JP2008011194A - Image processing device - Google Patents

Abstract

A thumbnail image or the like is played back more quickly than in the prior art.
Image file storage means for storing at least one image file including an image and attribute information for the image, image file specifying information for specifying a storage location of the image file, and thumbnail image of the image An attribute information file storage means for storing an attribute information file including thumbnail image specifying information for specifying the image information.
[Selection] Figure 4

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus, and more particularly to an image processing apparatus capable of reproducing thumbnail images and the like more quickly than in the past.

  Conventionally, Exif (Exchangeable image file format) is known as a standard for recording image data. Exif is an image taken with a photographing device such as a digital camera and this image from the viewpoint of data compatibility (data can be used regardless of manufacturer or model) and reproducibility (more accurately and beautifully reproduced and output). Is defined as a format for recording the attached information (shooting date and time, shutter speed, lens aperture value, compression mode, color space information, number of pixels, manufacturer specific information (maker note), etc.) as a single file. . In Exif, an application marker segment (APP1) is inserted and recorded in JPEG (ISO / IEC10918-1), and shooting information and thumbnail images can be recorded in APP1 as image auxiliary information ( Patent Document 1).

In addition, there is an image input apparatus that can add detailed attribute information of image data when the image data is stored (Patent Document 2).
JP 2004-120069 A JP 2005-236432 A

  However, each time a thumbnail image is reproduced (displayed), each image file must be analyzed to read the thumbnail image, and the size of the thumbnail image recorded by Exif is generally determined (160). The read thumbnail image must be resized to an appropriate size according to the display size of a digital camera or the like. In other words, when thumbnail images are reproduced, it takes a considerable amount of time to analyze and resize each image file, so that there is a problem that thumbnail images cannot be reproduced quickly.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to reproduce thumbnail images and the like more quickly than in the past.

  The invention according to claim 1 is an image file storage means for storing at least one image file including an image and attribute information for the image, image file specifying information for specifying a storage location of the image file, And attribute information file storage means for storing an attribute information file including thumbnail image specifying information for specifying a thumbnail image of the image.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, since the attribute information file including the thumbnail image specifying information is provided separately from the image file, when the thumbnail image is reproduced, the thumbnail image is referred to by referring to the attribute information file. It becomes possible to display the thumbnail image specified by the specific information very quickly. In addition, operability is improved.

  The invention described in claim 2 is the invention described in claim 1, further comprising thumbnail image file storage means for storing at least one thumbnail image file including the thumbnail image, wherein the thumbnail image specifying information includes the thumbnail image specifying information. It is information that specifies the storage location of the image file.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the thumbnail image file including the thumbnail image is provided separately from the image file, the conventional image file analysis process can be omitted when reproducing the thumbnail image. Become. That is, when reproducing the thumbnail image, the thumbnail image specified by the thumbnail image specifying information can be displayed very quickly by referring to the attribute file. In addition, operability is improved.

  The invention according to claim 3 is the invention according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the thumbnail image included in the thumbnail image file is resized in advance according to a display size on which the thumbnail image is displayed. To do.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, the thumbnail image included in the thumbnail image file is resized in advance according to the display size on which the thumbnail image is displayed. The process can be omitted. That is, when reproducing the thumbnail image, it is possible to display the resized thumbnail image specified by the thumbnail image specifying information very quickly by referring to the attribute file. In addition, operability is improved.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the invention, the thumbnail image specifying information is information for specifying a position of the thumbnail image in the image file.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, when the thumbnail image is reproduced, the thumbnail image specified by the thumbnail image specifying information can be displayed very quickly by referring to the attribute file. In addition, operability is improved.

  The invention according to claim 5 is the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising update means for updating the attribute information file.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the attribute information file can be updated.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the fifth aspect of the present invention, the update unit updates the attribute information file based on an image file that includes the captured image newly generated after shooting. It is characterized by.

  According to the invention described in claim 6, it is possible to automatically update the attribute information file triggered by the photographing operation.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the fifth aspect of the present invention, the image processing apparatus further includes a trimming processing unit that performs a trimming process on the predetermined image, and the update unit includes an image including the predetermined image subjected to the trimming process. The attribute information file is updated based on the file.

  According to the seventh aspect of the invention, the attribute information file can be automatically updated with the trimming process as a trigger.

  The invention according to claim 8 further comprises a deletion instruction means for instructing deletion of an image file in the invention according to claim 5, wherein the update means is configured such that when deletion is instructed by the deletion instruction means, The attribute information file is updated.

  According to the invention described in claim 8, the attribute information file can be automatically updated in response to the deletion of the image file.

  The invention according to claim 9 further comprises detection means for detecting attachment / detachment of a recording medium in the invention according to claim 5, wherein the update means detects the attachment / detachment of the recording medium by the detection means, The attribute information file is updated.

  According to the invention described in claim 9, it is possible to automatically generate the attribute information file in response to the mounting of the recording medium.

  According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to any one of the first to ninth aspects, the thumbnail image reproduction instruction means for instructing the reproduction of the thumbnail image, and the reproduction of the thumbnail image is instructed by the thumbnail image reproduction instruction means. In this case, the image processing apparatus further includes thumbnail image reproduction means for reproducing a thumbnail image specified by the thumbnail image specifying information included in the attribute information file.

  According to the tenth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to display the thumbnail image specified by the thumbnail image specifying information very quickly by referring to the attribute information file. In addition, operability is improved.

  According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, in the tenth aspect of the present invention, when the thumbnail image reproduced by the thumbnail image reproduction unit is selected, and when the thumbnail image is selected by the selection unit, the attribute is selected. Image reproduction means for reproducing an image file specified by the image file specifying information included in the information file is further provided.

  According to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, it is possible to reproduce (enlarge and display) the original image of the thumbnail image selected by the selection means.

  The invention according to claim 12 is an image file storage means for storing at least one image file including an image and attribute information for the image, an image extraction means for extracting a part of the image from the image, Attribute information file storage means for storing an attribute information file including image file specifying information for specifying the storage location of the image file and extracted image specifying information for specifying the image extracted by the image extracting means; It is characterized by providing.

  According to the twelfth aspect of the invention, since the attribute information file including the extracted image specifying information is provided separately from the image file, when the extracted image is reproduced, the extracted image is referred to by referring to the attribute information file. The extracted image specified by the specific information can be displayed very quickly. In addition, operability is improved.

  The invention according to claim 13 is the invention according to claim 12, further comprising an extracted image file storage means for storing at least one extracted image file including the extracted image, wherein the extracted image specifying information is the extracted image It is information that specifies the storage location of the image file.

