WO2007114022A1 - Image data managing device and image data managing method - Google Patents

Abstract

A photographing date, a place or the like is recognized by using date and time information included in the name of an image file or tag information attached thereto. Based on such recognition, a program chain and a PTT are generated.

Description

 Specification

 Image data management apparatus and image data management method

 Technical field

 The present invention relates to an image data management apparatus and an image data management method for managing image data corresponding to a photographic image taken by, for example, a digital still camera. Background art

 An apparatus having a function of reading image data corresponding to a photographic image taken by a digital still camera from a memory force and displaying a photographic image corresponding to the image data in a slide show format has become widespread. Hereinafter, displaying in a slide show format is referred to as “slide show display”.

 [0003] Such an apparatus is sold as a product such as application software executable by a personal computer, a photo view box, and a photo storage.

 Disclosure of the invention

 Problems to be solved by the invention

[0004] By the way, when there are a large number of image data, and there are a large number of photographic images to be displayed as a slide show as a result, it is convenient if a slide show can be displayed only for photographic images having a certain common property. is there.

[0005] For example, it is convenient if a slide show can be displayed only on photographic images taken on the same shooting date.

[0006] It is also convenient if a slide show can be displayed only for photographic images taken at the same shooting location.

[0007] However, it is not easy to realize a technique for selecting a photographic image having a common property from a large number of photographic images and performing a slide show display only on the selected photographic image.

[0008] On the other hand, when a slide show is displayed once for all of a large number of photographic images, among the large number of photographic images arranged in the display order, the photo at the position where the property of the photographic image has changed. It is convenient if the true image can be set as the skipped photographic image.

 [0009] For example, it is convenient if a photographic image at a position where the photographing date of the photographic image has changed can be set as a skipped photographic image. More specifically, out of 30 photographic images arranged in the display order, 10 photographic images with the 1st power up to the 10th were taken on January 15th, and the 11th power also Ten photographic images up to the 20th were taken on January 20th, and 10th photographic images up to the 30th were taken on February 3rd. To do. In this case, the 11th photo image and the 21st photo image are set as skip destination photo images, respectively. Thus, the user can easily and quickly find and view a photographic image taken on a desired photographing date by skipping the display of the photographic image when executing the slide show display.

 [0010] It is also convenient if the photographic image at the position where the photographic image shooting location has changed can be set as the skipped photographic image. More specifically, out of 30 photographic images arranged in the display order, 10 photographic images with the 1st power up to the 10th were taken in Tokyo, and the 11th power was the 20th. Up to 10 photographic image powers were taken in S Hokkaido, and the 10th photographic image up to the 30th power was taken in Kyoto. In this case, the 11th photo image and the 21st photo image are set as skip destination photo images, respectively. As a result, the user can easily and quickly find and view a photographic image taken at a desired shooting location by skipping the display of the photographic image when executing the slideshow display.

 [0011] However, it is not easy to realize a technique for setting a photographic image at a position where the property of the photographic image has changed among the photographic images arranged in the display order as a skipped photographic image.

 [0012] The present invention has been made in view of the problems exemplified above, and the first object of the present invention is to select and select an image having a common property from among a plurality of images. An object of the present invention is to provide an image data management apparatus, an image data management method, and a computer program that can perform a slide show display only for images.

[0013] In addition, a second problem of the present invention is to set an image at a position where the property of the image has changed among a plurality of images arranged in the order of slide show display as a skip destination image. An image data management apparatus, an image data management method, and a computer program are provided.

 Means for solving the problem

 In order to solve the above-described problem, the first image data management device of the present invention provides a plurality of image files each having image data and related item information indicating items related to the image data from an information supply source. The image data included in each image file read by the reading unit is divided into a plurality of groups based on the reading unit that reads and the items indicated by the related item information included in each image file read by the reading unit. A grouping unit; and a reproduction order information generating unit configured to generate, for each group, reproduction order information that defines a reproduction order in a slide show format of the image data included in each image file read by the reading unit. .

 In order to solve the above problem, the second image data management apparatus of the present invention provides a plurality of image files each having image data and related item information indicating items related to the image data from an information supply source. The image data included in each image file read by the reading unit is divided into a plurality of groups based on the reading unit that reads and the items indicated by the related item information included in each image file read by the reading unit. Grouping means, reproduction order information generating means for generating reproduction order information that defines the reproduction order in the slide show format of the image data included in each image file read by the reading means, and image data by the grouping means The playback order information is divided into a plurality of units according to the grouping of the plurality of units. Management information generating means for generating management information defining a network is provided.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the first image data management method of the present invention provides a plurality of image files each having image data and related item information indicating items related to the image data. Based on the reading step to be read and the items indicated by the related item information included in each of the image files read in the reading step! /, The images included in the image files read in the reading step In the grouping process that divides data into multiple groups and the reading process! A playback order that determines the playback order of the image data of each image file read in a slide show format. A reproduction order information generation step for generating information for each group.

