JP3985382B2 - Electronic camera apparatus and photographing information recording method - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
The present invention relates to a browsing assistance technique for shooting information of an image shot / recorded by an electronic camera device such as a digital camera.
[0002]
[Prior art]
An image photographed with a digital camera is usually JPEG-compressed and recorded together with photographing information in an exchangeable recording medium such as a flash memory fixed in the camera or a memory card. Conventionally, (1) photographing information is recorded on a recording medium in a data (identifier, symbol, etc.) format instead of a text (character code) format, and a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as a personal computer) is used with a dedicated soft link. There is one in which a user performs selection (conversion) setting of a display language when browsing.
[0003]
Also, in some digital cameras, it is difficult to browse shooting information such as shutter speed using an external device such as a personal computer only with image files that record images and shooting information in units of shot images. Some files (photographing information files) are recorded separately from image files so that they can be easily viewed. As described above, there are cameras that record shooting information files separately from image files. (2) Some cameras record and record shooting information in a text format of a fixed display language (for example, English).
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In a digital camera configured to include an exchangeable recording medium (or image output function), such a recording medium can be set in a reading unit of an external device such as a personal computer and a recorded image can be reproduced on the personal computer side. Therefore, if the shooting information file can be browsed with a WWW (World Wide Web) browser or the like at that time, the shooting information of each recorded image can be browsed conveniently.
[0005]
However, in the digital camera of the above conventional example (1), since shooting information is not supposed to be viewed by a WWW browser on the external device side such as a personal computer, the shooting information recorded by the digital camera is not displayed on the WWW browser on the external device side. When browsing with, the WWW browser displays the symbol data as it is, so the symbol-format shooting information data is displayed on the screen, which is very difficult for the user to understand, or the meaning is unknown at all. There was a problem.
In addition, when the shooting information file recorded by the digital camera of the above conventional example (2) is viewed with a WWW browser, it is always displayed in a fixed display language (for example, English). However, there is a problem that if the language is not desired by the user, the display becomes difficult for the user.
[0006]
The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an electronic camera capable of creating shooting information files having different language expressions (character codes) based on the language setting selected in the electronic camera device main body. It is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus and a method for recording photographing information.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
According to the first and sixth aspects of the present invention, in the electronic camera device for recording a photographed image, when photographing an image, the photographing condition information regarding the photographing condition at the time of photographing the image is acquired, the photographed image data, the photographing condition information, An image file recording control means for recording an image file including a recording medium on a recording medium, a selecting means for selecting a desired language type from a plurality of language types prepared in advance, and a plurality of image files recorded on the recording medium For each image file, conversion means for converting shooting condition information in the image file into shooting information by characters in the language type selected by the selection means, and conversion for each image file A shooting information file of a predetermined format that can be browsed by an external device is created based on a plurality of shooting information, and the shooting information file is stored in a recording medium that records the image files. Characterized in that and an imaging information file recording control means for recording.
[0008]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the electronic camera device according to the first aspect of the present invention, the recording medium is detachable from the apparatus main body.
[0009]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the electronic camera device according to the first or second aspect of the present invention, display means for displaying a menu screen, and display characters of the menu screen displayed on the display means are set in a desired language. Display language setting means, wherein the selection means selects the language set by the display language setting means.
[0010]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the electronic camera device according to any one of the first to third aspects of the present invention, a power off means for turning off the power of the apparatus by an arbitrary power off operation, and a power off operation by the power off means Before the power is turned off, conversion to shooting information by the conversion means and creation of a shooting information file by the shooting information file recording control means are performed based on each image file recorded on the recording medium. And
[0011]
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the electronic camera device according to any of the first to fourth aspects of the present invention, a discriminating means for discriminating whether or not the recorded content of each image file recorded on the recording medium has changed, and the discriminating means. When it is determined that there is a change in the recorded contents, the conversion to the shooting information by the converting means and the shooting information file recording control means by the converting information file recording control means based on each image file recorded on the recording medium. It is characterized by creating.
[0014]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a circuit configuration example of a digital camera to which the present invention is applied. The digital camera 100 includes an operation unit 1, an imaging unit 2, a signal processing unit 3, a control unit 4, a nonvolatile memory 5, a work A storage memory 7 and an exchangeable storage memory 7 such as a memory card. Further, a data transmission / reception unit 9 for transmitting images and photographing information recorded in the storage recording memory 7 to an external device such as a personal computer and an input / output terminal 10 for transmission / reception cable connection may be provided. The data transmitter / receiver 9 may be an infrared transmitter / receiver.
