JP2008054128A - Imaging device, image display device, and program thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

An image pickup apparatus, an image display apparatus, and a program thereof that can quickly display an outline of an image recorded in a memory.
In a shooting mode, when a shutter button is pressed, a still image shooting process is performed (S3), and it is determined whether or not the shot image data obtained by the shooting process has been shot for the first time today. (S4). If the image was taken for the first time today, a folder corresponding to today's date is created and an image file of the taken image data obtained by the shooting process is recorded (S5), and the image is represented as a representative of the day. In order to obtain an image, the path name, file name, and thumbnail image of the image file are recorded as an index in a file “DATE.DAT” (S6). And DATE. By displaying a plurality of thumbnail images recorded in the DAT, it is possible to quickly display a representative image for each shooting date.
[Selection] Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus, an image display apparatus, and a program thereof, and more particularly, to an imaging apparatus, an image display apparatus, and a program thereof that perform an image display favorable for image search.

In an imaging apparatus, for example, a digital camera, a large amount of image data can be recorded as the recording capacity of the recording medium increases. However, it takes time to search for an image desired by the user. There is a problem.
In addition, in order to enable the user to easily know the outline of the image recorded in the memory, the photographed image data is distributed for each photographing date, one representative image for each photographing date is selected, and each selected image is selected. A technology to display a representative image of the shooting date in a calendar has appeared. (Patent Document 1). When a representative image is selected, the image search is facilitated by displaying the captured image data photographed on the photographing date of the representative image in multiple displays.

JP Patent Publication No. 2004-260710

However, according to the above technique, the following problems occur.
For example, in the directory as shown in FIG. 7, it is assumed that the photographed image data is distributed to each folder “xxxAAAA” for each photographing date.
In this case, for each folder, “100AAAAA”, “101AAAAA”, “103AAAAA” folder, it is necessary to find out where the captured image data that is the representative image is, and it takes time to search for the representative image data. Therefore, there is a problem that the representative image data cannot be displayed quickly.

  Accordingly, the present invention has been made in view of such conventional problems, and provides an imaging apparatus, an image display apparatus, and a program thereof that can quickly display an outline of an image recorded in a memory. Objective.

In order to achieve the above object, an image pickup apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention comprises an image pickup means for picking up an image of a subject
A recording control unit that generates an image file based on the image data captured by the imaging unit, and records the generated image file in a recording unit in association with any group;
A determining unit that determines a representative image of each group from the recorded image files based on the image file and the group recorded in association with each other by the recording control unit;
Index recording control means for recording the location information of the image file to be a representative image of the group determined by the determining means as at least index data in the recording means;
Display control means for displaying a representative image of each group on the display means based on the index data recorded by the index recording control means;
It is provided with.

Also, for example, as described in claim 2, the group is
It is a group divided by shooting date,
The recording control means includes
An image file generated based on the image data picked up by the image pickup means may be recorded in association with a group corresponding to the shooting date of the image file.

For example, as described in claim 3, the determination unit includes:
Of the image files recorded in association with each group by the recording control means, the image file taken first in each group may be determined as the representative image of the group.

For example, as described in claim 4, the determining unit includes
The image file selected by the user may be determined as the representative image of the group recorded in association with the image file.

Further, for example, as described in claim 5, the index recording control unit includes:
At least the path name and file name of the image file may be recorded as index data indicating the location information of the image file serving as the representative image.

For example, as described in claim 6, the recording control unit includes:
Generating and recording an image file based on the image data picked up by the image pickup means and reduced image data obtained by reducing the image data;
The display control means includes
Based on the location information of the representative image recorded in the index table recorded by the index recording control means, the reduced image data of the image file of the representative image is read from the recording means and displayed, thereby displaying each group. A representative image may be displayed.

Further, for example, as described in claim 7, the index recording control unit includes:
Along with the location information of the image file to be the representative image of the group determined by the determining means, the reduced image data obtained by reducing the image data of the image file is recorded as index data,
The display control means includes
The representative image of each group may be displayed by displaying the reduced image data of the index data.

Further, for example, as described in claim 8, designation means for designating an arbitrary representative image among the representative images displayed by the display control means;
Full-screen display control means for reading the image data of the image file corresponding to the representative image designated by the designation means from the recording means and displaying the whole image;
Instruction means for instructing frame advance of image data displayed on the entire surface by the entire surface display control means;
Full display control means
When the frame advance is instructed by the instruction unit, the image data of the image file taken after the currently displayed image data may be read from the recording unit and displayed.

For example, as described in claim 9, the display control means includes
The image data of the image file recorded in association with the group of representative images specified by the specifying means may be displayed.

