JP2009094562A - Imaging apparatus, its method and program for transferring image data, and storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an imaging apparatus which can make such a DVD disc as a recorded still image can be appreciated easily along with a moving image by simply using a media writer without performing troublesome processing of authoring software of a PC, for example. <P>SOLUTION: The imaging apparatus comprises an imaging means 101, an image formation means 102, a management information formation means 103, an image/management information storage means 104, a storage medium 105, a moving image storage area 106, a still image storage area 107, a moving image acquisition means 108, and a moving image management information acquisition means 109. The imaging apparatus further comprises an a still image acquisition means 110, a still image management information acquisition means 111, a moving image conversion means 112, a moving image file formation means 113, a moving image sorting means 114, a transfer file formation means 115, and an external apparatus transfer means 116. The imaging apparatus is connected with a media writer 117. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an imaging device connectable with a media writer (external device), an image data transfer method thereof, a program, and a storage medium. In particular, the present invention relates to an image pickup apparatus, an image data transfer method thereof, a program, and a storage medium that are characterized by transfer technology when transferring a still image such as Jpeg format and a moving image in Mpeg format recorded in the image pickup apparatus to a media writer. .

  In the imaging apparatus, the storage medium has been increased in capacity, and recording can be performed for a long time. In particular, a camcorder using a hard disk (HDD) as a storage medium can record moving images for 10 hours or more.

  Camcorders capable of recording for a long time as described above are now widely used not only for recording a moving image for a long time but also for taking a still image by utilizing the large capacity of a storage medium.

  As described above, there is a technique for dividing an image file storage area in a storage medium into a moving image and a still image in order to save a moving image in the Mpeg format and a still image in the Jpeg format in the same storage medium ( (See FIG. 8) (Patent Document 1).

There are also a variety of ways to view image files that exist in storage media, except that the camcorder itself is connected to a monitor using the D terminal, composite terminal, and HDMI terminal to view the captured moving images and still images. In addition, the appreciation method described below is also realized.
(1) Connection with a PC Connect an imaging device to a PC, import video files and still image files once stored in the imaging device, edit them freely using commercially available authoring software, and even still image files Is converted to a video format and burned onto a DVD disc along with the video file. Then, by applying the finalizing process, it is possible to view moving images and still images with a commercially available DVD recorder (see FIG. 9).
(2) Connecting to a DVD media writer Connect to a media writer that supports 8cm / 12cm DVD discs, transfer movie files stored in the imaging device to the media writer, burn them onto the disc, and create a disc for viewing. Has also been realized. In this method, in order to allow viewing on any commercially available stationary DVD recorder, there is also a technique for performing finalization processing on the media writer side and generating a disc as the DVD-VIDEO standard (FIG. 10). (See Non-Patent Document 1).
JP 2004080652 A Victor Co., Ltd. Media writer Model name CU-VD40

  As described above, with the increase in the capacity of storage media, the user's usage for camcorders is expanding not only to moving image shooting but also to still image recording. In addition, a configuration in which a storage area in a storage medium is stored separately for still images and moving images has become the mainstream.

  However, in a camcorder that uses a non-detachable storage medium such as a built-in HDD, it is necessary to use a PC or a media writer when storing recorded images such as captured moving images and still images on another storage medium such as a DVD disk. is there.

  Furthermore, when a PC is used to burn a moving image file and a still image file together on a DVD disc, there are the following problems. That is, it is necessary to download image data in the HDD, use commercially available authoring software, and convert the still image file in Jpeg format to Mpeg conversion to burn it into a DVD disk medium as a moving image format file. This is a troublesome process for the user.

  In addition, when using a media writer, a JPEG format still image file itself cannot be burned. Even if the image can be burned in the Jpeg state, if the finalization process is performed in the media writer for viewing on a stationary DVD recorder, the still image file in the Jpeg format is excluded from the finalization target. For this reason, the DVD recorder has the inconvenience that it cannot be reproduced and watched in the same way as a moving image.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an image pickup apparatus capable of creating a DVD disc that allows a recorded still image to be easily viewed together with a moving image by simply using a media writer without performing troublesome processing such as PC authoring software. It is to provide.