[0015]
The operation unit 1 is composed of a main power switch, a REC mode / playback mode switch, a function selection button (plural), a button such as a shutter button, a plus / minus (+/−) key, and a cancel key. The operation input means of the camera 100, and when these keys are operated, a state signal corresponding to the state of the operated key is sent to the control unit 4.
[0016]
The imaging unit 2 includes an imaging lens and a strobe light emitting unit, an optical system including an automatic aperture mechanism and an autofocus mechanism, an imaging element such as a CCD that converts a subject light image that has passed through the imaging lens into an electrical signal, a CCD drive circuit, It has a signal conversion system including an A / D converter that converts the output signal of the CCD into a digital signal.
[0017]
The signal processing unit 3 includes a circuit such as a video encoder and a color processor. The operation of the signal processing unit 3 is controlled by the control unit 4 to execute an image processing operation of the digital camera 100, for example, an image capturing operation.
[0018]
The control unit 4 has a microprocessor configuration including a CPU, a RAM, a program storage ROM, a timer, and the like. The CPU is connected to each of the above-described circuits via a bus line and stored in a program storage medium. The overall control of the digital camera 100 is performed by the control program, and execution control of each function of the digital camera 100 is performed in response to the status signal from the operation unit 1. In addition to a control program and a processing program for each processing mode of the digital camera, a language setting program and a photographing information file are stored in a program storage ROM in an HTML (Hyper Text Mark-up Language) format file (hereinafter referred to as an HTML file). And an HTML file creation program that is organized on the memory card 7 together with the image file.
[0019]
The non-volatile memory 5 is a non-volatile rewritable memory such as an EEPROM or a flash memory, and the non-volatile memory 5 stores a language setting recording register that holds a setting value corresponding to the selected language. . A language setting recording register may be provided in the storage recording memory 7.
[0020]
The working memory 6 is a volatile memory such as a DRAM, and is used as a temporary storage area for image data taken from the imaging unit 2.
[0021]
The storage recording memory 7 is composed of a removable recording medium such as a flash memory, and an image file including image data and shooting information subjected to JPEG compression processing is recorded, and a shooting information file created based on shooting information of the image file is recorded. To be recorded. It should be noted that a reduced image (simple image, thumbnail image) file obtained by reducing the captured image by a thinning process or the like may be added to the storage recording memory 7.
In this embodiment, a memory configured to be detachable from the digital camera 100, such as a memory card, is used as the storage recording memory 7, but a memory fixed inside the camera is used as the storage recording memory 7, and shooting information is recorded. You may make it provide the data transmission / reception part 9 and the input-output terminal 10 which transmit a file and an image file.
[0022]
The display unit 8 includes a display device such as a liquid crystal display (LCD) device. In addition to a processing mode selection menu, a list of shooting information and icons, a subject image (through image) is displayed in the shooting mode, and playback is performed in the playback mode. An image can be displayed.
[0023]
[Image file configuration example]
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration example of an image file stored and recorded in the storage recording memory 7 at the time of shooting, and shooting information and image data are recorded for each shot image in the image file 20 (FIG. 9).
The image file 20 is composed of a set of pages 21 and data 22. Further, the page 21 is recorded as page information (number or symbol indicating the number of the image file) of an image file composed of a set of shooting information and a shot image in the shooting order. The data 22 includes shooting information and image data (usually JPEG-compressed image data), and the shooting information includes a shooting data group 23 corresponding to the information items (item field 32) shown in FIGS.
In FIG. 2, the shooting data group 23 includes information items and results corresponding to “Resolution 1280 * 960”, “Quality Fine”, “Recording mode Single Shutter”,. Is actually recorded in a data format (numerical value or code). For example, a numerical value (1280, 960) or code is recorded for Resolution, a recording density (value) or code is recorded for Quality, and a code (number or symbol) is recorded for Recording mode. ) Is recorded.
[0024]
[Configuration example of shooting information file]
3 and 4 are diagrams showing an example of the configuration of the photographing information file. FIG. 3 shows an example when the display language is English, and FIG. 4 shows an example when the display language is Japanese. The shooting information file 30 is created by the HTML file creation program based on the shooting information (shooting information data group 23) of the image file 20 shown in FIG. In this embodiment, the shooting information file 30 is created as an HTML file after shooting (when the power is turned off) (FIG. 9), but the timing of creation is not limited. The file format to be created is not limited to an HTML file.
[0025]
3 and 4, the shooting information file 30 includes a page column 31, an item column 32, and a shooting data column 33. The page column 31 is associated with page information recorded on the page 21 of the image file 20, and includes items. The column 32 is associated with information item names expressed in the setting language (character code) corresponding to the contents of the language setting recording register, and the shooting information data group 23 of the image file 20 is set in the shooting data column 33, respectively. It is associated with the expression. Also, the conversion to the setting language can be performed by referring to the tables as shown in FIGS. 11 to 13 based on the values of the shooting data group 23 of the image file 20 by the HTML file creation program.
