U.S. patent application number 11/483555 was filed with the patent office on 2007-01-18 for image processing apparatus and control method therefor.
This patent application is currently assigned to Canon Kabushiki Kaisha. Invention is credited to Yuichi Nakase, Nobukazu Yoshida.
Application Number | 20070014543 11/483555 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37074933 |
Filed Date | 2007-01-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070014543 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Nakase; Yuichi ; et
al. |
January 18, 2007 |
Image processing apparatus and control method therefor
Abstract
In an image processing apparatus which can store a pickuped
image file in a new folder, the user's convenience is improved, and
the creation of unnecessary folders is suppressed. If a preset
condition for the creation of a new folder is satisfied, a new
folder is created when a next shooting instruction is issued
(S125). Creating a new folder when a shooting is actually performed
prevents the creation of an empty folder. In addition, since a
folder creation condition can be set in advance, there is no need
to execute a sequence of creating a folder for every shooting.
Inventors: |
Nakase; Yuichi; (Tokyo,
JP) ; Yoshida; Nobukazu; (Yokohama-shi, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
FITZPATRICK CELLA HARPER & SCINTO
30 ROCKEFELLER PLAZA
NEW YORK
NY
10112
US
|
Assignee: |
Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
Tokyo
JP
|
Family ID: |
37074933 |
Appl. No.: |
11/483555 |
Filed: |
July 11, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
386/224 ;
386/292; 386/E5.072; G9B/27.05 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04N 5/781 20130101;
G11B 27/329 20130101; H04N 9/7921 20130101; H04N 5/907 20130101;
H04N 5/772 20130101; H04N 9/8047 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
386/107 |
International
Class: |
H04N 5/91 20060101
H04N005/91 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jul 13, 2005 |
JP |
2005-204739 |
Jul 13, 2005 |
JP |
2005-204742 |
Jul 13, 2005 |
JP |
2005-204743 |
Claims
1. An image processing apparatus which records an image file
obtained by a shooting in a folder in a recording medium,
comprising: save destination determination unit adapted to
determine a save destination folder for an image file will be
obtained by a next shooting from an existing folder in the
recording medium and a new folder which does not exist in the
recording medium on the basis of a preset new folder creation
condition; folder creation unit adapted to create a new folder in
the recording medium when an instruction for the next shooting is
issued and the save destination is the new folder; and recording
unit adapted to record an image file obtained in response to the
instruction for the next shooting in the save destination
determined by said save destination determination unit.
2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the new folder
creation condition includes a mandatory creation request for
mandatorily creating a new folder at the time of a next shooting,
and said save destination determination unit determines the new
folder as the save destination when the new folder creation
condition is the mandatory creation request.
3. The apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising input
unit adapted to allow designation of the mandatory creation request
by single operation.
4. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the mandatory
creation request is set through a menu window provided by the image
processing apparatus.
5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the new folder
creation condition includes a creation request due to a change of
date and time which creates a new folder when a condition
associated with a lapse of date and time with respect to a preset
reference date and time or a calendar is satisfied, and said save
destination determination unit determines the new folder as the
save destination when the new folder creation condition is the
creation request due to the change of date and time, and the
creation request due to the change of date and time is
satisfied.
6. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the preset reference
date and time are either latest shooting date and time stored in
the image processing apparatus or shooting date and time of a
latest pickuped image file of image files existing in the recording
medium.
7. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the preset reference
date and time are older date and time of latest shooting date and
time stored in the image processing apparatus and shooting date and
time of a latest pickuped image file of image files existing in the
recording medium.
8. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said save
destination determination unit regards that a date has changed with
reference to a preset time different from 0:00 a.m. when
determining whether the creation request due to the change of date
and time is satisfied.
9. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said save
destination determination unit determines one of the existing
folders as the save destination when a new folder cannot be created
in the recording medium, regardless of whether the new folder
should be determined as the save destination.
10. A control method for an image processing apparatus which
records an image file obtained by a shooting in a folder in a
recording medium, comprising: a save destination determination step
of determining a save destination folder for an image file will be
obtained by a next shooting from an existing folder in the
recording medium and a new folder which does not exist in the
recording medium on the basis of a preset new folder creation
condition; a folder creation step of creating a new folder in the
recording medium when an instruction for the next shooting is
issued and the save destination is the new folder; and a recording
step of recording an image file. obtained in response to the
instruction for the next shooting in the save destination
determined in the save destination determination step.
11. The method according to claim 10, wherein the new folder
creation condition includes a mandatory creation request for
mandatorily creating a new folder at the time of a next shooting,
and in the save destination determination step, the new folder is
determined as the save destination when the new folder creation
condition is the mandatory creation request.
12. The method according to claim 11, wherein the image processing
apparatus further includes input unit for allowing designation of
the mandatory creation request by single operation, and in the save
destination determination step, when operation of the input unit is
performed, the new folder is determined as the save
destination.
13. The method according to claim 11, wherein the mandatory
creation request is set through a menu window provided by the image
processing apparatus.
14. The method according to claim 10, wherein the new folder
creation condition includes a creation request due to a change of
date and time which creates a new folder when a condition
associated with a lapse of date and time with respect to a preset
reference date and time or a calendar is satisfied, and in the save
destination determination step, the new folder is determined as the
save destination when the new folder creation condition is the
creation request due to the change of date and time, and the
creation request due to the change of date and time is
satisfied.
15. The method according to claim 14, wherein the preset reference
date and time are either latest shooting date and time stored in
the image processing apparatus or shooting date and time of a
latest pickuped image file of image files existing in the recording
medium.
16. The method according to claim 14, wherein the preset reference
date and time are older date and time of latest shooting date and
time stored in the image processing apparatus and shooting date and
time of a latest pickuped image file of image files existing in the
recording medium.
17. The method according to claim 14, wherein in save destination
determination step, it is regarded that a date has changed with
reference to a preset time different from 0:00 a.m. when
determining whether the creation request due to the change of date
and time is satisfied.
18. The method according to claim 10, wherein in the save
destination determination step, one of the existing folders, is
determined as the save destination when a new folder cannot be
created in the recording medium, regardless of whether the new
folder should be determined as the save destination.
19. An image processing apparatus which records an image file
obtained by a shooting in a folder in a recording medium,
comprising: save destination determination unit adapted to
determine a save destination folder for an image file will be
obtained by a next shooting from an existing folder in the
recording medium and a new folder which does not exist in the
recording medium; and notification unit adapted to notify that the
save destination folder is determined as a new folder, when the
save destination folder is determined as the new folder.
20. The apparatus according to claim 19, further comprising: folder
creation unit adapted to create a new folder in the recording
medium when an instruction for the next shooting is issued and the
save destination is the new folder; and recording unit adapted to
record an image file obtained in response to the instruction for
the next shooting in the save destination determined by said save
destination determination unit.
21. The apparatus according to claim 19, wherein said notification
unit performs the notification by performing display which
indicates that the new folder is created at the time of a next
shooting.
22. The apparatus according to claim 21, wherein said notification
unit notifies that the new folder is created.
23. The apparatus according to claim 22, wherein said notification
unit notifies creation of the new folder by eliminating an
indication indicating that the new folder is created at the time of
a next shooting.
24. The apparatus according to claim 21, further comprising
detection unit adapted to detect a change of a shooting mode,
wherein when a change of the shooting mode is detected, said
notification unit highlights an indication indicating that the new
folder is created at the time of a next shooting more than when a
change of the shooting mode is not detected.
25. The apparatus according to claim 24, wherein when a change of
the shooting mode is detected, said notification unit blinks an
indication indicating that the new folder is created at the time of
a next shooting, displays the indication in a size larger than that
when a change of the shooting mode is not detected, or displays the
indication in a more noticeable color.
26. The apparatus according to claim 21, wherein said save
destination determination unit determines the save destination
folder as the new folder when a preset new folder creation
condition is satisfied, and said notification unit changes a method
of displaying that the new folder is created at the time of a next
shooting, in accordance with a type of the satisfied new folder
creation condition.
27. The apparatus according to claim 26, wherein the method of
displaying is changed depending on whether the satisfied new folder
creation condition is a creation condition set by a user or another
type of creation condition.
28. The apparatus according to claim 21, wherein said save
destination determination unit determines that the save destination
folder is the new folder, when a preset new folder creation
condition is satisfied, and said notification unit displays the
creation condition when the new folder creation condition is a
change of date and time.
29. A control method for an image processing apparatus which
records an image file obtained by a shooting in a folder in a
recording medium, comprising: a save destination determination step
of determining a save destination folder for an image file will be
obtained by a next shooting from an existing folder in the
recording medium and a new folder which does not exist in the
recording medium; and a notification step of notifying that the
save destination folder is determined as a new folder, when the
save destination folder is determined as the new folder.
30. The method according to claim 29, further comprising: a folder
creation step of creating a new folder in the recording medium when
an instruction for the next shooting is issued and the save
destination is the new folder; and a recording step of recording an
image file obtained in response to the instruction for the next
shooting in the save destination determined in the save destination
determination step.
31. The method according to claim 29, wherein in the notification
step, the notification is performed by performing display which
indicates that the new folder is created at the time of a next
shooting.
32. The method according to claim 31, wherein in the notification
step, it is notified that the new folder is created.
33. The method according to claim 32, wherein in the notification
step, creation of the new folder is notified by eliminating an
indication indicating that the new folder is created at the time of
a next shooting.
34. The method according to claim 31, further comprising a
detection step of detecting a change of a shooting mode, wherein
when a change of the shooting mode is detected, in the notification
step, an indication indicating that the new folder is created at
the time of a next shooting is highlighted more than when a change
of the shooting mode is not detected.
35. The method according to claim 34, wherein in the notification
step, when a change of the shooting mode is detected, an indication
indicating that the new folder is created at the time of a next
shooting is blinked, the indication is displayed in a size larger
than that when a change of the shooting mode is not detected, or
the indication is displayed in a more noticeable color.
36. The method according to claim 31, wherein in the save
destination determination step, the save destination folder is
determined as the new folder when a preset new folder creation
condition is satisfied, and in the notification step, a method of
displaying that the new folder is created at the time of a next
shooting is changed in accordance with a type of the satisfied new
folder creation condition.
37. The method according to claim 36, wherein the method of
displaying is changed depending on whether the satisfied new folder
creation condition is a creation condition set by a user or another
type of creation condition.
38. The method according to claim 31, wherein in the save
destination determination step, it is determined that the save
destination folder is the new folder, when a preset new folder
creation condition is satisfied, and in the notification step, the
creation condition is displayed when the new folder creation
condition is a change of date and time.
39. An image processing apparatus which records an image file
obtained by a shooting in a folder in a recording medium,
comprising: save destination determination unit adapted to
determine that a save destination folder for an image file will be
obtained by a next shooting is an existing folder in the recording
medium when no preset change of date and time has occurred, and is
a new folder which does not exist in the recording medium when the
preset change of date and time has occurred; folder creation unit
adapted to create a new folder in the recording medium when an
instruction for the next shooting is issued and the save
destination is the new folder; and recording unit adapted to record
an image file obtained in response to an instruction for the next
shooting in a save destination folder determined by said save
destination determination unit wherein when the preset change of
date and time occurs during a sequenced image shooting, said save
destination determination unit determines an existing folder in the
recording medium as the save destination folder until the sequenced
image shooting is complete.
40. The apparatus according to claim 39, wherein said save
destination determination unit determines occurrence/non occurrence
of the preset change of date and time on the basis of preset latest
shooting date and time and current date and time.
41. The apparatus according to claim 40, wherein the latest
shooting date and time are a shooting time of a latest pickuped
image when the image is not included in sequenced images, and are a
shooting time of a first image when the image is included in
sequenced images.
42. The apparatus according to claim 40, wherein the latest
shooting date and time are a shooting time of a latest pickuped
image of image files existing in the recording medium when the
image is not included in sequenced images, and are a shooting time
of a first image when the image is included in sequenced
images.
43. The apparatus according to claim 40, wherein the latest
shooting date and time are older date and time of data and time at
which the image processing apparatus performed a latest shooting
and shooting date and time of a latest pickuped image file of image
files existing in the recording medium.
44. The apparatus according to claim 39, wherein the sequenced
images are images obtained in a continuous shooting mode or an auto
bracketing mode.
45. A control method for an image processing apparatus which
records an image file obtained by a shooting in a folder in a
recording medium, comprising: a save destination determination step
of determining that a save destination folder for an image file
will be obtained by a next shooting is an existing folder in the
recording medium when no preset change of date and time has
occurred, and is a new folder which does not exist in the recording
medium when the preset change of date and time has occurred; a
folder creation step of creating a new folder in the recording
medium when an instruction for the next shooting is issued and the
save destination is the new folder; and a recording step of
recording an image file obtained in response to an instruction for
the next shooting in a save destination folder determined in the
save destination determination step wherein when the preset change
of date and time occurs during a sequenced image shooting, in the
save destination determination step, an existing folder in the
recording medium is determined as the save destination folder until
the sequenced image shooting is complete.
46. The method according to claim 45, wherein in the save
destination determination step, occurrence/non occurrence of the
preset change of date and time is determined on the basis of preset
latest shooting date and time and current date and time.
