Abstract:
An image processing apparatus for recording and reproducing an image, comprises: a recording unit that records the image; a search unit that searches file data recorded in the recording unit when the apparatus is started; an operation unit that designates a predetermined operation to the apparatus; and a control unit that enables acceptance of an operation upon designation of the operation by said operation unit during a search of said search unit, even before the search is completed.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus that records and reproduces still images, moving images, sound and the like, a control method of said apparatus, a computer program, and a computer-readable storage medium. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Image processing apparatuses such as electronic cameras which photograph, record, and reproduce still images and moving images using a memory card having a solid-state memory as a recording medium have already been available in the market. There are also apparatuses which reproduce and display still images and moving images recorded in a recording medium on an electronic viewfinder such as a color liquid crystal panel. 
         [0003]    Recently, as recording media such as memory cards have increased the storage capacity, a memory card can store a large amount of images. At the same time, many directories can be generated in the memory card (e.g., Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-112708). 
         [0004]    In a case where such conventional image processing apparatus is started to reproduce and display an image stored in a memory card storing a large amount of images and directories, searching an image in the memory card takes time. As a result, the apparatus requires a long time before it can accept a next operation such as button depression, thus causing inconvenience. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    The present invention has been proposed in view of the above-described problem, and has as its object to reduce the time necessary before the apparatus can display image data during a file search. 
         [0006]    In order to solve the above-described problem and achieve the object, the present invention provides an image processing apparatus for recording and reproducing an image, comprising: a recording unit adapted to record the image; a search unit adapted to search file data recorded in the recording unit when the apparatus is started; an operation unit adapted to instruct a predetermined operation to the apparatus; and a control unit adapted to, in a case where the operation unit performs an operation during a search of the search unit, enable acceptance of the operation even before the search is completed. 
         [0007]    Furthermore, the present invention provides A control method of an image processing apparatus having a recording unit for recording an image and an operation unit for instructing a predetermined operation, comprising the steps of: 
         [0008]    searching file data recorded in the recording unit when the apparatus is started; and 
         [0009]    in a case where the operation unit performs an operation during a search in the searching step, controlling to enable acceptance of the operation even before the search is completed. 
         [0010]    By virtue of the present invention, even if a file search or a directory search is in progress upon startup of the apparatus, it is possible to reduce the time necessary before the apparatus can accept a predetermined operation. 
         [0011]    Other objects and advantages besides those discussed above shall be apparent to those skilled in the art from the description of a preferred embodiment of the invention which follows. In the description, reference is made to accompanying drawings, which form a part thereof, and which illustrate an example of the invention. Such example, however, is not exhaustive of the various embodiments of the invention, and therefore reference is made to the claims which follow the description for determining the scope of the invention. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
         [0012]    The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. 
           [0013]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram showing a construction of an image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  is a view showing as an example a back surface of the image processing apparatus according to the present invention; 
           [0015]      FIG. 3  is a flowchart describing a main routine according to the embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0016]      FIG. 4  is a flowchart describing button depression processing according to the embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0017]      FIG. 5  is a view showing as an example a directory structure according to the embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0018]      FIG. 6  is a view showing as an example a menu display screen according to the embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0019]      FIGS. 7A and 7B  are views showing as an example display screens with data indication and without data indication according to the embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0020]      FIG. 8  is a view showing as an example a display screen for delete processing according to the embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0021]      FIGS. 9A to 9C  are views showing as an example display screens for search processing according to the embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0022]      FIG. 10  is a view showing as an example a display screen for index playback according to the embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0023]      FIGS. 11A to 11C  are views showing as an example display screens for enlargement processing according to the embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0024]      FIG. 12  is a view showing a data indication screen displayed during a directory search according to the embodiment of the present invention; and 
           [0025]      FIG. 13  is a view showing as an example a display screen where an operation cannot be accepted according to the embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0026]      FIG. 14A  is a view showing a memory state upon acquisition of last image. 
           [0027]      FIG. 14B  is a view showing a memory state upon completion of all image search. 