  According to the thirteenth aspect of the invention, since the extracted image file including the extracted image is provided separately from the image file, when the extracted image is reproduced, the extracted image specifying information is obtained by referring to the attribute file. It becomes possible to display the specified extracted image very quickly. In addition, operability is improved.

  The invention according to claim 14 is the invention according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that the extracted image specifying information is information for specifying a position of the extracted image in the image.

  According to the fourteenth aspect of the present invention, the extracted image specifying information is information for specifying the position of the extracted image in the image, and therefore it is not necessary to provide a separate extracted image file for displaying the extracted image. Can save memory.

  According to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to any one of the twelfth to fourteenth aspects, the extracted image reproduction instruction means for instructing the reproduction of the extracted image, and the reproduction of the extracted image is instructed by the extracted image reproduction instruction means. In this case, the image processing apparatus further includes an extracted image reproduction unit that reproduces the extracted image specified by the extracted image specifying information included in the attribute information file.

  According to the fifteenth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to display the extracted image specified by the extracted image specifying information very quickly by referring to the attribute information file. In addition, operability is improved.

  According to a sixteenth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to the fifteenth aspect, when the extracted image reproduced by the extracted image reproducing means is selected, and when the extracted image is selected by the selecting means, the attribute is selected. Image reproduction means for reproducing an image file specified by the image file specifying information included in the information file is further provided.

  According to the sixteenth aspect, it is possible to reproduce (enlarge and display) the original image of the extracted image selected by the selection unit.

  The invention according to claim 17 is the invention according to any one of claims 12 to 16, wherein a part of the image extracted from the image by the image extraction means is an image including a human face. Features.

  According to the seventeenth aspect of the present invention, since an image including a person's face can be used as a mark, it is easy to search for a target image.

  According to an eighteenth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to any one of the first to seventeenth aspects, the attribute file is stored in a non-removable nonvolatile memory inside the device.

  According to the invention described in claim 18, even when the recording medium is removed, it is possible to prevent the user from being confused by the attribute information file being rewritten by the user or the existence of a file that is not stored in the user's memory. It becomes possible.

  According to the present invention, thumbnail images and the like can be played back more quickly than in the past.

  Hereinafter, a configuration of a digital camera according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram for explaining a hardware configuration of a digital camera according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  The digital camera 10 has a function of recording and reproducing still images and moving images, and the overall operation is centrally controlled by a central processing unit (CPU) 11. The CPU 11 functions as a control means for controlling the camera system according to a predetermined program, and performs various calculations such as automatic exposure (AE) calculation, automatic focus adjustment (AF) calculation, and white balance (WB) adjustment calculation. Functions as a means.

  A ROM or the like (not shown) connected to the CPU 11 via the bus 12 stores programs executed by the CPU 11 and various data necessary for control, CCD pixel defect information, various constants / information relating to camera operation, and the like. Has been.

  The memory 25 and 26 are also used as a program development area and a calculation work area for the CPU 11 and as temporary storage areas for image data and audio data. The VRAM 13 is a temporary storage memory dedicated to image data.

  The camera 10 is provided with a mode selection switch, a shooting button, and other operation keys 14 such as a menu / OK key, a cross key, and a cancel key. A signal from each operation key 14 is input to the CPU 11, and the CPU 11 controls each circuit of the camera 10 based on the input signal. For example, lens drive control, shooting operation control, image processing control, and image data recording / reproduction control are performed. Further, display control of the display panel 15 such as a liquid crystal display is performed.

  The mode selection switch is an operation means for switching between the shooting mode and the playback mode. By operating the mode selection switch, a shooting mode or a playback mode for playing back recorded images is selected.

  The shooting button is an operation button for inputting an instruction to start shooting, and includes a two-stroke switch having an S1 switch that is turned on when half-pressed and an S2 switch that is turned on when fully pressed.

  The menu / OK key is an operation key having both a function as a menu button for instructing to display a menu on the display surface of the display panel 15 and a function as an OK button for instructing confirmation and execution of selection contents. It is. The cross key is an operation unit for inputting instructions in four directions, up, down, left, and right, and functions as a button (cursor moving operation means) for selecting an item from the menu screen or instructing selection of various setting items from each menu. To do. The up / down key of the cross key functions as a zoom switch at the time of shooting or a playback zoom switch at the time of playback, and the left / right key functions as a frame advance (forward / reverse feed) button in the playback mode. The cancel key is used when deleting a desired item such as a selection item, canceling an instruction content, or returning to the previous operation state.

  The display panel 15 is composed of a liquid crystal display capable of color display. The display panel 15 can be used as an electronic viewfinder for checking the angle of view at the time of shooting, and is used as a means for reproducing and displaying recorded images. The display panel 15 is also used as a user interface display screen, and displays information such as menu information, selection items, and setting contents as necessary. Instead of the liquid crystal display, other types of display devices (display means) such as an organic EL can be used.

  The digital camera 10 has a media socket (not shown), and a recording medium 16 can be attached to the media socket. The form of the recording medium 16 is not particularly limited, and various media such as a semiconductor memory card represented by xD-PictureCard (trademark) and smart media (trademark), a portable small hard disk, a magnetic disk, an optical disk, and a magneto-optical disk can be used. Can be used.

  The media controller 17 performs necessary signal conversion in order to exchange input / output signals suitable for the recording medium 16 mounted in the media socket.

  The camera 10 may be provided with a USB interface unit as a communication means for connecting to a personal computer or other external devices. By connecting the camera 10 and an external device using a USB cable (not shown), it is possible to exchange data with the external device. Of course, the communication method is not limited to USB, and IEEE1394, Bluetooth, or other communication methods may be applied.

  Next, the photographing function of the digital camera 10 will be described.

  When the shooting mode is selected by the mode selection switch, power is supplied to the image pickup unit including the color CCD solid-state image pickup device (hereinafter referred to as CCD) 18 and the camera is ready for shooting.

  The lens unit (not shown) is an optical unit that includes a photographing lens including a focus lens and a mechanical shutter that is also used as an aperture. The lens unit is electrically driven by a motor driver 19 controlled by the CPU 11, a zoom iris focus function 20, and the like, and zoom control, focus control, and iris control are performed.

