JP2002033896A - Parameter list generator and its method, image information transmitting apparatus, image information acquisition method and its system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a parameter list generator and its method by which the contents of an image parameter list are updated every time image file information recorded on a recording medium is updated so as to quickly generate image directly information browsed by a user through remote control and to exhibit the information to the user and to provide an image information transmitting apparatus, an image information acquisition method and its system. SOLUTION: The parameter list generator (electronic camera 10) is provided with a parameter list generating means (information processing means 44) that generates or updates a parameter list in which attached information with respect to images recorded on a recording medium 54 and a parameter denoting the property of the images in cross-reference with the attached information regarding the image files; and stores the parameter list to the recording medium 54. Even when the recording medium 54 is holding many images, the parameter list generator (electronic camera 10) can quickly generate image directory information on the basis of the generated or updated parameter list and exhibit the information to a user.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for creating a parameter list, an image information transmitting apparatus, an image information acquiring method and a system therefor, and more particularly to a communication apparatus which receives and acquires image information from an image information transmitting apparatus. The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for creating a parameter list in a pull model, an image information transmitting apparatus, an image information obtaining method, and a system thereof.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a digital electronic camera having an image communication function, an electronic camera capable of efficiently and reliably transmitting an image by enabling a receiver to select an image to be transmitted is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H10-215397. It is shown.

Further, by connecting a wireless communication terminal to a digital camera, image data stored in the digital camera is transmitted to the wireless communication terminal and then temporarily stored in a memory unit.
The image data to be transmitted by the key button device of the wireless communication terminal is displayed on the liquid crystal monitor of the digital camera, and thereafter transmitted and connected to the wireless base station to transmit the image data to a commercial network or the like. The communication system is disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. Hei 10-308981.

[0004]

Problems to be Solved by the Invention
In the invention of the wireless communication system of a digital camera disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 97, a part of image information (for example, an image called a thumbnail image) is displayed on the receiving side. The recipient can select the image to be received while watching this display, but converts parameters indicating the characteristics of the image, such as image resolution and data compression ratio, according to the application and transfers it to a printer etc. I couldn't. If the digital camera stores, for example, 10 or more types of image data and it is impossible to display all the image data on one screen on the LCD monitor, a process of switching the display image is necessary. Therefore, there is a problem that it takes time for the receiver to select the image data to be transmitted.

In the wireless communication terminal disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H10-308981, the user only selects the image data transmission mode using the function keys, so that the parameter indicating the nature of the image must be set. There has been a problem that it cannot be received or transferred to another communication device depending on the application.

When a large number of image files of several thousand are recorded on a recording medium of a camera, all information described in tag information in the recorded large number of image files is read out. When the directory information is generated, there is a problem that an enormous amount of time is required for the process of reading the tag information and the process of generating the directory information.

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and every time image file information recorded on a recording medium is updated, a parameter indicating a property of an image is described in association with an image file name. By updating the contents of the parameter list, the user can quickly create directory information to be browsed when the user selects and specifies the desired image file according to the application by remote operation and present it to the user. It is an object of the present invention to provide a parameter list creation device and method, an image information transmission device, an image information acquisition method and a system thereof.

[0008]

In order to achieve the above object, according to the first aspect of the present invention, an image referred to when generating directory information of an image file to be presented from an image information transmitting side to an image information receiving side. A parameter list creating apparatus for creating a parameter list in which parameters are described, wherein a file name of a plurality of images recorded on a recording medium, a unique number assigned to each image file, a recording position of the image file At least one of the supplementary information related to the image file such as information indicating the date and time when the image was captured, and the number of pixels of the image, the compression ratio, the sampling method, the color information, etc. in association with the supplementary information related to the image file. A parameter list describing at least one parameter among the parameters indicating the properties of the image It is characterized by having a parameter list creating means for recording the formed or updated in a recording medium.

According to the present invention, a parameter list is created or updated in which additional information relating to a plurality of image files recorded on a recording medium and parameters indicating the properties of the image in association with the additional information relating to the image files are created. Parameter list creating means for recording the parameter list on the recording medium, so that even when many images are recorded on the recording medium, the parameter list creating device can promptly notify the user of the created or updated parameter list. It is possible to generate and present image information based on the information.

[0010]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of a parameter list creating apparatus and an image information creating method according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of an electronic camera which is an embodiment of a parameter list creating device.

According to FIG. 1, an electronic camera 10 (including functions of a parameter list creating device and an image information transmitting device)
Is a photographing lens 12 for forming a subject image on an image pickup means.
A display means 16 for displaying various information such as image data and frame number display 14, a power switch 18 for inputting start and stop of a function of the electronic camera 10, a release button 20 for a user to instruct photographing, and an electronic A mode switching dial 22 for switching and setting various modes provided in the camera 10 and an erase button 24 for specifying a desired item from the items displayed on the display means 16
A setting button 26 for registering a desired item from the items displayed on the display means 16, an increment button 28 operated when incrementing a frame number or the like displayed on the display means 16, And a decrement button 30 operated to decrement the frame number and the like displayed on the display 16.

Further, when information such as image data is transmitted / received to / from an external device by communication, an antenna 62 for transmitting / receiving a carrier wave and data is provided.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a display of various modes provided on the mode switching dial 22.

According to FIG. 1, a mode switching dial 22 has a communication mode 32 (indicated as “Wireless” in FIG. 2) for performing communication with another communication device (such as an image information receiving device), and a shooting mode. And a setup mode 38 for setting the date, the number of pixels, the setting of the auto-off time of the power supply, the volume of the alarm sound, and the like. ing.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a signal processing system of the electronic camera.

The electronic camera 10 includes an image pickup means 42 for forming an image of a subject on a light receiving surface, photoelectrically converting the image, and outputting the image data as image data, controlling the electronic camera 10 as a whole, controlling sampling timing of the image data, Information for controlling image data recording control, communication control, display control, virtual directory generation, virtual file generation, image data pixel number conversion processing, image data conversion processing, power saving mode setting and release, etc. A processing unit 44 (including the functions of a conversion image generation unit, a parameter list generation unit, a collation unit, and a directory generation unit) and a process of changing the number of pixels, sharpness correction, gamma correction, contrast correction, white balance correction, etc. An image processing means 46 and a frame memory 48 for temporarily storing image data
Input means 50 including a release button 20, an erase button 24, a setting button 26, an increment button 28, a decrement button 30, etc., and compression control of information such as image data by a method represented by JPEG or MPEG. A compression / decompression unit 52 (including a function of a conversion image generation unit) for performing processing for controlling expansion and decompression of compressed data; and converts data for recording and reading image data on a removable recording medium 54. A recording medium interface 56 is provided. The recording medium 54 is a detachable recording medium represented by a semiconductor such as a memory card or MO, magnetic recording, and optical recording.

