JP2009266157A - Image output system and image output method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image output system and an image output method which can output an image suitable for a user's interest. <P>SOLUTION: As shown in Fig. (a), the image output system records image data in a multi-picture file format including a main image area A10 in which main image data P1 are stored and an extended data area A12 in which a plurality of image data P2, ..., Pn are stored. The image output system selects the image data to be displayed according to a user attribute and determines a reproduction order of the image data when reproducing and displaying the image data (P1, P2, ..., Pn) stored in the multi-picture file F10. As shown in Fig. (b), for the case of the user A, the image output system displays only scenery images, P1, P2, ..., Pn relating to a subject "water" associated with the user A. As shown in Fig. (c) for the case of the user B, the image output system displays only the scenery image, P2 relating to a subject "castle" associated with the user B. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image output apparatus and an image output method, and more particularly to an image output apparatus and an image output method having a function of outputting an image to a display device or a printer.

  Patent Document 1 discloses a video / image output device that determines an optimal image display area and outputs an image in the image display area when outputting video with various video resolutions to a monitor with various resolutions. It is disclosed.

In Patent Document 2, distance information between an image display unit having a first resolution and a viewer who views the image display unit is acquired, and the viewer can visually identify an image based on the distance information. An image display system is disclosed in which the second resolution is determined based on the resolution of the first resolution, and when the first resolution exceeds the second resolution, the image is converted to be displayed at the second resolution.
JP 2006-13987 A JP 2007-47532 A

  Currently, digital images are recorded and output to display devices and printers for viewing. In addition, there are services in which a user collects digital images or creates an electronic album using an image output device such as a personal computer or a space on a server connected via a network.

  In the service as described above, the display order when digital images are displayed in order is the same regardless of which user views the images. For this reason, for example, when images that are not of interest are continuously recorded, the user needs to repeat the frame advance operation until an image of interest is displayed. Since the operation at the time of browsing becomes complicated as the number of images increases, there is a possibility that the user's interest in the images is diminished and the images are not sufficiently utilized.

  In addition, when image recording having a different display order or the like for each user is performed, there is a problem that the recording capacity increases.

  Patent Documents 1 and 2 are not intended to solve the above problems.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide an image output apparatus and an image output method capable of outputting an image according to a user's interest.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, the image output apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention is created by storing a plurality of image data in one image file. Image acquisition means for acquiring a multi-picture file including output target image data output when a user having an attribute inputs an output instruction, and output control information associated with the user attribute, and the multi-picture file Output instruction means for receiving an input of the output instruction from the user, user attribute acquisition means for acquiring the attribute of the user who input the output instruction, the output instruction based on the user attribute and the output control information An image selection means for selecting image data to be output from the image data in the multi-picture file; and the image selection means And an output means for outputting the output target image data.

  According to the first aspect, when a plurality of pieces of image data are stored together in one multi-picture file, the type of image data to be displayed or printed can be changed according to user attributes. Thereby, the content displayed or printed for each user can be made different in one multi-picture file.

  The image output apparatus according to a second aspect of the present invention is the image output apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein the user attribute acquisition unit accepts an input of the identification information of the user and the user based on the identification information of the user. Or information specifying a user group to which the user belongs is acquired as an attribute of the user.

  An image output apparatus according to a third aspect of the present invention is configured such that, in the first or second aspect, the output control information includes information on an output order when the display target image data is output. Is.

  According to the third aspect, when a plurality of pieces of image data are stored together in one multi-picture file, the order of output is set in addition to the type of image data to be displayed or printed according to the user attribute. Can be changed.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the first to third aspects, the image output device is configured such that the output control information includes information related to processing performed when the output target image data is displayed. Is.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the first to fourth aspects, the image output apparatus performs predetermined processing on image data other than the output target image data in the multi-picture file and outputs the processed image data to the output means. Image processing means for further comprising.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the first to fifth aspects, the image output apparatus displays the list display image corresponding to the image data in the multi-picture file stored in the multi-picture file. A list display instructing unit that accepts an instruction input, wherein the image selection unit is configured to output the multi-picture instructed to be output based on the user attribute and the output control information when the list display instruction is input; A list display image corresponding to the output target image data is selected from the image data in the file, and the output means is configured to output the list display image selected by the image selection means. .

