U.S. patent application number 11/097358 was filed with the patent office on 2005-10-06 for file management method and apparatus for controlling assets in multimedia appliances and information recording medium therefor.
This patent application is currently assigned to SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.. Invention is credited to Ahn, Jin-yong, Kim, Du-il, Kim, Hee-yeon, Kim, Young-yoon, Shin, Seong-kook.
Application Number | 20050223037 11/097358 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36139457 |
Filed Date | 2005-10-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050223037 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Ahn, Jin-yong ; et
al. |
October 6, 2005 |
File management method and apparatus for controlling assets in
multimedia appliances and information recording medium therefor
Abstract
A file management method and apparatus for controlling assets in
multimedia appliances and an information recording medium thereof
are provided. The file management method for controlling assets in
multimedia appliances includes: generating and managing an index
file containing information on assets obtained by the multimedia
appliances and based on MusicPhotoVideo (MPV). The method and
apparatus enable users to conveniently and easily manage assets
obtained in multimedia appliances such as a digital still
camera.
Inventors: |
Ahn, Jin-yong; (Suwon-si,
KR) ; Shin, Seong-kook; (Seoul, KR) ; Kim,
Du-il; (Suwon-si, KR) ; Kim, Young-yoon;
(Seoul, KR) ; Kim, Hee-yeon; (Suwon-si,
KR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
SUGHRUE MION, PLLC
2100 PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE, N.W.
SUITE 800
WASHINGTON
DC
20037
US
|
Assignee: |
SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO.,
LTD.
|
Family ID: |
36139457 |
Appl. No.: |
11/097358 |
Filed: |
April 4, 2005 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60558549 |
Apr 2, 2004 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 ;
707/999.107; 707/E17.031 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F 40/221 20200101;
G06F 16/40 20190101; G06F 16/51 20190101; Y10S 707/99931 20130101;
G06F 40/143 20200101; G06F 40/154 20200101 |
Class at
Publication: |
707/104.1 |
International
Class: |
G06F 007/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Aug 27, 2004 |
KR |
10-2004-0068031 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A file management method for controlling assets in multimedia
appliances comprising: generating and managing an index file
containing information on assets obtained by the multimedia
appliances and based on MusicPhotoVideo (MPV).
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the information on assets
includes at least one of information on individual assets and
information on an album obtained by grouping the individual
assets.
3. The method of claim 2, wherein information on the individual
assets includes at least one of an identifier (mpv:id) identifying
a particular one of the individual assets, meta data indicating
attribute information of the particular asset, and location
information (LastURL) indicating the location where the particular
asset is stored.
4. The method of claim 2, wherein information on the album includes
at least one of an identifier (mpv:id) identifying the album, meta
data indicating attribute information of the album, and location
information (LastURL) indicating the location where the album is
stored.
5. The method of claim 2, wherein the album includes information on
one or more individual assets included in the album.
6. The method of claim 5, wherein the information on the individual
assets includes at least one of an identifier (mpv:id) identifying
a particular one of the individual assets, meta data indicating
attribute information of the particular asset, and location
information (LastURL) indicating the location where the particular
asset is stored.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein the index file is located at the
root directory of a design rule for camera file system (DCF)
directory structure.
8. A file management apparatus for controlling assets in multimedia
appliances comprising: a file management unit generating and
managing an index file containing information on assets obtained by
the multimedia appliances and based on MusicPhotoVideo (MPV).
9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the information on assets
includes at least one of information on individual assets and
information on an album obtained by grouping the individual
assets.
10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein information on the individual
assets includes at least one of an identifier (mpv:id) identifying
a particular one of the individual assets, meta data indicating
attribute information of the particular asset, and location
information (LastURL) indicating the location where the particular
asset is stored.
11. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein information on the album
includes at least one of an identifier (mpv:id) identifying the
album, meta data indicating attribute information of the album, and
location information (LastURL) indicating the location where the
album is stored.
12. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the album includes
information on one or more individual assets included in the
album.
13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the information on the
individual assets includes at least one of an identifier (mpv:id)
identifying a particular one of the individual assets, meta data
indicating attribute information of the particular asset, and
location information (LastURL) indicating the location where the
particular asset is stored.
14. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the index file is located at
the root directory of a design rule for camera file system (DCF)
directory structure.
15. An information storage medium for controlling assets in
multimedia appliances comprising: an index file recorded thereon
and containing information on assets obtained by the multimedia
appliances and based on MusicPhotoVideo (MPV).
16. The medium of claim 15, wherein the information on assets
includes at least one of information on individual assets and
information on an album obtained by grouping the individual
assets.
17. The medium of claim 16, wherein information on the individual
assets includes at least one of an identifier (mpv:id) identifying
a particular one of the individual assets, meta data indicating
attribute information of the particular asset, and location
information (LastURL) indicating the location where the particular
asset is stored.
18. The medium of claim 16, wherein information on the album
includes at least one of an identifier (mpv:id) identifying the
album, meta data indicating attribute information of the album, and
location information (LastURL) indicating the location where the
album is stored.