           [0028]      FIG. 15  is a view showing data recorded in a memory when a directory search is temporarily halted and resumed. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0029]    A preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
         [0030]    Note that the embodiment which will be described below is provided as an example realizing the present invention, and should appropriately be corrected or modified in accordance with various conditions and configurations of the apparatus to which the present invention is applied. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to the following embodiment. 
         [0031]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram showing a construction of an electronic camera according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0032]    In  FIG. 1 , numeral  100  denotes an image processing apparatus typified by an electronic camera. 
         [0033]    Numeral  10  denotes a photographing lens;  12 , a shutter having a diaphragm function;  14 , an image capturing element which converts an optical image to electric signals; and  16 , an A/D converter which converts analog signals outputted by the image capturing element  14  to digital signals. 
         [0034]    Numeral  18  denotes a timing generator which supplies clock signals and control signals respectively to the A/D converter  16  and a D/A converter  26 , under the control of a memory controller  22  and a system controller  50 . 
         [0035]    Numeral  20  denotes an image processor which performs predetermined pixel interpolation and color conversion processing on image data from the A/D converter  16  or image data from the memory controller  22 . 
         [0036]    The image processor  20  performs predetermined calculations using the sensed image data. Also, the image processor  20  performs through-the-lens (TTL) auto focus (AF) processing, auto exposure (AE) processing, pre-flash (EF) processing as the control performed by the system controller  50  on an exposure controller  40  and a distance measurement controller  42  based on the calculation results. 
         [0037]    Further, the image processor  20  performs predetermined calculations using the sensed image data, and performs TTL auto white balance (AWB) processing based on the calculation results. 
         [0038]    Numeral  22  denotes a memory controller which controls the A/D converter  16 , the timing generator  18 , the image processor  20 , an image display memory  24 , the D/A converter  26 , a memory  30 , a compression/decompression unit  32 , and an A/D converter  72 . 
         [0039]    The image data outputted from the A/D converter  16  is written into the image display memory  24  or the memory  30  via the image processor  20  and the memory controller  22 , or only via the memory controller  22 . 
         [0040]    Numeral  24  denotes an image display memory;  26 , a D/A converter;  28 , an image display unit configured by a TFT, LCD or the like. Image data written in the image display memory  24  is displayed on the image display unit  28  via the D/A converter  26 . 
         [0041]    An electronic viewfinder function can be realized by sequentially displaying sensed image data on the image display unit  28 . 
         [0042]    Further, the image display unit  28  can arbitrarily be turned ON or OFF in accordance with an instruction from the system controller  50 . If the display is turned OFF, the electric consumption of the image processing apparatus  100  can be greatly reduced. 
         [0043]    Numeral  30  denotes a memory for storing sensed still images and moving images, and has a sufficient storage capacity for storing a predetermined number of still images and a predetermined period of moving images. 
         [0044]    By virtue of this, in serial photographing where plural numbers of still images are serially photographed or in panoramic photographing, a large amount of image data can be written into the memory  30  at high speed. 
         [0045]    Further, the memory  30  can be used as a work area of the system controller  50 . 
         [0046]    Numeral  32  denotes a compression/decompression unit which compresses or decompresses image data by adaptive discrete cosine transformation (ADCT) or the like. The compression/decompression unit  32  reads image data stored in the memory  30  and performs compression or decompression processing on the read image data, and writes the processed data into the memory  30 . 
         [0047]    Numeral  40  denotes an exposure controller which controls the shutter  12  having a diaphragm function. The exposure controller  40  interlocked with a flash  48  also has a flash controlling function. 
         [0048]    Numeral  42  denotes a distance measurement controller which controls focusing of the photographing lens  10 . Numeral  44  denotes a zoom controller which controls zooming of the photographing lens  10 . Numeral  46  denote a barrier controller which controls the operation of a protector  102  serving as a barrier. 
         [0049]    Numeral  48  denotes a flash having an AF auxiliary light projection function and a flash controlling function. 
         [0050]    The system controller  50  controls the exposure controller  40  and the distance measurement controller  42  by the TTL method, in accordance with the results of calculation performed by the image processor  20  based on the sensed image data. 
         [0051]    Numeral  50  denotes a system controller which controls the overall image processing apparatus  100 . Numeral  52  denotes a memory which stores constants, variables, and programs for operation of the system controller  50 . 
