JP4154554B2 - 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 capable of creating and recording print information such as the number of printed images.
[0002]
[Prior art]
At present, recording of digital images taken with a digital camera is generally performed on a recording medium (removable medium) such as a removable memory card or a magnetic disk. Images recorded on a recording medium are not only viewed on a monitor but also printed on a personal printer for home use, etc., and recently, a photographic film has been ordered by placing a print order with a laboratory. The same print service can be received.
[0003]
With the spread of digital cameras in recent years, it is expected that opportunities for printing with such personal printers and lab print services will increase. From the viewpoint of user merits under such circumstances, recently, DPOF (Digital Print Order Format) and A so-called standard has been announced.
[0004]
The DPOF standard digitizes print information for print creation such as the number of prints and trimming, and stores the print information in a recording medium together with an image file. The recording format of the image file and print information is unified. . In particular, a file for storing print information (referred to as a DPOF file but referred to as a print information file in this specification) is described in a text file format, and is recorded on a recording medium as one file different from an image file. Is stipulated.
[0005]
Recording print information along with image files on a recording medium with a digital camera or related device in accordance with such a standard means that what frame image is used when printing with a personal printer or when placing a print order with a lab print service. This is effective in that it is not necessary to specify whether to perform sheet printing or what kind of trimming to perform printing. Further, even a printer that does not have an image reproduction function can print a desired number of frame images, and there is an advantage that the printer need not have an image reproduction function.
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, when operating the DPOF standard, print information is not added to an image file, but is recorded as a print information file that is separate from the image file in a text file format. Can be deleted independently of each other. For this reason, if the image file can be freely deleted, the image file is inadvertently deleted, and there is no image file (one or more prints specified) in the print information. A situation may occur.
[0007]
As a method for preventing such a situation, when deleting an image file, it is conceivable to simultaneously correct the print information. However, with this method, it is necessary to check and correct the contents of the print information every time an image file is deleted. This causes a drawback in that the processing in the digital camera is burdened and the operation is slow.
[0008]
As another method, whether or not printing is specified is entered in the tag information of the image file, and when deleting the image file, processing is performed without referring to the print information by referring to the tag information. Is also possible. However, this method is not effective for a camera that does not regulate the operation of tag information, and print information is also included in an image file in addition to the print information file. There is a disadvantage that there is a lot of waste.
[0009]
On the other hand, when print designation can be performed with a digital camera as described above, if print designation can be performed only for each frame, there is a problem that it is troublesome to designate print for all frames. In particular, as with simultaneous printing on a photographic film, it is considered that there are many users who want to print one image at a time for every frame. Therefore, it is necessary to enable a digital camera to easily perform the same service as simultaneous printing. is there.
[0010]
The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances. When the DPOF standard is used in a digital camera, the deletion of an image file designated for printing is appropriately prevented without deteriorating the original convenience of the DPOF standard. Another object of the present invention is to provide a digital camera capable of suitably setting print designation on the digital camera.
[0011]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, according to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a digital camera for recording an image of each frame imaged by an imaging unit as an image file on a recording medium when printing the image recorded on the recording medium. Print information creation means for creating print information for each frame to be referred to, and print information recording means for recording print information of each frame created by the print information creation means on the recording medium as one print information file; In the print information created by the print information creating means, at least one or more prints are designated by the information on the number of prints of each frame. Regardless of whether printing of the designated frame is finished or not, Read-only file attributes that can only be read from normal file attributes that can be deleted / changed Automatically And an attribute changing means for changing.
[0012]
According to the present invention, since an image file of a frame designated for printing is automatically changed to a read-only file attribute, it is possible to reliably prevent an accidental deletion of an image file of a frame designated for printing. Will be able to.
[0017]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of a digital camera according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0018]
1 to 3 are a front view, a plan view, and a rear view showing the appearance of a digital camera according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, a photographing lens 12, a finder window 14, a strobe 16, a strobe light control sensor 18, and the like are provided on the front of the digital camera 10. A CCD (imaging device) (not shown) is disposed behind the photographing lens 12.
[0019]
As shown in FIG. 2, a release button 22 and a power switch 24 are provided on the upper surface of the digital camera 10. The release button 22 is configured in a two-stage manner, and the automatic focusing (AF) and automatic exposure control (AE) are activated in a “half-pressed” state in which the release button 22 is lightly pressed and stopped to lock AF and AE. Shooting is performed in the state of “full press”, which is further pressed from “half press”.