  In order to achieve the above object, the imaging apparatus according to claim 1 includes an imaging unit that captures an image, an image generation unit that outputs the image captured by the imaging unit in a format that can be stored in a storage medium, and the image Management information generating means for generating image management information corresponding to the image obtained by the generating means, image information generated by the image generating means, and management information corresponding to the image information generated by the management information generating means. If it is a moving image format, a moving image storage area in the storage medium; if it is a still image format, an image / management information storage means for storing the moving image storage area; and moving image acquisition for acquiring moving image data from the moving image storage area Means, moving image management information acquisition means for acquiring management information added to a moving image from the moving image storage area, still image acquisition means for acquiring still image data from the still image storage area, Still image management information acquisition means for acquiring management information added to a still image from the still image storage area, moving image conversion means for converting image data acquired by the still image acquisition means into a moving image format, and the moving image Based on the moving image file generation means for generating and adding management information corresponding to the image data generated by the image conversion means, and the recording date and time information acquired from the moving image management information acquisition means and the still image management information acquisition means, The image data acquired by the moving image acquisition unit, the management information acquired by the moving image management information acquisition unit, and the moving image data and management information generated by the moving image file generation unit are sorted to generate arrangement information. Based on the moving image sorting means and the arrangement information of the moving image sorting means, the moving image acquisition means, the moving image management information acquisition means, Transfer file generation means for arranging moving image data acquired from the moving image file generation means and management information corresponding thereto and generating a transfer file for transfer to an external device, and the transfer generated by the transfer file generation means And an external device transfer means for transferring the file to the external device.

  The image data transfer method of the imaging apparatus according to claim 10 includes an imaging step of capturing a video, an image generation step of outputting the video captured at the imaging step in a format that can be stored in a storage medium, and the image generation step. Management information generation step for generating image management information corresponding to the obtained image, image information generated in the image generation step, and management information corresponding to the image information generated in the management information generation step in a moving image format If there is a moving image storage area in the storage medium, if it is a still image format, an image / management information storage step for storing in a still image storage area, a moving image acquisition step for acquiring moving image data from the moving image storage area, A moving image management information acquisition step for acquiring management information added to a moving image from the moving image storage region; and a still image from the still image storage region A still image acquisition step for acquiring data, a still image management information acquisition step for acquiring management information added to the still image from the still image storage area, and the image data acquired by the still image acquisition step as a moving image format A moving image conversion step that converts the image data, a moving image file generation step that generates and adds management information corresponding to the image data generated by the moving image conversion step, the moving image management information acquisition step, and the still image management information acquisition Based on the recording date and time information acquired from the step, the image data acquired by the moving image acquisition step, the management information acquired by the moving image management information acquisition step, and the moving image data generated by the moving image file generation step And a moving image sorting step for sorting management information and generating arrangement information, Based on the arrangement information of the image sorting step, the moving image data acquired from the moving image acquisition step, the moving image management information acquisition step, and the moving image file generation step and management information corresponding thereto are arranged and transferred to an external device. A transfer file generating step for generating a transfer file to be transferred, and an external device transfer step for transferring the transfer file generated by the transfer file generating step to the external device.

  The program according to claim 19 is a program for causing a computer to execute an image data transfer method of an imaging apparatus, wherein the image data transfer method of the imaging apparatus includes an imaging step of capturing an image, and an image captured at the imaging step. An image generation step for outputting in a format that can be stored in a storage medium; a management information generation step for generating image management information corresponding to the image obtained in the image generation step; the image information generated in the image generation step; If the management information corresponding to the image information generated in the management information generation step is a moving image format, a moving image storage area in the storage medium, and if it is a still image format, an image / management information storage step for storing in a still image storage area; A moving image acquisition step of acquiring moving image data from the moving image storage area; and a moving image from the moving image storage area A moving image management information acquisition step for acquiring added management information, a still image acquisition step for acquiring still image data from the still image storage region, and management information added to the still image from the still image storage region A still image management information acquisition step, a moving image conversion step for converting the image data acquired by the still image acquisition step into a moving image format, and management information corresponding to the image data generated by the moving image conversion step The image data acquired by the moving image acquisition step and the moving image management based on the recording date and time information acquired from the moving image file generation step, the moving image management information acquisition step, and the still image management information acquisition step. According to the management information acquired in the information acquisition step and the moving image file generation step Based on the moving image sorting step that sorts the generated moving image data and management information to generate arrangement information, and the arrangement information of the moving image sorting step, the moving image acquisition step, the moving image management information acquisition step, The transfer file generation step that arranges the moving image data acquired from the moving image file generation step and the management information corresponding thereto and generates a transfer file for transfer to an external device, and the transfer generated by the transfer file generation step An external device transfer step of transferring the file to the external device.