  An image output apparatus according to a seventh aspect of the present invention is the image output apparatus according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, wherein the output means is a display means for displaying the output image data.

  An image output apparatus according to an eighth aspect of the present invention is the image output apparatus according to any one of the first to seventh aspects, wherein the output means is a printing means for printing the output image data.

  The image output method according to the ninth aspect of the present invention is created by storing a plurality of image data in one image file, and a user having a predetermined attribute among the plurality of image data issues an output instruction. A multi-picture file including output control information in which output target image data output when input and an attribute of the user are associated is acquired, an input of an output instruction for the multi-picture file is received from a user, and the output The attribute of the user who input the instruction is acquired, the output target image data output when the user having the predetermined attribute inputs the output instruction for the image data stored in the multi-picture file, and the attribute of the user The image in the multi-picture file instructed to be output based on the output control information associated with the image and the attribute of the user It selects the output target image data from the chromatography data, which is constituted so as to output the output target image data said selected.

  The image output method according to a tenth aspect of the present invention is the image output method according to the ninth aspect, wherein the information identifying the user is received based on the identification information of the user, or the input of the identification information of the user is received. The information specifying the user group to which the user belongs is configured to be acquired as the attribute of the user.

  The image output method according to an eleventh aspect of the present invention is configured such that, in the ninth or tenth aspect, the output control information includes information on an output order when the display target image data is output. Is.

  An image output method according to a twelfth aspect of the present invention is configured such that, in the ninth to eleventh aspects, the output control information includes information relating to processing performed when displaying the output target image data. Is.

  According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, in the ninth to twelfth aspects, the image output method performs predetermined processing on image data other than the output target image data in the multi-picture file and outputs the processed image data to the output means. It is comprised so that it may do.

  The image output method according to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention is the display of a list display image corresponding to the image data in the multi-picture file stored in the multi-picture file in the ninth to thirteenth aspects. When an instruction input is received and the list display instruction is input, output target image data is selected from the image data in the output multi-picture file based on the user attribute and the output control information. A corresponding list display image is selected, and the list display image selected by the image selection means is output.

  According to the present invention, when a plurality of pieces of image data are stored together in one multi-picture file, the type and order of image data to be displayed or printed can be changed according to user attributes. Thereby, the content displayed or printed for each user can be made different in one multi-picture file.

  Preferred embodiments of an image output apparatus and an image output method according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of image display in the image output apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 1A, the image output apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment includes a main image area A10 in which main image data P1 is stored, and extended data in which a plurality of image data P2,. Image data is recorded in a multi-picture file format including the area A12. When the image output device 10 according to the present embodiment reproduces and displays the image data (P1, P2,..., Pn) stored in the multi-picture file F10, the user output (for example, an ID unique to the user or The image data to be displayed is selected according to the user group to which the user belongs, and the reproduction order of the image data is determined.

  As shown in FIG. 1B, when the user A reproduces and displays the image data in the multi-picture file F10, the image output device 10 displays a landscape image related to the theme “water” associated with the user A. (For example, an image taken at the waterside, an image including “water” as a subject) Only P1, P2,..., Pn are displayed.

  As shown in FIG. 1C, when the user B reproduces and displays the image data in the multi-picture file F10, the image output device 10 displays the landscape image related to the theme “castle” associated with the user B. Only P2 is displayed.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically showing the storage format of the image file in the image output apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  Main image data (representative image data) P1 is stored in the main image area A10. Here, the main image data P1 is used as a representative image when, for example, displaying a list of image files.

  The extended data area A12 stores image data corresponding to a plurality of images. Additional information (Header) is individually added to the image data P2,..., Pn in the extension data area A12.

