JP5796101B2 - Recording control apparatus, control method therefor, and program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a data recording control technique.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an imaging apparatus to which a transfer device having a communication function can be connected, a function of transferring captured image data to an external device via the transfer device is known. A transfer device having this communication function automatically transfers image data written in a specific area in the transfer device to an external device in a state where the transfer device is mounted on an imaging apparatus such as a video camera.

  In addition, when uploading image data taken with a video camera or the like to a so-called shared site, it is common to execute an editing application on a personal computer (PC) and convert it to a file format acceptable by the shared site. Has been done. Also, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, a file format is converted to use a low-definition video device, and reverse conversion is performed when video is used in a high-definition video device.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 06-090432

  Some transfer devices having the communication function are not recognized as transfer targets unless they are stored in a predetermined file path in a predetermined file format. In this case, in order to automatically transfer the image data from the transfer device, the user first performs an operation of executing a file format conversion process, and then stores the converted file in a predetermined file path of the transfer device. Since the operation needs to be performed, the operation is complicated. As described above, when image data captured by a video camera or the like is uploaded to a shared site, the same applies to a case where the image data is stored in a file format that cannot be accepted by the shared site.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and realizes a technique capable of converting data into a predetermined format and recording it in a predetermined recording area without performing a complicated operation during data transmission.

In order to solve the above-described problem, the recording control apparatus of the present invention transmits data of a first format among data recorded in a predetermined recording area in a recording area via wireless communication . Connection means for connecting to a transmission device that does not transmit data in a second format different from the format via wireless communication, acquisition means for acquiring data, and conversion means for converting the format of the data acquired by the acquisition means When the has a recording control unit that the data converted by the conversion means is recorded in the recording area, and a receiving means for receiving an instruction for transmitting the data obtained by the obtaining unit, by the reception means, when said second format instructions for transmitting the data is received, and converted into the first format of the data in a second format that is the instruction by said converting means, said And recording on said predetermined recording area of the said conversion by recording control means data is executed.

  According to the present invention, data can be converted into a predetermined format and recorded in a predetermined recording area without performing a complicated operation during data transmission.

1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an imaging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of a file path configured in the imaging apparatus of the present embodiment. The screen transition figure at the time of the file format conversion process by the imaging device of this embodiment. The block diagram of the file path after the file format conversion process by the imaging device of this embodiment. The flowchart which shows the file format conversion process of this invention.

  EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION Below, the form for implementing this invention with reference to an accompanying drawing is demonstrated in detail. The embodiment described below is an example for realizing the present invention, and should be appropriately modified or changed according to the configuration and various conditions of the apparatus to which the present invention is applied. It is not limited to the embodiment.

  <Configuration of Imaging Device> First, the configuration of the imaging device of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 101 denotes a lens, and reference numeral 102 denotes an image sensor such as a CCD or CMOS that photoelectrically converts a subject image. Reference numeral 103 denotes a video signal processing circuit that generates a video signal from a signal output from the image sensor 102. Reference numeral 104 denotes a video display output circuit that synthesizes graphics such as OSD with the video signal and outputs the synthesized video to a display device or output terminal. Reference numeral 105 denotes a video output terminal, and 107 denotes a display device such as an LCD. An operation unit 108 receives an operation from the user. Note that the operation unit 108 can use various buttons, a touch panel, and the like. Reference numeral 109 denotes a control unit that controls other devices in accordance with signals and programs from the operation unit 108.

  A video signal encoding circuit 110 converts the video signal generated by the video signal processing circuit 103 into the MPEG4 AVC format. Reference numeral 111 denotes a decoding circuit that decodes the video signal encoded by the video signal encoding circuit 110. A buffer memory 112 temporarily stores video signals and audio signals.

  Reference numeral 113 denotes a first media controller that controls access to the recording medium 114 such as writing and reading. The recording medium here is, for example, a flash memory device built in or externally attached to the imaging device. A video signal conversion circuit 115 reconverts the video signal decoded by the decoding circuit 111 into the MPEG2 format. Reference numeral 116 denotes a second media controller that enables the transfer device 117 to be connected to the apparatus, and controls access such as writing and reading of various data to the transfer device 117 having a communication function.

  In the transfer device 117, 118 is a CPU, 119 is a RAM that temporarily stores data used for control, 120 is a flash memory that stores data, and 121 is an antenna that transmits and receives wireless communication signals. Note that the flash memory 120 of the transfer device 117 is a non-volatile memory of several GB, for example. Therefore, the flash memory 120 can be used as a recording medium for storing image data such as a captured moving image or still image.

