U.S. patent application number 11/979550 was filed with the patent office on 2008-06-05 for image reproduction device.
Invention is credited to Junji Masumoto, Yasuaki Sakanishi.
Application Number | 20080129837 11/979550 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 28671947 |
Filed Date | 2008-06-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080129837 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Masumoto; Junji ; et
al. |
June 5, 2008 |
Image reproduction device
Abstract
In a case where a thumbnail image is displayed at the time of
insertion of an image file storage medium including an automatic
reproduction file, the thumbnail image is displayed only for the
image file which contains description of automatic reproduction in
an automatic reproduction file. Also, a thumbnail image of an image
file which contains description of non-automatic reproduction in
the automatic reproduction file is replaced with a dummy image or
displayed as a thumbnail image not apparently capable of being
recognized in response to a user request.
Inventors: |
Masumoto; Junji; (Osaka,
JP) ; Sakanishi; Yasuaki; (Osaka, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
SMITH PATENT OFFICE
1901 PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE N W, SUITE 901
WASHINGTON
DC
20006
US
|
Family ID: |
28671947 |
Appl. No.: |
11/979550 |
Filed: |
November 5, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10510049 |
Oct 1, 2004 |
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PCT/JP03/04161 |
Mar 31, 2003 |
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11979550 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
348/231.2 ;
G9B/27.018; G9B/27.048; G9B/27.051 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G11B 27/327 20130101;
H04N 1/00925 20130101; G11B 27/34 20130101; G11B 27/102 20130101;
H04N 1/00453 20130101; H04N 1/00442 20130101; H04N 1/00461
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
348/231.2 |
International
Class: |
H04N 5/76 20060101
H04N005/76 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Apr 1, 2002 |
JP |
2002-98365 |
Claims
1. An image reproduction device which displays an image file
storage medium having stored therein a plurality of image files
with main image information and thumbnail image information in an
arbitrary format, and an automatic reproduction file containing at
least the description as to whether the automatic reproduction of
said plurality of the image files is permitted or not and order in
which said image files are reproduced, the device comprising: a
read unit which reads each file information stored in said image
file storage medium; an input unit which selectively determines
whether only the thumbnail image of the image file which contains
the description of automatic reproduction in said automatic
reproduction file read by said read unit is displayed or the
thumbnail images of all the image files stored in said image file
storage medium are displayed regardless of the automatic
reproduction information of said automatic reproduction file; a
control unit which performs a control operation in such a manner
that said read unit reads from said image file storage medium the
thumbnail image selected by said input unit; an image development
unit which develops the image file read by said read unit; a
storage element into which the image data developed by said image
development unit are written; and an image display unit which reads
and displays a list of the thumbnail images written in said storage
element.
2. An image reproduction device which displays an image file
storage medium having stored therein a plurality of image files
with main image information and thumbnail image information in an
arbitrary format, and an automatic reproduction file containing at
least the description as to whether the automatic reproduction of
said plurality of the image files is permitted or not and order in
which said image files are reproduced, the device comprising: a
read unit which reads each file information stored in said image
file storage medium; a control unit which performs a control
operation in such a manner that said read unit reads from said
image file storage medium a thumbnail image of the image file which
contains the description of automatic reproduction in the automatic
reproduction file; an image development unit which develops the
image file read by said read unit; a storage element into which the
image data developed by said image development unit are written;
and an image display unit which reads and displays a list of the
thumbnail images written in said storage element; wherein said
storage element holds dummy image data corresponding to a thumbnail
image, and said control unit performs the control operation in such
a manner that a dummy image is read from said storage element in
place of the thumbnail image of the image file which contains the
description of non-automatic reproduction in said automatic
reproduction file read by said read unit.
3. The image reproduction device according to claim 2, further
comprising: an input unit which selectively determines whether said
thumbnail image is displayed as a dummy image or as a thumbnail
image, wherein said control unit performs the control operation in
such a manner that a thumbnail image is read from said image file
storage medium in a case where the thumbnail image is selected by
said input unit, and a dummy image is read from said storage
element in a case where the dummy image is selected by said input
unit.
4. An image reproduction device which displays an image file
storage medium having stored therein a plurality of image files
with main image information and thumbnail image information in an
arbitrary format, and an automatic reproduction file containing at
least the description as to whether the automatic reproduction of
said plurality of the image files is permitted or not and order in
which said image files are reproduced, the device comprising: a
read unit which reads each file information stored in said image
file storage medium; a control unit which performs a control
operation in such a manner that said read unit reads from said
image file storage medium a thumbnail image of the image file which
contains the description of automatic reproduction in the automatic
reproduction file; an image development unit which develops the
image file read by said read unit; a storage element into which the
image data developed by said image development unit are written;
and an image display unit which reads and displays a list of the
thumbnail images written in said storage element; wherein said
control unit reads thumbnail images of all the image files from
said image file storage medium, and said image development unit
develops the thumbnail image of the image file which contains the
description of automatic reproduction in the automatic reproduction
file read by said read unit as a normal image and, also, develops a
thumbnail image of the image file which contains the description of
non-automatic reproduction in said automatic reproduction file as
an image difficult to recognize.
5. The image reproduction device according to claim 4, further
comprising: an input unit which selectively determines whether
display of a thumbnail image displayed as said image difficult to
recognize is canceled or not, wherein said control unit performs
the control operation in such a manner that in a case where display
of an image developed by said input unit as an image difficult to
recognize is canceled, a thumbnail image corresponding to the image
is read from said image file.
6. An image reproduction device which displays an image file
storage medium having stored therein a plurality of image files
with main image information and thumbnail image information in an
arbitrary format, and an automatic reproduction file containing at
least the description as to whether the automatic reproduction of
said plurality of the image files is permitted or not and order in
which said image files are reproduced, the device comprising: a
read unit which reads each file information stored in said image
file storage medium; an input unit which selectively determines
whether only the thumbnail image of the image file which contains
the description of automatic reproduction in said automatic
reproduction file read by said read unit is displayed or the
thumbnail images of all the image files stored in said image file
storage medium are displayed regardless of the automatic
reproduction information of said automatic reproduction file; a
control unit which performs a control operation in such a manner
that said read unit reads from said image file storage medium the
thumbnail image selected by said input unit; an image development
unit which develops the image file read by said read unit; a
storage element into which the image data developed by said image
development unit are written; an OSD generating unit which is
controlled by said control unit to display an arbitrary OSD image;
and an image display unit which reads and displays a list of the
thumbnail images written in said storage element.
7. The image reproduction device according to claim 6, further
comprising an image superposition unit to superpose inputs thereto
from said OSD generating unit and said image development unit and
to output superposed image data to said image display unit.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 10/510,049 filed on Oct. 1, 2004, currently
pending, which was the National Stage of International Application
No. PCT/JP03/04161, filed on Mar. 31, 2003. The disclosure of U.S.
International application Ser. No. 10/510,049 and International
Application No. PCT/JP03/04161 are hereby incorporated by
reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to an image reproduction
device and an image reproduction method in which an image file
storage medium such as a CF card or an SD card having a function of
automatically reproducing a stored image file is inserted into an
image display device such as a projector or a plasma display to
carry out a presentation using the automatic reproduction
function.
[0004] 2. Discussion of the Related Art
[0005] In recent years, use of a digital camera has begun to extend
explosively due to improved image quality and decreased price
coupled with an improved performance of a personal computer and a
color printer. With this as a background, with intention of further
extending ownership of the digital camera, various companies have
proposed various standards for a method of storing related
information such as image pickup conditions of the digital camera
and a method of improving an interface with the color printer. On
the other hand, a home-use projector is coming to be widely used
due to reduced size, weight and price of the body thereof. In the
near future, an image picked up by the digital camera is expected
to be enjoyed by use of a projector even in ordinary home.
