JP3767093B2 - Image data group editing / playback method, image processing apparatus, and recording medium recording image data group editing / playback program - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an image data editing / playback method, and more particularly, to an image data group editing / playback method in an image processing apparatus such as a digital camera or a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as a personal computer), and image processing using these methods. Relates to the device.
[0002]
[Prior art]
A subject image picked up by a digital camera is recorded in a storage medium as image data through photoelectric conversion, signal conversion, signal processing, and the like by a CCD. In this case, the image data is recorded on the recording medium in the order of imaging.
Many digital cameras include a display device such as a liquid crystal display. In such digital cameras, a user can use the display device instead of a finder when taking an image, and a recording medium after taking an image. It is also possible to display a reproduced image read out from. However, when displaying a reproduced image with such a digital camera, since the image data is read from the recording medium in the order of imaging, it is usually displayed on the screen of the display device in the order of imaging.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, from the user's side, when a specific image is taken out from the image data recorded in the conventional digital camera and displayed, and a desired image is output, or the number recorded in random order. Even when you want to display a set of image data in a certain order and output the desired images all together, or when you want to extract and display only a certain theme, for example, a flower image, and output the desired image Since it is necessary to select a desired image while always displaying it sequentially from the first image, it is inconvenient, and the desired image may not be reproduced unless it is displayed until the last image is recorded. When there is a lot of image data (liquid crystal display has high battery consumption), problems such as battery consumption are pointed out, and the development of simple means for this is required. Which was.
[0004]
The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-mentioned problems and respond to user requests. The recorded image data is edited and grouped, and the grouped image data is selected and reproduced / displayed by group. An object of the present invention is to provide an image data group editing / playback method and an image processing apparatus for performing group editing / playback of image data based on the method.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, an image data group editing / reproducing method according to the present invention is an image processing apparatus for recording image data on a recording medium, reproducing the image data recorded on the recording medium, and displaying an image. Reproducing the image data recorded on the recording medium, displaying the image, and selecting a desired group, a group editing step of registering the list data of the image in the group registration list so that the image belongs to the desired group, A group reproduction step of sequentially retrieving and reproducing image data of images belonging to the selected group from a recording medium based on a group registration list; And the group editing step includes a step of registering the list data in the group registration list as belonging to a non-group for an image that does not belong to any group, and the group reproduction step belongs to a non-group Including sequentially retrieving and reproducing the image data based on the group registration list and displaying the image. It is characterized by.
[0006]
Also, the group editing process Change the group to which the image obtained in the group playback process belongs, or if the image belongs to a non-group, update the list data for the image in the group registration list so that it belongs to the desired group. A group change step for registration, and a group release step for releasing the group to which the image obtained in the group playback step is released and updating the list data for the image in the group registration list as a non-group and registering it in the group registration list. You may make it.
[0007]
The image processing apparatus of the present invention is an image processing apparatus that records image data on a recording medium by a programmed computer, reproduces the image data recorded on the recording medium, and displays the image. A mode determination means for determining the mode designated by the mode designation means, a group registration list in which the list data of the grouped images is registered in the group editing mode, and the image data recorded on the recording medium is reproduced. First image reproduction means for displaying an image, grouping designation means for selecting a group to which the image belongs, and list data of the image is registered in a group registration list so that the image belongs to the selected group. Group registration means, playback group selection means for selecting a desired playback group in group playback mode, and Sequentially taken out by reproducing the image data of the images belonging to-option the group from the recording medium based on the group registration list, and the second image reproducing means for displaying images, a In the group editing mode, the grouped reproduction means further selects an image that does not belong to any group as belonging to a non-group, and the group registration means selects an image selected as belonging to a non-group. The list data is registered in the group registration list, and in the group playback mode, the playback group selection unit further includes a unit for selecting a non-group, and the second image playback unit groups the image data of the images belonging to the non-group. Based on the registration list, it is taken out sequentially from the recording medium, played back, and configured to display images It is characterized by.
[0008]
In group edit mode, A group changing means for changing a group to which an image obtained in the group playback mode belongs, or grouping so as to belong to a desired group when the image belongs to a non-group; A group change registration unit that includes a group release unit that releases a group to which the obtained image belongs and sets the group to a non-group, and the group registration unit updates the list record of the group-changed image and registers it in the group registration list; It may be configured to include group cancellation registration means for updating the registered image record record and registering it in the group registration list.
[0009]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
<Configuration of image processing apparatus>
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of an image processing apparatus according to the present invention.
