JP3530860B2 - Electronic imaging device - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention 【Technical field】

The present invention is capable of recording image information in an electronic image pickup apparatus, more specifically, in a recording medium having an applied directory structure, or reproducing image information recorded in the recording medium having a directory structure. And an electronic image pickup device.

[Background technology]

In recent years, various electronic still cameras which are electronic image pickup devices have been commercialized and used for various purposes. In the above electronic still camera, since a large number of still image information is recorded as a data file on an information recording medium such as a memory card or a floppy disk, it goes without saying that the searchability of the image information is good or bad as an electronic still camera. Determines the commercial value or utility value of the.

On the other hand, the DOS (disk operating system) of personal computers, which are now widely used in various fields,
In m), it is necessary to search or select many databases or programs quickly,
Generally, a hierarchical structure, that is, a management method of information files by a hierarchical directory is used. In this method of managing information files using a hierarchical directory, the position of a recording area on the memory for recording the data of each file (corresponding to the cluster number of the memory) and its file name are registered in a register, a so-called directory. . The file can be searched for a desired information file by designating the directory name and the file name as needed according to the type and content of the file.

When the operator of the personal computer visually observes the classification state of the information files by the hierarchical directory, he or she can display the tree structure of the hierarchical directory on the monitor and thereby know the registration position of the information file. it can. FIG. 22 shows a display example of this tree structure. The root directory indicated by the mark "\" is "DOS", "BAT", and "USR".
It consists of one subdirectory. For the subdirectory "USR", "C" and "PASC" are located one level below.
By operating the keyboard while observing the tree structure of the sub directory "AL", the target information file can be easily specified and confirmed. Such a file selection / designation method is very useful especially when many files are branched in a complicated manner.

In the file system of the personal computer, since the size of each file recorded is various, in order to economically use the memory area, the data of the file is a free area on the memory, generally. Are sequentially recorded by searching for clusters that are units of the memory area.
Remember the continuous state of that one file area,
At the time of reproduction and output, the continuous portion is reproduced or output as one file. The file layout information area that stores the continuous state of the recording areas of this file is FA
This is referred to as T (file allocation table).

The image information of the conventional electronic still camera is photographed for each theme such as athletic meet, excursion, and travel, and is sequentially recorded in the recording area of the medium. However, when trying to replay the shooting screen, you have to select the theme or the due date from the numerous image information, and it is inefficient to simply search by button operation. , The user can not endure the complexity. In the case of the recording medium in which the recorded data is erased or the overwritten image data exists, this problem becomes more remarkable. Further, in an electronic camera to which a large-capacity memory card is applied as a recording medium, the conventional button operation alone is disadvantageous in terms of time, and the commercial value is significantly reduced.

Therefore, if a directory and tree type display method allowing the above hierarchical structure is used for management and display of image information recording of the electronic still camera, in order to manage many still image information as described above. This is preferable, and the range of use of the electronic still camera itself is further expanded.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention]

By the way, assuming that a large number of images are taken by an electronic camera, it is convenient to record or reproduce by a directory structure when referring to or organizing images.

However, there are cases where there are too many image files to be registered depending on the registration limit of images in the directory, and even if it is desired to distinguish images according to the photographer's preference, if the file registration is performed up to the registration limit, after photography. The arrangement of is also troublesome.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an electronic image pickup apparatus which is capable of discriminating and recording a large number of images even when a large number of images are recorded according to the photographer's preference and which is convenient for rearranging after photographing. To do.

[Means for Solving the Problems]

The first aspect of the present invention to achieve the above object
The electronic image pickup device of is an electronic image pickup device capable of recording image information with a directory structure on an applied recording medium or reproducing image information recorded with a directory structure on the recording medium. When registering an image file with a registration limit of image files that can be registered in the set directory, register the image file in another directory even before the registration limit of the directory is reached. It is characterized in that it comprises an enabled image information registration means.

