Patent Publication Number: US-2010119205-A1

Title: Image processing device

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to an image processing device having an edit function of editing a taken image. 
     DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART 
     Conventionally, known is an image print processing device displaying a plurality of image data in an arrangement on a monitor and rearranging the data (For example, see Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2006-246120). 
     DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION 
     Problems to be Solved by the Invention 
     In the image print processing device described above, the rearranging process of a plurality of images arranged and displayed on the monitor is realized by clicking with a mouse a function button (“replace” button) for designating and replacing two images which a user wants to move with each other. 
     For example, five images A, B, C, D and E are arranged on the monitor in the order from left to light. In the case where the image A is to be moved to a position between C and D to rearrange the images to B, C, A, D, E using the image print processing device described above, first, the images A and C are designated and the “replace” button is clicked to replace the images A and C with each other. Then, the images are displayed in the order of C, B, A, D, E from left. Next, the images C and B are designated and the “replace” button is clicked to replace the images C and B with each other. Then, the images are displayed in the order of B, C, A, D, E from left. Thus, in order to rearrange images, many times images to be replaced must be designated and the “replace” button must be clicked. And such operation was very bothersome for users. Also, the patent document 1 mentioned above does not disclose addition of a new image to the plurality of images arranged and displayed on the monitor. 
     The present invention is to solve the above described problems and provide an image processing device capable of editing a plurality of images recorded in a memory in a way easy to understand for users and with easy operations. 
     Means for Solving the Problem 
     An image processing device according to the present invention is characterized by comprising playback means configured to play back in a predetermined order a plurality of image information pieces selected from a plurality of image information pieces recorded in a recording medium, image displaying means configured to display played back images corresponding to the image information pieces played back by the playback means in an arrangement corresponding to the predetermined order, additional image selecting means configured to arbitrarily select an additional played back image to be added to the plurality of played back images displayed by the image displaying means from the image information pieces recorded in the recording medium, and designating means configured to dispose a pointer displaceably to a position between arbitrary two adjacent played back images of the plurality of played back images displayed by the image displaying means and designating an adding position of the additional played back image by a position of the pointer. 
     According to this image processing device, the plurality of played back images corresponding to the plurality of image information pieces recorded in the recording medium are displayed in the arrangement corresponding to the order of being played back. When a new played back image is to be added to the plurality of played back images, the pointer is disposed displaceably to a position between arbitrary two adjacent played back images as an adding position. Therefore, the user can visually recognize that the played back image is to be added at the position the pointer is indicating, thereby realizing good usability. 
     Another image processing device according to the present invention is characterized by comprising playback means configured to play back in a predetermined order a plurality of image information pieces selected from a plurality of image information pieces recorded in a recording medium, image displaying means configured to display played back images corresponding to the image information pieces played back by the playback means in an arrangement corresponding to the predetermined order, image selecting means configured to select a displacement object played back image which is an object of change of displaying position of the plurality of played back images displayed by the image displaying means, and designating means configured to dispose a pointer displaceably to a position between arbitrary two adjacent played back images of the plurality of played back images displayed by the image displaying means and designating a movement destination of the displacement object played back image by a position of the pointer. 
     According to this image processing device, the plurality of played back images corresponding to the plurality of image information pieces recorded in the recording medium are displayed in the arrangement corresponding to the order of being played back. When a position of the arranged played back image is to be changed, the pointer is disposed displaceably to a position between arbitrary two adjacent played back images as a changed position. Therefore, the user can visually recognize that the played back image is to be moved to the position the pointer is indicating, thereby realizing good usability. 
     In a particular configuration, the image processing device described above further comprises inputting means configured to input an image information piece, and recording means configured to record the image information piece inputted by the inputting means in the recording medium. 
     According to this particular configuration, the image processing device itself can input the image information piece and record the image information piece in the recording medium, and therefore, an outside image inputting device for inputting the image information piece from outside is not necessary, thereby realizing a compact shape. 
     Further in particular, in the image processing device described above, the recording medium is a removable external recording medium. 
     According to this particular configuration, when used by the user, the external recording medium alternatively selected from a plurality of external recording mediums can be used, and therefore, the adding or moving processing described above can be performed using the image information piece of the external recording medium on which the user&#39;s desired image information piece is recorded. 
     An image processing system according to the present invention consists of the image processing device of the present invention described above and the external recording medium connected to each other via an interface, and the image information piece is transmitted from the image processing device to the external recording medium via the interface. 
     EFFECT OF THE INVENTION 
     According to the image processing device of the present invention, when performing rearranging a plurality of images, or when adding another image, it is possible to indicate where in the plurality of currently arranged images to place the image which are desired to be moved in a way easy to understand, and such editing can be conducted with easy operation. 
    
    
     BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION 
     An embodiment in which the present invention is implemented in a digital camera is described in detail with reference to drawings. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , a digital camera of the present invention has a camera body  1  including: an operation part  30 ; a CPU  31  for performing various control procedures in response to an operation signal from the operation part  30 ; and a memory  32  into which a control procedure to be performed by the CPU  31  is written. The CPU  31  and the memory  32  are connected to a bus  33 . 
     In the camera body  1 , image signal light from an optical system  6  is converted to an electric signal in a CCD  8 . The electric signal is A/D converted, and is supplied thereafter to a JPEG encoding circuit  11  and to an MPEG-4 video encoding circuit  12 . An audio signal from a microphone  7  is A/D converted, and is supplied thereafter to an AAC audio encoding circuit  13 . 
     The JPEG encoding circuit  11  has an output terminal connected to the bus  33 , and creates a photographic file under control of the CPU  31 . The MPEG-4 video encoding circuit  12  and the AAC audio encoding circuit  13  have output terminals connected to the bus  33 , and create a moving image file and an audio file under control of the CPU  31 . 
     The created photographic file is supplied through the bus  33  to a JPEG decoding circuit  20 . The created moving image file is supplied through the bus  33  to an MPEG-4 video decoding circuit  21  and to an AAC audio decoding circuit  22 . The created audio file is supplied to the MPEG-4 video encoding circuit  12 . 