The image processing apparatus 100 includes an image data input system 10 that supplies image data to the recording unit 50, a control unit 20 that controls the operation of the entire image processing apparatus 100, and an operation that provides an instruction result operated by the user to the control unit 20. Unit 30, a display unit 40 for displaying the reproduction result of the image data recorded on the recording medium 51, image data from the image data input system 10 and a group registration list described later are recorded on the recording medium 51 and those It has a recording unit 50 for reading, an input interface 81 (described later) for “image processing apparatus 100”, and an output interface 82 for outputting the processing result of the image processing apparatus 100 to an external device. In FIG. 1, symbol 90 indicates a bus line.
[0010]
When the entire image processing apparatus 100 is a digital camera, the image data input system 10 corresponds to a system from the optical system 11 of the digital camera to the DRAM 14 as shown in FIG. 8, and the image processing apparatus 100 is a personal computer or the like. In the case of a processing device that is program-controlled by a computer device (hereinafter referred to as “image processing device”), an image data conversion device such as a digital camera, an imaging device other than a digital camera, a scanner, a memory card, a CD-ROM, etc. Corresponds to a reading device of a recording medium on which the image data is recorded.
If the entire image processing apparatus 100 is a digital camera, the input interface 81 in FIG. 1 is not necessary.
[0011]
Also, since image data from the digital camera is JPEG compressed as described later, the “image processing apparatus 100” is provided with an image data expansion unit or an image data expansion unit configured by a program and is the same as each unit described later. It is preferable to store the data in the ROM 23 and execute it by the CPU 21. In this case, when the image data from the image data input system 10 is not compressed data (for example, scanner output), the image data expansion unit or expansion unit is configured not to function. When the entire image processing apparatus 100 is a digital camera, a compressed data expansion unit (signal processing unit (FIG. 8)) of the digital camera is used for data expansion.
[0012]
The control unit 20 includes a CPU 21, a RAM 22, and a ROM 23. The CPU 21 controls the entire image processing apparatus 100 by a control program stored in the ROM 23, and performs group editing, group reproduction / display and output of image data by group editing / reproducing means.
[0013]
The RAM 22 is used for temporary storage of data or processing results and an intermediate work area. If the image processing apparatus 100 is a digital camera, the DRAM 14 (FIG. 8) can be used as a work area for image data.
[0014]
The ROM 23 is a recording medium for recording the above-described control program and a program for executing various functions of the group editing / reproducing means and the image processing apparatus, and PROM, FROM (flash ROM) or the like is used. These programs may be stored in a removable recording medium other than the ROM 23 (for example, the recording medium 51 (described later)).
[0015]
The operation unit 30 includes a mode switching button (key), a function button (key), a registration button (key), and the like. When the user performs a selection operation or a pressing operation by a confirmation operation, the result is an electric signal ( Digital code) and input to the CPU 21 via the bus 90. The CPU 21 sets the status flag of these buttons (keys) based on the received electrical signal.
[0016]
The display unit 40 includes a VRAM (video ram) and a video monitor (for example, the liquid crystal display 43 of FIG. 8 or a personal computer display), and displays the reproduction result of the image data read from the recording medium 51 on the screen of the video monitor. To do. The VRAM preferably includes two (or two or more) images for storage (VRAMa) and display data storage (VRAMb) (see FIG. 8). In this case, the VRAM is read from the recording medium 51. The obtained image data is developed as a bitmap image, and display data such as a selection menu and an input instruction message is temporarily stored in the VRAMb, and is superimposed on the video monitor screen.
[0017]
The recording unit 50 accommodates a recording medium 51, and the group registration list 130 (FIG. 3 to FIG. 3) created / updated on the recording medium 51 under the group editing mode of the present invention and the image data from the image input 10 under the control of the CPU 21. 5) is recorded, and the image data or group registration list is read from the recording medium 51 and transferred to the RAM 22 (or DRAM 14). It is desirable that the data transfer by the recording unit 50 be performed by DMA (direct memory access method).
[0018]
As the recording medium 51, a flash ROM or a memory card is used when the image processing apparatus 100 corresponds to a digital camera.
In the case of the “image processing apparatus 100”, a removable recording medium such as an FD, a magnetic disk, or an optical disk is used. In this case, as the recording device 50, an FD device, a magnetic disk device, an optical disk device or the like is used.
[0019]
In the case of the “image processing apparatus 100”, the interface 81 is provided for inputting image data from the external image data input system (10).
Thus, when the image data input system 10 is an internal data input system (that is, a system extending from the optical system 11 to the DRAM 14 of the digital camera), it is not necessary.
[0020]
<Mode>
The operation mode is defined by processing means (program) included in the image processing means 100, and is selected by the user by operating a button, key, or switch provided in the operation unit 30.