The second electronic image pickup device of the present invention is
The first electronic image pickup device further includes a directory selection unit that selects a directory for recording or reproducing the image information with respect to the directory structure set in the recording medium, and the image information registration unit includes the directory selection unit. The image file can be registered in another directory according to the selection of the directory selection means.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is an external view of an electronic still camera as an electronic image pickup apparatus showing an embodiment of the present invention. The electronic still camera of the present embodiment uses a solid-state memory card as a recording medium for image information thereof, and this type of electronic still camera will be referred to as SMC (Solidstate) below.
It is called a Memory Camera). In this SMC, the captured image data for each screen is stored in the memory card as a data file, and the file information at that time (information related to the configuration of the file set in the recording medium) is stored in the DOS of the personal computer. It is assumed that the image data is recorded or reproduced by using the positioning information on the file structure that allows a hierarchical structure supported by, that is, the file information of the (hierarchical) directory. Furthermore,
The display of the file information by the hierarchical directory is performed by the first display unit 12a and the second display unit 1 as shown in FIG.
It is assumed that this is applied to the display using the LCD display unit 12 which is a one-line hierarchical structure positioning information display means constituted by 2b.

As shown in FIG. 1, in this SMC, a taking lens 1 is provided on the front surface of a camera body 20, and a card insertion slot into which a memory card 14 can be attached / detached is provided on the side surface. A power switch 24 for turning the power on and off and a recording switch 25 serving as a release switch are arranged on the upper surface of the camera body 20. Further, behind the upper surface of the camera body 20, a group of operation switches 11 for recording / reproducing operations and the like, display of recording / reproducing, and file information (information relating to file configuration) by a hierarchical directory (root directory, sub-directory) of image data. ) And the like are provided on the LCD display unit 12.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the signal processing system of the SMC shown in FIG. As shown in this FIG.
At the time of recording or reproducing the image, the memory card is inserted into the card interface (I / F) 13 so that the image can be recorded and reproduced. First, in a shooting state, a subject image is formed by the shooting lens 1 on an image pickup device such as a CCD provided in the image pickup circuit 2 and output as an image signal to the A / D converter 3. A / D converter 3
The image data corresponding to the image signal digitized in (1) is converted into an analog signal again by the D / A converter 5, and then subjected to a predetermined encoding process by the video encoder 6 and output as a video signal. When the reproduction data is reproduction data from an unrecorded area, the video encoder 6 is muted by the mute signal from the system controller 10.

When recording image data in a memory card, first, the image data is read from the RAM 4 in block units, and the compression / expansion circuit 7 performs DCT (Disc).
The data is compressed by the orthogonal transform / encoding process using the rete packet transform, etc., and input to the card I / F 13 via the bus. Therefore, the compressed data is written in a designated area on the memory card 14. This recording area is an area defined by the hierarchical directory.

On the other hand, at the time of reproduction, first, the LCD display unit 1
The image file to be reproduced is designated by referring to the directory information of the image file to be accessed displayed in 2. Based on the designation, the memory area of the memory card 14 is selected, and the corresponding image data is displayed on the card I / I.
It is read out via F13 and input to the compression / expansion circuit 7 via the bus. Then, the image data is expanded / decoded, and the processed data is stored in the RAM 4. The image data is read again from the RAM 4 and converted into an analog signal by the D / A converter 5 as described above. Then, it is encoded by the video encoder 6 and output as a video signal.

The system controller 10 supplies a predetermined control signal to each part of the SMC based on an instruction from the operation switch group 11. The system controller 10 controls reproduction of hierarchical structure information by the directory of image data and display control management of hierarchical structure (file information).
Done in.

As shown in the switch layout of FIG. 3, the operation switch group 11 has a REC / PLAY switch 11 which is a recording / reproducing mode selection switch.
a and a frame UP switch 1 for accessing a file of image data registered in a hierarchical directory at the time of recording / reproducing while advancing in a directory order.
1b, a frame DOWN switch 11c which is moved down one by one, and a D- for moving up the hierarchy of the hierarchy directory of the image data file to be searched for recording and reproduction.
The UP switch 11d, the D-DOWN switch 11e for moving the hierarchy of the hierarchy directory down, and the MD switch 11 for creating the area of the hierarchy directory and allowing the image file to be recorded in the directory.
f and.

