JP4809295B2 - Image recording apparatus and image recording method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image recording apparatus and an image recording method, and more particularly to an image recording apparatus and an image recording method for storing and recording a plurality of image data in one image file.

  Patent Document 1 discloses an image data recording method in which, when recording a plurality of continuous still images, continuous still image compression data generated by one recording operation is a combination of independent still image compression data. Is disclosed.

  Patent Document 2 discloses that in an image data creation apparatus that creates image data from images of a plurality of viewpoints, the file header and image information of the images of a plurality of viewpoints are made into a single file in an existing format. .

Patent Document 3 discloses an image recording apparatus that creates a new folder and saves stereoscopic image data, right-eye image data, and left-eye image data together when saving stereoscopic image data.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-266420 (FIG. 4) Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2004-274091 (FIG. 9) Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2005-229291 (paragraph [0125], FIG. 7)

  If a special extension different from that of a conventional standard image file is given to an image file in which a plurality of image data are connected, the image processing apparatus and the image processing application that do not support the extension will receive an image. It cannot be recognized as a file. For this reason, conventional image processing is performed by attaching a standard image file extension (an extension corresponding to the encoding format of the image data included in the image file, for example, JPG) to the image file as described above. It is conceivable that an apparatus or the like can be recognized as an image file. As a result, even in an image processing apparatus that does not have a function of reading a plurality of image data from an image file storing a plurality of image data and performing a reproduction process, the image file is similar to a standard image file. By handling, only the first one of the image data in the image file can be read.

  However, in the image processing apparatus as described above, when the read image data is edited and saved, the second and subsequent image data of the original image file are not saved in the newly saved image file. there were. Therefore, when overwriting is performed, there is a problem that the second and subsequent image data of the original image file are erased.

  Patent Documents 1 and 2 are not intended to solve the above problems. Patent Document 3 stores right-eye image data and left-eye image data together with stereoscopic image data. However, when editing is performed on either right-eye image data or left-eye image data, It was not intended to solve the problem of erasing one of the image data.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and is an image recording apparatus and an image recording method for generating and recording one image file in which a plurality of image data is stored. The image file is recorded in a format that can be used even in an image processing device that does not have the function of reading the image data, and the image file is modified in the image processing device to avoid losing the image data. An object of the present invention is to provide an image recording apparatus and an image recording method.

  In order to solve the above problem, an image recording apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention includes an extended image file recording unit that records an extended image file storing a plurality of image data, and a plurality of image data stored in the extended image file. A basic file recording means for recording a basic file storing at least one image data selected from the above, a determination means for determining whether or not the basic file has been deleted or altered, and the basic file being deleted or And a basic file restoring means for restoring the basic file from the extended image file when it is determined that the file has been altered.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, a basic file in a format that can be read even by an image processing apparatus that does not have a function of reading, reproducing, and editing a plurality of image data from an extended image file in which a plurality of image data is concatenated and stored. Can record images. Furthermore, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the basic file including the representative image data before modification is provided to the user by restoring the basic file using the extended image file stored in the recording means different from the basic file. Therefore, the robustness of image recording can be improved.

  Invention 2 of the present application is the image recording apparatus according to Invention 1 of the present application, wherein the extended image file recording means is a recording means having a larger recording capacity or a free capacity or a faster data writing speed than the basic file recording means. It is characterized by that.

  An image recording apparatus according to a third aspect of the present invention stores an extended image file storing a plurality of image data and at least one image data selected from the plurality of image data stored in the extended image file. Transfer means for transferring and recording one of the files to an image server for recording an image file, and recording means for recording one of the extended image file and the basic file that has not been transferred to the image server And basic file editing means for deleting or modifying the basic file; and basic file restoring means for restoring the basic file from the extended image file when the basic file is deleted or modified. And

  According to the present invention 3, by transferring the extended image file to the image server and recording the basic file in the recording means, a basic file including the representative image data before modification can be provided to the user. The robustness of image recording can be improved.

  Invention 4 of the present application is the image recording apparatus of Invention 3 of the present application, wherein the transfer means transfers the extended image file to the image server, and the recording means records the basic file.

  Invention 5 of the present application is the image recording device according to any one of Inventions 1 to 4, further comprising storage location information recording means for recording information for specifying the storage location of the corresponding extended image file in the basic file. .

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, by storing the storage location information of the extended image file in the basic file, the restoration process of the basic file can be easily performed.

  Invention 6 of the present application is the image recording device according to any one of Inventions 1 to 5, wherein the image recording means records a standard image file with an extension of the standard image file.

  Invention 7 of the present application is the image recording apparatus according to any one of Inventions 1 to 6, wherein the plurality of image data acquisition means for acquiring a plurality of image data in which the same subject is imaged from multiple viewpoints using one or a plurality of imaging means; And an extended image file generating means for generating an extended image file storing the image data, and a basic file generating means for selecting representative image data from the plurality of image data and generating a basic file. To do.

  According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image recording method selected from among a step of recording an extended image file storing a plurality of image data in an extended image file recording means, and a plurality of image data stored in the extended image file. A step of recording a basic file storing at least one piece of image data in a basic file recording means, a determination step of determining whether the basic file has been deleted or modified, and the basic file being deleted or modified And a basic file restoration step of restoring the basic file from the extended image file.

  Invention 9 of the present application is the image recording method of Invention 8 of the present application, wherein the extended image file recording means is a recording means having a recording capacity or a free space larger than the basic file recording means or having a higher data writing speed. It is characterized by that.

