such as speed and aperture value, date information, and the like.

  The battery 26 is a main power source in the digital camera. The battery 26 supplies power to each electric circuit in the digital camera, such as an image capturing unit including the image pickup device 2, an image recording unit including the recording medium 16, and an information acquiring unit including the GPS antenna 38. It is supposed to be.

  The backup power supply 28 is provided to always supply the minimum necessary power to the first CPU 31 and the like of the digital camera. For example, information such as various setting values and date / time information in the digital camera. Etc., or a sub power source for allowing date display to be performed at any time using the LCD panel 25 or the like.

  The power supply circuit 27 is a circuit that receives power from the battery 26 and the backup power supply 28 based on a command from the first CPU 31 and performs control to supply the power appropriately to each electric circuit in the digital camera.

  The battery state detection circuit 29 is a circuit that detects a charge state of the battery 26 such as a voltage in the battery 26, calculates a remaining battery amount of the battery 26, and outputs the result to the first CPU 31. That is, the battery state detection circuit 29 is power supply state detection means for detecting the charge state of the battery 26 (power supply).

  The first CPU 31 is arranged as a main CPU. The first CPU 31 is a control means for comprehensively controlling each circuit in the digital camera of the present embodiment. For this purpose, the first CPU 31 of the digital camera includes a system control unit 31a for appropriately controlling (controlling) the entire system of the digital camera.

  Inside the system control unit 31a, there are various control circuits for realizing various functions such as various electric circuits, such as a GPS control function unit 31b, a file management function unit 31c, a calendar display function unit 31d, and a clock function unit 31e. It is configured.

  Here, the GPS control function unit 31b is an electric circuit that constitutes a part of the information acquisition unit and functions as a control unit of the information acquisition unit.

  The file management function unit 31c, in addition to shooting data to be associated with the image data obtained by the shooting means, that is, exposure data and date / time data at the time of shooting, various GPS related data (GPS signals obtained by the information acquisition means) And various types of information such as two types of time data from the clock function unit 31e, and a function of managing these various types of data as a data file. Yes.

  For this purpose, the file management function unit 31 c is connected to the second CPU 32, and data transmission is performed between the file management function unit 31 c and the second CPU 32. Then, the file management function unit 31c performs processing for adding shooting data, various GPS-related data, time data, and the like to the image data handled by the second CPU 32, so that the image data, shooting data to be associated with this, time Signal processing or the like for generating one image file by combining data and the like is performed.

  The calendar display function unit 31d reads the date / time information from the clock function unit 31e, displays a calendar image on the screen of the TFT panel 10 in the display device based on the date / time information, and is acquired by the shooting operation and recorded in the recording medium 16 The plurality of image files are classified by date based on a predetermined condition, for example, date / time information recorded in the image file, and the result of the classification is reflected in the calendar image in a corresponding date field. Is a circuit having a function of displaying an index image based on the representative image file, that is, a thumbnail image.

  That is, in this case, the index image (the thumbnail image of the representative image file) generated based on the image file recorded on the recording medium 16 is displayed together with the shooting time by the time system selected by the selection unit. Can do. In this case, the selection means for selecting a time system is the key matrix 23 and the first CPU 31 that receives and controls the key matrix 23, and the first CPU 31 and the display device function as index display means. The key matrix 23 also functions as switching means for switching the set time system to the other time system.

  The clock function unit 31e is a real-time clock (RTC) and is an electric circuit that provides data such as “year”, “month”, “day”, “hour”, “minute”, “second”, and the like. is there. The date and time information generated by the clock function unit 31e is the date and time information that is used as a reference for the digital camera when set by a user using a predetermined operation member of the key matrix 23. And a second clock means for setting an additional time representing a time different from the basic time set by the first clock means. .

  In other words, in this digital camera, two different types of date and time information can be set by the clock function unit 31e having the first clock unit and the second clock unit, and the respective date and time information can be continued. Can be held. These two types of date and time settings can be arbitrarily set by the user.

  In this case, as the setting of the basic time, a standard time (so-called home time) in an environment (location) when the digital camera is mainly used is selected in a normal case. In addition, as the setting of the additional time, for example, when the environment has a time difference due to a long-distance travel or the like, that is, when the standard time is different from the basic time, the standard time (so-called local time) at the destination is selected. .

  The clock function unit 31e can acquire date and time information at the time of the photographing operation by the photographing means. In this case, the date and time information acquired by the first clock means is added to the image file by the image recording means as the first shooting time based on the time information set as the basic time. The date and time information acquired by the second clock means is added to the image file by the image recording means as the second shooting time based on the time information set as the additional time.

  The first CPU 31 is a control unit that controls each component of the digital camera as described above. On the other hand, the second CPU 32 is a control unit that performs various processing controls mainly for handling image data and the like. For this purpose, the second CPU 32 includes an image compression / decompression unit 32a, a recording medium access unit 32b, and the like.

  The image compression / decompression unit 32a reads the image data stored in the frame memory 6, generates a single image file by combining the image data and the shooting information associated therewith, and for example, JPEG compression is performed on the image file. The circuit unit performs processing and the like, and performs decompression processing and the like for the compressed image file read from the recording medium 16 via the recording medium access unit 32b.

  The recording medium access unit 32 b is a circuit unit for controlling access to the recording medium 16 by the recording medium interface 15.

  That is, the second CPU 32 receives the image file generated by the file management function unit 31c of the first CPU 31, controls the image compression / decompression unit 32a to perform compression processing of the image file, and has a form suitable for recording. After the compressed image file is generated, the recording medium access unit 32b is controlled to transmit and record the compressed image file to the recording medium 16 via the recording buffer 14 and the recording medium I / F 15.

  The second CPU 32 controls the recording medium access unit 32b to read the recorded compressed image file from the recording medium 16 via the recording buffer 14 and the recording medium I / F 15, and controls the image compression / decompression unit 32a. It has a function of performing expansion processing.

  The EEPROM 19 is a non-volatile storage medium that stores and holds processing programs (application software) executed by the first CPU 31 and the second CPU 32, various setting data, unique data, and the like in the digital camera. For example, a flash ROM is used as the EEPROM 19.

  The GPS antenna 38 is a part of receiving means for receiving GPS signals transmitted from a plurality of positioning satellites, and is an input unit for the GPS signals. The GPS antenna 38 is connected to a GPS signal processing function unit 37 that constitutes another part of the receiving means. Thereby, the GPS signal from the positioning satellite received by the GPS antenna 38 is output to the GPS signal processing function unit 37.

  The GPS signal processing function unit 37 receives the GPS signal received by the GPS antenna 38, measures the intensity of the received signal, and performs frequency conversion (down-conversion) processing and analog-digital conversion on the received GPS signal. This circuit has a function of performing signal processing such as processing.

  The GPS signal processing function unit 37 is connected to the GPS signal calculation function unit 36 and the first CPU 31 and operates under the control of the first CPU 31, and the signal after the signal processing is transmitted between the GPS signal calculation function unit 36 and the first CPU 31. Outputs to both.