[0006] FIG. 1 shows a flowchart for a conventional method of
displaying a thumbnail image in an image reproduction device
meeting reproduction specifications of a conventional automatic
reproduction file.
[0007] First, a user inserts an image file storage medium
containing an image picked up by a digital camera, into an image
reproduction device. An image file storage medium has stored
therein a plurality of image files and an automatic reproduction
file for automatically setting the image files in an automatic
reproduction mode. FIG. 2 shows an example of a file configuration
of the image file storage medium. FIG. 2 shows an image file
configuration based on DPOF specifications disclosed by four
companies including Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. The
file configuration in the image file storage medium is such that a
DCIM folder for storing an ordinary image file and a MISC folder
for storing the control information such as automatic reproduction
file information are arranged under a ROOT directory. The ordinary
image files including ABC0001.JPG, ABC0002.JPG and the like are all
placed in the lowest layer of the DCIM folder. An AUTPRTINT.MRK
file in the MISC folder is an automatic print file, a UNICODE.MRK
file is a unicode character string description file, and an
AUTXFER.MRK is an automatic transmission control file. Also, an
AUTPLAYn.MRK file is an automatic reproduction file. This automatic
reproduction file has stored therein the control information for
controlling automatic reproduction of these image files. This
control information concerns designation and order of the image
file and interval of image transmission time for automatic
reproduction. For example, in a case where 10 image files including
ABC0001.JPG to ABC0010.JPG are arranged in the lowest layer of the
DCIM folder, and three images of ABC0002.JPG, ABC0005.JPG and
ABC0009.JPG are designated as automatic reproduction files, the
image reproduction device automatically displays only the three
image files in that order on a display unit, but does not display
the other seven image files.
[0008] The image display device can display a list of a plurality
of thumbnail images composed of 160.times.120 pixels. FIG. 3 shows
an example configuration of the image file. Generally, the image
file picked up by the digital camera and compressed by JPEG scheme
is formed of an application marker block, the number of pixels,
quantization table and the like (JPEG header) and a compressed data
area of a main image. The application marker block has stored
therein image-related information such as image pickup conditions
and a thumbnail, i.e., the JPEG code with 160.times.120 pixels
compressed, and the JPEG-compressed data of the thumbnail as well
as the number of pixels and the quantization table are also held in
the thumbnail region. Characters SOI designates a start marker and
EOI an end marker.
[0009] Now, in FIG. 1, the image file storage medium is inserted
into the image reproduction device and a reproduction process is
started. First, the presence or absence of the automatic
reproduction file is detected. In the presence of the automatic
reproduction file, the file is read (step S1). It is then checked
whether a thumbnail display is requested or not (step S2), and in
the absence of the request, the image file is sequentially
automatically reproduced in line with contents described in the
automatic reproduction file (steps S3, S4). In a case where the
thumbnail display request is input by interruption from an external
arbitrary input unit, the process proceeds from step S2 to step S5.
The image reproduction device retrieves thumbnail image data of all
the image files in the lowest layer of the DCIM folder from the
image file storage medium, and displays a thumbnail image list on a
display (step S6).
[0010] In a case where the operation described above is performed,
however, all the thumbnail images are displayed as a list
regardless of the information in the automatic reproduction file.
Assuming that a large-sized display device such as a projector or a
PDP on which a plurality of viewers can view one screen at the same
time is used as a display of the image reproduction device, it
becomes no problem at the time of normal automatic reproduction
because image data not desirably displayed to the viewers are not
displayed by internal setting of the automatic reproduction file.
In a case where thumbnail display is carried out with intention of
searching the image files in the image file storage medium,
however, it becomes a problem that the image data not desirably
viewed by the viewers are also displayed.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] An image reproduction device according to the invention is
for displaying an image of an image file storage medium having
stored therein a plurality of image files in an arbitrary format
for storing main image information and thumbnail image information
and an automatic reproduction file containing at least description
of permitting automatic reproduction of the plurality of the image
files or not and the order in which they are reproduced. The image
reproduction device according to this invention thus comprises a
read unit which reads each file information stored in the image
file storage medium, a control unit which performs the control
operation to read the thumbnail image of the image file containing
the description of permitting automatic reproduction, from the
image file storage medium based on the automatic reproduction file
read by the read unit, an image development unit which develops the
image file read by the read unit, a storage element which writes
the image data developed by the image development unit, and an
image display unit which reads the thumbnail image written in the
storage element and which displays it as a list. As a result, even
the thumbnail image can not be displayed in such a manner as not to
display the image data which the owner of the image file storage
data does not desire to display to the third-party viewers.
[0012] The storage element is for holding the dummy image data
corresponding to the thumbnail image. The control unit may
alternatively perform the control operation in such a manner that a
dummy image is read from the storage element in place of the
thumbnail image of the image file which contains the description of
non-automatic reproduction in the automatic reproduction file read
by the read unit. As a result, the image data which the owner of
the image file storage medium does not desire to display to
third-party viewers is prevented from being displayed while at the
same time making it possible to notify the owner of the image file
storage medium that the image file is present which contains the
description of non-automatic reproduction in the automatic
reproduction file.
[0013] As another alternative, the image reproduction device
further comprises an input unit which selectively determines
whether the thumbnail image is displayed as a dummy image or a
thumbnail image. In a case where the input unit selects the
thumbnail image, the control unit reads the thumbnail image from
the image file storage medium, while in a case where the input unit
selects a dummy image, the control unit reads the dummy image from
the storage element. As a result, the owner of the image file
storage medium can selectively determine whether an image that has
been designated as an image data not desirably displayed to
third-party viewers is to be displayed or not in accordance with
the scene involved on the image reproduction device, thereby
contributing to an improved operating convenience.
[0014] The image development unit develops as a normal image the
thumbnail image of the image file which contains the description of
automatic reproduction in the automatic reproduction file read by
the read unit. At the same time, the image development unit may
develop the thumbnail image of the image file which contains the
description of non-automatic reproduction as an image difficult to
recognize. As a result, the image file which contains the
description of non-automatic reproduction can be recognized only by
the owner of the image file medium in displaying the thumbnail
image.
[0015] The storage element holds first and second different dummy
image data corresponding to the thumbnail image. The control unit
performs the control operation in such a manner as to read the
first dummy image from the storage element in place of the
thumbnail image of the image file which contains the description of
non-automatic reproduction in the automatic reproduction file. As
an alternative, in a case where the thumbnail image of the image
file which contains the description of automatic reproduction is
not stored in the automatic reproduction file information, the
second dummy image is read from the storage element. This process
facilitates the judgment whether a given image file is the one
which contains the description of non-automatic reproduction in the
automatic reproduction file or the one which contains the
description of automatic reproduction is contained in the automatic
reproduction file but the thumbnail image is not stored in the
image file.
[0016] The image reproduction device may further comprise an input
unit which selectively determines whether the display of the first
dummy image for the thumbnail image is canceled or not. In a case
where the input unit cancels display of the dummy image, the
control unit performs the control operation in such a manner as to
read the thumbnail image corresponding to the particular image from
the image file. As a result, the designation of non-automatic
reproduction is canceled on the image reproduction device for the
thumbnail display of the image file which contains the description
of non-automatic reproduction in the automatic reproduction file,
so that the thumbnail image data held in the image file can be
displayed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] FIG. 1 is a flowchart showing an operation of a conventional
image reproduction device.
[0018] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of an image file
structure stored in an image file storage medium.
[0019] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the image file
structure.