Further, for example, as described in claim 10, the image processing apparatus includes a specifying unit that specifies an arbitrary representative image among the representative images displayed by the display control unit,
You may make it display the image of the image file linked | related with the group of the representative image designated by the said designation | designated means as a list.

In order to achieve the above object, an image display device according to an eleventh aspect of the present invention comprises a recording means for recording image files of photographed image data separately for each group, and each group recorded in the recording means. Display control means for displaying a representative image of the image display device,
The recording means includes
Furthermore, the index data which recorded the location information of the image file used as the representative image for each group is recorded,
The display control means includes
A representative image of each group is displayed on a display unit using the index data recorded in the recording unit.

Further, for example, as described in claim 12, the display control means includes:
The representative image may be read from the recording means and displayed based on the location information of the image file serving as the representative image recorded in the index folder.

For example, as described in claim 13, the index folder is:
Along with the location information of the image file of the image to be the representative image, a reduced image obtained by reducing the image data of the image file is recorded together,
The display control means includes
You may make it display the representative image of each imaging | photography day by displaying the reduced image currently recorded on the said index folder.

In order to achieve the above object, a program according to the invention described in claim 14 includes an imaging process for imaging a subject,
A recording process for generating an image file based on the image data captured by the imaging process, and recording the generated image file on a recording medium in association with any group;
A determination process for determining a representative image of each group from the recorded image files based on the image file and the group recorded in association with each other by the recording process;
An index recording process for recording the location information of an image file serving as a representative image of the group determined by the determination process on the recording medium as at least index data;
Display processing for displaying a representative image of each group based on the index data recorded by the index recording processing;
And each of the above processes is executed by a computer.

In order to achieve the above object, a program according to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention is a program for executing an image display device including recording means for recording image files of photographed image data divided into groups. And
The recording means further records index data that records the location information of an image file serving as a representative image for each group, and the index data recorded in the recording means is used to record each group. The representative image is displayed on the display means.

  According to the present invention, an image file is recorded for each group, and location information of an image file that is a representative image of each group is recorded as at least index data, and the representative of each group is recorded based on the recorded index data. Since the image is displayed, the outline of the image recorded in the memory can be quickly displayed.

Hereinafter, the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings as an example in which the imaging apparatus of the present invention is applied to a digital camera.
[Embodiment]

A. Configuration of Digital Camera FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic electrical configuration of a digital camera 1 that implements the moving image processing apparatus of the present invention.
The digital camera 1 includes a photographing lens 2, a lens driving block 3, an aperture 4, a CCD 5, a driver 6, a TG (timing generator) 7, a unit circuit 8, an image generation unit 9, a CPU 10, a key input unit 11, a memory 12, a DRAM 13, A flash memory 14, an image display unit 15, and a bus 16 are provided.

  The photographing lens 2 includes a focus lens 2b composed of a plurality of lens groups, a zoom lens 2a, and the like. A lens driving block 3 is connected to the photographing lens 2. The lens drive block 3 includes a focus motor and a zoom motor that drive the focus lens 2b and the zoom lens 2a along the optical axis direction, respectively, and a focus that drives the focus motor and the zoom motor according to a control signal sent from the CPU 10. It is composed of a motor driver and a zoom motor driver (not shown).

The diaphragm 4 includes a drive circuit (not shown), and the drive circuit operates the diaphragm 4 in accordance with a control signal sent from the CPU 10.
The aperture is a mechanism that controls the amount of light that enters from the photographic lens 2.

  The CCD 5 is driven by the driver 6 and photoelectrically converts the intensity of light of each color of the RGB value of the subject image for every fixed period and outputs it to the unit circuit 8 as an imaging signal. The operation timing of the driver 6 and the unit circuit 8 is controlled by the CPU 10 via the TG 7. The CCD 5 has a Bayer color filter and also functions as an electronic shutter. The shutter speed of the electronic shutter is controlled by the CPU 10 via the driver 6 and TG7.

  A TG 7 is connected to the unit circuit 8, a CDS (Correlated Double Sampling) circuit that holds the imaged signal output from the CCD 5 by correlated double sampling, and an AGC that performs automatic gain adjustment of the imaged signal after the sampling. An (Automatic Gain Control) circuit and an A / D converter that converts an analog image pickup signal after the automatic gain adjustment into a digital signal, the image pickup signal output from the CCD 5 passes through the unit circuit 8 as a digital signal. It is sent to the image generator 9.

