JP3884785B2 - Recording / reproducing apparatus, reproducing apparatus and reproducing method - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a recording / reproducing apparatus, a reproducing apparatus, and a reproducing method.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In recent years, techniques for recording images and sounds as digital signals on PCMCIA (Personal Computer Memory Card International Association) recording media such as semiconductor memory cards and small hard disks have been developed.
[0003]
For example, there is a digital electronic still camera that digitally records a photographed image on the PCMCIA recording medium. For example, voice can be recorded on the PCMCIA recording medium as annotation information of an image photographed by the electronic still camera. The data recorded on the PCMCIA recording medium can be read by a personal computer.
[0004]
As a conventional example of a format of image data generated by the digital electronic still camera, there is a format described in “Digital still camera IC memory card guideline DSC 68-pin standard” issued by JEIDA (Japan Electronics Industry Promotion Association).
[0005]
In this standard, the PCMCIA recording medium is used as an MS-DOS (registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation) compatible block device, and image data and audio data are recorded as individual files on the PCMCIA recording medium. Also, incidental information related to the image, for example, information such as the shooting date, shooting mode, and shooting conditions is recorded in each image file.
[0006]
When an image file or an audio file recorded on this PCMCIA recording medium is to be reproduced on a personal computer, the information of files existing in a specific subdirectory is listed on the computer monitor using the MS-DOS function. The user can select the file to be displayed and played back.
[0007]
However, in this case, the information that can be understood by MS-DOS is limited to the file name, file creation date, file size, and the like. For this reason, the information displayed in a list when the MS-DOS function is used is limited to such information.
[0008]
Since these pieces of information are recorded in a continuous area on the PCMCIA recording medium according to the directory configuration rules of MS-DOS, they can be restored at a relatively high speed. Further, by making the file creation date coincide with the shooting date, it becomes possible to present information that is easier for the user to understand.
[0009]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, since MS-DOS cannot understand the shooting mode, shooting conditions, etc., in order to present such information to the user, it has been necessary to prepare dedicated application software. According to the above “Digital still camera IC memory card guideline DSC 68-pin standard”, since this information is individually recorded in each image file, the reading application software opens each image file one by one. It was necessary to analyze the contents.
[0010]
That is, when the reading application software requests MS-DOS to read the information in the image file, the MS-DOS must analyze the arrangement information of the image file on the PCMCIA recording medium and read the information. The contents of the image file are divided into small recording units called sectors, and information such as shooting modes and shooting conditions can be arranged in sectors at arbitrary locations.
[0011]
Therefore, in the case of a recording medium with low access capability and the information arrangement method is random, the information reading time becomes long. Therefore, when presenting each shooting mode for a large number of image files or displaying a list of image file information for each shooting mode, it is necessary to open and read all the image files and analyze their contents. Therefore, there is a problem that a large amount of time is required and the display to the user is remarkably slow.
[0012]
By the way, image information is of a kind that can be understood only by humans. Therefore, when reproducing an image, a technique that first displays a reduced image of the image as an index image on the monitor so that the user can check the contents of the image file in a short time has been proposed and used widely. Yes.
[0013]
In this technique, the reduced image data of a normal image file is usually recorded in the header portion of the corresponding original image file. For example, “JPEG File Interchange Format ver 1.02” issued by C-CUBEMICROSYSTEMS describes a rule for storing reduced image data in a corresponding image file.
[0014]
However, according to this rule, the recording position of the reduced image data in the image file is variable. For this reason, in order to determine the start position of the reduced image data, it is necessary to analyze the header portion of the image file, and there is a problem that the processing for this analysis becomes an extra overhead.
[0015]
In particular, assuming that there is an image file that does not include a reduced image, there is a problem in that the analysis time may be wasted in the conventional method in which all image files are opened and the header portion is analyzed.
[0016]
The above problem also occurs in a system that can add voice annotation information to an image file. For example, if incidental information indicating which audio file is recorded as annotation information is recorded in the image file, the image file can be searched to search for the audio file or whether the audio file exists. You must actually parse the contents of the file.
[0017]
For this reason, there has been a problem that the presentation of the annotation information to the user is delayed due to the overhead of the analysis of the image file.
The above problems become particularly prominent when the electronic still camera and the host computer are connected via a low-speed communication path such as RS232C.
[0018]
The present invention has been made to solve such a problem, and an object of the present invention is to be able to present information related to an image file or the like to a user at high speed.
[0019]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
Book One of the recording / reproducing apparatuses according to the invention records, for example, an image file having image data on a recording medium, records an audio file having audio data on the recording medium, and includes information relating to the image file. A recording means for recording an auxiliary information file having auxiliary information and second auxiliary information including information relating to the audio file on the recording medium; and a reproducing means for reproducing the auxiliary information file from the recording medium. In addition, information related to the image file and information related to the audio file can be acquired from the incidental information file, and a reduced image corresponding to the image file and an icon corresponding to the audio file can be displayed. It is characterized by that.
