JP2010212965A - Camera - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a camera that allows a user to instruct removal of image files if necessary, and removes image files with a large data size from a storage medium to leave image files with a small data size. <P>SOLUTION: On receiving an instruction to remove an image file from a user, a controller 104 removes only a RAW image file which is generated and recorded in a memory card as a JPEG image file by one photographing operation, and has a large data size from the memory card, and leaves the JPEG image file which has a smaller data size than that of the RAW image file in the memory card. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a camera.

  The following digital cameras are known. When the captured image is an NG image, this digital camera records only the JPEG image data on the recording medium and deletes the RAW image data (for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2007-215109 A

  However, in the conventional digital camera, since the RAW image data is deleted only for the NG image, it is impossible to instruct the user to delete the RAW image data when necessary.

The camera according to the present invention receives a deletion instruction for an image file recorded on a storage medium from a user, and deletes the image file from the storage medium when the reception means receives a deletion instruction. Deletion control means for leaving an image file having a data size smaller than that of the image file on a storage medium.
In the present invention, an image file in the first image file format (first image file) and a second image file format in which the data size is smaller than that of the first image file (first image file) by one shooting process. 2) are generated and recorded in the storage medium, the deletion control means deletes the first image file from the storage medium and stores the second image file in the storage medium. It may be left.
When deleting the image file from the storage medium, the deletion control means generates an image file having a data size smaller than the image file to be deleted and records it on the storage medium. Also good.
When the image file to be deleted is a RAW image file including RAW data that is image source data before application of image processing necessary for generating image data, the deletion control means reads the RAW image from the storage medium. When deleting a file, development processing is performed on the RAW data included in the RAW image file to be deleted, so that an image file having a data size smaller than that of the RAW image file is generated and recorded on the storage medium. May be.
When the image file to be deleted is a RAW image file including RAW data that is image source data before application of image processing necessary for generating image data, the deletion control means reads the RAW image from the storage medium. When a file is deleted, an image file having a data size smaller than that of the RAW image file may be generated and recorded on a storage medium by performing cutout processing or reduction processing on the RAW data.
When the camera according to the present invention can secure the free space necessary for the next shooting in the storage medium by deleting the image file left on the storage medium, the camera is notified to that effect. You may make it further provide the notification means to notify.

  According to the present invention, a user can instruct deletion of an image file when necessary, and can delete an image file having a large data size from a storage medium and leave an image file having a small data size. .

1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an embodiment of a camera 100. FIG. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing processing of the camera 100.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an embodiment of a camera according to the present embodiment. The camera 100 includes an operation member 101, a lens 102, an image sensor 103, a control device 104, a memory card slot 105, and a monitor 106. The operation member 101 includes various input members operated by the user, such as a power button, a release button, a zoom button, a cross key, an enter button, a play button, and a delete button.

  The lens 102 is composed of a plurality of optical lenses, but is representatively represented by one lens in FIG. The image sensor 103 is an image sensor such as a CCD or a CMOS, for example, and captures a subject image formed by the lens 102. Then, an image signal obtained by imaging is output to the control device 104.

  The control device 104 includes a CPU, a memory, and other peripheral circuits, and controls the camera 100. Note that the memory constituting the control device 104 includes SDRAM and flash memory. The SDRAM is a volatile memory, and is used as a work memory for the CPU to develop a program when the program is executed or as a buffer memory for temporarily recording data. The flash memory is a non-volatile memory in which data of a program executed by the control device 104, various parameters read during program execution, and the like are recorded.

  The control device 104 generates an image file having a predetermined file format based on the image signal input from the image sensor 103 and outputs the image file to the memory card slot 105. In the present embodiment, the control device 104 generates a RAW image file including RAW data and a JPEG image file including JPEG data based on an image signal obtained by one imaging process. The RAW data refers to image source data before application of image processing necessary for generating image data. The JPEG data refers to image data obtained by compressing image data obtained by applying image processing necessary for generating image data to RAW data into JPEG format.

  Note that the control device 104 matches both the part excluding the file name extension of the RAW image file generated in one shooting process with the part excluding the extension of the JPEG image file. Associate an image file. Accordingly, in various processes to be described later, the control device 104 compares the portion excluding the file name extension of the RAW image file with the portion excluding the file name extension of the JPEG image file. By specifying those that match, it is possible to specify a RAW image file and a JPEG image file generated by one shooting process.