As described above, the image data of this SMC is treated as one file for each image data of one sheet. Then, recording / playback of the image file is managed by using the file system of the hierarchical directory. Here, the outline of the file system in the SMC will be described below. The memory card 14 is the above FA
Memory areas are allocated to the FAT area where T information is recorded, the root directory area where basic directory information is recorded, and the data area where the image data body is recorded. Then, when image data is recorded in an unused state, that is, in a state in which a new directory area is not provided, as shown in FIG. 4, a file name, file A, file B,
File C, file D, etc. are registered, and each image data is sequentially recorded in the designated area on the memory.
In addition, in FIG. 4, \ indicates a root directory. Therefore, when a sub-directory is created in the root directory, as shown in FIG. 5, the sub-directory b is registered in the root directory, and the sub-directory of the second hierarchy of the directory name b is secured under the sub-directory b. Then, image data files having file names E to G can be registered in the subdirectory b. A cluster number, which is the position of the memory area where the file data is stored, is written in the directory information, which is described later, in a directory entry, and the file is accessed based on the information.

It should be noted that the subdirectory d of the third hierarchy can be created in the subdirectory b. The files J, K, etc. can be recorded in the subdirectory d. Further, as shown in FIG. 5, when another subdirectory name c is created in the root directory \, the files H, I, etc. can be registered in the second-level directory. The image files recorded in each of the above sub-directories can be registered in the directory in a state in which they are classified into, for example, screens of scenes having the same theme or screens according to sequences by shooting period. .

When the image data is to be reproduced, not only the image data files A, B and C in the root directory are to be reproduced in sequence, but only the classified image data files E, F and G are to be reproduced. By directly selecting and reproducing the subdirectory b, it is possible to quickly reproduce the data that matches the purpose.

FIG. 6 is a diagram more specifically showing an example of the structure of the hierarchical directory of FIG. 5 for the image data file of the SMC. This hierarchical directory contains a
, A second level subdirectory b, and a second level subdirectory c,
The third-level subdirectories d are configured in a tree-like relationship. Then, in each directory information storage area, except for the root directory, a 2-byte directory pointer indicating the memory address of the storage destination of the higher-order directory information is written at the head thereof. With this pointer, it is possible to return to the upper directory position. In the subsequent area, a directory entry is recorded as sub-directory or directory information of the image data file.

The directory entry is, as shown in FIG. 7, a file name, an attribute, a creation time, a creation date, a cluster number at the head of a recording position where the corresponding file or subdirectory is recorded, and a file of the file. The size etc. are recorded respectively. As the file name, a file name is registered when the corresponding file is a data file, and a directory name is registered when the corresponding file is a subdirectory. The attribute indicates whether the file data is a subdirectory or a file type.
Further, it becomes possible to access the image file data or the sub-directory by the above-mentioned top cluster number. In the case of an image file, the cluster number of the area where the data that makes up one file is recorded is
The first cluster number and the subsequent cluster number information are written in the FAT area of the memory card 14. The directory entry information of the sub-directory is written in the area provided in the file area of the memory card 14 when the directory is created.

When registering a file, which is image data to be recorded, in the sub-directory using the hierarchical directory, first, the MD switch 11f of the operation switch group 11 shown in FIG. 3 is operated. Create a directory to secure a recording area for image files. Then, in order to move the directory position for accessing the file up and down, the D-UP switch 11d or the D-DOWN switch 11e is operated to move the access position of the hierarchical directory up and down. Therefore, the image file to be recorded is selected by the frame UP and DOWN switches 11b and 11c. This frame UP,
If you operate the DOWN switches 11b and 11c continuously,
It shall be accessed by tree walk method. That is, the files are sequentially accessed in the directory of the current hierarchy, and when the subdirectory is hit there, the file in the corresponding subdirectory of the lower hierarchy is accessed. Then, when the access of the file of the subdirectory is completed, the file of the directory located in the upper hierarchy of the directory is subsequently accessed.

A value of 0 is written in the file name of the directory entry of the unrecorded image file. Also, every time image data is written,
The serial number is added and registered as the file name of the corresponding directory entry. At the position on the memory where the file is recorded, an unused area is checked based on the FAT information, and the area is recorded.