 [0017] In order to solve the above-described problem, the second image data management method according to the present invention includes a plurality of image files each having image data and related item information indicating items related to the image data. Based on the reading step to be read and the items indicated by the related item information included in each of the image files read in the reading step! /, The images included in the image files read in the reading step In the grouping process that divides data into multiple groups and the reading process! A reproduction order information generating step for generating reproduction order information that defines the reproduction order of the image data of each image file read in the slide show format, and grouping of the image data in the grouping step The reproduction order information is divided into a plurality of units, and a management information generating step for generating management information defining the plurality of units is provided.

 [0018] In order to solve the above problem, a first computer program of the present invention causes a computer to execute the first image data management method of the present invention.

 In order to solve the above problems, a second computer program of the present invention causes a computer to execute the second image data management method of the present invention.

 [0020] In order to solve the above problems, a first computer program product in a computer-readable medium clearly embodies program instructions executable by a computer, and the first image data of the present invention is stored in the computer. Execute the management method.

 [0021] In order to solve the above problems, a second computer program product in a computer-readable medium clearly embodies program instructions executable by a computer, and the second image data of the present invention is stored in the computer. Execute the management method.

[0022] According to the first or second computer program product of the present invention, the computer program product is stored in a computer from a recording medium such as a ROM, CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, or hard disk that stores the computer program product. If the computer program product, which is a transmission wave, for example, is downloaded to a computer via communication means, the first or second image data management method of the present invention described above can be implemented relatively easily. Become. More specifically, the computer program product is a computer-readable program that executes the first or second image data management method of the present invention described above. Capable code (or computer readable instructions).

 [0023] These effects and other advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the embodiments described below.

 Brief Description of Drawings

 FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a force of a DVD recorder, a remote controller, a digital still camera, a memory card, and a DVD according to an embodiment of the present invention.

 2 is a block diagram showing the internal structure of the DVD recorder in FIG.

 FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing the contents of an image file.

 FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the DVD recorder in the image data recording process.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing image files stored in a memory card.

 FIG. 6 is an explanatory view showing a specific example of a title set generated by image data recording processing of a DVD recorder.

 FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing another example of the title set generated by the image data recording process of the DVD recorder.

 FIG. 8 is an explanatory view showing still another specific example of the title set generated by the image data recording process of the DVD recorder.

 FIG. 9 is an explanatory view showing still another specific example of the title set generated by the image data recording process of the DVD recorder.

 FIG. 10 is an explanatory view showing still another specific example of the title set generated by the image data recording process of the DVD recorder.

 FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a more specific example of a DVD recorder according to an embodiment of the present invention.

 Explanation of symbols

[0025] 1, 100 DVD recorder

 10 Memory card

 30 DVD

41 Card connection 42, 43 Group division

 44 Conversion unit

 45 Program chain generator

 46 PTT generator

 47 Recording controller

 60 image files

 61 File name

 63 Attached information

 64 Image data

 67 Shooting date / time tag

 68 GPS tag group

 69 Continuous shooting tag

 BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

 [0026] Hereinafter, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described for each embodiment in order with reference to the drawings.

 [0027] FIG. 1 shows a DVD recorder, a remote control, a digital still camera, a memory card, and a DVD. A DVD recorder 1 in FIG. 1 is an embodiment of the image data management device of the present invention.

 [0028] The DVD recorder 1 has a function of recording content data such as a movie or a TV program transmitted from a TV broadcasting station on the DVD 30, and a function of reproducing content data such as a movie or a TV program recorded on the DVD 30. It has the functions that a general DVD recorder has.

 [0029] In addition to these functions, the DVD recorder 1 reads an image file having image data corresponding to a photographic image taken by the digital still camera 20 from the memory card 10, and converts the image data included in the image file into MPEG. It has the function of converting to (Moving Picture Expert Group) format video data and recording this video data on DVD30.

[0030] Furthermore, the DVD recorder 1 includes a plurality of photos recorded as video data on the DVD 30. In order to display a slide show of images, a program chain in which the playback order of video data is determined is generated and recorded on the DVD 30.

 Furthermore, the DVD recorder 1 can generate a program chain for each photographic image shooting date, for example, and record it on the DVD 30. One program chain constitutes one title.

 Furthermore, the DVD recorder 1 can divide each program chain into a plurality of PTT (Part of Title), that is, chapters, for example, for each photographic image shooting location.

 [0033] The memory card 10 is a card-like removable storage medium using, for example, a flash memory. The user inserts the memory card 10 into the card slot 22 of the digital still camera 20 and shoots the subject. Thus, the digital still camera 20 generates an image file having image data corresponding to the photographed image of the subject and related item information indicating items related to the image data, and stores the image file in the memory card 10.

