U.S. patent application number 12/153652 was filed with the patent office on 2008-10-09 for file management program, file management method, file management apparatus, imaging device, and recording medium.
This patent application is currently assigned to FUJIFILM CORPORATION. Invention is credited to Tsuneo Sato.
Application Number | 20080250043 12/153652 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 33436459 |
Filed Date | 2008-10-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080250043 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Sato; Tsuneo |
October 9, 2008 |
File management program, file management method, file management
apparatus, imaging device, and recording medium
Abstract
When the mode of an electronic camera is set at folder creation
mode and a release button is pressed, a new folder is created in a
recording area of a recording medium and an icon image of the newly
created folder is created. The icon image is created based on image
data photographed in response to the press of the release button. A
list of folders created in the recording medium is displayed with
folder icons on an image display device and an icon image is
displayed on each folder icon. From the displayed list of folders,
the user selects a folder for recording the image data.
Inventors: |
Sato; Tsuneo; (Asaka-shi,
JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MCGINN INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY LAW GROUP, PLLC
8321 OLD COURTHOUSE ROAD, SUITE 200
VIENNA
VA
22182-3817
US
|
Assignee: |
FUJIFILM CORPORATION
Tokyo
JP
|
Family ID: |
33436459 |
Appl. No.: |
12/153652 |
Filed: |
May 22, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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10878267 |
Jun 29, 2004 |
7409411 |
|
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12153652 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 ; 707/999.1;
707/E17.031; G9B/27.019; G9B/27.05; G9B/27.051 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G11B 27/329 20130101;
Y10S 707/99948 20130101; Y10S 707/99945 20130101; G11B 27/105
20130101; G11B 27/34 20130101; G11B 2220/20 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
707/100 ;
707/E17.031 |
International
Class: |
G06F 7/00 20060101
G06F007/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jun 30, 2003 |
JP |
2003-187606 |
Jun 21, 2004 |
JP |
2004-182766 |
Claims
1. A file management program for displaying a list of folders,
which have been created in a recording area of a recording medium,
with folder icons on a display device in response to an instruction
to display the list of folders, the program causing a computer to
function as a device for displaying, on the display device, the
folder icon varied in size on each folder according to a capacity
or the number of files stored in each folder.
2. The file management program according to claim 1, wherein the
computer is caused to function as a device for displaying, near the
folder icon of each folder, a capacity or the number of files
recorded in each folder, and displaying a total capacity or a total
number of files recorded in the recording medium on the display
device.
3. A file management method for displaying a list of folders, which
have been created in a recording area of a recording medium, with
folder icons on a display device in response to an instruction to
display the list of folders, wherein the display device is caused
to display the folder icon varied in size on each folder according
to a capacity or the number of files stored in each folder.
4. The file management method according to claim 3, wherein a
capacity or the number of image files recorded in each folder is
displayed near the folder icon of each folder and a total capacity
or a total number of files recorded in the recording medium is
displayed on the display device.
5. A file management apparatus for displaying a list of folders,
which have been created in a recording area of a recording medium,
with folder icons on a display device in response to an instruction
to display the list of folders, the apparatus further comprising: a
detecting device for detecting a capacity or the number of files
stored in each folder, and a display control device for displaying
the folder icon varied in size on each folder according to a
capacity or the number of files detected by the detecting device on
the display device.
6. The file management apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the
display control device displays, near the folder icon of each
folder, a capacity or the number of files recorded in each folder,
and displays a total capacity or a total number of files recorded
in the recording medium on the display device.
7. An imaging device, in which a folder is created in a recording
area of a recording medium and image data acquired via an image
pickup device is recorded as an image file of a predetermined
format in the folder, comprising: a display device, and a display
control device for displaying, with folder icons on the display
device, a list of folders created in the recording area of the
recording medium, the display control device displaying the folder
icon varied in size according to a capacity or the number of image
files recorded in each folder.
8. The imaging device according to claim 7, wherein the display
control device displays, near the folder icon of each folder, the
capacity or the number of image files recorded in each folder, and
displays a total capacity or a total number of image files recorded
in the recording medium.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present Application is a Divisional Application of U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 10/878,267 filed on Jun. 29, 2004.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to a file management program,
a file management method, a file management apparatus, an imaging
device, and a recording medium and particularly relates to a file
management program, a file management method, a file management
apparatus, an imaging device, and a recording medium whereby files
can be sorted and organized.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] In the case of a digital still camera, when a subject is
photographed, image data indicating a subject image is recorded on
a recording medium such as a memory card.
[0006] In conventional digital still cameras, when such image data
is recorded on a recording medium, one folder is formed in the
recording medium and the image data is sequentially stored in the
folder.
[0007] However, in such a system of recording image data in a
single folder, it is difficult to sort and organize image data at
some future date.
[0008] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 11-262030
suggests that a photographing reference board having a keyword is
photographed with a subject by a digital camera and photographed
images are sorted by keyword.
[0009] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2001-169222
suggests that a plurality of folders are prepared beforehand to
allow the user to arbitrarily select a folder to record an
image.
[0010] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2003-37805
suggests that a folder is prepared for each picture taking mode and
recording folders are automatically sorted according to picture
taking modes before recording.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] However, the method of Japanese Patent Application
Publication No. 11-262030 requires the photographing reference
board having a keyword, resulting in troublesome management.
[0012] Further, in the method of Japanese Patent Application
Publication No. 2001-169222, folders are managed only by numbers.
Thus, the contents of the folders cannot be recognized at first
glance, resulting in inconvenience when the number of folders
increases.
[0013] Moreover, the method of Japanese Patent Application
Publication No. 2003-37805 automatically determines a recording
folder according to a picture taking mode, so that recording may
not be performed with a sort intended by a photographer.
[0014] The present invention is devised in view of such
circumstances and has as its object the provision of a file
management program, a file management method, a file management
apparatus, an imaging device, and a recording medium whereby files
can be managed with ease.
[0015] In order to attain the above object, a first aspect of the
present invention provides a file management program for creating a
folder in a recording area of a recording medium, storing a file in
the folder, and managing the file, the program causing a computer
to function as: a device for providing an instruction to create a
folder in the recording area of the recording medium, a device for
creating a folder in the recording area of the recording medium in
response to the instruction to create the folder, a device for
inputting image data to be used as an icon image of the created
folder, a device for creating an icon image of the folder based on
the inputted image data, a device for storing, in a storage device,
information about the folder created in the recording area of the
recording medium and the icon image of the folder, a device for
providing an instruction to display a list of folders created in
the recording area of the recording medium, and a device for
displaying, on a display device, a list of folders created in the
recording area of the recording medium based on the information
stored in the storage device in response to the instruction to
display a list of folders, the list being displayed with folder
icons having the icon images.
[0016] According to the invention of the first aspect, when an
instruction to create a folder is provided and image data is
inputted, the folder is newly created in the recording area of the
recording medium and an icon image of the folder is created based
on the inputted image data. Then, the storage device stores
information about the folder created and the icon image of the
folder. Further, when an instruction to display a list of folders
is provided, the display device displays a list of folders created
in the recording area of the recording medium based on the
information stored in the storage device, the list being displayed
with folder icons having the icon images. Thus, folders can be
clearly discriminated from one another and can be managed with
ease.
[0017] In order to attain the above object, a second aspect of the
present invention provides the file management program according to
the first aspect, wherein the computer is caused to function as a
device for selecting a folder for storing a file, from a list of
folders displayed with folder icons on the display device.
[0018] According to the invention of the second aspect, a folder
for storing a file can be selected from a list of folders displayed
with folder icons on the display device and thus a folder for
storing a file can be selected with ease.
[0019] In order to attain the above object, a third aspect of the
present invention provides the file management program according to
the first or second aspect, wherein the computer is caused to
function as: a device for providing an instruction to successively
create folders, and a device for creating a folder under the
previously created folder in response to the instruction to
successively create folders.
[0020] According to the invention of the third aspect, when an
instruction to successively create folders is provided, a folder is
created under the previously created folder. Thus, folders can be
organized in a hierarchical manner and the folders can be resorted
according to applications. As a result, the contents of the folders
can be readily recognized.
[0021] In order to attain the above object, a fourth aspect of the
present invention provides the file management program according to
the first, second, or third aspect, wherein the computer is caused
to function as: a device for selecting a folder having an icon
image to be changed, from a list of folders displayed with folder
icons on the display device, a device for inputting image data to
be used as a new icon image of the selected folder, a device for
creating a new icon image of the folder based on the inputted image
data, and a device for rewriting the information stored in the
storage device.
[0022] According to the invention of the fourth aspect, it is
possible to change an icon image displayed on a folder icon. That
is, when a folder having an icon image to be changed is selected
from a list of folders displayed with folder icons on the display
device and image data is inputted, an icon image is newly created
based on the inputted image data. Then, the newly created icon
image is written over in the storage device as a new icon image of
the selected folder. Hence, only the icon image displayed on the
folder icon can be changed while files stored in the folder remain
the same.
[0023] In order to attain the above object, a fifth aspect of the
present invention provides a file management method for creating a
folder in a recording area of a recording medium, storing a file in
the folder, and managing the file, the method comprising the steps
of: creating a folder in the recording area of the recording medium
in response to an instruction to create the folder, inputting image
data to be used as an icon image of the created folder, creating an
icon image of the folder based on the inputted image data, storing,
in a storage device, information about the folder created in the
recording area of the recording medium and the icon image of the
folder, and displaying, on a display device, a list of folders
created in the recording area of the recording medium based on the
information stored in the storage device in response to an
instruction to display a list of folders, the list being displayed
with folder icons having the icon images.
[0024] According to the invention of the fifth aspect, when an
instruction to create a folder is provided and image data is
inputted, a folder is newly created in the recording area of the
recording medium and an icon image of the folder is created based
on the inputted image data. Then, information about the created
folder and the icon image of the folder is stored in the storage
device. Further, when an instruction to display a list of folders
is provided, the display device displays a list of folders created
in the recording area of the recording medium based on the
information stored in the storage medium, the list being displayed
with folder icons having the icon images. Thus, folders can be
clearly discriminated from one another and can be managed with
ease.
[0025] In order to attain the above object, a sixth aspect of the
present invention provides the file management method according to
the fifth aspect, further comprising the step of selecting a folder
for storing a file, from a list of folders displayed with the
folder icons on the display device.
[0026] According to the invention of the sixth aspect, a folder for
storing a file can be selected from a list of folders displayed
with folder icons on the display device and thus a folder for
storing a file can be selected with ease.
[0027] In order to attain the above object, a seventh aspect of the
present invention provides the file management method according to
the fifth or sixth aspect, further comprising the step of creating
a folder under the previously created folder in response to an
instruction to successively create folders.
[0028] According to the invention of the seventh aspect, when an
instruction to successively create folders is provided, a folder is
created under the previously created folder. Thus, folders can be
organized in a hierarchical manner and the folders can be resorted
according to applications. As a result, the contents of the folders
can be readily recognized.
[0029] In order to attain the above object, an eighth aspect of the
present invention provides the file management method according to
the fifth, sixth, or seventh aspect, further comprising the steps
of: selecting a folder having an icon image to be changed, from a
list of folders displayed with the folder icons on the display
device, inputting image data to be used as a new icon image of the
selected folder, creating a new icon image of the folder based on
the inputted image data, and rewriting the information stored in
the storage device.
[0030] According to the invention of the eighth aspect, it is
possible to change an icon image displayed on a folder icon. That
is, when a folder having an icon image to be changed is selected
from a list of folders displayed with folder icons on the display
device and image data is inputted, an icon image is newly created
based on the inputted image data. Then, the newly created icon
image is written over in the storage device as a new icon image of
the selected folder. Hence, only the icon image displayed on the
folder icon can be changed while files stored in the folder remain
the same.