  The image recording method according to the tenth aspect of the present invention is a basic method of storing an extended image file storing a plurality of image data and at least one image data selected from the plurality of image data stored in the extended image file. A transfer step of transferring one of the files to an image server for recording the image file and recording, and the one of the extended image file and the basic file that has not been transferred to the image server is recorded in the recording means A basic file editing step for deleting or modifying the basic file, and a basic file restoring step for restoring the basic file from the extended image file when the basic file is deleted or modified. It is characterized by that.

  Invention 11 of the present application is the image recording method of Invention 10 of the present application, wherein in the transfer step, the extended image file is transferred to the image server, and in the recording step, the basic file is recorded in the recording means. To do.

  Invention 12 of the present application is the image recording method of Inventions 8 to 11 of the present application, further comprising a storage location information recording step of recording information for specifying the storage location of the corresponding extended image file in the basic file. .

  According to the present invention, a basic file having a format that can be read even by an image processing apparatus that does not have a function of reading, reproducing, and editing a plurality of image data from an extended image file in which a plurality of image data is concatenated and stored. Images can be recorded. Furthermore, according to the present invention, a basic file including representative image data before modification is provided to the user by restoring the basic file using an extended image file stored in a recording means different from the basic file. Therefore, the robustness of image recording can be improved.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of an image recording apparatus and an image recording method according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the main configuration of a photographing apparatus provided with an image recording apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the photographing apparatus 1 includes a plurality of photographing units 10-1, 10-2,..., 10 -N (N ≧ 2), and parallax images obtained by photographing the same subject from multiple viewpoints. Is acquired and recorded as a recording image file of a predetermined format.

  The main CPU 12 (hereinafter referred to as CPU 12) functions as a control unit that performs overall control of the overall operation of the photographing apparatus 1 in accordance with a predetermined control program based on an input from the operation unit 14. The power supply control unit 16 controls the power from the battery 18 and supplies operating power to each unit of the photographing apparatus 1.

  A ROM 22, a flash ROM 24, an SDRAM 26, and a VRAM 28 are connected to the CPU 12 via a bus 20. The ROM 22 stores a control program executed by the CPU 12, various data necessary for control, and the like. The flash ROM 24 stores various setting information relating to the operation of the photographing apparatus 1 such as user setting information.

  The SDRAM 26 includes a calculation work area for the CPU 12 and a temporary storage area (work memory) for image data. The VRAM 28 includes a temporary storage area dedicated to display image data.

  The monitor 30 is constituted by, for example, a display device including a color liquid crystal panel, and is used as an image display unit for displaying a captured image and is used as a GUI providing unit at various settings. The monitor 30 is used as an electronic viewfinder for confirming the angle of view in the shooting mode.

  The monitor 30 can display a three-dimensional image (3D image). Means for performing three-dimensional display include, for example, an anaglyph method using special glasses, a color anaglyph method, a polarizing filter method, a time-division stereoscopic television method, and so-called a kamaboko lens group. A lenticular system in which a lenticular lens is arranged on the surface of the monitor 30 can be applied. The means for performing the three-dimensional display is not limited to those listed above.

  The display control unit 32 converts the image data read from the image sensor 48 or the memory cards 70A and 70B into a display image signal (for example, an NTSC signal, a PAL signal, or a SCAM signal) and outputs the image signal to the monitor 30. The predetermined character and graphic information (for example, data for on-screen display) is output to the monitor 30. Further, the display control unit 32 can output an image to an external display device connected via a predetermined interface (for example, USB, IEEE1394, LAN).

  The operation unit 14 includes operation input means such as a release button, a power / mode switch, a mode dial, a cross button, a zoom button, a MENU / OK button, a DISP button, and a BACK button.

  The power / mode switch functions as a means for switching on / off the power of the photographing apparatus 1 and switching operation modes (reproduction mode and photographing mode) of the photographing apparatus 1.

  The mode dial is an operation means for switching the photographing mode of the photographing apparatus 1 and is a 2D still image photographing mode for photographing a two-dimensional still image in accordance with a setting position of the mode dial. The shooting mode is switched between a moving image shooting mode, a 3D still image shooting mode for shooting a three-dimensional still image, and a 3D moving image shooting mode for shooting a three-dimensional moving image. When the shooting mode is set to the 2D still image shooting mode or the 2D moving image shooting mode, the 2D / 3D shooting mode switching flag 34 is set with a flag indicating that it is a 2D shooting mode for shooting a two-dimensional image. . In addition, when the shooting mode is set to the 3D still image shooting mode or the 3D moving image shooting mode, the 2D / 3D shooting mode switching flag 34 is set with a flag indicating that it is a 3D shooting mode for shooting a 3D image. Is done. The CPU 12 refers to the 2D / 3D shooting mode switching flag 34 to determine whether it is the 2D shooting mode or the 3D shooting mode.

  The release button is composed of a two-stroke switch comprising so-called “half-press” and “full-press”. In still image shooting mode, when the release button is pressed halfway, shooting preparation processing (ie, AE (Automatic Exposure), AF (Auto Focus), AWB (Automatic White Balance) ), And when the release button is fully pressed, image shooting / recording processing is performed. In the moving image shooting mode, shooting of a moving image starts when the release button is fully pressed, and shooting ends when the release button is fully pressed again. Depending on the setting, the moving image is shot while the release button is fully pressed, and the shooting can be ended when the full release is released. Note that a release button for still image shooting and a release button for moving image shooting may be provided separately.