  In the figure, SOI (Start of Image) and EOI (End of Image) are markers indicating the start position and end position of the storage location of each image data in the multi-picture file F10, respectively.

  The main image area A10 of the multi-picture file F10 includes additional information (Exif tag information (header information), APPx Header). The additional information (APPx Header) includes a list display image (thumbnail image) of the main image data P1. In the IFD0 area of the additional information (APPx Header), (unique) ID information unique to the multi-picture file F10 and multi-picture file management information D10 are stored.

  The multi-picture file management information D10 includes information indicating that the multi-picture file F10 is a multi-picture file, that is, including the extended data area A12 after the main image area A10, and information indicating the recording order of the image data. It is. The multi-picture file management information D10 is recorded, for example, in the Maker Note area of the Exif tag information. The image output apparatus 10 recognizes that the image file is the multi-picture file F10 by reading the multi-picture file management information D10.

  The multi-picture file management information D10 includes output control information T10 for each image data P1, P2,..., Pn when each user reproduces and displays the image data in the multi-picture file F10.

  The output control information T10 stores information indicating whether or not to display each image and the display order when displaying each user and each user group. The numbers in the output control information T10 indicate the order in which each image data is displayed, and “-” indicates that the image data is not displayed. In the example shown in FIG. 2, for example, when the user A reproduces and displays the image data in the multi-picture file F10, the image data is displayed in the order of P2, P1,. In the example shown in FIG. 2, for example, when the user B reproduces and displays the image data in the multi-picture file F10, P1 is displayed first and the image data P2 is not displayed.

  Here, an embodiment of a procedure for creating the output control information T10 will be described.

  The image output device 10 analyzes the subject shown in the image data in the multi-picture file F10, or acquires additional information (for example, subject information or GPS information in Exif tag information) of each image data, Information indicating the theme of each image data is recorded in the additional information (header information, Header) of each image data.

  Each user inputs, for example, his / her attribute information (for example, ID specific to each user or group identification information indicating a user group) and a theme of image data to be browsed to the image output apparatus 10 in advance. Upon receiving the theme input from the user, the image output device 10 determines whether or not image data can be reproduced for each user, and the order of reproduction display, and the reproduction availability information and reproduction pure information are used as output control information T10. Store in the multi-picture file F10.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the main configuration of the image output apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  The image output apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment is configured by a personal computer (PC), for example, for reading a recording image file from the photographing apparatus or the memory card 24, saving the recording image file, editing, and the like. It is a device.

  As shown in FIG. 3, a central processing unit (CPU) 12 is connected to each block in the image output apparatus 10 via a bus 14 and controls the operation of each block.

  The main memory 16 includes a storage area for storing the control program and a work area for executing the program.

  The hard disk device 18 stores an operating system (OS) of the image output device 10, various application software, an image file read from the camera 100 or the memory card 24.

  The CD-ROM device 20 reads data from a CD-ROM (not shown).

  The card interface unit (card I / F) 22 reads image data from the memory card 24.

  The display memory 26 temporarily stores display data. The monitor 28 is composed of, for example, a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) monitor or a liquid crystal monitor, and displays images, characters, and the like based on image data, character data, and the like output from the display memory 26.

  The image output apparatus 10 includes a keyboard 30 and a mouse 32 as an operation unit that receives an operation input from a user. The keyboard 30 and the mouse 32 input a signal corresponding to an operation input from the user to the CPU 12. The mouse controller 34 detects the state of the mouse 32 and outputs signals such as the position of the mouse pointer on the monitor 28 and the state of the mouse 32 to the CPU 12. In addition to the mouse 32, a touch panel, a touch pad, or the like can be used as the pointing device.

  A microphone 38 and a speaker 40 are connected to the audio input / output circuit 36, and various audio signals are input, and various operation sounds are reproduced and output in response to operation inputs from the keyboard 30 and the like.

  The communication interface unit (communication I / F) 42 performs predetermined signal conversion and signal transfer when performing communication via the network NW.