The information processing means 44 is connected to a ROM in which an operation program and various constants are stored, and a memory 58 constituted by a RAM which is a storage means serving as a work area when executing the program.

The wireless communication means of the electronic camera 10 used for transmitting and receiving image data and the like to and from an external device by communication includes a transmitting and receiving means 60 for transmitting or receiving image data on a carrier wave according to a command from the information processing means 44. , An antenna 62 for transmitting and receiving a carrier wave and data, and a communication connector 64 for connecting each other for transmitting and receiving information such as image data with a cable to perform wired communication.

The electronic camera 10 has a D / A converter 66 for displaying image data on the display means 16 and converts code information commanded by the information processing means 44 into data of characters or messages to be displayed. A character generator 68 and a calendar clock 70 for ticking the date and time are provided.

When a command for inquiring the directory structure or file information of the image data in connection with the transfer of the image data is received from another communication device (image information receiving device or the like) by communication, the information processing means 44 generates a virtual directory (including a virtual folder) and virtual image files, which are newly classified information, based on the image files recorded in the recording medium 54.

FIG. 4 shows display contents displayed on the display means 16 when the mode of the electronic camera 10 is set to the setup mode 38.

According to the figure, when the setup mode 38 is set, a display for changing the date and time, changing the photographing mode, changing the number of recording pixels, setting the auto-off time, and adjusting the volume of the warning sound is provided. . By operating the input means 50 provided in the electronic camera 10, these settings can be changed.

The date and time are displayed on the calendar clock 7.
0 indicates the current date and time, and when the user changes the numerical value by selecting to change the numerical value, the input date / time and time information are transmitted from the information processing means 44 to the calendar clock 70. To start ticking the entered date and time.

The photographing modes displayed on the display means 16 include "FINE", "NORMAL", and "ECONO".
Various shooting modes having different image data compression rates of “MY” are shown. In the case of the example of FIG. 4, the “FINE” mode is a setting of a low compression rate with the largest data amount of the image.

The number of recording pixels is VGA (640 × 480)
And the number of pixels (resolution) of XGA (1024 × 768). Therefore, when performing high-quality printing, recording is performed in advance under the conditions of a high pixel count and a low compression ratio. If the image data is used for transferring image data to another communication device, recording with a low pixel count and a high compression ratio is performed. Set the amount of data.

The auto-off time is a power saving mode (for example, the processing speed of the information processing means 44 is reduced or not used after the time set for extending the life of the battery elapses). This is a time-out period setting for entering a mode in which power supply to peripheral elements is stopped. When the power saving mode is set and the electronic camera 10 is started from a state in which the power saving mode is set, the user operates one of the input units 50 or receives a signal from another communication device through communication. It is activated by sending a command prompting activation. The power saving mode setting means for setting and canceling the power saving mode may be implemented by the information processing means 44, or an independent power saving mode setting means may be provided exclusively.

In the warning sound setting, a beep sound volume is set when a warning is issued to the user when the electronic camera 10 is activated, when the communication processing is completed, when photographing is performed, and the like. These pieces of information on the date and time, the shooting mode, and the number of recording pixels are displayed together with the image at the time of reproduction as displayed on the display unit 16 in FIG.

The photographing process of the electronic camera 10 configured as described above will be described.

The subject image to be photographed is formed on the light receiving surface of the image pickup means 42, and the formed subject image is photoelectrically converted and output to the image processing means 46. The obtained image data is subjected to amplification and noise reduction processing by the image processing means 46, and is temporarily stored in the frame memory 48. The information processing means 44 sequentially transmits the image data stored in the frame memory 48 to the D / A converter 66, and
6.

When the release button 20 provided on the input means 50 is pressed, a mode for photographing a subject is entered. Then, the information processing means 44 transfers the image data stored in the frame memory 48 to the compression / decompression means 52, and outputs a command to execute the image data compression processing under predetermined conditions. Then, a process of sequentially recording the image data on the recording medium 54 is performed on the recording medium interface 56.

When the mode switch dial 22 is set to the communication mode 32 and the transmission button set in the input means 50 is pressed, the information processing means 44 sequentially stores the specified image data in the recording medium 54 or the frame memory 48. And converts the data to a predetermined data format, and then transmits the data to the outside via the transmitting / receiving means 60 and the antenna 62 or the communication connector 64.

When transmitting / receiving information to / from another communication device via the antenna 62, the information is converted into a radio signal or an optical signal to perform wireless communication. Further, when transmitting and receiving information to and from another communication device via the connector 64, a mutual connection is made between the devices that transmit and receive the information by a cable,
The information is converted into an electric signal or an optical signal to perform wired communication.

FIG. 5 is an external view of a communication device (image information receiving device).

As shown in the figure, a communication device 80 includes an antenna 82 for performing wireless communication with a public line, a wireless communication means 84 for performing wireless communication with another peripheral communication device such as a parameter list creating device, and a communication device 80. A display means 88 composed of a color liquid crystal display or the like for displaying information or a thumbnail image 86 of the selected image file; designation and selection of telephone number, character, image, and voice data; and an output device and address of the data Specifying means 90, 90 for specifying
.., A speaker 92 serving as a telephone receiver and outputting voice, a microphone 94 for inputting voice, and a communication connector 96 for performing wired communication with other peripheral communication devices such as an image generating apparatus. ing. The communication device 80 may be a device obtained by adding the above functions to a mobile phone.

According to FIG. 5, the menu screen of the display means 88 has a remaining battery capacity display 122 indicating the remaining capacity of the battery, which is the power source of the communication device 80, and a received radio wave indicating the received radio wave intensity. The intensity display 124 is displayed.
Also, an image confirmation menu for displaying the designated image on the entire display means 88 to confirm the contents of the image, an image transfer menu for transmitting the image from the communication device 80 to another communication device via a public line or the like, , An image attachment information confirmation menu (property menu) or the like for confirming the attachment information of the image, an image directory file name 128, 128,. Pointer 13 for scrolling image directory file names that do not exist
0 and 130 are displayed.

When the user designates an execution mode or an image directory file, the designation frame is moved by using a cursor key or the like provided in the designation means 90 and set. As shown in FIG. 5, in the image confirmation mode,
The image directory file name 128 is “001-000
2 ". In this example, the first three digits “001” are the directory name, and the last four digits “0002” are the file name. Thus, the image file name is changed to the image directory file name 128.
By expressing as, the image file recorded on the recording medium 54 can be uniquely specified.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a communication processing system of a communication device.

According to the figure, the transmission / reception part of the communication device 80 performs wireless communication with the public line wireless communication means 98 for performing wireless communication with the public line, the public line transmission / reception means 100, and other communication devices. Communication means 84 for connecting a communication cable when performing wired communication
6, a transmission / reception means 102, and a transmission / reception buffer 104 for temporarily storing data to be transmitted / received in real time.

