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Digital Camera Patent Abstract
A digital camera includes: a device for obtaining the number of
registered images of the album which is the number of image configuring
an album based on a control file for management of a taken image;
and a device for obtaining the number of remaining images to be
registered in the album which is the number of remaining images
which can be registered in the album based on the control file and
a predetermined maximum number of registered images capable of configuring
the album to display an arbitrary image forming part of the album,
and switch and display the obtained number of registered images
of the album, thereby displaying images configuring an electronic
album, and displaying information about the electronic album such
as information about the number of image data files in an album,
information about when an image in the album was taken, etc.
Digital Camera Patent Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A digital camera having a control file for managing a taken
image, an album facility for generating and managing an album configured
by one or more images based on the control file, and a display device
for displaying an image, comprising: a device obtaining the number
of registered images of the album for obtaining the number of registered
images of the album which is the number of images configuring the
album based on the control file; and a device obtaining the number
of remaining images to be registered in the album for obtaining
the number of remaining images to be registered in the album which
is the number of remaining images to be taken and registered in
the album based on the maximum number of registered images capable
of configuring the album which is predetermined, wherein the display
device displays an arbitrary image configuring part of the album,
and switches and displays the number of registered images of the
album obtained by the device for obtaining the number of registered
images of the album or the number of remaining images to be registered
in the album obtained by the device for obtaining the number of
remaining images to be registered in the album.
2. The digital camera according to claim 1, wherein: the device
for obtaining the number of registered images of the album obtains
the number of registered images of an album for a plurality of albums;
the device for obtaining the number of remaining images to be registered
in the album obtains the number of remaining images to be registered
in an album for a plurality of albums; and the display device displays
the registered images of a selected album or the number of remaining
images to be registered in the album, and displays the registered
images of an unselected album or the number of remaining images
to be registered in the album in different formats.
3. The digital camera according to claim 2, further comprising
a shooting date obtaining device obtaining the shooting date of
an arbitrary image configuring the album based on the control file,
wherein the display device switches and displays the number of registered
images of the album, the number of remaining images to be registered
in the album, or the shooting periods of all images configuring
the album obtained based on the shooting dates of all images configuring
the album obtained by the shooting date obtaining device.
4. The digital camera according to claim 3, wherein the display
device switches and displays the number of registered images of
the album, the number of remaining images to be registered in the
album, the shooting period, or an album generation date indicating
the day on which the album obtained based on the control file was
generated.
5. The digital camera according to claim 4, further comprising
based on the control file an image information obtaining device
obtaining the image capacity indicating the capacity of all images
configuring the album, the image quality indicating the quality
of an image configuring the album, and the image type information
about the type of the image configuring part of the album, wherein
the display device switches and displays the number of registered
images of the album, the number of remaining images to be registered
in the album, the shooting period, or the album generation date,
and the image capacity, the image quality, or the image type information
obtained by the image information obtaining device.
6. The digital camera according to claim 2, wherein the display
device displays the number of registered images of a selected album,
the number of remaining images to be registered in the album, the
shooting period, the album generation date, the image capacity,
and the image quality, or displays together with the display of
the image type information the number of registered images of an
album near the selected album among unselected albums, the number
of remaining images to be registered in the album, the shooting
period, the album generation date, the image capacity, the image
quality, or the image type information.
7. The digital camera according to claim 2, wherein the display
device displays the number of registered images of the album, the
number of remaining images to be registered in the album, the shooting
period, the album generation date, the image capacity, the image
quality, or the image type information in an ascending or descending
order.
8. A digital camera having a control file for managing a taken
image, an album facility for generating and managing an album configured
by one or more images based on the control file, and a display device
for displaying an image, comprising: a device obtaining the number
of registered images of the album for obtaining the number of registered
images of the album which is the number of images configuring the
album based on the control file; and a device obtaining the number
of remaining images to be registered in the album for obtaining
the number of remaining images to be registered in the album which
is the number of remaining images to be taken and registered in
the album based on the maximum number of registered images capable
of configuring the album which is predetermined, wherein the display
device displays an arbitrary image configuring part of the album,
displays the number of registered images of the album obtained by
the device for obtaining the number of registered images of the
album, and displays the number of remaining images to be registered
in the album obtained by the device for obtaining the number of
remaining images to be registered in the album for a selected album.
9. The digital camera according to claim 8, wherein the display
device displays the registered images of a selected album and the
number of remaining images to be registered in the album in a format
different from the registered images of unselected albums.
10. An album managing method used by a digital camera having a
control file for managing a taken image, an album facility for generating
and managing an album configured by one or more images based on
the control file, and a display device for displaying an image,
comprising: obtaining the number of registered images of the album
for obtaining the number of registered images of the album which
is the number of images configuring the album based on the control
file; obtaining the number of remaining images to be registered
in the album for obtaining the number of remaining images to be
registered in the album which is the number of remaining images
to be taken and registered in the album based on the maximum number
of registered images capable of configuring the album which is predetermined;
display by the display device displaying an arbitrary image configuring
part of the album, and switching and displaying the number of registered
images of the obtained album or the number of remaining images to
be registered in the obtained album.
11. The method according to claim 10, wherein: obtaining the number
of registered images of the album obtains the number of registered
images of an album for a plurality of albums; obtaining the number
of remaining images to be registered in the album obtains the number
of remaining images to be registered in an album for a plurality
of albums; display by the display device displays the registered
images of a selected album or the number of remaining images to
be registered in the album, and displays the registered images of
an unselected album or the number of remaining images to be registered
in the album in different formats.
12. The method according to claim 11, further comprising obtaining
the shooting date of an arbitrary image configuring the album based
on the control file, wherein display by the display device switching
and displaying the number of registered images of the album, the
number of remaining images to be registered in the album, or the
shooting periods of all images configuring the album obtained based
on the shooting dates of all images configuring the album obtained
by the shooting date obtaining device.
13. The method according to claim 12, wherein the display by the
display device switches and displays the number of registered images
of the album, the number of remaining images to be registered in
the album, the shooting period, or an album generation date indicating
the day on which the album obtained based on the control file was
generated.
14. The method according to claim 13, wherein based on the control
file, the image capacity indicating the capacity of all images configuring
the album, the image quality indicating the quality of an image
configuring the album, and the image type information about the
type of the image configuring part of the album are obtained; and
display by the display device switches and displays the number of
registered images of the album, the number of remaining images to
be registered in the album, the shooting period, or the album generation
date, and the obtained image capacity, the image quality, or the
image type information.
15. The method according to claim 11, wherein display by the display
device displays the number of registered images of a selected album,
the number of remaining images to be registered in the album, the
shooting period, the album generation date, the image capacity,
and the image quality, or displays together with the display of
the image type information the number of registered images of an
album near the selected album among unselected albums, the number
of remaining images to be registered in the album, the shooting
period, the album generation date, the image capacity, the image
quality, or the image type information.
16. The method according to claim 11, wherein display by the display
device displays the number of registered images of the album, the
number of remaining images to be registered in the album, the shooting
period, the album generation date, the image capacity, the image
quality, or the image type information in an ascending or descending
order.
17. An album managing method used by a digital camera having a
control file for managing a taken image, an album facility for generating
and managing an album configured by one or more images based on
the control file, and a display device for displaying an image,
comprising: obtaining the number of registered images of the album
for obtaining the number of registered images of the album which
is the number of images configuring the album based on the control
file; obtaining the number of remaining images to be registered
in the album for obtaining the number of remaining images to be
registered in the album which is the number of remaining images
to be taken and registered in the album based on the maximum number
of registered images capable of configuring the album which is predetermined;
and display by the display device displaying an arbitrary image
configuring part of the album, displaying the number of registered
images of the obtained album and the number of remaining images
to be registered in the obtained album for a selected album.
18. The method according to claim 17, wherein display by the display
device displays the registered images of a selected album and the
number of remaining images to be registered in the album in a format
different from the registered images of unselected albums.
19. An album management program product used to direct a digital
camera having a control file for managing a taken image, an album
facility for generating and managing an album configured by one
or more images based on the control file, and a display device for
displaying an image to perform the procedures of: obtaining the
number of registered images of the album for obtaining the number
of registered images of the album which is the number of images
configuring the album based on the control file; obtaining the number
of remaining images to be registered in the album for obtaining
the number of remaining images to be registered in the album which
is the number of remaining images to be taken and registered in
the album based on the maximum number of registered images capable
of configuring the album which is predetermined; display by the
display device displaying an arbitrary image configuring part of
the album, and switching and displaying the number of registered
images of the obtained album or the number of remaining images to
be registered in the obtained album.
20. The product according to claim 19, wherein: the procedure of
obtaining the number of registered images of the album obtains the
number of registered images of an album for a plurality of albums;
the procedure of obtaining the number of remaining images to be
registered in the album obtains the number of remaining images to
be registered in an album for a plurality of albums; and the procedure
of the display by the display device displays the registered images
of a selected album or the number of remaining images to be registered
in the album, and displays the registered images of an unselected
album or the number of remaining images to be registered in the
album in different formats.