47. The method according to claim 46, wherein the latest shooting
date and time are a shooting time of a latest pickuped image when
the image is not included in sequenced images, and are a shooting
time of a first image when the image is included in sequenced
images.
48. The method according to claim 46, wherein the latest shooting
date and time are a shooting time of a latest pickuped image of
image files existing in the recording medium when the image is not
included in sequenced images, and are a shooting time of a first
image when the image is included in sequenced images.
49. The method according to claim 46, wherein the latest shooting
date and time are older date and time of data and time at which the
image processing apparatus performed a latest shooting and shooting
date and time of a latest pickuped image file of image files
existing in the recording medium.
50. The method according to claim 45, wherein the sequenced images
are images obtained in a continuous shooting mode or an auto
bracketing mode.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to an image processing
apparatus which pickups and records still and moving images and a
control method therefor.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] Conventionally, image processing apparatuses, which pickups
still and moving images by using an image pickup device such as a
CCD sensor or CMOS sensor as represented by digital cameras or
digital video cameras have been widely used. In such an image
processing apparatus, pickuped images are recorded as digital data
files (pickuped image files).
[0005] In general, pickuped image files are recorded using a file
system (folder structure) using folders (directories). There has
been proposed a technique of classifying pickuped image files by
using folders at the time of recording operation so as to
facilitate search and the like afterwards. Japanese Patent
Laid-Open No. 2003-333470 discloses a technique of allowing a user
to select a recording destination folder for a pickuped image file
from existing folders in a recording medium or to create a new
folder and designate the new folder as a recording designation.
[0006] In this conventional technique, however, when a new folder
is to be set as a recording destination for a pickuped image file,
the user needs to create a new folder before a shooting and
designate the new folder as a recording destination. In addition,
if a new folder is created and set as a recording destination and
the recording destination is changed before an actual shooting, an
empty, unnecessary folder is left. Such an empty folder becomes a
search target when a search is made for an image in the recording
medium to, for example, play back the image, and hence becomes a
cause for an increase in search processing time. In addition, this
folder becomes a hindrance when the user searches for a desired
image, and hence also becomes a cause for deterioration in
operability.
[0007] According to the above conventional technique, when a new
folder is to be set as a recording destination, the user creates a
folder and designates a recording destination with respect to a
recording medium currently loaded in the image processing
apparatus. If, therefore, a new folder is created and designated as
a recording destination, and the recording medium is replaced
before a shooting, the empty folder is left in the removed
recording medium. Furthermore, since the new folder designated as a
recording destination does not exist in the newly loaded recording
medium, a pickuped image file cannot be recorded in the desired
folder.
[0008] In addition, conventionally, there has been available a
digital still camera which includes a means for selecting a folder
in which a pickuped image is to be stored and displays the selected
folder so as to facilitate image search by classifying/organizing
images at the time of a shooting (see, for example, Japanese Patent
Laid-Open No. 6-78260). Furthermore, there is available an image
pickup apparatus including buttons which allow efficient directory
creation and a display unit which displays directory information
even if the apparatus has neither a large monitor unit nor a
keyboard unit (see, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No.
2000-201309).
[0009] Although these conventional techniques can display the
information of created folders and directories, they cannot notify
a user of a state wherein a new folder is to be created in
conjunction with shooting operation. For this reason, even if a
camera automatically changes the save destination for a pickuped
image to a new folder or new directory, the user cannot know it,
resulting in difficulty in performing image search processing or
the like.
[0010] In addition, the above conventional techniques are not
designed to display the state of a camera. Therefore, the user
cannot know the timing at which the camera automatically creates a
new folder or new directory. For this reason, it is difficult to
change settings as needed and construct a desired folder structure
or directory structure.
[0011] Further, as another example of a proposed technique of
classifying pickuped image files so as to facilitate search and the
like afterwards, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-54041 discloses
an image pickup apparatus which stores a pickuped image in a folder
having a creation date which is the same as the shooting date, and
creates a new folder if such a folder does not exist.
[0012] Saving a plurality of related images (sequenced images)
obtained by, for example, continuous shooting in the same folder
facilitates management. In addition, the user is likely to expect
that such images will be saved in the same folder. However, since
the image pickup apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open
No. 2001-54041 is based on the assumption that images are
classified according to shooting dates, even sequenced images are
saved in different folders if they were pickuped on different
dates.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0013] The present invention has been made to solve such problems
in the conventional techniques. More specifically, it is the first
object of the present invention to improve user's convenience and
suppress the creation of unnecessary folders in an image processing
apparatus which can store a pickuped image file in a new
folder.
[0014] It is the second object of the present invention to allow a
user to know that a new folder is to be created at the time of a
next shooting in an image processing apparatus which can store a
pickuped image file in a new folder.
[0015] It is the third object of the present invention to achieve
automatic classification of pickuped image files so as to more
satisfy the user's intention in an image processing apparatus which
can facilitate classification of pickuped image files by recording
them by creating a new folder.
[0016] According to an aspect of the present invention, there is
provided an image processing apparatus which records an image file
obtained by a shooting in a folder in a recording medium,
comprising: save destination determination unit adapted to
determine a save destination folder for an image file will be
obtained by a next shooting from an existing folder in the
recording medium and a new folder which does not exist in the
recording medium on the basis of a preset new folder creation
condition; folder creation unit adapted to create a new folder in
the recording medium when an instruction for the next shooting is
issued and the save destination is the new folder; and recording
unit adapted to record an image file obtained in response to the
instruction for the next shooting in the save destination
determined by the save destination determination unit.
[0017] According to another aspect of the present invention, there
is provided a control method for an image processing apparatus
which records an image file obtained by a shooting in a folder in a
recording medium, comprising: a save destination determination step
of determining a save destination folder for an image file will be
obtained by a next shooting from an existing folder in the
recording medium and a new folder which does not exist in the
recording medium on the basis of a preset new folder creation
condition; a folder creation step of creating a new folder in the
recording medium when an instruction for the next shooting is
issued and the save destination is the new folder; and a recording
step of recording an image file obtained In response to the
instruction for the next shooting in the save destination
determined in the save destination determination step.
[0018] With this arrangement, according to the present invention,
in an image processing apparatus which can store a pickuped image
file in a new folder, the user's convenience can be improved, and
the creation of unnecessary folders can be suppressed.
[0019] According to a further aspect of the present invention,
there is provided an image processing apparatus which records an
image file obtained by a shooting in a folder in a recording
medium, comprising: save destination determination unit adapted to
determine a save destination folder for an image file will be
obtained by a next shooting from an existing folder in the
recording medium and a new folder which does not exist in the
recording medium; and notification unit adapted to notify that the
save destination folder is determined as a new folder, when the
save destination folder is determined as the new folder.
[0020] According to yet further aspect of the present invention,
there is provided a control method for an image processing
apparatus which records an image file obtained by a shooting in a
folder in a recording medium, comprising: a save destination
determination step of determining a save destination folder for an
image file will be obtained by a next shooting from an existing
folder in the recording medium and a new folder which does not
exist in the recording medium; and a notification step of notifying
that the save destination folder is determined as a new folder,
when the save destination folder is determined as the new
folder.
[0021] In addition, with this arrangement, according to the present
invention, in an image processing apparatus which can store a
pickuped image file in a new folder, a user can know that a new
folder is to be created at the time of a next shooting.
[0022] According to still further aspect of the present invention,
there is provided an image processing apparatus which records an
image file obtained by a shooting in a folder in a recording
medium, comprising: save destination determination unit adapted to
determine that a save destination folder for an image file will be
obtained by a next shooting is an existing folder in the recording
medium when no preset change of date and time has occurred, and is
a new folder which does not exist in the recording medium when the
preset change of date and time has occurred; folder creation unit
adapted to create a new folder in the recording medium when an
instruction for the next shooting is issued and the save
destination is the new folder; and recording unit adapted to record
an image file obtained in response to an instruction for the next
shooting in a save destination folder determined by the save
destination determination unit wherein when the preset change of
date and time occurs during a sequenced image shooting, the save
destination determination unit determines an existing folder in the
recording medium as the save destination folder until the sequenced
image shooting is complete.
[0023] According to another aspect of the present invention, there
is provided a control method for an image processing apparatus
which records an image file obtained by a shooting in a folder in a
recording medium, comprising: a save destination determination step
of determining that a save destination folder for an image file
will be obtained by a next shooting is an existing folder in the
recording medium when no preset change of date and time has
occurred, and is a new folder which does not exist in the recording
medium when the preset change of date and time has occurred; a
folder creation step of creating a new folder in the recording
medium when an instruction for the next shooting is issued and the
save destination is the new folder; and a recording step of
recording an image file obtained in response to an instruction for
the next shooting in a save destination folder determined in the
save destination determination step wherein when the preset change
of date and time occurs during a sequenced image shooting, in the
save destination determination step, an existing folder in the
recording medium is determined as the save destination folder until
the sequenced image shooting is complete.
[0024] With this arrangement, according to the present invention,
automatic classification of pickuped image files can be achieved so
as to more satisfy the user's intention in an image processing
apparatus which can facilitate classification of pickuped image
files by recording them by creating a new folder.
[0025] Other features and advantages of the present invention will
be apparent from the following description taken in conjunction
with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters
designate the same or similar parts throughout the figures
thereof.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0026] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and
constitute a part of the specification, illustrate embodiments of
the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain
the principles of the invention.
[0027] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the
arrangement of a digital camera as an example of an image
processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present
invention;
[0028] FIG. 2 is a flowchart for explaining the overall operation
of a digital camera 100 according to the first embodiment of the
present invention;
[0029] FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining the overall operation
of the digital camera 100 according to the first embodiment of the
present invention:
[0030] FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the details of setting display
processing in step S113 in FIG. 2;
[0031] FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the details of a
focusing/metering process in step S122 in FIG. 3;
[0032] FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining the details of shooting
processing in step S126 in FIG. 3;
[0033] FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining the details of file
search processing in step S102 in FIG. 2;
[0034] FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining the details of folder
creation condition setting processing in step S105 in FIG. 2;
[0035] FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining the details of folder
creation determination processing in step S112 in FIG. 2;
[0036] FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining the details of date
and time creation determination processing in step S903 in FIG.
9;
[0037] FIG. 11 is a flowchart for explaining the details of
sequenced image creation determination processing in step S905 in
FIG. 9;
[0038] FIG. 12 is a flowchart for explaining the details of
folder/file management processing in step S125 in FIG. 3;
[0039] FIG. 13 is a flowchart for explaining the details of
shooting condition setting processing in step S108 in FIG. 2;
[0040] FIG. 14 is a view showing an example of display by setting
display processing according to the first embodiment of the present
invention;
[0041] FIG. 15 is a view showing an example of display by setting
display processing according to the first embodiment of the present
invention;
[0042] FIG. 16 is a flowchart for explaining the details of setting
display processing in a digital camera according to the second
embodiment of the present invention;
[0043] FIG. 17 is a view showing an example of display performed by
the digital camera according to the second embodiment of the
present invention in setting display processing;
[0044] FIG. 18 is a flowchart for explaining the details of setting
display processing in a digital camera according to the third
embodiment of the present invention;
[0045] FIG. 19 is a view showing an example of display performed by
the digital camera according to the third embodiment of the present
invention in setting display processing;
[0046] FIG. 20 is a flowchart for explaining the details of setting
display processing in a digital camera according to the fourth
embodiment of the present invention;
[0047] FIG. 21 is a view showing an example of display performed by
the digital camera according to the fourth embodiment of the
present invention in setting display processing;
[0048] FIG. 22 is a view showing an example of display performed by
the digital camera according to the fourth embodiment of the
present invention in setting display processing;
[0049] FIG. 23 is a flowchart for explaining part of the overall
operation of the digital camera 100 according to the second
embodiment of the present invention; and
[0050] FIG. 24 is a view showing an example of a folder creation
condition setting menu window presented by the digital camera
according to the embodiment of the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
[0051] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be
described in detail in accordance with the accompanying
drawings.
First Embodiment
[0052] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the
arrangement of a digital camera as an example of an image
processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present
invention.
[0053] Reference numeral 10 denotes a photographing lens; 12, a
shutter having a stop function; 14, an image pickup device such as
a CCD or CMOS sensor which converts an optical image into an
electrical signal; and 16, an A/D converter which converts an
analog signal output from the image pickup device 14 into a digital
signal.
[0054] A timing generating circuit 18 supplies clock signals and
control signals to the image pickup device 14, the A/D converter
16, and a D/A converter 26, and is controlled by a memory control
circuit 22 and a system control circuit 50.
[0055] An image processing circuit 20 performs predetermined pixel
interpolation processing and color conversion processing for data
from the A/D converter 16 or data from the memory control circuit
22.
[0056] The image processing circuit 20 performs predetermined
arithmetic processing by using pickuped image data. The system
control circuit 50 controls an exposure control unit 40 and a
focusing control unit 42 on the basis of the obtained arithmetic
processing result. With this operation, AF (Auto Focus) processing,
AE (Auto Exposure) processing, and EF (Electronic Flash
pre-emission) processing of the TTL (Through The Lens) system are
performed.