In the communication device 80, a CPU 106 for controlling the entire device, a PROM 108 in which programs for operating the CPU 106, various constants, telephone numbers, addresses of communication destinations and the like are written, and the CPU 106 executes processing. RAM 110 of the storage means serving as a work area when performing
And a calendar clock 112 that ticks the date and time.

The CPU 106 in the communication device 80 and each peripheral circuit including the display means 88 and the designation means 90 are connected by communication means such as a bus line and I / O.
6 is capable of controlling each peripheral circuit.

The communication means between the wireless communication means 84 and the electronic camera 10 is a communication means using light such as radio waves, ultrasonic waves, and infrared rays as carrier waves. In the case of using radio waves, it may be based on the specifications of a wireless LAN (local area network), which has recently attracted attention.
Interface means based on DA specifications may be used.

The communication means for communication using the wired communication means may be a serial communication means such as RS-232, RS-422, USB, or an interface means using a parallel signal. .

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the connection configuration of various communication devices when transmitting and receiving information using the image information acquisition system.

As shown in the figure, the image information acquisition systems 118, 118A are composed of electronic cameras 10, 10A and communication devices 80, 80A. Electronic camera 1
The user operates the communication devices 80 and 80A to select and read the images taken or stored at 0 and 10A, and reads the images to the desired server 120 or another communication device (not shown) via the public line network. Transmit. The server 120 may perform a print service of printing an image on a sheet based on the transmitted image information and delivering the image to a user.

FIG. 8 shows a directory structure related to the original image file recorded on the recording medium 54 of the electronic camera 10.

According to the figure, the directory structure of the image file includes a root “ROOT”, “IMAGE” indicating image data, and a section “001VACATIO” indicating that the image was taken by a user during a vacation.
N "," 002BIRTHDAY "directory group 140," DSCF0001.JPG "," DSCF
0002. JPG "and the other image file groups 142.

The image directory file name 128 "001-00" displayed on the display means 88 in FIG.
02 ”is a file“ DSCF000 ”stored in a hierarchy below the directory“ 001VACATION ”.
2. JPG ". Further, the image files “DSCF0001.JPG” and “D” in the hierarchy below the directory “001VACATION” shown in FIG.
SCF0003. JPG ”is XGA (1024 × 76
8) An image file recorded with the number of pixels (resolution)
“DSCF0002.JPG” is VGA (640 × 48
This is an image file recorded with the number of pixels of 0).

Similarly, the directory "002BIRTH"
DAY ”image file“ DSCF000 ”
1. “JPG” is an image file recorded with the number of pixels of XGA (1024 × 768), and the other image files are image files recorded with the number of pixels of VGA (640 × 480). As described above, by arranging various image files having different numbers of pixels under the same directory, automatic generation and retrieval of file names can be easily performed.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the internal structure of an image file.

As shown in the figure, the image file is composed of a tag 144 describing image attached information (property information) such as photographing conditions, and a thumbnail 1 as heading image data.
46 and a main image 148. Tag 14
Reference numeral 4 includes attached information of image data such as shooting date, shooting mode, title, white balance information, focus information, shooting position information obtained when a GPS device or the like is connected, flash use information, and the like. Have been. If the values of these pieces of information are unknown, "UNKNOWN" as shown in the figure can be described.

The thumbnail 146 is composed of the main image 148 (VG
A, the number of pixels for each of XGA) is 160 ×
Image data reduced to about 120 is attached and stored. In the main image 148, the number of designated pixels such as VGA and XGA, and information of image data compressed at a predetermined compression rate are recorded. Note that the format of the thumbnail 146 is not limited to the format shown in the figure, and a plurality of pieces of image information having different numbers of pixels may be recorded.

FIG. 10 shows a file structure of an image parameter list according to the present invention.

According to the present invention, when the parameter list creation device receives a command for inquiring the directory structure of image data regarding transfer of image data from another communication device, and if the latest parameter list 150 does not exist, the information processing is performed. The means 44 (parameter list creating means) is a parameter list 15 in which the information shown in FIG.
0 is generated and recorded in, for example, a predetermined directory of the recording medium 54.

As shown in the figure, the image parameter list 150 includes information on the total number of images of the original image file recorded on the recording medium 54 of the electronic camera 10,
Non-overlapping numbers such as identification serial numbers assigned to each image file when the parameter list 150 is created, and information on the recording position of the original image file represented by a directory path where the original image file is recorded. Image width information indicating the number of pixels in the horizontal direction of the recorded image, height information of the image indicating the number of pixels in the vertical direction of the recorded image, and compression of image information during image recording, for example. Information on the recording mode indicating the rate and information on the shooting date and shooting time indicating the date and time when the image was shot are described. In addition, additional information about the image such as size information indicating the capacity of the image file may be described.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the procedure for creating an image parameter list according to the present invention.

Image file information (directory entry information, file name and attribute information, etc.) that has been recently replaced in the electronic camera 10 (parameter list creating device) and actually recorded on the recording medium 54 Is different from the information of the image file recorded in the parameter list 150, and when a new image is taken, the data of the parameter list 150 recorded on the recording medium 54 is broken and cannot be read normally. In this case, when the user directly instructs the creation of the parameter list 150, when the mode is switched, when the recording medium 54 is newly attached, when communication with another communication device is established, Next, the processing for creating and updating the parameter list shown in FIG. It called to come to a branch to step S10 "Start" (which are abbreviated as later S10).

According to the figure, when the processing program of the information processing means 44 branches to S10, the process proceeds to the next step S12 "Create empty list", and the parameter list 150 is stored in a predetermined directory of the recording medium 54, for example. Open the file by securing the area to be used. If there is an old parameter list created before, the file of the old parameter list is opened and the content is updated. In the next S14 “image file search”, a process of reading directory entry information, file name, attribute information, and the like of the image file recorded on the recording medium 54 is performed, and the process proceeds to the next S16 “image file existence?” .

In the next step S16, it is determined whether or not there is an image file whose information has not been read yet in the recording medium 54 based on the read directory entry information, the file name and the attribute information. If there is no unread image file in the recording medium 54, the flow branches to "end" in S18 to terminate the processing routine for creating the parameter list 150 and return to the original processing routine. In S16, if it is determined that a newly recorded image file exists in the recording medium 54, the process proceeds to the next S20 “Extract image parameters”. In addition, among the image files described in the old parameter list, information relating to the image files already deleted from the recording medium 54 is deleted from the old parameter list to update the parameter list.

In the next S20, a process of extracting parameter information related to the image described in the tag 144 or the like in each image file is performed, and the process proceeds to S22 "Register file name and parameter in parameter list". In S22, the parameters related to the extracted image are described in the created parameter list 150 and recorded on the recording medium 54. Then, proceed to the next S24 “search for next image”,
The directory entry information, the file name, the attribute information, and the like of the next image file that has not been read yet recorded on the recording medium 54 are read, and the process returns to S16.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the conditions for reading and creating the image parameter list according to the present invention.

