JP4888350B2 - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention has storage means capable of storing data, generates a file list for managing file information relating to image files stored in an external storage medium in the storage means, and generates an image file based on the file list. The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that executes processing relating to formation.

  Conventionally, in a printer, an external storage medium such as a memory card can be connected, and an image is formed using an image file stored in the external storage medium.

  In such a printer, when it is detected that an external storage medium is connected, a file list including file information such as a full path file name and a file creation date is created for the image file stored in the external storage medium. Are stored in a memory in the printer (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In the file list, for example, file information is arranged in accordance with the ASCII (American Standard Code for Information Interchange) code order (ascending order or descending order) of the full path file name and stored in the memory.

  In the printer, each image is displayed on a display device in accordance with the order in which the file information stored in the file list is arranged.

  In some printers, the full path file name of each image file is configured as a file tree, and a pointer to a structure corresponding to the file name of the file tree is stored in the file list.

JP 2007-125802 A

  For example, in order to arrange the file information in the file list in the order of the ASCII code, it is necessary to sort using the full path file name in the file information, and to rearrange each file information. The problem is that it takes time.

  Further, when the full path file name is managed as a file tree and a pointer to the structure of the file name in the file tree is stored in the file list, the file information of the file list is stored in the ASCII code. In order to sort in order, the full path file name must be acquired from the file tree using the pointer in the file information, which causes a problem that the processing load becomes heavier and the processing takes a long time.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a technique for making it possible to quickly use file information in a file list in a predetermined order.

  To achieve the above object, the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention has storage means capable of storing data, and manages file information related to image files stored in an external storage medium in the storage means. An image forming apparatus that generates a file list to be executed and executes processing relating to image formation of the image file based on the file list, wherein the first file name includes a plurality of image file names and path names from the external storage medium. A first file information acquisition unit for acquiring file information; a file tree generation unit for generating a file tree in the storage unit for managing the path name and the file name so as to be acquired according to an ASCII code order; and the first file. The file name and the path name in the information indicate the file name of the corresponding image file Generating second file information replaced with a pointer in the file tree, storing a file list including the second file information in the storage unit, and the path name and the order of the ASCII code of the file name, File name pointer acquisition means for acquiring the pointer indicating the file name from the file tree, the acquired pointer is specified in a predetermined order, and the second file associated with the pointer from the file list First identification number acquisition means for acquiring an identification number indicating information, and management list generation means for generating a management list arranged in the order in which the identification numbers are acquired.

  In the image forming apparatus, second identification number acquisition means for acquiring the identification numbers stored in the management list in a predetermined order, and second information for acquiring the second file information corresponding to the identification number from the file list. 2 file information acquisition means; path name / file name acquisition means for acquiring the file name and path name based on the second file information; and the external name based on the acquired file name and path name. You may make it have an image file acquisition means which acquires the said image file from a storage medium, and a display means which displays and outputs the image corresponding to the acquired said image file in the order acquired.

  In the image forming apparatus, the file tree generation unit generates a plurality of the file trees according to the type of the image file, and the file list generation unit includes a plurality of the file trees according to the type of the image file. A file list may be stored, and the management list creation means may create a plurality of the management lists according to the type of the image file.

  In the image forming apparatus, the file tree generation unit may generate a file tree that manages the path name and the file name so that they can be acquired in descending order of ASCII codes.

  In the image forming apparatus, the file name pointer acquisition unit stores the acquired pointers in the pointer list in the order of acquisition, and the second identification number acquisition unit stores the pointers in the order stored in the pointer list. The pointer may be specified based on the identification number, and the identification number may be acquired.

  In the image forming apparatus, the second identification number acquisition unit may acquire the identification number by specifying the pointer in an ascending order of the ASCII code of the corresponding path name and the file name. May be.