[0020]
As shown in FIG. 3, a character display liquid crystal display panel 26, a liquid crystal monitor 28, a mode switch 30, a cross cursor button (up / down key and left / right key) 32, and a viewfinder 34 are provided on the back of the digital camera 10. Etc. are provided.
[0021]
The character display liquid crystal display panel 26 displays information related to the camera status, shooting mode, and the like. For example, a battery check display, a display of the number of frames that can be shot and a playback frame number, presence / absence of flash emission, macro mode Information such as display, recording image quality (quality) display, and pixel number display are displayed.
[0022]
A strobe button 36 and a macro button 38 are arranged on the side of the character display liquid crystal display panel 26. The strobe button 36 is a setting button for causing the strobe to emit light or prohibiting light emission in accordance with a shooting situation. Reference numeral 38 denotes a button for setting a short distance (macro) shooting mode.
[0023]
The liquid crystal monitor 28 displays an image photographed via a CCD, a reproduced image read from a memory card (smart media) loaded in the camera, and print information setting to be described later. 28. A shift button 40, a display button 42, a cancel button 44, and a menu / execution button 46 are arranged on the upper part of the liquid crystal monitor 28.
[0024]
The mode switch 30 and the cross cursor button 32 are formed of a central button member and a ring member disposed on the outer periphery thereof, and the outer peripheral mode switch 30 is rotatable in both the clockwise and counterclockwise directions. ing.
[0025]
The mode switch 30 changes the function (mode) of the camera. By rotating the mode switch 30, for example, a shooting mode for shooting, a playback mode for playing back the shot image and making various settings, etc. The mode can be selected.
[0026]
The cross cursor button 32 tilts the cross cursor button 32 by pressing one of the upper, lower, left and right edges, and can input instructions in the corresponding four directions (up, down, right, left). Used as an operation button to select various setting items in the setting of the mode, etc., and to instruct the change of the setting contents, and as a means to instruct an electronic zoom magnification adjustment, an instruction to move the zoom center, and a playback frame return / return Used.
[0027]
Although not shown in the drawing, a holder for mounting a memory card is provided on one side of the digital camera 10. For example, smart media is used as the type of memory card. The recording medium is not limited to this, and may be other types such as a PC card, a flash memory card, an IC card, a floppy disk, and a magneto-optical disk (MO).
[0028]
The memory card stores images photographed by the CCD. In the digital camera 10, the image data of each frame photographed by the CCD is converted into an image according to the recording format of the DPOF (Digital Print Order Format) standard. In addition to recording as a file, the print information of each frame image is recorded as a print information file (DPOF file). The print information is referred to when an image recorded on the memory card is printed. For example, information on the number of prints, trimming, and the like can be recorded. The print information of each frame is a text file in one print information file. It is to be described in the format. In this embodiment, it is assumed that the number of prints can be set as print information.
[0029]
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the digital camera 10. The digital camera 10 mainly includes a photographic lens 12, an aperture 50, a solid-state imaging device (CCD) 52, an analog signal processing circuit 54, a digital signal processing circuit 58, a memory (DRAM) 60, a compression / decompression circuit 62, a memory card 64, a liquid crystal. A monitor 28, a central processing unit (CPU) 66, and the like are included.
[0030]
The CPU 66 generally controls each circuit based on signal inputs from the switches 68 such as the release button 22, the mode switch 30, and the cross cursor button 32. Now, when the power switch 24 is turned on, the CPU 66 sends a command to the power control circuit 70 and supplies power to each part of the camera from the primary battery or the secondary battery 72 via the power control circuit 70, and each circuit can be operated. To.
[0031]
Here, when the mode switch 30 is operated to set the camera to the shooting mode and the release button 22 is pressed, the CPU 66 detects this and sends a command to the control circuit 74. The control circuit 74 performs focus control by driving the photographing lens driving unit 76 with the power supplied from the power control circuit 70, and performs exposure control by controlling the charge accumulation time in the aperture 50 and the CCD 52. The photographing lens 12 can be zoomed by a zoom command.
