JP2004312299A - Digital camera - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a digital camera capable of easily managing images after photographing. <P>SOLUTION: The digital camera obtains image data by capturing object light incident through a photographing optical system and stores the obtained image data corresponding to a photographing operation. The digital camera is provided with a display part 105 having an image display area 105A for displaying the images based on the image data and a folder image area 105B which is a part other than the image display area 105A, for displaying information specifying a folder set in an image storage part 130 storing the image data. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a digital camera that records image data generated in accordance with a photographing operation in an image storage unit (recording unit).
[0002]
[Prior art]
In a conventional digital camera, there is a technique in which an image folder is formed for each continuous shooting, and each of a plurality of images shot in one continuous shooting is stored as an image file in a corresponding image folder (for example, Patent Document 1).
[0003]
In addition, there is a data recording apparatus that classifies folders for storing image data and stores and records the data in the corresponding folder for each data having common attributes (see, for example, Patent Document 2).
[0004]
In addition, there is a digital camera playback technique in which a frame camera is moved by a rotating lever so that a film camera user can operate the recorded image without a sense of incompatibility (see, for example, Patent Document 3).
[0005]
Furthermore, in order to divide into folders, a virtual folder is prepared in advance, a folder is selected when shooting data is recorded, a folder related to the selection is actually created, shooting data is recorded in the folder, and selected during playback. There is an electronic camera that reproduces images in order from the data recorded at the end of the folder (for example, see Patent Document 4).
[0006]
[Patent Document 1]
JP 11-341421 A (summary, FIG. 9)
[Patent Document 2]
JP 2001-57056 A (Summary, FIG. 1)
[Patent Document 3]
JP 2002-165116 A (summary, FIG. 5)
[Patent Document 4]
JP 2001-169222 A (summary, FIG. 15)
[0007]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
Conventional recording methods of image data in a digital camera are generally methods of recording simply in the order of shooting. In such a recording method, classification and arrangement are performed later according to shooting contents, shooting location, shooting date and time, etc. Is difficult.
[0008]
On the other hand, in each of the conventional techniques described above, an image folder is formed for each continuous shooting, and each of a plurality of images is stored in the image folder (Patent Document 1). A technique for storing in a corresponding folder (Patent Document 2) or a technique for preparing a virtual folder and selecting it at the time of recording (Patent Document 4) is disclosed. Since the folder image indicating the contents of the folder is also displayed together with the image display area for displaying the image (through image) captured by the solid-state imaging device (CCD) or the reproduced image, the folder image is difficult to see. Therefore, there is a problem in that it is difficult to perform an operation of performing classification after recording in advance and an operation of taking out an image to be viewed from a folder at the time of reproduction.
[0009]
In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide a digital camera in which a folder image is easy to see and a folder selection operation at the time of shooting and playback can be easily performed.
[0010]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The digital camera of the present invention that achieves the above object is a digital camera that captures subject light incident via a photographing optical system to obtain image data, and stores the image data obtained according to the photographing operation.
An image display area for displaying an image based on the image data, and a folder display area for displaying information for specifying a folder set in an image storage unit for storing the image data, other than the image display area. It is characterized by having a display unit having
[0011]
In the digital camera of the present invention, a plurality of folders are set in the image storage unit that stores the image data obtained according to the photographing operation. In the image display area of the display unit, an image based on image data that captures subject light incident through the photographing optical system is displayed, and information for specifying a desired folder is displayed in the folder display area.
[0012]
In the present invention, since the display unit is divided into the image display area and the folder display area, the main image based on the image data and the folder image do not overlap each other, and the state of the folder can be understood at a glance. Therefore, if a folder is selected at the time of shooting and shooting is performed, classification after recording can be easily performed, and image data desired by the user can be easily selected by selecting a folder at the time of reproduction.
[0013]
The digital camera of the present invention that achieves the above object is a digital camera that captures subject light incident via a photographing optical system to obtain image data, and stores the image data obtained according to the photographing operation.
Image storage for storing image data in multiple folders, which can be set freely, and the image data obtained according to the shooting operation is stored in a folder arbitrarily selected from the set folders And
An image display area for displaying an image based on image data selected from image data captured from the subject light incident via the photographing optical system and image data stored in the image storage unit; and the image A display unit having a folder display area for displaying information for specifying a folder set in the storage unit;
An operator for displaying information specifying a desired folder in the folder display area and designating the desired folder;
And an image control unit that stores image data obtained in accordance with a photographing operation in a folder designated by the operation of the operation element.