  The GPS signal calculation function unit 36 performs a predetermined calculation process on the GPS signal signal-processed by the GPS signal processing function unit 37, and captures the GPS signal from the positioning satellite that is transmitting the received GPS signal. This circuit has a function of tracking. The GPS signal calculation function unit 36 is connected to the first CPU 31, operates under the control of the first CPU 31, and outputs the calculation result to the first CPU 31.

  Position information for specifying the position of the digital camera on the earth by the GPS antenna 38, the GPS signal processing function unit 37, the GPS signal calculation function unit 36, etc., and the GPS control function unit 31b in the system control unit 31a of the first CPU 31. The main part of the information acquisition means which acquires date information, etc. is comprised.

  In addition, about the structure of the part which is not related to this invention, it is assumed that it is normally comprised similarly to a general digital camera, and illustration and description are abbreviate | omitted about the detailed structure.

  The digital camera of this embodiment configured as described above can set two pieces of date and time information, that is, a basic time and an additional time, individually by the clock function unit 31e of the system control unit 31a of the first CPU 31. It has become.

  The date and time information can be arbitrarily set by the user using a predetermined operation member of the key matrix 23.

  Here, an outline of an operation when setting date / time information (time setting operation) in the digital camera will be described.

  First, the user uses a predetermined operation member of the key matrix 23 in the digital camera, for example, a menu button for calling various setting screens, to display a menu screen (not shown) on the TFT panel 10 of the display device. .

  The user selects a time setting mode for setting date and time information from the menu screen using a predetermined operation member of the key matrix 23, for example, a four-way selection key, and determines it with the determination button.

  Then, a time setting screen 10 a as shown in FIG. 2 is displayed on the TFT panel 10. The time setting screen 10a displays first date / time information 10b set as a basic time in the digital camera and second date / time information 10c set as an additional time.

  In the example shown in FIG. 2, the date and time information “2006.01.12: 30” is set as the basic time as shown in the frame indicated by reference numeral 10 b. On the other hand, as the additional time, as shown in the frame indicated by reference numeral 10c, it is “OFF”, that is, a state where no setting is made.

  As described above, on the time setting screen 10a in which the basic time is displayed as “2006.01.12: 30” and the additional time is displayed as “OFF” (the state in FIG. 2), the user selects the key The frame 10c displayed as “OFF” by the four-way selection key of the matrix 23 is set to the selected state (for example, the color display of the frame changes), and the determination button of the key matrix 23 is operated in this state.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 3, a frame indicated by reference numeral 10d is newly displayed at a position adjacent to the display of the frame 10c. In the display of the frame 10d, the date and time information “2006.01.2.0:30” of the set additional time is displayed simultaneously with the “ON” display indicating that the additional time is set. Here, the user operates one of the up / down direction keys of the four-direction selection key of the key matrix 23 to select one of the frames 10c and 10d, and the selected state (for example, the color display of the frame changes). ).

  Here, for example, when the frame 10d is selected, the key matrix 23 is again operated by arbitrarily operating the up / down / left / right direction keys of the four-way selection key to set the year / month / day / hour / minute and then the key matrix. 23 decision buttons are operated. Thereby, additional time can be set to desired time.

  For example, when the frame 10c is selected, the determination button of the key matrix 23 is operated in that state. Thereby, the additional time can be set to OFF.

  That is, when the basic time setting is performed using the key matrix 23 and the additional time setting is not performed (set to OFF), when the photographing operation is performed in this state, the date / time information at the time of the photographing operation is the basic information. Based on the time, the first shooting time is recorded. In this case, the first shooting time is a first time system.

  Similarly, when the basic time is set using the key matrix 23 and the additional time setting is also set, the date and time information at the time of the shooting operation is based on the basic time when the shooting operation is performed in this state. Both the first shooting time and the second shooting time based on the additional time are recorded. In this case, the second shooting time is the second time system.

  During the shooting operation, one of the first time system and the second time system is selected and set. The key matrix 23 functions as selection means for that purpose.

  When these series of setting operations are completed, the user operates, for example, the menu button of the key matrix 23 to return to the normal shooting mode or the playback mode from the time setting screen 10a via the menu screen.

  Thus, in the digital camera of this embodiment, two time settings can be performed with a single device.

  The photographing operation process in the digital camera of the present embodiment is a process normally performed by a general digital camera. Thus, image data including a desired subject image is acquired. Then, the image data acquired by this shooting operation is generated as one image file together with various shooting data together with time data about date and time information set in advance by the digital camera under the control of the first CPU 31. The image file is recorded in a predetermined area of the recording medium 16 as an image data file in a predetermined form under the control of the second CPU 32.

  In this case, when only the basic time is set as the set date and time information and the additional time is not set, that is, when it is in the “OFF” state as shown in FIG. 2, it is recorded in the image file. The time data to be processed is only the basic time.

  If the set date and time information is set to the basic time and the additional time is also set, both the basic time and the additional time are recorded in the time data recorded in the image file. The

  Note that the basic time cannot be set to “OFF”, that is, not set, and is always set without being set by the user. Therefore, in this digital camera, at least one or more time data is always recorded in the header portion of the image file generated along with the photographing operation.

  That is, in this case, the file structure of the image file generated by the digital camera of the present embodiment and recorded on the recording medium 16 is photographed in a predetermined area of the header portion indicated by symbol A as shown in FIG. The basic time information and the additional time information are stored as the date, that is, the date and time information at the time when the photographing operation is performed, and the image data body is recorded in the area indicated by the symbol B.

  Next, the operation during the photographing operation of the digital camera of this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  First, when the user turns on the power button of the key matrix 23 of the digital camera, the digital camera is activated.

  In step S1 shown in FIG. 5, the first CPU 31 executes initialization processing of the camera internal circuit. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S2.

  In step S2, the first CPU 31 confirms the currently set date and time information by referring to the clock function unit 31e and the like. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S3.

  In step S <b> 3, the first CPU 31 confirms whether or not a shooting operation instruction signal, that is, a release signal or the like has occurred. This release signal is an instruction signal generated from a release switch or the like interlocked with the release button when the user operates the release button or the like of the key matrix 23, for example. If the photographing instruction signal is not confirmed here, the process proceeds to step S6. On the other hand, if the photographing instruction signal is confirmed, the process proceeds to the next step S4.

  In step S4, the first CPU 31 executes a shooting operation process. This shooting operation process is an operation process executed by the first CPU 31 by controlling the shooting means, and is exactly the same as the shooting operation process in a general digital camera. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S5.

  In step S <b> 5, the first CPU 31 executes a process for recording the set date / time information as data of the shooting date / time of the image. Thereby, an image file formed including various information such as image data and time data associated therewith is generated. This image file is recorded in a predetermined area of the recording medium 16 through the second CPU 32, the recording buffer 14, and the recording medium I / F 15 by a normal procedure. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S6.

  The date / time information recorded in the header portion of the image file in the process of step S5 is based on the information of the set date / time confirmed in the process of step S2. That is, when only the basic time is set as the date and time information set in the digital camera and no additional time is set, only the basic time is recorded. Further, when the basic time and the additional time are set as the set date and time information, both the basic time and the additional time are recorded.