  The camera connection interface unit (camera connection I / F) 44 performs predetermined signal conversion and signal transfer when data is transmitted to and received from the camera 100.

  FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram showing display control by the image output apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The functions of the following blocks are realized by the CPU 12, for example.

  The user ID acquisition unit 50 acquires the input user ID when a playback / display instruction for the multi-picture file F10 is input. Here, the image output apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment is a PC, and the user ID acquisition unit 50 uses the user ID (operation system (for example, Windows (registered trademark)) of the user who is logged in when the reproduction display instruction is input. ) Is registered. Note that the user ID may be acquired by another means (for example, input of a user ID or a user name by the user himself / herself). For example, when the image output apparatus 10 according to the present invention is applied to a mobile phone having an image display function, information (for example, a telephone number) in a SIM card (or UIM card, USIM card) is used as a user ID. May be used.

  The user attribute recognition unit 52 specifies the user based on the user ID input from the user ID acquisition unit 50 and specifies the user group to which the user belongs. The user attribute recognition unit 52 outputs the user ID and / or group identification information for identifying the user group to which the user belongs to the display image determination unit 58.

  The image acquisition unit 54 receives the multi-picture file F10 designated by the reproduction display instruction when the reproduction display instruction of the multi-picture file F10 is input by an operation member such as the keyboard 30 and the mouse 32, and the hard disk device 18 and the memory card. Read from 24.

  The header information analysis unit 56 reads the header of the multi-picture file F10 designated by the image display instruction and acquires the output control information T10.

  Based on the user ID and the output control information T10, the display image determination unit 58 selects output target image data to be output to the image display unit (monitor) 28 among the image data P1, P2,..., Pn in the multi-picture file F10. The display order of the output target image data is determined.

  The display image selection unit 60 causes the monitor 28 to output only the output target image data out of the image data read by the image acquisition unit 54 according to the determination of the display image determination unit 58.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the flow of display control by the image output apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  First, when the image output apparatus 10 is activated and the user logs in using his / her user ID, the image output apparatus 10 acquires a user ID (step S10).

  Next, when an image display instruction is input (Yes in step S12), the multi-picture file F10 designated by the image display instruction is read, and the header information of the multi-picture file F10 is analyzed (step S14). If the output control information is not detected from the header information of the multi-picture file F10 (No in step S16), all the image data P1, P2,. For example, the images are displayed in the order stored in the multi-picture file F10, the order from the top of the multi-picture file F10, the shooting date / time or the update date / time (step S18).

  On the other hand, when the output control information T10 is detected from the header information of the multi-picture file F10 (Yes in step S16), the monitor among the image data in the multi-picture file F10 according to the user ID and the output control information T10. The output target image data output to 28 is determined, and the image is displayed according to the display order of the output target image data (step S20).

  Next, when the frame is advanced (No in step S22, Yes in S24), the process returns to step S14, and the processes of steps S14 to S24 are repeated for the next image file.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a flow of display control based on the user group.

  First, when the image output device 10 is activated and the user logs in using his / her user ID, the image output device 10 acquires the user ID (step S30), and the user belongs to the user based on the acquired user ID. A user group is identified (step S32).

  Next, when an image display instruction is input (Yes in step S34), the multi-picture file F10 designated by the image display instruction is read, and the header information of the multi-picture file F10 is analyzed (step S36). If the output control information is not detected from the header information of the multi-picture file F10 (No in step S38), all the image data P1, P2,. For example, the images are displayed in the order stored in the multi-picture file F10, the order from the top of the multi-picture file F10, the shooting date / time or the update date / time (step S40).

  On the other hand, when the output control information T10 is detected from the header information of the multi-picture file F10 (Yes in step S38), the information in the multi-picture file F10 is determined according to the group information to which the user belongs and the output control information T10. Of the image data, output target image data to be output to the monitor 28 is determined, and an image is displayed in accordance with the display order of the output target image data (step S42).

