JP3630110B2 - Disc-shaped recording medium - Google Patents

Description

また、この例では、全ての画像データを記録した後に、総合インデックスファイルを形成することとしたが、ディレクトリを形成し、その下のインデックスファイルに画像を記録する時に総合インデックスファイルにも同時に記録するようにしても良い。
【０５２４】
１７．［プリント動作］
次に、上記スキャナ部１或いはビデオ入力部８を介して取り込んだ画像、或いは、上記光ディスク２０に記録した画像をプリントする場合における当該静止画記録再生システムの動作説明をする。
【０５２５】
まず、上記スキャナ部１或いはビデオ入力部８を介して取り込んだ画像をプリントする場合、ユーザは、操作部１０を操作して上述と同様にして該スキャナ部１或いはビデオ入力部８を介して取り込んだ画像をモニタ装置９に表示する。そして、上記モニタ装置９に表示される画像が所望の画像であった場合、上記操作部１０を操作してその画像のプリントを指定する。
【０５２６】
上記スキャナ部１或いはビデオ入力部８を介して取り込んだ画像データは、上記メインメモリ１１ａに記憶されている。このため、上記システムコントローラ６は、上記プリントが指定されると、上記メインメモリ１１ａに記憶されている画像データが読み出されるように、上記メモリコントローラ１３を介して該メインメモリ１１ａを読み出し制御する。上記メインメモリ１１ａから読み出された画像データは、プリンタ部２のデータ変換回路２ａに供給される。
【０５２７】
上記データ変換回路２ａは、上記メインメモリ１１ａから読み出された画像データに対してプリントに適したデータ変換処理を施す。すなわち、上記画像データが、Ｒ，Ｇ，Ｂ或いはＹ，Ｃｒ，Ｃｂのかたちで供給されると、これをＹ（イエロー），Ｍ（マゼンタ），（シアン）のかたちに色座標変換することによりプリント用の画像データを形成し、これをサーマルヘッド２ｃに供給する。
【０５２８】
上記サーマルヘッド２ｃは、上記画像データに応じた画像を、例えばＡ６サイズのプリント用紙２ｄに、約３００ＤＰＩでプリントする。これにより、上記スキャナ部１或いはビデオ入力部８を介して取り込んだ画像データに応じた画像をプリントすることができる。
【０５２９】
また、上記メモリコントローラ１３は、画像の拡大処理或いは縮小処理，回転処理等の画像加工が指定されている場合、上記メインメモリ１１ａから読み出された画像データを画像処理回路１２に転送制御する。上記画像処理回路１２に上記画像データが転送されると、画像処理コントローラ１４は、上記指定された画像処理を施すように該画像処理回路１２を制御する。これにより、画像処理回路１２を介して、上記指定された画像処理の施された画像データが上記プリンタ部２に供給され、該拡大処理或いは縮小処理等の画像処理を施した画像をプリントすることができる。
【０５３０】
次に、上記光ディスク２０に記録した画像をプリントする場合、ユーザは、光ディスク２０に記録されているインデックス用の画像を上述の操作でモニタ装置９に表示する。そして、このインデックス用の画像の中から所望の画像を選択する。これにより、上記選択された画像が上記モニタ装置９に表示される。
【０５３１】
ユーザは、上記モニタ装置９に表示された画像が所望の画像である場合は、上記操作部１０を操作してその画像のプリントを指定する。これにより、システムコントローラ６は、現在、モニタ装置９に表示されている画像のプリント用の画像データ（高解像度画像データ或いは超高解像度画像データ）を読み出すようにディスク記録再生部５ｃを制御する。
【０５３２】
上述のように、上記光ディスク２０には、インデックス用の低解像度の画像データ，モニタ表示用の中間解像度の画像データ及びプリント用の高解像度の画像データの３種類の画像データがそれぞれ記録されているとともに、その画像データのプリントに関するプリント情報が予め記録されている。このため、上記システムコントローラ６は、上記再生されたプリント情報を取り込み、このプリント情報に基づいて、上記プリンタ部２のプリント枚数，色指定，画像サイズ，プリント位置等を設定制御するとともに、上記光ディスク２０から読み出された高解像度画像データをプリンタ部２に供給する。 これにより、上記プリント用紙２ｄに、上記光ディスク２０から読み出された画像データに応じた画像が、上記プリントデータに応じた画像サイズ等で指定された枚数分プリントされる。
【０５３３】
このようなプリンタ部２におけるプリント動作及び上記プリント情報及び画像データの記録は、図４９及び図５０のフローチャートに示すようになっている。
【０５３４】
すなわち、まず、図４９に示すフローチャートは、当該静止画記録再生システムのメイン電源がオン操作されることによりスタートとなり、ステップＳ２００に進む。
【０５３５】
上記ステップＳ２００では、上記システムコントローラ６が、上記ストレージ部５のストレージ部コントローラ５ｄと通信を行い、該ストレージ部５に光ディスク２０が装着されているか否かを判別し、ＮＯの場合は光ディスク２０が装着されるまでこのステップＳ２００を繰り返し、ＹＥＳの場合はステップＳ２０１に進む。
【０５３６】
上記ステップＳ２０１では、上記ストレージ部コントローラ５ｄが、上記光ディスク２０に記録されているプリント情報を読み取るようにディスク記録再生部５ｃを制御し、この読み取ったプリント情報を上記システムコントローラ６に転送してステップＳ２０２に進む。
【０５３７】
上記ステップＳ２０２では、上記システムコントローラ６が、上記ストレージ部５で読み取られたプリント情報に基づいて、その画像のプリントが指定されているか否かを判別し、ＮＯの場合は図５０に示すステップＳ２１１に進み、ＹＥＳの場合はステップＳ２０３に進む。
【０５３８】
上記図５０に示すステップＳ２１１では、上記システムコントローラ６が、上記スキャナ部１或いはビデオ入力部８からの画像データの入力が指定されているか否かを判別し、ＮＯの場合は図４９に示すステップＳ２００に戻り、上述のステップＳ２００〜ステップＳ２０２のルーチンを繰り返し、ＹＥＳの場合はステップＳ２１３に進む。
【０５３９】
上記ステップＳ２１３では、上記システムコントローラ６が、上記ストレージ部コントローラ５ｄと通信し、上記光ディスク２０への記録が可能な状態であるか否かを判別する。そして、ＮＯの場合はこの図４９，図５０に示すルーチンを終了し、ＹＥＳの場合はステップＳ２１４に進む。
【０５４０】
上記ステップＳ２１４では、上記ストレージ部コントローラ５ｄが、上記スキャナ部１で読み取られた画像の画像データ、或いは、上記ビデオ入力部８から供給された画像データを上記光ディスク２０に記録するようにディスク記録再生部５ｃを制御してステップＳ２１５に進む。
【０５４１】
上記ステップＳ２１５では、上記システムコントローラ６がユーザにより指定されたプリント情報をストレージ部コントローラ５ｄに転送し、該ストレージ部コントローラ５ｄがこのプリント情報とともに上記画像データを光ディスク２０に記録するようにディスク記録再生部５ｃを制御して上記図４９に示すステップＳ２０２に戻る。そして、上述のルーチンを繰り返す。
【０５４２】
次に、上記図４９に示すステップＳ２０３では、上記システムコントローラ６がプリンタ部２のプリント条件（プリント枚数，色設定，用紙サイズ等）を設定してステップＳ２０４に進む。
【０５４３】
上記ステップＳ２０４では、上記システムコントローラ６が、上記プリントデータにより指定されるプリント指定のうち、所望の色合い等を指定する色指定があるか否かを判別し、ＹＥＳの場合はステップＳ２０９に進み、ＮＯの場合はステップＳ２０５に進む。
【０５４４】
上記ステップＳ２０９では、上記システムコントローラ６が、上記指定された色合い等となるように上記プリンタ部２のマスキング変更を行いステップＳ２０５に進む。
【０５４５】
上記ステップＳ２０５では、上記システムコントローラ６が、上記プリントデータにより指定されるプリント指定のうち、プリントエリアの指定があるか否かを判別し、ＹＥＳの場合はステップＳ２１０に進み、ＮＯの場合はステップＳ２０６に進む。
【０５４６】
上記ステップＳ２１０では、上記システムコントローラ６が、上記指定されたプリントエリアとなるように上記プリンタ部２の設定を変更し、ステップＳ２０６に進む。
【０５４７】
上記ステップＳ２０６では、上記システムコントローラ６が、上記設定した条件でプリントを実行するようにプリンタ部２を制御しステップＳ２０７に進む。
【０５４８】
上記ステップＳ２０７では、上記システムコントローラ６が、上記設定したプリントデータを消去し、ステップＳ２０８に進む。
【０５４９】
上記ステップＳ２０８では、上記システムコントローラ６が、プリントが終了したか否かを判別し、ＮＯの場合は、上記ステップＳ２０２に戻り上述のルーチンを繰り返し、ＹＥＳの場合はそのまま終了する。
【０５５０】
このように上記光ディスク２０に、画像データとともにその画像データのプリント情報を記録しておくことにより、プリントの際にプリンタ部２において上記光ディスク２０から読み出されたプリントデータに基づいて各部を自動的に設定してプリントを行うことができる。このため、面倒なプリント指定の省略を可能とすることができるうえ、例えば色合い等においても確実に所望の色合い等の指定を可能とすることができ、プリントミスの防止を図ることができる。
【０５５１】
また、プリントの際に、プリンタ部２のプリント状態に応じて上記光ディスク２０から画像データを読み出して該プリンタ部２に供給すればよく、上記光ディスク２０が上記フレームメモリ１１の代わりとなるため、該フレームメモリ１１を省略或いは該フレームメモリ１１の記憶容量の軽減を図ることができる。
【０５５２】
さらに、上記光ディスク２０には、プリント枚数等のプリントデータが記録されているため、プリントの際には、上記プリンタ部２と同じ構造を有するプリンタ装置のある場所に上記光ディスク２０を持参するのみで、例えば所望の色合い，プリント枚数でプリントを行うことができる。このため、静止画像のプリントを得るシステムとして新規なシステムを提供することができる。
【０５５３】
１７．［間引き，圧縮伸張処理ブロックの他の構成］
次に、上記間引き，圧縮伸張処理ブロック４は、上記高解像度の画像データを１／４間引き回路４ｃで間引き処理することにより中間解像度の画像データを形成し、これをさらに１／６０間引き回路４ｅで間引き処理して低解像度の画像データを形成することとしたが、該低解像度の画像データは、上記間引き，圧縮伸張処理ブロック４を図５１に示すような構成として形成するようにしてもよい。
【０５５４】
なお、上記図５に示す間引き，圧縮伸張処理ブロック４と同じ動作を示す箇所には同じ符号を付しその詳細な説明を省略する。
【０５５５】
すなわち、この場合、上記間引き，圧縮伸張処理ブロックは、上記１／６０間引き回路４ｅの代わりに、上記中間解像度の画像データをＤＣＴ処理することにより形成された直流分を低解像度の画像データとして記憶する第２のメモリ４ｊを有している。
【０５５６】
このような間引き，圧縮伸張処理ブロック４は、記録時となると、上記高解像度の画像データを、１／４間引き回路４ｃで間引き処理して中間解像度の画像データを形成する。そして、この中間解像度の画像データを上記第１のメモリ４ｄに供給する。
【０５５７】
セレクタ４ｆは、上述のように間引き，圧縮伸張コントローラ４ｉにより選択制御されており、高解像度の画像データ，中間解像度の画像データ，低解像度の画像データの順に各画像データを選択して出力する。このため、上記圧縮伸張回路４ｈには、上記の順に各解像度の画像データが供給され固定長符号化処理され光ディスク２０に記録される。
【０５５８】
ここで、上記圧縮伸張回路４ｈにおいては、８画素×８画素の処理ブロック毎にＤＣＴ処理されるため、このＤＣＴ処理により形成される直流分は、上記中間解像度の画像データを１／６０に間引き処理した画像データと同じもの、すなわち、低解像度の画像データを示すこととなる。このため、上記圧縮伸張回路４ｈ（上記ＤＣＴ回路）は、上記中間解像度の画像データをＤＣＴ処理した際に形成された直流分を低解像度の画像データとして上記第２のメモリ４ｊに供給する。この第２のメモリ４ｊに記憶された低解像度の画像データは、上述のようにセレクタ４ｆで選択され圧縮伸張回路４ｈで固定長符号化処理されて光ディスク２０に記録される。
【０５５９】
このように、上記圧縮伸張回路４ｈのＤＣＴ回路において中間解像度の画像データをＤＣＴ処理する際に得られた直流分を低解像度の画像データとして第２のメモリ４ｊに記憶することにより、上記１／６０間引き回路４ｅを省略することができ、部品点数の削減及び構成の簡略化を通じて当該静止画記録再生システムのローコスト化を図ることができる。
【０５６０】
なお、上記ＤＣＴ処理の直流分である低解像度の画像データのデータ量はそう多くはない。このため、上記フレームメモリ１１の空き領域で代用することができる。これにより、上記第２のメモリ４ｊをも省略することができ、さらにローコスト化を図ることができる。
【０５６１】
次に、上記圧縮伸張回路４ｈは、各解像度の画像データを固定長符号化するために、最初に適当な量子化係数を用いて量子化処理して固定長符号化処理し、次にこの固定長符号化処理の結果に応じて最適な量子化係数を計算して量子化処理及び固定長符号化処理を行って各解像度の画像データをそれぞれ固定のデータ長とする２パス方式を採用していたが、この２パス方式を各解像度の画像データ毎に行うと計６パス必要であり、この圧縮処理に時間を要し、記録時間が長くなる。このため、上記圧縮伸張回路４ｈに図５２に示すような各回路を付加し、上記圧縮時間を短縮化することが好ましい。
【０５６２】
なお、上記図５に示す間引き，圧縮伸張処理ブロック４と同じ動作を示す箇所には同じ符号を付しその詳細な説明を省略する。
【０５６３】
すなわち、この場合、上記間引き，圧縮伸張処理ブロックは、上記圧縮伸張回路４ｈにおいて上記高解像度の画像データを量子化した際の量子化係数を記憶する係数メモリ６２と、上記係数メモリ６２に記憶された上記高解像度の画像データの量子化係数に基づいて、上記中間解像度の画像データの量子化係数を予測形成する中間解像度用係数予測回路６３と、上記高解像度の画像データの量子化係数に基づいて、上記低解像度の画像データの量子化係数を予測形成する低解像度用係数予測回路６４とを有している。また、上記間引き，圧縮伸張処理ブロックは、上記中間解像度用係数予測回路６３からの中間解像度用の量子化係数及び上記低解像度用係数予測回路６４からの低解像度用の量子化係数を切り換えて出力する第２の切り換えスイッチ６５と、上記高解像度の画像データの量子化係数を上記係数メモリ６２に供給するとともに、上記第２の切り換えスイッチ６５からの上記中間解像度用，低解像度用の量子化係数を上記圧縮伸張回路４ｈ内の量子化回路に供給する第１の切り換えスイッチ６１とを有している。
【０５６４】
このような間引き，圧縮伸張処理ブロックにおいては、上記各解像度の画像データがそれぞれセレクタ４ｆに供給される。上記セレクタ４ｆは、上記各画像データを、高解像度の画像データ，中間解像度の画像データ，低解像度の画像データの順に選択し、これらをラスタ−ブロック変換回路４ｇを介して上記圧縮伸張回路４ｈに供給する。
【０５６５】
上記圧縮伸張回路４ｈは、上記高解像度の画像データを上述のように２パス方式で固定長符号化処理するが、この際、当該圧縮伸張回路４ｈ内に設けられている量子化回路において上記高解像度の画像データを量子化処理したときに用いられた量子化係数を上記第１の切り換えスイッチ６１の選択端子６１ａに供給する。
【０５６６】
上記第１の切り換えスイッチ６１は、上記システムコントローラ６により切り換え制御されており、この場合、上記システムコントローラ６は、上記選択端子６１ａが被選択端子６１ｃを選択するように該第１の切り換えスイッチ６１を切り換え制御する。これにより、上記高解像度の画像データを量子化する際に用いられた量子化係数が係数メモリ６２に供給され一旦記憶される。
【０５６７】
上記係数メモリ６２に記憶された上記量子化係数は、中間解像度用係数予測回路６３及び低解像度用係数予測回路６４内の各解像度可変回路６３ａ，６４ａに供給される。
【０５６８】
上記中間解像度用係数予測回路６３の解像度可変回路６３ａは、上記高解像度の画像データの量子化の際に用いられた量子化係数を、解像度の面から中間解像度用に可変して圧縮率可変回路６３ｂに供給する。
【０５６９】
上記圧縮率可変回路６３ｂは、上記解像度可変回路６３ａからの量子化係数を圧縮率の面から中間解像度用に可変し、これを第２の切り換えスイッチ６５の被選択端子６５ｂに供給する。
【０５７０】
同様に、上記低解像度用係数予測回路６４の解像度可変回路６４ａは、上記高解像度の画像データの量子化の際に用いられた量子化係数を、解像度の面から低解像度用に可変して圧縮率可変回路６４ｂに供給する。
【０５７１】
上記圧縮率可変回路６４ｂは、上記解像度可変回路６４ａからの量子化係数を圧縮率の面から低解像度用に可変し、これを第２の切り換えスイッチ６５の被選択端子６５ｃに供給する。
【０５７２】
これにより、その画像データを１回で固定長符号化できる中間解像度用の量子化係数及び低解像度用の量子化係数が上記第２の切り換えスイッチの各被選択端子６５ｂ，６５ｃに供給されることとなる。
【０５７３】
上記第２の切り換えスイッチ６５も、上記システムコントローラ６により切り換え制御されるようになっている。上記システムコントローラ６は、上記圧縮伸張回路４ｈに上記中間解像度の画像データが供給されたときに、上記選択端子６５ａで被選択端子６５ｂが選択されるように、また、上記圧縮伸張回路４ｈに上記低解像度の画像データが供給されたときに、上記選択端子６５ａで被選択端子６５ｃが選択されるように、上記第２の切り換えスイッチ６５を切り換え制御する。また、上記システムコントローラ６は、上記圧縮伸張回路４ｈに上記中間解像度の画像データ又は上記低解像度用の画像データが供給されたときには、上記選択端子６１ａで被選択端子６１ｂが選択されるように該第１の切り換えスイッチ６１を切り換え制御する。
【０５７４】
これにより、上記圧縮伸張回路４ｈに中間解像度の画像データが供給されたときには、中間解像度用係数予測回路６３からの中間解像度用の量子化係数が、また、上記圧縮伸張回路４ｈに低解像度の画像データが供給されたときには、低解像度用係数予測回路６４からの低解像度用の量子化係数が、それぞれ上記第２，第１の切り換えスイッチ６５，６１を順に介して上記圧縮伸張回路４ｈの量子化回路に供給される。そして、上記各解像度の画像データは、上記量子化回路において、上記各解像度用の量子化係数により量子化され、固定長符号化回路により固定データ長とされ上記光ディスク２０に記録される。
【０５７５】
上述のように、上記中間解像度の画像データ用の量子化係数及び低解像度の画像データ用の量子化係数は、上記高解像度の画像データを量子化した際に用いられた量子化係数に基づいて、１回で固定長符号化できるように算出された量子化係数となっている。このため、上記圧縮伸張回路２０において各解像度の画像データを固定長符号化際に行われるパス数を、高解像度の画像データで２回，中間解像度の画像データで１回，低解像度の画像データで１回の、計４回に短縮することができ、固定長符号化にかかる時間を短縮することができる。
なお、上述の実施の形態の説明では、本発明を適用した静止画記録再生システムでは、スキャナ部１或いはビデオ入力部８から取り込んだ画像データに基づいて、６０画素×８０画素のインデックス用の低解像度画像データ，４８０画素×６４０画素のモニタ表示用の中間解像度画像データ、及び１０２４画素×１５３６画素のプリント用の高解像度画像データをそれぞれ形成することとした。しかし、この他、例えば４８０画素×８４８画素のアスペクト比が９：１６のワイド画面モニタ用の画像データ，１０８０画素×１９２０画素のアスペクト比が９：１６のワイド画面プリンタ用の画像データ、或いは２０４８画素×３０７２画素のアスペクト比が３：２の超高解像度写真用の画像データ等を形成し、これを光ディスク２０に記録し再生するようにしてもよい。
【０５７６】
また、上記モニタ表示用の４８０画素×６４０画素の中間解像度画像データを２クラスタのデータ長に固定長圧縮することとしたが、これは、１クラスタのデータ長の固定長圧縮と２クラスタのデータ長の固定長圧縮とをユーザの意思で選択できるようにしてもよい。これにより、ユーザは、解像度の高い表示画像を得たい場合は、上記２クラスタのデータ長の固定長圧縮を選択し、この逆に多少解像度が落ちてもよい場合は上記１クラスタのデータ長の固定長圧縮を選択することができる。このため、ユーザの選択枝を増やすことができ、当該静止画記録再生システムをより理想的な機器とすることができる。なお、この場合において、中間解像度画像データの圧縮率を２クラスタとすると、上記８クラスタで記録される高解像度画像データとの組合せで上記光ディスク２０には２００枚分の画像データしか記録できなかったが、該中間解像度画像データの圧縮率を１クラスタとすると、上記８クラスタで記録される高解像度画像データとの組合せで上記光ディスク２０には約２２２枚分の画像データを記録することができ、記録可能枚数を増やすことができる。
【０５７７】
また、各解像度の画像データを、それぞれ固定長圧縮することとしたが、これは、画像データに応じた圧縮率とするようにしてもよい。この場合、各画像に最適な圧縮率とすることができるため、最適な再生画像を得ることができる。
【０５７８】
また、例えば上記フレームメモリ１は２０４８×２０４８の記憶領域を有しており、このうち、１０２４×１５３６が画像記憶領域、１６×３２がコマンドエリアである等のように各説明において具体的な数値をあげて説明したが、これは、ほんの一例であり、本発明に係る技術的思想を逸脱しない範囲であれば種々の変更が可能であることは勿論である。
【０５７９】
【発明の効果】
以上の説明から明らかなように、本発明に係るディスク状記録媒体では、写真や書籍等に記録された静止画像を手軽に保存，管理等することができる。このため、従来の写真により静止画像を保存等する静止画像システムに代わる新たな静止画像システムを実現することができる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明を適用した静止画記録再生システムのブロック図である。
【図２】上記静止画記録再生システムに設けられているスキャナ部のブロック図である。
【図３】上記静止画記録再生システムに設けられているプリンタ部のブロック図である。
【図４】上記静止画記録再生システムに設けられている画像処理ブロックのブロック図である。
【図５】上記静止画記録再生システムに設けられている間引き，圧縮／伸張ブロックのブロック図である。
【図６】上記静止画記録再生システムに設けられているストレージ部のブロック図である。
【図７】上記静止画記録再生システムに設けられているビデオ入力部のブロック図である。
【図８】上記静止画記録再生システムに設けられている操作部の外観を示す図である。
【図９】上記静止画記録再生システムの第１の記録動作を説明するためのフローチャートである。
【図１０】上記静止画記録再生システムの第２の記録動作を説明するためのフローチャートである。
【図１１】上記第２の記録動作により光ディスク上に形成された各解像度の画像データ毎の記録領域を説明するための模式図である。
【図１２】上記静止画記録再生システムの第３の記録動作を説明するためのフローチャートである。
【図１３】上記光ディスクに記録された画像データのデータ構造を説明するための図である。
【図１４】データＵ−ＴＯＣに形成されるマネージメントブロックを説明するための図である。
【図１５】ボリュームディスクリプタのセクタ構造を説明するための図である。
【図１６】ボリュームスペースビットマップのセクタ構造を説明するための図である。
【図１７】アロケーションブロックの構成を説明するための図である。
【図１８】マネージメントテーブルのセクタ構造を説明するための図である。
【図１９】マネージメントテーブルに記録される各データを説明するための図である。
【図２０】ディレクトリ用ディレクトリレコードのセクタ構造を説明するための図である。
【図２１】ファイル用ディレクトリレコードのセクタ構造を説明するための図である。
【図２２】エクステントレコードブロックのセクタ構造を説明するための図である。
【図２３】上記静止画記録再生システムにおいて、各解像度毎の画像データを管理するための階層ディレクトリ構造を説明するための図である。
【図２４】上記マネージメントブロックを構成するＤＲＢ及びＥＲＢを説明するための図である。
【図２５】上記マネージメントブロックを構成するＥＲＢの構成を説明するための図である。
【図２６】上記階層ディレクトリ構造におけるフォーマットテーブルを説明するための図である。
【図２７】上記階層ディレクトリ構造における画像パラメータテーブルを説明するための図である。
【図２８】上記階層ディレクトリ構造における総合情報管理ファイルを説明するための図である。
【図２９】上記階層ディレクトリ構造における画像データ管理ファイルを説明するための図である。
【図３０】上記階層ディレクトリ構造におけるプリントデータ管理ファイルを説明するための図である。
【図３１】上記階層ディレクトリ構造における画像データファイルを説明するための図である。
【図３２】上記階層ディレクトリ構造における総合インデックスファイルを説明するための図である。
【図３３】上記階層ディレクトリ構造における画像インデックスファイルを説明するための図である。
【図３４】上記階層ディレクトリ構造におけるプリントデータファイルを説明するための図である。
【図３５】上記静止画記録再生システムにおける前半の記録動作を説明するためのフローチャートである。
【図３６】上記静止画記録再生システムにおける後半の記録動作を説明するためのフローチャートである。
【図３７】上記静止画記録再生システムにおける各解像度毎の画像データの記録動作を説明するためのフローチャートである。
【図３８】上記静止画記録再生システムにおける再生動作を説明するためのフローチャートである。
【図３９】上記静止画記録再生システムにおける第１のインデックス表示の表示形態を説明するための図である。
【図４０】上記静止画記録再生システムにおける第２のインデックス表示の表示形態を説明するための図である。
【図４１】上記静止画記録再生システムにおける第３のインデックス表示の表示形態を説明するための図である。
【図４２】上記静止画記録再生システムにおける第４のインデックス表示の表示形態を説明するための図である。
【図４３】上記静止画記録再生システムにおける第１のアルバムサーチの動作を説明するための図である。
【図４４】上記静止画記録再生システムにおける第２のアルバムサーチの動作を説明するための図である。
【図４５】上記静止画記録再生システムにおける指定された画像データの検索動作を説明するための図である。
【図４６】上記静止画記録再生システムにおける画像データの編集動作を説明するための図である。
【図４７】上記静止画記録再生システムにおける総合インデックスファイルの前半の形成動作を説明するためのフローチャートである。
【図４８】上記静止画記録再生システムにおける総合インデックスファイルの後半の形成動作を説明するためのフローチャートである。
【図４９】上記静止画記録再生システムにおけるプリント動作を説明するためのフローチャートである。
【図５０】上記プリント動作におけるサブルーチンを説明するためのフローチャートである。
【図５１】上記静止画記録再生システムに設けられている間引き，圧縮伸張処理ブロックの第２の形態を説明するためのブロック図である。
【図５２】上記静止画記録再生システムに設けられている間引き，圧縮伸張処理ブロックの第３の形態を説明するためのブロック図である。[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a disc-shaped recording medium that handles still image information formed by reading an image from, for example, a negative film or a photograph, and still image information from a camera device, a video tape recorder device, a monitor device, or the like.