[0026]
As described above, the shooting information file 30 is an HTML file, and each shooting item name and shooting information in the shooting information file 30 are expressed in a set language (character code), thereby starting a WWW browser on an external device such as a personal computer. The photographing information expressed in a desired setting language can be browsed simply.
[0027]
[Example of storage recording memory area configuration]
FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of a configuration example of a recording area of a memory card as an example of the storage recording memory 7.
In FIG. 5, the memory card 7 includes a management file A, title data B, HTML file C, HTML holder D, and image folders E to I.
[0028]
The management file A is a folder management file that stores pointers indicating the names and positions of the folders (file storage areas) of the memory card 7. The title data B is a title character string displayed at the title display position of the HTML file C.
[0029]
The HTML file C is a format for displaying a list of images described in an HTML format that can be searched by a WWW browser (title display position, image display designation, image display position, image pointer, shooting information display designation, shooting information display position). , Shooting information pointer, etc.) are described.
[0030]
In the HTML folder D, an HTML file D-1 storing the format of the menu display portion (table of contents) described in the HTML format and a shooting information file (HTML file D-2) described in the HTML format are recorded. Has been.
[0031]
Further, the image folder E includes a management file E-1 that stores management information of each image file stored in the image folder E, and image files E-2 and E- that store shooting information and JPEG-compressed images. Are stored (image files E-2, E-3,... Have the same format as the image file 20 in FIG. 2).
[0032]
The configuration of the image folders F to I and the configuration of each file stored in the image folders F to I are the same as those of the image folder E described above. In addition, the HTML file described in the HTML format and the reduced image are stored so that the image information (image number, size, etc.) of the reduced image recorded in each image folder and the storage position of the reduced image file are associated with the list display position. It is also possible to provide a preview folder for recording the reduced image file.
[0033]
In the example of FIG. 5, the HTML file is described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The file format of the memory card is a list display program other than the WWW browser (or a search program that can use the HTML file). The file format can be configured so that the digital camera 100 can generate such a file.
[0034]
[Language setting memory register]
The language storage register is a storage area of a predetermined length (1 byte in the embodiment) reserved at a specific address of the nonvolatile memory 5, and when a set language is selected by a language setting operation, a specification associated with the language A value (in the embodiment, “1” for English, “2” for Japanese, “3” for German, “4” for French, etc.) is set in the language storage register. (Written).
[0035]
By providing such a language setting storage register in the non-volatile memory 5, shooting is performed with the shooting information items and shooting information as language system data (character code) corresponding to the value of the language setting recording register in the HTML file creation program. An information file can be created. For the selection menu, data of the same language system can be created (or converted) according to the value of the language setting recording register.
[0036]
[Language setting screen]
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an embodiment of the language setting screen. The user can select and select the language displayed in the selected language column 61 of the language setting screen 60 with the cursor 62. The illustrated example shows a state in which Japanese is designated as the setting language, and then the user operates any key indicated by the operation key guides 63, 64, 65. That is, use the plus / minus (+/-) keys to move the cursor up or down to select another language (SELECT), or press the shutter button to set the language currently specified by the cursor. (OK) or cancel the language setting screen (CANCEL).
[0037]
For example, as shown in the figure, when setting in Japanese, when a shutter button is pressed, a specific value corresponding to Japanese (“2” in the embodiment) is set in the language setting recording register. When the user wants to select English, pressing the minus key moves the cursor 62 upward to designate English (in the embodiment, the selected language is surrounded by a cursor frame and characters are highlighted). As will be described later, as a result of the user selecting the language reset menu on the menu screen, the language setting screen 60 is displayed. However, for example, if the menu selection is incorrect and the language reset is to be canceled, the language setting screen 60 is canceled. Press the key to return to the original menu screen.
[0038]
In the example of FIG. 6, the set language is either English or Japanese, but is not limited to this. For example, English, Japanese, German, French, Chinese, Russian,.. It is also possible to select any major language (English / English / Englische / ・ ・ / ・ ・, Japanese / Japanese / Japanische / ・ ・ ・ ・ ・ / , German / German / Germanistik / ... //// ..., and so on.
[0039]
[Selection menu screen]
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an embodiment of the selection menu. This example shows a processing selection menu screen 70 when “Japanese” is set as the display language on the language setting screen 60 of FIG. An instruction message 71, each process selection menu in the menu column 72, and operation key guides 74, 75, and 76 are displayed in Japanese. When “English” is set as the display language, the operation instruction message 71, the processing menus in the menu column 72, and the operation key guides 74, 75, and 76 are displayed in English (similarly, other languages They are displayed in that language).