  The light that has passed through the lens unit forms an image on the light receiving surface of the CCD 18. A large number of photodiodes (light receiving elements) are two-dimensionally arranged on the light receiving surface of the CCD 18, and red (R), green (G), and blue (B) primary color filters are provided for each photodiode. They are arranged in a predetermined arrangement structure (Bayer, G stripe, etc.). The CCD 18 has an electronic shutter function for controlling the charge accumulation time (shutter speed) of each photodiode. The CPU 11 controls the charge accumulation time in the CCD 18 via the timing generator 21. Instead of the CCD 18, another type of image sensor such as a CMOS type may be used.

  The subject image formed on the light receiving surface of the CCD 18 is converted into a signal charge of an amount corresponding to the amount of incident light by each photodiode. The signal charge accumulated in each photodiode is sequentially read out as a voltage signal (image signal) corresponding to the signal charge based on a drive pulse given from the timing generator 21 in accordance with a command from the CPU 11.

  The signal output from the CCD 18 is sent to an analog processing unit (CDS / AMP) 22 where the R, G, B signals for each pixel are sampled and held (correlated double sampling processing), amplified, and then A / It is added to the D converter 23. The dot-sequential R, G, B signals converted into digital signals by the A / D converter 23 are stored in the memories 25, 26, etc. via the image input controller 24.

  The image signal processing circuit 27 processes the R, G, and B signals stored in the memories 25 and 26 and the like according to instructions from the CPU 11. That is, the image signal processing circuit 27 includes a synchronization circuit (a processing circuit that converts a color signal into a simultaneous expression by interpolating a spatial shift of the color signal associated with the color filter array of the single CCD), a white balance correction circuit, It functions as an image processing means including a gamma correction circuit, a contour correction circuit, a luminance / color difference signal generation circuit, and the like, and performs predetermined signal processing using the memories 25 and 26 according to commands from the CPU 11.

  The RGB image data input to the image signal processing circuit 27 is converted into a luminance signal (Y signal) and a color difference signal (Cr, Cb signal) by the image signal processing circuit 27, and predetermined processing such as gamma correction is performed. Applied. The image data processed by the image signal processing circuit 27 is stored in the VRAM 13.

  When displaying a captured image on the display surface of the display panel 15, image data is read from the VRAM 13 and sent to the video encoder 28 via the bus 12. The video encoder 28 converts the input image data into a predetermined display signal (for example, an NTSC color composite video signal) and outputs it to the display panel 15.

  Image data representing an image for one frame is rewritten alternately between the two areas of the VRAM 13 by the image signal output from the CCD 18. Of each area of the VRAM 13, the written image data is read from an area other than the area where the image data is rewritten. In this manner, the image data in the VRAM 13 is periodically rewritten, and a video signal generated from the image data is supplied to the display panel 15, so that the image being captured is displayed on the display panel 15 in real time. . The photographer can confirm the shooting angle of view and the like by the video (through image) displayed on the display panel 15.

  When the shooting button is pressed halfway and S1 is turned on, the camera 10 starts AE and AF processing. That is, the image signal output from the CCD 18 is input to the AF detection circuit 29 and the AE detection circuit 30 via the image input controller 24 after A / D conversion.

  The AE detection circuit 30 includes a circuit that divides one screen into a plurality of areas (for example, 16 × 16) and integrates RGB signals for each divided area, and provides the integrated value to the CPU 11. The CPU 11 detects the brightness of the subject (subject brightness) based on the integrated value obtained from the AE detection circuit 30, and calculates an exposure value (shooting EV value) suitable for shooting. According to the obtained exposure value and a predetermined program diagram, the aperture value and the shutter speed are determined, and the CPU 11 controls the electronic shutter and iris of the CCD 18 to obtain an appropriate exposure amount.

  Further, during automatic white balance adjustment, the AE detection circuit 30 calculates an average integrated value for each color of the RGB signals for each divided area, and provides the calculation result to the CPU 11. The CPU 11 obtains an integrated value of R, an integrated value of B, and an integrated value of G, obtains a ratio of R / G and B / G for each divided area, and R of these R / G and B / G values. The light source type is discriminated based on the distribution in the color space of / G, B / G, etc., and, for example, the value of each ratio is about 1 (that is, in one screen) according to the white balance adjustment value suitable for the discriminated light source type. The gain values (white balance correction values) for the R, G, and B signals of the white balance adjustment circuit are controlled so that the RGB integration ratio is R: G: B≈1: 1: 1), and the signal of each color channel. Apply correction to. When the gain value of the white balance adjustment circuit is adjusted so that the above-described ratio values are values other than 1, an image in which a certain color remains can be generated.

  In the AF control in the digital camera 10, for example, a contrast AF that moves a focusing lens (a moving lens that contributes to focus adjustment in a lens optical system constituting a photographing lens) so that a high-frequency component of a G signal of a video signal is maximized. Applied. That is, the AF detection circuit 29 is a high-pass filter that passes only the high-frequency component of the G signal, an absolute value processing unit, and an AF that cuts out a signal in a focus target area that is preset in the screen (for example, the center of the screen) An area extraction unit and an integration unit that integrates absolute value data in the AF area are configured.

  The integrated value data obtained by the AF detection circuit 29 is notified to the CPU 11. The CPU 11 calculates a focus evaluation value (AF evaluation value) at a plurality of AF detection points while moving the focusing lens by controlling the motor driver 19, the zoom iris focus 20, and the like, and determines the lens position where the evaluation value is maximized. Determined as the in-focus position. Then, the motor driver 19 and the zoom iris focus 20 are controlled so as to move the focusing lens to the obtained in-focus position. The calculation of the AF evaluation value is not limited to a mode using the G signal, and a luminance signal (Y signal) may be used.

  The shooting button is pressed halfway, AE / AF processing is performed when S1 is turned on, the shooting button is fully pressed, and the shooting operation for recording starts when S2 is turned on. The image data acquired in response to S2 ON is converted into a luminance / color difference signal (Y / C signal) in the image signal processing circuit 27 and subjected to predetermined processing such as gamma correction, and then the memories 25, 26, etc. Stored in

  The Y / C signals stored in the memories 25 and 26 are compressed according to a predetermined format by the compression processing circuit 31 and then recorded on the recording medium via the media controller 17. For example, a still image is recorded in JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group) format.

  When the reproduction mode is selected by the mode selection switch, the compressed data of the last image file (last recorded file) recorded on the recording medium is read. When the file related to the last recording is a still image file, the read image compression data is expanded to an uncompressed YC signal via the compression processing circuit 31, and via the image signal processing circuit 27 and the video encoder 28. After being converted into a display signal, it is output to the display panel 15. As a result, the image content of the file is displayed on the screen of the display panel 15.