[0014]
In the digital camera of the present invention, the image data obtained in accordance with the photographing operation is stored in a folder arbitrarily selected from the designated folder by the operation element.
[0015]
The digital camera of the present invention that achieves the above object is a digital camera that captures subject light incident via a photographing optical system to obtain image data, and stores the image data obtained according to the photographing operation.
A plurality of folders for storing image data can be freely set, and an image storage unit that stores image data obtained according to a shooting operation in a folder arbitrarily selected from the set folders;
An image display area for displaying an image based on image data captured from image data captured from the subject light incident via the imaging optical system and image data stored in the image storage unit; and the image A display unit having a folder display area for displaying information for specifying a folder set in the storage unit;
Displaying information for specifying a desired folder in the folder display area, and an operator for designating the desired folder;
An image control unit for displaying an image based on image data stored in a folder designated by an operation of the operation element, out of folders set in the image storage unit, in the image display area; Features.
[0016]
In the digital camera of the present invention, an image based on the image data stored in the folder designated by the operation of the operator among the folders set in the image storage unit is displayed in the image display area.
[0017]
It is preferable that the display unit is square, the image display area has a horizontal: vertical length of 4: 3, and the folder display area has a horizontal: vertical length of 4: 1.
[0018]
It is preferable that the image display unit displays the name of the folder as information for specifying the folder in the folder display area.
[0019]
Preferably, the image display unit displays an image corresponding to the folder as information for specifying the folder in the folder display area.
[0020]
It is preferable that the image display unit is configured to display a plurality of folders side by side with information specifying a folder in the folder display area.
[0021]
A receiving unit connected to an external communication network and receiving image data representing an image corresponding to a folder, wherein the image display unit receives the image received by the receiving unit as information for specifying a folder in the folder display area. It is preferable to display an image based on the data.
[0022]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described.
[0023]
FIG. 1 is an external view of a first digital camera showing an embodiment of the present invention, where (a) is a front view and (b) is a rear view.
[0024]
In the digital camera 100 shown in FIG. 1, an image of a subject is guided from a photographing lens 101 to a CCD solid-state imaging device 110 provided therein. On the rear surface of the digital camera 100, an operation switch group for performing various operations when the user uses the digital camera 100 and an LCD screen 105 as a display unit are provided.
[0025]
The operation unit includes a power switch 102 for turning on the power for operating the digital camera, a shooting / playback switching lever 103 for freely switching between shooting and playback, an execution key 106a, a cancel key 106b, a cross key 107, and flash emission. An operation switch group such as the pop-up switch 108 of the unit 104 is provided. A liquid crystal display panel 107 a is provided inside the cross key 107, and selection menu items displayed on the LCD screen 105 can be selected by the cross key 107. Furthermore, a display key 1051 for switching between display and non-display of the LCD screen 105 is also provided. Further, a release button 109 is provided above the digital camera 100. When the release button 109 is fully pressed, an instruction to start shooting is transmitted to a signal processing unit (to be described later) inside the digital camera.
[0026]
The digital camera 100 can be switched between shooting and playback by a shooting / playback switching lever 103. When shooting, the user switches the shooting / playback switching lever 103 to the shooting side 103a to play back. When performing, the photographing / reproduction switching lever 103 is switched to the reproduction side 103b. Also, a flash light emitting device 104 is provided so that night photography can be performed.
[0027]
Furthermore, the digital camera 100 has a built-in microphone 150 at an appropriate position so that a photographer can input voice.
[0028]
FIG. 2 is a block configuration diagram illustrating an example of a signal processing circuit provided in the digital camera 100.
[0029]
In the digital camera 100 of the present embodiment, all processing is controlled by the CPU 111, and processing of image data obtained by the CCD solid-state imaging device 110 is performed by the DSP 112 under the control of the CPU 111. The CPU 111 and the DSP 112 are connected by a bus (not shown), and data is exchanged via this bus. In addition, SDRAM 113 and FLASH ROM 114 are connected to CPU 111, image data to be processed by DSP 112 is stored in SDRAM 113, and a program for causing CPU 111 to execute processing is stored in FLASH ROM 114. In FIG. 2, an arrow indicates that image data stored in the SDRAM 113 is read out to the DSP 112 side.