[0040]
Further, the “language reset menu 77” in the processing menu is provided in case the language is selected incorrectly on the language setting screen 60 of FIG. 6, or when shooting information is browsed or menu selection is desired in another language. When the user selects the language reset menu 77, the language setting screen 60 is displayed again.
[0041]
Although only the process selection menu screen 70 is shown in FIG. 7, the lower menu screen of the process selection menu can also be displayed in the same language as the display language of the process selection menu screen 70. Further, a “language reset menu” may be provided in the lower menu as in the process selection menu screen so that the language setting screen 60 can be returned from the lower menu.
[0042]
[Operation example]
1. Operation when setting language
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an operation example when the language of the digital camera 100 is set. Steps S1 to S6 in FIG. 8A correspond to the language setting operation, and steps S7 to S11 are set in conjunction with the language setting. It is an operation example when the selection menu is displayed in the selected language. (B) is a diagram showing an example of the display language conversion operation of the selection menu based on the language setting.
[0043]
Step S1: (determining whether or not the language has been set)
In FIG. 8A, the control unit 4 examines the contents of the language setting recording register of the nonvolatile memory 5 to determine whether or not the language has been set. If not, the control unit 4 proceeds to S2 and has been set. In this case, the process proceeds to S8. The determination as to whether or not the setting has been made is made by, for example, setting the initial value of the language setting recording register to “0” to determine whether or not it is an initial value, or values that can be set by the set language (for example, “1” to “1”). 5 ").
[0044]
Step S2: (Language setting screen display)
The control unit 4 displays a language setting screen (60) as shown in FIG. 6 on the display unit 8, and prompts the user to select a setting language.
[0045]
Step S3: (Language selection operation)
The user performs a selection operation or the like according to the display guide of the language setting screen (the operation key guides 63, 64, 65 in the example of FIG. 6).
[0046]
Step S4: (Language setting cancellation determination)
The control unit 4 checks the status signal from the operation unit 1 to determine whether or not the user has pressed the cancel key. If the cancel key is pressed, the process proceeds to S8 (however, the language setting register is in the initial state). In this case, the operation of the cancel key is invalidated and the process returns to S3).
[0047]
Step S5: (Determination of selection confirmation)
The control unit 4 checks the status signal from the operation unit 1 to determine whether or not the user has operated the confirmation key (shutter button in the example of FIG. 6). If the confirmation key is operated, the process proceeds to S6. If not, the process returns to S3 to redo the selection operation.
[0048]
Step S6: (Language setting register setting)
The control unit 4 determines which language the user has selected based on the position of the cursor 62 (FIG. 6) when the confirmation key is pressed, and sets a setting value corresponding to the selected language in the setting language recording register. After (write), the process proceeds to S7 (in the example of FIG. 6, since Japanese is selected as the setting language, the corresponding setting value “2” is written to the setting language recording register).
[0049]
Step S7: (display language conversion of selection menu)
The control unit 4 obtains a character string (character code) for the selection menu expressed in the setting language, a display guide, and a character string for the message based on the contents of the setting language recording register, and displays a selection menu screen display buffer (not shown). 3) Replace with the menu character string, display guide, and message character string on the selection menu screen.
[0050]
For example, as shown in FIG. 8B, after the transition from step S6, the control unit 4 examines the contents of the set language recording register, and when the set value is “1”, the set language is determined to be English and S71− It changes to 2 (S71-1). When the setting value is “2”, the setting language is determined to be Japanese, and the process proceeds to S72-2 (S72-1). Next, the control unit 4 refers to the display language conversion table (80) as shown in FIG. 10, and reads the English menu code (English menu character code string) when the set language is English (S71-2). Then, it writes (replaces) the corresponding character string on the selection menu screen (S71-3). If the set language is Japanese, the Japanese menu code (character code string of the Japanese menu) is read (S72-2), and the character string code is written at the array position on the selection menu screen (72-3). Further, in the example of FIG. 8B, the setting language is set to bilingual English and Japanese, but the selection menu can be displayed in the setting language in the same manner when the setting language is three or more languages. it can.
[0051]
Step S8: (Selection menu display)
The control unit 4 displays a selection menu screen expressing the selection menu or the like in the set language on the display unit 8 to prompt selection of processing or the like (in the example of FIG. 7, the selection menu screen 70 displayed in Japanese is displayed. ).
[0052]
Step S9: (menu selection operation)
The user performs a selection operation or the like according to a display guide on the selection menu screen (operation key guides 74, 75, and 76 in the example of FIG. 7).
