JP3524804B2 - Image recording device - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image recording apparatus, and more particularly to an image recording apparatus which is applied to a digital camera and records an image file on a recording medium in a directory system.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a conventional digital camera, recorded image files are managed by a common directory. That is, all the image files are recorded in the lower hierarchy of a predetermined directory formed on the recording medium.

[0003]

However, in the image file recorded in the recording medium, in addition to the original image file containing the actually photographed subject image (original image), the original image is edited. There is also an edited image file that stores edited images. Therefore, if all the image files are managed by a common directory, a problem occurs when the image files are erased by an erroneous operation. That is, for the edited image file, the same file can be created by re-editing, but for the original image file, once deleted, the same file cannot be created again.

Therefore, a main object of the present invention is to provide an image recording apparatus capable of preventing an image file which should not be deleted from being accidentally deleted.

[0005]

The image recording according to the first invention
The recorder manages files with a directory structure.
In an image recording apparatus for recording an image file on a recording medium, a discriminating means for discriminating whether or not a directory structure satisfies a predetermined condition , and a discrimination result of the discriminating means is negative.
The first directory that manages the first image file
And a second directory for managing the second image file
A first image file is formed on the recording medium.
Il is a file that stores the original image, and is the second
Image files store edited images based on original images
Oh in the file that it characterized the Rukoto. According to the second invention
The image recording device uses a directory structure
Image files are recorded on a removable recording medium that manages
Whether a recording medium is loaded in the image recording device
And the determination result of the determination means is positive.
Directory that manages the first image file when
Second directory for managing birds and second image files
And a first image forming means for forming a recording medium on the recording medium.
File is a file that stores the original image.
2 image files contain edited images based on original images
It is a file to be stored. In the third invention
The conforming image recorder has a hierarchical directory structure.
A file that records an image file on a recording medium that manages files.
In the image recording device, the first mode and the second mode
By the receiving means that receives the selection of either one of
When the selection of the first mode is accepted, the first image file is
A first directory for managing files is formed in the recording medium.
The first directory forming means and the receiving means
When the selection of 2 modes is accepted, the second image file is
A second directory for creating a second directory to be managed in the recording medium.
Equipped with directory forming means, the first mode is the original image
This is a mode for capturing images, and the second mode is the original image.
This is a mode to create an edited image based on the image
The file is the original image captured in the first mode
File to be stored, and the second image file is the first
A file that stores edited images created in 2 mode.
It is characterized by

[0006]

In the first invention, the recording medium has a directory structure.
Manage files by. Determining means, <br/> directory structure of the recording medium body is judged whether satisfy a predetermined condition. Here, if the determination result is negative, the forming means
A second directory for managing the first directory and the second image file that manages the first image file is formed in the recording medium <br/>.

In one aspect of the present invention, the first image file stores the original image and the second image file stores the edited image.

In another aspect of the present invention, the forming means forms the first directory and the second directory in the same hierarchy.

In another aspect of the present invention, the setting means sets either one of the first recording mode for recording the first image file and the second recording mode for recording the second image file. When the first recording mode is set here, the third directory forming means forms the third directory in the lower hierarchy of the first directory. On the other hand, when the second recording mode is set, the fourth directory forming means forms the fourth directory in the lower hierarchy of the second directory.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the first image file is recorded in the lower hierarchy of the third directory by the first image file recording means, and the second image file is recorded in the second image file.
It is recorded in the lower hierarchy of the fourth directory by the image file recording means. In another aspect of the present invention, the first delay
Layer to which the first image file belongs to the layer to which the image file belongs
The number of layers up to
It is equal to the number of layers up to the layer to which the two image files belong. First
According to the invention of 2, the image file has a directory structure.
Manage files by recording on removable recording media
To be done. The determination means determines whether or not the recording medium is loaded.
Separate. If this determination result is affirmative, the first image file
The first directory and second image file for managing files
The second directory to be managed is recorded by the forming means.
Formed in the medium. Here, the first image file is
This is the file that stores the digital image, and is the second image file.
Le is a file that stores edited images based on the original images.
It is Le. According to the third invention, the image file has a hierarchical structure.
Recording medium for managing files by directory structure
Recorded in. The reception means are the first mode and the second mode.
Select either one of the modes. First mode selection
If the selection is accepted, the first image file management
One directory is created by the first directory forming means.
It is formed in the recording medium. Also, the selection of the second mode is accepted.
The second file that manages the second image file
The recording medium by the second directory forming means.
Formed in the body. Here, the first mode is the original image
This is a mode for capturing images, and the second mode is the original image.
This is a mode for creating an edited image based on an image. Also, the first stroke
The image file is the original image captured in the first mode
The second image file is a file for storing the
A file that stores edited images created in 2 mode.
It