[0057] In addition, the image processing circuit 20 performs
predetermined arithmetic processing by using pickuped image data,
and performs AWS (Auto White Balance) processing of the TTL system
on the basis of the obtained arithmetic processing result.
[0058] The memory control circuit 22 controls the A/D converter 16,
the timing generating circuit 18, the image processing circuit 20,
an image display memory 24, the D/A converter 26, a memory 30, and
a codec 32.
[0059] Output data from the AID converter 16 is written in the
image display memory 24 or the memory 30 through the image
processing circuit 20 and the memory control circuit 22 or is
written in the image display memory 24 or the memory 30 through the
memory control circuit 22.
[0060] Display image data written in the image display memory 24 is
displayed on an image display unit 28 such as an LCD or organic EL
display through the D/A converter 26. Sequentially displaying
pickuped image data (through-the-lens images) on the image display
unit 28 makes it possible to implement an electronic viewfinder
(EVF) function.
[0061] The image display unit 28 can arbitrarily turn on/off
display in accordance with an Instruction from the system control
circuit 50. When display is turned off, the power consumption of a
digital camera 100 can be greatly reduced.
[0062] The memory 30 is a storage device which stores pickuped
still and moving images, and has a storage capacity large enough to
store a predetermined number of still images or a predetermined
time period of moving images. For this reason, in the case of
continuous shooting, in which a plurality of still images are
continuously pickuped, or in the case of a panoramic shooting, it
is possible to write a large number of images in the memory 30 at
high speed.
[0063] Furthermore, it is possible to use the memory 30 as a work
area of the system control circuit 50.
[0064] The codec 32 reads in image data from the memory 30,
performs known data compression processing or decompression
processing by using adaptive discrete cosine transform (ADCT),
wavelet transformation, or the like, and writes the processed data
in the memory 30.
[0065] The exposure control unit 40 controls the shutter 12 having
the stop function and also has a flash brightness control function
in conjunction with a flash 48.
[0066] The focusing control unit 42 controls focusing of the
photographing lens 10. A zoom control unit 44 controls zooming of
the photographing lens 10. A barrier control unit 46 controls the
operation of a protection unit 102 serving as a lens barrier which
protects the photographing lens 10.
[0067] The flash 48 has a function as an auxiliary light source at
the time of a shooting, and a brightness control function. The
flash 48 also has a function of emitting AF auxiliary light.
[0068] The exposure control unit 40 and the focusing control unit
42 are controlled by the TTL system. The system control circuit 50
controls the exposure control unit 40 and the focusing control unit
42 on the basis of the arithmetic processing result obtained by the
image processing circuit 20.
[0069] The system control circuit 50 is, for example, a CPU, which
controls the entire digital camera 100 by executing a program
stored in a memory 52. The memory 52 stores constants, variables,
programs, and the like for the operation of the system control
circuit 50.
[0070] A display unit 54 comprises a combination of an LCD, an LED,
a speaker, and the like, and outputs an operation state, a message,
and the like using characters, images, sounds, and the like in
accordance with the execution of a program by the system control
circuit 50. One or a plurality of display units 54 are arranged at
easily observable positions near an operation unit 70 of the
digital camera 100. Part of the display unit 54 is placed in an
optical viewfinder 104.
[0071] For example, the following are the display contents of the
display unit 54: a single shot/continuous shooting mode indication,
a self-timer indication, a compression ratio indication, an
indication of the number of recording pixels, an indication of the
number of recorded images, an indication of the number of remaining
shootable images, a shutter speed indication, an aperture value
indication, an exposure correction indication, a flash indication,
a red-eye reduction indication, a macro shooting indication, a
buzzer setting indication, a remaining timepiece battery level
indication, a remaining battery level indication, an error
indication, an information indication by a number composed of a
plurality of digits, an indication of the attachment or detachment
state of the recording media 200 and 210, an indication of the
attachment or detachment state of the lens unit, a communication
I/F operation indication, a date and time indication, an indication
indicating the connected state with an external computer, an
in-focus indication, a shooting preparation completion indication,
a camera shake warning indication, a flash charge indication, and
an indicating of recording medium write operation. Some of these
indications are displayed in the optical viewfinder 104 as will be
described later.
[0072] Among the display contents of the display unit 54, the
display contents of the LED or the like include an in-focus
indication, a shooting preparation completion indication, a camera
shake warning indication, a flash charge indication, a flash charge
completion indication, a recording medium write operation
indication, a macro shooting setting notification indication, a
secondary battery charged state indication, and the like.
[0073] Among the display contents of the display unit 54, the
contents displayed by a lamp and the like include an indication by
a self-timer notification lamp and the like. This self-timer
notification lamp may be shared as AF auxiliary light.
[0074] A nonvolatile memory 56 is a memory that is electrically
erasable/recordable, and an EEPROM or the like is used as the
nonvolatile memory 56.
[0075] A mode dial 60, shutter switches 62 and 64, a playback mode
switch 66, a posture mode switch 68, and the operation unit 70
constitute an operation means for inputting various operation
instructions to the system control circuit 50. Each of these
components is comprised of a button, a switch, a dial, a touch
panel, a pointing device by line-of-sight detection, a voice
recognition device, or the like or a combination thereof.
[0076] Each of these operation means will be described in detail
below.
[0077] The mode dial 60 allows switching/setting of the following
functional shooting modes, such as an automatic shooting mode,
program shooting mode, shutter speed priority shooting mode, stop
priority shooting mode, manual shooting mode, focal depth priority
(depth) shooting mode, portrait shooting mode, landscape shooting
mode, closeup shooting mode, sports shooting mode, nightscape
shooting mode, and panoramic shooting mode.
[0078] The shutter switch SW1 62 is turned on midway (pressed
halfway) along the operation of a shutter button (not shown)
provided on the digital camera 100. This generates an instruction
to start operation such as AF Auto Focus) processing, AE (Auto
Exposure) processing, AWB (Auto White Balance) processing, EF
(Electronic Flash pre-emission) processing, and the like.
[0079] The shutter switch SW2 64 is turned on when the shutter
button (not shown) is completely operated (fully pressed). With
this operation, a series of shooting and recording processing
operations are started. That is, this operation starts exposure
processing of writing a signal read from the image pickup device
14, as image data, in the memory 30 through the A/D converter 16
and the memory control circuit 22. This series of processing
operations also include development processing using arithmetic
processing in the image processing circuit 20 and the memory
control circuit 22, and recording processing of reading the image
data from the memory 30, compressing the data in the codec 32, and
writing the image data in the recording medium 200 or 210.
[0080] The playback mode switch 66 allows setting of each of the
following function modes: a playback mode, multi-screen
playback/erase mode, and PC connection mode.
[0081] The posture mode switch 68 is used to turn on/off a posture
mode. The posture mode is a mode of recording, on a recording
medium, the posture of the digital camera 100 detected by a camera
posture detection unit 106 at the time of a shooting as auxiliary
information (image posture flag) in a pickuped image file, and
using the recorded data at the time of playback operation. More
specifically, with this mode, control can be performed by referring
to an image posture flag at the time of playback operation such
that an image pickuped at a vertical position is automatically
displayed at a vertical position, and an image pickuped at a
horizontal position is automatically displayed at a horizontal
position.
[0082] The operation unit 70 comprises various buttons, a touch
panel, and the like. More specifically, for example, the operation
unit 70 includes a menu button, a set button, a macro button, a
multi-screen playback/new page button, a flash setting button, a
single shot/continuous shooting/self-timer switching button, a menu
movement + (plus) button, a menu movement - (minus) button, a
playback image movement + (plus) button, a playback image movement
- (minus) button, a pickuped image quality selection button, an
exposure correction button, a date and time setting button, a
selection/switching button for selecting and switching various
functions, a determination/execution button for determining and
executing various functions, an image display ON/OFF switch for
turning on/off the image display unit 28, a quick review ON/OFF
switch for setting a quick review function of automatically playing
back pickuped image data immediately after a shooting, and a
compression mode switch for selecting a compression ratio for JPEG
(Joint Photographic Expert Group) compression or selecting a CCDRAW
mode of recording a signal from the image pickup device on a
recording medium upon converting it into a digital signal.
[0083] In this embodiment, as JPEG compression modes, for example,
a normal mode and a fine mode are prepared. The user of the digital
camera 100 can perform a shooting by selecting the normal mode when
importance is attached to the data size of a pickuped image, or by
selecting the fine mode when importance is attached to the quality
of a pickuped image.
[0084] In a JPEG compression mode, the codec 32 reads out image
data written in the memory 30, compresses the data at a set
compression ratio, and records the data on, for example, the
recording medium 200.
[0085] In a RAW mode, image data is read out from the memory 30,
which is directly read from the image pickup device 14 for each
line in accordance with the pixel array of the color filter of the
image pickup device 14 through the A/D converter 16 and the memory
control circuit 22, and is recorded on the recording medium
200.
[0086] A power switch 72 is used to turn on or off the power
supply.
[0087] A new folder creation request button 74 is used to make
settings to create a new folder in the recording medium 200 or 210
at the time of a next shooting and record a pickuped image file in
the created new folder.
[0088] A power control unit 80 comprises a battery detection
circuit, a DC/DC converter, a switch circuit which switches blocks
to be energized, and the like. The power control unit 80 detects
the attachment/detachment of a battery, the type of battery, and a
remaining battery level, and controls the DC/DC converter on the
basis of the detection result and an instruction from the system
control circuit 50, thereby applying a necessary voltage to each
unit including a recording medium for a necessary period of
time.
[0089] A power supply 86 comprises a primary battery, such as an
alkaline battery or a lithium battery, a secondary battery such as
a NiCd battery, a NiMH battery, or a Li battery, an AC adaptor, and
the like, and is mounted in the digital camera 100 through
connectors 82 and 84.
[0090] The recording media 200 and 210 such as a memory card and a
hard disk respectively include recording units 202 and 212
comprising a semiconductor memory, a magnetic disk, and the like,
interfaces 204 and 214 for the digital camera 100, and connectors
206 and 216. The recording media 200 and 210 are loaded in the
digital camera 100 through the connectors 206 and 216 on the medium
side and connectors 92 and 96 on the digital camera 100 side.
Interfaces 90 and 94 are connected to the connectors 92 and 96,
respectively. The attachment/detachment of the recording media 200
and 210 is detected by the recording medium attachment/detachment
detecting 98.
[0091] Although this embodiment has exemplified the digital camera
100 including two systems of interfaces and connectors for the
attachment of recording media, the camera may comprise arbitrary
numbers of interfaces and connectors as well as a single interface
and a single connector. In addition, interfaces and connectors with
different specifications may be used for the respective
systems.
[0092] As interfaces and connectors, those complying with
specifications such as the PCMCIA card specifications and the CF
(CompactFlash (registered trademark) card specifications can be
used.
[0093] When interfaces and connectors complying with the PCMCIA
card specifications and the like are used as the interfaces 90 and
94 and the connectors 92 and 96, various types of communication
cards can be connected. Such communication cards include a LAN
card, a modem card, a USB card, an IEEE1394 card, a P1284 card, a
SCSI card, and a communication card for PHS or the like. Connecting
various types of communication cards makes it possible to transfer
image data and management information attached to image data
to/from other computers and peripheral devices such as
printers.
[0094] The barrier 102 covers the image pickup unit including the
photographing lens 10 of the digital camera 100 to prevent the
image pickup unit from being contaminated and damaged.
[0095] The optical viewfinder 104 is, for example, a TTL
viewfinder, and forms a light beam passing through the
photographing lens 10 into an image by using a prism and a mirror.
Using the optical viewfinder 104 makes it possible to perform a
shooting without using the electronic viewfinder function of the
image display unit 28. As described above, information associated
with some of the functions displayed on the display unit 54 are
displayed in the optical viewfinder 104. For example, the
information includes an in-focus indication, a shooting preparation
completion indication, a camera shake warning indication, a flash
charge indication, a flash charge completion indication, a shutter
speed indication, an aperture value indication, an exposure
correction indication, a recording medium write operation
indication, and the like.
[0096] The camera posture detection unit 106 includes, for example,
a switch which is turned on/off depending on the posture of the
camera, and detects the posture state of the digital camera 100.
The "posture state" indicates a state from which it can be
discriminated whether the camera is in the state of a horizontal
position shooting or vertical position shooting.
[0097] A communication unit 110 performs various types of
communication processing such as RS232C, USB, IEEE1394, P1284,
SCSI, modem, LAN, and wireless communication.
[0098] A connector (an antenna in a case of wireless communication)
112 is used to connect the digital camera 100 to another device
through the communication unit 110.
(Explanation of Operation)
[0099] The operation of the digital camera 100 according to this
embodiment will be described below.
[0100] FIGS. 2 and 3 are flowcharts for explaining the overall
operation of the digital camera 100 according to this
embodiment.
[0101] When the main power supply is turned on upon battery change,
the system control circuit 50 initializes flags, control variables,
and the like (S101), and performs file search processing in the
storage medium (S102). The details of the file search processing in
step S102 will be described later with reference to FIG. 7.