         [0052]    Numeral  54  denotes a display unit such as a liquid crystal display device, a speaker and the like, which displays operating statuses, messages and the like by using texts, images, sound and so on, in correspondence with execution of a program by the system controller  50 . One or plural display units  54  are provided at an easily recognizable positions near the operation unit of the image processing apparatus  100 . The display unit  54  is constructed with combinations of, e.g., an LCD, an LED, a sound generating device and so forth. 
         [0053]    Part of the functions of the display unit  54  is provided within the optical finder  104 . 
         [0054]    The display contents of the display unit  54  displayed on the LCD or the like include: indication of single-shot/serial-shot mode, a self timer, a compression rate, the number of recording pixels, the number of recorded images, the number of recordable images, a shutter speed, an f-stop value, exposure compensation, flash illumination, pink-eye effect mitigation, macro photographing, a buzzer-set state, a timer battery level, a battery level, an error state, information using plural digit numbers, an attached/detached status of recording medium  200 , operation of communication I/F, and date and time. 
         [0055]    Further, the display contents of the display unit  54  displayed within the optical finder  104  include: a focus state, a camera shake warning, a flash charge state, a shutter speed, an f-stop value, and exposure compensation. 
         [0056]    Numeral  56  denotes an electrically erasable and recordable nonvolatile memory such as an EEPROM. 
         [0057]    Numerals  60 ,  61 ,  62 ,  64 ,  66 ,  68 , and  70  denote operation units for inputting various operation instructions to the system controller  50 , comprising a single or plurality of combinations of switches, dials, touch panels, a pointing device employing line-of-sight detection, a voice recognition device, and the like. 
         [0058]    Next, the operation units will be described in detail. 
         [0059]    Numeral  60  denotes a power ON/OFF switch which starts and terminates the image processing apparatus  100 . 
         [0060]    Numeral  61  denotes a mode dial switch which enables selection of various function modes such as a photographing mode and a reproduction mode. 
         [0061]    Numeral  62  denotes a shutter switch SW 1  which is turned ON by half stroke of a shutter button (not shown), and instructs start of the operations of the AF processing, the AE processing, the AWB processing, the EF processing and the like. 
         [0062]    Numeral  64  denotes a shutter switch SW 2  which is turned ON by full stroke of the shutter button (not shown). The shutter switch SW 2  instructs start of a series of operations including: exposure processing to write signals read from the image capturing element  14  into the memory  30  via the A/D converter  16  and the memory controller  22 , development processing utilizing calculations performed by the image processor  20  and the memory controller  22 , and recording processing to read the image data from the memory  30 , compress the image data by the compression/decompression unit  32 , and write the compressed image data into the recording medium  200 . 
         [0063]    Numeral  66  denotes an image display ON/OFF switch which can set ON/OFF of the image display unit  28 . 
         [0064]    With this function, in photographing an image using the optical finder  104 , power supply to the image display unit configured with a TFT, an LCD or the like can be cut off to save power. 
         [0065]    Numeral  68  denotes a quick review ON/OFF switch which sets a quick review function for automatically reproducing sensed image data immediately after a photographing operation. Assume that the present embodiment in particular has a function that the quick review function is set when the image display unit  28  is turned OFF. 
         [0066]    Numeral  70  denotes an operation unit comprising various buttons and touch panels including: a menu button, a set button, a macro selection button, a multi-screen reproduction/repaging button, a flash setting button, a single-shot/serial-shot/self-timer selection button, a forward (+) menu item selection button, a backward (−) menu item selection button, a forward (+) reproduction image search button, a backward (−) reproduction image search button, a photographing quality selection button, an exposure compensation button, and a date/time set button. 
         [0067]    Numeral  71  denotes a microphone which converts sound to electric data. Numeral  72  denotes an A/D converter which converts analog signals from the microphone  71  to digital signals. 
         [0068]    Numeral  80  denotes a power controller comprising a battery detection circuit, a DC-DC converter, a switch circuit for selecting the block to be energized, and the like. The power controller  80  detects the attached/detached state of the battery, the battery type and the remaining battery power level, controls the DC-DC converter based on the detection result and an instruction from the system controller  50 , and supplies a necessary voltage for a necessary period to the respective parts including the recording medium. 