  During single-frame playback of still images (including playback of the first frame of a movie), the file to be played can be switched (forward / reverse frame advance) by operating the right or left key of the four-way controller. it can. The image file at the frame-advanced position is read from the recording medium, and still images and moving images are reproduced and displayed on the display surface of the display panel 15 in the same manner as described above.

[First Embodiment]
Next, an attribute information file used in the digital camera 10 having the above configuration will be described. FIG. 2 shows an example of the attribute information file. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, each image file is managed by a DCF (Design rule for Camera File system). Note that one attribute file is basically assumed, but a plurality of attribute files may be provided.

  In FIG. 3, DSCF0001jpg and DSCF0002jpg are Exif-JPEG image files (hereinafter also referred to as main image files). THUMB0001jpg and THUMB0002jpg are related to DSCF0001jpg and DSCF0002jpg, respectively, and are image files (hereinafter also referred to as thumbnail image files) including thumbnail images of the related main image files. As will be described later, the thumbnail image of the thumbnail image file is obtained by re-sizing the thumbnail image included in the main image file in advance according to the display (not shown) size of the digital camera 10 (or a new one). Can be generated).

  The attribute information file includes attribute information. In FIG. 2, the portion sandwiched between the tag <FileInfo> and the tag </ FileInfo> represents the attribute information of one file.

  The attribute information includes a file name, information for specifying the storage location of the main image file (so-called file path), information for specifying the storage location of the thumbnail image file (so-called file path), image size, file type, protection status, There are file identifiers.

  In Fig. 2, the part between tag <Name> and tag </ Name> is the file name (for example, DSCF0001jpg), and the part between tag <Filename> and </ Filename> is the storage location of the main image file. The information to identify (eg \ DCIM \ 100_FUJI \ DSCF0001jpg), the information between the tags <ThumbName> and </ ThumbName> that identifies the storage location of the thumbnail image file (eg \ Thumb \ THUMB0001jpg) The part between <Size> and tag </ Size> is the image size, the part between tag <ObjectFormat> and tag </ ObjectFormat> is the file type, tag <ProtectionStatus> and tag </ ProtectionStatus> The part between the tags represents the protection status, and the part between the tags <FileID> and the tag </ FileID> represents the file identifier.

  In this embodiment, the attribute information file is described in XML, which is a markup language, from the viewpoint of extensibility. However, the attribute information file is described in a text format or binary format other than XML, such as CSV. Also good.

  Next, the attribute information file update process will be described with reference to FIG. The following processing is realized by a control unit such as the CPU 11 executing a predetermined program read from the ROM or the like into the memories 25 and 26 or the like.

[Process of updating attribute information file during shooting]
When shooting with the digital camera 10 (that is, when the release button is pressed), a main image file including the shot image (hereinafter also referred to as a main image) and a thumbnail image of the main image (for example, a standard 160 × 120 dots). (Eg, DSCF0003jpg) is generated and stored under the folder 100_FUJI shown in FIG.

  A thumbnail image is extracted from the main image file (step S1). Then, the extracted thumbnail image is resized in advance according to the display (not shown) size of the digital camera 10, and a thumbnail image file (for example, THUMB0003jpg) including the resized thumbnail image is stored in the folder shown in FIG. Store as a single file under Thumb. Note that the file names of the main image file and the thumbnail image file are automatically given by a file system or the like.

  Next, the attribute information file is updated (step S2). That is, as shown in FIG. 2, the storage location of the information (eg, \ DCIM \ 100_FUJI \ DSCF0003jpg) for specifying the storage location of the main image file (eg, DSCF0003jpg) or the thumbnail image file (eg, THUMB0003jpg) is specified. Attribute information such as information (for example, \ Thumb \ THUMB0003jpg) is recorded (additionally recorded) in the attribute information file.

  Information that specifies the storage location of the main image file (such as \ DCIM \ 100_FUJI \ DSCF0001jpg) and information that specifies the storage location of the thumbnail image file (such as \ Thumb \ THUMB0001jpg) are described in association with each other.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 2, information (\ DCIM \ 100_FUJI \ DSCF0001jpg etc.) specifying the storage location of the main image file and the thumbnail image file are sandwiched between the tag <FileInfo> and the tag </ FileInfo>. Describe information that specifies the storage location (such as \ Thumb \ THUMB0001jpg) adjacent to each other.

  Thereby, by referring to the attribute information file, display switching between the main image file and the thumbnail image file can be performed smoothly. For information specifying the main image file storage location (\ DCIM \ 100_FUJI \ DSCF0001jpg, etc.) and information specifying the thumbnail image file storage location (\ Thumb \ THUMB0001jpg, etc.) It can be obtained by analyzing the main image file.

  As described above, according to the update processing of the attribute information file at the time of shooting, the attribute information file can be automatically updated with the shooting operation as a trigger.

[Updating attribute information file during trimming]
Next, attribute information file update processing during trimming will be described with reference to FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 2, when a total of four pieces of attribute information are described in the attribute information file stored in the recording medium 16, the fourth main image file (for example, DSCF0002jpg) is selected via the operation key 14 or the like. Assume that the trimming process has been executed. Then, a main image file including the main image after the trimming process and a thumbnail image (for example, 160 × 120 dots) of the main image is generated and stored in the folder 100_FUJI shown in FIG. In this case, the original main image file (for example, DSCF0002jpg) may be overwritten and stored as a new main image file.

  A thumbnail image is extracted from the trimmed main image file (step S1). Then, the extracted thumbnail image is resized in advance according to the display (not shown) of the digital camera 10, and a thumbnail image file (for example, THUMB0002jpg) including the resized thumbnail image is stored in the folder Thumb shown in FIG. Store it as a single file under it. Also in this case, the original image file (for example, THUMB0002jpg) may be overwritten and stored as a new image file.

  Next, the attribute information file is updated (step S2). In other words, since the image size is changed by the trimming process, the attribute information (the portion sandwiched between the tag <Size> and the tag </ Size>) of the trimmed image is rewritten to the image size after the trimming process. Note that it is possible to determine where the rewritten portion in the attribute information file is based on the file name and the tag <Size> </ Size>. For attribute information other than the image size, the information of the original image file before the trimming process can be used as it is.

  As described above, according to the attribute information file update process during the trimming process, the attribute information file can be automatically updated with the trimming process as a trigger.