[0032]
The subject light incident on the light receiving surface of the CCD 52 through the photographing lens 12 and the diaphragm 50 is converted into a signal charge in an amount corresponding to the amount of light incident on each sensor of the CCD 52, and this signal charge is based on a clock pulse. Are sequentially read out as voltage signals (image signals) corresponding to the signal charges. The image signal output from the CCD 52 is added to the analog signal processing circuit 54. The analog signal processing circuit 54 has a CDS clamp, a gain control amplifier, and the like, where sampling of an image signal, white balance adjustment, and the like are performed. The image signal processed by the analog signal processing circuit 54 is converted into an R, G, B digital signal by the A / D converter 56 and applied to the digital signal processing circuit 58.
[0033]
The digital signal processing circuit 58 includes a gamma correction circuit, a YC signal generation circuit, etc., and gamma correction of the R, G, B digital signals, YC signals of the R, G, B signals (luminance signal Y and chroma signal C). The YC signal is stored in the memory 60 via the bus. The YC signal stored in the memory 60 is transferred to the compression / expansion circuit 62 via the bus, compressed into a predetermined format by the compression / expansion circuit 62, and then recorded on the memory card 64 that is detachable from the camera. Note that the image data of each frame is recorded in the memory card 64 as an image file.
[0034]
Further, the YC signal generated by the digital signal processing circuit 58 is externally output from the video output terminal via the D / A converter 78 and also output to the liquid crystal monitor 28 installed on the back surface of the digital camera 10. Thereby, the image captured by the CCD 52 is displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 28 in the photographing mode. In the playback mode, the image recorded on the memory card 64 is decompressed by the compression / decompression circuit 62 and then output to the liquid crystal monitor 28 so that the playback image is displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 28.
[0035]
Next, operations and processing when the mode of the digital camera 10 is set to the reproduction mode by the mode switch 30 will be described. In the digital camera 10, the number of prints at the time of printing can be set as print information for the image file of each frame recorded on the memory card 64 as described above, and the print information is stored in the memory together with the image file. The data can be recorded on the card 64. Such creation of print information (number of prints) is performed in accordance with the DPOF standard described above, and print information relating to each frame is described in a text format in one print information file different from the image file. Hereinafter, operations and processes related to creation of print information will be described.
[0036]
First, when the mode switch 30 is set to the playback mode, a playback image of the last shot frame is displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 28. Here, when the menu / execution button 46 (hereinafter simply referred to as the execution button 46) is pressed, a reproduction menu screen as shown in FIG. In the figure, the display content of the reproduced image is omitted (the same applies hereinafter). In the lower column of the playback menu screen, icons for selecting various menus are displayed. When the cursor button 32 is operated to move the cursor to the rightmost icon and the execute button 46 is pressed, the print designation mode is set, and FIG. A print menu screen as shown in A) is displayed.
[0037]
On the print menu screen, print designation related items such as “frame setting”, “confirmation / cancellation”, “all frame setting”, and “all frame cancellation” are displayed. Here, the print designation related mode can be entered by operating the cross cursor button 32 and selecting any print designation related item.
[0038]
First, a case where “frame setting” is selected will be described. When “Frame setting” is selected, the mode transits to a single-frame print designation mode. In this mode, while the mode is selected, the print of the frame being reproduced on the liquid crystal monitor 28 and the number of prints thereof are designated. The liquid crystal monitor 28 is superimposed on the reproduced image of the frame being reproduced. A number setting screen as shown in FIG. 6 (B) is displayed. The number in the rectangular frame displayed at the center of this screen indicates the number of prints of the frame currently being reproduced on the liquid crystal monitor 28. The number of prints is increased or decreased by the designation operation in the vertical direction of the cross cursor button 32. Can be made. Here, if it is set to 0, the print designation is canceled, and if it is set to 1 or more, the print designation for the number of sheets is set (see FIG. 6C). When the execution button 46 is pressed after setting the number of prints, the number of prints of the frame being played back is confirmed, and after a confirmation screen as shown in FIG. 6D is displayed for a few seconds, the print menu shown in FIG. Return to the screen.
[0039]
On the other hand, if the cancel button 44 is pressed before the number of prints is confirmed, the setting contents of the number setting screen at this time are canceled and the original setting of the number of prints is maintained, and the print menu screen of FIG. Return.