According to the present invention, when the parameter list creation device receives a command for inquiring the directory structure of image data regarding transfer of image data from another communication device, the processing of the information processing means 44 shown in FIG. The process of reading the program parameter list 150 and creating conditions is called, and the process branches to "Start" in S30.

In the processing program of the information processing means 44,
When S30 “start” is called, the process proceeds to the next S32 “list file search”. In S32, the recording medium 5
4 is performed to read directory entry information, file names, attribute information, and the like.
Search for. In the next S34 “list file present?”, It is determined whether the parameter list 150 exists as a result of the search of the parameter list 150 in S32. If the parameter list 150 in S34
If it is determined that the parameter list 150 does not exist, the process branches to S36 “Creating a list file” and the above-described parameter list 150 is created.
A processing routine relating to the creation of
Branch to When the creation of the parameter list 150 is completed, the processing program executes this parameter list 150
Then, the process returns to the routine for reading and creating conditions, and proceeds to the next step S38 “Read list file”. Also, S3
If it is determined in step 4 that the parameter list 150 exists, the process also proceeds to S38.

In S38, a process of reading the information described in the parameter list 150 recorded on the recording medium 54 is performed, and the flow advances to the next S40 "search for all image files". In S40, a process of reading directory entry information, a file name, attribute information, and the like of the recording medium 54 is performed, and a process of searching for all recorded image files is performed. In this process, since only a small amount of information about the image file such as the image file name and directory information is read (the information in the image file is not read out), when there are thousands of types of image files recorded on the recording medium 54, However, all image file names and directory information can be read out instantaneously.

In the next step S42 "match with list file", the information described in the parameter list 150 read out in S38 is compared with the image file name and directory information read out in S40 and collated. S
Go to the determination of 44 "Inconsistency?"

In S44, it is determined whether or not there is an inconsistency as a result of the collation processing in S42. If there is an inconsistency as a result of the matching process, the processing program returns to S
Proceeding to 46 "Update of list and list file", a process routine for updating the above-described parameter list 150 is called, and the parameter list 150 is described in the supplementary information of the image file read in S40 and the tag of the image file. Update is performed according to a parameter indicating the property of the image. When the update of the parameter list 150 is completed, the processing program returns to the routine for reading and creating the parameter list 150, and proceeds to the next S48 “Create virtual directory according to list file”. If it is determined in step S44 that there is no mismatch, the process proceeds to step S48.

In the next S48, a process of generating a virtual directory shown in FIG. 13 below is performed based on the contents described in the updated latest parameter list 150. Here, when the generation of the virtual directory ends, the processing program proceeds to the next S50 “end”.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing, in a tree structure, paths of virtual directories and virtual files newly generated by the directory generating means for each category according to the number of pixels of an image.

The parameter list creating device receives a command for inquiring the directory structure of image data regarding transfer of image data from another communication device, and
Parameter list 15 that matches the content of image file names, directory information, attributes, etc. recorded in
If 0 has been created, the information processing unit 44 (directory generation unit) generates and registers the virtual directory and virtual image file shown in FIG. 3 by classifying them into parameters (categories) indicating the properties of images. .

According to the figure, the directory "ROOT"
A virtual directory “QQVG” that stores a series of virtual image files of a new 1/16 VGA size in a layer below
A, a virtual directory "QVGA" for storing a series of 1/4 VGA size virtual image files, a virtual directory "VGA" for storing a series of VGA size image files, and a series of SVGA size image files. Virtual directory “SVGA”, a virtual directory “XGA” for storing a series of image files of XGA size, and a directory “Property” for storing a text data file related to the content of tag information.
Are generated and registered by classifying them into categories.

Further, in the hierarchy below each of the newly created directories, directories “001VACATION” classified by the user and “002BIRTHD” are displayed.
AY ”is newly generated. Then, each of the directories “001VACATION” and “002BIR”
The virtual image file “DSCF” based on the original image file further recorded is located in a hierarchy below “THDAY”.
0001. JPG "," DSCF0002.JPG ",
“DSCF0003.JPG”... Are generated and registered. These virtual directories and virtual files are directories and file names that do not actually exist. However, if the processing speed of the information processing means 44 is high and the recording capacity of the recording medium 54 has a sufficient margin, the original Generate an image file with the number of pixels converted from the image file of
The information may be recorded in the directory structure shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 13, the directory “001VAC” in the hierarchy below the virtual directory “SVGA”
ATION ”contains a virtual file“ DSCF0002.
JPG "does not exist. This is because the image file recorded at the time of shooting is VGA size image data (as shown in FIG. 5, the image file “DSCF0002.JPG” in the directory “001VACATION” is VG
(A size is recorded in A size.) Therefore, when image data is transmitted by communication, it is wasteful to convert the VGA size image data to the SVGA size and increase the amount of image data for transmission. This is because a file or a file name having an image size (the number of pixels) whose data amount is larger than that of the image data is not generated and registered. Therefore, similarly, the virtual file of the image file recorded in the VGA size is not generated in the directory “XGA”.

FIG. 14 shows the description state of the virtual directory and virtual file shown in FIG.

The newly created virtual directory and virtual file are described in the format shown in FIG. The symbol “￥” is a symbol indicating a directory path (path) to a file, and is not particularly limited to “￥”.
The description may be made using “＼” instead of “代 わ り”.

FIG. 15 shows the electronic camera 10 and the communication device 80.
Indicate the processing procedure of the communication performed by each other.

According to the communication method shown in the figure, a user can easily obtain an image recorded in the electronic camera 10 by operating a communication device 80 (for example, a mobile phone which is frequently carried). It is a pull model.

As shown in FIG. 15, step S100
In “Set communication mode”, the operation mode of the electronic camera 10 is set to the communication mode, and the operation mode of the communication device 80 is set to S.
When the image menu is set in 102 “Set image menu”, the communication device 80 sends the electronic camera 10 S10
4 Send a command of "connection request". Then, the electronic camera 10 receives the “connection request” command and returns to S106.
A response for performing communication connection is transmitted to the communication device 80 after "connection completed". When the electronic camera 10 is in the power saving mode, the electronic camera 10 automatically cancels the power saving mode after receiving the information of the “connection request” and performs the subsequent communication processing.

When the communication connection is completed, the communication device 80 determines in S108 “Request file list” that the electronic camera 10
Send a file list information acquisition command to.