[0020] FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an
image reproduction device according to a first embodiment of the
invention.
[0021] FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an operation of the image
reproduction device according to the first embodiment of the
invention.
[0022] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a thumbnail image developed in a
storage element 6 of the image reproduction device according to the
first embodiment.
[0023] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of display on the
image reproduction device according to the first embodiment.
[0024] FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an operation of the image
reproduction device according to a modification of the first
embodiment of the invention.
[0025] FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an operation of an image
reproduction device according to a second embodiment of the
invention.
[0026] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of image development
of a storage element 6 of the image reproduction device according
to the second embodiment.
[0027] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of display on the
image reproduction device according to the second embodiment of the
invention.
[0028] FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing an operation of a
modification of the second embodiment of the invention.
[0029] FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an
image reproduction device according to a third embodiment of the
invention.
[0030] FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing an operation of the image
reproduction device according to the third embodiment.
[0031] FIG. 15 is a diagram showing normal display of a thumbnail
image according to the third embodiment.
[0032] FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a thumbnail image deformed
according to a predetermined rule.
[0033] FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing another example of operation
according to the third embodiment.
[0034] FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing still another example of
operation according to the third embodiment.
[0035] FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing an operation of an image
reproduction device according to a fourth embodiment of the
invention.
[0036] FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing an operation of an image
reproduction device according to a fifth embodiment of the
invention.
[0037] FIG. 21 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an
image reproduction device according to a sixth embodiment of the
invention.
[0038] FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing an operation of the image
reproduction device according to the sixth embodiment of the
invention.
[0039] FIG. 23 is a diagram showing an image before protection
cancellation setting according to the sixth embodiment of the
invention.
[0040] FIG. 24 is a diagram showing an image after protection
cancellation setting according to the sixth embodiment of the
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
First Embodiment
[0041] A first embodiment of the invention is explained below with
reference to FIGS. 4 to 8.
[0042] FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an
image reproduction device according to the invention. In FIG. 4, an
image file storage medium 1 is a replaceable medium such as a CF
card or an SD card. The image file storage medium 1 has stored
therein at least an image file 2 picked up by a digital camera or
the like and an automatic reproduction file 3. A read unit 4 is for
reading each of the image file 2 and the automatic reproduction
file 3 in the image file storage medium 1, and an image development
unit 5 is for developing the image file 2. A storage element 6 is
for temporarily holding image data developed by the image
development unit 5, and an image display unit 7 displays the image
data developed by the image development unit 5 on an arbitrary
display. A control unit 8 controls each circuit block, and an input
unit 9 is operated by a user to give an instruction to execute
various menu items of this image reproduction device from outside.
An example of the input unit 9 is a button or a switch unit mounted
on the image reproduction device or an infrared light remote
controller and a USB device such as a USB mouse.
[0043] FIG. 2 shows an example of a file configuration of the image
file storage medium 1. FIG. 2 is an image file configuration based
on DPOF specifications providing a uniform format for outputting an
image picked up by a digital camera. The file configuration in the
image file storage medium is roughly divided into a DCIM folder for
storing an ordinary image file under a ROOT directory and a MISC
folder for storing control information such as automatic
reproduction file information. The ordinary image files including
ABC0001.JPG, ABC0002.JPG and the like are all placed in the lowest
layer of the DCIM folder. Control information for controlling
automatic reproduction of these image files are stored in an
AUTPLAYn.MRK file under the MISC folder. The information such as
designation of the image files automatically reproduced, order in
which they are reproduced and image feed time interval are written
in the AUTPLAYn.MRK file. In a case where 10 image files including
ABC0001.JPG to ABC0010.JPG are located in the lowest layer of the
DCIM folder and three images including ABC0002.JPG, ABC0005.JPG and
ABC0009.JPG are designated as automatic reproduction files, for
example, the image reproduction device automatically displays image
data of only the aforementioned three image files sequentially on a
display, but does not display the image data of the other seven
image files.
[0044] Also, the image reproduction device can display image data
of 160.times.120 pixels normally called a thumbnail as a list. FIG.
3 shows an example of a configuration of the image file 2.
Generally, the image file 2 picked up by a digital camera and
compressed by JPEG scheme has stored therein thumbnail images
together with image-related information such as imaging conditions
in an application marker block in addition to JPEG-compressed data
of a main image. The image reproduction device, in response to a
thumbnail display request, causes the control unit 8 to retrieve a
thumbnail image block in each image file in the lowest layer of the
DCIM folder of the image file storage medium 1 through the read
unit 4, and displays a plurality of thumbnail images on an
arbitrary display from the image display unit 7.
[0045] FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an operation performed in a
case where the image file storage medium 1 stored in the
aforementioned format is inserted into this image reproduction
device and thumbnail image display is requested by an arbitrary
input unit 9. First, in step S11, the control unit 8 controls the
read unit 4 for reading contents of the file stored in the image
file storage medium 1, and reads an automatic reproduction file of
the image file storage medium 1. In step S12, the control unit 8
checks whether a thumbnail display request is received from the
input unit 9 or not. In the absence of the thumbnail display
request, a main image designated in the automatic reproduction file
is retrieved in steps S13, S14 and the main image thereof is
automatically reproduced.
[0046] In the presence of the thumbnail display request, on the
other hand, the process proceeds from steps S12 to S15. In step
S15, the control unit 8 reads contents of the automatic
reproduction file 3, and only the thumbnail image of the image file
described in the automatic reproduction file 3 is read into the
image development unit 5 from the image file storage medium 1. In
the case under consideration, the image development unit 5, under
control of the control unit 8, expands JPEG-compressed image data
according to JPEG scheme for display on the image display unit 7
and develops them in the storage element 6. The control unit 8
reads the image data developed in the storage element 6 from the
image development unit 5, transfers the image data to the image
display unit 7, and displays a list of thumbnails on an arbitrary
display in step S16.
[0047] Assume, for example, that as in the aforementioned case, 20
image files including ABC0001.JPG to ABC0020.JPG are located in the
lowest layer of DCIM and six images including ABC0002.JPG,
ABC0005.JPG, ABC0009.JPG and the like are designated as automatic
reproduction files. The control unit 8 first controls the read unit
4 to read the thumbnail image corresponding to ABC0002.JPG from the
image file storage medium 1 into the image development unit 5.
Next, ABC0005.JPG file is read following a similar procedure, so
that a thumbnail images stored in ABC0005.JPG are developed. FIG. 6
shows contents of the storage element 6 developed in this way. The
images thus developed are displayed on a display as shown in FIG.
7.
[0048] As described above, with the configuration according to this
embodiment, information in the automatic reproduction file 3 are
read from the control unit 8 also at the time of thumbnail image
display, so that only the thumbnail images in the image file which
contains the description of automatic reproduction in the automatic
reproduction file 3 in the image file storage medium 1 are
displayed on the display. As a result, an image file, which
contains the description of non-automatic reproduction in the
automatic reproduction file 3 in line with the desire of an owner
of the image file storage medium 1 not to display the information
to third-party other viewers, can be prevented from being displayed
on the display of the image reproduction device at the time of
thumbnail image display as well as at the time of automatic
reproduction of a main image. This invention is useful especially
in a presentation held using a large-screen display such as a
projector which a multiplicity of unspecified viewers can view at
the same time.
