JP4041407B2 - Digital camera - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a digital camera, and more particularly to a digital camera that records image data on a plurality of recording media.
[0002]
[Prior art]
A digital camera converts an optical subject image formed on a photoelectric surface of an image sensor such as a CCD disposed behind a photographic lens into a digital signal, such as a smart media (registered trademark) or a compact flash (registered trademark). Recording as image data on a recording medium.
[0003]
In recent years, the capacity of memories has been increased, and the number of images to be recorded has also increased. When a user outputs (displays or prints) a desired image from a large number of images recorded in such a large-capacity memory, first, thumbnail images obtained by reducing the recorded images are arranged. The index image thus made is output by the image display means. A method in which a user visually searches the index image and selects a desired image is generally performed.
[0004]
In addition, since it is very time-consuming to search for a desired image from a large number of thumbnail images, the digital camera disclosed in Patent Document 1 uses a plurality of recording media having different recording capacities and acquires image data having a large data size. Recording is performed on a recording medium having a large capacity, and image data having a small data size is recorded on a recording medium having a small capacity. Thus, by automatically selecting the recording medium according to the data size, it is possible to view images of the same size or resolution at a time.
[0005]
[Patent Document 1]
JP 2001-245248 A
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the digital camera of Patent Document 1, a plurality of images shot in the same scene are not necessarily recorded on the same recording medium, and a plurality of images shot in the same scene are all on one recording medium. Even if it is recorded, the user does not always know which recording medium has image data of a desired scene recorded therein. In such a case, after all the image data is read from a plurality of recording media and the thumbnails are not collectively displayed in the order of photographing, the desired image data cannot be searched. .
[0007]
The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a digital camera that can easily search, reproduce, and edit an image after shooting using a plurality of recording media.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, a digital camera of the present invention is an image composed of a plurality of photographed image files photographed according to preset conditions in a digital camera having a plurality of recording media capable of recording image files. A specific image file is automatically selected from the group to become a representative image file, and the unselected image file is designated as an attached image file. In addition, representative image information indicating that it is a representative image file and all attached image file names of the image group are added as data to the representative image file, A selective recording unit is provided for recording the representative image file and the attached image file on different recording media.
[0009]
in front The image group consists of a plurality of image files taken within a predetermined time counted by the time counting function. It is characterized by . Further, the image group is composed of a plurality of image files photographed between when the power is turned on and when the power is turned off. It is characterized by . Further, the image group is composed of a plurality of image files taken between the time when the power saving function is turned off and the time when it is turned on. It is characterized by .
[0011]
Furthermore, the image display means for reproducing and displaying the photographed image file is provided, and all the representative image files recorded from the recording medium on which the representative image file is recorded are read out from the plurality of recording media, Representative image reproduction means for performing reproduction display on the image display means is provided. Characterized by .
[0012]
Furthermore, an image selection means for selecting an arbitrary image file from a plurality of image files being played back is selected, and when an arbitrary representative image file is selected from the representative image files reproduced and displayed on the image display means, the selected image file is selected. The attached image file that matches the attached image file name stored in the representative image file is read from another recording medium, and the selected representative image file and the read attached image file are combined and the images are taken in the order of shooting. Image group playback means for playback display is provided on the display means. Characterized by .
[0013]
When an arbitrary attached image file is selected from the attached image files reproduced and displayed on the image display means and the print setting is performed, Print set The attached image file is moved and recorded on the recording medium on which the representative image file is recorded. It is characterized by that.
[0014]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
1 and 2 are perspective views showing the external appearance of a digital camera embodying the present invention. On the front surface of the main body 3 of the digital camera 2, a lens barrel 5 incorporating a photographing lens 6 and a lens barrier 7, an object-side finder window 11, and a strobe light emitting unit 4 that emits strobe light toward a subject are provided. ing. One side surface of the main body 3 serves as a grip 8 so that the user can easily hold the main body 3. A release button 10 is provided on the upper surface of the grip 8.
[0015]
As shown in FIG. 2, the back of the main body 3 includes an eyepiece finder window 12, a power switch 13, an up / down / left / right selection key and a center determination key, and operations such as strobe and zoom, playback, editing, and the like. There is provided an operation unit 14 for performing a display, and a liquid crystal display panel (LCD) 15 that functions as a viewfinder and displays an image during reproduction and editing. Further, a first media slot 17 for inserting the first memory card 16 and a second media slot 19 for inserting the second memory card 18 are provided on the side surface opposite to the grip 8 of the main body 3.
