JP4447506B2 - Imaging apparatus and control method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus and a control method. In particular, the present invention relates to an imaging apparatus and a control method for outputting a captured original image and other control information to be recorded on a recording medium.

  In recent years, since digital cameras and large-capacity recording media can be obtained relatively inexpensively, it has become common to capture and manage a large number of images not only for business purposes but also for personal use. In order to make it possible to view a large number of images as an easy-to-view album, conventionally, the images themselves are classified into groups, rearranged in an order that allows easy viewing of images, and trimmed or rotated on the images themselves. Is converted and recorded on a recording medium. As an example, in order to browse images in a specified order, moving image data that sequentially displays images in the specified order, for example, moving picture data that conforms to the Video CD standard, is recorded on a recording medium. Thus, images can be browsed in a specified order by a general playback device compliant with VideoCD without using special software dedicated to image browsing.

As a reference technique, in a conventional system for recording an original image and a display image with a reduced resolution of the original image for display, the processing contents of the processing performed on the original image are displayed as the display image. A technique for recording in a management area in a file to be stored has been proposed (see Patent Document 1). According to this technique, the processed original image can be captured from the display image without reading the processed original image from the recording device. In addition, a system has been proposed in which an original image is stored in a server device, and a display image corresponding to the original image is displayed and edited on a client device (see Patent Document 2). In this system, the client device transmits only the content of the editing operation for the original image to the server device, and does not transmit the image data itself. Thereby, the communication amount can be reduced.
JP 2001-297320 A JP-A-10-313399

  However, in order to change the moving image data conforming to the Video CD standard or the like, the entire moving image data must be rewritten even if the change is for only one still image. For this reason, much processing time is required for image editing and rearrangement. Also, in write-once media such as CD-R and DVD-/ + R, once recorded data cannot be changed, new data is added after invalidating already recorded data. Thus, the same effect as the change can be obtained. For this reason, when the above moving image data is recorded on such a medium, if the moving image data is changed, the remaining capacity of the medium is greatly reduced even if the change is slight. Also, even with the above-mentioned reference technique, when editing an original image, the original image data itself must be changed, so that it is possible to realize a plurality of digital albums that display the same image in various ways of display. Can not.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides an imaging apparatus and a control method that can solve the above-described problems. This object is achieved by a combination of features described in the independent claims. The dependent claims define further advantageous specific examples of the present invention.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, in the first embodiment of the present invention, each of a plurality of captured original images and an album information file in which the order in which the plurality of original images are displayed by the playback device are recorded separately. An imaging device that records a file on a recording medium as an image capturing unit that captures an object and generates an original image, an input unit that inputs a display order for displaying a plurality of original images, and an input unit Imaging apparatus comprising: a file recording unit that records the displayed display order as an album information file; and an image output unit that outputs a set of an original image and an album information file in response to an output request for the original image and records the set on a recording medium I will provide a.

In addition, the recording medium conforms to the Picture Archive And Sharing System standard in which each of a plurality of original images and an album information file is recorded on the recording medium as separate files, and the image output unit includes the original image and the album An information file may be output and recorded on a recording medium in a format compliant with the Picture Archive And Sharing System standard.
In addition, the file recording unit may record an album information file indicating the display order of the original images after the rearrangement in response to the input unit inputting the rearrangement operation of the original images.

The file recording unit records an album information file including a path to the original image selected by the selection operation in response to the input unit inputting the selection operation of the original image, and the image output unit A plurality of original images including a selected original image and an unselected original image, and an album information file in which the display order of the selected original image is recorded may be output for recording on a recording medium.
In addition, an image conversion unit that converts an original image based on an input operation in response to the input unit inputting a trimming operation or a rotation operation, and the image output unit converts the original image converted by the image conversion unit. An image may be output.
The image output unit further includes a file generation unit that generates each of a plurality of album information files, which records that the original images included in the group are sequentially displayed for each group into which the original images are classified. A plurality of album information files and a plurality of images generated by the unit may be output.

Further, for each of a plurality of original images, a display image generation unit that generates a display image obtained by converting the original image to a lower resolution, and a display image that displays the display image generated by the display image generation unit When an image display unit and one display image displayed by the display image display unit are designated and an editing operation is input by the input unit, the one display image is converted to a display image display unit. A display image conversion unit to be displayed on the file recording unit, and the file recording unit may record the editing operation input by the input unit in the album information file as an editing operation on the original image corresponding to the one display image. Good.
The image output unit outputs other original images from which the original images already recorded on the recording medium are excluded from the original images to be output based on the output request, and outputs the original images to be output based on the output request. Of these, the path to the original image already recorded on the recording medium may be included in the album information file and output.