19. The medium of claim 18, wherein the album includes information
on one or more of the individual assets included in the album.
20. The medium of claim 19, wherein the information on the
individual assets includes at least one of an identifier (mpv:id)
identifying a particular one of the individual assets, meta data
indicating attribute information of the particular asset, and
location information (LastURL) indicating the location where the
particular asset is stored.
21. The medium of claim 15, wherein the index file is located at
the root directory of a design rule for camera file system (DCF)
directory structure.
22. A multimedia file controlling method for controlling a
multimedia file in a multimedia appliance comprising: obtaining the
multimedia file; and recording information on the multimedia file
in a separate index file for controlling the multimedia file.
23. The method of claim 22, wherein the index file is located at
the root directory of a DCF directory structure of the appliance
storage medium, or at a digital camera image (DCIM) directory.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This application claims the priority of Korean Patent
Application No. 10-2004-0068031, filed on Aug. 27, 2004, in the
Korean Intellectual Property Office, and U.S. Provisional Patent
Application No. 60/558,549, filed on Apr. 2, 2004, the disclosures
of which are incorporated herein in their entirety by
reference.
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to controlling assets such as
digital contents in a multimedia application environment, and more
particularly, to a file management method and apparatus for
controlling assets in multimedia appliances and an information
recording medium therefor.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] Media files, such as digital still images, video files,
digital audio files, and text files are generally processed and
reproduced by using a personal computer (PC). Also, as apparatuses
generating these media files, for example, digital cameras, digital
camcorders, digital audio players (MP3, WMA), have increased
rapidly, a variety of types of digital contents having massive
amounts of data are generated.
[0006] However, in order to manage adequately multimedia data, file
based information is requested of users, and if thus managed data,
to which attributes, such as a data reproduction order or method,
are given, is reproduced in an apparatus other than a PC, the
attribute data given in the PC is lost and only original data is
transferred. That is, interoperability of data and data attributes
among consumer electronic products, PCs, and digital contents
generating apparatuses is very low at present. Several examples in
this regard will now be explained.
[0007] FIG. 1 is a reference diagram explaining the concept of
MusicPhotoVideo (MPV) according to the conventional technology.
[0008] Referring to FIG. 1, by using a digital camera 10, a photo
or video clip is generated, the generated photo or video clip is
moved to a PC 11, operations such as editing are performed, and the
processed contents are burned on an optical recording medium such
as a CD-R/Video-CD, and a DVD-R/+R. The thus burned optical
recording medium can reproduce the contents in a DVD player 12 or a
TV 13.
[0009] Also, the contents in the PC can be transferred to a printer
14 to be printed, and to an online medium 15.
[0010] Thus, by using a digital camera, a photo is captured, and
attribute data, such as a slide show order or a time interval
between photos in a slide show, used in association with the
captured photos in the digital camera, or relationships between the
captured photos determined when a panorama function is used, is
stored together with the original data. When the digital camera is
connected to a TV through an audio/video (AV) cable and an image is
transmitted to the TV, contents with each attribute expressed can
be viewed by a user. However, when the digital camera is connected
to a PC through a universal serial bus (USB) cable, only the
original data is transmitted to the computer and all the attached
attributes are lost.
[0011] This is because the digital camera and the PC have
information structures different from one another. As shown in the
above example, the attribute data stored in the digital camera,
that is, metadata, has no interoperability with the PC. To address
this problem, a standard referred to as MusicPhotoVideo (MPV) is
being prepared. The MPV is a standard to further ease expression,
exchange, processing, and reproduction of metadata such as digital
music, photo, and video in consumer electronics (CE) apparatuses
and IT apparatuses. The MPV standard, which is currently being
prepared by the Optical Storage Technology Association (OSTA),
defines manifest, metadata, and practice to process and reproduce
sets of contents, such as digital photos, video, and audio, stored
in a storage medium such as an optical disk, a memory card, a
computer hard disk, or exchanged according to Internet protocols.
The manifest is an independent extensible markup language (XML)
document file and obtained by grouping all MPV elements.
[0012] The MPV is generally broken down into two parts: MPV core
specification (MPV Core-Spec.) and Profile. The MPV Core includes
three basic elements: collection, metadata, and identifier. The
collection includes a manifest as a root member, an album, marked
assets (MarkedAsset), and an asset list (AssetList). An asset is a
basic unit of contents processed by the MPV. There are two types of
assets: a simple media asset such as digital photos, video, digital
audio, and documents, etc., and a composite media asset such as
digital photos+digital audio, digital still multi-shot sequences,
digital still panorama sequences, etc.
[0013] Based on the contents recorded in an MPV file having this
structure, MPV software performs such that an asset is read and
reproduced. That is, the MPV file is placed between MPV software
and data referred to as an asset, and plays a linking role.
Accordingly, the MPV file can be regarded as a file system in a
higher level operating similarly to the conventional file
system.
[0014] The asset that is a basic unit of contents processed in the
MPV will now be explained in more detail with reference to FIGS. 2
and 3.
[0015] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of MPV simple assets
according to the conventional technology.