[0016]
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the digital camera 2. The inside of the digital camera 2 mainly includes a CCD 24 as an image sensor, an analog signal processing unit 26, an A / D converter 28, a memory controller 30, an image memory 32, a digital signal processing unit 34, a compression / expansion circuit 36, a VRAM (Video RAM) 38, character generator 40, D / A converter 42, liquid crystal display panel 15, first media slot 17, second media slot 19, central processing unit (CPU) 50, ROM 52, RAM 54, built-in clock 56, power supply 58, the operation unit 14, and the like.
[0017]
The subject image formed on the light receiving surface of the CCD 24 via the photographing lens 6 is converted into signal charges of an amount corresponding to the amount of incident light by each sensor. The signal charge accumulated in this manner is read out by a CCD drive pulse applied from a CCD drive circuit (not shown), and is sequentially output from the CCD 24 as a voltage signal (analog imaging signal) corresponding to the signal charge.
[0018]
The CCD 24 is provided with a shutter drain via a shutter gate, and the accumulated signal charge can be swept out to the shutter drain by driving the shutter gate with a shutter gate pulse. That is, the CCD 24 has a so-called electronic shutter function that controls the accumulation time (shutter speed) of charges accumulated in each sensor by the shutter gate pulse.
[0019]
The signal read from the CCD 24 is added to the analog signal processing unit 26. The analog signal processing unit 26 includes a sampling hold circuit and a gain adjustment circuit, and the image pickup signal of the CCD 24 is subjected to correlated double sampling (CDS) processing and color separation processing into R, G, and B color signals in the analog signal processing unit 26. The signal level of each color signal is adjusted (pre-white balance processing).
[0020]
The signal output from the analog signal processing unit 26 is converted into R, G, B digital signals by the A / D converter 28 and then stored in the image memory 32 via the memory controller 30.
[0021]
Data stored in the image memory 32 is sent to the digital signal processing unit 34 via the memory controller 30. The digital signal processing unit 34 includes a luminance / color difference signal conversion circuit, a gamma correction circuit, and the like. The RGB data input to the digital signal processing unit 34 is converted into a luminance signal (Y signal) and a color difference signal (Cr, Cb signal), and after undergoing predetermined processing such as gamma correction, the image data is again displayed. It is written back to the memory 32.
[0022]
The luminance / color difference signal (abbreviated as YC signal) stored in the image memory 32 is read by the memory controller 30 and supplied to the VRAM 38. The data stored in the VRAM 38 is converted into a predetermined display signal (for example, an NTSC color composite video signal) by an encoder and then externally output from the video output terminal 60 via the D / A converter 42. And output to the liquid crystal display panel 15. Instead of the liquid crystal display panel 15, another display device capable of color display may be applied.
[0023]
Further, character data generated by the character generator 40 is added to the image data output from the D / A converter 42 as necessary. Thereby, an image in which character information or the like is synthesized can be displayed on the liquid crystal display panel 15.
[0024]
The image data is periodically rewritten by the imaging signal output from the CCD 24, and a video signal generated from the image data is supplied to the liquid crystal display panel 15, so that the image captured by the CCD 24 is a moving image (live image) in real time. ) Or not in real time, but is displayed on the liquid crystal display panel 15 as a substantially continuous image.
[0025]
The liquid crystal display panel 15 can be used as an electronic view finder, and the user can check the shooting angle of view with a display image on the liquid crystal display panel 15 or an optical finder (not shown). In response to a predetermined recording instruction (shooting start instruction) operation such as an operation of pressing the release button 10, capturing of image data for recording is started.
[0026]
The liquid crystal display panel 15 also has a function for indicating information on the camera state, shooting mode, and the like. For example, the battery remaining amount display, the memory card use state display, the number of shootable frames and the playback frame number are displayed. Information such as display of (file name), display indicating the presence or absence of strobe light emission, macro mode display, recording image quality (quality) display, pixel number display, and the like are displayed. In addition to the liquid crystal display panel 15, a character display unit may be provided to display information relating to the camera state, shooting mode, and the like.