21. The product according to claim 20, further comprising the procedure
of obtaining the shooting date of an arbitrary image configuring
the album based on the control file, wherein the procedure of the
display by the display device switching and displaying the number
of registered images of the album, the number of remaining images
to be registered in the album, or the shooting periods of all images
configuring the album obtained based on the shooting dates of all
images configuring the album obtained by the shooting date obtaining
device.
22. The product according to claim 21, wherein the procedure of
the display by the display device switches and displays the number
of registered images of the album, the number of remaining images
to be registered in the album, the shooting period, or an album
generation date indicating the day on which the album obtained based
on the control file was generated.
23. The product according to claim 22, further comprising the procedure
of obtaining based on the control file the image capacity indicating
the capacity of all images configuring the album, the image quality
indicating the quality of an image configuring the album, and the
image type information about the type of the image configuring part
of the album, wherein the procedure of the display by the display
device switches and displays the number of registered images of
the album, the number of remaining images to be registered in the
album, the shooting period, or the album generation date, and the
obtained image capacity, the image quality, or the image type information.
24. The product according to claim 20, wherein the procedure of
the display by the display device displays the number of registered
images of a selected album, the number of remaining images to be
registered in the album, the shooting period, the album generation
date, the image capacity, and the image quality, or displays together
with the display of the image type information the number of registered
images of an album near the selected album among unselected albums,
the number of remaining images to be registered in the album, the
shooting period, the album generation date, the image capacity,
the image quality, or the image type information.
25. The product according to claim 20, wherein the procedure of
the display by the display device displays the number of registered
images of the album, the number of remaining images to be registered
in the album, the shooting period, the album generation date, the
image capacity, the image quality, or the image type information
in an ascending or descending order.
26. An album management program product used to direct a digital
camera having a control file for managing a taken image, an album
facility for generating and managing an album configured by one
or more images based on the control file, and a display device for
displaying an image to perform the procedures of: obtaining the
number of registered images of the album for obtaining the number
of registered images of the album which is the number of images
configuring the album based on the control file; obtaining the number
of remaining images to be registered in the album for obtaining
the number of remaining images to be registered in the album which
is the number of remaining images to be taken and registered in
the album based on the maximum number of registered images capable
of configuring the album which is predetermined; and display by
the display device displaying an arbitrary image configuring part
of the album, displaying the number of registered images of the
obtained album and the number of remaining images to be registered
in the obtained album for a selected album.
27. The product according to claim 26, wherein the procedure of
the display by the display device displays the registered images
of a selected album and the number of remaining images to be registered
in the album in a format different from the registered images of
unselected albums.
28. An album management program transmission medium used to direct
a digital camera having a control file for managing a taken image,
an album facility for generating and managing an album configured
by one or more images based on the control file, and a display device
for displaying an image to perform the procedures of: obtaining
the number of registered images of the album for obtaining the number
of registered images of the album which is the number of images
configuring the album based on the control file; obtaining the number
of remaining images to be registered in the album for obtaining
the number of remaining images to be registered in the album which
is the number of remaining images to be taken and registered in
the album based on the maximum number of registered images capable
of configuring the album which is predetermined; and display by
the display device displaying an arbitrary image configuring part
of the album, and switching and displaying the number of registered
images of the obtained album or the number of remaining images to
be registered in the obtained album.
29. The medium according to claim 28, wherein: the procedure of
obtaining the number of registered images of the album obtains the
number of registered images of an album for a plurality of albums;
the procedure of obtaining the number of remaining images to be
registered in the album obtains the number of remaining images to
be registered in an album for a plurality of albums; and the procedure
of the display by the display device displays the registered images
of a selected album or the number of remaining images to be registered
in the album, and displays the registered images of an unselected
album or the number of remaining images to be registered in the
album in different formats.
30. The medium according to claim 29, further comprising the procedure
of obtaining the shooting date of an arbitrary image configuring
the album based on the control file, wherein the procedure of the
display by the display device switching and displaying the number
of registered images of the album, the number of remaining images
to be registered in the album, or the shooting periods of all images
configuring the album obtained based on the shooting dates of all
images configuring the album obtained by the shooting date obtaining
device.
31. The medium according to claim 30, wherein the procedure of
the display by the display device switches and displays the number
of registered images of the album, the number of remaining images
to be registered in the album, the shooting period, or an album
generation date indicating the day on which the album obtained based
on the control file was generated.
32. The medium according to claim 31, further comprising the procedure
of obtaining based on the control file the image capacity indicating
the capacity of all images configuring the album, the image quality
indicating the quality of an image configuring the album, and the
image type information about the type of the image configuring part
of the album, wherein the procedure of the display by the display
device switches and displays the number of registered images of
the album, the number of remaining images to be registered in the
album, the shooting period, or the album generation date, and the
obtained image capacity, the image quality, or the image type information.
33. The medium according to claim 29, wherein the procedure of
the display by the display device displays the number of registered
images of a selected album, the number of remaining images to be
registered in the album, the shooting period, the album generation
date, the image capacity, and the image quality, or displays together
with the display of the image type information the number of registered
images of an album near the selected album among unselected albums,
the number of remaining images to be registered in the album, the
shooting period, the album generation date, the image capacity,
the image quality, or the image type information.
34. The medium according to claim 29, wherein the procedure of
the display by the display device displays the number of registered
images of the album, the number of remaining images to be registered
in the album, the shooting period, the album generation date, the
image capacity, the image quality, or the image type information
in an ascending or descending order.
35. An album management program transmission medium used to direct
a digital camera having a control file for managing a taken image,
an album facility for generating and managing an album configured
by one or more images based on the control file, and a display device
for displaying an image to perform the procedures of: obtaining
the number of registered images of the album for obtaining the number
of registered images of the album which is the number of images
configuring the album based on the control file; obtaining the number
of remaining images to be registered in the album for obtaining
the number of remaining images to be registered in the album which
is the number of remaining images to be taken and registered in
the album based on the maximum number of registered images capable
of configuring the album which is predetermined; display by the
display device displaying an arbitrary image configuring part of
the album, and displaying the number of registered images of the
obtained album and the number of remaining images to be registered
in the obtained album for a selected album.
36. The medium according to claim 35, wherein the procedure of
the display by the display device displays the registered images
of a selected album and the number of remaining images to be registered
in the album in a format different from the registered images of
unselected albums.
Digital Camera Patent Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims benefit of Japanese Applications
No. 2004-113301, filed Apr. 7, 2004, the contents of which are incorporated
by this reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to a digital camera having
an album facility, and an album management program product, an album
management program product, and an album management program transmission
medium for an electronic album by the digital camera, and more specifically
to a digital camera, an album managing method, an album management
program product, and an album management program transmission medium
for displaying the information about the electronic album.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] There has conventionally been album software for managing
a large amount of images taken by a digital still camera (hereinafter
referred to simply as a "camera") by classifying them
depending on the shooting date, the shooting place, the events such
as an athletic meeting, a trip, etc. Since album software has been
used by being executed by a PC mounted in a user home, etc., the
facility provided by the album software, for example, the facility
of generating an album, adding and deleting an image to and from
the album, replacing an image for another album, browsing an album,
etc. has only been used in the user home. On the other hand, to
answer the request of a user to browse an album during the trip
without the PC, etc. a camera having an album facility has been
marketed lately.
[0006] The method for managing image data using a camera having
an album facility is explained below by referring to FIGS. 1A and
1B.
[0007] FIGS. 1A and 1B show the management structure of an image
data file for a record medium such as a memory card, etc. for storing
image data taken by a camera. FIG. 1A shows an example of management
for multiple use of an image data file. FIG. 1B shows an example
of management using an image list file.
[0008] In the folder structure shown in FIG. 1A, an image root
folder DCIM and an album root folder ALBUM are arranged directly
under a root directory ROOT.
[0009] The image root folder DCIM is a root folder for storing
an image data file. Directly under the folder, a 100 OLYMP folder
is stored as an image storage folder. In FIG. 1A, the 100 OLYMP
folder stores an image data file for an image taken by a camera.
That is, in FIG. 1A, an image data file such as 001. JPG, 002. JPG,
003. JPG, etc. is stored in the 100 OLYMP folder.
[0010] An album root folder ALBUM is a root folder for storing
an image data file contained in an album. The folder stores an album
folder such as an ALBUM1, an ALBUM2, etc. In FIG. 1A, among the
albums, the album folder ALBUM1 stores image data files such as
XXX. JPG, 003. JPG, YYY. JPG, . . . , etc. The folder structure
shows that the images represented by these image data files belong
to (are contained in) the album "ALBUM1".
[0011] In FIG. 1A, the image data file 003.JPG pointed to by the
arrow is stored in both the image root folder DCIM and the album
root folder ALBUM. That is, since the record medium stores two image
data files having the same data contents, the record area is wasted.
In the camera, a waste of a record area invites a decrease in number
of images to be taken, and it not desired. Additionally, the waste
of a record area further increases when the same image data file
belong to a plurality of albums.
[0012] In the folder structure shown in FIG. 1B, the image root
folder DCIM and the album list file ALBUM.PVM are stored directly
under the root folder ROOT.