  The image generation unit 9 performs processing such as γ correction processing and white balance processing on the image data sent from the unit circuit 8, generates a luminance color difference signal (YUV data), and generates the generated luminance color difference. The image data of the signal is sent to the CPU 10. That is, the image generation unit 9 performs image processing on the image data output from the CCD 5.

The CPU 10 is a one-chip microcomputer that has a function of recording still image shooting processing, recording processing, and image data sent from the image generation unit 9 and controls each unit of the digital camera 1.
In particular, the CPU 10 has a function of recording and recording image data obtained by the shooting process for each shooting date, and recording location information and thumbnail images of image files that are representative images of each shooting date as indexes.

The key input unit 11 includes a plurality of operation keys such as a shutter button, a mode key, a set key, a cross key, and a zoom key, and outputs an operation signal corresponding to the user's key operation to the CPU 10.
The memory 12 stores a control program and necessary data necessary for the CPU 10 to control each unit, and the CPU 10 operates according to the program.

The DRAM 13 is used as a buffer memory for temporarily storing image data sent to the CPU 10 after being imaged by the CCD 5 and also as a working memory for the CPU 10.
The flash memory 14 is a recording medium that stores captured image data.

  The image display unit 15 includes a color LCD and its drive circuit, and displays a subject imaged by the CCD 5 as a through image when in a shooting standby state. Display image data.

B. Operation of Digital Camera 1 The operation of the digital camera 1 in the embodiment will be described separately for shooting and playback.

B-1. Operation of the digital camera 1 during shooting First, the operation of the digital camera 1 during shooting will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

When the photographing mode is set by the user's operation of the mode key, the CPU 10 starts imaging by the CCD 5 at a predetermined frame rate, and the image data of the luminance color difference signal sequentially captured by the CCD 5 and generated by the image generating unit 9 is obtained. A so-called through image display, which is displayed on the image display unit 15, is performed (step S1).
Next, the CPU 10 determines whether or not the shutter button has been pressed (step S2). This determination is made based on whether or not an operation signal corresponding to pressing of the shutter button is sent from the key input unit 11.

  If it is determined in step S2 that the shutter button has not been pressed, the process returns to step S1, and if it is determined that the shutter button has been pressed, the CPU 10 performs still image shooting processing (step S3). That is, the luminance signal generated by the image generation unit 8 is read by causing the CCD 4 to sequentially output the pixel signal of the even line and the pixel signal of the odd line in one screen at a relatively long output timing to read the image data for all pixels. The image data (photographed image data) of the color difference signal is stored in the buffer memory (DRAM 13).

Next, the CPU 10 determines whether or not the photographed image data obtained by the photographing process has been photographed for the first time today (step S4).
If it is determined in step S4 that the image was taken for the first time today, the CPU 10 creates a folder corresponding to today's date, and takes the photographed image data (buffer memory) obtained by the photographing process in the created folder. The image file is generated and recorded on the basis of the captured image data stored in (step S5). This image file also records the shooting date and time. Note that thumbnail images may also be recorded in the image file.

  Here, FIG. 3 shows the state of the directory of the folder recorded in the flash memory 14. In addition to “DCIM”, for example, a file “DATE.DAT”, “100ZZZZZ”, “101ZZZZZ”, A folder “XXXZZZZ” such as “102ZZZZZZ” is recorded. This folder "... ZZZZZ" is a folder for each shooting date. That is, when photographing for the first time today, a folder “... ZZZZZZ” is newly created, and photographed image data is recorded there. Each time a new folder is generated, the number “...” of the file name “... ZZZZZZ” is incremented and incremented by one.

  For example, here, the folder “100ZZZZ” indicates a folder on April 2, 2006, and the captured image data “CIMG0001.JPG” to “CIMG0011.JPG” recorded in the folder is April 2. The folder “101ZZZZZ” indicates a folder on April 3, 2006, and the captured image data “CIMG0012.JPG” to “CIMG00015.JPG” recorded in the folder are This is an image file taken on April 3rd. In this way, a folder is generated for each shooting date, and the image file of the captured image data is recorded in the folder on the shooting date. Hereinafter, an area other than “DATE.DAT” is referred to as a main directory section.

