JP5239635B2 - Image file generation program and camera - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an image file generation program and a camera .

  The following image processing apparatus is known. When grouping related image files, this image processing apparatus manages a grouping result using a list (for example, Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-232440

  However, in a conventional image processing apparatus, when copying an image file to another apparatus, the grouping result of the image file cannot be maintained unless the list is copied together.

The image file generation program of the present invention is recorded on a storage medium in a computer, and is a first display image data that is display image data generated based on the first main image data and the first main image data. Based on a read procedure for reading out first display image data from a first image file including image data, and second main image data and second main image data different from the first main image data . a second image file and a second display image data is generated display-image data, the recording control procedure for recording on the storage medium by adding the first display image data read procedure is read containing the, from the second image file by reading the second display image data, and additional steps to be added to the first image file and at least a first image file and the second image file An image file generation program for executing the grouping instructions for grouping the third image file in the same group to a group of image files, read instructions, the first image file and the second image with the grouping Display image data is read from all image files including the file, and the recording control procedure records the display image data read by the readout procedure in a third image file classified into the same group as a group. It is characterized by.
You may make it classify | categorize the image file produced within the divided time into the same group, or classify the image selected by the user into the same group.
When an image file is added to the storage medium, the file name of the image file may be added to the grouping management information, and the image files may be grouped based on the grouping management information.
When the user instructs the addition of a new group, the image files are grouped based on the newly added additional group, and based on the main image data from all the image files classified into the same additional group. The generated display image data may be read, and display image data of other image files belonging to the same additional group may be recorded in all the image files classified into the same additional group.
When adding image data for display of another image file belonging to the same additional group to the image file, if the image data for display of the additional group has already been added to the image file, for display of the new additional group You may make it overwrite the display image data of the additional group already added with image data.
Identification information for identifying the display image data recorded in the image file before the addition instruction is given and the display image data of the additional group added to the image file when the addition instruction is given. You may make it add to an image file.
A plurality of display image data recorded in one image file may be displayed in a list on the display device.
Of the plurality of display image data recorded in one image file, the display image data classified into the additional group may be displayed as a list on the display device.
Based on the user's instruction, the display image data recorded in the image file before the addition instruction is issued, and the display image data of the additional group added to the image file as a result of the addition instruction. May be switched and displayed.
The camera of the present invention is recorded on a storage medium and includes first main image data and first display image data which is display image data generated based on the first main image data. Reading means for reading out first display image data from one image file, second main image data different from the first main image data, and display image generated based on the second main image data Recording control means for adding the first display image data read by the reading means to the second image file including the second display image data which is data, and recording the second display image data on a storage medium; and a second image The second image data is read from the file and added to the first image file, and the third image file is grouped into a group of image files including at least the first image file and the second image file. Grouping means for grouping files as the same group, and the reading means reads the display image data from all the image files including the first image file and the second image file in accordance with the grouping, and performs recording control. The means is characterized in that the display image data read by the reading means is recorded in a third image file classified into the same group in accordance with the grouping.
The image file generation program of the present invention includes a grouping procedure for grouping other image files into a plurality of image files as a same group, and a plurality of image files recorded on a storage medium, A read procedure for reading all the display image data from a plurality of image files, and other image files recorded on the storage medium are the main image. The display image data read by the reading procedure is added to and stored in other image files classified into the same group by the grouping procedure, including the data and display image data generated based on the main image data. The recording control procedure for recording on the medium and other image files classified into the same group by the grouping procedure. It reads the display image data from Le to execute the additional steps to be added to each of the plurality of image files.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to maintain the image association result in other apparatuses by simply copying the image file and without performing any other special processing.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an embodiment of a camera according to the present embodiment. The camera 100 includes an operation member 101, a lens 102, an image sensor 103, a control device 104, a memory card slot 105, and a monitor 106. The operation member 101 includes various input members operated by the user, such as a power button, a release button, a zoom button, a cross key, an enter button, a play button, and a delete button.

  The lens 102 is composed of a plurality of optical lenses, but is representatively represented by one lens in FIG. The image sensor 103 is an image sensor such as a CCD or a CMOS, for example, and captures a subject image formed by the lens 102. Then, an image signal obtained by imaging is output to the control device 104.

  The control device 104 generates image data in a predetermined image format, for example, JPEG format (hereinafter referred to as “main image data”) based on the image signal input from the image sensor 103. Further, the control device 104 generates display image data, for example, thumbnail image data, based on the generated image data. The control device 104 generates an image file that includes the generated main image data and thumbnail image data, and further includes header information, and outputs the image file to the memory card slot 105. A specific structure of the image file generated by the control device 104 in this embodiment will be described later with reference to FIG.