  In step S6, the first CPU 31 determines whether or not the operation mode of the digital camera has been instructed to change from the shooting mode currently being executed to the playback mode, or whether or not the power state has been turned off (power off). Check.

  If it is determined that the playback mode has not been changed and the power is still on, the process returns to the above-described step S2, and the subsequent processes are repeated. On the other hand, when an instruction to change to the playback mode is given, or when it is determined that the power is switched off (powered off), a series of processing is ended and the mode is shifted to the playback mode. Alternatively, power off processing is executed.

  Next, when the digital camera is operated in the playback mode, an operation when performing playback display in the calendar display mode will be described with reference to FIG.

  In the digital camera of the present embodiment, the playback display mode that can be selected as the operation mode in the playback mode is, for example, a normal display mode for displaying one image using the entire display screen of the display device, and a plurality of display screens. In addition to the split display mode in which thumbnail images are displayed in order of shooting in each divided area, a calendar display is performed, and all image files recorded on the recording medium 16 are classified by date information, and each date column is supported. There is a calendar display mode for displaying a thumbnail image of a representative image of a group of image files having date information.

  In the following description, an operation when the digital camera is activated in the playback mode and the calendar display mode is selected as the operation mode of the playback mode will be described.

  When the digital camera is activated in the playback mode and the calendar display mode is selected, the user operates a menu button of the key matrix 23 to display a predetermined menu screen on the display device. In the menu screen, the display mode is selected and set in the calendar display mode. This selection / setting operation uses four-way selection keys, a determination button, and the like of the key matrix 23.

  In the present embodiment, two types of display modes can be selected as the calendar display mode. One is a display form for performing calendar display based on the basic time as date and time information of the image file recorded on the recording medium 16, and the other is a display form for displaying calendar based on the additional time.

  In this embodiment, an image file group (additional time is off) shot with only the home time set as the basic time and local time (such as a travel destination) are added as the additional time. It is assumed that the image file group (additional time is turned on and has two date and time information of basic time and additional time) recorded in a mixed manner in the recording medium 16.

First, in step S <b> 11, the first CPU 31 monitors an instruction signal that is generated when the user performs a selection setting operation for the display mode in the calendar display mode.

  In the next step S12, the first CPU 31 checks whether or not the display mode selected in the above-described step S11 is a display form based on the basic time (home country time). Here, when the display form based on the basic time (home country time) is selected, the process proceeds to the next step S13.

  In step S13, the first CPU 31 performs a calendar display process based on the basic time. Details of the basic time calendar display process will be described later with reference to FIG. Then, after the basic time calendar display process is executed, the process proceeds to step S15.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S12 described above that the selected display mode is not the basic time display, that is, if it is determined that the display mode based on the additional time (local time) is selected, the processing in step S14 is performed. Proceed to

  In step S14, the first CPU 31 performs a calendar display process based on the additional time. Details of this additional time calendar display processing will be described later with reference to FIG. And after this additional time calendar display process is performed, it progresses to the process of step S15.

  In the state where the calendar display is performed by the above-described processes of step S13 and step S14, for example, the display device can be operated by operating one of the up / down / left / right direction keys of the four-way selection key of the key matrix 23 by the user. It functions as time display update means for changing the display time range (time interval) of the image and calendar displayed on the screen.

  That is, in the example shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the calendar for September 2006 is displayed. In this state, among the above operations, for example, when the left direction key of the four-way selection key of the key matrix 23 is operated, a calendar for a predetermined time interval, for example, the previous month (August 2006) is displayed with respect to the displayed calendar month. Is done. Further, when the right arrow key is operated, a calendar for the next month (October 2006) is displayed with respect to the displayed calendar month. When the same direction key is operated, a calendar of the same month of the previous year (September 2005) is displayed with respect to the displayed calendar month. Further, when the same down arrow key is operated, the calendar month of the next year (September 2007) is displayed with respect to the displayed calendar month, and the display time range according to the calendar month to be displayed can be changed. It is like that.

  Returning to FIG. 6, in step S15, the first CPU 31 checks whether or not the display time range has been changed. That is, the first CPU 31 monitors an instruction signal generated by operating the four-way selection key of the key matrix 23, and confirms whether or not the instruction signal is generated. Here, if it is confirmed that the display time range change instruction has been made, the process proceeds to step S18.

  In step S18, the first CPU 31 executes a display calendar month changing process. Thereafter, the processing returns to the above-described step S12, and the subsequent processing is repeated.

  On the other hand, if it is confirmed in the process of step S15 described above that the display time range change instruction has not been issued, the process proceeds to step S16.

  In step S16, the first CPU 31 confirms whether or not the display form of the calendar display mode has been changed. Here, when the display mode is changed by the user, switching from the currently selected display mode (either basic time display or additional time display) to another display mode is performed. If this is confirmed, the process returns to step S12 described above, and the subsequent processes are repeated.

  That is, in this case, when the first CPU 31 performs a switching operation using the switching means in response to the key matrix 23 and its instruction signal, the display of the photographing time displayed on the display device is updated accordingly. It has become so. Thereby, the first CPU 31 and the key matrix 23 also function as a time display update unit.

  On the other hand, if it is confirmed in the process of step S16 that the display mode of the calendar display mode has not been changed, the process proceeds to the next step S17.

  In step S17, the first CPU 31 checks whether or not an instruction to end the calendar display mode has been issued. Here, when the instruction to end the calendar display mode is not confirmed, the processing returns to the above-described step S15 and the subsequent processing is repeated. On the other hand, when the instruction to end the calendar display mode is confirmed, the series of processing ends.

  Next, details of the basic time calendar display process performed in the process of step S13 of FIG. 6 will be described below (see FIG. 7).

  The calendar display based on the home time as the basic time is, for example, the display form shown in FIG. 9, and such a display form is realized by the processing according to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  That is, first, the first CPU 31 drives and controls the second CPU 32 and the display device to display a general calendar on the display screen of the TFT panel 10 in which date fields are displayed side by side on the squares. In a normal case, the first calendar displayed is a calendar corresponding to the current month obtained by the first CPU 31 referring to the clock function unit 31e.

  At the same time, the first CPU 31 performs a classification process based on the date / time information described in the image file for all the image files recorded on the recording medium 16.

  In this classification process, first, in step S21 of FIG. 7, the first CPU 31 controls the recording medium I / F 15 via the second CPU 32 to read out the image file recorded on the recording medium 16, and the image file. Search processing of time information described in the header part. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S22.

  In step S22, the first CPU 31 checks whether additional time information is described in the header portion of the image file. If it is confirmed that the additional time information is described, the process proceeds to step S23. If the additional time information is not described, the process proceeds to step S24.

  In the process of step S22 described above, when it is confirmed that the additional time information is described in the header part and the process proceeds to the process of step S23, in this step S23, the first CPU 31 describes the additional time information in the header part. The image file is classified as an additional time image file. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S25.