         [0069]    Numerals  82  and  84  denote connectors; and  86 , a power source comprising a primary battery such as an alkaline battery or a lithium battery, a secondary battery such as an NiCd battery, an NiMH battery or an Li battery, an AC adapter, and the like. 
         [0070]    Numerals  90  and  94  denote interfaces for a recording medium such as a memory card or a hard disk. Numerals  92  and  96  denote connectors for connection with the recording medium such as a memory card or a hard disk. A recording medium attached/detached state detector  98  detects whether or not the recording medium  200  is attached to the connector  92  and/or  96 . 
         [0071]    The present embodiment assumes that two systems of interfaces and connectors are provided for connection with the recording medium. However, a single or plurality of systems including interfaces and connectors may be provided. Further, interfaces and connectors pursuant to different standards may be combined. For the interfaces and connectors, cards in conformity with Personal Computer Memory Card International Association standards (PCMCIA cards) or cards in conformity with compact flash (CF) card standards may be used. 
         [0072]    In a case where cards and connectors in conformity with the PCMCIA standards, CF card standards and the like are used as the interfaces  90  and  94  and the connectors  92  and  96 , image data and management information attached to the image data can be transmitted/received between the image processing apparatus and other peripheral devices such as a computer and a printer by connection utilizing various communication cards such as a LAN card, a modem card, a USB card, an IEEE 1394 card, a P1284 card, an SCSI card and a PHS card. 
         [0073]    Numeral  102  denotes a protection unit which serves as a barrier to prevent dirt and breakage of the image sensing portion by covering the image sensing portion of the image processing apparatus  100 . 
         [0074]    Numeral  104  denotes an optical finder which enables photographing without the electronic viewfinder function of the image display unit  28 . In the optical finder  104 , realized are some of the functions of the display unit  54  including: an indication of focus state, a camera shake warning, a flash charge state, a shutter speed, an f-stop value, exposure compensation and the like. 
         [0075]    Numeral  110  denotes a communication unit having various communication functions such as RS232C, USB, IEEE 1394, P1284, SCSI, MODEM, LAN, and wireless communication. 
         [0076]    Numeral  112  denotes a connector, or in case of wireless communication, an antenna, for connecting the image processing apparatus  100  with other devices via the communication unit  110 . 
         [0077]    Numeral  200  denotes a recording medium such as a memory card or a hard disk. 
         [0078]    The recording medium  200  has a recording unit  202  configured with a semiconductor memory, a magnetic disk or the like, the interface  204  for communication with the image processing apparatus  100 , and the connector  206  for connection with the image processing apparatus  100 . 
         [0079]      FIG. 2  shows an example of a back surface of the image processing apparatus  100  according to the present embodiment. A menu button  301  can set to display or not display the menu. The menu allows deletion of all images recorded in the recording medium  200 , or addition of sound data to a currently displayed image. The added sound data is recorded as a file in the recording medium  200 . 
         [0080]    An enter button  302  can decide an item selected on the menu. 
         [0081]    A data indication ON/OFF button  303  can select switching ON or OFF the data indication of a reproducing image. Data indicated includes a file number, an image number, and photographed date and time. 
         [0082]    A delete button  304  can delete a reproducing image. 
         [0083]    A search button  305  can search an image recorded in the recording medium  200 . Search methods include 10-image jump search, moving-image jump search, date jump search and the like. In the 10-image jump search, images are reproduced for every 10 images. In the moving-image jump search, only the moving images are searched. In the date jump search, images are searched by date. 
         [0084]    An index playback button  306  can select switching ON or OFF the index playback display. In index display, plural images are reproduced and displayed simultaneously on the display unit  54 . 
         [0085]    A reduce button  307  can reduce the size of a displayed image when it is enlarged. When photographing is performed, the button  307  also serves as an operation member to move the zoom lens to a wide angle. 
         [0086]    An enlarge button  308  can enlarge the size of a displayed image. When photographing is performed, the button  308  also serves as an operation member to move the zoom lens to a telephoto angle. 
         [0087]    A left button  309 , a right button  310 , an up button  311 , and a down button  312  can change a selected item on the menu. The left and right buttons  309  and  310  can also be used for a frame-by-frame advancing operation of reproduction images. 