 [0034] The image data is still image data compressed by, for example, a PEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group) compression method. The related item information is, for example, the file name and attached information of the image file. Ancillary information is a collection of tags, and each tag is numeric data or text data. The attached information is, for example, information according to the Exif (Exchangeable Image File Format) standard.

 [0035] After the photographing of the subject is completed, the user removes the memory card 10 from the digital still camera 20, inserts it into the card slot 2 of the DVD recorder 1, and uses the remote control 3 to store the predetermined data in the DV recorder 1. Enter instructions. As a result, the DVD recorder 1 reads the image file from the memory card 10 according to the input instruction, converts the image data included in the image file into video data, creates a program chain, and then displays the video data and program. Record chain etc. on DVD30.

Note that the digital still camera 20 has a built-in memory 21, and an image file can be stored in the built-in memory 21. By connecting the external connection terminal (not shown) of the digital still camera 20 and the camera connection terminal (not shown) of the DVD recorder 1 using a cable, the image file stored in the built-in memory 21 can be transferred to the DVD. Recorder 1 can be read. In the following description, a DVD recorder 1 is taken as an example of an embodiment of the image data management device of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to a DVD recorder. For example, the present invention can be applied to a photo viewer, a photo storage, a printer, or a personal computer.

 In the following description, the memory card 10 is taken as an example of an information supply source in which an image file that can be read by the DVD recorder 1 is stored. However, this information supply source is not limited to the single memory card 10. For example, the information supply source may be a built-in memory 21 of the digital still camera 20, a hard disk, an optical disk, or the like.

 [0039] Further, the DVD 30 is a recordable DVD, for example, a DVD-R or a DVD-RW. However, information recording media such as a Blu-ray disc and a hard disk can be used instead of the DVD 30.

 FIG. 2 shows the internal structure of the DVD recorder 1. As shown in FIG. 2, the DVD recorder 1 includes a card connecting unit 41, a first grouping unit 42, a second grouping unit 43, a converting unit 44, a program chain generating unit 45, a PTT generating unit 46, and a recording control unit 47. A playback control unit 48, a hard disk drive 49, a DVD drive 50, and a general control unit 51 are provided.

 The card connection unit 41 reads a plurality of image files from the memory card 10 under the control of the general control unit 51. The card connection unit 41 is configured by, for example, a memory card interface circuit.

 [0042] The first grouping unit 42 reads each image read by the card connecting unit 41 based on the shooting date indicated by the date and time information included in the file name of each image file read by the card connecting unit 41. Divide the image data in the file into multiple first groups for each shooting date. Hereinafter, the first group is referred to as the “shooting day group”.

 [0043] Each image data shooting date is based on the shooting date indicated by the shooting date tag in the attached information of each image file, not the shooting date indicated by the date / time information included in the file name of each image file. Let's do grouping.

[0044] The second grouping unit 43 uses each image file read by the card connection unit 41 based on the shooting location indicated by the GPS tag group in the attached information included in each image file read by the card connection unit 41. Multiple image data for each shooting location Divide into the second group. Hereinafter, the second group is referred to as a “shooting place group”.

[0045] The conversion unit 44 converts the image data included in each image file read by the card connection unit 41 into video data in the MEPG format. The conversion unit 44 includes, for example, a JPEG decoder and an MPEG encoder.

[0046] The program chain generation unit 45 generates a program chain that defines the playback order of video data for each shooting date group.

[0047] The PTT generation unit 46 divides each program chain into a plurality of PTTs according to the image data grouping by the second grouping unit 43. That is, the PTT generation unit 46 divides each program chain into a plurality of PTTs respectively corresponding to a plurality of shooting location groups. Then, the PTT generator 46 generates PTT management information that defines these multiple PTTs.

 [0048] The recording control unit 47 controls the DVD drive 50 to record video data, each program chain, and each PTT management information on the DVD 30.

[0049] The reproduction control unit 48 reproduces video data corresponding to the photographic image recorded on the DVD 30 according to the program chain.

[0050] The hard disk drive 49 has a built-in hard disk!

[0051] The DVD drive 50 reads information from and records information on the DVD 30.

The general control unit 51 controls the constituent elements 41 to 50 of the DVD recorder 1.