  On the other hand, when it is confirmed that the additional time information is not described in the header part in the process of step S22 described above, the process proceeds to step S24. In this step S24, the first CPU 31 stores the additional time information in the header part. An image file that is not described (the described time information is only basic time information) is classified as a basic time image file. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S25.

  In step S <b> 25, the first CPU 31 confirms whether confirmation of time information for all image files has been completed. If all the image file confirmation processes have not been completed, the process proceeds to step S21 described above, and the subsequent processes are repeated. On the other hand, if it is confirmed that the confirmation process for all the image files has been completed, the process proceeds to the next step S26.

  As described above, all the image files recorded on the recording medium 16 have both the basic time and the additional time, and the image file group having only the basic time, through the processes of the above-described steps S21 to S25. They are broadly classified into image file groups.

  Subsequently, in step S26, the first CPU 31 executes a process of picking up an image file in the currently set display target range (for example, the current month. In the example of FIG. 9, one month is September 2006). Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S27.

  Note that the display target range defined in the process of step S26 is referred to the basic time of the clock function unit 31e of the first CPU 31, that is, the current home time information.

  In step S27, the first CPU 31 executes a grouping process for classifying the corresponding image file picked up in the process of step S26 described above for each date. In the grouping process for each date, the date serving as a reference for classification is basic time information included in each image file. As a result, the corresponding image files (a plurality of image files included in the predetermined display target range) picked up in the process of step S26 described above are classified for each date based on the basic time information of each image file. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S28.

  In step S28, the first CPU 31 adds an image file group belonging to a specific date among the image file groups for each date classified by the processing in step S27 described above, that is, the grouping processing for each date based on the basic time information. It is confirmed whether or not it is a set of only image files having time information (additional time image files).

  That is, in this processing step, it is confirmed whether or not the image file group of the specific date is an image file group photographed at a travel destination or the like based on the set additional time.

  Here, when it is determined that the image file group of the specific date is a set including not only the additional time image file but also the image file having only the home time information (image taken in the home country based on the basic time). The process proceeds to step S29.

  In step S29, the first CPU 31 performs a process of displaying the thumbnail image of the first image file in the image file group of the specific date in the normal format in the corresponding date field on the calendar. A specific display form example is, for example, a form like a thumbnail image 10e shown in FIG.

  Specifically, a thumbnail image based on a representative image file among the image file group classified as the specific date is displayed in the corresponding date field of the calendar on the display screen of the TFT panel 10. This representative image file is, for example, an image (referred to as the top image) based on the image file having the oldest or latest time stamp in the image file group of the specific date.

  In the process of step S29, the display process in the normal form is performed because the group of image files classified into a specific date corresponding to the date column to be displayed is a set of only image files having additional time information. Cases other than.

  In this way, when the thumbnail image display processing for the corresponding date field is completed for one image file group of a specific date, the process proceeds to step S31.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in the process of step S28 that the image file of the specific date is only an additional time image (that is, a set of only image files having additional time information), the process of step S30 is performed. move on.

  In step S30, the first CPU 31 performs a process of displaying the thumbnail image of the first image file in the image file group of the specific date in a translucent display form in the corresponding date field on the calendar. A specific display form example is, for example, a form like a thumbnail image 10f shown in FIG. However, in FIG. 9, as an expression for representing the semi-transparent display, the thumbnail image 10 f is indicated by hatching.

  The semi-transparent display may be any display that can identify that the thumbnail image 10f to be displayed is an additional time image, and other display methods may be employed. As the additional time image identification display other than the semi-transparent display of the thumbnail image, for example, a part such as a peripheral frame of the date column is colored and displayed, or a part of the thumbnail image is displayed with some mark. But you can. The specific display process is substantially the same as the display process in the normal form in step S29 described above, except that the display is made semi-transparent.

  In the process of step S30, the display process in the semi-transparent form is performed only when the image file group classified into the specific date corresponding to the date column to be displayed is only an image file having additional time information. The case is a set. However, in this case, although it is an image file having additional time information, the date field displayed on the calendar is based on the basic time information.

  In this way, when the thumbnail image display processing for the corresponding date field is completed for one image file group of a specific date, the process proceeds to step S31.

  In step S31, the first CPU 31 checks whether or not the necessary display processing for all date fields in the display target range currently set has been completed. If all the display processes have not been completed, the process returns to the above-described step S27 and the subsequent processes are repeated. If all the display processes have been completed, the series of processes is terminated, and the process returns to the original process step in FIG. 6 (return).

  Next, details of the additional time calendar display process performed in the process of step S14 of FIG. 6 described above will be described below (see FIG. 8).

  The calendar display based on the local time as the additional time is, for example, the display form shown in FIG. 10, and such a display form is realized by the processing according to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  In this case, the calendar display process based on the additional time (local time) is basically the same process as the calendar display process based on the basic time (local time) shown in FIG. 7 except for some processing steps. It is. Therefore, in order to avoid overlapping description with the description of FIG. 7 described above, the same processing steps are given the same step numbers, the description thereof is omitted, and only different processing steps are described below.

  When performing the calendar display process, first, a calendar is displayed on the display screen of the TFT panel 10 under the control of the first CPU 31. At the same time, a classification process based on the date / time information for all image files recorded on the recording medium 16 is performed under the control of the first CPU 31. This classification process is the same process as the basic time calendar display process of FIG. 7 described above (see steps S21 to S25 of FIGS. 7 and 8).

  That is, in the process up to step S25, for all the image files recorded on the recording medium 16, there are broad classifications into an image file group having only basic time and an image file group having both basic time and additional time. After that, the process proceeds to step S32 in FIG.

  In step S32, the first CPU 31 displays a display target range (for example, the current month) currently set for the image file group having additional time information among the image file groups classified in the processing up to step S25 described above. In the example of 10, the processing for picking up an image file for one month in September 2006 is executed. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S27.

  Note that the display target range defined in the process of step S32 refers to the basic time of the clock function unit 31e of the first CPU 31, that is, the current home country time information.

  In step S27, the first CPU 31 executes a grouping process for classifying the corresponding image file picked up in the process of step S32 described above for each date. In the grouping process for each date, the date serving as a reference for classification is additional time information included in each image file. As a result, the corresponding image file (a plurality of image files included in the predetermined display target range) picked up in the process of step S32 described above is classified for each date based on the additional time information included in each image file. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S33.

  In step S33, the first CPU 31 performs a process of displaying the thumbnail image of the first image file in the image file group of the specific date in the normal date format in the corresponding date field on the calendar. A specific display form example is, for example, a form like a thumbnail image 10h shown in FIG. That is, in this case, the thumbnail image is displayed in the normal form in the date field corresponding to the additional time information of the image file to be displayed. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S31.

  In step S31, the first CPU 31 checks whether or not necessary display processing for all date fields in the display target range currently set has been completed. If all the display processes have not been completed, the process returns to the above-described step S27 and the subsequent processes are repeated. If all the display processes have been completed, the series of processes is terminated, and the process returns to the original process step in FIG. 6 (return).