  A computer-readable storage medium according to claim 20 stores the program according to claim 19.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to create a DVD disc that allows a recorded still image to be easily viewed together with a moving image only by using a media writer without performing troublesome processing such as PC authoring software.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an HDD camcorder using an internal HDD as a storage medium as an image pickup apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 1, the imaging unit 101 includes a circuit such as a lens and a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) which is a solid-state imaging device.

  The image generation means 102 for converting the image pickup signal into a video signal includes various filter control units related to image quality such as noise reduction for the video data from the CCD. Further, the image generation unit 102 performs Mpeg encoding processing (Mpeg compression processing) necessary for recording a moving image, Jpeg encoding processing (Jpeg compression processing) necessary for recording a still image, and the like. For this purpose, the image generation means 102 also includes a circuit that converts it into an image data format that can be stored in the storage medium 105.

  The management information generation unit 103 generates management information generated by the image generation unit 102 and added to the image data. The management information here includes a recording size, a recording start date and time, a recording end date and time, and the like.

  The image / management information storage unit 104 adds the management information generated by the management information generation unit 103 to the image data (image information) generated by the image generation unit 102 in association with the image data, and stores the management information in the storage medium 105. Yes.

  The storage medium 105 is assumed to be a built-in HDD in this embodiment, but a removable HDD, a built-in flash memory, and a removable flash memory are also applicable.

  The moving image storage area 106 stores (records) Mpeg-format image data and management information corresponding to the image data when the user takes a picture in the moving image recording mode. The recording format recorded in this area includes AVCHD, DVD-VIDEO, DVD-VR format, and the like.

  The still image storage area 107 stores JPEG image data and management information corresponding to the image data when the user takes a picture in the still image recording mode. The image size recorded in this area includes various image sizes such as VGA, XVGA, and SVGA.

  The moving image acquisition unit 108 performs processing for acquiring moving image data corresponding to arbitrary date and time information from the moving image management information acquisition unit 109 from the moving image storage area 106.

  The moving image management information acquisition unit 109 acquires all management information stored in the moving image storage area 106, and performs processing for acquiring recording date information from the management information. The date / time information here includes the recording start date / time information and the recording end date / time information of each recording scene. In addition, the management information acquired in this process is also used for the transfer file generation unit 115.

  The still image acquisition unit 110 performs processing for acquiring still image data corresponding to arbitrary date and time information from the still image date and time information acquired by the still image management information acquisition unit 111 from the still image storage area 107.

  The still image management information acquisition unit 111 acquires all management information stored in the still image storage area 107, and performs processing for acquiring recording date information from the management information. The date / time information here includes recording date / time information of each recording scene. The management information acquired in this process is also used for the moving image file generation unit 113.

  The moving image conversion unit 112 performs processing for converting still image data (such as Jpeg) into moving image data (such as Mpeg). That is, the JPEG compressed still image data is converted into the MPEG compression format. Note that the output time required when converting a still image to a moving image can be arbitrarily set, and an example is Mpeg conversion processing for outputting a still image (Jpeg image) for 5 seconds.

  The moving image file generation unit 113 performs processing for adding the date information, the image size, and the compression rate acquired by the still image management information acquisition unit 111 to the Mpeg file generated by the moving image conversion unit 112 as management information. In addition, the moving image file generating unit 113 performs processing for generating and adding management information (recording start time, recording end time) and the like necessary for the moving image file.

  The moving image sorting unit 114 performs processing for sorting the image recording date information acquired from the moving image management information acquiring unit 109 and the still image management information acquiring unit 111 in order of recording date and generating arrangement information. In addition, the moving image sorting unit 114 uses the image file group generated by the moving image conversion unit 112 and the moving image file generating unit 113 before the moving image file group acquired by the moving image acquisition unit 108 and the moving image management information acquisition unit 109. Or later. The sorting method will be described in the following first to third embodiments.

  The transfer file generation unit 115 generates a moving image file corresponding to the date / time information based on the date / time information sorted by the moving image sorting unit 114, a moving image acquisition unit 108, a moving image management information acquisition unit 109, and a moving image file generation. Obtained from the means 113. Then, the transfer file generation unit 115 arranges the moving image data and the management information in the order of the sorting results, and generates a file for transfer to the media writer 117.