[0102] The system control circuit 50 determines the set position of
the power switch 72 (S103). If the power switch 72 is set OFF, the
flow advances to step S104 to perform predetermined termination
processing. Termination processing includes, for example, the
following processing. The display state of each display unit is
changed to the terminated state, and the barrier 102 is closed to
protect the image pickup unit. The flags, the parameters including
control variables and the like, the set values, and the set mode
are recorded on the nonvolatile memory 56. The power control unit
80 interrupts power to portions to which power need not be
supplied, including the image display unit 28. When the termination
processing is complete, the flow returns to step S103.
[0103] If it is determined in step S103 that the power switch 72 is
set ON, the system control circuit 50 sets folder creation
conditions (S105). The folder creation condition setting processing
in step S105 will be described in detail later with reference to
FIG. 8.
[0104] The system control circuit 50 determines the set position of
the mode dial 60 (S106). If the mode dial 60 is set to the shooting
mode, shooting conditions are set (S108). The flow then advances to
step S109. The details of the shooting condition setting processing
in step S108 will be described later with reference to FIG. 13.
[0105] If it is determined in step S106 that the mode dial 60 is
set to another mode, the system control circuit 50 executes
processing corresponding to the selected mode (S107). When the
processing is complete, the flow returns to step S103. In this
case, a mode other than the shooting mode is, for example, the
playback mode.
[0106] In step S109, the system control circuit 50 determines the
remaining capacity or operation state of the power supply 86
comprising a battery and the like by using the power control unit
80. If the system control circuit 50 determines that the state of
the power supply 86 poses a problem in terms of the operation of
the digital camera 100, the system control circuit 50 issues a
predetermined warning corresponding to the problem with an image or
sound by using the display unit 54 (S111). The flow then returns to
step S103.
[0107] If it is determined that there is no problem in the power
supply 86, the system control circuit 50 checks the recording
medium in step S110. That is, the attachment/detachment of the
recording medium 200 or 210 is determined, and management
information of image data recorded in the attached recording medium
is acquired. In this process, it is determined whether there is a
problem in terms of recording/playing back operation with respect
to a recording medium. This problem is, for example, that either of
the recording media 200 and 210 is not attached or normal
read/write operation cannot be performed. If there is some kind of
problem, a predetermined warning corresponding to the problem is
issued with an image or sound by the display unit 54 (S111). The
flow then returns to step S103.
[0108] If it is determined in step S110 that there is no problem in
the recording medium, the system control circuit 50 determines
whether to create a new folder for storing a pickuped image file
(to be also simply referred to as an image file) to be created by a
next shooting (S112). This folder creation determination processing
can also be regarded as save destination determination processing
of determining whether a save destination folder for an image file
to be created by a next shooting is an existing folder or a new
folder. The details of the folder creation determination processing
will be described later with reference to FIG. 9.
[0109] The system control circuit 50 then displays various setting
states in the digital camera 100 with images or sounds by using the
display unit 54 (S113). If the image display unit 28 is set ON, the
image display unit 28 is also used to display various setting
states in the digital camera 100 with images or sounds. The details
of this setting display processing will be described later with
reference to FIG. 4.
[0110] Referring to FIG. 3, the state of the shutter switch SW1 62
is detected (S121). If the shutter switch SW1 62 is not ON (the
release button is not pressed halfway), the flow returns to step
S103. If the shutter switch SW1 62 is ON, the flow advances to step
S122.
[0111] In step S122, the system control circuit 50 performs a
focusing process (AF processing) to focus the photographing lens 10
on an object, and performs a metering process (AE processing) to
determine an aperture value and a shutter speed (S122). In the
metering process, flash settings are made, as needed. The details
of this focusing/metering process will be described later with
reference to FIG. 5.
[0112] When the focusing/metering process is complete, the states
of the shutter switches SW1 62 and SW2 64 are checked (S123, S124).
If the shutter switch SW2 64 is not ON (S123) and the shutter
switch SW1 62 is OFF (S124), the flow returns to step S103.
[0113] If the shutter switch SW2 64 is set ON (the release button
is fully pressed) (S123) while the shutter switch SW1 62 is ON, the
flow advances to step S125.
[0114] In step S125, the system control circuit 50 manages files
and folders by, for example, determining a storage file name to
prepare for a shooting and creating a new folder in accordance with
settings. The details of this folder/file management processing in
step S125 will be described later with reference to FIG. 12.
[0115] In step S126, the system control circuit 50 performs
shooting processing. First of all, pickuped image data is written
(exposure processing) in the memory 30 through the image pickup
device 14, A/D converter 16, image processing circuit 20, and
memory control circuit 22. Alternatively, this data is written from
the A/D converter into the memory 30 through the memory control
circuit 22. The image data written in the memory 30 is read out to
execute shooting processing comprising development processing of
performing various kinds of processes by using the memory control
circuit 22 and by using the image processing circuit 20 as needed
(S126). The details of this shooting processing will be described
later with reference to FIG. 6.
[0116] When the shooting processing is complete, quick review
processing of displaying the pickuped image on the image display
unit 28 is performed (S127).
[0117] If no deletion instruction is issued during a predetermined
quick review period, the system control circuit 50 performs
recording processing in step S128. That is, the pickuped image data
written in the memory 30 is read out, and various kinds of image
processing are performed by using the memory control circuit 22
(also using the image processing circuit 20 as needed). Image
compression processing corresponding to the set mode is performed
by using the codec 32 to generate a pickuped image file complying
with a predetermined recording file format by adding additional
information such as a posture flag to the header or the like. The
pickuped image file is then written at a predetermined recording
destination in the recording medium 200 or 210 such as a memory
card or compact flash card through the interface 90 or 94 and the
connector 92 or 96.
[0118] If the image display unit 28 is ON, an indication like
"BUSY" indicating that write operation is being performed is
displayed on the image display unit 28 while image data is written
in the recording medium 200 or 210. In addition, a recording medium
write operation indication indicating such as blinking of the LED
is displayed on the display unit 54.
[0119] The system control circuit 50 determines the state of a
bracket flag stored in an internal memory (not shown) or the memory
52 (S129). The bracket flag is a flag representing the
execution/non-execution of auto bracketing. If the bracket flag is
released, the flow advances to step S132.
[0120] If the bracket flag is set (S129) and the number of
remaining shots in auto bracketing is equal to or more than one
(S130), the system control circuit 50 changes shooting conditions
in auto bracketing (S131). The flow then returns to step S125.
Shooting conditions in auto bracketing include, for example, an
exposure correction value and a white balance value.
[0121] In step S132, the state of the shutter switch SW2 64 is
detected. If the shutter switch SW2 64 is OFF, the flow returns to
step S103. If the shutter switch SW2 64 is ON, the state of a
continuous shooting flag stored in the internal memory or the
memory 52 in the system control circuit 50 is detected. If the
continuous shooting flag is set, the flow advances to step
S134.
[0122] In step S134, the system control circuit 50 determines the
state of the bracket flag as in step S129. If the bracket flag is
released (S134), the flow returns to step S125 to perform a next
shooting. If the bracket flag is set, the flow returns to step
S103. This is because, in this embodiment, a setting is made such
that if the bracket flag is ON, no continuous shooting is
performed.
(Setting Display Processing)
[0123] FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the details of the setting
display processing in step S113 in FIG. 2.
[0124] First of all, the system control circuit 50 determines the
state of a folder creation flag stored in the internal memory or
the memory 52 in the system control circuit 50 (S401). If the
folder creation flag is set, information indicating that a new
folder is created at the time of a next shooting is notified with
image or sound by the display unit 54 (S402). If the image display
unit 28 is ON, folder creation is notified with an image or sound
by the image display unit 28.
[0125] If the folder creation flag is released (S401), notification
of folder creation on the display unit 54 (including the image
display unit 28) is stopped (S403). As will be described later,
however, if the display unit which has received information
indicating that a folder has been created will immediately update
the state, i.e., will stop notification of folder creation, there
is no need to execute step S403 again.
[0126] In step S404, the system control circuit 50 notifies various
setting states in the digital camera 100 by the display unit 54
(and the image display unit 28 if it is ON) using images or sounds
(or updates notification contents) in addition to the folder
creation flag, and terminates the processing.
[0127] FIG. 14 shows an example of display performed by the display
unit 54 (and the image display unit 28) when the processing in
steps S403 and S404 is performed. With the processing in step S404,
a single shot/continuous shooting indication 28a, a flash
indication 28b, a metering scheme indication 28c, a compression
ratio indication 28d, an indication of the number of recording
pixels 28e, and an indication of the number of remaining shootable
images 28f are displayed.
[0128] FIG. 15 shows an example of display performed by the display
unit 54 (and the image display unit 28) when the processing in
steps S402 and S404 is performed. As in the case shown in FIG. 14,
a single shot/continuous shooting indication 28a, a flash
indication 28b, a metering scheme indication 28c, a compression
ratio indication 28d, an indication of the number of recording
pixels 28e, and an indication of the number of remaining shootable
images 28f are displayed. In addition, a folder creation indication
28g is displayed by the processing in step S402.
[0129] As described above, with the processing in step S106, in a
mode other than the shooting mode, the setting display processing
in step S113 is not performed, and no folder creation indication is
displayed. For example, in the playback mode, with the processing
in step S107, display for the playback mode is performed, and no
folder creation indication is displayed.
[0130] While the quick review processing in step S127 is performed,
a folder creation indication (for example, the indication 28g in
FIG. 15) may be either be displayed or not displayed. Likewise,
during the quick review processing in step S127, various setting
indications (e.g., the indications 28a to 28f in FIG. 15) in the
digital camera 100 may be either displayed or not displayed in
addition to the folder creation indication.
(Focusing/Metering Process)
[0131] FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining the details of a
focusing/metering process in step S122 in FIG. 3.
[0132] The system control circuit 50 reads out charge signals from
the image pickup device 14, and sequentially reads pickuped image
data in the image processing circuit 20 through the A/D converter
16 (S501). The image processing circuit 20 performs predetermined
arithmetic processing by using the sequentially read image data.
This arithmetic processing result is used for AE (Auto Exposure)
processing, EF (Electronic Flash pre-emission) processing, AF (Auto
Focus) processing, and AWB (Auto White Balance) processing of the
TTL (Through The Lens) system.
[0133] In each processing in this case, of the total number of
pickuped pixels, a necessary number of pixels of a specific portion
corresponding to necessity are extracted and used for arithmetic
processing. This makes it possible to perform optimal arithmetic
processing for each of different modes, e.g., the centerweighted
mode, average mode, and evaluation mode in each of the AE
processing, EF processing, AWB processing, and AF processing of the
TTL system.
[0134] The system control circuit 50 performs AE control by using
the exposure control unit 40 (S503) until it is determined by using
the arithmetic processing result obtained by the image processing
circuit 20 that an automatic exposure value is proper (S502). The
system control circuit 50 determines by using the measurement data
obtained by AE control whether the flash is necessary (S504). If
the flash is necessary, the flash flag is set to charge the flash
48 (S505).
[0135] If it is determined in step S502 that an automatic exposure
value is proper, measurement data and/or setting parameters
(metering data) in automatic exposure control are stored in the
internal memory or the memory 52 in the system control circuit
50.
[0136] When the AE control processing is complete, the system
control circuit 50 performs auto white balance processing by using
the arithmetic processing result in the image processing circuit 20
and the measurement data obtained by AE control in steps S506 and
S507. Color processing parameters are adjusted by the image
processing circuit 20 in step S507 until it is determined in step
S506 that an auto white balance value is proper.
[0137] If it is determined that an auto white balance value is
proper (S506), measurement data or setting parameters in AWB
control are in the internal memory or the memory 52 in the system
control circuit 50.
[0138] The system control circuit 50 then performs AF control by
using the measurement data obtained by AE control and AWB control
in steps S508 and S509. That is, the system control circuit 50
drives the AF lens and calculates the degree of focusing by using
the focusing control unit 42 until it is determined in step S508
that an in-focus state is obtained.
[0139] If it is determined that an in-focus state is obtained
(S508), measurement data and/or setting parameters in AF control
are stored in the internal memory and the memory 52 in the system
control circuit 50, and the focusing/metering process is
terminated.
(Shooting Processing)
[0140] FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining the details of the
shooting processing in step S126 in FIG. 3.
[0141] The system control circuit 50 causes the exposure control
unit 40 to start exposure by the image pickup device 14 by opening
the shutter 12 having the stop function in accordance with an
aperture value on the basis of the metering data stored in the
internal memory or the memory 52 (S601, S602).
[0142] It is determined in accordance with the flash flag whether
it is necessary to emit light by using the flash 48 (S603). If it
is determined that the flash is necessary, the flash 48 is caused
to emit light (S604).
[0143] The system control circuit 50 waits for the elapse of the
exposure time of the image pickup device 14 in accordance with the
metering data (S605), and closes the shutter 12 (S606), thereby
terminating the exposure. A charge signal is read out from the
image pickup device 14, and the pickuped image data is written in
the memory 30 through the A/D converter 16, image processing
circuit 20, and memory control circuit 22. Alternatively, the data
is written from the A/D converter 16 into the memory 30 through the
memory control circuit 22 (S607). If the pickuped image data write
in the memory 30 is complete, the shooting processing is
terminated.