  In FIG. 10, a thumbnail image 10 g of semi-transparent display (shown with diagonal lines) is described. This thumbnail image 10g also describes a display example in the case of displaying an image file group classified as having only basic time, for example. Therefore, the thumbnail image 10g of FIG. 10 is not displayed in the processing sequence shown in the flowchart of FIG.

  As described above, according to the first embodiment, the first clock means for setting the basic time that is the date and time information that is the reference in the digital camera and represents the unique time in the digital camera, and the first clock By providing a clock function unit 31e including a second clock means for setting an additional time representing a time different from the basic time set by the clock means, two types of different date and time information can be set arbitrarily. At the same time, each date / time information can be held continuously. When a shooting operation is performed with the additional time set out of the two types of date / time information settings, two date / time information of the basic time and the additional time are recorded in the header portion of the image file. It is configured.

  Furthermore, when performing a reproduction display operation in a calendar display mode for a plurality of image files recorded on the recording medium 16, a calendar based on the basic time is based on two pieces of date / time information recorded in the image file. A display form (basic time display form) and a calendar display form (additional time display form) based on the additional time can be selected.

  Therefore, when the calendar display is performed in the basic time display form, there is a discrepancy between the image content and the date / time information regarding the image display of the image file having the additional time, but the time for all the image files Can be displayed in the correct order. Since the image display of the image file having the additional time can be visually easily distinguished from the image file having only the basic time by means such as translucent display, a calendar display without a sense of incongruity is performed. be able to.

  On the other hand, when the calendar display is performed in the additional time display mode, the display is based on the local time, so that the image display of the image file having the additional time can be displayed in a state where the image contents and the date / time information correspond to each other. In addition, the image file having only the home country time is not displayed (or translucent display), so that it is possible to display the calendar without any sense of incongruity without causing any contradiction in the temporal relationship. .

  Next, a digital camera according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described below.

  In the digital camera of the first embodiment described above, an example in which the basic time setting is assigned to the home country time and the additional time setting is assigned to the local time is used as two date and time information that can be set. ing. However, the setting assigned to each of the two pieces of date / time information is not limited to the example shown in the first embodiment.

  In the digital camera of the second embodiment to be described next, the basic time is set as a reference date and time such as the home country time as in the first embodiment, while the additional time is set. It is the example comprised so that the standard time data acquired from the positioning satellite by GPS might be set.

  The configuration of the digital camera according to the present embodiment is substantially the same as that of the first embodiment described above, and only the control and operation thereof are slightly different. Therefore, in the present embodiment, illustration of the main configuration and detailed description thereof are omitted, and reference is made to FIG. 1 used in the first embodiment described above.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram conceptually showing the file structure of an image file generated and recorded by the digital camera of this embodiment. Moreover, FIG. 12 is a flowchart which shows the effect | action at the time of setting the time data acquired using GPS among the effect | actions of the digital camera of the 2nd Embodiment of this invention as additional time.

  The file structure of the image file generated by the digital camera of the present embodiment and recorded on the recording medium 16 is as shown in FIG.

  That is, camera setting time information and GPS time information are stored as a shooting date, that is, date and time information at the time when the shooting operation is performed, in a predetermined area of the header portion indicated by reference numeral A in FIG. The image data main body is recorded on the screen.

  In this case, the camera set time information is set time that is date and time information that can be arbitrarily set by the user, for example, time data such as the home country time and the local time. That is, the camera setting time information is time data related to the second time acquired by the second clock means.

  The GPS time information is standard time data acquired by using GPS at the time of shooting operation, and this standard time data is recorded in the header portion of the image file and the second clock is added as additional time information. Time information automatically set by the means.

  The GPS time information is obtained by receiving the positioning data transmitted from the positioning satellite by the GPS antenna 38 and extracting the time data included in the received positioning data by the information acquisition means. The GPS time information obtained in this way is automatically set as additional time by the second clock means in the clock function unit 31e of the first CPU 31. In this case, as means for acquiring date and time information such as standard time data from a positioning satellite using GPS, conventional means disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent No. 3130586 and Japanese Patent No. 3047886 are applied.

  Next, the action at the time of the photographing operation of the digital camera of this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  First, when the user turns on the power button of the key matrix 23 of the digital camera, the digital camera is activated.

  In step S41 shown in FIG. 12, the first CPU 31 executes initialization processing of the camera internal circuit. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S42.

  In step S42, the first CPU 31 controls information acquisition means such as the GPS antenna 38, the GPS signal processing function unit 37, and the GPS signal calculation function unit 36 via the GPS control function unit 31b in the system control unit 31a, and performs predetermined processing. The execution of the GPS time acquisition operation process is started. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S43.

  In step S43, the first CPU 31 confirms whether or not a shooting operation instruction signal (release signal or the like) has been generated. If the shooting instruction signal is not confirmed, the process proceeds to step S46. On the other hand, if the photographing instruction signal is confirmed, the process proceeds to the next step S44.

  In step S44, the first CPU 31 executes a shooting operation process. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S45.

  In step S45, the first CPU 31 executes a GPS time information recording process. The GPS time information recorded here is time data corresponding to the time of occurrence of the shooting instruction signal among the standard time data acquired by the information acquisition means using GPS. And the process which records this time data as data of the photographing date and time of the image is the GPS time information recording process of this processing step.

  In this way, an image file is generated that includes image data acquired by the shooting operation and various information such as time data and shooting data associated therewith. This image file is recorded in a predetermined area of the recording medium 16 through the second CPU 32, the recording buffer 14, and the recording medium I / F 15 by a normal procedure. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S46.

  Note that the date and time information recorded in the header portion of the image file in the process of step S45 is acquired using the time data of the basic time set in the digital camera and the GPS, and is set as the additional time. Both GPS time data.

  However, depending on the environment in which the digital camera is placed at the time of shooting, there is a possibility that acquisition of GPS time information may fail in the GPS time acquisition operation. In this case, since GPS time information cannot be set as an additional time, only preset basic time information is recorded in the header portion of the image file generated during the shooting operation.

  Subsequently, in step S46, the first CPU 31 determines whether the operation mode of the digital camera has been instructed to change from the shooting mode currently being executed to the playback mode, or whether the power state has been turned off (power off). Confirm whether or not.

  If it is determined that the playback mode has not been changed and the power is still on, the process returns to the above-described step S2, and the subsequent processes are repeated. On the other hand, when an instruction to change to the playback mode is given, or when it is determined that the power is switched off (powered off), a series of processing is ended and the mode is shifted to the playback mode. Alternatively, power off processing is executed.

  The plurality of image files acquired in this way and recorded on the recording medium 16 can be reproduced and displayed by operating the digital camera in the reproduction mode, and the reproduction and display in the calendar display form is performed. Can do.

  The operation of the reproduction display in the calendar display form is the same as that in the first embodiment described above, except that the GPS time information is handled as the additional time.

  As described above, according to the second embodiment, the clock function unit 31e including the first clock means for setting the basic time and the second clock means for setting the additional time is provided, and the GPS is used. The time data (GPS time information) acquired by the acquired information acquisition means can be set as the additional time. Since the GPS time information can be automatically acquired along with the photographing operation, the user can always acquire it without being aware of the setting of the additional time of the two types of date and time information. it can.