[0030]
An electric signal corresponding to the operation of the operation unit 115 including various keys and switches shown in FIG. 1 is input to the input unit of the CPU 111. The operation unit 115 includes the power switch 102, the shooting / playback switch 103, the display key 1051, the execution key 106a, the cancel key 106b, the up key 1071, the right key 1072, the down key 1073, and the left key 1074 shown in FIG. There are a cross key 107 constituted by these four keys, a shutter switch that operates in synchronization with the release button 109, and the like. This shutter switch is provided with two contacts so that the half-pressed state and the fully-pressed state of the release button 109 are distinguished, and the half-pressed state of the release button 109 indicates to the CPU 111 that it indicates a standby state for photographing. Be recognized.
[0031]
The audio signal from the microphone 150 is received by the DSP 112 via the audio interface 140. The received signal is temporarily stored in the DSP 112, and the stored audio signal is transmitted via the AUDIO I / F 120 as necessary. Are supplied to the speaker 141. The audio signal processing unit in the DSP 112 is used when movie shooting is performed with the digital camera of this embodiment.
[0032]
In the digital camera 100 of this embodiment, the output of the audio interface 140 is input to the DSP 112 via the voice recognition unit 142.
[0033]
Furthermore, the digital camera 100 of the present embodiment is configured such that a display menu can be displayed on the LCD screen 105, and an item displayed on the menu is selected by the cross key 107.
[0034]
With the cross key 107, one of a plurality of items in a selection menu displayed on the LCD screen 105 can be selected. Of the four keys of the cross key shown in FIG. 1, when the up key 1071 is pressed, the cursor displayed on the LCD screen 105 moves upward, and when the right key 1072 is pressed, the cursor moves right. It is configured.
[0035]
When these keys 1071 to 1074 are pressed, the CPU 111 recognizes that the keys 1071 to 1074 have been pressed, and the CPU 111 has pressed any one of the four keys 1071 to 1074. Based on the above, an instruction to move the cursor is transferred to the LCD screen 105 via the bus. Then, the cursor moves to one of the displayed items, and one of these items is selected by the moved cursor.
[0036]
If the execution key 106a is pressed while the cursor is placed on any of the items, the item is executed. Therefore, the user can select any of a plurality of items in the selection menu with the cursor displayed on the LCD screen 105.
[0037]
When the shooting / playback switching lever 103 is switched to the playback side 103b, playback from the recording medium is performed. At this time, no processing is performed even if a signal from a release button or the like for giving an instruction to perform photographing is input.
[0038]
Next, the output unit of the CPU 111 will be described.
[0039]
A timing generator (hereinafter referred to as “TG”) 116, a motor driver (hereinafter referred to as “DRV”) 117 for driving the focus lens 118, and a flash light emitting device 104 a that causes the flash light emitting unit 104 to perform flash emission are connected to the output unit of the CPU 111. ing.
[0040]
When shooting, a subject image is displayed on the LCD screen 105 in accordance with the movement of the subject. While viewing the displayed image of the subject, the user performs framing, and shooting is performed when the release button 109 is fully pressed. When the release button 109 is fully pressed, the CPU 111 outputs a signal for instructing the start of shooting to the TG 116. In response to this instruction, the TG 116 supplies a signal notifying the CCD solid-state image sensor 110 that the release button 109 has been pressed. In response to this signal, the CCD solid-state image sensor 110 outputs the image data captured by the CCD solid-state image sensor 110 as an RGB signal when the release button 109 is fully pressed.
[0041]
Imaging signals obtained by the CCD solid-state imaging device 110 are converted to RGB signals and supplied to the CDS and A / D unit 119. Noise is reduced by the CDS and A / D unit 119 and then converted into a digital signal, which is supplied to the DSP 112 as a digital RGB signal. The DSP 112 includes various signal processing units such as an image signal processing unit, a compression processing unit, an AE (Auto Exposure) detection unit, an AWB (Auto White Balance) detection unit, a video encoder, and an audio signal processing unit.