One of the recording / reproducing apparatuses according to the present invention records, for example, an image file having image data on a recording medium, records an audio file having audio data on the recording medium, and includes information relating to the image file. Recording means for recording on the recording medium an auxiliary information file having second auxiliary information including information related to the audio file, and reproducing means for reproducing the auxiliary information file from the recording medium. So that the information about the image file and the information about the audio file can be acquired from the incidental information file, and the icon corresponding to the audio file can be displayed superimposed on the reduced image corresponding to the image file. It is characterized by that.
[0020]
Book One of the playback devices according to the invention includes, for example, an image file having image data, an audio file having audio data, first auxiliary information including information related to the image file, and second information including information related to the audio file. And a reproducing means for reproducing the supplementary information file from a recording medium on which a supplementary information file having the supplementary information is recorded, information relating to the image file and information relating to the audio file from the supplementary information file; And a reduced image corresponding to the image file and an icon corresponding to the audio file can be displayed.
One of the playback devices according to the present invention includes, for example, an image file having image data, an audio file having audio data, first auxiliary information including information relating to the image file, and information relating to the audio file. And a reproducing means for reproducing the supplementary information file from a recording medium on which a supplementary information file having the supplementary information is recorded, and the information relating to the image file and the information relating to the audio file from the supplementary information file. And an icon corresponding to the audio file can be displayed on the reduced image corresponding to the image file.
[0021]
Book One of the reproduction methods according to the invention includes, for example, an image file having image data, an audio file having audio data, first auxiliary information including information related to the image file, and second information including information related to the audio file. A step of reproducing the supplementary information file from a recording medium on which a supplementary information file having the supplementary information is recorded, and acquiring information on the image file and information on the audio file from the supplementary information file. And a step of displaying a reduced image corresponding to the image file and an icon corresponding to the audio file.
One of the playback methods according to the present invention includes, for example, an image file having image data, an audio file having audio data, first auxiliary information including information related to the image file, and information related to the audio file. A step of reproducing the supplementary information file from a recording medium on which a supplementary information file having two supplementary information is recorded, and obtaining information on the image file and information on the audio file from the supplementary information file And a step of displaying an icon corresponding to the audio file in a superimposed manner on a reduced image corresponding to the image file.
[0031]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an embodiment of a recording / reproducing apparatus of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
The playback processing of the recording / playback apparatus according to the present embodiment includes application processing when the recording / playback apparatus plays back data recorded on a PCMCIA recording medium on a personal computer, and camera processing when the recording / playback apparatus itself plays back data. Can be implemented.
[0032]
First, a functional block diagram showing the elemental features of the present invention is shown in FIG. Hereafter, the characteristic part of this invention is demonstrated using this FIG.
The recording / reproducing apparatus shown in FIG. 1 is roughly composed of a recording apparatus 1, a recording medium 2, and a reproducing apparatus 3.
[0033]
The recording apparatus 1 includes an image recording unit 11, an audio recording unit 12, and an incidental information recording unit 13. Here, the image recording unit 11 records at least one or more pieces of image data as an image file 21 on the recording medium 2. This image recording means 11 forms one image file 21 and one corresponding reduced image file 22 each time one piece of image data is recorded.
[0034]
The audio recording means 12 records at least one or more audio data as an audio file 23 on the recording medium 2. The sound recording unit 12 forms one sound file 23 every time one sound data is recorded.
[0035]
Further, the incidental information recording means 13 includes a plurality of types of incidental information related to images and sounds (image and sound recording dates, image and sound recording modes, image capturing conditions such as image shooting conditions, and annotations on images). Information type and recording position, information on a group of a plurality of images and sounds grouped according to a predetermined theme, information on the recording position of a reduced image file, recording position of images and sounds, etc.) on the recording medium 2 It is recorded as one map file 24.
[0036]
As apparent from FIG. 1, individual image data is recorded on the recording medium 2 as individual image files 21. Therefore, when recording a plurality of image data, a plurality of image files 21 are formed on the recording medium 2. The same applies to the audio file 23.
[0037]
On the other hand, only one map file 24 is formed, and all incidental information related to each file is recorded together. The reduced image data is not embedded in the image file 21 in which the original image is recorded, but is recorded as a different reduced image file 22.
[0038]
The playback device 3 refers to the map file 24 and the image playback means 31 for playing back the image data in the image file 21 and the reduced image data in the reduced image file 22, and the audio file 23 in reference to the map file 24. Audio reproduction means 32 for reproducing the audio data of the above and attribute information reproduction means 33 for reproducing the attribute information in the map file 24 with reference to the map file 24.