[0049] Next, a modification of this embodiment is explained. a
presentation using a projector may be carried out in a meeting
about a project. In such a case, all participants in the meeting
may discuss the information including the contents of the image
data of the image file which contains the description of
non-automatic reproduction in the automatic reproduction file 3. In
such a case, it is bothersome to alter the contents of the
automatic reproduction file 3 in the image file storage medium 1
each time. Also, if a job of restoring the original state is
forgotten after alteration, it becomes a problem that the image
data of the image file which contains the description of
non-automatic reproduction is also undesirably displayed on the
display at the time of reproduction of the image file storage
medium in other equipment compatible with the automatic
reproduction function.
[0050] The flowchart of FIG. 8 is intended to obviate this
disadvantage. Steps S21 to S24 coincide with steps S11 to S14 of
the first embodiment. In response to a thumbnail display request,
step S25 checks whether the display request covers all the images.
In the absence of the request, only the thumbnail designated in the
automatic reproduction file is retrieved as in the aforementioned
case in step S26. In the presence of a display request for all the
images, on the other hand, a menu screen as to whether the
thumbnail images of all the image files are displayed or not is
displayed in step S27 so that the confirmation whether the
thumbnail images of all the image files are displayed or not is
allowed to be input by way of the input unit 9. Once this is
confirmed, the thumbnails in all the image files are retrieved in
step S28. Then, the process proceeds to step 29 to display a
thumbnail list. With this operation, the user of the image
reproduction device can selectively determine whether the thumbnail
images are displayed in accordance with the contents described in
the automatic reproduction file 3 in the image file storage medium
1 or the thumbnail images of all the image files in the image file
storage medium are displayed. Also, when displaying the thumbnail
images of all the image files contained in the image file storage
medium 1, the image data of the image file, of which the
description by the owner of the image file storage medium to the
effect that the display unit also displays the automatic
reproduction file 3 which contains the description of non-automatic
reproduction. As shown in step S27 of this embodiment, therefore,
the confirmation is preferably requested. In this way, security can
be strengthened to the benefit of the owner of the image file
storage medium 1.
Second Embodiment
[0051] Next, a second embodiment of the invention is explained with
reference to FIGS. 9 to 11.
[0052] In the configuration of the first embodiment, assume that
the thumbnail image is displayed on the basis of the information
described in the automatic reproduction file 3 stored in the image
file storage medium 1. Even the presence or absence of the
thumbnail image of the image file which contains the description of
automatic reproduction in the automatic reproduction file 3, as
shown in FIG. 7, is not known to the viewers. In this case, the
intention not to display the image data of the image file which it
is not desired to disclose to the third-party viewers is achieved.
Nevertheless, what kind of other image files exist in the image
file storage medium 1 becomes also unknown to the user of the image
reproduction device. This inconvenience could be avoided if a list
of all the image files stored in the image file storage medium 1 is
memorized by the user of the image reproduction device. With the
recent marked increase in storage capacity of the image file
storage medium 1, however, the number of image files that can be
stored in the image file storage medium 1 has increased to several
hundreds or more, and the user may be unable to memorize the
contents of the image data of all the image files.
[0053] In view of this, according to this embodiment, the
information in the automatic reproduction file 3 stored in the
image file storage medium 1 are read, whether automatic
reproduction is permitted or not is judged for each set of a
plurality of image files, and the thumbnail image of the image
files which contains the description of permitting automatic
reproduction is displayed as a dummy thumbnail.
[0054] The configuration of the image reproduction device according
to this embodiment is the same as that shown in FIG. 2 and
therefore will not be shown. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a
reproduction method for an image reproduction device according to
this embodiment. FIG. 11 shows an example of display of a thumbnail
image according to this embodiment.
[0055] Next, an operation is explained with reference to a
flowchart.
[0056] In a case where the image file storage medium 1 is inserted
into this image reproduction device and a thumbnail image display
request is issued from the input unit 9, the control unit 8
controls the read unit 4 to read file contents of the image file
storage medium 1 thereby to read the file of the image file storage
medium 1. Steps S31 to S34 are the same as steps S11 to S14 of the
first embodiment. Assume that a thumbnail display request is
issued. In a case where the image file storage medium 1 contains
the automatic reproduction file 3 in step S32, the control unit 8
reads the contents of the automatic reproduction file 3, thereby
judging whether the thumbnail is protected or not, i.e., whether
the thumbnail is intended for automatic reproduction or not. In a
case where the thumbnail is not intended for automatic
reproduction, the process proceeds to step S36, and the dummy
thumbnail image data such as all-zero data (i.e., solid black) are
written in the area of the storage element 6 which originally
should store the thumbnail image data of the ABC0001 file, through
the image development unit 5 as shown in FIG. 10.
[0057] According to this embodiment, the dummy thumbnail image data
are written in the storage element 6 through the image development
unit 5. It is possible, however, to write the dummy thumbnail image
data from the control unit 8 directly into the storage element 6.
Also, according to this embodiment, all-zero data (solid black) are
written in the storage element 6. Nevertheless, an arbitrary image
data other than the solid black, such as a logo of a maker, may be
held in the storage element 6 and written in the thumbnail area of
the storage element 6 with equal effect. With this operation, the
display quality can be improved. In a case where the thumbnail is
not protected, i.e., in a case where the thumbnail is intended for
automatic reproduction, on the other hand, the image of the
thumbnail is read and developed in step S37. A list of thumbnails
is displayed in step S38 thereby to judge whether all the images
have been completely processed or not. In a case where all the
images have not been completely processed, the process returns to
step S35 and a similar process is repeated.
[0058] Assume, for example, that 20 image files ABC0001.JPG to
ABC0020.JPG are located in the lowest layer of DCIM and six images
including ABC0002.JPG, ABC0005.JPG, ABC0009.JPG, ABC0012.JPG,
ABC0013.JPG and ABC0019.JPG are designated as automatic
reproduction files. In step S35, the control unit 8 judges that
ABC0001.JPG is not included in the automatic reproduction files,
based on the information described in the automatic reproduction
files 3. Thus, the corresponding thumbnail area is blackened as
shown in FIGS. 10 and 11.
[0059] Next, the thumbnail of the image file ABC0002.JPG is
displayed. The automatic reproduction file contains the description
of the automatic reproduction of the ABC0002 file. In step S37, the
control unit 8 performs the control operation in such a manner as
to read the thumbnail image of the image file ABC0002 into the
image development unit 5 from the image file storage medium 1. In
this case, the image development unit 5, under the control of the
control unit 8, extends a JPEG-compressed image file to a size
capable of being displayed as an image on the image display unit 7
and develops it in the storage element 6. The image data developed
in the storage element 6 is read from the image development unit 5,
transferred to the image display unit 7 and displayed on the
display unit of the image reproduction device. Subsequently, the
image display process is executed in similar steps for ABC0003,
ABC0004 and so forth, in that order. In this way, the process
returns from step S39 to step S35 to execute a similar process
until all the thumbnail images are processed completely. With this
operation, the thumbnail image list shown in FIG. 11 can be
displayed on the display unit.
[0060] As a result, the user of this image reproduction device can
display a list of all the image files stored in the image file
storage medium 1 using the thumbnail image display function of this
image reproduction device. In the process, the thumbnail image of
the image file which the owner of the storage medium 1 (normally,
the same as the user of this image reproduction device) does not
want to display to the third-party viewers is displayed in the
solid black or like dummy thumbnail image, results in protection.
In many cases, the user displays thumbnail images for the purpose
of searching the image file in the storage medium 1. In a case
where the thumbnail images of the image file, which contains the
description of non-automatic reproduction in the automatic
reproduction file 3 of the image file storage medium 1, are unified
by an arbitrary image data as in this embodiment, therefore, a file
name attached to each image file is required to be designed to
facilitate judgment on a part of the user of this image
reproduction device as to which image file corresponds to what
image data. As a result, the user of this image reproduction device
can easily judge from the image file name what kind of image file
is stored in the image file storage medium, and therefore the main
image of the corresponding image file can be displayed.