[0042]
Therefore, a series of processing is performed on the image data composed of the RGB signals obtained by the CCD solid-state imaging device 110 by the DSP 112, and the processed image data is output to an output device such as the LCD 105 and the recording medium 130. As for audio, the DSP 112 processes audio signals necessary for audio input / output devices such as the microphone 150 and the speaker 141. In the digital camera 100 of this embodiment, an audio signal from the microphone 150 is received by the DSP 112 via the audio interface 140, and the received signal is temporarily stored in the DSP 112, and the stored audio signal is stored as necessary. Is supplied to the speaker 141 via the AUDIO I / F 140. The audio signal processing unit in the DSP 112 is used when movie shooting is performed with a digital camera. The above is the flow of imaging signals obtained by the CCD solid-state imaging device 110.
[0043]
Next, the flow of image data when the above-described shooting / playback switching lever 103 is switched to the shooting side 103a and shooting is performed will be described.
[0044]
When shooting is performed, the shooting / playback switching lever 103 connected to the input unit of the CPU 111 is switched to the shooting side 103a.
[0045]
In such a digital camera 100, the subject image in the direction in which the photographing lens is directed is always displayed as a through image on the display screen 105a of the LCD 105 even when the release button 109 is not pressed. In the displayed through image, image data composed of RGB signals read out from the CCD solid-state imaging device 110 at predetermined intervals is converted into YC signals by the image signal processing unit in the DSP 112, and the YC signals are converted into the DSP 112. It is obtained by being supplied to the LCD 105 via a video encoder. When such a through image is displayed, camera-specific signal processing such as exposure adjustment and focus adjustment is performed by the DSP 112 for each through image.
[0046]
Here, if the subject desired by the user is displayed as a through image on the LCD screen 105 as a display unit, the release button 109 is fully pressed by the user. When the release button 109 is fully pressed by the user, the CPU 111 issues a shooting start instruction to the TG 116. In response to this start instruction, the CCD solid-state imaging device 110 outputs RGB signals. As described above, the release button 109 has two operation modes of half-press and full-press. Even when the release button 109 is pressed all at once, the state where the release button 109 is half-pressed is recognized by the CPU 111, and for a moment. When it is half-pressed, it is in shooting standby.
[0047]
The output RGB signal is converted into a digital signal by the CDS and A / D conversion unit 119, guided to the DSP 112 side by the image input controller in the DSP 112, and the guided RGB signal is SDRAM 121 via the bus in the DSP 112. And the RGB signal of the digital signal is written in the SDRAM 121. When the acquisition of the RGB signals corresponding to all the image data is completed, the RGB signals are read from the SDRAM 121 and supplied to the DSP 112. The DSP 112 converts RGB signals into YC signals, and further supplies the image data compressed in the DSP 121 to the recording medium 130 via the interface 120. The image data is recorded as a JPEG compressed file on the recording medium 130. The
[0048]
The DSP 112 and the CPU 111 are connected by a bus, and exchange of addresses and data is performed via this bus. Various registers are prepared in the CPU 111, and the contents of these registers are rewritten according to the progress of processing of each signal processing unit. In the CPU 111, the contents of the register are read and processing according to the procedure of the program stored in the flash ROM 114 is performed.
[0049]
The above description is a general flow of image data until recording on the recording medium 130 when shooting with the digital camera 100 is performed.
[0050]
As shown in FIG. 3, the digital camera of the present invention includes an image display area 105A for displaying an image obtained from image data for displaying a through image and a reproduction screen on an LCD screen 105 as a display unit, and an image storage unit. A folder display area folder display area 105B for displaying information for specifying a folder set in a certain recording medium 130 is provided.
[0051]
FIG. 3 shows an example of the LCD screen (display unit) 105 in the shooting mode. As shown in the figure, the LCD screen 105 includes an image display area 105A having a horizontal: vertical length of 4: 3, and a folder display provided in the lower portion thereof and having a horizontal: vertical length of 4: 1. The region 105B has a square shape as a whole.
[0052]
In the shooting mode, the through screen 5 that is an image captured by the CCD 110 is displayed in the image display area 105A, and the captured image is displayed when a shooting operation is performed. The captured image data is stored in a folder prepared for a recording medium 130 (which may be a storage unit in the camera, the same applies hereinafter) as an image storage unit, and the folder in which the image data is stored is a folder image 6 It is displayed in the display area 105B.