When reproducing the image data, D-
UP switch 11d or D-DOWN switch 1
1e is operated to raise or lower the hierarchical position of the hierarchical directory of the file. Therefore, the image file to be reproduced is selected by the frame UP and DOWN switches 11b and 11c. Note that the recording operation or the reproduction operation mode is designated by operating the REC / PLAY switch 11a.

FIG. 8 is a plan view of the display section 12, showing the displays "REC" 12c and "PLAY" 1
2d is turned on when the camera is set to the recording mode or the reproduction mode. The first display unit 12a and the second display unit 12b form a one-line seven-segment display unit, and the directory name or the file name to which the image file to be recorded / reproduced belongs to the above-mentioned figure in the SMC of this embodiment. It is assumed that the files in the directory information shown in 6 or the numbers such as 1, 2, 3, ... Corresponding to the sub directories correspond. The hyphen display 12f includes a first display portion 12a and a second display portion 12
It is a connecting symbol of b. Further, since the 1-digit display unit 12e can display only two layers of the first display unit 12a and the second display unit 12b, it is hidden above the hierarchical directory displayed on the first display unit 12a. It displays the number of layers.

FIG. 9 shows the display unit 1 when the recording file is moved by operating the frames UP and DOWN switches 11b and 11c of the operation switch 11 in the recording mode.
2 shows the display state. First, in the display state of FIG. 9A, "01" is displayed on the first display portion 12a, and the image file currently being recorded is the file of file name 1 in the root directory (file of FIG. 6). A corresponds). Similarly, the display state of FIG. 9B also shows "0" on the first display section 12a.
2 ”is displayed, indicating that the recorded image file is the second file in the root directory (corresponding to file B in FIG. 6). The file name thus displayed can correspond to the frame number, which is one of the features of this embodiment. Then, in the display state of FIG. 9C, “04” is displayed on the first display unit 12a,
Since "01" is displayed on the second display section 12b, the designation of the recorded image file is a file in the subdirectory designated by the directory name 4 of the root directory (corresponding to the subdirectory b in FIG. 6). This indicates that the file is name 1 (corresponds to file E in FIG. 6). In FIG. 9D, a file with a file name 2 (file F in FIG. 6) of a subdirectory (corresponding to the subdirectory b in FIG. 6) in which a recorded image file is designated is also designated by the directory name 4 of the directory. Corresponds to). Switching of files from (A) to (D) in FIG. 9 is performed by the frame U of the operation switch 11.
This is done by operating the P and DOWN switches 11b and 11c, but if the pressing of the UP switch 11b is continued after that, the sub directory b returns to the root directory in the directory hierarchy of FIG.
Is accessed.

FIG. 10A shows a new memory card 1
4 shows the display of the directory in a state where the recording mode is set after mounting the SMC 4 on the SMC and powering on. At this time,
If the subdirectory has not been created yet and the directory to be accessed now is in the first file name 1 of the root directory, "0" is displayed on the first display section 12a.
It is displayed as "1". Therefore, when the MD switch 11f for creating a directory is pressed, the subdirectory 1 is created in the first directory of the root directory, "01" is displayed on the second display section 12b, and the file name 1 in the subdirectory 1 is displayed. It shows that it is in a recordable state ((B) of FIG. 10). Then, recording is continued in sequence, and when the file registration limit on the registration allowable area of the sub-directory is reached, the directory hierarchy is higher, in this case, the root directory is returned and the recording position of the next file is "02". Display is performed ((C) of FIG. 10).

If it is desired to move to another subdirectory before the file registration limit of the subdirectory is reached, the D-UP switch 11d is operated to move the directory position to a higher position, for example, the root directory,
You can make a record. Further, the designated files are sequentially switched by operating the frame UP and DOWN switches 11b and 11c. If a subdirectory exists, the subdirectory is moved to the corresponding subdirectory and the directory is sequentially designated. . However, if the sub-directory does not exist, the files in the root directory are sequentially accessed.

Although the directory or file designation in the recording mode has been described above, the directory up / down operation by the operation of the frame UP and DOWN switches 11b, 11c in the reproduction mode is similarly operated / processed.