[0039]
The image data recorded as the image file 21 on the recording medium 2 can be reproduced by the personal computer 4 by the image reproducing means 31 and the reproduced image can be displayed on the monitor 5. In this case, before actually displaying the image data on the monitor 5, the attribute information or the reduced image related to the image data is reproduced and displayed on the monitor 5, and a desired image to be reproduced with reference thereto. You can let the user choose a file.
[0040]
For example, when reproducing attribute information, the attribute information reproducing means 33 reads the attribute information from the map file 24 and reproduces it. When the reduced image is reproduced, the image reproduction means 31 refers to the reduced image recording position in the map file 24, and reads out and reproduces the reduced image data in the reduced image file 22 based on the recording position.
[0041]
Further, when the annotation information related to the image recorded in the image file 21 is recorded in the recording medium 2 as the audio file 23, the annotation information by the audio can be reproduced. In this case, the audio reproduction means 32 refers to the map file 24 and reads out and reproduces audio data from the audio file 23 based on the recording position of the annotation information.
[0042]
In this case, since all the incidental information related to images and sounds is recorded in one map file 24, all the incidental information necessary for information presentation can be obtained by opening this map file 24. As a result, it is not necessary to open individual image files and audio files one by one as in the prior art and read out the accompanying information, and information can be presented to the user much faster than in the past. .
[0043]
Further, since the reduced image data is recorded as a reduced image file 22 different from the image file 21, when the reduced image is displayed on the monitor 5 in order to allow the user to select a desired file, the map file 24 is displayed. Based on the recording position of the reduced image file 22 described, the reduced image file 22 can be directly opened to access the reduced image data. Therefore, it is not necessary to open the image files 21 in which the original images are recorded one by one and analyze the recording location of the reduced images as in the prior art, so that the reduced images can be accessed at high speed. Become.
[0044]
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a recording system of a camera which is an embodiment of the recording / reproducing apparatus according to the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 2, the recording system of the camera according to the present embodiment includes a lens 201, an imaging device 202, an A / D converter 203, an image memory 204, a compression encoding unit 205, a recording device 206, a CPU 207, and a recording medium 208. , An operation unit 209, a voice input unit 210, and a voice A / D converter 211. Of course, other parts of the camera that are not directly related to the present embodiment, such as an aperture and a shutter, are provided.
[0045]
In FIG. 2, an optical image of a subject captured by a lens 201 is converted into an electric video signal by an imaging device 202 located behind the subject, for example, a charge-coupled device (CCD). In response to a control signal supplied from the CPU 207, the imaging device 202 accumulates charges corresponding to the optical image of the subject and reads out the video signal.
[0046]
The video signal read by the imaging device 202 is converted into digital image data by the A / D converter 203. Although not shown, various means for processing a video signal such as gamma correction, color signal formation / separation, and white balance adjustment are provided between the imaging device 202 and the A / D converter 203. ing.
[0047]
Image data converted into a digital signal by the A / D converter 203 is stored in the image memory 204. Next, the image data is read from the image memory 204 to the compression encoding unit 205, where compression encoding is performed. As this data compression method, for example, a JPEG method (compression method described in ISO / IEC DIS 10918-1) defined as an international standard method can be used.
[0048]
Then, the image data compressed and encoded in this way is written to the recording medium 208 via the recording device 206. The recording device 206 is configured by a memory card interface defined by JEIDA or the like as an interface for the recording medium 208, for example. That is, it is composed of a logic circuit and an interface connector for writing the image data received from the compression encoding unit 205 to the recording medium 208 according to the interface protocol.
[0049]
Further, as the recording medium 208, a memory card, a hard disk or the like suitable for the recording device 206 is used. As the file format on the recording medium 208, for example, a format according to the JEIDA memory card DOS file system convention is used, and image data, audio data, and other incidental information are recorded as files according to this format.
[0050]
The operation unit 209 is used to give various instructions regarding the recording / playback operation in the camera of the present embodiment, and the user can use the operation unit 209 to instruct recording and playback of images and sounds. is there.
[0051]
For example, when the CPU 207 detects a voice recording command by the operation of the user operation unit 209, the CPU 207 receives the voice data input from the voice input unit 210 and converted into digital data by the voice A / D converter 211, and receives it. Recording is performed on the recording medium 208 via the recording device 206.
[0052]
Thereafter, when the CPU 207 detects the release of the voice recording command by the operation of the operation unit 209 of the user, or when the CPU 207 considers the release of the voice recording command after a certain time has elapsed, the voice recording process is ended. .
[0053]
With this configuration, for example, when the user operates the operation unit 209, it is possible to instruct recording of audio as image annotation information. The simplest way to add an annotation would be to record the audio data as an annotation for the last recorded image file.
[0054]
In addition, when an EVF (Electric View Finder) or the like is installed as a camera user interface and the camera itself can reproduce an image, an audio annotation can be added to an arbitrary image file. As an example of this, there is a detailed example in Japanese Patent Application No. 5-328033 already filed by the present applicant.