[0016] Simple assets correspond to physical storage entities.
[0017] As simple assets, there are a still image file 21, a video
file 22, an audio file 23, a text file 24, a print 25, a document
26, and a manifest link (ManifestLink) 27.
[0018] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of MPV composite
assets according to the conventional technology.
[0019] Composite assets are meaningful groups of media assets.
These composite assets correspond to ordinary capture modes of a
digital camera.
[0020] As composite assets, there are a still with audio
(StillWithAudio) 31, a still multi-shot sequence
(StillMultishotSequence) 32, a still panorama sequence
(StillPanoramaSequence) 33, a Par 34, and a Seq 35.
[0021] Among these, the Par 34 or Seq 35 permits arbitrary
expression of media assets different from each other in types. That
is, while other composite assets are fixed in that simple assets
contained in respective composite assets are predefined, simple
assets contained in the Par or Seq are not fixed such that simple
assets can be arbitrarily combined.
[0022] The Par defines a composite asset when a set of assets are
generated in synchronization with each other. Referring to FIG. 3,
it can be seen that the Par 34 is formed with a group of assets and
these assets are arranged in parallel.
[0023] The Seq 35 defines a composite asset when a set of assets
are generated in order. Referring to FIG. 3, it can be seen that
the Seq 35 is formed with a group of assets, which are arranged in
a predetermined order.
[0024] Meanwhile, a still image and audio data recorded and stored
by a digital still camera (DSC) will have a directory and file
structure of a design rule for camera file system (DCF) method. In
this DCF directory and file structure, as shown in FIG. 4A, below
the root directory, there is a digital camera image (DCIM)
directory at the top level. Also, below this DCIM directory, there
can be a maximum of 900 directories, each having an 8 digit
alphanumeric name combining a 3 digit serial number different from
each other, for example, any one of 100 through 999, and 5
characters that can be arbitrarily designated by a user. In each
directory having an 8 digit alphanumeric name, for example, in
100ABCDE directory as shown in FIG. 4A, a plurality of files each
having a total 8 digit alphanumeric file name combining 4
characters that can be designated arbitrarily by a user and a 4
digit serial number that must be different from each other can be
recorded. As these files, a still image file (*.JPG), a still image
file (*.TIF), and a thumbnail image file (*.THM) can be included
and recorded, and a wave audio file (*.WAV) created using a PCM
method can be recorded.
[0025] FIG. 4B is a reference diagram explaining a problem
occurring when photos taken by one camera are reproduced in another
camera according to the conventional technology.
[0026] Referring to FIG. 4B, even though still photos are taken in
camera 1 41 and a list indicating the order of photos is generated,
there is as yet no system capable of managing these files according
to the conventional technology, and therefore when these files are
reproduced in camera 2 43, the files are presented arbitrarily
irrespective of the order in which the photos were taken in camera
1 41 as shown in the list 44.
[0027] However, as the penetration of digital still cameras has
been greatly increasing, a file management system enabling a user
to control photo data taken in a digital still camera and recorded
audio data is needed.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0028] The present invention provides a file management method and
apparatus enabling convenient and easy control of assets in
multimedia appliances and an information recording medium
therefor.
[0029] According to an aspect of the present invention, there is
provided a file management method for controlling assets in
multimedia appliances, including: generating and managing an index
file containing information on assets obtained by the multimedia
appliances and based on MusicPhotoVideo (MPV).
[0030] The information on assets may include at least one of
information on individual assets and information on an album
obtained by grouping the individual assets.
[0031] The information on the individual assets may include at
least one of an identifier (mpv:id) identifying the asset, meta
data indicating the attribute information of the asset, and
location information (LastURL) indicating the location where the
asset is stored.
[0032] The information on the album may include at least one of an
identifier (mpv:id) identifying the album, meta data indicating the
attribute information of the album, and location information
(LastURL) indicating the location where the album is stored.
[0033] The album may include information on one or more individual
assets included in the album.
[0034] The index file may be located at the root directory of a
design rule for camera file system (DCF) directory structure.
[0035] According to another aspect of the present invention, there
is provided a file management apparatus for controlling assets in
multimedia appliances, including: a file management unit generating
and managing an index file containing information on assets
obtained by the multimedia appliances and based on MusicPhotoVideo
(MPV).
[0036] According to still another aspect of the present invention,
there is provided an information storage medium for controlling
assets in multimedia appliances, including: an index file recorded
thereon and containing information on assets obtained by the
multimedia appliances and based on MusicPhotoVideo (MPV).