  The cross button is provided so that it can be pressed in four directions, up, down, left, and right, and a function corresponding to the operation mode of the photographing apparatus 1 is assigned to the button in each direction. For example, in the shooting mode, a function for switching the macro function on / off is assigned to the left button, and a function for switching the flash mode is assigned to the right button. In the shooting mode, a function for changing the brightness of the monitor 30 is assigned to the upper button, and a function for turning on / off the self-timer is assigned to the lower button. In the playback mode, the frame advance function is assigned to the left button, and the frame return function is assigned to the right button. In the playback mode, a function for changing the brightness of the monitor 30 is assigned to the upper button, and a function for deleting the image being reproduced is assigned to the lower button. Further, at the time of various settings, a function for moving the cursor displayed on the monitor 30 in the direction of each button is assigned.

  The zoom button is an operation means for performing zooming operations of the photographing units 10-1, 10-2,..., 10-N, and includes a zoom tele button for instructing zooming to the telephoto side and zooming to the wide angle side. And a zoom wide button for instructing.

  The MENU / OK button is used to call a menu screen (MENU function), and is used to confirm selection contents, execute a process, etc. (OK function), and has a function assigned according to the setting state of the photographing apparatus 1. Can be switched. On the menu screen, the MENU / OK button indicates, for example, image quality adjustment such as exposure value, hue, shooting sensitivity, number of recorded pixels, setting of self-timer, switching of photometry method, whether to use digital zoom, and the like. All the adjustment items that have are set. The photographing apparatus 1 operates according to the conditions set on this menu screen.

  The DISP button is used for inputting an instruction for switching the display contents of the monitor 30, and the BACK button is used for inputting an instruction for canceling the input operation.

  The flash light emitting unit 36 is composed of, for example, a discharge tube (xenon tube), and emits light as necessary when photographing a dark subject or in backlight. The flash control unit 38 includes a main capacitor for supplying a current for causing the flash light emitting unit (discharge tube) 36 to emit light. Charging control of the main capacitor according to a flash light emission command from the CPU 12, Control of discharge (light emission) timing and discharge time is performed. In addition, as the flash light emission part 36, you may use other light emission means, such as LED. Moreover, the flash light emission part 36 may be provided for every imaging | photography part.

  Next, the photographing function of the photographing apparatus 1 will be described. The photographing unit 10 includes a photographing lens 40 (a zoom lens 42, a focus lens 44, and an aperture 46), a zoom lens control unit (Z lens control unit) 42C, a focus lens control unit (F lens control unit) 44C, an aperture control unit 46C, An image sensor 48, a timing generator (TG) 50, an analog signal processing unit 52, an A / D converter 54, an image input controller 56, and a digital signal processing unit 58 are provided. In FIG. 1, the respective units in the photographing units 10-1, 10-2,..., 10 -N are distinguished from each other by reference numerals 1, 2,. Therefore, in the following description, reference numerals 1, 2,.

  The zoom lens 42 is driven by a zoom actuator (not shown) and moves back and forth along the optical axis. The CPU 12 performs zooming by controlling the position of the zoom lens 42 by controlling the driving of the zoom actuator via the zoom lens control unit 42C.

  The focus lens 44 is driven by a focus actuator (not shown) and moves back and forth along the optical axis. The CPU 12 performs focusing by controlling the position of the focus lens 44 by controlling the drive of the focus actuator via the focus lens control unit 44C.

  The diaphragm 46 is composed of, for example, an iris diaphragm, and operates by being driven by a diaphragm actuator (not shown). The CPU 12 controls the aperture amount (aperture value) of the diaphragm 46 by controlling the driving of the diaphragm actuator via the diaphragm controller 46C, and controls the amount of light incident on the image sensor 48.

  The CPU 12 drives the photographing lenses 40-1, 40-2,..., 40-N of each photographing unit in synchronization. That is, the photographing lenses 40-1, 40-2,..., 40-N are always set to the same focal length (zoom magnification), and focus adjustment is performed so that the same subject is always in focus. In addition, the aperture is adjusted so that the same incident light amount (aperture value) is always obtained.

  The image sensor 48 is constituted by, for example, a color CCD solid-state image sensor. A large number of photodiodes are two-dimensionally arranged on the light receiving surface of the image pickup device (CCD) 48, and a color filter is arranged in a predetermined arrangement on each photodiode. The optical image of the subject formed on the light receiving surface of the CCD by the photographing lens 40 is converted into signal charges corresponding to the amount of incident light by the photodiode. The signal charge accumulated in each photodiode is sequentially read out from the image sensor 48 as a voltage signal (image signal) corresponding to the signal charge based on a drive pulse given from the TG 50 according to a command from the CPU 12. The image sensor 48 has an electronic shutter function, and the exposure time (shutter speed) is controlled by controlling the charge accumulation time in the photodiode.

  In the present embodiment, a CCD is used as the image sensor 48, but an image sensor having another configuration such as a CMOS sensor may be used.

  The analog signal processing unit 52 is a correlated double sampling circuit (CDS) for removing reset noise (low frequency) included in the image signal output from the image sensor 48, and amplifies the image signal to a certain level. The image signal output from the image sensor 48 is subjected to correlated double sampling processing and amplified.