[0031] In order to attain the above object, a ninth aspect of the
present invention provides a file management apparatus for creating
a folder in a recording area of a recording medium, storing a file
in the folder, and managing the file, the apparatus, comprising: a
folder creation instructing device for providing an instruction to
create a folder in the recording area of the recording medium, a
folder creating device for creating a folder in the recording area
of the recording medium in response to the instruction of the
folder creation instructing device to create the folder, an image
input device for inputting image data to be used as an icon image
of the folder created by the folder creating device, an icon image
creating device for creating an icon image of the folder based on
the image data inputted from the image input device, a folder
information storage device for storing information about the folder
created in the recording area of the recording medium and the icon
image of the folder, a folder display instructing device for
providing an instruction to display a list of folders created in
the recording area of the recording medium, and a display control
device for displaying, on a display device, a list of folders
created in the recording area of the recording medium based on the
information stored in the folder information storage device in
response to the instruction to display the list of folders from the
folder display instructing device, the list being displayed with
folder icons having the icon images.
[0032] According to the invention of the ninth aspect, when an
instruction to create a folder is provided by the folder creation
instructing device and image data is inputted from the image input
device, a folder is newly created in the recording area of the
recording medium by the folder creating device and an icon image of
the folder is created by the icon image creating device based on
the inputted image data. Then, information about the created folder
and the icon image of the folder is stored in the folder
information storage device. Further, when an instruction to display
a list of folders is provided by the folder display instructing
device, the display device displays a list of folders created in
the recording area of the recording medium based on the information
stored in the folder information storage device, the list being
displayed with folder icons having the icon images. Thus, folders
can be clearly discriminated from one another and can be managed
with ease.
[0033] In order to attain the above object, a tenth aspect of the
present invention provides the file management apparatus according
to the ninth aspect, further comprising a recording folder
selecting device for selecting a folder for storing a file, from a
list of folders displayed with the folder icons on the display
device.
[0034] According to the invention of the tenth aspect, a folder for
storing a file can be selected by the recording folder selecting
device from a list of folders displayed with folder icons on the
display device and thus a folder for storing a file can be selected
with ease.
[0035] In order to attain the above object, an eleventh aspect of
the present invention provides the file management apparatus
according to the ninth or tenth aspect, further comprising a folder
successive creation instructing device for providing an instruction
to successively create folders, wherein the folder creating device
creates a folder under the previously created folder in response to
an instruction of the folder successive creation instructing device
to successively create folders.
[0036] According to the invention of the eleventh aspect, when an
instruction to successively create folders is provided by the
folder successive creation instructing device, a folder is created
under the previously created folder. Thus, folders can be organized
in a hierarchical manner and the folders can be resorted according
to applications. As a result, the contents of the folders can be
readily recognized.
[0037] In order to attain the above object, a twelfth aspect of the
present invention provides the file management apparatus according
to the ninth, tenth, or eleventh aspect, further comprising: a
folder selecting device for selecting a folder having an icon image
to be changed, from a list of folders displayed with folder icons
on the display device, a new icon image creating device for
creating a new icon image of the folder, which has been selected by
the folder selecting device, based on the image data inputted from
the image input device, and a folder information updating device
for replacing information about the icon image of the folder
selected by the folder selecting device with information about the
new icon image created by the new icon image creating device.
[0038] According to the invention of the twelfth aspect, it is
possible to change an icon image displayed on a folder icon. That
is, when a folder having an icon image to be changed is selected by
the folder selecting device from a list of folders displayed with
folder icons on the display device and image data is inputted from
the image input device, an icon image is newly created by the new
icon image creating device based on the inputted image data. Then,
the newly created icon image is written over in the folder
information storage device as a new icon image of the selected
folder. Hence, only the icon image displayed on the folder icon can
be changed while files stored in the folder remain the same.
[0039] In order to attain the above object, a thirteenth aspect of
the present invention provides an imaging device, in which image
data can be recorded as an image file of a predetermined format in
a recording medium, the image data having been acquired from an
imaging device in response to an instruction to photograph, and the
image file recorded in the recording medium can be reproduced and
displayed on a display device, comprising: a folder creation mode
setting device for setting a mode of the imaging device at folder
creation mode, a folder creating device for creating a new folder
in a recording area of the recording medium in response to the
instruction to photograph in the folder creation mode, an icon
image creating device for creating an icon image of the newly
created folder in the folder creation mode, the icon image creating
device acquiring the image data from the imaging device in response
to the instruction to photograph and creating the icon image based
on the image data, a folder information storage device for storing
information about the folder created in the recording area of the
recording medium and the icon image of the folder, a display
control device for displaying, on the display device, a list of
folders created in the recording area of the recording medium based
on the information stored in the folder information storage device,
the list being displayed with folder icons having the icon images,
a recording folder selecting device for selecting a desired folder
icon from the folder icons displayed on the display device to
select a folder for recording the image data having been acquired
from the imaging device, and a recording control device for
recording the image data, which has been acquired from the imaging
device, in the folder selected by the recording folder selecting
device.
[0040] According to the invention of the thirteenth aspect, an
image (icon image) can be displayed on a folder icon and an image
photographed by the user can be used as the image displayed on the
folder icon. That is, when the mode of the imaging device is set at
the folder creation mode and an instruction to photograph is
provided, the folder creating device creates a new folder in the
recording area of the recording medium and the icon image creating
device creates the icon image of the newly created folder. The icon
image creating device acquires image data from the imaging device
in response to the instruction to photograph and creates an icon
image based on the image data. Then, the folder information storage
device stores information about the newly created folder and the
icon image. The display control device displays, on the display
device, a list of folders created in the recording area of the
recording medium based on the information stored in the folder
information storage device, the list being displayed with folder
icons having the icon images. Then, when the recording folder
selecting device selects a desired folder icon from the folder
icons displayed on the display device, the photographed image data
is recorded in the folder having the selected folder icon. In this
way, a list of folders is displayed on the display device with
folder icons having icon images and a recording folder is selected
from the folder icons, so that a recording folder can be selected
with ease and image data can be readily managed after
photographing.
[0041] In order to attain the above object, a fourteenth aspect of
the present invention provides the imaging device according to the
thirteenth aspect, wherein after the folder creating device creates
a new folder in the recording area of the recording medium under
the folder creation mode in response to an instruction to
photograph, when another instruction to photograph is provided, the
folder creating device creates a new folder under the newly created
folder.
[0042] According to the invention of the fourteenth aspect, folders
can be organized in a hierarchical manner. That is, in the folder
creation mode, when the instruction to photograph is provided to
create a folder in the recording area of the recording medium and
then the instruction to photograph is provided again, another new
folder is created under the created folder. Hence, it is possible
to finely sort folders according to applications and readily
recognize the contents.
[0043] In order to attain the above object, a fifteenth aspect of
the present invention provides the imaging device according to the
thirteenth or fourteenth aspect, further comprising: an icon image
change mode setting device for setting the mode of the imaging
device at icon image change mode, a folder selecting device for
selecting a folder having an icon image to be changed, by selecting
a desired folder icon from a list of folders displayed with the
folder icons on the display device by the display control device in
the icon image change mode, a new icon image creating device for
creating a new icon image of the folder selected by the folder
selecting device, the new icon image creating device acquiring
image data from the imaging device in response to the instruction
to photograph and creating the new icon image based on the image
data in the icon image change mode, and a folder information
updating device for replacing information about the icon image of
the folder selected by the folder selecting device with information
about the new icon image and causing the folder information storage
device to store the information.
[0044] According to the invention of the fifteenth aspect, it is
possible to change an icon image displayed on a folder icon. That
is, when the mode of the imaging device is set at the icon image
change mode, a folder having a folder icon to be changed is
selected from a list of folders displayed with folder icons on the
display device, and the instruction to photograph is provided, the
new icon image creating device acquires image data from the imaging
device and creates a new icon image based on the image data. Then,
as a new icon image of the folder selected by the folder selecting
device, the new icon image created by the new icon image creating
device is written over in the folder information storage device.
Hence, only the icon image of the folder icon can be changed while
image files stored in the folder remain the same.
[0045] In order to attain the above object, a sixteenth aspect of
the present invention provides an imaging device, in which image
data can be recorded as an image file of a predetermined format in
a recording medium, the image data having been acquired from an
imaging device in response to the instruction to photograph, and
the image file recorded in the recording medium can be reproduced
and displayed on a display device, comprising: a folder creation
mode setting device for setting a mode of the imaging device at
folder creation mode, an image selecting device for selecting an
image to be used as an icon image from images reproduced and
displayed on the display device in the folder creation mode, a
folder creating device for creating a new folder in a recording
area of the recording medium in response to image selection of the
image selecting device in the folder creation mode, an icon image
creating device for creating an icon image of the newly created
folder in response to the image selection of the image selecting
device in the folder creation mode, the icon image creating device
creating the icon image based on the image data of the image
selected by the image selecting device, a folder information
storage device for storing information about the folder created in
the recording area of the recording medium and the icon image of
the folder, a display control device for displaying, on the display
device, a list of folders created in the recording area of the
recording medium based on the information stored in the folder
information storage device, the list being displayed with folder
icons having the icon images, a recording folder selecting device
for selecting a desired folder icon from the folder icons displayed
on the display device to select a folder for recording the image
data having been acquired from the imaging device, and a recording
control device for recording the image data, which has been
acquired from the imaging device, in the folder selected by the
recording folder selecting device.
[0046] According to the invention of the sixteenth aspect, an image
(icon image) can be displayed on a folder icon, and an image
selected at random by the user from photographed images can be used
as the icon image. That is, when the mode of the imaging device is
set at the folder creation mode and the image selecting device
selects an image to be used as an icon image from images reproduced
and displayed on the display device, the folder creating device
creates a new folder in the recording area of the recording medium
and the icon image creating device creates an icon image of the
newly created folder. The icon image creating device creates an
icon image based on the image data of the image selected by the
image selecting device. Then, the folder information storage device
stores information about the newly created folder and the icon
image. The display control device displays, on the display device,
a list of folders created in the recording area of the recording
medium based on the information stored in the folder information
storage device, the list being displayed with folder icons having
the icon images. Then, when a desired folder icon is selected from
the folder icons displayed on the display device, the photographed
image data is recorded in the folder having the selected folder
icon. In this way, a list of folders is displayed on the display
device with folder icons having icon images and a recording folder
is selected from the folder icons, so that a recording folder can
be selected with ease and image data can be readily managed after
photographing.
[0047] In order to attain the above object, a seventeenth aspect of
the present invention provides the imaging device according to the
sixteenth aspect, wherein when the folder creating device creates a
new folder in the recording area of the recording medium in
response to the image selection of the image selecting device and
then another image is selected by the image selecting device, the
folder creating device creates another new folder under the newly
created folder.
[0048] According to the invention of the seventeenth aspect,
folders can be organized in a hierarchical manner. That is, in the
folder creation mode, when an image is selected by the image
selecting device to create a folder in the recording area of the
recording medium and then another image is selected by the image
selecting device, another new folder is created under the created
folder. Hence, it is possible to finely sort folders according to
applications and readily recognize the contents.
[0049] In order to attain the above object, an eighteenth aspect of
the present invention provides the imaging device according to the
sixteenth or seventeenth aspect, further comprising: an icon image
change mode setting device for setting the mode of the imaging
device at icon image change mode, a folder selecting device for
selecting a folder having an icon image to be changed, by selecting
a desired folder icon from a list of folder icons displayed on the
display device by the display control device in the icon image
change mode, a new icon image creating device for creating a new
icon image of the folder selected by the folder selecting device,
the new icon image creating device creating the new icon image
based on the image selected by the image selecting device from the
images reproduced and displayed on the display device in the icon
image change mode, and a folder information updating device for
replacing information about the icon image of the folder selected
by the folder selecting device with information about the new icon
image and causing the folder information storage device to store
the information.