[0027]
When the user inputs a shooting / recording instruction from the operation unit 14, the CPU 50 sends a command to the compression / expansion circuit 36 as necessary, whereby the compression / expansion circuit 36 converts the image data on the image memory 32 into JPEG or other predetermined data. Compress according to format. The compressed image data is recorded on the first memory card 16 or the second memory card 18 via the first media slot 17 or the second media slot 19. The compression / decompression circuit 36 is used for both still image recording and moving image recording. A still image is recorded as a JPEG file and a moving image is recorded as a motion JPEG file. The audio data is acquired by A / D converting a signal obtained from a microphone (not shown).
[0028]
When a mode for recording non-compressed image data (non-compression mode) is selected, the image data remains uncompressed without performing compression processing by the compression / decompression circuit 36 or the first memory card 16 or It is recorded on the second memory card 18.
[0029]
The digital camera 2 of the present invention has two media slots 17 and 19 as recording means for storing image data. For example, the first media slot 17 is provided with a media slot corresponding to the first memory card 16 having a recording capacity of 16 MB using SmartMedia (registered trademark) which is a card type IC card, and the second media slot 19 is compact. It is assumed that a media slot corresponding to the second memory card 18 having a recording capacity of 64 MB using flash (registered trademark) is provided.
[0030]
The form of the recording medium is not limited to the above, and various forms such as a PC card, a micro drive, a multimedia card (MMC), a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, and a memory stick are possible and used. A signal processing means and an interface corresponding to the medium to be used are applied. Further, the form of the medium to be used, the recording capacity, and the combination of the two media are not limited to the above modes.
[0031]
The digital camera 2 of the present invention automatically captures a specific image file from an image group consisting of a plurality of image files photographed in almost the same scene when photographing is performed with two memory cards 16 and 18 attached. The representative image file is selected, the unselected image file is saved as an attached image file, the representative image file is saved in the first memory card 16, and the attached image file is saved in the second memory card 18. The media selection process will be described later.
[0032]
In the reproduction mode, the image data read from the first memory card 16 or the second memory card 18 is decompressed by the compression / decompression circuit 36 and output to the liquid crystal display panel 15 via the VRAM 38 and the D / A converter 42. .
[0033]
The CPU 50 is a control unit (control means) that performs overall control of each circuit of the digital camera 2, and is connected to the memory controller 30, the ROM 52, the RAM 54, and the like via the bus 66. The ROM 52 stores a control program for the digital camera 2 and various setting data necessary for control. The CPU 50 reads information in the ROM 52 as necessary to control the camera. The RAM 54 is used as a working memory when the CPU 50 performs various arithmetic processes.
[0034]
The CPU 50 controls the operation of the corresponding circuit based on the input signal received from the operation unit 14 and also controls the display on the liquid crystal display panel 15. Further, the CPU 50 controls the zooming operation and the focus adjustment (AF) operation of the lens 6 and the automatic exposure adjustment (AE). That is, the CPU 50 performs various calculations such as a focus evaluation calculation and an AE calculation based on the imaging signal output from the CCD 24, and controls the focus lens driving motor (not shown) based on the calculation to align the focus lens. While moving to the focal position, the charge accumulation time of the CCD 24 is controlled.
[0035]
Therefore, only by directing the photographic lens 6 toward the subject, optimal exposure adjustment is performed and focusing is automatically performed. In addition to the method of controlling AE and AF based on the imaging signal acquired from the CCD 24, a well-known photometric sensor, a distance measuring sensor including an AF light projecting / receiving sensor, or the like may be used.
[0036]
The operation unit 14 comprises up / down / left / right selection keys and a center determination key, and mode selection means for switching a display mode key switch, a menu / execution switch, a camera mode such as a still image recording mode, a moving image recording mode, and a reproduction mode. , Image quality mode setting means, pixel number setting means, sharpness (outline enhancement degree) setting means, color / monochrome / sepia color setting means, and other various input means.
[0037]
These input operations are performed by displaying a setting menu or a selection item on the screen of the liquid crystal display panel 15, selecting a desired item with the selection key, and determining with the determination key. However, the operation unit 14 is not limited to the above embodiment, and an individual switch may be provided for each function in the camera body, or the operation unit 14 may be separated from the camera body as a remote control transmitter. .