[0061] Next, a modification of this embodiment is explained. The
user may desire to display a thumbnail image, irrespective of the
description of non-automatic reproduction in the automatic
reproduction file 3 stored in the image file storage medium 1. An
operation for such a case is explained with reference to a
flowchart of FIG. 12. Operations of steps S31 to S39 are similar to
those described above. According to this embodiment, step S32
checks whether a request to display all the images is issued or not
after the thumbnail display request (step S40). In the absence of a
request to display all the images, an operation similar to the
above-mentioned case is performed. In the presence of a request to
display all the images, on the other hand, the process proceeds to
step S41 to retrieve the thumbnail images of all the image files
from the image file storage medium 1. Then, step S42 displays a
thumbnail list. At the same time, as shown in step S27 of FIG. 8,
assuming that a request to display the thumbnail image is inputted
through the input unit 9 to this image reproduction device, this
image reproduction device may display a menu screen to check
whether the thumbnail images of all the image files are to be
displayed or not, and confirmation is input from the input unit 9.
With this operation, the user of the image reproduction device can
selectively determine whether the thumbnail images are displayed in
accordance with the contents described in the automatic
reproduction file 3 or the all thumbnail images of all the image
files in the image file storage medium are displayed.
[0062] As described above, with the configuration according to this
invention, also at the time of displaying the thumbnail image, the
image data which the owner of the image file storage medium 1 does
not want to be displayed to the third-party viewers can be
prevented from being displayed, by reading the information of the
automatic reproduction file 3 by way of the control unit 8. Also,
by using a dummy image data in place of the thumbnail image of the
image file which contains the description of non-automatic
reproduction in the automatic reproduction file 3, the user of this
image reproduction device can search the desired image file using
the thumbnail display function.
Third Embodiment
[0063] Next, a third embodiment of the invention is explained with
reference to FIGS. 13 to 18.
[0064] In the configuration according to the second embodiment, the
thumbnail images of all the image files with the description of
non-automatic reproduction in the automatic reproduction file 3 are
displayed on the display unit uniformly as a solid-black or an
arbitrary image data. Therefore, the user of this image
reproduction device encounters a problem that it is hard to remind
which image file contains what image data. In a case of an image
file picked up by a digital camera, the camera often automatically
gives image file names simply in chronological order of an image
pickup operation. For the purpose of easy recognition of contents
of image data of a particular image file, therefore, the file name
of the image file is required to set in advance so that the user of
this image reproduction device can intuitively understand the
contents of the image data. Depending on a manner in which a name
is attached to the image file, however, a third party may speculate
about the contents of the thumbnail image displayed in solid black
or arbitrary image data.
[0065] In view of this, this embodiment enables to display the
thumbnail image of the image file with the description of
non-automatic reproduction in the automatic reproduction file 3 on
the display unit of the image reproduction device in such a manner
as not to be easily recognized by the third party.
[0066] FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing a configuration according
to this embodiment, in which the same component parts as in FIG. 4
are designated by the same reference numerals, respectively, and
not described in detail. This embodiment has a feature in an image
development unit 5A. In the image development unit 5A shown in FIG.
13, a file extension unit 10 is for extending an arbitrary image
file 2 stored in the image file storage medium 1. A storage element
drive unit 11 reads and writes image data from and into the storage
element 6. A data output unit 12 is for outputting the image data
written in the storage element 6 to the image display unit 7. A
write address generating unit 13 is for generating a write address
required for the storage element drive unit 11 to write the image
data in the storage element 6. A read address generating unit 14,
on the other hand, is for generating a read address required for
the storage element drive unit 11 to read the image data stored in
the storage element 6. The configuration of the other component
parts is the same as the corresponding configuration in the
embodiments described above.
[0067] Next, an operation is explained with reference to the
flowchart of FIG. 14. First, upon insertion of the image file
storage medium 1 into this image reproduction device, the control
unit 8 controls the read unit 4 for reading the contents of the
files of the image file storage medium 1 thereby to read the file
contents of the image file storage medium 1. In the presence of the
automatic reproduction file 3 in the image file storage medium 1,
the control unit 8 reads the contents of the automatic reproduction
file 3 (step S51). Then, the control unit 8 checks whether the
thumbnail image display is requested or not (step S52). In a case
where no thumbnail is requested, the process proceeds to steps S53,
S54, so that the main image designated by the automatic
reproduction file is retrieved and displayed by automatic
reproduction.
[0068] In a case where the user requests to display a thumbnail, on
the other hand, the process proceeds to step S55 in which the
thumbnail images are retrieved in a predetermined order. Step S56
judges whether the main image is to be automatically reproduced by
the automatic reproduction file, i.e., whether the main image is
protected or not. In a case where the automatic reproduction is not
involved, the process proceeds to step S57, in which the write
addresses for the storage element are sequentially controlled. In a
case where the main image is protected, the process proceeds to
step S58 in which the write addresses for the storage element are
controlled according to a predetermined rule in a discontinuous
way. Next, the process proceeds to step S59 for sequentially
controlling the read addresses. In this way, the storage element 6
holds the thumbnail images. Then, the process proceeds to step S60
to display a thumbnail list. In a case where all the images are not
completely displayed, the process returns to step S55, while all
the images are displayed, the process is terminated (step S61).
[0069] Assume, for example, that 10 image files ABC0001.JPG to
ABC0010.JPG are located in the lowest layer of DCIM and three
images including ABC0002.JPG, ABC0005.JPG and ABC0009.JPG are
designated as an automatic reproduction file 3. The control unit 8
first controls the read unit 4 to read the thumbnail image of
ABC0001.JPG from the image file storage medium 1 to the file
extension unit 10 of the image development unit 5. In this case,
the file extension unit 10 extends a JPEG-compressed image file as
an image data and outputs it to the storage element drive unit 11.
On the other hand, the write address generating unit 13 controls
generating operation according to a predetermined rule based on the
condition that the file ABC0001 is an image file of which automatic
reproduction is not permitted, i.e., the file ABC0001 is protected
according to the information of the automatic reproduction file 3
from the control unit 8. Specifically, the write addresses "0000,
0001, 0002, 0003, . . . ", which are normally generated in that
order for the write operation into the storage element 6, are
changed in order. The read address generating unit 14, on the other
hand, sequentially generates the reading addresses for the image
data stored in the storage element 6 and sequentially reads the
image data stored in the storage element 6. In the case under
consideration, unless the image data is much different from an
original image, the third party can easily imagine the original
image. By changing the image data for each plurality of lines or
image blocks, therefore, contents of the image data are prevented
from being easily recognized by the third party. For example, the
thumbnail image is segmented for each 20 lines. Normally, the
thumbnail image is configured of 160 pixels by 120 lines, and
therefore can be segmented into 6 (=120/20) blocks. The image data
segmented into six blocks in this way are arranged in an arbitrary
order. As a result, the thumbnail image is segmented into six parts
in horizontal direction and arranged in random order for display.
In the case of a thumbnail of an human image as shown in FIG. 15,
for example, six blocks of each 20 lines are changed in order.
Then, the image shown in FIG. 16 is obtained. In this way, a
thumbnail list is displayed.
[0070] The foregoing explanation of the operation refers to the
case where the thumbnail image is segmented by line to facilitate
the address management of the storage element 6. Nevertheless, a
similar effect can of course be secured by segmenting the image
data by pixel in a vertical direction. As another alternative, the
thumbnail image can be segmented both vertically and horizontally
and combined with equal effect.