[0002]
[Prior art]
As a still image recording method today, a subject is imaged by a camera device using a photographic film, and a negative film formed thereby is taken to a developing laboratory for development and printing, and a still image of the subject is recorded. A method of obtaining a photograph is common.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, as the number of photos increases, the number of albums that store them increases, and the storage location becomes troublesome and management becomes very troublesome. For this reason, today, it is desired to develop a device that can easily store and manage still images recorded in the above-mentioned photographs and the like.
The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a disc-shaped recording medium that can easily store and manage still images recorded in photographs and books.
[0004]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
According to the present invention, in a disc-shaped recording medium for recording image data, a first management information table formed on the innermost circumference side and storing a non-rewritable area and a rewritable area is recorded. In the rewritable area managed by the management information table, a plurality of image files obtained by classifying a plurality of different resolution image data generated from each original image data for each resolution, and the plurality of image files A first area for recording a management file for managing correspondence information between the files, and the first area managed by the first management information table formed on the inner periphery side from the first area In the first area of the image file and the management file provided in the rewritable area other than the above, and included in the first area Characterized in that it comprises a second area for recording the second management information table for managing the relative position in a predetermined recording unit.
[0005]
As a result, the disc-shaped recording medium according to the present invention can accurately manage the image data recorded for each resolution. Therefore, the recording area on the disc-shaped recording medium can be used effectively, the management of the image data can be facilitated, and the designated image data can be immediately reproduced. Further, since management data necessary for recording and reproducing the image file in which the image data is recorded is concentrated in the management file and the management information table (data U-TOC), only the management file and the management information are stored. By accessing, image files on the disc can be searched at high speed, and the number of accesses for searching can be reduced. In addition, since the first area (file extent area) for recording the data file including the image file and the management file is separated from the second area for recording the management information table, the data file to be recorded in the first area. Makes it easier to search.
[0006]
According to the present invention, in a disc-shaped recording medium for recording and reproducing image data, the recorded file management structure has a hierarchical directory structure of a directory and subdirectories formed in the directory, and the directory Includes at least one of a first management file for managing all subdirectories formed in the directory and an image file recorded in the subdirectory formed in the directory. A first index file including low-resolution image data for indicating one image file, and a second index for managing the image files recorded in the subdirectory. The management file and all the image files recorded in the above subdirectory A second index file including low-resolution image data for display, and the first management file and the second management file are recorded in a management area formed on the disc-shaped recording medium, and The first index file and the second index file are recorded in a file area formed on the outer peripheral side of the management area.
[0007]
Thereby, in the disc-shaped recording medium according to the present invention, management of each recorded image data can be facilitated, and designated image data can be immediately reproduced. Also, it has a hierarchical directory structure consisting of a directory (PIC MD) for recording image data and subdirectories (image directories), and a second management file is provided for each subdirectory, so that image files Since each subdirectory can be classified and managed, a large number of images can be easily managed. Also, since a plurality of low resolution image data is recorded on the recording medium as one index, a plurality of low resolution image data can be read at a high speed by reading the index file, Reduces the number of successes.
[0010]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
[0011]
The present invention is applied to, for example, a still image recording / reproducing system as shown in FIG.
[0012]
1. [Configuration of still image recording / playback system]
The still image recording / reproducing system includes a scanner unit 1 that reads an image from a film, a photograph, and the like, a printer unit 2 that prints a still image according to image data captured or recorded by the still image recording / reproducing system, The image processing block 3 forms high-resolution image data for printing, intermediate-resolution image data for monitor display, and low-resolution image data for index display from image data captured by the still image recording / playback system. The image processing block 3 displays a video input unit 8 for capturing image data from other video equipment such as a video tape recorder device and a camera device, and a still image corresponding to the image data via the image processing block 3. The monitor devices 9 to be connected are respectively connected.
[0013]
The still image recording / reproducing system also includes a thinning compression / decompression block 4 that performs thinning and compression / decompression processing on image data captured in the still image recording / reproducing system, and the image data of each resolution described above. And a storage unit 5 for recording and reproducing on an optical disk (magneto-optical disk) provided as a recording medium, and a system controller 6 for controlling the entire still image recording / reproducing system. As will be described later, the system controller 6 is provided with a random access memory (RAM) 6a for temporarily storing image data read from the optical disk when the image data is rearranged in the order of reproduction and recorded on the optical disk. The system controller 6 is connected to an operation unit 10 for designating image data capture, recording, reproduction, printing, and the like.
[0014]
The still image recording / reproducing system connects the scanner unit 1, printer unit 2, image processing block 3, thinning, compression / decompression processing block 4, storage unit 5 and system controller 6 via a bus line 7, respectively. It is constituted by.
[0015]
1-1 [Configuration of Scanner Unit]
As shown in FIG. 2, the scanner unit 1 includes a CCD image sensor 1a for reading a still image recorded on a negative film, a positive film, a photograph, and the like, and an image signal supplied as an analog signal from the CCD image sensor 1a. An A / D converter 1b that digitally converts to form image data, a correction unit 1c that performs correction processing such as shading correction and color masking correction on the image data from the A / D converter 1b, and the bus line 7 And an interface 1d connected to the.
[0016]
1-2 [Configuration of Printer Unit]
As shown in FIG. 3, the printer unit 2 includes an interface 2a connected to the bus line 7, a data conversion circuit 2b for performing a data conversion process suitable for printing on supplied image data, and the data conversion circuit 2b. The thermal head 2c prints a still image corresponding to the image data on the printer paper 2d.
[0017]
1-3 [Configuration of Image Processing Block]
The image processing block 3 is a main memory 11a that temporarily stores image data captured in the still image recording / playback system, and a video that temporarily stores image data captured via the scanner unit 1 or the video input unit 8 or the like. A frame memory 11 including a memory 11b and an image processing circuit 12 that performs image processing such as enlargement processing and reduction processing on the image data stored in the main memory 11a are provided. The memory controller 13 controls the frame memory 11, the image processing controller 14 controls image processing operations in the image processing circuit 12, and the interface 15 connected to the bus line 7.
[0018]
The frame memory 11 includes an R frame memory from which red (R) image data is read and written, a G frame memory from which green (G) image data is read and written, and a blue (B) image data from which B is read and written. It consists of a frame memory.
[0019]
The above-described frame memory for each color logically includes, for example, four DRAMs (Dynamic RAMs) in the depth direction in a vertical direction × horizontal × depth of 1024 pixels × 1024 pixels × 4 bits and a total storage area of 4 Mbits. Stacked in stages, a total of 8 DRAMs are configured to have a storage area of 2048 × 2048 × 8 bits. The frame memory 11 is logically configured by stacking the frame memories for the respective colors having the storage area of 2048 × 2048 × 8 bits in the depth direction, for example, in the order of RGB. Therefore, the frame memory 11 has a storage area of 2048 × 2048 × 24 bits.
[0020]
1-4 [Structure of decimation and compression / decompression processing block]
As shown in FIG. 5, the thinning / compression / decompression processing block 4 includes an interface 4a connected to the bus line 7, a buffer 4a for temporarily storing high-resolution image data supplied via the interface 4a, The 1/4 resolution circuit 4c that forms intermediate resolution image data by thinning the high resolution image data from the buffer 4a into 1/4, and the intermediate resolution image data from the 1/4 resolution circuit 4c are temporarily stored. And a memory 4d. The intermediate resolution image data read from the memory 4d is thinned to 1/60 to form low resolution image data. The 1/60 thinning circuit 4e forms high resolution image data from the buffer 4b. And a selector 4f for selecting and outputting the intermediate resolution image data from the 1/4 thinning circuit 4c and the low resolution image data from the 1/60 thinning circuit 4e. The image data selected by the selector 4f is divided into blocks each having a predetermined pixel unit suitable for compression processing, and the image data block-formed by the raster-block conversion circuit 4g. It has a compression / decompression circuit 4h that performs fixed-length encoding processing, a decimation, a decimation in the compression / decompression processing block 4, a decimation / compression / decompression controller 4i for controlling the compression / decompression processing operation.
[0021]
1-5 [Configuration of storage unit]
The storage unit 5 performs EFM modulation processing on the image data of each resolution from the interface 5a connected to the bus line 7 and the thinning / compression / decompression processing block 4 as shown in FIG. The circuit 5b includes a disk recording / reproducing unit 5c that records and reproduces image data from the EFM circuit 5b on the optical disc 20, and a storage unit controller 5d that controls the operation of the entire storage unit 5.
[0022]
1-6 [Configuration of video input unit]
As shown in FIG. 7, the video input unit 8 includes an input terminal 8a for composite video signals, an input terminal 8b for video signals supplied in a Y (luminance) / C (chroma) separate format, and RGB Processing for converting the video signal input terminal 8c supplied in the format and the video signal of each format supplied via the input terminals 8a to 8c into an image size suitable for the still image recording / reproducing system. And an A / D converter 8e for converting each video signal supplied as an analog signal from the video processing unit 8d into digital data to form each image data.
[0023]
1-7 [Configuration of operation unit]
The operation unit 10 has an appearance as shown in FIG. 8, and has a disk insertion slot 30 and a display unit 26 formed of a liquid crystal display panel on the surface panel. The operation unit 10 includes a power key 31 for turning on the main power of the storage unit 5, an eject key 32 for designating removal of the optical disc 20 inserted through the disc insertion slot 30, and And an album key 33 for selecting an album.
[0024]
The operation unit 10 includes a disc key 34 for designating display of a disc name, an album name, and the like, an image key 35 for designating display of an image name, a keyword, a recording date and time, a current date, A clock key 36 for designating the display of time and the like, and auto play for automatically reproducing the images of the designated album in the order of recording or for automatically reproducing the images of each designated album in the designated order And an auto play key 37.
[0025]
The operation unit 10 also includes a first index key 38a for designating a first index display for displaying, for example, 25 images constituting the selected album on one screen, and the first image of each album. The second index key 38b for designating the second index display for displaying only one image on one screen, and the third index display for displaying the first to several images of each album on one screen. And a fourth index key 38d for designating a fourth index display for displaying an image of each album reproduced every predetermined number on one screen.
[0026]
The section operation unit 10 displays a first album search key 56 for designating a first album search display for displaying a desired album by displaying only the first image of each album one by one, A second album search key 57 for specifying a second album search display for displaying a desired album by displaying one image at a time from the top of each album one by one, and 1 for the current image A return key 39 for designating the reproduction of the previous image, a feed key 40 for designating the reproduction of the next image after the current image, a reproduction key 41 for designating the reproduction of the image, And a stop key 42 for designating stop of recording / reproduction.
[0027]
The operation unit 10 also includes a pause key 43 for designating the pause of the auto play, a record designation key 44 for designating image recording, a REC indicator 45 that is lit during recording, and an editing mode. And an edit indicator 46 that is lit, and a move key 47 that is used to move a desired image to a desired position in the album or a desired position in another album.
[0028]
The operation unit 10 uses the erase key 48 for designating deletion of recorded images and the move key 47 to move the desired image to the album or another album. An enter key 49 used for designating an image, a numeric keypad 50 used for inputting numbers or characters, and a clear key 51 for designating deletion of numbers or characters input by the numeric keypad 50. Yes.
[0029]
Since each of the above keys 31 to 51 is frequently used, the keys 31 to 51 are all exposed in the surface panel.
[0030]
The operation unit 10 further includes a search key 52 for designating a search for a desired image, a write key 53 for designating recording of an album name, an image name, etc., and a character to be entered. An up / down / left / right key 54 and an EXEC key 55 for designating recording of a character or the like designated by the up / down / left / right key 54 are provided.
[0031]
Since these keys 52 to 55 are used for special purposes such as recording of album names and image names, they are usually hidden by the front cover, and the user opens the front cover and uses it when necessary. It has become.
[0032]
2. [Overview of recording operation]
Next, the first recording operation of the still image recording / reproducing system having such a configuration will be described.
[0033]
First, when recording desired image data on the optical disk 20 of the storage unit 5, the user operates the operation unit 10 to specify the image data capture destination (scanner unit 1 or video input unit 8), and The output destination of the captured image data is set in the storage unit 5. As a result, the system controller 6 controls the scanner unit 1 or the video input unit 8 to an operating state.
[0034]
2-1 [Explanation of operation of scanner unit]
The scanner unit 1 can read images of both a reflection original and a transmission original. Specifically, the scanner unit 1 can read, for example, an E size photo, an L size photo, and an A6 size photo as the reflective original, and a 35 mm, Broni size as the transparent original. The negative film can be read. The scanner unit 1 can also read a document on which the 35 mm, Broni-size negative film is printed as it is as the reflective document.
[0035]
When the film, photograph or the like is placed on the document reading table, the scanner unit 1 scans the document by scanning the CCD line sensor 1a shown in FIG. The CCD line sensor 1a forms an image signal corresponding to the read image and supplies it to the A / D converter 1b. The A / D converter 1b digitizes the image signal supplied from the CCD line sensor 1a to form image data and supplies it to the correction system 1c. For example, when the image is read from the 35 mm film, the correction system 1c corrects the image data to image data having a size of vertical × horizontal of 1200 pixels × 1700 pixels and outputs the image data.
[0036]
The scanner unit 1 also reads 1298 pixels × 975 to 1875 pixels, 1050 × 1450 pixels, and 1120 pixels × when the original to be read is a Brownie size film, an E size photo, an L size photo, or an A6 size photo, respectively. Image data having a size of 1575 pixels, 1325 pixels × 1825 pixels is corrected and output.
[0037]
2-2 [Description of operation of video input unit]
As shown in FIG. 7, the video input unit 8 is supplied with, for example, a composite video signal from a video tape recorder, a video signal supplied in a Y (luminance) / C (chroma) separate format, and an RGB format. The video signals in three formats can be input, and these video signals are supplied to the video processing system 8d via the input terminals 8a to 8c, respectively.
[0038]
The video processing system 8d sets the pixels of the video signals of the respective formats to square lattice pixels and sets the image size to 480 pixels × 640 pixels, and supplies this to the A / D converter 8e. The A / D converter 8e digitizes the video signal to form image data corresponding to the video signal of each format and outputs it through the output terminal 8f.
[0039]
2-3 [Description of Operation of Image Processing Block]
The image data formed by the scanner unit 1 or the video input unit 2 is, for example, high-resolution image data of 1024 pixels × 1536 pixels in length × width, and the input terminal 18 of the image processing block 3 shown in FIG. To the video memory 11b in the frame memory 3.
[0040]
When the high-resolution image data is supplied to the video memory 11b, the memory controller 13 temporarily stores the video data, and writes and controls the video memory 11b so as to read out the stored high-resolution image data. Read control. The high-resolution image data is thinned out via the data line 17, the interface 15, the bus line 7 and the data line 16 in this order, transferred to the compression / decompression processing block 4, and transferred to the main memory 11a. The memory controller 13 controls the writing to the main memory 11a so as to temporarily store the high resolution image data transferred to the main memory 11a.
[0041]
Next, when the high resolution image data is stored in the main memory 11a, the image processing controller 14 converts the high resolution image data into, for example, 480 pixel × 640 pixel intermediate resolution image data for monitor display. The image processing circuit 12 and the memory controller 13 are controlled. As a result, the high resolution image data is read from the main memory 11 a by the read control of the memory controller 13 and supplied to the image processing circuit 12. Then, the high resolution image data is converted into intermediate resolution image data by the image processing circuit 12 and supplied to the video memory 11b through the data line 16, the interface 15, the bus line 7 and the data line 17 in this order. When the intermediate resolution image data is supplied to the video memory 11b, the memory controller 13 controls writing to the video memory 11b so as to temporarily store the data, and reads and controls the video memory 11b so as to read it. . Thus, the intermediate resolution image data stored in the video memory 11b is read out and supplied to the monitor device 9 shown in FIG.
[0042]
The intermediate resolution image data supplied to the monitor device 9 is converted into an analog signal by a D / A converter and used as an image signal for monitor display at an intermediate resolution. As a result, the image captured by the scanner unit 1 or the video input unit 8 is displayed on the monitor device 9.
[0043]
The image processing controller 14 shown in FIG. 4 designates image processing such as enlargement processing and reduction processing of an image captured by the scanner unit 1 or the video input unit 8 when the operation unit 10 is operated. If it is, the image processing circuit 12 is controlled so that the designated image processing is performed on the image data read from the main memory 11a. The image data subjected to the specified image processing by the image processing circuit 12 is supplied to the monitor device 9. As a result, the image subjected to the designated image processing is displayed on the monitor device 9. Further, the image processing controller 14 supplies data (image processing information) indicating image processing applied to the image data to the thinning / compression / decompression processing block 4 via the interface 15 and the bus line 7.
[0044]
2-4 [Description of operation of decimation and compression / decompression processing block]
Next, the user confirms whether or not the image is desired by referring to the image displayed on the monitor device 9, and if the image is desired, the operation unit shown in FIG. The recording designation key 44 is operated to designate the recording of the image displayed on the monitor device 9.
[0045]
The system controller 6 shown in FIG. 1 detects when the recording designation key 44 is turned on, and if there is data indicating that the recording designation has been made and the image processing information, this is indicated on the bus line. 7 and the interface 4a shown in FIG. 5, the thinning-out, compression / decompression processing block 4, thinning-out, and supply to the compression / decompression controller 4i.
[0046]
If there is the image processing information, the thinning / compression / decompression controller 4i temporarily stores the image processing information and controls the interface 4a to take in the high resolution image data. When the high resolution image data is taken into the thinning / compression / decompression processing block via the interface 4a, it is temporarily stored in the buffer 4b. When the high resolution image data is stored in the buffer 4b, the thinning / compression / decompression controller 4i supplies the high resolution image data to the 1/4 thinning circuit 4c and the selector 4f for each line, for example. 4b is read and controlled.
[0047]
The ¼ decimation circuit 4c performs decimation processing such that the pixels of the high resolution image data are ¼, thereby forming 480 pixels × 640 pixels of intermediate resolution image data, which is stored in the memory 4d. Supply. When the intermediate resolution image data is supplied to the memory 4d, the thinning / compression / decompression controller 4i controls the memory 4d to temporarily store and read it. The intermediate resolution image data read from the memory 4d is supplied to the 1/60 decimation circuit 4e and the selector 4f.
[0048]
The 1/60 decimation circuit 4e performs a decimation process such that the pixels of the intermediate resolution image data read from the memory 4d are 1/60, thereby reducing the low resolution image data (index) of 60 pixels × 80 pixels. Image data) is formed and supplied to the selector 4f.
[0049]
The selector 4f is controlled to be switched by a thinning / compression / decompression controller 4i. That is, the thinning / compression / decompression controller 4i selects, for example, the image data of each resolution supplied to the selector 4f in the order of high resolution image data, intermediate resolution image data, and low resolution image data and outputs them. The selector 4f is switched and controlled. The image data of each resolution from the selector 4f is supplied to the raster-block conversion circuit 4g.
[0050]
The raster-block conversion circuit 4g divides each image data into processing units of compression coding, for example, processing blocks of 8 pixels × 8 pixels, and supplies this to the compression / expansion circuit 4h.
[0051]
Here, the image data of each resolution is divided into processing blocks of 8 pixels × 8 pixels in the raster-block conversion circuit 4g. The low resolution image data is an image of 60 pixels × 80 pixels. Size. For this reason, if this low resolution image data is divided into processing blocks of 8 pixels × 8 pixels, the pixels in the vertical direction cannot be divided by 8 pixels, so the low resolution image data is processed by 8 pixels × 8 pixels. It cannot be divided into blocks. For this reason, when the low-resolution image data is supplied, the raster-block conversion circuit 4g adds the dummy data of 4 pixels × 80 pixels to the upper or lower stage of the image data, and thereby the 60-60 The low resolution image data of pixels × 80 pixels is set as low resolution image data of 64 pixels × 80 pixels. Then, since the vertical pixels are divisible by 8 pixels, the low resolution image data of 64 pixels × 80 pixels is divided into 8 processing blocks × 10 processing blocks and supplied to the compression / decompression circuit 4h. The dummy data is removed when the index is displayed, and an image related to the dummy data (for example, a black image or a white image) is not added to the index image and displayed.
[0052]
The compression / decompression circuit 4h includes a discrete cosine conversion circuit (DCT circuit), a quantization circuit, and a fixed-length encoding circuit. The image data of each resolution is first transferred to the DCT circuit. Supplied.
[0053]
The DCT circuit performs orthogonal transform processing for transforming the image data of each resolution onto the frequency axis to form DCT coefficients, and supplies the image data of each resolution subjected to the orthogonal transform processing to the quantization circuit. .
[0054]
The quantization circuit quantizes the image data of each resolution using an appropriate quantization coefficient set by the system controller 6, for example, and supplies these to the fixed-length encoding circuit.
[0055]
The fixed-length encoding circuit performs a fixed-length encoding process on the DCT coefficient of the image data of each resolution quantized with the appropriate quantization coefficient, and the result of the fixed-length encoding process is decimation and compression / decompression controller. Return to 4i. The thinning / compression / decompression controller 4i forms an optimum quantization coefficient for quantizing the image data in accordance with the result of the fixed-length encoding process, and supplies this to the quantization circuit. The quantization circuit quantizes the image data using the optimum quantization coefficient set for the second time, and supplies the quantized image data to the fixed-length encoding circuit. As a result, in the fixed-length encoding circuit, the image data of each resolution can be fixed to have a predetermined data length.
[0056]
Specifically, by such compression encoding processing, the intermediate resolution image data is fixed-length encoded to a data length of two clusters twice as large as one recording unit, which is one recording unit. The image data is fixed length encoded to a data length of 8 clusters, and the low resolution image data is fixed length encoded to a data length of 1/15 clusters. The resolution-encoded image data of each resolution is supplied to the storage unit 5 shown in FIG. 6 via the interface 4a and the bus line 7, respectively. Further, when the image processing information is added to the image data supplied as described above, the thinning / compression / decompression controller 4i supplies the image processing information to the storage unit 5 together with the image data of each resolution. To do.
[0057]
2-5 [Description of operation of storage unit]
The image data and image processing information of each resolution from the thinning and compression / decompression processing block 4 are supplied to the interface 5a shown in FIG. When the storage unit controller 5d is supplied with the image data and the image processing information of each resolution to the interface 5a, the storage unit controller 5d controls the interface 5a so as to take them into the storage unit 5, respectively. The image data and the image processing information of each resolution taken into the storage unit 5 through the interface 5a are supplied to the EFM circuit 5b. When the image data and image processing information of each resolution are supplied to the EFM circuit 5b, the storage controller 5d converts the fixed-length encoded image data and image processing information into so-called EFM processing ( The EFM circuit 5b is controlled to perform (8-14 modulation processing). The EFM-processed image data and image processing information of each resolution are supplied to the disc recording / reproducing unit 5c. When the image data and image processing information of each resolution are supplied to the disk recording / reproducing unit 5c, the storage unit controller 5d records the image data and image processing information of each resolution on the optical disc 20 respectively. The recording / reproducing unit 5c is controlled. As a result, the image data of each resolution and the image processing information thereof are recorded on the optical disc 20.
[0058]
Specifically, the optical disk 20 is a magneto-optical disk having a diameter of 64 mm, for example, and 200 pieces of image data can be recorded for each resolution. The 200 pieces of image data are managed by being divided into four albums in total, with 50 pieces of image data as one album. Therefore, when recording the image data, the user uses the operation unit 10 to select an album for recording the image data. Thereby, the system controller 6 controls the disc recording / reproducing unit 5c via the storage unit controller 5d so as to record the image data of each resolution in the album selected by the user in the order of capture.
[0059]
At this time, the low-resolution image data is recorded as an index for displaying a plurality of images recorded in the album on one screen, and the intermediate-resolution image data is recorded in the album. The high-resolution image data is recorded for printing for printing such an image, respectively.
[0060]
3. [Description of First Recording Operation]
The above is the outline of the recording operation. Hereinafter, the recording operation will be described in more detail by dividing it into three parts from the first recording operation to the third recording operation. First, the first recording operation is as shown in the flowchart of FIG.
[0061]
The flowchart shown in FIG. 9 starts when the system controller 6 shown in FIG. 1 detects designation of image data recording by the user, and proceeds to step S1.
[0062]
In step S1, the thinning / compression / decompression controller 4i shown in FIG. 5 first controls the selector 4f so as to select the high-resolution image data, and then proceeds to step S2.
[0063]
In step S2, the thinning / compression / decompression controller 4i sets the quantization coefficient used in the compression / expansion circuit 4h in the compression / expansion circuit 4h, and the process proceeds to step S3.
[0064]
In step S3, the thinning / compression / decompression controller 4i performs the above-described fixed length encoding process on the high resolution image data, thereby fixing the high resolution image data to a data length of 8 clusters. Then, the compression / decompression circuit 4h is controlled so that the process proceeds to step S4.
[0065]
In step S4, the thinning / compression / decompression controller 4i sets the area size of high-resolution image data to be recorded (for a total of 8 clusters of 1024 pixels × 1536 pixels), and proceeds to step S5.
[0066]
In step S5, the thinning / compression / decompression controller 4i forms search data for requesting a search of a recording area for recording the high-resolution image data for the eight clusters, and stores the search data in the storage unit 5 To the controller 5d. When the search data is supplied, the storage controller 5d controls the disc recording / reproducing unit 5c so as to search for free areas for the eight clusters. Then, if there is a free area for the eight clusters, the storage controller 5d thins out the data indicating the existence of the free area and supplies it to the compression / decompression controller 4i. If not, the data indicating that the empty area does not exist is thinned out and supplied to the compression / decompression controller 4i, and the process proceeds to step S6.
[0067]
In step S6, the thinning / compression / decompression controller 4i determines whether or not there is a free area of 8 clusters on the optical disk 20 based on data indicating the presence or absence of a free area from the storage unit controller 5d. If the answer is No, the routine shown in FIG. 9 is terminated as it is. If the answer is Yes, the routine proceeds to Step S7. If the free area is not detected and the routine shown in FIG. 9 is terminated as it is, the storage controller 5d supplies data indicating that there is no free area to the system controller 6, and the system controller 6 For example, the display unit 26 of the operation unit 10 is controlled so as to display a message such as “There is not enough free space to record data”. As a result, the user can take appropriate measures such as exchanging the currently mounted optical disc with a new optical disc.
[0068]
In step S7, the thinning / compression / decompression controller 4i supplies high resolution image data together with the image processing information to the disc recording / reproducing unit 5c. Then, the storage unit controller 5d controls the disc recording / reproducing unit 5c so as to record the high resolution image data on the optical disc 20, and proceeds to step S8.
[0069]
In step S8, the thinning / compression / decompression controller 4i determines whether or not all three types of image data of the high resolution, intermediate resolution and low resolution have been recorded. If NO, the process proceeds to step S9.