  In order to achieve the above object, a file management method according to the second aspect of the present invention includes a storage unit capable of storing data, and the storage unit stores file information relating to an image file stored in an external storage medium. A file management method by an image forming apparatus that creates a file list for managing the image file and executes processing related to image formation of the image file based on the file list, wherein the file information acquisition unit of the image forming apparatus includes the external information A file information acquisition step of acquiring first file information including file names and path names of a plurality of image files from a storage medium; and a file tree generation means of the image forming apparatus, wherein the path names and the file names are converted into ASCII codes. A file tree that generates a file tree in the storage means that is managed so as to be obtainable in order. And a file list generation unit of the image forming apparatus replaces the file name and the path name in the first file information with a pointer in the file tree indicating the file name of the corresponding image file. A file list generation step of generating file information and storing a file list including the second file information in the storage unit; and a file name pointer acquisition unit of the image forming apparatus, the path name and the ASCII code of the file name The file name pointer acquisition step for acquiring the pointer indicating the file name from the file tree in accordance with the order of the first identification number acquisition means of the image forming apparatus specifies the acquired pointer in a predetermined order. , Associated with the pointer from the file list. An identification number acquisition step of acquiring an identification number indicating the second file information, and a management list generation step of generating a management list in which the management list generation means of the image forming apparatus is arranged in the order in which the identification numbers are acquired; Have

  In order to achieve the above object, a file management program according to the third aspect of the present invention has a storage unit capable of storing data, and the storage unit stores file information relating to an image file stored in an external storage medium. Is a file management program that is executed by a computer provided in an image forming apparatus that generates a file list for managing the image file and executes processing related to image formation of the image file based on the file list, A file information acquisition unit that acquires first file information including file names and path names of a plurality of image files from a storage medium, and a file tree that manages the path names and the file names so that they can be acquired according to the order of ASCII codes. File tree generation means for generating in the storage means, and the first file; Generating the second file information by replacing the file name and the path name in the information with a pointer in the file tree indicating the file name of the corresponding image file, and storing the file list including the second file information in the storage means A file list generating means for storing the file name, a file name pointer acquiring means for acquiring the pointer indicating the file name from the file tree in accordance with an ASCII code order of the path name and the file name, and the acquired pointer First identification number acquisition means for acquiring an identification number indicating the second file information associated with the pointer from the file list specified in a predetermined order, and a management list arranged in the order in which the identification numbers are acquired It is made to function as a management list generating means for generating.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The embodiments described below do not limit the invention according to the claims, and all the elements and combinations described in the embodiments are essential for the solution of the invention. Is not limited.

  First, a printer as an example of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described.

  FIG. 1 is a functional configuration diagram of a printer according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  In the multifunction device 1, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 10, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 11, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 12, an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory) 13, and an input interface unit (input) I / F unit) 14, display interface unit (display I / F unit) 15, scanner function unit 16, printer function unit 17, memory card interface unit (memory card I / F unit) 18, and communication interface A unit (communication I / F unit) 19 is connected via a bus 20. Here, the CPU 10, the ROM 11, the RAM 12, and the like correspond to a computer.

  The ROM 11 stores a program such as a boot program. In the present embodiment, the ROM 11 stores a program for file management processing and image formation processing described later.

  The RAM 12 is used as an area for storing programs and data, or as a work area for storing data used for processing by the CPU 10. In the present embodiment, the RAM 12 can store a plurality of file management information 12a. The file management information 12a includes a file list FL (file list) for storing file information of files, a file tree FT (file tree) indicating a hierarchical structure of file names and path names, and file number management as an example of a management list. The list FML is stored. In the present embodiment, the file management information 12a is made different according to the type of image file. For example, a PIF (PRINT Image Framer) file and a type capable of forming an image with the printer 1 other than the PIF (for example, JPEG format, The image file (predetermined image file) in the TIFF format or the like is managed by another file management information 12a. Here, the PIF file is a frame image file that can be formed together with a predetermined image file.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of file information according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2A shows an example of file information of the first type image file, and FIG. 2B shows an example of file information of the PIF file.

  The file information FI of the predetermined image file has a full path file name field 31, a file creation date field 32, a file creation time field 33, a PIF association flag field 34, and an image check information field 35.

  The full path file name field 31 stores a full path file name of the corresponding predetermined image file (that is, all path names and file names from the root directory) or a pointer indicating a storage area from which the full path file name can be acquired. Is done. In the file information FI, the information stored in the full path file name field 31 differs depending on the situation. For example, if the file information FI is taken out from the memory card 2, the full path file name is stored in the file information FI. If the file information FI is in the list FL, a pointer to the item information structure IS (see FIG. 3B) of the file name of the file tree FT is stored. Here, each of the hierarchical directory and file included in the path name in the full path file name is referred to as an item, and the name is referred to as an item name. For example, if there is an image file having a full path file name “a: ¥ b ¥ c.jpg”, each of “a:”, “b”, and “c.jpg” is an item name.