In the second embodiment of the present invention, each of a plurality of captured original images and an album information file in which the order in which the plurality of original images are displayed by the playback device are recorded as separate files on a recording medium. A method for controlling an apparatus, comprising: imaging a subject to generate an original image; inputting a display order for displaying a plurality of original images from a user; and recording the input display order as an album information file And a step of outputting a set of an original image and an album information file in response to an output request for the original image and recording the set on a recording medium.
The above summary of the invention does not enumerate all the necessary features of the present invention, and sub-combinations of these feature groups can also be the invention.

  According to the present invention, when various editing processes such as rearranging the display order are performed on a plurality of images to be recorded on a recording medium, the processing time is reduced more than before and the necessity of the recording medium is required. The capacity can be reduced.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described through embodiments of the invention. However, the following embodiments do not limit the invention according to the scope of claims, and all combinations of features described in the embodiments are included. It is not necessarily essential for the solution of the invention.

  FIG. 1 shows the overall configuration of a captured image recording system 10 according to the present embodiment. The captured image recording system 10 includes an imaging device 20 and a recording medium 30. The imaging device 20 is, for example, a digital camera or the like, and captures a subject and generates image data of an original image every time an operation is received from a user. Then, the imaging device 20 records each of a plurality of captured original images and an album information file in which a display order for displaying the plurality of original images is displayed on the recording medium 30 as separate files. As a result, when changing the display order of the original images already recorded on the recording medium 30, the object is to eliminate the need to change the file storing the original images themselves.

  The imaging apparatus 20 records in the album information file that the original images included in the group are sequentially displayed for each group into which the original images are classified, and records a plurality of album information files corresponding to the plurality of groups. Record 30. Thereby, even when the same image is included in a plurality of groups, it is not necessary to record the image for each group, and another object is to reduce the necessary capacity of the recording medium 30.

  Further, the imaging device 20 generates a display image obtained by converting the original image to a lower resolution, and records it on the recording medium 30. When the user inputs an editing operation on the original image from the user, the imaging device 20 edits only the display image corresponding to the original image, and edits the contents of the editing operation without editing the original image in the album information file. To store. Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to display a display image on which an editing operation is reflected at a high speed, and to efficiently record the original image and the contents of the editing operation on the original image in the imaging apparatus 20.

  FIG. 2 shows an example of the directory structure and file structure of the recording medium 30 according to the present embodiment. The recording medium 30 according to the present embodiment complies with a standard for recording a plurality of captured original images and album information files on the recording medium as separate files. This standard is called the Picture Archive And Sharing System standard, and is a unified standard formulated by a plurality of business operators including the applicant. Specifically, the recording medium 30 stores an asset directory 300, an album directory 330, and an index file 340 immediately below the root directory. The asset directory 300 stores the captured original image data in a plurality of asset roll directories (310a and 310b, hereinafter referred to as 310). In this figure, the asset directory 300 stores two asset roll directories 310, but instead of this, only one or three or more asset roll directories 310 may be stored.

  The asset roll directory 310a stores a plurality of original images 312a, an asset information file 314a, and a display image directory 316a. Further, the asset roll directory 310a may further store recorded voices. The plurality of original images 312a may be, for example, still images or moving images captured by the imaging device 20. The asset information file 314a stores a path to each of the plurality of original images 312a stored in the asset roll directory 310a. The display image directory 316a is positioned below the asset roll directory 310a and stores a plurality of display images 318a. The plurality of display images 318a are images that are displayed instead of the plurality of original images 312, and may be images generated by reducing the resolution of the plurality of original images, for example. The asset roll directory 310a may store a plurality of display image directories having different resolutions, aspect ratios, and the like in the display images. As a result, even when the resolution and aspect ratio differ for each display device and display method used when displaying a display image, an image with high display quality suitable for the display device and display method is displayed. be able to. The asset information file 314a further stores a path to each of the plurality of display images 318a.

  The asset roll directory 310b stores a display image directory 316b in which a plurality of original images 312b, an asset information file 314b, and a plurality of display images 318b are stored. As shown in this example, the recording medium 30 can store a plurality of original images by classifying them into a plurality of asset roll directories 310.