  The A / D converter 54 converts the analog image signal output from the analog signal processing unit 52 into a digital image signal.

  The image input controller 56 takes in the image signal output from the A / D converter 54 and stores it in the SDRAM 26.

  The digital signal processing unit 58 includes a synchronization circuit (a processing circuit that converts a color signal into a simultaneous expression by interpolating a spatial shift of the color signal associated with a color filter array of a single CCD), a white balance adjustment circuit, a gradation It functions as an image processing means including a conversion processing circuit (for example, a gamma correction circuit), a contour correction circuit, a luminance / color difference signal generation circuit, and the like, and a predetermined signal for the R, G, B image signals stored in the SDRAM 26 Process. That is, the R, G, B image signals are converted into YUV signals composed of luminance signals (Y signals) and color difference signals (Cr, Cb signals) in the digital signal processing unit 58, and gradation conversion processing (for example, A predetermined process such as gamma correction is performed. The image data processed by the digital signal processing unit 58 is stored in the VRAM 28.

  When the captured image is output to the monitor 30, the image data is read from the VRAM 28 and sent to the display control unit 32 via the bus 20. The display control unit 32 converts the input image data into a predetermined format video signal for display and outputs the video signal to the monitor 30.

  The AF detector 60 captures image signals of R, G, and B colors captured from any one of the image input controllers 56-1, 56-2,..., 56-N, and a focus necessary for AF control. An evaluation value is calculated. The AF detection unit 60 includes a high-pass filter that passes only a high-frequency component of the G signal, an absolute value processing unit, a focus area extraction unit that extracts a signal within a predetermined focus area set on the screen, and an absolute value within the focus area An integration unit for integrating data is included, and absolute value data in the focus area integrated by the integration unit is output to the CPU 12 as a focus evaluation value.

  During the AF control, the CPU 12 searches for a position where the focus evaluation value output from the AF detection unit 60 is maximized, and moves the focus lens 44 to that position, thereby performing focusing on the main subject. That is, at the time of AF control, the CPU 12 first moves the focus lens 44 from the closest distance to infinity, sequentially acquires the focus evaluation value from the AF detection unit 60 in the moving process, and determines the position where the focus evaluation value becomes maximum. To detect. Then, the position where the detected focus evaluation value is maximum is determined as the in-focus position, and the focus lens 44 is moved to that position. Thereby, the subject (main subject) located in the focus area is focused.

  The AE / AWB detector 62 captures R, G, and B color image signals captured from any one of the image input controllers 56-1, 56-2, ..., 56-N, and performs AE control and AWB. The integrated value required for control is calculated. That is, the AE / AWB detection unit 62 divides one screen into a plurality of areas (for example, 8 × 8 = 64 areas), and calculates an integrated value of R, G, and B signals for each divided area.

  The CPU 12 obtains an integrated value of R, G, and B signals for each area calculated by the AE / AWB detection unit 62 during AE control, obtains the brightness (photometric value) of the subject, and obtains an appropriate exposure amount. Set the exposure for That is, the photographing sensitivity, aperture value, shutter speed, and necessity of flash emission are set.

  Further, the CPU 12 inputs an integrated value of R, G, B signals for each area calculated by the AE / AWB detection unit 62 during the AWB control to the digital signal processing unit 58. The digital signal processing unit 58 calculates a gain value for white balance adjustment based on the integrated value calculated by the AE / AWB detection unit 62. Further, the digital signal processing unit 58 detects the light source type based on the integrated value calculated by the AE / AWB detection unit 62.

  The compression / decompression processing unit 64 performs compression processing on the input image data in accordance with a command from the CPU 12 to generate compressed image data in a predetermined format. For example, compression processing conforming to the JPEG standard is applied to still images, and MPEG2, MPEG4, H.264, and the like are applied to moving images. A compression process conforming to the H.264 standard is performed. The compression / decompression processing unit 64 performs decompression processing on the input compressed image data in accordance with a command from the CPU 12 to generate non-compressed image data.

  The image file generation unit 66 generates an extended image file F100 for storing image data photographed by the photographing units 10-1, 10-2,. A basic file F10 corresponding to the image file F100 is generated.

  The photographing apparatus 1 includes a media slot in which two memory cards 70A and 70B can be simultaneously loaded as recording media for recording data. Examples of the memory cards 70A and 70B include various media such as a xD picture card (registered trademark), a semiconductor memory card represented by smart media (registered trademark), a portable small hard disk, a magnetic disk, an optical disk, and a magneto-optical disk. Can be used. Note that the memory cards 70A and 70B may be of the same type or different types.

  The media control unit 68 controls reading / writing of data with respect to the memory cards 70A and 70B in accordance with a command from the CPU 12.

  When the two memory cards 70A and 70B are attached to the photographing apparatus 1, the extended image file F100 and the basic file F10 generated by the image file generation unit 66 are recorded on separate memory cards.

  On the other hand, when only the memory card 70A is attached, the extended image file F100 and the basic file F10 are recorded together on the memory card 70A. Note that if the memory card 70B is newly installed after the extended image file F100 and the basic file F10 are recorded on the same memory card 70A, either the extended image file F100 or the basic file F10 is stored in the memory card 70B. You may make it move or copy to.

  Also, even if two memory cards 70A and 70B are mounted on the photographing apparatus 1, if either one has no free space, the extended image file F100 and the basic file F10 are recorded together on the same memory card. The In this case, as soon as a free space equal to or larger than the fixed amount is created in the memory card that has no free space, either the extended image file F100 or the basic file F10 may be moved or copied to the memory card 70B.