(File Search Processing)
[0144] FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining the details of file
search processing in step S102 in FIG. 2.
[0145] If the latest image has not been searched out (S701), the
system control circuit 50 reads out the root directory entry from
the recording medium 200 or 210 (S702).
[0146] The root directory entry read out in step S702 is analyzed
to determine the presence/absence of a "/DCIM" folder (directory)
(S703). If the "/DCIM" folder does not exist, it is determined that
there is no playback image, and the processing is terminated.
[0147] If the "/DCIM" folder exists in the root directory entry,
the directory entry of the "/DCIM" folder is read in. A search
folder number (DirNum) is set to 999 which is the maximum number in
the DCF specifications (Design rule for Camera File system), and a
variable (FileNum) representing the number of files is set to 0
(S705).
[0148] It is then checked whether there is a corresponding folder
(S706). More specifically, it is checked whether a
[/DCIM/(DirNum)XXXXX] folder (directory) exists in the recording
medium. In this case, (DirNum) in a folder name is the value of the
variable DirNum, i.e., a DCF directory number (999 to 100), and X
is an arbitrary ASCII one-byte alphameric character. For example,
if the value of the variable DirNum is "100", and XXXXX is "ABCDE",
it represents [/DCIM/100ABCDE].
[0149] If it is determined in step S706 that there is a folder
having a name in the form of "number of 100 to 999+five one-byte
alphameric characters", the content (directory entry) is read out
(S707). It is then determined whether there is any playable file
(S708). This determination can be performed by checking the
presence/absence of a file having a predetermined extension (e.g.,
.jpg).
[0150] If it is determined in step S708 that there is no playable
file, it is determined whether DirNum has reached the minimum value
(=100). If the value of DirNum>100, the current value is
decremented by one (S711). The flow then returns to step S706 to
search for a next folder. If it is determined in step S710 that the
value of DirNum is 100, the flow advances to step S713.
[0151] If it is determined in step S708 that there are playable
files, one of the playable files which has the largest DCF file
number is determined as the latest image (S709). A DCF file number
is a number in the range of "0001 to 9999" forming the lower four
characters of a DCF file name (eight characters). In step S712, the
DCF file number of the latest image is set to the variable FileNum.
In step S713, the value of the variable FileNum is stored as
latest-image-related information in the internal memory or the
memory 52 in the system control circuit 50. The flow then advances
to step S714.
[0152] If it is determined in step S701 that a latest image has
already been confirmed, the values of DirNum and FileNum which have
already been determined are stored as latest-image-related
information in the internal memory or the memory 52 in the system
control circuit 50 (S713). The flow then advances to step S714. For
example, in the following case, it is determined in step S701 that
a latest image has been confirmed. That is, for example, the DCF
directory number (DirNum) and DCF file number (FileNum) of the
latest image determined in the previous file search processing are
stored/held in the nonvolatile memory 56 or the like.
[0153] The latest-image-related information stored in the internal
memory or the memory 52 in the system control circuit 50 in step
S713 includes the DCF directory number (DirNum) of the folder in
which the above latest image exists and the DCF file number
(FileNum) of the latest image. In this embodiment, in addition to
these pieces of information, the total number of playable files
existing in the folder (directory), the shooting date and time and
time stamp of the latest image, and the like are also stored as
latest-image-related information.
[0154] The above description has been made on the assumption that
the DCF file number of a latest image is held in the nonvolatile
memory 56 or the like, and latest-image-related information is
stored in the internal memory or the memory 52 in the system
control circuit 50. However, in addition to the DCF file number of
a latest image, other pieces of latest-image-related information
may be held in the nonvolatile memory 56 or the like.
[0155] When a new image is pickuped, a save destination folder and
a file name are determined by using a DCF directory number and DCF
file number following the DCF directory number and DCF file number
of the latest image searched out in this processing.
[0156] In step S714, the latest shooting date and time in the
digital camera 100, which are stored in the nonvolatile memory 56
or the like, are compared with the shooting date and time of the
latest image determined in the above processing. The older date and
time are stored as the latest shooting date and time (S715). The
latest shooting date and time are used in date/time change
determination processing to be described with reference to FIG. 10.
In this case, of the latest shooting date and time stored in the
digital camera 100 and the shooting date and time of the latest
image in the recording medium, the older date and time are used as
the latest shooting date and time.
[0157] Consider, for example, a case wherein a storage medium on
which an image older than the latest shooting date and time stored
in the digital camera 100 is recorded as the latest image is loaded
in the digital camera 100. In this case, a next pickuped image file
is easily stored in a new folder instead of an existing folder in
the recording medium.
[0158] In other words, this embodiment is an embodiment aimed at
increasing the probability at which it is determined that there is
a change of date and time (=new folder creation) in date/time
change determination processing to be described later with
reference to FIG. 10. Obviously, only the latest shooting date and
time stored in the digital camera 100 or the shooting date and time
of the latest image may be used as the latest shooting date and
time in the processing in FIG. 10 without performing the processing
in steps S713 and S714. Alternatively, the embodiment may be
configured to allow the user to select the use of either value as
the latest shooting date and time.
[0159] According to the flowchart of FIG. 7, a file having the
largest DCF file number as the latest image. However, this is
merely an example. For example, a search may be made for the latest
image in a specific DCF directory in the DCF specifications or an
image file recorded last on the recording medium.
(Folder Creation Condition Setting Processing)
[0160] FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining the details of the
folder creation condition setting processing in step S105 in FIG.
2.
[0161] Upon determining that an instruction to set folder creation
conditions is issued by the user using the operation unit 70
(S801), the system control circuit 50 performs folder creation
condition setting processing to be described later.
[0162] Assume that in either of the following cases, it is
determined that an instruction to set folder creation conditions is
issued: [0163] when the new folder creation request button 74 is
pressed, and [0164] when a folder creation request (mandatory
creation request) is issued through a folder creation condition
setting menu window (to be described later).
[0165] In step S802, it is determined whether a mandatory creation
request for a folder is issued. In this case, in the following
cases, it is determined that the request is issued: [0166] when the
new folder creation request button 74 is pressed while no mandatory
creation request flag is set, and [0167] when a folder mandatory
creation request is issued through the folder creation condition
setting menu window.
[0168] If it is determined that mandatory supply processing has
been performed, a mandatory creation request flag to be provided as
one area of the nonvolatile memory 56 or the like is set (S803). If
it is determined that no request is issued, the mandatory creation
request flag is cleared (S804). When the new folder creation
request button 74 is pressed while the mandatory creation request
flag is set, the mandatory creation request flag is cleared.
[0169] In steps S805 to S807, folder creation conditions which can
be set through the menu window are checked. Assume that in this
embodiment, a change (a change of date and time) of either of day,
week, and month can be set as a folder creation condition from the
menu window. Assume that such a folder creation condition is
recorded as a folder creation request due to a change of date and
time on the nonvolatile memory 56 or the like.
[0170] In addition, assume that in this embodiment, an offset time
can be set in addition to a folder creation condition due to a
change of date and time. An offset time is a value for offsetting a
reference time for the determination of a change of date and time
from 0:00 a.m. If there is no offset, processing is performed while
it is regarded that the day has changed at a point of time after
0:00 a.m. If, however, "7:00 a.m." (or "+7 hours") is set as an
offset time, it is not determined that the day has changed even
after 0:00 a.m. until 7:00 a.m. Since an offset time can be set,
for example, images pickuped in an event across days can be
recorded in one folder or a new folder is created with reference to
the usual hour of rising. Note that an offset time can be
designated in the form of a specific time like "7:00 a.m." or a
time difference (e.g., +7 hours or -2 hours) relative to a
reference time (0:00 a.m. in general).
[0171] FIG. 24 shows an example of the folder creation condition
setting menu window in the digital camera 100 according to this
embodiment.
[0172] The folder creation condition setting menu window is
displayed on the display unit 54 and the image display unit 28.
Note that such a menu window can be displayed by tracking the menu
hierarchy from the initial menu window which is generally displayed
when a menu key is pressed. Obviously, a shortcut key can be
provided to directly invoke this menu window.
[0173] The folder creation condition setting menu window includes a
first area 28i for issuing a folder mandatory creation request, a
second area 28j for issuing a folder creation request due to a
change of date and time, and a third area 28k.
[0174] When a folder mandatory creation request is to be issued,
the user operates predetermined keys such as the up and down keys
of the operation unit 70 to set the first area 28i in a selected
state. The user then places a checkmark in a checkbox 28m in the
area 28i by operating predetermined keys such as the left and right
keys, and then presses the execution key of the operation unit 70.
With this operation, the menu window closes (switches to a
higher-order menu window), and a folder mandatory creation request
is designated in the digital camera 100. The folder mandatory
creation request may be canceled by pressing the executing key
while the checkbox 28m is unchecked.
[0175] Note that, as described above, in this embodiment, a folder
mandatory creation request can be designated and canceled by
pressing the new folder creation request button 74 without
operating any menu window.
[0176] When a folder creation request due to a change of date and
time is to be issued, the area 28j is set in a selected state to
set a change factor. The user then operates the left and right keys
to display a desired condition. In this case, date and time change
factors include a change of day ("every day"), a week change
("Monday", "Tuesday", "Wednesday", "Thursday", "Friday",
"Saturday", and "Sunday"), a change of month ("every month"), and a
specific day (any day from the 1st day to the 31st day) of the
month.
[0177] However, this is for the easy explanation and understanding
of this embodiment. In practice, a specific date may be designated
like ".largecircle. (month) X (day)" or "holiday", or may be set in
smaller time units. For example, the embodiment may be configured
to designate a time unit or a specific date (e.g., .largecircle.
(month) X (day) .DELTA. (hour)). In addition, a condition may be
set such that a specific time interval can be designated. In this
method, for example, a time interval between two specific times is
designated. As described above, a date and time change factor can
be regarded as a condition associated with the lapse of date and
time from a predetermined reference date and time or a calendar.
Not that when a folder creation request due to a change of date and
time is to be canceled, for example, a state in which "OFF" is
displayed may be set.
[0178] If an offset time setting is not to be changed, the
execution key of the operation unit 70 is pressed. With this
operation, the menu window closes (switches to a higher-order menu
window), and a folder creation request due to a change of date and
time is designated in the digital camera 100.
[0179] When an offset time is to be set or an existing set time is
to be changed, the third area 28k is operated. The left and right
keys are operated to display a desired time while the third area
28k is selected, and the execution key is pressed. An offset time
can be set, for example, in increments of 1 min from 0:00 to 23:59,
or can be set as a relative time difference (.+-.0:00 to 11:59)
with reference to 0:00.
[0180] Referring back to FIG. 8, if a folder creation instruction
due to a change of date and time is issued (S805), a setting is
made on a day basis as a creation request due to a change of date
and time which is stored in the nonvolatile memory 56 or the like
(S808). If a creation instruction due to a change of week is issued
(S806), a setting is made on a week basis as a creation request due
to a change of date and time which is stored in the nonvolatile
memory 56 or the like (S809). If a creation instruction due to a
month change is issued (S807), a setting is made on a month basis
as a creation request due to a change of date and time which is
stored in the nonvolatile memory 56 or the like (S810). If there is
no folder creation instruction due to any date and time unit, a
creation request due to a change of date and time which is stored
in the nonvolatile memory 56 or the like is cleared (S811). The
processing is then terminated.
[0181] If a folder creation instruction on any date and time basis
is issued, the presence/absence of an offset instruction for a date
and time change detection point is checked (S812). If an offset
instruction is issued, the offset time is stored in the nonvolatile
memory 56 or the like (S813). If no offset instruction is issued,
the offset time is cleared, i.e., the offset is set to 0
(S814).
[0182] Folder creation conditions set in this case are referred to
in folder creation determination processing and file management
processing (to be described later), and are used to determine
whether to create a new folder.
[0183] The above description has exemplified the case wherein a
creation condition due to a change of date and time, e.g., a change
of day, week, or month, is exclusively set. However, a setting
based on a combination of changes of date and time may be made. For
example, a setting may be made so as to perform folder creation
under two conditions, i.e., every Monday and the first day of every
month. A date and time change factor may be on an hour basis
instead of a day basis, and may be a condition that allows
designation of a specific date and time. This method is a method of
designating, for example, a specific month, a specific day, and a
specific hour. In addition, a condition may be set so as to allow
designation of a specific time interval. This method is a method of
designating, for example, a time interval between two specific
times.
(Folder Creation Determination Processing)
[0184] FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the details of the folder
creation determination processing in step S112 in FIG. 2.
[0185] First of all, the system control circuit 50 determines
whether a new folder can be created in consideration of limitations
such as the DCF specifications (S901). For example, in the DCF
specifications, DCF directory numbers are limited to 100 to 999,
and hence a folder having a DCF directory number outside this range
cannot be created. More specifically, in specifications which are
designed to create folders and files in ascending order of DCF
directory numbers and file numbers, a new folder cannot be created
if the DCF directory number of a folder in which the latest image
exists is 999.
[0186] If it is determined that a new folder cannot be created, the
folder creation flag stored in the internal memory or the memory 52
in the system control circuit 50 is cleared (S908), and the
processing is terminated.