[0070]
At this point, since only the recording of the high-resolution image data has been completed, NO is determined in step S8 and the process proceeds to step S9. In step S9, the thinning / compression / decompression controller 4i next controls the selector 4f so as to select intermediate resolution image data, and the process returns to step S2.
[0071]
Thereafter, in step S2, the decimation and compression / decompression controller 4i calculates quantization coefficients for fixed-length encoding into two clusters, and in step S3, based on the calculated quantization coefficients and the like, the fixed-length code The intermediate resolution image data having a fixed data length of 2 clusters is formed. In steps S4 to S7, an empty area is detected, and the intermediate resolution image data of the two clusters is recorded in this empty area.
[0072]
At this point, the recording of the high resolution image data and the intermediate resolution image data is completed. For this reason, in the said step S8, it will determine with NO and will return to the said step S9.
[0073]
In step S9, the thinning / compression / decompression controller 4i controls to switch the selector 4f so as to select the low resolution image data, and returns to step S2.
[0074]
Thereafter, in the step S2, the system controller 6 calculates a quantization coefficient for fixed length coding to 1/15 cluster, and in step S3, the fixed length coding is performed based on the calculated quantization coefficient and the like. Processing is performed to form low-resolution image data having a fixed data length of 1/15 clusters. In steps S4 to S7, an empty area is detected, and the low resolution image data of the 1/15 cluster is recorded in this empty area.
[0075]
At this point, the recording of the image data of each resolution is complete. For this reason, in step S8, YES is determined and recording ends.
[0076]
Thus, based on the high resolution image data read from the frame memory 3, intermediate resolution image data and low resolution image data are formed, and the same resolution image data of the same image is stored in the optical disc 20 as described above. By recording the image data, it is possible to select and reproduce image data having a resolution according to the output device or application of the image data during reproduction.
[0077]
That is, if only the high-resolution image data is recorded as the image data to be recorded on the optical disc 20, when the image is displayed on the monitor device, the high-resolution image data has too many pixels, and thus appropriate thinning processing is performed. Will be supplied to the monitor device. However, by recording the above three types of image data, the intermediate resolution image data for monitoring can be directly read out, so that the time until it is displayed on the monitor device can be shortened.
[0078]
Further, since image data having a required resolution can be directly read out, it is not necessary to perform a thinning process or the like depending on the device, and the circuit for the thinning process can be omitted.
[0079]
Further, since the two types of image data are formed based on the high-resolution image data from the frame memory 3, the image data is captured more than when the three types of image data are supplied separately. In addition to shortening the time, the frame memory 3 needs to be read and controlled only once, so that the restraint time of the frame memory 3 can be shortened.
[0080]
Furthermore, since the image data of each resolution is encoded and recorded in a fixed length, the recording and reading time can be fixed, the number of recorded images can be fixed, and the data size to be handled is fixed. Therefore, the configuration of the file management system can be simplified.
[0081]
Here, when the image data of each resolution is recorded in an appropriate empty area, the image data of each resolution is mixedly recorded on the optical disc 20. The specifications of the storage unit 5 are, for example, that the minimum recording unit is 1 cluster (64 Kbytes), the data recording speed is 150 Kbytes, the recording time per cluster is 64 K / 150 K≈0.43 sec, and the maximum seek time is 0.5 sec. The maximum seek time exceeds the recording time per cluster. For this reason, when image data of each resolution is mixed and recorded on the optical disc 20, the desired image data is recorded and reproduced by performing a plurality of seeks, so that it takes time to record and reproduce.
[0082]
Further, when the image data of each resolution is recorded in a mixed manner, an empty area with a data size corresponding to each resolution is generated on the disc when image data is deleted, edited, or the like. It becomes difficult to search.
[0083]
4). [Description of Second Recording Operation]
Therefore, when the image data of each resolution is recorded on the optical disc 20, the second recording operation is performed by dividing the image data of each resolution into a predetermined recording area.
[0084]
That is, the second recording operation is as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 10. This flowchart starts when the system controller 6 detects designation of image data recording by the user, and step S12. Proceed to The total recording area of the optical disc 20 is, for example, 2200 clusters. For this reason, in step S12, the storage controller 5d of the storage unit 5 records image data of low resolution for 14 clusters from the inner periphery side to the outer periphery side as shown in FIG. The IA is divided into three so that 200 clusters are the recording area MA of the intermediate resolution image data and 1800 clusters are the recording area PA of the high resolution image data, and the respective recording areas IA, MA, PA are recognized. Then, the process proceeds to step S13. Thereafter, the storage unit controller 5d controls the disc recording / reproducing unit 5c based on the recognized recording areas IA, MA, PA of the respective image data.
[0085]
In step S13, the selector 4f is controlled so as to select the high-resolution image data via the thinning / compression / decompression controller 4i, and the process proceeds to step S14.
[0086]
In step S14, the thinning / compression / decompression controller 4i sets the quantization coefficient used in the compression / expansion circuit 4h in the compression / expansion circuit 4h, and the process proceeds to step S15.
[0087]
In step S15, the thinning / compression / decompression controller 4i performs the above-described fixed length encoding process on the high resolution image data, thereby fixing the high resolution image data to a data length of 8 clusters. The compression / decompression circuit 4h is controlled so as to encode, and the process proceeds to step S16.
[0088]
In step S16, the storage controller 5d controls the disk recording / reproducing unit 5c so as to set the data size for the eight clusters, and the process proceeds to step S17.
[0089]
In step S17, the storage controller 5d sets the recording area PA for the high-resolution image data in the disc recording / reproducing unit 5c, and the process proceeds to step S18.
[0090]
In step S18, the storage controller 5d controls the disc recording / reproducing unit 5c so as to detect an empty area of the optical disc 20 based on the set data size and recording area, and the process proceeds to step S19.
[0091]
In step S19, the storage controller 5d determines whether or not all the high-resolution image data for the eight clusters can be recorded in the empty area detected in step S18. If YES, the process proceeds to step S20. If the free area is not detected and the routine shown in FIG. 10 is terminated as it is, the storage controller 5d supplies data indicating that there is no free area to the system controller 6, and the system controller 6 For example, the display unit 26 of the operation unit 10 is controlled so as to display a message such as “There is not enough free space to record data”. As a result, the user can take appropriate measures such as exchanging the currently mounted optical disc with a new optical disc.
[0092]
Next, in step S20, the storage unit controller 5d records the disk recording so that the high-resolution image data for the eight clusters is recorded in the empty area on the optical disk 20 detected in steps S18 and S19. The reproducing unit 5c is controlled and the process proceeds to step S21.
[0093]
In step S21, the storage controller 5d determines whether or not all three types of image data of the high resolution, intermediate resolution, and low resolution have been recorded. If YES, the storage controller 5d ends. In this case, the process proceeds to step S22.
[0094]
At this point, since only the recording of the high-resolution image data has been completed, NO is determined in step S21 and the process proceeds to step S22.
[0095]
In step S22, the thinning / compression / decompression controller 4i switches and controls the selector 4f to select the next intermediate resolution image data, and the process returns to step S14.
[0096]
Thereafter, in step S14, quantization coefficients for fixed-length encoding into two clusters are calculated, and in step S15, fixed-length encoding processing is performed based on the calculated quantization coefficients and the like. Intermediate resolution image data having a fixed data length of the cluster is formed. In step S16 to step S20, the data size and recording area MA of the intermediate resolution image data are set, the empty area is detected, and the intermediate resolution image data of the data length of the two clusters is recorded therein. The
[0097]
At this point, the recording of the high resolution image data and the intermediate resolution image data is completed. For this reason, in the said step S21, it determines with NO and will return to said step S22.
[0098]
In step S22, the thinning / compression / decompression controller 4i controls to switch the selector 4f so as to select the low resolution image data, and then returns to step S14.
[0099]
Thereafter, in step S14, quantization coefficients and the like for fixed-length encoding to 1/15 clusters are calculated, and in step S15, fixed-length encoding processing is performed based on the calculated quantization coefficients and the like. Thus, low resolution image data having a fixed data length of 1/15 cluster is formed. In step S16 to step S20, the data size and recording area IA of the low-resolution image data are set, this empty area is detected, and the low-resolution image data having the data length of 1/15 cluster is stored here. To be recorded.
[0100]
At this point, the recording of the image data of each resolution is complete. For this reason, in step S21, YES is determined and recording ends.
[0101]
As described above, the recording area on the optical disc 20 is divided into three according to the data amount of the image data of each resolution, and the image data of each resolution subjected to the above-described fixed length encoding is recorded in each of the recording areas IA, MA, PA. As a result, when recording / reproducing, it is only necessary to perform recording / reproducing by seeking to the recording area of the resolution, so that the recording / reproducing time can be shortened.
[0102]
Even if image data is deleted, edited, etc., and an empty area with a data size corresponding to each resolution occurs on the disc, image data with the same data size can be recorded in the empty area. Therefore, it is possible to facilitate the search for an empty area and contribute to shortening the recording time.
[0103]
Next, even if image data is recorded in such a manner that it is divided into recording areas of respective resolutions, the recorded images are continuously displayed one by one if they are not recorded in the order of reproduction within the recording area. When it is necessary to continuously read out images such as during auto play that is automatically read out or during browsing that further speeds up the auto play, it still takes time to seek.
[0104]
5. [Description of Third Recording Operation]
Therefore, in the third recording operation, the image data of each resolution is continuously recorded in the reproduction order in each divided recording area of the optical disc 20.
[0105]
That is, the third recording operation is as shown in the flowchart of FIG. The flowchart shown in FIG. 12 starts when the storage unit controller 5d of the storage unit 5 detects the designation of image data recording by the user, and proceeds to step S32.
[0106]
In step S32, the storage controller 5d causes the recording area of the optical disk 20 from the inner circumference side to the outer circumference side as shown in FIG. Is divided into three so that the recording area MA of the intermediate resolution image data becomes the recording area PA of the high resolution image data for 1800 clusters, and the recording areas IA, MA, PA are recognized and the process proceeds to step S33. .
[0107]
In step S33, the thinning / compression / decompression controller 4i controls the selector 4f so as to select the high-resolution image data, and the process proceeds to step S34.
[0108]
In step S34, the thinning / compression / decompression controller 4i sets the quantization coefficient used in the compression / expansion circuit 4h in the compression / expansion circuit 4h, and the process proceeds to step S35.
[0109]
In step S35, the thinning / compression / decompression controller 4i performs the above-described fixed length encoding process on the high resolution image data, thereby fixing the high resolution image data to a data length of 8 clusters. The compression / decompression circuit 4h is controlled to perform long encoding, and the process proceeds to step S36.
[0110]
In step S36, the storage unit controller 5d sets the data size for the eight clusters in the disk recording / reproducing unit 5c, and then proceeds to step S37.
[0111]
In step S37, the storage controller 5d sets a recording area PA for high-resolution image data in the disc recording / reproducing unit 5c, and the process proceeds to step S38.
[0112]
In step S38, the storage controller 5d controls the disc recording / reproducing unit 5c so as to detect a continuous free area for 8 clusters on the optical disc 20 based on the set data size and recording area. Then, the process proceeds to step S39.
[0113]
In step S39, when the storage unit controller 5d records the current high-resolution image data in the empty area detected by the disk recording / reproducing unit 5c, the recorded image data is recorded in the order of reproduction. In the case of NO, the process proceeds to step S42. In the case of YES, the process proceeds to step S40.
[0114]
In step S42, the storage controller 5d once controls the disk recording / reproducing unit 5c so as to read the image data in the recording area PA of the image data, and this image data is stored in the system controller 6 shown in FIG. Transfer to the RAM 6a. Then, the system controller 6 rearranges the image data transferred to the RAM 6a so as to be in the reproduction order, transfers it again to the disk recording / reproducing unit 5c, and proceeds to step S40.
[0115]
In step S40, the storage unit controller 5d controls the disc recording / reproducing unit 5c to record image data on the optical disc 20 in the order of reproduction, and the process proceeds to step S41.
[0116]
In step S41, the storage controller 5d determines whether or not all three types of image data of the high resolution, intermediate resolution, and low resolution have been recorded. If YES, the storage controller 5d is terminated. In this case, the process proceeds to step S43.
[0117]
At this point, since only the recording of the high-resolution image data has been completed, NO is determined in step S41, and the process proceeds to step S43.
[0118]
In step S43, the thinning / compression / decompression controller 4i switches and controls the selector 4f so that the next intermediate resolution image data is selected, and the process returns to step S34.
[0119]
Thereafter, in step S34, quantization coefficients and the like for fixed-length encoding the intermediate resolution image data into two clusters are calculated. In step S35, fixed-length encoding is performed based on the calculated quantization coefficients and the like. Processing is performed to form intermediate resolution image data having a fixed data length of 2 clusters. In steps S36 to S40, the data size of the intermediate resolution image data and the recording area MA are set, and the intermediate resolution image data having the data length of the two clusters is placed in the reproduction area in the empty area of the recording area MA. Recorded continuously.
[0120]
At this point, the recording of the high resolution image data and the intermediate resolution image data is completed. For this reason, in the said step S41, it will determine with NO and will return to the said step S43.
[0121]
In step S43, the thinning / compression / decompression controller 4i controls to switch the selector 4f so as to select the low-resolution image data next, and returns to step S34.
[0122]
Thereafter, in step S34, a quantization coefficient or the like for encoding the low-resolution image data into a fixed length of 1/15 cluster is calculated. In step S35, the fixed length is calculated based on the calculated quantization coefficient and the like. Encoding processing is performed to form low resolution image data with a fixed data length of 1/15 clusters. In step S36 to step S40, the data size of the low resolution image data and the recording area IA are set, and the low resolution image data having the data length of 1/15 cluster is stored in the empty area of the recording area IA. It is recorded continuously in the order of playback.
[0123]
At this point, the recording of the image data of each resolution is complete. For this reason, it is determined YES in step S41, and the third recording operation is ended.
[0124]
As described above, the image data of each resolution having a fixed data length is recorded in the divided recording areas in the order of reproduction, so that the image data is continuously read without seeking at the time of the auto play or browsing. Therefore, the auto play and browsing can be facilitated and the speed can be further increased.
[0125]
In step S39, if recording cannot be continuously performed in the order of reproduction, the process proceeds to step S42, and data is rearranged and recorded. However, this cannot be continuously recorded in the order of reproduction. In that case, the spot may be recorded in an empty area, and rearrangement may be performed inside when the recording is completed. In this case, the recording time viewed from the user side can be shortened compared to performing recording by rearranging.
[0126]
6). [Description of optical disc format]
Here, the format of the optical disc 20 on which the image data and the management data of each resolution are recorded is described below.
[0127]
In describing the format, the units related to the format are described below.
[Cluster] Disc recording / playback unit. One cluster includes a 32-sector main data area and a 4-sector sub-data area.
[Logical block] An area in which data is actually recorded in one sector. Indicated by 2048 bytes. Thirty-two sectors are represented by blocks that cut 32 alleys.
In the [logical cluster] class, a unit actually used as a data recording area (the same area as the main data area). Therefore, the logical class size is 32 sectors.
[Allocation block] Indicates the same data unit as the logical cluster, and expresses one logical class size as one allocation block. Therefore, the number of clusters and the number of allocation blocks on the disk match. All the file positions on the disk are designated by this allocation block number.
[Parts] A track part that is physically continuous on the disc and recorded a series of data.
[Volume] A unit that includes all of the parts where general data including image data is recorded.
[0128]
6-1 [Cluster structure]
Recording (and reproduction) is performed on the optical disc 20 with “cluster” as one unit. One cluster corresponds to two to three rounds of tracks. This cluster is continuous in time to form one track, that is, a data track. The one cluster is composed of a sub-data area of 4 sectors and a main data area of 32 sectors. One sector is 2352 bytes. The address is recorded for each sector.
[0129]
Note that data is actually recorded in each sector in a 2048-byte area, and other bytes are used for a header and an error correction code by a synchronization pattern, an address, and the like.
[0130]
The 4-sector sub-data area is used for sub-data, linking area, and the like, and TOC data, audio data, image data, etc. are recorded in the 32-sector main data area.
[0131]
6-2 [Track structure]
Next, the area of the optical disk 20 is roughly divided into a pit area where data is recorded by embossed pits and an MO area where a groove is provided as a magneto-optical area as shown in FIG. Divided. The pit area is a reproduction-only management area in which P-TOC (pre-mastered table of contents), which is management information recorded on the optical disc 20, is recorded, and a P-TOC sector described later is repeated. It is recorded.
[0132]
The pit area on the innermost peripheral side and the lead-out area on the outermost peripheral side of the disc are set as the MO area, and the recordable area from the position following the pit area to immediately before the lead-out area is set as the recordable area. Further, the head area of this recordable area is a recording / reproduction management area, and calibration for recording the U-TOC, which is a TOC for recording / reproduction management of audio data, and the laser power of the optical pickup. Used as an area.
[0133]
The U-TOC is recorded continuously at a predetermined position in the recording / playback management area at three clusters, and the cluster address in the recording / playback management area is recorded by the P-TOC. As shown.
[0134]
The recordable user area where audio data and image data are actually recorded is an area following the recording / playback management area. In this recordable user area, for example, as shown as M1, M2, M3, an audio data track having audio data having image data or the like is recorded, and as shown as FL1, FL2, FL3, data files are recorded. The
[0135]
Data U-TOC for data file management is recorded in the innermost part of the data file part. In this example, the data U-TOC is recorded at the position immediately before the data file FL1.
[0136]
In the recordable user area, a portion where no image data audio data is recorded is a free area. That is, this is an unrecorded area and will be managed as an area where image data and audio data can be recorded in the future.
[0137]
More specifically, for example, the U-TOC manages the disc recorded as shown in FIG. 13A as shown in FIG. In other words, the start address and end address of the audio data tracks that are M1, M2, and M3 are managed. The free area is also managed in the same way.
[0138]
However, the data files FL1, FL2, FL3 having image data and the part where the data U-TOC is recorded are collectively managed as one data track by the U-TOC. Note that EB indicates an area where a data file is not actually recorded in a data track managed by the U-TOC.
[0139]
On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 13B and 13C, the data U-TOC is arranged at the head of an area managed as a data track in the U-TOC. The data U-TOC manages the recording positions of the data files FL1, FL2, FL3 and unrecorded blocks EB in the data track in units of clusters.
[0140]
Therefore, the recording medium used in the image recording / reproducing system manages the position of the recordable area on the disc by the P-TOC, and the U-TOC manages the position of the data track area in the recordable area. The data U-TOC recorded at the head of the data track manages the positions of the data files FL1, FL2 and FL3 having image data and the like recorded in the data track in units of clusters. .
[0141]
In the above description of the track structure, the case where the audio tracks M1, M2, and M3 are recorded on the disc has been described. However, in the image recording / reproducing system, it is not necessary to record the audio data. The entire area is used as a data track.
[0142]
6-3 [Data track]
In the U-TOC, only parts as data tracks are managed, and management of individual data files in the data track is performed by the data U-TOC.
[0143]
FIG. 14 shows an example of the structure of the data track. As shown in FIG. 14A, data U-TOC is recorded at the physical head position in the data track. That is, the data U-TOC is recorded at a position closest to the inner circumference side of the disk in the data track. When the data track is divided into a plurality of parts, the data U-TOC is provided at the head of the part located on the innermost side of the disc.
[0144]
As shown in FIG. 14B, the data U-TOC is composed of a 1-cluster boot area and a 16-cluster volume management area. An area following the data U-TOC is a file extents area. In the file extents area, data files FL1 to FL3 including actual image data are recorded as shown in FIG. Further, a data file can be further recorded in the unrecorded block EB.
[0145]
The volume management area is composed of a total of 512 management blocks from 0 to 511 as shown in FIG. The data area in one management block is 2048 bytes. The data in this management block becomes management information for recording / reproducing an actual data file.
[0146]
Each management block is assigned a block number from 0 to 511. The management block with the block number 0 is used as a volume descriptor VD. The management block of block number 1 is used as a volume space bitmap VSB, and the management blocks of block number 2 and block number 3 are used as a management table.
[0147]
The usage pattern for the management blocks of the block numbers 0 to 3 is defined as described above. Management blocks after the block number 4 are used as a directory record block DRB and an extent record block ERB according to the usage form of the file extents area.
[0148]
Each management block in this management area has a size of one logical block (one sector). When data is recorded / reproduced in this management area, this logical block (management block) is the minimum unit for recording / reproduction and the management unit in the management area.
[0149]
On the other hand, when image data is recorded in the file extent area, an allocation block composed of one logical cluster (32 sectors) is set as a minimum unit for recording and reproduction, and a management unit in the file extent area. It is said that.
[0150]
6-4 [volume descriptor] (first management block)
The head management block in the volume management area is used as a volume descriptor VD. The volume descriptor VD performs basic management of data tracks (volumes) on the disk.
[0151]
FIG. 15 shows the sector structure of the volume descriptor VD. In this sector, various management information is recorded in 2048 bytes serving as a data area following the header in which the synchronization pattern and address are written.
[0152]
First, in the second to sixth bytes of the data area, a code “PICMD” is recorded as an ID indicating the sector of the volume descriptor, for example, by an ASCII code, followed by the version ID of this system. Is done.
[0153]
Next, the logical block size, logical cluster size, and allocation block size are recorded. The logical block corresponds to an actual data area in the sector in the data track, and the sector in the data track sets 2048 bytes out of 2352 bytes as the data area. Therefore, “2048” which is a byte length is recorded as the logical block size. This logical block is a minimum recording unit for recording / reproduction in the management area.
[0154]
The logical cluster size indicates the number of logical blocks in the logical cluster. A logical cluster is a cluster in which management information and data are actually recorded. One cluster is 36 sectors, and 32 sectors (32 logical blocks) are used for data recording, so “32” is indicated as the logical cluster size.
[0155]
The number of logical blocks in the allocation block is indicated as the allocation block size. An allocation block indicates the same data unit as the logical cluster, and is a part where management information and a data file are actually recorded in the data track.
[0156]
For example, an area of 32 sectors as a logical cluster in the volume management area and file extents area shown in FIG. 14B is regarded as one allocation block. This allocation block is the minimum unit for recording and reproduction in the file extents area.
[0157]
Subsequently, the total number of allocation blocks is recorded. This is the total number of allocation blocks in the volume. In the case of a hybrid disc with mixed audio and image data, the number of allocation blocks in the pit area is also included. Further, the number of allocation blocks in the recordable area is recorded as the total number of recordable allocation blocks. For pre-mastered disks, this is zero.
[0158]
Further, the number of allocation blocks that are not yet recorded among the recordable allocation blocks in the volume is recorded as the number of unrecorded allocation blocks. Further, as the number of recorded allocation blocks, the number of allocation blocks that have already been recorded among the recordable allocation blocks in the volume is recorded. Further, the number of allocation blocks having defects such as scratches is recorded as the number of defect allocation blocks. Next, the number of directories in the volume and the number of data files in the volume are recorded.
[0159]
Next, the maximum ID value is recorded. For directories or data files, ID numbers are assigned in the order in which they are generated, which is the maximum value. Subsequently, the volume attribute is recorded.
[0160]
Here, whether the volume management area is recorded in the mirror mode, whether it is an invisible file, whether it is write-protected, whether backup is necessary, etc. is recorded.
[0161]
Next, the byte length is recorded as the length of the volume management area. Also, the first allocation block number of the volume management area is recorded as the position of the volume management area on the disk. Subsequently, similarly to this volume descriptor, other management blocks formed by using the management block in the volume management area, that is, the volume space bitmap VSB, the management table MT, the extent record block ERB, and the directory record block DRB. The position of the first allocation block and the number of allocation blocks are recorded. That is, the position of the first directory can be searched by the allocation block number recorded as the first directory record block DRB.
[0162]
Subsequently, the byte length of the directory and the number of subdirectories in the directory are recorded. Further, although various IDs are shown in FIG. 15, various IDs and character set codes are recorded in the data area.
[0163]
That is, a boot system ID, a volume ID and its character set code, a publisher ID and its character set code, a data prepare ID and its character set code, an application ID and its character set code are recorded. In addition, the volume formation date, volume update date, expiration date, and valid date are recorded. Then, 1024 to 2047 bytes in the data area are set as a system extension area.
[0164]
Following the data area, a 4-byte EDC area and a 276-byte ECC area are provided. In the ECC area, 172 bytes of P parity and 104 bytes of Q parity are recorded.
[0165]
6-5 [Volume space bitmap] (second management block)
The management block of block number 1 in the volume management area is used as a volume space bitmap VSB. This volume space bitmap VSB shows the recording status of the file extent area in units of all allocation blocks of the data track.
[0166]
FIG. 16 shows the sector structure of the volume space bitmap VSB. In this sector, 2 bits are assigned to each allocation block in 2048 bytes serving as a data area following the header in which the synchronization pattern and address are written, and the type is indicated. Note that the sector of the volume space bitmap VSB is also provided with an EDC area and an ECC area following the data area.
[0167]
FIG. 17A shows the contents of the data area. Allocation blocks in the data track are assigned allocation block numbers in ascending order from number 0. Bits 7 and 6 in the first byte of the data area of the volume space bitmap VSB are assigned to allocation block AL0 of number 0. Are allocated as allocation blocks AL1, AL2,. Therefore, information from allocation blocks AL0 to AL8191 can be written in the data area of the volume space bitmap VSB. The disc used in this image recording / reproducing system has 2200 clusters, and information is actually recorded in allocation blocks from ALO to AL2000.
[0168]
As shown in FIG. 17B, the 2-bit information is “00” for an unrecorded allocation block, “01” for a recorded allocation block, “10” for a defect allocation block, and undefined. The allocation block of “11” is “11”. The remaining portion in the data area, that is, the bit for which there is no corresponding allocation block is set to “11”.
[0169]
6-6 [Management Table]
Management blocks of block number 2 and block number 3 in the volume management area are used as a management table MT.
[0170]
This management table MT shows the usage form of each management block in the volume management area. FIG. 18 shows the sector structure of the management table MT. In this sector, each management block is managed by allocating 4 bytes for each management block in the 2048 bytes serving as a data area following the header in which the synchronization pattern and address are written.
[0171]
That is, the management block 0 entry to the management block 511 entry indicate the usage contents of each of the 512 management blocks in the volume management area. An EDC area and an ECC area are provided following the data area.
[0172]
FIG. 19 shows data contents of 4 bytes in each of the management block 0 entry to the management block 511 entry. The first management block (management block 0) is used for the volume descriptor as described above. In this case, in the management block 0 entry, “80h” is entered as the entry type in the fourth byte as shown in FIG. 19A to indicate that the management block 0 is a volume descriptor.
[0173]
The second management block (management block 1) is used for the volume space bitmap as described above. In this case, in the management block 1 entry, in order to indicate that the management block 1 is a volume descriptor, “90h” is entered as the entry type in the fourth byte as shown in FIG. 19B. In the first and second bytes, the number of unrecorded allocation blocks is recorded.
[0174]
In the entry corresponding to the management block used as the management table, as shown in FIG. 19C, the position of the next management table is recorded in the first and second bytes, and the unused management block is recorded in the third byte. The number is recorded. In order to indicate that the management block is a management table, “A0h” is recorded as the entry type in the fourth byte.