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0037] The above and other features and advantages of the present
invention will become more apparent by describing in detail
exemplary embodiments thereof with reference to the attached
drawings in which:
[0038] FIG. 1 is a reference diagram for explaining the concept of
MusicPhotoVideo (MVP) according to the conventional technology;
[0039] FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a simple asset of the MPV
according to the conventional technology;
[0040] FIG. 3 illustrates an example of MPV composite assets
according to the conventional technology;
[0041] FIGS. 4A and 4B are reference diagrams explaining a problem
occurring when photos taken by one camera are reproduced in another
camera according to the conventional technology;
[0042] FIG. 5 is a reference diagram explaining an asset management
method according to an aspect of the present invention;
[0043] FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a file management apparatus
according to an aspect of the present invention;
[0044] FIG. 7 is a diagram of the structure of an index file
(index.pvm) according to an aspect of the present invention;
[0045] FIG. 8 is a diagram of the structure of an album file
(album.pvm) according to an aspect of the present invention;
[0046] FIG. 9 is a diagram of the data structure of asset
information shown in FIG. 7;
[0047] FIG. 10 is a diagram of the data structure of album
information shown in FIG. 7;
[0048] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing camera model specifications
explaining a first exemplary embodiment and a second exemplary
embodiment according to the present invention;
[0049] FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the process of a photo taking
operation according to the first exemplary embodiment of the
present invention;
[0050] FIG. 13 is a diagram of the directory structure generated
when one still asset is generated according to the first exemplary
embodiment of the present invention;
[0051] FIG. 14 is a diagram of the structure of an index file
(index.pvm) shown in FIG. 13;
[0052] FIG. 15 is a diagram of the directory structure when one
still with audio asset is added in the directory state of FIG.
13;
[0053] FIG. 16 is a diagram of the structure of an index file
(index.pvm) shown in FIG. 15;
[0054] FIG. 17 is a diagram of the directory structure when one
audio asset is added in the directory state of FIG. 15;
[0055] FIG. 18 is a diagram of the structure of an index file
(index.pvm) shown in FIG. 17;
[0056] FIG. 19 illustrates an example of a screen output on the LCD
of a camera that can be provided by a file management method
according to the second exemplary embodiment of the present
invention;
[0057] FIG. 20 is a diagram of the directory structure generated
when one still asset is generated and formed as an album according
to the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
[0058] FIG. 21 is a diagram of the structure of an index file
(index.pvm) shown in FIG. 20;
[0059] FIG. 22 is a diagram of the structure of an album file
(album001.pvm) shown in FIG. 20;
[0060] FIG. 23 is a diagram of the structure of an album file
(album001.pvm) presented when two still assets are further
generated and formed as an album file (album001.pvm) in the
directory state shown in FIG. 20;
[0061] FIG. 24 is a diagram of the directory structure when three
still assets are further generated and two album files are further
generated in the directory state shown in FIG. 20;
[0062] FIG. 25 is a diagram of the structure of an index file
(index.pvm) shown in FIG. 24; and
[0063] FIG. 26 is a diagram of the structure of an album file
(album002.pvm) shown in FIG. 24.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0064] The present invention will now be described more fully with
reference to the accompanying drawings, in which exemplary
embodiments of the invention are shown.
[0065] FIG. 5 is a reference diagram explaining an asset management
method according to the present invention.
[0066] In the present invention, in order for a user to
conveniently and easily manage photos taken by a digital still
camera, an index file, i.e., index.pvm, using MPV data is generated
and managed in a DCF directory and file structure 52. The index
file contains information on assets stored in DCF directories, and
in order to easily search for this index file, preferably, but not
necessarily, the index file is stored at the root directory. Also,
since the DCF directory rules are complied with and assets are
managed below these DCF directories, compatibility with
conventional apparatuses using the DCF format can be obtained.
Thus, by managing the index file containing information on assets
in the root directory of the DCF directory structure, the assets
can be reproduced and managed in a digital camera 2 53 in the same
order as the order in which the assets are reproduced in a digital
camera 1 51.
[0067] FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a file management apparatus
according to an aspect of the present invention.
[0068] Referring to FIG. 6, the file management apparatus includes
an index file generation unit 610 generating an index file, an
album file generation unit 620 generating an album file, an index
file storage unit 630 storing the generated index file in a memory
650, and an album file storage unit 640 storing the generated file
in the memory 650. The memory 650 stores data on the DCF directory
structure that changes whenever files and photos in relation to
image or video data taken by a digital still camera and recorded
audio data are generated, and the index file and the album file
according to the present invention.
[0069] The term "album" means a group of photos taken by a digital
still camera. For example, if a user wants to form an album to
include photos taken in an amusement park, the album can be used.
When an asset to be included in an album is generated, an index
file having album information is generated by the index file
generation unit 610 and stored, and at the same time, an album file
having asset information is generated by the album file generation
unit 620 and stored. When an asset not to be included in the album
is generated, only an index file having asset information is
generated by the index file generation unit 610 and stored.
[0070] The index file generation unit 610 includes an album asset
identification unit 611, an asset/album information generation unit
612, and an asset/album information insertion unit 613.
[0071] The album asset identification unit 611 identifies whether
or not a newly generated asset is to be included in an album.
[0072] The asset/album information generation unit 612 generates
album information if the newly generated asset is included in an
album, and generates asset information if the newly generated asset
is not included in an album.
[0073] The asset/album information insertion unit 613 adds album
information or asset information generated by the asset/album
information generation unit 612 to the index file.