[0038]
The first memory card 16 and the second memory card 18 are composed of DRAM (Dynamic RAM) that can be accessed at high speed. The photographed image data photographed by the digital camera 2 is recorded in a file structure as shown in FIG. 4, and the photographed image data photographed by the digital camera 2 and its photographing condition data are recorded as a photographed image file. These captured image files 1 to n are all stored together in a captured image folder. Each captured image file is recorded in, for example, the Exif format, which is a standard published by the Japan Electronics and Information Technology Industries Association (JEIDA).
[0039]
The Exif format is obtained by adding Exif Tag data in addition to captured image data. The captured image data is recorded in the JPEG format as described above. As the captured image data format, in addition to the JPEG format, information indicating the storage position in the file of the captured image data and the data is recorded. Alternatively, a Tiff (Taged Image File Format) format including a tag to be used may be used. Further, the Exif format includes thumbnail image data for use in index display or the like.
[0040]
Various shooting condition data created by the CPU 50 are written in the Exif Tag data. This Exif Tag data includes Exif-specific information in conformity with the Exif format standard such as shooting date, shutter speed, aperture value, exposure amount, lens F value, focal length, presence / absence of strobe light emission, and Maker Note Tag data. It is. Maker Note Tag data is an area where each camera maker can freely set information unique to the maker. In this area, for example, model data used for photographing is recorded. The format of the captured image file is not limited to the Exif format.
[0041]
In the Maker Note Tag of the representative image file, representative image information indicating that the image is a representative image and all attached image file names of the image group are written. Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the attached image data indicating that it is an attached image and the file name of the representative image representing the attached image may be written in the Maker Note Tag of the attached image. Information may be added to the Maker Note Tag of both the representative image file and the attached image file, or information may be added to only one of the Maker Note Tags. Further, whether it is a representative image or an attached image, information such as an image quality mode, a sharpness intensity at the time of shooting, and a white balance mode is separately written in the Maker Note Tag.
[0042]
The digital camera 2 of the present invention has a function of automatically selecting a representative image file from an image group and recording the representative image file and the attached image file on different media. Of course, in addition to such an automatic selection function, the user can freely select a medium to be used at the time of recording (photographing) and reproduction by operating the media selector switch of the operation unit.
[0043]
There are various methods for defining an image group. For example, a method in which a plurality of images continuously shot using the continuous shooting function are grouped into one image group, and an elapsed time after the shooting is ended using a built-in clock. A method for making a plurality of images taken within a predetermined time into one image group, and a method for making a plurality of images taken during a period from when the power is turned on until it is turned off into one image group A method of using a power save function and combining a plurality of images taken during a period from when power save is turned off to when it is turned on can be considered. In addition to the image group, it is also conceivable to use a method of using the print setting function and using the print-set image as a representative image. In the present embodiment, DPOF (Digital Print Order Format) is used as the print setting function. DPOF is a format for recording on a recording medium specified information such as frames and the number of sheets to be printed from images taken with a digital camera. By using this format, it is possible to easily print out from a digital camera. .
[0044]
Such setting of the image group defining method may be set in advance on the camera side, or may be configured so that the user can freely change the setting. Further, as a method for selecting a representative image from the image group, the shooting date data in the Exif specific information is searched from all the shooting image files in the image group, and the first image shot in the image group is selected as the representative image. However, instead of the first photographed image, the middle or last photographed image may be selected as the representative image.
[0045]
Next, the recording procedure of the representative image file and the attached image file for each of the image groups described above will be described based on a flowchart.
[0046]
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a procedure for selecting a representative image from continuously taken images. When the user performs continuous shooting using the continuous shooting function, first, the CPU 50 creates an image file by adding Exif information or the like to each shot image data, and then the medium having the larger recording capacity of the two media. The image files are sequentially recorded on the second memory card 18. Further, the CPU 50 records image group information including the number of continuous shots, the shooting date and time, the created image file name, and the like in the RAM 54.
[0047]
When the continuous shooting is finished, the CPU 50 reads image group information from the RAM 54. Thereafter, based on the read image group information, the CPU 50 selects an image file created first among all the image files in the image group as a representative image file, and sets the remaining as an attached image file. Thereafter, the representative image file is read from the second memory card 18, and the representative image information and all attached image file names are written in the Maker Note Tag of the read image file. Is moved and recorded in the first memory card 16.
[0048]
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a procedure for selecting a representative image from images taken within a predetermined time. When the user takes a picture, the CPU 50 starts counting the internal clock 56. Thereafter, the CPU 50 adds Exif information and the like to each photographed image data to create an image file, and then sequentially records the image file on the second memory card 18. Further, the image group information including the shooting date and time, the name of the created image file, and the like is recorded in the RAM 54.