The image processing apparatus 100 has an image data editing / playback mode and other modes, and the image data editing / playback mode is further divided into a group editing mode and a group playback mode for image data. These operation modes can be selected at any point during the operation of the image processing apparatus 100.
[0021]
In the group editing mode, image data not registered in the group registration list 130 (unregistered images) among the image data recorded on the recording medium 51 is registered in a desired group. It is also possible to change or cancel registered groups under this mode. Independent images that are not grouped can also be registered in the group registration list 130 as non-groups (FIG. 3).
In the group playback mode, a group can be specified and images belonging to the group can be displayed on the screen of the display unit 40.
[0022]
<Image data editing / playback means>
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of image data editing / reproducing means based on the image data editing / reproducing method of the present invention. The image data editing / reproducing means 110 includes a mode determining means 111, a group editing mode, Registration list expansion means 112 and selection screen display means 113 common to the group reproduction mode, reproduction group selection means 114 and image reproduction / display means 115 for realizing the group reproduction mode, and image reproduction / display means for realizing the group editing mode 115 ′, grouping designation means 116, group registration means 117, and registration list recording means 118. Note that the image data editing / reproducing means 110 is constituted by a program in the embodiment.
[0023]
The mode determination unit 111 checks the operation mode of the image processing unit 100 selected by the user, determines whether it is the image data editing / playback mode, and if it is in the image data editing / playback mode, further operation mode Is determined to be in group edit mode or group playback mode, and the determination result is stored.
[0024]
The registration list expansion means 112 reads out from the recording medium 51 a registered group list 130 in which the storage positions on the recording medium 51 of the images grouped (or registered as non-group images) in the group editing mode are registered. , Expanded on the RAM 22.
[0025]
The selection screen display means 113 develops an image of the group selection screen data in the VRAMb of the display unit 40 and displays the group selection screen on the screen. On the group selection screen, group names, numbers, symbols or combinations thereof are displayed to distinguish the groups, and an operation guidance message and a group designation cursor are displayed (FIGS. 9 to 12). Note that the group distinction display is not limited to the above-described names and the like, and a graphic symbolizing the group (icon or the like) or an image representing each group (reduced image) may be displayed.
[0026]
The reproduction group selection means 114 selects the designated group as a reproduction group when the user designates a desired group and then operates a specific button (or key or switch).
[0027]
The image reproduction / display unit 115 reads out the image of the designated group from the recording medium 51 and reproduces the image. Then, the image reproduction / display unit 115 develops the bitmap on the VRAMa of the display unit 20 and displays it on the screen. In this case, an image belonging to the designated group is specified by the group registration list developed on the RAM 22, and registered every time the user operates a specific button (or key or switch). The image number of the same group (or storage address) is sequentially taken out to obtain the image storage address, and the address is given to the recording unit 50 to read out the image.
[0028]
The image reproduction / display unit 115 ′ displays an unregistered image in the group editing mode. As an unregistered image, an image that is not group-registered (an image newly recorded on the recording medium 51 (≠ non-group registered image)) is read from the recording medium 51 and displayed. In this case, it is desirable to write an “unregistered image” image in the VRAMb and superimpose it on the image. If there is no image not registered in the group, a message to that effect is displayed.
[0029]
The grouping designation unit 116 selects a designated group as a group of displayed images when a user operates a specific button (or key or switch) after designating a desired group. In this case, images that are not grouped (independent images) are also grouped together as a non-group.
[0030]
The grouping designation means 116 is further configured to include a group changing means and a group releasing means (not shown), and the group changing means changes an image that has already been designated as a group and belongs to another group. However, the group canceling means can cancel the belonging group to make an independent image (in this case, it automatically belongs to a non-group (FIG. 4)).
[0031]
The group registration unit 117 stores the group number, group name, image number (or image storage address), and pixel density code of the image in the RAM 22 when the group to which the unregistered image belongs is selected by the grouping designation unit 116. Write in the expanded group registration list 130 (FIG. 4). The independent image is registered in the same manner by writing a non-group code (“99” in the examples of FIGS. 3 to 5).
The group registration unit 117 is further configured to include a group change registration unit and a group release registration unit (not shown). In the group change registration unit, a group change is designated by the grouping designation unit 116. The list record for the image in the group registration list 130 developed in the RAM 22 is updated with the group number and name after the change (FIG. 4). Similarly, the group release registration is performed by replacing the group number of the list record corresponding to the image in the group registration list 130 developed in the RAM 22 with a non-group code when the group release designation is designated by the grouping designation means 116. , Clear the name.