     The outputs of the JPEG decoding circuit  20  and the MPEG-4 video decoding circuit  21  are converted to image data in a video encoder  23 . The image data is then passed to a changeover switch SW 1  and an output amplifier  24 , and is thereafter output to an image output terminal  1   b . The image data is also passed to an LCD driver  34 , and is thereafter output to a liquid crystal display  35  by the switching of the changeover switch SW 1 . The output of the AAC audio decoding circuit  22  is converted to an audio signal in a D/A conversion circuit  25 . The audio signal is then passed to an output amplifier  26  and a changeover switch SW 2 , and is thereafter output to an audio output terminal  1   c . The audio signal is also passed to the output amplifier  26  and a speaker amplifier  36 , and is thereafter output to a speaker  37  by the switching of the changeover switch SW 2 . 
     The camera body  1  has a card drive  15  to and from which an external memory card  16  such as an SD card can be attached and detached. A memory controller  14  is placed between the card drive  15  and the bus  33 . 
     Further, the camera body  1  is provided with a USB terminal  1   a . A USB interface  17  is connected to the USB terminal  1   a , and a USB device controller  18  and a USB host controller  19  are interposed in parallel with each other between the USB interface  17  and the bus  33 . 
     A cradle  2  can be connected to the USB terminal  1   a , to the image output terminal  1   b , and to the audio output terminal  1   c  of the camera body  1 . The cradle  2  is provided with a USB device connector  27  and a USB host connector  28  to be connected in parallel relation to the USB terminal  1   a , and an AV connector  29  to be connected to the image output terminal  1   b  and to the audio output terminal  1   c.    
     An external hard disk drive  3  can be connected to the USB host connector  28  of the cradle  2 . A monitor television receiver  4  and a speaker  5  can be connected to the AV connector  29 . 
     The camera body  1  is provided with a light receiving part  38 . The light receiving part  38  receives an infrared signal from a remote controller  39  and supplies the received signal to the CPU  31 , thereby allowing remote control operation. 
     1. Recording into and Playback from External Memory Card  16   
     In the digital camera of the present invention shown in  FIG. 1 , a photographic file, a moving image file and an audio file created by shooting can be written into the external memory card  16  under control of the memory controller  14  of the camera body  1 . 
     The photographic file written in the external memory card  16  is thereafter read under control of the memory controller  14 . The read photographic file is supplied to the JPEG decoding circuit  20  to obtain image data from the output amplifier  24 . The image data is then supplied from the cradle  2  to the monitor television receiver  4 , so that a still image can be played back. 
     The moving image file written in the external memory card  16  is read under control of the memory controller  14 . The read moving image file is supplied to the MPEG-4 video decoding circuit  21  and to the AAC audio decoding circuit  22  to obtain image data and an audio signal from the output amplifiers  24  and  26 . The image data and the audio signal are then supplied from the cradle  2  to the monitor television receiver  4 , so that moving images can be played back. 
     The audio file written in the external memory card  16  is read under control of the memory controller  14 . The read audio file is supplied to the AAC audio decoding circuit  22  to obtain an audio signal from the D/A conversion circuit  25 . The audio signal is then supplied from the cradle  2  to the speaker  5 , so that a sound can be played back. 
     2. Recording into External Hard Disk Drive  3   
     A photographic file obtained from the JPEG encoding circuit  11  of the camera body  1  is output through the USB interface  17  to the USB terminal  1   a  under control of the USB host controller  19 . The output photographic file is then supplied from the USB host connector  28  of the cradle  2  to the external hard disk drive  3 , so that a still image can be recorded in the external hard disk drive  3 . 
     A moving image file obtained from the MPEG-4 video encoding circuit  12  and the AAC audio encoding circuit  13  of the camera body  1  is output through the USB interface  17  to the USB terminal  1   a  under control of the USB host controller  19 . The output moving image file is then supplied from the USB host connector  28  of the cradle  2  to the external hard disk drive  3 , so that moving images can be recorded in the external hard disk drive  3 . 
     An audio file obtained from the AAC audio encoding circuit  13  of the camera body  1  is output through the USB interface  17  to the USB terminal  1   a  under control of the USB host controller  19 . The output audio file is then supplied from the USB host connector  28  of the cradle  2  to the external hard disk drive  3 , so that a sound can be recorded in the external hard disk drive  3 . 
     3. Data Transmission from External Memory Card  16  to External Hard Disk Drive  3   
     A file is read from the external memory card  16  under control of the memory controller  14  of the camera body  1 . The read file is output through the USB interface  17  to the USB terminal  1   a  under control of the USB host controller  19 , and is then supplied from the USB host connector  28  of the cradle  2  to the external hard disk drive  3 . As a result, the file can be recorded in the external hard disk drive  3 . 
     4. Writing Back from External Hard Disk Drive  3  to External Memory Card  16   
     Under control of the USB host controller  19  of the camera body  1 , a specific file stored in the external hard disk drive  3  is read, passed to the cradle  2 , and loaded into the USB interface  17  of the camera body  1 . The file obtained from the USB interface  17  can be written back to the external memory card  16  under control of the memory controller  14 . 
     5. Playback from External Hard Disk Drive  3   
     Under control of the USB interface  17  of the camera body  1 , a specific photographic file stored in the external hard disk drive  3  is passed to the cradle  2 , and is then loaded into the USB interface  17  of the camera body  1 . The file obtained from the USB interface  17  is supplied to the JPEG decoding circuit  20  to obtain image data from the output amplifier  24 . The image data is passed to the cradle  2 , and is then supplied to the monitor television receiver  4 , so that a still image can be played back. 
     Under control of the USB interface  17  of the camera body  1 , a specific moving image file stored in the external hard disk drive  3  is passed to the cradle  2 , and is then loaded into the USB interface  17  of the camera body  1 . The file obtained from the USB interface  17  is supplied to the MPEG-4 video decoding circuit  21  and to the AAC audio decoding circuit  22  to obtain image data and an audio signal from the output amplifiers  24  and  26 . The image data and the audio signal are passed to the cradle  2 , and are then supplied to the monitor television receiver  4  and the speaker  5 , so that moving images can be played back. 