  A unique identifier (card ID) is assigned to each of the memory cards 70A and 70B. As the card ID, for example, an address given according to a predetermined protocol such as IPv6, a manufacturing number of the memory cards 70A and 70B, a serial number, or the like can be used.

  The image file generation unit 66 adds the card ID (basic file storage location ID) of the memory card in which the basic file F10 is stored to the corresponding extended image file F100. On the other hand, the image file generation unit 66 adds the card ID (extended image storage location ID) of the memory card storing the extended image file F100 to the corresponding basic file F10.

  Since the extended image file F100 has a larger capacity than the basic file F10 (see FIGS. 2 and 3), the memory card 70A and 70B has a larger overall capacity or free space, or a faster writing speed. It is preferable to record the extended image file F100.

  The external connection interface unit (external connection I / F) 72 is a device for transmitting / receiving data to / from an external image processing device (for example, a personal computer, a portable information terminal, an image storage device, a server). For example, USB, IEEE1394, LAN, infrared communication (IrDA), or the like can be applied as a method of communication with an external image processing apparatus.

[Image file for recording]
Next, the configuration of the recording image file according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically illustrating the data structure of the basic file F10, and FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically illustrating the data structure of the extended image file F100.

  The file names of the basic file F10 and the extended image file F100 are the same. The file names of the basic file F10 and the extended image file F100 are determined according to a DCF (Design Rule for Camera File system).

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the extension of the extended image file F100 is F3D. The extension of the basic file F10 is a standard image file extension (an extension corresponding to an encoding format of image data stored in the basic file F10). For this reason, the basic file F10 is an image file in a standard format even in an image processing apparatus that does not have a function of reading a plurality of image data from an image file storing a plurality of image data and performing a reproduction process or the like. And can be reproduced and edited.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the extended image file F100 according to the present embodiment includes a marker SOI (Start of Image) storage area A100, a tag information storage area A102, an image data storage area indicating the head of the data of the extended image file F100. A104 includes a storage area A106 for a marker EOI (End of Image) indicating the end of data.

  In the image data storage area A104, image data photographed by the photographing units 10-1, 10-2,..., 10-N (in the following description, image data P (1), P (2),. , P (N)) is stored. The image data in the extended image file F100 is not particularly limited, but is preferably RAW data because it is used to restore the basic file F10.

  The tag information storage area A102 stores 3D tag information of the extended image file F100. Here, the 3D tag information is information used to perform a three-dimensional display by combining two or more image data stored in the image data storage area A104, for example, three-dimensional display. Number of viewpoints indicating the number of image data used when performing display, information for designating image data used when performing three-dimensional display, storage location (reading start position) of each image data in the extended image file F100 It includes pointer information that identifies

  In the tag information storage area A102, a unique identifier (basic file storage location ID) for specifying the memory card storing the corresponding basic file F10, and information for specifying the corresponding basic file F10 are stored. The stored basic file F10 can be called when the extended image file F100 is read.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the basic file F10 according to the present embodiment includes a marker SOI (Start of Image) storage area A10, a tag information storage area A12, an image data storage area A14, which indicates the beginning of the data of the basic file F10, A storage area A16 for a marker EOI (End of Image) indicating the end of data is included.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the tag information storage area (APP1 Area) A10 includes Exif identification information, a TIFF header, an IFD0 area (IFD0 Area), and an IFD1 area. The IFD0 area stores Exif IFD (Exif tag information), GPS IFD (GPS measurement information), and 3D IFD (3D tag information). Note that Pointer to Exif IFD, Pointer to GPS IFD, and Pointer to 3D IFD in FIG. 2 indicate storage positions in the tag information storage area A10 of Exif IFD, GPS IFD, and 3D IFD, respectively.

  The 3D tag information stores a unique identifier (extended image storage location ID) for specifying the memory card in which the corresponding extended image file F100 is stored, and information for specifying the corresponding extended image file F100. When the basic file F10 is read, the corresponding extended image file F100 can be called.

  In the image data storage area A12, representative image data P (d) selected from the image data P (1), P (2),..., P (N) is stored. In the example shown in FIG. 2, the image data in the basic file F10 is in JPEG format, but is in another format (for example, Exif format, TIFF format, bitmap (BMP) format, GIF format, PNG format). May be.

  The representative image data is selected by the image file generation unit 66 according to any one of the following [1] to [3], for example. [1] For example, when the number of viewpoints is 2, image data photographed by the photographing unit corresponding to the user's dominant eye is selected. [2] Select an image whose viewpoint position is in the middle or near the middle (that is, an image photographed by the photographing unit 10-d arranged near the middle of the multi-viewpoint when photographing the parallax image) as the representative image data P (d). To do. That is, the representative image data P (d) is an intermediate viewpoint image when the number of viewpoints N is an odd number, and an intermediate vicinity image when the number of viewpoints N is an even number. For example, when the number of viewpoints N = 5, the representative image data is image data P (3) photographed by the photographing unit 10-3. When the number of viewpoints N = 8, the representative image data is photographed. The image data P (4) or P (5) is captured by the unit 10-4 or 10-5. Further, image data located near the middle of the image data storage area A104 of the extended image file F100 may be selected as the representative image data P (d). [3] The image data on the dominant eye side of the user is selected as the representative image among the image data at or near the intermediate viewpoint. It should be noted that image data captured by a user's preset imaging unit may be designated as representative image data, or the user may be able to manually designate and change representative image data.