[0050] According to the invention of the eighteenth aspect, it is
possible to change an icon image displayed on a folder icon. That
is, when the mode of the imaging device is set at the icon image
change mode, a folder having a folder icon to be changed is
selected from a list of folders displayed with folder icons on the
display device, and the an image is selected by the image selecting
device, the new icon image creating device creates a new icon image
based on the image data of the image selected by the image
selecting device. Then, as a new icon image of the folder selected
by the folder selecting device, the new icon image created by the
new icon image creating device is written over the information of
the folder information storage device. Hence, only the icon image
of the folder icon can be changed while image files stored in the
folder remain the same.
[0051] In order to attain the above object, a nineteenth aspect of
the present invention provides a file management program for
displaying a list of folders, which have been created in a
recording area of a recording medium, with folder icons on a
display device in response to an instruction to display the list of
folders, the program causing a computer to function as a device for
displaying, on the display device, the folder icon varied in size
on each folder according to a capacity or the number of files
stored in each folder.
[0052] According to the invention of the nineteenth aspect, the
folder icon indicating the folder is varied in size according to
the capacity or the number of image files recorded in the folder.
Hence, an amount of the contents of each folder can be recognized
at a glance only by looking at the folder icon, thereby
facilitating management of folders.
[0053] In order to attain the above object, a twentieth aspect of
the present invention provides the file management program
according to the nineteenth aspect, wherein the computer is caused
to function as a device for displaying, near the folder icon of
each folder, a capacity or the number of files recorded in each
folder, and displaying a total capacity or a total number of files
recorded in the recording medium on the display device.
[0054] According to the invention of the twentieth aspect, the
capacity or the number of image files actually recorded in each
folder is displayed near the folder icon of each folder. Thus, it
is possible to further facilitate management of folders.
[0055] In order to attain the above object, a twenty-first aspect
of the present invention provides a file management method for
displaying a list of folders, which have been created in a
recording area of a recording medium, with folder icons on a
display device in response to an instruction to display the list of
folders, wherein the display device is caused to display the folder
icon varied in size on each folder according to a capacity or the
number of files stored in each folder.
[0056] According to the invention of the twenty-first aspect, the
folder icon indicating the folder is varied in size according to
the capacity or the number of image files recorded in the folder.
Hence, an amount of the contents of each folder can be recognized
at a glance only by looking at the folder icon, thereby
facilitating management of folders.
[0057] In order to attain the above object, a twenty-second aspect
of the present invention provides the file management method
according to the twenty-first aspect, wherein a capacity or the
number of image files recorded in each folder is displayed near the
folder icon of each folder and a total capacity or a total number
of files recorded in the recording medium is displayed on the
display device.
[0058] According to the invention of the twenty-second aspect, the
capacity or the number of image files actually recorded in each
folder is displayed near the folder icon of each folder. Thus, it
is possible to further facilitate management of folders.
[0059] In order to attain the above object, a twenty-third aspect
of the present invention provides a file management apparatus for
displaying a list of folders, which have been created in a
recording area of a recording medium, with folder icons on a
display device in response to an instruction to display the list of
folders, the apparatus further comprising: a detecting device for
detecting a capacity or the number of files stored in each folder,
and a display control device for displaying the folder icon varied
in size on each folder according to a capacity or the number of
files detected by the detecting device on the display device.
[0060] According to the invention of the twenty-third aspect, the
folder icon indicating the folder is varied in size according to
the capacity or the number of image files recorded in the folder.
Hence, an amount of the contents of each folder can be recognized
at a glance only by looking at the folder icon, thereby
facilitating management of folders.
[0061] In order to attain the above object, a twenty-fourth aspect
of the present invention provides the file management apparatus
according to the twenty-third aspect, wherein the display control
device displays, near the folder icon of each folder, a capacity or
the number of files recorded in each folder, and displays a total
capacity or a total number of files recorded in the recording
medium on the display device.
[0062] According to the invention of the twenty-fourth aspect, the
capacity or the number of image files actually recorded in each
folder is displayed near the folder icon of each folder. Thus, it
is possible to further facilitate management of folders.
[0063] In order to attain the above object, a twenty-fifth aspect
of the present invention provides an imaging device, in which a
folder is created in a recording area of a recording medium and
image data acquired via an imaging device is recorded as an image
file of a predetermined format in the folder, comprising: a display
device, and a display control device for displaying, with folder
icons on the display device, a list of folders created in the
recording area of the recording medium, the display control device
displaying the folder icon varied in size according to a capacity
or the number of image files recorded in each folder.
[0064] According to the invention of the twenty-fifth aspect, the
folder icon indicating the folder is varied in size according to
the capacity or the number of image files (the number of images)
recorded in the folder. Hence, an amount of the contents of each
folder can be recognized at a glance only by looking at the folder
icon, thereby facilitating management of folders.
[0065] In order to attain the above object, a twenty-sixth aspect
of the present invention provides the imaging device according to
the twenty-fifth aspect, wherein the display control device
displays, near the folder icon of each folder, the capacity or the
number of image files recorded in each folder, and displays a total
capacity or a total number of image files recorded in the recording
medium.
[0066] According to the invention of the twenty-sixth aspect, the
capacity or the number of image files (the number of images)
actually recorded in each folder is displayed near the folder icon
of each folder. Thus, it is possible to further facilitate
management of folders.
[0067] In order to attain the above object, a twenty-seventh aspect
of the present invention provides a file management program for
creating a plurality of folders in a recording area of a recording
medium and recording a file in a folder designated from the
plurality of folders, the program causing the computer to function
as a device for providing files stored in the designated file with
names not overlapping in one recording medium.
[0068] According to the invention of the twenty-seventh aspect,
when image files are recorded in a folder created in the recording
medium, file names are provided so as not to overlap in one
recording medium. Hence, for example, when files in the recording
medium are captured into another device, it is possible to prevent
a previously captured image file from being overwritten and
deleted.
[0069] In order to attain the above object, a twenty-eighth aspect
of the present invention provides the file management program
according to the twenty-seventh aspect, wherein the folder created
in the recording area of the recording medium is provided with a
folder name for identifying the folder, and the file is provided
with a file name which is a combination of a folder name of a
recording folder and a file number for identifying each file in the
recording folder.
[0070] According to the invention of the twenty-eighth aspect, a
different file name is provided for each folder. Thus, even when
files are captured into another device, the files can be sorted by
file name, thereby facilitating management of files.
[0071] In order to attain the above object, a twenty-ninth aspect
of the present invention provides a file management method for
creating a plurality of folders in a recording area of a recording
medium and recording a file in a folder designated from the
plurality of folders, the method comprising the step of providing
files stored in the designated folder with names not overlapping in
one recording medium.
[0072] According to the invention of the twenty-ninth aspect, when
files are recorded in a folder created in the recording medium,
file names are provided so as not to overlap in one recording
medium. Hence, for example, when files in the recording medium are
captured into another device, it is possible to effectively prevent
a previously captured file from being overwritten and deleted.
[0073] In order to attain the above object, a thirtieth aspect of
the present invention provides the file management method according
to the twenty-ninth aspect, wherein the folder created in the
recording area of the recording medium is provided with a folder
name for identifying the folder, and the file is provided with a
file name which is a combination of a folder name of a recording
folder and a file number for identifying each file in the recording
folder.
[0074] According to the invention of the thirtieth aspect, a
different file name is provided for each folder. Thus, even when
files are captured into another device, the files can be sorted by
file name, thereby facilitating management of files.
[0075] In order to attain the above object, a thirty-first aspect
of the present invention provides a file management apparatus for
creating a plurality of folders in a recording area of a recording
medium and recording a file in a folder designated from the
plurality of folders, the apparatus comprising a recording control
device which provides an image file recorded in the folder with a
file name and records the file, wherein the recording control
device provides files stored in the designated folder with names
not overlapping in one recording medium.
[0076] According to the invention of the thirty-first aspect, when
files are recorded in a folder created in the recording medium,
file names are provided so as not to overlap in one recording
medium. Hence, for example, when files in the recording medium are
captured into another device, it is possible to effectively prevent
a previously captured file from being overwritten and deleted.
[0077] In order to attain the above object, a thirty-second aspect
of the present invention provides the file management apparatus
according to the thirty-first aspect, wherein the folder created in
the recording area of the recording medium is provided with a
folder name for identifying the folder, and the recording control
device provides the file with a file name which is a combination of
a folder name of a recording folder and a file number for
identifying each file in the recording folder.
[0078] According to the invention of the thirty-second aspect, a
different file name is provided for each folder. Thus, even when
files are captured into another device, the files can be sorted by
file name, thereby facilitating management of files.
[0079] In order to attain the above object, a thirty-third aspect
of the present invention provides an imaging device, in which a
plurality of folders are created in a recording area of a recording
medium and image data acquired via an imaging device is recorded as
an image file of a predetermined format in a folder designated from
the plurality of folders, comprising: a recording control device
for naming the image file to be recorded in the folder and
recording the image file, wherein the recording control device
provides names not overlapping in one recording medium and records
the image file.
[0080] According to the invention of the thirty-third aspect, when
image files are recorded in a folder created in the recording
medium, file names are provided so as not to overlap in one
recording medium. Hence, for example, when image files in the
recording medium are captured into a personal computer and so on,
it is possible to effectively prevent a previously captured image
file from being overwritten and deleted.
[0081] In order to attain the above object, a thirty-fourth aspect
of the present invention provides the imaging device according to
the thirty-fifth aspect, wherein the folder created in the
recording area of the recording medium has a folder name for
identifying each folder, and the recording control device provides
the image file with a file name and records the image file, the
file name being created by combining the folder name of a recording
folder with a file number for identifying each image file in the
recording folder.
[0082] According to the invention of the thirty-fourth aspect, a
different file name is provided for each folder. Thus, even when
image files are captured into a personal computer and so on, the
image files can be sorted by file name, thereby facilitating
management of image files.
[0083] In order to attain the above object, a thirty-fifth aspect
of the present invention provides An imaging device, in which a
folder is created in a recording area of a recording medium and
image data acquired via an imaging device is recorded as an image
file of a predetermined format in the folder, comprising: a display
device, and a display control device for displaying, with folder
icons on the display device, a list of folders created in the
recording area of the recording medium, the display control device
displaying folder icons of lower folders in a horizontal direction
with respect to folder icons of upper folders and displaying folder
icons on the same level in parallel in a vertical direction.
[0084] According to the invention of the thirty-fifth aspect, the
icons of folders on the same level are displayed in parallel in a
vertical direction and the icons of folders on different levels are
displayed in parallel in a horizontal direction. Hence, it is
possible to recognize the hierarchical structure of folders in a
limited display space at a glance, thereby facilitating management
of folders.
[0085] In order to attain the above object, a thirty-sixth aspect
of the present invention provides a recording medium for creating a
folder in a recording area and storing a file in the folder,
wherein information about the folder created in the recording area
and an icon image of the folder is recorded in a predetermined
recording area.
[0086] According to the invention of the thirty-sixth aspect,
information about a folder created in the recording area of the
recording medium and the icon image of the folder is recorded in a
predetermined recording area of the recording medium. As a result,
a list of folders created in the recording area of the recording
medium can be displayed on a display based on the information
recorded in the predetermined recording area of the recording
medium, the list being displayed with folder icons having icon
images.
[0087] As described above, according to the present invention, an
image can be displayed on a folder icon displayed on the display
device. An image inputted or photographed by the user or an image
selected from photographed images can be used as the image on the
folder icon. Thus, the contents of each folder can be recognized at
a glance by looking at folder icons and thus files can be sorted
and organized with ease. Since an image displayed on the folder
icon can be changed, files can be more readily sorted and
organized. Further, folders can be hierarchically organized and
thus the folders can be finely sorted according to applications.
Moreover, even when the recording medium is replaced with another,
the setting before replacement can be taken over to another
recording medium after replacement. Thus, even when the recording
medium is replaced with another, another setting is not necessary
for the recording medium after replacement, thereby improving
operability.
[0088] Moreover, according to the present invention, the size of a
folder icon indicating a folder is varied in size according to the
capacity or the number of files recorded in a folder. Thus, the
capacity of each folder can be recognized at a glance only by
looking at the folder icon, thereby facilitating management. At
this point, the capacity or the number of files actually recorded
in each folder is displayed near the folder icon, thereby further
facilitating management of folders.