[0049]
When shooting is performed after that, the CPU 50 restarts the clocking of the built-in clock 56 every time shooting is performed by the user. After that, when shooting is not performed and the time of the built-in clock 56 reaches a predetermined time, the CPU 50 finishes counting of the built-in clock 56. After the clocking is finished, the CPU 50 reads the image group information from the RAM 54, selects the image file created first in the image group based on the read image group information as a representative image file, and the rest as an attached image file. To do. Thereafter, the representative image file is read from the second memory card 18, the representative image information and all attached image file names are written in the Maker Note Tag of the read image file, and moved and recorded in the first memory card 16.
[0050]
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a procedure for selecting a representative image from images taken from when the power is turned on to when it is turned off. When the user operates the power switch 13 to turn on the power supply 58 and then take a picture, the CPU 50 creates an image file by adding Exif information or the like to each photographed image data, and then creates a second image file. The image files are sequentially recorded on the memory card 18. Further, the image group information including the shooting date and time, the name of the created image file, and the like is recorded in the RAM 54. Thereafter, every time shooting is performed, the CPU 50 repeats the same procedure.
[0051]
When the user finishes shooting and the power is turned off, the CPU 50 reads the image group information from the RAM 54, and the image file first created in the image group based on the read image group information is the representative image. Select it as a file, and let the rest be attached image files. Thereafter, the representative image file is read from the second memory card 18, the representative image information and all attached image file names are written in the Maker NoteTag of the read image file, and moved and recorded in the first memory card 16.
[0052]
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a procedure for selecting a representative image from images taken from when the power saving function is turned off to when it is turned on. When the user operates the power switch 13 or the operation unit 14, the power saving is turned off, and the photographing is enabled. Thereafter, when a photograph is taken, the CPU 50 adds Exif information or the like to each photographed image data to create an image file, and then sequentially records the image file on the second memory card 18. Further, the image group information including the shooting date and time, the name of the created image file, and the like is recorded in the RAM 54. Thereafter, every time shooting is performed, the CPU 50 repeats the same procedure.
[0053]
When the user finishes shooting and no operation is performed for a certain time, the power saving function is turned on. When the power saving function is turned on, the CPU 50 reads the image group information from the RAM 54, selects the image file created first in the image group based on the read image group information as a representative image file, The rest are attached image files. Thereafter, the representative image file is read from the second memory card 18, the representative image information and all attached image file names are written in the Maker Note Tag of the read image file, and moved and recorded in the first memory card 16.
[0054]
FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a procedure for using the DPOF-set image as a representative image. Each time the user takes a picture, the CPU 50 adds Exif information or the like to the taken image and then records the image file on the second memory card 18.
[0055]
After the shooting is finished, when the user reproduces the shot image and makes DPOF settings for the shot image, the CPU 50 creates a DPOF file and moves and records it on the first memory card 16 together with the shot image file. The captured image for which DPOF setting has not been performed is recorded on the CompactFlash (registered trademark) card 18 as it is. The DPOF file records the name of the image file to be printed, the print type, the print size, the number of prints, and the like. The DPOF setting can be manually set and changed at any time after shooting.
[0056]
FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the photographing order. In the example shown in the figure, the first photographed image in the image group is recorded on the first memory card 16 as a representative image, and the remaining images are recorded on the second memory card 18 as attached images. The file name is automatically given by the CPU 50.
[0057]
The images are recorded in descending order from the top of FIG. 11, DSCF0001 is first recorded on the first memory card 16, and then DSCF0002 to DSCF0004 are sequentially recorded on the second memory card 18. Next, DSCF0005 is recorded on the first memory card 16, and then DSCF0006 to DSCF0008 are sequentially recorded on the second memory card 18. Finally, DSCF0009 is recorded on the first memory card 16, and then DSCF0010 to DSCF0012 are sequentially recorded on the second memory card 18.
[0058]
When playing back an image file recorded on a plurality of media in this way, first, the representative image recorded on the first memory card 16 is displayed on the liquid crystal display panel 15 in a multi-screen, and the displayed representative image is displayed. When one is selected, the attached image of the selected representative image is read from the second memory card 18, and the image of the entire image group is displayed on the liquid crystal display panel 15 in a multi-screen.