         [0088]    An easy direct button  313  can transfer an image displayed on the display unit  54  to a PC connected to the camera through the communication unit  110 . In a case where the camera is connected to a printer through the communication unit  110 , the button  313  can transfer an image displayed on the display unit  54  to the printer for printing the image. 
         [0089]      FIG. 5  shows as an example a directory structure of an image recorded in the recording medium  200 . Under the root, there is a DCIM directory which includes xxxGANON directories such as  100 GANON. Under the xxxGANON directory, there are image files such as IMG_xxxx.JPG or MVI_xxxx.AVI. The IMG_xxxx.JPG is a still-image file, and the MVI_xxxx.AVT is a moving-image file. In the example shown in  FIG. 5 , IMG_ 0001 .JPG is image number 1; IMG_ 0002 .JPG is image number 2; IMG_ 0101 . JPG is image number 6; and IMG_ 9803 . JPG is image number 12. The xxx in the xxxGANON directory is called a directory number, which may take 100 to 999. The xxxx in the image file IMG_xxxx.JPG or MVI_xxxx.AVI is called a file number, which may take 0001 to 9999. Among the files in the directory having the smallest directory number, the image file having the smallest file number is image number 1. Among the files in the directory having the largest directory number, the image file having the largest file number has the largest image number (image number=total number of images). 
         [0090]      FIG. 6  shows as an example a menu displayed by the menu button  301 . The menu enables all image deletion or addition of voice memo to a displayed image. In this example, the “all delete” item is selected. If the enter button  302  is depressed in this state, images recorded in the recording medium  200  are all deleted. 
         [0091]      FIGS. 7A and 7B  show an example of data indication displayed by the data indication ON/OFF button  303 . When the data indication is OFF, only the image recorded in the recording medium  200  is displayed as shown in  FIG. 7A . When the data indication is ON, the image as well as a file number  701 , an image number  702 , photographed date and time  703  are displayed as shown in  FIG. 7B . The file number  701  indicates that the directory number is  998  and the file number is  9802 . The image number  702  indicates the image number being reproduced and the total number of images. In this example, the image number being reproduced is  11 , and the total number of images is  12 . The photographed date and time  703  indicates that the image is photographed at 12:00 on Dec. 16, 2004. When the data indication ON/OFF button  303  is depressed while the camera is set in the state in  FIG. 7A , the image is displayed with data indication as shown in  FIG. 7B . When the data indication ON/OFF button  303  is depressed while the camera is set in the state in  FIG. 7B , the image is displayed with no data indication as shown in  FIG. 7A . 
         [0092]      FIG. 8  shows as an example a delete screen displayed by the delete button  304 . In this example, “OK” is selected. If the enter button  302  is depressed in this state, the image being displayed is deleted from the recording medium  200 . 
         [0093]      FIGS. 9A to 9C  show as an example search screens displayed by the search button  305 . When the search screen is not displayed, if the search button  305  is depressed, the 10-image jump screen shown in  FIG. 9A  is displayed. When the 10-image jump screen is displayed as shown in  FIG. 9A , if the left button  309  is depressed, the screen displays an image whose image number is 10 smaller than the image number of the currently displayed image. Meanwhile, if the right button  310  is depressed, the screen displays an image whose image number is 10 larger than the image number of the currently displayed image. 
         [0094]    When the 10-image jump screen is displayed as shown in  FIG. 9A , if the search button  305  is depressed, the moving-image jump screen shown in  FIG. 9B  is displayed. When the moving-image jump screen is displayed as shown in  FIG. 9B , if the left button  309  is depressed, the screen displays a moving image whose image number is smaller than and is closest to that of the currently displayed image. Meanwhile, if the right button  310  is depressed, the screen displays a moving image whose image number is larger than and is closest to that of the currently displayed image. 
         [0095]    When the moving-image jump screen is displayed as shown in  FIG. 9B , if the search button  305  is depressed, the date jump screen shown in  FIG. 9C  is displayed. When the date jump screen is displayed as shown in  FIG. 9C , if the left button  309  is depressed, the screen displays a moving image immediately before the currently displayed image. Meanwhile, if the right button  310  is depressed, the screen displays a moving image immediately after the currently displayed image. 