[0032]
The registration list recording means 118 is activated when the image data editing / playback mode is terminated or canceled (including when another operation mode is selected), and sorts the group registration list 130 stored in the RAM 22 in ascending order. After (for example, rearranging in ascending order of group number and image number) (FIG. 5), recording is performed in the recording area for the group registration list 130 of the recording medium 51 via the recording unit 50.
3 to 5 are diagrams showing examples of the structure of the group registration list according to the present invention.
The group registration list 130 is recorded in a predetermined area (preferably a fixed position in front of the image storage area) of the recording medium 51, and is read out when the image data editing / playback mode is designated and stored in the RAM 22 in FIG. Expands as a table list as shown.
[0033]
In the group registration list 130, the group number, group name, image number or image record storage address, and image size of the image data subjected to the group registration processing in the group edit mode among the images recorded on the recording medium 51 are displayed. The pixel density code shown is a group number storage position 131, a group name storage position 132, an image number storage position 133, and a density code storage of each list record (referred to as a one-to-one correspondence with an image constituting the group list). Stored at position 134.
Note that the group name storage position 132 and the density code storage position 134 can be omitted, and the group registration list 130 can be configured by only the group number storage position 131 and the image number storage position 133.
[0034]
In FIG. 3, the group registration list 130 includes three image data list records with a group number “1” and a group name “A”, a list of image data with a group number “2” and a group name “B”. Two record records, two record records of image data with group number “3”, group name “C”, two independent image data list records with group number “99” are registered. .
[0035]
The group name is a key input (or button input) from the operation unit 30 by a number, a symbol, or a combination thereof, but is not limited to a number or a symbol, but a graphic symbol (such as an icon) or each group. It is also possible to store the storage position of the image representing the image (reduced image). If there are images belonging to the same group, the group name is copied.
[0036]
In addition, when the image number is assigned to the image recorded on the recording medium 51 at the image number storage position 133, the image number is obtained. When the image number is not attached, the image obtained at the time of image reading is obtained. Is written as the storage address (usually obtained by referring to the address register).
[0037]
In the present embodiment, the group registration list 130 is expanded in the RAM 22. However, the group registration list 130 recorded in the recording medium 51 is referred to (searched) each time without being expanded in the RAM 22. It can also be configured. In this case, after updating the group registration list 130, it is expanded in the RAM 22, sorted (rearranged) and recorded again, or an index file with the group number as a key is provided, and each list record in the group registration list 130 is provided. Are combined by pointers for the same group, and the pointers of the corresponding list records are rewritten each time updating is performed.
[0038]
4 and 5 show examples of the group registration list after group processing in the group edit mode. FIG. 4 shows a group registration list added and updated to the group registration list 130 in FIG. 3 in the group edit mode. Shows an example of the group registration list sorted immediately thereafter (immediately before writing to the recording medium 51).
In FIG. 4, new image data (image number “57”) recorded in the recording medium 51 in the group registration list 130 of FIG. 1 is registered as the group number “1” at the end of the group registration list 130, and non- The independent image (image number '55') that was the group (group number '99') is changed and registered to the group 'C' with group number 3, and the image of group B (group number '4') with group number '2'. ) Has been ungrouped and registered as a non-group.
[0039]
Further, in the group registration list 130 of FIG. 5, the list records of the group numbers “4”, “55”, and “57” of FIG. 4 are sorted in ascending order by group number and image number. Each list record of the group registration list 130 of FIG. 5 is recorded on the recording medium 51 in this order.
[0040]
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the image processing apparatus 100 based on the image data editing / reproducing means 110. Steps S6 and S7 correspond to operations under the group reproduction mode, and steps S8 to S15 are under the group editing mode. Corresponds to the action. The flowchart of FIG. 6 will be described as the operation of the digital camera 200 in the following embodiment.
[0041]
<Example>
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a digital camera. On the upper surface of the digital camera 200, a mode switch (slide switch) for switching the operation mode to the image data editing / playback mode of the present invention is shown. ) 31, mode selection buttons 32 and 33 for selecting a group edit mode and a group playback mode, cursor movement buttons 34 and 35, a display / registration button (also a shutter button) 36, a main power button 201, and a digital camera A function button 205 used to select another function is provided.
[0042]
Further, on the back (front side of the drawing), switching between the imaging mode and a reproduction mode for performing normal reproduction of the imaging result recorded in the imaging mode (that is, image reproduction not using the group editing / reproduction method of the present invention). An image pickup / playback mode changeover switch 211, an optical viewfinder 212, and an image display liquid crystal display 213 are provided. Note that an optical system mechanism including an imaging lens is provided at a front portion (not shown).