  For example, a case where the extension of the RAW image file is “.NEF” and the extension of the JPEG image file is “.JPG” will be described. In this case, when the control device 104 generates a RAW image file and a JPEG image file in one shooting process, the file name “DSC — 0001.NEF” is added to the RAW image file, and the JPEG image file Is appended with a file name “DSC — 0001.JPG”.

  Each of the RAW image file and the JPEG image file has a header portion for storing metadata and the like, and a data portion for storing image source data or image data. The header part of the RAW image file stores an image processing parameter (development parameter) for developing the RAW data stored in the data part into image data for output. The control device 104 generates image data for output, for example, JEPG data, by performing development processing by applying the development parameters stored in the header portion to the RAW data stored in the data portion. Can do.

  Further, in the header part of the RAW image file, display image data generated by applying the development parameter to the RAW data stored in the data part, for example, an image obtained by applying the development parameter to the RAW data. Thumbnail image data created by reducing the data is recorded. In the header portion of the JPEG image file, thumbnail image data generated by reducing the JPEG data is recorded.

  The memory card slot 105 is a slot for inserting a memory card as a storage medium, and records and records the RAW image file and JPEG image file output from the control device 104 on the memory card. The memory card slot 105 reads an image file stored in the memory card based on an instruction from the control device 104 and outputs the image file to the control device 104.

  The monitor 106 is a liquid crystal monitor (rear monitor) mounted on the back surface of the camera 100, and the monitor 106 displays an image stored in a memory card, a setting menu for setting the camera 100, and the like. .

  In the present embodiment, the control device 104 extracts thumbnail image data from the header portion of the image file recorded on the memory card based on the user's instruction, and outputs the thumbnail image data to the monitor 106, so that it is displayed on the monitor 106. List thumbnail images. At this time, in this embodiment, since there are two image files (RAW image file and JPEG image file) generated by one shooting process as described above, thumbnail image data is obtained from either one of the image files. Extracting and displaying thumbnail images is sufficient.

  In the present embodiment, when there is an image display instruction from the user, for example, the control device 104 extracts thumbnail image data from the header portion of the RAW image file recorded on the memory card and monitors the monitor 106. To display a list of thumbnail images on the monitor 106.

  The user can select any one of the thumbnail images displayed as a list on the monitor 106 by operating the operation member 101 and can instruct deletion of an image file corresponding to the selected thumbnail image. . When the user is instructed to delete the image file, the control device 104 specifies the image file corresponding to the thumbnail image selected by the user from the image files recorded on the memory card as the deletion target. To do.

  In this embodiment, since two image files (RAW image file and JPEG image file) generated by one shooting process are generated and recorded on the memory card, the image file specified as the deletion target For example, it is possible to use either a RAW image file and a JPEG image file, or a RAW image file and a JPEG image file.

  As an example of the case where the user deletes the image file, there is a case where the free space of the memory card is small and it is necessary to increase the free space of the memory card in order to perform the next shooting. At this time, in order to secure free space on the memory card, the user must select one of the image files that he / she really wants to keep and delete it, or search for and delete unnecessary image files. You could think so.

  If the image file to be deleted is unavoidably deleted by the user, only the RAW image file with a large data size is deleted and the JPEG image file is left in order to secure the free space of the memory card. It is preferable to keep. On the other hand, when the image file to be deleted is an unnecessary image file, both the RAW image file and the JPEG image file may be deleted.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, in consideration of safety, when there is an instruction to delete an image file from the user, the control device 104 specifies a RAW image file corresponding to the selected thumbnail image, and Only the specified RAW image file is deleted from the card. As a result, based on an instruction to delete the image file by the user, the RAW image file having a large data size is deleted to secure a free space on the memory card, and the JPEG image file having a small data size is left, and the image is completely Can be prevented from disappearing.

  When the RAW image file is deleted from the memory card based on the user's instruction, the control device 104 creates a dedicated folder (hereinafter referred to as “JPEG folder”) in which the corresponding JPEG image file is created in the memory card. ) As a result, it is possible to distinguish between a JPEG image file from which the corresponding RAW image file has not been deleted and a JPEG image file from which the corresponding RAW image file has been deleted, and record them on the memory card.

  As described above, image files that are unnecessary for the user are included in the image files to be deleted. Therefore, in the JPEG image files moved to the JPEG folder, the user determines that they are unnecessary and deletes them. A JPEG image file of the instructed image is also included. In other words, when processing is performed as described above, there is a possibility that a JPEG image file that can be deleted if it is originally left in the memory card.