[0011]

According to these aspects of the invention, the first directory for managing the first image file and the second directory for managing the second image file are separately formed, so that an image file that should not be deleted is erroneous. It can be prevented from being erased.

The above-mentioned objects, other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the detailed description of the embodiments below with reference to the drawings.

[0013]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to FIG. 1, a digital camera 10 of this embodiment is a CC equipped with a color filter (not shown).
The light image of the subject including the D imager 12 is applied to the light receiving surface of the CCD imager 12 through such a color filter.

When the operator switches the mode setting switch 46 to the "camera" side, the system controller 4
2 sets the camera mode. At this time, the CPU 32
The timing generator (TG) 14 and the signal generator (SG) 16 are activated. TG14 is SG
The timing signal is generated based on the vertical synchronizing signal and the horizontal synchronizing signal output from the CCD 16, and the CCD imager 1
2 is driven by the progressive scan method. As a result, the camera signal of the subject is output from the CCD imager 12. The output camera signal is subjected to well-known noise removal and level adjustment by the CDS / AGC circuit 18,
After that, the A / D converter 16 converts the digital camera data into camera data. The signal processing circuit 22 performs YUV conversion on such camera data to generate YUV data. Then, the generated YUV data is given to the memory control circuit 26 together with the write request.

The memory control circuit 26 captures the YUV data in response to the write request and fetches the captured YU data.
The V data is written in the SDRAM 28. The YUV data is given to the memory control circuit 26 via the bus 24a and then written to the SDRAM 28 via the bus 24b. The YUV data written in the SDRAM 28 is then read by the same memory control circuit 26 based on the read request output from the video encoder 38. The YUV data is read by the interlaced scan method, and the read YUV data is stored in the bus 24.
It is given to the video encoder 38 via a. The video encoder 38 converts the input YUV data into an NTSC format composite image signal, and supplies the converted composite image signal to the monitor 40. As a result, a moving image (through image) of the subject is displayed on the monitor screen in real time.

When the operator operates the shutter button 44, the CPU 32 causes the signal processing circuit 2 to operate at a predetermined timing.
2 is disabled, and the JPEG codec 30 is instructed to perform compression processing. The JPEG codec 30 gives a read request to the memory control circuit 26 in response to the compression processing instruction. By disabling the signal processing circuit 22 at a predetermined timing, the SDRAM 28 has Y corresponding to the subject image at the time when the shutter button 44 is operated.
UV data continues to be stored. The memory control circuit 26
Such YUV data is read from the SDRAM 28 in response to the read request. The read YUV data is given to the JPEG codec 30 via the bus 24a, and the JPEG codec 30 receives the input YUV data.
Compress data.

The JPEG codec 30 further supplies the compressed YUV data generated by the compression process to the memory control circuit 26 together with a write request. Compressed YU
The V data is stored in the SDRAM 2 by the memory control circuit 26.
Written in 8. Compressed YUV data is SDRAM28
Then, the CPU 32 requests the memory control circuit 26 to read the compressed YUV data, and as a result, the compressed YUV data is read from the SDRAM 28 by the memory control circuit 26. The CPU 32 stores the read compressed YUV data in an image file and records the image file in the memory card 36. The memory card 36 is removable, and is actually connected to the bus 24a via an interface (not shown).