[0089] Furthermore, according to the present invention, when files
are recorded in a folder created in the recording medium, file
names are provided so as not to overlap in one recording medium.
Hence, for example, when files in the recording medium are captured
into a personal computer and so on, it is possible to effectively
prevent a previously captured file from being overwritten and
deleted. At this point, a different file name is provided for each
folder and thus the image files can be sorted by file name, thereby
facilitating management of files.
[0090] Additionally, according to the present invention, the icons
of folders on the same level are displayed in parallel in a
vertical direction and the icons of folders on different levels are
displayed in parallel in a horizontal direction. Hence, it is
possible to recognize the hierarchical structure of folders in a
limited display space at a glance, thereby facilitating management
of folders.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0091] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a digital
still camera according to the present invention;
[0092] FIG. 2 is a conceptual illustration showing the structure of
folders created in a recording area of a recording medium;
[0093] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a display example of a list of
folders displayed on an image display device;
[0094] FIGS. 4A to 4C are diagrams showing display examples of a
menu;
[0095] FIGS. 5A to 5C are explanatory views showing "folder
creation mode" in "picture taking mode";
[0096] FIGS. 6A to 6C are explanatory views showing "folder
creation mode" in "reproduction mode";
[0097] FIGS. 7A to 7C are diagrams showing display examples of the
menu;
[0098] FIGS. 8A to 8C are explanatory views showing "icon image
change mode" in "picture taking mode";
[0099] FIGS. 9A to 9C are explanatory views showing "icon image
change mode" in "reproduction mode";
[0100] FIGS. 10A to 10B are explanatory views showing "icon image
deletion mode";
[0101] FIGS. 11A to 11B are explanatory views showing "folder
deletion mode";
[0102] FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the flow of photographing,
reproduction, and folder edits of the digital still camera
according to the present embodiment;
[0103] FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the flow of photographing,
reproduction, and folder edits of the digital still camera
according to the present embodiment;
[0104] FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the steps of taking over
folder management information upon replacement of the recording
medium;
[0105] FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a display example of folders in
a digital still camera of Embodiment 3; and
[0106] FIG. 16 is an explanatory view showing a method of
displaying a folder icon.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0107] The following will specifically describe preferred
embodiments of a file management program, a file management method,
a file management apparatus, an imaging device, and a recording
medium of the present invention in accordance with the accompanying
drawings.
[0108] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a digital
still camera according to the present invention. A digital still
camera 10 comprises the function of recording/reproducing a static
image and the function of editing a recorded image file. The
overall operation is controlled by a central processing unit (CPU)
12.
[0109] The CPU 12 acts as a control device for controlling a camera
system according to a predetermined program and acts as an
arithmetic device for performing operations such as autoexposure
(AE), autofocus (AF), and white balance (WB) adjusting
operations.
[0110] A ROM 16 connected to the CPU 12 via a bus 14 stores
programs performed by the CPU 12 and various kinds of data for
control, and an EEPROM 17 stores various kinds of setting
information including folder management information on the
operations of the digital still camera 10.
[0111] A memory (SDRAM) 18 is used as an arithmetic area of the CPU
12 and is used as a temporary storage area of image data and sound
data. VRAM 20 is used as a temporary storage area specific for
image data.
[0112] The digital still camera 10 comprises an operation device 26
including a menu/OK key, a cross key, a cancel key, and a power
button, in addition to a mode selection switch 22 and a release
button 24. Signals from the operation sections (22 to 26) are
inputted to the CPU 12. The CPU 12 controls the circuits of the
digital still camera 10 in response to the input signals so as to
perform lens driving control, picture taking control, image
processing control, image data recording/reproduction control, and
display control.
[0113] The mode selection switch 22 is an operation device for
switching "picture taking mode" and "reproduction mode." When the
mode selection switch 22 is operated to connect a movable contact
piece 22A to a contact a, a signal from the movable contact piece
22A is inputted to the CPU 12 and the digital still camera 10 is
set at "picture taking mode." Further, when the movable contact
piece 22A is connected to a contact b, the digital still camera 10
is set at "reproduction mode" for reproducing a recorded image.
[0114] The release button 24 is an operation button for inputting
an instruction to start photographing. The release button 24 is
constituted of a 2-stroke switch having an S1 switch, which is
turned on when being pressed halfway down, and an S2 switch, which
is turned on when being pressed all the way down.
[0115] The menu/OK key is an operation key which serves as a menu
button for instructing the screen of an image display device 28 to
display a menu, and serves as an OK button for providing
instructions to confirm and execute selected contents.
[0116] The cross key is an operation section for inputting
instructions of four directions (right, left, up, down). The cross
key acts as a button (cursor moving device) for selecting an item
on a menu and providing an instruction to select settings on each
menu. Further, the up/down key of the cross key acts as a zoom
switch upon photographing or a reproduction zoom switch upon
reproduction, and the left/right key acts as a frame advance
(forward/backward) button in reproduction mode.
[0117] The cancel key acts as a button for providing an instruction
to cancel an instruction or return to the previous operation.
[0118] The image display device 28 is constituted of a liquid
crystal display capable of providing color displays. The image
display device 28 can be used as an electronic finder for
confirming an angle of view upon photographing and a device for
reproducing and displaying a recorded image. Further, the image
display device 28 is used as a user interface display screen.
Information including menu information, selection items, and
setting contents is displayed on the image display device 28 when
necessary. A display device using other systems such as an organic
EL display may be used instead of the liquid crystal display.
[0119] The digital still camera 10 has a medium socket (medium
loading part) 30, in which a recording medium 32 can be loaded. The
format of the recording medium is not particularly limited and thus
various kinds of media are applicable which include xD-PictureCard
(trademark), semiconductor memory card represented as smart media
(trademark), a transportable small hard disk, a magnetic disk, an
optical disk, and a magneto-optical disk.
[0120] A medium controller 34 performs signal conversion required
for passing input/output signals suitable for the recording medium
32 loaded in the medium socket 30.
[0121] The picture taking function of the digital still camera 10
will be described below according to the present embodiment.
[0122] When picture taking mode is selected by the mode selection
switch 22, power is supplied to a photographing section including a
color CCD solid-state image sensing device (hereinafter referred to
as CCD) 38 and thus photographing becomes possible.
[0123] A lens unit 40 is an optical unit which includes a
photographic lens 42 including a focus lens and a mechanical
shutter 44 used also as a diaphragm. The photographic lens 42 and
the mechanical shutter 44 are motor driven by a lens driving
section 46 and a diaphragm driving section 48. The lens driving
section 46 and the diaphragm driving section 48 are driven and
controlled by the CPU 12, so that zoom control, focus control, and
iris control are performed.
[0124] Light passing through the lens unit 40 forms an image on the
light-receiving surface of the CCD 38. A number of photodiodes
(light-receiving elements) are two-dimensionally arranged on the
light-receiving surface of the CCD 38 and primary color filters of
red (R), green (G), and blue (B) are arranged in a predetermined
layout (Bayer, G stripe, etc.) so as to correspond to the
photodiodes. The CCD 38 has an electronic shutter function for
controlling charge accumulation time (shutter speed) of the
photodiodes, and the CPU 12 controls the charge accumulation time
of the CCD 38 via a timing generator 50. An image pickup device of
other systems such as MOS may be used instead of the CCD 38.
[0125] A subject image formed on the light-receiving surface of the
CCD 38 is converted into signal charge according to an amount of
incident light by the photodiodes. The signal charge accumulated in
the photodiodes is read sequentially as a voltage signal (image
signal) according to the signal charge based on a driving pulse
which is applied from the timing generator 50 in response to an
instruction of the CPU 12.
[0126] Signals outputted from the CCD 38 are transmitted to an
analog processing section (CDS/AMP) 52, in which RGB signals of
each pixel are sampled and held (correlated double sampling).
Thereafter, the signals are amplified and applied to an AD
converter 54.
[0127] The AD converter 54 converts the analog RGB signals
outputted from the analog processing section 52 into digital RGB
signals. Then, the digital RGB signals outputted from the AD
converter 54 are stored in the memory 18 via an image input
controller 56.
[0128] An image signal processing circuit 58 processes the RGB
signals, which have been stored in the memory 18, according to an
instruction of the CPU 12. That is, the image signal processing
circuit 58 acts as an image processing device which includes a
synchronization circuit (processing circuit which interpolates a
spatial displacement of a color signal in a color filter
arrangement of a single-panel CCD), a white balance correction
circuit, a gamma correction circuit, an edge correction circuit,
and a luminance/color difference generation circuit. The image
signal processing circuit 58 performs predetermined signal
processing according to a command from the CPU 12 while using the
memory 18. The RGB signals inputted to the image signal processing
circuit 58 are converted into a luminance signal (Y signal) and a
color difference signal (Cr and Cb signals) in the image signal
processing circuit 58 and are subjected to predetermined processing
such as gamma correction. Thereafter, the signals are stored in the
VRAM 20.
[0129] When a photographed image is outputted to the image display
device 28, image data is read from the VRAM 20 and is transmitted
to a video encoder 60. The video encoder 60 converts the inputted
image data into a signal of a predetermined system for display
(e.g., an NTSC color combined signal) and outputs the signal to the
image display device 28. Thus, the photographed image is outputted
to the image display device 28 and is displayed thereon.
[0130] An image signal is periodically captured from the CCD 38 and
image data in the VRAM 20 is periodically rewritten and outputted
to the image display device 28, so that a photographed picture is
displayed on the image display device 28 in real time. A
photographer can confirm a photographing angle of view by viewing
the picture (through image) displayed on the image display device
28.
[0131] When the release button 24 is pressed halfway down to turn
on the S1 switch, the digital still camera 10 starts AE and AF
processing.
[0132] First, the image signal captured from the CCD 38 via the
image input controller 56 is inputted to an AF detection circuit 62
and an AE/AWB detection circuit 64.
[0133] The AE/AWB detection circuit 64 divides one screen into a
plurality of areas (e.g., 16.times.16). The AE/AWB detection
circuit 64 includes a circuit for calculating the integrated value
of RGB signals for each of the divided areas and provides the CPU
12 with the integrated value. The CPU 12 detects a brightness of a
subject (subject brightness) based on the integrated value obtained
from the AE/AWB detection circuit 64 and calculates an exposure
value suitable for photographing (photographing EV). Then, the CPU
12 determines an f number and a shutter speed based on the
calculated photographing EV and a predetermined program diagram and
controls the mechanical shutter 44 and the electronic shutter of
the CCD 38 according to the f number and the shutter speed to
obtain a proper light exposure.
[0134] The AE/AWB detection circuit 64 calculates an average
integrated value for each color of the RGB signals in each of the
divided areas during automatic white balance adjustment, and the
AE/AWB detection circuit 64 provides the CPU 12 with the
calculation result. The CPU 12 calculates ratios of R/G and B/G for
each of the divided areas based on the obtained integrated value R,
integrated value B, and integrated value G. The CPU 12 identifies a
light source type based on the distribution, etc. of color spaces
R/G and B/G of the calculated values R/G and B/G. Then, according
to a white balance adjustment value suitable for the identified
light source type, for example, the CPU 12 controls a gain value
(white balance correction value) for RGB signals of the white
balance correction circuit and corrects a signal of each color
channel so that each ratio is almost 1 (i.e., a ratio of integrated
values of RGB is expressed by R:G:B.ltoreq.1:1:1 in one
screen).
[0135] The AF detection circuit 62 is constituted of a high-pass
filter which permits only the passage of high-frequency components
of a G signal, an absolute value processing section, an AF area
extraction section which extracts a signal of a predetermined focus
area (e.g., the center of the screen), and an integrating section
which integrates absolute value data in an AF area. Integrated
value data determined by the AF detection circuit 62 is informed to
the CPU 12. The CPU 12 calculates focus evaluation values (AF
evaluation values) on a plurality of AF detection points while
controlling the lens driving section 46 to move the focus lens, and
the CPU 12 determines, as a focal position, the lens position
having the maximum evaluation value. Then, the CPU 12 controls the
lens driving section 46 So as to move the focus lens to the
determined focal position (so-called contrast AF).