         [0096]    In other words, the present embodiment provides a first reproduction mode and a second reproduction mode. In the first reproduction mode, when the left button  309  or the right button  310  is depressed once, the order of file to be reproduced from the recording medium is advanced by one file in accordance with a predetermined reproduction order (ascending or descending order). In the second reproduction mode, when the button is depressed once, the order of file to be reproduced is advanced by n files (n≧1) in accordance with a predetermined reproduction order. The value of n is automatically determined by a predetermined formula in correspondence with the number of photographed files, but can be set arbitrarily by a user. 
         [0097]      FIG. 10  shows as an example a screen displayed when the index playback button  306  is depressed. Plural images (herein, four images) are simultaneously displayed on the display unit  54 . 
         [0098]      FIGS. 11A to 11C  show as an example screens of enlarged images when the reduce button  307  or the enlarge button  308  is depressed. When the enlarge button  308  is depressed in the normal display state shown in  FIG. 11A , an enlarged image is displayed (enlarged display  1  in  FIG. 11B ). When the enlarge button  308  is depressed on the enlarged display  1  in  FIG. 11B , a further enlarged image is displayed (enlarged display  2  in  FIG. 11C ). Meanwhile, when the reduce button  307  is depressed on the enlarged display  1  in  FIG. 11B , the screen returns to the normal display state in  FIG. 11A . When the reduce button  307  is depressed on the enlarged display  2  in  FIG. 11C , the enlarged display  1  in  FIG. 11B  is displayed. 
         [0099]      FIGS. 3 and 4  are flowcharts according to the present embodiment. 
         [0100]    When a user of the image processing apparatus  100  turns the mode dial  61  to the reproduction mode and depresses the power ON/OFF button  60 , the system controller  50  initializes flags and control variables (S 101 ). Next, the last image of the images recorded in the recording medium  200  and directory data of the recording medium  200  obtained upon acquisition of this image are acquired and stored in the memory  30  (S 102 ). Assume that the images recorded in the recording medium  200  have a directory structure shown in  FIG. 5 . The image IMG_ 9803 .JPG under the directory  998 GANON having the largest image number, and directory data obtained upon acquisition of the last image are acquired and stored in the memory  30 . 
         [0101]    The directory data is described with reference to  FIG. 14A . 
         [0102]    The directory data includes directory data of the last image and directory data obtained upon acquisition of the last image. 
         [0103]    Recorded as the directory data of the last image is information indicating that the image having the file number  9803  is recorded under the directory  998 GANON as shown in  FIG. 14A . 
         [0104]    Recorded as the directory data obtained upon acquisition of the last image includes: information indicating that there are areas for directory numbers  100  to  999  under the directory DCIM of the recording medium  200  and that directory numbers  100 ,  101 , and  998  exist, information indicating that there are three files numbered  9801 ,  9802  and  9803  recorded under the directory  998 GANON having the largest directory number, and information indicating that the directory search for the  998 GANON including the image file  9803  of the largest image number has been completed. 
         [0105]    To indicate existence or absence of directories,  1  is recorded in the memory  30  if a directory exists, and  0  is recorded in the memory  30  if a directory does not exist. To indicate whether or not directory search has been completed,  1  is recorded in the memory  30  if the search has been completed, and  0  is recorded in the memory  30  if the search has not been completed. 
         [0106]    Next, the system controller displays the last image IMG_ 9803 .JPG on the display unit  54  (S 103 ), and begins the directory search (S 104 ). The directory search includes a file data search, such as what kind of directories exist, how many numbers of image files exist in total, how many numbers of moving-image files exist, which directory stores the moving-image files, in which images the photographed date and time change, and so on. 
         [0107]    The directory search begins in step S 104 . When the directory search is completed for all directories recorded in the recording medium  200 , data shown in  FIG. 14B  is recorded in the memory  30 . As shown in  FIG. 14B , search completion is indicated for all numbers where directories exist. Note that the directory search proceeds in order from large-numbered directories to small-numbered directories. 