[Attribute information file update processing at the time of deletion]
Next, update processing of the attribute information file at the time of deletion will be described with reference to FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 2, when a total of four pieces of attribute information are described in the attribute information file recorded on the recording medium 16, the fourth main image file (DSCF0002jpg) is deleted via the operation key 14 or the like. Is instructed. Then, the main image file (DSCF0002jpg) instructed to be deleted and the thumbnail image file (THUMB0002jpg) related to the main image file are deleted. As described above, the attribute information file includes information for specifying the storage location of the main image file (such as \ DCIM \ 100_FUJI \ DSCF0001jpg) and information for specifying the storage location of the thumbnail image file (such as \ Thumb \ THUMB0001jpg). It is described in association. Therefore, by referring to the attribute information file, it is possible to grasp and delete the thumbnail image file related to the main image file instructed to be deleted.

  Also, the attribute information of the image file instructed to be deleted (the part sandwiched between the tag <FileInfo> and the tag </ FileInfo>) is deleted from the attribute information file. Note that it is possible to determine the deletion location in the attribute information file based on the file name and the tag <FileInfo> </ FileInfo>.

  As described above, according to the update processing of the attribute information file at the time of deletion, it is possible to automatically update the attribute information file triggered by the deletion of the image file.

[Generation process of attribute information file when nonvolatile memory is installed]
Next, attribute information file generation processing when the nonvolatile memory is mounted will be described with reference to FIG.

  In order to perform this processing, in addition to the configuration shown in FIG. 1, the digital camera 10 further includes a function for detecting whether or not the recording medium 16 is mounted using the backup power source 33, and mounting of the recording medium 16. A media attachment flag (not shown) that is turned on when detected is provided. Thereby, it is possible to detect that the recording medium 16 is mounted while the main power switch of the digital camera 10 is off.

  When the main power supply of the digital camera 10 is turned on, the on / off state of the media mounting flag is checked. If the flag is on, the processing shown in FIG. 5 is started.

  That is, when the media mounting flag is on, it means that the recording medium 16 is mounted on the digital camera 10, so that all the main image files stored (recorded) in the recording medium 16 for each main image file. Then, information on the image data is analyzed (step S10), and a thumbnail image is extracted from the main image file (step S11) (step S12). Then, the extracted thumbnail image is resized in advance according to the display (not shown) size of the digital camera 10, and a thumbnail image file (for example, THUMB0003jpg) including the resized thumbnail image is stored in the folder shown in FIG. Store as a single file under Thumb. The file name is automatically given by the file system or the like.

  When all the main image files stored (recorded) in the recording medium 16 are processed in steps S10 to S12 (step S12: YES), an attribute information file is created (step S13). That is, for all the main image files stored (recorded) on the recording medium 16, information for specifying the storage location of the main image file (such as \ DCIM \ 100_FUJI \ DSCF0003jpg) and information for specifying the storage location of the thumbnail image file Create an attribute information file describing attribute information such as (\ Thumb \ THUMB0003jpg).

  Information that specifies the storage location of the main image file (such as \ DCIM \ 100_FUJI \ DSCF0001jpg) and information that specifies the storage location of the thumbnail image file (such as \ Thumb \ THUMB0001jpg) are described in association with each other.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 2, information specifying the storage location of the main image file (such as \ DCIM \ 100_FUJI \ DSCF0001jpg) and information specifying the storage location of the thumbnail image file (such as \ Thumb \ THUMB0001jpg) are tags. Write adjacent to the part between <FileInfo> and tag </ FileInfo>.

  Thereby, by referring to the attribute information file, display switching between the main image file and the thumbnail image file can be performed smoothly. For information specifying the main image file storage location (\ DCIM \ 100_FUJI \ DSCF0001jpg, etc.) and information specifying the thumbnail image file storage location (\ Thumb \ THUMB0001jpg, etc.) It can be obtained by analyzing the main image file.

  As described above, according to the generation process of the attribute information file when the nonvolatile memory is mounted, the attribute information file can be automatically generated with the mounting of the recording medium 16 as a trigger.

[Display processing based on attribute information file]
Next, processing for displaying thumbnail images and the like will be described with reference to FIG.

  For example, assume that reproduction of thumbnail images is instructed via the operation key 14 or the like. Then, the attribute information file is read (step S20), that is, the attribute information file is referenced, and information (such as \ Thumb \ THUMB0001jpg) specifying the storage location of the thumbnail image file is searched from the attribute information file. As a result, a predetermined number of thumbnail images specified by information (such as \ Thumb \ THUMB0001jpg) specifying the storage location of the searched thumbnail image file can be displayed very quickly (step S21). For example, a predetermined number of thumbnail images can be reproduced (displayed) very quickly on a display (not shown) of the digital camera 10 in a predetermined format (for example, 3 × 3).

  Next, it is assumed that a specific thumbnail image is selected from among the thumbnail images displayed via the operation key 14 or the like and an enlargement of the specific thumbnail image is instructed. Then, information (such as \ DCIM \ 100_FUJI \ DSCF0001jpg) that specifies the storage location of the main image file including the main image of the selected thumbnail image is searched from the attribute information file, and the stored main image file is stored. The main image file specified by the information specifying the location (such as \ DCIM \ 100_FUJI \ DSCF0001jpg) is read (step S22). Then, the main image is displayed on a display (not shown) of the digital camera 10 in a predetermined format (for example, partly enlarged) (step S23).

  As described above, the attribute information file includes information for specifying the storage location of the main image file (such as \ DCIM \ 100_FUJI \ DSCF0001jpg) and information for specifying the storage location of the thumbnail image file (such as \ Thumb \ THUMB0001jpg). It is described in association. Therefore, by referring to the attribute information file, the main image identified by the information for identifying the storage location of the main image file related to the selected thumbnail image and identifying the storage location of the main image file is identified. Can be reproduced (enlarged display).

  As described above, in the present embodiment, since the thumbnail image file is provided separately from the main image file, the conventional image file analysis process can be omitted when reproducing the thumbnail image. That is, when reproducing the thumbnail image, the thumbnail image specified by the thumbnail image specifying information can be displayed very quickly by referring to the attribute file. In addition, operability is improved.

  In the present embodiment, the thumbnail images included in the thumbnail image file are resized in advance according to the display on which the thumbnail images are displayed. Therefore, when the thumbnail images are reproduced, the conventional resizing process may be omitted. It becomes possible. That is, when reproducing the thumbnail image, it is possible to display the resized thumbnail image specified by the thumbnail image specifying information very quickly by referring to the attribute file. In addition, operability is improved.

[Modification]
Next, a modification of the first embodiment will be described.