[0074] First, the operation in a case when a newly generated asset
is not included in an album will now be explained. If it is
determined by the album asset identification unit 611 that a newly
generated asset is not included in an album, the album file
generation unit 620 does not operate and the asset/album
information generation unit 612 generates asset information. Then,
the asset/album information insertion unit 613 inserts the
generated asset information to an index file read from the memory
650. If the generated asset is the first asset and therefore there
is no index file stored in the memory 650, an index file including
header information complying with the MPV file rule and information
on generated assets is newly generated.
[0075] The index file storage unit 630 stores a newly generated
index file or an index file to which asset information is added, to
the memory 650. Here, the meaning of `storage` includes forming a
DCF directory so that this index file is located at the root
directory of the DCF directory structure.
[0076] If it is determined by the album asset identification unit
611 that a newly generated asset is to be included in an album, the
asset/album information generation unit 612 generates album
information and the album file generation 620 should also generate
an album file.
[0077] The asset/album information generation unit 612 generates
album information on an album to which the asset is to be included.
The asset/album information insertion unit 613 inserts the
generated album information to an index file read from the memory
650, or generates an index file and inserts the album information
in the index file. The index file storage unit 630 stores the index
file containing album information in the memory 650.
[0078] The album file generation unit 620 includes an asset
information generation unit 621 and an asset information insertion
unit 622.
[0079] The asset information generation unit 621 generates
information on an asset included in an album and the asset
information insertion unit 622 reads an album file from the memory
650 and inserts the generated information on the asset, or
generates a new album and inserts the information on the asset to
the album.
[0080] The album file storage unit 640 stores the newly generated
album file or the album file to which the asset information is
added, in the memory 650. Here, the meaning of "storage" includes
forming a DCF directory so that this album file is located at, for
example, MISC directory below the root directory in the DCF
directory structure.
[0081] FIG. 7 is a diagram of the structure of an index file
(index.pvm) according to the present invention.
[0082] Referring to FIG. 7, the index file 700 includes information
on assets, asset #1 information 710, asset #2 information 720, . .
. , asset #n information 730, and information on albums, album #1
information 740, . . . , album #m information 750.
[0083] FIG. 9 is a diagram of the data structure of asset
information shown in FIG. 7.
[0084] Referring to FIG. 9, asset #i information 900 includes an
asset identifier 910, meta data 920, and asset location information
930.
[0085] The asset identifier 910 is a kind of identifier to identify
an asset, and mpv:id in MPV data can be used for this.
[0086] The meta data 920 indicates attribute information on this
asset and includes, for example, an asset generation apparatus
identifier 921 indicating an asset generation apparatus, and an
asset generation date 922 indicating the date an asset is
generated.
[0087] The asset location information 930 indicates the location
where this asset is stored in the DCF directory, and LastURL in MPV
data can be used for this.
[0088] Also, a diagram of the data structure of album information
shown in FIG. 7 is shown in FIG. 10.
[0089] Referring to FIG. 10, album #i information 1000 includes an
asset identifier 1010, meta data 1020, and album location
information 1030.
[0090] The album identifier 1010 is a kind of identifier to
identify an album and mpv:id in MPV data can be used for this.
[0091] The meta data 1020 indicates attribute information on this
album and includes, for example, a title 1021 indicating the tile
of the album, and an album generation apparatus identifier 1022
indicating an album generation apparatus which generated this
album.
[0092] The album location information 1030 indicates the location
where this album is stored in the DCF directory, and LastURL in MPV
data can be used for this.
[0093] FIG. 8 is a diagram of the structure of an album file
(album.pvm) according to the present invention.
[0094] Referring to FIG. 8, the album file 800 includes information
on assets, asset #1 information 810, asset #2 information 820, . .
. , asset #n information 830. The details of asset information are
the same as described above with reference to FIG. 9.
[0095] The MPV data according to the present invention can be
designed in a variety of ways. The MPV data can be designed
according to the asset type that can be supported by a digital
still camera. If a digital still camera can generate only a simple
still image, <mpv:still> type can be used. Also, if a digital
still camera can support a multi-shot still image or a panorama
image, <mpv:StillMultishotSequence> or
<mpv:StillPanoramaSequence> can be used. Also, if a digital
still camera can support recording voice or audio data,
<mpv:Audio> or <mpv:StillWithAudio) type can be used.
[0096] A file management method according to the present invention
will now be explained with specific exemplary embodiments.
[0097] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing camera model specifications
explaining a first exemplary embodiment and a second exemplary
embodiment according to the present invention.
[0098] Two digital still camera models are assumed. Camera model
"Foo" is to explain the first exemplary embodiment according to the
present invention, and camera model "Bar" is to explain the second
exemplary embodiment.
[0099] Model "Foo" is for a camera mode that is mainly for taking
photos. Model "Foo" can take still photos, but does not have
multi-shot and panorama functions, and can record audio or voice
data in the MP3 format. The main storage device of model "Foo" is a
memory card.
[0100] Model "Bar" is for a playback mode that is mainly for
previewing taken photos. Model "Bar" can take a still photo,
support multi-shot and panorama functions, but does not support
audio. The main storage device of model "Bar" is a memory card.