Returning to the flowchart of FIG. 2, when a folder is created and an image file is recorded in step S5, the CPU 10 generates a thumbnail image of the recorded image file, and shoots the captured image data together with the generated thumbnail image. The date, the path name and the file name of the recorded image file are associated with each other and additionally recorded as an index in a file “DATE.DAT”. Here, the path name and file name recorded as an index in the file “DATE.DAT” are recorded as location information (address information) in the flash memory 14 of the image file corresponding to the path name and file name. Other attached information serving as the file location information may be recorded instead of the path name and the file name.
That is, when it is determined in step S4 that the image data is the first imaged image taken today, the image file of the imaged image data is recorded in the flash memory 14 and the image of the image file is set as a representative image of today's date. Accordingly, the location information (path name and file name) of the image file and the thumbnail image are additionally recorded in a file “DATE.DAT” in the flash memory 14 as an index. The first image taken on that day is the representative image for that day.
If the file “DATE.DAT” does not exist in the flash memory 14, a file “DATE.DAT” is newly generated in the flash memory 14.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the state of the path name and the like of the image file recorded in the file “DATE.DAT”.
As can be seen from the figure, the captured image data taken on the date of 2006/4/2 is recorded in the folder “100ZZZZ” of DCIM by the path name, and the file name first shows The image file name “CIMG0001.JPG” of the captured image data is known. In addition, the image of the image file is the representative image of this day.

  Also, it can be seen that the captured image data captured on the date of 2006/4/3 is recorded in the folder “101ZZZZZ” of DCIM by the path name, and the first captured image by the file name on that date. The data image file name “CIMG0012.JPG” is known. In addition, the image of this image file is the representative image of this day.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S4 that the image was not photographed for the first time today, the CPU 10 generates an image file based on the photographed image data obtained by the photographing process, and sets the generated image file to today's date. It is recorded in the corresponding folder (step S7). Needless to say, the shooting date and time is recorded in this image file. Note that thumbnail images may also be recorded in the image file.

Further, when generating an image file in step S5 and step S7, the CPU 10 automatically assigns a file name based on the DCF standard. This file name is a number corresponding to the number of image files recorded so far. Is attached. For example, the file name in the case of recording an image file of photographed image data photographed for the first time with the digital camera 1 is “CIMG0001.JPG”, but the image file name of photographed image data photographed for the 100th time is “ CIMG0100.JPG ". This number tells you whether the shooting date is new or old. That is, the file name also serves as the old and new information of the shooting date and time.
Also, when generating a folder in step S5, the CPU 10 automatically assigns a folder name based on the DCF standard.

B-2. Next, the operation of the digital camera 1 during reproduction will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

When the playback mode is set by the user's operation of the mode key, the CPU 10 displays a plurality of thumbnail images of the photographed image data recorded in “DATE.DAT” of the flash memory 14 on the image display unit 15 in order of photographing date. In addition to displaying the image, the shooting date is also displayed (step S51). As a result, a representative image for each shooting date is displayed as an outline of the image file recorded in the flash memory 14.
Here, in the past, an image file to be a representative image, for example, the first image file recorded and recorded for each shooting date, and its location are searched from among a large number of image files recorded in the flash memory 14. Then, by reading the thumbnail image of the image file serving as the representative image, the representative image for each shooting date is displayed in multiple display, and therefore it takes time to search for the image file serving as the representative image for each shooting date and its location. However, the representative image for each shooting date cannot be displayed quickly. However, as in the present invention, the shooting date and the thumbnail image of the image file that is a representative image for each shooting date are recorded in advance as index data in a single file such as “DATE.DAT” at the time of recording. (See FIG. 4), at the time of reproduction, “DATE.DAT” as the index data is acquired, and the thumbnail image recorded in this file is read and displayed. As a summary of the recorded image file, a representative image for each shooting date can be quickly displayed. In addition, the load on the processing for displaying the representative image can be reduced.

When displaying the representative image based on the index data, for example, the thumbnail image with the oldest shooting date and the date are automatically selected, and a thick frame is used to make the user visually recognize that the selected thumbnail image is the selected date. Surround with.
FIG. 6A is a diagram showing a display state at that time, in which three thumbnail images are displayed vertically, and the shooting date is displayed beside the displayed thumbnail images. It can be seen that the thumbnail image of the oldest date “April 2, 2006” is selected.

Next, the CPU 10 determines whether or not the operation of the cross key of the key input unit 11 has been performed (step S52). This determination is made based on whether or not an operation signal corresponding to the operation of the cross key of the key input unit 11 is sent.
If it is determined in step S52 that the operation of the cross key has been performed, the CPU 10 selects a thumbnail image in accordance with the operation (step S53), and proceeds to step S54. For example, when the “↓” key of the cross key is pressed once in the state shown in FIG. 6A, the thumbnail image data “April 3, 2006” is selected, and the “↓” key is further pressed. When the button is pressed, as shown in FIG. 6B, “A thumbnail image of April 7, 2006 is selected.