  In the first embodiment, the thumbnail image that has been resized in advance is stored as a single file, and information for specifying the storage location of the thumbnail image file (such as \ Thumb \ THUMB0001jpg) is described in the attribute file. The invention is not limited to this. For example, when the main image file includes a thumbnail image, information (start address or the like) specifying the start position of the thumbnail image in the main image file and the size may be described in the attribute file.

  In this way, when reproducing the thumbnail image, the thumbnail image specified by the thumbnail image specifying information can be displayed very quickly by referring to the attribute file. In addition, operability is improved.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, another example of the attribute information file used in the digital camera 10 having the above configuration will be described. FIG. 7 shows an example of the attribute information file. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, each image file is managed by a DCF (Design rule for Camera File system). Note that one attribute file is basically assumed, but a plurality of attribute files may be provided.

  In FIG. 8, DSCF0001jpg and DSCF0002jpg are Exif-JPEG image files (hereinafter also referred to as main image files). FACE0001jpg and FACE0002jpg are related to DSCF0001jpg and DSCF0002jpg, respectively, and a part of the image extracted from the main image (or thumbnail image) of the related main image file (corresponding to the extracted image of the present invention. In the present embodiment). An image file (hereinafter also referred to as a face image file) including an image including a human face (hereinafter also referred to as a face image). This face image may or may not be resized in advance according to the display (not shown) size of the digital camera 10.

  The attribute information file includes attribute information. In FIG. 7, a portion sandwiched between a tag <FileInfo> and a tag </ FileInfo> represents attribute information of one file.

  As attribute information, information specifying the storage location of the main image file (so-called file path), information specifying the storage location of the face image file (so-called file path), image size, file type, protection status, There are file identifiers.

  In FIG. 7, the part between tag <Name> and tag </ Name> is the file name (for example, DSCF0001jpg), and the part between tag <Filename> and </ Filename> is the storage location of the main image file. Specify the information to identify (eg \ DCIM \ 100_FUJI \ DSCF0001jpg), the information between the tags <FaceName> and </ FaceName> to identify the storage location of the face image file (eg \ Face \ FACE0001jpg) The part between <Size> and tag </ Size> is the image size, the part between tag <ObjectFormat> and tag </ ObjectFormat> is the file type, tag <ProtectionStatus> and tag </ ProtectionStatus> The part between the tags represents the protection status, and the part between the tags <FileID> and the tag </ FileID> represents the file identifier.

  In this embodiment, the attribute information file is described in XML, which is a markup language, from the viewpoint of extensibility. However, the attribute information file is described in a text format or binary format other than XML, such as CSV. Also good.

  Next, an attribute information file update process will be described with reference to FIG. The following processing is realized by a control unit such as the CPU 11 executing a predetermined program read from the ROM or the like into the memories 25 and 26 or the like.

[Process of updating attribute information file during shooting]
When photographing with the digital camera 10 (that is, when the release button is pressed), a main image file including the photographed image (hereinafter also referred to as a main image) and a thumbnail image of the main image (for example, a standard 160 × 120 dots) (Eg, DSCF0003jpg) is generated and stored under the folder 100_FUJI shown in FIG. Next, a face image is extracted from the image file (main image or thumbnail image) by executing a known face recognition process (step S30).

  For example, as shown in FIG. 10, if a captured image includes a single person, an area including the face of the person is extracted as a face image by executing face recognition processing. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 11, if the captured image includes a plurality of persons, the areas including the faces of the individual persons are extracted as face images by executing the face recognition process. Then, if necessary, the extracted face image is resized in advance (or without being resized) in accordance with the display (not shown) size of the digital camera 10, and a face image file including the face image (for example, FACE0003jpg) ) Is stored as a single file under the folder Face shown in FIG. The file names of the main image file and the face image file are automatically given by a file system or the like.

  Next, the attribute information file is updated (step S31). That is, as shown in FIG. 7, information (for example, \ DCIM \ 100_FUJI \ DSCF0003jpg) for specifying the storage location of the main image file (for example, DSCF0003jpg) stored previously and the storage location for the face image file (for example, FACE0003jpg) are specified. Attribute information such as information (for example, \ Face \ FACE0003jpg) is recorded (additionally recorded) in the attribute information file.

  Information that specifies the storage location of the main image file (such as \ DCIM \ 100_FUJI \ DSCF0003jpg) and information that specifies the storage location of the face image file (such as \ Face \ FACE0003jpg) are described in association with each other.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 7, information (\ DCIM \ 100_FUJI \ DSCF0003jpg etc.) for specifying the storage location of the main image file and the face image file are sandwiched between the tag <FileInfo> and the tag </ FileInfo>. Information that specifies the storage location (such as \ Face \ FACE0003jpg) is described adjacent to it.

  Thereby, by referring to the attribute information file, display switching between the main image file and the face image file can be performed smoothly. For information specifying the main image file storage location (\ DCIM \ 100_FUJI \ DSCF0003jpg, etc.) and information specifying the thumbnail image file storage location (\ Face \ FACE0003jpg, etc.) It can be obtained by analyzing the main image file.

  As described above, according to the update processing of the attribute information file at the time of shooting, the attribute information file can be automatically updated with the shooting operation as a trigger.

[Updating attribute information file during trimming]
Next, the attribute information file update process during the trimming process will be described with reference to FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 7, when a total of four pieces of attribute information are described in the attribute information file stored in the recording medium 16, the fourth main image file (for example, DSCF0002jpg) is selected via the operation key 14 or the like. Assume that the trimming process has been executed. Then, a main image file including the main image after the trimming process and a thumbnail image (for example, 160 × 120 dots) of the main image is generated and stored in the folder 100_FUJI shown in FIG. In this case, the original main image file (for example, DSCF0002jpg) may be overwritten and stored as a new main image file.

  Next, a known face recognition process is executed to extract a face image from the image file (main image or thumbnail image) after the trimming process (step S40). Then, if necessary, the extracted face image is resized in advance (or without being resized) in accordance with a display (not shown) of the digital camera 10, and a face image file (for example, FACE0002jpg) including the face image is obtained. And stored as a single file under the folder Face shown in FIG. Also in this case, the original image file (for example, FACE0002jpg) may be overwritten and stored as a new image file.

  Next, the attribute information file is updated (step S41). In other words, since the image size is changed by the trimming process, the attribute information (the portion sandwiched between the tag <Size> and the tag </ Size>) of the trimmed image is rewritten to the image size after the trimming process. Note that it is possible to determine where the rewritten portion in the attribute information file is based on the file name and the tag <Size> </ Size>. For attribute information other than the image size, the information of the original image file before the trimming process can be used as it is.