[0187] If it is determined in step S901 that a new folder can be
created, new folder creation determination is performed. First of
all, it is determined in step S902 whether a mandatory creation
request is issued. In this embodiment, if the mandatory creation
request flag stored in the nonvolatile memory 56 or the like is set
in step S803 in FIG. 8, it is determined that a mandatory creation
request is issued. In this case, the system control circuit 50 sets
a folder creation flag stored in the internal memory or the memory
52 (S907). The processing is then terminated.
[0188] If it is determined in step S902 that no mandatory creation
request is issued, date and time creation determination processing
is performed to determine whether a new folder creation request due
to a change of date and time is issued (S903). If it is determined
that the new folder creation condition due to a change of date and
time holds, the system control circuit 50 sets a folder creation
flag stored in the internal memory or the memory 52 in the system
control circuit 50 (S907). This processing is then terminated.
[0189] If it is determined in step S904 that the new folder
creation condition does not hold, sequenced image creation
determination processing is performed to determine whether a new
folder creation request based on a sequenced image condition (to be
described later) is issued. If it is determined that the new folder
creation condition based on the sequenced image condition holds, a
folder creation flag stored in the internal memory or the memory 52
in the system control circuit 50 is set (S907). The processing is
then terminated. Note that information indicating that a flag is
set by the sequenced image creation determination may be stored in
advance together with the flag.
[0190] If it is determined in step S906 that the new folder
creation condition does not hold, the folder creation flag stored
in the internal memory or the memory 52 in the system control
circuit 50 is cleared (S908). This processing is then
terminated.
(Date and Time Creation Determination Processing)
[0191] FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining the details of the
date and time creation determination processing in step S903 in
FIG. 9. Note that the "shooting date and time of latest image" in
this processing are the date and time which are determined in step
S714 in which the above file search processing is performed, and
stored in step S715.
[0192] If a creation request due to a change of date and time is on
a day basis (S1001), it is determined whether the day of the
shooting date and time (time stamp) of the latest image differs
from the current day (based on the value of the built-in timepiece
of the digital camera 100) (S1002). If it is determined that the
days differ from each other, the flow advances to offset condition
determination for a date condition (S1007). If it is determined
that the days coincide with each other, the flow advances to step
S1009.
[0193] If the creation request due to a change of date and time is
on a week basis (S1003), it is determined whether the week of the
shooting date and time of the latest image differs from the week of
the current date and time (S1004). If it is determined that the
weeks differ from each other, the flow advances to offset condition
determination for a date condition (S1007). If it is determined
that the weeks coincide with each other, the flow advances to step
S1009. Note that a specific week of the year or month in which a
specific year, month, and day are included can be determined by
using a calendar function which the digital camera 100 generally
has.
[0194] If the creation request due to a change of date and time is
on a month basis (S1005), it is determined whether the month of the
shooting date and time of the latest image differs from the month
of the current date and time (S1006). If it is determined that the
months differ from each other, the flow advances to offset
condition determination for a date condition (S1007). If it is
determined that the months coincide with each other, the flow
advances to step S1009.
[0195] If it is determined that there is no creation request due to
any change of date and time, no date change determination is
performed with respect to the current date and time and the
shooting date and time of the latest image in step S1009 to exit
the processing.
[0196] In step S1007, an offset condition for a date and time
change condition is determined. More specifically, if an offset
time is set and the difference between dates is one day,
determination is performed in consideration of the offset time. If,
for example, it is determined that weeks or months differ from each
other because the dates differ by one day, it is determined whether
the dates differ from each other even in consideration of the
offset time. Consider a case wherein it is determined in step S1006
that the months differ from each other, and that the shooting date
and time of the latest image is set to Jan. 31, 2005, the current
date and time are set to Feb. 1, 2005, 3:00 a.m., and the offset
time is set to 7:00 a.m. (or "+7 hours"). In this case, since the
current date and time have not reached the offset time, it is
determined that there is no change of date and time.
[0197] If it is determined that there is a change of date and time
even in consideration of the offset time, it is determined that a
determination condition is satisfied (S1008). The processing is
then terminated. If it is determined that there is no change of
date and time in consideration of the offset condition, it is
determined that a determination condition is not satisfied (S1009).
The processing is then terminated.
[0198] According to the case shown in FIG. 10, a creation condition
due to a change of date and time, e.g., a change of day, week, or
month, is exclusively determined in accordance with the condition
setting described with reference to FIG. 8. As in the case of
settings, however, determination may be performed on the basis of a
combination of conditions. For example, determination may be
performed to allow folder creation on every Monday and the first
day of every month. A date and time change factor may be on an hour
basis instead of a day basis, and may be a condition that allows
designation of a specific date and time. This method is a method of
designating, for example, a specific month, a specific day, and a
specific hour. In addition, a condition may be set so as to allow
designation of a specific time interval. This method is a method of
designating, for example, a time interval between two specific
times.
(Sequenced Image Creation Determination Processing)
[0199] FIG. 11 is a flowchart for explaining the details of the
sequenced image creation determination processing in step S905 in
FIG. 9.
[0200] First of all, it is checked whether the current shooting
mode is the continuous shooting mode (S1101). If the current
shooting mode is the continuous shooting mode, the number of a
series of image files created by continuous shooting and guaranteed
to be stored in the same folder is set. In this embodiment, for
example, this number is set to 50.
[0201] If the current shooting mode is not the continuous shooting
mode, it is checked in step S1103 whether the current shooting mode
is the bracket mode. The bracket mode is a mode of photographing
several images while changing shooting conditions (e.g., exposure
and white balance). If the current shooting mode is the bracket
mode, the number of a series of image files created by auto
bracketing and guaranteed to be stored in the same folder is set in
step S1104. In this embodiment, for example, this number is set to
four.
[0202] If it is determined that the current mode is neither the
continuous shooting mode nor the bracket mode, it is determined
that the current shooting mode is the normal single shot mode, and
the number of image files guaranteed to be stored in the same
folder is set. In this embodiment, for example, this number is set
to one (S1105).
[0203] It is then checked whether the number of files that can be
stored in an existing folder in the recording medium 200 or 210 is
equal to or more than the number of files guaranteed to be stored
in the same folder which is set in step S1102, S1104, or S1105
(S1106). The number of files that can be stored in an existing
folder can be obtained from, for example, the upper limit of the
number of files in the folder or the DCF file number of the latest
image in the folder. If, for example, the upper limit of the number
of files in the folder is set, this number can be obtained as the
difference between the number of existing files and the upper limit
value or the difference between the DCF file number of the latest
image and the upper limit of DCF file numbers, which is 9999.
[0204] If it is determined that the number of files that can be
stored in an existing folder is less than the number of files
guaranteed to be stored, it is determined by sequenced image
determination that the new folder creation condition is satisfied
(S1107). The processing is then terminated. If it is determined
that the number of files that can be stored in an existing folder
is equal to or more than the number of files guaranteed to be
stored in the same folder, it is determined by sequenced image
determination that the new folder creation condition is not
satisfied (S1108).
[0205] As described above, if it is determined in accordance with
each condition that a predetermined number of files to be
guaranteed to be recorded in the same folder cannot be stored in an
existing folder, it is determined by sequenced image determination
that the new folder creation condition holds. Therefore, in the
subsequent shooting processing, a new folder is created, and the
number of pickuped image files guaranteed to be stored in the same
folder can be recorded in the new folder.
(File Management Processing)
[0206] FIG. 12 is a flowchart for explaining the details of
folder/file management processing in step S125 in FIG. 3.
[0207] First of all, it is checked whether the folder creation flag
stored in the internal memory or the memory 52 in the system
control circuit 50 is set (S1201). If it is determined that the
flag is not set in neither of the memories, the name of a file to
be stored in an existing folder having a DCF directory number equal
to the value of the variable DirNum is determined in step
S1208.
[0208] If the folder creation flag is set, a new folder is created
(S1202). The folder creation flag stored in the internal memory or
the memory 52 in the system control circuit 50 and the mandatory
creation request flag stored in the nonvolatile memory 56 or the
like are cleared (S1203). This prevents redundant creation of
folders. In addition, even if the date changes during shooting
after the second image at the time of sequenced image shooting such
as continuous shooting or auto bracketing, and the folder creation
condition is satisfied, no new folder is created, and a series of
pickuped image files are stored in the same folder. In other words,
at the time of sequenced image shooting, a new folder creation
request due to a change of date and time is neglected.
[0209] In addition, referring to this flag again makes it possible
to detect that a folder creation request is cleared, i.e., a folder
is created by a shooting. Referring to FIG. 4, in step S402 of the
above setting display processing, the indication is updated by
referring to this flag. This makes it possible to erase the folder
creation indication 28g (FIG. 15), which indicates that new folder
creation is set, upon execution of folder creation.
[0210] Subsequently, the DCF directory number of the new folder is
stored in the variable DirNum (S1204), and the name of a file to be
stored in the new folder is determined (S1205). Assume that the DCF
directory number of the new folder has the value obtained by adding
one to the DCF directory number of the folder in which the latent
image is stored. In addition, assume that of the file name stored
in the new folder, the initial value of the file number is 0001.
Assume also that the upper four characters of the file name is a
character string set in the digital camera 100 in advance.
[0211] If a storage file name is determined, the DCF file number of
the storage file is stored in the variable FileNum (S1206).
[0212] Update processing for the latest shooting date and time is
then performed. In step S1207, it is checked whether this pickuped
image is the second or subsequent image of the sequenced images. If
the pickuped image is not the second or subsequent image of the
sequenced images, i.e., the image pickuped in the single shot mode
(single shooting) or the first image of sequenced images obtained
by continuous shooting or the like, the current date and time at
the time of a shooting are stored as latest shooting date and time
in the nonvolatile memory 56 or the like.
[0213] The latest shooting date and time are used again for date
and time change determination described with reference to FIG. 10.
In this embodiment, the latest shooting date and time are updated
only when single shooting is performed or the pickuped image is the
first image of sequenced images obtained by continuous shooting or
the like, in order to increase the probability at which it is
determined that there is a change of date and time in the date and
time change determination in FIG. 10 at the time of a shooting
after a sequenced image shooting, in particular.
[0214] That is, in a sequenced image shooting, the latest shooting
date and time are not updated at the time of a shooting of the
second or subsequent image, and hence the shooting date and time of
the first image of sequenced images are maintained as the latest
shooting date and time after the sequenced image shooting. As a
consequence, at the time of a next shooting, the difference between
the latest shooting date and time and the current date and time
becomes larger than the actual difference. This promotes the
creation of a new folder when a new folder creation request due to
a change of date and time is set. With this operation, a pickuped
file of sequenced images and a subsequent pickuped file tend to be
stored in different folders, thus facilitating organization of
pickuped image files afterwards.
[0215] However, this control is not essential, and the latest
shooting date and time may be updated for every shooting. In
addition, the embodiment may be configured to allow the user to
arbitrarily select whether to update the latest shooting date and
time.
(Shooting Condition Setting Processing)
[0216] FIG. 13 is a flowchart for explaining the details of the
shooting condition setting processing in step S108 in FIG. 2.
[0217] First of all, it is checked whether the mode dial 60 is at
the position of the continuous shooting mode (S1301). If the dial
is at the position of the continuous shooting mode, the system
control circuit 50 sets a continuous shooting flag indicating that
the current shooting mode is the continuous shooting mode in the
internal memory or the memory 52 (S1302), and terminates the
processing.
[0218] If the mode dial 60 is not at the position of the continuous
shooting mode, it is checked in step S1303 whether the dial is at
the position of the bracket mode. If the dial is at the position of
the bracket mode, the system control circuit 50 sets a bracket flag
indicating that the current shooting mode is auto bracketing in the
internal memory or the memory 52 (S1304), and terminates the
processing.
[0219] If the mode dial 60 is not located at either the position of
the continuous shooting mode or the position of the bracket mode,
the system control circuit 50 clears both the continuous shooting
flag and the bracket flag stored in the internal memory or the
memory 52 (S1305). The processing is then terminated.
[0220] As described above, according to this embodiment, since a
new folder is automatically created in accordance with settings and
a pickuped image file is stored in the new folder, there is no need
to create a new folder for every shooting. This improves high
operability.
[0221] In addition, since a new folder is created after a shooting
instruction is actually issued, a recording medium can be replaced
without any problem. That is, this solves the conventional problems
that a folder created in advance is left unused, and a created
folder cannot be found.
[0222] Since each user can select and set conditions for the
automatic creation of a new folder from a plurality of types of
conditions, pickuped image files can be automatically classified in
accordance with the requirement of each user.
[0223] Since whether conditions for automatic creation are
satisfied is determined on the basis of the latest shooting date
and time and the shooting date and time of a next pickuped image, a
change of any unit (e.g., year, month, week, and day) can be
determined by common processing. Even with a change of automatic
creation conditions, therefore, proper determination can be
performed.
[0224] If an automatic creation condition is a date and time change
factor, an offset time can be set with respect to the determination
condition. This makes it possible to create a new folder in
accordance with the situation and requirement of each user.