The subdirectory position is, of course, the above-mentioned 2
It is possible to move the access position not only to the hierarchy but to a subdirectory of a deeper hierarchy. FIG. 11A
Shows the LCD display section 12 in the display state of the sub-directory section of the second hierarchy registered in the root directory. In this state, 2 in the root directory “01”
“02” is displayed as the directory of the hierarchy. Then, when the D-DOWN switch 11e is operated, as shown in FIG. 11B, the directory position is lowered, the display "02" of the second layer is moved to the first display section 12a, and the third layer is newly added. The first file "01" in the subdirectory is displayed. At that time, "01" indicating the designated position of the root directory, which has been displayed on the first display unit 12a until now, is erased. However, “1” is displayed on the display unit 12e so that it can be visually recognized that the number of hidden layers is one. After that, when the D-UP switch 11d is operated to return the directory to the upper level,
The root directory name “01” is displayed on the first display unit 12a, and the file access position of the sub-directory of the second layer is incremented by 1 and the file name “03” is displayed on the second display unit 12b ( FIG. 11C).

It should be noted that the display of the directories of a plurality of layers becomes easier to see if the number of digits in the display section is increased. Also,
In this embodiment, a file or directory name is assigned a number for display, but it may be displayed in alphabets or the display unit may be displayed using a dot matrix LCD.

The SM of the present embodiment configured as described above
The operation of the recording / reproducing process based on the hierarchical directory image file management in C will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. FIG. 12 shows a flowchart of the "switch process" of this SMC. In this processing, each switch such as the operation switch group 11 and the recording switch 25 is operated to create a directory for image file management, or an image file is accessed and recorded by using the directory information, or It is a processing routine for reproducing. First, in step S01, REC
Check the ON / OFF state of the / PLAY switch 11a.
If it is on, that is, if the playback mode is selected, step S
Jumping to 08, the subroutine "reproduction mode processing" for reproducing the image file being accessed is called. If the recording switch 25 is off, the process proceeds to step S02 to check whether the recording switch 25 is on or off. When on,
Assuming that a shooting instruction has been issued, the process jumps to step S09 to call a subroutine "shooting mode process" for shooting. If it is off, the process proceeds to step S03.

In step S03, the MD switch 11f
Check on and off. If it is on, it is determined that the directory creation instruction has been issued, and the process jumps to step S10 to call a subroutine "directory creation process" (see FIG. 13) described later. If it is off, the process proceeds to step S04. In step S04, the on / off of the frame UP switch 11b is checked. If it is on, it is determined that an instruction to increment the access position of the corresponding directory has been issued, the process jumps to step S11, and a subroutine "UP switch process" (see FIG. 14) described later is called. If it is off, the process proceeds to step S05.

In step S05, it is checked whether the frame DOWN switch 11c is on or off. If it is on, it is assumed that an instruction to decrement the access position of the corresponding directory has been issued, and the process jumps to step S12,
A subroutine "DOWN switch process" which will be described later is called. If the frame DOWN switch 11c is off, the process proceeds to step S06.

In step S06, the D-UP switch 11
Check d on / off. If it is on, it is determined that an instruction to move the directory to be accessed to the upper hierarchy has been issued, and the process jumps to step S13, and a subroutine "directory UP process" (see FIG. 16) described later is called. If it is off, the process proceeds to step S07. In step S07, it is checked whether the D-DOWN switch 11e is on or off. If it is on, it is determined that an instruction to move the directory to be accessed to the lower hierarchy has been issued, the process jumps to step S14, and a subroutine "directory DOWN processing" described later is called. If it is off, the process returns to step S01 and the above-described processing is repeated.

FIG. 13 shows a flowchart of the "directory creation process" of the above subroutine. In this process, first, in step S21, an empty cluster which is an unrecorded area is searched from the FAT of the memory card 14, and in step S22, it is checked whether or not the empty cluster exists. If there are no free clusters, the process jumps to step S27 to issue a warning such as flickering the display unit 12 and end this subroutine. If there is a free cluster, the process proceeds to step S23, and the subdirectory is registered in the directory entry. Step S2
In step 4, the subdirectory area is initialized. At this time,
The 0 code is written at the beginning of the directory entry of the file. Then, in step S25, the first file in the created subdirectory is set as the next recording position. Subsequently, in step S26, the directory name and the file name on the display unit 12 are updated. Then, this subroutine is finished.