     Under control of the USB interface  17  of the camera body  1 , a specific audio file stored in the external hard disk drive  3  is passed to the cradle  2 , and is then loaded into the USB interface  17  of the camera body  1 . The file obtained from the USB interface  17  is supplied to the AAC audio decoding circuit  22  to obtain an audio signal from the output amplifier  26 . The audio signal is passed to the cradle  2 , and is then supplied to the speaker  5 , so that a sound can be played back. 
       FIG. 26  shows a directory structure of files written in the external memory card  16  that employs the DCF standard.  FIG. 27  shows a directory structure of files stored in the external hard disk drive  3 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 26 , the DCF directory includes a folder “DCIM” placed in the root directory, and lower-level folders “100SANYO” to “999SANYO” that contain files of still images and moving images (“SANY0001” to “SANY9999”). 
     As shown in  FIG. 27 , the directory structure formed in the external hard disk drive  3  includes DCF directories in the lowest level each employing the directory structure formed in the external memory card  16  in its entirety. Roll management folders “ROLL001,” “ROLL0002,” . . . , each of which is given a roll number with each DCF directory regarded as a unit, are created in a level higher than that of the DCF directories. 
     In transmission of files to the external hard disk drive  3 , a date management folder containing the date of transmission is newly created in a level higher than that of the roll management folders, and two or more rolls with the same date are transmitted to the same date management folder. A date management folder with a different date is newly created as a date changes. 
     Further, a media management folder is created in a level higher than that of the date management folders. A resource management folder, an album management folder, and an index file are created to be in parallel with the media management folder. 
     A wallpaper image file, a BGM sound file, a switching effect masking file, and others are created in the resource management folder. Album files for setting the order of files to be played back, for setting the display period of still images, for setting switching effect, and for setting BGM are created in the album management folder. 
     The DCF directory structures formed in the external memory card  16  and the external hard disk drive  3  described above allow a DCF directory to be maintained in data transmission between the external memory card  16  and the external hard disk drive  3 . This provides extremely satisfactory access performance of files. 
       FIGS. 2 to 22  explain control procedures performed by the CPU  31  when an SD card is employed as the external memory card  16 . 
       FIG. 2  explains a basic flow. First, in step S 0 , an initial checkup is conducted after startup to find a remaining battery level, the available space of the SD card, and the like. Thereafter the presence or absence of a USB cable being connected is determined in step S 1 . In a camera mode in which a USB cable is not connected, determination is made between a recording mode and a playback mode in step S 2 . Then, a mode setting is performed according to its result. 
     In contrast, in a USB-connected mode in which a USB cable is connected, the type of the cable is determined in step S 3 . If the cable is judged to be a USB host cable to which an external hard disk drive is connected, a drive structure is checked up in step S 4 . If there is no library structure, a library structure is formed in step S 5 , and the flow thereafter goes to step S 6 . 
     In step S 6 , selection is made from a main menu of four items TRANSMISSION, PLAYBACK, ALBUM, and DISCONNECTION. If TRANSMISSION is selected, the flow passes through step S 7  to go to a transmission mode. If PLAYBACK is selected, the flow passes through step S 8  to go to a playback mode. If ALBUM is selected, the flow passes through step S 8 ′ to go to an album mode. If DISCONNECTION is selected, the USB connection is disconnected in step S 10 , and then the procedure is completed. 
     (Transmission Mode) 
     In the transmission mode, as shown in  FIG. 3 , a transmission direction is set to default “FROM SD (SD card) TO BOX (external hard disk drive)” in step S 11 . Thereafter in step S 12 , selection is made from a menu of four transmission modes TRANSMISSION EXECUTION, TRANSMISSION DIRECTION SETTING, INFORMATION DISPLAY, and MAIN MENU. The data volume of a transmission source is read in step S 13 , and the space of a transmission destination is read in step S 14 . Next, it is determined in step S 15  whether or not transmission is possible. If transmission is impossible, a warning about space is displayed in step S 17 . 
     If transmission is possible, it is determined in step S 18  whether or not TRANSMISSION EXECUTION was selected. If its result is YES, the flow goes to TRANSMISSION EXECUTION. Further, it is determined in step S 19  whether or not INFORMATION DISPLAY was selected. If its result is YES, the flow goes to TRANSMISSION DIRECTION SETTING. Still further, it is determined in step S 20  whether or not the transmission direction is “FROM BOX TO SD.” If its result is NO, it is determined in step S 21  whether or not POST-TRANSMISSION DELETION SETTING should be performed. If its result is YES, the flow goes to POST-TRANSMISSION DELETION SETTING. If a result of step S 21  is NO, the flow goes to step S 23 . 
     If a result of step S 20  is YES, deletion setting is invalidated in step S 22 , and the flow thereafter goes to step S 23 . 
     It is determined in step S 23  whether or not the main menu should be displayed. If its result is NO, the flow returns to step S 12 . If its result is YES, the flow returns to step S 6  of  FIG. 2 . 
     In TRANSMISSION EXECUTION, as shown in  FIG. 4 , it is determined in step S 31  whether a transmission direction is “FROM SD TO BOX.” If its result is NO, the flow goes to step S 51  of  FIG. 5 . 
     In contrast, if a result of step S 31  of  FIG. 4  is YES, the flow goes to step S 32  in which date and time information is read. Then, it is determined in step S 33  whether the BOX contains a date folder with the same date. If its result is NO, a date folder with this date is created in step S 34 , and a roll number is set to “001” in step S 34 ′. 
     In contrast, if a result of step S 33  is YES, the flow goes to step S 35  in which the last roll number is read from the date folder with the same date. Then, it is determined in step S 36  whether or not the read roll number is at or below “999”. If a result of step S 36  is NO, an error is displayed in step S 38 . Thereafter the flow returns to step S 12  of  FIG. 3 . In contrast, if a result of step S 36  of  FIG. 4  is YES, 1 is added to the last roll number in step S 37 , and a result thereby obtained is employed as a roll number. 