  The album directory 330 stores a plurality of album information files 332. The album information file 332 is provided for each group into which the original images are classified. Each album information file 332 is a display order of original images included in a group corresponding to the album information file among a plurality of original images (312a and 312b, hereinafter referred to as 312) recorded on the recording medium 30. Determine. Specifically, the album information file 332 includes a path to an asset information file (314a and 314b, hereinafter referred to as 314) storing the path to the original image to be displayed, and the original image to be displayed. The image identifier for identifying the image may be stored in accordance with the display order. In this case, the asset information file 314 may store a path to each of the plurality of original images 312 and an image identifier for identifying the original image in association with each other.

  The index file 340 stores a path to each of the plurality of asset information files 314 and a path to the plurality of album information files 332. The index file 340 is recorded in a predetermined path that does not differ for each recording medium 30. Specifically, the index file 340 may be recorded with a file name “PASSIDX.PVM” immediately under the root directory of the recording medium 30.

The asset directory 300, the asset roll directory 310, the plurality of original images 312, the asset information file 314, the display image directory (316a and 316b; hereinafter referred to as 316), the plurality of display images 318, and the album shown in FIG. The directory 330 and at least a part of the plurality of album information files 332 may differ depending on the format of the recording medium 30 that is predetermined by a user, for example. Here, the format of the recording medium 30 may be, for example, Fujicolor (registered trademark) CD, PictureCD (registered trademark), HotAlbum (registered trademark), or the like.
The asset roll directory 310 may have a directory name that can identify each of the asset roll directories 310 included in each of the plurality of recording media 30. Similarly, a plurality of original images 312, an asset information file 314, a display image directory 316, a plurality of display images 318, an album directory 330, and a plurality of album information files 332 stored in the recording medium 30. At least a part of the recording medium 30 may have a name that can identify each file and directory included in each of the plurality of recording media 30.

  As described above, according to the configuration described in this figure, if only one set of a plurality of images is recorded on the recording medium 30, a plurality of albums are realized by a plurality of album information files 332, and the same image is displayed in various ways. Can be displayed. Furthermore, since the original image and the album information file are recorded as separate files, it is not necessary to change the data of the original image itself even when the order of the images is rearranged. This makes it easy to re-edit later to generate a separate album.

  FIG. 3 shows the functions of the imaging apparatus 20 according to the present embodiment classified into functional blocks. The imaging device 20 includes an imaging unit 200, an input unit 210, a file generation unit 220, a file recording unit 230, an image conversion unit 240, an image output unit 250, a display image generation unit 260, and a display image. A conversion unit 270 and a display image display unit 280 are included. The imaging unit 200 captures a subject to generate an original image, and outputs the generated original image to the image conversion unit 240 and the display image generation unit 260. The input unit 210 inputs an editing operation on the original image from the user. For example, the input unit 210 may input a display order for displaying a plurality of original images from the user, may input a rearrangement operation for rearranging the order of displaying the original images, A trimming operation or a rotation operation may be input. Further, the input unit 210 may input an operation for newly generating a group in which the original images are classified.

  For each group into which the original images are classified, the file generation unit 220 generates each of a plurality of album information files that records that the original images included in the group are sequentially displayed. Specifically, the file generation unit 220 generates an album information file for a group every time an operation for generating a new group is input. This album information file may be an empty file in which the display order of any original image is not specified in the initial state.

  The file recording unit 230 records an album information file that stores the editing operation input by the input unit 210. Specifically, the file recording unit 230 records the album information file generated by the file generation unit 220, and then sequentially stores the editing operations sequentially input by the input unit 210 in the album information file. More specifically, the file recording unit 230 records an album information file including a path to the original image selected by the selection operation in response to the input unit 210 inputting the original image selection operation. Further, the display order of the original images input by the input unit 210 may be recorded as an album information file. Further, the file recording unit 230 may record an album information file indicating the display order of the rearranged original images in response to the input unit 210 inputting the rearrangement operation of the original images.

  In response to the input unit 210 inputting a trimming operation or a rotation operation on the original image, the image conversion unit 240 converts the original image based on the input operation. The image output unit 250 records the original image and the album information file on the recording medium 30 in a format compliant with the Picture Archive And Sharing System standard. Specifically, the image output unit 250 outputs a plurality of original images captured by the imaging unit 200 in response to an image output request specified by the user. These original images include both the original image selected by the selection operation input by the input unit 210 and the original image not selected by the selection operation. Further, the image output unit 250 reads out and outputs the album information file from the file recording unit 230 and causes the imaging device 20 to record the album information file. The album information file is generated by the file generation unit 220 and stores the display order of the original images selected by the selection operation input by the input unit 210.