[0040]
Note that the frames to be reproduced on the liquid crystal monitor 28 can be switched by a designation operation in the left-right direction of the cross cursor button 32, and printing of each frame can be designated by switching the frames to be reproduced and executing the above-described operation. it can. Further, by pressing the display button 42, the display on the liquid crystal monitor 28 can be switched between a single frame display and a multi-display in which a plurality of frames are displayed at the same time. In this case, a frame to be designated for printing is selected by operating the cross cursor button 32. The selected frame can be easily confirmed because, for example, the selected frame is distinguished from other frames by a thick frame.
[0041]
When the number of prints of the playback frame is determined by the above operation, the CPU 66 additionally edits the print designation and the number of prints in the print information file, and records the print information file in the memory card 64.
[0042]
Further, the CPU 66 automatically changes the frame for which one or more prints are designated, that is, the image file of the designated frame for printing to a read-only file attribute in which deletion / change is prohibited. This prevents the image file of the frame designated for printing from being deleted in advance. The attribute of each image file is recorded in a predetermined management area of the memory card. Further, the image file can be deleted by selecting the icon at the left end on the reproduction menu screen of FIG.
[0043]
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the above-described single-frame print designation operation and processing procedure. When “frame setting” is selected on the print menu screen in FIG. 6A and single-frame print designation is started, the CPU 66 displays the number selection screen shown in FIG. 6B on the liquid crystal monitor 28. Here, first, the user looks at the reproduced image of the frame currently reproduced on the liquid crystal monitor 28, and selects whether or not to designate print of the reproduced frame (step S10). In the case of NO, it is selected whether or not to change the playback frame (step S12). Subsequently, in the case of NO, that is, when the print designation is not performed, the cancel button 44 is pressed to select the mode for designating one frame print. End.
[0044]
On the other hand, if YES in step S12, that is, if the playback frame is to be changed, the playback frame is advanced by one frame (step S14) by the designation operation in the left-right direction of the cross cursor button 32, and the operations of steps S10 to S14 are performed. Repeatedly, the reproduced image of the desired frame is displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 28.
[0045]
If the result of the above operation is YES in step S10, the number of prints is set by increasing or decreasing the number of prints by the designation operation in the vertical direction of the cross cursor button 32 (step S16). Then, it is determined whether or not the number of printed sheets has become a desired number of printed sheets (step S18). If NO, the processes in steps S16 and S18 are repeated until the desired number of sheets is reached. When the desired number of sheets is reached, the user presses the execute button 46 to determine the number of prints.
[0046]
When the number of prints of the playback frame is determined in this way, the CPU 66 additionally edits the determined number of prints for the playback frame in the print information file and records the print information file on the memory card 64 (step S20).
[0047]
The CPU 66 confirms the attribute of the image file of the frame designated for printing with the attribute data of the management area of the memory card 64 (step S22). If the file attribute can be deleted / changed (ordinary file attribute) ), The image file is changed to a file attribute for which deletion / change is prohibited, that is, a read-only file attribute (step S24). If the image file originally has a read-only file attribute, the attribute is not changed. The file attribute can be arbitrarily changed by the user under a certain condition by a protect mode described later.
[0048]
When the above operations and processes are completed, the CPU 66 displays the confirmation screen shown in FIG. 6D on the liquid crystal monitor 28 for several seconds, and then displays the print menu screen shown in FIG. Terminate.
[0049]
Next, a case where “all frame setting” is selected on the print menu screen in FIG. 6A will be described. When “all frame setting” is selected, the mode changes to the all frame print designation mode. In this mode, prints are designated one by one for all frames recorded in the memory card 64 being played back. By performing this print designation, a print service similar to that for simultaneous printing on a photographic film is performed. Can be easily received.
[0050]
When the mode is changed to the all frame print designation mode, a setting screen as shown in FIG. In this case, it is simply specified whether to set or cancel the print of all frames. When the execute button 46 is pressed on this setting screen, the print specification of all frames is confirmed, as shown in FIG. 8B. After a simple confirmation screen is displayed for a few seconds, the screen returns to the print menu screen of FIG. On the other hand, when the cancel button 44 is pressed on the setting screen of FIG.
[0051]
When the print designation for all the frames is confirmed by the above operation, the CPU 66 invalidates the print number of each frame recorded so far in the print information file, and designates one print designation for all the frames. Edit and add to the print information file. The print information file is recorded on the memory card 64. Further, the CPU 66 changes the image files of all frames to read-only files and prohibits deletion of all image files.