  Next, when the frame is advanced (No in step S44, Yes in S46), the process returns to step S36, and steps S36 to S46 are repeated for the next image file.

  According to the present embodiment, when a plurality of pieces of image data are collectively stored in one multi-picture file F10, according to the user attribute (for example, the user's personal ID or the user group to which the user belongs). The type and order of the displayed images can be changed. Thereby, the display content can be made different for each user who browses in one multi-picture file F10.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. The description of the same configuration as that of the first embodiment is omitted.

  FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram showing display control by the image output apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the display image selection unit 60 according to the present embodiment further includes a display thumbnail image extraction unit 62.

  In the present embodiment, the output control information T10 is image data P1 in the multi-picture file F10 as a list display image (thumbnail image) used when displaying a list of image files recorded in the image output device 10. Information indicating which image data of P2,..., Pn to use is used.

  When displaying a list of image files in a predetermined recording medium (for example, the hard disk device 18 or the memory card 24) based on the output control information T10, the display thumbnail image extracting unit 62 stores information in each multi-picture file F10. The thumbnail image is acquired from the header information of the image data used when displaying the list among the image data, and is output to the monitor 28.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the flow of display control by the image output apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

  First, when the image output apparatus 10 is activated and the user logs in using his / her user ID, the image output apparatus 10 acquires a user attribute (information indicating a user or a user group to which the user belongs) (step S50). ).

  Next, the header information of each image file in a predetermined recording medium is analyzed (step S52). When an instruction to perform a list display (thumbnail display) of image data in each image file is input (No in step S54), whether there is output control information from the header information of the multi-picture file F10. Determination is made (step S56).

  When the output control information is not detected from the header information of the multi-picture file F10 (No in step S56), the thumbnail images of all the image data included in each multi-picture file F10 are in order (for example, multi-picture file F10). The images are displayed in the order stored in the picture file F10, the order from the top of the multi-picture file F10, the shooting date / time or the update date / time) (step S58). On the other hand, when the output control information T10 is detected from the header information of the multi-picture file F10 (Yes in step S56), the monitor among the thumbnail images in the multi-picture file F10 according to the user attribute and the output control information T10. Those to be output to 28 are determined, and thumbnail images of the output target image data are arranged and displayed in a list according to the display order (step S60).

  On the other hand, when an instruction to perform thumbnail display of the representative image of each image file is input (Yes in step S54), if output control information is not detected from the header information of the multi-picture file F10 (step S54). In step S62, the thumbnail image of the main image data P1 of the multi-picture file F10 is displayed (step S64). On the other hand, when the output control information T10 is detected from the header information of the multi-picture file F10 (Yes in step S56), the monitor among the image data in the multi-picture file F10 according to the user attribute and the output control information T10. The thumbnail image to be output to 28 is determined and displayed (step S66).

  Next, when the frame is advanced (No in Step S68, Yes in S70), the process returns to Step S62, and the processes from Step S62 to S70 are repeated for the next image file.

  According to this embodiment, when displaying a thumbnail image, the display content can be changed according to the user attribute. Further, according to the present embodiment, the user attribute display content can be changed even when only one representative image is displayed, for example, as a list display of image files. Accordingly, for example, by displaying thumbnails of images that each user is interested in, it is possible to prompt the user to browse the image file.

[Third Embodiment]
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. The description of the same configuration as that of the first embodiment is omitted.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of image display by display control according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 9A, when the creator of the multi-picture file F10 browses, the thumbnail images TP1, corresponding to the image data P1,..., P9 in the multi-picture file F10 are output based on the output control information T10. ..., TP9 are all displayed.

  As shown in FIG. 9B, when the user A browses, thumbnail images TP1,..., TP4, TP6 of the image data whose theme is “mountain” in the multi-picture file F10 are output by the output control information T10. Is displayed.

