Patent Publication Number: US-2011074972-A1

Title: Image processing apparatus

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE OF RELATED APPLICATION 
     The disclosure of Japanese Patent Application No. 2009-226082, which was filed on Sep. 30, 2009, is incorporated herein by reference. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus. More particularly, the present invention relates to an image processing apparatus which is applied to a digital video camera and which creates a plurality of recording images representing a common scene. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     According to one example of this type of apparatus, a video signal outputted from a camera section is recorded as a moving image on a tape cassette, and at the same time, the video signal is recorded as a moving-image file on a memory card. When a delete button is manipulated, the corresponding moving-image file is deleted from the memory card. It is noted that the video signal recorded on the tape cassette remains on the tape cassette irrespective of the manipulation of the delete button. 
     In the above-described apparatus, however, when the delete button is manipulated, consistency between the video recorded on the tape cassette and that recorded on the memory card collapses. Thus, in the above-described apparatus, it is probable that management of the recorded video becomes complicated. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     An image processing apparatus according to the present invention comprises: a fetcher which fetches an original image; a first converter which converts the original image fetched by the fetcher into a first recording image; a second converter which converts the original image fetched by the fetcher into a second recording image, in association with the converting process of the first converter; a first editor which edits one of the first recording image converted by the first converter and the second recording image converted by the second converter, in response to an editing instruction; and a second editor which edits the other of the first recording image converted by the first converter and the second recording image converted by the second converter, corresponding to an editing process of the first editor. 
     An image-process program product executed by a processor of an image processing apparatus, comprises: a fetching step of fetching an original image; a first converting step of converting the original image fetched by the fetching step into a first recording image; a second converting step of converting the original image fetched by the fetching step into a second recording image, in association with the converting process of the first converting step; a first editing step of editing one of the first recording image converted by the first converting step and the second recording image converted by the second converting step, in response to an editing instruction; and a second editing step of editing the other of the first recording image converted by the first converting step and the second recording image converted by the second converting step, corresponding to an editing process of the first editing step. 
     An image processing method executed by an image processing apparatus, comprises: a fetching step of fetching an original image; a first converting step of converting the original image fetched by the fetching step into a first recording image; a second converting step of converting the original image fetched by the fetching step into a second recording image, in association with the converting process of the first converting step; a first editing step of editing one of the first recording image converted by the first converting step and the second recording image converted by the second converting step, in response to an editing instruction; and a second editing step of editing the other of the first recording image converted by the first converting step and the second recording image converted by the second converting step, corresponding to an editing process of the first editing step. 
     The above described features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the embodiment when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a block diagram showing a basic configuration of one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a block diagram showing a configuration of one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is an illustrative view showing one example of a mapping state of an SDRAM applied to the embodiment in  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 4  is an illustrative view showing one example of an allocation state of two cut-out areas in a raw image area of the SDRAM; 
         FIG. 5(A)  is an illustrative view showing one example of a setting menu; 
         FIG. 5(B)  is an illustrative view showing another example of the setting menu; 
         FIG. 5(C)  is an illustrative view showing still another example of the setting menu; 
         FIG. 6  is an illustrative view showing one example of a directory structure formed on a recording medium; 
         FIG. 7  is an illustrative view showing one example of a file management table referred to by the embodiment in  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 8  is an illustrative view showing one portion of reproducing behavior executed by the embodiment in  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 9  is a flowchart showing one portion of behavior of a CPU applied to the embodiment in  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 10  is a flowchart showing another portion of the behavior of the CPU applied to the embodiment in  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 11  is a flowchart showing still another portion of the behavior of the CPU applied to the embodiment in  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 12  is a flowchart showing yet another portion of the behavior of the CPU applied to the embodiment in  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 13  is a flowchart showing another portion of the behavior of the CPU applied to the embodiment in  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 14  is a flowchart showing still another portion of the behavior of the CPU applied to the embodiment in  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 15  is a flowchart showing yet another portion of the behavior of the CPU applied to the embodiment in  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 16  is a flowchart showing another portion of the behavior of the CPU applied to the embodiment in  FIG. 2 ; and 
         FIG. 17  is a flowchart showing still another portion of the behavior of the CPU applied to the embodiment in  FIG. 2 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     With reference to  FIG. 1 , an image processing apparatus of one embodiment of the present invention is basically configured as follows: A fetcher  1  fetches an original image. A first converter  2  converts the original image fetched by the fetcher  1  into a first recording image. A second converter  3  converts the original image fetched by the fetcher  1  into a second recording image, in association with the converting process of the first converter  2 . A first editor  4  edits one of the first recording image converted by the first converter  2  and the second recording image converted by the second converter  3 , in response to an editing instruction. A second editor  5  edits the other of the first recording image converted by the first converter  2  and the second recording image converted by the second converter  3 , corresponding to the editing process of the first editor  4 . 