[0013] As shown in FIG. 1A, the image root folder DCIM shown in
FIG. 1B also is a root folder of an image data file, and directly
below the root folder, a folder named 100 OLYMP folder is stored
as an image storage folder. However, in FIG. 1B, the 100 OLYMP folder
stores an image data file for the image taken by a camera, and also
stores an image data file stored in an album. In FIG. 1B, an image
data file such as 001. JPG, 002. JPG, 003. JPG, . . . , XXX. JPG,
YYY. JPG, . . . , etc. is stored in the 100 OLYMP folder.
[0014] The album list file ALBUM.PVM is a relational information
file indicating the relationship between the image data file stored
in the image root folder DCIM and the album to which the image data
file belongs (or containing the image data file). As shown in FIG.
1B, the album list file has the data structure in which the file
name of the image data file belonging to each album is arranged
for each album. The array of the file names of each album indicates
the dependency between the image data file and the album. According
to an example of data of ALBUM.PVM shown in FIG. 1B, for example,
the image data file belonging to the album called "ALBUM1"
can be XXX. JPG, 003. JPG, YYY. JPG, . . . , etc., and the relationship
between the image data file and the album is shown as in FIG. 1A.
In the example of the data of ALBUM.PVM shown in FIG. 1B, the information
(100OLYMP) indicating the folder storing the image data file is
omitted.
[0015] By adopting the method indicating the dependency between
the image data file and the album using the album list file as shown
in FIG. 1B, the problem of the waste of the record area that stores
a plurality of the same image data files in a record medium can
be solved. Therefore, the record medium of a camera which is subject
to strict restrictions on a record capacity can be efficiently used.
[0016] The method of managing an album using an image list file
is also proposed by the MPV (music photo video) standard developed
by the OSTA (Optical Storage Technology Association) which is an
organization for standardizing optical storage).
[0017] The above-mentioned album software or camera having an album
facility can display the number of remaining images to be taken.
Thus, for example, when the number of remaining images is small,
another medium is prepared, an image of less importance is deleted,
etc. Furthermore, the model name of a camera which has taken an
image and the shooting mode are added to a file name, or the file
name being regenerated is displayed. Thus, since the history of
images (which camera has been used) can be obtained by a user, and
the shooting mode can be obtained, a user can be helped in being
informed how the number of remaining images increases by deleting
which image if any image is to be deleted when the number of remaining
images becomes smaller (for example, Japanese Published Patent Application
No. 2000-92417).
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0018] According to an aspect of the present invention, the digital
camera of the present invention is a digital camera having a control
file for managing a taken image, an album facility for generating
and managing an album configured by one or more images based on
the control file, and a display device for displaying an image,
and includes a device for obtaining the number of registered images
of the album for obtaining the number of registered images of the
album which is the number of images configuring the album based
on the control file, and a device for obtaining the number of remaining
images to be registered in the album for obtaining the number of
remaining images to be registered in the album which is the number
of remaining images to be taken and registered in the album based
on the maximum number of registered images capable of configuring
the album which is predetermined, and the display device displays
an arbitrary image configuring part of the album, and switches and
displays the number of registered images of the album obtained by
the device for obtaining the number of registered images of the
album or the number of remaining images to be registered in the
album obtained by the device for obtaining the number of remaining
images to be registered in the album.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] The present invention will be more apparent from the following
detailed description when the accompanying drawings are referenced.
[0020] FIG. 1A is an explanatory view (1) of the method of managing
image data in an camera with an album facility;
[0021] FIG. 1B is an explanatory view (2) of the method of managing
image data in an camera with an album facility;
[0022] FIG. 2A is an explanatory view of the outline of an embodiment
of an album facility;
[0023] FIG. 2B is a view (1) of the configuration of the hardware
of the camera and the PC shown in FIG. 2A;
[0024] FIG. 2C is a view (2) of the configuration of the hardware
of the camera and the PC shown in FIG. 2A;
[0025] FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the contents of the taken
image obtaining process;
[0026] FIG. 4 is a flowchart (1) showing the contents of the album
manipulating process;
[0027] FIG. 5 is a flowchart (2) showing the contents of the album
manipulating process;
[0028] FIG. 6 shows an example of an album manipulation screen;
[0029] FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the contents of the cover
image generating process;
[0030] FIG. 8 shows an example of a cover image generation screen;
[0031] FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the contents of the title
composing process;
[0032] FIG. 10 shows an example of a title input screen;
[0033] FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the contents of the album
transfer process;
[0034] FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the contents of the album
receiving process;
[0035] FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the contents of the album
regenerating process;
[0036] FIG. 14A is a view (1) showing an example of a display screen
of the camera;
[0037] FIG. 14B is a view (2) showing an example of a display screen
of the camera;
[0038] FIG. 14C is a view (3) showing an example of a display screen
of the camera;
[0039] FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing the contents of the album
selecting process;
[0040] FIG. 16 is a flowchart (1) showing the flow of the process
of switching and displaying the number of registered images of the
album and the number of remaining images to be registered in the
album when cover images of a plurality of albums are to be listed;
[0041] FIG. 17 is a flowchart (2) showing the flow of the process
of switching and displaying the number of registered images of the
album and the number of remaining images to be registered in the
album when cover images of a plurality of albums are to be listed;
[0042] FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing the flow of the "album
information display contents switching process" performed in
step S251 shown in FIG. 17;
[0043] FIG. 19 shows an example of switching an album information
display contents;
[0044] FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing the flow of the "process
of obtaining and displaying each album" performed in step S262
shown in FIG. 18;
[0045] FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing the flow of the "process
of displaying the number of images in the album" performed
in step S272 shown in FIG. 20;
[0046] FIG. 22 is a view showing an example of displaying together
with a listing the number of registered images in the mode of displaying
album information about all albums;
[0047] FIG. 23 is a view showing an example of displaying together
with a listing the number of registered images in the mode of displaying
album information about a part of albums;
[0048] FIG. 24 is a flowchart showing the flow of the "process
of displaying the number of remaining images in the album"
performed in step S273 shown in FIG. 20;
[0049] FIG. 25 is a view showing an example of displaying together
with a listing the number of remaining images in the mode of displaying
album information about all albums;
[0050] FIG. 26 is a view showing an example of displaying together
with a listing the number of remaining images in the mode of displaying
album information about a part of albums;
[0051] FIG. 27 is a flowchart showing the flow of the "generation
date displaying process in the album" performed in step S274
shown in FIG. 20;
[0052] FIG. 28 is a view showing an example of displaying together
with a listing the album generation date in the mode of displaying
album information about all albums;
[0053] FIG. 29 is a view showing an example of displaying together
with a listing the album generation date in the mode of displaying
album information about a part of albums;
[0054] FIG. 30 is a flowchart showing the flow of the "process
of displaying the shooting period in the album" performed in
step S275 shown in FIG. 20;
[0055] FIG. 31A is an explanatory view (1) showing an example of
displaying an album information description unit;
[0056] FIG. 31B is an explanatory view (2) showing an example of
displaying an album information description unit;
[0057] FIG. 31C is an explanatory view (3) showing an example of
displaying an album information description unit;
[0058] FIG. 32 is a flowchart showing the flow of the "process
of displaying a folder in the album" performed in step S276
shown in FIG. 20;
[0059] FIG. 33 is a flowchart showing the flow of the "process
of displaying the capacity in the album" performed in step
S277 shown in FIG. 20;
[0060] FIG. 34 is a flowchart showing the flow of the "process
of displaying the number of SHQ images in the album" performed
in step S278 shown in FIG. 34;
[0061] FIG. 35 is a view showing an example of displaying together
with a listing the number of SHQ images in the album in the mode
of displaying album information about all albums;
[0062] FIG. 36 is a flowchart showing the flow of the "process
of displaying the quality of images in the album" performed
in step S281 shown in FIG. 20;
[0063] FIG. 37 is a view showing an example of displaying together
with a listing the all information in the album in the mode of displaying
album information about a part of albums;
[0064] FIG. 38 is a view showing an example of sorting and displaying
album information;
[0065] FIG. 39 is a flowchart (1) showing the flow of the process
of displaying the number of images registered in each album and
the album generation date of a selected album when the cover images
of a plurality of albums are to be listed;
[0066] FIG. 40 is a flowchart (2) showing the flow of the process
of displaying the number of images registered in each album and
the album generation date of a selected album when the cover images
of a plurality of albums are to be listed;
[0067] FIG. 41 shows an example of displaying together with a listing
the number of images registered in each album and the album generation
date of a selected album;
[0068] FIG. 42 is a flowchart showing the flow of the process of
displaying the number of images registered in each album and the
shooting period for a selected album when the cover images of a
plurality of albums are to be listed;
[0069] FIG. 43 shows an example of displaying together with a listing
the number of images registered in each album and the album shooting
period for a selected album;
[0070] FIG. 44 is a flowchart showing the flow of the process of
displaying the album information about a selected album when the
cover images of a plurality of albums are listed;
[0071] FIG. 45 is a view showing an example of displaying together
with a listing the album information about an album;
[0072] FIG. 46 is a flowchart showing the flow of the process of
displaying the number of images registered in each album when an
image registered in a specific album;
[0073] FIG. 47 shows an example of displaying together with a listing
of images registered in a specific album the number of images registered
in all albums; and
[0074] FIG. 48 shows an example of displaying together with an
image registered in a specific album the number of images registered
in all albums.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0075] The embodiments of the present invention are described below
by referring to the attached drawings.