[0053]
When no image data is recorded on the recording medium 130, only the new folder 12 is displayed. However, when one image is shot, two folders, the folder related to the shooting and the new folder, are displayed. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, a landscape folder 10 is created when shooting a landscape, and a Christmas folder 11 is created when shooting a Christmas. Thereby, the two folders 10 and 11 of the folder 11 and the new folder (unstored folder) 12 are displayed. When there are three or more folders, any two folders and new folders 12 are displayed in the folder display area 105B (however, this number is not limited). When shooting, after specifying a folder with a cursor or the like and performing a shooting operation, image data is stored in the specified folder.
[0054]
FIG. 4 shows an example of folder operation in the shooting mode. FIG. 9A shows a case where there is no folder, and only the new folder 12 is displayed in the folder display area 105B. In this state, as shown in FIG. 4B, when a folder representing the contents to be photographed is newly created and one image is photographed, two displays of the folder related to the photographing and the new folder are displayed. For example, when shooting related to a landscape, a landscape folder 10 is created. In the illustrated example, the folder image 10 displaying “Landscape” as characters is displayed in the folder screen area 105B. FIG. 6C shows a case where there are two folders of photographed images, and a “landscape” folder 10, a “Christmas” folder 11, and a “new” folder 12 are displayed in the folder display area 105B. Yes. FIG. 6D shows a case where there are two captured image folders, as in FIG. 5C. In the folder display area 105B, a “landscape” folder 10, a “Christmas” folder 11, and a “new” folder are displayed. A folder 12 is displayed, and an arrow 13 in the screen movement direction is displayed.
[0055]
In order to represent the folder image with characters as described above, for example, a plurality of names such as “landscape”, “Christmas”, “family”, “friends”, etc. are prepared as camera defaults. A method of displaying characters in the folder screen area 105B by selecting one can be considered.
[0056]
In the state shown in FIG. 4B, either the landscape folder 10 or the new folder 12 can be selected with the left key 1074 or the right key 1072. In FIG. 4C, the folder image can be moved from the right end to the left end with the left key 1074 or from the left end to the right end with the right key 1072. In FIG. 4D, the folder already set can be displayed with the right key 1072, and the new folder 12 can be selected by holding down the left key 1074. Furthermore, it is possible to display the folders in order by holding down the right key, or to stop when the right end is reached. It is preferable that the selected folder is clearly indicated by a mark or the like so that the selected folder can be recognized.
[0057]
When the camera enters the shooting mode again after the mode transition such as the shooting mode or the playback mode (described later) or after the power is turned off, the previous folder can be displayed as it is. Further, when there is an “all reset” menu for returning the menu to the default (initial function of the camera) in the setup mode or the like, it is possible to perform the default display after executing the all reset. The default display in this case can be in the order of registration (in order of youngness or oldest). Furthermore, it is possible to set the latest folder order every time shooting is performed.
[0058]
The folder image in the folder display area 105B may be the latest photographed image, the first photographed image, the image that is frequently reproduced, or the like. It is also possible to select a folder image itself, and it is also possible to use a mechanism for managing which image is selected in each folder using a separate file.
[0059]
Next, the playback mode will be described.
[0060]
FIG. 5 shows an example of the LCD screen (display unit) 105 in the playback mode. As shown in the figure, the LCD screen 105 is similarly provided with an image display area 105A having a horizontal: vertical length of 4: 3, and a folder having a horizontal: vertical length of 4: 1 provided below the image display area 105A. And a display area 105B, which is configured as a square as a whole.
[0061]
In the reproduction mode, a reproduction screen 7 that is an image reproduced from the recording medium 130 is displayed in the image display area 105A. The playback screen 7 displays an image of a folder selected from the folder images 6 displayed in the folder display area 105B.
[0062]
This operation method is performed as follows. That is, the upper key 1071 or the lower key 10734 is used to switch to the main image (reproduction screen) 7 or the folder image 6. When the main image 7 is displayed, pressing the left and right keys 1074 and 1072 moves the image, pressing the lower key 1073 moves to the folder image 6, and pressing the upper key 1071 performs the electronic zoom. In the case of moving image playback, the playback start / stop may be switched by the start of playback with the lower key 1073 or the toggle operation with the upper key 1071. When the left and right keys 1074 and 1072 are pressed in the folder image 6, the folder can be selected. Further, when continuous playback is performed by continuously pressing the left and right keys 1074 and 1072 in the main image 7, the folder display is also switched when the continuous playback ends and the next folder is moved.