         [0108]    After the system controller  50  begins the directory search (S 104 ), it periodically checks for button depression (S 105 ). The period of checking may be of any period, for instance, 150 msec intervals. When a button depression is detected in step S 105 , the control proceeds to button depression processing in step S 106  where processing according to the depressed button is performed. The button depression processing will be described later with reference to  FIG. 4 . 
         [0109]    Next, the system controller  50  proceeds to step S 107 . In step S 107 , it is determined whether or not the directory search has ended. If it has not ended, the control returns to step S 105 . If the directory search has ended in step S 107 , the total image number display processing is performed in step S 108 . Because the total number of images cannot be acquired unless the directory search ends, in a case where the screen is displayed with data indication, the reproducing image number and the total number of images are not displayed as shown in  FIG. 12 . Therefore, after the directory search ends, the total image number display processing in step S 108  is performed, and the screen is displayed with data indication similar to  FIG. 7B . 
         [0110]    Next, the system controller  50  proceeds to a normal reproduction processing in step S 109  to perform a normal reproduction operation. In the normal reproduction operation, all operations can be performed, including menu displaying, data indication ON/OFF switching, deletion, search, index playback, enlargement/reduction, and the like. 
         [0111]      FIG. 4  shows a detailed flow of the button depression processing in step S 106  in  FIG. 3 . 
         [0112]    The system controller  50  determines the type of button depressed (S 201 ). If the depressed button is the menu button  301 , delete button  304 , search button  305 , or index playback button  306 , the control proceeds to step S 202  where a message “processing in progress” is displayed for two seconds.  FIG. 13  shows an example of the screen displaying the message “processing in progress.” Displaying the message is performed to notify the user of the image processing apparatus  100  that the apparatus cannot accept a button operation. 
         [0113]    If the system controller  50  determines in step S 201  that the power ON/OFF button  60  is depressed, the image processing apparatus termination processing is performed, and the power is turned OFF (S 203 ). 
         [0114]    If the system controller  50  determines in step S 201  that the reduce button  307  or the enlarge button  308  is depressed, enlargement or reduction processing is performed on the currently displayed image (S 204 ). Enlargement and reduction processing has already been described above with reference to  FIGS. 11A to 11C . 
         [0115]    If the system controller  50  determines in step S 201  that the left or right button  309  or  310  for frame-by-frame advancing is depressed, frame-by-frame advancing is performed (S 205  to S 208 ). The system controller  50  temporarily halts the directory search that has started in step S 104  (S 205 ), and stores information regarding how far the search has progressed, how many images have been searched and the like in the memory  30 . Then, the system controller  50  searches for an image to be displayed by frame-by-frame advancing (S 206 ) and displays the retrieved image (S 207 ). Assume that the images recorded in the recording medium  200  have a directory structure shown in  FIG. 5 . When the image file IMG_ 9802 .JPG is currently displayed on the display unit  54 , if the left button  309  is depressed, the image file IMG_ 9801 .JPG is displayed. If the right button  310  is depressed, the image file IMG_ 9803 .JPG is displayed on the display unit  54 . Next, the system controller  50  resumes the directory search based on the data stored in the memory  30  when the directory search was temporarily halted in step S 205  (S 208 ). 
         [0116]    Hereinafter, a description is provided with reference to  FIGS. 5 and 15  on the data recorded in the memory  30  when the directory search is temporarily halted and resumed in steps S 205  to S 208 . 
         [0117]    Assume that the image IMG_ 9802 .JPG is currently displayed on the display unit  54  and the directory search of  998 GANON and  101 GANON has been completed as shown in  FIG. 15 . In this state, if frame-by-frame advancing is instructed, the directory search is temporarily halted in step  3205 . Upon completion of the frame-by-frame advancing in step S 207 , the directory search of  100 GANON, which has not been subjected to a search, is resumed in step S 208 . 
         [0118]    Furthermore, assume that the image IMG_ 9803 .JPG is currently displayed on the display unit  54  and the directory search of  998 GANON and  101 GANON has been completed as shown in  FIG. 15 . In this state, if the right button  310  is depressed for frame-by-frame advancing, the IMG_ 0001 .JPG under the directory  100 GANON (see  FIG. 5 ) is searched in step S 206  and displayed on the display unit  54 . Since the directory search of  100 GANON has not been completed at this stage, the directory search of  100 GANON is performed. After the directory search of  100 GANON is performed, IMG_ 0001 .JPG is retrieved and displayed on the display unit  54 . When the directory search processing is completed, the directory data recorded in the memory  30  indicates completion of all data search as shown in  FIG. 14B . 