  The external device transfer unit 116 includes a circuit for transferring the transfer file to the media writer 117 generated by the transfer file generation unit 115 to the media writer 117 which is an external device. The transfer interface includes USB, IEEE, and the like.

  The media writer 117 is connected as an external device of the HDD camcorder. The media writer 117 can receive a transfer file, burn received data onto a DVD disc, and finalize it as necessary.

  In this embodiment, it is assumed that the media writer 117 is automatically subjected to finalization processing so that it can be reproduced by various commercially available stationary DVD recorders.

  The RAM 118 is used to perform processing for operating the HDD camcorder.

  The ROM 119 stores a program for implementing the present invention and a program for operating the HDD camcorder.

  The CPU 120 is used to execute a program for implementing the present invention and a program for operating the HDD camcorder.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 2 shows a method of creating a DVD disc by arranging a moving image file stored in the HDD and a still image file after moving image conversion in order of recording date and time, generating a transfer file to the media writer 117 and transferring it. This will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 2 (FIGS. 2A and 2B) is a flowchart showing the procedure of the first embodiment of the image data transfer process executed by the imaging apparatus of FIG.

  Specifically, FIG. 2 shows that moving images and still images stored in the storage medium 105 are converted into moving images, date and time sorting is performed, and moving image files and moving image converted still image files are converted into media writers. The process up to transfer to 117 is a flowchart.

  First, in FIG. 2A, a search is performed to determine whether a moving image exists from the moving image storage area 106 (steps S201 and S202). If a moving image exists, moving image date / time information (Mtime) and moving image data (M) are acquired (steps S203 and S204). If no moving image exists, the process proceeds to a still image search process (step S205).

  Note that the processing in steps S201 to S204 is the processing content in the moving image acquisition unit 108 and the moving image management information acquisition unit 109.

  Similarly, a still image is searched from the still image storage area 107 to determine whether a still image exists (steps S205 and S206). If still images exist, still image date / time information (Ptime) and moving image data (P) are acquired (steps S207 and S208).

  Note that the processing in steps S205 to S208 is the processing contents in the still image acquisition unit 110 and the still image management information acquisition unit 111.

  In step S209, the still image format (Jpeg) file is converted to Mpeg (the generated file is referred to as MP) to generate an Mpeg file.

  Note that the processing in step S209 is the processing content in the moving image conversion means 112. The moving image generation time in the conversion process is arbitrary. In step S210, management information suitable for the Mpeg-converted file is generated as a moving image file. The processing in step S210 is the processing content in the moving image file generation means 113.

  In step S211, in the generated MP, array data is generated in the order from the earliest recording date according to the date information acquired in step S207. In step S212, array data is generated from the moving image file (M) acquired in step S204 in the order from the earliest recording date according to the date information acquired in step S203.

  In steps S213 to S219, an array of a moving image file and a still image file that has been converted to a moving image is generated from the array data in steps S211 and S212.

  First, in step S213, parameters (k, n) representing the order of a moving image and a still image that has been converted into a moving image are initialized. Then, the recording date / time information (MPtime_k) of the still image data converted into the moving image and the recording date / time information (Mtime_n) of the moving image are compared with the number of the still image files converted into the moving image and the number of moving image files. Further, in FIG. 2B, the moving image data and the still image data converted to the moving image are arranged in time series (steps S214 to S219).

  Note that the processing in steps S211 to S219 is the processing content in the moving image sorting means 114.

  Based on the sorting result, an external device transfer file in which the moving image file and the converted still image file are arranged in time series is generated (step S220), and transferred to the media writer 117 by the external device transfer means 116 ( Step S221). Then, this process ends.

  FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a file transferred when the flow of FIG. 2 is executed.

  The recording start times of the three moving image files (M_1, M_2, M_3) and the recording times of the five still image files (P_1, P_2, P_3, P_4, P_5) are sorted, arranged in the order of the recording time and externally arranged. A transfer file to the device is generated.

(Second Embodiment)
In the second embodiment, the following method for creating a DVD disc will be described with reference to FIGS.

  First, a moving image file stored in the HDD and a still image file converted into a moving image are arranged in order of recording date and time. If the recording time of the still image file after moving image conversion is located within the recording scene end time from the recording scene start time of the moving image file, the still image converted to the moving image at the same position as the still image recording time within the recording time Perform processing to insert image files. Thereafter, a transfer file is generated and transferred to the media writer 117 to create a DVD disc.