  The memory card slot 105 is a slot for inserting a memory card as a storage medium, and the image file output from the control device 104 is written and recorded on the memory card. The memory card slot 105 reads an image file stored in the memory card based on an instruction from the control device 104.

  The monitor 106 is a liquid crystal monitor (rear monitor) mounted on the back surface of the camera 100, and the monitor 106 displays an image stored in a memory card, a setting menu for setting the camera 100, and the like. . Further, when the mode of the camera 100 is set to the shooting mode by the user, the control device 104 acquires images in time series from the image sensor 103 and outputs them to the monitor 106. As a result, a through image is displayed on the monitor 106.

  The control device 104 includes a CPU, a memory, and other peripheral circuits, and controls the camera 100. Note that the memory constituting the control device 104 includes SDRAM and flash memory. The SDRAM is a volatile memory, and is used as a work memory for the CPU to develop a program when the program is executed or as a buffer memory for temporarily recording data. The flash memory is a non-volatile memory in which data of a program executed by the control device 104, various parameters read during program execution, and the like are recorded.

  In the present embodiment, the control device 104 generates an image file having a structure as shown in FIG. FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically showing the structure of the image file generated in the present embodiment. This image file includes a header information recording unit 2a, a main image data recording unit 2b, and a thumbnail image data recording unit 2c. The control device 104 records the above-described main image data in the main image data recording unit 2b, and records thumbnail image data 2c-1 generated based on the main image data in the thumbnail image data recording unit 2c.

  The control device 104 groups image files based on preset grouping conditions. When a new image file is generated by shooting, the thumbnail image of the newly generated image file is used. Thumbnail image data corresponding to the main image data is read from the image files belonging to the same group among the image files already recorded on the memory card and stored in the data recording unit 2c. Further, the control device 104 corresponds to the main image data of the newly generated image file in the thumbnail image data recording unit 2c of all the image files belonging to the same group among the image files already recorded on the memory card. Record thumbnail image data.

  Thereby, the thumbnail image data recording unit 2c of each image file has thumbnail images corresponding to the main image data of all the image files belonging to the same group other than the thumbnail image data 2c-1 generated based on the main image data. Data 2c-2, 2c-3, etc. are recorded. In the present embodiment, as a grouping condition for grouping image files, a condition based on the shooting date is set. For example, when the condition “group by shooting date” is set, grouping is performed so that all image files shot on the same day belong to the same group under this grouping condition.

  Alternatively, the user can set a grouping condition by specifying an arbitrary period. For example, by specifying a period of 3 days from January 1 to January 3, grouping conditions can be set so that image files taken during these three days are included in the same group. . In addition, by specifying a period of 3 hours from 8:00 to 11:00, it is possible to set the grouping condition so that image files photographed during the 3 hours are included in the same group. In the present embodiment, an example will be described in which the above-described condition “group by shooting date” is set as the grouping condition.

  The control device 104 manages the image files included in the same group based on the grouping condition using a grouped file list stored in the flash memory. For example, when the image is taken, the control device 104 adds the file name of the image file generated at that time to the grouped file list. Then, as described above, when grouping based on the shooting date, the control device 104 recognizes the time when the date has changed as a group break, and the files in the grouped file list at the timing when the break is recognized. Clear name.

  As a result, when an image file is generated by shooting, the file names of image files belonging to the same group as the image file are recorded in the grouped file list. For this reason, when the control device 104 generates an image file by shooting, another image belonging to the same group as the generated image file is referred to by referring to the grouped file list recorded in the SDRAM. You can specify the file.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically illustrating a specific example of data stored in an image file when a plurality of shootings are performed on the same day and a plurality of image files are acquired. In FIG. 3, a specific example of data recorded in the main image data recording unit 2b and the thumbnail image data recording unit 2c will be described. A specific example of data recorded in the header information recording unit 2a will be described with reference to FIG. 4 will be described later.

  FIG. 3A shows a third (third) newly generated image file that has already been acquired on the same day, that is, two image files belonging to the same group are recorded on the memory card. A specific example of data stored in an image file is shown. In the example shown in FIG. 3A, the third main image data is recorded in the main image data recording unit 2b. The thumbnail image data 2c-1 generated based on the third main image data is recorded at the head of the thumbnail image data recording unit 2c. Further, the thumbnail image data recording unit 2c includes the first thumbnail image data 2c-2 read from the first image file that has already been shot and recorded on the memory card, and the second image. Second thumbnail image data 2c-3 read from the file is recorded.

  FIG. 3B shows a specific example of data stored in the third image file when the fourth image is taken and the fourth image file is generated. In FIG. 3B, the description will focus on the differences from FIG. In the example shown in FIG. 3B, the thumbnail image data 2c-4 of the fourth image file newly created at the end of the thumbnail image data recording unit 2c is obtained by capturing the fourth image. Has been added.