When the mode setting switch 46 is switched to the "reproduction" side, the system controller 42 sets the reproduction mode. The CPU 32 reproduces a desired image file from the memory card 36, and supplies the compressed YUV data stored in the image file to the memory control circuit 26 together with a write request. The compressed YUV data is stored in the SDRAM 28 by the memory control circuit 28. CP
U32 also commands the JPEG codec 30 to perform decompression processing. The JPEG CODEC 30 requests the memory control circuit 26 to read the compressed YUV data, and decompresses the read compressed YUV data. Stretched YUV
When the data is generated, the JPEG codec 30 requests the memory control circuit 26 to write the expanded YUV data. As a result, the expanded YUV data is stored in the SDRAM 28. On the other hand, the video encoder 38 requests the memory control circuit 26 to read the expanded YUV data. In response to such a request, the memory control circuit 28 repeatedly reads the decompressed YUV data and supplies it to the video encoder 38. As a result,
An image (reproduced image) corresponding to the expanded YUV data is continuously displayed on the monitor 40.

When the operator selects the enlargement zoom mode (editing mode) by operating the menu while the reproduced image is displayed on the monitor 40, the CPU 32 requests the memory control circuit 26 to perform the enlargement zoom processing. The memory control circuit 26 uses the expanded Y stored in the SDRAM 28.
Enlargement zoom processing is performed on a predetermined portion of the UV data. Then, in response to the request from the video encoder 38, the enlarged YUV data subjected to the enlargement zoom processing is read. As a result, the enlarged zoom image is displayed on the monitor 40. When the operator operates the shutter button 48 in this state, the CPU 32 commands the JPEG codec 30 to compress the expanded YUV data. The expanded YUV data is
Similarly to the above, the expanded YUV data compressed by the JPEG codec 30 is given to the CPU 32 via the SDRAM 28. The CPU 32 stores the supplied compressed YUV data in an image file and records the image file in the memory card 36.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, memory card 36 has a root directory area, a FAT (File Allocation Table) area, and a cluster area according to the MS-DOS format. Then, an original folder (sub-directory) and a non-original folder (sub-directory) are formed in the lower hierarchy of the root directory, and the save destination directories A and B are respectively provided in the original folder and the non-original folder.
Is formed. The image file generated in the camera mode is recorded in the lower hierarchy of the save destination directory A by the CPU 32, and the image file generated in the edit mode is recorded in the lower hierarchy of the save destination directory B by the same CPU 32.

For convenience of description below, an image taken in the camera mode is defined as an original image, and an image file containing the original image is defined as an original image file. An image obtained in the edit mode is defined as an edited image, and an image file that stores the edited image is defined as an edited image file.

The edited image file can be restored by re-editing even if it is accidentally erased, but the original image file cannot be restored once erased. For this reason,
The original directory and the non-original directory are formed separately, and the original image file and the edited image file are individually managed by each directory. Therefore, when the edited image files are organized, the original image files are not deleted by mistake.

The CPU 32 specifically processes the flow chart shown in FIG. When the power is turned on, the CPU 32
In step S1, it is determined whether the memory card 36 is attached. If NO here, the process of step S1 is repeated, but if YES, the directory structure of the memory card 36 is determined in step S3. If the memory card 36 has the initial directory structure, the CPU 3
2 directly proceeds to step S9. On the other hand, if the memory card 36 does not have such a structure, the CPU 32
Creates an original folder and a non-original folder under the root directory in steps S5 and S7, respectively. When the folders are formed in these, the CPU 32 proceeds to step S9. The memory card 36 has a root directory area, FAT, and
Areas and cluster areas have been formed, and step S
At 3, it is determined whether the directory entries for the original and non-original folders exist in the root directory.