  FIG. 4 (FIGS. 4A and 4B) is a flowchart showing the procedure of the second embodiment of the image data transfer process executed by the imaging apparatus of FIG.

  Specifically, FIG. 4 shows that moving images and still images stored in the storage medium 105 are converted into moving images, date and time sorting is performed, and moving image files and moving image converted still image files are converted into media writers. The process up to transfer to 117 is a flowchart.

  First, in FIG. 4A, a search is performed to determine whether a moving image exists from the moving image storage area 106 (steps S401 and S402). If a moving image exists, moving image date / time information (Mtime) and moving image data (M) are acquired (steps S403 and S404). If no moving image exists, the process proceeds to a still image search process (step S405).

  Note that the processing in steps S401 to S404 is the processing contents in the moving image acquisition unit 108 and the moving image management information acquisition unit 109.

  Similarly, a still image is searched from the still image storage area 107 to determine whether a still image exists (steps S405 and S406). If a still image exists, still image date / time information (Ptime) and moving image data (P) are acquired (steps S407 and S408).

  Note that the processing in steps S405 to S408 is the processing contents in the still image acquisition unit 110 and the still image management information acquisition unit 111.

  In step S409, the still image format (Jpeg) file is converted to Mpeg (the generated file is referred to as MP) to generate an Mpeg file.

  Note that the processing in step S409 is the processing content in the moving image conversion means 112. The moving image generation time in the conversion process is arbitrary.

  In step S410, management information suitable for the Mpeg-converted file is generated as a moving image file. Note that the processing in step S410 is the processing content in the moving image file generation means 113.

  In step S411, in the generated MP, array data is generated in order from the earliest recording date according to the date information acquired in step S407.

  In step S412, in the moving image file (M) acquired in step S404, array data is generated in the order from the earliest recording date according to the date information acquired in step S403.

  In steps S413 to S421, a moving image file and a moving image converted still image file array are generated from the arrangement data in steps S411 and S412. In addition, when the recording time of the still image file after moving image conversion is located within the moving image scene recording end time from the moving image scene recording start time, processing for inserting the moving image converted still image file into the moving image scene is performed. .

  First, in step S413, parameters (k, n) representing the order of a moving image and a still image that has been converted into a moving image are initialized. Thereafter, the processing of FIG. 4B is performed.

  Next, the recording date / time information (MPtime) of the still image data converted to the moving image, the two moving image scene recording start date / time information (Mtime_n_sta / Mtime_n + 1_sta) arranged in time series, the number of the still image files converted to the moving image, and the moving image Compare the number of files. Then, the moving image data and the converted still image data are arranged in time series (step S414).

  Furthermore, when the recording time (MPtime_k) of the still image file converted into a moving image using the scene recording start time (Mtime_n_sta) and the scene recording end time (Mtime_n_end) of the moving image file is within the scene recording time, Perform the process.

  That is, a process of inserting the moving image converted still image file (MP_k) into the moving image file (Mn) at the time (Ptime_k) when the still image was recorded. When MPtime_k does not exist in Mtime_end_n from Mtime_sta_n, a still image file (MP_k) converted into a moving image is placed after the moving image file (M_n) (steps S415 to S421).

  Note that the processing in steps S411 to S421 is the processing content in the moving image sorting means 114.

  Based on the sorting result, an external device transfer file in which the moving image file and the converted still image file are time-sequentially generated is generated (step S422), and transferred to the media writer 117 by the external device transfer means 116 ( Step S423). Then, this process ends.

  FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a file transferred when the flow of FIG. 4 is performed.

  The recording start times of the two moving image files (M_1, M_2) and the recording times of the three still image files (P_1, P_2, P_3) are sorted and arranged in order from the earliest recording time. At the same time, when the still image file P_1 exists within the recording time of the moving image file M_1, the moving image converted still image file MP_1 is inserted into the recording time of P_1 to generate a transfer file to the external device.

(Third embodiment)
FIG. 6 shows a method of creating a DVD disc by arranging a moving image converted still image file group stored in the HDD before and after a moving image file group, generating and transferring a transfer file to a media writer, and FIG. This will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the third embodiment of the image data transfer process executed by the imaging apparatus of FIG.

  Specifically, FIG. 6 shows that moving images and still images stored in the storage medium 105 are converted into moving images, date and time sorting is performed, and moving image files and moving image converted still image files are converted into media writers. The process up to transfer to 117 is a flowchart.