At this time, if the cross key is further operated in the state of FIG. 6B, as shown in FIG. 6C, the three images with the oldest shooting date and time next to the three currently displayed thumbnail images are displayed. Thumbnail images are displayed in order from the oldest shooting date and time, and the thumbnail image with the oldest shooting date and time is selected.
That is, here, the thumbnail images are displayed as a set of three images. First, the thumbnail images with the oldest shooting date and time are displayed first to third, and then the thumbnails with the oldest shooting date and time are displayed fourth to sixth. Images are displayed, and then thumbnail images with the oldest shooting date and time are displayed in a set of three images, such as 7th to 9th and 10th to 12th.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S52 that the cross key has not been operated, the process proceeds directly to step S54.
In step S54, the CPU 10 determines whether or not a set key operation has been performed. This determination is made based on whether or not an operation signal corresponding to the operation of the set key is sent from the key input unit 11.
If it is determined in step S54 that the set key has not been operated, the process returns to step S52 and the above operation is repeated. That is, the selection of thumbnail images can be freely changed until the set key is operated.

  If it is determined in step S54 that the set key has been operated, the location of the image file corresponding to the thumbnail image in the main directory portion is determined based on the path name and file name associated with the selected thumbnail image. The captured image data of the identified image file is read out and displayed in detail (entire display) on the image display unit 15 (step S55). As described above, when a thumbnail image, which is a representative image for each shooting date, is arbitrarily selected and the set key is operated, the captured image data corresponding to the selected representative image is displayed in detail. Of the data, it is possible to display in detail from the captured image data captured on the capturing date of the selected representative image.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 6A, when the set key is operated while the thumbnail image “April 2, 2006” is selected, “DATE. As shown in FIG. 3 recorded in the flash memory 14 based on the path name and file name recorded in “DAT” (see FIG. 4, path name: ¥ DCIM ¥ 100ZZZZ, file name: CIMG0001.JPG). The image file having the file name and its location are specified from the directory, and the captured image data of the specified image file is read and displayed on the image display unit 15. The image of the photographed image data to be read and the thumbnail image selected at the time of the set key operation are the same image. That is, from the image display based on the file “DATE.DAT” as index data, the image display based on the image file (image file recorded in the main directory) recorded in each folder as described above. Migrate to

Next, the CPU 10 determines whether or not an operation of the cross key has been performed (step S56).
If it is determined in step S56 that the operation of the cross key has been performed, the CPU 10 reads the image file to be newly displayed according to the operation according to a predetermined directory to display in detail (step S57), and proceeds to step S58. .

  For example, when the operation of the “↓” key of the cross key is performed, an image file (image file having one image file name number) recorded and recorded next to the displayed captured image data is predetermined. And the captured image data of the specified image file is read out and displayed. If there is no photographed image data photographed next to the photographed image data currently displayed, the photographed date / time is the oldest among the image files recorded in the flash memory 14 (the number of the image file is the same). The captured image data of the (smallest) image file is displayed.

  On the other hand, when the operation of the “↑” key is performed, an image file (image file whose image file name number is one less) recorded immediately before the displayed captured image data is specified. Identification is made based on the directory, and the captured image data of the identified image file is read and displayed. If there is no photographed image data photographed before the currently displayed photographed image data, the latest photographed date / time among the image files recorded in the flash memory 14 (the number of the image file name is The captured image data of the (large) image file may be displayed.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 3, when the photographed image data having the path name “¥ DCIM ¥ 100ZZZZ” and the file name “CIMG0001.JPG” is displayed, the “↓” key is operated. 3, the image file recorded and recorded after the image file of the displayed captured image data is an image file “CIMG0002.JPG”. Then, by reading out and displaying the captured image data of the specified image file, the captured image data recorded and recorded next is displayed in detail. In this case, the image file of the captured image data currently displayed and the image file of the captured image data to be displayed next are recorded in the same folder.

When the photographed image data with the path name “¥ DCIM ¥ 100ZZZZ” and the file name “CIMG0011.JPG” is displayed, if the “↓” key is operated, the main directory of the directory shown in FIG. Based on the directory part, since the image file recorded and recorded after the image file of the displayed captured image data is an image file of “CIMG0012.JPG”, this is specified, and the specified image file is specified. By reading out and displaying the captured image data, the captured image data recorded and recorded next is displayed in detail. In this case, the folder in which the image file of “CIMG0012.JPG” to be displayed next is recorded is the folder next to the folder (folder name: 100ZZZZ) in which the image file of the currently displayed captured image data is recorded. Folder (folder name: 101ZZZZ), and the captured image data captured on the next capturing date is displayed.
When the detailed display is performed in this way, the captured image data is displayed in a predetermined order based on a predetermined directory in accordance with the operation of the cross key.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S57 that the cross key is not operated, the process proceeds to step S58.
In step S58, the CPU 10 determines whether or not the set key has been pressed for a long time. This determination is made based on whether or not an operation signal corresponding to pressing of the set key has been sent from the key input unit 11 for a predetermined time.