  FIG. 3C shows a specific example of data stored in the fourth image file. In the example shown in FIG. 3C, the fourth main image data is recorded in the main image data recording unit 2b ′. The thumbnail image data 2c-4 generated based on the fourth main image data is recorded at the head of the thumbnail image data recording unit 2c. Further, the thumbnail image data recording unit 2c includes the first thumbnail image data 2c-2 read from the first image file that has already been shot and recorded on the memory card, and the second image. The second thumbnail image data 2c-3 read from the file and the third thumbnail image data 2c-1 read from the third image file are recorded.

  Next, a specific example of data recorded in the header information recording unit 2a will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4A is a diagram schematically showing a specific example of header information recorded in the header information recording unit 2a of the third image file shown in FIG. 3B. As shown in FIG. 4A, the header information recording unit 2a of the third image file contains the creation date and time 4a of the third image file, address information 4b and 3 of the third main image data 2b. Address information 4c of the thumbnail image data 2c-1 of the first sheet is included.

  The header information recording unit 2a of the third image file has address information 4d of the first thumbnail image data 2c-2, address information 4e of the second thumbnail image data 2c-3, and four images. Address information 4f of the thumbnail image data 2c-4 of the eye is included. The address information of each image data includes, for example, relative logical address information representing the recording position of each image data when the top logical address of the image file on the file system of the memory card is 0. To be recorded.

  Further, the header information recording unit 2a of the third image file contains date / time information 4g of the first thumbnail image data 2c-2, date / time information 4h of the second thumbnail image data 2c-3, and four images. The date information 4i of the thumbnail image data 2c-4 of the eye is included. As the date / time information of each thumbnail image data, the creation date / time information of the image file corresponding to each thumbnail image data is recorded. Here, since the date / time information of the third thumbnail image data 2c-1 matches the image file creation date / time 4a, there is no need to record it separately in the header information recording unit 2a.

  FIG. 4B is a diagram schematically showing a specific example of header information recorded in the header information recording unit 2a ′ of the image file shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 4B, the header information recording unit 2a ′ of the fourth image file has the creation date 4a ′ of the fourth image file and the address information of the fourth main image data 2b ′. 4b 'includes address information 4f of the fourth thumbnail image data 2c-4.

  The header information recording unit 2a ′ of the fourth image file has address information 4d of the first thumbnail image data 2c-2, address information 4e of the second thumbnail image data 2c-3, and 3 Address information 4c of the thumbnail image data 2c-1 of the first sheet is included. As described above, the address information of each image data is, for example, a relative representing the recording position of each image data when the top logical address of the image file on the file system of the memory card is 0. Information on the logical address is recorded.

  Further, the header information recording section 2a ′ of the fourth image file contains date / time information 4g of the first thumbnail image data 2c-2, date / time information 4h of the second thumbnail image data 2c-3, and 3 The date / time information 4j of the thumbnail image data 2c-1 of the first sheet is included. As the date / time information of each thumbnail image data, the creation date / time information of the image file corresponding to each thumbnail image data is recorded. Here, the date / time information of the fourth thumbnail image data 2c-4 matches the creation date / time 4a 'of the image file, and therefore it is not necessary to record it separately in the header information recording unit 2a'.

  In this embodiment, the header information recorded in each of the header information recording unit 2a shown in FIG. 4A and the header information recording unit 2a ′ shown in FIG. The header information recorded in the header information recording unit 104 is referred to as basic information by automatically grouping shooting dates as grouping conditions, and is distinguished from additional information described later.

  In the present embodiment, the user can record at least two images from the image files recorded on the memory card when the image files grouped by the shooting date are recorded on the memory card as described above. A file can be specified and a group addition can be instructed so that each specified image file belongs to the same group.

  For example, the user can add and group a plurality of image files that have the same shooting event but have different shooting dates. As an example, the user can group a plurality of image files taken in a trip over a plurality of days such as two days and three nights or three days and four nights to belong to the same group.

  Specifically, when the control device 104 detects that an instruction to display a grouped image selection screen for selecting an image to be grouped is detected based on the operation of the operation member 101 by the user, A grouped image selection screen as shown in FIG. 5 is displayed on the monitor 106 to accept selection of an image file by the user. The control device 104 displays thumbnail image data corresponding to the main image data from all the image files recorded on the memory card on the grouped image selection screen, for example, thumbnails in the image file shown in FIG. The image of the image data 2c-1 is read and arranged on the grouped image selection screen. As a result, a list of thumbnail images of all the image files recorded in the memory card is displayed on the grouped image selection screen as shown in FIG.