[0175]
In the entry corresponding to the management block to be the extent record block, the position of the next extent record block is recorded in the first and second bytes as shown in FIG. 19 (d), and is unused in the third byte. The number of extent record blocks is recorded. In order to indicate that the management block is an extent record block, “B0h” is recorded as the entry type in the fourth byte.
[0176]
A directory record block is a directory record unit described using one management block. When the directory record unit is used alone, a directory record unit includes a plurality of management blocks, that is, a plurality of directories. It may be recorded separately in record blocks.
[0177]
When a certain management block is a single directory record block, in the entry corresponding to the management block, the directory ID is recorded from 0 to 29 bits as shown in FIG. 19E, and the last two bits are the entry type. As “00h”.
[0178]
When a certain management block is the first directory record block of a plurality of directory record blocks, the entry corresponding to the management block has the next byte in the first and second bytes as shown in FIG. The position of the directory record block is recorded, and the upper byte of the directory ID is recorded in the third byte. In order to indicate that the management block is the first directory record block, “D0h” is recorded as the entry type in the fourth byte.
[0179]
When a certain management block is an intermediate (that is, not the first or the last) directory record block among a plurality of directory record blocks, the entry corresponding to the management block includes the first, first, as shown in FIG. The position of the next directory record block is recorded in the second byte. In order to indicate that the management block is an intermediate directory record block, “E0h” is recorded as the entry type in the fourth byte.
[0180]
When a certain management block is the last directory record block of a plurality of directory record blocks, the entry corresponding to the management block contains the directory ID in the first, second, and third bytes as shown in FIG. The lower byte is recorded. In order to indicate that the management block is the last directory record block, “F0h” is recorded as the entry type in the fourth byte.
[0181]
6-7 [directory record block] (third management block)
Management blocks after block number 3 in the volume management area are used as directory record blocks DRB. In this directory record block DRB, one or a plurality of directory record units are recorded. As the directory record unit, there are a directory record unit for a directory for configuring a directory and a directory record unit for a file for designating a position etc. corresponding to a certain data file, and in this directory record block The file directory record unit and the directory directory record unit are recorded together depending on the files and subdirectories formed in the directory.
[0182]
FIG. 20 shows the sector structure of a directory record block DRB in which directory directory record units for constituting a directory are recorded. In this sector, one or a plurality of directory record units can be recorded in 2048 bytes serving as a data area following the header in which the synchronization pattern and address are recorded.
[0183]
As one unit of the directory record unit, first, the directory record length is indicated. Since the length of one directory record unit is variable, the directory record length indicates the byte length of the directory record unit. Next, directory attributes are recorded. Thus, various attributes such as whether the directory record unit is a directory record unit for a directory, whether the directory including the directory record unit is an invisible directory, or a system directory are indicated.
That is, it indicates whether or not the position of the data file is indicated using an extent record block to be described later.
[0184]
Subsequently, a character set code and a short name ID are recorded. The character set code indicates the character type of the short name ID. The short name ID is an ID recorded in 11 bytes. In this 11-byte short name ID, a directory name is recorded with an ASCII code of 11 characters or less.
[0185]
Subsequently, the directory formation date and time and the directory update date and time are recorded, and the update date and time of this directory record unit is recorded as the status update date and time. Further, a directory ID number and a directory length are shown.
[0186]
Subsequently, “index toe DRB” and “number of DRB” are recorded. The index to DRB represents the position in the volume management area of the first directory record block DRB in which the contents of the designated subdirectory are described by one of the management numbers 0 to 511. The number of DRB represents the number of directory record blocks for representing the designated directory as the number of management blocks.
[0187]
Subsequently, the length of the long name ID is recorded, and the long name ID according to the length is recorded. That is, the long name ID has a variable length. In some cases, the long name ID is not recorded. In this case, the length of the long name ID is “00h”. Also, only when the length of the long name ID is an even number of bytes, “00h” is recorded as padding to fill the remaining bytes. The byte following the long name ID is used as a system extension area.
[0188]
One unit of the directory record unit corresponding to the directory is configured in this way, and a plurality of such directory record units can be provided in a 2048-byte data area.
[0189]
An EDC area and an ECC area are provided following the data area.
[0190]
Next, FIG. 21 shows a sector structure of a directory record block DRB in which a file directory record unit corresponding to a certain data file is recorded.
[0191]
In this sector, one or a plurality of directory record units each corresponding to a data file can be recorded in 2048 bytes serving as a data area following a header in which a synchronization pattern and an address are written.
[0192]
As one unit of the directory record unit, similarly to the directory record unit in FIG. 20, the directory record length is first shown, and then the attribute is recorded. This attribute indicates that this directory record unit does not correspond to a directory, the corresponding data file is an invisible file, a system file, or the data file location is specified by the extent record unit. Various attributes such as whether or not there are are shown.
[0193]
Subsequently, as in the directory record unit of FIG. 20, a character set code, a short name ID for recording a file name, a directory formation date / time, a directory update date / time, and a status update date / time are recorded. In the short name ID, a data file name is recorded with an ASCII code of 11 characters or less.
[0194]
Subsequently, data indicating the ID number of the data file and the data file length are recorded. Subsequently, “extent start location” and “number of blocks” are recorded. This extent start location represents the position of a file recorded in the file extent area by an allocation block number. The number of blocks represents the number of allocation blocks used from the start position specified by the extent start location.
[0195]
Subsequently, “index to ERB” and “number of ERB” are recorded. This index to ERB represents the position in the volume management area of the extent record block containing data for indicating each distributed position of the distributedly recorded data file by the management block number from 0 to 511. The number of ERB represents the number of extent record blocks for indicating the distributed and recorded data file by the number of management blocks.
[0196]
Thereafter, the length of the variable long name ID is recorded, and the long name ID according to the length is recorded. When the long name ID is not recorded, the length of the long name ID is “00h”. Also, only when the length of the long name ID is an even number of bytes, “00h” is recorded as padding to fill the remaining bytes. The byte following the long name ID is used as a system extension area.
[0197]
One unit of the directory record unit corresponding to the data file is configured in this way, and a plurality of such directory record units can be provided in a 2048-byte data area. An EDC area and an ECC area are provided following the data area.
[0198]
When a data file such as an image file is recorded on the disk, there are the following two cases, and the method for specifying the position of the data file differs depending on the case.
[0199]
In the first case, a continuous free area for the data of the image file to be recorded can be secured on the disc, and at this time, it is recorded as one file in a physically continuous area.
[0200]
That is, one file is recorded so as to be composed of continuous allocation blocks. Normally, recording is performed in such a physically continuous area. In this case, the position of the data file is indicated by the allocation block number recorded as the extent start location in the directory record unit for this file.
[0201]
In the second case, a continuous free area corresponding to the data of the image file to be recorded cannot be secured on the disc. In this case, one file is distributed and recorded in a distributed area on the disc. Yes. That is, one file is recorded so as to be constituted by a plurality of distant allocation blocks. In this case, the position in the management area of the extent block is determined by the management block number recorded as the index toe ERB included in the directory record unit for the file, and is included in this extent record block. Based on the data, the location of each distributed area is specified. The extent record block will be described later. In the first case, the data of the index ERB is not recorded, and in the second case, the extent start location is not recorded.
[0202]
6-8 [Extent record block]
Management blocks after block number 4 in the volume management area can be used as extent record blocks ERB. As described above, this extent record block is used when one data file is recorded in a distributed area specified by a remote allocation block, and this extent record block includes an allocation block of each distributed area. Data for indicating the position is recorded.
[0203]
In this extent record block, a maximum of 64 extent record units (ER units) are recorded. It consists of an ER unit and a descriptor ER unit. The index ER unit is recorded as the first unit of the plurality of ER units in the ERB, and manages the usage status of the second and subsequent ER units. The second and subsequent ER units are used as descriptor ER units, and the allocation block of each distributed area is positioned by data included in this unit.
[0204]
FIG. 22 shows the sector structure of the extent record block DRB. In this sector, 64 extent record units can be recorded in 2048 bytes serving as a data area following the header in which the synchronization pattern and address are written. One extent record unit is composed of 32 bytes.
[0205]
FIG. 22 shows an example in which the first 32-byte extent record unit in the data area is used as an index extent record unit.
[0206]
In this index extent record unit, an index ID is recorded first. This index ID is “FFFF”, indicating that this extent record unit is used as an index extent record unit.
[0207]
Subsequently, the maximum depth is recorded. The extent record tree structure is constructed by the index extent record unit, and the maximum depth indicates the sub-tree hierarchy designated from the extent record unit. If the index extent record unit designates an extent record unit including an extent descriptor, that is, in the lowest layer, the maximum depth is set to “0000h”.
[0208]
Thereafter, a maximum of seven logical offsets and ER indexes can be recorded. The ER index is data indicating which ER unit of the 64 ER units that can be recorded in the extent record block is data indicating the distributed area. Any ER unit number from 0 to 63 is recorded. In the logical offset, data indicating the number of ER units for constituting the data file is recorded in the ER unit indicated by the ER index.
[0209]
In the example of FIG. 22, the second and subsequent ER unit teeth are used as descriptor ER units. In the child descriptor ER unit, a maximum of 8 extent start location cities and the number of allocation blocks are recorded. In the extent start location, an allocation block number indicating the position of one distributed area is recorded, and as the number of allocation blocks, data indicating the number of allocation blocks included in the distributed area is recorded. Therefore, one distributed area is designated by one extent start location and one allocation block number. Therefore, since eight extent start locations and the number of allocation blocks can be recorded in one descriptor DR unit, a maximum of eight distributed areas can be designated by one descriptor DR unit.
[0210]
In addition, when specifying 8 or more distributed areas, the third ER unit is newly used as the descriptor ER unit, and the descriptor ER unit recorded in the second ER unit by the index ER unit is used. As the subsequent descriptor ER unit, the newly recorded descriptor ER unit may be linked to the third ER unit.
[0211]
Next, a case where the positions of data files recorded in a plurality of distributed areas by ERB are specified will be described.
[0212]
First, the position in the management block area of the ERB is designated by the index to ERB recorded in the DRB file DR unit. Subsequently, since “FFFF” data is registered at the head of the first ER unit of the ERB, this first ER unit can be determined as an index ER unit. Next, in order to search for the first ER unit constituting the data file, it is only necessary to search where the logical offset data is “0000”. Therefore, the ER index data corresponding to the logical offset “0000” is obtained in this index ER unit. Eight distributed areas are designated by eight extent start locations recorded in the descriptor ER unit indicated by the data of the ER index and the number of allocation blocks. Therefore, since the position of the file distributed on the disk can be grasped by the data in the management area, it is not necessary to search the disk when reading the file, so that high speed reproduction can be realized.
[0213]
7). [Description of file and file hierarchy]
Files used in the image recording / playback system include a management file, an image file, an index image file, an audio data file, and the like.
[0214]
The extension of the file name of the management file is “PMF”. When it is detected that this extension is PMF, it identifies that the file is a management file. The management file includes a general information management file (OVF INF.PMF), an image data management file (PIC INF.PMF), a print data management file (PRT INF.PMF), a reproduction control management file (PMS INF.PMF), and the like. is there. A specific description of each management file will be described later.
[0215]
Next, the extension of the file name of the image file is “PMP”. When it is detected that this extension is PMP, it is identified that the file is an image file. The image file includes a high resolution image file and an intermediate resolution image file for recording the intermediate resolution image data SD surface. The intermediate resolution image file has an aspect ratio of 4: 3, PSNnnnn.x having image data of 640 pixels × 480 pixels. PSWnnn.PMP file having image data with an aspect ratio of 16: 9 and 848 pixels × 480 pixels. It consists of PMP files. The high-resolution image file has a PHPnnn.x format image data having an aspect ratio of 3: 2, 1536 pixels × 1024 pixels. PMP file, PHWnnnn. With image data having an aspect ratio of 16: 9 and 1920 pixels × 1080 pixels. It consists of PMP files. In addition, as a file for recording the ultra-high resolution image data HD as one of the high-resolution image files, PUPnnnn.P having image data with an aspect ratio of 3: 2, 3072 pixels × 2048 pixels. There is a PMP file.
[0216]
The file name of an image file with an extension of PMP is determined by the first three characters (for example, PHP) depending on the type of image, and the next five characters (nnnn) depending on the image number given in the order of image file creation. Is determined.
[0217]
Next, when image data is recorded in this image recording / reproducing system, as shown in FIG. 23, the optical disc is the 0th as a directory D1 (PIC MD) for image recording and a subdirectory provided therebelow. It has a hierarchical directory structure consisting of a first image directory D2 (PIC00000) and a first image directory D3 (PIC00001). The following five characters are determined by the directory number assigned according to the directory creation order of the image directory.
[0218]
Each image data recorded on the optical disk 20 is provided with a subdirectory D1 (PIC MD) as a directory for recording the image data as shown in FIG. A plurality of files are further managed in subdirectories.
[0219]
That is, for example, the directory D1 includes a general information management file f1 (OV INF.PMF) for managing the entire information and a general index for managing the entire index file. A file f2 (OV IDX.PMX) and image directories D2 to D4 (PIC0000 to PIC0002) of each album are provided. In the subdirectory (PIC MD), a print directory (PRINT) for managing print information such as print color, print size, and rotation, and a telop such as a title of an image to be displayed on a monitor are managed. A telop directory (TERO.PMO), an image number of each image and a keyword search directory (KW DTBS.PMO) attached to each image, a time stamp directory (TS DTBS.PMO) and a playback control directory (PMSEQ) for managing program playback such that only specified images are played back.
[0220]
In this example, an image directory (PIC0002) having a directory number of 2 from an image directory (PIC0000) having a directory number of “0” is provided as the image directory.
[0221]
The image directory (PIC0000) includes an image data management file f3 (PIC INF.PMF) for managing a plurality of image files designated by the directory number “00000”, and the image directory D2 An image index file f4 (PIDX000.PMX) in which the index images are collected is recorded.
[0222]
In the image directory D2 (PIC0000) designated by the directory number 00000, the intermediate resolution image file f5 (PSN00000.PMP) generated from the image data designated by the image number 00000 and the high resolution image file f6 ( PHP00000.PMP) is recorded. In addition, an intermediate resolution image file f7 (PSN00001.PMP) generated from the image file data designated by the image number 00001 and an ultra high resolution image file f9 (PUP00001.PMP) are recorded. Further, an intermediate resolution image file f10 (PSN00002.PMP) generated from image data designated with an image number of 00002 and an intermediate resolution image file f11 (PSN00003.PMP) generated from image data designated with an image number of 00003. PMP) is recorded.
[0223]
Next, in the image directory (PIC00001) designated by the directory number “0001”, the above-described image data management file (PIC INF.PMF) and two index files for managing the index images of the respective images ( PIDX000.PMX, PIDX001.PMX) are recorded. The two image index files manage the index images corresponding to the image files recorded in the image directory (PIC00001). Formally, the two index files are linked. To be used.
[0224]
Next, the print directory (PRINT) includes a print data management file (PRT INF.PMF) for managing a plurality of print data files therein, and a print data file (PRT000) managed by the print data management file. .PMO to PRTnnn.PMO) are recorded.
[0225]
Next, in the playback control directory (PMSEQ), a playback control management file (PMS INF.PMF) for managing playback control data files recorded in the playback control directory (PMSEQ) and an image sequence are controlled. A plurality of reproduction control data files (PMS000.PMO to PMSnnn.PMO) are recorded.
[0226]
Next, as described in FIG. 14C, the management blocks are assigned block numbers from 0 to 511, and in order from block number 0, volume descriptor VD, volume space bitmap VSB, management Table MT, management table MT, directory record block DRB, directory record block DRB, extent record block ERB, directory record block DRB, extent record block ERB.
[0227]
The directory record block DRB for indicating the directory D1 (PIC MD) can be determined to be the fourth block of the management block based on the data of the volume descriptor VD. In FIG. 24, the directory record block DRB recorded in the fourth block of this management block indicates the recording position of the comprehensive information management file f1 and the comprehensive index file f2 shown in FIG. 23 following the header. Two file DR units are provided.
[0228]
Specifically, in the DR unit for file recorded in the first unit, the allocation block position of the comprehensive information management file f1 is determined by the allocation block number recorded as “Extent Start Location”. It has come to show. Further, in the DR unit for file recorded in the second unit, the allocation block number recorded as “Extent Start Location” indicates the allocation block position of the comprehensive index file f2. It has become. In the “index to ERB (Index to ERB)” in the DR unit for the file, since the comprehensive information management file f1 and the comprehensive index file f2 are recorded in continuous allocation blocks on the optical disc 20, this index to ERB is recorded. Not recorded in ERB.
[0229]
Next, after the two file DR units, that is, in the third and fourth units, an image directory D2 represented by a directory number “00000” and an image directory D3 represented by a directory number “00001”. There are provided two directory DR units for indicating the recording position of the directory.
[0230]
Specifically, in this directory DR unit, the management block number of 0 to 511 recorded as “index to ERB (Index to DRB)” indicates the relative in the management block of the DRB corresponding to the image directory D2. The correct position is indicated. In this example, “Index to DRB” data in the DR unit for the directory of the third unit includes “005” as data indicating the block position in the management block of the DRB of the image directory D2. Is recorded. Similarly, in the “index to DRB” data of the directory unit DR unit of the fourth unit, “007” is stored as data indicating the block position in the management block of the DRB of the image directory D3. It is recorded.
[0231]
As described above, the DRB of the fifth block of the management block has its block position specified by the directory DR unit which is the third unit in the DRB of the fourth block of the management block.
[0232]
The DRB of the fifth block is a block in which data relating to the image directory D2 is recorded. This DRB is provided with eight file DR units following the header.
[0233]
The seven file DR units provided in the first to seventh units respectively include an image data management file f3, an image index file f4, a first intermediate resolution image data file f5, and a high resolution image data file f6. Data for indicating recording positions of the second intermediate resolution image data file f7, the ultra-high resolution image data file f9, and the third intermediate resolution image data file f10 is recorded. Further, similarly to the above-described file DR unit, the image data management file f3 and the image index are designated by the allocation block number recorded as “Extent Start Location” in each file DR unit. The recording positions of the file f4, the intermediate resolution image data file f5, the high resolution image data file f6 and the intermediate resolution image data file f7 are shown.
[0234]
Data for indicating the recording position of the ultra-high resolution image data file (f9) is recorded in the file DR unit provided in the seventh unit. This ultra-high resolution image data file is recorded with a data length of 18 clusters, for example. If there is no continuous free space for 18 clusters on the optical disk 20, the file is distributed and recorded in non-contiguous allocation blocks.
[0235]
As described above, when one file is recorded in a distributed manner, the data of the extent start location of the file DR unit does not directly specify each of the distribution areas of the file, and specifies an image designated as DRB. An ERB is provided between the file f9 and the position of each distributed area of the image file is designated by the ERB data.
[0236]
As shown in FIG. 22, the ERB is provided with four extent record units (ER units) following the header. Note that a maximum of 64 ER units can be provided.
[0237]
The first ER unit is used as an index ER unit, and the second and third ER units are used as descriptor ER units. In the index ER unit, index data relating to the second and subsequent ER units is recorded. In the index ER unit, ER indexes and logical offsets are recorded for the number of ER units used. The ER index is data indicating which ER unit among the 64 ER units exists, and is indicated by ER unit numbers of 0 to 63. The logical offset is data indicating what number of ER units the ER unit indicated by the ER index constitutes one file.
[0238]
The descriptor ER unit can record 8 extent start positions and 8 extent block numbers. The extent start position is data for indicating the start position of the distributed area, and is expressed by an allocation block number. The number of extent blocks is data for indicating the data length of the distributed area and is expressed by the number of allocation blocks. Accordingly, eight distributed areas can be specified by one descriptor ER unit based on the data of the extent start position and the number of extent blocks.
[0239]
That is, as shown in FIG. 25, “FFFFh” data indicating that it is an index ER unit is registered at the head of the first ER unit. Next, in order to search for the first ER unit constituting the data of the ultra-high resolution image data file f9, it is only necessary to search where the logical offset data is “0000”. Since “2” is recorded as ER index data corresponding to the logical offset “0000” in the index ER unit, the second ER unit is the first ER unit constituting the data of the file f9. It can be detected.
[0240]
Next, referring to the second ER unit (descriptor ER unit), the start position of the first division area of the file f9 is the allocation block number “0152”, and the data of the first division area It can be seen that the length is “0002” as the number of allocation blocks. Similarly, data related to the second divided area to the eighth divided area are recorded in this descriptor ER unit in order.
[0241]
Next, “0001”, which is the next data of the logical offset “0000” in the index for index, is searched as data following the descriptor ER unit which is the second ER record. Since the data of the ER index whose logical offset is “0001” is recorded as “3”, it indicates that the third ER unit exists as data continuous to the second ER unit. Next, referring to the third ER unit (descriptor ER unit), the allocation block number indicating the start position of the ninth distribution area and the tenth distribution area and the number of allocation blocks indicating the data length are recorded. ing.
[0242]
As described above, the allocation block positions of the distributed areas distributed in 10 are shown by the ERB descriptor ER unit. For this reason, even when one file is distributed and recorded, the position of each distributed area can be grasped in the management block having the ERB. For this reason, even when each distributed area is continuously reproduced as one file from the optical disc 20, it is not necessary to search each of the distributed areas on the disc on the disc, thereby enabling high-speed access. Can do.
[0243]
In this embodiment, as an example of recording an image file in a distributed manner on a disk, an example of recording an ultra-high resolution image file is given as an example. Such distributed recording is performed when a continuous area of minutes cannot be secured. Similarly, if an area for eight consecutive clusters cannot be secured, distributed recording is also performed for a high-resolution image file. In the recording of the lieutenant general, the super high resolution image file and the high resolution image file are recorded in a continuous area.
[0244]
8). [File structure]
Each file is composed of a header and a data body. The start address of the data body is specified by the header. The data body starts from, for example, an address that is a multiple of 4, and the upper byte is prioritized for data of 2 bytes or more. The data size is a multiple of 4 except for each fixed-length encoded image data (including 00h dummy data added when raster-block conversion of the above-described low resolution image data). The character string is terminated with null data (00h). A configuration may be adopted in which an empty area is provided between the header and the data body.
[0245]
8-1 [Configuration of header]
The header is composed of a plurality of tables, and a “format table” indicating what the file is, which will be described later, is arranged at the top, and options such as the image processing information are described below. The tables are arranged in an arbitrary order. Each table starts from an address that is a multiple of 4, for example, and the interval between the table and the next table is 256 bytes or less. A configuration in which empty data exists between a table and the next table may be adopted.
[0246]
Specifically, the types of the table include a format table (10h), a name table (11h), a comment table (12h), a disk ID table (14h), an image parameter table (20h), a recording information table (21h), There are a color management parameter table (22h), an option table (90h), etc. (in parentheses are identification symbols (ID) of each table).
[0247]
8-2 [Format Table]
As shown in FIG. 26, the format table includes a table ID (1 byte), a next table pointer (1 byte), a format version (2 bytes), a file format (1 byte), a file format version (1 byte), and all tables. Number (1 byte), free space (reservation: 1 byte), data start address (4 bytes), data size (4 bytes), free space (reservation: 4 bytes), all of which are binary ( The data is recorded in the data format B).
[0248]
As the “file format” recorded in 1 byte, the general information management file is recorded as “00h”, the image data management file is recorded as “01h”, and the print data management file is “03h”. The playback control management file is recorded as “05h”, the image data file is recorded as “10h”, the comprehensive index file is recorded as “11h”, and the image index file is recorded as “12h”. It has become. Also, the print data file is recorded at “30h”, the telop data file is recorded at “32h”, the keyword search data file is recorded at “33h”, and the time stamp search data file is recorded at “34h” for playback. The control data file is recorded with “35h”.
[0249]
8-3 [Image Parameter Table]
This image parameter table is recorded in the header of each image file for recording the high resolution image data and the intermediate resolution image file data, and information on the original image data based on the high resolution image data and the intermediate resolution image data is the parameter. It is recorded as.
[0250]
In this image recording / reproducing system, high resolution image data and intermediate resolution image data are created based on original image data captured from a scanner or the like, and are recorded as a high resolution image file and an intermediate resolution image file. However, since the original image itself is not recorded on the disk, the original image data does not remain. However, based on the data of the image parameter table recorded in the header of the image file, the original image that is the basis of the high-resolution image data is recorded in what state, how it is processed, and the high-resolution image data and Whether the intermediate resolution image data has been created can be grasped based on each information. Therefore, in order to leave information relating to the original image data, the data of the image parameter table is recorded in the header of the image file together with the image data, and is not rewritten.
[0251]
Next, as shown in FIG. 27, the image parameter table includes a 1-byte table ID, a 1-byte next table pointer, a 2-byte image size (horizontal size), and a 2-byte image size (vertical size). ), 1-byte image component, 1-byte vertical / horizontal identification, 1-byte wide ID, 1-byte compression ratio of the image data, 1-byte copyright, editing right information, 1-byte Input device identification information is recorded. In addition, information indicating the presence / absence of a 3-byte empty area (reservation) and 1-byte dummy data is recorded.
[0252]
The “image size” is information indicating the size of the number of pixels of the image, and the “image constituent element” has luminance (Y), color difference (Cr), and color difference (Cb) of 4: 2: “0” is recorded for 0, “01h” is recorded for 4: 2: 0 orthogonal, “10h” is recorded for 4: 2: 2, and 4: 2: 2 orthogonal. In this case, “20h” is recorded. Note that “orthogonal” indicates that the head Y data and the C data match.
[0253]
The “vertical / horizontal identification” is rotation information for displaying an image (counterclockwise). In the case of normal horizontal display, “00h” is recorded and rotated by 90 degrees with respect to the horizontal display. In the case of the vertical display, “01h” is recorded, in the case of the horizontal display rotated by 180 degrees with respect to the horizontal display, “02h” is recorded, and in the case of the vertical display rotated by 270 degrees with respect to the horizontal display “03h” is recorded. Note that “FFh” is currently undefined.
[0254]
Each of these pieces of information can be reproduced and displayed. Therefore, the user can easily recognize the parameters of the image by displaying the image parameter table on the monitor device 9.
8-4 [General information management file (first management file)]
The comprehensive information management file is a management file for comprehensively managing all data files recorded in the directory (PIC MD).
[0255]
The general information management file includes a header and a data body as shown in FIG. As described above, the format table (10h), name table (11h), comment table (12h), disc ID table (14h), and option table (90h) are recorded in the header.
[0256]
In the data body, the total number of images of 2 bytes, the next image directory number of 2 bytes, the total number of 2-byte image directories, the information indicating the presence or absence of a 1-byte playback control directory, the number of 1-byte playback control files, 1 byte The number of print data files and information indicating the presence / absence of a 1-byte telop data file are recorded. Also, information indicating presence / absence of 1-byte search information file, 1-byte automatic start file number, 2-byte last access image directory number, 2-byte last access image number, 8-byte password, 6-byte narration language information , A 2-byte free area (reserved) and N 48-byte image directory information units (N is the number of image directories) are recorded. These pieces of information are all recorded in a binary data format.