  Therefore, when the user selects a new thumbnail image and instructs to delete the image file, the control device 104 uses the free space of the memory card and the total data size of the JPEG image file recorded in the JPEG folder. Confirm. The control device 104 is necessary for the next shooting if the memory card does not have enough free space for the next shooting and if the JPEG image file in the JPEG folder is deleted. If sufficient free space can be secured, the user is notified of this. At the same time, the control device 104 prompts the user to select whether to delete the RAW image file corresponding to the newly selected thumbnail image or to delete the JPEG image file recorded in the JPEG folder.

  The user can select whether to delete the RAW image file corresponding to the newly selected thumbnail image or to delete the JPEG image file recorded in the JPEG folder according to the notification. An image file 104 is deleted from the memory card according to the selection result by the user. As a result, the user selects whether to delete a new RAW image file, or to delete a JPEG image file saved in the JPEG folder as a result of having already issued a deletion instruction. Can be secured.

  FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing processing of the camera 100 in the present embodiment. The process shown in FIG. 2 is executed by the control device 104 as a program that is activated when an instruction to view an image is given by the user.

  In step S10, the control device 104 displays thumbnail images as a list on the monitor 106 by extracting thumbnail image data from the header portion of the RAW image file recorded on the memory card and outputting the thumbnail image data to the monitor 106. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S20, and the control device 104 determines whether any thumbnail image is selected by the user and an instruction to delete an image file corresponding to the thumbnail image is given. If a negative determination is made in step S20, the process proceeds to step S90 described later. On the other hand, if a positive determination is made in step S20, the process proceeds to step S30.

  In step S30, the control device 104 confirms the free space of the memory card and the total data size of the JPEG image file recorded in the JPEG folder. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S40, and the control device 104 determines whether or not the free space necessary for the next shooting can be secured if the JPEG image file in the JPEG folder is deleted. When a negative determination is made in step S40, the process proceeds to step S80, and the control device 104 deletes the RAW image file corresponding to the thumbnail image selected by the user from the memory card, and proceeds to step S90 described later.

  On the other hand, if an affirmative determination is made in step S40, the process proceeds to step S50, and the control device 104 causes the user to delete the JPEG image file in the JPEG folder and perform the next shooting. Notifies that the necessary free space can be secured, and prompts the user to select whether to delete the RAW image file corresponding to the newly selected thumbnail image or to delete the JPEG image file recorded in the JPEG folder . Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S60.

  In step S60, the control device 104 determines whether the user has instructed to delete the JPEG image file in the JPEG folder. If a negative determination is made in step S60, the process proceeds to step S80 described above, and the control device 104 deletes the RAW image file corresponding to the thumbnail image selected by the user from the memory card, and proceeds to step S90 described later. . On the other hand, if a positive determination is made in step S60, the process proceeds to step S70.

  In step S70, the control device 104 deletes the JPEG image file recorded in the JPEG folder in the memory card, and proceeds to step S90. In step S90, the control device 104 determines whether or not an instruction to end browsing of the thumbnail image list is given by the operation of the operation member 101 by the user. If a negative determination is made in step S90, the process returns to step S20 and is repeated. On the other hand, when an affirmative determination is made in step S90, the process ends.

According to the present embodiment described above, the following operational effects can be obtained.
(1) When receiving an image file deletion instruction from the user, the control device 104 deletes a RAW image file having a large data size from the memory card and a JPEG image file having a data size smaller than that of the RAW image file. Was left on the memory card. As a result, it is possible to secure the free space of the memory card while preventing the image from completely disappearing.

(2) When the user selects a new thumbnail image and gives an instruction to delete the image file, the control device 104 has a free space on the memory card and the total data size of the JPEG image file recorded in the JPEG folder. If the JPEG image file in the JPEG folder is deleted and the free space necessary for the next shooting can be secured, the user is notified of this. As a result, the user can grasp that the free space necessary for the next shooting can be secured in the memory card by deleting the image file in the JEPPG folder.

-Modification-
The camera according to the above-described embodiment can be modified as follows.
(1) In the embodiment described above, the control device 104 deletes only the RAW image file from the memory card even when the user instructs to delete the image file, and the JPEG having a data size smaller than that of the RAW image file. The image file is kept so that the image is not completely lost. However, the control device 104 may delete both the RAW image file and the JPEG image file from the memory card when the user instructs to delete the image file. Then, the control device 104 leaves an image file having a data size smaller than that of the RAW image file in the memory card by any one of the following methods (A) to (C), and thus is the same as in the above-described embodiment. You may make it acquire the effect of.