[0136] As described above, when the release button 24 is pressed
halfway down to turn on the S1 switch, AE/AF processing is
performed. Thereafter, when the release button 24 is pressed all
the way down to turn on the S2 switch, a photographing operation
for recording is started. Image data obtained in response to the
turning on of the S2 switch is converted into a luminance/color
difference signal (Y/C signal) in the image signal processing
circuit 58, is subjected to predetermined processing such as gamma
correction, and is stored in the memory 18.
[0137] The image data stored in the memory 18 is compressed in a
predetermined format (e.g., JPEG) by a compression/expansion
circuit 66 and is recorded in the recording medium 32 via the
medium controller 34 as an image file of a predetermined format. At
this point, the image file is stored and recorded in a designated
folder, out of folders having been created in the recording area of
the recording medium 32. The structure of the folders created in
the recording area of the recording medium 32 will be specifically
described later.
[0138] When the mode selection switch 22 selects reproduction mode,
the last image file recorded in the recording medium 32 (image file
recorded last) is read. The read image file is expanded into an
uncompressed YC signal via the compression/expansion circuit 66,
converted into a signal for display via the image signal processing
circuit 58 and the video encoder 60, and is outputted to the image
display device 28. Therefore, the contents of the image data are
displayed on the screen of the image display device 28.
[0139] By operating the right key or the left key of the cross key
during the reproduction of one frame of a static image, it is
possible to switch image data to be reproduced (forward/backward
frame advance). An image file after frame advance is read from the
recording medium 32 and a static image is similarly reproduced and
displayed on the image display device 28.
[0140] The following will describe the function of managing image
files in the digital still camera 10 of the present embodiment.
[0141] As described above, in the digital still camera 10 of the
present embodiment, when image data obtained via the CCD 38 is
recorded as an image file in the recording medium 32, the image
data can be stored in a designated folder. The folder for storing
the image file can be arbitrarily created by the user.
[0142] FIG. 2 is a conceptual illustration showing the structure of
folders (directory) created in the recording area of the recording
medium 32. As shown in FIG. 2, the folders can be hierarchically
created. That is, the folders are hierarchically created under a
root folder "ROOT" on the top. For example, nine-level hierarchy
can be created at the maximum.
[0143] Folders created immediately below the root folder "ROOT" are
configured as independent folders each of which has a folder name
of one alphabet. For example, the folders are named as alphabets
such as "A", "B", "C" . . . in the order of creation.
[0144] Further, folders created immediately below the independent
folders "A", "B", "C" . . . have names which are the combinations
of "A", "B", "C" . . . of the independent folders serving as upper
folders, "hyphen (-)", and "numbers." For example, folders created
immediately below the independent folder "A" are named as "A-1",
"A-2", . . . and folders created immediately below the independent
folder "B" are named as "B-1", "B-2", . . . .
[0145] Similarly, folders created immediately below the independent
folders "A-1", "A-2", . . . have names which are the combinations
of the folder names "A-1", "A-2", . . . of the upper folders,
"hyphen (-)", and "numbers." For example, folders immediately below
the folder "A-1" are named as "A-1-1", "A-1-2", . . . and folders
immediately below the folder "B-1" are named as "B-1-1", "B-1-2", .
. .
[0146] In this way, in each lower level, folders have the names of
the upper level folders that are combined with hyphens and numbers.
Therefore, a folder name indicates from which and how a folder
branches out.
[0147] An image file can be stored in a designated folder of the
hierarchically created folders. Thus, it is possible to sort and
record image files according to the object of photographing.
[0148] Image files stored in each folders are individually named by
the CPU 12. Each file has a name specific to a folder so that file
names do not overlap in the same recording medium. That is, a file
name is the combination of "file number (DSCF * * * )," which is
provided in the recording order in each folder, and "folder number"
in which hyphen (-) is removed from the "folder name" of a folder
for recording a file.
[0149] For example, as shown in FIG. 2, in the case of an image
file to be stored in the folder "A-1", when the image file is the
first one to be recorded in the folder "A-1," the image file is
named as "DSCF0001A1" which is the combination of a file number
"DSCF0001" and a folder number "A1." When an image file is the
second one to be recorded in the folder "A-1," the image file is
named as "DSCF0002A1" which is the combination of a file number
"DSCF0002" and a folder number "A1."
[0150] Similarly, in the case of an image file to be stored in the
folder "A", when the image file is the first one to be recorded in
the folder "A," the image file is named as "DSCF0001A" which is the
combination of a file number "DSCF0001" and a folder number "A."
When an image file is the second one to be recorded in the folder
"A," the image file is named as "DSCF0002A" which is the
combination of a file number "DSCF0002" and a folder number
"A."
[0151] Similarly, in the case of an image file to be stored in the
folder "B-1-1", when the image file is the first one to be recorded
in the folder "B-1-1," the image file is named as "DSCF0001B11"
which is the combination of a file number "DSCF0001" and a folder
number "B11." When an image file is the second one to be recorded
in the folder "B-1-1," the image file is named as "DSCF0002B11"
which is the combination of a file number "DSCF0002" and a folder
number "B11."
[0152] Similarly, in the case of an image file to be stored in the
folder "C", when the image file is the first one to be recorded in
the folder "C," the image file is named as "DSCF0001C" which is the
combination of a file number "DSCF0001" and a folder number "C."
When an image file is the second one to be recorded in the folder
"C," the image file is named as "DSCF0002C" which is the
combination of a file number "DSCF0002" and a folder number
"C."
[0153] In this way, an image file stored in each folder has a name
specific to a folder so that file names do not overlap in the same
recording medium. Thus, even when an image file is acquired to a
personal computer and so on, it is possible to prevent erroneous
overwriting of data with the same file name.
[0154] Since the files are named in the above-described manner, the
user can recognize, only by looking at a file name, a folder which
stores a file at a glance. That is, the file name of an image file
is the combination of a file number and a folder number and thus
the user can recognize, only by looking at a folder number in the
rear, a folder which records an image file at a glance.
[0155] As described above, the digital still camera 10 of the
present embodiment enables the user to create folders for recording
image files, designate any folder out of the created folders, and
record photographed image data. As shown in FIG. 3, a folder is
designated from a list of folders which are displayed with folder
icons on the screen of the image display device 28.
[0156] As shown in FIG. 3, the folder list is hierarchically
displayed. Folders of each level expand from the left to right of
the screen. In this case, folders on the same level are displayed
in the same line (column). In the example of FIG. 3, folders "A",
"B", and "C" are on the same level and thus the folder icons of the
folders are arranged in the same column. Further, the folder icons
of folders "A-1", "A-2", and "B-1" on a lower level are arranged in
a column on the right of the folders "A", "B", and "C".
[0157] As shown in FIG. 3, images (icon images) are displayed on
folder icons which indicate folders. The icon image on the folder
makes it possible to confirm the contents of the folder. The folder
icon is created concurrently with the folder. The creating method
and the editing method of the folders and the icons will be
described below.
[0158] The folders are created while a camera mode is set at
"folder creation mode." "Folder creation mode" is set from the
menu.
[0159] FIG. 4 is a display example of the menu. As shown in FIG. 4,
when the camera mode is set at "picture taking mode" or
"reproduction mode" and the menu/OK key is pressed, the CPU 12
detects the press and causes the image display device 28 to display
the menu as shown in FIG. 4A. When "edit folder" is selected from
menu items displayed on the menu, the screen of the image display
device 28 is switched to the menu of "edit folder" as shown in FIG.
4B. "Folder creation mode" is set by selecting "create folder" from
menu items displayed on the menu of "edit folder."
[0160] The menu items displayed on the menu of "edit folder" has
"change icon image" for changing the icon image of a created folder
(icon image change mode), "delete icon image" for deleting the icon
image of a created folder (icon image deletion mode), "delete
folder" for deleting a created folder (folder deletion mode), "set
recording folder" for designating a folder for storing photographed
image data (recording folder setting mode), and "display folder
list" for displaying a list of folders created in the recording
area of the recording medium 32 (folder list display mode). These
modes will be specifically described later.
[0161] Further, a menu item is selected by moving a cursor to a
desired item with the cross key and is confirmed by pressing the
menu/OK key.
[0162] As described above, the digital still camera 10 can create a
folder by setting a camera mode at "folder creation mode." "Folder
creation mode" set in "picture taking mode" is different from
"folder creation mode" set in "reproduction mode" in the subsequent
process of creating a folder and a folder icon. That is, when a
transition is made to "folder creation mode" in "picture taking
mode," a new folder is created by photographing and an image
obtained by photographing is displayed as an icon image on a folder
icon. On the other hand, when a transition is made to "folder
creation mode" in "reproduction mode," a new folder is created by
selecting a photographed image and the selected image is displayed
as an icon image on a folder icon.
[0163] First, the following will describe processing when the
camera is put into "folder creation mode" in "picture taking
mode."
[0164] As described above, the menu/OK key is pressed when a camera
mode is set at "picture taking mode," "edit folder" is selected
from the menu displayed on the image display device 28, and "create
folder" is selected from the menu of "edit folder", so that the
digital still camera 10 is set at "folder creation mode" in
"picture taking mode." Then, the camera is put into "folder
creation mode," so that a list of folders is displayed with folder
icons on the screen of the image display device 28 as shown in FIG.
4C.
[0165] From the displayed list of folders, the user selects a
folder under which a new folder should be created. For example,
when creating a new folder under the root folder "ROOT," the user
selects the root folder "ROOT." Similarly when a new folder is
created under the folder "A", the user selects the folder "A".
Selection is made by moving a selection frame with the cross key
and confirmation is made by pressing the menu/OK key. In this case,
a new folder is created under the root folder "ROOT."
[0166] Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 5A, a through image is
displayed on the screen of the image display device 28. That is,
when a folder is selected, the CPU 12 detects the selection and
controls the circuits so as to display the through image on the
image display device 28. In this state, the user photographs an
image for an icon image. Photographing is performed by pressing the
release button 24 as in ordinary cases.
[0167] Then, when the user presses the release button 24, the CPU
12 detects the press and captures the image. The CPU 12 causes the
image display device 28 to preview the captured image as shown in
FIG. 5B. When the user looks at the previewed image and decides to
use the image as an icon image, the user presses the menu/OK key.
When another image is photographed, the user presses the cancel
key. When the cancel key is pressed, the image display device 28
displays a through image again and the digital still camera 10 goes
into a stand-by state for photographing.
[0168] On the other hand, when the menu/OK key is pressed, a new
folder (folder "C") is created under the selected folder (root
folder "ROOT") and the image data of an image (icon image)
displayed on the folder icon of the folder is created based on
photographed image data. Then, information about the newly created
folder and icon image (folder management information) is recorded
in the EEPROM 17. The folder management information is rewritten
every time a folder is created or deleted or an icon is
changed.
[0169] The new folder is created immediately below the root folder
"ROOT". Since the folder "A" and the folder "B" have been already
created immediately below the root folder "ROOT," the newly created
folder is named as an alphabet "C".
[0170] When the folder is created in this manner, as shown in FIG.
5C, a list of folders created in the recording area of the
recording medium 32 at present is displayed along with the newly
created folder on the screen of the image display device 28, by
using folder icons based on the folder management information. By
looking at the folder list displayed with the folder icons on the
image display device 28, the user can recognize the structure of
folders created in the recording area of the recording medium 32 at
present and the contents of stored folders.
[0171] As shown in FIG. 5C, the folder icon is displayed on the
image display device 28 with an icon image 2 attached inside a
folder icon 1 having a predetermined appearance.
[0172] In the series of operations, a folder is newly created in a
predetermined folder and the icon image of the folder is created.