  As described above, according to the attribute information file update process during the trimming process, the attribute information file can be automatically updated with the trimming process as a trigger.

[Attribute information file update processing at the time of deletion]
Next, update processing of the attribute information file at the time of deletion will be described with reference to FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 7, when a total of four pieces of attribute information are described in the attribute information file recorded on the recording medium 16, the fourth image file (DSCF0002jpg) is deleted via the operation key 14 or the like. Suppose you are instructed. Then, the main image file (DSCF0002jpg) instructed to be deleted and the face image file (FACE0002jpg) related to the main image file are deleted. As described above, the attribute information file includes information (such as \ DCIM \ 100_FUJI \ DSCF0001jpg) that specifies the storage location of the main image file and information (\ Face \ FACE0003jpg) that specifies the storage location of the thumbnail image file. It is described in association. Therefore, by referring to the attribute information file, it is possible to grasp and delete the face image file related to the main image file instructed to be deleted.

  Also, the attribute information of the image file instructed to be deleted (the part sandwiched between the tag <FileInfo> and the tag </ FileInfo>) is deleted from the attribute information file. Note that it is possible to determine the deletion location in the attribute information file based on the file name and the tag <FileInfo> </ FileInfo>.

  As described above, according to the update processing of the attribute information file at the time of deletion, it is possible to automatically update the attribute information file triggered by the deletion of the image file.

[Generation process of attribute information file when nonvolatile memory is installed]
Next, attribute information file generation processing when the nonvolatile memory is mounted will be described with reference to FIG.

  In order to perform this processing, in addition to the configuration shown in FIG. 1, the digital camera 10 further includes a function for detecting whether or not the recording medium 16 is mounted using the backup power source 33, and mounting of the recording medium 16. A media attachment flag (not shown) that is turned on when detected is provided. Thereby, it is possible to detect that the recording medium 16 is mounted while the main power switch of the digital camera 10 is off.

  When the main power supply of the digital camera 10 is turned on, the on / off state of the media mounting flag is checked. If the flag is on, the processing shown in FIG. 13 is started.

  That is, when the media mounting flag is on, it means that the recording medium 16 is mounted on the digital camera 10, so that all the main image files stored (recorded) on the recording medium 16 are recorded for each main image file. Then, information on the image data is analyzed (step S50), and a known face recognition process is executed to extract a face image from the main image file (step S51) (step S52). Then, if necessary, the extracted face image is resized in advance (or without being resized) in accordance with the display (not shown) size of the digital camera 10, and a face image file including the face image (for example, FACE0003jpg) is stored as a single file under the folder Face shown in FIG. The file name is automatically given by the file system or the like.

  When all the main image files stored (recorded) in the recording medium 16 are processed in steps S50 to S52 (step S52: YES), an attribute information file is created (step S53). That is, for all main image files stored (recorded) on the recording medium 16, information for specifying the storage location of the main image file (such as \ DCIM \ 100_FUJI \ DSCF0003jpg) and storage of the face image file of the captured image Create an attribute information file describing attribute information such as information specifying the location (such as \ Face \ FACE0003jpg).

  Information that specifies the storage location of the main image file (such as \ DCIM \ 100_FUJI \ DSCF0003jpg) and information that specifies the storage location of the face image file (such as \ Face \ FACE0003jpg) are described in association with each other.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 7, information specifying the storage location of the main image file (such as \ DCIM \ 100_FUJI \ DSCF0003jpg) and information specifying the storage location of the thumbnail image file (such as \ Face \ FACE0003jpg) are tags. Write adjacent to the part between <FileInfo> and tag </ FileInfo>.

  Thereby, by referring to the attribute information file, display switching between the main image file and the thumbnail image file can be performed smoothly. For information specifying the main image file storage location (\ DCIM \ 100_FUJI \ DSCF0003jpg, etc.) and information specifying the thumbnail image file storage location (\ Face \ FACE0003jpg, etc.) It can be obtained by analyzing the main image file.

  As described above, according to the generation process of the attribute information file when the nonvolatile memory is mounted, the attribute information file can be automatically generated with the mounting of the recording medium 16 as a trigger.

[Display processing based on attribute information file]
Next, processing for displaying a face image and the like will be described with reference to FIG.

  For example, it is assumed that the reproduction of the face image is instructed via the operation key 14 or the like. Then, the attribute information file is read (step S60), that is, the attribute information file is referred to, and information (such as \ Face \ FACE0001jpg) specifying the storage location of the face image file is searched from the attribute information file. As a result, a predetermined number of face images specified by information (such as \ Face \ FACE0001jpg) specifying the storage location of the searched face image file can be displayed very quickly (step S61). For example, a predetermined number of face images can be reproduced (displayed) on a display (not shown) of the digital camera 10 in a predetermined format (for example, 3 × 3).

  Next, it is assumed that a specific face image is selected from among the face images displayed via the operation keys 14 and the like, and an entire image display of the specific face image is instructed (step S62: YES). Then, information (such as \ DCIM \ 100_FUJI \ DSCF0001jpg) that specifies the storage location of the main image file including the main image of the selected face image is searched from the attribute information file, and the storage of the searched main image file is performed. The main image specified by the information specifying the location (such as \ DCIM \ 100_FUJI \ DSCF0001jpg) is displayed on the display (not shown) of the digital camera 10 in a predetermined format (step S63).

  As described above, the attribute information file includes information for specifying the storage location of the main image file (such as \ DCIM \ 100_FUJI \ DSCF0001jpg) and information for specifying the storage location of the face image file (such as \ Face \ FACE0001jpg). It is described in association. Therefore, by referring to the attribute information file, the main image identified by the information for identifying the storage location of the main image file related to the selected face image and identifying the storage location of the main image file is identified. Can be played (entire display).

  Furthermore, if the reproduction of the face image is instructed via the operation key 14 or the like (step S64), the processes of steps S60 to S64 are repeated. Then, if there is a reproduction end instruction, this process ends.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, since the attribute information file including the face image specifying information is provided separately from the main image file, the face image is reproduced by referring to the attribute information file. It is possible to display the face image specified by the image specifying information very quickly. In addition, operability is improved.

  Moreover, if the face image is displayed in the form of a thumbnail image (for example, 3 × 3 × 3), the target entire image can be easily found using the face image as a mark. In addition, operability is improved.

[Modification]
Next, a modification of the second embodiment will be described.