[0043]
FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration example of the digital camera 200 of FIG. Hereinafter, the same symbols are used for components having the same functions as those of the image processing apparatus 200 in FIG. 1, and detailed descriptions thereof are omitted.
[0044]
Mode switch 31, imaging / playback mode switch 211, mode selection buttons 32 and 33, cursor movement buttons 34 and 35, and registration button 36 (hereinafter simply referred to as switches 31, 211, buttons 32, 33, 34, 35, 36) Is equivalent to a component of the operation unit 30 in FIG.
[0045]
The optical system 11, the signal conversion unit 12, the signal processing unit 13, and the DRAM 14 correspond to the image data input system 10 in FIG. The VRAM 41 corresponds to VRAMa, and the VRAM 42 corresponds to VRAMb.
[0046]
The optical system 11 includes an optical system mechanism 11 such as an imaging lens and a diaphragm, and forms an image of light from the subject on the CCD of the signal conversion unit 12 at the subsequent stage.
The signal conversion unit 12 includes a CCD, an A / D conversion unit, and a CCD drive signal generation circuit. The signal conversion unit 12 converts an image stored in the CCD through the optical system 11 in the previous stage into an electrical signal and digital data (hereinafter referred to as image data). ) And temporarily stored in a DRAM (dynamic memory) 14.
[0047]
The signal processing unit 13 compresses the image data by a compression method such as a JPEG method, and performs decompression processing on the compressed image data. Further, the signal processing unit 13 performs an expansion process on the image data from the DRAM 14 or the image data read from the flash memory 51, and then moves to a VRAM (video RAM) 41 to develop a bitmap.
Thus, if the power source of the liquid crystal display (LCD) 43 is on (ON), the image data on the VRAM 14 is displayed on the liquid crystal display 43. The selected image format and various menus and messages written to the VRAM 42 via the control unit 20 are displayed on the liquid crystal display 43. Further, the image image on the VRAM 41 and the image on the VRAM 42 can be superimposed on the liquid crystal display 43. The VRAM 41, the VRAM 42, and the liquid crystal display 43 constitute a display unit 40.
[0048]
A flash memory (image memory) 51 records compressed image data as a recording medium for image data and also records a group registration list 130.
The control unit 20 is connected to the above-described circuits and a power supply switch (not shown) and the like, and controls the operation of the entire digital camera 200 by a control program stored in the ROM 21. Further, the control unit 20 executes image data editing / reproducing means 110 (FIG. 2) stored in the ROM 21 to perform group editing / reproducing mode control of image data.
[0049]
The interface 82 exchanges data between the digital camera 200 and an external device such as a printer, a personal computer, other image processing apparatus, or a CD-ROM. Transmission (output) of the image data recorded in the flash memory 51 to an external device is performed based on an image transmission means (program) (not shown). At this time, the group registered in the group registration list 130 is displayed. The image transmission means can be configured to designate and output image data belonging to a specific group. Further, all the image data can be output together with the group registration list 130.
[0050]
<Switching mode>
After the main power button 201 is turned on, when the switch 211 is switched to the “imaging” side, the digital camera 200 enters an imaging mode, and a series of imaging operations such as imaging, display, and recording of a subject can be performed.
Further, when the switch 211 is switched to the “reproduction” side, if the switch 31 is off (OFF), the digital camera 200 is in a normal reproduction mode, and the reproduction operation of the image data recorded in the flash memory 51 is performed. Can do.
When the switch 211 is switched to the “playback” side and the switch 31 is turned on, the operation mode of the digital camera 200 is switched to the image data editing / playback mode of the present invention. Here, when the button 32 is depressed, the group edit mode is set, and when the button 33 is depressed, the group reproduction mode is set.
[0051]
FIG. 9 and FIG. 10 are explanatory diagrams of an example of reproduction group selection in the group reproduction mode, and FIG. 9A and FIG. 10A show a group selection screen.
The group selection screen 90 includes a group selection unit 91 exemplified by six rectangular portions of group names A to E and a + symbol, a group selection method in the group selection unit, and image reproduction / display and editing / registration methods. A guidance display unit 92 for displaying guidance messages for guidance is displayed, and a cursor 93 (a rectangular frame type cursor in the figure) 93 for selecting a group is further displayed. FIGS. 9B and 10B show examples of image groups belonging to the selected group, and FIG. 10C shows examples of selected and reproduced / displayed images.