The electronic camera 10 issues a “file list request”
, The process of S110 “Create new virtual file structure” is performed. Here, the information processing means 44 newly generates the file list information of the virtual directory and the virtual image file structure shown in FIG. 14 based on the information of the parameter list 150 recorded in the recording medium 54, and executes S112 "File The file list information classified and generated by the category in the “list information” is transmitted to the communication device 80 and presented. Further, the recording medium 54
File and parameter list 15 recorded in
If the information of the image file recorded in the virtual directory shown in FIG. 14 is different from the information of the image file recorded in the virtual directory shown in FIG. And file list information of a virtual image file structure are newly generated.

At S114 "display file list", communication device 80 displays (browses) the file list information based on the received file list information (directory information). The file list information to be displayed also
The file list display by characters may be used.
As shown in FIG. 3, a virtual image file tree display may be used.

For example, the communication device 80 is connected to the display unit 8 shown in FIG.
The display (browsing) shown in FIG. 8 is performed, and the user
6. Specify the "image transfer" mode and the image directory file name 128 "001-0002" (current frame number) in "Set current frame number as first frame (smallest number)". Then, the communication device 80 sends the electronic camera 10 S118 “QQVGA of current frame number”.
In the “image request”, “a QQVGA image request of the current frame number” is transmitted.

In the electronic camera 10, in S 120 “read file of current frame number from recording medium”, a process of reading an image file designated by the user from recording medium 54 is performed. Next, in S122 “QQVGA image generation of image of current frame number”, information processing means 44 of electronic camera 10 performs processing of reading image data from the read image file and generating QQVGA size image data. I do. At this time, the communication device 8
An image size (QQVGA size) designated from 0,
When the thumbnail image size of the original image file recorded on the recording medium 54 is the same as the original image file, the recorded thumbnail image data is deleted without newly generating the image data of the designated QQVGA size. Read and transmit.

The QQ of the current frame obtained as described above
The VGA image data is stored in S124 “Q of current frame number”.
The QVGA image is transmitted to the communication device 80. In S126 “thumbnail display” of the communication device 80, the display unit 8
8, a QQVGA image or a thumbnail image of the current frame number is displayed. In this way, the thumbnail image 86 shown in FIG. 5 is displayed on the display means 88 of the communication device 80.

In S128 "Change current frame number?", The user is inquired whether to change the current frame number. If the user has changed the current frame number in S128, the process returns to S126. If the user does not change the current frame number, the process proceeds to S130 “Property display?”.

In S130, it is determined whether or not to display the properties of the image file of the current frame number. If the user specifies to display properties in S130, transmission of the directory and file name information of the current frame to the electronic camera 10 is performed in S132 "Request property of current frame number". , Sends a file property request and (@R
Obtain property information (from directory under OOT @ Property).

In response to the request for the property of the current frame number, the electronic camera 10 receives the property request for the current frame number, and in S134 “reads the file of the current frame number from the recording medium”, the recording medium
To execute a process of reading the tag information of the specified image file from. In the next step S136 “Generation of property file for image of current frame number”, property information is generated from the read image file information, and a property file, a file name, and a property directory are generated and registered.

At S 138 “property data of current frame number”, electronic camera 10 transmits the data of the property file of the current frame number to communication device 80. In S140 “Display property”, the communication device 80
Displays the received property information on the display means 88.

FIG. 16 shows a display example of property information.

According to the figure, the display means 88 of the communication device 80
Includes an execution mode display 126 indicating “property display mode”, a selected image directory file name 128 “001-0002”, shooting date and time information of the same image file, shooting mode information, and title information. , Information on white balance, and shooting information on focus means are displayed. If not all information can be displayed on the display means 88 due to the large amount of information of the property information, the display content is scrolled using the scroll keys provided on the specifying means 90,
Display other information.

If the user presses the clear button set in the specifying means 90 in the next step S142 "return? (Clear button pressed)", the process proceeds to step S144 "disconnect? (Button with handset placed)".

If the user does not specify the property display in S130, the flow advances to S146 "image transmission?" In S146, it is determined whether the image data of the selected current frame number is received from the electronic camera 10 and transmitted to the server 120 or the like. If the user instructs the transmission of the image, the program proceeds to S148 “select desired number of pixels”. In S148, the user selects the desired number of pixels while viewing the pixel number selection screen displayed on the display unit 88. If the transmission of the image data is not instructed in S146, the process proceeds to S144.

FIG. 17 shows a display example of a pixel number selection screen of transfer image data by character display in the image transfer menu.

According to the figure, the display means 88 of the communication device 80
Include an execution mode display 126 indicating the mode of “image transfer”, a selected image directory file name 128 “001-0002”, a thumbnail image 86 of the same image file, and received file list information. Based on this, virtual directories such as “QQVGA”, “QVGA”,... Provided in the hierarchy below the directory “ROOT” are displayed.

In the display example of FIG. 17, the image file “00”
Since “1-0002” is image data recorded in the VGA size, a gray-out display indicating that there is no virtual file name in the “SVGA” and “XGA” virtual directories (indicated by a broken line in FIG. 17) ).
This grayed-out display indicates that the category cannot be selected by the user, or has no advantage even if selected. Therefore, when the number of pixels of the image recorded in the original image file is the XGA size, Q
It is possible to select an image file having all resolutions from QVGA to XGA.

If the user selects a desired number of pixels (for example, a “VGA” virtual directory) appropriate for processing at the transfer destination, the process proceeds to S150 “Request file for desired number of pixels of current frame number”. Then, the communication device 80 transmits (accesses) the selected virtual directory information (pixel number information) to the electronic camera 10. For example, if the transfer destination device for transferring an image file is a printer equipped with a printing unit and the purpose is to print an image on a large sheet of paper at a high resolution, the virtual directory of a virtual directory having a large number of pixels and a large amount of image data is used. Select a file. If the paper to be printed is a seal-type paper divided into 16, for example, a virtual file recorded in a virtual directory having about VGA pixels is selected.

If the user wants to omit the step of specifying a virtual directory depending on the application, the communication device 80 automatically selects an image file having the maximum number of pixels and performs image transfer. Good. In this case, the directory having the larger number of pixels may be searched for the existence of the corresponding image file, or the number of pixels of the original image file may be determined from the property information recorded in the file in the property directory. The acquired image file may be acquired from a directory that matches the number of pixels.

When the electronic camera 10 receives the pixel number information, the image data is read from the designated image file and decompressed in S152 “Read File of Current Frame Number from Recording Medium”. And the next S154
In "Generate pixel number conversion file of current frame number",
A process of converting the read image data into a pixel number suitable for the received pixel number information is performed. The image file converted to the predetermined number of pixels may be newly recorded on the recording medium 54 or may be stored in the frame memory 48 or the memory 58. Further, when the received pixel number information is the same as the number of pixels recorded on the recording medium 54 (when the image data recorded as in this example has the VGA size and the received pixel information has the VGA size). In), the image data recorded without performing the pixel number conversion process is transmitted to the communication device 80. In the present embodiment, the conversion image generation processing for generating a new image file by changing parameters relating to the image properties such as the number of pixels of the image, the sampling method, and color information with respect to the original image is performed by the information processing unit 44. Has been implemented. Further, the dedicated compression / decompression means 52 may perform the change of the compression ratio of the image data, the conversion image generation process of generating a new image file by changing the recording format of the image data, and the like.