[0101] FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the process of a photo taking
operation according to the first exemplary embodiment of the
present invention.
[0102] The power of a camera is turned on in operation 1210. If the
camera is ready to take a photo in operation 1220, a user clicks
the shutter in operation 1230 and takes a photo in operation 1240.
After taking a photo, the image is stored in operation 1250. At
this time, if the user clicks an audio button in operation 1260,
audio is recorded in operation 1270. Then, if the audio button is
released in operation 1280, audio recording stops and the camera is
again in a ready state in operation 1220.
[0103] At this time, model "Foo" stores a still image complying
with the DCF naming rule. Also, since model "Foo" supports a still
image and audio, such assets as <mpv:Still>,
<mpv:Audio>, and <mpv:StillWithAudio> can be used in
model "Foo".
[0104] If a memory card formatted and storing nothing is inserted
into model "Foo" digital still camera and a still photo is taken as
described above, a directory as shown in FIG. 13 is generated
according to an aspect of the present invention.
[0105] FIG. 13 is a diagram of the directory structure generated
when one still asset is generated according to the first exemplary
embodiment of the present invention.
[0106] Referring to FIG. 13, below the root directory, a DCIM
directory is generated, and below the DCIM directory, 100ABCDE
directory is generated and still image SFOO001.JPG file is stored
in this directory. This is the same as when following the ordinary
DCF. Then, an index file, "index.pvm", according to the present
invention is generated at the root directory.
[0107] FIG. 14 is a diagram of the structure of the index file
(index.pvm) shown in FIG. 13.
[0108] Referring to FIG. 14, the part above the rectangular box
1400 of the index file relates to basic header information of the
MPV file and therefore detailed explanation will be omitted. The
part corresponding to the rectangular box 1400 is information on
the generated asset.
[0109] The information on the generated still image asset includes
an asset identifier, meta data and asset location information, as
described above with reference to FIG. 9.
[0110] The identifier of the still asset, mpv:id 1401, is generated
by using the name of the directory storing the still image and the
file name of the still image.
[0111] The meta data of the asset includes two attributes, creator
and created.
[0112] The "creator" 1402 indicates an asset generation apparatus
and uses the model name of the digital still camera which generated
this still image. The "created" 1403 indicates an asset generation
date and can be easily obtained by referring to the file attribute
of the file system. As meta data information, in addition to the
asset generation apparatus and the asset generation date, anything
that indicates attribute information of the asset can be used.
[0113] LastURL 1404 that is asset location information indicating
the location where the asset is stored is generated by using the
location where this still image is stored, by expressing from below
the root directory.
[0114] Now, it is assumed that the user takes another photo with
voice data added to the photo. A still image to which audio data is
added can use <mpv:StillWithAudio> type MPV data.
[0115] FIG. 15 is a diagram of the directory structure when one
still with audio asset is added in the directory state of FIG.
13.
[0116] Referring to FIG. 15, it can be seen that SFOO002.JPG and
AFOO002.mp3 files are added at 100ABCDE directory. Thus, due to the
addition of SFOO0002.JPG and AFOO0002.mp3 files, information on
SFOO0002.JPG and AFOO0002.mp3 files is added to index.pvm.
[0117] FIG. 16 is a diagram of the structure of the index file
(index.pvm) shown in FIG. 15.
[0118] Referring to FIG. 16, a rectangular box 1600 showing
information of a still with audio asset is added below the
rectangular 1400.
[0119] The identifier, mpv:id 1601, of the still with audio asset
is expressed as "SA:100ABCDE:SFOO0002", and "creator" 1602 and
"created" 1603 are included as meta data attributes.
[0120] Also, StillRef 1604 to refer to a still asset included in
the still with audio asset and AudioRef 1605 to refer to an audio
asset are included.
[0121] The reference to the asset by StillRef 1604 leads to asset
information 1606 in which mpv:id is "STILL:100ABCDE:SFOO0002" and
LastURL is "DCIM/100ABCDE/SFOO0002.JPG".
[0122] The reference to the asset by AudioRef 1605 leads to asset
information 1607 in which mpv:id is "AUDIO:100ABCDE:AFOO0002" and
LastURL is "DCIM/100ABCDE/AFOO0002.MP3".
[0123] Thus, two dependent assets, the still asset and the audio
asset, belong to the still with audio asset that can be said to be
a master asset. Since a master asset includes meta data, separate
meta data does not need to be provided to the dependent assets of
the master asset.
[0124] Now, it is finally assumed that an asset formed with one
voice data item is added.
[0125] FIG. 17 is a diagram of the directory structure when one
audio asset is added in the directory state of FIG. 15.
[0126] Referring to FIG. 17, it can be seen that AFOO0003.mp3 file
is further added to the 100ABCDE directory in addition to
SFOO001.JPG, SFOO0002.JPG, and AFOO0002.mp3. Thus, by the addition
of the AFOO0003.mp3 file, information on AFOO0003.mp3 asset is
added to index.pvm.