[0071] The greater the number of divisions into which the thumbnail
image is segmented, the advantage is greater that the contents of
the original image is hard to understand to the third party. An
excessively greater number of divisions of the thumbnail image,
however, leads to the disadvantage that it becomes difficult even
for the user of the image reproduction device to understand the
contents of the image data. In view of this, the image reproduction
device may be so constructed that the user thereof can select the
number of divisions of the thumbnail images by way of the input
unit 9. With this operation, the thumbnail image more suitable to
the operating conditions of the image reproduction device can be
displayed. As an example, an infrared light remote controller is
used as the input unit 9, so that the control data issued from the
infrared light remote controller is received by the control unit 8
and a menu screen is displayed with an arbitrary OSD on the display
unit of the image reproduction device. The user of the image
reproduction device can thus set the number of divisions of the
thumbnail image by selecting each item of the OSD menu with the
infrared light mouse.
[0072] In the aforementioned case, the write addresses to the
storage element 6 are generated in the order under a predetermined
rule to deform the thumbnail image. As an alternative, the write
addresses may be sequentially generated from the write address
generating unit 13 and the image data written in the storage
element 6, while the read addresses for the storage element 6 which
are generated from the read address generating unit 14 may be
controlled in accordance with a predetermined rule.
[0073] The operation in this case is shown in the flowchart of FIG.
17. After retrieving the thumbnail image in step S55, the process
proceeds to step S62 where the write addresses are sequentially
controlled and written in the storage element 6. Then, depending on
whether the data are protected or not, the operation is switched to
generate the read addresses according to a predetermined rule or to
sequentially control the read addresses (steps S63, S64). Also in
this case, the data of the storage element read by the read
addresses are displayed in a thumbnail list (step S60) thereby to
judge whether all the images have been processed or not, followed
by repeating the process.
[0074] As another alternative, in a case where the data is not
protected as shown in FIG. 18, the write addresses and the read
addresses are generated at the same time sequentially (steps S65,
S66), while in a case where the data is protected, the operation is
switched according to a predetermined rule. Specifically, both the
write addresses generated from the write address generating unit 13
and the read addresses generated from the read address generating
unit 14 may be changed according to a predetermined rule (steps
S67, S68) with similar effect. In this case, however, if a method
of generating the read addresses and a method of generating the
write addresses are exactly identical to each other, the normal
image display would result. Therefore, different rules are required
to be employed between the two addressing generating methods.
[0075] As a rewrite operation according to a predetermined rule,
the image may be shaded with a low-pass filter or changed to a
mosaic image. Further, a part of the image may be cut out and
displayed in enlarged form, or the most significant bits and the
least significant bits may be replaced with each other. In the case
of 8-bit image data R0 to R7, for example, R0 (LBS) is replaced
with R7 (MBS) or R1 with R6 and R2 with R5. In this way, the image
data are changed according to a predetermined rule into a form
which is apparently hard to recognize but a writer of the image
data can grasp the contents thereof.
[0076] As described above, with the configuration according to this
invention, even at the time of displaying the thumbnail image, the
image data which the owner of the image file storage medium 1 does
not want to display to the other viewers can be easily prevented
from being displayed by reading the information of the automatic
reproduction file 3 from the control unit 8. Also at the time of
displaying the thumbnail, the thumbnail image of the image file
with the description of non-automatic reproduction in the automatic
reproduction file 3 cannot be recognized apparently by other than
the user of the image reproduction device, but can be identified
only by the user of the image reproduction device. Even when using
a large-screen display such as a projector operated before a
multiplicity of unspecified persons, therefore, the user of the
image reproduction device can search the image file while
protecting the image data of the image file of which disclosure to
the third party is not desired, using a list function of the
thumbnail image.
Fourth Embodiment
[0077] Next, a fourth embodiment of the invention is explained with
reference to FIG. 19.
[0078] As shown in FIG. 3, when picked up with an ordinary digital
camera, both the main image and the thumbnail image are stored in
the same image file. Some image file production software used for a
personal computer, however, is not intended to produce a thumbnail
image in addition to the main image. In a case where the image file
storage medium including this kind of image file is used, the
thumbnail image, if any, in the image file with the description of
automatic reproduction in the automatic reproduction file 3 in the
image file storage medium 1 can be displayed without any problem in
the configuration of the second and third embodiments. However, the
thumbnail image, if not included in the image file, cannot be
displayed. In a case where the solid-black image data is displayed
in the area where the thumbnail is to be displayed, therefore, it
is a problem that even the user cannot make distinction from the
image file with the description of non-automatic reproduction in
the automatic reproduction file 3.
[0079] In the absence of a thumbnail image, the main image may be
displayed by being resized to a standard pixel size of
160.times.120 pixels of the thumbnail image. With this operation,
the thumbnail image can be displayed. Nevertheless, a long time of
about 30 seconds may be required from the time of resizing to the
time of displaying the image. As a result, the user of the image
reproduction device is liable to misunderstand that the system has
gone out of order or hung up. Also, in a case where the
large-screen video display device such as a projector intended for
presentation is used as a display for this image reproduction
device, the display of the thumbnail image, if carried out by the
method described above, would pose the problem that many viewers
have to wait about several tens of seconds during the display
operation.
[0080] This problem is solved in this embodiment by judging whether
the thumbnail image of the image file is present or not, and upon
receipt of a request to display a thumbnail of the image file
lacking the thumbnail image, the image file with the description of
non-automatic reproduction in the automatic reproduction file 3 is
displayed by a different display method.
[0081] a configuration of the image reproduction device according
to this embodiment is identical to the configuration shown in FIG.
2, and therefore is not explained any more. The operation is
explained with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 19.
[0082] First, upon insertion of the image file storage medium 1
into the image reproduction device, the control unit 8 controls the
read unit 4 to read contents of the file of the image file storage
medium 1 thereby to read the contents of the file of the image file
storage medium 1. In a case where the image file storage medium 1
includes an automatic reproduction file 3, the control unit 8 reads
the contents of the automatic reproduction file 3 (step S71). Then,
the control unit 8 checks whether thumbnail image display is
requested or not (step S72). In the absence of the thumbnail
request, the process proceeds to steps S73, and S74 in which the
main image designated in the automatic reproduction file is
retrieved and is displayed by automatic reproduction.
[0083] In the presence of the thumbnail display request, on the
other hand, the process proceeds to step S75 to retrieve the
thumbnail images in a predetermined order. Step S75 judges whether
the main image is set for automatic reproduction in the automatic
reproduction file or not, i.e., whether the data is protected or
not. In a case where the data is protected, the first dummy, e.g.,
the solid black is displayed in all the thumbnail areas in step
S76. Then the process proceeds to step S77 to display a thumbnail
list and judge whether all the screens have been completely
processed or not (step S81). Unless all the screens are completely
processed, the process returns to step S75 to repeat a same process
until all the thumbnails are completely processed. Unless the data
is protected in step S75, the process proceeds to step S78 to judge
whether a thumbnail image is present or not. In the presence of a
thumbnail image, the particular thumbnail image is retrieved in
step S79. In the absence of a thumbnail image in step S78, on the
other hand, a second dummy is displayed. The second dummy image is
different from the dummy image used in step S76, and may be a
predetermined logo, for example. These data are held in the storage
element 6.
[0084] Assume, for example, that 10 image files ABC0001.JPG to
ABC0010.JPG are located in the lowest layer of DCIM and three
images ABC0002.JPG, ABC0005.JPG and ABC0009.JPG are designated as
automatic reproduction files 3 and the thumbnail image is not
stored in the ABC0005 file. In this case, the control unit 8, based
on the information described in the automatic reproduction file 3,
is informed that ABC0001.JPG is not contained in the automatic
reproduction files. Thus, as shown in FIG. 10, the first dummy
image such as all-zero data (i.e., solid black) is written in the
area of the storage element 6 where the thumbnail image data of the
ABC0001 file should otherwise be stored, through the image
development unit 5.