  If it is determined in step S58 that the button has not been pressed for a long time, the process returns to step S56 and the above operation is repeated. If it is determined that the button has been pressed for a long time, of the thumbnail images recorded in “DATE.DAT”, 3 sets of thumbnail images including thumbnail images recorded in association with the path name of the image file of the captured image data displayed (specified) are displayed (including the shooting date), and A thumbnail image recorded in association with the path name is selected, and the process proceeds to step S52. That is, the display returns from the image display based on the image file recorded in the main directory portion to the image display based on “DATE.DAT” as index data.

  At this time, for example, referring to FIG. 3, when the file name of the image file of the photographed image data displayed immediately before pressing the set key is “CIMG0014.JPG”, the path name of the image file is Since it is “¥ DCIM ¥ 101ZZZZ”, the thumbnail image associated with the path name of the image file shown in FIG. 4, that is, the image file with the path name “¥ DCIM ¥ 101ZZZZ” and the file name “CIMG0012.JPG”. Three thumbnail images including a corresponding thumbnail image are displayed, and a thumbnail image corresponding to the image file having the file name “CIMG0012.JPG” is selected.

In this case, a thumbnail image and a shooting date as shown in FIG. 6A are displayed, and the thumbnail image of April 3, 2006 is selected.
In this way, when the captured image data is displayed in detail, if the set key is pressed for a long time, a representative image of each captured date is displayed and the captured date of the captured image data displayed in detail is displayed. The representative image is selected.

C. In this way, at the time of shooting, the image file of the shot image data is recorded in a different folder for each shooting date, and the image file of the shooting image data shot at the beginning of the shooting date (an image file serving as a representative image) is stored. In the case of recording, the file “DATA.DAT” is indexed with the shooting date of the shooting image data shot at the beginning of the shooting date, and the recorded path name, file name, and thumbnail image of the shooting image data. Let me record as. Thereby, at the time of reproduction, an outline of the image file recorded in the flash memory 14 can be acquired based on “DATA.DAT” as index data, so that each representative image is stored in the folder for each shooting date. Without having to read the image, it is possible to quickly display a representative image of each shooting date as an overview.

  At the time of reproduction based on “DATA.DAT” as index data, a plurality of thumbnail images recorded in “DATE.DAT” are displayed in order from the oldest shooting date and time to display a representative image of each shooting date. When the set key is operated while any one thumbnail image (representative image) is selected, the captured image data of the image file corresponding to the selected thumbnail image (representative image) is displayed. Are read and displayed based on the path name and file name recorded in association with the thumbnail image. That is, the image display based on “DATE.DAT” is shifted to the image display based on the image file recorded in the main directory section. Thereafter, when the operation of the cross key is performed, the captured image data of the image file is displayed in detail according to the operation. As a result, the user can display the captured images in detail according to the order based on the predetermined directory structure, starting from the representative image arbitrarily selected from the representative images on each shooting date.

  If the set key is pressed for a long time at this time, the display returns from the image display based on the image file recorded in the main directory portion to the image display based on “DATE.DAT”. That is, among the thumbnail images recorded in “DATE.DAT” again, a representative image corresponding to the shooting date of the shooting image data displayed when the set key is held down is selected, and the representative image of each shooting date is displayed. Display more than one. Thereby, the user can quickly know the outline of the image file recorded in the flash memory 14 again.

D. As described above, in the embodiment, the shooting date / time of the first shot image data shot on each shooting date, the path name and the file name of the image file of the shot image data are set to the file “INDEX.DAT” (index data). ) And a plurality of thumbnail images for each shooting date are displayed based on the recorded index data. Therefore, the first image shot on each shooting date, that is, the representative image for each shooting date is displayed. Multiple sheets or a list can be displayed quickly.
[Modification 1]
E. Note that the above-described embodiment can be modified as follows.

(1) In the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the date of shooting image data taken at the beginning of each shooting date in “DATE.DAT”, the path name of the image file of the shooting image data, The file name and the thumbnail image of the captured image data are recorded, but the thumbnail image may not be recorded.
In this case, the location in the main directory portion of the image file is specified based on the path name and file name as location information recorded in “DATE.DAT” as index data, and the captured image of the specified image file is specified. Data may be acquired and reduced, and a plurality of images may be displayed as representative images for each shooting date. It should be noted that a thumbnail image of the captured image data is recorded in advance in the image file, the location of the image file in the main directory portion is specified based on the path name and file name, and the thumbnail image recorded in the specified image file May be displayed as a representative image of each shooting date.
As a result, the location of the image file serving as the outline representative image can be quickly identified, and the representative image can be displayed quickly.