[0052]
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the above operations and processing procedures. When “all frame setting” is selected on the menu screen of FIG. 6A and all frame print designation is started, the CPU 66 displays the setting screen of FIG. 8A on the liquid crystal monitor 28. In this setting screen, the user selects whether or not to print all frames (step S30). In the case of NO, the cancel button 44 is pressed to end the all frame print designation.
[0053]
On the other hand, in the case of YES, the execution button 46 is pushed. As a result, the CPU 66 starts searching for the image files of all frames recorded on the memory card 64 (step S32), and appends the print information file so that printing is designated with one print in the order of the searched image files. Edit (step S34).
[0054]
Further, the CPU 66 confirms the attribute of the image file being searched with the attribute data of the management area of the memory card 64 (step S36). If it is a normal file attribute, the image file is read-only file. The attribute is changed (step S38). On the other hand, if YES, there is no problem, and the process proceeds to the next process.
[0055]
Next, the CPU 66 determines whether there is an image file of a frame not designated for printing (step S40). If YES, the CPU 66 searches for an image file of a frame not designated for printing (step S42). ), The process from step S34 is repeatedly executed. As a result, if NO is determined in step S40, the CPU 66 records the created print information file on the memory card 64 and displays the confirmation screen of FIG. 8B on the liquid crystal monitor 28 for a few seconds. The print menu screen of A) is displayed again, and all frame print designation is completed.
[0056]
As described above, one print is designated for all the frames.
[0057]
Here, another embodiment regarding the above-mentioned all frame print designation will be described. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a second embodiment of all frame print designation. The all-frame print designation shown here is to designate one print at a time for frames that are not designated for printing. When “all frame setting” is selected on the menu screen of FIG. 6A and all frame print designation is started, the CPU 66 displays the setting screen of FIG. 8A on the liquid crystal monitor 28. On this setting screen, the user selects whether or not to print all frames (step S50). In the case of NO, the cancel button 44 is pressed to end the all frame print designation.
[0058]
On the other hand, in the case of YES, the execution button 46 is pushed. As a result, the CPU 66 searches the image files of all the frames recorded in the memory card 64 that are not designated for printing (step S52), and designates the retrieved image files to be printed with one print number. Thus, the print information file is additionally edited (step S54).
[0059]
Further, the CPU 66 confirms the attribute of the image file being searched with the attribute data of the management area of the memory card 64 (step S56). If it is a normal file attribute, the image file is read-only file. The attribute is changed (step S58). On the other hand, if YES, there is no problem, and the process proceeds to the next process.
[0060]
Next, the CPU 66 determines whether or not there is an image file not designated for printing (step S60). In the case of YES, the process from step S52 is repeatedly executed. Thus, if NO is determined in step S60, the CPU 66 records the created print information file on the memory card 64 and displays the confirmation screen of FIG. The print menu screen of A) is displayed again, and all frame print designation is completed.
[0061]
As described above, it is possible to change the number of prints for a frame that has already been designated for printing, without changing the number of prints, and for a frame that has not been designated for printing, at once.
[0062]
FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a third embodiment of all-frame print designation. The all-frame print designation shown here is to increase the number of prints of all frames one by one. When “all frame setting” is selected on the menu screen of FIG. 6A and all frame print designation is started, the CPU 66 displays the setting screen of FIG. 8A on the liquid crystal monitor 28. In this setting screen, the user selects whether or not to print all frames (step S70). In the case of NO, the cancel button 44 is pressed to end the all frame print designation.
[0063]
On the other hand, in the case of YES, the execution button 46 is pushed. As a result, the CPU 66 starts searching for the image files of all frames recorded on the memory card 64 (step S72), and the number of prints obtained by adding one to the current number of prints in the order of the searched image files is new. The print information file is additionally edited so that the number of prints is reached (step S74).
[0064]
Further, the CPU 66 confirms the attribute of the image file being searched with the attribute data of the management area of the memory card 64 (step S76). If it is a normal file attribute, the image file is read-only file. The attribute is changed (step S78). On the other hand, if it is YES, there is no problem, and the process proceeds to the next process.