[0055]
In the embodiment described in Japanese Patent Application No. 5-328033, a group including arbitrary image files and audio files, and addition of audio annotations to the group are also proposed. The group mentioned here represents a set of files such as images and sounds, and represents a set of data in which a user selects or organizes a plurality of images and sounds according to a certain theme.
[0056]
In this embodiment, when it is assumed that the camera records image files, audio files, group information, and annotation information related to the image files and group information, a map file described below is generated and this map is generated. Various incidental information described below is recorded in the file.
[0057]
In the map file, information about image files, audio files, and groups is represented by image file descriptor (Image file desc), sound file descriptor (Sound file desc), and group descriptor (Group desc), respectively, and recorded. Arrange in chronological order. As a result, the map file becomes, for example, as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 5, a tag (Map file end tag) indicating the end of the map file is arranged at the end of the map file.
[0058]
Each of the above-described descriptors is configured as shown in FIG. 6, FIG. 7, and FIG. As can be seen from these figures, in this embodiment, a tag (tag) for identifying the content of each descriptor, the length (length) of the descriptor, and the descriptor itself are uniquely specified in the map file. An identifier (desc identifier) for identification is arranged in the head header. Therefore, since the contents of each descriptor and the size of information can be determined at the head of each descriptor, it is possible to easily analyze where the next descriptor starts.
[0059]
As shown in FIG. 6, the image file descriptor includes a descriptor (File location desc) that represents the arrangement information of the image file, a descriptor (Properties desc) that represents the attribute information of the image file, and a reduced image following the head header. This includes a descriptor (Thumbnail desc) that expresses information related to annotation, a descriptor (Annotation desc) that expresses information related to annotation information, and the like.
[0060]
Here, in the image file arrangement information descriptor (File location desc), an actual recording location of the image file on the recording medium 208, for example, a file name designated by an absolute path is recorded. Further, in the attribute information descriptor (Properties desc) of the image file, all attribute information relating to the image such as the shooting date, shooting mode, shooting conditions and the like are recorded.
[0061]
In the reduced image information descriptor (Thumbnail desc), an actual recording location of the reduced image file on the recording medium 208, for example, a file name designated by an absolute path is recorded. In the annotation information descriptor (Annotation desc), an identifier (Annotation identifier) indicating that it is an audio annotation and the actual recording location of the audio file on the recording medium 208, for example, a file name specified with an absolute path, etc. Record. There may be a plurality of annotation information descriptors (Annotation desc) as shown in FIG.
[0062]
Further, as shown in FIG. 7, the sound file descriptor includes a descriptor (File location desc) expressing the arrangement information of the audio file and a descriptor (Properties desc) expressing the attribute information of the audio file following the head header. ) Etc.
[0063]
Here, in the audio file arrangement information descriptor (File location desc), the actual recording location of the audio file on the recording medium 208, for example, the file name designated by the absolute path is recorded. Also, in the audio file attribute information descriptor (Properties desc), all audio attribute information such as recording date, recording mode, and recording time are recorded.
[0064]
In the case of a system capable of generating the above group, a group descriptor (Group desc) is recorded in the map file as shown in FIG. In this group descriptor (Group desc), for example, as shown in FIG. 8, the number of members in the group (number of members) and the number of members in the group are unique after the above-mentioned header. An identifier (desc identifier) for identification is recorded side by side. FIG. 8 shows an example in which the number of members in the group is four.
[0065]
Further, after an identifier (desc identifier) for uniquely identifying the descriptor in the group, a descriptor (Annotation desc) representing information on the annotation information is recorded. The contents of the descriptor (Annotation desc) expressing the annotation information are the same as those of the image file descriptor.
[0066]
In this case, a group link descriptor (Group link desc) indicating that the descriptor has become a member of a certain group is added. For example, as shown in FIG. 9, when an image file descriptor becomes a member of a group, the group link descriptor is inserted into the image file descriptor. In this group link descriptor, an identifier (groupe desc identifier) for identifying the group descriptor is recorded.
[0067]
Next, the processing procedure of the camera recording system according to the present embodiment will be described.
In the camera of this embodiment, each time one piece of image data is recorded, each one image file and reduced image file are recorded in a predetermined subdirectory on the recording medium 208 and related to these files. Various incidental information is written in the map file in accordance with the map file protocol (see FIG. 6).
[0068]
Each time one piece of audio data is recorded, one audio file is recorded in a predetermined subdirectory on the recording medium 208, and various incidental information related to the audio file is recorded in accordance with the map file protocol. Write to the map file (see FIG. 7). When an audio file is recorded as an image annotation file, the descriptor corresponding to the image file in the map file is rewritten to include the audio annotation file (see FIG. 6).
[0069]
When a group is composed of a plurality of image files and audio files, a group descriptor (see FIG. 8) describing the group is added to the map file. Then, the group link descriptor is added to the descriptors of all the files that are members of the group (see FIG. 9).