  First, a search is performed to determine whether a moving image exists from the moving image storage area 106 (steps S601 and S602). If a moving image exists, moving image date / time information (Mtime) and moving image data (M) Is acquired (step S603, step S604). If there is no moving image, the process proceeds to a still image search process (step S605).

  Note that the processing in steps S601 to S604 is the processing content in the moving image acquisition unit 108 and the moving image management information acquisition unit 109.

  Similarly, for still images, a search is performed to determine whether a still image exists from the still image storage area 107 (steps S605 and S606). If a still image exists, still image date / time information (Ptime) and moving image data (P) are acquired (steps S607 and S608).

  Note that the processing in steps S605 to S608 is the processing content in the still image acquisition unit 110 and the still image management information acquisition unit 111.

  In step S609, the still image format (Jpeg) file is converted to Mpeg (the generated file is referred to as MP), and an Mpeg file is generated.

  Note that the processing in step S609 is the processing content in the moving image conversion means 112. The moving image generation time in the conversion process is arbitrary.

  In step S610, management information suitable for the Mpeg-converted file is generated as a moving image file.

  Note that the processing in step S610 is the processing content in the moving image file generation means 113.

  In step S611, in the generated MP, array data is generated in order from the earliest recording date according to the date information acquired in step S607.

  In step S612, in the moving image file (M) acquired in step S604, array data is generated in the order from the earliest recording date according to the date information acquired in step S603.

  In step S613, all the still image files converted into moving images (MP_all) are arranged in front of and behind the moving image file group (M_all).

  Note that the processing in step S613 is the processing content in the moving image sorting means 114.

  Based on the sorting result, an external device transfer file in which the moving image file and the converted still image file are time-sequentially generated is generated (step S614), and transferred to the media writer 117 by the external device transfer means 116 ( Step S615). Then, this process ends.

  FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of a file transferred when the flow of FIG. 6 is performed.

  Three still image file groups (P_1, P_2, P_3) are arranged before and after the two moving image file groups (M_1, M_2), and a transfer file to an external device is generated.

  According to the present invention, a still image (Jpeg format) and a moving image (Mpeg format) are recorded in an imaging device using a non-removable storage medium such as a built-in HDD, and both files are recorded using a media writer 117. When creating a disk, do the following:

  Within the imaging device, the still image file (Jpeg format) is converted into a video file by Mpeg conversion, and the converted video file is converted into an existing video file that does not require conversion and subjected to various sort processes such as recording date and time. Above, create a file for burning. Then, the burning file is transferred to the media writer.

  As a result, it is possible to create a DVD disc that can be easily viewed together with a moving image only by using the media writer 117 without performing troublesome processing such as use of PC authoring software on the recorded still image.

  The transfer file can also be applied to finalization processing by the media writer 117. Therefore, the problem that only the still image file cannot be viewed on the stationary DVD recorder after the finalizing process by the media writer 117 can be avoided.

  The object of the present invention is achieved by executing the following processing. That is, a storage medium storing software program codes for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or apparatus, and a computer (or CPU, MPU, etc.) of the system or apparatus is stored in the storage medium. This is a process of reading the program code.

  In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments, and the program code and the storage medium storing the program code constitute the present invention.

  Moreover, the following can be used as a storage medium for supplying the program code. For example, floppy (registered trademark) disk, hard disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW, DVD-ROM, DVD-RAM, DVD-RW, DVD + RW, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, ROM or the like. Alternatively, the program code may be downloaded via a network.

  Further, the present invention includes a case where the function of the above-described embodiment is realized by executing the program code read by the computer. In addition, the O step S (operating system) running on the computer performs part or all of the actual processing based on the instruction of the program code, and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing. This is also included.

  Furthermore, the present invention includes a case where the functions of the above-described embodiment are realized by the following processing. That is, the program code read from the storage medium is written in a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer. Thereafter, based on the instruction of the program code, the CPU or the like provided in the function expansion board or function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing.