  (2) In addition, the image taken at the beginning of each shooting date is set as the representative image, but the user designates an arbitrary image among the shot images as the representative image for each shooting date. Also good. In this case, the path name, file name, and thumbnail image for the image file of the designated image are recorded as an index in “DATE.DAT”.

  (3) Also, in step S4 of FIG. 2, it is determined whether or not the first shooting is performed today. When shooting for the first time today, a new folder is created and recorded, and the path name and file name are used as indexes. In step S4, it is determined whether or not to shoot for the first time this month, or whether or not to shoot for the first time this week, and if it is determined to shoot for the first time this month or this week, A new folder may be created and recorded, and a path name and a file name may be recorded as an index.

That is, instead of creating a folder for each shooting day, a folder may be created for each shooting month and each shooting week and recorded there.
In this case, in step S51 and step S59 in FIG. 5, a representative image for each shooting month and each shooting week is displayed.
Further, the folder of each shooting month is recorded in the folder of each shooting month, the representative image of each shooting month is displayed first, and when the representative image of a certain month is selected, the selected month A representative image of each shooting date may be displayed.
In addition, the method is not limited to the shooting month and the shooting week, but may be any method as long as the captured image data is divided into a plurality of groups and a plurality of representative images of each group are displayed.

  (4) In step S55 of FIG. 5, the location of the image file in the main directory portion is specified based on the path name and file name associated with the selected thumbnail image, and the specified image file is captured. When image data is displayed and the cross key is operated in step S56, the image file to be displayed next is specified in accordance with the operation, and the captured image data of the specified image file is displayed. In the frame of the image file belonging to the path name associated with the thumbnail image selected at the time of the set key operation in S54, the image file is specified according to the operation, and the captured image data of the specified image file is displayed. It may be.

That is, in the embodiment, when a thumbnail image (representative image) of a certain date is selected, the captured image data of the image file corresponding to the selected thumbnail image is displayed, and when the cross key is operated, the operation is performed. The image file is specified according to the above and the captured image data of the specified image file is displayed. Depending on the operation method and the number of times, the captured image data captured on a date different from the date of the selected representative image Will also be displayed. Therefore, the image file is specified and displayed in the frame of the image file recorded and recorded on the date of the selected representative image.
As a result, only the photographed image photographed on the photographing date of the selected representative image is displayed.

  (5) When the SET key is operated in step S54 in FIG. 5, the thumbnail image is handled based on the path name and file name associated with the selected thumbnail image (representative image). The location of the image file in the main directory portion is specified, and the captured image data of the specified image file is displayed on the image display portion 15. When the set key is operated, the selected thumbnail image is displayed. You may make it display the thumbnail image of each image file which belongs to the path name linked and recorded as a list. That is, a list of thumbnail images of each image file recorded and recorded on the shooting date of the selected representative image is displayed. Thus, by selecting an arbitrary representative image from the representative images on each shooting date, it is possible to display a list of thumbnail images of the images shot on the shooting date of the representative image. Become. Further, when an arbitrary thumbnail image is selected from the thumbnail images displayed in a list, captured image data corresponding to the selected thumbnail image is displayed.

  (6) In addition to image files shot with the digital camera 1, image files shot with other digital cameras or image files downloaded over the Internet are sorted according to shooting date and recorded in a folder. Alternatively, an image file having the earliest shooting date or an image file designated by the user may be used as a representative image, and a path name, a file name, or the like may be recorded in “DATE.DAT”.

(7) Further, in step S51 and step S59 in FIG. 5, a plurality of thumbnail images as representative images are displayed, but they may be displayed one by one.
In step S51 and step S59, a plurality of sheets such as three are normally displayed. However, they may be displayed like a calendar.

  (8) Moreover, the aspect which combined the said modification (1)-(7) arbitrarily may be sufficient.

  (9) The digital camera 1 in the above embodiment is not limited to the above embodiment, and may be a mobile phone, a PDA, a personal computer, a digital video camera, or the like, and has a function of displaying an image. Any device can be used.