[0127] FIG. 18 is a diagram of the structure of the index file
(index.pvm) shown in FIG. 17.
[0128] Referring to FIG. 18, information 1800 on an audio asset
whose mpv:id is "AUDIO:100ABCDE:AFOO0003" is further added in
addition to information 1400 on the still asset whose mpv:id is
"STILL:100ABCDE:SFOO0001" and information 1600 on the still with
audio asset whose mpv:id is "SA:100ABCDE:SFOO0002".
[0129] The identifier of the audio asset, mpv:id 1801, is expressed
as "AUDIO:100ABCDE:AFOO0003".
[0130] Meta data further includes Playing Time 1804 indicating a
playback time in addition to "creator" 1802 and "created" 1803.
[0131] LastURL 1805 of this audio asset is expressed as
"DCIM/100ABCDE/AFOO0003.mp3".
[0132] The second exemplary embodiment of the present invention
will now be explained. Camera model "Bar" referred to in the
explanation of the second exemplary embodiment of the present
invention is a little different from model "Foo". Model "Bar" does
not support an audio function but supports multi-shot and panorama
functions instead.
[0133] Accordingly, <mpv:Audio> and
<mpv:StillWithAudio> that are used in model "Foo" are not
needed and instead, <mpv:StilIMultiShotSequence> and
<mpv:StillPanoramaSequence> are needed.
[0134] The second exemplary embodiment of the present invention
also supports a multiple album function. For example, each album
corresponds to a place where photos are taken. This means that a
menu referred to as "New Album" in model "Bar" is further included.
Whenever a user selects "New Album" menu, the digital still camera
generates a new album and photos taken after that time are stored
in the new album.
[0135] More specifically, the process in which a digital still
camera implementing the MPV file management method according to the
present invention displays stored still images on the LCD display
will now be explained.
[0136] FIG. 19 illustrates an example of a playback mode scenario
of a screen output on the LCD of a camera that can be provided by a
file management method according to the second exemplary embodiment
of the present invention.
[0137] Screen A 1900 shows a menu for selecting album "Amusement
Park" 1901 and album "DownTown" 1902. If the user selects the first
album 1901, screen B 1910 is displayed and if the user selects the
second album 1902, screen D 1930 is displayed.
[0138] Screen B 1910 presents the thumbnail view of 7 asset images
included in album "Amusement Park". Among the images, the first
thumbnail M represents a multi-shot asset. If the user selects the
first thumbnail, screen C 1920 is displayed and shows still images
included in the multi-shot.
[0139] Screen D 1930 presents the thumbnail view of images included
in album "DownTown". The second thumbnail P of screen D represents
a panorama asset.
[0140] If the user selects this panorama asset, screen E 1940 is
displayed and shows still images included in the panorama.
[0141] In order to support the multiple album of this scenario, one
or more MPV files for each album should be generated. When the user
inserts a memory card formatted and storing nothing into the
digital still camera and takes a photo, model "Bar" digital still
camera generates a directory structure as shown in FIG. 20.
[0142] FIG. 20 is a diagram of the directory structure generated
when one still asset is generated and formed as an album according
to the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
[0143] Referring to FIG. 20, DCIM directory is generated below the
root directory, and below the DCIM directory, 100ABCDE directory is
generated and SFOO001.JPG that is a newly taken still image is
stored in the 100ABCDE directory. To this point, the process is the
same as in the ordinary DCF rule. According to the present
invention, at the root directory, an index file, index.pvm, is
generated, and below the root directory, MISC directory is newly
generated, and album file album001.pvm is stored in this MISC
directory.
[0144] The index file, index.pvm, includes album information that
is information referring to an album file, and the album file,
album001.pvm, includes asset information that is information
referring to still image asset SFOO001.JPG.
[0145] FIG. 21 is a diagram of the structure of the index file
(index.pvm) shown in FIG. 20.
[0146] Referring to FIG. 21, the index file includes album
information 2100 to refer to album001.pvm.
[0147] Information on the generated album includes an asset
identifier, meta data, and asset location information, as described
above with reference to FIG. 10.
[0148] The identifier of the album asset, mpv:id 2101, is expressed
as "ALBUM:ALBUM001".
[0149] The meta data of the album asset includes two attributes,
title and creator.
[0150] The "title" 2102 is text and is expressed as "Amusement
Park". If the performance of the user input apparatus of the
digital still camera is not good, the text "Amusement Park" may not
be input through the user input apparatus. In this case, for
example, an arbitrary name determined inside the digital still
camera, that is, for example, album 1, can be used to express the
title.
[0151] The "creator" 2103 indicates an album generation apparatus,
and "DSC Model Bar" is expressed. As meta data information, in
addition to the above examples of the title or album generation
apparatus, anything that indicates attribute information of the
album can be used. This depends on the design of a digital still
camera.
[0152] LastURL 2104 that is album location information indicating
the location where the album is stored is generated by using the
location storing this album, expressing from below the root
directory.
[0153] FIG. 22 is a diagram of the structure of the album file
(album001.pvm) shown in FIG. 20.