In steps S9 to S13, it is determined what key operation is performed by the operator. When the mode setting switch 46 is switched to the "camera" side, the process proceeds from step S9 to step S15, and when the edit mode is set by the menu operation, the process proceeds from step S11 to step S25. When the mode setting switch 46 is switched to the "playback" side, the process proceeds from step S13 to step S35, and when the initialization of the memory card 36 is selected by the menu operation, the process proceeds from step S13 to step S41. Step S41
In the case of advancing to step 3, the CPU 32 initializes the memory card 36, that is, erases the subdirectories and files formed in the memory card 36, and returns to step S3.

When the camera mode is set, the CPU 3
2, the storage destination directory (sub-directory) A is formed in the lower hierarchy of the original folder in step S15. Subsequently, the CPU 32 determines in step S17 whether the set mode is changed, determines in step S19 whether the power is turned off, and determines in step S21 whether the shutter button 44 is pressed.

When the operator selects the reproduction mode, the edit mode or the initialization of the memory card 36, the CPU 3
For step 2, it is determined as YES in step S17, and the process returns to step S9. When the operator operates the power button (not shown), the CPU 32 determines YES in step S19,
The process ends. When the operator operates the shutter button 44, the CPU 32 determines YES in step S21, and performs a shooting process in step S23. When the original image file is generated by this, the CPU 32
Writes the original image file in the lower hierarchy of the save destination directory A in step S24. When the writing process is completed, the CPU 32 returns to step S17. Even if the shutter button 44 is not operated, C
The PU 32 returns to step S17.

When the edit mode is set, the CPU 32
In step S25, the storage destination directory (sub-directory) B is formed in the lower hierarchy of the non-original folder. Succeedingly, in a step S27, the above-mentioned editing process is executed, and in a step S29, the edited image file is written in a lower hierarchy of the save destination directory B. The CPU 32 then performs steps S17 and S1 in steps S31 and S33.
The same process as 9 is performed. When YES is determined in the step S31, the process returns to the step S9 and YE is performed in the step S33.
When it is determined to be S, the processing is ended, and then step S3
If NO is determined in 3, the process returns to step S27.

When the reproduction mode is set, the CPU 32
Performs a reproduction process in step S35, and then executes step S35.
37 and S39, the above-mentioned steps S17 and S19
Perform the same processing as. If YES is determined in the step S37, the process returns to the step S9, and YES is determined in the step S39.
When it is discriminated that the processing is ended, and then step S39
If NO is determined in step S35, the process returns to step S35.

By performing such processing,
Data is written in the memory card 36 as shown in FIG. That is, by the processes of steps S5 and S7, the directory entries of the original folder and the non-original folder are written in the root directory. According to FIG. 4, the original folder is "0
The non-original folder has a FAT entry number of 41 "and the FAT entry number of" 066 ".

When step S15 is processed, "FFF" is written in the position corresponding to "041" of FAT,
And the directory entry of the storage destination directory A is written in the corresponding cluster. Destination directory A
Has a FAT entry number "04C". When the shutter button 44 is operated, steps S23 and S2
4 is processed, and FAT entry numbers “04C” to “04
The original image file 1 is written in the cluster corresponding to E ″.

On the other hand, when step S29 is processed, F
"FFF" is written in the position corresponding to "066" in the AT, and the directory entry of the save destination directory B is written in the corresponding cluster. The save destination directory A has a FAT entry number "04C". When the operator performs an editing operation, steps S27 and S29
Are processed, and FAT entry numbers “06B” to “06” are processed.
The edited image file 1 is written in the cluster corresponding to D ″.

According to this embodiment, when the memory card does not have the initial directory structure, the original folder and the non-original folder are formed in the layer immediately below the root directory. That is, the original folder and the non-original folder are formed under the root directory and in the same hierarchy. When the camera mode is set here, the save destination directory A is formed in a layer one level below the original folder. Further, when the shutter button is operated, an original image file is generated, and the generated original image file is written in the layer immediately below the save destination directory A. On the other hand, when the edit mode is set, the save destination directory B is formed in the layer immediately below the non-original directory. The edited image file created by the editing operation is written in a layer one level below the storage destination directory B. In this way, since the original image file and the edited image file are managed by different folders, there is no possibility that the original image file is mistakenly erased when the edited image files are organized.