[0076] That is, according to an aspect of the present invention,
the digital camera of the present invention is a digital camera
having a control file for managing a taken image, an album facility
for generating and managing an album configured by one or more images
based on the control file, and a display device for displaying an
image, and includes a device for obtaining the number of registered
images of the album for obtaining the number of registered images
of the album which is the number of images configuring the album
based on the control file, and a device for obtaining the number
of remaining images to be registered in the album for obtaining
the number of remaining images to be registered in the album which
is the number of remaining images to be taken and registered in
the album based on the maximum number of registered images capable
of configuring the album which is predetermined, and the display
device displays an arbitrary image configuring part of the album,
and switches and displays the number of registered images of the
album obtained by the device for obtaining the number of registered
images of the album or the number of remaining images to be registered
in the album obtained by the device for obtaining the number of
remaining images to be registered in the album.
[0077] It is desired that, in the digital camera according to the
present invention, the device for obtaining the number of registered
images of the album obtains the number of registered images of an
album for a plurality of albums, the device for obtaining the number
of remaining images to be registered in the album obtains the number
of remaining images to be registered in an album for a plurality
of albums, and the display device displays the registered images
of a selected album or the number of remaining images to be registered
in the album, and displays the registered images of an unselected
album or the number of remaining images to be registered in the
album in different formats.
[0078] It is also desired that, the digital camera according to
the present invention further comprises a shooting date obtaining
device for obtaining the shooting date of an arbitrary image configuring
the album based on the control file, and the display device switches
and displays the number of registered images of the album, the number
of remaining images to be registered in the album, or the shooting
periods of all images configuring the album obtained based on the
shooting dates of all images configuring the album obtained by the
shooting date obtaining device.
[0079] It is further desired that, in the digital camera according
to the present invention, the display device switches and displays
the number of registered images of the album, the number of remaining
images to be registered in the album, the shooting period, or an
album generation date indicating the day on which the album obtained
based on the control file was generated.
[0080] It is also desired that the digital camera according to
the present invention further comprises based on the control file
an image information obtaining device for obtaining the image capacity
indicating the capacity of all images configuring the album, the
image quality indicating the quality of an image configuring the
album, and the image type information about the type of the image
configuring part of the album, and the display device switches and
displays the number of registered images of the album, the number
of remaining images to be registered in the album, the shooting
period, or the album generation date, and the image capacity, the
image quality, or the image type information obtained by the image
information obtaining device.
[0081] It is further desired that, in the digital camera according
to the present invention, the display device displays the number
of registered images of a selected album, the number of remaining
images to be registered in the album, the shooting period, the album
generation date, the image capacity, and the image quality, or displays
together with the display of the image type information the number
of registered images of an album near the selected album among unselected
albums, the number of remaining images to be registered in the album,
the shooting period, the album generation date, the image capacity,
the image quality, or the image type information.
[0082] It is also desired that, in the digital camera according
to the present invention, the display device displays the number
of registered images of the album, the number of remaining images
to be registered in the album, the shooting period, the album generation
date, the image capacity, the image quality, or the image type information
in an ascending or descending order.
[0083] According to an aspect of the present invention, the digital
camera of the present invention is a digital camera having a control
file for managing a taken image, an album facility for generating
and managing an album configured by one or more images based on
the control file, and a display device for displaying an image,
and includes a device for obtaining the number of registered images
of the album for obtaining the number of registered images of the
album which is the number of images configuring the album based
on the control file, and a device for obtaining the number of remaining
images to be registered in the album for obtaining the number of
remaining images to be registered in the album which is the number
of remaining images to be taken and registered in the album based
on the maximum number of registered images capable of configuring
the album which is predetermined, and the display device displays
an arbitrary image configuring part of the album, displays the number
of registered images of the album obtained by the device for obtaining
the number of registered images of the album, and displays the number
of remaining images to be registered in the album obtained by the
device for obtaining the number of remaining images to be registered
in the album for a selected album.
[0084] It is also desired that, in the digital camera according
to the present invention, the display device displays the registered
images of a selected album and the number of remaining images to
be registered in the album in a format different from the registered
images of unselected albums.
[0085] Additionally, according to an aspect of the present invention,
the album managing method of the present invention is used by a
digital camera having a control file for managing a taken image,
an album facility for generating and managing an album configured
by one or more images based on the control file, and a display device
for displaying an image, and includes: obtaining the number of registered
images of the album for obtaining the number of registered images
of the album which is the number of images configuring the album
based on the control file, obtaining the number of remaining images
to be registered in the album for obtaining the number of remaining
images to be registered in the album which is the number of remaining
images to be taken and registered in the album based on the maximum
number of registered images capable of configuring the album which
is predetermined, display by the display device displaying an arbitrary
image configuring part of the album, and switching and displaying
the number of registered images of the obtained album or the number
of remaining images to be registered in the obtained album.
[0086] It is desired that, in the album managing method according
to the present invention, obtaining the number of registered images
of the album obtains the number of registered images of an album
for a plurality of albums, obtaining the number of remaining images
to be registered in the album obtains the number of remaining images
to be registered in an album for a plurality of albums, and display
by the display device displays the registered images of a selected
album or the number of remaining images to be registered in the
album, and displays the registered images of an unselected album
or the number of remaining images to be registered in the album
in different formats.
[0087] It is also desired that, the album managing method according
to the present invention further comprises: obtaining the shooting
date of an arbitrary image configuring the album based on the control
file, and display by the display device switching and displaying
the number of registered images of the album, the number of remaining
images to be registered in the album, or the shooting periods of
all images configuring the album obtained based on the shooting
dates of all images configuring the album obtained by the shooting
date obtaining device.
[0088] It is further desired that, in the album managing method
according to the present invention, the display by the display device
switches and displays the number of registered images of the album,
the number of remaining images to be registered in the album, the
shooting period, or an album generation date indicating the day
on which the album obtained based on the control file was generated.
[0089] It is also desired that the album managing method according
to the present invention obtains based on the control file the image
capacity indicating the capacity of all images configuring the album,
the image quality indicating the quality of an image configuring
the album, and the image type information about the type of the
image configuring part of the album, and display by the display
device switches and displays the number of registered images of
the album, the number of remaining images to be registered in the
album, the shooting period, or the album generation date, and the
obtained image capacity, the image quality, or the image type information.
[0090] It is further desired that, in the album managing method
according to the present invention, display by the display device
displays the number of registered images of a selected album, the
number of remaining images to be registered in the album, the shooting
period, the album generation date, the image capacity, and the image
quality, or displays together with the display of the image type
information the number of registered images of an album near the
selected album among unselected albums, the number of remaining
images to be registered in the album, the shooting period, the album
generation date, the image capacity, the image quality, or the image
type information.
[0091] It is also desired that, in the album managing method according
to the present invention, display by the display device displays
the number of registered images of the album, the number of remaining
images to be registered in the album, the shooting period, the album
generation date, the image capacity, the image quality, or the image
type information in an ascending or descending order.
[0092] Additionally, according to an aspect of the present invention,
it is desired that the album managing method of the present invention
is used by a digital camera having a control file for managing a
taken image, an album facility for generating and managing an album
configured by one or more images based on the control file, and
a display device for displaying an image, and includes: obtaining
the number of registered images of the album for obtaining the number
of registered images of the album which is the number of images
configuring the album based on the control file, obtaining the number
of remaining images to be registered in the album for obtaining
the number of remaining images to be registered in the album which
is the number of remaining images to be taken and registered in
the album based on the maximum number of registered images capable
of configuring the album which is predetermined, display by the
display device displaying an arbitrary image configuring part of
the album, displaying the number of registered images of the obtained
album and the number of remaining images to be registered in the
obtained album for a selected album.
[0093] It is also desired that, in the album managing method according
to the present invention, display by the display device displays
the registered images of a selected album and the number of remaining
images to be registered in the album in a format different from
the registered images of unselected albums.
[0094] Additionally, according to an aspect of the present invention,
the album management program product of the present invention allows
a digital camera having a control file for managing a taken image,
an album facility for generating and managing an album configured
by one or more images based on the control file, and a display device
for displaying an image to perform the procedures of: obtaining
the number of registered images of the album for obtaining the number
of registered images of the album which is the number of images
configuring the album based on the control file, obtaining the number
of remaining images to be registered in the album for obtaining
the number of remaining images to be registered in the album which
is the number of remaining images to be taken and registered in
the album based on the maximum number of registered images capable
of configuring the album which is predetermined, display by the
display device displaying an arbitrary image configuring part of
the album, and switching and displaying the number of registered
images of the obtained album or the number of remaining images to
be registered in the obtained album.