[0065]
Next, the CPU 66 determines whether or not there is an image file of a frame not designated for printing (step S80). If YES, the CPU 66 searches for an image file of a frame not designated for printing (step S82). ), The process from step S74 is repeatedly executed. Accordingly, if NO is determined in step S80, the CPU 66 records the created print information file on the memory card 64 and displays the confirmation screen of FIG. 8B on the liquid crystal monitor 28 for a few seconds. ) Display the print menu screen again, and finish specifying all-frame printing.
[0066]
As described above, the number of prints of all frames can be added at once.
[0067]
In the above-described all frame print designation method, the number of prints is set for all the frames recorded on the memory card 64 at the same time. A plurality of frames may be selected in advance on a multi-screen or the like, and print designation may be performed for only selected frames at once.
[0068]
Next, a case where “confirm / cancel” is selected on the menu screen of FIG. 6A will be described. When “Confirm / Release” is selected, the mode is shifted to the print one frame cancel mode. In this mode, the image file of the frame designated for printing is reproduced or the print designation is canceled, and the liquid crystal monitor 28 is overlapped with a predetermined reproduction image designated for printing, as shown in FIG. In this way, the characters “OK?” For confirming whether or not to cancel the print designation of the display image are displayed.
[0069]
The frame image reproduced on the LCD monitor 28 can be switched to an image of another frame that has been designated for printing by the designation operation in the left-right direction of the cross cursor button 32, and the print designation can be performed by this operation. A frame to be canceled can be selected, and only this operation can be performed to confirm an image of a frame designated for printing.
[0070]
By turning on the display button 42, the image of the frame designated for printing can be switched to the multi-display. On this multi-display screen, the outline of the frame to be deleted is displayed with a thick frame.
[0071]
As described above, the user confirms the image of the frame that has been designated for printing by the designation operation in the horizontal direction of the cross cursor button 32 as described above, and when the image for which the print designation is to be canceled is displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 28, When the image is displayed, the execution button 46 is pressed. As a result, the print designation of the frame is canceled. After the execution button 46 is pressed, a confirmation screen as shown in FIG. 12B is displayed for a few seconds, and then the menu display screen shown in FIG. 6A is restored. If the cancel button 44 is pressed before the execution button 46 is pressed on the display screen of FIG. 12A, the screen returns to the menu display screen of FIG.
[0072]
When the print designation is canceled by the above-described operation, the CPU 66 additionally writes and edits a print information file so that the number of prints becomes zero, and records the print information file in the memory card 64.
[0073]
Next, the case where “all frame cancellation” is selected on the menu screen of FIG. 6A will be described. When “Release all frames” is selected, the mode changes to a mode for canceling all-frame print designation. In this mode, the print designation for all frames is canceled at once, and the liquid crystal monitor 28 confirms whether or not the print designation for all frames can be canceled as shown in FIG. "OK?" Is displayed.
[0074]
The user presses the execution button 46 when canceling printing of all frames. As a result, the print designation for all the frames is canceled, and after a confirmation screen as shown in FIG. 13B is displayed, the screen returns to the menu display screen in FIG. If the cancel button 44 is pressed before the execute button 46 is pressed, the setting is invalidated and the menu screen shown in FIG. 11A is restored.
[0075]
When the print designation is canceled by the above-described operation, the CPU 66 edits the print information file so that the number of prints of all frames is 0, and records the print information file in the memory card 64.
[0076]
Next, a case where the “protect” icon is selected on the reproduction menu screen shown in FIG. 5 will be described. When the “protect” icon is selected on the playback menu screen, the protect mode is set, and a protect menu screen as shown in FIG. 14A is displayed. The protected mode is for changing the image file attribute to a normal file attribute that can be deleted / changed and a read-only file attribute that cannot be deleted / changed. A protected image file is read-only. An image file whose file attribute is set and the protection is canceled is set as a normal file.
[0077]
On the protect menu screen, as shown in FIG. 14A, related items such as “one frame setting”, “all frame protection”, and “all frame release” are displayed. Here, by operating the cross cursor button 32 and selecting any related item, the related item is executed.
[0078]
First, a case where “one frame setting” is selected will be described. When “one frame setting” is selected with the cross cursor button 32 on the protect menu screen and the execution button 46 is pressed, the protection state of the frame reproduced on the liquid crystal monitor 28 is changed. That is, each time the execution button 46 is pressed, the protection and the protection cancellation are toggled. When the execution button 46 is pressed, a confirmation screen as shown in FIG. 14B is displayed.