     Next, a new roll management folder given the roll number is created in the BOX in step S 39 , and a DCIM folder is created in the new roll in step S 40 . Then, a folder number is set to “100” according to the DCF standard in step S 41 , the number of folders in a DCIM folder in the SD card is counted in step S 42 , and the first folder in the SD card is set as a transmission source in step S 43 . 
     Thereafter, a new folder given the folder number is created in the BOX in step S 44 , and data in the folder is transmitted from the SD card to the BOX in step S 45 . Next, it is determined in step S 46  whether or not there is a folder yet to be transmitted. If its result is YES, the flow goes to step S 47  in which a next folder in the SD card is set as a transmission source. Then, a folder number is counted up in step S 48 . 
     In contrast, if a result of step S 46  is NO, it is further determined in step S 49  whether the data should be deleted after transmission. If its result is YES, the data in the SD card as a transmission source is deleted in step S 50 , and the flow thereafter returns to step S 6  of  FIG. 2 . 
     If a result of step S 31  of  FIG. 4  is NO, it is first determined in step S 51  of  FIG. 5  whether or not there is a DCIM folder. If its result is NO, a DCIM folder is created in step S 52 , and then a folder number is set to “100” in step S 53 . 
     If a result of step S 51  is YES, the last folder number is read in step S 54 . Then, it is determined in step S 55  whether or not the read folder number is at or below “999”. If its result is NO, an error is displayed in step S 57 . Thereafter the flow returns to step S 12  of  FIG. 3 . 
     In contrast, if a result of step S 55  of  FIG. 5  is YES, 1 is added to the last folder number in step S 56 , and a result thereby obtained is employed as a folder number. 
     Next, the number of folders in a roll is counted in step S 58 , and the first folder in the roll is set as a transmission source in step S 59 . Thereafter, a new folder given the folder number is created in the SD card in step S 60 , and data in the folder is transmitted from the BOX to the SD card in step S 61 . 
     Next, it is determined in step S 62  whether or not there is a folder yet to be transmitted. If its result is YES, a next folder in the BOX is set as a transmission source in step S 63 . Thereafter a folder number is counted up in step S 64 , and then the flow returns to step  60 . If a next result of step S 62  is NO, the flow returns to step S 6  of  FIG. 2 . 
     In TRANSMISSION DIRECTION SETTING, a transmission direction is selected from “FROM SD TO BOX,” “FROM BOX TO SD,” and “CANCEL” in step S 71  of  FIG. 6 . If “FROM SD TO BOX” is determined in step S 72 , the flow goes to step S 73  in which the transmission direction is set to “FROM SD TO BOX.” If “FROM BOX TO SD” is determined in step S 74 , the flow goes to step S 75  in which the transmission direction is set to “FROM BOX TO SD.” 
     After the display of a transmission direction is updated in step S 76 , the flow returns to step S 12  of  FIG. 3 . 
     In contrast, if “CANCEL” is determined in step S 74  of  FIG. 6 , it is determined in step S 77  whether or not canceling should be performed. If its result is NO, the flow returns to step S 71 . If its result is YES, the flow returns to step S 12  of  FIG. 3 . 
     In INFORMATION DISPLAY, display of information is selected from “BOX INFORMATION,” “SD CARD INFORMATION,” and “CANCEL” in step S 81  of  FIG. 7 . If “SBOX INFORMATION” is determined in step S 82 , the flow goes to step S 83  in which the available space of the BOX and the number of rolls stored are read. If “SD CARD INFORMATION” is determined in step S 84 , the flow goes to step S 85  in which SD data volume and the number of files are read. 
     Next, an information display screen is updated in step S 86 , and the flow thereafter returns to step S 12  of  FIG. 3 . 
     In contrast, if “CANCEL” is selected in step S 84  of  FIG. 7 , it is determined in step S 87  whether or not canceling should be performed. If its result is NO, the flow returns to step S 81 . If its result is YES, the flow returns to step S 12  of  FIG. 3 . 
     In POST-TRANSMISSION DELETION SETTING, selection is made between “DELETE AFTER TRANSMISSION” and “NOT DELETE AFTER TRANSMISSION” in step S 91  of  FIG. 8 . If “DELETE AFTER TRANSMISSION” is determined in step S 92 , “DELETE” is set ON in step S 94 . If “NOT DELETE AFTER TRANSMISSION” is determined in step S 93 , “DELETE” is set OFF in step S 95 , and then the flow returns to step S 12  of  FIG. 3 . 
     In contrast, no determination is made in step S 93  of  FIG. 8 , it is determined in step S 96  whether or not canceling should be performed. If its result is NO, the flow returns to step S 91 . If its result is YES, the flow returns to step S 12  of  FIG. 3 . 
     (Playback Mode) 
     In the playback mode, default “BOX” is set by default as media setting in step S 101  of  FIG. 9 , and “ROLL VIEW” is set as view setting in step S 102 . 
     Thereafter in step S 103 , it is determined which one of “ROLL,” “CALENDAR,” and “SD CARD” is set in the view setting. 
     If “ROLL” is set, a roll view display such as a roll selection list and view selection (see  FIG. 23(   d )) is presented in step S 104 . If “CALENDAR” is set, a calendar view display such as a date selection list and view selection (see  FIG. 23(   e )) is presented in step S 105 . Next, a roll selection display such as a roll selection list and view selection (see  FIG. 23(   g )) is presented in step S 107 . If “SD CARD” is set, an SD card view display such as card selection (see  FIG. 23(   f )) is presented in step S 106 . 
     Roll information is thereby read and a selection list is displayed according to each view setting, so that a roll to be played back is specified. 
     It is determined in step S 108  whether or not a roll to be played back is decided. If its result is YES, the flow goes to a roll playback procedure (B- 1 ). Next, it is determined in step S 109  whether or not view selection was made. If its result is YES, the flow goes to a view selection procedure (B- 3 ). Further, it is determined in step S 110  whether or not a “T” key was operated. If its result is YES, the flow goes to a folder selection procedure (B- 4 ). 