[Image recording process]
Next, processing for generating and recording a recording image file by the photographing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to a flowchart of FIG.

  First, when the release button of the photographing apparatus 1 is turned on (step S10), when the photographing mode is set to the 2D photographing mode (No in step S12), one of the photographing units 10 is used. Thus, an image is taken from a single viewpoint (step S14). Then, an image file including single-viewpoint image data is recorded on a predetermined memory card (step S16).

  Next, when the release button is turned on (step S10), if the shooting mode is set to the 3D shooting mode (Yes in step S12), images are taken from multiple viewpoints (step S18). ), An extended image file F100 and a basic file F10 are generated.

  Next, when only one memory card is attached to the photographing apparatus 1 (No in step S20), the extended image file F100 and the basic file F10 are recorded together on the memory card (step S22). . On the other hand, when two memory cards are attached to the photographing apparatus 1 (Yes in step S20), the extended image file F100 and the basic file F10 are recorded on separate memory cards (steps S24 and S26).

[Restore basic file]
Next, processing when the basic file F10 is deleted or modified (edited) from the memory card 70 at the storage location will be described.

  The image file generation unit 66 determines whether or not the basic file F10 has been deleted or modified from the folder at a predetermined timing. When the basic file F10 has been deleted or modified from the memory card at the storage location, the image file generation unit 66 extracts image data necessary for restoring the basic file from the extended image file F100 and stores the basic file F10. Create (restore). When the basic file F10 is modified, the modified basic file is saved as an image file different from the restored basic file.

  Here, whether or not the basic file F10 is deleted or altered is determined by, for example, turning on the power of the photographing apparatus 1, switching the operation mode (for example, switching from the photographing mode to the reproduction mode), the memory cards 70A and 70B, and the like. Are attached at the same time or when the data in the memory cards 70A and 70B is updated, the extended image files in the memory cards 70A and 70B are automatically scanned and performed on all the extended image files F100. Alternatively, each time the expanded image file F100 is played or previewed in the photographing apparatus 1, it is determined whether or not the basic file F10 is deleted or modified with respect to the expanded image file F100. Also good.

  In the present embodiment, information for specifying the modified basic file is stored in the extended image file F100 or the restored basic file, and the modified basic file is referred to when the extended image file F100 is played back. It may be possible. Alternatively, the modified basic file may be stored in the extended image file F100 or the restored basic file so that the restored basic file or the extended image file F100 can be referred to when the modified basic file is played back.

  If the basic file F10 has been deleted, the restored basic file F10 has the same file name (excluding the extension) as the extended image file F100 (that is, the same as the deleted basic file). become. On the other hand, when the basic file F10 is altered, the image file generation unit 66 determines the file names of the basic file F10 and the extended image file F100 according to the file name change processing rule (1) or (2) shown below. To do.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the file name change processing rule (1). As shown in FIG. 5, if the file name of the basic file modified by the user is “ABCD0001.JPG” and the file name of the extended image file corresponding to the basic file “ABCD0001.JPG” is “ABCD0001.F3D” The file name of the basic file is changed according to the DCF. Here, the file name of the basic file restored by the image file generation unit 66 is “ABCD0001.JPG” which is the same as that of the extended image file except for the extension.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the file name change processing rule (2). In the example shown in FIG. 6, the file name of the modified basic file is not changed, the file name of the extended image file is changed according to the DCF, and the basic file is restored. Here, the file name of the restored basic file is the same as the extended image file except for the extension.

  A file name change processing rule other than the above (1) and (2) may be used.

  Next, a method for determining whether or not the basic file F10 has been modified will be described. When the image file generation unit 66 captures and records an image, the data size or hash value of the basic file F10 or the representative image data P (d), or the time stamp information of the basic file F10, and the header information of the extended image file F100. Record as. Then, the image file generation unit 66 acquires the file size or hash value of the basic file F10 or the representative image data P (d), or the time stamp information of the basic file F10 from the basic file F10, and tags the extended image file F100. Compared with the information, if the two do not match, it is determined that the basic file F10 has been altered.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the restoration process of the basic file F10. First, the extended image file F100 is selected (step S30), and it is determined whether or not the basic file F10 corresponding to the extended image file F100 exists (step S32). In step S12, if the basic file F10 corresponding to the extended image file F100 does not exist, the compressed image data of the representative image data P (d) is read from the extended image file F100, and the basic file F10 is saved. It is created (step S34).

  On the other hand, if the basic file F10 corresponding to the extended image file F100 exists in step S32, it is determined whether the basic file F10 has been altered (step S36). If it is determined that the basic file F10 has been modified (Yes in step S38), the file name of the modified basic file F10 or the file name of the extended image file F100 is changed according to the file name change rule. Either one is changed (step S40), the compressed image data of the representative image data P (d) is read from the extended image file F100, and the basic file F10 is created (step S34).

  According to the present embodiment, a basic format that can be read even by an image processing apparatus that does not have a function of reading, reproducing, and editing a plurality of image data from an extended image file F100 in which a plurality of image data are concatenated and stored. An image can be recorded in the file F10. Further, according to the present embodiment, for example, when the basic file F10 is deleted or modified and overwritten and saved, or the basic file F10 is deleted or modified and overwritten and saved in an image processing apparatus different from the photographing apparatus 1. After that, when the memory card is returned to the photographing apparatus 1, the basic file F10 can be restored using the extended image file F100 stored in a memory card different from the basic file F10. As described above, since the extended image file F100 and the basic file F10 are stored in separate memory cards, the basic file F10 including the representative image data before modification can be provided to the user. Robustness can be improved.