[0079]
The frame to be protected or unprotected can be switched by displaying a desired frame on the liquid crystal monitor 28 by the designation operation in the left and right direction of the cross cursor button 32 in the same manner as in the case of the print designation. Therefore, protection and cancellation of protection can be set for each frame.
[0080]
Here, when an attempt is made to cancel protection for a frame designated for printing in the above-described print information file, a warning is displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 28, and the protection cancellation is prohibited. As a result, the deletion of the image file of the frame designated for printing in the print information file is prevented, and the problem that the image file of the frame designated for printing does not exist is prevented.
[0081]
A flowchart showing the operation and processing procedure at this time is shown in FIG. In the protect menu screen shown in FIG. 14, the user selects whether or not to set (change) the protection of the frame currently reproduced on the liquid crystal monitor 28 (step S90). “Frame setting” is selected and the execution button 46 is pressed. If not changed, the process is terminated without pressing the execution button 46.
[0082]
When the execute button 46 is pressed, the CPU 66 refers to the print information file recorded on the memory card 64 and confirms whether or not the frame reproduced on the liquid crystal monitor 28 is designated for printing (step S92). . If printing is not designated, the image file of the frame is changed from the current file attribute (step S94). That is, if it is a normal file attribute, it is changed to a read-only file attribute. If it is currently a read-only file attribute, it is changed to a normal file attribute.
[0083]
On the other hand, if the playback frame is designated for printing, the change of the file attribute, that is, the change to the normal file attribute is prohibited, and a warning is displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 28 (step S96).
[0084]
When the above processing is completed, the screen returns to the protect menu screen in FIG.
[0085]
As a result, unprotection of the image file designated for printing is prohibited, and problems such as inadvertently erasing the image file designated for printing are surely prevented.
[0086]
Next, a case where an item other than “one frame setting” on the protect menu screen shown in FIG. 14A is selected will be described. First, when “all frame protection” is selected and the execute button 46 is pressed, an all frame protection confirmation screen is displayed as shown in FIG. When the execute button 46 is pressed here, the image files of all frames are collectively changed to read-only file attributes, and the screen returns to the protect menu screen of FIG. On the other hand, when the cancel button 44 is pressed, the file attribute is not changed and the screen returns to the protect menu screen of FIG.
[0087]
On the other hand, when “release all frames” is selected and the execute button 46 is pressed, an all frame release confirmation screen is displayed as shown in FIG. When the execute button 46 is pressed here, the CPU 66 refers to the print information file recorded on the memory card 64 and confirms whether any frame is designated for printing. If no frame is designated for printing, the image files of all frames are changed to normal file attributes, and the screen returns to the protect menu screen in FIG. On the other hand, if any frame is designated to be printed, a warning is displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 28 to prohibit the change of the file attribute, and the screen returns to the protect menu screen of FIG. This prevents the image file of the frame designated for printing from being deleted. Note that only the protection of frames that are not designated for printing may be canceled. When the cancel button 44 is pressed on the all-frame cancellation confirmation screen in FIG. 17, the protection cancellation is stopped and the screen returns to the protection menu screen in FIG.
[0088]
As described above, by prohibiting the image file of the frame designated for printing from being unprotected, it is possible to prevent a problem that the image file designated for printing is deleted.
[0089]
As described above, in the above embodiment, when the print designation of a frame once designated for printing is later released, the image file of that frame is maintained in a protected state. However, the protection may be canceled at the same time when the print designation is canceled. Alternatively, when the print designation is canceled, the user may select whether to cancel the protection.
[0090]
In the above embodiment, the image file of the frame designated for printing is automatically protected. However, the image file of the protected frame is automatically designated for printing. Also good.
[0091]
In the above embodiment, in the case of all-frame printing designation, one sheet is designated for each frame. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the number of prints can be arbitrarily set. Also good.
[0092]
In the above embodiment, only the number of prints is set as the information of the print information file. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and other information defined by the DPOF standard such as trimming can also be set. Good.
[0093]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, since an image file of a frame designated for printing is automatically changed to a read-only file attribute, it is possible to reliably prevent an accidental deletion of an image file of a frame designated for printing. It is possible to prevent inconvenience that the image file does not exist even though printing is designated.