[0053]
Step S10: (Language reset menu selection determination)
The control unit 4 determines which menu the user has selected based on the position of the cursor 73 when the confirmation key (shutter button in the example of FIG. 7) is pressed, which means resetting the setting language recording register. If the menu ("Language reset" menu 77 in the example of FIG. 7) is selected, the process proceeds to S2 for resetting, and if not, the process proceeds to S11.
[0054]
Step S11: (Execution of selected process)
The control unit 4 executes the processing mode selected in step S9. If the menu selected in step S9 has a lower menu, a series of operations such as menu display and selection can be performed in the same manner as in steps S7 to S10 ("reset language" in the lower menu). If no menu is provided, the operation for determining the presence / absence of “Language reset” menu selection corresponding to step S10 in the operation relating to the lower menu is not required).
[0055]
When the language setting is performed by the above operation, the result is set in the language setting recording register. However, since the language setting recording register is in the nonvolatile memory, the contents of the setting language register are retained even when the power is turned off. Therefore, it only has to be set once. Further, since the setting language can be reset later, it is possible to cope with a case where the owner of the digital camera is changed or a desired language is changed.
[0056]
Also, when displaying the menu screen, the menu screen such as the selection screen is displayed in the language (setting language) specified by the contents of the language setting register (that is, the menu is displayed in the setting language in conjunction with the language setting). Therefore, there is no need to set the language for the menu screen.
[0057]
2: Example of operation when creating shooting information file
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an operation example of the digital camera 100 when creating a shooting information file expressed in a set language at the time of display. An HTML file creation program is used for shooting information file creation, and the shooting information file is converted into an HTML file. This is an example.
[0058]
Step T1: (Determination of processing mode)
In FIG. 9A, after the digital camera 100 is activated (powered on), the control unit 4 checks the status signal from the operation unit 1 and the user selects on the processing selection menu screen (70) as shown in FIG. If the processing mode selected by the user is the shooting mode, the process proceeds to T2, and if it is any other processing mode, the process proceeds to T6.
[0059]
Step T2: (Execution of shooting)
The subject image is taken into the work memory 6 by the imaging unit 2 and is displayed as a through image on the liquid crystal screen of the display unit 8. When the user operates the shutter button at a desired angle, shooting is performed.
[0060]
Step T3: (Acquisition of shooting information)
The control unit 4 captures shooting information of the digital camera 100 at the time of shooting execution, for example, shooting conditions (file size, image size, image quality,..., Shutter as listed in the item column 32 of FIG. 4 (FIG. 3)). Speed, aperture,... Contrast, presence / absence of multiple exposure, white balance,...) Are acquired and stored in the RAM.
[0061]
Step T4: (Image recording process)
The controller 4 displays the image stored in the work memory 6 as a photographed image on the liquid crystal screen of the display unit 8 when the shutter button is operated in step T2, and performs JPEG compression on the image data and holds it in the RAM. The image is recorded in the storage recording memory (memory card) 7 together with the photographing conditions. At the same time, the captured image may be thinned out, reduced, JPEG compressed, and recorded in the storage recording memory (memory card) 7.
[0062]
Step T5: (shooting end determination)
The control unit 4 examines the status signal from the operation unit 1, and returns to T2 if the user performs shooting after the end of recording, and shifts to T7 if shooting is not performed.
[0063]
Step T6: (Execution of other modes)
If it is determined in step T1 that the mode is other than the shooting mode, the selected processing mode is executed, and when the processing mode ends, the process proceeds to T7.
[0064]
Step T7: (Processing mode selection)
After the photographing mode and other processing modes are completed, the user transitions to T1 when the user selects a selection menu (FIG. 7) or a processing mode selection icon displayed on the liquid crystal screen of the display unit 8.
[0065]
Step T8: (Power switch off operation)
The user turns off the power switch when there is no processing mode to be executed next. When the control unit 4 receives the power switch off state signal, the control unit 4 does not immediately turn off the power, but transitions to T9. When the storage recording memory 7 is a memory card, a means (for example, a lid open / close detection switch) for detecting when the storage lid (cover) of the storage section for storing the memory card is opened is provided to open the storage lid. In this case, the lid opening detection signal may be sent to the control unit 4, and the control unit 4 may make a transition to T9 when receiving the lid opening detection signal.
[0066]
Step T9: (Activation of HTML file generation program)
The control unit 4 takes out the HTML file generation program from the program ROM, stores it in the RAM, and starts it.
[0067]
Step T10: (Presence / absence of change in recorded contents)
The HTML file generation program checks the presence / absence of a write flag for the image information recorded in the memory card 7 to check whether there is a change in the presence / absence of addition of a photographed image, deletion of a recorded image, etc. It is determined whether or not there is a change in the recorded content in the created recording process. If there is a change in the recorded content, the process proceeds to T11. If there is no change, the process proceeds to T13.