[0257]
The “total number of pixels” is information indicating the total number of pixels of a normal resolution (intermediate resolution image data) image having an aspect ratio of 3: 4, and the “next image directory number” is 1 in the final number of the image directory. The “total number of image directories” is information indicating the number (N) of image directories. Further, “00h” is recorded as “the presence / absence of the number of files of telop data”, and “01h” is recorded when it exists.
[0258]
As described above, the 48-byte image directory information unit is recorded in association with the index image recorded in the general index file. In this comprehensive index file, one index image selected by the user among the index images included in each image directory is recorded in the order of the image directory. Accordingly, since one index image is extracted from the forehead image directory, the same number (N) of index images as the image directory are recorded in this comprehensive index file.
[0259]
The one image directory information unit corresponds to one index image recorded in the general index file, and an image directory corresponding to the mth index image recorded in the general index file. The information unit is recorded as the mth unit.
[0260]
That is, the same number of image directory information units are recorded in the same order as the recording order of the index images of the general index file.
[0261]
Each image directory information unit has a 2-byte directory number, 2-byte index image number, 2-byte directory image count, 1-byte index image individual information, and 1-byte character as shown in FIG. It consists of an identification code, a 36-byte directory name, and a 4-byte free area. All except the “directory name” are recorded in a binary data format, but the “directory name” is recorded in ASCII code (A). When this “directory name” is recorded in a code other than an ASCII code such as an ISO code or a JIS code, the data format is “C”.
[0262]
In the above directory number, a directory number for indicating an image directory including an image file corresponding to the index image is recorded. In the index image number, an image number for indicating the number of the image file with respect to the index image is recorded. It is recorded. Therefore, when the user designates the m-th index image of the comprehensive index file, the next refers to the m-th image directory information unit from the top. Subsequently, it is possible to determine in which image directory the specified image index is included based on the directory number data recorded in the referenced image directory information unit.
[0263]
The index image individual information includes rotation information when the index image is displayed on the monitor, and the index image is displayed based on this data.
[0264]
8-6 [Image data management file]
One image data management file is always provided for each image directory, and data for managing each image stored in this directory is recorded.
[0265]
Next, the image data management file includes a header and a data body as shown in FIG. As described above, the format table (10h), the name table (11h), the comment table (12h), the disk ID table (14h), and the option table (90h) are recorded in the header.
[0266]
The data body includes a 1-byte link ID, a 3-byte free area (reserved), a 2-byte next image number, a 2-byte number of images, a 2-byte free area (reserved), and a 1-byte image index. The number of files, 1-byte next image index file number, 4 × 256-byte index file information, and N 16-byte image information units (number of images) are recorded. These pieces of information are recorded in a binary data format.
[0267]
The “number of images” is information indicating the total number of images (N) in the image directory. The “index file information” is arranged according to the display order, and for example, 256 entries are prepared regardless of the number of index files actually present.
[0268]
As described above, the 16-byte image information unit is recorded in association with an index image recorded in an image index file described later.
In this image index file, index images for indicating all image files included in the image directory are recorded in the display order. Therefore, N index images having the same number as the total number N of images in the image directory are recorded in the image index file.
The one image information unit corresponds to one index image recorded in the image index file and corresponds to the mth index image recorded in the image index file. Is recorded as the mth unit.
That is, the same number of image information units are recorded in the same order as the recording order of the index images of the image index file.
[0269]
As shown in FIG. 29B, the “image information unit” includes a 2-byte directory number, 2-byte image number, 1-byte image type information, 1-byte image individual information, 1-byte link number, 1-byte narration information, 2-byte keyword search data number, 2-byte time stamp search data number, 2-byte telop number, and 2-byte free area (reserved) are recorded. Each piece of information is recorded in a binary data format.
[0270]
A directory number for indicating an image directory including an image file corresponding to the index image is recorded in the directory number, and an image for indicating the number of the image file corresponding to the index image is recorded in the image multiple. The number is recorded. Accordingly, when the user designates the mth index image of the image index file, the mth image information unit from the top is referred to next. Subsequently, it is determined which image directory contains the specified image index based on the data of the directory number recorded in the referenced image information unit, and what number in the image directory is determined by the image number. Determine whether it is an image file.
[0271]
In the image type information, data indicating the image type such as “PSN” representing the intermediate resolution image file and “PHP” representing the high resolution image file is recorded, and the high resolution image file is represented by the index image. When the intermediate resolution image file is designated, the file name (first three characters) is designated based on the image type information.
[0272]
8-7 [Print data management file]
The print data management file includes a header and a data body as shown in FIG. A format table (10h), a name table (11h), a comment table (12h), and an option table (90h) are recorded in the header.
[0273]
In the data body, a 1-byte next print data file number, a 1-byte print data file total number, a 2-byte free area (reserved), and a print data file management information of 4 × N (several minutes) bytes are recorded. It has become so.
[0274]
A value obtained by adding 1 to the number of the last print data file is recorded as the “next print data file number”, and the total number of the print data files is recorded as the “total number of print data files”. As “information”, the number of print data files is recorded.
[0275]
In the “print data file management information”, as shown in FIG. 30B, a 1-byte print data file number, a 1-byte print execution ID, and a 2-byte free area (reserved) are recorded. It has become. The print data file number is information indicating the print data file number. As the “print execution ID”, “00h” is recorded when printing is not performed, and “01h” is recorded when printing is performed.
[0276]
8-8 [Image data file]
The image data file includes a header and a data body as shown in FIG. The header includes a format table, an image parameter table, a division management table, a name table, a comment table, a copyright information table, a recording date table, a color management information table, an aviation information table, a camera information table, a scanner information table, and laboratory information. A table and an option table are recorded respectively. The “format table” and the “image parameter table” are indispensable recording items when configuring the system, and other than these are optional items.
[0277]
The data recorded in each of these tables or the data indicating the conditions when the original image data is processed to generate high resolution data or intermediate resolution image data. Therefore, the data recorded in these tables is not replaced in normal recording / reproduction.
[0278]
The data body records high-resolution image data or intermediate-resolution image data that has been fixed-length encoded.
[0279]
8-9 [Total index file]
In this comprehensive index file, one index image selected by the user among a plurality of index images included in each image directory is recorded in the order in which the index images are displayed on the monitor. Therefore, the same number of images as each image directory are recorded in this comprehensive index file.
[0280]
The comprehensive index file is a set of index image data (low-resolution image data), and no header is provided for the file itself. The number of index images is recorded as “total number of directories” by the above-described general information management file. Each index is arranged in the same order as the order of management files.
[0281]
Specifically, as shown in FIG. 32A, the comprehensive index file is composed only of data bodies of index image data 0 to N each having 4096 bytes. Each index image data includes a header and a data body as shown in FIG. A format table is recorded in the header. This header is provided with an empty area following the format table, so that arbitrary information of the user can be recorded. In the data body, index image data (low resolution image data) is recorded. In this data body, an empty area is provided following the index image data.
[0282]
8-10 [Image index file]
In this image index file, index images for indicating all image files included in the image directory are recorded in the display order. Therefore, N index images of the same number as the total number of images in the image directory are recorded in this image index file.
[0283]
Next, the image index file is a set of index image data (low-resolution image data), and does not have the header of the file itself as shown in FIG. Each data has a header. The number of index images is recorded as the total number of directories in the general information management file. Each index is arranged in the same order as the order of management files.
[0284]
Specifically, each index image data is composed of a format table and a header having a free area as shown in FIG. 33 (b), low-resolution image data that has been fixed-length encoded, and a data body having a free area. Has been. The total amount of the header and the low resolution image data is, for example, 4096 bytes. Further, the header is fixed to 256 bytes including an empty area.
[0285]
8-11 [Print Data File]
The print data file is composed of a header and a data body as shown in FIG. A format table, a name table, a comment table, and an option table are recorded in the header. In the data body, print data of 2 bytes, print area of 2 bytes (reserved), and print information of 40 × N (several minutes) bytes are recorded.
[0286]
The “total number of prints” is information indicating the total number of images to be printed, and the “print information” is information indicating 40 bytes × total number of prints. Each piece of information is recorded in a binary data format.
[0287]
As shown in FIG. 34B, the “print information” records a 2-byte image directory number, a 2-byte image number, a 1-byte image type, a 2-byte print number, and the like. . Note that, as the “number of printed sheets”, the number of printed sheets of the same image is recorded.
[0288]
9. [Recording operation]
Next, a recording operation based on the above hierarchical directory structure and each file structure will be described. This recording operation is as shown in the flowcharts of FIGS. First, in the flowchart shown in FIG. 35, when the user turns on the power key 31 shown in FIG. 8, the storage unit 5 enters the standby state. Then, this flowchart is started and the process proceeds to step S51.
[0289]
In step S51, the user inserts the optical disc 20 into the disc insertion slot 30 shown in FIG. 8, and proceeds to step S52. As a result, the optical disk 20 inserted through the disk insertion slot 30 is loaded into the storage unit 5 and image data can be recorded.
[0290]
In step S52, the storage unit controller 5d shown in FIG. 6 controls the disc recording / reproducing unit 5c to read the P-TOC and U-TOC on the optical disc 20 shown in FIG. Then, the read P-TOC and U-TOC data are transferred to the system controller 6 shown in FIG. The system controller 6 detects each data of the transferred P-TOC and U-TOC, thereby confirming whether the data U-TOC exists and confirming the recording position of the U-TOC. To do. Specifically, the U-TOC cannot manage the area in which the data file is formed. Therefore, if the data file exists, the system controller 6 determines that the U-TOC exists at the head of the data file, and proceeds to step S53.
[0291]
In step S53, the storage controller 5d controls the disc recording / reproducing unit 5c so as to read the data U-TOC on the optical disc 20 shown in FIG. Then, the data U-TOC data is transferred to the RAM 6 a of the system controller 6. The system controller 6 once stores and reads out the transferred data U-TOC data in the RAM 6a, grasps the position of each directory and each file, and proceeds to step S54. The search for the storage location of the file will be described in detail later in the section “Explanation of operation during search”.
Next, in step S54, the system controller 6 determines whether a directory (PIC MD) and a general information management file exist based on the data U-TOC stored in the RAM 6a. Then, it is determined whether or not the optical disc 20 is formatted for recording image data. In the case of No, the optical disk 20 is formatted for recording image data, this routine is once ended, and it is in a standby state until recording is designated again. In the case of Yes, the process proceeds to step S55.
[0292]
In step S55, the system controller 6 controls the disk recording / playback unit 5c so as to read all management files via the storage unit controller 5d, and temporarily stores all the read management files in the RAM 6a. Store and proceed to step S56.
[0293]
In step S56, the system controller 6 controls the display of the monitor device 9 so as to display a screen for selecting a recording mode of an image to be recorded. Specifically, the monitor device 9 records an HD recording mode selection screen for recording a high-resolution image of 1024 pixels × 1536 pixels and an ultra-high-resolution image of 2048 pixels × 3072 pixels. The UD recording mode selection screen is displayed.
[0294]
The intermediate resolution image is recorded with a fixed data length of 2 clusters as described above, but a recording mode for recording the intermediate resolution image with a fixed data length of 1 cluster is provided. A fixed length encoding with a length and a fixed length encoding with a data length of one cluster may be selectable by the user. Thus, when a recording mode with a fixed data length of 2 clusters is selected, it is possible to record high resolution intermediate resolution image data, and when a recording mode with a fixed data length of 1 cluster is selected. Although the resolution is somewhat inferior, the number of recordable sheets can be increased.
[0295]
Next, in step S57, the system controller 6 detects the operation state of the operation unit 10 to determine whether one of the HD recording mode and the UD recording mode has been selected. In the case of No, step S57 is repeated until the above selection is made, and in the case of Yes, the process proceeds to step S58.
[0296]
In step S58, the system controller 6 records the total number of recorded images (total number of images of intermediate resolution image data) in the general management file stored in the RAM 6a, the number of images and images in the image data management file. Based on the image type information of the information, the number of recordable images in the HD recording mode or UD recording mode designated by the user is calculated.
[0297]
Specifically, about 200 images can be recorded on the optical disc 20 by combining only two clusters of intermediate resolution image data and eight clusters of high resolution image data, and two clusters of intermediate resolution image data. In addition, it is possible to record about 100 images by combining only the super high resolution image data of 18 clusters. For this reason, when the recorded capacity is subtracted from the recordable capacity of the entire optical disc 20, the recordable number when the HD recording mode is selected and the recordable number when the UD recording mode is selected can be calculated. it can.
[0298]
Next, in step S59, the system controller 6 reads the image directory information unit in the comprehensive management file from the RAM 6a, and controls display of data such as the directory name, the directory number, and the number of images in the directory on the monitor device 9. Then, the process proceeds to step S60.
[0299]
In step S60, the system controller 6 detects the operation state of the operation unit 10 to determine whether or not the user has specified a directory for recording the image data. If No, the process proceeds to step S62. In this case, the process proceeds to step S71 shown in FIG.
[0300]
In step S62, since the directory is not designated by the user, the system controller 6 detects the operation state of the operation unit 10 to determine whether or not the formation of a new directory other than the existing directory is designated. In the case of No, step S60 and step S62 are repeated until the formation of the new directory is designated, and in the case of Yes, the process proceeds to step S63.
[0301]
In step S63, since the formation of a new directory is designated, the system controller 6 determines the number of existing directories based on the general information management file, attaches the directory number of the new directory, and includes an image in this directory. A data management file and an image index file are formed, and the process proceeds to step S71 shown in FIG.
[0302]
Next, in step S71 shown in FIG. 36, the system controller 6 reads out all the image data recorded in the index file of the designated directory via the storage unit controller 5d. 5c is controlled, and the image data of the index file is controlled to be transferred to the main memory 11a shown in FIG. 4, and the process proceeds to step S72. From the index file, the image data that is fixed-length encoded together with the header is recorded as it is without being subjected to decompression decoding processing and transferred to the main memory 11a. Further, when image data is not recorded in the index file, the image data is not read out to the main memory.
[0303]
In step S72, the system controller 6 detects the operation state of the operation unit 10 to determine whether or not the recording start is designated by the user. If No, this step S72 is performed until the recording start is designated. Is repeated, and if yes, the process proceeds to step S73.
[0304]
In step S73, the system controller 6 determines whether or not the image to be recorded is an index image. If NO, the process proceeds to step S74, and if YES, the process proceeds to step S83.
[0305]
In step S83, data indicating that the image to be recorded is an index image is supplied to the thinning / compression / decompression controller 4i shown in FIG. When the data is supplied, the thinning / compression / decompression controller 4i sets a fixed length count for the index image in the compression / decompression circuit 4h, and proceeds to step S84.
[0306]
In step S84, the thinning / compression / decompression controller 4i controls the compression / decompression circuit 4h so as to perform compression encoding processing on the image data thinned to ¼ based on the set fixed length count. As a result, an index image that is fixed-length encoded to a fixed data length of 1/15 cluster is formed, and the process proceeds to step S85.
[0307]
In step S85, the system controller 6 controls the memory controller 13 to record a 4096-byte index image with a header added to the index file stored in the main memory 11a shown in FIG. Proceed to
[0308]
In step S86, the system controller 6 determines whether or not all index images have been recorded in the main memory 11a. If no, the process returns to step S73, and if yes, the process proceeds to step S87.
[0309]
In step S87, the system controller 6 sets the 2-bit entry of the allocation block number of the volume space bitmap VSB in the data U-TOC stored in the RAM 6a to “00” (a code indicating an available allocation block). By searching the place where is, an empty area is detected, and the process proceeds to step S88.
[0310]
In step S88, the system controller 6 controls the disc recording / reproducing unit 5c to access the detected empty area on the optical disc 20 via the storage unit controller 5d, and the process proceeds to step S89.
[0311]
In step S89, the system controller 6 controls the disc recording / reproducing unit 5c to record the index file having the index image in an empty area on the optical disc 20 via the storage unit controller 5d, and the process proceeds to step S80. .
[0312]
Here, when the index image is fixed-length encoded and recorded on the optical disc 20, before the fixed-length encoded index image is recorded on the optical disc 20, the index image is temporarily recorded on the main memory 11a in order. One index file is formed from all index images on the main memory 11a, and then recorded in a physically continuous area on the optical disc 20.
[0313]
That is, as described above, one index image is fixed-length encoded to a data length of 1/15 cluster. For this reason, in order to record image data having a data length of 1/15 cluster on the optical disc 20, dummy data for 14/15 clusters is added to the image data for 1/15 clusters to add 1 Must be the data length of the cluster. Therefore, if the 1/15 cluster image data is recorded on the disk each time the dummy data recording area is larger than the index image data recording area on the disk. Cannot be used effectively.
[0314]
However, in the still image recording / playback system in this description, the index image data is temporarily combined as an index file on the main memory 11a, and after the capturing of all index images is completed, the combined index file is stored. It is recorded on the disc. That is, for example, when recording an index file having 25 index images, 15 index images (15 × 1/15 clusters) are recorded in an area for one cluster, and the remaining 10 index images (10) are recorded. × 1/15 cluster) and 5/15 cluster dummy data are recorded in the next one cluster area. As a result, the amount of dummy data recorded on the disc can be reduced, and the recording area on the disc can be used effectively.
[0315]
Further, in the still image recording / reproducing system in this description, for high-resolution image files or intermediate-resolution image files, image data is captured from the scanner unit 1 or the like, and the image data is fixed-length encoded and recorded on a disk. The image file is formed by the following series of flows. When such a series of flows is employed for recording an index file, image files having respective resolutions such as a high resolution and an intermediate resolution are sequentially recorded. For this reason, there is a possibility that the area of the index image to be recorded cannot be secured in the area subsequent to the previously recorded index image. In such a case, the index file must be distributed and recorded on the disk. Therefore, there is a disadvantage that reading of the index file is delayed.
[0316]
However, in the still image recording / reproducing system in this description, a plurality of fixed-length encoded index images are once recorded on the main memory 11a, so that one index image including all index images on the main memory 11a is recorded. Since a file is formed and this index file is recorded in a physically continuous area on the disk, the index file recorded on the disk can be always a continuous file. For this reason, when the index file is read from the optical disc 20, it can be reproduced continuously because it is continuously recorded, and high-speed reading can be performed.
[0317]
The case of adding a new index image to the index file will be described. In this case, the data of the index file is read onto the main memory 11a prior to recording as described above. When recording, the new index image is recorded in the area immediately after the last recorded index image by deleting the dummy data added after the last recorded index image (dummy data). If there is no, there is no need to delete.)
On the other hand, if it is determined No in step S73 and the process proceeds to step S74, in step S74, the system controller 6 detects an empty area on the optical disc 20 for recording an intermediate resolution image or a high resolution image. Proceed to S75.
[0318]
Specifically, the system controller 6 sets the 2-bit entry of the allocation block number of the volume space bitmap VSB in the data U-TOC stored in the RAM 6a to “00” (a code indicating an available allocation block). The empty area is detected by searching for a place where “
[0319]
In step S75, the system controller 6 detects the optimum empty area among the empty areas searched in step S74, and the disk recording / reproducing unit 5c is accessed via the storage unit controller 5d so as to access this area. Control.
[0320]
Here, the optimum recording position is the area after the recorded file (the last recorded file) recorded in order under the same directory and the image (several clusters) to be recorded. Most preferably, the areas are physically contiguous areas.
[0321]
However, when recording large data such as high-resolution image data (8 clusters) or ultra-high-resolution image data (18 clusters) and there are few unrecorded areas on the optical disk 20, the end of the same directory is used. There may be cases where a physically continuous area cannot be secured in the area behind the recorded file. In such a case, an excellent record block ERB is formed, and a plurality of non-consecutive distributed areas are linked by this ERB to record one file.
[0322]
Next, in step S76, the system controller 6 sets a fixed length count corresponding to the high resolution image data or the super high resolution image data in the thinning / compression / decompression controller 4i, and the process proceeds to step S77.
[0323]
In step S77, the thinning / compression / decompression controller 4i performs compression / expansion so as to form high-resolution image data for 8 clusters or ultra-high-resolution image data for 18 clusters based on the set fixed length count. The circuit 4h is formed and the process proceeds to step S78.
[0324]
In step S78, the storage unit controller 5d controls the disc recording / reproducing unit 5c so as to record the fixed-length image data in the optimum area on the detected optical disc 20, and proceeds to step S79.
[0325]
In step S79, the system controller 6 sequentially determines the image data management file data in the designated directory and the file name corresponding to the resolution of each image data, together with the recording control of the image data, and proceeds to step S80.
[0326]
More specifically, for example, when the first to sixth images read from the negative film are recorded in the HD recording mode in the image directory PIC00001, it is as follows.
[0327]
That is, before recording, it can be determined from the data of the image data management file on the RAM 6a that the number of images recorded in the HD recording mode is zero, so the high resolution (HD) of the first image. Is PHP00000. At the same time, the intermediate resolution (SD) is PSN00000. PMP. Therefore, when all the six images have been recorded, PHP00000. PMP to PHP00005. PMP, PSN00000. PMP to PSN00005. A PMP file is formed.
[0328]
The case where the index images of the six images are recorded will be described. These six index images are already formed at the time of formatting and read out on the main memory 11a. All images are sequentially recorded on the PMX. For this reason, a new index file is not formed. However, if the number of index images to be recorded in one index file exceeds a preset number of index images (for example, 25 in this description), a new PIDX001. A second index file such as PMX is formed.
[0329]
In step S80, the system controller 6 records all three types of resolution image data, ie, low resolution image data (index image), intermediate resolution image data, and high resolution image data (or ultra high resolution image data). If NO, the process returns to step S73 to record image data having a resolution that has not yet been recorded. If YES, the process proceeds to step S81.
[0330]
In step S81, the system controller 6 detects whether or not the eject key 32 of the operation unit 10 is turned on. If No, this step S81 is repeated, and if Yes, the process proceeds to step S82.
[0331]
In step S82, the system controller 6 uses the data U-TOC, the comprehensive management information file, and the related data of the image data management file recorded on the disc as the data U-TOC, the comprehensive management recorded on the RAM 6a. All the data in the information file and the image data management file are updated, and all routines relating to the recording operation shown in FIGS. 35 and 36 are completed.
[0332]
Specifically, in the data U-TOC, each of volume descriptor (VD), volume space bitmap (VSB), management table (MT), directory record block (DRB), extents record block (ERB), etc. Data is mainly rewritten.
[0333]
That is, in the above VD, data relating to allocation blocks (recordable allocation blocks, etc.), number of directories (when formation of a new directory is designated), number of files, data relating to DRB (new directory or file formed) Data) related to ERB (when a newly formed file is recorded at physically discontinuous positions and linked by ERB), etc. are rewritten.
[0334]
In the VSB, a 2-bit code indicating the attribute of each allocation block is rewritten.
[0335]
In the MT, entry is made when DRB and ERB are newly formed. However, when one directory record unit in the existing DRB is added, the MT is not updated.
[0336]
In the DRB, when a new directory is formed, one directory record unit (for directory) is added. Similarly, when a file is formed, one directory record unit (for file) is added for each file.
[0337]
The ERB is formed when a file is formed by the DRB and the file is not physically continuous. It is not formed at the time of formatting.
[0338]
Next, in the comprehensive management information file, data such as the total number of images, the next image directory number, the total number of image directories, and the image directory information unit are mainly rewritten. In the image directory information unit, when a directory is formed, data of one image directory information unit is formed, and when a file in an existing directory is formed or updated, an index image number, the number of images in the directory , Index image individual identification information and the like are updated.
[0339]
Next, when a directory is formed in the image data management file, the image data management file is newly formed. Data such as the number of images, the number of image index files, the next image index file number, index file information, and image information unit are mainly updated.
[0340]
The index file information is updated when an index file is newly formed, and the index number is updated when the index number in the index file is added. Further, since the image information is recorded corresponding to each index image, the number of image information units increases by the increased number of images. In normal recording, the data in the image information unit is not updated, but when the order of the index images is changed, the image number is changed and updated.
[0341]
10. [Description of other recording operations]
Next, another recording operation of the image data of each resolution will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The flowchart of FIG. 37 is started when the routine of steps S35 to S63 in the flowchart described with reference to FIG. 35 is completed, and proceeds to step S91. In step S91, the system controller 6 reads all image data recorded in the index file of the designated directory. In step S92, the system controller 6 detects designation of recording start from the user. Then, the process proceeds to step S93.
[0342]
Note that step S91 and step S92 shown in FIG. 37 are steps corresponding to step S71 and step S72 described with reference to FIG. 36, respectively.
[0343]
Next, in step S93, the system controller 6 determines whether the image data to be recorded is high resolution image data (HD or UD), intermediate resolution image data (SD), or low resolution image data (index image). Data). When it is determined that the low resolution image data is being recorded, the process proceeds to step S104. When it is determined that the intermediate resolution image data is being recorded, the process proceeds to step S94, where the high resolution image data is being recorded. If it is determined, the process proceeds to step S103.
[0344]
Steps S104 to S110 which are proceeded after it is determined that the low-resolution image data is being recorded in step S93 correspond to steps S83 to S89 shown in FIG.
[0345]
That is, in step S104, data indicating that the image to be recorded is an index image is supplied to the thinning / compression / decompression controller 4i shown in FIG. When the data is supplied, the thinning / compression / decompression controller 4i sets a fixed length count for the index image in the compression / decompression circuit 4h, and proceeds to step S105.
[0346]
In step S105, the thinning / compression / decompression controller 4i controls the compression / decompression circuit 4h so as to perform compression coding processing on the image data thinned to ¼ based on the set fixed length count. As a result, an index image that is fixed-length encoded to a fixed data length of 1/15 cluster is formed, and the process proceeds to step S106.
[0347]
In step S106, the system controller 6 controls the memory controller 13 to record a 4096-byte index image with a header added to the file stored in the main memory 11a shown in FIG. move on.
[0348]
In step S107, the system controller 6 determines whether or not all index images have been recorded in the main memory 11a. If No, the process returns to step S93. If Yes, the process proceeds to step S108.
[0349]
In step S108, the system controller 6 sets the 2-bit entry of the allocation block number of the volume space bitmap VSB in the data U-TOC stored in the RAM 6a to “00” (a code indicating an available allocation block). By searching for a place where is, an empty area is detected, and the process proceeds to step S109.
[0350]
In step S109, the system controller 6 controls the disc recording / reproducing unit 5c to access the detected empty area on the optical disc 20 via the storage unit controller 5d, and the process proceeds to step S110.
[0351]
In step S110, the system controller 6 controls the disc recording / reproducing unit 5c so as to record the index image in an empty area on the optical disc 20 via the storage unit controller 5d, and the process proceeds to step S100.
[0352]
Next, an empty area for low resolution image data in step S108, an empty area for intermediate resolution image data in step S94, and an empty area for high resolution image data (or for ultra high resolution image data) in step S103. Are detected respectively. As described above, the free area is detected when the 2-bit entry of the allocation block number of the volume space bitmap VSB in the data U-TOC stored in the RAM 6a is “00” (a code indicating an available allocation block). ) Is performed by searching for the location, and at that time, the address to be searched is designated corresponding to the recording of each resolution.