In this embodiment, the original image file and the edited image file are managed in different directories to prevent accidental deletion of the original image file. However, even if the storage destination directories A and B are managed by a common folder, it is possible to prevent the erroneous deletion of the image file by changing the permission (protection) setting for the directories of each hierarchy.

That is, if it is desired to avoid erroneous deletion of any image file, the permission setting for the folder may be changed. If you want to prevent accidental deletion of only the original image file, change the permission setting for the save destination directory A. If you want to prevent accidental deletion of only a specific original image file, change the permission of the original image file. Good.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a part of the operation of the embodiment in FIG.

FIG. 3 is an illustrative view showing one example of a directory structure.

FIG. 4 is an illustrative view showing another example of the directory structure.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 ... Digital camera 26 ... Memory control circuit 28 ... SDRAM 30 ... JPEG codec 32 ... CPU 36 ... Memory card

Claims (8)

(57) [Claims] 1. Files are managed by a directory structure.
In the image recording apparatus for recording the image file on the recording medium, the discriminating means for discriminating whether or not the directory structure satisfies a predetermined condition , and the discrimination result of the discriminating means is negative.
Directory that manages the first image file when
Second directory for managing birds and second image files
Comprising a forming means for forming a re in the recording medium, the first image file accommodating the original image file
And the second image file is based on the original image.
An image recording device, which is a file that stores a collection of images . 2. The recording medium is removable, and the discriminating means discriminates when the recording medium is mounted.
Performing image recording apparatus according to claim 1. 3. A file is managed by a directory structure.
Image for recording an image file on a removable recording medium
In the recording device, a determination unit that determines whether or not the recording medium is mounted,
And when the determination result of the determination means is affirmative, the first
First directory and second screen for managing image files
The second directory for managing image files is the recording medium.
A first image file is stored in the first image file.
And the second image file is based on the original image.
The image is characterized by being a file that stores collected images.
Image recording device. 4. The forming means are arranged in the same layer as each other in the first layer.
Forming a directory and the second directory,
The image recording apparatus according to claim 1. 5. A setting means for setting either one of a first recording mode for recording the first image file and a second recording mode for recording the second image file, in response to the setting of the first recording mode. Third directory forming means for forming a third directory in the lower hierarchy of the first directory, and a fourth directory forming a fourth directory in the lower hierarchy of the second directory in response to the setting of the second recording mode. further comprising forming means, the image recording apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4. 6. A first image file recording means for recording the first image file in a lower hierarchy of the third directory, and a second image file recording for recording the second image file in a lower hierarchy of the fourth directory. The image recording apparatus according to claim 5 , further comprising means. 7. From the hierarchy to which the first directory belongs
The number of layers up to the layer to which the first image file belongs is
From the hierarchy to which the second directory belongs, the second image file
The number of layers up to the layer to which the file belongs belongs to claim 1.
7. The image recording device according to any one of 6. 8. A hierarchical directory structure for files
An image recording device for recording an image file on a managed recording medium
Receiving the location, either of the selection of the first mode and the second mode
Accepting means for accepting and accepting selection of the first mode by the accepting means
The first directory that manages the first image file
First directory forming means formed in the recording medium,
And receiving the selection of the second mode by the receiving means.
The second directory that manages the second image file when attached
Second directory formation for forming a bird in the recording medium
Means, wherein the first mode is a mode for capturing an original image.
Ri, the edited image and the second mode based on the original image
In which the first image file is captured in the first mode.
A file containing the original image, and
The second image file is an edited image created in the second mode.
Image storage, characterized by being a file that stores images
Recording device.