[0095] It is desired that, in the album management program product
according to the present invention, the procedure of obtaining the
number of registered images of the album obtains the number of registered
images of an album for a plurality of albums, the procedure of obtaining
the number of remaining images to be registered in the album obtains
the number of remaining images to be registered in an album for
a plurality of albums, and the procedure of the display by the display
device displays the registered images of a selected album or the
number of remaining images to be registered in the album, and displays
the registered images of an unselected album or the number of remaining
images to be registered in the album in different formats.
[0096] It is also desired that, the album management program product
according to the present invention further comprises the procedure
of obtaining the shooting date of an arbitrary image configuring
the album based on the control file, and the procedure of the display
by the display device switching and displaying the number of registered
images of the album, the number of remaining images to be registered
in the album, or the shooting periods of all images configuring
the album obtained based on the shooting dates of all images configuring
the album obtained by the shooting date obtaining device.
[0097] It is further desired that, in the album management program
product according to the present invention, the procedure of the
display by the display device switches and displays the number of
registered images of the album, the number of remaining images to
be registered in the album, the shooting period, or an album generation
date indicating the day on which the album obtained based on the
control file was generated.
[0098] It is also desired that the album management program product
according to the present invention further comprises the procedure
of obtaining based on the control file the image capacity indicating
the capacity of all images configuring the album, the image quality
indicating the quality of an image configuring the album, and the
image type information about the type of the image configuring part
of the album, and the procedure of the display by the display device
switches and displays the number of registered images of the album,
the number of remaining images to be registered in the album, the
shooting period, or the album generation date, and the obtained
image capacity, the image quality, or the image type information.
[0099] It is further desired that, in the album management program
product according to the present invention, the procedure of the
display by the display device displays the number of registered
images of a selected album, the number of remaining images to be
registered in the album, the shooting period, the album generation
date, the image capacity, and the image quality, or displays together
with the display of the image type information the number of registered
images of an album near the selected album among unselected albums,
the number of remaining images to be registered in the album, the
shooting period, the album generation date, the image capacity,
the image quality, or the image type information.
[0100] It is also desired that, in the album management program
product according to the present invention, the procedure of the
display by the display device displays the number of registered
images of the album, the number of remaining images to be registered
in the album, the shooting period, the album generation date, the
image capacity, the image quality, or the image type information
in an ascending or descending order.
[0101] Additionally, according to an aspect of the present invention,
it is desired that the album management program product of the present
invention allows a digital camera having a control file for managing
a taken image, an album facility for generating and managing an
album configured by one or more images based on the control file,
and a display device for displaying an image to perform the procedures
of: obtaining the number of registered images of the album for obtaining
the number of registered images of the album which is the number
of images configuring the album based on the control file, obtaining
the number of remaining images to be registered in the album for
obtaining the number of remaining images to be registered in the
album which is the number of remaining images to be taken and registered
in the album based on the maximum number of registered images capable
of configuring the album which is predetermined, display by the
display device displaying an arbitrary image configuring part of
the album, and displaying the number of registered images of the
obtained album and the number of remaining images to be registered
in the obtained album for a selected album.
[0102] It is also desired that, in the album management program
product according to the present invention, the procedure of the
display by the display device displays the registered images of
a selected album and the number of remaining images to be registered
in the album in a format different from the registered images of
unselected albums.
[0103] Additionally, according to an aspect of the present invention,
the album management program transmission medium of the present
invention allows a digital camera having a control file for managing
a taken image, an album facility for generating and managing an
album configured by one or more images based on the control file,
and a display device for displaying an image to perform the procedures
of: obtaining the number of registered images of the album for obtaining
the number of registered images of the album which is the number
of images configuring the album based on the control file, obtaining
the number of remaining images to be registered in the album for
obtaining the number of remaining images to be registered in the
album which is the number of remaining images to be taken and registered
in the album based on the maximum number of registered images capable
of configuring the album which is predetermined, display by the
display device displaying an arbitrary image configuring part of
the album, and switching and displaying the number of registered
images of the obtained album or the number of remaining images to
be registered in the obtained album.
[0104] It is also desired that, in the album management program
transmission medium according to the present invention, the procedure
of obtaining the number of registered images of the album obtains
the number of registered images of an album for a plurality of albums,
the procedure of obtaining the number of remaining images to be
registered in the album obtains the number of remaining images to
be registered in an album for a plurality of albums, and the procedure
of the display by the display device displays the registered images
of a selected album or the number of remaining images to be registered
in the album, and displays the registered images of an unselected
album or the number of remaining images to be registered in the
album in different formats.
[0105] It is desired that the album management program transmission
medium further comprises the procedure of obtaining the shooting
date of an arbitrary image configuring the album based on the control
file, and the procedure of the display by the display device switching
and displaying the number of registered images of the album, the
number of remaining images to be registered in the album, or the
shooting periods of all images configuring the album obtained based
on the shooting dates of all images configuring the album obtained
by the shooting date obtaining device.
[0106] It is further desired that, in the album management program
transmission medium according to the present invention, the procedure
of the display by the display device switches and displays the number
of registered images of the album, the number of remaining images
to be registered in the album, the shooting period, or an album
generation date indicating the day on which the album obtained based
on the control file was generated.
[0107] It is also desired that the album management program transmission
medium according to the present invention further comprises the
procedure of obtaining based on the control file the image capacity
indicating the capacity of all images configuring the album, the
image quality indicating the quality of an image configuring the
album, and the image type information about the type of the image
configuring part of the album, and the procedure of the display
by the display device switches and displays the number of registered
images of the album, the number of remaining images to be registered
in the album, the shooting period, or the album generation date,
and the obtained image capacity, the image quality, or the image
type information.
[0108] It is further desired that, in the album management program
transmission medium according to the present invention, the procedure
of the display by the display device displays the number of registered
images of a selected album, the number of remaining images to be
registered in the album, the shooting period, the album generation
date, the image capacity, and the image quality, or displays together
with the display of the image type information the number of registered
images of an album near the selected album among unselected albums,
the number of remaining images to be registered in the album, the
shooting period, the album generation date, the image capacity,
the image quality, or the image type information.
[0109] It is also desired that, in the album management program
transmission medium according to the present invention, the procedure
of the display by the display device displays the number of registered
images of the album, the number of remaining images to be registered
in the album, the shooting period, the album generation date, the
image capacity, the image quality, or the image type information
in an ascending or descending order.
[0110] Additionally, according to an aspect of the present invention,
it is desired that the album management program transmission medium
of the present invention allows a digital camera having a control
file for managing a taken image, an album facility for generating
and managing an album configured by one or more images based on
the control file, and a display device for displaying an image to
perform the procedures of: obtaining the number of registered images
of the album for obtaining the number of registered images of the
album which is the number of images configuring the album based
on the control file, obtaining the number of remaining images to
be registered in the album for obtaining the number of remaining
images to be registered in the album which is the number of remaining
images to be taken and registered in the album based on the maximum
number of registered images capable of configuring the album which
is predetermined, display by the display device displaying an arbitrary
image configuring part of the album, and displaying the number of
registered images of the obtained album and the number of remaining
images to be registered in the obtained album for a selected album.
[0111] It is also desired that, in the album management program
transmission medium according to the present invention, the procedure
of the display by the display device displays the registered images
of a selected album and the number of remaining images to be registered
in the album in a format different from the registered images of
unselected albums.
[0112] The outline of the album facility which is an embodiment
of the present invention is explained below by referring to FIG.
2A.
[0113] FIG. 2A shows the outline of the embodiment of an album
facility.
[0114] In FIG. 2A, a camera 10 and a PC 40 are connected via a
USB (universal serial bus) bus 60, and can communicate various data
with each other. In the present embodiment, an image taken by the
camera 10 is temporarily transferred to the PC 40, the PC 40 generates
an album for the image and transfers the generated album from the
PC 40 to the camera 10. Therefore, when the user carries the camera
10, the PC 40 can browse the album.
[0115] FIG. 2A is further explained below. A removable memory card
11 is attached to the camera 10 so that various data can be recorded
on the memory card 11. The memory card 11 stores an image root folder
12 and an album list file 15. They are arranged directly below the
root directory in the record area of the memory card 11.
[0116] The images taken substantially at the same time by the camera
10 are stored in an image storage folder ("100 OLYMP"
folder) 13 in the image root folder ("DCIM" folder) 12
as image data files 14-1, 14-2, . . . , 14-n, (hereinafter referred
to as an image data file 14-n) As described later, not only the
images taken substantially at the same time, but also the image
data file of the images registered in the album (contained in the
album) is stored without discrimination. Therefore, the file name
of the image data file 14-n about the images taken substantially
at the same time by the camera 10 is added in the shooting order
to a shooting list 16 ("SHOT") shown in the album list
file 15. Accordingly, when the images taken substantially at the
same time are transferred from the camera 10 to the PC 40, the camera
10 searches the image root folder 12 for the image data file 14-n
having the file name shown in the shooting list 16, and transfers
it to the PC 40. The PC 40 stores the image data file 14-n transmitted
from the camera 10 as the taken image data files 43-1, 43-2, 43-n,
. . . (hereinafter referred to as a taken image data file 43-n)
in a taken image folder ("MYCAMERA" folder) 42. The taken
image folder 42 is provided in a storage area of an HDD (hard disk
drive) 41 of the PC 40.