In S156 “File of desired pixel number of current frame number”, the data of the image file generated in S154 is transmitted to communication device 80. Then, the communication device 80 temporarily stores the image data received via the wireless communication unit 84 and the transmission / reception unit 102 in the transmission / reception buffer 1.
04 or the RAM 110, and in S158 “transmit the acquired file to the base station”, the transmission / reception unit 100
And a process of transmitting the data to a base station (server 120) or another communication device such as a printer via the wireless communication unit 98 and the public line. When the transmission process is completed, S1
Go to 44.

In S144, it is determined whether or not the communication between the communication device 80 and the electronic camera 10 is to be disconnected. If the image data is to be received or the image is to be browsed again, the process returns to step S128.
0 A command to disconnect the communication with the electronic camera 10 is transmitted by “disconnection request”, and the process proceeds to S162 “end”.

In response to the received "disconnect request", the electronic camera 10 advances to S164 "end" to end the communication processing.

Although not shown in the communication processing procedure of FIG. 15, when displaying the confirmation image on the display unit 88 of the communication device 80, the communication device 80 Image data of a suitable number of pixels is transferred to the electronic camera 10.
To request. For example, when the number of display pixels of the image display frame of the display unit 88 is QVGA (320 × 240 pixels), the communication device 80 transmits “QVGA” to the electronic camera 10.
Image request ”.

The electronic camera 10 reads out image data from the recording medium, performs decompression processing, and executes processing for generating image data of “QVGA” size. The QVGA image data of the current frame obtained in this way is transmitted to the communication device 80, and the display unit 88 displays the current frame number QVGA.
Display a VGA image.

FIG. 18 shows a display example of the confirmation image.

According to the figure, the display means 88 of the communication device 80
Displays an execution mode display 126 indicating the mode of “image confirmation”, a selected image directory file name 128 “001-0002”, and a QVGA image of the same enlarged image file for image confirmation. ing. The displayed QQVGA image is (￥ ROOT) ￥ Q
The image data is obtained by the communication device 80 specifying a virtual directory name and a virtual file name from a directory under the VGA. In this way, by displaying an image having a larger amount of information than the thumbnail image, the user can check the image in more detail.

In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which virtual image files having different numbers of pixels are generated for recorded image data. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Virtual image data relating to the compression ratio of the recorded image data may be generated, or a virtual file corresponding to the image data amount of the image file may be generated.

FIG. 19 shows the recording medium 54 of the electronic camera 10.
9 shows another embodiment of the directory structure of the original image data recorded in.

According to the figure, the directory structure of image data is a directory “ROOT”, a directory “IMAGE” indicating image data, and a directory “001” indicating images taken by a user during vacation.
VACATION ”,“ 002BIRTHDAY ”directory group 140 and image file“ DSCF00 ”
01. JPG "and" DSCF0002.JPG ".

The directory “001VAC” shown in FIG.
Image file “DSCF00” in the layer below “ATION”
01. JPG ”is an image file recorded in the“ Economy ”mode with a high compression ratio,“ DSCF0002.JP ”.
“G” is an image file recorded in “Normal” mode with a medium compression ratio, and “DSCF0003.JPG” is an image file recorded in “Fine” mode with a low compression ratio.

Similarly, the directory "002BIRTH"
DAY ”image file“ DSCF000 ”
1. JPG ”has a low compression ratio and“ DSCF0002.JP ”
“G” is a missing number, “DSCF0003.JPG” is an image file recorded at a medium compression rate, and “DSCF0004.JPG” is an image file recorded at a high compression rate.

FIG. 20 shows a virtual directory and virtual files newly generated according to the compression ratio of image data in a tree display.

According to the figure, the directory "ROOT"
In the lower hierarchy, a virtual directory “Economy” for storing a series of virtual image files with a new compression rate of “Economic” and a virtual directory for storing a series of virtual image files with a compression rate of “Normal” “Normal” and a virtual directory “Fin” that stores a series of image files whose compression ratio is “Fine”
e "is generated.

In the hierarchy below the newly created directory, the directory "001"
VACATION ”and“ 002BIRTHDAY ”are newly generated. Then, the directory “001”
In a hierarchy below “VACATION” and “002BIRTHDAY”, a virtual image file “DSCF00” is further added.
01. JPG "," DSCF0002.JPG "," D
SCF0003. JPG "... are generated in advance. These virtual directories and virtual files are directories and files that do not actually exist.
If the processing speed is high and the recording capacity of the recording medium 54 has a sufficient margin, an image file in which the number of pixels has been converted from the original image file is generated and recorded in the directory structure shown in FIG. You may keep it.

As shown in FIG. 20, the directory “001V” under the virtual directory “Normal”
In the "ACATION", the virtual file "DSCF000"
1. JPG "does not exist. This is an image in which the image file recorded at the time of shooting is recorded in the “Economy” mode (as shown in FIG. 19, the directory “00”).
Image file “DSCF0” in “1VACATION”
001. JPG ”is recorded in the“ Economic ”mode), so when transmitting image data by communication,
This is because, if transmission is performed with a large amount of data, waste will occur, so that it is not necessary to generate a pixel number larger than the original image data. Therefore, similarly, "Norm
The virtual file of the image file recorded in the “al” mode is not generated even in the directory “Fine”.

FIG. 21 is a diagram showing a virtual directory and virtual files newly generated in accordance with the number of pixels of the image and the compression ratio of the image in a tree display.

According to the figure, the directory "ROOT"
In the lower hierarchy, virtual directories “QQVGA”, “QVGA”,... Generated according to the number of pixels are provided. The virtual directories “Economy” and “Norma” generated according to the compression ratio of the image are located below the virtual directory generated according to the number of pixels.
l ”... are generated. Also, in the hierarchy below the virtual directory generated according to these image compression ratios, the directory “001VAC generated” for the user to classify.
ACTION "and a virtual directory" 002BIRTHDAY "are newly generated. Then, the virtual directories “001VACATION” and “002BI”
In the hierarchy below “RTHDAY”, virtual image files “DSCF0001.JPG” and “DSC
F0002. JPG ”,“ DSCF0003.JPG ”
... is generated. Although these virtual directories and virtual files are directories and files that do not actually exist, the processing speed of the information processing means 44 is high.
If the recording capacity of the recording medium 54 has a sufficient margin, an image file in which the number of pixels has been converted from the original image file may be generated, and classified and recorded according to the directory structure shown in FIG.