[0154] Referring to FIG. 22, the album file includes asset
information 2200 on asset SFOO0001.JPG.
[0155] Information on the generated asset includes an asset
identifier, meta data, and asset location information as described
above with reference to FIG. 10.
[0156] The identifier of the still image asset, mpv:id 2201, is
expressed as "100ABCDE:SFOO0001".
[0157] The meta data of the still image asset includes three
attributes, title, creator, and created.
[0158] The "title" 2202 is text and is expressed as "Amusement Park
Still-1". The "creator" 2203 indicates an asset generated apparatus
and "DSC Model Bar" is expressed. The "created" 2204 indicates an
asset generation date.
[0159] LastURL 2205 that is album location information indicating
the location where the still image asset is stored is generated by
using the location storing this album, expressing from below the
root directory.
[0160] FIG. 23 is a diagram of the structure of an album file
(album001.pvm) presented when two still assets are further
generated and formed as an album in the directory state shown in
FIG. 20. When two still assets are stored in an identical album,
there is no change in album information and therefore the index
file does not change.
[0161] Referring to FIG. 23, it can be seen that in addition to
information 2200 on asset SFOO0001, information 2310 on asset
SFOO0002 and information 2320 on asset SFOO0003 are further added
to the album file.
[0162] FIG. 24 is a diagram of the directory structure when one
still asset and one album file are further generated in the
directory state shown in FIG. 20.
[0163] Referring to FIG. 24, at 100ABCDE directory, asset
SFOO00.JPG is further stored and at MISC directory, the second
album file, album0002.pvm, is further generated.
[0164] In this directory structure, the index file, index.pvm, has
information on album001.pvm and album002.pvm, the album file,
album002.pvm, has information on assets, SFOOO001.JPG,
SFOO0002.JPG, and SF0003.JPG, and album002.pvm has information on
asset SFOO0004.JPG.
[0165] FIG. 25 is a diagram of the structure of the index file
(index.pvm) shown in FIG. 24.
[0166] Referring to FIG. 25, in addition to album information 2100
to refer to album001.pvm, the index file further includes album
information 2500 to refer to album002.pvm.
[0167] In the album information 2500, mpv:id 2501 that is the
identifier of the album itself is expressed as "ALBUM:ALBUM002",
"title" 2502 is expressed as text "DownTown", and "creator" 2503
indicating the album generation apparatus is expressed as "DSC
Model Bar". Also, LastURL 2504 that is album location information
indicating the location where the album is stored is generated by
using the location storing this album, expressing from below the
root directory.
[0168] FIG. 26 is a diagram of the structure of the album file
(album002.pvm) shown in FIG. 24.
[0169] Referring to FIG. 26, the album file includes asset
information 2600 on asset SFOO0004.JPG.
[0170] The identifier of the still image asset, mpv:id 2601, is
expressed as "100ABCDE:SFOO0004".
[0171] The meta data of the still image asset includes three
attributes, title, creator, and created. The "title" 2602 is text
and is expressed as "DownTown Still-1". The "creator" 2603
indicates an asset generated apparatus and "DSC Model Bar" is
expressed. The "created" 2604 indicates an asset generation
date.
[0172] LastURL 2605 that is album location information indicating
the location where the still image asset is stored is generated by
using the location storing this album, expressing from below the
root directory.
[0173] Though the file management method according to the present
invention is explained as one that is mainly applied to a digital
still camera in the above embodiments, the present invention is not
limited to this.
[0174] It can be easily understood by a skilled person in the art
of the present invention that in any multimedia appliances having a
unit obtaining multimedia asset information, the present invention
can manage assets by inserting information on the assets into an
index file using the MPV format. Also, the present invention as
described above refers to how to manage information on multimedia
assets, and thus the file management system according to the
present invention can be implemented in a variety of ways in actual
digital still cameras or different multimedia appliances.
[0175] The file management method as described above can also be
embodied as computer readable codes on a computer readable
recording medium. The computer readable recording medium is any
data storage device that can store data which can be thereafter
read by a computer system. Examples of the computer readable
recording medium include read-only memory (ROM), random-access
memory (RAM), CD-ROMs, magnetic tapes, floppy disks, optical data
storage devices, and carrier waves (such as data transmission
through the Internet). The computer readable recording medium can
also be distributed over network coupled computer systems so that
the computer readable code is stored and executed in a distributed
fashion. Also, functional programs, codes, and code segments for
accomplishing the present invention can be easily construed by
programmers skilled in the art to which the present invention
pertains.
[0176] While the present invention has been particularly shown and
described with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, it will
be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that various
changes in form and details may be made therein without departing
from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by
the following claims. The exemplary embodiments should be
considered in a descriptive sense only and not for purposes of
limitation. Therefore, the scope of the invention is defined not by
the detailed description of the invention but by the appended
claims, and all differences within the scope will be construed as
being included in the present invention.
[0177] According to the present invention as described above, users
can conveniently and easily manage assets obtained in multimedia
appliances such as a digital still camera.
* * * * *