[0117] The album list file ("ALBUM.PVM" file) 15 indicates
the relationship (dependency) between each image data file 14-n
and the album containing the image data file 14-n (to which the
image data file 14-n belongs), and the relationship is represented
by an album list 17 in which the file name of each file is arranged
for each album containing the file. In the sequence of the file
names in the album list 17, the header includes the file name of
the image data file about the cover image corresponding to the cover
of the album. The cover image corresponds to the designated image.
[0118] As described above, the album list file 15 also shows the
shooting list 16.
[0119] In the present embodiment, the number of albums managed
by the album list 17 is predetermined, and each album is assigned
the name such as "ALBUM1", "ALBUM2", "ALBUM3",
etc.
[0120] The album list file 15 is transmitted from the PC 40 together
with the image data file 14-n showing the images contained in the
album. When the image data file 14-n and the album list file 15
are transmitted from the PC 40, the camera 10 stores the image data
file 14-n in the image storage folder 13, and the album list file
15 is overwritten immediately below the root directory in the record
area of the memory card 11. However, at this time, the shooting
list 16 before the overwrite is stored as is. Furthermore, when
the memory card 11 having no album list file 15 is attached to the
camera 10, it is necessary to describe in the shooting list 16 the
information about the image taken by the camera 10. Therefore, the
album list file 15 is newly generated and stored on the memory card
11.
[0121] As described above, the management structure of the image
data file on the memory card 11 in the camera 10 according to the
present invention is the management structure using an image list
file as shown in FIG. 1B, and is characterized in that the file
name of the image data file for the cover image corresponding to
the cover of the album is added to the head of the sequence of file
names in the album list 17.
[0122] For simple explanation, it is assumed in the present embodiment
that file names of the data files having difference data contents
do not duplicate in the image root folder 12. Therefore, only the
file name in the shooting list 16 and the album list 17 can uniquely
designate the image data file 14-n in the image root folder 12.
For example, although the file names of the image data file 14-n
duplicate in the image root folder 12 with the information about
the storage position, etc. of a file added to the shooting list
16 and the album list 17 in addition to a generation date and time
of a file and a file name, the image data file 14-n can be uniquely
designated.
[0123] FIGS. 2B and 2C are explained below.
[0124] FIGS. 2B and 2C show the hardware configurations of the
camera 10 and the PC 40 shown in FIG. 2A. FIG. 2B shows the configuration
of the camera 10. FIG. 2C shows the configuration of the PC 40.
[0125] In FIG. 2B, a capturing unit 23, an image processing unit
24, RAM 25, memory I/F 26, a display processing unit 27, a USB I/F
29, and a CPU 30 are connected to a bus 33, and can communicate
various data with one another under the management of the CPU 30.
[0126] A subject image formed by a lens 21 is converted to an electric
signal by a capture unit 22 which is, for example, a CCD (charge
coupled device) and input to the capturing unit 23. The capturing
unit 23 amplifies the input electric signal to a predetermined value,
performs an analog-to-digital conversion, and outputs the image
data indicating the image representing the subject image.
[0127] The image processing unit 24 performs image processing such
as a .gamma. correction, edge emphasis, a white balance correction,
etc. of an image represented by the image data on the image data
output from the capturing unit 23. When image data is recorded on
the memory card 11, a data compressing process is performed as necessary
on the image data. When an image represented by the image data recorded
on the memory card 11 is regenerated and displayed, a data decompressing
process is performed as necessary on the image data read from the
memory card 11.
[0128] The RAM 25 is random access memory for use as a work area
as necessary when the image processing unit 24 and the CPU 30 perform
various processes.
[0129] The memory I/F 26 is an interface for connection of the
memory card 11 to the bus 33, and enables various data to be written
and read to and from the memory card 11 under the management of
the CPU 30.
[0130] The display processing unit 27 performs a digital-to-analog
conversion on the image data received through the bus 33, and transmits
the result to the display unit 28.
[0131] The display unit 28 is, for example, an LCD (liquid crystal
display), and displays an image represented by image data input
to the display processing unit 27.
[0132] The USB I/F 29 is an interface for connection of the USB
bus 60 shown in FIG. 2A to the bus 33, and enables various data
to be communicated between the camera 10 and the PC 40.
[0133] The CPU (central processing unit) 30 controls the entire
operation of the camera 10.
[0134] ROM 31 is read-only memory storing a control program executed
by the CPU 30 and various data used as necessary when the program
is executed, and the CPU 30 can control the above-mentioned operations
by executing the control program.
[0135] An operation input unit 32 is a switch operated by a user
of the camera 10, obtains an instruction from a user associated
with the contents of an operation, and passes it to the CPU 30.
[0136] Described below is the configuration of the PC 40 shown
in FIG. 2C.
[0137] In FIG. 2C, a CPU 51, ROM 52, RAM 53, an HDD 41, an input
unit 54, a data read device 55, a display unit 56, and a USB I/F
57 are connected to a bus 58, and can communicate various data with
one another under the management of the CPU 51.
[0138] The CPU 51 controls the entire operation of the PC 40.
[0139] The ROM 52 is read-only memory storing a basic control program
executed by the CPU 51 and various data used as necessary when the
program is executed, and the CPU 51 can control the entire operation
of the PC 40 by executing the basic control program.
[0140] The RAM 53 is random access memory for use as a work area
as necessary when the CPU 51 performs various processes.
[0141] The HDD 41 is a magnetic disk storage device, and can store
carious control programs executed by the CPU 51 and various data
used as necessary when the programs are executed in addition to
the above-mentioned taken image data file 43-n.
[0142] The input unit 54 is configured by, for example, a pointing
device such as a mouse, etc., a keyboard device, etc., and obtains
an instruction from a user associated with the contents of the operation
for the devices.
[0143] The data read device 55 is, for example, a CD (compact disc)-ROM
drive, a DVD (digital versatile disk)-ROM drive, and reads various
data recorded on a record medium 59 such as CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, etc.
The image management software described later is recoeded on the
record medium 59 and distributed. In the PC 40, the data read device
55 reads the image management software from the record medium 59
and stores it in the HDD 41 in advance. When the user issues an
instruction to execute the management software to the input unit
54, the CPU 51 reads the image management software stored in the
HDD 41 and executes it.
[0144] The record medium 59 can be a display device of a computer
system for functioning as a program server connected to a communication
circuit such as the Internet, etc. In this case, the transmission
signal obtained by modulating the carrier wave using the data signal
representing the image management software is transmitted from the
program server to the computer through the communication circuit
which is a transmission medium. In the PC 40, a connection device
to the communication circuit is provided to receive the transmission
signal, demodulate the signal, and represent the image management
software, thereby allowing the image management software to be executed
by the CPU 51.
[0145] The display unit 56 is an LCD, a CRT (cathode ray tube),
etc., and displays a predetermined image at an instruction of the
CPU 51.
[0146] The USB I/F 57 is an interface for connection of the USB
bus 60 shown in FIG. 2A to the bus 58, and enables various data
to be communicated between the PC 40 and the camera 10.
[0147] The configuration of the PC 40 is provided for most standard
computers.
[0148] Described below is the image management software executed
by the CPU 51 of the PC 40. The software presents the PC 40 with
the functions of fetching an image taken by the camera 10 to the
PC 40, generating and editing an album, generating a cover image
corresponding to the cover of the album, transferring the album
to the camera 10, etc. Various controlling processes performed by
the CPU 51 by executing the image management software are explained
below.
[0149] FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the contents of the taken
image obtaining process.
[0150] The taken image obtaining process is a process for receiving
from the camera 10 the image data file 14-n about the image taken
by the camera 10, and storing the file as the taken image data file
43-n in a taken image folder 42 in the HDD 41. The execution of
the process is started when an instruction to start the process
is input to the input unit 54 in the PC in which the image management
software is executed, for example, an operation of clicking a button
display indicating "reading an image" is performed by
a pointer on the input unit 54 on the screen displayed on the display
unit 56 by the execution of the image management software. The process
can be automatically started when the CPU 51 detects that the PC
40 and the camera 10 are connected through the USB bus 60.
[0151] First, in step S101, the data addressed to the camera 10
to request a taken image to be transferred is transmitted from the
USB I/F 57.
[0152] Upon receipt of the transfer request data transmitted through
the USB bus 60, the camera 10 refers to the shooting list 16 stored
on the memory card 11, and reads the image data file 14-n designated
by the file name from the image root folder 12. The read image data
file 14-n is transmitted by the CPU 30 from the USB I/F 29 to the
PC 40. When the transfer of all image data files 14-n containing
the designated file names in the shooting list 16 is completed,
the process of transmitting the data indicating the notification
of the completion of the transfer of taken images is performed by
the CPU 30.
[0153] In step S102, the process of the USB I/F 57 obtaining the
image data file 14-n transmitted from the camera 10 through the
USB bus 60 is performed. In step S103, the obtained image data file
14-n is stored as the taken image data file 43-n in the taken image
folder 42 of the HDD 41.