[0070]
Next, the configuration of the playback system of the camera according to the present embodiment is shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 3, the playback system of the camera according to the present embodiment includes a playback device 301, an image memory 302, a decoding / decompression unit 303, an image output unit 304, an audio output unit 305, a CPU 207, a recording medium 208, and an operation unit 209. It has.
[0071]
In FIG. 3, a recording medium 208 is the same as that shown in FIG. 2, and the above-described image file, reduced image file, and audio file are recorded in a predetermined subdirectory, and various incidental information regarding these files are recorded. (Information such as file arrangement information descriptor, file attribute information descriptor, annotation information descriptor, group descriptor, etc.) is recorded together on one map file different from the above-mentioned files.
[0072]
Information recorded on the recording medium 208 is reproduced by the reproducing device 301. Similar to the recording device 206 shown in FIG. 2, the reproducing device 301 includes a memory card interface defined by JEIDA or the like as an interface for the recording medium 208. That is, it is composed of a logic circuit and an interface connector for reading audio data from the recording medium 208.
[0073]
The CPU 207 reads the map file recorded on the recording medium 208 via the playback device 301 and analyzes the read map file. Then, the image or audio attribute information recorded in the map file, the reduced image, or the like is output via the image output unit 304 and displayed on, for example, a computer monitor (not shown). Information presentation such as attribute information and reduced images can be instructed by the user operating the operation unit 209.
[0074]
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing in detail the information presentation process of the CPU 207 described above. Hereinafter, an example of the information presentation procedure will be described with reference to FIG.
In FIG. 4, the CPU 207 first reads a map file recorded on the recording medium 208 via the playback device 301 in step 401.
[0075]
Next, in step 402, all image file descriptors and sound file descriptors included in the map file read in step 401 are analyzed. At this point, a descriptor representing the attribute information of the image file and the audio file is obtained. This makes it possible to present to the user attribute information such as the recording date, recording mode, and shooting conditions among various incidental information related to the image file and the audio file, for example, in the form of a text list display.
[0076]
In addition, at the time of step 402, information indicating what kind of annotation information is attached to the image file can be obtained from the descriptor expressing the annotation information, and this information can be presented to the user. For example, when a voice annotation is added, if the display is performed using an icon or the like that expresses that, it is possible to provide a user-friendly display.
[0077]
That is, at the time of step 402, for example, a display screen as shown in FIG. 10 can be presented to the user. In the example of FIG. 10, attribute information such as recording date, recording time, shooting mode, file data size, flash usage state, aperture value, and shutter speed is presented. Also shown are an icon 1001 indicating whether it is an image file or an audio file, and an icon 1002 indicating that an image annotation file is attached to the image file.
[0078]
Next, in step 403, the recording position on the recording medium 208 of the reduced image file corresponding to each image file recorded on the recording medium 208 is read from the image file descriptor. Then, these reduced image files are read from the recording medium 208 via the playback device 301 and presented to the user via the image output unit 304. At this time, a display as shown in FIG. 11 can be performed.
[0079]
In the example of FIG. 11, a reduced image is displayed together with related information for each image file. As the related information, the attribute information obtained in step 402 can be used. Therefore, in FIG. 11, the same information as the various attribute information shown in FIG. 10 is displayed beside the reduced image. An icon indicating whether or not a voice annotation file is added to the image file can be expressed as 1101, for example.
[0080]
In the next step 404, the group descriptor in the map file read in step 401 is analyzed. As a result, the image file and the audio file which are members existing in the group and the annotation file added to the group are determined. Then, the contents thus confirmed are presented to the user. At this time, a display as shown in FIG. 12 can be performed.
[0081]
That is, in the example of FIG. 12, the reduced image is displayed together with the related information for all the image files, and for each group existing in the map file, individual image files that are members of the group are collected. By displaying a rectangle 1201, a group is expressed. An icon indicating whether or not a voice annotation file is added to the group is expressed as 1202, for example.
[0082]
As described above, according to the present embodiment, all the incidental information necessary for information presentation can be obtained by reading and analyzing one map file, and the presence of image attribute information, audio attribute information, annotation information, etc. Information can be presented to the user. Therefore, it is not necessary to open and analyze a number of files, and information can be presented to the user at high speed.
[0083]
The reduced image is recorded in a reduced image file different from the image file in which the original image is recorded, and the recording position is stored in the map file as supplementary information. For this reason, when trying to present a reduced image to the user, the reduced image file to be presented is directly opened and the reduced image data is accessed based on the recording position of the reduced image file recorded in the map file. can do. Therefore, since it is not necessary to open a number of image files one by one and analyze the recording position, it is possible to display a reduced image at high speed.