     If a result of step S 110  is NO, the flow returns to step S 103  to repeat determination of the view setting. 
     In the roll playback procedure, a single image is played back (see  FIG. 23(   h )) in step S 111  of  FIG. 10 , and thereafter, it is determined in step S 112  whether or not a “W” key was operated. If its result is NO, the flow returns to step S 111  to continue the playback of the single image. If a result of step S 112  is YES, multiple images are played back on nine screens (see  FIG. 23(   i )) in step S 113 . 
     Then, it is determined in step S 114  whether or not the “T” key was operated. If its result is YES, the flow returns to step S 111  to play back a single image. If a result of step S 114  is NO, the flow goes to step S 115  in which it is determined whether or not the “W” key was operated. If its result is NO, the flow returns to step S 113  to continue the playback of the multiple images on nine screens. If its result is YES, the flow goes to the folder selection (B- 4 ). 
     As described, in the roll playback, a playback mode incorporated as an original camera function is employed when a roll to be played back is decided. 
     In the view selection procedure, a view selection display for making selection from “ROLL VIEW,” “CALENDAR VIEW,” and “SD CARD VIEW” (see  FIGS. 23(   a ), ( b ), (c)) is presented in step S 131  of  FIG. 11 . If “ROLL VIEW” is determined in step S 132 , a roll is set to “VIEW” in step S 133 . If “CALENDAR VIEW” is determined in step S 134 , a calendar is set to “VIEW” in step S 135 . If “SD CARD VIEW” is determined in step S 136 , an SD card is set to “VIEW” in step S 137 . 
     Then, it is determined in step S 138  whether or not “RETURN” operation was performed. If its result is NO, the flow returns to step S 131  to repeat the view selection display. In contrast, if a result of step S 138  is YES, view selection information is saved in step S 139 . Thereafter the flow returns to step S 103  of  FIG. 9 . 
     In the folder selection procedure, a folder selection screen including a list of folders and a roll selection image (see  FIG. 23  ( j )) is displayed in step S 121  of  FIG. 12 . Next, it is determined in step S 122  whether or not a folder to be played back is decided. If its result is YES, the flow goes to the playback mode (B- 1 ). 
     If a result of step S 122  is NO, the flow goes to step S 123  in which it is determined whether or not an operation for roll selection was performed. If its result is YES, the flow returns to step S 103  of  FIG. 9  to perform roll selection. 
     If a result of step S 123  is NO, the flow goes to step S 124  in which it is determined whether or not the “W” key was operated. If its result is YES, the flow returns to step S 103  of  FIG. 9  to perform roll selection. 
     In contrast, if a result of step S 124  is NO, the flow goes to step S 125  in which it is determined whether or not the “T” key was operated. If its result is NO, the flow returns to step S 121  to repeat the display of the folder selection screen. If its result is YES, the flow goes to step S 113  of  FIG. 10  in which multiple images are played back on nine screens. 
       FIG. 23  shows transitions of a series of display screens in response to operations when “PLAYBACK” is selected from “DATA TRANSMISSION”, “PLAYBACK”, and “ALBUM” on the main menu. 
     After the main menu is displayed, a roll (date) view of  FIG. 23(   d ) is displayed. In the roll (date) view, a roll number and a date are displayed as a pair. When one roll is selected from this view, a predetermined single file contained in the selected roll (such as the last file in the last folder) is played back and then displayed as shown in (h). 
     A target of display can be switched to a next file by operating an image-feed key, with one file displayed as shown in (h). A target of display can be switched among folders. If a target of display is to be switched to a different roll, a roll is selected first. 
     When the image-feed key is operated leftward with the roll (date) view of (h) displayed, a roll (date) view switching screen of (a) appears. When the image-feed key is further operated downward with this screen displayed, a calendar view switching screen shown of (b) appears. When the image-feed key is operated rightward in this state, a calendar view of (e) appears. 
     In the calendar view, those dates on which rolls exist are marked in the calendar. When one date is selected from these dates, all rolls with the selected date are displayed in list form as shown in (g). When one roll is selected in this state, a predetermined single file contained in the selected roll (such as the last file in the last folder) is played back and then displayed as shown in (h). 
     When the image-feed key is operated downward with the calendar view switching screen of (b) displayed, an SD card view switching screen of (c) appears. When the image-feed key is operated rightward in this state, an SD card view of (f) appears. 
     In the SD card view, an indication that a card is a target of playback is displayed. When a card is selected in this state, a predetermined single file contained in the selected card (such as the last file in the last folder) is played back and then displayed as shown in (h). 
     When the “T” key is operated with the roll view of (d), with the calendar view of (e), or with the SD card view of (f) displayed, a folder selection screen shown in (j) appears. When one folder is selected therefrom and then the “T” key is operated, a plurality of files contained in the selected folder are displayed on multiple screens as shown in (i). When one file is selected therefrom and then the “T” key is operated, the selected file is played back and then displayed as shown in (h). 
     When the “W” key is operated with one file displayed as shown in (h), multiple screens of a folder containing the displayed file is displayed as shown in (i). When the “W” key is further operated in this state, a folder selection screen of a roll containing this folder is displayed as shown in (j). 
     When the “W” key is further operated in this state, the roll view of (d), the calendar view of (e), or the SD card view of (f) is displayed again. 
     As described, a predetermined single file can directly be displayed as shown in (h) only by selecting one roll in the roll (date) view of  FIG. 23(   d ). Then, display is switched to a next image in this state, so that a desirable single image can be displayed. Or, after a roll is selected on the roll (date) view of  FIG. 23(   d ), a folder is selected on the folder selection screen of (j), and a file is selected on the display of multiple screens of (i), a desirable single file can finally be displayed as shown in (h). 
     Thus, a user can select a preferable way from these two ways of file display. 
     (Album Mode) 
     In the album mode, the user arbitrarily selects a still image file (for example, SANY0001.JPG) or a moving image file (for example, SANY0003.MP4) recorded in the DCF directory shown in  FIG. 27 , and a link information file (for example, ALBUM001.pvm) is prepared in an ALBUM folder based on the address of the selected still image file or moving image file. The user designates the link information file to be played back, whereby the selected still image file or moving image file can be played back in a predetermined order. 