[0154] Then, in step S104, it is determined whether or not the
data indicating the notification of the completion of the transfer
of the taken image has been transmitted from the camera 10. If the
notification has been received (the determination result is YES),
then the screen displaying the completion of acquisition of the
taken image is displayed in step S105, thereby terminating the taken
image obtaining process. If the notification has not been received
(the determination result is NO), control is returned to step S102,
and the above-mentioned processes are repeated.
[0155] Described above is the taken image obtaining process.
[0156] FIGS. 4 and 5 are explained below. FIGS. 4 and 5 are flowcharts
showing the contents of the album manipulating process. The process
is performed to edit an album, generate a cover image corresponding
to the cover of an album, compose the title characters for the cover
image, and transfer an album to the camera 10. The execution of
the process is started when an instruction to start the process
is input to the input unit 54 in the PC in which the image management
software is executed, for example, an operation of clicking is performed
by a pointer to manipulate an album on the input unit 54 on the
screen displayed on the display unit 56 by the execution of the
image management software.
[0157] First, in step S111 shown in FIG. 4, the process of displaying
the album manipulation screen on the display unit 56 is performed.
[0158] FIG. 6 shows an album manipulation screen. In the present
embodiment, at this time, the taken image data file 43-n stored
in the taken image folder 42 in the HDD 41 is read, and the images
indicated by each of the taken image data files 43-n (the image
is assumed to be a "taken image") are listed on the taken
image display unit 71 shown in FIG. 6.
[0159] In step S112, a user performs the process of obtaining the
designation of the selection of an album to be operated from the
input unit 54. The selection of an album is performed by the pointer
clicking operation, etc. on an album selection display 73 shown
in FIG. 6.
[0160] In step S113, what corresponds to an album relating to the
designation obtained in the process in the previous step (the folder
is referred to as a "album folder") is referred to in
the folder stored in the HDD 41.
[0161] In step S114, the image data file stored in the album folder
being referenced is read, and a list of images (the images are referred
to as "album images") represented by the read image data
file is displayed on the album manipulation screen being displayed
on the display unit 56. In the example of the screen shown in FIG.
6, the list of images is displayed on an album image display unit
72. When the album folder includes an image data file of a cover
image, the cover image represented by the image data file is displayed
on a cover image display unit 74.
[0162] In step S115, the designation from a user corresponding
to the operation performed on the input unit 54 is obtained. In
the example of the screen shown in FIG. 6, the designation is performed
by a clicking operation of any of an image addition designation
button 75, an image deletion designation button 76, a cover image
selection designation button 77, a title input designation button
78, and an album transfer designation button 79.
[0163] In step S116, it is determined whether or not the designation
obtained in the process in step S15 refers to the image addition
designation button 75 in FIG. 6, that is, whether or not the designation
refers to the addition to the album of taken images. Only when the
determination result is YES, the image data file of the taken images
relating to the designation is transferred to the album folder being
referenced.
[0164] In FIG. 6, an "add all" button and an "add"
button are provided as image addition designation buttons 75. The
"add all" button refers to the designation to transfer
the image data file of taken images to an album folder being referenced,
and the "add" button refers to the designation to transfer
the image data file of taken images selected in advance in the operation
performed on the input unit 54 to the album folder being referenced.
[0165] In the example of the screen shown in FIG. 6, when the image
data file is transferred, the display position of the taken images
relating to the designation is transferred from the taken image
display unit 71 to the tail of the image list of the album image
display unit 72.
[0166] In step S118, it is determined whether or not the designation
obtained in the process in step S115 refers to the image deletion
designation button 76 in FIG. 6, that is, whether or not the designation
refers to the deletion of an album image from the album. Only when
the determination result is YES, the image data file of album images
relating to the designation is deleted from the album folder being
referenced in step S119.
[0167] In FIG. 6, clicking the image addition designation button
75 refers to the deletion of the image data file of what is selected
in advance in the album images in the operation performed on the
input unit 54 from the album folder being referenced.
[0168] In the example of the screen shown in FIG. 6, when the image
data file is transferred, the display of the album images relating
to the designation is deleted from the image list of the album image
display unit 72.
[0169] In step S120, it is determined whether or not the designation
obtained in the process in step S115 refers to the generation of
a cover image, that is, whether or not it refers to the cover image
selection designation button 77 or the title input designation button
78 in FIG. 6. Only when the determination result is YES, the cover
image generating process is performed in S121. The details of the
cover image generating process are described later.
[0170] Control is passed to the process in FIG. 5, and it is determined
in step S122 whether or not the designation obtained in the process
in step S115 shown in FIG. 4 refers to the album transfer designation
button 79, that is, whether or not the designation refers to the
transfer to the camera 10 of the album. Only when the determination
result is YES, the album transfer process is performed in step S123.
The album transfer process is described later in detail.
[0171] In step S124, it is determined whether or not the designation
obtained in the process in step S115 shown in FIG. 4 refers to the
end of the album manipulating process. If the determination result
is YES, the album manipulation screen displayed on the display unit
56 is closed in step S125, and then the album manipulating process
terminates. If the determination result in step S124 is NO, control
is returned to step S115 shown in FIG. 4, and the above-mentioned
processes are repeated.
[0172] The above-mentioned process is the album manipulating process.
[0173] Then, the cover image generating process which is the process
in step S121 (FIG. 4) in the album manipulating process is explained
below. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the contents of the cover image
generating process.
[0174] First, in step S141, it is determined whether or not the
designation obtained in the process in step S115 in the album manipulating
process refers to the title input designation button 78, that is,
whether or not it refers to the input of a title for the cover image.
If the determination result is YES, control is passed to the title
composing process in step S149. The title composing process is described
later in detail. If the determination result is NO, that is, if
it refers to the cover image selection designation button 77, control
is passed to step S142.
[0175] In step S142, the cover image generation screen is opened
(displayed on the display unit 56). FIG. 8 illustrates a cover image
generation screen.
[0176] In step S143, all image data files in the album folder being
referenced are read. In step S144, a list of album images displayed
in each of the read image data files is displayed on the cover image
generation screen being displayed on the display unit 56. In the
example of the screen shown in FIG. 8, the list of album images
is displayed on a cover candidate image display unit 81. The album
images are candidates for the cover image, and when the user performs
an operation corresponding to the designation of selecting an image
from among the album images using the input unit 54, the image is
displayed on the cover image display unit 82.
[0177] In step S145, it is determined whether or not the designation
of changing the candidate image for the cover image has been obtained
by changing the folder to be referenced, that is, whether or not
the designation of changing the folder to be referenced has been
obtained in an operation such as a clicking operation using the
folder setting unit 83 in the example of the screen shown in FIG.
8. If the determination result is YES, then a folder relating to
an obtained designation is referred to in step S146, control is
returned to step S143, and the above-mentioned processes are repeated.
The process enables the cover image of the album to be treated in
the manipulation of an album to be selected from among the images
other than the album images contained in the album. If the determination
resulting step S145 is NO, control is passed to step S147.
[0178] In step S147, it is determined whether or not the designation
to determine a cover image has been obtained, that is, whether or
not an operation has been performed on a determination button 84
in the example of the screen shown in FIG. 8. If the determination
result is YES, the file name of the image data file of the image
relating to the determine designation is read as a image data file
(cover image data file) of a cover image, and is temporarily stored
in a predetermined area of the RAM 53 in step S148, the title composing
process is performed in step S149, and control is passed to step
S151. In the example of the album manipulation screen shown in FIG.
6, the image which has been displayed on the cover image display
unit 74 up to this point is replaced with the cover image relating
to the determine designation.
[0179] If the determination result in step S147 is NO, control
is passed to step S150.
[0180] In step S150, it is determined whether or not the designation
to cancel the cover image generating process has been obtained,
that is, whether or not an operation on a cancel button 85 has been
performed in the example of the screen in FIG. 8. If the determination
result is YES, control is passed to step S151. If the determination
result is NO, control is returned to step S145, and the above-mentioned
processes are repeated.
[0181] In step S151, the cover image generation screen being displayed
on the display unit 56 is closed (erased) Then, the cover image
generating process is terminated, and control is returned to the
album manipulating process shown in FIG. 4.
[0182] Described above is the cover image generating process.
[0183] The title composing process in step S149 in the above-mentioned
cover image generating process is explained below. FIG. 9 is a flowchart
showing the contents of the title composing process.
[0184] In step S161, the title input screen is opened (displayed
on the display unit 56). FIG. 10 shows an example of the title input
screen.
[0185] In step S162, the contents of the input character string
corresponding to the operation performed by the user through the
input unit 54 is obtained. In the example of the screen shown in
FIG. 10, the contents of the character string obtained at this time
is displayed on an input text display unit 86.
[0186] In step S163, it is determined whether or not the input
of a character string is completed and the designation to determine
a character of a title has been obtained, that is, whether or not
an operation on a determination button 87 has been performed in
the example of the screen shown in FIG. 10. If the determination
result is YES, control is passed to step S165. If the determination
result is NO, it is determined in step S164 whether or not the destination
to cancel the title composing process has been obtained, that is,
whether or not an operation on a cancel button 88 has been performed
in the example of the screen shown in FIG. 10. If the determination
result is YES, control is passed to step S166. If the determination
result is NO, control is passed to step S166. If the determination
result is NO, control is returned to step S162, and the above-mentioned
processes are repeated.