[0063]
When the playback mode is entered again after going through mode transition and power-off, it is usually the latest shooting screen, but it is also possible to display an image based on the previous folder selection. In particular, if there is no shooting in the middle shooting mode in the mode transition, playback mode → shooting mode → playback mode, display in the first playback mode can be held.
[0064]
When there is an “all reset” menu for returning the menu to the default in the setup mode or the like, the default folder can be displayed after executing the all reset. In this case, the default folder may be registered in ascending order, oldest order, or the like (same as the shooting mode).
[0065]
As described above, a folder image is simultaneously displayed in the folder display area 105B. A method for representing the folder image is as follows.
[0066]
The first method is a method of representing characters. For example, “landscape” is displayed for a landscape image, and “Christmas” is displayed for a Christmas image.
[0067]
The second method is a method of first registering an image representing the folder. That is, as shown in FIG. 5, an image that is easy for the user to understand, for example, Mt. Fuji 17 is displayed as a folder image if it is a landscape, and a tree 18 is displayed if it is Christmas.
[0068]
FIG. 6 shows an example of a method for obtaining an image for folder display as described above. In the figure, a representative image is prepared in a computer 20 of an image owner such as a camera maker, and this image is made public on the web of the server 22 through a communication network 21 such as the Internet. The user obtains an image from his / her computer 23 through the communication network 21 and registers it in his / her digital camera 100.
[0069]
As a method other than the above, the latest photographed image in each folder, the first photographed image (the oldest image), the image with the highest reproduction frequency, or the like may be displayed as the folder image. 7 and 8 show examples of folder image playback procedures.
[0070]
In FIG. 7, the user starts displaying folder images (step S1), creates a date order table of folder images and sets it in the device (camera) (step S2), and displays the latest image as a folder image on the camera. (Step S3) and the process ends (Step S4).
[0071]
In FIG. 8, it is determined whether or not the latest image is adopted as the folder image (step S5). If YES, the latest image is displayed as the folder image as in the procedure of FIG. 7 (step S3). If there is, it is determined whether or not the image having the largest number of reproductions is adopted as the folder image (step S6). If YES, the image having the largest number of reproductions is displayed (step S7). The first image taken is set as the default (step S8). As described above, the folder image display can be changed by the user arbitrarily selecting whether the latest image is good or the image with high reproduction frequency is good.
[0072]
FIG. 9 shows a reproduction frequency counting procedure. The reproduction frequency count is started (step S10), the user performs an operation such as frame advance (step S11), the reproduction process (step S12), the reproduction time clear (step S13), and the reproduction image is output (step S14). After a lapse of time (step S15), the image reproduction count is counted up (step S16).
[0073]
As a folder image selection method, it is possible to select the folder image itself, and it is possible to use a mechanism for separately managing which image is selected in each folder by a file. For image management, a management file is created in the MISC directory like a DPOF (Digital Print Order Format) management file, and which file in each folder is described as a folder representative screen.
[0074]
FIG. 10 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an example of a folder hierarchical structure of the recording medium 130. In the formatted recording medium 130, folders of images (DCIM) and non-images (MISC) are created under the root, and four folders of 100fuji, 102fuji, and 103fuji are prepared under the DCIM. In the 100 Fuji folder, the image data is stored in the DSCF0001. jpg, DSCF0002. avi, DSCF0003. wav, DSCF0004. avi, DSCF0005. jpg, DSCF0006. jpg, DSCF0007. jpg, DSCF0008. The file name wav... is assigned. In addition, a file name of DSCF *** (shooting order) jpg is assigned to the 102 fuji, 103 fuji, and 113 fuji folders.
[0075]
In the folder hierarchical structure of FIG. 10, folder. mrk indicates a management file. An image representing a folder can be selected as one of menu items in the playback mode.
[0076]
FIG. 11 shows an example of the description content of each folder. That is, NAMEW = 100FUJI, FIG = DSCF *** (shooting order) jpg, ODR, and the like are described in each folder 001, 002, 003.
[0077]
FIG. 12 shows an example of the image selection menu.