When another folder is subsequently created, the menu/OK key is
pressed while the folder list of FIG. 5C is displayed. When the
processing is completed, the cancel key is pressed. When the cancel
key is pressed, the CPU 12 detects the press, finishes the creation
of a folder, and puts the camera into normal "picture taking
mode."
[0173] On the other hand, when the menu/OK key is pressed, the CPU
12 detects the press, switches the display of the image display
device 28 to a through image, and returns the digital still camera
10 to the stand-by state for photographing. When the release button
24 is pressed thereafter, the CPU 12 detects the press, captures an
image, and previews the captured image on the image display device
28. When the user looks at the previewed image and uses the image
as an icon image, the menu/OK key is pressed. When another image is
photographed, the cancel key is pressed. When the cancel key is
pressed, the image display device 28 displays a through image again
and the digital still camera 10 goes to the stand-by state for
photographing.
[0174] On the other hand, when the menu/OK key is pressed, a folder
"C-1" is newly created under the newly created folder "C" and the
icon image of the newly created folder "C-1" is created based on a
photographed image. Then, the folder management information
recorded in the EEPROM 17 is updated and a list of folders created
in the recording area of the recording medium 32 at present is
displayed with folder icons on the image display device 28 based on
the updated folder management information.
[0175] In this way, when folders are successively created in
"folder picture taking mode," another folder is newly created under
a newly created folder. That is, folders are created in a
hierarchical manner.
[0176] The following will describe processing when the camera is
put into "folder creation mode" in "reproduction mode."
[0177] As described above, when the menu/OK key is pressed while
the camera is put into "reproduction mode," "edit folder" is
selected from the menu displayed on the image display device 28,
and then "create folder" is selected from the menu of "edit
folder." In this case, the digital still camera 10 is set at
"folder creation mode" in "reproduction mode." Then, when the
camera is put into "folder creation mode," a list of folders is
displayed with folder icons on the screen of the image display
device 28 (FIG. 4C). From the list of folders, the user selects a
folder under which a new folder should be created. In this case, a
new folder is created under the root folder "ROOT."
[0178] Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 6A, an image recorded in the
recording medium 32 is reproduced and displayed on the screen of
the image display device 28. That is, when a folder is selected,
the CPU 12 detects the selection and controls the circuits so as to
reproduce and display the photographed image on the image display
device 28.
[0179] In this case, for example, images are reproduced in the
alphabetical order of the folder names. That is, in the example of
FIG. 4C, an image file stored in the folder "A" is reproduced and
displayed. Subsequently, the folder "A-1", folder "A-2", folder
"B", folder "B-1", and folder "B-1-1" are reproduced and displayed
in this order. Frame advance is performed by the right and left
buttons of the cross key. Forward frame advance is made by pressing
the right button and backward frame advance is made by pressing the
left button.
[0180] In this way, the user sequentially reproduces and displays
image files recorded in the recording medium 32 on the image
display device 28. Then, when an image to be used as an icon image
is displayed on the image display device 28, the user presses the
menu/OK key.
[0181] When the menu/OK key is pressed, as shown in FIG. 6B, the
selected image is displayed again on the image display device 28.
When the image displayed on the image display device 28 is used as
an icon image, the menu/OK key is pressed. When another image is
selected, the cancel key is pressed. When the cancel key is
pressed, a recorded image is reproduced and displayed again on the
image display device 28 and waits for selection.
[0182] On the other hand, when the menu/OK key is pressed, a new
folder (folder "C") is created under the selected folder (root
folder "ROOT"). Then, the image data of the icon image of the newly
created folder is created based on the image data of the selected
image.
[0183] The new folder is created immediately below the root folder
"ROOT." Since the folder "A" and the folder "B" have been already
created immediately below the root folder "ROOT," the newly created
folder is named as an alphabet "C".
[0184] When the folder and the icon image are created in this
manner, the folder management information recorded in the EEPROM 17
is updated. Then, as shown in FIG. 6C, a list of folders created in
the recording area of the recording medium 32 at present is
displayed with folder icons on the image display device 28 based on
the updated folder management information.
[0185] In the series of operations, a folder is newly created in a
predetermined folder and the icon image of the folder is created.
Thereafter, when another folder is subsequently created, the
menu/OK key is pressed in the state of FIG. 6C where the folder
list is displayed. When the processing is completed, the cancel key
is pressed. When the cancel key is pressed, the CPU 12 detects the
press, finishes the creation of folders, and puts the camera into
normal "reproduction mode."
[0186] On the other hand, when the menu/OK key is pressed, the CPU
12 detects the press and causes the image display device 28 to
reproduce and display a recorded image. Thereafter, when the
menu/OK key is pressed to select an image to be used as an icon
image, the CPU 12 detects the selection and causes the image
display device 28 to display the selected image again. When the
user looks at the image displayed on the image display device 28
and decides to use the image as an icon image, the user presses the
menu/OK key. When another image is selected, the user presses the
cancel key. When the cancel key is pressed, a recorded image is
reproduced and displayed again on the image display device 28 and
the digital still camera 10 waits for selection.
[0187] On the other hand, when the menu/OK key is pressed, a folder
"C-1" is newly created under the newly created folder "C" and the
icon image of the newly created folder "C-1" is created based on a
photographed image. Then, the folder management information
recorded in the EEPROM 17 is updated and a list of folders created
in the recording area of the recording medium 32 at present is
displayed on the image display device 28 based on the updated
folder management information.
[0188] When folders are successively created thus in "folder
picture taking mode," another folder is newly created under a newly
created folder as in the case of picture taking mode.
[0189] As described above, when the camera is set at "folder
creation mode" in "picture taking mode" or "reproduction mode," a
folder is created according to each of the modes.
[0190] The following will describe the procedure of "icon image
change mode" for changing the icon image of a created folder.
[0191] As described above, "icon image change mode" is set from the
menu. That is, when the menu/OK key is pressed while the camera is
set at "picture taking mode" or "reproduction mode," the image
display device 28 displays the menu (FIG. 7A). "Edit folder" is
selected from the menu and "change icon image" is selected from the
menu of "edit folder" (FIG. 7B), so that the camera mode is set at
"icon image change mode." As in "folder creation mode," "icon image
change mode" set in "picture taking mode" is different from "icon
image change mode" set in "reproduction mode" in the subsequent
procedure of changing an icon. That is, when a transition is made
to "icon image change mode" in "picture taking mode," a new icon
image is created based on an image photographed on the spot. When a
transition is made to "icon image change mode" in "reproduction
mode," a new icon is created based on an image selected from
photographed images.
[0192] First, the following will describe processing when a
transition is made to "icon image change mode" in "picture taking
mode."
[0193] When the menu/OK key is pressed while the camera mode is set
at "picture taking mode" as in the icon creation mode, the image
display device 28 displays the menu as shown in FIG. 7A. The user
selects "edit folder" from menu items displayed on the menu. When
"edit folder" is selected, as shown in FIG. 7B, the display of the
image display device 28 is switched to the menu of "edit folder."
The user selects "change icon image" from the menu items of "edit
folder."
[0194] When "change icon image" is selected from the menu items of
"edit folder," the digital still camera 10 is set at "icon image
change mode" in "picture taking mode." Then, when the camera is put
into "icon image change mode," as shown in FIG. 7C, a list of
folders is displayed with folder icons on the screen of the image
display device 28. From the list of folders displayed on the image
display device 28, the user selects a folder having an icon image
to be changed. For example, when the icon image of the folder "A"
is changed, the folder "A" is selected. When the icon image of the
folder "A-1" is changed, the folder "A-1" is selected. A selection
is made by moving the selection frame with the cross key and a
confirmation is made by pressing the menu/OK key. In this case, the
icon image of a folder "B-1-1" is changed.
[0195] Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 8A, a though image is displayed
on the screen of the image display device 28. That is, when a
folder is selected, the CPU 12 detects the selection and controls
the circuits so as to display the through image on the image
display device 28. The user photographs an image for an icon image
in this state. Photographing is performed by pressing the release
button 24 as usual.
[0196] Then, when the user presses the release button 24, the CPU
12 detects the press and captures the image. The CPU 12 causes the
image display device 28 to preview the captured image as shown in
FIG. 8B. When the user looks at the previewed image and decides to
use the image as an icon image, the user presses the menu/OK key.
When another image is photographed, the cancel key is pressed. When
the cancel key is pressed, the image display device 28 displays a
through image again and the digital still camera 10 goes into a
stand-by state for photographing.
[0197] On the other hand, when the menu/OK key is pressed, an icon
image is newly created based on the photographed image and the
folder management information recorded in the EEPROM 17 is updated.
That is, the information about the icon image of the selected
folder is overwritten by the newly created icon image. Then, as
shown in FIG. 8C, a list of folders created in the recording area
of the recording medium 32 is displayed with folder icons on the
image display device 28 by using the newly created icon image.
[0198] In the series of operations, the icon image of a
predetermined folder is changed. Thereafter, when another icon
image is subsequently changed, the menu/OK key is pressed while the
folder list of FIG. 8C is displayed. When the processing is
completed, the cancel key is pressed. When the cancel key is
pressed, the CPU 12 detects the press, finishes the changing of an
icon image, and puts the camera into normal "picture taking
mode."
[0199] The following will describe processing when a transition is
made to "icon image change mode" in "reproduction mode."
[0200] As described above, the menu/OK key is pressed when the
camera is put into "reproduction mode," "edit folder" is selected
from the menu displayed on the image display device 28, and then
"change icon image" is selected from the menu of "edit folder." In
this case, the digital still camera 10 is set at "icon image change
mode" in "reproduction mode." Then, when the camera is put into
"icon image change mode," a list of folders is displayed with
folder icons on the screen of the image display device 28 as in the
case of picture taking mode (FIG. 7C). From the list of folders,
the user selects a folder having an icon image to be changed. In
this case, the icon image of the folder "B-1-1" is changed.
[0201] Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 9A, an image recorded in the
recording medium 32 is reproduced and displayed on the screen of
the image display device 28. That is, when a folder is selected,
the CPU 12 detects the selection and controls the circuits so as to
reproduce and display the photographed image on the image display
device 28. As in "folder creation mode," images are reproduced in
the alphabetical order of the folder names. The frame advance of
the images is performed by the right and left buttons of the cross
key. Forward frame advance is made by pressing the right button and
backward frame advance is made by pressing the left button.
[0202] In this way, the user sequentially reproduces and displays
image files recorded in the recording medium 32 on the image
display device 28. Then, when an image to be used as an icon image
is displayed on the image display device 28, the user presses the
menu/OK key.
[0203] When the menu/OK key is pressed, as shown in FIG. 9B, the
selected image is displayed again on the image display device 28.
When the image displayed on the image display device 28 is used as
a new icon, the menu/OK key is pressed. When another image is
selected, the cancel key is pressed. When the cancel key is
pressed, a recorded image is reproduced and displayed again on the
image display device 28 and waits for selection.
[0204] On the other hand, when the menu/OK key is pressed, an icon
image is newly created based on the photographed image and the
folder management information recorded in the EEPROM 17 is updated.
That is, information about the icon image of the selected folder is
overwritten by information about the newly created icon image.
Then, as shown in FIG. 9C, a list of folders created in the
recording area of the recording medium 32 is displayed on the image
display device 28 by using the newly created icon.
[0205] In the series of operations, the icon image of the
predetermined folder is changed. Thereafter, when another icon
image is subsequently changed, the menu/OK key is pressed while the
folder list is displayed as shown in FIG. 9C. When the processing
is completed, the cancel key is pressed. When the cancel key is
pressed, the CPU 12 detects the press, finishes changing folders,
and puts the camera into normal "reproduction mode."
[0206] As described above, when the camera mode is set at "icon
image change mode" in "picture taking mode" or "reproduction mode,"
an icon image is changed according to each of the modes.
[0207] The following will describe the procedure of "icon image
deletion mode" for deleting the icon image of a created folder.