The file list information classified and generated as described above is generated based on the parameter list 150, transmitted to the communication device 80, and displayed on the display device 88 of the communication device 80.
, The user can quickly select and acquire a desired type of image according to the application. Further, there is no need for the communication device 80 to previously have information on a plurality of image files recorded on the recording medium of the parameter list creation device, so that the load of the processing program on the communication device 80 can be reduced. is there.

Further, since the parameter list creating device transmits directory information in which a plurality of types of virtual image files having different numbers of pixels and the like are classified, the communication device 80 generally executes a file browsing program which is widely used. Just by providing, it is possible to select and specify a plurality of types of virtual image files. Also, the processing program on the communication device 80 side may use a familiar tool that is frequently used by the user and has high specification frequency, so that the burden is small and comfortable operability can be obtained.

Also, the parameter list creation device is set in a power saving mode in which all operations are not normally performed.
When a command of “connection request” is received from the communication device 80, the power saving mode may be canceled to start communication and information processing. With this configuration, the parameter list creation device can be automatically started only when necessary from the standby mode, and the power consumption can be suppressed to extend the life of the battery.

In the above embodiment, the parameter list creating device and the image information transmitting device according to the present invention have been described as examples using an electronic camera having an image pickup means. However, the present invention is not limited to the electronic camera. Instead, a scanner provided with an imaging unit may be used.

In the above embodiment, the communication device 8
0 has been described as an example in which wireless communication is performed with another communication device via a public line using wireless communication means. However, the present invention is not limited to wireless communication. Alternatively, communication means for communicating with a wired communication network may be used.

In the above embodiment, the image file newly generated by the information processing means 44 is an image file in which the compression ratio of the image data is changed with respect to the original image file, and an image file in which the number of pixels is changed. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The image file in which the color tone has been changed, the image file which has been subjected to sampling conversion such as YCC420 and YCC422 for converting into a luminance signal and a color difference signal, red, An image file that has been subjected to RGB conversion for conversion into three primary colors of green and blue, an image file that has been subjected to black and white conversion, an image file that has been subjected to sepia color conversion, and a file having a different image recording format may be newly generated. Then, these virtual directories and virtual files may be newly generated as newly generated image information.

When the display means 88 of the communication device 80 is a display means capable of performing color display, a virtual file of a color image is automatically designated, and the display means 88
Is a display unit having only a black-and-white display function, a virtual file of a black-and-white image may be automatically designated to reduce the burden on the operation of the user.

The communication device (image information receiving device or the like) described above may be a portable communication terminal or a simple communication device such as a remote controller.

[0124]

As described above, according to the parameter list creating apparatus of the present invention, the properties of an image are associated with the additional information on a plurality of image files recorded on the recording medium and the additional information on the image files. Parameter list creating means for creating or updating a parameter list describing the parameters shown and recording the same on a recording medium, so that the parameter list creating apparatus can be used even if many images are recorded on the recording medium. Based on the created or updated parameter list,
For example, directory information of an image can be generated and presented.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of an electronic camera which is an embodiment of a parameter list creation device and an image information transmission device.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a display of various modes provided on a mode switching dial.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a signal processing system of the electronic camera.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing display contents displayed when the electronic camera is set to a setup mode.

FIG. 5 is an external view of a communication device.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a communication processing system of the communication device.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a connection configuration of various communication devices when transmitting and receiving information using the image information acquisition system.

FIG. 8 is a view showing a directory structure of an original image file recorded on a recording medium of the electronic camera.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the internal structure of an image file.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a structure of an image parameter list according to the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart for creating and updating an image parameter list according to the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart for reading a parameter list and creating conditions;

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing, in a tree structure, paths of virtual directories and virtual files newly generated for each category according to the number of pixels of an image.

FIG. 14 is a view showing a description state of the virtual directory and the virtual file shown in FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a communication processing procedure performed by the electronic camera and the communication device with each other.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a display example of property information.

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a display example of a pixel number selection screen of transfer image data by character display in the image transfer menu.

FIG. 18 is a diagram showing a display example of a confirmation image.

FIG. 19 is a diagram showing another embodiment of a directory structure of original image data recorded on a recording medium of an electronic camera.

FIG. 20 is a diagram showing, in a tree view, virtual directories and virtual files newly generated according to the compression ratio of image data.

FIG. 21 is a diagram showing, in a tree view, virtual directories and virtual files newly generated according to the number of pixels of an image and the compression ratio of the image;

[Explanation of symbols]

Reference Signs List 10: electronic camera, 12: photographing lens, 16: display means, 22: mode switching dial, 32: communication mode, 4
2 ... Imaging means, 44 ... Information processing means, 46 ... Image processing means, 48 ... Frame memory, 50 ... Input means, 52 ... Compression / decompression means, 54 ... Recording medium, 56 ... Recording medium interface, 58 ... Memory, 60 ... Transmitting / receiving means, 62 antenna, 64 communication connector, 80 communication equipment, 82
Antenna, 84: wireless communication means, 88: display means, 90
... designating means, 96 ... communication connector, 98 ... wireless communication means, 100 ... transmitting / receiving means, 102 ... transmitting / receiving means, 104
... Transmission / reception buffer, 106 ... CPU, 108 ... PRO
M, 110: RAM, 120: Server, 126: Execution mode display, 128: Image directory file name, 13
0 pointer, 140 directory group, 142 file group, 146 thumbnail, 148 main image, 150
… Parameter list

──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) H04N 5/91 H04N 7/14 5C073 7/14 5/91 J (72) Inventor Yukihiro Kawata Asaka-shi, Saitama Izumi 3-chome No.11-46 Fuji Shashin Film Co., Ltd. F-term (reference) 2H054 AA01 5B050 AA08 BA10 BA13 CA05 FA08 FA19 GA08 5C052 AB04 AC08 DD02 DD04 5C053 FA08 FA14 FA23 FA27 GB06 HA29 HA30 JA16 JA21 LA01 LA14 5C064 BA07 BC BD02 BD07 BD08 5C073 AA06 AB03 AB04 AB09 AB17 BB07 BB09 CA02

Claims (20)