[0053] The first grouping unit 42, the second grouping unit 43, the program chain generation unit 45, the PTT generation unit 46, the recording control unit 47, the playback control unit 48, and the general control unit 51 are, for example, CPU (Central It consists of Processing Unit), ROM (Read-Only Memory) and RAM (Random-Access Memory). That is, in the ROM, the first grouping unit 42, the second grouping unit 43, the program chain generation unit 45, the PTT generation unit 46, the recording control unit 47, the reproduction control unit 48, and the general control unit 51 are realized. A program in which commands are described is stored, and the CPU reads this program in ROM and executes it. As a result, the CPU functions as a first grouping unit 42, a second grouping unit 43, a program chain generation unit 45, a PTT generation unit 46, a recording control unit 47, a playback control unit 48, and a general control unit 51. Function. RAM is the work medium when the CPU executes a program. Used as a moly etc.

 FIG. 3 shows the contents of the image file. As shown in FIG. 3, the image file 60 is given a name (file name 61). File name 61 includes date and time information! / The date and time information in the file name 61 is information indicating the date and time when a photographic image corresponding to image data included in the image file is taken, for example.

For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the date / time information included in the file name “20060110_133015_01” is “20060110_133015_01”. That is, all of the file names shown in FIG. 3 are date and time information. The date and time information “20060110_133015_01” indicates that the date and time when the photographic image corresponding to the image data included in the image file was taken was 13:30 on January 10, 2006. Furthermore, “01” at the end of this date / time information indicates the first picture of the photographic image taken at that time. For example, if continuous shooting at 5 frames per second was started on January 10, 2006 at 13:30:15, the file names of the five image data generated by one continuous shooting Is as follows.

[0056] 20060110—133015—01

 20060110—133015—02

 20060110—133015—03

 20060110—133015—04

 20060110—133015—05

 On the other hand, the image file main body 62 includes attached information 63 and image data 64. Further, the attached information 63 includes entity attached information 65 and thumbnail image data 66. The entity attachment information 65 is a collection of tags, and each tag is numeric data or text data.

 [0057] The attached information 63 (entity attached information 65) includes a shooting date tag 67, a GPS tag group 68, and a continuous shooting tag 69.

 The shooting date / time tag 67 is a tag indicating the shooting date / time of a photographic image corresponding to the image data 64 included in the image file 60 together with the auxiliary information 63 including the shooting date / time tag 67. For example, the shooting date / time tag 67 is numerical data indicating the shooting date / time.

[0059] The GPS tag group 68 includes the attached information 63 including the GPS tag group 68. It is a collection of tags related to the shooting location of the photographic image corresponding to the image data 64 included in the image file 60. The GPS tag group 68 includes, for example, a tag indicating latitude, a tag indicating longitude, and a tag indicating altitude. These tags are numerical data.

[0060] The continuous shooting tag 69 is a force in which a photographic image corresponding to the image data 64 included in the image file 60 is taken by continuous shooting together with the auxiliary information 63 including the continuous shooting tag 69. It is a tag indicating whether or not. The continuous shooting tag 69 is numerical data. For example, if the photo is taken by continuous shooting, the continuous shooting tag 69 is “1”, and if the photo image is not taken by continuous shooting, the continuous shooting tag 69 is “0”.

 On the other hand, the image data 64 is still image data compressed by the JPEG compression method, for example.

 The thumbnail image data 66 is still image data of a reduced image corresponding to the image data 64.

 FIG. 4 shows the operation of the DVD recorder 1 in the image data recording process. The image data recording process reads an image file from the memory card 10, converts the image data in the image file into video data, creates program chain and PTT management information, This process records PTT management information in DVD30. In the image data recording process, the DVD recorder 1 generates a program chain (title) for each photographic image shooting date. Also, the DVD recorder 1 divides each program chain into a plurality of PTTs or chapters for each photographic image shooting location.

 [0064] Now, the user inserts a memory card 10 storing a plurality of image files into the card slot 2 of the DVD recorder 1, and operates the remote controller 3 to instruct to start the image data recording process. The DVD recorder 1 starts the image data recording process.

 As shown in FIG. 4, first, the general control unit 49 controls the card connection unit 41 to read a plurality of image files stored in the memory card 10 (step Sl).

[0066] Subsequently, the first grouping unit 42 duplicates the image data of each image file for each shooting date based on the shooting date indicated by the date and time information included in the file name of each image file. Divide into several shooting date groups (step S2).

[0067] Subsequently, the second grouping unit 43 obtains a plurality of pieces of image data belonging to each shooting date group for each shooting location based on the shooting location indicated by the GPS tag group in the attached information included in each image file. Divide into groups (step S3).

[0068] Subsequently, the converting unit 44 converts each image data into video data in the MPEG format.

 (Step S4).

 [0069] Subsequently, the program chain generation unit 45 generates a program chain that defines the playback order of the video data for each shooting date group (step S5). As a result, a plurality of program chains respectively corresponding to the plurality of shooting date groups are generated. The program chain generation unit 45 configures one title with one program chain. As a result, a plurality of titles respectively corresponding to a plurality of shooting date groups are generated.