[0084]
Next, the user can select a file to be reproduced with reference to the attribute information and the reduced image displayed as shown in FIG. 10, FIG. 11 or FIG. This file selection can be performed by operating the operation unit 209, for example. For example, when the operation unit 209 is configured with a mouse, the selection can be performed by performing a mouse click operation on information on a file to be selected.
[0085]
When the user selects a desired file, the CPU 207 analyzes the recording position of the selected file on the recording medium 208 by referring to the file arrangement information in the map file. Based on the analysis result, the data in the selected file is read from the recording medium 208.
[0086]
For example, when a certain image file is selected by the user, the image data in the selected image file is read from the recording medium 208 via the playback device 301 and temporarily stored in the image memory 302.
[0087]
The image data stored in the image memory 302 is then read out to the decoding / decompression unit 303, where decoding / decompression processing is performed. The decoding method in the decoding / decompression unit 303 is the same type as the encoding method in the compression encoding unit 205 shown in FIG. The image data decoded and expanded in this way is output to a computer (not shown) via the image output unit 304, for example.
[0088]
On the other hand, when a certain audio file is selected by the user, the audio data in the selected audio file is read from the recording medium 208 via the playback device 301, and this is illustrated via the CPU 207 and the audio output unit 305. Not output to the computer.
[0089]
Although the case where the selected image file or audio file is reproduced on a computer (not shown) has been described here, it can be reproduced by the camera itself. In this case, a D / A converter for converting a digital signal into an analog signal may be provided inside the camera.
[0090]
In this embodiment, information (image file, audio file, group information) included in the map file can be edited. In this case, all the incidental information related to the information to be edited is changed according to the editing content.
[0091]
For example, when deleting an image file from the recording medium 208, the image file descriptor corresponding to the image file is deleted from the map file. At that time, in addition to the image file which is data of the image main body, the identifier (desc identifier) in the group descriptor is deleted when the group image is linked with the reduced image file, the annotation file, and another image file.
[0092]
When an image file that is a member of a group is removed from the group, the identifier (desc identifier) in the group descriptor is deleted. When deleting an annotation file attached to an image file or a group, the annotation file identifier is deleted from the image file descriptor corresponding to the image file or the group descriptor corresponding to the group, and the annotation file is deleted. Delete it.
[0093]
In this way, the information in the map file is updated while the information related to the image file, the audio file, and the group information recorded on the recording medium 208 is always kept normal.
[0094]
As described above, in this embodiment, the related information of the image file, the audio file, and the group information is collectively managed, so that the editing can be performed in a concentrated manner, so that the system can be simplified. There is.
[0095]
<Other embodiments>
In the above-described embodiment, the reduced images are recorded in each reduced image file, and the reduced image information descriptor (Thumbnail desc) in each image file descriptor in the map file includes the reduced image file. The recording location, specifically, the absolute path name and file name of the MS-DOS file are described.
[0096]
However, in the case of such a method, the following problems occur.
That is, when a large amount of image data is recorded on the recording medium 208, when trying to display a list of reduced images corresponding to each image on the computer monitor, the number of reduced image files that can be opened simultaneously is MS. -Since it is limited by DOS, it is not possible to open all the reduced image files at once.
[0097]
Therefore, in order to obtain a large amount of reduced image data, the operation of opening and closing each reduced image file must be repeated. Such an overhead of the operating system causes a decrease in the performance of the apparatus.
[0098]
Also, if a reduced image file to be presented based on the absolute path name and file name of the MS-DOS file must be searched from a very large number of files, the time required for the search is also large. The overhead also causes a decrease in performance.
[0099]
In order to solve this problem, in the embodiment described below, a plurality of reduced images are collectively recorded in one file (hereinafter referred to as a submap file), and the reduced image information descriptor (Thumbnail desc) of the map file is recorded. Describes the position where the reduced image is recorded in the submap file.
[0100]
In this way, in order to obtain many reduced images, it is only necessary to first open the submap file once. Also, it is not necessary to search by file name, and only the access position in the submap file needs to be moved. The movement of the access position within the submap file only needs to follow the connection of the so-called FAT (File Allocation Table) of MS-DOS. Normally, in the operating system, the FAT concatenated data is read into the main memory, so that this operation can be performed at a very high speed.
[0101]
FIG. 13 shows a configuration example of the submap file. As is apparent from FIG. 13, the submap file has a management area for recording a table for managing arrangement information of reduced images and a data area for recording actual reduced image data. The size of the management table is recorded in 4 bytes at the top of the submap file.
[0102]
In the management table, flags for indicating whether or not reduced image data identified by individual index values exist in the submap file are recorded in order. Since this flag can be expressed by 1 bit, for example, if 1 kilobyte is prepared as a management table, the presence / absence of 1024 × 8 = 8192 reduced image data can be managed.