[0208] "Icon image deletion mode" is set from the menu. That is,
when the menu/OK key is pressed while the camera mode is set at
"picture taking mode" or "reproduction mode," the image display
device 28 displays the menu (FIG. 7A). The user selects "edit
folder" from menu items displayed on the menu. When "edit folder"
is selected, the display of the image display device 28 is switched
to the menu of "edit folder" (FIG. 7B). Then, the user selects
"delete icon image" from the menu items of "edit folder." Thus, the
camera is set at "icon image deletion mode."
[0209] When the camera mode is set at "icon image deletion mode,"
as shown in FIG. 10A, a list of folders created in the recording
area of the recording medium 32 is displayed with folder icons on
the image display device 28. From the list of folders displayed on
the image display device 28, the user selects a folder having an
icon image to be deleted. For example, when the icon image of the
folder "A" is deleted, the folder "A" is selected. When the icon
image of the folder "A-1" is deleted, the folder "A-1" is selected.
A selection is made by moving the selection frame with the cross
key and a confirmation is made by pressing the menu/OK key. In this
case, the icon image of the folder "B-1-1" is deleted.
[0210] When a folder having an icon image to be deleted is selected
and the menu/OK key is pressed, the CPU 12 deletes the icon image
of the selected folder. That is, information about the icon image
of the selected folder is deleted from the folder management
information recorded in the EEPROM 17. Then, as shown in FIG. 10B,
a list of folders created in the recording area of the recording
medium 32 is displayed on the image display device 28 based on the
updated folder management information.
[0211] In the series of operations, the icon image of a folder is
deleted. Thereafter, when another icon image is subsequently
changed, the menu/OK key is pressed while the folder list of FIG.
10B is displayed. When the processing is completed, the cancel key
is pressed. When the cancel key is pressed, the CPU 12 detects the
press, finishes the deletion of an icon image, and puts the camera
into a mode before a transition is made to "icon image delete
mode," that is, "imaging mode" or "reproduce mode."
[0212] The following will describe the procedure of "folder
deletion mode" for deleting a created folder.
[0213] "Folder deletion mode" is set from the menu. That is, when
the menu/OK key is pressed while the camera mode is set at "picture
taking mode" or "reproduction mode," the image display device 28
displays the menu (FIG. 7A). The user selects "edit folder" from
menu items displayed on the menu. When "edit folder" is selected,
the display of the image display device 28 is switched to the menu
of "edit folder" (FIG. 7B). The user selects "delete folder" from
the menu items of "edit folder." Thus, the camera mode is set at
"folder deletion mode."
[0214] When the camera mode is set at "folder deletion mode," as
shown in FIG. 11A, a list of folders created in the recording area
of the recording medium 32 is displayed with folder icons on the
image display device 28. From the list of folders displayed on the
image display device 28, the user selects a folder to be deleted.
For example, when the folder "A" is deleted, the folder "A" is
selected. When the folder "A-1" is deleted, the folder "A-1" is
selected. A selection is made by moving the selection frame with
the cross key and a confirmation is made by pressing the menu/OK
key. In this case, the folder "B-1-1" is deleted.
[0215] When the folder to be deleted is selected and the menu/OK
key is pressed, the CPU 12 detects the press and deletes the
selected folder "B-1-1." That is, the selected folder is deleted
from the folders created in the recording area of the recording
medium 32 and information about the folder is deleted from the
folder management information recorded in the EEPROM 17. Then, as
shown in FIG. 11B, a list of folders created in the recording area
of the recording medium 32 is displayed on the image display device
28 based on the updated folder management information.
[0216] In the series of operations, a folder is deleted.
Thereafter, when another folder is subsequently deleted, the
menu/OK key is pressed while the folder list of FIG. 11B is
displayed. When the processing is completed, the cancel key is
pressed. When the cancel key is pressed, the CPU 12 detects the
press, finishes the deletion of folders, and puts the camera into a
mode before a transition is made to "folder deletion mode," that
is, "picture taking mode" or "reproduction mode."
[0217] The following will describe the procedure of "recording
folder setting mode" for designating a folder to store photographed
image data.
[0218] "Recording folder setting mode" is set from the menu. That
is, when the menu/OK key is pressed while the camera mode is set at
"picture taking mode" or "reproduction mode," the image display
device 28 displays the menu (FIG. 7A). The user selects "edit
folder" from menu items displayed on the menu. When "edit folder"
is selected, the display of the image display device 28 is switched
to the menu of "edit folder" (FIG. 7B). The user selects "set
recording folder" from the menu items of "edit folder." Thus, the
camera mode is set at "recording folder setting mode." When the
camera mode is set at "recording folder setting mode," a list of
folders created in the recording area of the recording medium 32 is
displayed with folder icons on the image display device 28 (FIG.
7C). From the list of folders displayed on the image display device
28, the user selects a folder for recording a photographed image to
be deleted. For example, when a photographed image is recorded in
the folder "A", the folder "A" is selected. When a photographed
image is recorded in the folder "A-1", the folder "A-1" is
selected. A selection is made by moving the selection frame with
the cross key and a confirmation is made by pressing the menu/OK
key.
[0219] When a recording folder is selected and the menu/OK key is
pressed, the CPU 12 detects the press. Thereafter, the recording of
an image file is controlled so that the image file is recorded in
the selected folder.
[0220] When the recording medium 32 is formatted, the folder "A" is
automatically created immediately below the root folder "ROOT" in
the recording area of the recording medium 32 and a photographed
image is recorded in the folder "A".
[0221] In the initial setting, the folder "A" is set as a recording
folder. When a recording folder is not set, an image file is
automatically recorded in the folder "A".
[0222] The following will describe the procedure of "folder list
display mode" for displaying a list of folders created in the
recording area of the recording medium 32.
[0223] "Folder list display mode" is set from the menu. That is,
when the menu/OK key is pressed while the camera mode is set at
"picture taking mode" or "reproduction mode," the image display
device 28 displays the menu (FIG. 7A). The user selects "edit
folder" from menu items displayed on the menu. When "edit folder"
is selected, the display of the image display device 28 is switched
to the menu of "edit folder" (FIG. 7B). Then, the user selects
"display folder list" from the menu items of "edit folder." Thus,
the camera is set at "folder list display mode."
[0224] When the camera is set at "folder list display mode," a list
of folders created in the recording area of the recording medium 32
is displayed with folder icons on the image display device 28 (FIG.
7C). The user recognizes the structure of folders through the
display of the image display device 28.
[0225] When the display is terminated, the menu/OK key is pressed.
When the menu/OK key is pressed, the CPU 12 detects the press and
puts the camera into a mode before "folder list display mode," that
is, "picture taking mode" or "reproduction mode."
[0226] Referring to flowcharts shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the
following will describe a series of processing steps including
photographing, reproduction, and folder edition of the digital
still camera 10 configured thus according to the present
embodiment.
[0227] As shown in FIG. 12, when the power of the digital still
camera 10 is turned on, it is first decided whether the camera mode
is set at "picture taking mode" or not (step S10). When the camera
mode is set at "picture taking mode," processing advances to step
S11. When the camera mode is set at "reproduction mode," processing
advances to the flowchart of "reproduction mode" shown in FIG.
13.
[0228] First, the following will describe the case where the camera
mode is set at "picture taking mode." In this case, it is decided
whether the camera mode is set at "folder creation mode" or not
(step S11). When it is decided in step S11 that the camera mode is
set at "folder creation mode," a folder is created in "picture
taking mode." That is, an icon image is photographed (step S12), a
folder is newly created under a designated folder in
synchronization with the photographing operation, and the icon
image of the folder is created based on the photographed image
(step S13). Then, information about the folder and the icon image
is written in the folder management information recorded in the
EEPROM 17.
[0229] On the other hand, when it is decided in step S11 that the
camera mode is not set at "folder creation mode," it is then
decided whether the camera mode is set at "icon image change mode"
or not (step S14). When it is decided in step S14 that the camera
mode is set at "icon image change mode," the icon image of a
designated folder is changed. That is, an icon image is
photographed (step S15), a new icon image is created based on the
photographed image, and the icon image of the designated folder is
switched to the newly created icon image (step S16). That is, the
folder management information recorded in the EEPROM 17 is
rewritten so that information about the icon image of the
designated folder is replaced with information about the newly
created icon image.
[0230] On the other hand, when it is decided in step S14 that the
camera mode is not set at "icon image change mode," it is then
decided that the camera mode is set at "icon image deletion mode"
or not (step S17). When it is decided in step S17 that the camera
mode is set at "icon image deletion mode," the icon image of a
selected folder is deleted. That is, a folder having an icon image
to be deleted is selected and the folder management information
recorded in the EEPROM 17 is rewritten so as to delete the icon
information of the selected folder (step S18).
[0231] On the other hand, when it is decided in step S17 that the
camera mode is not set at "icon image deletion mode," it is then
decided that the camera mode is set at "folder deletion mode" or
not (step S19). When it is decided in step S19 that the camera mode
is set at "folder deletion mode," a designated folder is deleted.
That is, a folder to be deleted is selected, the selected folder is
deleted from the recording medium 32, and information about the
selected folder is deleted from the folder management information
recorded in the EEPROM 17 (step S20).
[0232] On the other hand, when it is decided in step S19 that the
camera mode is not set at "folder deletion mode," it is then
decided that the camera mode is set at "recording folder selection
mode" or not (step S21).
[0233] When it is decided in step S21 that the camera mode is set
at "recording folder selection mode," a recording folder is
selected. That is, a folder for recording a photographed image is
selected (step S22). When a recording folder is selected, a
photographing operation is performed (step S23). Thereafter, the
photographed image is recorded in the selected recording folder
(step S24).
[0234] When it is decided in step S21 that the camera mode is not
set at "recording folder selection mode," a photographing operation
is performed (step S23) and then a photographed image is recorded
in a folder selected beforehand or a specified folder (step
S24).
[0235] The following will describe the case where it is decided in
step S10 that the camera mode is not set at "picture taking-mode".
In this case, processing advances to the flowchart of FIG. 13.
[0236] When it is decided in step S10 that the camera mode is not
set at "picture taking mode," the camera mode is set at
"reproduction mode" (step S30) and thus the subsequent processing
is performed in "reproduction mode."
[0237] First, it is decided whether the camera mode is set at
"folder creation mode" or not (step S31). When it is decided in
step S31 that the camera mode is set at "folder creation mode," a
folder is created in "reproduction mode." That is, image files
recorded in the recording medium 32 are reproduced and an image to
be used as an icon image is selected from reproduced images (step
S32). Then, in synchronization with the selection, a folder is
newly created under a designated folder and the icon image of the
folder is created based on the selected image (step S33). Then,
information about the folder and the icon image is written in the
folder management information recorded in the EEPROM 17.
[0238] On the other hand, when it is decided in step S31 that the
camera mode is not set at "folder creation mode," it is then
decided whether the camera mode is set at "icon image change mode"
or not (step S34). When it is decided in step S34 that the camera
mode is set at "icon image change mode," the icon image of a
designated folder is changed. That is, image files recorded in the
recording medium 32 are reproduced and an image to be used as an
icon image is selected from the reproduced images (step S35). Then,
a new icon image is created based on the selected image and the
icon image of the designated folder is switched to the newly
created icon image (step S36). That is, the folder management
information recorded in the EEPROM 17 is rewritten so that
information about the icon image of the designated folder is
replaced with information about the newly created icon image.
[0239] On the other hand, when it is decided in step S34 that the
camera mode is not set at "icon image change mode," it is then
decided whether the camera mode is set at "icon image deletion
mode" or not (step S37). When it is decided in step S37 that the
camera mode is set at "icon image deletion mode," the icon image of
a selected folder is deleted. That is, a folder having an icon
image to be deleted is selected and the folder management
information recorded in the EEPROM 17 is rewritten so as to delete
the icon information of the selected folder (step S38).
[0240] On the other hand, when it is decided in step S37 that the
camera mode is not set at "icon image deletion mode," it is then
decided that the camera mode is set at "folder deletion mode" or
not (step S39). When it is decided in step S39 that the camera mode
is set at "folder deletion mode," a designated folder is deleted.