  In the second embodiment, when the digital camera is activated in the shooting mode, the GPS time acquisition operation is continuously performed (see FIG. 12). However, as described above, if the GPS time acquisition operation is executed and the acquisition of the standard time data at the time of the shooting operation is successful even once, the acquired time information can be set as the additional time by the second clock means. Therefore, it is not always necessary to perform the GPS time acquisition operation every time the photographing operation processing is performed.

  Therefore, as one of the operation modes when in the shooting mode, the execution or stop of the GPS time acquisition operation during execution of the shooting operation can be selected, and the shooting operation is performed while executing the GPS time acquisition operation at any time. When the GPS time information is acquired and the setting of the additional time is successful, the GPS time acquisition operation at the time of the next photographing operation may be stopped. In this way, it is possible to suppress the power consumption for the GPS time acquisition operation process, and thus to efficiently use the power consumed by the digital camera.

  Next, a digital camera according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described below.

  In the digital cameras of the first and second embodiments described above, an example is shown in which a clock function unit 31e capable of setting two pieces of date / time information (basic time and additional time) is provided. However, the number of date and time information that can be set is not limited to two, and a configuration in which another date and time information can be set is also conceivable.

  The digital camera according to the third embodiment to be described next is date / time information serving as a reference, and in addition to basic time information indicating a unique time in the digital camera, two date / time information (first date / time information, second date / time information) The date and time information) can be set.

  The configuration of the digital camera according to the present embodiment is substantially the same as that of the first embodiment described above, and only the control and operation thereof are slightly different. Therefore, in the present embodiment, illustration of the main configuration and detailed description thereof are omitted, and reference is made to FIG. 1 used in the first embodiment described above.

  FIG. 13 is a diagram conceptually illustrating a file structure of an image file generated by the digital camera according to the third embodiment of the present invention and recorded on the recording medium 16.

  As shown in FIG. 13, basic date information, additional time type information, and additional time time difference information are recorded as a shooting date, that is, date and time information at the time when the shooting operation is performed, in a predetermined area of the header portion indicated by reference symbol A. In addition to being stored, the image data body is recorded in the area indicated by the symbol B.

  In this case, the basic time information is the date and time information set by the user as in the above-described embodiments (see FIGS. 4 and 11) and is the date and time information used as a reference in the digital camera. This is basic data representing a specific time, for example, time data such as the home country time.

  The additional time information includes an additional time type and additional time difference information, and these are two types of time data set by the second clock means of the clock function unit 31e. As this additional time type, “(no setting)” when not set, “first time” when the first time is set, and “second time” when the second time is set There are three types.

  The additional time time difference information is time difference information corresponding to this additional time type information. The clock function unit 31e calculates the additional time with reference to the header part information. With this configuration, it is possible to easily classify by detecting and classifying only the additional time type. In particular, in the present embodiment, two examples of time information are given, but the classification becomes easier than when the number of time information increases, that is, when the additional time becomes larger.

  Next, the action of the digital camera of the present embodiment at the time of shooting operation is substantially the same as that of the first embodiment described above. In the present embodiment, as described above, there are three types of additional time types, and the user can perform two different types of arbitrary time settings separately from the basic time.

  Next, in the digital camera according to the present embodiment, when performing a reproduction operation for a plurality of image files recorded on the recording medium 16 by a photographing operation, an operation when performing reproduction display in a calendar display form will be described below. To do.

  14, 15 and 16 are flowcharts showing the operation of the digital camera of the third embodiment of the present invention. Among these, FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing an operation when performing reproduction display in the calendar display form when the digital camera of the present embodiment is operated in the reproduction mode. FIG. 15 is a flowchart in the case of performing display based on individual time information in the calendar display processing of FIG. FIG. 16 is a flowchart for displaying all images in the calendar display process of FIG.

  In the digital camera of this embodiment, the operation when the calendar display mode is selected from the operation modes (reproduction display mode) in the reproduction mode will be described below with reference to FIG.

  When the digital camera is activated in the playback mode and the calendar display mode is selected, the user operates a menu button of the key matrix 23 to display a predetermined menu screen on the display device. In the menu screen, the display mode is selected and set in the calendar display mode. This selection / setting operation uses four-way selection keys, a determination button, and the like of the key matrix 23.

In this embodiment, the calendar display mode has four types of display modes: (1) basic time calendar display only for image files having basic time information and set to the additional time type “none”;
(2) First time calendar display only for image files having basic time information and set to the additional time type “first time”;
(3) Second time calendar display only for image files having basic time information and set to the additional time type “second time”,
(4) All image calendar display for all image files,
Can be selected.

  First, in step S51 of FIG. 14, the first CPU 31 monitors an instruction signal that is generated when the user performs a selection setting operation of the display mode in the calendar display mode.

  In the next step S52, the first CPU 31 confirms whether or not the display mode selected and set in step S51 is a display mode based on the basic time. If the display form based on the basic time is set, the process proceeds to the next step S53.

  In step S53, the first CPU 31 performs a calendar display process based on the basic time added to the image file, that is, a basic time calendar display process (display mode in the above item (1)). Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S55.

  On the other hand, if the set display mode is not the basic time display in step S52 described above, the process proceeds to step S52A.

  In step S52A, the first CPU 31 confirms whether or not the display mode selected in step S51 described above and currently set is a display mode based on the first time. If the display mode based on the first time is set, the process proceeds to the next step S53A.

  In step S53A, the first CPU 31 performs a calendar display process based on the first time added to the image file, that is, a first time calendar display process (display mode in the above item (2)). Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S55.

  On the other hand, if the set display mode is not the first time display in step S52A, the process proceeds to step S52B.

  In step S52B, the first CPU 31 confirms whether or not the display mode selected and set in step S51 described above is a display mode based on the second time. If the display form based on the second time is set, the process proceeds to the next step S53B.

  In step S53B, the first CPU 31 performs a calendar display process based on the second time added to the image file, that is, a second time calendar display process (display mode of item (3) above). Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S55.

  On the other hand, if the set display mode is not the second time display in step S52B described above, the process proceeds to step S53C.

  In step S53C, the first CPU 31 performs a calendar display process for all image files, that is, an all-image calendar display process (display mode of item (4) above). Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S55.

  The basic time calendar display process in step S53, the first time calendar display process in step S53A, and the second time calendar display process in step S53B all have the same processing sequence. Details thereof will be described later with reference to FIGS.

  Details of the all-image calendar display process in step S53C will be described later with reference to FIGS.

  In the state where the calendar display is performed by the processes of steps S53, S53A, S53B, and S53C described above, for example, the user can operate one of the up / down / left / right direction keys of the four-direction selection key of the key matrix 23 to display the calendar. The display time range of the image displayed on the apparatus and the calendar can be changed.

  Therefore, in step S55, the first CPU 31 checks whether or not the display time range has been changed. That is, the first CPU 31 monitors an instruction signal generated by operating the four-way selection key of the key matrix 23, and confirms whether or not the instruction signal is generated. If it is confirmed that the display time range change instruction has been issued, the process proceeds to step S58.