  Note that the image capturing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment can be equipped with two memory cards at the same time. However, for example, even in the image capturing apparatus 1 that can be equipped with only one memory card, the extended image file F100 and the basic file F10. By storing one of them in the built-in memory and storing the other in the memory card, the robustness of the recording image file can be improved.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the present embodiment, the extended image file F100 and the basic file F10 generated by the photographing apparatus 1 are separately recorded on the memory card and the image server 100. In the following description, the description of the same configuration as in the first embodiment is omitted.

  FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing the main configuration of the photographing apparatus 1 including the image recording apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated in FIG. 8, the imaging apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment includes a communication interface unit (communication I / F) 74, an image server detection unit 76, and an image transfer processing unit 78.

  The communication I / F 74 is a device for transmitting and receiving data to and from the image server 100 via a communication line.

  The image server detection unit 76 is a device for detecting a communicable image server 100. The image server detection unit 76 detects, for example, the communicable image server 100 by transmitting a call signal for calling the communicable image server 100 and receiving a response signal from the image server 100 that has received the call signal. . The detection of the image server 100 is performed, for example, when the photographing apparatus 1 is turned on, while the photographing mode is set to the 3D photographing mode, or when image data photographed in the 3D photographing mode is recorded.

  The authentication processing unit 78 transmits predetermined authentication information (for example, identification information unique to the imaging apparatus 1, an account ID and password registered in the image server 100) to the image server 100, and sends an image to the image server 100. Perform authentication process to transfer.

  Similar to the first embodiment, the image file generation unit 66 generates the extended image file F100 and the basic file F10 from the multi-viewpoint image data captured in the 3D shooting mode, and the basic file F10 among these is generated. Record in the memory card 70.

  The image transfer processing unit 80 transfers the extended image file F100 generated by the image file generation unit 66 to the image server 100. When transferring the extended image file F100, the image file generating unit 66 receives information (for example, an IP address given to the image server 100 according to IPv6) for specifying the image server 100 to which the extended image file F100 is transferred. Stored as the extended image storage location ID of the 3D tag information of the basic file F10. On the other hand, the image file generation unit 66 adds the card ID (basic file storage location ID) of the memory card in which the basic file F10 is stored to the corresponding extended image file F100.

  FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating a main configuration of the image server 100. As illustrated in FIG. 9, the image server 100 includes a communication I / F 102, an authentication processing unit 104, and a recording device 106. The communication I / F 102 is a device for transmitting and receiving data to and from the imaging device 1 via a communication line. In the authentication processing unit 104, registration information of the user of the photographing apparatus 1 is registered in advance. The authentication processing unit 104 performs an authentication process on the imaging device 1 based on the authentication information received from the imaging device 1. The recording device 106 records the extended image file F100 received from the image transfer processing unit 80.

  Next, a process for generating and recording an image file for recording by the photographing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to a flowchart of FIG.

  First, when the release button of the photographing apparatus 1 is turned on (step S50), if the photographing mode is set to the 2D photographing mode (No in step S52), one of the photographing units 10 is used. Thus, an image is taken from a single viewpoint (step S54). Then, an image file including single-viewpoint image data is recorded on the memory card 70 (step S56).

  Next, when the release button is turned on (step S50), if the shooting mode is set to the 3D shooting mode (Yes in step S52), images are taken from multiple viewpoints (step S58). ), An extended image file F100 and a basic file F10 are generated.

  Next, the communicable image server 100 is searched (step S60), and when the communicable image server 100 is not detected (No in step S62), the extended image file F100 and the basic file F10 are stored in the memory. They are recorded together on the card 70 (step S64). On the other hand, when the communicable image server 100 is detected (Yes in step S62), the basic file F10 is recorded in the memory card 70 (step S66), and the extended image file F100 is transferred to the image server 100 and recorded. (Step S68).

  Even when the communicable image server 100 is not detected and the extended image file F100 and the basic file F10 are recorded together on the memory card 70, the communicable image server 100 is detected as soon as the communicable image server 100 is detected. You may make it perform transfer.

  Further, the extended image file F100 may be recorded on the memory card 70, and the basic file F10 may be recorded on the image server 100.

  Next, processing in the photographing apparatus 1 when restoring the basic file F10 from the extended image file F100 stored in the image server 100 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. First, when an instruction to modify or delete the basic file F10 is received from the operation unit 14 (step S70), the extended image storage location ID of the corresponding extended image file F100 is read from the basic file F10 to be modified or deleted, and the SDRAM 26 Is temporarily recorded (step S72), the basic file F10 is modified or deleted (step S74).

  Next, access to the image server 100 specified by the extended image storage location ID read in step S72 is started (step S76). When the access to the image server 100 is successful and the communication connection is established (step S78), the extended image file F100 is read from the image server 100, and the representative image data P (d) is read from the extended image file F100. The compressed image data is read out and a basic file F10 is created (step S80). Note that the file name change processing rules at the time of restoration of the basic file F10 are the same as those in the first embodiment, and thus the description thereof is omitted.