  Here, the data transfer function of the transfer device 117 will be described. The transfer device 117 can transfer the image data in the flash memory 120 to an external device under the control of its own CPU 118. It is assumed that the transfer device 117 in this embodiment transmits image data captured by a digital camera or the like to an external device. Therefore, the transfer device 117 targets image data in a predetermined format stored in a “DCIM” folder created according to the DCF standard described later, among the folders in the flash memory 120. Specifically, the CPU 118 determines whether there is image data that has a file path belonging to the “DCIM” folder, includes a predetermined extension in the file path, and has not yet been transferred. When it is determined that such image data exists, control is performed so that the image data is automatically transmitted to a predetermined external device. In other words, the CPU 118 does not transfer image data stored in a folder other than the “DCIM” folder.

  Here, when moving image shooting is performed, the output of the video signal processing circuit 103 is temporarily stored in the buffer memory 112, and the video signal temporarily stored in the buffer memory 112 is converted into the MPEG4AVC format by the video signal encoding circuit 110. To do. The format-converted video signal is temporarily stored again in the buffer memory 112 and stored in the recording medium 114 via the first media controller 113. Note that a video signal can be stored in the flash memory 120 of the transfer device 117 by setting a storage destination in advance by a user operation or the like. In addition, when still image shooting is performed, the video signal is compressed into the JPEG format and stored in the transfer device 117.

<Folder Configuration> Next, with reference to FIG. 2, a folder configuration for storing video signals captured by the video camera of this embodiment will be described. 2 (a) is for storing the second image signal captured by MPEG4AVC format as an example format is a folder configuration example of the recording medium 114. This folder configuration example conforms to the AVCHD standard. The video signal captured by the video camera is stored as a file 203 in a folder 202 named “BDMV” in a folder 201 named “AVCHD” with a five-digit number and an extension name “MTS”. The In this embodiment, it is assumed that the image data saved with the extension “MTS” is not in a file format to be transferred by the transfer device 117.

  Note that the image data shown in FIG. 2A is not a transfer target of the transfer device 117. For example, even if the folder configuration shown in FIG. 2A is stored in the flash memory 120, the folder name is “AVCHD” and the extension is “MTS”, so the CPU 118 stores the image data in this folder. Not subject to transfer.

On the other hand, FIG. 2 (b), for storing a first image signal captured in the JPEG format, which is an example of a format, a folder structure example of the transfer device 117. This folder configuration example conforms to the DCF standard. A subfolder 212 is created with a name using a three-digit number and a five-character string in a folder 211 named “DCIM”, and a file using a four-character string and a four-digit number therein File 213 is saved with a name. Here, the file 213 is a still image having an extension “JPG”.

  As described above, the transfer device 117 targets image data in a predetermined format saved in the “DCIM” folder. Here, in this embodiment, image data compressed in the JPEG format, that is, image data having extensions “JPG” and “MPG” is to be transferred. Therefore, the image data shown in FIG. 2B is a transfer target.

  <Screen Transition During Data Format Conversion Processing> Next, processing for transferring image data saved in the folder configuration shown in FIG. 2A to an external apparatus using the function of the transfer device 117 will be described. Specifically, when a desired scene is selected from the video captured by the user, the data format of the selected scene is converted into image data having the extension “MPG”, and “DCIM” of the transfer device 117 is converted. Save to folder. Hereinafter, this operation will be described.

  FIG. 3A illustrates an index screen in which thumbnails of scenes stored in the recording medium 114 are displayed side by side. This is displayed on the LCD 107 by the control unit 109 in response to a predetermined menu operation performed by the user. Here, when the selection mode icon 302 is selected by the user while the index screen 301 is displayed, the mode shifts to the selection mode. When the thumbnail of the desired scene is selected by the user, the control unit 109 displays a check mark 303 near the thumbnail and sets the corresponding image data in a selected state. Here, some scenes 304 and 305 are selected.

  Here, when an upload button included in the operation unit 108 is pressed by a user operation, a transition is made to the confirmation screen of FIG. The upload button is a button for instructing to transfer the selected image data to an external device using the function of the transfer device 117.

  In the confirmation screen of FIG. 3B, various information for converting the scene 304 and the scene 305 is displayed. 311 is the number of scenes to be converted, and 312 is the total time of the conversion target scene. Here, when converting the image data, the maximum number of converted image data is 10 minutes. This is to prevent the image data to be uploaded from becoming extremely large. If the converted image data exceeds 10 minutes, it is divided into a plurality of images and stored. Reference numeral 313 denotes the number of scenes when image data is divided every 10 minutes during conversion. Reference numeral 314 denotes the total capacity of the converted file. The progress bar 315 compares the current free capacity of the transfer device 117 with the converted file size. Reference numeral 316 denotes a bit rate after conversion. The bit rate setting can be selected in advance by a user operation or the like.