  The file creation date field 32 stores the date when the corresponding predetermined image file was created. The file creation time field 33 stores the time when the corresponding predetermined image file was created. The PIF association flag field 34 stores a flag indicating whether or not there is a PIF file associated with the corresponding predetermined image file. The image check information field 35 stores information indicating the state of the image of the predetermined image file, for example, information about a determination result such as whether the image has been checked, whether it is a normal image, or an abnormal image.

  The file information FI of the PIF file includes a full path file name field 41, a file creation date field 42, a file creation time field 43, a PIF type field 44, a support paper size (dedicated paper) field 45, and a support paper size ( A plain paper) field 46, a UUID field 47, a photo frame number field 48, and a cast image number field 49.

  The full path file name field 41 stores a full path file name of the corresponding PIF file (that is, all path names and file names from the root directory) or a pointer indicating a storage area from which the full path file name can be obtained. The The file information FI differs in the information stored in the full path file name field 41 depending on the situation. For example, if the file information FI is taken out from the memory card 2, the full path file name is stored and the file information FI If the file information FI is in the list FL, a pointer to the item information structure IS (see FIG. 3B) of the file name of the file tree FT is stored.

  The file creation date field 42 stores the date when the corresponding PIF file was created. The file creation time field 43 stores the time when the corresponding PIF file was created. The PIF type field 44 stores the type of the PIF file. The supported paper size (dedicated paper) field 45 stores the paper size of dedicated paper (other than plain paper) supported by the corresponding PIF file. The supported paper size (plain paper) field 46 stores the paper size of plain paper supported by the corresponding PIF file. The UUID field 47 stores a UUID that is an ID for uniquely identifying a PIF file. The UUID is used for associating with the image file of the image to be printed together with the PIF file. The header of the image file associated with the PIF file stores the UUID of the associated PIF file.

  The photo frame number field 48 stores the number of frames in which an image can be printed in the corresponding PIF file. The number of images that can be selected in one PIF file is stored in the number-of-flowed images field 49. Note that the number of images to be cast does not necessarily match the number of frames, and is smaller than the number of frames when the same image is assigned to different frames. For example, when there are three frames on which an image can be printed and the same image is assigned to two of the three frames, the number of images to be cast is two.

  Next, the structure of the file tree FT will be described.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a file tree according to an embodiment of the present invention. The predetermined image file will be described as an example, but the same applies to the file tree of the PIF file.

  When three predetermined image files “a: ¥ b ¥ c.jpg”, “a: ¥ b ¥ d.jpg”, and “a: ¥ b ¥ e.jpg” exist, the file tree FL becomes It is generated as a structure as shown in FIG. 3A. That is, the directory “b” is connected to the lower side of the directory “a:”, and the files “e.jpg”, “d.jpg”, and “c.jpg” are connected to the lower side thereof. In the present embodiment, items in the same hierarchy having the same parent are arranged in descending order of ASCII codes. Therefore, the full path file name can be acquired in descending order of the ASCII code by tracing the file tree FT.

  FIG. 3B shows an example of an item information structure constituting the file tree FL.

  The item information structure IS has an item name field 51, a parent structure pointer 52, a child structure pointer 53, and a next structure pointer 54. The file tree FL stores an item information structure IS corresponding to each item.

  The item name field 51 stores a corresponding item name or a pointer to a storage area in which the item name is stored. The parent structure pointer 52 stores a pointer to the item information structure IS of the parent (upper) item. The child structure pointer 53 stores a pointer to the item information structure IS of an item that is a child (lower level). The next structure pointer 54 is a pointer (next structure) to the item information structure IS of items in the same hierarchy with the same parent and in the next order (in this embodiment, descending order of the ASCII code). Pointer) is stored. Therefore, by tracing the next structure pointer, the item name can be acquired in the descending order of the ASCII code. The full path file name can be acquired by tracing the parent structure pointer of each item information structure IS in order from the item information structure IS of the file name.

  Returning to the description of FIG. 1, the EEPROM 13 is a rewritable nonvolatile memory, and stores various information that needs to be stored even when the printer 1 is not powered on.

  A key unit 21 is connected to the input I / F unit 14. The input I / F unit 14 outputs the signal from the key unit 21 as data to the CPU 10. The key unit 21 includes an upper key, a lower key, a left key, a right key, an OK key, a start key, a stop key, a numeric key, and the like (not shown) provided on the casing of the printer 1. The signal is output to the input I / F unit 14. The display I / F unit 15 includes, for example, a VRAM (Video Random Access Memory), generates image data according to a screen to be displayed under the control of the CPU 10, and displays the screen on a liquid crystal display device (LCD) 22. Let

  The scanner function unit 16 reads a document such as paper or an OHP sheet placed on a document feed tray (not shown) and generates digital image data. The printer function unit 17 forms an image on an image forming medium such as paper, an OHP sheet, cardboard, or an envelope.