  The user operates the operation member 101 to select at least two image files to be added to the group from thumbnail images displayed as a list on the grouped image selection screen, and then presses the confirm button 5c. Confirm the selection. In the example shown in FIG. 5, a thumbnail image 5a and a thumbnail image 5b are selected from five thumbnail images. Here, the selected thumbnail image 5a is the thumbnail image of the third image file shown in FIG. 3B, and the thumbnail image 5b is the thumbnail of the fourth image file shown in FIG. 3C. A case of an image will be described.

  In this case, the control device 104 at the end of the thumbnail image data recording unit 2c of each image file designated as the group addition target, thumbnail image corresponding to the main image data of the other image file designated as the group addition target. Add data. If a group has already been added to the image file, the control device 104 overwrites the thumbnail image data of the already added group with the thumbnail image data of the newly added group.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 6A, at the end of the thumbnail image data recording unit 2c of the third image file shown in FIG. 3B, the thumbnail image data of the fourth image file. The fourth thumbnail image data 2c-4 read from the recording unit 2c is additionally recorded. In FIG. 6A, the fourth thumbnail image data newly added to distinguish from the fourth thumbnail image data 2c-4 already recorded in the thumbnail image data recording unit 2c. Is represented by 2c-4 ′.

  Further, the control device 104 records header information related to the added thumbnail image data as additional information in the header information recording unit 2a in accordance with the addition of the thumbnail image data to the thumbnail image data recording unit 2c. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 6B, the control device 104 adds the address of the fourth thumbnail image data 2c-4 in addition to the basic information 2a-1 already recorded by the above-described processing. The information 6a and the date / time information 6b of the fourth thumbnail image data 2c-4 are recorded in the header information recording unit 2a as additional information 2a-2.

  Note that the control device 104 identifies the additional information in the address information 6a of the fourth thumbnail image data 2c-4 and the date / time information 6b of the fourth thumbnail image data 2c-4. Is added. For example, the control device 104 can identify that these pieces of information are additional information by adding one or more digits of identification characters to the beginning or end of the address information 6a and the date / time information 6b.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 7A, the control device 104 adds the thumbnail of the third image file to the end of the thumbnail image data recording unit 2c of the fourth image file shown in FIG. The third thumbnail image data 2c-1 read from the image data recording unit 2c is additionally recorded. In FIG. 7A, the third thumbnail image data newly added to distinguish from the third thumbnail image data 2c-1 already recorded in the thumbnail image data recording unit 2c. Is represented by 2c-1 ′.

  Further, the control device 104 records header information related to the added thumbnail image data as additional information in the header information recording unit 2a ′ along with the addition of the thumbnail image data to the thumbnail image data recording unit 2c. Specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 7B, the control device 104 adds the basic information 2a-1 ′ already recorded by the above-described processing to the third thumbnail image data 2c-1. The address information 7a and the date / time information 7b of the third thumbnail image data 2c-1 are recorded as additional information 2a-2 'in the header information recording unit 2a'.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the flow of the initial grouping process in the present embodiment. The initial grouping process is an image file grouping process that is automatically executed at the time of shooting by the control device 104 using the shooting date as a grouping condition as described above. The process shown in FIG. 8 is executed by the control device 104 as a program that is activated when the user presses the release button included in the operation member 101.

  In step S10, the control device 104 performs shooting processing, generates main image data and thumbnail image data as described above, and records them in the SDRAM. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S20, and the control device 104 reads the main image data and thumbnail image data recorded in the SDRAM in step S10, sets the read main image data as main image data 2b, and sets the read thumbnail image data as a thumbnail. An image file as image data 2c-1 is generated.

  In addition, the control device 104 adds the image file creation date 4a, the address information 4b of the main image data 2a, the address information 4c of the thumbnail image data 2c-1, and the thumbnail image data 2c-1 to the header information 2a of the generated image file. The date / time information 4g is recorded. The control device 104 records the generated image file on the memory card via the memory card slot 105, and proceeds to step S30.

  In step S30, the control device 104 determines whether or not the shooting in step S10 is the first shooting after the group separation described above. That is, the control device 104 determines whether or not the shooting is performed for the first time after the date changes. If a positive determination is made in step S30, the process proceeds to step S70. In step S70, as described above, the control device 104 clears the image file name recorded in the grouped file list and ends the process. On the other hand, if a negative determination is made in step S30, the process proceeds to step S40.

  In step S40, the control device 104 refers to the grouped file list and identifies an image file that belongs to the same group as the captured image file generated in step S20. Then, the control device 104 reads the thumbnail image data of the captured image generated in step S10 from the SDRAM, and as shown in FIG. 3B, the thumbnails of the image files belonging to the same group recorded on the memory card. It records in the image data recording part 2c. Further, as described above, the control device 104 updates the header information of the image file to which the thumbnail image data is added. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S50.