FIG. 14 shows a flowchart of the "UP switch process" of the above subroutine. In this process, first, in step S31, the directory currently located is
Determine whether it is the last entry area. If it is the final entry, the file cannot be registered in the corresponding subdirectory, so the process jumps to step S35, and the subroutine "final entry processing" described later (see FIG. 15).
Is executed. If it is not the final entry, the process advances to step S32 to check whether the attribute of the next directory indicates a subdirectory. If it indicates a subdirectory, the process jumps to step S36 to call a subroutine "subdirectory processing" (see FIG. 17) described later. If it is not a subdirectory, that is, if it is an image data file, the process proceeds to step S33, and the next directory entry is designated as the recording position (recording frame position). Then, step S34
Then, the display on the LCD display unit 12 is updated, and this subroutine is finished. Although the case of the recording mode has been described in this subroutine, the processing for the reproduction mode is performed in the same manner. Further, the "DOWN switch process" of the above subroutine is also a process for accessing the "UP switch process" in the opposite direction.

FIG. 15 shows a flowchart of the subroutine "final entry processing". In this processing, first, in step S41, it is checked whether the current processing position is the root directory. If it is the root directory, the process jumps to step S45, issues a warning, and ends this subroutine. If it is not the root directory, the process proceeds to step S42, and the pointer of the upper directory is read to move to the directory of the upper layer. In step S43, the file is moved to the upper directory, and the file indicated by the directory entry next to the directory is designated as the next recording file. Then, in step S44, the display on the LCD display unit 12 is updated and the present subroutine ends. Although this subroutine shows the "UP switch processing" in the recording mode, the processing for the reproduction mode processing is similar.

FIG. 16 shows a subroutine of the above-mentioned subroutine "directory UP processing". In this processing, first, in step S51, it is checked whether the current processing position is the root directory. If it is the root directory, the process jumps to step S55 to call a subroutine "root directory processing" (see FIG. 18) described later. If it is not the root directory, the process proceeds to step S52, and the pointer of the upper directory is read to move to the upper hierarchical directory. In step S53, move to a higher directory,
The file indicated by the directory entry next to the directory is designated as the next recording file. Then, in step S54, the display on the LCD display unit 12 is updated and the present subroutine ends. Although this subroutine shows the "directory UP processing" in the recording mode, the processing for the reproduction mode processing is the same processing. The "directory DOWN process" is also a process similar to the "directory UP process", and is a process of moving the directory to a lower level.

FIG. 17 shows a flowchart of the above-mentioned subroutine "subdirectory processing". In this process, first, the recordable entry of the subdirectory designated by the directory entry is designated as the recording position in step S61. Then, in step S62, LC
The display on the D display unit 12 is updated and this subroutine is finished.

FIG. 18 shows a flowchart of the "root directory process" of the above subroutine. In this process, first, in step S71, it is determined whether or not the directory currently located is the final entry area. If it is the final entry, the file cannot be registered in the corresponding directory. Therefore, the process jumps to step S74, a warning is issued, and this routine ends. If it is not the final entry, the process proceeds to step S72, and the next directory entry is designated as the recording position (recording frame position).
Then, in step S73, the display on the display unit 12 of the LCD is updated, and this subroutine is finished.

As described above, the SMC of this embodiment is
Image files are sorted and organized by the DOS FAT system and sub-directory structure, and the results are displayed by using only a few operation switches and a display unit with a small number of digits, which is the limit to equip the camera. It enables directory processing of image files. For example, you can create subdirectories by theme such as shooting trips and athletic meet, or distinguish continuous shooting image files from other general images, or register the files with the above-mentioned switch groups. The registration state is recognized by the camera display unit with a small number of digits by the operation of, and an effect similar to the tree display is obtained.

The directory information of the memory card of the SMC of the above-described embodiment can be processed in a hierarchical directory on the personal computer by inputting it to the personal computer.