  If communication with the image server 100 is impossible in step S78, the extended image storage location ID is stored in a predetermined file, and access to the image server 100 is repeated at a predetermined timing. .

  According to the present embodiment, by transferring the extended image file F100 to the image server 100 and recording the basic file F10 on the memory card 70, the basic file F10 including the representative image data before modification is provided to the user. Therefore, the robustness of image recording can be improved.

  In each of the above-described embodiments, the recording of the image data from a plurality of viewpoints has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, a plurality of image data obtained by moving image shooting or continuous shooting is stored in one image data. The present invention can also be applied to an image recording apparatus for recording in an image file.

1 is a block diagram showing a main configuration of a photographing apparatus including an image recording apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The figure which shows the data structure of the basic file F10 typically The figure which shows the data structure of the extended image file F100 typically 7 is a flowchart showing recording image file generation and recording processing according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The figure for demonstrating file name change processing rule (1) Diagram for explaining file name change processing rule (2) The flowchart which shows the restoration process of the basic file F10 which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the main configuration of a photographing apparatus 1 including an image recording apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Block diagram showing the main configuration of the image server 100 7 is a flowchart showing recording image file generation and recording processing according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The flowchart which shows the restoration process of the basic file F10 which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Image pick-up device, 10 ... Image pick-up part, 12 ... Main CPU, 14 ... Operation part, 16 ... Power supply control part, 18 ... Battery, 20 ... Bus, 22 ... ROM, 24 ... Flash ROM, 26 ... SDRAM, 28 ... VRAM 30 ... monitor, 32 ... display control unit, 34 ... 2D / 3D shooting mode switching flag, 36 ... flash emission unit, 38 ... flash control unit, 40 ... shooting lens, 42 ... zoom lens, 44 ... focus lens, 46 ... Aperture, 42C ... zoom lens control unit (Z lens control unit), 44C ... focus lens control unit (F lens control unit), 46C ... aperture control unit, 48 ... imaging device, 50 ... timing generator (TG), 52 ... analog Signal processing unit, 54 ... A / D converter, 56 ... Image input controller, 58 ... Digital signal processing unit, 60 ... AF detection unit, 62 ... E / AWB detection unit, 64 ... compression / decompression processing unit, 66 ... image file generation unit, 68 ... media control unit, 70 ... memory card, 72 ... external connection interface unit (external connection I / F), 74 ... communication interface Department (Communication I / F)

Claims (10)

Extended image file recording means for recording an extended image file storing a plurality of image data , wherein determination information for determining whether or not a basic file corresponding to the extended image file has been altered is stored in the extended image file Extended image file recording means for recording inside ,
Basic file recording means for recording a basic file storing at least one image data selected from a plurality of image data stored in the extended image file;
Determining means for determining whether the basic file has been deleted , and determining means for determining whether the basic file has been modified based on the determination information ;
A basic file restoring means for restoring the basic file from the extended image file when it is determined that the basic file has been deleted or modified;
An image recording apparatus comprising:   2. The image recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the extended image file recording unit is a recording unit having a recording capacity or a free space larger than the basic file recording unit or having a higher data writing speed. The extended image file recording means includes the time stamp information of the basic file, the image data stored in the basic file in the extended image file or the data size of the basic file, and the basic file in the extended image file. At least one of stored image data or hash value of the basic file is recorded as the determination information in the extended image file,
2. The determination unit according to claim 1, wherein the determination unit determines whether the basic file has been altered by comparing the determination information with information corresponding to the determination information acquired from the basic file. 2. The image recording apparatus according to 2. The extended image file recording unit and the basic file recording unit record the extended image file and the same part except for the extension of the file name of the basic file corresponding to the extended image file. The image recording apparatus according to claim 1. The basic file recording means, an image recording apparatus of a standard extension of the image file and recording is subjected to the basic file according to any one of claims 1 to 4. Image data acquisition means for acquiring a plurality of image data in which the same subject is imaged from multiple viewpoints using one or a plurality of imaging means;
Extended image file generation means for generating an extended image file storing the plurality of image data;
Basic file generation means for generating representative files by selecting representative image data from the plurality of image data;
The image recording apparatus according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that it comprises a. Determination information for determining whether or not a basic file corresponding to the extended image file has been altered in the first recording step of recording the extended image file storing a plurality of image data in the extended image file recording means. A first recording step of recording in the extended image file ;
A second recording step of recording a basic file storing at least one piece of image data selected from a plurality of image data stored in the extended image file in a basic file recording unit;
A determination step of determining whether the basic file has been deleted and determining whether the basic file has been modified based on the determination information ;
A basic file restoring step of restoring the basic file from the extended image file when it is determined that the basic file has been deleted or modified;
An image recording method comprising: 8. The image recording method according to claim 7, wherein the extended image file recording unit is a recording unit having a recording capacity or a free space larger than the basic file recording unit or having a higher data writing speed. In the first recording step, the time stamp information of the basic file, the image data stored in the basic file in the extended image file or the data size of the basic file, and the basic file in the extended image file At least one of stored image data or hash value of the basic file is recorded in the extended image file as the determination information,
The determination step includes determining whether the basic file has been altered by comparing the determination information with information corresponding to the determination information acquired from the basic file. 9. The image recording method according to 8. In the first and second recording steps, the extended image file and the basic file corresponding to the extended image file are recorded with the same part except for the extension of each file name. The image recording method according to claim 7.

Images