 Note that the playback order of video data is, for example, the order in which image files are stored on the memory card 10. Normally, the image files are stored in the memory card 10 in the order in which the pictures were taken, so the order in which the image files are stored on the memory card 10 is equal to the order in which the pictures were taken. Therefore, the playback order of video data is usually the order in which the pictures were taken.

 [0071] Subsequently, the PTT generation unit 46 divides each program chain into a plurality of PTTs corresponding to a plurality of shooting location groups. That is, the PTT generator 46 divides each program chain into a plurality of PTTs according to the grouping based on the shooting location. Then, the PTT generation unit 46 generates PTT management information defining a plurality of PTTs for each program chain (step S6). Since PTT corresponds to a chapter, the fact that each program chain is divided into multiple PTTs means that each title is divided into multiple chapters.

 Subsequently, the recording control unit 47 controls the DVD drive 50 to record the video data, each program chain, and each PTT management information on the DVD 30 (step S7). Hereinafter, the collection of video data, each program chain, and each PTT management information is referred to as a “title set”.

[0073] For example, the memory card 10 stores 16 image files as shown in FIG. Suppose that That is, of the 16 image files, the shooting date of the photographic image corresponding to the image data included in image files # 1 to # 8 is January 10, 2006, and image files # 9 to # 13 have The shooting date of the photographic image corresponding to the image data is January 21, 2006, and the shooting date of the photographic image corresponding to the image data included in the image files # 14 to # 16 is February 2006 3 Suppose it is a day.

[0074] In addition, the shooting location of the photographic image corresponding to the image data of image file # 1 and # 3 is Tokyo, and the photo image corresponding to the image data of image file # 4 and # 6 Is the location of Yokohama, and the location of the photographic images corresponding to the image data of image files # 7 and # 8 is Yokosuka, respectively, corresponding to the image data of image files # 9 and # 10 The shooting location of the photo images to be taken is Kiyomizu-dera, and the shooting location of the photo images corresponding to the image data of image files # 11 and # 12 is Ginkakuji, respectively. The corresponding photo image was taken at Kinkakuji, and the photo image corresponding to the image data of image files # 14 and # 15 was taken at Boston. Suppose that the shooting location of the photographic image corresponding to the image data of Le # 16 is -Yuyoke.

 When the image data recording process shown in FIG. 4 is performed on the memory card 10 storing such an image file, a title set 71 as shown in FIG. 6 is recorded on the DVD 30.

That is, the title set 71 includes video data # 1 and # 16 corresponding to the image data # 1 to # 16, respectively.

[0077] Furthermore, the title set 71 includes three program chains (titles) # 1 to # 3. Program chain # 1 defines the playback order of video data corresponding to photographic images taken on January 10, 2006. Program chain # 2 defines the playback order of video data corresponding to photographic images taken on January 21, 2006. Program chain # 3 defines the playback order of video data corresponding to photographic images taken on February 3, 2006. In this way, the three program chains # 1 !! # 3 are used to capture photographic images corresponding to video data with a determined playback order. Each day is different.

 [0078] Further, program chain # 1 is divided into three PTTs (Chapters) # 1 to # 3. Program chain # 1 PTT # 1 defines the playback order of video data corresponding to photographic images taken in Tokyo.チ ェ ー ン # 2 of program chain # 1 determines the playback order of video data corresponding to photographic images taken in Yokohama! Program chain # 1 ΡΤΤ # 3 defines the playback order of video data corresponding to photographic images taken in Yokosuka.

 [0079] Furthermore, program chain # 2 is divided into three chapters # 1 through # 3.チ ェ ー ン # 1 in program chain # 2 defines the playback order of video data corresponding to the photographic images taken at Kiyomizu Temple.チ ェ ー ン # 2 of program chain # 2 determines the playback order of video data corresponding to photographic images taken at Ginkakuji.チ ェ ー ン # 3 of Program Chain # 2 defines the playback order of video data corresponding to photographic images taken at Kinkakuji.

 [0080] Further, program chain # 3 is divided into two chapters # 1 and # 2.チ ェ ー ン # 1 of program chain # 3 defines the playback order of video data corresponding to photographic images taken in Boston.チ ェ ー ン # 2 of program chain # 3 defines the playback order of video data corresponding to the photographic images taken at the single yoke.

 [0081] When a slide show is displayed for the title set 71 as shown in FIG. 6, the user can select a desired title from the three titles (program chains) # 1 to # 3 using the title menu. Then, the user can see a slide show display of only photographic images taken on the same shooting date. For example, if title # 1 is selected, the user can see a slideshow view of only the photographic images taken on January 10, 2006.