  As shown in FIG. 9C, when the user B browses, thumbnail images TP1,..., TP4, TP6 of the image data with the theme “mountain” in the multi-picture file F10 are output by the output control information T10. The thumbnail images TP5, TP7,..., TP9 other than these are displayed after being subjected to predetermined processing (for example, dimmer display (at least part of the image cannot be identified by changing the dimming of the image) Display to do)).

  In the display of FIG. 9B, the user A cannot recognize whether image data other than the displayed image is included in the multi-picture file F10. On the other hand, in the display of FIG. 9 (c), the user B cannot view the thumbnail images TP5, TP7,..., TP9 itself, but image data other than P1,. It can be recognized that it is included. Thereby, for example, the user B asks the file creator to have permission to change the output control information T10 of the multi-picture file F10 (for example, the file creator), and thumbnails TP5, TP7,. , TP9 can be viewed.

  FIG. 10 is a functional block diagram showing display control by the image output apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the display image selection unit 60 according to the present embodiment further includes an image processing unit 64.

  The output control information T10 according to the present embodiment is a thumbnail of image data in the multi-picture file F10 as a list display image (thumbnail image) used when displaying a list of image files recorded in the image output apparatus 10. This includes information specifying thumbnail images to be subjected to predetermined image processing (for example, dimmer display) among the images TP1, TP2,.

  The display thumbnail image extraction unit 62 acquires a thumbnail image from the header information of the image data used when displaying the list among the image data in each multi-picture file F10, and outputs the thumbnail image to the monitor 28.

  The display image determination unit 58 inputs the image data specified by the output control information T10 to the image processing unit 64, performs predetermined processing, and outputs it to the monitor 28.

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the flow of display control by the image output apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

  First, when the image output apparatus 10 is activated and the user logs in using his / her user ID, the image output apparatus 10 acquires user attributes (information indicating the user or a user group to which the user belongs) (step S80). ).

  Next, the header information of each image file in the predetermined recording medium is analyzed (step S82). If an instruction to display a list (thumbnail display) of image data in each image file is input (No in step S84), whether there is output control information from the header information of the multi-picture file F10. Determination is made (step S86).

  When the output control information is not detected from the header information of the multi-picture file F10 (No in step S86), the thumbnail images of all the image data included in each multi-picture file F10 are in turn (for example, multi-picture file F10). The images are displayed in the order stored in the picture file F10, the order from the top of the multi-picture file F10, the shooting date / time or the update date / time) (step S88). On the other hand, when the output control information T10 is detected from the header information of the multi-picture file F10 (Yes in step S86), it is designated by the user attribute and the output control information T10 in the image data in the multi-picture file F10. After predetermined processing is performed on the thumbnail images that have been processed, all thumbnail images are arranged and displayed in a list according to the designated display order (step S90).

  On the other hand, when an instruction to perform thumbnail display of the representative image of each image file is input (Yes in Step S84), if output control information is not detected from the header information of the multi-picture file F10 (Step S84). In step S92, the thumbnail image TP1 of the main image data P1 of the multi-picture file F10 is displayed (step S94). On the other hand, when the output control information T10 is detected from the header information of the multi-picture file F10 (Yes in step S96), the monitor among the image data in the multi-picture file F10 according to the user attribute and the output control information T10. A thumbnail image to be output to 28 is determined, subjected to predetermined processing, and then output to the monitor 28 (step S96).

  Next, when the frame is advanced (No in step S98, Yes in S100), the process returns to step S92, and the processes from step S92 to S100 are repeated for the next image file.

  According to the present embodiment, not only the image data to be displayed is limited according to the user attribute, but also the user can be notified that there is other image data, so that the image display according to the user's interest is performed. At the same time, interest in new image data can be aroused.

  In the present embodiment, the thumbnail image is displayed after being subjected to predetermined processing. However, when specific image data designated by the image data output control information T10 is displayed (for example, when a slide show is displayed). Alternatively, the same processing may be performed.

[Fourth Embodiment]
Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. The description of the same configuration as that of the first embodiment is omitted.