  In the second embodiment, a face image is extracted from a main image file (main image or thumbnail image) (step S30), the face image file including the extracted face image is stored as a single file, and the face image file is stored. Although the description has been made so that the information specifying the place is described in the attribute file, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a face image is extracted from the image file (main image or thumbnail image) (step S30), and information specifying the position of the face image in the main image (or thumbnail image) is described in the attribute file. Good.

  In FIG. 15, the face image in the main image (or thumbnail image) is the portion sandwiched between the tag <FacePositionV> and the tag </ FacePositionV> and the portion sandwiched between the tag <FacePositionH> and the tag </ FacePositionH>. Information for identifying the position of (for example, 1000, 1200).

  In this way, it is not necessary to provide a face image file, so that memory can be saved.

  In the second embodiment, a part of the image extracted from the main image (or thumbnail image) of the main image file is described as an image including a human face, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a characteristic object included in the main image other than the face of a person, for example, a part including a character such as a signboard, a building, a vehicle, an animal or the like is extracted from an image file (main image or thumbnail image). This may be stored as a single file, and information specifying the storage location of the image file may be described in the attribute file. In short, if a part of the image extracted from the main image (or thumbnail image) of the main image file can easily find the entire target image using the partial image as a mark, There is no particular limitation.

  In this way, as with the face image, it is possible to easily find the target entire image using a part of the images as a mark.

  In the second embodiment, the face image is extracted from the image file (main image or thumbnail image) by executing a known face recognition process. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a configuration may be adopted in which the user or the like operates the operation key 14 or the like, thereby causing a part (area) of the main image to be designated and an image of the partial area to be extracted.

  In this way, it is possible to handle an area arbitrarily designated by the user in the same way as a face image.

  In the first and second embodiments, the attribute information file has been described as being recorded on the removable recording medium 16, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 16, a nonvolatile memory 32 such as a non-removable flash memory may be provided inside the digital camera, and an attribute information file may be stored in the nonvolatile memory 32 (steps S2, S13, S31, S41, S53).

  In this way, even when the recording medium 16 is removed, the attribute information file can be rewritten by the user, or the user can be prevented from being confused by the existence of a file that is not stored in the user's memory. The image file may be stored in either the recording medium 16 or the nonvolatile memory 32.

  The above embodiment is merely an example in all respects. The present invention is not construed as being limited to these descriptions. The present invention can be implemented in various other forms without departing from the spirit or main features thereof.

It is a block diagram for demonstrating the hardware constitutions of the digital camera which is embodiment of this invention. It is an example of an attribute information file. It is a figure for demonstrating the structure of a directory. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the update process of the attribute information file at the time of imaging | photography, trimming, and deletion. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the production | generation process of the attribute information file at the time of non-volatile memory mounting | wearing. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the operation | movement which displays a thumbnail image. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the operation | movement which displays a thumbnail image. It is an example of an attribute information file. It is a figure for demonstrating the structure of a directory. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the update process of the attribute information file at the time of imaging | photography, trimming, and deletion. It is an example of the extraction area | region of a face image. It is an example of the extraction area | region of a face image. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the update process of the attribute information file at the time of imaging | photography, trimming, and deletion. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the production | generation process of the attribute information file at the time of non-volatile memory mounting | wearing. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the operation | movement which displays a face image. It is an example of an attribute information file. It is a block diagram for demonstrating the hardware constitutions (modification) of the digital camera which is embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

    DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Digital camera, 11 ... CPU, 14 ... Operation key, 16 ... Recording medium, 18 ... Color CCD solid-state image sensor (CCD), 25, 26 ... Memory, 27 ... Image signal processing circuit

Claims (18)

Image file storage means for storing at least one image file including an image and attribute information for the image;
Attribute information file storage means for storing an attribute information file including image file specifying information for specifying a storage location of the image file and thumbnail image specifying information for specifying a thumbnail image of the image;
An image processing apparatus comprising: A thumbnail image file storage means for storing at least one thumbnail image file including the thumbnail image;
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the thumbnail image specifying information is information for specifying a storage location of the thumbnail image file.   The image processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the thumbnail image included in the thumbnail image file is resized in advance according to a display size on which the thumbnail image is displayed.   The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the thumbnail image specifying information is information for specifying a position of the thumbnail image in the image file.   The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an update unit that updates the attribute information file.   The image processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the updating unit updates the attribute information file based on an image file including the captured image newly generated after capturing. Trimming processing means for performing trimming processing on the predetermined image is further provided,
The image processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the update unit updates the attribute information file based on an image file including the predetermined image subjected to the trimming process. A deletion instruction means for instructing deletion of the image file;
The image processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the update unit updates the attribute information file when deletion is instructed by the deletion instruction unit. It further comprises detection means for detecting the attachment / detachment of the recording medium
The image processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the update unit updates the attribute information file when the detection unit detects attachment / detachment of a recording medium. Thumbnail image playback instruction means for instructing playback of thumbnail images;
Thumbnail image playback means for playing back a thumbnail image specified by the thumbnail image specifying information included in the attribute information file when playback of the thumbnail image is instructed by the thumbnail image playback instruction means;
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: Selection means for selecting a thumbnail image reproduced by the thumbnail image reproduction means;
An image reproducing means for reproducing an image file specified by the image file specifying information included in the attribute information file when a thumbnail image is selected by the selecting means;
The image processing apparatus according to claim 10, further comprising: Image file storage means for storing at least one image file including an image and attribute information for the image;
Image extracting means for extracting a part of the image from the image;
Attribute information file storage means for storing an attribute information file including image file specifying information for specifying the storage location of the image file and extracted image specifying information for specifying the image extracted by the image extracting means When,
An image processing apparatus comprising: Further comprising extracted image file storage means for storing at least one extracted image file including the extracted image;
The image processing apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the extracted image specifying information is information for specifying a storage location of the extracted image file.   The image processing apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the extracted image specifying information is information for specifying a position of the extracted image in the image. An extracted image reproduction instruction means for instructing reproduction of the extracted image;
An extraction image reproduction means for reproducing the extraction image specified by the extraction image specifying information included in the attribute information file when reproduction of the extraction image is instructed by the extraction image reproduction instruction means;
The image processing apparatus according to claim 12, further comprising: Selecting means for selecting the extracted image reproduced by the extracted image reproducing means;
An image reproducing means for reproducing an image file specified by the image file specifying information included in the attribute information file when an extraction image is selected by the selecting means;
The image processing apparatus according to claim 15, further comprising:   The image processing apparatus according to claim 12, wherein a part of the image extracted from the image by the image extraction unit is a region including a human face.   The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the attribute file is stored in a non-volatile memory that is not detachable inside the device.

Images