  The display image generation unit 260 acquires an original image captured by the imaging unit 200 or an original image already recorded on the recording medium 30. The display image generation unit 260 generates a display image obtained by converting the original image into a lower resolution for each of the plurality of original images. Then, the display image display unit 280 displays a plurality of display images generated by the display image generation unit 260 on the screen according to an instruction from the user, for example. When the display image conversion unit 270 designates one display image displayed by the display image display unit 280 and an editing operation is input by the input unit 210, the display image conversion unit 270 edits the one display image. Is converted and displayed on the display image display unit 280. In this case, the file recording unit 230 records the editing operation in the album information file as an editing operation for the original image corresponding to the one display image. As described above, the editing operation is immediately reflected in the display image, and the user can appropriately know the editing result, while the contents of the editing operation are recorded as an album information file in a file separate from the original image. .

  FIG. 4 shows an example of processing for imaging a subject by the imaging apparatus 20 according to the present embodiment. When receiving an imaging operation from the user, the imaging unit 200 captures an image of the subject by capturing light received from the subject with a photosensitive element (S400). Then, the imaging unit 200 generates an image of light received by the photosensitive element as original image data (S410). The display image generation unit 260 generates a display image obtained by converting the original image into a lower resolution for each of the plurality of original images (S420).

  FIG. 5 illustrates an example of processing in which an image captured by the imaging device 20 according to the present embodiment is edited and output. The input unit 210 inputs an editing operation on the original image from the user (S500). When the input editing operation is an operation for newly generating a group in which the original images are classified (S510: YES), the file generation unit 220 generates an album information file corresponding to the group (S520). Then, the processing of this figure is terminated.

  When the input editing operation is a selection operation for selecting an original image to be included in a group (S510: NO, S530: YES), the file recording unit 230 displays a path to the original image selected by the selection operation. The album information file corresponding to the group is included and recorded (S540). On the other hand, when the input editing operation is an operation for rearranging the original images in the group (S530: NO, S550: YES), the file recording unit 230 displays an album indicating the display order of the rearranged original images. The album information file is updated so as to record the information file (S560).

  On the other hand, when the input editing operation is another operation, for example, an original image trimming operation or a rotation operation (S550: NO), the image conversion unit 240 selects the original image designated as the target of the operation. Then, conversion is performed based on the input operation (S570). Regardless of which operation is input, the display image conversion unit 270 converts the display image corresponding to the original image to be edited based on the input operation (S580). Instead, the image conversion unit 240 may not change the original image itself even when a trimming operation or a rotation operation is input. In this case, the file recording unit 230 records the contents of these operations in the album information file. As described above, the imaging device 20 may selectively execute either the conversion of the original image or the update of the album information file based on the standard that defines the format of the album information file.

  Then, in response to an image output request received from the user, the image output unit 250 outputs a plurality of images picked up by the image pickup unit 200 including the original image to be operated and other original images. Then, an album information file corresponding to each group is output (S590). The image output unit 250 outputs only other original images excluding the original images already recorded on the recording medium 30 among the original images to be output based on the output request, and has already been recorded on the recording medium 30. Do not output the same original image as the original image. Then, instead of outputting again the same original image as the original image already recorded on the recording medium 30, the image output unit 250 determines the path to the original image already recorded on the recording medium 30. An album information file is included and output (S590). As a result, the size of data to be written to the recording medium 30 can be reduced, and the required capacity of the recording medium 30 can be reduced.

  As described above, according to the imaging apparatus 20 shown in the present embodiment, even when the same image is included in a plurality of groups into which images are classified, it is not necessary to record the image for each group, and the recording medium 30 The required capacity can be reduced. Further, even when the display order of images already recorded on the recording medium 30 is changed, it is not necessary to change the entire image recorded on the recording medium 30. Thus, even when an image is recorded on a recording medium such as a DVD-R that can only be additionally written and cannot be rewritten, the image can be edited by additionally writing only the editing operation for the image. Furthermore, by generating a display image with reduced resolution for image editing, the editing result can be confirmed without directly changing the original image.