[0068]
Step T11: (HTML file generation)
If there is a change in the recording contents of the memory card in step T10, the HTML file generation program reads the title data B, HTML files C and D-1 and the shooting information file 30 (HTML file D-2 shown in FIG. 5). ) And temporarily stored in the working memory 6, and each HTML file is newly generated by adding fluctuating shooting information and pointers (if the memory card 7 is new and there is no previous image, this time Each HTML file is generated with only the image of
[0069]
For the shooting information file 30, the control unit 4 checks the contents of the setting condition recording register when an image is added (when a shot image is recorded) based on the HTML file creation program, and FIG. The item name (character code string) of the language corresponding to the content (setting value) of the setting condition recording register is associated with the prescribed format (item display position) of the imaging information file 30 from the imaging information language data table 90 as shown in FIG. Next, the shooting data group 23 (FIG. 2) of the added image is converted into a language notation (character code string) in which the language is set, and is associated with a prescribed format (shooting data display position) of the shooting information file 30 (FIG. 2). 9 (b)). If the image has been deleted, the description relating to the image information corresponding to the deleted image is deleted from the shooting information file 30.
[0070]
Alternatively, a reduced image HTML file may be taken out from the memory card 7 and temporarily stored in the working memory 6, and each HTML file may be newly generated by adding image information or a pointer that has changed. .
[0071]
Step T12: (Recording of HTML file)
When the generation of the HTML file is completed, the control unit 4 takes out the HTML file stored in the work memory 6 and overwrites the previous HTML file so that the arrangement (logical arrangement) shown in FIG. 5 is obtained. Record as you do.
[0072]
Step T13: (Power off)
When the writing of the HTML file to the memory card 7 is completed, the control unit 4 shuts off the power (power off).
[0073]
In step T11, an HTML file is newly generated based on the previous image and the current image, and is overwritten on the previous HTML file in the memory card 7 in step T12. Alternatively, additional description data of each HTML file may be generated and added to the previous HTML file of the memory card 7 at step T12.
[0074]
Although the HTML file is created when the power is turned off in the above flowchart, the HTML file is created when an HTML file creation instruction operation is performed, or the HTML file is taken at the time of shooting (between steps T4 and T5). A file may be created (updated), and an HTML file may be recorded during image recording processing.
[0075]
(Operation example when creating a shooting information file)
FIG. 9B is a diagram showing an operation example of the control unit 4 when the shooting information file 30 (HTML file D-2) is created by the HTML file creation program (step T11 in FIG. 9A). The case where the settable language is either English (setting value of setting language recording register = 1) or Japanese (setting value = 2) will be described.
[0076]
Step U1: (Determine contents of set language recording register)
The control unit 4 examines the contents of the setting language recording register. When the setting value is “1”, it is determined that the setting language = English and the process proceeds to U2. When the setting value is “2”, the setting language = Japan. It judges with a word and changes to U8.
[0077]
Step U2: (Association of English item names)
The control unit 4 associates each character code string in the English item column 91-1 of the photographing information item table (90) as shown in FIG. 11 with each character item display position described in the photographing information file 30 ( The associated result (pointer) is recorded in the photographing information file 30 in units of images (hereinafter the same).
[0078]
Step U3: (shooting data type determination)
The control unit 4 sequentially examines each piece of shooting data recorded in the shooting information area of the image file 20 shown in FIG. 2, transitions to U4 if it is code data, and to U5 if it is numerical data. Transition.
[0079]
Step U4: (Code / character conversion)
The control unit 4 compares the code correspondence table (120) as shown in FIG. 12 and the photographing data (code), and the English character code among the character codes corresponding to the matching code is described in the photographing information file D-2. Corresponding to the display position of the captured image data, the process proceeds to U6. For example, when the shooting data of the item “Quality” (data number = 1) in FIG. 3 is the code “1”, the character code corresponding to the English notation “Fine” of the code “1” in the code column 122 of FIG. Corresponding to the display position of quality described in the file 30.
[0080]
Step U5: (Numeric unit conversion)
The control unit 4 associates the photographic data (numerical value) with the display position of the photographic data described in the photographic information file 30, and the unit corresponding to the photographic data from the unit conversion table (130) as shown in FIG. Among them, the English character code is associated with the unit display position of the photographing data described in the photographing information file D-2, and the process proceeds to U6. For example, in FIG. 13, when the shooting data is shutter speed (numerical data) “Shutter speed” (data number = 7), the numerical value is associated with the display position of the shutter speed and the character code corresponding to the unit “sec” in English Is associated with the end of the shutter speed display position described in the photographing information file 30.