[0225] Since the latest shooting date and time are the shooting
date and time of the latest image in a recording medium or the date
and time when the latest shooting was performed by the image
processing apparatus, even if the recording medium is replaced,
proper reference date and time information (comparison target) can
be acquired.
[0226] Storing the shooting date and time of the latest image in a
recording medium makes it possible to determine whether to create a
folder without rechecking the recording medium when, for example,
the image processing apparatus is activated. This makes it possible
to quickly start subsequent shooting processing.
[0227] Since the stored latest shooting date and time and/or the
shooting date and time of the latest image in a recording medium
are updated when the recording medium is replaced and/or a new
shooting is performed, a check in the recording medium and storage
in the image processing apparatus can be performed with a minimum
number of operations. In addition, information inconsistency can be
prevented.
[0228] Since a setting can be made to unconditionally create a new
folder at the time of a next shooting independently of condition
setting for automatic creation, various requirements of the user
can be met. Providing an arrangement which allows setting with one
touch like the new folder creation request button 74 makes it
possible to cope with the requirement that an instruction to create
a folder be issued immediately before a shooting. This provides
high convenience.
[0229] If no new folder as a storage designation cannot be created,
a file is stored in an existing folder. This can prevent the
situation in which a pickuped image file cannot be recorded.
[0230] When a file cannot be additionally stored in an existing
folder as a save destination, a new folder is created, and the
pickuped image file is stored in the new folder. This therefore can
prevent the situation in which the pickuped image file cannot be
recorded.
[0231] When a series of a plurality of pickuped image (sequenced
images) files which are obtained by continuous shooting, auto
bracketing, or the like are required to be handled as one group, a
new folder is created depending on whether a predetermined number
of files can be stored in an existing folder. With this operation,
even if the existing folder is set as a save destination, a series
of pickuped image files can be reliably stored in the same
folder.
[0232] In addition, since a user is notified whether a new folder
is created at the time of a next shooting, the user can confirm
that a folder is created. Since a preset condition cannot be always
satisfied immediately, it is important that the user can know
whether the set condition is properly recognized and executed.
Furthermore, since the user can know the creation of a new folder
in advance, the user can change a setting so as to, for example,
cancel a folder creation reservation as needed at the time of
reception of a notification, and can flexibly construct a desired
folder structure.
[0233] Even when the image processing apparatus automatically
changes a storage folder for a pickuped image to a new folder, the
user can know it. This allows the user to grasp an image to be
stored first in the new folder and easily search for an image after
a shooting.
[0234] In addition, since a new folder is created regardless of
whether a new folder creation request due to a change of date and
time is issued during a sequenced image shooting, even if the new
folder creation request due to a change of date and time is
satisfied, it will never occur that sequenced images will be saved
in a plurality of folders.
[0235] In a shooting in the single shot mode, a shooting time is
regarded as the latest shooting date and time. In the sequenced
image shooting mode, the shooting time of the first image is
regarded as the latest shooting date and time. With this, when a
change of date and time as a new folder creation factor occurs
during a sequenced image shooting, a pickuped image file is
reliably stored in a new folder at the time of a next shooting.
[0236] Assume that the latest image file in a recording medium is
determined as a pickuped image in the single shot mode. In this
case, if the shooting time of this image is determined as part of
sequenced images, the shooting time of the first image of the
sequenced images is used as the latest shooting date and time in
the recording medium. With this operation, even if an image stored
in the recording medium is an image obtained when a change of date
and time as a folder switching factor has occurred during a
sequenced image shooting, a pickuped image file can be reliably
stored in a new folder at the time of a next shooting.
[0237] Furthermore, older date and time of the latest shooting date
and time held in the image processing apparatus and the shooting
date and time of the latest image data in the recording medium are
used as the latest shooting date and time in the determination of
the necessity of new folder creation. This makes it possible to
perform proper determination even if a plurality of recording media
are used.
Second Embodiment
[0238] The operation of a digital camera as an example of an image
processing apparatus according to the second embodiment of the
present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 3, 5 to
13, 15, 16, 17, and 23.
[0239] Assuming that the digital camera of this embodiment also has
the functional arrangement shown in FIG. 1 like the digital camera
100 described in the first embodiment, this digital camera will be
described below as a digital camera 100.
[0240] The overall operation of the digital camera 100 will be
described first with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 23 and
3.
[0241] When the power supply is turned on upon battery change or
the like, a system control circuit 50 initializes flags, control
variables, and the like (S2301). After the immediately preceding
mode name stored in the internal memory or a memory 52 in the
system control circuit 50 is set to "activation" (S2302), file
search processing in the recording medium is performed (S2303).
[0242] The details of the file search processing in step S2303 in
FIG. 23 are the same as those described with reference to FIG.
7.
[0243] The system control circuit 50 determines the set position of
a power switch 72 (S2304). If the power switch 72 is set OFF, the
flow advances to step S2305 to perform predetermined termination
processing. Termination processing includes, for example, the
following processing. The display state of each display unit is
changed to the terminated state, and a barrier 102 is closed to
protect the image pickup unit. The flags, the parameters including
control variables and the like, the set values, and the set mode
are recorded in a nonvolatile memory 56. A power control unit 80
interrupts power to portions to which power need not be supplied,
including an image display unit 28. When the termination processing
is complete, the flow returns to step S2304.
[0244] If it is determined in step S2304 that the power switch 72
is set ON, the system control circuit 50 sets folder creation
conditions (S2306). The details of the folder creation condition
setting processing are the same as those described with reference
to FIG. 8.
[0245] The system control circuit 50 determines the set position of
a mode dial 60 (S2307). If the mode dial 60 is set to the shooting
mode, shooting conditions are set (S2308). The flow then advances
to step S2311. The details of the shooting condition setting
processing in step S2308 are the same as those described with
reference to FIG. 13.
[0246] If it is determined in step S2307 that the mode dial 60 is
set to another mode, the system control circuit 50 executes
processing corresponding to the selected mode (S2309). When the
processing is complete, the immediately preceding mode name stored
in the internal memory or the memory 52 in the system control
circuit 50 is set to the current mode name (S2310). The flow then
returns to step S2304.
[0247] In step S2311, the system control circuit 50 determines the
remaining capacity or operation state of a power supply 86
comprising a battery and the like by using the power control unit
80. If the system control circuit 50 determines that the state of
the power supply 86 poses a problem in terms of the operation of
the digital camera 100, the system control circuit 50 issues a
predetermined warning corresponding to the problem with an image or
sound by using the display unit 54 (S2313). The flow then returns
to step S2304.
[0248] If it is determined that there is no problem in the power
supply 86, the system control circuit 50 checks the recording
medium in step S2312. That is, the attachment/detachment of a
recording medium 200 or 210 is determined, and management
information of image files recorded in the attached recording
medium is acquired. In this process, it is determined whether there
is a problem in terms of recording/playing back operation with
respect to a recording medium. This problem is, for example, that
neither the recording media 200 and 210 are attached or normal
read/write operation cannot be performed. If there is some kind of
problem, a predetermined warning corresponding to the problem is
issued with an image or sound by the display unit 54 (S2313). The
flow then returns to step S2304.
[0249] If it is determined in step S2312 that there is no problem
in the recording medium, the system control circuit 50 determines
whether to create a new folder for storing a pickuped image file to
be created by a next shooting (S2314). The details of this folder
creation determination processing are the same as those described
with reference to FIG. 9. The details of the date and time creation
determination processing in step S903 in FIG. 9 are the same as
those described with reference to FIG. 10. The details of the
sequenced image creation determination processing in step S905 in
FIG. 9 are the same as those described with reference to FIG.
11.
[0250] The system control circuit 50 then displays various setting
states in the digital camera 100 with images or sounds by using the
display unit 54 (S2315). If the image display unit 28 is set ON,
the image display unit 28 is also used to display various setting
states in the digital camera 100 with images or sounds. The details
of this setting display processing will be described later with
reference to FIG. 16.
[0251] Subsequently, the system control circuit 50 sets the
immediately preceding mode name stored in the internal memory or
the memory 52 in the system control circuit 50 to "shooting"
(S2316). The flow then advances to step S121 in FIG. 3. The details
of the digital camera 100 are the same as those described with
reference to FIG. 3.
[0252] The details of the focusing/metering process in step S122 in
FIG. 3 are the same as those described with reference to FIG.
5.
[0253] The details of the folder/file management processing in step
S125 in FIG. 3 are the same as those described with reference to
FIG. 12.
[0254] The details of the shooting processing in step S126 in FIG.
3 are the same as those described with reference to FIG. 6.
(Setting Display Processing)
[0255] FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing the details of the setting
display processing in step S2315 in FIG. 23.
[0256] First of all, in step S1601, the system control circuit 50
determines the state of a folder creation flag stored in the
internal memory or the memory 52 in the system control circuit 50.
If the folder creation flag is cleared, the folder creation
indications on the display unit 54 and image display unit.28 are
turned off (S1602). The flow then advances to step S1606.
[0257] If the folder creation flag is set, the system control
circuit 50 determines whether the immediately preceding mode name
stored in the internal memory or the memory 52 coincides with the
current mode name (S1603). If it is determined that they coincide
with each other, the flow advances to step S1605. Otherwise, the
flow advances to step S1604.
[0258] In step S1604, the system control circuit 50 blinks folder
creation indications in a predetermined period of time by using the
display unit 54 and the image display unit 28 (S1604). FIG. 17
shows an example of display performed by the display unit 54 and
the image display unit 28. FIG. 17 shows a state wherein various
setting states in the digital camera 100 are already displayed in
addition to a folder creation indication.
[0259] As shown in FIG. 17, only the folder creation indication 28g
is blinked, and various setting indications in the digital camera
100 other than the folder creation indication 28g are displayed.
Referring to FIG. 17, the various setting states include a single
shot/continuous shooting indication 28a, a flash indication 28b, a
metering scheme indication 28c, a compression ratio indication 28d,
an indication of the number of recording pixels 28e, and an
indication of the number of remaining shootable images 28f.
[0260] Blinking only the folder creation indication 28g highlights
the folder creation indication 28g which tends to be overlooked
among other setting indications 28a to 28f at the time of mode
switching. In step S2302 in FIG. 23, in particular, the immediately
preceding mode name is set to "activation" at the time of
activation. In setting display processing in step S2315 immediately
after activation, the immediately preceding mode name is set to
"activation", and the current mode name is set to "shooting".
Therefore, even at the time of activation, the folder creation
indication is highlighted by blinking.
[0261] In step S1605, the system control circuit 50 displays the
folder creation indication 28g with an image or sound by using the
display unit 54 and the image display unit 28. That is, the folder
creation indication 28g is blinked. If the folder creation
indication is blinked in step S1604, blinking of the folder
creation indication is switched to displaying. An example of
display performed by the display unit 54 and the image display unit
28 in step S1605 is the same as that shown in FIG. 15. Like FIG.
17, FIG. 15 shows a state wherein various setting indications in
the digital camera 100 are displayed in addition to the folder
creation indication. Like various setting state indications 28g to
28f in the digital camera 100 in addition to the folder creation
indication, the folder creation indication 28g is displayed.
[0262] The system control circuit 50 displays (displays/updates)
various setting states in the digital camera 100 in addition to the
folder creation indication with images or sounds by using the
display unit 54 (S1606), and terminates the setting display
processing.
[0263] As described above, in the second embodiment, at the time of
activation or mode switching, the folder creation indication which
tends to be overlooked among other setting indications is
highlighted (blinked). This makes it possible to reliably notify
the user of the creation of a new folder at the time of a next
shooting.
[0264] In the above description, blinking operation has been
exemplified as highlighting operation. However, other highlighting
methods, e.g., changing a display color to a more conspicuous color
and increasing a display size, may be used.
Third Embodiment
[0265] The operation of a digital camera as an example of an image
processing apparatus according to the third embodiment of the
present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 2, 3, 5
to 13, 15, 18, and 19.
[0266] Assuming that the digital camera of this embodiment also has
the functional arrangement shown in FIG. 1 like the digital camera
100 described in the first embodiment, this digital camera will be
described below as a digital camera 100.
[0267] The operation of the digital camera 100 according to the
third embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment except
for the folder creation determination processing in step S112 in
FIG. 2 and the setting display processing in step S113, and hence
only processing characteristic to this embodiment will be described
below.
[0268] This embodiment is characterized in that when a folder
creation flag is set in the folder creation determination
processing executed in step S112 in FIG. 2, more specifically in
step S907 in FIG. 9, information indicating which condition is
satisfied when the flag is set is also stored. That is, information
indicating whether the flag is set due to a mandatory creation
request, date and time creation determination, or sequenced image
creation determination is stored in the internal memory or a memory
52. The folder creation flag itself may be provided with
information indicating a setting factor.
[0269] FIG. 18 is a flowchart for explaining the details of
processing executed by the digital camera 100 according to this
embodiment as the setting display processing in step S113 in FIG.
2.
[0270] First of all, a system control circuit 50 determines the
state of the folder creation flag stored in the internal memory or
the memory 52 (S1801). If the folder creation flag is cleared, the
folder creation indications on a display unit 54 and image display
unit 28 are turned off (S1802). The flow then advances to step
S1807.