  In addition, the imaging apparatus 20 according to the present embodiment enables efficient editing operations in the imaging apparatus as described above, so that while the user captures an image, the memory at the time of imaging is not lost. You can efficiently edit it immediately. For example, in a meeting such as an athletic meet, an entrance / graduation ceremony, a lecture, or other events, a subject symbolizing the event may be imaged after the event. For example, in many cases, a sign placed at the entrance to a venue for an athletic meet is forgotten to be imaged first and then imaged on the way home. On the other hand, it is often desirable to display images captured in this way before a series of images captured in the event, regardless of the order of imaging. The imaging apparatus 20 shown in the present embodiment can efficiently record an image on the recording medium 30 even when the order of the images is changed as described above.

  As mentioned above, although this invention was demonstrated using embodiment, the technical scope of this invention is not limited to the range as described in the said embodiment. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications or improvements can be added to the above-described embodiment. It is apparent from the scope of the claims that the embodiments added with such changes or improvements can be included in the technical scope of the present invention.

FIG. 1 shows the overall configuration of a captured image recording system 10 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 shows an example of the directory structure and file structure of the recording medium 30 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 3 shows the functions of the imaging apparatus 20 according to the present embodiment classified into functional blocks. FIG. 4 shows an example of processing for imaging a subject by the imaging apparatus 20 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 5 illustrates an example of processing in which an image captured by the imaging device 20 according to the present embodiment is edited and output.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Captured image recording system 20 Imaging device 30 Recording medium 200 Imaging part 210 Input part 220 File generation part 230 File recording part 240 Image conversion part 250 Image output part 260 Display image generation part 270 Display image conversion part 280 Display image display Section 300 Asset directory 310 Asset roll directory 316 Display image directory 318 Display image 330 Album directory 332 Album information file 340 Index file

Claims (8)

An imaging apparatus that records each of a plurality of captured original images and an album information file in which an order in which the plurality of original images are displayed by a playback apparatus are recorded on a recording medium as separate files,
An imaging unit that images a subject and generates an original image;
An input unit for inputting a display order for displaying a plurality of original images from a user;
A file recording unit for recording the display order input by the input unit as an album information file;
An image output unit that outputs a set of an original image and an album information file in response to an output request of the original image, and records the set on the recording medium;
For each of the plurality of original images, a display image generating unit that generates a display image obtained by converting the original image to a lower resolution;
A display image display unit for displaying the display image generated by the display image generation unit;
When one display image displayed by the display image display unit is designated and an editing operation is input by the input unit, the one display image is converted and displayed on the display image display unit An image conversion unit for display
The image recording apparatus, wherein the file recording unit records an editing operation input by the input unit in an album information file as an editing operation for an original image corresponding to the one display image. The recording medium is compliant with a Picture Archive And Sharing System standard that records each of the plurality of original images and the album information file as separate files on the recording medium,
The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image output unit outputs an original image and an album information file, and records the original image and an album information file on the recording medium in a format compliant with a Picture Archive And Sharing System standard. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the file recording unit records an album information file indicating a display order of the original images after rearrangement in response to the input unit inputting a rearrangement operation of the original images. The file recording unit records an album information file including a path to the original image selected by the selection operation in response to the input unit inputting the selection operation of the original image,
The image output unit records the plurality of original images including the selected original image and the unselected original image, and an album information file in which the display order of the selected original images is recorded on the recording medium. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, which outputs as much as possible. An image conversion unit that converts the original image based on the input operation in response to the input unit inputting a trimming operation or a rotation operation;
The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image output unit outputs the original image converted by the image conversion unit. A file generation unit for generating each of a plurality of album information files, which records that the original images included in the group are sequentially displayed for each group into which the original images are classified;
The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image output unit outputs the plurality of album information files generated by the file generation unit and the plurality of images. The image output unit outputs other original images excluding the original images already recorded on the recording medium among the original images to be output based on the output request, and outputs the original images to be output based on the output request. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a path to the original image already recorded on the recording medium is included in an album information file and output. A control method for an imaging apparatus that records each of a plurality of captured original images and an album information file in which an order in which the plurality of original images are displayed by a playback apparatus are recorded on a recording medium as separate files,
Capturing a subject and generating an original image;
Inputting a display order for displaying a plurality of original images from a user;
Recording the input display order as an album information file;
Outputting a set of an original image and an album information file in response to an output request of the original image and recording it on the recording medium;
For each of the plurality of original images, generating a display image obtained by converting the original image to a lower resolution;
Displaying the generated display image; and
Allowing the user to specify one display image among the displayed display images and inputting an editing operation;
Converting and displaying the one display image;
Recording the editing operation in an album information file as an editing operation for an original image corresponding to the one display image .

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