[0103]
For example, in the example of FIG. 13, if the data value of the first byte of the management table is “001110111”, the reduced image data is recorded in the data area corresponding to the index values 0, 1, 2, 4, and 5. I understand that That is, data values “1” and “0” in the management table represent the presence or absence of reduced image data, respectively.
[0104]
In the data area, one reduced image data is recorded with, for example, horizontal 80 pixels × vertical 60 pixels × 3 (RGB) = 14.4 kilobytes. Then, as shown in FIG. 13, a plurality of reduced image data are sequentially recorded after the management table of the management area.
[0105]
Normally, the file size can be detected by the function of MS-DOS. Therefore, the total number of bytes including the management table size and the management table size is subtracted from the submap file size. By dividing the size of the data area obtained as a result by the capacity (14.4 kilobytes) required for one reduced image data, it is possible to know how many reduced image data are managed by the submap file.
[0106]
Thereby, the range of effective index values can be known. Further, by confirming the contents of the management table, it is possible to know in what number area of the data area the effective reduced image data is stored.
[0107]
If you want to add a new reduced image to the submap file with the camera or host computer, first set the index value indicating that the management table flag is “0”, that is, “no reduced image” within the range of valid index values. look for. If there is such an index value, the data area of the submap file corresponding to the index value is made a place for storing new reduced image data, and the flag of the management table is set to “1”, that is, “reduced image”. Change to “Yes”.
[0108]
On the other hand, if there is no such index value, the size of the submap file is changed so that the submap file can include new reduced image data, and the newly added data area portion is newly reduced. A storage area for image data. Then, the flag value of the management table corresponding to the index value of the newly secured data area is changed to “1” to indicate “reduced image exists”. At this time, if it is necessary to change the size of the management table, it is also changed. Then, the data area is moved backward by the increase in the management area.
[0109]
Then, the new reduced image data is stored in the data area newly secured in the submap file as described above. Further, the index value corresponding to the reduced image data is recorded as the arrangement information (File location) of the reduced image information descriptor (Thumbnail desc) in the map file.
[0110]
Further, when it is necessary to read the reduced image data, the location in the submap file is calculated based on the index value of the reduced image data. Then, the access can be moved to the calculated location, and the reduced image data can be read from the submap file.
[0111]
At this time, it is checked in advance whether the index value is valid by referring to the management table of the submap file. That is, whether the index value is valid from the relationship between the submap file size, the size of the reduced image data, and the size of the management table, and the flag value of the management table corresponding to the index value is “reduced image exists” Check whether it shows.
[0112]
Also, when deleting the reduced image data already recorded in the submap file, for example, changing only the flag of the management table to “no reduced image” with the reduced image data remaining in the file. do it.
[0113]
As described above, according to the present embodiment, by managing the reduced images in one submap file, the number of times the file is opened and closed in order to display many reduced images is reduced, and the search by the file name is performed. The number of times can be reduced. This makes it possible to access the reduced image at higher speed.
[0114]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, Image file etc. Information about The It can be presented to the user at high speed.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing elemental features of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a recording system of a camera that is an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a camera playback system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an information presentation processing procedure in the camera playback system according to the present embodiment;
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a map file according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of contents of an image file descriptor in a map file according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the contents of a sound file descriptor in a map file according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of contents of a group descriptor in a map file according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing another example of the contents of the image file descriptor in the map file according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of an information presentation method according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 11 is a diagram showing another example of the information presentation method according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating another example of the information presentation method according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data structure of a submap file according to another embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Recording device
2 recording media
3 Playback device
11 Image recording means
12 Voice recording means
13 Attached information recording means
21 Image file
22 Reduced image file
23 audio files
24 Map file
31 Image reproduction means
32 Sound playback means
33 Attribute information reproduction means
201 lens
202 Imaging device
203 A / D converter
204 Image memory
205 Compression encoder
206 Recording device
207 CPU
208 recording media
209 Operation part
210 Voice input unit
211 Voice A / D Converter
301 playback device
302 Image memory
303 Decryption / decompression unit
304 Image output unit
305 Audio output unit

Claims (29)

An image file having image data is recorded on a recording medium, an audio file having audio data is recorded on the recording medium, and second auxiliary information including information relating to the image file and information relating to the audio file are included. Recording means for recording an auxiliary information file having auxiliary information on the recording medium;
Playback means for playing back the auxiliary information file from the recording medium,
The information about the image file and the information about the audio file can be acquired from the incidental information file,
A recording / reproducing apparatus capable of displaying a reduced image corresponding to the image file and an icon corresponding to the audio file. An image file having image data is recorded on a recording medium, an audio file having audio data is recorded on the recording medium, and second auxiliary information including information relating to the image file and information relating to the audio file are included. Recording means for recording an auxiliary information file having auxiliary information on the recording medium;
Playback means for playing back the auxiliary information file from the recording medium,
The information about the image file and the information about the audio file can be acquired from the incidental information file,