  In step S50, the control device 104 reads thumbnail image data from each of the other image files of the same group identified with reference to the grouped file list in step S40, and the thumbnail image of the captured image file generated in step S20. It records in the data recording part 2c. Further, as described above, the control device 104 updates the header information of the captured image file. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S60.

  In step S60, the control device 104 adds the file name of the captured image file generated in step S20 to the grouped file list recorded in the SDRAM, and ends the process.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the flow of additional grouping processing in the present embodiment. As described above, the additional grouping process adds header information by adding thumbnail image data of other selected image files to each image file selected by the user as a group addition target by the user. The process to update. The process shown in FIG. 9 is performed by the control device 104 as a program that starts when the operation member 101 is operated by the user and an instruction to display the grouped image selection screen shown in FIG. Executed.

  In step S110, the control device 104 displays the grouped image selection screen shown in FIG. 5 on the monitor 106, and proceeds to step S120. In step S120, the control device 104 determines whether or not an instruction to confirm the selected content has been made by selecting a plurality of images by the user on the grouped image selection screen and pressing the confirm button 5c. . If a positive determination is made, the process proceeds to step S130.

  In step S130, the control device 104 selects any one image file from among the image files corresponding to each of the plurality of selected images selected by the user on the grouped image selection screen, and step S140. Proceed to In step S140, the control device 104 reads thumbnail image data from each of the image files other than the selected image selected in step S130, and records it in the thumbnail image data recording unit 2c of the photographed image file selected in step S40. Further, as described above, the control device 104 updates the header information of the captured image file.

  As described above, when a group has already been added to the image file, the control device 104 overwrites the thumbnail image data of the already added group with the thumbnail image data of the newly added group. To do. In this case, the control device 104 updates the header information related to the added group that has already been added with the header information related to the newly added additional group. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S150.

  In step S150, the control device 104 determines whether or not the above processing has been completed for all the images selected by the user on the grouped image selection screen. If a negative determination is made in step S150, the process returns to step S130 and the process is repeated. On the other hand, when an affirmative determination is made in step S150, the process ends.

  In the camera 100 according to the present embodiment, the control device 104 is configured to record an image file generated by the above-described process, that is, an image file including thumbnail image data of an image file belonging to the same group, on the memory card. A display instruction for any image file from the user is received. In this case, the control device 104 displays the image of the thumbnail image data of the other image files belonging to the same group together with the image of the thumbnail image data generated based on the main image data recorded in the image file instructed to be displayed. Is also displayed on the monitor 106. As a result, the user can browse thumbnail images of image files belonging to the same group only by instructing display of one image file.

  When the user browses the thumbnail image (the main thumbnail image) of the image file instructed to be displayed and the thumbnail image (the same group thumbnail image) of the image file belonging to the same group, the same thumbnail displayed at the same time as the main thumbnail image is displayed. The group thumbnail image is a thumbnail image (initial thumbnail image) of the image file of the initial group classified into the same group by the initial grouping process described above, or is classified into the same group by the additional grouping process described above. It is possible to select whether to use the thumbnail image (additional thumbnail image) of the image file of the additional group.

  For example, when an instruction to reproduce an image is received from the user, the control device 104 selects the main image from all the image files recorded on the memory card as in the grouped image selection screen shown in FIG. Thumbnail image data corresponding to the data is read, and thumbnail images are displayed as a list. The user selects any one of the thumbnail images displayed in a list on the image display screen, so that the thumbnail images of other image files recorded in the image file corresponding to the selected thumbnail image are displayed. Display can be instructed.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of image display processing in the present embodiment. As described above, the processing shown in FIG. 10 is performed by the control device 104 as a program that is activated when any one of the thumbnail images listed on the image display screen is selected by the user. Executed.

  In step S210, the control device 104 determines whether or not the above-described additional information is recorded in the header information recording unit of the image file (target image file) selected by the user. If a positive determination is made in step S210, the process proceeds to step S220. In step S220, the control device 104 reads main thumbnail image data and additional thumbnail images generated based on the main image data from the target image file. At this time, the control device 104 records the recording position of each thumbnail image in the target image file as address information of the thumbnail image data recorded as basic information in the header information recording unit and additional information recorded as additional information. Specify based on the address information of the thumbnail image data.

  Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S230, and the control device 104 reads the date / time information of the additional thumbnail image data recorded as additional information in the header information recording unit of the target image file, and proceeds to step S240. In step S240, the control device 104 reads the date / time information of the thumbnail image data recorded as basic information in the header information recording unit of the target image file, and proceeds to step S250.