     In the album mode, a list of album files already created is searched first, and a result thereof is displayed in step S 141  of  FIG. 13 . Next, in step S 142 , an album menu is displayed on which it is determined whether an album to be played back should be selected from the album list, whether an album should be edited (changed), whether an album should be deleted, or whether an album should be newly played back (see  FIG. 24(   b )). 
     If an album to be played back is selected, the flow goes to an album playback procedure (C- 1 ) in step S 143 . If NEW ALBUM CREATION is selected, the flow goes to a new album creation procedure (C- 2 ) in step S 144 . If ALBUM EDITION is selected, the flow goes to an album edition procedure (C- 3 ) in step S 145 . If ALBUM DELETION is selected, the flow goes to an album deletion procedure (album deletion) in step S 146 . If MAIN MENU is selected, the main menu is displayed again in step S 147 . 
     In ALBUM PLAYBACK, the first file in an album is displayed in step S 151  of  FIG. 14 , and thereafter, playback of the album is started in step S 152 . Then, it is determined in step S 153  whether or not an operation for stopping the album playback was performed. If its result is YES, the flow returns to step S 141  of  FIG. 13  in which the search of the album list and display are performed. 
     If a result of step S 153  of  FIG. 14  is NO, the flow goes to step S 154  in which it is determined whether or not the album has been played back to the end. If its result is YES, the flow returns to step S 141  of  FIG. 13  in which the search and display of the album list are performed. 
     In NEW ALBUM CREATION, after the number of a new album is extracted in step S 161  of  FIG. 15 , the new album is created while being given the new album number as its file name in step S 162 . Next, a file counter FC, a file pointer F_PTR, and an insert pointer I_PTR are each set to zero in step S 163 , and the flag of an edit marker is set to “False” in step S 164 . Thereafter the flow goes to step S 167 . 
     In ALBUM EDITION, the file counter FC is read, and the file pointer F_PTR and the insert pointer I_PTR are each set to zero in step S 165  of  FIG. 15 . Further, the flag of an edit marker is set to “True” in step S 166 . Thereafter the flow goes to step S 167 . 
     In step S 167 , the head of the last roll is designated first as a reference position of a file when it is added. Next, the display of an album creation operation screen is updated in step S 168 . Thereafter it is determined in step S 169  whether or not file addition was instructed. If its result is YES, an “insert pointer” described later is displayed in step S 170 , and “ADD” is thereafter set as a command variable cmd. 
     Next, it is determined in step S 172  whether or not file move was instructed. If its result is YES, a “file pointer” described later is displayed in step S 173 , and “MOVE” is thereafter set as the command variable cmd. 
     Further, it is determined in step S 175  whether or not file deletion was instructed. If its result is YES, a “file pointer” is displayed in step S 176 , and “DELETE” is thereafter set as the command variable cmd. 
     Next, it is determined in step S 178  of  FIG. 16  whether or not an operation for bringing the pointers forward was performed. If its result is YES, it is determined in step S 179  whether or not the pointers can be moved. If its result is YES, the flow goes to step S 180  in which the file pointer F_PTR and the insert pointer I_PTR are each counted up by one. 
     Next, it is determined in step S 181  whether or not an operation for bringing the pointers backward was performed. If its result is YES, it is determined in step S 182  whether or not the pointers can be moved. If its result is YES, the flow goes to step S 183  in which the file pointer F_PTR and the insert pointer I_PTR are each counted down by one. 
     Then, it is determined in step S 184  whether or not an operation for executing the command variable cmd was performed. If its result is YES, it is determined in step S 185  whether or not the command variable cmd is “ADD.” If its result is YES, the flow goes to an addition procedure described later. It is determined in step S 186  whether or not the command variable cmd is “MOVE.” If its result is YES, the flow goes to a move procedure described later. Further, it is determined in step S 187  whether or not the command variable cmd is “DELETE.” If its result is YES, the flow goes to a deletion procedure described later. 
     If a result of step S 184  is NO, the flow goes to step S 188  in which it is determined whether or not NEW ALBUM CREATION or ALBUM EDITION is completed. If its result is NO, the flow returns to step S 168  of  FIG. 15  to update the display of the album creation operation screen. In contrast, if a result of step S 188  of  FIG. 16  is YES, the flow goes to an album setting procedure described later. 
     File Addition 
     In the file addition procedure, the position of an additional file is read in step S 191  of  FIG. 17 , and an additional file selection screen containing a file list (see  FIG. 24(   f )) is displayed in step S 192 . 
     Then, it is determined in step S 193  whether or not an operation for bringing file selection forward was performed. If its result is YES, a selection mark is brought forward in step S 194 . Next, it is determined in step S 195  whether or not an operation for bringing file selection backward was performed. If its result is YES, a selection mark is brought backward in step S 196 . The move is performed in this way under the same condition as that in the playback mode. 
     Next, it is determined in step S 197  whether or not an operation for folder selection was performed. If its result is YES, the flow goes to a folder selection procedure described later. 
     If a result of step S 197  is NO, it is determined in step S 198  whether or not an operation for accepting the selected file was performed. If its result is NO, the flow returns to step S 192  so that the additional file selection screen continues to be displayed. 
     In contrast, if a result of step S 198  is YES, the flow goes to step S 199  in which the album file is operated to add the selected file to the position of the insert pointer I_PTR. 
     Next, the file counter FC is counted up by one in step S 200 , and the file pointer F_PTR and the insert pointer I_PTR are each counted up by one in step S 201 . The pointers are thereby incremented according to the additional file. 
     Then, the position of the additional file is saved in step S 202 , and the flow thereafter returns to step S 167  of  FIG. 15 . 
     In the folder selection procedure, as shown in  FIG. 18 , a folder selection screen containing a folder list (see  FIG. 24(   g )) is displayed in step S 211 . 