  Although an example of dividing every 10 minutes is shown here, the time length to be divided can be arbitrarily set, and can be divided into a plurality of files for each file size instead of the time length. In addition, it is also checked whether or not the device connected to the second media controller 116 is the transfer device 117. If the device is a normal recording medium, conversion can be disabled.

  Here, the control unit 109 checks whether or not a storable free space is secured by comparing the free space of the transfer device 117 with the estimated total capacity of the converted file. Also, it is checked whether or not the file number assigned to the converted file exceeds the upper limit. Based on these check results, it is determined whether or not conversion is possible.

  When the conversion is impossible, a warning message for notifying the user of the reason is displayed and only the “cancel” icon 318 on the screen is valid. On the other hand, if conversion is possible, both the “execute” icon 317 and the “cancel” icon 318 on the screen are valid. When the “execution” icon 317 is selected by the user, the screen transits to the execution screen in FIG.

  In the in-execution screen of FIG. 3C, the video being converted is displayed in real time on the sub-screen 323, and the progress of the processing is displayed on the progress bar 322. Reference numeral 321 indicates the elapsed time, and when converting in real time, the process proceeds to the total time of the conversion target scene. Further, by selecting the “stop” icon 324, the user can save the video up to that point and stop the conversion of the remaining scenes.

The control unit 109 saves the image data converted through the above operation in the “DCIM” folder of the transfer device 117 as an image file having the extension “MPG”.
FIG. 4 illustrates the configuration in the “DCIM” folder in the transfer device 117 after the conversion process. In FIG. 4, for example, the scene 304 is divided into two files by the conversion process and stored as video files 401 and 402, and the scene 305 is stored as a video file 403. For each of the converted video files 401, 402, and 403, a thumbnail file is also created according to the DCF standard as a predetermined rule. A thumbnail 404 corresponding to the video file 401, a thumbnail 405 for the video file 402, and a thumbnail 406 for the video file 403 are created.

  Here, the video files 401, 402, and 403 are stored in the “DCIM” folder in the transfer device 117 with the extension “MPG”. That is, the transfer device 117 recognizes these video files as transfer targets. In this way, the image data stored as shown in FIG. 2A can be transferred by the transfer device 117.

  <Data Format Conversion Processing Flow> Next, the data format conversion processing of this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The following processing is executed according to a predetermined program by the control unit 109 unless otherwise noted. In FIG. 5, when the upload button is pressed by a user operation, the process proceeds to step S <b> 502 and it is determined whether or not the transfer device 117 is connected to the second media controller 116. This process is an example of a first determination process. If the transfer device is not connected, it is determined that conversion is not possible because there is no file storage destination after conversion, and this processing ends.

  On the other hand, if the transfer device 117 is connected, the process proceeds to step S503 to determine whether the converted file can be saved. This process is an example of a second determination process. Here, the current free capacity of the transfer device 117 as the file storage destination is compared with the converted total capacity of the scene to be converted, and it is determined whether or not there is enough free capacity to store all the files. . It is also determined whether or not the file number used when saving the converted file exceeds the upper limit of the DCF standard.

  If it is determined that the converted file cannot be saved, this process ends. On the other hand, if it is determined that the converted file can be saved, the process proceeds to step S504 to start the conversion process. After the conversion process starts, the conversion time and progress bar display information are updated in step S505, and the process proceeds to step S506 to determine whether or not the “stop” icon has been pressed. If the “stop” icon is pressed, the process skips to step S508. If the “stop” icon is not pressed, the process proceeds to step S507.

  In step S507, it is determined whether or not the conversion processing has been completed for all selected scenes, and the processing from step S505 is repeated until the conversion is completed. Note that the conversion process itself continues in parallel during the loop from step S505 to step S507. When the conversion process is completed in step S507, the process proceeds to step S508, and a thumbnail file of each scene after conversion is created.

  In step S509, the converted file and the created thumbnail are stored in the “DCIM” folder of the transfer device 117. In response to this processing, the transfer device automatically transmits the stored converted file to the external device.

  During the conversion process (steps S505 to S507), the file name to be saved is stored as a temporary file name instead of a file name conforming to the final DCF standard, and conforms to the DCF standard when the conversion process is completed. It is also possible to change the file name. Further, during the conversion process, the communication function of the transfer device 117 can be restricted and set to a state in which no transfer is performed.

  It should be noted here that the only operation necessary for the user to transfer the stored image data by the transfer device 117 as shown in FIG. 2A is the upload instruction shown in FIG. That is, from the user's point of view, as long as desired image data is selected and an upload is instructed, conversion to a data format suitable for transfer and file path assignment are automatically executed.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, when transferring video data from a transfer device having a communication function, it is converted into a format that can be transferred from the transfer device without performing a complicated operation, and a predetermined file is transferred. Can be saved in the path.