[0353]
That is, the case of recording low-resolution image data (step S108) will be described. In a normal application, up to 200 index images can be recorded in the HD recording mode. Even if the HD recording mode is selected or the UD recording mode is selected, the index image has a fixed data length of 1/15 cluster in any case. Therefore, the area necessary for the index image is 200 ×. 1/15 cluster = 13.33 cluster. However, when the number of directories increases, there are also directories that record only one or two index images in one directory. Since the maximum number of the directories is set to 20 directories, in such a case, the capacity to record for the index image is most required, and at least 32 clusters are required. For this reason, the system controller 6 searches for the code of the allocation block designated by the address corresponding to the 1st to 32nd clusters from the inner periphery of the disk when detecting the free area at the time of recording the index image. Detect area. In this case, other empty areas are not detected.
[0354]
Next, the case of recording intermediate resolution image data (step S94) will be described. Up to 200 sheets can be recorded in the HD recording mode, and an intermediate resolution (SD) image is recorded with a fixed data length of 2 clusters. Therefore, 2 clusters × 200 sheets = 400 clusters are required as an intermediate resolution image area. For this reason, the system controller 6 detects an area of 400 clusters after the index image area (1 to 32 clusters) from the inner periphery of the disk, that is, 33 to 33, when detecting an empty area of the intermediate resolution image recording. The code of the allocation block in the area designated by the address corresponding to the 432 cluster is searched to detect an empty area, and the process proceeds to step S95.
[0355]
Similarly, in the UD recording mode, a maximum of 100 sheets can be recorded, and an intermediate resolution (SD) image is recorded with a fixed data length of 2 clusters. Cluster × 100 sheets = 200 clusters are required. For this reason, the system controller 6 detects an area for 200 clusters from the inner periphery of the disk to the index image area (1 to 32 clusters), that is, 33 to 33, when detecting an empty area for image recording at an intermediate resolution. The code of the allocation block of the area designated by the address corresponding to the 232 cluster is searched to detect a free area, and the process proceeds to step S95.
[0356]
Next, the case of recording high-resolution image data and ultra-high-resolution image data (step S103) will be described. First, in the HD recording mode, a maximum of 200 images can be recorded, and high-resolution image data has 8 clusters. The fixed data length is. Therefore, 8 clusters × 200 sheets = 1600 clusters are required for the image area of the high resolution image data. For this reason, in step S103, the system controller 6 determines the area for 1600 clusters from the inner area of the disc to the index image area (1 to 32 clusters) and the intermediate resolution image area (33 to 432 clusters). That is, the code of the allocation block of the area specified by the address corresponding to the 433 to 2032 clusters is searched to detect a free area, and the process proceeds to step S95.
[0357]
Similarly, in the UD recording mode, a maximum of 100 sheets can be recorded, and the super high resolution image data has a fixed data length of 18 clusters. Therefore, the super high resolution image area is 18 clusters × 100 = 1800 clusters. Free space is required. For this reason, the system controller 6 detects the free area of the super high resolution image recording from the inner periphery of the disk to the index image area (1 to 32 clusters) and the intermediate resolution image area (33 to 232 clusters). The code of the allocation block specified by the area corresponding to the subsequent 1800 clusters, that is, the addresses corresponding to the 233 to 2032 clusters is searched to detect a free area, and the process proceeds to step S95.
[0358]
Next, when the search for the free area is completed, in step S95, the disk recording / reproducing unit 5c is controlled via the storage unit controller 5d so as to access the optimum area among the free areas searched by the system controller 6. Then, the process proceeds to step S96. In this case, as the optimum recording position, regardless of the directory, a free area search is performed, and each data is recorded in order at a position where a free area exists first. Therefore, the recorded data is recorded in order from the head of each area.
[0359]
Next, in step S96, the system controller 6 sets a fixed length count corresponding to the high resolution image data or the ultra high resolution image data in the thinning / compression / decompression controller 4i, and the process proceeds to step S97.
[0360]
In step S97, the thinning / compression / decompression controller 4i performs compression / decompression so as to form high-resolution image data for 8 clusters or ultra-high-resolution image data for 18 clusters based on the set fixed length count. The circuit 4h is formed and the process proceeds to step S98.
[0361]
In step S98, the storage controller 5d controls the disc recording / reproducing unit 5c so as to record the fixed-length image data in the optimum area on the detected optical disc 20, and the process proceeds to step S99.
[0362]
In step S99, the system controller 6 sequentially determines the image data management file data in the designated directory and the file name corresponding to the resolution of each image data, together with the recording control of the image data, and proceeds to step S100.
[0363]
In step S100, whether or not the system controller 6 has recorded all the three types of resolution image data, that is, low resolution image data (index image), intermediate resolution image data, and high resolution image data (or ultra high resolution image data). If the answer is No, the process returns to step S93 to record the image data of the resolution that has not yet been recorded. If the answer is Yes, the process proceeds to step S101.
[0364]
In step S101, the system controller 6 detects whether or not the eject key 32 of the operation unit 10 has been turned on. If No, this step S101 is repeated, and if Yes, the process proceeds to step S102.
[0365]
In step S102, the system controller 6 uses the data U-TOC, the comprehensive management information file, and the related data of the image data management file recorded on the disk as the data U-TOC, the comprehensive management recorded on the RAM 6a. After updating the data in the information file and the image data management file, all routines relating to the other recording operations shown in FIG. 37 are completed.
[0366]
Steps S95 to S102 correspond to steps S75 to S82 shown in FIG.
[0367]
In such another recording operation, search areas of low resolution, intermediate resolution, and high resolution (or ultra-high resolution) are designated by addressing the allocation block in the VSB stored in the RAM 6a. In other words, since the recording area on the disk is divided by addressing only by reading data to the VSB of the RAM 6a, it is possible to speed up the detection of the empty area. For example, it is conceivable to perform recording by physically determining the recording position of each area on the disc. However, in this case, since the amount of area (intermediate resolution area and high resolution area) used in the HD recording mode and the UD recording mode differs, the area is secured in advance assuming the most necessary amount. There is a need. That is, it is necessary to secure each area for 400 clusters in the HD recording mode in the intermediate resolution area and 1800 clusters in the UD mode in the high resolution area, and the recording area cannot be used effectively.
[0368]
Also, in this explanation, the address for searching the free area is specified for the index, intermediate resolution, and high resolution from the inner side of the disc, but this is conversely for the index and intermediate resolution from the outer side of the disc. , An address for searching for an empty area may be designated for high resolution, and can be changed as appropriate according to the design.
[0369]
11. [Recording album names, etc.]
With an album, one image directory formed under the directory is defined as one album. In the still image recording / reproducing system, when the recording of the image data of each resolution is completed as described above, the album name for each album, the image name for each image of each album, a keyword for searching for a desired image, The disc name can be entered.
[0370]
In this case, the user turns on the light key 53 provided in the operation unit 10. When the light key 53 is turned on, the system controller 6 detects this and enters a light mode for inputting character information.
[0371]
Next, the user operates the up / down / left / right key 54. Each time the up / down / left / right key 54 is operated once, the system controller 6 controls the display unit 26 so as to sequentially display, for example, album name, image name, keyword, and disc name characters. The user looks at the characters displayed on the display unit 26, decides which information is to be input, and turns on the EXEC key 55 provided on the operation unit 10. Thereby, the system controller 6 recognizes information to be input from now on.
[0372]
Next, the user operates a numeric keypad provided on the operation unit 10. As a result, the system controller 6 controls the display unit 26 to display characters according to the operation of the numeric keypad. Then, the user turns on the EXEC key 55 again when the album name displayed on the display unit 26 becomes a desired album name or the like.
[0373]
When the EXEC key 55 is turned on again, the system controller 6 detects this, ends the write mode, and sets the input character information such as the album name as a so-called ASCII code on the optical disc 20. The disc recording / reproducing unit 5c is controlled to record.
[0374]
Specifically, when recording a desired image name, the user turns on the light key 53 to set the system controller 6 in the light mode and turns on the up / down / left / right key 54 to start the recording. “Image name” which is information to be input is selected. Then, the ten key 50 is operated to input the image name of the image. As a result, the system controller 6 forms an ASCII code corresponding to the input character and supplies it to the disc recording / reproducing unit 5c. As a result, the disc recording / reproducing unit 5 c records the ASCII code corresponding to the image name on the optical disc 20.
[0375]
Note that the number of characters that can be input as the image name is, for example, 16 characters, and the number of characters that can be input as the album name is 32 characters, which can be input in alphabets, katakana, kanji, and the like. That is, 432 characters (16 characters x 25 images + 32 characters of album name) can be input in one screen.
[0376]
12 [Description of playback operation]
Next, the operation of the still image recording / reproducing system when the image data and the character data (ASCII code) recorded on the optical disc 20 are reproduced and displayed on the monitor device 9 will be described.
[0377]
In this case, the user first operates the album key 33 provided in the operation unit 10. The system controller 6 detects this every time the album key 33 is turned on, and controls the disc recording / reproducing unit 5c and the display unit 26 to reproduce and display the album name of the album. To do. Four albums are recorded on the optical disc 20, and four album names are sequentially displayed on the display unit 26 every time the album key 33 is turned on.
[0378]
Next, the user selects a desired album from the above four albums and then turns on the first index key 38a. The system controller 6 detects when the first index key 38a is turned on, and displays the low resolution image data and ASCII code (album name, image name, etc.) for the index of the selected album. The disc recording / reproducing unit 5c is controlled so as to reproduce data.
[0379]
One album is composed of image data for 50 sheets, for example, and these 50 images may be displayed on the display screen at one time, but the display area for one sheet is inevitably narrowed, and the user It may be difficult to select a desired image. For this reason, the system controller 6 reads and controls the disk recording / reproducing unit 5c so as to read 25 low-resolution image data by one designation. As a result, the disc recording / reproducing unit 5c first reads the 25 low-resolution image data, the ASCII code of the album name, and the ASCII code of each image name from the inner peripheral side of the optical disc 20, and the image The data is supplied to the compression / decompression circuit 4h shown in FIG. 5 through the EFM circuit 21, and the ASCII code is directly supplied to the buffer circuit 4b.
[0380]
The compression / decompression circuit 4h performs low-resolution expansion processing on the image data, and supplies this to the buffer circuit 4b via the raster-block conversion circuit 4g and the selector 4f. The buffer circuit 4b temporarily stores the image data and ASCII code.
[0381]
When the low resolution image data and ASCII code are stored in the buffer circuit 4b in this way, the thinning / compression / decompression controller 4i transfers the ASCII code stored in the buffer circuit 4b at a high speed together with the image data. Thus, the buffer circuit 4b is read and controlled. As a result, the ASCII code is transferred together with the image data to the video memory 11b shown in FIG. 4 via the interface 4a without the intervention of the system controller 6.
[0382]
The storage area of the video memory 11b as a whole is 2048 pixels x 2048 pixels in the vertical and horizontal directions, of which the storage area of 1024 pixels x 1536 pixels (vertical x horizontal) is the storage area for image data (image (Data area) and a storage area of 16 pixels × 32 pixels (512 bytes) of the remaining area other than the image data area is a command area which is a storage area of the ASCII code.
[0383]
When the image data and ASCII code are transferred from the buffer circuit 4b at a high speed, the memory controller 13 controls to write the image data in the image data area of the video memory 11b, and controls to write the ASCII code to the command area. .
When the image data and the ASCII code are written in each storage area of the video memory 11b in this way, the memory controller 13 reads the ASCII code written in the command area and interprets the ASCII code. Then, the character of the interpreted ASCII code is written and controlled as image data in the video memory 11b.
[0384]
Specifically, when the ASCII code read from the command area is “41H”, the ASCII code indicates the letter “A” of the alphabet, and therefore the memory controller 13 has, for example, 24 pixels × 24 pixels. Image data of the character “A” is formed, and the video memory 11b is written and controlled so that the character “A” is displayed below the image.
[0385]
As described above, when the writing of the image data indicating the image data and ASCII code characters (hereinafter, these two image data are simply referred to as image data) is completed in the video memory 11b, the memory controller 13 performs the video controller 11b. The image data written in the memory 11b is read and controlled. This image data is converted into an analog image signal via a D / A converter and supplied to the monitor device 9.
[0386]
As a result, as shown in FIG. 41, the index image for 25 images and the image name of each image are displayed on the display screen of the monitor device 9 together with the album name of the selected album.
[0387]
Further, when the user wants to display the remaining 25 images of the selected album, the user operates the operation unit 10 to designate the display of the remaining 25 images. Thereby, the system controller 6 controls the disc recording / reproducing unit 5c so as to reproduce the remaining 25 low resolution image data and the ASCII code of each image data. As a result, the remaining 25 low-resolution image data and ASCII code are transferred at high speed as described above, and the remaining 25 images are displayed on the monitor device 9.
[0388]
Next, when 25 images are displayed for indexing on the monitor device 9, the user operates the operation unit 10 so as to select a desired image from the images.
[0389]
The system controller 6 detects when a desired image is designated by operating the operation unit 10, and detects the intermediate resolution image data corresponding to the selected image from the optical disc 20. The playback unit 5c is controlled. As a result, the disc recording / reproducing unit 5c reads image data having intermediate resolution for display recorded on the optical disc 20. The intermediate resolution image data is supplied to the video memory 11b as described above.
[0390]
When the intermediate resolution image data is supplied to the video memory 11b, the memory controller 13 temporarily stores and reads the image data and supplies it to the monitor device 9 via the D / A converter. As a result, the image selected by the user is displayed on the display screen of the monitor device 9 in full.
[0390]
Here, the still image recording / playback system can select a desired image and display it on the monitor device 9 without displaying the index image.
[0392]
That is, when the user knows the album in which the desired image is recorded and the image number, the user operates the numeric keypad 50 provided on the operation unit 10 as described above to specify the album and the image. Specify a number.
[0393]
As described above, since 50 images can be recorded in one album, the user selects a desired image by inputting a desired image number using the numeric keypad 50. Then, after the desired image number is selected, the reproduction key 41 is turned on.
[0394]
When the system controller 6 detects that the playback key 41 is turned on, the system controller 6 controls the disk recording / playback unit 5c so as to read out the image data of the intermediate resolution of the image number of the designated album. Thereby, the intermediate resolution image data of the designated image number is read from the optical disc 20 and an image corresponding to the intermediate resolution image data is displayed on the monitor device 9.
[0395]
Such a desired image can also be selected using the search key 52 provided on the operation unit 10. That is, when the search key 52 is turned on, the system controller 6 enters the search mode. In the search mode, the system controller 6 controls the display unit 26 to display the image name, keyword, recording date, and recording time in order each time the up / down / left / right key 54 is operated once. . When the user selects information to be input from the image name, keyword, recording date, and recording time, the user inputs the image name, keyword, recording date, or recording time of the image to be searched using the numeric keypad 50. The EXEC key 55 is turned on.
[0396]
As a result, the system controller 6 detects that the EXEC key 55 has been turned on and starts a search. Then, the display unit 26 is controlled to display an image corresponding to the image name, keyword, etc., and display the album number, album name, image name, image number, etc. of the searched image. When there are a plurality of corresponding images, the display unit 26 is controlled to display a plurality of album numbers, album names, and the like.
[0397]
Next, the user selects a desired image from the image names displayed on the display unit 26 using the up / down / left / right keys 54 and turns on the reproduction key 41.
[0398]
The system controller 6 detects when the reproduction key 41 is turned on, and controls the disc recording / reproducing unit 5c to reproduce the image data of the selected image.
[0399]
As a result, the designated image data is read from the optical disc 20 and supplied to the monitor device 9 for display.
[0400]
Next, when the user does not know what album is formed on the disc and wants to reproduce a desired image from the album, the user turns on the second index key 38b of the operation unit 10. .
When recording low-resolution image data on the optical disc 20, the low-resolution image data recorded at the beginning of each album is recorded on the optical disc as one index file in advance.
[0401]
When the second index key 38b is turned on, the system controller 6 detects this and controls the disc recording / reproducing unit 5c to reproduce the index file. As a result, the index file having the low-resolution image data of the first recorded image of each album is reproduced from the optical disc 20 and supplied to the monitor device 9 via the video memory 11b as described above. .
[0402]
As a result, only the first image (A1 to Y1) of each album (album A to album Y) can be displayed on the monitor device 9, and the user searches for the album in which the desired image is recorded. can do.
[0403]
Next, rather than displaying only the top image of each album in this way, it is easier to select a desired album when several images including the top image are displayed simultaneously. Therefore, the operation unit 10 is provided with a third index key 38c.
[0404]
Similarly, when recording low-resolution image data on the optical disc 20, the low-resolution image data recorded at the beginning of each album and the low-resolution from the first image to the fifth image as one index. A file is recorded on the optical disk.
[0405]
When the third index key 38c is turned on, the system controller 6 controls the disc recording / reproducing unit 5c to detect and reproduce it.
[0406]
As a result, the disk recording / playback unit 5c plays back the low-resolution image data of the first recorded image of each album from the optical disk 20 and the low-resolution image data from the first image to the fifth image, As described above, the data is supplied to the monitor device 9 via the video memory 11b.
[0407]
As a result, as shown in FIG. 42, images (A1 to A5, B1 to B5, C1 to C5, D1 to D5) from the first image of each album (album A to album E) to the fifth image are displayed on the monitor device 9. , E1 to E5) can be displayed, and the user can easily search for an album in which a desired image is recorded.
[0408]
Next, it may be easier to understand the contents of each album if the images of each album are not displayed continuously but are displayed every predetermined number. For this case, the operation unit 10 is provided with a fourth index key 38d.
[0409]
Similarly, when recording low-resolution image data on the optical disc 20, the low-resolution image data recorded at the beginning of each album and the low-resolution image data recorded ten frames ahead of the first image are recorded in advance. The low-resolution image data recorded 20 sheets ahead of the first image is recorded on the optical disc as one index file.
[0410]
That is, when the fourth index key 38d is turned on, the system controller 6 detects this and controls the disc recording / reproducing unit 5c to reproduce the index file.
[0411]
As a result, the low-resolution image data of each album reproduced from the optical disk 20 every tenth is reproduced and supplied to the monitor device 9 via the video memory 11b as described above.
[0412]
As a result, images (A1, A11, A21, A31, A41, B1, B11, B21, B31, B41, C1, C11) reproduced on the monitor device 9 every ten albums (album A to album E) are displayed. , C21, C31, C41, D1, D11, D21, D31, D41, E1, E11, E21, E31, E41), and the user can easily select an album in which a desired image is recorded. You can search.
[0413]
Next, if a plurality of images of each album are displayed on one screen, it may be difficult to see and search each image. For such a case, the operation unit 10 is provided with a first album search key 56.
[0414]
That is, when the first album search key 56 is turned on, the system controller 6 detects this and continuously reproduces the image data of the intermediate resolution of the image recorded at the head of each album. The disc recording / reproducing unit 5c is controlled.
[0415]
Thereby, the image data of intermediate resolution of each image recorded at the head of each album is reproduced from the optical disc 20 by the disc recording / reproducing unit 5c, and transferred to the video memory 11b as described above. When the image data of each intermediate resolution is stored in the video memory 11b, the memory controller 13 immediately reads the data and supplies it to the monitor device 9.
[0416]
Thereby, as shown in FIG. 43, the images (A1 to Z1) recorded at the head of each album (album A to album Z) can be continuously displayed on the monitor device 9, and the user can Can be searched at high speed.
[0417]
When a desired album is selected from albums (images) that are continuously displayed in this way, the user turns on the stop key 42 when the desired image is displayed. When the stop key 42 is turned on in such a state, the system controller 6 recognizes that the album to which the image displayed at the time when the stop key 42 is turned on is designated, Thereafter, playback, editing, and the like are performed based on this album.
[0418]
Next, if only the first image of each album is displayed continuously, the contents of the album may not be known, and it may be difficult to search for a desired album. For such a case, the operation unit 10 is provided with a second album search key 57.
[0419]
That is, when the second album search key 57 is turned on, the system controller 6 detects this, and image data of intermediate resolution of the image recorded at the head of each album and up to, for example, the third image The disk recording / reproducing unit 5c is controlled so as to continuously reproduce the intermediate resolution image data.
[0420]
As a result, the disc recording / reproducing unit 5c reproduces the intermediate resolution image data of each image and the intermediate resolution image data up to the third image recorded from the optical disc 20 at the head of each album, as described above. It is transferred to the video memory 11b. When the image data of each intermediate resolution is stored in the video memory 11b, the memory controller 13 immediately reads the data and supplies it to the monitor device 9.
[0421]
As a result, as shown in FIG. 44, images (A1 to A3, B1 to B3, C1 to C3,...) Recorded on the monitor device 9 from the top of each album (album A to album Z) from the top to the third sheet are recorded. .) Can be displayed continuously, and the user can search for a desired album at a higher speed.
[0422]
When a desired album is selected from albums (images) that are continuously displayed in this way, the user turns on the stop key 42 when the desired image is displayed. When the stop key 42 is turned on in such a state, the system controller 6 recognizes that the album to which the image displayed at the time when the stop key 42 is turned on is designated, Thereafter, playback, editing, and the like are performed based on this album.
[0423]
In this way, low-resolution image data for indexing is recorded on the optical disc 20, and when the index keys 38a to 38d are turned on, the low-resolution image data is read out and each album is displayed on one screen. When displaying a plurality of images showing the contents of the above, or recording image data of intermediate resolution for monitor display on the optical disc 20 and turning on each of the album search keys 56 and 57, By continuously reading out and displaying the intermediate resolution image data, a desired image or a desired album can be searched at high speed.
[0424]
In addition, since the low-resolution image data is separately recorded on the optical disc 20 as dedicated to the index, the low-resolution image data can be directly read and displayed at the time of index display. Rather than performing thinning processing and newly forming and displaying index image data, it can be displayed at a higher speed, and the display time of the index display can be shortened. Since the display time of the index display can be shortened, it is possible to contribute to speeding up the search for a desired image or a desired album.
[0425]
Next, the still image recording / reproducing system can directly designate a desired image and display it on the monitor device 9 without displaying the index image.
[0426]
That is, when the user knows the album in which the desired image is recorded and the image number, the album key 33, the numeric keypad 50, the return key 39, and the feed key 40 provided in the operation unit 10 as described above. To input a desired album and a desired image number. Then, after the desired image number is selected, the reproduction key 41 is turned on.
[0427]
When the system controller 6 detects that the playback key 41 is turned on, the system controller 6 controls the disk recording / playback unit 5c so as to read out the image data of the intermediate resolution of the image number of the designated album. Thereby, the intermediate resolution image data of the designated image number is read from the optical disc 20 and an image corresponding to the intermediate resolution image data is displayed on the monitor device 9.
[0428]
The still image recording / reproducing system can also search for a desired image using a search key 52 provided in the operation unit 10.
[0429]
That is, when the search key 52 is turned on, the system controller 6 enters the search mode. In the search mode, the system controller 6 controls the display unit 26 to display the image name, keyword, recording date, and recording time in order each time the up / down / left / right key 54 is operated once. . When the user selects information to be input from the image name, keyword, recording date, and recording time, the user inputs the image name, keyword, recording date, or recording time of the image to be searched using the numeric keypad 50. The EXEC key 55 is turned on.
[0430]
As a result, the system controller 6 detects that the EXEC key 55 has been turned on and starts a search. Then, an image corresponding to the image name, keyword, etc. is searched, and the disc recording / reproducing unit 5c is controlled so as to read out low resolution image data of the searched image. When a plurality of images are retrieved by this retrieval, the system controller 6 controls the disk recording / reproducing unit 5c so as to read out low resolution image data of the plurality of images.
[0431]
Thereby, the low-resolution image data of the searched image is supplied to the video memory 11b. When the low-resolution image data is stored in the video memory 11b, the memory controller 13 reads it and supplies it to the monitor device 9.
[0432]
Next, the user sees the image displayed on the monitor device 9 to recognize a desired image, inputs the album number and image number of the image using the numeric keypad 50, and turns on the reproduction key 41. . The system controller 6 reads out and controls the disc recording / reproducing unit 5c so as to reproduce the intermediate resolution image data of the designated image number from the designated album.
[0433]
Thereby, the intermediate resolution image data of the desired image is supplied to the monitor device 9 via the video memory 11b, and the searched desired image is displayed on the monitor device 9.
[0434]
13. [Reproduction and display of index images]
Next, the reproduction and display operations of the index low-resolution image data will be described in more detail with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In the flowchart shown in FIG. 38, when the user turns on the power key 31 shown in FIG. 8, the storage unit 5 enters a standby state and starts. Then, the process proceeds to step S120.
[0435]
In step S120, the user inserts the optical disc 20 into the disc insertion slot 30 shown in FIG. 8, and proceeds to step S121. As a result, the optical disk 20 inserted through the disk insertion slot 30 is loaded into the storage unit 5 and image data can be reproduced.
[0436]
In step S121, the system controller 6 controls the disc recording / reproducing unit 5c to read the P-TOC and U-TOC recorded on the optical disc 20, and the P-TOC and U- It is determined whether or not a TOC exists. If each TOC does not exist, the process proceeds to step S139, where the display unit 26 is controlled to display “disk error”, and if each TOC exists, the process proceeds to step S122.
In step S122, the system controller 6 controls the disk recording / reproducing unit 5c to read the P-TOC and U-TOC, confirms the position of the data U-TOC, and proceeds to step S123. In the U-TOC, since the area where the data file is formed cannot be managed, if the data file exists, it is determined that the data U-TOC exists at the head thereof.
[0437]
In step S123, the system controller 6 stores the data U-TOC data in the RAM 6a, grasps the position of each directory and file, and proceeds to step S124.
[0438]
In step S124, the system controller 6 determines whether or not the optical disc 20 is formatted for image recording. More specifically, the system controller 6 uses a PIC MD subdirectory, a general information management file, an image directory (at least one), an image data management file, based on the data U-TOC data stored in the RAM 6a. By determining whether or not an image index file exists, it is determined whether or not the optical disc 20 is formatted for image recording. If No, the process proceeds to step S140, and the display unit 26 is controlled to display “disk error”, and the process ends. If yes, the process proceeds to step S125.
[0439]
In step S125, the system controller 6 reads all the management files (the general information management file, the image data management file of each directory, the print control data management file, and the reproduction control management file) via the storage unit controller 5d. Then, the disc recording / reproducing unit 5c is controlled, and all the read management files are temporarily stored in the RAM 6a, and the process proceeds to step S126.
[0440]
In step S126, the system controller 6 determines whether an image to be displayed has been designated. If Yes, the system controller 6 proceeds to step S130, and if No, the process proceeds to step S127.
[0441]
In step S127, the system controller 6 searches for the comprehensive index file recorded on the optical disc 20, and proceeds to step S128.