1 is a block diagram of a digital camera according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the digital camera 1 of embodiment. It is a figure which shows the mode of the directory of the folder currently recorded on the flash memory 14 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the mode of the path name etc. which were recorded on the file "DATE.DAT" as index data. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the digital camera 1 of embodiment. In the embodiment, a state in which a plurality of thumbnail images, which are representative images for each shooting date, are displayed is shown. It is a figure which shows the mode of the directory of the folder currently recorded on the conventional flash memory.

Explanation of symbols

1 Digital Camera 2 Shooting Lens 3 Lens Drive Block 4 Aperture 5 CCD
6 Driver 7 TG
8 Unit circuit 9 Image generator 10 CPU
11 Key input section 12 Memory 13 DRAM
14 Flash memory 15 Image display unit 16 Bus

Claims (15)

Imaging means for imaging a subject;
A recording control unit that generates an image file based on the image data captured by the imaging unit, and records the generated image file in a recording unit in association with any group;
A determining unit that determines a representative image of each group from the recorded image files based on the image file and the group recorded in association with each other by the recording control unit;
Index recording control means for recording the location information of the image file to be a representative image of the group determined by the determining means as at least index data in the recording means;
Display control means for displaying a representative image of each group on the display means based on the index data recorded by the index recording control means;
An imaging apparatus comprising: The group is
It is a group divided by shooting date,
The recording control means includes
The image pickup apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an image file generated based on the image data picked up by the image pickup unit is recorded in association with a group corresponding to a shooting date of the image file. The determining means includes
The image file recorded first in each group among the image files recorded in association with each group by the recording control unit is determined as a representative image of the group. The imaging apparatus according to 1 or 2. The determining means includes
3. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an image file selected by a user is determined as a representative image of a group recorded in association with the image file. The index recording control means includes
5. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least a path name and a file name of the image file are recorded as index data indicating location information of an image file serving as a representative image. The recording control means includes
Generating and recording an image file based on the image data picked up by the image pickup means and reduced image data obtained by reducing the image data;
The display control means includes
Based on the location information of the representative image recorded in the index table recorded by the index recording control means, the reduced image data of the image file of the representative image is read from the recording means and displayed, thereby displaying each group. 6. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a representative image is displayed. The index recording control means includes
Along with the location information of the image file to be the representative image of the group determined by the determining means, the reduced image data obtained by reducing the image data of the image file is recorded as index data,
The display control means includes
The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a representative image of each group is displayed by displaying reduced image data of the index data. Designation means for designating an arbitrary representative image among the representative images displayed by the display control means;
Full-screen display control means for reading the image data of the image file corresponding to the representative image designated by the designation means from the recording means and displaying the whole image;
Instruction means for instructing frame advance of image data displayed on the entire surface by the entire surface display control means;
Full display control means
7. The image data of an image file taken next to the currently displayed image data is read from the recording means and displayed when the frame sending is instructed by the instruction means. The imaging device according to any one of the above. The display control means includes
9. The imaging apparatus according to claim 8, wherein image data of an image file recorded in association with a group of representative images designated by the designation unit is displayed. A designation unit for designating an arbitrary representative image among the representative images displayed by the display control unit;
The image pickup apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a list of images of image files associated with a group of representative images designated by the designation unit is displayed. An image display device comprising: a recording unit that records image files of captured image data separately for each group; and a display control unit that displays a representative image of each group recorded in the recording unit. There,
The recording means includes
Furthermore, the index data which recorded the location information of the image file used as the representative image for each group is recorded,
The display control means includes
An image display device characterized in that a display unit displays a representative image of each group using the index data recorded in the recording unit. The display control means includes
12. The image display device according to claim 11, wherein the representative image is read from the recording unit and displayed based on location information of an image file serving as a representative image recorded in the index data. The index data is
Along with the location information of the image file of the image to be the representative image, a reduced image obtained by reducing the image data of the image file is also recorded together.
The display control means includes
12. The image display apparatus according to claim 11, wherein a representative image for each group is displayed by displaying a reduced image recorded in the index data. Imaging processing for imaging a subject;
A recording process for generating an image file based on the image data captured by the imaging process, and recording the generated image file on a recording medium in association with any group;
A determination process for determining a representative image of each group from the recorded image files based on the image file and the group recorded in association with each other by the recording process;
An index recording process for recording the location information of an image file serving as a representative image of the group determined by the determination process on the recording medium as at least index data;
Display processing for displaying a representative image of each group based on the index data recorded by the index recording processing;
A program characterized by causing a computer to execute the processes described above. A program for executing an image display device including a recording unit that records image files of captured image data divided into groups,
The recording means further records index data that records the location information of an image file serving as a representative image for each group, and the index data recorded in the recording means is used to record each group. A program for displaying a representative image on a display means.

Images