  FIG. 12 is a functional block diagram showing display control by the image output apparatus according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

  The user ID acquisition unit 50 acquires the input user ID when a playback / display instruction for the multi-picture file F10 is input.

  The user attribute recognition unit 52 specifies the user based on the user ID input from the user ID acquisition unit 50 and specifies the user group to which the user belongs. The user attribute recognition unit 52 outputs a user ID and / or group specifying information for specifying a user group to which the user belongs to the print image determination unit 70.

  The image acquisition unit 54 receives the multi-picture file F10 designated by the reproduction display instruction when the reproduction display instruction of the multi-picture file F10 is input by an operation member such as the keyboard 30 and the mouse 32, and the hard disk device 18 and the memory card. Read from 24.

  The header information analysis unit 56 reads the header of the multi-picture file F10 designated by the image display instruction and acquires the output control information T10.

  Based on the user ID and the output control information T10, the print image determination unit 70 outputs output target image data to be output to the print control unit (printer) 74 among the image data P1, P2,..., Pn in the multi-picture file F10. The printing order of the output target image data is determined.

  The print image selection unit 72 causes the print control unit 74 to output only the output target image data out of the image data read by the image acquisition unit 54 according to the determination of the print image determination unit 70.

  According to this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 13A, when printing the image data P1,..., Pn arranged in the image file F10, only the image data specified by the output control information T10 is Can be printed in the specified order.

  FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the flow of display control by the image output apparatus according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

  First, when the image output apparatus 10 is activated and the user logs in using his / her user ID, the image output apparatus 10 acquires the user ID and identifies the user attribute (the user or the user group to which the user belongs). ) Is acquired (step S110).

  Next, when a print instruction is input (Yes in step S112), the multi-picture file F10 designated by the print instruction is read, and the header information of the multi-picture file F10 is analyzed (step S114). If the output control information is not detected from the header information of the multi-picture file F10 (No in step S116), all the image data P1, P2,. For example, the images are printed in the order stored in the multi-picture file F10, the order from the top of the multi-picture file F10, the shooting date / time or the update date / time (step S118).

  On the other hand, when the output control information T10 is detected from the header information of the multi-picture file F10 (Yes in step S116), the image data in the multi-picture file F10 is output according to the user ID and the output control information T10. The target image data is determined, and the image is printed according to the display order of the output target image data (step S120).

  Next, when the frame is advanced (No in step S122, Yes in S124), the process returns to step S114, and the processes of steps S114 to S124 are repeated for the next image file.

  According to the present embodiment, when a plurality of pieces of image data are collectively stored in one multi-picture file F10, according to the user attribute (for example, the user's personal ID or the user group to which the user belongs). The type and order of images to be printed can be changed. As a result, the content printed for each user can be made different in one multi-picture file F10.

  In the present embodiment, for example, the effect (for example, sepia tone, impression color, and control information (for example, header information, title) of each image data) applied to the image data at the time of printing by the output control information T10 together with the image or the image May be set for each user attribute.

  In each of the above embodiments, the case where the image output apparatus according to the present invention is applied to a personal computer has been described. However, the image output apparatus according to the present invention is not only a personal computer but also an electronic camera, a portable information terminal, and the like. The present invention can be applied to an apparatus having a function for displaying and editing images. The present invention can also be provided as an application program to be applied to these devices.