FIG. 19 shows an SMC according to another embodiment of the present invention, which operates the frames UP and DOWN switches 11b and 11c of the operation switch 11 during the recording mode.
It is a figure which shows the display state of the display part 12 of the same SMC at the time of selecting the unrecorded file used as the access target of recording. First, in the display state of FIG. 19A, “01” is displayed on the directory display section 120, and the image file currently being recorded is the first file in the root directory ((a) of FIG. 19). The first file corresponds to: this figure has the same representation format as FIG. 6). Similarly, in the display state of FIG. 19B, “02” is also displayed in the directory display unit 120, and the recorded image file is the second file of the root directory (see FIG. 19B). The second file corresponds). Further, in the display state of (C) of FIG. 19, “04” is also displayed in the directory display unit 120, and the recorded image file is the fourth file of the root directory (see FIG. 19).
(C) corresponds to the fourth file). The file name displayed in this way can correspond to the frame number, and this point is one of the characteristics in this embodiment. However, the SMC according to the second embodiment is intended to have a simple structure and a low cost as compared with the SMC described above with reference to FIG. 9 and the like without having a structure for accessing a subdirectory. In the second embodiment as well, in the same manner as described with reference to FIG.
2c indicates that the camera is in recording mode.

FIG. 20 is a diagram showing the display state of the display unit 12 during the reproducing operation in the SMC of the second embodiment described above with reference to FIG. First, in the display state of FIG. 20A, "01" is displayed in the directory display unit 120, indicating that the image file currently being reproduced is the first file in the root directory. . Similarly, in the display state of FIG. 20B, "02" is also displayed in the directory display unit 120, and the current access target is the second file in the root directory. Is shown. on the other hand,
The display state of (C) of FIG.
There is a flicker display of "03" on 0. This is
The target of access now is the root directory 3
The second is a warning display indicating that a subdirectory has been set here and cannot be targeted for reproduction in the SMC of this embodiment. Further, in the display state of FIG. 20D, "04" is displayed on the directory display unit 120, indicating that the current access target is the fourth file in the root directory. ing. The reason why the display shown in FIG. 20C is intentionally performed is as follows. That is, although the simple and low-cost SMC itself, which is the second embodiment, does not have a subdirectory setting function or an access function to the subdirectory, the subdirectory is set by being processed by another higher-level model SMC or a personal computer. Since a memory card that has been created may be applied to this simplified SMC, appropriate measures should be taken when applying such a memory card so as not to cause unnecessary confusion such as a user mistaken for a malfunction of the camera. It is necessary. In the second embodiment as well, the display 12d of "PLAY" indicates that the camera is in the reproduction mode, as described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 21 is a diagram showing a display state of the display section 12 mainly during the reproducing operation in the SMC as the third embodiment of the present invention. First, FIG. 20A shows a display element “RE” showing the setting of the recording mode of the display section 12.
"C" (12c), a display element "P" indicating the setting of the reproduction mode
It is a figure for convenience of explanation showing a state where all the display elements of “LAY” (12d), the directory display section 120, and the hierarchical display section 121 are turned on (displayed). Figure 2
In the display state of 1 (B), “01” is displayed on the directory display unit 120, and the image file currently being recorded is the file name 1 of the root directory.
It indicates that the file is. Similarly, the display state of (C) of FIG.
“08” is displayed, indicating that the recorded image file is the 8th file in the root directory. Also in the third embodiment, the file name displayed in this way can correspond to the frame number, and the above point is one of the features of the embodiment. Then, the display state of (D) of FIG.
"1" is displayed, and "S" is displayed on the hierarchy display unit 121. This is the directory display 12
The object displayed with "01" in 0 indicates that it is the first file in the subdirectory one hierarchy below the root directory in (B) and (C) of FIG. Similarly, in the display state of (E) of FIG. 21, “02” is displayed on the directory display unit 120 and “S” is displayed on the hierarchy display unit 121, which is the directory display unit 120. Indicates that the object displayed with "02" is the second file in the subdirectory.

Switching of files to be accessed is performed in the same manner as described above in the first embodiment, with the frame UP and DOWN switches 11 of the operation switch group 11.
This is done by operating b and 11c.