[0059]
FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of a screen display during representative image reproduction. The figure shows a state in which a representative image recorded on the first memory card 16 is displayed on the liquid crystal display panel 15 in a multi-screen.
[0060]
The thumbnails (reduced images) of the representative image files are arranged and displayed in the order from the top left to the right of the screen and from the top to the bottom. In this example, thumbnails of up to 9 frames can be displayed on one screen. However, if all the frames cannot be displayed on one screen, page division is performed and the pages to be displayed are sent. The next nine frames of thumbnails can be displayed in multiple.
[0061]
FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a screen display during image group reproduction. In the figure, the attached image recorded on the second memory card 18 is also read out and displayed together with the representative image on a multi-screen.
[0062]
As with representative image playback, thumbnails (reduced images) of the image files in the image group are arranged and displayed in the order of shooting from the top left to the right and from top to bottom during image group playback. . If all the frames cannot be displayed on one screen, the next nine frames of thumbnails can be displayed in a multi-display by dividing the pages and sending the pages to be displayed.
[0063]
In this way, when performing image group playback, even if image files are recorded on separate memory cards 16 and 18, images are sorted in the order of shooting during playback and displayed simultaneously, thereby checking the images in the order of shooting. be able to.
[0064]
Further, the frame number display (or file name display) of the representative image read from the first memory card 16 is displayed in “red” characters, and the frame number display of the attached image read from the second memory card 18 is “green”. It is convenient to display at a glance which image is recorded on which media by displaying it in different colors for each media, such as by displaying the characters. Instead of or in addition to the frame number color-coded display, the border (frame line) of the image may be color-coded and displayed.
[0065]
FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing an image file selection procedure during image reproduction. When the user operates the operation unit 14 to select an image playback mode, first, the CPU 50 reads a representative image file from the first memory card 16 and displays thumbnails on the liquid crystal display panel 15 in a multi-screen.
[0066]
When reproducing the representative image without confirming the attached image, the representative image is selected by operating the center determination key after selecting the representative image with the left key or the right key of the operation unit 14. It is enlarged and played back.
[0067]
On the other hand, when checking the attached image, the user operates the left key or the right key of the operation unit 14 to select an arbitrary representative image file, and then operates the up key or the down key. When the up key or down key is operated, the CPU 50 reads the file name of the attached image from the Maker Note Tag of the selected representative image file. Thereafter, the attached image file matching the read file name is read from the second memory card 18 and the thumbnails of the entire image group are displayed on the multi-screen on the liquid crystal display panel 15 together with the thumbnails of the selected representative image file.
[0068]
Since the image files of the entire image group including the representative image are displayed as thumbnails, the user can select and reproduce any image file. Even when the attached image is reproduced, the representative image is selected with the left key or the right key of the operation unit 14, and then the center decision key is operated, so that the selected attached image is enlarged and reproduced.
[0069]
When it is desired to display thumbnails of all representative images again, when the upper key or the lower key of the operation unit 14 is operated, the CPU 50 reads all representative image files from the smart media card 16 and displays them on the liquid crystal display panel 15 again. Display thumbnails of images on multiple screens. At this time, the representative image file is searched on the basis of the attached image file name selected by the CPU 50, so that the multi-screen display can be performed with the representative image file representing the selected attached image file being selected. It may be performed.
[0070]
In this embodiment, 9-screen multi-display has been described as an example. However, images may be displayed one by one by one-frame forward (reverse).
[0071]
At the time of reproduction, the user can see the reproduced image and perform various edits. For example, desired image processing such as template image synthesis, image size change (resizing), black and white conversion, and sepia tone conversion can be performed. The CPU 50 executes image data processing based on user instructions. Furthermore, DPOF settings and representative image replacement can be performed during image reproduction.
[0072]
Since the CPU 50 automatically assigns an image file name with a serial number for each memory card, when either or one of the memory cards 16 and 18 is replaced with another memory card, the image file that the representative image file does not originally represent. May be judged as an attached image. Although a method for preventing this is not described in detail, for example, in addition to the attached image file name, management information such as the volume name of the memory card in which the attached image file is recorded may be added to the representative image file. Alternatively, the image group may be recognized by searching for Exif information such as the shooting date and time in addition to the file name.