[0094]
In addition, since all the frames can be designated at once, the operation for designating all the frames becomes easy, and the setting for receiving the same service as the simultaneous printing in the photographic film becomes easy.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a front view showing an appearance of a digital camera according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a plan view showing an appearance of a digital camera according to the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a rear view showing an appearance of a digital camera according to the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a digital camera according to the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a playback menu screen.
FIGS. 6A, 6B, 6C, and 6D respectively show a print menu screen, a print number setting screen for specifying one-frame printing, a print number setting screen after changing the print number, and FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a confirmation screen after the number of prints is confirmed.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a single-frame print designation operation and processing procedure.
FIGS. 8A and 8B are a print number setting screen for specifying all-frame printing, and a confirmation screen after the print number is determined, respectively.
FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an operation and processing procedure for specifying all-frame printing.
FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a second embodiment of an all-frame print designation operation and processing procedure;
FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a third embodiment of an all-frame print designation operation and processing procedure;
FIGS. 12A and 12B are diagrams showing a display screen when executing confirmation / cancellation of print designation and a confirmation screen after execution of canceling print designation, respectively.
FIGS. 13A and 13B are diagrams showing a display screen in the all-frame print designation cancellation mode and a confirmation screen after execution of all-frame print designation cancellation, respectively.
FIGS. 14A and 14B are diagrams showing a protection menu screen and a confirmation screen after execution of one frame setting for protection, respectively.
FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing an operation and processing procedure for setting one frame for protection;
FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a confirmation screen for all-frame protection.
FIG. 17 is a confirmation screen after execution of all frames for protection is canceled.
[Explanation of symbols]
28 ... Liquid crystal monitor, 30 ... Mode switch, 32 ... Cross cursor button, 42 ... Display button, 44 ... Cancel button, 46 ... Menu / execution button, 52 ... Solid-state image sensor (CCD), 54 ... Analog signal processing circuit, 58 Digital signal processing circuit 60 Memory (DRAM) 62 Compression / decompression circuit 64 Memory card 66 Central processing unit (CPU)

Claims (7)

In a digital camera that records an image of each frame imaged by an imaging means on a recording medium as an image file,
Print information creating means for creating print information for each frame referred to when printing an image recorded on the recording medium;
Print information recording means for recording the print information of each frame created by the print information creation means on the recording medium as one print information file;
Among the print information created by the print information creation means, at least one or more prints are designated by the information on the number of prints of each frame, so that the image file of the designated frame is designated as the print designation. Regardless of whether or not frame printing is finished, an attribute changing means for automatically changing from a normal file attribute that can be deleted / changed to a read-only file attribute that can be read only;
A digital camera characterized by comprising Attribute setting means that can arbitrarily set the image file of each frame recorded on the recording medium to a normal file attribute or a read-only file attribute,
2. The digital camera according to claim 1, wherein an image file of a frame designated for printing by print information recorded on the recording medium cannot be changed to a normal file attribute by the attribute setting means.   2. The digital image according to claim 1, wherein when the print designation is canceled for the frame designated by the print information recorded on the recording medium, the image file of the frame is changed to a normal file attribute. camera.   2. The image file of the frame is not changed to a normal file attribute even when the print designation is canceled for the frame designated by the print information recorded on the recording medium. Digital camera.   When print designation is canceled for a frame designated by the print information recorded on the recording medium, it is possible to select whether or not to change the image file of the frame to a normal file attribute. The digital camera according to claim 1.   When an image file of a frame designated for printing by the print information recorded on the recording medium is to be changed to the normal file attribute by the attribute setting means, the change to the normal file attribute is prohibited and the normal file attribute is changed. 3. The digital camera according to claim 2, wherein a warning that the file attribute cannot be changed is issued. Attribute setting means that can arbitrarily set the image file of each frame recorded on the recording medium to a normal file attribute or a read-only file attribute,
Based on the print information file recorded on the recording medium by the print information recording means, whether the image file of the frame selected to change the file attribute by the attribute setting means is an image file designated for printing. If it is determined that the image file of the selected frame is an image file of a frame that has not been designated for printing, the attribute setting means changes the file attribute, 2. The digital camera according to claim 1, wherein when it is determined that the image file is an image file of a frame for which printing is designated, change of the file attribute by the attribute setting unit is prohibited.

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