     Then, it is determined in step S 212  whether or not an operation for bringing folder selection forward was performed. If its result is YES, a selection mark is brought forward in step S 213 . Next, it is determined in step S 214  whether or not an operation for bringing folder selection backward was performed. If its result is YES, a selection mark is brought backward in step S 215 . It is also determined in step S 216  whether or not an operation for roll selection was performed. If its result is YES, the flow goes to a roll selection procedure described later. 
     If a result of step S 216  is NO, it is determined in step S 217  whether or not an operation for accepting the selected folder was performed. If its result is NO, the flow returns to step S 211  so that the folder selection screen continues to be displayed. In contrast, if a result of step S 217  is YES, the flow returns to step S 192  of  FIG. 17  to display the additional file selection screen. 
     In the roll selection procedure, a roll selection screen containing a roll list (see  FIG. 24(   h )) is displayed in step S 221  of  FIG. 19 . Then, it is determined in step S 222  whether or not an operation for bringing roll selection forward was performed. If its result is YES, a selection mark is brought forward in step S 223 . Next, it is determined in step S 224  whether or not an operation for bringing roll selection backward was performed. If its result is YES, a selection mark is brought backward in step S 225 . 
     Next, it is determined in step S 226  whether or not an operation for accepting the selected roll was performed. If its result is NO, the flow returns to step S 221  so that the roll selection screen continues to be displayed. If a result of step S 226  is YES, the flow returns to step S 211  of  FIG. 18  to display the folder selection screen. 
     File Move 
     In the file move procedure, an indication for confirming a file to be moved is displayed in step S 231  of  FIG. 20 , and thereafter, an “insert pointer” (see  FIG. 24(   j )) is displayed in step S 232 . 
     Next, it is determined in step S 233  whether or not an operation for bringing the insert pointer forward was performed. If its result is YES, it is determined in step S 234  whether or not the insert pointer can be moved. If its result is YES, the insert pointer I_PTR is counted up by one in step S 235 , and the display of the album creation operation screen is updated in step S 236 . 
     Next, it is determined in step S 237  whether or not an operation for bringing the insert pointer backward was performed. If its result is YES, it is determined in step S 238  whether or not the insert pointer can be moved. If its result is YES, the insert pointer I_PTR is counted down by one in step S 239 , and the display of the album creation operation screen is updated in step S 240 . 
     Then, it is determined in step S 241  whether or not specification of a location to which the file is to be moved is completed. If its result is NO, the flow returns to step S 233  to continue the move of the insert pointer. In contrast, if a result of step S 241  is YES, the flow goes to step S 242  in which the album file is operated and the file to be moved is moved to the position of the insert pointer I_PTR. Then, the flow returns to step S 167  of  FIG. 15 . 
     File Deletion 
     In the album deletion procedure, an applicable item is deleted from the album file in step S 251  of  FIG. 21 , the file counter FC is counted down by one in step S 252 , and the flow thereafter returns to step S 167  of  FIG. 15 . 
     Album Setting 
     In the album setting procedure, an album setting menu including selection of display period of still images, selection of switching effect, selection of BGM and the like is displayed in step S 261  of  FIG. 22 . 
     Then, it is determined in step S 262  whether or not “DISPLAY PERIOD OF STILL IMAGES” was selected. If its result is YES, the flow goes to step S 263  to set the display period of still images. Next, it is determined in step S 264  whether or not “SWITCHING EFFECT” was selected. If its result is YES, the flow goes to step S 265  to set switching effect. It is also determined in step S 266  whether or not “BGM” was selected. If its result is YES, the flow goes to step S 267  to set BGM. 
     Next, it is determined in step S 268  whether or not an operation for saving the album setting was performed. If its result is NO, the flow returns to step S 261  so that the setting menu continues to be displayed. If a result of step S 268  is YES, it is further determined in step S 269  whether or not the album setting was saved. If its result is NO, the flow returns to step S 141  of  FIG. 13  to repeat the procedures on the album menu. 
     In contrast, if a result of step S 269  is YES, the flow goes to step S 270  in which it is determined whether or not an edit marker is “True.” If its result is NO, it is judged that a newly created album is being processed. Then, the new album is saved in step S 272 , and the flow thereafter returns to step S 141  of  FIG. 13  to repeat the procedures on the album menu. 
     In contrast, if a result of step S 270  of  FIG. 22  is YES, it is judged that the already existing album is being edited. Then, it is further determined in step S 271  whether or not the album is to be overwritten. If its result is NO, the flow goes to step S 272  to perform a newly save. If its result is YES, the flow goes to step S 273  to overwrite the album. Thereafter the flow returns to step S 141  of  FIG. 13  to repeat the procedures on the album menu. 
       FIG. 24  shows transitions of a series of display screens in response to operations when “ALBUM” is selected from “DATA TRANSMISSION,” “PLAYBACK,” and “ALBUM” on the main menu. 
     When “ALBUM” is selected from the main menu including “DATA TRANSMISSION,” “PLAYBACK,” and “ALBUM” on the main menu shown in  FIG. 24(   a ), a selection screen of an album file to be played back is displayed as shown in (b). By selecting one album file therefrom, and by operating a “SET KEY”, the selected album file can be played back. In contrast, by selecting one album file therefrom, and by selecting ALBUM EDITION, the selected album file is displayed in a box in dashed lines as shown in (d). If the selection is confirmed, selection buttons “ADD,” “MOVE,” and “DELETE” appear as shown in (e). 
     If “ADD” is selected, an insert pointer indicating an insertion position of a file appears in the form of a triangular mark. After the insertion position is determined by a key operation, a file to be added can be designated while switching is made among the file selection screen shown in (f), the folder selection screen shown in (g), and the roll selection screen shown in (h). 
     After one file is selected from the file selection screen of (f), the screen of (e) is displayed again. Then, the selected file is inserted into the position of the insert pointer, by which the file is added. 
     If “MOVE” is selected on the screen of (e), a file to be moved is displayed in a box in bold lines as shown in (i). When the file to be moved is selected, the selected file is indicated by a file pointer (box in dashed lines) as shown in (j), and the thumbnail image of the selected file is displayed at all times on the screen. At the same time, an insert pointer (triangular mark) for designating a destination is displayed. 