     Because the first converter  2  and the second converter  3  perform the converting process on the common original image, a common scene appears in the first recording image and the second recording image. When one of the first recording image and the second recording image is edited by the first editor  4 , the other of the first recording image and the second recording image is edited by the second editor  5  in a corresponding manner. Thereby, it becomes possible to reduce complications caused at the time of managing or editing a plurality of recording images representing the common scene. 
     With reference to  FIG. 2 , a digital video camera  10  according to this embodiment includes a focus lens  12  and an aperture unit  14  respectively driven by drivers  18   a  and  18   b . An optical image representing a scene enters, with irradiation, an imaging surface of an image sensor  16  through these members. It is noted that an effective image area on the imaging surface has a resolution of horizontal 2560 pixels×vertical 1600 pixels. 
     When a camera mode is selected by a key input device  38 , a CPU  44  starts up a driver  18   c  in order to execute a moving-image fetching process under an imaging task. In response to a vertical synchronization signal Vsync generated at every 1/60th of a second, the driver  18   c  exposes the imaging surface and reads out electric charges produced on the imaging surface in a non-interlaced scanning manner. From the image sensor  16 , raw image data representing the scene is outputted at a frame rate of 60 fps. 
     A pre-processing circuit  20  performs processes, such as digital clamp, pixel defect correction, and gain control, on the raw image data from the image sensor  16 . The raw image data on which such pre-processes are performed is written into a raw image area  24   a  (see  FIG. 3 ) of an SDRAM  24  through a memory control circuit  22 . 
     With reference to  FIG. 4 , cut-out areas CT 1  and CT 2  are allocated to the raw image area  24   a . The cut-out area CT 1  has a resolution equivalent to horizontal 1920 pixels×vertical 1080 pixels (its aspect ratio is 16:9). On the other hand, the cut-out area CT 2  has a resolution equivalent to horizontal 640 pixels×vertical 480 pixels (its aspect ratio is 4:3). 
     A post-processing circuit  26  accesses the raw image area  24   a  through the memory control circuit  22  so as to read out the raw image data corresponding to the cut-out area CT 1  at every 1/60th of a second in an interlaced scanning manner. The read-out raw image data is subjected to processes such as color separation, white balance adjustment, YUV conversion, edge emphasis, and zoom operation. As a result, image data corresponding to a 1080/60i system is created. The created image data is written into a YUV image area  24   b  (see  FIG. 3 ) of the SDRAM  24  through the memory control circuit  22 . 
     An LCD driver  32  repeatedly reads out the image data accommodated in the YUV image area  24   b , reduces the read-out image data so as to be adapted to the resolution of an LCD monitor  34 , and drives the LCD monitor  34  based on the reduced image data. As a result, a real-time moving image (through image) representing the scene is displayed on a monitor screen. 
     Moreover, the pre-processing circuit  20  simply converts the raw image data into Y data, and applies the converted Y data to the CPU  44 . The CPU  44  performs an AE process on the Y data under an imaging-condition adjusting task so as to calculate an appropriate EV value. An aperture amount and an exposure time period defining the calculated appropriate EV value are set to the drivers  18   b  and  18   c , respectively, and as a result, the brightness of the through image is moderately adjusted. Furthermore, the CPU  44  performs an AF process on a high-frequency component of the Y data when an AF start-up condition is satisfied. The focus lens  12  is placed at a focal point by the driver  18   a , and as a result, the sharpness of the through image is continuously improved. 
     Moreover, in order to detect a motion of the imaging surface in a direction orthogonal to an optical axis, the CPU  44  executes a motion-detection process in which the Y data is referred to. The CPU  44  moves the cut-out areas CT 1  and CT 2  so that a camera shake is compensated when the detected motion is equivalent to the camera shake of the imaging surface. This inhibits a through-image vibration resulting from the camera shake. 
     When a setting adjusting mode is selected by the key input device  38 , the CPU  44  issues a main-menu display command toward an overlay graphic generator  30 . As a result, a main menu shown in  FIG. 5(A)  is displayed on the LCD monitor  34 . According to  FIG. 5(A) , the main menu has a plurality of items such as “coding setting” and “link setting”, and any one of the items is pointed at by a cursor CS 1 . 
     The cursor CS 1  moves to a desired location in response to a cursor movement manipulation toward the key input device  38 . When a determination manipulation is performed on the key input device  38 , a process different depending on each pointing destination of the cursor CS 1  is executed as follows: 
     When the pointing destination of the cursor CS 1  is “coding setting”, a coding-menu display command is issued toward the overlay graphic generator  30 . A display of the LCD monitor  34  is updated from the main menu shown in  FIG. 5(A)  to a coding menu shown in  FIG. 5(B) . According to  FIG. 5(B) , the coding menu has two items, i.e., “MP4 coding” and “3GP coding”. 