[0073]
Although only the still image has been described in the above embodiment, the present invention can also be applied to the case of recording a moving image. As a moving image recording format, motion JPEG that lists images on each screen as independent JPEG images may be used, or MPEG (Moving Pictures Experts Group) 1, MPEG2, or other format formats may be used.
[0074]
In the above embodiment, an external recording medium (removable medium) detachably attached to the camera body is used as the recording medium. However, one or both of the recording media may be an internal memory (or built-in hard disk) built in the camera. Is possible. In this case, the image data stored in the internal memory is output to the outside via a wired or wireless communication means (interface).
[0075]
In the above embodiment, when the representative image file is automatically selected, all the image files are first recorded on one recording medium, and then the representative image file is selected and moved and recorded on another recording medium. However, the present invention is not limited to this method. For example, after a representative image file is selected, the attached image file may be moved and recorded on another recording medium.
[0076]
In the above embodiment, two recording media are used, the representative image file is recorded on a recording medium having a small recording capacity, and the attached image file is recorded on a recording medium having a large recording capacity. However, the present invention is not limited to this, Two recording media having the same recording capacity may be used, or three or more recording media may be used.
[0077]
In the above embodiment, the representative image file and all the attached image file names in the image group are added to the representative image file so that the mutual search can be easily performed, but the present invention is not limited to this, Any method may be used as long as the representative image file and the attached image file can be searched for each other.
[0078]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the digital camera of the present invention, a specific image file is automatically selected from a plurality of image files photographed in substantially the same scene using a plurality of recording media, and other image files are selected. By recording on a recording medium different from the recording medium on which the image is recorded, it is possible to easily search, reproduce, and edit an image after photographing.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a front perspective view showing an external appearance of a digital camera embodying the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view showing the appearance of a digital camera embodying the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of the digital camera.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a data structure of a captured image file that is a representative image.
FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a data structure of a captured image file that is an attached image.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a procedure for selecting a representative image from continuously taken images.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a procedure for selecting a representative image from images taken within a predetermined time.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a procedure for selecting a representative image from images taken from when the power is turned on until the power is turned off.
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a procedure for selecting a representative image from images taken from when the power saving function is turned off to when it is turned on.
FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a procedure for setting a DPOF-set image as a representative image.
FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an imaging order.
FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen display during reproduction of a representative image.
FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen display during image group reproduction.
FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating an image file selection procedure during image reproduction.
[Explanation of symbols]
2 Digital camera
14 Operation unit
15 LCD panel
16 Smart Media Card
18 Compact Flash (registered trademark) card
50 CPU
56 Built-in clock
58 Power supply

Claims (7)

In a digital camera having a plurality of recording media capable of recording image files,
A specific image file is automatically selected from an image group made up of a plurality of photographed image files photographed in accordance with preset conditions to be a representative image file, an unselected image file is an attached image file, and the representative The representative image information indicating that it is a representative image file and the names of all attached image files of the image group are added to the image file as data, and the representative image file and the attached image file are recorded on different recording media. A digital camera provided with selective recording means.   The digital camera according to claim 1, wherein the image group includes a plurality of image files photographed within a predetermined time measured by a time measuring function.   The digital camera according to claim 1, wherein the image group is composed of a plurality of image files photographed between when the power is turned on and when the power is turned off.   The digital camera according to claim 1, wherein the image group is composed of a plurality of image files that have been shot between when the power saving function is turned off and when it is turned on. Image display means for reproducing and displaying the captured image file, and reading out all the representative image files recorded from the recording medium in which the representative image file is recorded among the plurality of recording media, and displaying the image claims 1, characterized in that a representative image reproduction means for reproducing the display to the means 4 either serial mounting of the digital camera. An image selection means for selecting an arbitrary image file from a plurality of reproduced image files is selected, and when an arbitrary representative image file is selected from the representative image files reproduced and displayed on the image display means, the selected representative file is selected. The image display means reads the attached image file that matches the attached image file name stored in the image file from another recording medium, and combines the selected representative image file and the read attached image file in the shooting order. 5. Symbol mounting of the digital camera, characterized in that a group of pictures reproducing means for reproducing displayed. When an arbitrary attached image file is selected from the attached image files reproduced and displayed on the image display means and the print setting is performed, the attached image file with the print setting is a recording medium on which the representative image file is recorded. The digital camera according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the digital camera is moved and recorded .

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