[0082] Further, when viewing the slide show of title # 1, the user can press the skip button on the remote control 3 to skip the photographic images for each shooting location. For example, when the slideshow display for title # 1 starts, photo image # 1 (video data # 1) taken in Tokyo is displayed first. At this time, if the user presses the skip button, photo image # 2 (video data # 2) and photo image # 3 (video data # 3) will be skipped. The photographed image # 4 (video data # 4) is displayed. Immediately after this, when the user presses the S Skip button, Photo Image # 5 (Video Data # 5) and Photo Image # 6 (Video Data # 6) Force S Skipped and Photo Image # 7 (Video Data # 7) is displayed.

 [0083] Further, the chapter menu allows the user to start a slide show display from photographic images taken at a desired shooting location.

 Note that skipping based on the title menu, chapter menu, and chapter is a function that many general DVD recorders or DVD players have. These functions are compatible with each other under the DVD standard.

 [0085] As described above, the DVD recorder 1 corresponds to the image data included in each image file based on the items indicated by the related item information included in each image file read from the memory card 10. Recognize the common properties of photographic images and divide the image data into multiple first groups based on this recognition. Then, the DVD recorder 1 generates, for each first group, a program chain that defines the order of the slide show reproduction of the image data included in each image file. DVD recorder 1 constitutes one title by one program chain. Thereby, a plurality of titles respectively corresponding to the plurality of first groups are generated.

 [0086] Therefore, the user can select a desired title from a plurality of titles using the title menu. Then, the DVD recorder 1 performs slide show playback only for the title selected by the user. That is, the DVD recorder 1 can select a photographic image having a common property from among a large number of photographic images recorded on the DVD 30, and can perform a slide show display only for the selected photographic image.

 [0087] As described above, when the item indicated by the related item information is the shooting date, the DVD recorder 1 was shot on the same shooting date from among many photographic images recorded on the DVD. A slide show can be displayed only for photographic images.

[0088] On the other hand, the DVD recorder 1 determines the photographic image corresponding to the image data included in each image file based on the items indicated by the related item information included in each image file read from the memory card 10. Recognize common properties and duplicate image data based on this recognition. Divide into a second group of numbers. Then, the DVD recorder 1 divides one program chain into a plurality of PTTs (chapters) respectively corresponding to a plurality of second groups. As a result, among the plurality of photographic images arranged in the order of the slide show display, the photographic image power S at the position where the property of the photographic image has changed is set to the photographic image to be skipped.

[0089] As described above, when the item indicated by the related item information is the shooting location, the DVD recorder 1 duplicates a large number of photographic images recorded on the DVD based on the identity of the shooting location. Divide the program into a second group of numbers, and divide one program chain into a plurality of PTTs corresponding to the second groups. As a result, among the plurality of photographic images arranged in the order of the slide show display, the photographic image power skip destination photographic image at the position where the shooting location has changed is set.

 Accordingly, the user can easily and quickly find and view a photographic image taken at a desired shooting location by skipping the display of the photographic image when executing the slide show display.

 In the DVD recorder 1 described above, as in the title set 71 shown in FIG. 6, a program chain (title) is generated for each shooting date of a photographic image, and each program chain is recorded as a shooting location of the photographic image. As an example, we divided into multiple PTTs based on the above. However, the present invention is not limited to this.

 [0092] For example, as in the title set 72 shown in FIG. 7, a program chain is generated for each photographic image shooting date, and a plurality of program chains are created based on whether the photographic image shooting time is morning or afternoon. It can be divided into PTT!

 [0093] Also, as in the title set 73 shown in FIG. 8, a program chain is generated for each photographic image shooting date, and each program chain is based on the proximity of the photographic image shooting time. May be divided into PTT. For example, if the interval between the shooting times of adjacent photographic images is within 2 hours, the video data corresponding to each of these photographic images should be included in the same PTT, and the interval between the shooting times of the adjacent photographic images will be If the time exceeds 2 hours, the video data corresponding to each of these photographic images should be allocated to two PTTs.

[0094] Further, as in the title set 74 shown in FIG. You can divide each program chain into multiple PTTs based on whether the photographic images were taken by continuous shooting!

[0095] Further, as in the title set 75 shown in FIG. 10, a program chain is generated for each country in which a photographic image is taken, and each program chain is divided into a plurality of groups based on the region in which the photographic image is taken. Divide it into PTT.

FIG. 11 shows a more specific example of the DVD recorder according to the embodiment of the present invention.

The DVD recorder 100 in FIG. 11 performs image data recording processing as follows, for example.

[0098] The user inserts a memory card storing a plurality of image files into the card slot of the DVD recorder 100, and operates the remote controller to instruct the DVD recorder 100 to start image data recording processing. When input is made, the DVD recorder 100 starts the image data recording process.

 First, the CPU 101 controls the memory card connection circuit 102 to read a plurality of image files stored in the memory card.