1 is a block configuration diagram of an HDD camcorder that uses a built-in HDD as a storage medium, as an imaging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of 1st Embodiment of the image data transfer process performed by the imaging device of FIG. 1 (1). It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of 1st Embodiment of the image data transfer process performed by the imaging device of FIG. 1 (2). It is the schematic of the file transferred when the flow of FIG. 2 is implemented. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of 2nd Embodiment of the image data transfer process performed by the imaging device of FIG. 1 (1). It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of 2nd Embodiment of the image data transfer process performed by the imaging device of FIG. 1 (2). It is the schematic of the file transferred when implementing the flow of FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of a third embodiment of image data transfer processing executed by the imaging apparatus of FIG. 1. It is the schematic of the file transferred when implementing the flow of FIG. It is a figure which shows the file preservation | save structure in a storage medium. It is a figure which shows the example of a connection of HDD camcorder and PC. It is a figure which shows the example of a connection of HDD camcorder and a media writer.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 101 Image pickup means 102 Image generation means 103 Management information generation means 104 Image / management information storage means 105 Storage medium 106 Moving image storage area 107 Still image storage area 108 Moving image acquisition means 109 Moving image management information acquisition means 110 Still image acquisition means 111 Still image management information acquisition means 112 Moving image conversion means 113 Moving image file generation means 114 Moving image sorting means 115 Transfer file generation means 116 External device transfer means 117 Media writer 118 RAM
119 ROM
120 CPU

Claims (20)