[0081]
Step U6: (Finish one-image shooting data determination)
The control unit 4 checks whether or not the conversion (association) of the display language of the image data of the image has been completed. If the conversion has been completed, the control unit 4 transitions to U7, and if not, the process proceeds to U3. .
[0082]
Step U7: (Finished image end determination)
The control unit 4 checks whether or not the processing of the above steps has been completed for all of the photographed images (or additional images). If the processing has been completed, the processing is terminated, and if not, the process proceeds to U2.
[0083]
Step U8: (Photographing data type determination)
The control unit 4 examines each piece of shooting data recorded in the shooting information area of the image file 20, transitions to U9 if it is code data, and transitions to U10 if it is numerical data.
[0084]
Step U9: (Code / character conversion)
The control unit 4 compares the code in the code column 122 of the code correspondence table (120) with the code of the shooting data, and the Japanese character code among the character codes corresponding to the matching code is described in the shooting information file D-2. The display transitions to U11 in association with the display position of the captured image data. For example, when the shooting data of the item “image quality” (data number = 1) in FIG. 4 is the code “1”, the character code corresponding to the Japanese notation “high definition” of the code “1” in FIG. Is associated with the display position of the image quality described in.
[0085]
Step U10: (Numerical unit conversion)
The control unit 4 associates the photographic data (numerical value) with the display position of the photographic data described in the photographic information file 30 and, from the unit conversion table (130), the Japanese character code among the units corresponding to the photographic data. Is associated with the unit display position of the photographing data described in the photographing information file D-2, and the process proceeds to U11. For example, when the shooting data is shutter speed (numerical data) in FIG. 13, the numerical value is associated with the display position of the shutter speed, and the character code corresponding to the unit “second” written in Japanese is described in the shooting information file 30. Correspond to the end of the displayed shutter speed position.
[0086]
Step U11: (one-image shooting data end determination)
The control unit 4 checks whether or not the conversion (association) of the display language of the image data of the image has been completed. If all the conversions are completed, the control unit 4 makes a transition to U7, and otherwise makes a transition to U8. .
[0087]
As described above, since the shooting information file is created as an HTML file, the saved recording memory is used as an exchangeable recording medium such as a memory card, and the WWW browser is started by attaching it to the reading port of an external device such as a personal computer. By simply doing this, it is possible to view the shooting information created in the desired language expression. In addition, even when the storage recording memory is fixed inside the camera device, an HTML file such as a shooting information file and an image file may be transmitted to an external device via an output terminal so that they can be viewed with a WWW browser. it can.
[0088]
In addition, since the shooting data is recorded in the shooting information area of the image file in the data format, the shooting information can be browsed by switching the display language using the link software on the external device side.
[0089]
FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the structure of the display language conversion table for the selected menu. The display language conversion table 80 includes a hierarchy number column 81 indicating the menu hierarchy, a menu displayed on the menu screen, an operation guide, A menu number field 82 associated with the message and a language field (English field 83-1, Japanese field 83-2, German field 83-3,...) In which the display language is recorded in a character code are provided. (In FIG. 10, English, Japanese,... Are shown for explanation, but the corresponding character codes are actually stored). By using such a language conversion table, the control unit 4 can display the menu of the selection menu screen in the set language.
[0090]
FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of the structure of the shooting information item table used when creating the shooting information file. The shooting information item table 90 is an English item column 91-1, in which English character codes are recorded in the order of items. 11 has a Japanese item column 91-2 in which the character code of the word is recorded in the order of items, a German item column 91-3 in which the character code of the German is recorded in the order of the item (in FIG. 11, in the item name) Is described in English, Japanese, etc. for explanation, but the corresponding character codes are actually stored). By using such a shooting information item table, the shooting information file 30 can be created so that it can be viewed in a set language.
[0091]
FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of the structure of the code correspondence table used when the photographing information file is created. The code correspondence table 120 includes a data number column 121 indicating the order (position) of photographing data and the photographing data. From a code column 122 indicating a code (value or character), and an English column 123-1, a Japanese column 123-2, a German column 123-3, and the like including a character code string indicating the data content corresponding to the code. It has become. By using such a code correspondence table, the shooting information file 30 can be created so that shooting data recorded with a code can be viewed in a set language.
[0092]
FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of the structure of the unit conversion table used when the shooting information file is created. The unit conversion table 130 includes a data number column 131 indicating the order (position) of shooting data and the shooting data of the shooting data file. It consists of a unit column (English column 132-1, Japanese column 132-2, German column 132-3,...) That indicates the unit by the character code of the display language. By using such a unit conversion table, the shooting information file 30 can be created so that the unit of the shooting data can be viewed in the set language.