[0442]
In particular, when a directory is not specified, it is necessary to display what image data is recorded in each directory to allow the user to specify a desired image. Therefore, in step S128, the system controller 6 controls the disk recording / reproducing unit 5c to display the comprehensive index file recorded on the optical disk 20, and the process proceeds to step S129. The comprehensive index file is a file in which the same index image data as any one of the index image data stored in the image index file under each image directory is registered in the display order of the monitor. is there. By displaying the comprehensive index file on the monitor, the user can specify a desired index image.
[0443]
Next, in step S129, the system controller 6 detects the operation state of the operation unit 10 to determine whether or not the index image desired by the user is designated from the index image displayed on the monitor. In the case of, step S129 is repeated until the designation is made, and in the case of Yes, the process proceeds to step S130.
[0444]
In step S130, the system controller 6 searches for an image directory in which the designated index image is recorded, and the process proceeds to step S131.
[0445]
That is, the number of image directory information units (48-byte data) in the general information management file stored in the RAM 6a is the same as the number of index images (= number of directories) displayed by the general information management file. Are registered in order so as to correspond to the display order of the index images. For example, the case where the second index image displayed by the general information management file is designated will be described as an example. First, the 48-byte image directory information corresponding to the designated second index image is the first one. It is recorded second. It is understood that data “00001” is recorded in the directory number of the second image directory information unit, and the directory in which this index image is recorded by this data is the directory of the second PIC0001.
Next, in step S131, the system controller 6 searches for the image index file in the directory searched in step S130, and proceeds to step S132.
[0446]
In step S132, the system controller 6 controls the display of the first image index file (for 25 images) in the searched directory on the monitor device 9, and the process proceeds to step S133.
[0447]
In step S133, the system controller 6 determines whether or not a user-desired image has been designated from among the index images displayed on the monitor device 9 by detecting the operation state of the operation unit 10. If No, the process proceeds to step S134, and if Yes, the process proceeds to step S136.
[0448]
In step S134, the system controller 6 detects the operation state of the operation unit 10 to determine whether display of the next image index file (for the remaining 25 sheets) has been designated. Returning to the above-mentioned step S133, in the case of Yes, it progresses to step S135.
[0449]
In step S135, the system controller 6 controls display of the remaining 25 image index files on the monitor device 9, and returns to step S133.
[0450]
On the other hand, if it is determined in step S133 that an index image is specified, the process proceeds to step S136, and the system controller 6 searches for a high resolution image file and an intermediate resolution image file corresponding to the specified index image. Then, the process proceeds to step S137.
[0451]
Specifically, the system controller 6 selects an image data management file corresponding to the directory where the index file is displayed from among the image data management files in each directory stored in the RAM 6a. In the image information unit (16 bytes × N) of the selected image data management file, 16 bytes of image information units corresponding to the number of indexes (N) registered in the image index file are registered. Has been. The image information units are recorded in order so as to correspond to the displayed index order.
[0452]
For example, when the index image displayed by this image index file is an index file in the first directory and the fourth index image is designated from among the index files, the displayed index file is 1 Since it is the index file of the second directory, the system controller 6 refers to the data of the first image data management file on the RAM 6a. When the fourth index image is designated by the user, the fourth image information unit of the referenced image data file is searched. In the retrieved data in the image information unit, data “00000” as the directory number and data “00003” as the image information are recorded. Therefore, the high resolution image file corresponding to the designated index image is determined to have the file name “PHP000003” in the directory “PIC00000”, and the intermediate resolution image file has the file name in the directory “PIC00000”. It will be judged as “PSN00003”.
[0453]
As described above, when an index image is selected and a corresponding high-resolution or intermediate-resolution image file is searched, the index image is always handled based on the data in the image information unit of the image management file. The image file will be searched.
[0454]
That is, normally (in the case of the above-described example), the display order of the index images and the image number of the image file coincide with each other. However, for example, when the position of the index image is changed by editing described later, There is a difference between the display order of the index images and the image number of the image file. In the still image recording / playback system, even when the display order of the index images is changed, the image information unit of the image data management file can correspond to the index image and the high resolution and intermediate resolution image files. ing. Details will be described later in the section “Image Editing”.
[0455]
Next, in step S137, the system controller 6 detects the operation state of the operation unit 10 to determine whether monitor display of the searched intermediate resolution image file is specified. Proceeding to step S138, in the case of No, this step S137 is repeated.
[0456]
In step S138, the system controller 6 controls the disc recording / reproducing unit 5c to read the data of the searched intermediate resolution image file, and displays the reproduced intermediate resolution image file thereby. The display of the apparatus 9 is controlled, and it is determined whether or not a printout of the searched intermediate resolution image file is designated. And in the case of No, the said step S138 is repeated. In the case of Yes, the system controller 6 controls the disk recording / reproducing unit 5c so as to read the searched high resolution image file, and supplies it to the printer unit 2 via the main memory 11a. All the index image reproduction and display routines shown in FIG. 38 are terminated.
[0457]
The printer unit 2 supplied with the high resolution image file converts the high resolution image data supplied as RGB data into yellow (Y), magenta (M), and cyan (C) data. These are printed on the print paper by the thermal head in order from the Y data.
[0458]
14 [Search files and directories]
Next, a case where, for example, an image file f5 (PSN00000.PMP) is searched will be described with reference to the hierarchical structure of the file described with reference to FIG. This search operation is as shown in the flowchart of FIG. The flowchart shown in FIG. 45 is started when the data U-TOC data is stored in the RAM 6a and a desired directory and file name are designated by the user, and the process proceeds to step S141.
[0459]
In step S141, the system controller 6 searches for the block number of the first directory record block (DRB) under the specified directory based on the volume descriptor (VD) in the volume management area, and proceeds to step S142.
[0460]
Specifically, the DRB position in the management block is recorded with a block number by data indicating the position of the first directory record block of the VD. In the still image recording / reproducing system, the block number of the first DRB is “4” as described above.
[0461]
In step S142, the system controller 6 determines whether the designated DRB is a single DRB or a continuous DRB by referring to the management block entry in the MT. The process proceeds to step S143, and if not alone, the process proceeds to step S143.
[0462]
In step S147, the system controller 6 determines whether or not there is a directory DR unit having a directory in the DRB. If No, the process proceeds to step S148, and if Yes, the process proceeds to step S144.
[0463]
In step S148, the DRB to which the system controller 6 is linked is detected, and the process returns to step S147.
[0464]
On the other hand, in step S143, the system controller 6 searches for a directory DR unit in which the designated directory exists, and the process proceeds to step S144.
[0465]
In step S144, it is determined whether or not the designated directory is the last directory. If Yes, the process proceeds to step S145. If No, the process returns to step S141.
[0466]
In step S145, the system controller 6 searches for a directory DR unit in which the designated file exists, and the process proceeds to step S146.
[0467]
In step S146, the system controller 6 confirms the position of the file and ends all routines.
[0468]
15. [Edit image]
Next, when the image recording is completed as described above, the index image can be edited by the user's selection. This image editing refers to, for example, an operation of moving image data in a certain image directory to another image directory, an operation of changing the display order of index images by replacing index images in the same directory, and the like. .
[0469]
As an example, an example in which the fifth index image displayed in the first directory and the corresponding high-resolution and intermediate-resolution image data are moved to the tenth display position in the second directory is shown in FIG. This will be described with reference to the flowchart 46.
[0470]
The flowchart shown in FIG. 46 is started when the recording of a desired image is completed and the user turns on the edit designation key, and the process proceeds to step S151.
[0471]
In step S151, the system controller 6 reads the index file in the source directory (first), controls the disc recording / playback unit 5c to display 25 index images, and proceeds to step S152 (playback operation). Section).
[0472]
In step S152, the system controller 6 determines whether or not the index image to be moved in the movement source directory is designated (whether or not the index image displayed fifth in the first directory is designated). In the case of No, this step S152 is repeated, and in the case of Yes, the process proceeds to step S153.
[0473]
In step S153, the system controller 6 detects the operation state of the operation unit 10 to determine whether or not the movement destination directory and movement position are specified (in this example, the tenth index of the second directory). The original image is moved to the image), and if No, this step S153 is repeated, and if Yes, the process proceeds to step S154.
[0474]
In step S154, the system controller 6 reads the entire index image of the index file in the source directory and the entire index image of the index file in the destination directory onto the main memory 11a, etc. The process proceeds to step S155.
[0475]
In step S155, the system controller 6 moves only the designated index image (including the header) from the index file of the movement source (first directory) to the index file of the movement destination (second directory). The process proceeds to step S156.
[0476]
That is, in the image index file, as described above, each index image is fixed at 4096 bytes including the header and the data body. Therefore, in this example, since 4096 bytes after 4096 × 3 bytes from the beginning of the file are determined as the data of the fourth index image (including the header), the position of the index image in the image index file is easy. Can grasp. Similarly, the movement destination of the data of the index image (4096 bytes) to be moved is specified in an area of 4096 × 9 bytes or more of the index file of the destination directory (second), and is inserted into that area (overload). Not light.)
[0477]
Next, in step S156, the system controller 6 deletes the moved index image of the source index file, updates the file, and adds editing control to add the moved index image of the destination index file. Do. Then, the destination file is updated and the process proceeds to step S157.
[0478]
In step S157, the system controller 6 re-records the edited source index file and the destination index file in the same location on the disc, and proceeds to step S158. In addition, even if it is not the same place, if there is another place that can secure an area, that place may be used.
[0479]
In step S158, the system controller 6 is recorded in the fifth of the plurality of image information units (16 bytes) recorded in the image data management file of the movement source (first directory) on the RAM 6a. The image information unit is moved to the 10th unit in the image data management file of the movement destination (second directory) without changing the data, and the process proceeds to step S159. Note that there is no data update for high resolution and intermediate resolution image data files recorded on the disc.
[0480]
Next, in step S159, the system controller 6 determines whether or not the disk eject has been designated by determining whether or not the eject key 32 of the operation unit 10 is turned on. If No, this step S159 is performed. Is repeated, the process proceeds to step S160 if Yes.
[0481]
In step S160, the system controller 6 reads the data U-TOC, the general information management file, and the image data management file on the RAM 6a, and controls the disk recording / reproducing unit 5c to write the data U-TOC on the disk. All the routines related to the image editing operation are completed by updating the data.
[0482]
When the header of the data for matching the display order of the index images is provided at the beginning of the high resolution or intermediate resolution image data file, the actual image data can be rewritten by rewriting the header data. Although it is not necessary to change the position, in order to rewrite the header data, it is necessary to once read all data (including the image data) of the image file, which is very time consuming.
[0483]
However, in this editing operation, the index file swaps its physical position on the disk according to the actual display order. However, the position of the high resolution and intermediate resolution image data cannot be changed. First, the data of the image information unit in the image data management file read into the RAM 6a is replaced. And only by such replacement of each data, the correspondence with the display order of the index images can be taken. For this reason, only rewriting of the index image in the index file and rewriting of the image data management file on the RAM 6a are required to be rewritten. Therefore, the rewriting data can be greatly reduced, and the rewriting operation can be speeded up.
[0484]
Further, since the physical position of the index image on the disk is changed so that the index file is in the same order as the display order, high-speed reading of the index file can be realized.
[0485]
Further, when the order of displaying the index images within the same index file in the same directory is changed, the same control can be performed. For example, when the display order is changed so that the seventh index image in the same index file is displayed second, first, all data of the index file is once read from the disk onto the main memory 11a, and the seventh After the index image is moved to the second position, the file is edited and then re-recorded on the disc. On the other hand, on the RAM 6a, the seventh 16-byte image information unit is inserted second in the image data management file without changing the data. That is, even when the display order of the index images is changed in the same directory, only the index file and the image information unit on the RAM are rewritten, and the actual image data is not rewritten. .
[0486]
16. [Comprehensive index file formation operation]
When the recording on the optical disc 20 is completed, the system controller 6 forms a comprehensive index file (OV INDX.PMX). This comprehensive index file is managed by a comprehensive information management file, and what index images are recorded in each directory is edited into one file.
[0487]
For example, in this example, when five directories having 25 index images are formed, one of the index images at the head of each directory is taken out and edited in order from each of the five index images. Comprehensive index file is formed. If the number of directories is set to be small, the first five index images may be taken out from each directory to form a comprehensive index file.
[0488]
This comprehensive index file is formed when the screen data is formatted. For this reason, it is already formed when an image is recorded.
[0489]
The overall index file forming operation is as shown in the flowchart of FIG.
[0490]
In the flowchart shown in FIG. 47, in step S161, the system controller 6 reads the comprehensive index flowchart into the main memory 11a and proceeds to step S162.
[0491]
In step S162, the system controller 6 controls the disk recording / playback unit 5c via the storage unit controller 5d so as to read all the image data recorded in the index file of the designated directory, and this index. The image data of the file is controlled to be transferred to the main memory 11a shown in FIG. 4, and the process proceeds to step S163. From the index file, the image data that is fixed-length encoded together with the header is recorded as it is without being subjected to decompression decoding processing and transferred to the main memory 11a. Further, when image data is not recorded in the index file, the image data is not read out to the main memory.
[0492]
In step S163, the system controller 6 detects the operation state of the operation unit 10 to determine whether or not the user has designated the start of recording. If No, this step S163 is performed until the recording start is designated. Is repeated, and in the case of Yes, the process proceeds to step S164.
[0493]
In step S164, the system controller 6 determines whether or not the image to be recorded is an index image. If NO, the process proceeds to step S165. If YES, the process proceeds to step S172.
[0494]
In step S172, data indicating that the image to be recorded is an index image is supplied to the thinning / compression / decompression controller 4i shown in FIG. When the data is supplied, the thinning / compression / decompression controller 4i sets a fixed length count for the index image in the compression / decompression circuit 4h, and the process proceeds to step S173.
[0495]
In step S173, the thinning / compression / decompression controller 4i controls the compression / decompression circuit 4h to perform compression coding processing on the image data thinned to ¼ based on the set fixed length count. As a result, an index image that is fixed-length encoded to a fixed data length of 1/15 cluster is formed, and the process proceeds to step S174.
[0496]
In step S174, the system controller 6 determines whether or not the fixed-length encoded index image is the first index image based on the data of the general information management file stored in the RAM 6a. If No, the process proceeds to step S181, and if it is an index, the process proceeds to step S175.
[0497]
In step S181, the system controller 6 records the fixed-length encoded index image in the image index file, and proceeds to step S176.
[0498]
In step S175, the device system controller 6 records the first index image in the general index file and the image index, and proceeds to step S176.
[0499]
In step S176, the system controller 6 controls the memory controller 13 to record a total of 4096-byte index images with a header added to the file stored in the main memory 11a shown in FIG. move on.
[0500]
In step S177, the system controller 6 determines whether or not all index images have been recorded in the main memory 11a. If No, the process returns to step S164, and if Yes, the process proceeds to step S178.
[0501]
In step S178, the system controller 6 sets the 2-bit entry of the allocation block number of the volume space bitmap VSB in the data U-TOC stored in the RAM 6a to “00” (a code indicating an available allocation block). By searching for a place where is, an empty area is detected, and the process proceeds to step S179.
[0502]
In step S179, the system controller 6 controls the disc recording / reproducing unit 5c to access the detected empty area on the optical disc 20 via the storage unit controller 5d, and the process proceeds to step S180.
[0503]
In step S180, the system controller 6 controls the disc recording / reproducing unit 5c to record the index image in an empty area on the optical disc 20 via the storage unit controller 5d, and the process proceeds to step S171.
[0504]
As described above, when the index image is fixed-length encoded and recorded on the optical disc 20, before the fixed-length encoded index image is recorded on the optical disc 20, it is temporarily recorded on the main memory 11a in order. Then, one index file is formed from all index images on the main memory 11a, and then recorded in a physically continuous area on the optical disc 20.
On the other hand, when it is determined No in step S164 and the process proceeds to step S165, in step S165, the system controller 6 detects a free area on the optical disc 20 for recording an intermediate resolution image or a high resolution image. The process proceeds to S166.
[0505]
Specifically, the system controller 6 sets the 2-bit entry of the allocation block number of the volume space bitmap VSB in the data U-TOC stored in the RAM 6a to “00” (a code indicating an available allocation block). The empty area is detected by searching for a place where “
[0506]
In step S166, the system controller 6 detects the optimum free area from the free areas searched in step S165 as described above, and records the disc via the storage unit controller 5d so as to access the free area. The reproducing unit 5c is controlled and the process proceeds to step S167.
[0507]
Next, in step S167, the system controller 6 sets a fixed length count corresponding to the high resolution image data or the ultra high resolution image data in the thinning / compression / decompression controller 4i, and the process proceeds to step S168.
[0508]
In step S168, the thinning / compression / decompression controller 4i performs compression / decompression so as to form high-resolution image data for 8 clusters or ultra-high-resolution image data for 18 clusters based on the set fixed length count. The circuit 4h is formed and the process proceeds to step S169.
[0509]
In step S169, the system controller 6d controls the disc recording / reproducing unit 5c so as to record the fixed-length image data in the optimum area on the detected optical disc 20, and proceeds to step S170.
[0510]
In step S170, as described above, the system controller 6 sequentially determines the image data management file data in the designated directory and the file name corresponding to the resolution of each image data together with the recording control of the image data. The process proceeds to S171.
[0511]
In step S171, whether or not the system controller 6 has recorded all the three types of resolution image data, that is, low resolution image data (index image), intermediate resolution image data, and high resolution image data (or ultra high resolution image data). If the answer is No, the process returns to step S164 to record the image data of the resolution that has not yet been recorded. If the answer is Yes, the process proceeds to step S191 shown in FIG.
[0512]
Here, when the recording of the image to be recorded is finished in this way, the user can replace the data of the comprehensive index image. For example, since the first index image of each directory is set in advance in the general index file formed simultaneously with the formation of the high resolution, intermediate resolution, and index image files, 1 in each directory. Only the second index image is recorded. However, if the user desires, the first index image registered in the general management file can be exchanged with another index image.
[0513]
This desired index image replacement operation is as shown in the routine after step S191 in FIG.
[0514]
That is, in step S191 of FIG. 48, the system controller 6 performs display control of the comprehensive index image and proceeds to step S192.
[0515]
In step S192, the system controller 6 detects the operation status of the operation unit 10 to determine whether or not the index image desired by the user has been specified. If No, this step S192 is repeated. Advances to step S193.
[0516]
In step S193, the system controller 6 controls the display of the index file and proceeds to step S194.
[0517]
In step S194, the system controller 6 detects whether or not the displayed index image has been designated by detecting the operation status of the operation unit 10. If No, this step S194 is repeated, and if Yes, step S194 is repeated. Proceed to S195.
[0518]
In step S195, the system controller 6 designates an index image to be replaced by designating a directory. That is, the system controller 6 copies the index image data specified in the data of the general management file, and at the same time, the directory number and the index image number of the image directory information unit of the general information management file are changed to the specified directory number. The index image number is replaced and the process proceeds to step S196.
[0519]
In step S196, the system controller 6 controls the disk recording / reproducing unit 5c so as to record the comprehensive information management file on the optical disk 20, and the process proceeds to step S197.
[0520]
In step S197, the system controller 6 detects whether or not the eject key 32 of the operation unit 10 has been turned on. If No, this step S197 is repeated, and if Yes, the process proceeds to step S198.
[0521]
In step S198, the system controller 6 uses the data U-TOC, the comprehensive management information file, and the related data of the image data management file recorded on the disk as the data U-TOC, the comprehensive management recorded on the RAM 6a. All data in the information file and the image data management file are updated and all routines are terminated.
[0522]
In the above-described general index file, the first index image of each directory is recorded at the time of data recording. However, when the number of directories is reduced, the first five index images of each directory are recorded. You may be able to register.
[0523]
For example, a description will be given of an example in which four directories are formed and five index images are registered therein. As shown below, the unit of image directory information includes five index images in the total index file. Twenty units are formed so as to correspond to x4 directory = 20 sheets.

In this example, the total index file is formed after all the image data is recorded. However, when a directory is formed and an image is recorded in the index file under the directory, the total index file is recorded at the same time. You may do it.
[0524]
17. [Print operation]
Next, the operation of the still image recording / reproducing system in the case of printing an image captured via the scanner unit 1 or the video input unit 8 or an image recorded on the optical disc 20 will be described.
[0525]
First, when printing an image captured via the scanner unit 1 or the video input unit 8, the user operates the operation unit 10 to capture the image via the scanner unit 1 or the video input unit 8 in the same manner as described above. The image is displayed on the monitor device 9. When the image displayed on the monitor device 9 is a desired image, the operation unit 10 is operated to designate printing of the image.
[0526]
The image data captured via the scanner unit 1 or the video input unit 8 is stored in the main memory 11a. Therefore, the system controller 6 reads out and controls the main memory 11a via the memory controller 13 so that the image data stored in the main memory 11a is read out when the print is designated. The image data read from the main memory 11a is supplied to the data conversion circuit 2a of the printer unit 2.
[0527]
The data conversion circuit 2a performs a data conversion process suitable for printing on the image data read from the main memory 11a. That is, when the image data is supplied in the form of R, G, B or Y, Cr, Cb, it is converted into color coordinates of Y (yellow), M (magenta), (cyan). Image data for printing is formed and supplied to the thermal head 2c.
[0528]
The thermal head 2c prints an image corresponding to the image data, for example, on an A6 size printing paper 2d at about 300 DPI. As a result, an image corresponding to the image data captured via the scanner unit 1 or the video input unit 8 can be printed.
[0529]
The memory controller 13 controls transfer of image data read from the main memory 11a to the image processing circuit 12 when image processing such as image enlargement processing, reduction processing, or rotation processing is designated. When the image data is transferred to the image processing circuit 12, the image processing controller 14 controls the image processing circuit 12 to perform the designated image processing. As a result, the image data subjected to the designated image processing is supplied to the printer unit 2 via the image processing circuit 12, and an image subjected to image processing such as enlargement processing or reduction processing is printed. Can do.
[0530]
Next, when printing the image recorded on the optical disc 20, the user displays the index image recorded on the optical disc 20 on the monitor device 9 by the above-described operation. Then, a desired image is selected from the index images. As a result, the selected image is displayed on the monitor device 9.
[0531]
When the image displayed on the monitor device 9 is a desired image, the user operates the operation unit 10 to designate printing of the image. Thereby, the system controller 6 controls the disc recording / reproducing unit 5c so as to read out image data (high resolution image data or ultra-high resolution image data) for printing an image currently displayed on the monitor device 9.
[0532]
As described above, the optical disc 20 has recorded therein three types of image data: low-resolution image data for indexing, intermediate-resolution image data for monitor display, and high-resolution image data for printing. At the same time, print information relating to printing of the image data is recorded in advance. For this reason, the system controller 6 takes in the reproduced print information, and sets and controls the number of prints, color designation, image size, print position, etc. of the printer unit 2 based on the print information, and also the optical disc. The high-resolution image data read from 20 is supplied to the printer unit 2. As a result, images corresponding to the image data read from the optical disk 20 are printed on the print paper 2d by the number of sheets designated by the image size or the like corresponding to the print data.
[0533]
Such a printing operation and recording of the print information and image data in the printer unit 2 are as shown in the flowcharts of FIGS.
[0534]
That is, first, the flowchart shown in FIG. 49 is started when the main power supply of the still image recording / reproducing system is turned on, and the process proceeds to step S200.
[0535]
In step S200, the system controller 6 communicates with the storage unit controller 5d of the storage unit 5 to determine whether or not the optical disk 20 is loaded in the storage unit 5. If NO, the optical disk 20 is This step S200 is repeated until it is mounted. If YES, the process proceeds to step S201.
[0536]
In step S201, the storage controller 5d controls the disc recording / reproducing unit 5c to read the print information recorded on the optical disc 20, and transfers the read print information to the system controller 6. The process proceeds to S202.
[0537]
In step S202, the system controller 6 determines whether or not printing of the image is designated based on the print information read by the storage unit 5. If NO, step S211 shown in FIG. 50 is performed. If YES, the process proceeds to step S203.
[0538]
In step S211 shown in FIG. 50, the system controller 6 determines whether or not image data input from the scanner unit 1 or the video input unit 8 is designated. If NO, the step shown in FIG. 49 is performed. Returning to S200, the routine from step S200 to step S202 described above is repeated. If YES, the process proceeds to step S213.
[0539]
In step S213, the system controller 6 communicates with the storage controller 5d to determine whether or not recording on the optical disc 20 is possible. If NO, the routines shown in FIGS. 49 and 50 are terminated, and if YES, the process proceeds to step S214.
[0540]
In step S214, the storage controller 5d records and reproduces the image so that the image data of the image read by the scanner unit 1 or the image data supplied from the video input unit 8 is recorded on the optical disc 20. The unit 5c is controlled and the process proceeds to step S215.
[0541]
In step S215, the system controller 6 transfers the print information designated by the user to the storage unit controller 5d, and the storage unit controller 5d records / reproduces the disc so that the image data is recorded on the optical disc 20 together with the print information. The unit 5c is controlled to return to step S202 shown in FIG. Then, the above routine is repeated.
[0542]
Next, in step S203 shown in FIG. 49, the system controller 6 sets the printing conditions (number of prints, color setting, paper size, etc.) of the printer unit 2, and the process proceeds to step S204.
[0543]
In step S204, the system controller 6 determines whether or not there is a color designation for designating a desired hue among the print designations designated by the print data. If YES, the process proceeds to step S209. If NO, the process proceeds to step S205.
[0544]
In step S209, the system controller 6 changes the masking of the printer unit 2 so as to obtain the designated color and the like, and the process proceeds to step S205.
[0545]
In step S205, the system controller 6 determines whether there is a print area designation among the print designations designated by the print data. If YES, the process proceeds to step S210. If NO, the system controller 6 proceeds to step S210. The process proceeds to S206.
[0546]
In step S210, the system controller 6 changes the setting of the printer unit 2 so as to become the designated print area, and the process proceeds to step S206.
[0547]
In step S206, the system controller 6 controls the printer unit 2 to execute printing under the set conditions, and the process proceeds to step S207.
[0548]
In step S207, the system controller 6 deletes the set print data, and the process proceeds to step S208.
[0549]
In step S208, the system controller 6 determines whether or not printing has ended. If NO, the system controller 6 returns to step S202 and repeats the routine described above. If YES, the system controller 6 ends.
[0550]
In this way, by recording the print information of the image data together with the image data on the optical disc 20, each unit is automatically set based on the print data read from the optical disc 20 by the printer unit 2 at the time of printing. Can be set to print. For this reason, it is possible to omit troublesome print designation, and for example, it is possible to surely designate a desired hue in the hue and the like, thereby preventing a printing error.
[0551]
Further, when printing, the image data may be read from the optical disc 20 according to the printing state of the printer unit 2 and supplied to the printer unit 2. Since the optical disc 20 serves as a substitute for the frame memory 11, The frame memory 11 can be omitted or the storage capacity of the frame memory 11 can be reduced.
[0552]
Further, since print data such as the number of prints is recorded on the optical disc 20, only the optical disc 20 is brought to a place where a printer apparatus having the same structure as the printer unit 2 is provided at the time of printing. For example, printing can be performed with a desired color and the number of prints. Therefore, a novel system can be provided as a system for obtaining a still image print.