[0085] Next, the thumbnail image of ABC0002.JPG is displayed. The
control unit 8, informed through the read unit 4 that the ABC0002
file is stored in the automatic reproduction files, controls the
read unit in such a manner as to detect the particular thumbnail
image from the image file ABC0002 and read it from the image file
storage medium 1 to the image development unit 5. The image
development unit 5, under the control of the control unit 8,
extends a JPEG-compressed image file to such a degree that it can
be displayed on the image display unit 7 and develops it in the
storage element 6. The image data developed in the storage element
6 is read from the image development unit 5, transferred to the
image display unit 7 controlled by the control unit 8, and
displayed on an arbitrary display unit. The automatic reproduction
is not permitted for the files ABC0003 and ABC0004 from the
contents described in the automatic reproduction file 3, and
therefore the image display process is executed following the same
procedure as the aforementioned ABC0001 file.
[0086] Next, the image file ABC0005 is displayed. Since the
automatic reproduction of the file ABC0005 is permitted, the
control unit 8 detects the thumbnail image from the image file
ABC0005 and tries to perform the control operation to read the
thumbnail file from the image file storage medium 1 to the image
development unit 5. Since no thumbnail image is stored, however, as
shown in FIG. 19, for example, user logo image data making up the
second dummy image is written in an area of the storage element 6
where the thumbnail image of the ABC0005 file should otherwise be
stored, through the image development unit 5. In the process, the
presence or absence of the thumbnail image can be easily judged by
retrieving a JPEG header of the thumbnail block.
[0087] With regard to the image file with the description of
non-automatic reproduction in the automatic reproduction file 3,
the thumbnail image is not necessary to display. Regardless of
presence or absence of the thumbnail image, therefore, the device
displays the first dummy image such as solid black. As a result,
the user of the image reproduction device can easily distinguish
between the thumbnail image of the image file which contains the
description of non-automatic reproduction in the automatic
reproduction file 3 and which is displayed in solid black on the
one hand and the image file which contains the description of
automatic reproduction in the automatic reproduction file 3 is
displayed with the user logo on the other hand.
[0088] As described above, with the configuration according to this
embodiment, the thumbnail image of the image file which contains
the description of non-automatic reproduction in the automatic
reproduction file 3 in the image file storage medium 1 is displayed
as a first dummy image, while in the absence of the thumbnail image
in spite of the description of automatic reproduction, a second
dummy image is displayed. In this way, the user of the image
reproduction device can retrieve a desired image file using a
thumbnail display function.
Fifth Embodiment
[0089] Next, a fifth embodiment of the invention is explained with
reference to FIG. 20.
[0090] The configuration of the fourth embodiment poses the problem
that even upon receipt of a thumbnail display request for the image
file storing no thumbnail image, the thumbnail image display of the
image file which contains the description of non-automatic
reproduction in the automatic reproduction file 3 can be easily
distinguished, but since the thumbnail image is not stored, the
thumbnail cannot be displayed in spite of the image file which
contains the description of automatic reproduction in the automatic
reproduction file 3.
[0091] In view of this, this embodiment, after the thumbnail image
list displays, reads the main image of the image file not storing
the thumbnail image, and resizes this main image to a size of the
thumbnail image for display. Then, at the time of displaying the
thumbnail list, the device replaces the second dummy image on
display with the particular thumbnail image thereby to solve the
aforementioned problem. FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing the
operation of the image reproduction device according to this
embodiment. Incidentally, the same component parts as in the
aforementioned embodiments are designated by the same reference
numerals, respectively, and not described again.
[0092] First, operations of steps S71 to S82 after insertion of the
image file storage medium 1 into the image reproduction device are
same as the corresponding operations in the fourth embodiment and
therefore are not described in detail. Upon complete display of all
the images, the process proceeds to step S82 to display a second
dummy image, in which case the device reads the main image of the
image displayed in logo from the image file storage medium 1. Then,
the process proceeds to step S83 to compress this image to the size
of the thumbnail image and replaced with the logo image (step S83).
This process is executed sequentially for each logo display
image.
[0093] Like in the fourth embodiment, assume, for example, that 10
images files ABC0001.JPG to ABC0010.JPG are located in the lowest
layer of DCIM and three images ABC0002.JPG, ABC0005.JPG and
ABC0009.JPG are designated as an automatic reproduction file 3 and
that the thumbnail image is not stored in the ABC0005 file. In this
case, operations of steps S71 to S81 are the same as the operations
described above. Specifically, the control unit 8 is informed,
based on the information described in the automatic reproduction
file 3, that the file ABC0001.JPG is not included in the automatic
reproduction file. Thus, the all-zero (i.e., solid black) data is
written in the area of the storage element 6 where the thumbnail
image data of the ABC0001 file should otherwise be stored, through
the image development unit 5 as shown in FIG. 10. Next, the image
file ABC0002.JPG is displayed. The control unit 8, which is
informed that the ABC0002 file is included in the automatic
reproduction files, controls the read unit 4 in such a manner as to
search the image file ABC0002 for the corresponding thumbnail image
and read the thumbnail image from the image file storage medium 1
to the image development unit 5. The image development unit 5,
under the control of the control unit 8, extends a JPEG-compressed
image file to such a degree as to be displayed on the image display
unit 7 and develops it in the storage element 6. The image data
developed in the storage element 6 is read from the image
development unit 5, transferred to the image display unit 7
controlled by the control unit 8 and displayed on an arbitrary
display unit. Subsequently, with regard to the ABC0003 and ABC0004
files, which contains the description of non-automatic reproduction
in the automatic reproduction file 3, the image display process is
executed following a similar procedure to the ABC0001 file
described above. Next, an image file of ABC0005.JPG is displayed.
Since the control unit 8 is informed through the read unit 4 that
the automatic reproduction files include the ABC0005 file, the user
logo image data is written in an area of the storage element 6
where the thumbnail image data of the ABC0005 file should otherwise
be stored, through the image development unit 5. In this way, a
list of all the thumbnails is displayed temporarily.
[0094] Next, in step S82, the control unit 8, for lack of the
thumbnail image, reads the main image data of the ABC0005 file
constituting the thumbnail image displayed as a user logo through
the read unit 4, and resizes the image data to a thumbnail image.
The main image thus resized is replaced with the thumbnail image
currently displayed as a user logo. As a result, the thumbnail
image with the description of automatic reproduction in the
automatic reproduction file of the image file storing the thumbnail
image can be displayed. In this case, since the main image is read
from the image file and resized to the thumbnail image, the time of
resizing the image data cannot be shortened. The use of the
configuration according to this embodiment, however, in which all
the thumbnail images are displayed by some method regardless of the
presence or absence of the thumbnail image, produces the effect of
preventing the viewers from misunderstanding that the thumbnail
display operation of the image reproduction device is
suspended.