 Subsequently, the CPU 101 divides the image data included in each image file into a plurality of shooting date groups for each shooting date based on the shooting date indicated by the date and time information included in the file name of each image file. Furthermore, the CPU 101 divides the image data belonging to each shooting date group into a plurality of groups for each shooting location based on the shooting location indicated by the GPS tag group in the attached information included in each image file.

 On the other hand, the JPEG decoder 104 decodes the image data included in each image file by the JPEG decoding method. The decoded image data is supplied to the MPEG encoder 107 through the graphics superimposing circuit 105 and the switch 106. Then, the MPE G encoder 107 encodes the image data by the MPEG encoding method. Thus, the image data included in the image file read from the memory card is converted into MPEG video data. Video data is supplied to the stream switcher 103 via the multiplexer 108.

On the other hand, the CPU 101 generates a program chain that defines the playback order of video data for each shooting date group. Further, the CPU 101 divides each program chain into a plurality of PTTs corresponding to a plurality of shooting location groups, and defines a plurality of PTTs. TT management information is generated for each program chain.

 Subsequently, the CPU 101 controls the DVD drive 109 to record video data, each program chain, and each piece of management information on a DVD.

 [0104] When playing back video data corresponding to a photographic image recorded on a DVD, the CPU 101 reads the program chain selected by the user and the PTT management information related to the program chain, and reads the program chain and Based on the PTT management information, the video data is also read by DVD. The read video data is supplied to the MPEG decoder 111 via the demultiplexer 110. Then, the MPEG decoder 111 decodes the video data by the MPEG decoding method. The decoded video data is output to a display device (not shown) connected to the DVD recorder 100, for example, via the graphics superimposing circuit 105 and the digital / analog converter 112.

 [0105] It should be noted that in the above-described DVD recorder 1, a program chain is generated for each photographic image shooting date, and one program chain constitutes one title. In this case, it should be noted that the maximum number of titles is 99 under the DVD standard. For example, when 100 or more photographic image files with different shooting dates are stored in the memory card 10, the proximity of the shooting dates is judged, and video data for a predetermined number of photographic images with the shooting dates close to each other. Include in one title. As a result, the number of titles can be reduced to 99 or less. The same applies to PTT (Chapter).

 [0106] When a special effect such as fade, pan, or zoom is set for switching between successive photographic images in a slide show display, the boundary between two consecutive PTTs is the point where the special effect ends. It may be a point in the middle of a special effect.

[0107] Further, the DVD recorder 1 described above has a function of converting image data into video data, a function of generating a program chain in which the order of slideshow display of photographic images is determined, video data, a program chain, and the like on a DVD. It has a function to record. However, the image data management apparatus of the present invention may not have all these functions. [0108] For example, image data (JPEG data) compressed by the JPEG compression method is read from a memory card, and this is not converted into another data format, that is, recorded in an information recording medium as it is as JPEG data. Moyo. In this case, reproduction order information for displaying JPEG data as a slide show is generated, for example, for each photographic image shooting date, and the reproduction order information is divided into a plurality of units based on, for example, the shooting position of the photographic image.

 [0109] Alternatively, the image data CFPEG data read from the memory card may not be recorded on the information recording medium. In other words, it is possible to generate playback order information for slide show display of image data stored in a memory card for each photographic image shooting date, and to divide the playback order information into multiple units based on the shooting location of the photographic image. Good.

 2 is a specific example of the reading unit, the first grouping unit 42 and the second grouping unit 43 are specific examples of the grouping unit, and the conversion unit 44. Is a specific example of the conversion means, the program chain generation unit 45 is a specific example of the reproduction order information generation means, the PTT generation unit 46 is a specific example of the management information generation means, and the recording control unit 47 is the recording means. It is a specific example. The program chain is a specific example of the playback order information, and PTT is a specific example of the unit in the playback order information.

 Further, step S1 in FIG. 4 is a specific example of the reading process, step S2 and step S3 are specific examples of the grouping means, and step S5 is a specific example of the reproduction order information generation process. Step S6 is a specific example of the management information generation step.

The present invention can also be realized as a computer program. In this case, the card connection unit 41, first grouping unit 42, second grouping unit 43, conversion unit 44, program chain generation unit 45, PTT generation unit 46, recording control unit 47, playback in FIG. A computer program for realizing the control unit 48 and the general control unit 51 is created. Then, the computer program is recorded on an information recording medium, and the information recording medium is sold. Alternatively, the computer program can be downloaded through a computer network such as the Internet. By making this computer program read by the computer, the computer is divided into the card connection section 41 and the first group using the CPU, main storage device, memory card interface circuit, DVD drive and other computer resources normally possessed by the computer. Part 42, second grouping part 43, conversion part 44, It can function as a program chain generation unit 45, a PTT generation unit 46, a recording control unit 47, and a general control unit 51.