  In step S58, the first CPU 31 executes a display calendar month changing process. Thereafter, the processing returns to the above-described step S52, and the subsequent processing is repeated.

  On the other hand, if it is confirmed in the process of step S55 described above that the display time range change instruction has not been issued, the process proceeds to step S56.

  In step S56, the first CPU 31 checks whether or not the display form of the calendar display mode has been changed. Here, a change operation from the currently selected display mode (either basic time display or additional time display) to another display mode was confirmed by the user changing the display mode. In this case, the process returns to the above-described step S52 and the subsequent processes are repeated.

  On the other hand, if it is confirmed in the process of step S56 that the display mode of the calendar display mode has not been changed, the process proceeds to the next step S57.

  In step S57, the first CPU 31 confirms whether or not an instruction to end the calendar display mode has been issued. Here, when the instruction to end the calendar display mode is not confirmed, the processing returns to the above-described step S55, and the subsequent processing is repeated. On the other hand, when the instruction to end the calendar display mode is confirmed, the series of processing ends.

  Next, details of each calendar display process based on the individual time information performed in the processes of steps S53, S53A, and S53B of FIG. 14 described above will be described below (see FIGS. 15 and 17).

  The calendar display based on the individual time information is a display form as shown in the example of the basic time calendar display shown in FIG. 17, for example, and such a display form is realized by the processing according to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  That is, first, the first CPU 31 drives and controls the second CPU 32 and the display device to display a general calendar on the display screen of the TFT panel 10 in which date fields are displayed side by side on the squares. In a normal case, the first calendar displayed is a calendar corresponding to the current month obtained by the first CPU 31 referring to the clock function unit 31e.

  At the same time, the first CPU 31 performs a classification process based on the date / time information described in the image file for all the image files recorded on the recording medium 16.

  First, in step S61 in FIG. 15, the first CPU 31 controls the recording medium I / F 15 via the second CPU 32 to read out the image file recorded on the recording medium 16 and describe it in the header portion of the image file. Search processing of the time information that has been done. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S62.

  In step S62, the first CPU 31 checks whether or not the first time information is described in the header portion of the image file. If it is confirmed that the first time information is described, the process proceeds to step S63.

  In step S63, the first CPU 31 classifies the image file in which the first time information is described in the header portion as the first time image file. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S65.

  On the other hand, when it is confirmed in the process of step S62 described above that the first time information is not described, the process proceeds to step S62A.

  In step S62A, the first CPU 31 checks whether or not the second time information is described in the header portion of the image file. If it is confirmed that the second time information is described, the process proceeds to step S63A.

  In step S63A, the first CPU 31 classifies the image file in which the second time information is described in the header portion as the second time image file. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S65.

  On the other hand, if it is confirmed that the second time information is not described in the process of step S62A, the process proceeds to step S64.

  In step S64, the first CPU 31 classifies the described image file in which only basic time information is described in the header portion of the image file as a basic time image file. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S65.

  In step S <b> 65, the first CPU 31 confirms whether confirmation of time information for all image files has been completed. Here, if the confirmation process for all the image files has not been completed, the process proceeds to step S61 described above, and the subsequent processes are repeated. On the other hand, if it is confirmed that the confirmation process for all the image files has been completed, the process proceeds to the next step S56.

  As described above, all the image files recorded on the recording medium 16 are processed through the above-described steps S61 to S63, S63A, and S63B, so that the image file group having only the basic time, the basic time, It is roughly classified into an image file group having both time and an image file group having both basic time and second time.

  Subsequently, in step S66, the first CPU 31 displays the display target range currently displayed (for example, this month. In the example of FIG. 17, 2006) from the image file group corresponding to the set mode among the grouped image file groups. A process of picking up an image file for one month of September) is executed. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S67.

  In step S67, the first CPU 31 executes a grouping process for classifying the corresponding image file picked up in the process of step S66 described above for each date. In the grouping process for each date, the date serving as a reference for classification is time information serving as a reference for display among time information included in each image file.

  That is, in the case of basic time calendar display, it is basic time information possessed by each image file, and in the case of first time calendar display, it is first time information possessed by each image file. In the case of the second time calendar display, the second time information included in each image file.

  As a result, the corresponding image file (a plurality of image files included in the predetermined display target range) picked up in the process of step S66 described above is classified for each date based on the individual time information of each image file. . Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S68.

  In step S68, the first CPU 31 determines the image file group belonging to a specific date among the image file groups for each date classified by the process of step S67 described above, that is, the grouping process for each date based on the individual time information. The image display process is performed.

  This image display process is a process for displaying, for example, a thumbnail image of the first image file in a group of image files of a specific date to be displayed in a normal form in a corresponding date field on the calendar. A specific example of the display form is a form like a thumbnail image 10k shown in FIG.

  Specifically, a thumbnail image based on a representative image file among the image file group classified as the specific date is displayed in the corresponding date field of the calendar on the display screen of the TFT panel 10. This representative image file is, for example, an image (referred to as the top image) based on the image file having the oldest or latest time stamp in the image file group of the specific date.

  In this way, when the thumbnail image display processing for the corresponding date field is completed for one image file group on a specific date, the process proceeds to step S69.

  In step S <b> 69, the first CPU 31 confirms whether or not necessary display processing has been completed for all date fields in the display target range currently set. If all the display processes are not completed, the process returns to the above-described step S67 and the subsequent processes are repeated. If all the display processes have been completed, the series of processes are terminated, and the process returns to the original process step in FIG. 14 (return).

  Next, details of the all-image calendar display process performed in the process of step S53C of FIG. 14 will be described below (see FIGS. 16 and 18).

  The all-image calendar display is a display form as shown in the display example of FIG. 18, for example, and such a display form is realized by the processing according to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  When performing the all-image calendar display process, first, a calendar is displayed on the display screen of the TFT panel 10 under the control of the first CPU 31. At the same time, in step S71 of FIG. 16, the first CPU 31 controls the recording medium I / F 15 via the second CPU 32 to read out the image file recorded on the recording medium 16, and the header portion of the image file. The time information described in is searched. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S72.

  In step S <b> 72, the first CPU 31 picks up an image file in the display target range (for example, included in the month to be displayed. In the example of FIG. 18, one month in September 2006) from all the image files. Execute the process. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S73.

  In step S73, the first CPU 31 executes a grouping process for classifying the corresponding image file picked up in the process of step S72 described above for each date. In the grouping process for each date, the date serving as a reference for classification is time information set as a reference among time information included in each image file.

  That is, in the case of an image file having only basic time information and acquired by the basic time setting, it is basic time information, and in the case of an image file acquired by the first time setting, it is the first time information. In the case of an image file acquired by the second time setting, the second time information is used.

  Subsequently, in step S74, the first CPU 31 is configured such that image files included in a specific date group among the image file groups grouped for each date in the process of step S73 described above are based on the basic time setting. Confirm whether or not Here, in the case of only the time based on the basic time setting, the process proceeds to step S75.