That is, a folder to be deleted is selected, the selected folder is
deleted from the recording medium 32, and information about the
selected folder is deleted from the folder management information
recorded in the EEPROM 17 (step S40).
[0241] On the other hand, when it is decided in step S39 that the
camera mode is not set at "folder deletion mode," image files
recorded in the recording medium 32 are reproduced (step S41).
[0242] As described above, according to the digital still camera 10
of the present embodiment, folders can be hierarchically created in
the recording area of the recording medium 32 and a photographed
image can be recorded in a desired folder. Thus, photographed image
data can be sorted and managed according to the preferences of the
user.
[0243] Further, the structure of folders created in the recording
area of the recording medium 32 can be displayed as a list with
folder icons on the image display device 28. Images being
photographed or photographed images can be displayed on the folder
icons of the list. Moreover, an image displayed on the folder icon
can be arbitrarily changed. Thus, the contents of folders can be
recognized at a glance only by looking at folder icons.
[0244] Besides, image files recorded in each folder have different
names for each folder so that file names do not overlap. Hence,
even after the image files are captured into a personal computer
and so on, the image files can be managed with ease. Further, it is
possible to prevent a previously captured image file from being
overwritten and deleted with another image file due to similar
names.
[0245] Furthermore, in the digital still camera 10 of the present
embodiment, when a folder structure is displayed as a list of
hierarchically organized folders, folders on the same level are
displayed in the same column and folders on lower levels are
expanded and displayed in a lateral direction, so that the folder
structure can be recognized at a glance.
[0246] In the present embodiment, the folder management information
is recorded in the EEPROM 17. The folder management information may
be recorded in the recording medium 32. By recording the folder
management information in the recording medium, even when the
recording medium 32 is unloaded from the digital still camera 10
and then loaded to the digital still camera 10 again, a previously
used folder and icon image can be continuously used. Moreover, by
using special application software, even in a personal computer
having captured data, a list of folders can be displayed on the
display by using folder icons displayed with icon images.
[0247] Further, in the present embodiment, an instruction to
photograph is provided in response to the press of the release
button 24. When a self-timer, a remote control, and the like are
provided, an instruction to photograph may be provided by means of
these functions.
[0248] The following will describe Embodiment 2 of a digital still
camera according to the present invention.
[0249] As described above, the digital still camera 10 of
Embodiment 1 can hierarchically create folders in the recording
area of the recording medium 32 and cause the image display device
28 to display a list of the hierarchically created folders with
folder icons on the image display device 28. Further, the user can
display preferred images (icon images) on the folder icons of the
list.
[0250] In the digital still camera of the present embodiment, when
a recording medium is replaced, management information about
folders created in a recording medium 32 before replacement is
taken over to another recording medium after replacement. That is,
folders having the same structures as folders created in the
recording medium before replacement are created in the recording
medium after replacement, and a list of folders is displayed on an
image display device by using icon images similar to those of the
folders created before replacement.
[0251] Referring to the flowchart of FIG. 14, the following will
describe a method of taking over folder management information when
the recording medium is replaced.
[0252] When the power of the digital still camera 10 is turned on,
a CPU 12 compares a folder structure created in the recording
medium 32 with folder management information recorded in an EEPROM
17 (step S50) to decide whether the recording medium 32 is replaced
or not (step S51).
[0253] Also when the recording medium 32 is removed from a medium
socket 30 and another recording medium 32 is inserted into the
medium socket 30, a folder structure created in the another
recording medium 32 is compared with folder management information
recorded in the EEPROM 17 (step S50) to decide whether the
recording medium 32 is different from the medium having been loaded
before replacement (step S51).
[0254] When the recording medium 32 is not replaced, the recording
medium 32 is continuously used as it is.
[0255] On the other hand, when the recording medium 32 is replaced,
it is decided whether the folder management information of the
previous recording medium 32 should be continuously used or not for
the replaced new medium 32 (step S52). Namely, when it is decided
that the recording medium 32 is replaced, the CPU 12 outputs a
message to an image display device 28 to inquire about whether the
folder management information of a folder created in the previous
recording medium should be continuously used or not. When the
folder management information of a folder created in the previous
recording medium is continuously used, the user presses a menu/OK
key, otherwise the user presses a cancel key.
[0256] When the CPU 12 detects the press of the menu/OK key, that
is, when it is decided that the folder management information of
the previous recording medium 32 should be continuously used for
the replaced new medium 32, it is decided whether a folder has been
created in the new recording medium 32 (step S53). When a folder
has been created, the new recording medium 32 is formatted (step
S54) and then a folder having the same structure as a folder having
been created in the previous recording medium is created in the new
medium 32 based on the folder management information of the
previous recording medium that has been recorded in the EEPROM 17
(step S55). Hence, the folder management information of the
recording medium before replacement can be continuously used as it
is. When an unnecessary folder is omitted or an icon image is
changed, a folder structure can be corrected into a desired one by
performing the above-described edits on folders.
[0257] On the other hand, when the CPU 12 detects the press of the
cancel key, that is, when it is decided that the folder management
information of the previous recording medium 32 should not be
continuously used for the replaced new medium 32, the CPU 12
deletes the folder management information of the previous recording
medium that has been recorded in the EEPROM 17 (step S56).
[0258] Thereafter, it is decided whether a folder has been created
in the new recording medium 32 (step S57). When a folder has been
created, it is decided whether the folder should be used as it is
(step S58). That is, when a folder has been created in the new
recording medium 32, the CPU 12 outputs a message to the image
display device 28 to inquire about whether the folder in the new
recording medium should be used as it is. When the folder in the
new recording medium is used as it is, the user presses the menu/OK
key, otherwise the user presses the cancel key.
[0259] When the CPU 12 detects the press of the menu/OK key, that
is, when it is decided that the folder in the new recording medium
should be used as it is, another folder management information is
created based on information about the folder in the new recording
medium 32 and is recorded in the EEPROM 17 (step S59). Thereafter,
image files are recorded by using the folder in the new recording
medium 32.
[0260] On the other hand, when the CPU 12 detects the press of the
cancel key, that is, when it is decided that the folder in the new
recording medium should not be used as it is, the CPU 12 formats
the new recording medium 32 (step S60).
[0261] When the CPU 12 formats the recording medium 32, a folder
"A" is created in the same level as a root folder "ROOT". When a
folder is not created, a photographed image file is recorded in the
folder "A".
[0262] In this way, according to the digital still camera of the
present embodiment, even when a recording medium is replaced with
another, folder management information in the recording medium
before replacement can be continuously used for another recording
medium after replacement. Thus, it is possible to save the time and
effort of setting a folder every time a recording medium is
replaced with another, thereby improving operability.
[0263] The following will describe Embodiment 3 of a digital still
camera according to the present invention.
[0264] In the digital still camera according to Embodiment 1, when
the structure of folders created in the recording area of the
recording medium is displayed as a list on the image display device
28, the folder icons of the folders are similar in size.
[0265] In the digital camera of the present embodiment, as shown in
FIG. 15, when a list of folders is displayed with folder icons on
an image display device 28, the folder icons are varied in size
according to the number of image files stored in each folder. The
method of displaying folders will be discussed below.
[0266] When a folder list is displayed on the image display device
28, a CPU 12 first accesses to a recording medium 32 to obtain the
number of image files recorded in each folder of the recording
medium 32. Then, the CPU 12 calculates a total number of image
files recorded in the recording medium 32 and calculates a ratio of
the number of image files recorded in each folder to the calculated
total number of recorded image files.
[0267] For example, as shown in FIG. 15, when it is assumed that
three folders "A", "B", and "C" are created in the recording area
of the recording medium 32, the folder "A" has 650 image files, the
folder "B" has 260 image files, and the folder "C" has 90 image
files, the total number of image files recorded in the recording
medium 32 is 1000. The ratios of image files recorded in the
folders are: 650/1000 for the folder "A", 260/1000 for the folder
"B", and 90/1000 for the folder "C".
[0268] Then, the CPU 12 sets the size of the folder icon displayed
on the image display device 28 based on the calculated ratio of
recorded image files. As shown in FIG. 16, this setting is made
according to a predetermined size switching table. That is,
according to the ratio of recorded image files, a length L is set
which represents each side of the folder icon displayed on the
image display device 28. The calculated ratio of recorded image
files is checked against the size switching table to set the size
of the folder icon displayed on the image display device 28.
[0269] For example, in the case of the size switching table of this
example, when the ratio of image files recorded in a folder to the
total number of image files recorded in the recording medium 32 is
less than 1/4, the size of the folder icon is 5.times.5 mm, when
the ratio is 1/4 to 2/4, the size is 7.times.7 mm, when the ratio
is 2/4 to 3/4, the size is 10.times.10 mm, and when the ratio is
3/4 or larger, the size is 15.times.15 mm.
[0270] When the folders "A" to "B", in which the image files are
recorded in the same manner as this example, are recorded in the
image display device 28, the ratio of image files recorded in the
folder "A" to the total number is 650/1000 and thus the size of the
folder icon is set at 10.times.10 mm. The ratio of image files
recorded in the folder "B" to the total number is 260/1000 and thus
the size of the folder icon is set at 7.times.7 mm. The ratio of
image files recorded in the folder "C" to the total number is
90/1000 and thus the size of the folder icon is set at 5.times.5
mm.
[0271] In this way, the CPU 12 sets the size of the folder icon of
each folder according to a ratio of image files recorded in each
folder. Then, the CPU 12 displays a list of folders on the image
display device 28 so as to display the folder icons with the set
sizes.
[0272] At this point, as shown in FIG. 15, the total number of
image files recorded in the recording medium 32 is displayed on the
upper left corner of the image display device 28 and the number of
image files actually recorded in each folder is displayed on the
right of each folder.
[0273] In this way, according to the digital still camera of the
present embodiment, when a list of folders created in the recording
medium 32 is displayed on the image display device 28, each folder
icon is enlarged or reduced according to the number of image files
recorded in each folder. Thus, the number of image files currently
recorded in each folder can be recognized at a glance by looking at
a list of folder icons.
[0274] Further, as described in the present embodiment, the total
number of recorded image files and the number of image files
recorded in each folder are displayed along with folder icons, so
that the usage pattern of each folder can be recognized more
clearly.
[0275] In the present embodiment, the folder icon is varied in size
according to the number of image files recorded in each folder. The
folder icon may be varied in size according to a capacity of an
image file recorded in each folder.
[0276] Further, in the present embodiment, an icon image is
displayed on each folder icon. The icon image may not be
displayed.
[0277] Moreover, the series of embodiments described examples in
which the present invention is applied to a digital still camera
capable of recording and reproducing static images. The present
invention is similarly applicable to a digital still camera capable
of recording and reproducing moving images as well as static
images.
[0278] Moreover, the series of embodiments described examples in
which the present invention is applied to a digital still camera.
The application of the present invention is not limited to a
digital still camera but is applicable to, for example, every kind
of devices for recording files in a recording medium, in addition
to electronic devices (imaging devices) capable of photographing.
Such electronic devices include a digital video camera, a mobile
phone with a built-in camera, a PDA with a built-in camera, and a
personal computer with a built-in camera that are capable of
recording and reproducing moving images. That is, the present
invention is applicable to every kind of devices as long as the
device records files in a recording medium, and the kinds of files
recorded in the recording medium are not limited at all. Therefore,
it is also possible to store a text file, a document file, and a
music file, and so on in a folder created according to the present
invention. In this case, the shortcut of the file (shortcut file)
may be stored instead of the entity of the file.
[0279] Further, when the present invention is applied to a device
other than electronic devices having a photographing function, the
device for acquiring image data used as an icon image (image input
device) is not limited to a digital camera and thus a scanner is
also applicable. Moreover, the image data may be acquired from an
image database in which the image data is recorded.
[0280] Besides, the image data used as an icon image may be
obtained by cutting a frame of moving image data.
* * * * *