  The memory card I / F unit 18 has a connector to which a memory card 2 as an example of an external storage medium can be attached and detached, and mediates data exchange between the memory card 2 and the CPU 10. Examples of the memory card 2 include a USB memory, an SD card, a smart media, and a PC card.

  The communication I / F unit 19 is connectable to a network, and mediates data exchange with other devices via the network.

  CPU10 controls operation | movement of each part 11-19. Further, the CPU 10 reads out the program stored in the ROM 11 to the RAM 12 and executes it, whereby the reception processing unit 10a, the processing execution control unit 10b, the file list processing unit 10c, the file tree processing unit 10d, and the display processing The unit 10e and the image formation control unit 10f are configured to execute various processes. Here, the first file information acquisition unit, the management list generation unit, the first identification number acquisition unit, the second identification number acquisition unit, and the image file acquisition unit are mainly configured by the processing execution control unit 10b, and the file tree generation unit The file name pointer acquisition unit and the path name / file name acquisition unit are mainly configured by the file tree processing unit 10d, and the file list generation unit and the identification number acquisition unit mainly include the process execution control unit 10b and the file. The second file information acquisition unit is mainly configured by the file list processing unit 10c, and the display unit is mainly configured by the display processing unit 10e.

  The reception processing unit 10 a receives various instructions from the user for the key unit 21. In the present embodiment, the reception processing unit 10a receives an instruction input such as a copy process, a scan process, and a print process, an instruction for an image to be displayed, an instruction for selecting an image to be formed, and the like.

  The process execution control unit 10b reads file information (first file information) from the PIF file and the predetermined image file stored in the memory card 2, and controls the units 10a, 10c, 10d, 10e, and 10f. Specific processing executed by the processing execution control unit 10b will be described later.

  The file list processing unit 10c acquires file information from the process execution control unit 10b, and executes a process of registering in the corresponding file list FL according to the file type. In addition, the file list processing unit 10c acquires file information or predetermined information in the file information from the file list FL in response to a command from the process execution control unit 10b, and executes processing to be passed to the process execution control unit 10b.

  The file tree processing unit 10d receives the full path file name from the process execution control unit 10b, and executes processing for generating a corresponding file tree FT according to the file type. Further, the file tree processing unit 10d determines whether or not there is an item information structure IS of the corresponding item in the file tree FL at that time in order from the higher-order item of the full path file name. Further, while the processing for the lower items proceeds, if there is no corresponding item information structure IS, a new item information structure IS corresponding to the item is generated, and the item information structure IS and the connection relation are generated. Is updated so that the pointers of the other item information structures IS to be changed are connected in descending order of the ASCII codes of the full path file names corresponding to the item information structures IS.

  For example, in the case where the file tree FT as shown in FIG. 3A is generated, when a new “a: ¥ b ¥ f.jpg” is received, the file tree shown in FIG. 3C is generated. Specifically, the file tree processing unit 10d generates an item information structure IS of “f.jpg” in the hierarchy immediately below “b”, and the item information structure IS is arranged in descending order of the ASCII code. A pointer to the new item information structure IS of “f.jpg” is stored in the child structure pointer 53 of the item information structure IS of the upper “b”, and the item information structure of “f.jpg” is stored. The IS next structure pointer 54 stores a pointer to the item information structure IS of “e.jpg”.

  Returning to the description of FIG. 1, the file tree processing unit 10d executes a process of acquiring a full path file name from the file tree FT and passing it to the process execution control unit 10b in response to a command from the process execution control unit 10b.

  The display processing unit 10e displays a screen for selecting an image for image formation.

  The image formation control unit 10f receives the image file of the image selected by the reception processing unit 10a from the processing execution control unit 10b, and causes the printer function unit 17 to form the image of the image file on the image forming medium.

  Next, file management processing in the printer 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart of file management processing according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating file management processing according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  The file management process is started when the process execution control unit 10b detects that the memory card 2 is inserted in the memory card I / F unit 18.