  In step S250, the control device 104 determines the display order of thumbnail images based on the date / time information of each additional thumbnail image data read in step S230 and the date / time information of the main thumbnail image data read in step S240. For example, the control device 104 may determine the display order of thumbnail images so that the shooting dates and times are arranged in order from the newest, or the shooting dates and times may be arranged in order from the oldest. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S260.

  In step S260, the control device 104 rearranges the main thumbnail image and the additional thumbnail image in the display order determined in step S250, and displays them on the monitor 106. As a result, the main thumbnail image and the additional thumbnail image are displayed on the monitor 106 in the display order determined based on the shooting date and time. At this time, the control device 104 uses the main thumbnail image directly instructed to be displayed by the user by surrounding the main thumbnail image with a frame or the like, and the additional thumbnail image of the same group displayed along with the thumbnail image. A person may be able to visually identify the person.

  Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S270, and the control device 104 adds the display method of the thumbnail image to the current display method, that is, the display of the main thumbnail image and the additional thumbnail image, by the operation member 101 being operated by the user. It is determined whether or not an instruction is given to change from the group display state to the initial group display state in which the present thumbnail image and the initial thumbnail image are displayed. If a negative determination is made in step S270, the process proceeds to step S310.

  In step S <b> 310, the control device 104 determines whether or not an instruction to end the display of thumbnail images is given by operating the operation member 101 by the user. If a negative determination is made in step S310, the process returns to step S270. On the other hand, when an affirmative determination is made in step S310, the process ends.

  On the other hand, if a positive determination is made in step S270, the process proceeds to step S280. In step S280, the control device 104 reads the main thumbnail image data and the initial thumbnail image data from the target image file and outputs them to the monitor 106, whereby the main image thumbnail image and the initial thumbnail image are output to the monitor 106. To display. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S290.

  In step S290, whether or not the control device 104 has been instructed to change the thumbnail image display method from the initial group display state to the additional group display state by operating the operation member 101 by the user. Judging. If an affirmative determination is made in step S290, the process returns to step S220 and is repeated. On the other hand, if a negative determination is made in step S290, the process proceeds to step S300.

  In step S300, the control device 104 determines whether or not an instruction to end the display of thumbnail images is given by the operation of the operation member 101 by the user. If a negative determination is made in step S300, the process returns to step S290. On the other hand, when an affirmative determination is made in step S300, the process ends.

  Next, processing when a negative determination is made in step S210 will be described. In this case, the process proceeds to step S320, and the control device 104 reads the main thumbnail image data and the initial thumbnail image data from the target image file, and outputs them to the monitor 106, whereby the main image thumbnail image and the initial thumbnail image are output. The thumbnail image is displayed on the monitor 106. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S330, and the control device 104 determines whether or not an instruction to end the display of the thumbnail image is given by the operation of the operation member 101 by the user. If an affirmative decision is made in step S330, the process ends.

According to the present embodiment described above, the following operational effects can be obtained.
(1) The control device 104 reads out thumbnail image data from all image files classified in the same group as the captured image file in the image file recorded on the memory card, adds the thumbnail image data to the captured image file, and captures the image. The thumbnail image data of the shot image file is recorded in all the image files classified into the same group as the image file. Thereby, it is possible to record thumbnail image data of image files belonging to the same group in one image file and associate the images. Then, only by copying the image file, the image association result can be maintained in other apparatuses without any other special processing.

(2) The control device 104 classifies the image files created within the divided time into the same group, or classifies the images selected by the user into the same group. As a result, it is possible to automatically group image files taken within a certain period into the same group. Also, the user can freely select and group images.

(3) The control device 104 adds the file name of the image file to the grouped file list when the image is taken, and manages the image files included in the same group using the grouped file list. did. Thereby, the image files to be grouped can be easily managed.

(4) When the addition of a new group is instructed by the user, the control device 104 groups the image files based on the newly added additional group, and all the images classified into the same additional group The main thumbnail image data is read from the file, and the main thumbnail image data of other image files belonging to the same additional group is recorded in all the image files classified into the same additional group. Accordingly, it is possible to receive an instruction to add a new group from the user, and to record thumbnail image data of other images belonging to the same group in all the newly grouped image files.

(5) When the thumbnail image data of another image file belonging to the same additional group is added to the image file, the control device 104 adds the thumbnail image data of the additional group to the image file. The thumbnail image data of the additional group that has already been added is overwritten with the thumbnail image data of the additional group. Thereby, the thumbnail image data of the additional group added last can always be recorded in the image file.

(6) The control device 104 records the header information about the thumbnail image data of the image files belonging to the same group that are grouped and recorded at the time of shooting as basic information, and the thumbnail image data of the image file added as an additional group Added header information as additional information. Then, identification information indicating that the information is additional information is added to the additional information. This makes it possible to easily identify which information is basic information and which information is additional information in later processing.