  In step S75, the first CPU 31 displays the frame display of the date column on the calendar corresponding to the specific day in a black frame (indicated by a thick frame 10r instead of colored display in FIG. 18), for example. Perform the setting process. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S76.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S74 that the image file included in the group of the specific date is not configured only by the basic time setting, the process proceeds to step S74A.

  In step S <b> 74 </ b> A, the first CPU 31 checks whether or not the image file included in the specific date group is configured only by the first time setting. Here, in the case of only the first time setting, the process proceeds to step S75A.

  In step S75A, the first CPU 31 displays, for example, a frame display of the date field on the calendar corresponding to the specific day in a red frame (indicated by a thick dotted line frame 10m instead of colored display in FIG. 18). Perform the setting process. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S76.

  On the other hand, in the process of step S74A described above, when the image file included in the group of the specific date is not configured only by the first time setting, the process proceeds to step S74B.

  In step S <b> 74 </ b> B, the first CPU 31 confirms whether or not the image files included in the specific date group are configured only by the second time setting. Here, if only the second time setting is made, the process proceeds to step S75B.

  In step S75B, the first CPU 31 displays, for example, a frame display of the date field on the calendar corresponding to the specific day in a blue frame (in FIG. 18, indicated by a white frame 10n instead of a colored display). Perform the setting process. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S76.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S74B that the image file included in the group on the specific date is not configured only by the second time setting, the process proceeds to step S75C.

  In step S75C, the first CPU 31 displays a frame display of the date field on the calendar corresponding to the specific day in a green frame (indicated by a white dotted line frame 10p instead of the colored display in FIG. 18). To perform the setting process. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S76.

  In step S76, the first CPU 31 displays the thumbnail image of the representative image file (first image) in the corresponding image file group corresponding to the display frame set in each process of steps S75, S75A, S75B, and S75C described above. Perform display processing.

  Thus, when the thumbnail image display process for the corresponding date field is completed for the image file group of the specific date, the process proceeds to step S77.

  In step S77, the first CPU 31 checks whether or not the necessary display processing for all date fields in the display target range currently set has been completed. Here, when all the display processes are not completed, the process returns to the above-described step S73 and the subsequent processes are repeated. If all the display processes have been completed, the series of processes are terminated, and the process returns to the original process step in FIG. 14 (return).

  As described above, according to the third embodiment, it is configured so that two types of time information can be set in addition to the basic time setting, and the header portion of the image file acquired by the shooting operation has a shooting The time setting mode is recorded. Thereby, when performing the calendar display, it is possible to realize the display in such a manner that classification can be performed based on the information of the time setting mode at the time of shooting so that each time setting mode can be identified.

  Note that the operation of reproducing an image for a plurality of image files recorded on a recording medium is mainly due to the action of software. The reproduction operation is performed by the digital camera as a reproduction function. Whether it is performed using a display device provided in the camera or using an individual image playback device separate from the digital camera, the operation is the same in either case.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications and applications can of course be implemented without departing from the spirit of the invention. Furthermore, the above embodiments include inventions at various stages, and various inventions can be extracted by appropriately combining a plurality of disclosed constituent elements. For example, even if some constituent requirements are deleted from all the constituent requirements shown in one of the above embodiments, the problem described in the column of the problem to be solved by the invention can be solved. In the case where the effect described in the effect can be obtained, a configuration in which this constituent requirement is deleted can be extracted as an invention.

1 is a block configuration diagram showing a main configuration of a digital camera according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The figure which shows the time setting screen displayed on a display apparatus when performing time setting in the digital camera of FIG. The figure which shows the state of a display screen when setting additional time in the time setting screen of FIG. The figure which shows notionally the file structure of the image file produced | generated and recorded by the digital camera of FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an outline of an action during a photographing operation in the digital camera of FIG. 1. The flowchart which shows the effect | action at the time of performing a reproduction | regeneration display by a calendar display form, when operating the digital camera of FIG. 1 in a reproduction | regeneration mode. The flowchart at the time of displaying by basic time among the calendar display processes of FIG. The flowchart at the time of displaying by additional time among the calendar display processes of FIG. The figure which shows the example of the basic time (home country time) calendar display by the digital camera of FIG. The figure which shows the example of the additional time (local time) calendar display by the digital camera of FIG. The figure which shows notionally the file structure of the image file produced | generated and recorded by the digital camera of the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. The flowchart which shows the effect | action at the time of setting the time data acquired using GPS among the effect | actions of the digital camera of the 2nd Embodiment of this invention as additional time. The figure which shows notionally the file structure of the image file produced | generated by the digital camera of the 3rd Embodiment of this invention, and recorded on the recording medium 16. FIG. The flowchart which shows the effect | action at the time of performing a reproduction | regeneration display by a calendar display form, when operating the digital camera of the 3rd Embodiment of this invention by a reproduction | regeneration mode. The flowchart in the case of performing the display based on separate time information among the calendar display processes by the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. The flowchart in the case of displaying for all the images among the calendar display processes by the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows the display form of the calendar display based on the separate time information implement | achieved by the calendar display process by the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows the display form of the all image calendar display implement | achieved by the calendar display process by the 3rd Embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Lens 2 ... Imaging device 6 ... Frame memory 16 ... Recording medium 23 ... Key matrix 26 ... Battery 27 ... Power supply circuit 31 ... 1st CPU
31a: System control unit 31b: GPS control function unit 31c: File management function unit 31d: Calendar display function unit 31e: Clock function unit 32: Second CPU
32a …… Image compression / decompression unit 32b …… Recording medium access unit 36 …… GPS signal calculation function unit 37 …… GPS signal processing function unit 38 …… GPS antenna

Claims (4)

Photographing means for photographing an object and generating an image signal;
A recording medium for recording an image file based on the image signal;
A display device for displaying information;
First clock means for setting a unique time;
Second clock means for setting a time different from that of the first clock means;
Image recording means for adding date and time information at the time of the photographing operation by the photographing means to the image file as a first photographing time and a second photographing time acquired by the first clock means and the second clock means; ,
Selecting means for selecting and setting any one of the time systems, wherein the first imaging time is a first time system, the second imaging time is a second time system;
Index display means for displaying an index image based on the image file recorded on the recording medium on the display means together with a photographing time based on a time system selected by the selection means;
Switching means for switching the set time system to the other time system,
Time display update means for updating the display of the photographing time displayed on the display means according to the switching operation by the switching means;
A digital camera comprising:   The index display means classifies the image files recorded on the recording medium at predetermined time intervals based on shooting times based on a time system selected by the selection means, and displays the index images on the display means in a calendar format. The digital camera according to claim 1, wherein the digital camera is displayed. A receiving means for receiving positioning data transmitted from the positioning satellite;
2. The digital camera according to claim 1, wherein the second clock means sets date and time information based on time data included in the positioning data received by the receiving means.   The selection means can select either the first time system or the second time system, and can select both of these two time systems. When both are selected, the index display 2. The digital camera according to claim 1, wherein the means simultaneously displays the photographing time based on the first system and the photographing time based on the second time system together with the index image.

Images