[0093]
The shooting information item table 90 shown in FIG. 11, the code correspondence table 120 shown in FIG. 12, and the unit conversion table 130 shown in FIG. 13 may be recorded in the storage recording memory 7 or non-volatile. It may be recorded in the memory 5. Further, it may be provided in the HTML file creation program as a constant (table constant) of the HTML file creation program.
[0094]
Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and it goes without saying that various modifications can be made.
[0095]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, on a recording medium on which a plurality of image files are recorded, shooting information in which shooting condition information of each image file is converted into shooting information in characters in a language type desired by the user who uses the device The files can be recorded together. When viewing and viewing the image of the image file recorded on the recording medium on an external device, each of the files is read by reading the shooting information file recorded together on the recording medium. The shooting conditions for each image can be immediately displayed and viewed as shooting information in the language type selected by the user.
[0096]
According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the recording medium can be attached to and detached from the apparatus main body, shooting information expressed in a language that is easy to understand by a user of an external apparatus such as a personal computer for the recording medium taken out from the apparatus main body. Can be provided.
[0098]
According to the third aspect of the present invention, the language expression of the menu screen of the electronic camera device can be matched with the language expression of the photographing information, which is easy for the user to understand. In addition, since the language expression of the menu and the language information of the shooting information are linked together in a single language setting operation, the setting language can be set individually such as the language setting for the menu and the language setting for the shooting information. The operation is simple.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a circuit configuration example of a digital camera to which the present invention is applied.
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of an image file.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a shooting information file.
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a shooting information file.
FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of a configuration example of a recording area of a memory card.
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a language setting screen.
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a selection menu.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an operation example when setting a language of the digital camera.
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an operation example when a shooting information file expressed in a set language is displayed.
FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the structure of a display language conversion table for a selection menu screen.
FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of the structure of a shooting information item table used when a shooting information file is created.
FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of a structure of a code correspondence table used when creating a shooting information file.
FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of the structure of a unit conversion table used when creating a shooting information file.
[Explanation of symbols]
4 Control section (imaging information acquisition means, selection means, character code recording means, display means, control code recording means)
5 Non-volatile memory (display language setting means)
8 Display (display means)
7 Memory card, storage recording memory (character code recording means, control code recording means)
9 Data transmitter / receiver (character code output means)
10 I / O terminal (character code output means)
60 Language setting screen (display language setting means)
100 Digital camera (electronic camera device)

Claims (6)

In an electronic camera device that records captured images,
Image file recording control means for acquiring shooting condition information relating to shooting conditions at the time of image shooting and recording an image file including the shot image data and the shooting condition information on a recording medium;
Selection means for selecting a desired language type multiple among languages species prepared in advance,
Conversion means for reading a plurality of image files recorded on the recording medium, and for each image file, converting shooting condition information in the image file into shooting information by characters in the language type selected by the selection means When,
Shooting that creates a shooting information file of a predetermined format that can be browsed by an external device based on a plurality of shooting information converted for each image file, and records the shooting information file on a recording medium that records the image files Information file recording control means;
An electronic camera device comprising: The electronic camera apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the recording medium is detachable from the apparatus main body. Display means for displaying a menu screen;
Display language setting means for setting the display characters of the menu screen displayed on the display means to a desired language,
Said selecting means, said display selecting the set language by the language setting means, it electronic camera apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in. Power off means for turning off the power of the device by any power off operation;
At the time of power-off operation by the power-off means, prior to the power-off, based on each image file recorded on the recording medium, conversion to photographing information by the converting means and photographing by the photographing information file recording control means 4. The electronic camera device according to claim 1, wherein an information file is created. A discriminating means for discriminating whether or not there is a change in the recording content of each image file recorded on the recording medium;
When it is determined by the determination means that there is a change in the recording content, the conversion by the conversion means is converted into shooting information based on each image file recorded on the recording medium, and the shooting by the shooting information file recording control means is performed. 5. The electronic camera device according to claim 1, wherein an information file is created. In an electronic camera device that records captured images,
When shooting an image, obtain shooting condition information related to shooting conditions at the time of shooting the image, record the shot image data and an image file including the shooting condition information on a recording medium,
Select the desired language species within the previously prepared plurality of languages species
Reading a plurality of image files recorded on the recording medium, for each image file, to convert shooting condition information in the image file into shooting information by characters in the selected language type,
Creating a shooting information file of a predetermined format that can be viewed on an external device based on a plurality of shooting information converted for each image file, and recording the shooting information file on a recording medium that records the image files;
An imaging information recording method characterized by the above.

Images