(7) The control device 104 displays a list of a plurality of thumbnail image data recorded in one image file on the monitor 106 when an instruction to display one image file is given. Accordingly, the user can confirm other images belonging to the same group by instructing display of one image file.

(8) When additional information is recorded in the image file, the control device 104 displays a list of thumbnail image data classified into the additional group on the monitor 106 among the plurality of recorded thumbnail image data. I tried to do it. As a result, the user is more likely to prefer to view the result of grouping performed according to his / her preference over the result of automatic grouping at the time of shooting. In consideration of this, it is possible to provide display contents that suit the user's preference.

(9) The control device 104 switches the same group thumbnail image displayed simultaneously with the thumbnail image between the initial thumbnail image and the additional thumbnail image based on a user instruction. As a result, the grouping result according to the user's preference can be displayed.

-Modification-
The camera according to the above-described embodiment can be modified as follows.
(1) In the above-described embodiment, the header information recording unit of the image file stores image file creation date / time, main image data address information, thumbnail image data date / time information, and thumbnails as basic information of the header information. An example of recording address information of image data has been described. However, other information may be recorded as basic information in the header information recording unit. For example, when the camera 100 includes a GPS unit and can acquire position information (for example, latitude / longitude information) of a shooting point, the control device 104 creates an image file in the header information recording unit. The position information of the shooting point of the image file is recorded together with the date and time. Further, the control device 104 records the position information of each thumbnail image data together with the date / time information of each thumbnail image data and the address information of each thumbnail image data in the header information recording unit.

(2) When the shooting date and time of the image file is recorded as the basic information of the header information as described above, the user can set the shooting location on the grouped image selection screen shown in FIG. By selecting a plurality of approximate image files, it is possible to add a new group with the shooting location as a grouping condition. Alternatively, the user can select one of a plurality of preset areas without selecting a plurality of images on the grouped image selection screen, and is included in that area. The image files may be collectively targeted for new grouping. For example, if the user specifies a prefecture name such as Tokyo or Kanagawa, or a city name such as Shinagawa or Yokohama as an area, the control device 104 automatically captures the image file that was shot in the specified area. May be automatically extracted from the memory card and set as a grouping target.

  For this purpose, the camera 100 records a table in which preset areas are associated with information for specifying each area on a map. When an area is designated by the user, the control device 104 refers to this table and identifies a range on the map of the area designated by the user. Then, the control device 104 subjects the image file recorded in the header information recording unit as the location information of the shooting point from the image file recorded in the memory card as a grouping target. And the above-described additional grouping process is executed.

(3) In the above-described embodiment, the example in which the control device 104 executes the initial grouping process illustrated in FIG. 8 when the release button is pressed by the user, that is, when photographing is performed has been described. However, the control device 104 does not execute the initial grouping process at the time of shooting, and receives the initial grouping process execution instruction from the user after the shooting is completed. You may make it perform.

(4) In the above-described embodiment, the example in which the processes illustrated in FIGS. 8 to 10 are executed on the camera 100 has been described. However, the processes shown in FIGS. 8 to 10 may be executed by another device, such as a personal computer.

  Note that the present invention is not limited to the configurations in the above-described embodiments as long as the characteristic functions of the present invention are not impaired. Moreover, it is good also as a structure which combined the above-mentioned embodiment and a some modification.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an embodiment of a camera 100. FIG. It is the figure which showed the structure of the image file typically. It is the figure which showed typically the specific example of the data stored in an image file, when several image files are acquired. It is the figure which showed typically the specific example of the data recorded on a header information recording part. It is a figure which shows the specific example of a grouped image selection screen. It is the 1st figure which showed typically the data stored in the image file after adding an additional thumbnail image by additional grouping processing. It is the 2nd figure which showed typically the data stored in the image file after adding an additional thumbnail image by additional grouping processing. It is a flowchart figure which shows the flow of an initial grouping process. It is a flowchart figure which shows the flow of an additional grouping process. It is a flowchart figure which shows the flow of an image display process.