[0078]
In FIG. 12A, when the folder image selection 30 is designated from various setting menus displayed in the image display area 105A, the screen shown in FIG. 12B is displayed. Here, when the folder name 31 is switched with the left and right keys 1074 and 1072, the folder image selection frame in the folder image display area 105B is switched. In the illustrated example, the folder name 31 is a landscape, and the folder image landscape 10 in the folder image display area 105B is selected. Furthermore, the selection is completed by pressing the OK key after selecting any of the latest image 32, the most frequently reproduced image 33, and the first image 34 with the up and down keys 1071 and 1073.
[0079]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, the state of a folder can be understood at a glance, an operation of selecting a folder at the time of shooting and performing classification after recording, and an operation of selecting a folder at the time of playback and extracting an image to be viewed Can be done easily.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an external view of a digital camera according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a signal processing unit provided in the digital camera of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is an example of a screen of a display unit in a shooting mode.
FIG. 4 is a screen of a display unit in a shooting mode and is one of folder operations.
FIG. 5 is an example of a screen on the display unit in a playback mode.
FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of a method for obtaining an image for folder display from a communication network.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a folder image reproduction procedure.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating another example of a folder image reproduction procedure.
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a reproduction frequency counting procedure.
FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a folder hierarchy structure of a recording medium.
FIG. 11 is an example of the description content of each folder.
FIG. 12 is an example of an image selection menu.
[Explanation of symbols]
21 Internet (communication network)
100 Digital Camera 101 Shooting Lens 105 LCD Screen (Display Unit)
105A Image display area 105B Folder display area 106a Execution key (operator)
106b Cancel key (operator)
1071 Up key (operator)
1072 Right key (operator)
1073 Down key (operator)
1074 Left key (operator)
107 Four-way controller (operator)
110 CCD solid-state imaging device 111 CPU (image control unit)
112 DSP (image control unit)
130 Recording media (image storage unit)

Claims (8)

In a digital camera that captures subject light that has entered via a photographing optical system and obtains image data, and stores the image data obtained according to the photographing operation,
An image display area for displaying an image based on the image data, and a folder display area for displaying information specifying a folder set in an image storage unit for storing the image data, which is a part other than the image display area A digital camera comprising a display unit having In a digital camera that captures subject light that has entered through a photographing optical system and obtains image data, and stores the image data obtained according to the photographing operation,
A plurality of folders for storing image data can be freely set, and an image storage unit that stores image data obtained according to a shooting operation in a folder arbitrarily selected from the set folders;
An image display area for displaying an image based on image data selected from image data captured from the subject light incident via the photographing optical system and image data stored in the image storage unit; and the image A display unit having a folder display area for displaying information for specifying a folder set in the storage unit;
An operator for displaying information specifying a desired folder in the folder display area and designating the desired folder;
A digital camera comprising: an image control unit that stores image data obtained in accordance with a photographing operation in a folder designated by the operation of the operation element. In a digital camera that captures subject light that has entered via a photographing optical system and obtains image data, and stores the image data obtained according to the photographing operation,
A plurality of folders for storing image data can be freely set, and an image storage unit that stores image data obtained according to a shooting operation in a folder arbitrarily selected from the set folders;
An image display area for displaying an image based on image data captured from image data captured from the subject light incident via the imaging optical system and image data stored in the image storage unit; and the image A display unit having a folder display area for displaying information for specifying a folder set in the storage unit;
Displaying information for specifying a desired folder in the folder display area, and an operator for designating the desired folder;
An image control unit for displaying an image based on image data stored in a folder designated by an operation of the operation element, out of folders set in the image storage unit, in the image display area; A featured digital camera. The display unit is square, the image display area has a horizontal: vertical length of 4: 3, and the folder display area has a horizontal: vertical length of 4: 1. Item 1. A digital camera according to Item 1. 3. The digital camera according to claim 1, wherein the display unit displays a name of the folder as information for specifying the folder in the folder display area. The digital camera according to claim 1, wherein the display unit displays an image corresponding to the folder as information for specifying the folder in the folder display area. 3. The digital camera according to claim 1, wherein the display unit displays information for specifying a folder for a plurality of folders side by side in the folder display area. A receiving unit is connected to an external communication network and receives image data representing an image corresponding to the folder, and the image display unit receives the information as information specifying a folder in the folder display area by the receiving unit. 7. The digital camera according to claim 6, wherein an image based on the image data is displayed.

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