[0187] In step S165, a character string image representing a character
string obtained in the process in step S162 is generated, and the
generated character string image is superposed onto the cover image
represented by the cover image data file and stored in a predetermined
area in the RAM 53 in the process in step S147 in the cover image
generating process (FIG. 7), and the image data file of the obtained
composite image is stored again in the area of the RAM 53.
[0188] In the example of the screen shown in FIG. 10, a character
string image of a shape, size, and color set in a character style
setting unit 89 is generated.
[0189] In step S166, a predetermined file name is assigned to the
cover image data file stored in a predetermined area of the RAM
53. In step S167, the cover image data file is added to the album
folder being referenced and is then stored. In the example of the
screen of the album manipulation screen shown in FIG. 6, the image
displayed up to this point on the cover image display unit 74 is
replaced with the display image with composite characters.
[0190] In step S168, the title input screen being displayed on
the display unit 56 is closed (erased). Afterwards, the title composing
process is terminated, and control is returned to the cover image
generating process shown in FIG. 7.
[0191] The title composing process is described above. Thus, by
composing an image of a character string representing a title for
the cover image, the camera 10 having no font data of the characters
such as kanji, etc. can display the title of the album, and the
characters representing the title can be displayed in various styles.
[0192] Described below is the album transfer process that is the
process in step S123 (FIG. 5) in the album manipulating process.
[0193] First, in step S171, the name of the album corresponding
to the album folder being referenced is obtained.
[0194] In step S172, the data addressed to the camera 10 to request
to transmit the album list file 15 stored in the memory card 11
of the camera 10 is transmitted. The process performed by the camera
10 which has received the transmit request is described later.
[0195] In step S173, in response to the request, the album list
file 15 transmitted from the camera 10 is received and obtained
by the USB I/F 57.
[0196] As described later in detail, the data notifying that there
is no album list file 15 can be transmitted from the camera 10.
When the data is transmitted, the notification is received and obtained.
In step S174, it is determined whether or not the album list file
15 has been stored in the camera 10. If not, (the determination
result is NO), the album list file 15 is newly generated in step
S175.
[0197] In step S176, the list of the album having the album name
obtained in the process in step S171 in the album list 17 of the
album list file 15 is referred to, and a file name of the image
data file contained in the album folder in the HDD 41 being referenced
is added to the tail of the sequence of the file names of the image
data file shown in the list.
[0198] In step S177, it is determined whether or not image data
file of a cover image is stored in the album folder being referenced.
If the determination result is YES, control is passed to step S178.
If it is NO, control is passed to step S181.
[0199] In step S178, it is determined whether or not a transfer
instruction for a title image has been obtained. If the determination
result is YES, control is passed to step S180. If it is NO, control
is passed to step S179. The transfer instruction for the title image
is determined depending on whether or not a check mark has been
given to the album cover image generation check box 80 in the example
of the screen of the album manipulation screen shown in FIG. 6.
[0200] In step S179, all image data files contained in the album
folder being referenced excluding the cover image are transmitted
from the USB I/F 57 to the camera 10. Afterwards, control is passed
to step S182.
[0201] In step S180, in the list of the albums to which file names
are added in the process in step S176, the file name of the image
data file of the cover image stored in the album folder being referenced
is transferred and added to the head of the list. By the process,
the file name of the image data file of the cover image is shown
at the head of the list of the albums which is the album list 17.
[0202] By changing the contents of the process in step S180 and
transferring and adding the file name of the image data file of
the cover image stored in the album folder being referenced to the
tail of the list, the cover image can be regenerated and displayed
at the end of the album image when it is sequentially regenerated.
This enables the cover image generated in the above-mentioned process
to be treated as if it were the back cover of the album.
[0203] In step S181, all of the image data files contained in the
album folder being referenced are transmitted from the USB I/F 57
to the camera 10.
[0204] In step S182, the album list file 15 in which a file name
is added to the album list 17 is transmitted from the USB I/F 57
to the camera 10, the album transfer process is terminated, and
control is returned to the album manipulating process shown in FIG.
5.
[0205] The album transfer process is described above.
[0206] Described below is the controlling processes performed by
the CPU 30. The processes are realized by the CPU 30 executing the
control program stored in the ROM 31.
[0207] First, the album receiving process is described below by
referring to the flowchart shown in FIG. 12. The process is performed
to receive by the 10 the data relating to the album transmitted
from the PC 40, and is started when the album transfer process is
executed by the PC 40 and the CPU 30 detects that the USB I/F 29
has received the data indicating a request to transmit the album
list file 15.
[0208] First in step S201, the memory card 11 is detected to determine
whether or not the album list file 15 is stored. If it is stored
(the determination result is YES), the album list file 15 is read
in step S202 and transmitted from the USB I/F 29 to the PC 40. If
it is not stored (determination result is NO), the data notifying
that there is no album list file 15 is transmitted from the USB
I/F 29 to the PC 40. The data transmitted in the process in step
S202 or S203 is received by the PC 40 that performs the process
in step S173 in the above-mentioned album transfer process.
[0209] In step S204, depending on the data transmitted in the process
in step S202 or S203, the data transmitted from the PC 40 is received
and obtained by the USB I/F 29.
[0210] In step S205, it is determined whether or not the data obtained
in the process in the preceding step refers to an image data file.
If the determination result is YES, the obtained image data file
is stored in the image storage folder 13 in the image root folder
12 of the memory card 11. Afterwards, control is returned to step
S204, and the above-mentioned processes are repeated.
[0211] When the determination result in step S205 is NO, it is
determined in step S207 whether or not the data obtained in the
process in step S204 refers to the album list file 15. In the PC
40 that performs the album transfer process, since the album list
file 15 is transmitted after all image data files to be transferred
have been transmitted in the processes in steps S179, S181, and
S182 shown in FIG. 11, it is assumed that the album transfer process
performed by the PC 40 has terminated if the determination result
in step S207 is YES, and control is passed to step S208. If the
determination result in step S207 is NO, control is returned to
step S204, and the above-mentioned processes are repeated.
[0212] In step S208, the album list file 15 obtained in the process
in step S204 is overwritten immediately below the root directory
of the memory card. At this time, the shooting list 16 stored in
the album list file 15 before the overwriting is held as is. Afterwards,
the album receiving process terminates.
[0213] Described above is the album receiving process.
[0214] FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the contents of the album
regenerating process described below. The process is performed to
allow the camera 10 to browse the album transmitted from the PC
40.
[0215] The album regenerating process is started if an operation
for the operation input unit 32 selects the function of "regenerating
an album" when the display unit 28 displays the function selection
screen relating to the manipulation of an album as illustrated in
FIG. 14A by a user operating the operation input unit 32.
[0216] First, the album selecting process is performed in step
S211. This process is performed to select what is browsed from among
a plurality of albums stored in the camera 10, and is described
later in detail.
[0217] In step S212, the album list 17 in the album list file 15
stored in the memory card 11 is referred to, and the leading file
name of the file names arranged associated with the albums selected
in the process in step S211 is obtained.
[0218] In step S213, the image data file 14-n which is the file
name obtained in the process performed immediately before is detected
and obtained in the image root folder 12.
[0219] In step S214, designation is given to the image processing
unit 24 and the display processing unit 27 to display on the display
unit 28 an image represented by the file obtained in the preceding
step.
[0220] In step S215, it is determined whether or not the designation
to change the image displayed on the display unit 28 from the image
being displayed to the image before or after has been obtained.
If the designation has been obtained (the determination result is
YES), control is passed to step S216. If it has not been obtained
(the determination result is NO), control is passed to step S217.
[0221] In step S216, the album list 17 indicated by the album list
file 15 stored in the memory card 11 is referred to, and the file
name relating to the designation obtained in the process in step
S215 is obtained among the file names arranged as associated with
the album selected in the process in step S211. Afterwards, control
is returned to step S213, and the above-mentioned processes are
repeated.
[0222] In step S217, it is determined whether or not the designation
to terminate the regeneration of an album by the operation performed
by the operation input unit 32 has been obtained. If the designation
has been obtained (the determination result is YES), the album manipulation
facility selection screen as shown in FIG. 14A is displayed again
in step S218. Afterwards, the album regenerating process terminates.
If the determination result in step S217 is NO, control is returned
to step S215, and the above-mentioned processes are repeated.
[0223] Described above is the album regenerating process.
[0224] The album selecting process to be performed in step S211
in the above-mentioned album regenerating process is described below.
FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing the contents of the album selecting
process.
[0225] First, in step S221, the album list file 15 is read from
the memory card 11, and the album list 17 is referred to.
[0226] In step S222, it is determined what are the contents of
the designation about the displaying method on the display unit
28 of the cover image of an album performed by the user operation
through the operation input unit 32. If the contents of the designation
refers to the listing of the cover images of a plurality of albums,
control is passed to step S223. If the contents of the designation
refers to the display for each cover image (frame by fra |