[Claims] 1. A parameter list creating apparatus for creating a parameter list in which image parameters to be referred to when generating information of an image file to be presented from an image information transmitting side to an image information receiving side is described. At least one of the file names of a plurality of images recorded in the image file, a unique number assigned to each image file, the recording position of the image file, and information indicating the date and time when the image was captured. A parameter list describing at least one parameter among parameters indicating image characteristics such as the number of pixels of an image, a compression ratio, a sampling method, and color information in association with the additional information related to the image file. Or that a parameter list creating means for updating and recording on a recording medium is provided. Parameter list creation device to. 2. The parameter list creation device according to claim 1, wherein the information of the image file presented from the image information transmitting side to the image information receiving side is directory information of the image file. 3. The supplementary information of the image file recorded on the recording medium and the supplementary information of the image file described in the parameter list created or updated and recorded before are read, and the supplementary information of both is collated. A collation unit, wherein the parameter list creation unit creates or updates the parameter list and records the supplementary information on the recording medium when the collation result is determined to be inconsistent. 3. The parameter list creation device according to claim 1, wherein: 4. The parameter list creation device is a camera or a scanner provided with an imaging unit that captures a subject image. The parameter list creation unit creates the parameter list every time a new image is captured. 4. The parameter list creating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the parameter list is updated and recorded on a recording medium. 5. A parameter list creating method for creating a parameter list in which image parameters to be referred to when generating information of an image file to be presented from an image information transmitting side to an image information receiving side is provided. The information transmitting side transmits the file names of a plurality of recorded images, unique numbers assigned to the individual image files, recording positions of the image files, information indicating the date and time when the images were captured, and other auxiliary information related to the image files. At least one of the additional information and at least one of the parameters indicating the properties of the image such as the number of pixels of the image, the compression ratio, the sampling method, and the color information are described in association with the additional information regarding the image file. A parameter list creating method characterized by creating or updating a parameter list. 6. The parameter list creating method according to claim 5, wherein the information of the image file presented from the image information transmitting side to the image information receiving side is directory information of the image file. 7. The supplementary information of a recorded image file and the supplementary information of an image file described in a previously created or updated parameter list are read out, and the supplementary information of the two is collated. 7. The parameter list creating method according to claim 5, wherein, when it is determined that the result of the collation is inconsistent, the parameter list is created or updated. 8. The parameter list according to claim 5, wherein the image information transmitting side captures an image of a subject, and creates or updates the parameter list each time the imaging is performed. How to make. 9. An image file such as a file name of a plurality of images recorded on a recording medium, a unique number assigned to each image file, a recording position of the image file, and information indicating the date and time when the image was captured. At least one of the additional information, and at least one of the parameters indicating the image properties such as the number of pixels of the image, the compression ratio, the sampling method, and the color information in association with the additional information related to the image file. Parameter list creating means for creating or updating a parameter list in which a plurality of images are written based on information described in the created or updated parameter list. For registering image files or file names of the classified images. Directory generating means for generating a directory for each parameter and registering a required file name; communication means capable of transmitting and receiving information to and from the image information receiving apparatus; and the directory from the image information receiving apparatus via the communication means. And information processing means for transmitting, when the provision of any image file registered by the generation means is requested, the image of the image file requested to be provided to the image information receiving apparatus via the communication means. An image information transmitting device, characterized in that: 10. The supplementary information of an image file recorded on a recording medium and the supplementary information of an image file described in a parameter list previously created or updated and recorded are read out, and the supplementary information of both is collated. A collation unit, wherein the parameter list creation unit creates or updates the parameter list and records the supplementary information on the recording medium when the collation result is determined to be inconsistent. The image information transmitting apparatus according to claim 9, wherein 11. The parameter list creation unit creates or updates the parameter list when the image information receiving apparatus requests provision of directory information created by the directory creation unit via the communication unit. The image information transmitting apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the image information is recorded on a recording medium. 12. The image information transmitting apparatus is a camera or a scanner including an image pickup unit for picking up an image of a subject, and the information processing unit records the image data obtained by the image pickup on a recording medium. The image information transmitting device according to claim 9, 10 or 11, wherein 13. The image information transmitting apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said parameter list creating means creates or updates the parameter list and records it on a recording medium every time a new image is taken. 14. The communication unit according to claim 1, wherein the communication unit is a wired communication unit that performs communication by connecting the devices that transmit and receive the information with a cable, or a wireless communication unit that uses a radio wave or an optical carrier. Any one of claims 9 to 13
An image information transmitting device according to claim 1. 15. An image information acquisition method in which an image information receiving side selects a desired image file based on directory information presented from the image information transmitting side and receives an image of the selected image file. The transmitting side determines the file names of a plurality of recorded images, unique numbers assigned to the individual image files, the recording positions of the image files, and information indicating the date and time when the images were captured. A parameter describing at least one parameter among the parameters indicating the properties of the image such as the number of pixels of the image, the compression ratio, the sampling method, and the color information in association with the additional information related to the image file. Create or update the list, and add the information described in the created parameter list Then, a plurality of images are classified for each parameter indicating the property of the image, a directory for registering an image file or a file name of the classified image is generated for each of the parameters, and a necessary file name is registered. The image information receiving side selects a desired image file of a desired parameter based on the information of the generated directory, and receives an image of the desired image file of the selected desired parameter from the image information transmitting side. A method for acquiring image information, characterized in that: 16. The supplementary information of a recorded image file and the supplementary information of an image file described in a previously created or updated parameter list are read, and the supplementary information of the two is collated. 16. The image information acquisition method according to claim 15, wherein when it is determined that the result of the collation is inconsistent, the parameter list is created or updated. 17. The image information acquisition method according to claim 15, wherein the image information transmitting side captures an image of a subject and records image data obtained by capturing the image. 18. An image file such as file names of a plurality of images recorded on a recording medium, non-overlapping numbers assigned to individual image files, recording positions of the image files, and information indicating the date and time when the images were captured. The number of pixels of the image, the compression ratio, and the at least one of the additional information of the additional information and the additional information related to the image file.
A parameter list creating unit that creates or updates a parameter list describing at least one parameter among parameters indicating image properties such as a sampling method and color information, and records the parameter list on a recording medium; Based on the information, a plurality of images are classified for each parameter indicating the property of the image, and a directory for registering an image file or a file name of the classified image is generated for each of the parameters and a necessary file is generated. Directory generating means for registering names, communication means capable of transmitting and receiving information to and from an image information receiving device, provision of an arbitrary image file registered by the directory generating means from the image information receiving device via the communication means Is requested, the image of the image file requested to be provided is Information processing means for transmitting the image information to the image information receiving apparatus via the communication means; an image information transmitting apparatus capable of transmitting and receiving information to and from the image information transmitting apparatus; and the image information Display means for displaying directory information presented from the transmitting device; and designating means for selectively designating a desired image file of desired parameters based on the displayed directory information, and an image information receiving device comprising: An image information acquisition system, comprising: 19. The supplementary information of the image file recorded on the recording medium and the supplementary information of the image file described in the parameter list created or updated and recorded before are read out, and the supplementary information of both is collated. A collation unit, wherein the parameter list creation unit creates or updates the parameter list and records the supplementary information on the recording medium when the collation result is determined to be inconsistent. The image information acquisition system according to claim 18, wherein: 20. The parameter list creating means, when requested by the image information receiving device to provide information on the directory created by the directory creating means via the communication means, creates or updates the parameter list. The image information acquisition system according to claim 18, wherein the image information is recorded on a recording medium.