  When the execution of the file management process is started, the process execution control unit 10b reads one image file in the memory card 2 in a predetermined order (for example, FAT (File Allocation Table) order), and file information (first 1 file information) is acquired (step S1), and it is determined whether the type of the read file is a PIF file, a predetermined image file, or another file (step S2).

  If it is determined in step S2 that the read file is a predetermined image file, the process execution control unit 10b acquires the full path file name from the file information and passes the full path file name to the file tree creation processing unit 10d. Then, a file tree FT for a predetermined image file including the structure of the full path file name is generated in the RAM 12 (step S3). Next, the process execution control unit 10b replaces the full path file name of the file information with a pointer to the item information structure IS of the file name in the file tree FT for the predetermined image file generated by the file tree processing unit 10d. File information (second file information) is registered in the file list FL for a predetermined image file in the RAM 12 by the file list processing unit 10c (step S4).

  If it is determined in step S2 that the read file is a PIF file, the process execution control unit 10b acquires the full path file name from the file information, and sends the full path file name to the file tree creation processing unit 10d. The file tree FT for the PIF file including the structure of the full path file name is generated in the RAM 12 (step S5). Next, the process execution control unit 10b replaces the full path file name of the file information with a pointer to the item information structure IS of the file name in the file tree FT for the PIF file generated by the file tree processing unit 10d. Information (second file information) is registered in the file list FL for the PIF file in the RAM 12 by the file list processing unit 10c (step S6).

  When step S4 is completed, when step S6 is completed, or when it is determined in step S2 that the read file is another file, the process execution control unit 10b reads into the memory card 2. It is determined whether there is another image file that is not (step S7), and if there is another image file (step S7: YES), the processing steps from step S1 are executed.

  On the other hand, if there is no other image file (step S7: NO), the process execution control unit 10b causes the file tree processing unit 10c to select a file name corresponding to the predetermined image file from the file tree FT for the predetermined image file. The file name item pointer list PL is created by acquiring the pointers (file name item pointers) to the item information structure IS in the order in which the full path file names are in descending order of the ASCII code and arranging the pointers in the order in which the pointers are acquired ( Step S8, (1) of FIG.

  Next, the process execution control unit 10b extracts the item pointers in order from the bottom (end) of the file name item pointer list PL (corresponding to the ascending order of the ASCII code of the full path file name), and the file list processing unit 10c performs the file list FL. The file information FI storing the item pointer is retrieved (step S9, (2) in FIG. 5), and the registration number (identification number) in the file list FL of the retrieved file information FI is acquired (step S10). (2) of FIG. Here, the registration number indicates the order from the top of the file information in the file list FL. The registration number of the file information may be stored in association with the file information in the file list FL, stored in the file information, or the file number in the file list FL, for example. You may make it calculate based on the storage position of information.

  Next, the process execution control unit 10b adds the acquired registration numbers to the file number management list FML so that they are arranged in the registration order (step S11, FIG. 5 (3)). Thereby, in the file number management list FML, the registration numbers of the file information are arranged from the top in the ascending order of the ASCII code of the full path file name corresponding to the file information.

  The process execution processing unit 10b determines whether there is another item pointer in the previous order in the item pointer PL (step S12). If there is another item pointer, the process steps from step S9 are performed. Execute. On the other hand, if there is no other item pointer (step S12, NO), the process execution processing unit 10b has created the file management list ML for all types of files that have created the file tree FT and the file list FL. If it is determined that the file has not been created, the same processing (steps S8 to S12) as described above is executed for the file of the type that has not been created.

  On the other hand, if the file management list ML of all the created types of files has been created, the process ends.

According to the above process, the file number management list FML allows the file information registration numbers for the corresponding types of image files to be arranged from the top in the ascending order of the ASCII codes of the full path file names corresponding to the file information. By referring to the registration numbers in order from the top of the file number management list FML and acquiring the file information corresponding to the registration numbers, the file information can be acquired in the ascending order of the ASCII codes. Further, by referring to the registration numbers in order from the end of the file number management list FML and acquiring the file information corresponding to the registration numbers, the file information can be acquired in descending order of the ASCII code. For this reason, in order to be able to acquire file information according to the order of the ASCII code, it is not necessary to execute processing for sorting each file information itself in the file list FL, and the time required for processing can be drastically reduced. it can.
Here, in the present embodiment, when generating the file tree FT for the image file read from the memory card 2, the file tree FT is generated so that the full path file names are arranged in descending order of the ASCII code. The effect of this will be described below.