The figure which shows the example of the image display in the image output device which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention typically The figure which shows typically the storage format of the image file in the image output device which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. 1 is a block diagram showing the main configuration of an image output apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a functional block diagram showing display control by an image output apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 6 is a flowchart showing a flow of display control by the image output apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Flow chart showing flow of display control based on user group Functional block diagram showing display control by the image output apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention 7 is a flowchart showing a flow of display control by the image output apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The figure which shows typically the example of the image display by the display control which concerns on the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. Functional block diagram showing display control by the image output apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention 10 is a flowchart showing a flow of display control by the image output apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention. The functional block diagram which shows the display control by the image output device which concerns on the 4th Embodiment of this invention Figure showing an example of print output The flowchart which shows the flow of the display control by the image output device which concerns on the 4th Embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Image output device, 12 ... CPU, 14 ... Bus, 16 ... Main memory, 18 ... Hard disk device, 20 ... CD-ROM device, 22 ... Card interface part (card I / F), 24 ... Memory card, 26 ... Display memory 28 ... Image display section (monitor), 30 ... Keyboard, 32 ... Mouse, 34 ... Mouse controller, 36 ... Audio input / output circuit, 38 ... Microphone, 40 ... Speaker, 42 ... Communication interface section (communication I / F) ), 44 ... Camera connection interface unit (camera connection I / F), 100 ... Camera, 50 ... User ID acquisition unit, 52 ... User attribute recognition unit, 54 ... Image acquisition unit, 56 ... Header information analysis unit, 58 ... Display Image determination unit, 60... Display image selection unit

Claims (14)

A plurality of pieces of image data are stored in a single image file, and among the plurality of pieces of image data, output target image data output when a user having a predetermined attribute inputs an output instruction; and Image acquisition means for acquiring a multi-picture file including output control information associated with a user attribute;
Output instruction means for receiving an input of an output instruction for the multi-picture file from a user;
User attribute acquisition means for acquiring the attribute of the user who has input the output instruction;
Image selecting means for selecting output target image data from among image data in the output multi-picture file based on the user attribute and the output control information;
Output means for outputting output target image data selected by the image selection means;
An image output apparatus comprising:   The user attribute acquisition means receives input of the user identification information, and based on the user identification information, specifies information for identifying the user or information for identifying a user group to which the user belongs. The image output apparatus according to claim 1, which is acquired as an attribute.   The image output apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the output control information includes information on an output order when the display target image data is output.   4. The image output apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the output control information includes information related to processing performed when displaying the output target image data. 5.   5. The image output apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an image processing unit that performs predetermined processing on image data other than the output target image data in the multi-picture file and outputs the processed image data to the output unit. 6. A list display instruction means for receiving an instruction to display a list display image corresponding to the image data in the multi-picture file stored in the multi-picture file;
When the list display instruction is input, the image selection unit converts the image data in the output multi-picture file from the image data in the output instruction to output target image data based on the user attribute and the output control information. Select the corresponding list display image,
The image output device according to claim 1, wherein the output unit outputs a list display image selected by the image selection unit.   The image output apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the output unit is a display unit that displays the output image data.   The image output apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the output unit is a print unit that prints the output image data. A plurality of pieces of image data are stored in a single image file, and among the plurality of pieces of image data, output target image data output when a user having a predetermined attribute inputs an output instruction; and Get a multi-picture file containing output control information associated with user attributes,
Receiving an input of an instruction to output the multi-picture file from a user;
Get the attribute of the user who input the output instruction,
Output control information in which output target image data output when a user having a predetermined attribute for the image data stored in the multi-picture file inputs an output instruction, and the attribute of the user, and the user Based on the attribute of the output, select the output target image data from the image data in the multi-picture file that is instructed to output,
An image output method for outputting the selected output target image data.   The input of the identification information of the user is received, and information specifying the user or a user group to which the user belongs is acquired as an attribute of the user based on the identification information of the user. 9. The image output method according to 9.   The image output method according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the output control information includes information of an output order when outputting the display target image data.   The image output method according to claim 9, wherein the output control information includes information related to processing performed when displaying the output target image data.   The image output method according to any one of claims 9 to 12, wherein image data other than output target image data in the multi-picture file is subjected to predetermined processing and output to the output means. Receiving an instruction to display a list display image corresponding to the image data in the multi-picture file stored in the multi-picture file;
When the list display instruction is input, based on the user attribute and the output control information, the list display image corresponding to the output target image data from among the image data in the output multi-picture file. Select
The image output method according to claim 9, wherein the list display image selected by the image selection unit is output.

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