(A) When deleting the RAW image file and the JPEG image file, the control device 104 develops the RAW data by using the development parameters at the time of shooting stored in the header part of the RAW image file, thereby generating a JPEG image. Data may be generated and a JPEG image file storing the data may be left in the memory card. Note that when performing development processing, it is not always necessary to use development parameters at the time of shooting, and the user may be able to newly set development parameters.

(B) When deleting the RAW image file and the JPEG image file, the control device 104 generates an image file storing display image data stored in the header portion of the RAW image file, for example, thumbnail image data. This may be left in the memory card.

(C) When the RAW image file and the JPEG image file are deleted, the control device 104 cuts the RAW data stored in the RAW image file into a predetermined size or reduces the RAW data. After reducing the size, an image file storing the size may be generated and left in the memory card.

(2) In the embodiment described above, the control device 104 generates a RAW image file and a JPEG image file in one shooting process, records them on a memory card, and issues an image deletion instruction from the user. In this case, an example has been described in which a RAW image file having a large data size is deleted and a JPEG image file having a small data size is left. However, when the methods (A) to (C) described above in the modification (1) are used, it is not always necessary to generate the RAW image file and the JPEG image file by one shooting process.

  That is, if a RAW image file has been generated by one shooting process, a new JPEG file is generated by performing development processing as described above in (A) even if a JPEG image file is not generated. Can do. Further, as described above in (B), it is possible to read the display image data from the header part of the RAW image file and generate a new image file. In addition, as described above with reference to (C), it is possible to perform cut-out processing and reduction processing on RAW data.

(3) In the above-described embodiment, when deleting the RAW image file from the memory card and leaving the JPEG image file, the control device 104 moves the JPEG image file to the JPEG folder created in the memory card. An example was described. However, the control device 104 may leave the JPEG image file as it is without moving it to the JPEG folder. Alternatively, the control device 104 may transmit the JPEG image file to another external device connected via the network and save it.

(4) In the above-described embodiment, the control device 104 generates a RAW image file and a JPEG image file based on the image signal obtained by one imaging process, and records these on a memory card. I made it. When the user is instructed to delete an image file, the control device 104 deletes a RAW image file having a large data size from the memory card and leaves a JPEG image file having a small data size on the memory card. explained. However, the control device 104 generates two image files of different formats based on the image signal obtained in one shooting process, in a combination different from the combination of the RAW image file and the JPEG image file. It may be. In this case, when deletion of an image file is instructed by the user, the control device 104 deletes an image file having a large data size from two different format image files from the memory card, and sets the data size. Alternatively, an image file having a small format may be left on the memory card.

  Note that the present invention is not limited to the configurations in the above-described embodiments as long as the characteristic functions of the present invention are not impaired. Moreover, it is good also as a structure which combined the above-mentioned embodiment and a some modification.

100 Camera, 101 Operation member, 102 Lens, 103 Image sensor, 104 Control device, 105 Memory card slot, 106 Monitor

Claims (6)

Receiving means for receiving an instruction to delete an image file recorded on a storage medium from a user;
When the accepting unit accepts the delete instruction, the image file is deleted from the storage medium, includes an image of the same subject as the deleted image file, and has a data size larger than that of the deleted image file. A camera comprising: deletion control means for leaving a small image file in the storage medium. The camera of claim 1,
An image file in the first image file format (first image file) and a second image file format in which the data size is smaller than that of the first image file (second image) by one shooting process. File) are generated and recorded in the storage medium, the deletion control means deletes the first image file from the storage medium and stores the second image file in the storage medium. A camera characterized by being left on the medium. The camera of claim 1,
When deleting the image file from the storage medium, the deletion control unit generates an image file having a data size smaller than the image file to be deleted based on the image file to be deleted and records the image file on the storage medium. A camera characterized by that. The camera according to claim 3.
When the image file to be deleted is a RAW image file including RAW data that is image source data before application of image processing necessary for generating image data, the deletion control means includes the storage medium When the RAW image file is deleted from the RAW image file, a development process is performed on the RAW data included in the RAW image file to be deleted, thereby generating an image file having a data size smaller than the RAW image file. A camera characterized by recording on a storage medium. The camera according to claim 3.
When the image file to be deleted is a RAW image file including RAW data that is image source data before application of image processing necessary for generating image data, the deletion control means includes the storage medium When the RAW image file is deleted from the RAW data, the RAW data is cut out or reduced to generate an image file having a data size smaller than that of the RAW image file and record it on the storage medium. Camera characterized by. In the camera according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
If the image file left on the storage medium can be deleted to secure the free space necessary for the next shooting in the storage medium, a notification means for notifying the user to that effect A camera, further comprising:

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