A recording / reproducing apparatus, wherein an icon corresponding to the audio file can be displayed overlaid on a reduced image corresponding to the image file. The first incidental information includes information indicating a location where the image file is recorded,
The second incidental information, the recording and reproducing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it comprises an information indicating where the audio file is recorded. The first incidental information, the recording and reproducing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it comprises information that indicates where the audio file associated with the image file is recorded. When reproducing the image file from the recording medium, the image file is reproduced from the recording medium using the first auxiliary information,
When said from the recording medium to reproduce the audio file, the recording and reproducing according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that for reproducing the audio file from the recording medium using the second incidental information apparatus. The recording medium, recording and reproducing apparatus according to any of claims 1, characterized in that the memory card 5. The recording medium, recording and reproducing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that a hard disk. The recording and reproducing apparatus, a recording and reproducing apparatus according to any of claims 1, characterized in that the camera 7. The recording means not only records the image file on the recording medium, but also records a reduced image file having reduced image data related to the image data on the recording medium,
9. The recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first auxiliary information includes information indicating a location where the reduced image file is recorded. 10. The recording / reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first auxiliary information includes information indicating a group to which the image file belongs. An auxiliary information file having an image file having image data, an audio file having audio data, first auxiliary information including information relating to the image file, and second auxiliary information including information relating to the audio file. Reproducing means for reproducing the auxiliary information file from the recorded recording medium,
The information about the image file and the information about the audio file can be acquired from the incidental information file,
A playback apparatus characterized in that a reduced image corresponding to the image file and an icon corresponding to the audio file can be displayed. An auxiliary information file having an image file having image data, an audio file having audio data, first auxiliary information including information relating to the image file, and second auxiliary information including information relating to the audio file. Reproducing means for reproducing the auxiliary information file from the recorded recording medium,
The information about the image file and the information about the audio file can be acquired from the incidental information file,
A playback apparatus characterized in that an icon corresponding to the audio file can be displayed superimposed on a reduced image corresponding to the image file. The first incidental information includes information indicating a location where the image file is recorded,
The playback apparatus according to claim 11 or 12 , wherein the second supplementary information includes information indicating a location where the audio file is recorded. The first incidental information reproducing apparatus according to claim 11 1 3, characterized in that it comprises information that indicates where the audio file associated with the image file is recorded. When reproducing the image file from the recording medium, the image file is reproduced from the recording medium using the first auxiliary information,
When playing the audio file from the recording medium, the reproduction of any of claims 11 to 1 4, characterized in that for reproducing the audio file from the recording medium using the second incidental information apparatus. The recording medium playback device according to any one of claims 11, characterized in that the memory card 1 5. The recording medium playback device according to any one of claims 11, characterized in that a hard disk 1 5. The reproduction apparatus, reproduction apparatus according to claim 11, wherein 1-7 that the camera. The recording medium records not only the image file but also a reduced image file having reduced image data related to the image data,
19. The reproducing apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the first auxiliary information includes information indicating a location where the reduced image file is recorded. 20. The playback apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the first auxiliary information includes information indicating a group to which the image file belongs. An auxiliary information file having an image file having image data, an audio file having audio data, first auxiliary information including information relating to the image file, and second auxiliary information including information relating to the audio file. Reproducing the incidental information file from the recorded recording medium;
Obtaining information about the image file and information about the audio file from the incidental information file;
A playback method comprising: displaying a reduced image corresponding to the image file and an icon corresponding to the audio file. An auxiliary information file having an image file having image data, an audio file having audio data, first auxiliary information including information relating to the image file, and second auxiliary information including information relating to the audio file. Reproducing the incidental information file from the recorded recording medium;
Obtaining information about the image file and information about the audio file from the incidental information file;
And a step of displaying an icon corresponding to the audio file superimposed on a reduced image corresponding to the image file. The first incidental information includes information indicating a location where the image file is recorded,
The reproduction method according to claim 21 or 22 , wherein the second incidental information includes information indicating a location where the audio file is recorded. The first incidental information reproducing method according to claim 21 2 3 audio file, characterized in that it comprises information indicating a location that is recorded associated with the image file. When reproducing the image file from the recording medium, the image file is reproduced from the recording medium using the first auxiliary information,
When playing the audio file from the recording medium, the reproduction of any one of claims 21 to 2 4, characterized in that for reproducing the audio file from the recording medium using the second incidental information Method. The recording medium, method of reproduction according to any one of claims 21 2 5, which is a memory card. The recording medium, method of reproduction according to any one of claims 21 2 5, which is a hard disk. The recording medium records not only the image file but also a reduced image file having reduced image data related to the image data,
28. The reproducing method according to claim 21, wherein the first supplementary information includes information indicating a location where the reduced image file is recorded. 29. The reproducing method according to claim 21, wherein the first auxiliary information includes information indicating a group to which the image file belongs.

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