【The invention's effect】

As described above, the electronic image pickup apparatus of the present invention is
When managing image files, a method is used to set a directory to facilitate file access, and the directory is set so that the next image file can be recorded by moving to another directory before the file registration limit for the directory is reached. Since it is possible to select, it is possible to distinguish and record images even when recording a large number of images according to the photographer's preference, and it is convenient for rearranging after shooting even when transferred to a personal computer etc. Play.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external view of an SMC that is an electronic imaging device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a signal processing system of the SMC shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of a switch group of the SMC shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a tree view showing the root directory of the SMC shown in FIG. 1;

5 is a tree view showing the root directory and sub-directories of the SMC shown in FIG.

6 is a diagram showing a registration state of a root directory and a subdirectory of the SMC shown in FIG.

7 is a format of a directory entry of the SMC shown in FIG.

8 is a plan view of the LCD display unit of the SMC shown in FIG.

9A and 9B are display examples of the LCD display unit of the SMC shown in FIG. 1, wherein FIGS. 9A and 9B are file displays of the root directory, and FIGS. 9C and 9D are file displays of the sub directories. Show.

10A and 10B are display examples when a directory is created on the LCD display unit of the SMC in FIG. 1, where FIG. 10A is a display when a subdirectory is not created yet, and FIG. 10B is a display when a subdirectory is created. Display, (C) shows the display when returning to the root directory.

11 is a display example of the LCD display unit of the SMC of FIG. 1, (A) shows a display of two hierarchical directories,
(B) shows the directory display with the root directory hidden, and (C) shows the display when the display returns to the root directory display state.

12 is a flowchart of "switch processing" by operating the operation switch group of the SMC shown in FIG.

13 is a flowchart of a subroutine "directory creation processing" called in "switch processing" of FIG.

14 is a flowchart of a subroutine "UP switch processing" called in "switch processing" of FIG.

15 is a flowchart of a subroutine "final entry processing" called in "UP switch processing" of FIG.

16 is a flowchart of a subroutine "directory UP process" called in "switch process" of FIG.

17 is a flowchart of a subroutine "subdirectory process" called in "UP switch process" of FIG.

18 is a flowchart of a subroutine "root directory processing" called in "directory UP processing" of FIG.

FIG. 19 is a display example of the LCD display unit in the recording mode of the SMC, which is an electronic image pickup apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention, in which (A), (B), and (C) are root directories. It is a file display, (a), (b), (c),
The figure which shows the registration state of the directory corresponding to said (A), (B), (C).

20 is a display example of the LCD display unit in the reproduction mode of the SMC in FIG. 19, where (A), (B), and (D) are file displays of the root directory, and (C) is A sub-directory is set in the third of the root directory, and a state in which a flicker display indicating that the reproducing operation is not performed is displayed depending on the SMC of this embodiment.

FIG. 21 is a display example of the LCD display unit in the recording mode of the electronic image pickup device SMC as still another embodiment of the present invention, in which (A) illustrates all display elements of the display unit. It is a figure for, (B), (C), (D), (E)
Is a file display of the root directory to be accessed.

FIG. 22 is an example of a tree display in a hierarchical file system used in the conventional DOS of a personal computer.

[Explanation of symbols]

3 system controller (directory structure position display means) 12 LCD display unit (directory structure position display unit) 12a first display unit (directory structure position display unit) 12b second display unit (directory structure position display unit) 14 memory card (recording Medium) 100 SMC (Electronic Imaging Device)

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (58) Fields surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) H04N 5/76-5/956 H04N 5/225-5/243 H04N 101: 00

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. An electronic image pickup apparatus capable of recording image information with a directory structure on an applied recording medium or reproducing image information recorded with a directory structure on the recording medium, When registering an image file with a registration limit of image files that can be registered in the set directory, it is possible to register the image file in another directory even before the registration limit of the directory is reached. An electronic image pickup device comprising the image information registration means. 2. The apparatus further comprises directory selecting means for selecting a directory for recording or reproducing the image information with respect to the directory structure set on the recording medium, and the image information registering means selects the directory selecting means. The electronic image pickup apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image file can be registered in another directory corresponding to the above.