     Then, the insert pointer is moved to designate the destination. If a file to be moved disappears from the screen as a result of scrolling in this process, the thumbnail of the file to be moved is displayed on the screen, so that no inconvenience is caused. 
     After the destination of the file is designated, a sequence of files including the file to be moved that has been moved to the destination is displayed as shown in (k). 
       FIG. 25  shows how a file is added and moved using the pointers described above. When a file is to be added, an insert pointer in the form of a triangular mark appears, and a new file “New” is inserted into the position of the insert pointer. 
     When a file is to be moved, a file “A” selected as a file to be moved is identified by a pointer in the form of a box in bold lines. When the file to be moved is confirmed, the file is identified by a file pointer in the form of a box in dashed lines. Then, the file identified by the file pointer is moved to the position of an insert pointer in the form of a triangular mark. 
     The addition and the move of a file described above are realized by editing a link file, and a file and a position can be selected among folders or rolls. Thus, a file can freely be added to a file list of files to be played back, or moved. 
     According to the digital camera described above, the file to be added or the file selected as movement object is added or moved to the position indicated by the insert pointer of triangular mark. Therefore, it is easy to understand visually for the user. 
     When a file is to be deleted, file selected as a file to be deleted is identified by a pointer in the form of a box in bold lines. The file identified by the pointer is removed from the file list by executing deletion. However, the file itself is not deleted. 
     In the explanation of the album mode described above, the image file recorded in the external hard disk device  3  is the object of the album preparation. However, it is not limited to the external hard disk device  3 , and it may be the image file recorded in the external memory card  16  removably connected to the digital camera body  1 . Also, although not shown in this embodiment, it may be the image file recorded in a memory built in the digital camera body  1 . 
     Also, in the explanation of the album mode described above, selection operation such as the selection of the main menu, the album file or the like, and the fixing operation of fixing the selection are performed by operating “SET KEY” of the operation part  30  or the like. However, it is also possible to adopt a touch panel as an operation part. 
     In the case where the touch panel is adopted, in particular, when “ALBUM” is to be selected from “DATA TRANSMISSION”, “PLAYBACK”, and “ALBUM” as shown in  FIG. 24(   a ), it is selected by touching the “ALBUM” item with a finger. In a similar manner, when the album file is to be selected by the thumbnail as shown in  FIG. 24(   b ), it is selected by touching the thumbnail of the desired album with a finger. In a similar manner, when the album is to be edited as shown in  FIG. 24(   i ), the object image to be moved is selected by touching the image with a finger, and the file pointer is displayed. Also, when selecting the insert pointer in designating the movement destination as shown in  FIG. 24(   j ), the insert pointer is disposed between every adjacent images, and the movement destination is designated by touching the insert pointer corresponding to the desired movement destination. 
     Also, the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1  employs a structure in which the cradle  2  is connected to the camera body  1 . Alternatively, the USB device connector  27 , the USB host connector  28  and the AV connector  29  of the cradle  2  may be provided in the camera body  1 , so that the cradle  2  can be omitted. 
     Besides, the external memory card  16  such as an SD card is employed as an external memory, and the external hard disk drive  3  is employed as an external storage device, to which the present invention is not intended to be confined. Various types of known external memories and external storage devices may be employed. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a block diagram showing the structure of a digital camera according to the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a flow chart for explaining the basic flow of a control procedure performed by a CPU of a camera body; 
       FIG. 3  is a flow chart for explaining a processing flow in a transmission mode in the control procedure; 
       FIG. 4  is a flow chart for explaining a transmission execution procedure in the transmission mode; 
       FIG. 5  is a flow chart for explaining a transmission execution procedure in the opposite direction in the transmission mode; 
       FIG. 6  is a flow chart for explaining a transmission direction setting procedure in the transmission mode; 
       FIG. 7  is a flow chart for explaining an information display procedure in the transmission mode; 
       FIG. 8  is a flow chart for explaining a post-transmission deletion setting procedure in the transmission mode; 
       FIG. 9  is a flow chart for explaining a processing flow in a playback mode in the control procedure; 
       FIG. 10  is a flow chart for explaining a roll playback procedure in the playback mode; 
       FIG. 11  is a flow chart for explaining a view selection procedure in the playback mode; 
       FIG. 12  is a flow chart for explaining a folder selection procedure in the playback mode; 
       FIG. 13  is a flow chart for explaining a processing flow in an album mode; 
       FIG. 14  is a flow chart for explaining an album playback procedure in the album mode; 
       FIG. 15  is a flow chart for explaining the first halves of a new album creation procedure and an album edition procedure in the album mode; 
       FIG. 16  is a flow chart for explaining the latter halves of the new album creation procedure and the album edition procedure in the album mode; 
       FIG. 17  is a flow chart for explaining a file addition procedure; 
       FIG. 18  is a flow chart for explaining a folder selection procedure; 
       FIG. 19  is a flow chart for explaining a roll selection procedure; 
       FIG. 20  is a flow chart for explaining a file move procedure; 
       FIG. 21  is a flow chart for explaining a file deletion procedure; 
       FIG. 22  is a flow chart for explaining an album setting procedure; 
       FIG. 23  shows transitions of display screens in the playback mode; 
       FIG. 24  shows transitions of display screens in the album mode; 
       FIG. 25  shows the display patterns of pointers used in addition, move and deletion of a file; 
       FIG. 26  shows a directory structure formed in an external memory card; 
       FIG. 27  shows a directory structure formed in an external hard disk drive; and 
       FIG. 28  is a block diagram showing the conventional structures of a camera body and a storage device. 
     EXPLANATION OF REFERENCES 
     
         
         
           
               1  camera body 
               14  memory controller 
               15  card drive 
               16  external memory card 
               17  USB interface 
               18  USB device controller 
               19  USB host controller 
               31  CPU 
               33  bus 
               2  cradle 
               27  USB device connector 
               28  USB host connector 
               29  AV connector 
               3  external hard disk drive 
               4  monitor television receiver 
               5  speaker