  For example, generally, an image file generated in time series by a digital camera is stored in the memory card 2 with a full path file name in ascending order of ASCII codes. For this reason, when the image file is read from the memory card 2 in the FAT order, the image file is relatively likely to be read in the ascending order of the ASCII code.

  When the file tree FT is arranged in descending order of the ASCII code as in the present embodiment, when an item information structure IS having a new full path file name is added, for example, the ASCII code located at the head of each layer is used. The item information structures IS are sequentially compared in order from the largest item name (directory name, file name) to determine the position where the item information structures IS are arranged. At this time, since the full path file name of the image file read from the memory card 2 is likely to be in the ascending order of the ASCII code as described above, it is compared with the item name having the largest ASCII code at each layer. There is a high possibility that the arrangement position of the item information structure IS will be determined. For this reason, there is an effect that the comparison process in generating the file tree FT can be reduced.

  Next, an image forming process of the printer 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart of image forming processing according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  First, it is determined whether or not the reception processing unit 10a has received a request to execute image selection from the user (step S21), and waits until the request is received.

  When the request is received, the process execution control unit 10b specifies and acquires the number in the next order (first in the case of the first) from the file number management list FML, and the file list processing unit 10c acquires the number from the file list FL. The file information FI corresponding to the acquired number is acquired (step S22), the item pointer of the file information FI is passed to the file tree processing unit 10d, and the file tree processing unit 10d responds from the file tree FT using the item pointer. The full path file name of the image file is acquired (step S23).

  Next, the process execution control unit 10b specifies the corresponding image file from the memory card 2 using the acquired full path file name, acquires the image file (step S24), and displays the image corresponding to the image file. Displayed on the LCD 22 by the unit 10e (step S25).

  Thereafter, it is determined whether or not the reception processing unit 10a has received a request to display an image of the next image file from the user (step S26). When the request is received, the process execution control unit 10b In S22, the next order of the file number management list FML is acquired, the file information FI corresponding to the next order is acquired, and the subsequent processing is executed. Since the file information FI in the next order is the file information FI related to the image file whose full path file name is in ascending order of the ASCII code, the image can be displayed according to the order of the ASCII code by performing the subsequent processing. .

  On the other hand, if the request has not been received, the reception processing unit 10a determines whether an image to be subjected to image formation has been selected (step S27). If the request has not been selected, the process proceeds to step S26. On the other hand, if selected, the process execution control unit 10b passes the image file of the selected image to the image formation control unit 10f, and the image formation control unit 10f sends the image formation data based on the image file. The image forming data is generated and transmitted to the printer function unit 17, and the printer function unit 17 forms an image on the image forming medium (step S28).

  Although the present invention has been described based on the embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be applied to various other modes.

  For example, in the above embodiment, when generating the file tree FT for the image file read from the memory card 2, the file tree FT is generated so that the full path file names are arranged in descending order of the ASCII code. The file tree FT may be arranged so that the full path file names are arranged in ascending order of ASCII codes.

  In the above-described embodiment, reading is performed from the end of the item pointer list PL, and is arranged from the top of the file number management list FML. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the file number management list FML is read from the top of the item pointer list PL. You may make it line up from the head. In this way, since the file numbers are arranged in descending order of the ASCII codes in order from the top of the file number management list FML, when using the file information in descending order of the ASCII codes, the registration numbers are entered from the top of the file number management list FML. What is necessary is just to read and use, and when using it in the ascending order of the ASCII code, it may be read and used in order from the end of the file number management list FML.

  In the above embodiment, the memory card 2 directly connected to the printer 1 is shown as an example of the external storage medium. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a PC (Personal Computer), a mobile phone, a mobile terminal The storage medium may be a storage medium provided in the storage medium, or a storage medium connected to these devices. In short, any storage medium that can store a plurality of image files may be used.

FIG. 2 is a functional configuration diagram of a printer according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the file information which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure explaining the file tree which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart of the file management process which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure explaining the file management process which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. 5 is a flowchart of image forming processing according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Printer, 2 Memory card, 10 CPU, 11 ROM, 12 RAM, 12a File management information, 13 EEPROM, 14 Input I / F part, 15 Display I / F part, 16 Scanner function part, 17 Printer function part, 18 Memory Card I / F part, 19 Communication I / F part, 20 Bus, 21 Key part, 22 LCD, FT file tree, FL file list, FML file number management list, FI file information.