         [0119]    If the system controller  50  determines in step S 201  that the easy direct button  313  is depressed, the currently displayed image is transferred to a PC or a printer. The system controller  50  determines a device connected through the communication unit  110 , and transfers the image displayed on the display unit  54  to the connected device (S 210 ). 
         [0120]    If the system controller  50  determines in step S 201  that the data indication ON/OFF button is depressed, data indication ON/OFF switching is performed (S 209 ). Data indication ON/OFF switching has already been described above with reference to  FIGS. 7A and 7B . Note that the total number of images cannot be acquired unless the directory search ends. Therefore, when the data indication is ON, the reproducing image number and the total number of images are not displayed as shown in  FIG. 12 . 
         [0121]    As set forth above, according to the present embodiment, upon start-up of a camera for reproduction it is possible to reduce the time necessary before the camera becomes ready to accept an operation. Before the camera completes a search operation of all directories and/or files, it is possible to perform frame-by-frame advancing, enlargement or reduction, data indication ON/OFF switching, power OFF, and image transferring. However, the camera does not accept deletion processing and other operations that require changes in the directory structure such as voice memo addition, as well as index playback that requires displaying of a large amount of images at once. When such unacceptable operation is performed, a message indicative of unacceptance is displayed, thereby notifying the user of the image processing apparatus. 
         [0122]    The present embodiment has described file deletion and voice memo addition as an example that requires changes in the directory structure. In addition, an operation that entails, for instance, file copying, file moving, and new file generation, may be decided as an unacceptable operation until the end of all directory search, as it requires changes in the directory structure. 
         [0123]    Although the present embodiment provides the search button  305 , the up button  311  in  FIG. 2  may be used as a search button. When the menu or the like is not displayed as shown in  FIGS. 7A and 7B  (in other words, during an image playback), depressing the up button  311  causes a shift to search processing, displaying the 10-image jump screen shown in  FIG. 9A . In the state in  FIG. 9A , depressing the up or down button  311  or  312  enables selection of other search processing, e.g., 100-image jump search, moving-image jump search ( FIG. 9B ), and date jump search ( FIG. 9C ). Besides the up button  311 , any button may be used as a search button. As described above, by making use of an existing button such as the up button, an operation member can be reduced, and the image processing apparatus  100  can be downsized. 
         [0124]    The present embodiment can be achieved by providing a computer-readable recording medium (or a storage medium), recording program codes of software realizing the above-described functions of the embodiment, to a computer system or apparatus, reading the program codes, by a computer (CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus, from the recording medium, then executing the program. In this case, the program codes read from the recording medium realize the functions according to the embodiment, and the recording medium storing the program codes constitutes the invention. Furthermore, besides aforesaid functions according to the above embodiment are realized by executing the program codes which are read by a computer, the present invention includes a case where an OS (operating system) or the like working on the computer performs part or the entire processes in accordance with designations of the program codes and realizes functions according to the above embodiment. 
         [0125]    Furthermore, the present invention also includes a case where, after the program codes read from the recording medium are written in a function expansion card which is inserted into the computer or in a memory provided in a function expansion unit which is connected to the computer, a CPU or the like contained in the function expansion card or unit performs part or the entire processes in accordance with designations of the program codes and realizes functions of the above embodiment. 
         [0126]    In a case where the present embodiment is applied to the aforesaid recording medium, the recording medium stores program codes corresponding to the flowcharts described in the embodiment. 
         [0127]    Note that the present invention can be applied to a system constituted by a plurality of devices (e.g., host computer, interface, reader, printer) or to a stand-alone apparatus (e.g., copying machine, facsimile machine). 
         [0128]    The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment and various changes and modifications can be made within the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, to apprise the public of the scope of the present invention, the following claims are made. 
         [0129]    This application claims the benefit of Japanese Patent Application No. 2005-040895, filed Feb. 17, 2005, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.