[0553]
17. [Other configurations of decimation and compression / decompression processing blocks]
Next, the thinning / compression / decompression processing block 4 thins out the high resolution image data by the 1/4 thinning circuit 4c to form intermediate resolution image data, which is further processed by the 1/60 thinning circuit 4e. The low-resolution image data is formed by performing the thinning process in FIG. 51. However, the low-resolution image data may be formed by configuring the thinning / compression / decompression processing block 4 as shown in FIG. .
[0554]
In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the location which shows the same operation | movement as the thinning and compression / decompression processing block 4 shown in the said FIG. 5, and the detailed description is abbreviate | omitted.
[0555]
That is, in this case, instead of the 1/60 decimation circuit 4e, the decimation / compression / decompression processing block stores a direct current component formed by DCT processing the intermediate resolution image data as low resolution image data. A second memory 4j.
[0556]
Such a thinning / compression / decompression processing block 4 thins out the high resolution image data by the 1/4 thinning circuit 4c to form intermediate resolution image data at the time of recording. Then, the intermediate resolution image data is supplied to the first memory 4d.
[0557]
The selector 4f is selected and controlled by the thinning and compression / decompression controller 4i as described above, and selects and outputs each image data in the order of high resolution image data, intermediate resolution image data, and low resolution image data. For this reason, the compression / decompression circuit 4h is supplied with the image data of each resolution in the order described above, and is subjected to fixed-length encoding processing and recorded on the optical disc 20.
[0558]
Here, in the compression / decompression circuit 4h, since DCT processing is performed for each processing block of 8 pixels × 8 pixels, the DC component formed by the DCT processing is thinned out to 1/60 of the intermediate resolution image data. This indicates the same processed image data, that is, low-resolution image data. For this reason, the compression / decompression circuit 4h (the DCT circuit) supplies the second memory 4j with a direct current component formed when the intermediate resolution image data is subjected to DCT processing as low resolution image data. The low-resolution image data stored in the second memory 4j is selected by the selector 4f, fixed-length encoded by the compression / decompression circuit 4h as described above, and recorded on the optical disc 20.
[0559]
In this way, by storing the DC component obtained when the DCT processing of the intermediate resolution image data in the DCT circuit of the compression / expansion circuit 4h in the second memory 4j as the low resolution image data, the 1 / The 60 thinning circuit 4e can be omitted, and the cost of the still image recording / reproducing system can be reduced through the reduction of the number of parts and the simplification of the configuration.
[0560]
Note that the amount of low-resolution image data that is the direct current component of the DCT processing is not so large. For this reason, the free area of the frame memory 11 can be substituted. As a result, the second memory 4j can be omitted, and the cost can be further reduced.
[0561]
Next, the compression / decompression circuit 4h first performs quantization processing using an appropriate quantization coefficient to perform fixed-length encoding processing on the image data of each resolution, and then performs this fixed-length encoding processing. A two-pass method is adopted in which the optimal quantization coefficient is calculated according to the result of the long encoding process, the quantization process and the fixed length encoding process are performed, and the image data of each resolution is set to a fixed data length. However, if this two-pass method is performed for each resolution of image data, a total of six passes are required, and this compression process takes time and the recording time becomes long. For this reason, it is preferable to add each circuit as shown in FIG. 52 to the compression / expansion circuit 4h to shorten the compression time.
[0562]
In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the location which shows the same operation | movement as the thinning and compression / decompression processing block 4 shown in the said FIG. 5, and the detailed description is abbreviate | omitted.
[0563]
That is, in this case, the decimation / compression / decompression processing block is stored in the coefficient memory 62 for storing the quantized coefficients when the high-resolution image data is quantized in the compression / decompression circuit 4h, and in the coefficient memory 62. Based on the quantization coefficient of the high resolution image data, the intermediate resolution coefficient prediction circuit 63 that predicts and forms the quantization coefficient of the intermediate resolution image data, and the quantization coefficient of the high resolution image data. A low-resolution coefficient prediction circuit 64 for predicting and forming the quantization coefficient of the low-resolution image data. The decimation / compression / decompression processing block switches between the intermediate resolution quantization coefficient from the intermediate resolution coefficient prediction circuit 63 and the low resolution quantization coefficient from the low resolution coefficient prediction circuit 64 for output. The second changeover switch 65 and the quantization coefficient of the high-resolution image data supplied to the coefficient memory 62, and the intermediate resolution and low-resolution quantization coefficients from the second changeover switch 65. And a first changeover switch 61 for supplying the signal to the quantization circuit in the compression / decompression circuit 4h.
[0564]
In such a thinning / compression / decompression processing block, the image data of each resolution is supplied to the selector 4f. The selector 4f selects each image data in the order of high resolution image data, intermediate resolution image data, and low resolution image data, and supplies them to the compression / decompression circuit 4h via the raster-block conversion circuit 4g. Supply.
[0565]
The compression / decompression circuit 4h performs the fixed-length encoding process on the high-resolution image data by the two-pass method as described above. At this time, the quantization circuit provided in the compression / decompression circuit 4h The quantization coefficient used when the resolution image data is quantized is supplied to the selection terminal 61 a of the first changeover switch 61.
[0566]
The first changeover switch 61 is controlled to be changed by the system controller 6. In this case, the system controller 6 is configured so that the selection terminal 61a selects the selected terminal 61c. Is controlled. As a result, the quantization coefficient used when quantizing the high-resolution image data is supplied to the coefficient memory 62 and temporarily stored.
[0567]
The quantized coefficients stored in the coefficient memory 62 are supplied to the resolution variable circuits 63 a and 64 a in the intermediate resolution coefficient prediction circuit 63 and the low resolution coefficient prediction circuit 64.
[0568]
The variable resolution circuit 63a of the intermediate resolution coefficient prediction circuit 63 changes the quantization coefficient used in the quantization of the high resolution image data for the intermediate resolution in terms of resolution, thereby changing the compression ratio variable circuit. 63b.
[0569]
The compression rate variable circuit 63b varies the quantization coefficient from the resolution variable circuit 63a for intermediate resolution in terms of the compression rate, and supplies this to the selected terminal 65b of the second changeover switch 65.
[0570]
Similarly, the resolution variable circuit 64a of the low resolution coefficient predicting circuit 64 variably compresses the quantization coefficient used in the quantization of the high resolution image data from the aspect of resolution to the low resolution. This is supplied to the rate variable circuit 64b.
[0571]
The compression rate variable circuit 64b changes the quantization coefficient from the resolution variable circuit 64a for low resolution in terms of the compression rate, and supplies this to the selected terminal 65c of the second changeover switch 65.
[0572]
Thereby, the quantization coefficient for intermediate resolution and the quantization coefficient for low resolution capable of encoding the image data at a fixed length at a time are supplied to the selected terminals 65b and 65c of the second changeover switch. It becomes.
[0573]
The second changeover switch 65 is also controlled to be changed by the system controller 6. The system controller 6 causes the selection terminal 65b to select the selected terminal 65b when the intermediate resolution image data is supplied to the compression / decompression circuit 4h, and also sends the compression / decompression circuit 4h to the compression / decompression circuit 4h. When the low-resolution image data is supplied, the second selector switch 65 is controlled so that the selected terminal 65c is selected by the selection terminal 65a. Further, the system controller 6 is arranged such that when the intermediate resolution image data or the low resolution image data is supplied to the compression / decompression circuit 4h, the selected terminal 61b is selected by the selection terminal 61a. The first selector switch 61 is controlled to be switched.
[0574]
As a result, when intermediate resolution image data is supplied to the compression / expansion circuit 4h, the intermediate resolution quantization coefficient from the intermediate resolution coefficient prediction circuit 63 is supplied to the compression / expansion circuit 4h. When data is supplied, the low-resolution quantization coefficient from the low-resolution coefficient prediction circuit 64 is quantized by the compression / expansion circuit 4h through the second and first change-over switches 65 and 61, respectively. Supplied to the circuit. The image data of each resolution is quantized in the quantization circuit by the quantization coefficient for each resolution, and is fixed to a fixed data length by the fixed length encoding circuit and recorded on the optical disc 20.
[0575]
As described above, the quantization coefficient for the intermediate resolution image data and the quantization coefficient for the low resolution image data are based on the quantization coefficient used when the high resolution image data is quantized. The quantization coefficient is calculated so that the fixed-length encoding can be performed once. For this reason, the number of passes performed when the image data of each resolution is fixed-length encoded in the compression / decompression circuit 20 is set to twice for high resolution image data, once for intermediate resolution image data, and low resolution image data. Thus, it can be shortened to four times in total, and the time required for fixed-length encoding can be shortened.
In the description of the above-described embodiment, in the still image recording / reproducing system to which the present invention is applied, based on the image data captured from the scanner unit 1 or the video input unit 8, a low index for indexing of 60 pixels × 80 pixels is used. Resolution image data, intermediate resolution image data for monitor display of 480 pixels × 640 pixels, and high resolution image data for printing of 1024 pixels × 1536 pixels are formed. However, in addition to this, for example, image data for a wide screen monitor having an aspect ratio of 480 pixels × 848 pixels of 9:16, image data for a wide screen printer having an aspect ratio of 1080 pixels × 1920 pixels of 9:16, or 2048 It is also possible to form image data or the like for an ultra-high resolution photograph having an aspect ratio of 3: 2 pixels × 3072 pixels, and record and reproduce it on the optical disc 20.
[0576]
In addition, the above-described intermediate resolution image data of 480 pixels × 640 pixels for monitor display is fixed-length compressed to a data length of 2 clusters. This is a fixed length compression of a data length of 1 cluster and data of 2 clusters. You may enable it to select long fixed length compression by a user's intention. Accordingly, when the user wants to obtain a display image with high resolution, the user selects the fixed length compression of the data length of the two clusters, and conversely, when the resolution may be slightly reduced, the data length of the one cluster is selected. Fixed length compression can be selected. For this reason, the number of user choices can be increased, and the still image recording / reproducing system can be made more ideal. In this case, if the compression rate of the intermediate resolution image data is 2 clusters, only 200 image data can be recorded on the optical disc 20 in combination with the high resolution image data recorded in the 8 clusters. However, assuming that the compression ratio of the intermediate resolution image data is 1 cluster, about 222 sheets of image data can be recorded on the optical disc 20 in combination with the high resolution image data recorded in the 8 clusters. The number of recordable sheets can be increased.
[0577]
In addition, the image data of each resolution is compressed at a fixed length, but this may be a compression rate corresponding to the image data. In this case, since it is possible to obtain an optimum compression rate for each image, an optimum reproduced image can be obtained.
[0578]
Further, for example, the frame memory 1 has a storage area of 2048 × 2048, and among these, specific numerical values are used in each description such that 1024 × 1536 is an image storage area, 16 × 32 is a command area, and the like. However, this is only an example, and it goes without saying that various modifications can be made without departing from the technical idea of the present invention.
[0579]
【The invention's effect】
As is clear from the above description, the disc-shaped recording medium according to the present invention can easily store and manage still images recorded in photographs, books, and the like. Therefore, it is possible to realize a new still image system that replaces a still image system that stores a still image using a conventional photograph.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a still image recording / reproducing system to which the present invention is applied.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a scanner unit provided in the still image recording / reproducing system.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a printer unit provided in the still image recording / reproducing system.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an image processing block provided in the still image recording / reproducing system.
FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a decimation / compression / decompression block provided in the still image recording / reproducing system.
FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a storage unit provided in the still image recording / playback system.
FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a video input unit provided in the still image recording / playback system.
FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an appearance of an operation unit provided in the still image recording / reproducing system.
FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining a first recording operation of the still image recording / reproducing system.
FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining a second recording operation of the still image recording / reproducing system.
FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram for explaining a recording area for each resolution of image data formed on an optical disc by the second recording operation.
FIG. 12 is a flowchart for explaining a third recording operation of the still image recording / reproducing system.
FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining the data structure of image data recorded on the optical disc.
FIG. 14 is a diagram for explaining a management block formed in data U-TOC.
FIG. 15 is a diagram for explaining a sector structure of a volume descriptor;
FIG. 16 is a diagram for explaining a sector structure of a volume space bitmap.
FIG. 17 is a diagram for explaining a configuration of an allocation block;
FIG. 18 is a diagram for explaining a sector structure of a management table.
FIG. 19 is a diagram for explaining each data recorded in a management table.
FIG. 20 is a diagram for explaining a sector structure of a directory record for a directory.
FIG. 21 is a diagram for explaining a sector structure of a file directory record;
FIG. 22 is a diagram for explaining a sector structure of an extent record block;
FIG. 23 is a diagram for explaining a hierarchical directory structure for managing image data for each resolution in the still image recording / reproducing system.
FIG. 24 is a diagram for explaining DRB and ERB constituting the management block;
FIG. 25 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of an ERB that constitutes the management block;
FIG. 26 is a diagram for explaining a format table in the hierarchical directory structure;
FIG. 27 is a diagram for explaining an image parameter table in the hierarchical directory structure;
FIG. 28 is a diagram for explaining a general information management file in the hierarchical directory structure.
FIG. 29 is a diagram for explaining an image data management file in the hierarchical directory structure.
FIG. 30 is a diagram for explaining a print data management file in the hierarchical directory structure.
FIG. 31 is a diagram for explaining an image data file in the hierarchical directory structure;
FIG. 32 is a diagram for explaining a comprehensive index file in the hierarchical directory structure;
FIG. 33 is a diagram for explaining an image index file in the hierarchical directory structure;
FIG. 34 is a diagram for explaining print data files in the hierarchical directory structure.
FIG. 35 is a flowchart for explaining the first half recording operation in the still image recording / reproducing system;
FIG. 36 is a flowchart for explaining a recording operation in the latter half of the still image recording / reproducing system.
FIG. 37 is a flowchart for explaining an image data recording operation for each resolution in the still image recording / reproducing system.
FIG. 38 is a flowchart for explaining a reproducing operation in the still image recording / reproducing system.
FIG. 39 is a diagram for describing a display form of first index display in the still image recording / playback system.
FIG. 40 is a diagram for describing a display form of a second index display in the still image recording / reproducing system.
41 is a diagram for describing a display form of a third index display in the still image recording / reproducing system. FIG.
42 is a diagram for describing a display form of a fourth index display in the still image recording / reproducing system. FIG.
FIG. 43 is a diagram for describing a first album search operation in the still image recording / playback system.
44 is a diagram for explaining a second album search operation in the still image recording / reproducing system. FIG.
FIG. 45 is a diagram for describing a search operation for designated image data in the still image recording / playback system.
FIG. 46 is a diagram for explaining an image data editing operation in the still image recording / playback system.
FIG. 47 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of forming the first half of the comprehensive index file in the still image recording / reproducing system.
FIG. 48 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of forming the second half of the comprehensive index file in the still image recording / reproducing system.
FIG. 49 is a flowchart for explaining a printing operation in the still image recording / reproducing system.
FIG. 50 is a flowchart for explaining a subroutine in the printing operation.
FIG. 51 is a block diagram for explaining a second form of a thinning / compression / decompression processing block provided in the still image recording / reproducing system;
FIG. 52 is a block diagram for explaining a third form of the thinning / compression / decompression processing block provided in the still image recording / reproducing system.

Claims (42)

In a disc-shaped recording medium for recording image data,
A management area which is formed on the innermost periphery side and in which a first management information table for managing the rewritable area and the rewritable area is recorded;
A plurality of image files provided in a rewritable area managed by the first management information table, wherein a plurality of image files having different resolutions generated from each original image data are classified for each resolution; A first area for recording a management file for managing correspondence information between files in an image file;
Provided in the rewritable area other than the first area managed by the first management information table formed on the inner circumference side from the first area, and included in the first area A disc-shaped recording medium comprising a second area for recording a second management information table for managing a relative position of the image file and the management file in the first area in a predetermined recording unit. 2. The disc-shaped recording medium according to claim 1, wherein the first area has a hierarchical directory structure including a directory and at least one subdirectory formed in the directory. 3. The disc-shaped recording according to claim 2, wherein the management file includes a first management file included in the directory and a second management file included in the subdirectory. Medium. The first management file includes a directory information unit for managing all subdirectories of the subdirectory formed under the directory.
4. The disc-shaped recording medium according to claim 3, wherein the second management file includes a file information unit for managing an image file recorded in the subdirectory. 2. The disc-shaped recording medium according to claim 1, wherein the image data included in the plurality of image files is image data that is fixed-length encoded in the recording unit. The plurality of different resolution image data is composed of high resolution image data, intermediate resolution image data, and low resolution image data.
The plurality of image files include a high resolution image file including the high resolution image data, an intermediate resolution image file including the intermediate resolution image data, and an index file including the low resolution image data. The disc-shaped recording medium according to claim 1. The high-resolution image file includes high-resolution image data that is fixed-length encoded to a first data length that is an integral multiple of the recording unit.
The intermediate resolution image file includes intermediate resolution image data that is fixed-length encoded to a second data length that is an integral multiple of the recording unit shorter than the first data length,
The index file includes low-resolution image data that is fixed-length-encoded to a third data length that is 1 / integer of the recording unit shorter than the second data length. Item 7. A disk-shaped recording medium according to Item 6. The plurality of different resolution image data includes high resolution image data, intermediate resolution image data, and low resolution image data.
The plurality of image files include a high resolution image file including the high resolution image data, an intermediate resolution image file including the intermediate resolution image data, and an index file including the low resolution image data.
One high resolution image data formed from the original image data is recorded in the high resolution image file, and one intermediate resolution image data formed from the original image data is recorded in the intermediate resolution image file. 2. The disc-shaped recording medium according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of low resolution image data formed from a plurality of the original image data is recorded in the index file. The first area has a hierarchical directory structure including a directory and subdirectories formed in the directory.
9. The disc according to claim 8, wherein the index file is composed of a first index file recorded in the directory and a second index file recorded in the subdirectory. Recording medium. The first area has a hierarchical directory structure including a directory and subdirectories formed in the directory.
The management file is recorded in a first management file in which a directory information unit for managing all subdirectories of the subdirectory formed under the directory is recorded, and in the subdirectory. A second management file in which a second file information unit for managing image files is recorded,
The index file includes a first index file for recording low-resolution image data for indicating at least one image file among image files recorded in a subdirectory formed in the directory; A second index file for recording low-resolution image data for indicating all the image files recorded in the subdirectory,
The directory includes a first management file and a first index file, and the subdirectory includes the second management file and the second index file. 9. The disc-shaped recording medium according to claim 8, wherein 9. The disk-shaped recording medium according to claim 8, wherein the index file is recorded in a physically continuous area. 9. The disc-shaped recording medium according to claim 8, wherein a plurality of low resolution image data included in the index file constitutes one screen, and the plurality of low resolution image data is recorded in the display order on the screen. . The first management file includes a high resolution image file or an intermediate resolution image file corresponding to the low resolution image data so as to correspond to the recording order of the low resolution image data recorded in the first index file. Record a directory information unit to indicate the subdirectory number,
The second management file is a number of a high resolution image file or an intermediate resolution image file corresponding to the low resolution image data so as to correspond to the recording order of the low resolution image data recorded in the second index file. 11. The disc-shaped recording medium according to claim 10, wherein an image information unit for indicating the recording is recorded. The second management information table includes a first management block for managing the second area in a management block unit different from the recording unit, and a second management block for managing the recording status of the first area in the recording unit. The disc-shaped recording medium according to claim 1, further comprising: The first area has a hierarchical directory structure including a directory and subdirectories formed in the directory.
The second management information table includes a first management block for managing the second area in a management block unit different from the recording unit, and a second management block for managing the recording status of the first area in the recording unit. 2. A disc-shaped recording medium according to claim 1, further comprising: a management block for managing data related to each file recorded in the directory, the subdirectory, and the first area. . 16. The hierarchical directory structure composed of the directory and subdirectories is represented by the first management block and the third management block recorded in the second management information table. Disc-shaped recording medium. The third management block includes a directory record unit for a directory indicating the position of the directory and the subdirectory in the first area;
16. The disc-shaped recording medium according to claim 15, further comprising: a directory record unit for a file indicating a position of each file recorded in the first area in the first area. The directory directory record unit included in the third management block representing the directory manages the position of the subdirectory in the recording unit,
The position of a plurality of image files recorded in the subdirectory is managed in the recording unit by the file directory record unit included in the third management block representing the subdirectory. 15. The disc-shaped recording medium according to 15. The plurality of different resolution image data includes high resolution image data, intermediate resolution image data, and low resolution image data.
The plurality of image files include a high resolution image file including the high resolution image data, an intermediate resolution image file including the intermediate resolution image data, and an index file including the low resolution image data.
The high resolution image file includes one high resolution image data formed from the original image data, and the intermediate resolution image file includes one intermediate resolution image data formed from the original image data. 16. The disk-shaped recording medium according to claim 15, wherein the index file includes a plurality of low-resolution image data formed from the plurality of original image data. The management file includes a first management file including directory information for managing all subdirectories of the subdirectory formed under the directory, and an image file recorded in the subdirectory. A second management file containing file information for managing
The index file includes a first index file for recording low-resolution image data for indicating at least one image file among image files recorded in the subdirectory formed under the directory; A second index file for recording low-resolution image data for indicating all the image files recorded in the subdirectory,
A first management file and a first index file are recorded in the directory, and the second management file and the second index file are recorded in the subdirectory. The disc-shaped recording medium according to claim 19, The data of the second management file includes information indicating a high resolution image file or an intermediate resolution image file corresponding to the low resolution image data recorded in the second index file,
Based on the data of the first management block and the third management block recorded in the second management information table, the first high-resolution image file or intermediate resolution image file specified by the first management block is recorded. 21. The disc-shaped recording medium according to claim 20, further comprising a data management structure for specifying a position in the area. 2. The disc-shaped recording medium according to claim 1, further comprising a data management structure in which recording / reproduction management is performed only on image files managed by the management file. The image file recorded in the first area has a data management structure in which recording / reproduction is performed based on the management file and data recorded in the second management information table. Item 4. A disk-shaped recording medium according to Item 1. The image file recorded in the first area is designated based on the data recorded in the management file,
2. The disc-shaped recording medium according to claim 1, further comprising a data management structure in which a position is designated based on data recorded in the second management information table. In a disc-shaped recording medium for recording and reproducing image data,
The file management structure recorded on the disc-shaped recording medium is as follows:
A hierarchical directory structure of a directory and subdirectories formed in the directory;
The directory includes a first management file for managing all subdirectories formed in the directory, and an image file recorded in the subdirectory formed in the directory. A first index file including low resolution image data for indicating at least one image file;
The sub-directory includes a second management file for managing image files recorded in the sub-directory, and a low resolution for indicating all the image files recorded in the sub-directory. A second index file containing image data is provided,
The first management file and the second management file are recorded in a management area formed on the disc-shaped recording medium, and the first index file and the second index file are on the outer periphery side than the management area. A disc-shaped recording medium recorded in a file area formed on the disc. A file area for recording the directory, subdirectory, and each file;
26. The disc-shaped recording medium according to claim 25, further comprising a management area for managing the file area in a predetermined recording unit. The management area includes data indicating a hierarchical directory structure of the directory and subdirectories recorded in the file area;
27. The disk-shaped recording medium according to claim 26, further comprising data indicating a position of each file recorded in the file area. 27. The disc-shaped recording medium according to claim 26, wherein the image data included in the plurality of image files is image data that is fixed-length encoded in the recording unit. The plurality of different resolution image data includes high resolution image data, intermediate resolution image data, and low resolution image data.
The plurality of image files include a high resolution image file including the high resolution image data, an intermediate resolution image file including the intermediate resolution image data, and an index file including the low resolution image data. Item 25. The disc-shaped recording medium according to Item 25. The high-resolution image file includes high-resolution image data that is fixed-length-encoded to a first data length that is an integral multiple of the recording unit. The intermediate-resolution image file includes the first data length Including intermediate resolution image data that is fixed-length encoded to a second data length that is an integral multiple of the short recording unit,
The index file includes low-resolution image data that is fixed-length-encoded to a third data length that is 1 / integer of the recording unit shorter than the second data length. 28. A disk-shaped recording medium according to 28. The disc-shaped recording medium according to claim 30, wherein the index file is recorded in a physically continuous area. 31. The disk-shaped recording according to claim 30, wherein a plurality of low-resolution image data included in the index file constitute one screen, and the plurality of low-resolution image data are recorded in the order of display on the screen. Medium. The first management file includes a high resolution image file or an intermediate resolution image file corresponding to the low resolution image data so as to correspond to the recording order of the low resolution image data recorded in the first index file. A directory information unit for indicating a subdirectory number;
The second management file is a number of a high resolution image file or an intermediate resolution image file corresponding to the low resolution image data so as to correspond to the recording order of the low resolution image data recorded in the second index file. 31. The disk-shaped recording medium according to claim 30, further comprising an image information unit for indicating The management area includes a first management block for managing the management area in a management block unit different from the recording unit;
A second management block for managing the recording status of the file area in the recording unit;
27. The disk-shaped recording medium according to claim 26, further comprising a management information table comprising a third management block for managing data relating to each file recorded in the directory, the sub-directory, and the management area. 35. The disc-shaped recording according to claim 34, wherein the first management block and the third management block recorded in the management information table represent a hierarchical directory structure composed of the directory and subdirectories. Medium. The third management block includes a directory record unit for a directory indicating a position of the directory and the subdirectory in the file area,
35. The disc-shaped recording medium according to claim 34, further comprising: a directory record unit for a file indicating a position in the file area of each file recorded in the file area. The directory directory record unit included in the third management block representing the directory manages the position of the subdirectory in the recording unit,
The position of a plurality of image files recorded in the subdirectory is managed in the recording unit by the file directory record unit included in the third management block representing the subdirectory. 34. A disk-shaped recording medium according to 34. The plurality of different resolution image data includes high resolution image data, intermediate resolution image data, and low resolution image data.
The plurality of image files include a high resolution image file including the high resolution image data, an intermediate resolution image file including the intermediate resolution image data, and an index file including the low resolution image data.
The high resolution image file includes one high resolution image data formed from the original image data, and the intermediate resolution image file includes one intermediate resolution image data formed from the original image data. 35. The disc-shaped recording medium according to claim 34, wherein the index file includes a plurality of low-resolution image data formed from the plurality of original image data. Based on the data of the second management file, a high resolution image file or an intermediate resolution image file corresponding to the low resolution image data included in the second index file is designated,
The file of the designated high resolution image file or intermediate resolution image file based on the data of the first management block and the third management block included in the management information table provided in the management area 35. The disc-shaped recording medium according to claim 34, further comprising a data management structure for specifying a position in the area. 26. The disc-shaped recording medium according to claim 25, further comprising a data management structure in which recording / reproduction management is performed only on image files managed by the first or second management file. The image file recorded in the file area has a data management structure in which recording / reproduction is performed based on the first and second management files and data recorded in the management information table of the management area. 35. The disc-shaped recording medium according to claim 34. The image file recorded in the recording file area is designated based on the data included in the first and second management files, and is based on the data included in the management information table in the management area. 35. The disk-shaped recording medium according to claim 34, further comprising a data management structure in which a position is designated.

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