[0052]
FIGS. 11 and 12 are explanatory diagrams of an example of group editing in the group editing mode. FIGS. 11A and 12A show a group selection screen. FIGS. 11B and 11B show examples of image groups belonging to the selected group. In the present embodiment, the same group selection screen is used in the group editing mode and the group reproduction mode. However, a different screen may be used.
Hereinafter, the operation of the digital camera 200 in the group edit / playback mode will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 6 to 12.
[0053]
<Operation in group edit / playback mode>
In FIG. 6, under the control of the control program, the control unit 20 transfers the control to the image data editing / reproducing means 110 when the status flag of the switch 31 means “ON”. The image data editing / reproducing means 110 checks the status flag of the switch 211 by the mode judging means 111, and if it is a code meaning “reproduction”, the process proceeds to step S2, and the state flag means “imaging”. Alternatively, when the status flag of the switch 31 means “OFF”, the control is shifted to another mode process (step S1).
[0054]
In step S2, the control unit 20 reads the group registration list 130 from the flash memory 51 by the registration list expanding means 112 and expands it in the RAM 22 (FIG. 3). Here, when the user depresses one of the buttons 32 and 33, the state flag of the depressed button is turned “ON”.
In step S3, the control unit 20 checks the status flag of the switch 31 and the buttons 32 and 33, and when the status flag of the switch 31 is “off”, or the status flags of the buttons 32 and 33 are both “off” or “on”. In this case, it is determined that the image data editing / playback mode has ended, and the process proceeds to step S15.
[0055]
Next, the control unit 20 displays the group selection screen 90 as shown in FIGS. 9 to 12 on the liquid crystal display 43 by the selected image display means 113 (step S4). Further, the control unit 20 checks the state flags of the buttons 32 and 33 by the mode determination unit 111. When the state flag of the button 32 is “ON”, the control unit 20 proceeds to step S6 as the group reproduction mode, and the state flag of the button 33 indicates “ When it is “ON”, the process proceeds to step S8 as the group editing mode (step S5).
[0056]
In step S6, the user uses the buttons 34 and 35 to move the cursor 93 and designates an image group to be reproduced from the groups A to E and + (non-group). Here, when the button 34 is pressed, the cursor 93 moves to the right by one group each time the button 34 is pressed. When the button 93 is continuously pressed and reaches the right end, the movement starts from the left end of the next line to the right. Similarly, when the button 35 is pressed, the cursor 93 moves to the left by one group each time the button 35 is pressed. When the button 93 is continuously pressed and reaches the left end, the movement starts from the right end of the next line to the left.
Note that the non-groups indicated by the + symbol collectively represent independent images that do not belong to any of the groups A to E (see FIG. 3). These group display symbols are associated with group numbers in the group registration list 130.
[0057]
When the user presses the button 36 after the user designates a desired group, the playback group selection unit 114 selects the group as a playback group, converts the group code into a group number, and holds it. Control is transferred to the image reproduction / display unit 115 (step S7).
In the example of FIG. 9, a group A obtained by grouping fish shellfish images A1 to A3 (FIG. 9B) is designated by the cursor 93 (FIG. 9A). By pressing down the button 36, the images A1 to A3 to which the group A belongs are set as reproduction / display targets.
In the example of FIG. 10, the + symbol indicating that the cursor 93 represents the non-group images ω <b> 1 to ω <b> 5 (FIG. 10B) is designated (FIG. 10B). By depressing the button 36, the non-group images ω1 to ω5 are to be reproduced / displayed.
In step S7, the image reproduction / display unit 115 refers to (searches) the group registration list 130 developed in the RAM 22 using the group number as a key, and reproduces / displays the first image A1 on the liquid crystal display 43. Here, when the button 34 is pressed, the images A2 and A3 belonging to the same group are sequentially reproduced / displayed. When the button 35 is pressed, the same images A1 to A3 are reproduced / displayed in the reverse order.
Here, when the user presses the buttons 32, 33 or the switch 31, the process proceeds to step S9 while the image displayed at that time is displayed.
[0058]
In step S8, the control unit 20 displays an unregistered image for the group editing mode by the image reproduction / display unit 115 ′. As the unregistered image, an image (≠ non-group registered image) newly recorded on the recording medium 51 is read from the recording medium 51 and displayed. If there is no image not registered in the group, a message to that effect is displayed and the process proceeds to step S9.
[0059]
In step S9, the control unit 20 checks the status flag of the buttons 32, 33 or the switch 31 by the mode determination unit 111. If the button 32 is “ON”, the selected image display unit 113 displays the group selection screen 90 on the liquid crystal display. Then, the process proceeds to step S3 (continuation of the group reproduction mode). If the button 33 is “ON”, the group change flag is turned on and the process proceeds to step S10 (start of the group edit mode). Further, when the switch 31 is “off” or the buttons 32 and 33 are simultaneously “on” or “off”, the process proceeds to step S3 (end of the group edit / playback mode).