[0271] If the folder creation flag is set, the system control
circuit 50 determines a folder creation factor in accordance with
information stored in the internal memory or the memory 52 (S1803).
When a folder is to be created when a creation condition is
satisfied in sequenced image creation determination, the folder
creation indication form is set to "indication 1" (S1804). For
example, the folder creation indication is set to the graying out
of a folder icon. Graying out indicates that the user cannot stop
folder creation.
[0272] If a folder is to be created when a mandatory creation
request is issued by a user or a creation condition is met in date
and time creation determination, the folder creation display form
is set to "indication 2" (S1805). For example, the folder creation
indication is set to a normal indication of a folder icon. Assume
that "indication 1" and "indication 2" are displayed in different
display forms.
[0273] The system control circuit 50 displays a folder creation
indication with an image or sound by using the display unit 54 or
the image display unit 28 (S1806). In this case, a folder creation
indication is displayed in accordance with the display form set in
step S1804 or S1805. An example of display on the display unit 54
and image display unit 28 in step S1806 in a case wherein the
normal display of a folder icon is set to a folder creation
indication in step S1805 is the same as that shown in FIG. 15.
Note, however, that in the case shown in FIG. 15, various setting
states in the digital camera 100 are already displayed in addition
to the folder creation indication. FIG. 15 shows display in a case
wherein a new folder is to be created by user's setting. The user
can stop the creation of a new folder as needed by setting a folder
creation condition.
[0274] FIG. 19 shows an example of display performed by the display
unit 54 and the image display unit 28 in step S1806 when
"indication 1" form is set in step S1804. Like FIG. 15, FIG. 19
shows a case wherein various setting states in the digital camera
100 have already been displayed in addition to the folder creation
indication. Referring to FIG. 19, various setting states 28a to 28f
in the digital camera 100 are displayed in addition to the folder
creation indication, and the folder icon is grayed out 28g. FIG. 19
shows display in a case wherein a folder is mandatorily created by
the camera owing to the maximum number of images that can be
recorded per folder. The grayed-out indication indicates that the
creation of a new folder cannot be stopped.
[0275] The system control circuit 50 displays (displays/updates)
various setting states in the digital camera 100 in addition to the
folder creation indication with images or sounds by using the
display unit 54 (S1807). The setting display processing is then
terminated.
[0276] As described above, according to this embodiment, the
display form of the folder creation indication is changed depending
on a folder creation factor. This makes it possible to not only
notify the user whether a new folder is to be increased at the time
of a next shooting but also notify the user whether the user can
stop the creation of a folder. This can therefore prevent the user
from uselessly tracking the menu hierarchy to cancel the folder
creation setting in spite of a state wherein the user cannot stop
the creation of a folder.
Fourth Embodiment
[0277] The operation of a digital camera as an example of an image
processing apparatus according to the fourth embodiment of the
present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 2, 3, 5
to 13, 20, 21, and 22.
[0278] Assuming that the digital camera of this embodiment also has
the functional arrangement shown in FIG. 1 like the digital camera
100 described in the first embodiment, this digital camera will be
described below as a digital camera 100.
[0279] The operation of the digital camera 100 according to the
fourth embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment
except for the setting display processing in step S113 in FIG. 2,
and hence only processing characteristic to this embodiment will be
described below.
[0280] FIG. 20 is a flowchart for explaining the details of
processing executed by the digital camera 100 according to this
embodiment as the setting display processing in step S113 in FIG.
2.
[0281] First of all, a system control circuit 50 determines whether
folder creation due to a change of date and time is set (S2001). If
folder creation due to a change of date and time is set (S2001),
the set date and time change factor (i.e., a folder creation
condition) is displayed on a display unit 54 or an image display
unit 28 (S2002). The flow then advances to step S2004.
[0282] FIG. 21 is an example of display performed by the display
unit 54 and the image display unit 28 in step S2002. FIG. 21 shows
a state wherein a folder creation flag is cleared, i.e., the date
and time at which folder creation was reserved are not reached.
FIG. 21 shows a state wherein various setting states in the digital
camera 100 have already been displayed in addition to the folder
creation indication.
[0283] In the case shown in FIG. 21, various setting states 28a to
28f in the digital camera 100 are displayed in addition to the
folder creation indication, and a date and time change factor (date
setting: "everyday at 0:00" in this case) set as a folder creation
condition is displayed. Displaying the set folder creation
condition allows the user to recognize that the folder creation
condition is properly set before a new folder is actually created.
This can therefore suppress the occurrence of setting errors and
gives the user a sense of security.
[0284] If it is determined in step S2001 that no folder creation
reservation due to a change of date and time is set, the folder
creation indications on the display unit 54 and the image display
unit 28 are turned off (S2003). The flow then advances to step
S2004.
[0285] In step S2004, the system control circuit 50 determines the
state of the folder creation flag stored in the internal memory or
the memory 52. If the folder creation flag is set, the folder
creation indications are displayed on the display unit 54 and the
image display unit 28 (S2005). The flow then advances to step
S2007.
[0286] FIG. 22 shows an example of display performed by the display
unit 54 and the image display unit 28. In the case shown in FIG.
22, folder creation due to a change of date and time is set, and
various setting states in the digital camera 100 are displayed in
addition to the folder creation indication. As is obvious from FIG.
22, the folder creation indication 28g is displayed together with
the setting indication 28h due to a change of date and time as a
folder creation condition and various setting states 28a to 28f in
the digital camera 100 other than the folder creation indication.
Therefore, the user can recognize that the folder creation
condition is properly set, and a new folder is created at the time
of a next shooting.
[0287] If it is determined in step S2004 that the folder creation
flag is cleared, the system control circuit 50 turns off the folder
creation indications on the display unit 54 and the image display
unit 28 (S2006). The flow then advances to step S2007.
[0288] In step S2007, the system control circuit 50 displays
(displays/updates) various setting states in the digital camera 100
other than the folder creation flag with images or sounds by using
the display unit 54, and terminates the setting display
processing.
[0289] As described above, according to this embodiment, if folder
creation due to a change of date and time is set, the setting
content (folder creation condition) is displayed. This allows the
user to recognize that the folder creation condition is properly
set before a new folder is actually created. This suppresses the
occurrence of setting errors and gives the user a sense of
security.
Other Embodiment
[0290] In the display example in each embodiment described above, a
folder icon is used as the folder creation indication 28g. However,
this indication may be displayed in other forms, e.g., a form using
characters. Alternatively, the user may be notified with a sound
message concurrently with or instead of the display of the
indication. Furthermore, still another means may be used as long as
it is a notification means which can notify the user of the
creation of a new folder at the time of a next shooting.
[0291] If the image processing apparatus includes no display device
capable of displaying icons, characters, and the like or a display
unit capable of displaying icons, characters, and the like in
accordance with settings and the like is OFF, another method can be
used. For example, a folder creation indication may be displayed by
turning on/off a simpler display device, e.g., an LED, or may be
notified by using a sound. If a through the lens image cannot be
displayed as in the case of a digital single lens reflex camera, no
display may be performed by the display unit, and notification may
be performed by using an LED or sound.
[0292] Various setting states (for example, 28a to 28f in FIG. 15)
other than the folder creation indication in the digital camera 100
may be OFF depending on user settings. Even in such a case, only a
folder creation indication (for example, 28g in FIG. 15) may be
displayed to reliably notify the user of the creation of a folder.
This allows the user to easily grasp the folder creation indication
even at the time of activation or mode switching, and hence reduce
the necessity to blink/highlight the indication as in the second
embodiment.
[0293] Each embodiment described above has exemplified still image
shooting. However, as the shooting mode in step S106 in FIG. 2, the
moving image mode is conceivable as well as the still image mode.
In the case of moving image shooting as well, it is obvious that
the same effects as those in the case of still image shooting can
be obtained by performing folder creation determination processing
and setting display processing before a shooting, and turning off
the folder creation indication when a new folder is created and a
pickuped moving image is stored in it. Although a long shooting
time is required for a moving image, since the folder creation
indication is displayed until a new folder is actually created and
an image is stored in it, the folder creation display is displayed
during a shooting.
[0294] The recording media 200 and 210 are not limited to memory
cards such as PCMCIA cards and compact flash memories, hard disks,
and the like, and may comprise optical disks such as micro DATs,
magnetooptic disks, CD-Rs, and CD-RWs, phase change type optical
disks such as DVDs, and the like.
[0295] In addition, the recording media 200 and 210 each may be a
composite medium in which a memory card and a hard disk are
integrated, or a composite medium including a detachable part.
[0296] In the above embodiments, the recording media 200 and 210
have been described as media which can be detached from the digital
camera 100 and arbitrarily connected thereto. However, one or both
of the recording media may be fixed in the digital camera 100.
[0297] Furthermore, the digital camera 100 may be designed to allow
a single or an arbitrary number of recording media 200 and 210 to
be connected to the camera.
[0298] The above embodiments each have exemplified the arrangement
in which the recording media 200 and 210 are loaded in the digital
camera 100. However, either a single recording medium or any
combination of a plurality of recording media may be used.
[0299] The present invention may be applied to a system constituted
by a plurality of devices or an apparatus comprising a single
device.
[0300] The object of the present invention is realized even by
supplying a storage medium (or a recording medium) storing software
program codes for implementing the functions of the above-described
embodiments to a system or apparatus, and causing the computer (or
a CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus to read out and execute
the program codes stored in the storage medium. In this case, the
program codes read out from the storage medium implement the
functions of the above-described embodiments by themselves, and the
storage medium storing the program codes constitutes the present
invention. The functions of the above-described embodiments are
implemented not only when the readout program codes are executed by
the computer but also when the operating system (OS) running on the
computer performs part or all of actual processing on the basis of
the instructions of the program codes.
[0301] The functions of the above-described embodiments are also
implemented when the program codes read out from the storage medium
are written in the memory of a function expansion board inserted
into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the
computer, and the CPU of the function expansion board or function
expansion unit performs part or all of actual processing on the
basis of the instructions of the program codes.
[0302] Note that the present invention may be practiced by
combining the above embodiments or their technical elements, as
needed.
[0303] In addition, the present invention may be designed such that
the scope of claims or all or some of the components of the
embodiments form one apparatus, may be an apparatus coupled to
another apparatus, or may be elements constituting an
apparatus.
[0304] As described above, according to the present invention, in
particular, an image save destination is temporarily set by folder
creation condition setting processing (FIG. 8) before a shooting.
In folder/file management (FIG. 12), a folder creation flag is
determined at the time of a shooting, and a save destination folder
is confirmed. If the save destination is a new folder, a folder is
created at this point of time.
[0305] That is, according to the present invention, no folder is
created before a shooting unlike in the conventional method in
which a new folder is created when a save destination is
designated. This prevents the unnecessary creation of empty
folders. This also prevents the situation in which a created folder
cannot be found at the time of a shooting. Furthermore, if the
above temporarily set condition is stored in a nonvolatile memory
or the like in advance, a folder can be created in accordance with
the temporarily set condition even if the recording medium is
replaced.
[0306] In the folder creation determination processing (FIG. 9),
even if a save request to a new folder is issued upon generation of
the above temporarily set request, the folder creation flag is
cleared if it is determined that a new folder cannot be created. In
this case, therefore, saving of an image into an existing folder is
selected. For this reason, even in a case wherein a new folder
cannot be created even if a save request to a new folder is issued,
a shooting can be continued.
[0307] Even if no save request to a new folder is issued, a new
folder is created by sequenced image creation determination
processing (FIG. 111). That is, If it is determined that the
predetermined number of image files guaranteed to be stored cannot
be saved in the same existing folder, a folder creation flag is set
to create a new folder. For this reason, even if no save request to
a new folder is issued and a series of sequenced images cannot be
saved in the same existing folder, a shooting can be continued, and
a series of sequenced images can be saved in the same folder.
[0308] Further, as described above, according to the present
invention, before a shooting, in file management processing (FIG.
7), latest shooting date and time as reference date and time are
determined on the basis of at least one of the latest shooting date
and time held in the image processing apparatus and the shooting
date and time of the latest image file in a recording medium. By
comparing the latest shooting date and time and the current time,
the necessity to create a new folder is determined.
[0309] Since the latest shooting date and time are updated at the
first image of sequenced images or in the case of a single shot
shooting, even if a change of date and time as a new folder
creation factor occurs during a sequenced image shooting, no new
folder is created. That is, sequenced images are not saved in
different destination folders. In addition, at the time of a
sequenced image shooting, the latest shooting date and time are
updated only at the first image. Therefore, when a change of date
and time as a new folder creation factor occurs during the
sequenced image shooting, a new folder is created at the time of a
next shooting. Therefore, pickuped image file at the time of a next
shooting do not exist together with image files obtained by the
previous shooting in the same folder. This provides a useful effect
in organizing image files.
[0310] As many apparently widely different embodiments of the
present invention can be made without departing from the spirit and
scope thereof, it is to be understood that the invention is not
limited to the specific embodiments thereof except as defined in
the appended claims.
[0311] This application claims the benefit of Japanese Patent
Application Nos. 2005-204739, 2005-204742 and 2005-204743, all
filed on Jul. 13, 2005, which are hereby incorporated by reference
herein their entirety.
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