[0113] Further, the present invention can be changed as appropriate without departing from the gist or concept of the invention that can also read the claims and the entire specification, and the image data management apparatus and the like accompanying such a change can be changed. An image data management method and a computer program for realizing these functions are also included in the technical idea of the present invention. Industrial applicability

The image data management apparatus and the image data management method according to the present invention can be used for an image data management apparatus that manages image data corresponding to a photographic image taken by a digital still camera, for example. Further, it can be used for an image data management device or the like that is mounted on various consumer or commercial computer devices or can be connected to various computer devices.

Claims

The scope of the claims  [1] Reading means for reading a plurality of image files each having image data and related item information indicating items related to the image data from an information supply source;  Grouping means for dividing the image data of each of the image files read by the reading means into a plurality of groups based on the items indicated by the related item information of each of the image files read by the reading means;  Replay order information generating means for generating, for each of the groups, replay order information that defines the replay order of the image data in each image file read by the reading means in a slide show format. An image data management device.  [2] Conversion means for converting the image data included in each image file read by the reading means into video data in the MEP G format;  Recording means for recording the video data converted by the conversion means on an information recording medium,  The reproduction order information generating means generates a program chain defining the reproduction order of the video data for each group,  2. The image data management apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording unit records each program chain generated by the reproduction order information generating unit on the information recording medium.  [3] Reading means for reading a plurality of image files each having image data and related item information indicating items related to the image data from an information supply source;  Grouping means for dividing the image data of each of the image files read by the reading means into a plurality of groups based on the items indicated by the related item information of each of the image files read by the reading means;  Reproduction order information generating means for generating reproduction order information that defines the reproduction order of the slide show format of the image data of each image file read by the reading means; According to the grouping of image data by the grouping means, the reproduction order information is divided into a plurality of units, and management information defining the plurality of units is generated. An image data management apparatus comprising management information generation means. [4] Conversion means for converting the image data included in each image file read by the reading means into video data in the MEP G format;  Recording means for recording the video data converted by the conversion means on an information recording medium,  The reproduction order information generating means generates a program chain that defines the reproduction order of the video data,  The management information generating means divides the program chain into a plurality of PTTs according to the image data grouping by the grouping means, generates management information defining the plurality of PTTs,  The recording unit according to claim 3, wherein the recording unit records the program chain generated by the reproduction order information generating unit and the management information generated by the management information generating unit on the information recording medium. The image data management device described in 1. [5] The image data management according to claim 1, wherein the item indicated by the related item information included in each image file is a shooting date of an image corresponding to the image data included in each image file. apparatus.  [6] The image data management according to claim 3, wherein the item indicated by the related item information included in each image file is a shooting date of an image corresponding to the image data included in each image file. apparatus.  [7] The image according to claim 1, wherein the item indicated by the related item information included in each image file is a shooting time of an image corresponding to the image data included in each image file. Data management device. [8] The image according to claim 3, wherein the item indicated by the related item information included in each image file is a shooting time of an image corresponding to the image data included in each image file. Data management device. [9] The image according to claim 1, wherein the item indicated by the related item information included in each image file is a shooting location of an image corresponding to the image data included in each image file. Data management device. [10] The image according to claim 3, wherein the item indicated by the related item information included in each image file is a shooting location of an image corresponding to the image data included in each image file. Data management device.  [11] The item indicated by the related item information included in each image file is whether or not the image corresponding to the image data included in each image file is taken by one continuous shooting. The image data management device according to claim 1, wherein  [12] The item indicated by the related item information included in each image file is whether or not the image corresponding to the image data included in each image file is taken by one continuous shooting. 4. The image data management device according to claim 3, wherein  [13] A reading step of reading a plurality of image files each having image data and related item information indicating items related to the image data from an information supply source;  A group that divides the image data of each of the image files read in the reading step into a plurality of groups based on the items indicated by the related item information of the image files read in the reading step Dividing process,  A reproduction order information generating step for generating, for each group, reproduction order information that defines the reproduction order of the image data read in the reading step in the slide show format. Characteristic image data management method [14] a reading step of reading a plurality of image files each having image data and related item information indicating items related to the image data from an information supply source;  A group that divides the image data of each of the image files read in the reading step into a plurality of groups based on the items indicated by the related item information of the image files read in the reading step Dividing process,  A reproduction order information generating step for generating reproduction order information that defines a reproduction order in a slide show format of the image data included in each of the image files read in the reading step; According to the grouping of the image data in the grouping step, the reproduction order information is divided into a plurality of units, and management information defining the plurality of units is generated. And a management information generating step.  A computer program for causing a computer to execute the image data management method according to claim 13.  A computer program for causing a computer to execute the image data management method according to claim 14.