Claims (8)

A storage unit capable of storing data; generating a file list for managing file information relating to an image file stored in an external storage medium in the storage unit; and relating to image formation of the image file based on the file list An image forming apparatus that executes processing,
First file information acquisition means for acquiring first file information including file names and path names of a plurality of image files from the external storage medium;
File tree generation means for generating a file tree in the storage means for managing the path name and the file name so as to be obtainable according to the order of ASCII codes;
A file list including the second file information generated by replacing the file name and the path name in the first file information with a pointer in the file tree indicating the file name of the corresponding image file. A file list generating means for storing in the storage means;
File name pointer acquisition means for acquiring the pointer indicating the file name from the file tree according to the order of the ASCII code of the path name and the file name;
First identification number acquisition means for identifying the acquired pointers in a predetermined order and acquiring an identification number indicating the second file information associated with the pointer from the file list;
An image forming apparatus comprising: a management list generating unit that generates a management list arranged in the order in which the identification numbers are acquired. Second identification number acquisition means for acquiring the identification numbers stored in the management list in a predetermined order;
Second file information acquisition means for acquiring the second file information corresponding to the identification number from the file list;
Path name / file name acquisition means for acquiring the file name and the path name based on the pointer of the second file information;
Image file acquisition means for acquiring the image file from the external storage medium based on the acquired file name and the path name;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a display unit configured to display and output images corresponding to the acquired image file in the order of acquisition. The file tree generation means generates a plurality of the file trees according to the type of the image file,
The file list generation means stores a plurality of the file lists according to the type of the image file,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the management list creation unit creates a plurality of the management lists according to a type of the image file. 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the file tree generation unit generates a file tree that manages the path name and the file name so as to be obtainable in descending order of ASCII codes. 5. The file name pointer acquisition means stores the acquired pointers in a pointer list in the order of acquisition,
5. The image formation according to claim 1, wherein the first identification number acquisition unit specifies the pointer based on an order stored in the pointer list and acquires the identification number. 6. apparatus. The said 1st identification number acquisition means specifies the said pointer in the order which becomes the ascending order of the corresponding path name and the said file name, and acquires the said identification number. The image forming apparatus according to one item. A storage unit capable of storing data, creating a file list for managing file information relating to an image file stored in an external storage medium in the storage unit, and relating to image formation of the image file based on the file list A file management method by an image forming apparatus that executes processing,
A file information acquisition step in which a first file information acquisition unit of the image forming apparatus acquires first file information including file names and path names of a plurality of image files from the external storage medium;
A file tree generation step in which the file tree generation unit of the image forming apparatus generates a file tree in the storage unit that manages the path name and the file name so as to be acquirable according to the order of ASCII codes;
The file list generation unit of the image forming apparatus generates second file information in which the file name and the path name in the first file information are replaced with a pointer in the file tree indicating the file name of the corresponding image file. And a file list generating step of storing a file list including the second file information in the storage means;
A file name pointer obtaining unit that obtains the pointer indicating the file name from the file tree according to the order of the ASCII code of the path name and the file name, the file name pointer obtaining unit of the image forming apparatus;
A first identification number acquisition unit of the image forming apparatus specifies the acquired pointers in a predetermined order, and acquires an identification number indicating the second file information associated with the pointers from the file list. An identification number acquisition step;
A file management method comprising: a management list generation step in which a management list generation unit of the image forming apparatus generates a management list arranged in the order in which the identification numbers are acquired. A storage unit capable of storing data; generating a file list for managing file information relating to an image file stored in an external storage medium in the storage unit; and relating to image formation of the image file based on the file list A file management program to be executed by a computer provided in an image forming apparatus that executes processing,
The computer,
First file information acquisition means for acquiring first file information including file names and path names of a plurality of image files from the external storage medium;
File tree generation means for generating a file tree in the storage means for managing the path name and the file name so as to be obtainable according to the order of ASCII codes;
A file list including the second file information generated by replacing the file name and the path name in the first file information with a pointer in the file tree indicating the file name of the corresponding image file. A file list generating means for storing in the storage means;
File name pointer acquisition means for acquiring the pointer indicating the file name from the file tree according to the order of the ASCII code of the path name and the file name;
First identification number acquisition means for identifying the acquired pointers in a predetermined order and acquiring an identification number indicating the second file information associated with the pointer from the file list;
A file management program that functions as a management list generation unit that generates a management list arranged in the order in which the identification numbers are acquired.

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