An imaging means for capturing images;
Image generating means for outputting the video imaged by the imaging means in a format that can be stored in a storage medium;
Management information generating means for generating image management information corresponding to the image obtained by the image generating means;
If the image information generated by the image generation means and the management information corresponding to the image information generated by the management information generation means are moving image format, a moving image storage area in the storage medium, and if still image format, still image Image / management information storage means for storing in the storage area;
Moving image acquisition means for acquiring moving image data from the moving image storage area;
Moving image management information acquisition means for acquiring management information added to a moving image from the moving image storage area;
Still image acquisition means for acquiring still image data from the still image storage area;
Still image management information acquisition means for acquiring management information added to a still image from the still image storage area;
Moving image conversion means for converting the image data acquired by the still image acquisition means into a moving image format;
Moving image file generating means for generating and adding management information corresponding to the image data generated by the moving image converting means;
Based on the recording date and time information acquired from the moving image management information acquisition unit and the still image management information acquisition unit, the image data acquired by the moving image acquisition unit and the management information acquired by the moving image management information acquisition unit And moving image sorting means for sorting the moving image data and management information generated by the moving image file generating means to generate arrangement information;
Based on the arrangement information of the moving picture sorting means, moving picture data acquired from the moving picture acquisition means, the moving picture management information acquisition means, the moving image file generation means and management information corresponding thereto are arranged, and an external device Transfer file generation means for generating a transfer file for transfer to
External device transfer means for transferring the transfer file generated by the transfer file generation means to the external device;
An imaging apparatus comprising:   2. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image data generated by the image generation means is still image data subjected to Jpeg compression and moving image data subjected to Mpeg compression.   2. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image data stored in the moving image storage area is a moving image, and is Meg compressed image information.   The image pickup apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image data stored in the still image storage area is a still image and image information compressed by JPEG.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the moving image conversion means converts JPEG compressed still image data into an MPEG compressed format.   The moving image file generating unit generates management information including at least recording date information, an image size, and a compression rate in the Mpeg-compressed image data generated by the moving image converting unit, and an image file to which the management information is added is generated. The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein the imaging device is generated.   The moving image sorting unit generates the transfer file to be transferred to the external device transfer unit from the recording date information acquired from the moving image management information acquisition unit and the recording date information acquired from the still image management information acquisition unit. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a moving image file and a still image file after moving image conversion can be arranged.   The moving image sorting means includes the image file group generated by the moving image conversion means and the moving image file generating means before the moving image file group acquired by the moving image acquisition means and the moving image management information acquisition means, or The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the imaging apparatus can be arranged later.   The transfer file generation means includes the moving image sorting means, the image data and management information acquired by the moving image acquisition means and the moving image management information acquisition means, and the moving image file and management information generated by the moving image file generation means. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image pickup apparatus is arranged in accordance with the sorting result. An imaging step for capturing images;
An image generation step of outputting the video imaged in the imaging step in a format that can be stored in a storage medium;
A management information generation step for generating image management information corresponding to the image obtained in the image generation step;
If the image information generated in the image generation step and the management information corresponding to the image information generated in the management information generation step are in moving image format, a moving image storage area in the storage medium, and if still image format, still image An image / management information storage step to be stored in the storage area;
A moving image acquisition step of acquiring moving image data from the moving image storage area;
A moving image management information acquisition step of acquiring management information added to the moving image from the moving image storage area;
A still image acquisition step of acquiring still image data from the still image storage area;
Still image management information acquisition step for acquiring management information added to a still image from the still image storage area;
A moving image conversion step of converting the image data acquired by the still image acquisition step into a moving image format;
A moving image file generation step for generating and adding management information corresponding to the image data generated by the moving image conversion step;
Based on the recording date and time information acquired from the moving image management information acquisition step and the still image management information acquisition step, the image data acquired in the moving image acquisition step and the management information acquired in the moving image management information acquisition step And a moving image sorting step for sorting moving image data and management information generated by the moving image file generating step to generate arrangement information;
Based on the arrangement information of the moving image sorting step, moving image data acquired from the moving image acquisition step, the moving image management information acquisition step, the moving image file generation step and management information corresponding thereto are arranged, and an external device A transfer file generation step for generating a transfer file for transfer to
An external device transfer step of transferring the transfer file generated by the transfer file generation step to the external device;
An image data transfer method for an imaging apparatus, comprising:   The image data transfer method of the imaging apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the image data generated in the image generation step is still image data subjected to Jpeg compression and moving image data subjected to Mpeg compression.   The image data transfer method of the imaging apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the image data stored in the moving image storage area is a moving image and image information compressed by Mpeg.   The image data transfer method of the imaging apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the image data stored in the still image storage area is a still image and JPEG-compressed image information.   11. The image data transfer method of an imaging apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the moving image conversion step converts Jpeg-compressed still image data into an Mpeg compression format.   The moving image file generating step generates management information including at least recording date / time information, an image size, and a compression rate in the Mpeg-compressed image data generated in the moving image conversion step, and adds the management information to the image file. 11. The image data transfer method for an image pickup apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the image data transfer method is performed.   The moving image sorting step generates the transfer file to be transferred to the external device transfer step from the recording date information acquired from the moving image management information acquisition step and the recording date information acquired from the still image management information acquisition step. 11. The image data transfer method for an image pickup apparatus according to claim 10, wherein a moving image file and a still image file after moving image conversion can be arranged.   In the moving image sorting step, the image file group generated in the moving image conversion step and the moving image file generation step is set before the moving image file group acquired in the moving image acquisition step and the moving image management information acquisition step, or The image data transfer method for an image pickup apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the image data transfer method can be arranged later.   The transfer file generation step includes the image data and management information acquired in the moving image acquisition step and the moving image management information acquisition step, the moving image file and management information generated in the moving image file generation step, and the moving image sorting step. The image data transfer method of the image pickup apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the image data is arranged in accordance with a sorting result of the image pickup apparatus. In a program for causing a computer to execute an image data transfer method of an imaging apparatus,
The image data transfer method of the imaging device is:
An imaging step for capturing images;
An image generation step of outputting the video imaged in the imaging step in a format that can be stored in a storage medium;
A management information generation step for generating image management information corresponding to the image obtained in the image generation step;
If the image information generated in the image generation step and the management information corresponding to the image information generated in the management information generation step are in moving image format, a moving image storage area in the storage medium, and if still image format, still image An image / management information storage step to be stored in the storage area;
A moving image acquisition step of acquiring moving image data from the moving image storage area;
A moving image management information acquisition step of acquiring management information added to the moving image from the moving image storage area;
A still image acquisition step of acquiring still image data from the still image storage area;
Still image management information acquisition step for acquiring management information added to a still image from the still image storage area;
A moving image conversion step of converting the image data acquired by the still image acquisition step into a moving image format;
A moving image file generation step for generating and adding management information corresponding to the image data generated by the moving image conversion step;
Based on the recording date and time information acquired from the moving image management information acquisition step and the still image management information acquisition step, the image data acquired in the moving image acquisition step and the management information acquired in the moving image management information acquisition step And a moving image sorting step for sorting moving image data and management information generated by the moving image file generating step to generate arrangement information;
Based on the arrangement information of the moving image sorting step, moving image data acquired from the moving image acquisition step, the moving image management information acquisition step, the moving image file generation step and management information corresponding thereto are arranged, and an external device A transfer file generation step for generating a transfer file for transfer to
An external device transfer step of transferring the transfer file generated by the transfer file generation step to the external device;
A program comprising:   A computer-readable storage medium storing the program according to claim 19.

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