  Note that the transfer device 117 according to the present embodiment controls the image data to be transferred to the external apparatus according to the fact that the image data is stored in a predetermined folder. For example, the file name portion of the file path may be referred to determine whether a predetermined character string (for example, “IMG_”) is included. Further, whether or not both conditions are satisfied may be used as a criterion for determination.

  [Other Embodiments] The present invention is also realized by executing the following processing. That is, software (program) that realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or apparatus via a network or various storage media, and a computer (or CPU, MPU, etc.) of the system or apparatus reads and executes the program code. It is processing to do. In this case, the program and the storage medium storing the program constitute the present invention.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 108 ... Operation part, 109 ... Control part, 113 ... 1st media controller, 114 ... Recording medium, 116 ... 2nd media controller, 117 ... Transfer device

Claims (16)

Of data recorded in a predetermined recording area in the recording area, data in the first format is transmitted via wireless communication, and data in a second format different from the first format is transmitted via wireless communication. Connecting means for connecting to a transmitting device that does not transmit,
An acquisition means for acquiring data;
Conversion means for converting the format of the data acquired by the acquisition means;
Recording control means for recording the data converted by the converting means in the recording area;
Receiving means for receiving an instruction to transmit the data acquired by the acquiring means;
When an instruction for transmitting the data in the second format is received by the receiving unit, the conversion of the instructed second format data into the first format by the converting unit; A recording control apparatus, wherein recording of the converted data in the predetermined recording area is performed by a recording control means.   The recording control apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a limiting unit that controls to limit a transmission function of the transmission device during the conversion process by the conversion unit.   The recording control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the acquisition unit is capable of acquiring both the data in the first format and the data in the second format. Further possess the data of the first form, the generation means capable of generating both data of said second format,
2. The recording control unit records data in the first format in the predetermined recording area when the data generated by the generation unit is data in the first format. 4. The recording control device according to any one of items 1 to 3. It further has an imaging means for capturing an image of a subject and obtaining image data,
The recording control means further records the image data obtained by the imaging means in a recording area of the transmission device,
4. The data acquisition apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the acquisition unit acquires data by reading out image data recorded in an area other than the predetermined recording area in the recording area. 5. The recording control apparatus according to 1. The imaging means can obtain both the data in the first format and the data in the second format,
It said recording control means includes data of the first form, Ri can der to record both data in the second format to the recording area of the transmission device,
When the data obtained by the imaging means is a data in the first format, the recording control means to claim 5, characterized that you record data of the first format to the predetermined recording area The recording control device described. And further comprising means for connecting to a recording medium which is a device different from the transmission device,
The recording control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the acquisition unit acquires data by reading data recorded on the recording medium. Imaging means for capturing an image of a subject and obtaining image data;
Means for connecting to a recording medium which is a device different from the transmission device;
The recording control means further records the image data obtained by the imaging means on the recording medium,
The recording control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the acquisition unit acquires data by reading out image data recorded on the recording medium.   9. The recording control apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the recording control apparatus is further connectable to the transmission apparatus while being connected to the recording medium. The connection means is selectively connectable to a recording medium that does not have a data transmission function, which is a device different from the transmission device and the transmission device,
2. The control unit according to claim 1, wherein when the connection unit is connected to the recording medium, the conversion unit is controlled not to perform conversion in response to reception of an instruction for transmitting the data. 6. The recording control apparatus according to any one of items 1 to 5.   11. The recording control unit records data in the predetermined recording area by associating a file name according to a predetermined rule with the data converted into the first format. The recording control apparatus according to any one of the above.   The recording control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined recording area is an area indicated by a file path including a predetermined character string.   The recording control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the data format is a file format.   14. The recording control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the format of the data is a format that can be distinguished by an extension of a file name corresponding to the data. Of data recorded in a predetermined recording area in the recording area, data in the first format is transmitted via wireless communication, and data in a second format different from the first format is transmitted via wireless communication. A connection step for connecting to a transmitting device that does not transmit,
An acquisition step for acquiring data;
A conversion step of converting the format of the data acquired in the acquisition step;
A recording control step of recording the data converted in the conversion step in the recording area;
A reception step of receiving an instruction for transmitting the data acquired in the acquisition step;
When an instruction for transmitting the data in the second format is accepted in the accepting step, conversion of the data in the designated second format in the conversion step into the first format; A control method for a recording control apparatus, wherein the recording of the converted data in the recording control step is performed in the predetermined recording area.   A computer-readable program for causing a computer to function as each unit of the recording control apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 14.

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