[0060]
In step S10, the control unit 20 groups (or ungroups) the image data displayed in step S7 or step S8 by the grouping designation unit 116.
In this case, the user moves the cursor 93 using the buttons 34 and 35, and designates the group to which the image displayed in step S7 or step S8 belongs, among the groups A to E and + (non-group). . When a group is designated, a corresponding group number is given to that group. Here, the operations of the buttons 34 and 35 are the same as those in step S6. Note that the release flag is turned on when the portion indicated by the + symbol is designated.
[0061]
In step S11, the control means 20 first checks the group change flag in the group registration means 117, and if it is on, turns it off before proceeding to step S14. If the group change flag is off, the release flag is checked, and if it is on, the release flag is turned off and the process proceeds to step S13.
[0062]
In step S12, a list record (group number, group name, image number, density code) of the reproduced image on the DRAM 41 is registered (added) at the end of the group registration list 130 developed in the RAM 22 (see FIG. 4). Return to step S1.
[0063]
In step S13, the group registration means 117 references (searches) the group registration list 130 developed in the RAM 22 by the group number to identify the group, and further, from the image number of the image stored in the VRAM 41, the target of cancellation. The list record of the image is specified, and the group number is updated to “99” to be ungrouped, and the process returns to step S1.
[0064]
(In the example of FIG. 12, the image E3 of the group E in FIG. 11 is reproduced / displayed in step S7, the button S33 is pressed (group change) in step S9, and the + sign indicating group release is pressed in step S10. Then, after step S11, the image number “4” is updated to the non-group number “99” in step S13 and the group name of the group E is deleted, so that the image E3 is released from the group E, and the group E As a result, images E1 and E2 remain.)
[0065]
In step S14, the group registration unit 117 refers to (searches) the group registration list 130 developed in the RAM 22 by the group number to identify the group, and further, from the image number of the image stored in the VRAM 41, the release target. The list record of the image is specified, the group number and the group name are updated with the group number and group name of the designated group, and the process returns to step S1.
[0066]
(In the example of FIG. 11, for the reproduced image ω1 (group number = 99) reproduced / displayed in step S7, the button 33 is pressed in step S9 (group change), and the change destination group corresponds to a seasonal event in step S10. A group E (group number = 4) is designated, and the group number of the image group E is given to the reproduced image ω1 in step S14, and then in step S11, the button 36 is pushed down in step S14. (The non-group number “99” in the group registration list is updated to the group number “4” of group E, and the group name of group E is copied.)
[0067]
In step S15, the control unit 20 uses the registration list recording unit 118 to sort the group registration list 130 on the RAM 22 in ascending order of group number and image number, and then updates (records) the group registration list 130 in the flash memory 51. Return to step S1.
[0068]
Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and it goes without saying that various modifications can be made.
[0069]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, since the list record of the images grouped in the group registration list is registered in the group edit mode, the image record stored in the recording medium by designating the group in the group playback mode. The image data belonging to the designated group can be retrieved and quickly retrieved from the recording medium regardless of the physical order of the images. Therefore, a specific image can be taken out from the recorded image data and displayed, desired images can be output together, or several pieces of image data recorded in random order can be displayed in a certain order. However, if you want to output all at once or output images by theme, you can easily retrieve image data by simply selecting a group.
[0070]
In addition, since it is possible to select image data at an arbitrary recording position, even if the number of recorded images is large, there is no need to take out and display it. Therefore, when the present invention is applied to a digital camera, the display time of the liquid crystal display Is short and can extend battery life.
[0071]
In addition, since images that do not belong to any group can be grouped and registered in the group registration list as a non-group, it is possible to easily and quickly select and display a specific image from unrelated images. it can. Furthermore, since the group can be changed and the group registration can be canceled, flexibility in use is guaranteed.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of an image processing apparatus according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of image data editing / reproducing means based on the image data editing / reproducing method of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is an example of a group registration list.
FIG. 4 is an example of an updated group registration list.
FIG. 5 is an example of a group registration list sorted after update.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the image processing apparatus based on image data editing / reproducing means.
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an embodiment when the present invention is applied to a digital camera.
8 is a block diagram illustrating a circuit configuration example of the digital camera in FIG. 7;
FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of an example of playback group selection in the group playback mode.
FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of an example of playback group selection in the group playback mode.
FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of an example of group editing in the group editing mode.
FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram of an example of group editing in the group editing mode.
[Explanation of symbols]
31 Mode selector switch (mode designation means)
32, 33 Mode selection button (mode designation means)
51 Flash memory (recording medium)
100 Image processing apparatus
110 Group editing / playback means (group editing / playback program)
111 Mode designation means
114 Playback group selection means
115 Image reproduction / display means (second reproduction means)
115 'Image reproduction / display means (first reproduction means)
116 Grouping means
117 Group registration means
130 Group Registration List
138 List data
200 Digital camera (image processing device)
211 Imaging / playback mode switch (mode designation means)

Claims (6)

In an image processing apparatus for recording image data on a recording medium and reproducing and displaying the image data recorded on the recording medium,
A group editing step of reproducing and displaying the image data recorded on the recording medium and registering the list data of the image in a group registration list so that the image belongs to a desired group;
A group reproduction step of selecting a desired group, sequentially retrieving and reproducing image data of images belonging to the selected group from the recording medium based on the group registration list, and displaying an image ;
The group editing step includes registering the list data in the group registration list as belonging to a non-group image that does not belong to any group,
An image data group editing / playback method, wherein the group playback step includes a step of sequentially retrieving and playing back image data of images belonging to a non-group based on the group registration list . The group editing step further changes the group to which the image obtained in the group reproduction step belongs, or if the image belongs to a non-group, the group editing step corresponds to the image of the group registration list so that it belongs to a desired group. A group change step of updating list data and registering in the group registration list;
A group cancellation step of canceling a group to which the image obtained in the group reproduction step is released and updating the list data for the image in the group registration list as a non-group and registering it in the group registration list. The group editing / reproducing method for image data according to claim 1 . An image processing apparatus that records image data on a recording medium by a programmed computer, reproduces the image data recorded on the recording medium, and displays an image.
Mode designation means;
Mode determining means for determining the mode specified by the mode specifying means;
In group edit mode,
First image reproduction means for reproducing and displaying image data recorded on the recording medium;
A grouping designation means for selecting a group to which the image belongs,
Group registration means for registering the list data of the image in a group registration list so that the image belongs to the selected group;
In group playback mode,
Playback group selection means for selecting a desired playback group;
Second image reproduction means for sequentially taking out and reproducing image data of images belonging to the selected group from the recording medium based on the group registration list,
Have
Further, the grouping designation unit grouped reproduction unit selects an image that does not belong to any group as belonging to a non-group,
Registering the list data of the images selected as belonging to the non-group by the group registration means in the group registration list;
In the group playback mode, the playback group selection means further comprises means for selecting a non-group,
An image processing apparatus, wherein the second image reproduction means sequentially retrieves and reproduces image data of an image belonging to a non-group from the recording medium based on the group registration list, and displays the image. In the group editing mode, the grouping designating unit further changes the group to which the image obtained in the group playback mode is changed, or if the image belongs to a non-group, the grouping is assigned so as to belong to a desired group. Group change means,
A group canceling unit that cancels the group to which the image obtained in the group reproduction step is released and sets it as a non-group, and the group registration unit updates the list record of the group-changed image and registers it in the group registration list Group change registration means;
The image processing apparatus according to claim 3 , further comprising: a group cancellation registration unit that updates a list record of the ungrouped image and registers it in the group registration list. A recording medium recording a program for recording image data on a recording medium of an image processing apparatus by a computer and reproducing and displaying the image data recorded on the recording medium,
A group editing mode in which image data recorded on the recording medium is reproduced and displayed, and the list data of the image is registered in a group registration list so that the image belongs to a desired group;
A group playback mode in which a desired group is selected, image data of images belonging to the selected group is sequentially taken out from the recording medium based on the group registration list and played back, and an image is displayed ;
Furthermore, in the group edit mode, register the list data as belonging to a non-group to an image that does not belong to any group in the group registration list,
Group editing of image data, wherein in the group playback mode, image data of images belonging to a non-group are sequentially retrieved from the recording medium based on the group registration list, played back, and displayed as an image / Recording medium on which playback program is recorded. In the group edit mode, the group to which the image obtained in the group playback mode is further changed, or if the image belongs to a non-group, the image corresponding to the image in the group registration list is assigned so as to belong to a desired group. A group change program for updating the list data and registering it in the group registration list, and canceling the group to which the image obtained in the group playback mode is released and updating the list data for the image in the group registration list as a non-group 6. A recording medium recording a group editing / playback program for image data according to claim 5 , further comprising a group cancellation program registered in the group registration list.

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