[0095] Normally, the number of image files displayed in the
thumbnail image list is about several to 20, depending on
resolution of a display unit used with the image reproduction
device. With the ever increasing capacity of the image file storage
medium, however, it is not a rare case that several tens to several
hundreds of image files are stored in each image file storage
medium. In such a case, all the thumbnail images of the image files
cannot be displayed on one screen, and therefore 16 image files,
for example, are displayed each time on the image reproduction
device. In the process, assume that a thumbnail for the image file
not storing the thumbnail image is displayed by resizing from the
main image, the operation of switching the image from the first
thumbnail image list (ABC0001 to ABC0016) to the second thumbnail
image list (ABC0017 to ABC0032) is accompanied by the job to obtain
the thumbnail image from the main image of the image file having no
thumbnail image. As a result, it becomes a problem that a
considerable length of time is required before the second thumbnail
image list is displayed. Normally, the thumbnail image list is
displayed for the purpose of searching the image files stored in
the image file storage medium 1, and therefore demand is high for
quickening the switching of the thumbnail image lists. When a
request to switch the first thumbnail image list to the second
thumbnail image list is input to the control unit 8 from the input
unit 9, therefore, the process under execution by the image
development unit 5 to resize the main image is suspended, and the
first image file (the ABC0017 file in the aforementioned case) of
the second thumbnail image is preferably displayed. With this
operation, the thumbnail image list can be quickly switched.
[0096] As described above, with the configuration according to the
invention, the image file, which contains the description of
automatic reproduction in the automatic reproduction file 3 in the
image file storage medium 1 but which has no thumbnail image data
stored therein, is displayed first as a second dummy image. Next,
after displaying the entire thumbnail image list, the second dummy
image is resized from the main image and displayed so that all the
thumbnails of the image files which contains the description of
automatic reproduction in the automatic reproduction file 3 can be
finally displayed.
Sixth Embodiment
[0097] Next, a sixth embodiment of the invention is explained with
reference to FIGS. 21 to 23.
[0098] In the configuration of the second to fifth embodiments, the
thumbnail image of the image file which contains the description of
non-automatic reproduction in the automatic reproduction file 3 is
displayed on the display unit as the first dummy image. As a
result, even in the image reproduction device using a display unit
such as a projector capable of displaying a image on a large
screen, the user of the image reproduction device can withhold from
displaying the image data not desired to be displayed to a
multiplicity of unspecified third parties. In the configuration
described above, however, the user may sometimes desire to display
an image currently displayed as a dummy image for some reason or
other by displaying a thumbnail image list. In such a case,
according to the second to fifth embodiments, can confirm the image
reproduction device the presence or absence of the desired image
file in the image file storage medium 1, and further the name of
the particular image file, and display as a main image. The
thumbnail image of the particular image file, however, cannot be
displayed in situ. A method which enables to display the thumbnail
image is to update the automatic reproduction file 3. In this case,
unless the user recognizes the update history of the image file
storage medium 1, it becomes a problem that in a case where the
thumbnail image is displayed on another occasion using the image
file storage medium 1 updated in the preceding session, the
thumbnail image, like the other image files which contains the
description of automatic reproduction in the automatic reproduction
file, is undesirably displayed to the third-party viewers of the
image reproduction device.
[0099] This embodiment can solve the problem if the dummy thumbnail
images of the image, which contains the description of
non-automatic reproduction in the automatic reproduction file 3,
can be individually changed to the thumbnail images.
[0100] FIG. 21 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the
image reproduction device according to this embodiment. In this
embodiment, the same component parts as the corresponding ones in
the aforementioned embodiments are designated by the same reference
numerals, respectively, and not explained again. In FIG. 21, an OSD
generating unit 21 is controlled by the control unit 8 to display
an arbitrary OSD image on the image reproduction device. An image
superposition unit 22 is to superpose the inputs thereto from the
OSD generating unit 21 and the image development unit 5 and to
output the superposed image data to the image display unit 7. The
operation of the image reproduction device according to this
embodiment is explained below with reference to a flowchart.
[0101] First, as shown in the second embodiment, in the presence of
a thumbnail image display request based on the contents described
in the automatic reproduction file 3, the device displays a
thumbnail image list as shown in FIG. 23 on the display unit.
Assume that a request is received from the input unit 9 to change
to an ordinary thumbnail image the thumbnail image of the
solid-black image file which contains the description of
non-automatic reproduction in the automatic reproduction file 3.
The control unit 8 controls the OSD generating unit 21 to generate
an image select cursor K as shown in FIG. 23, so that the image
superposition unit 22 superposes the image select cursor on the
original thumbnail image list (step S91). The image select cursor,
based on the input information from the input unit 9, is moved by
the units of the thumbnail image in four directions, i.e., upward,
downward, leftward and rightward (step S92). In a case where the
thumbnail display of the image file ABC0004 is changed from solid
black to the normal thumbnail image, as shown in FIG. 23, for
example, the first step is to move the image select cursor to the
area of the thumbnail image (solid black display in this case) of
ABC0004 and judge whether a protection cancellation request is
issued or not from the input unit 9 (step S93).
[0102] In a case where the thumbnail image of the image file which
the user of the image file storage medium 1 does not want to
display to a third party is displayed in solid black as in this
embodiment, a higher degree of security may be required. When the
control unit 8 receives a determination command, therefore, a
repeated confirmation is desirably made. In this way, the control
unit 8 receives from the input unit 9 the request to change the
display of the thumbnail image of the ABC0004 displayed in solid
black to the normal thumbnail image display (step S93). Then, the
process proceeds to step S94 and the control unit 8 transfers the
thumbnail image data of ABC0004 to the image development unit 5
from the image files in the image file storage medium 1 through the
read unit 4. The image development unit 5, in a desired format,
overwrites the thumbnail image data on the area of the storage unit
6 where the thumbnail image data of ABC0004 is written. After that,
the image data written in the storage element 6 is transferred to
the image display unit 7 through the image superposition unit 22.
With this operation, the thumbnail image of ABC0004 as shown in
FIG. 24 replaced with a normal image is displayed on the display
unit. The image superposition unit 22 is normally configured of a
multiplier. In this case, the data input from the image development
unit 5 is multiplied by 1 and the data input from the OSD
generating unit 21 is multiplied by 0. In this way, the image data
output from the image development unit 5 can be displayed through
without superposition of the OSD image thereon.
[0103] With the configuration according to this embodiment, the
thumbnail image of the image file protected by solid black or an
arbitrary image display on this image reproduction device can be
replaced with a normal thumbnail image without updating the
automatic reproduction file 3 in the image file storage medium
1.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
[0104] As described above, with the image reproduction device and
method according to the invention, the thumbnail image of other
than the image file which contains the description of automatic
reproduction in the automatic reproduction file in the image file
storage medium can be totally prevented from being displayed at the
time of thumbnail image display, by reading the contents of the
description of the automatic reproduction file in the image file
storage medium.
[0105] Also, the information of the automatic reproduction file
stored in the image file storage medium is read and the thumbnail
image of the image file which contains the description of
non-automatic reproduction in the automatic reproduction file is
displayed as a dummy image, so that the presence of the image file
can be recognized and the desired image file can be detected from
all the image files in the image file storage medium.
[0106] Also, at the time of displaying the thumbnail of the image
file which contains the description of non-automatic reproduction
in the automatic reproduction file 3, the thumbnail image is not
displayed as it is, but by changing to an image apparently
unrecognizable by a third party. In this way, the desired image
file can be retrieved.
[0107] Further, the presence or absence of the thumbnail image of
the image file is judged, and with regard to the image file lacking
the thumbnail image, the second dummy image is used as a thumbnail
image. In this way, the user of the image reproduction device can
easily distinguish the two. Furthermore, after displaying the
second thumbnail image list, the second dummy image is replaced
with the main image compressed to the size of the thumbnail image.
In this way, all the thumbnails of the image file which contains
the description of non-automatic reproduction in the automatic
reproduction file can be finally displayed.
[0108] Also, the thumbnail display protected by displaying a dummy
image on the image reproduction device is selectively displayed
individually and thus can be easily replaced with the normal
thumbnail image.
* * * * *