Explanation of symbols

100 Camera, 101 Operation member, 102 Lens, 103 Image sensor, 104 Control device, 105 Memory card slot, 106 Monitor

Claims (19)

On the computer,
Are recorded on the storage medium, the first image file including a first display image data is image data for display is generated based on the first of the image data first the image data A reading procedure for reading out the first display image data;
A second image including a different second second display image data is image data for display is generated based on the the main image data second of the image data from the first main image data A recording control procedure for adding the first display image data read by the readout procedure to a file and recording the file on the storage medium;
An additional procedure of reading out the second display image data from the second image file and adding it to the first image file;
An image file generation program for executing a grouping procedure for grouping a third image file as the same group into a group of image files including at least the first image file and the second image file ,
The reading procedure reads display image data from all image files including the first image file and the second image file in association with the grouping ,
The recording control procedure records the display image data read out in the readout procedure in the third image file classified into the same group as the grouping. The image file generation program according to claim 1,
The grouping procedure classifies image files created within a divided time into the same group, or classifies images selected by a user into the same group. The image file generation program according to claim 1,
In the grouping procedure, when an image file is added to the storage medium, information for specifying the image file is added to the grouping management information, and the image files are grouped based on the grouping management information. An image file generation program characterized by that. The image file generation program according to claim 1,
If the user instructs you to add a new group,
The grouping procedure groups image files based on newly added additional groups,
The reading procedure reads display image data generated based on the main image data from all image files classified into the same additional group by the grouping procedure,
The recording control procedure records image data for display of other image files belonging to the same additional group read in the reading procedure in all the image files classified into the same additional group. . The image file generation program according to claim 4,
In the adding procedure, when the display image data of another image file belonging to the same additional group is added to the image file, the display image data of the additional group is already added to the image file. An image file generation program for overwriting display image data of the additional group that has already been added with display image data of a new additional group. The image file generation program according to claim 4,
The adding procedure includes display image data recorded in the image file before the addition instruction is performed, and display images of the additional group added to the image file by the addition instruction being performed. An image file generation program characterized by adding identification information for identifying data to the image file. The image file generation program according to claim 1,
An image file generation program further comprising a display control procedure for displaying a list of a plurality of display image data recorded in one image file on a display device. The image file generation program according to claim 4,
A display control procedure for displaying a list of the display image data classified into the additional group among a plurality of the display image data recorded in one image file on a display device is further provided. Image file generation program. The image file generation program according to claim 8,
The display control procedure is added to the image file based on a user instruction, the display image data recorded in the image file before the addition instruction is performed, and the addition instruction being performed. An image file generation program for switching and displaying the display image data of the additional group. Are recorded on the storage medium, the first image file including a first display image data is image data for display is generated based on the first of the image data first the image data Reading means for reading the first display image data;
A second image including a different second second display image data is image data for display is generated based on the the main image data second of the image data from the first main image data Recording control means for adding the first display image data read by the reading means to a file and recording it in the storage medium;
Adding means for reading out the second image data for display from the second image file and adding it to the first image file;
Grouping means for grouping a third image file as the same group into a group of image files including at least the first image file and the second image file ;
The reading means reads display image data from all image files including the first image file and the second image file in association with the grouping ,
The recording control means records display image data read by the reading means in the third image file classified into the same group as the grouping. The camera of claim 10, wherein
The camera is characterized in that the grouping means classifies image files created within a divided time into the same group, or classifies images selected by the user into the same group. The camera of claim 10, wherein
The grouping means adds an image file name to grouping management information when an image file is added to the storage medium, and groups the image files based on the grouping management information. Camera. The camera of claim 10, wherein
If the user instructs you to add a new group,
The grouping means groups the image files based on the newly added additional group,
The reading means reads display image data generated based on the main image data from all image files classified into the same additional group by the grouping means,
The recording control means records display image data of other image files belonging to the same additional group read by the reading means in all the image files classified into the same additional group. The camera according to claim 13.
The adding means adds the display image data of the additional group to the image file when the display image data of another image file belonging to the same additional group is added to the image file. A camera characterized in that the display image data of the additional group already overwritten is overwritten with the display image data of the new additional group. The camera according to claim 13.
The adding means includes the display image data recorded in the image file before the addition instruction is performed, and the display image of the additional group added to the image file by the addition instruction being performed. An identification information for identifying data is added to the image file. The camera of claim 10, wherein
A camera further comprising display control means for displaying a list of a plurality of display image data recorded in one image file on a display device. The camera according to claim 13.
The image processing apparatus further comprises display control means for displaying, on a display device, a list of the display image data classified into the additional group among the plurality of display image data recorded in one image file. camera. The camera of claim 17,
The display control means is added to the image file based on a user instruction, the display image data recorded in the image file before the addition instruction is performed, and the addition instruction being performed. And a display image data of the additional group. On the computer,
A grouping procedure to group other image files into multiple image files as the same group,
Each of the plurality of image files recorded on the storage medium includes main image data and display image data generated based on the main image data, and each of the display image data from the plurality of image files. Reading procedure to read all
The other image file recorded on the storage medium includes main image data and display image data generated based on the main image data, and the other images classified into the same group by the grouping procedure. A recording control procedure for adding the display image data read by the readout procedure to a file and recording the file on the storage medium;
An image file generation program for causing the display image data to be read from the other image files classified into the same group by the grouping procedure and to be added to each of the plurality of image files.

Images