     A cursor CS 2  points at one of two items, i.e., “ON” and “OFF” allocated to the “MP4 coding”, and a cursor CS 3  points at one of two items, i.e., “ON” and “OFF” allocated to the “3GP coding”. The cursor CS 2  and/or CS 3  moves to a desired location in response to the cursor movement manipulation. 
     When the determination manipulation is performed, a value of a flag FLG_mp4 is adjusted so as to be adapted to the pointing destination of the cursor CS 2 , and a value of a flag FLG — 3gp is adjusted so as to be adapted to the pointing destination of the cursor CS 3 . 
     The flag FLG_mp4 is set to “1” when the cursor CS 2  points at “ON”, and set to “0” when the cursor CS 2  points at “OFF”. Similarly, the flag FLG — 3gp is set to “1” when the cursor CS 3  points at “ON”, and set to “0” when the cursor CS 3  points at “OFF”. 
     The display of the LCD monitor  34  is returned to the main menu shown in  FIG. 5(A)  after setting of the flags FLG_mp4 and FLG — 3gp is completed. 
     If the determination manipulation is performed in a state where the cursor CS 1  points at the “link setting” on the main menu, then a link-menu display command is issued toward the overlay graphic generator  30  as long as both the flags FLG_mp4 and FLG — 3gp indicate “1”. That is, in a case where at least one of the flags FLG_mp4 and FLG — 3gp indicates “0”, selection of the item of “link setting” is prohibited. 
     When the link-menu display command is issued, the display of the LCD monitor  34  is transitioned from the main menu shown in  FIG. 5(A)  to a link menu shown in  FIG. 5(C) . According to  FIG. 5(C) , the link menu has an item of “link”, and a cursor CS 4  points at one of two items, i.e., “ON” and “OFF”. The cursor CS 4  is transitioned between “ON” and “OFF” in response to the cursor movement manipulation. 
     When the determination manipulation is performed in a state where the cursor CS 4  points at “ON”, a flag FLG_Link is set to “1”. On the other hand, when the determination manipulation is performed in a state where the cursor CS 4  points at “OFF”, the flag FLG_Link is set to “0”. The display of the LCD monitor  34  is returned from the link menu to the main menu after the setting process of the flag FLG_Link is completed. 
     It is noted that the flags FLG_mp4, FLG — 3gp, and FLG_Link are managed in a non-volatile state, and all indicate “1” in a default state. The above-described setting process is equivalent to a process for updating values of the flags FLG_mp4, FLG — 3gp, and FLG_Link. 
     When the operation mode is returned to the camera mode, the above-described moving-image fetching process is resumed. If a recording start manipulation is performed on the key input device  38  in this state, then the CPU  44  executes a process different depending on the state of the flags FLG_mp4 and FLG — 3gp under the imaging task. 
     When the value of the flag FLG_mp4 indicates “1”, the CPU  44  creates an MP4 file on a recording medium  42  through an PF  40  (the created MP4 file is opened), and corresponding to the MP4 file, the CPU  44  starts up an MP4 codec  36 . The MP4 codec  36  reads out the image data accommodated in the YUV image area  24   b  through the memory control circuit  22 , compresses the read-out image data according to an MPEG4 system, and writes the compressed image data into a recording image area  24   d  (see  FIG. 3 ) through the memory control circuit  22 . 
     Furthermore, when the value of the flag FLG — 3gp indicates “1”, the CPU  44  creates a 3GP file on the recording medium  42  through the PF  40  (the created 3GP file is opened), and corresponding to the 3GP file, the CPU  44  starts up a post-processing circuit  28  and the MP4 codec  36 . 
     The post-processing circuit  28  accesses the raw image area  24   a  through the memory control circuit  22  so as to read out the raw image data belonging to the cut-out area CT 2  at every 1/30th of a second in an interlaced scanning manner. The read-out raw image data is subjected to processes such as color separation, white balance adjustment, YUV conversion, edge emphasis, and zoom operation. As a result, the image data corresponding to a 480/30i system is outputted from the post-processing circuit  28 . The outputted image data is written into a YUV image area  24   c  (see  FIG. 3 ) of the SDRAM  24  through the memory control circuit  22 . 
     The MP4 codec  36  reads out the image data accommodated in the YUV image area  24   c  through the memory control circuit  22 , compresses the read-out image data according to the MPEG4 system, and writes the compressed image data into a recording image area  24   e  (see  FIG. 3 ) through the memory control circuit  22 . 
     Moreover, the CPU  44  commands the I/F  40  to perform a recording process under a recording control task, in association with the start up of the MP4 codec  36 . When the value of the flag FLG_mp4 indicates “1”, the I/F  40  reads out the compressed image data accommodated in the recording image area  24   d  through the memory control circuit  22 , and writes the read-out compressed image data into the MP4 file in the opened state. Furthermore, when the value of the flag FLG — 3gp indicates “1”, the I/F  40  reads out the compressed image data accommodated in the recording image area  24   e  through the memory control circuit  22 , and writes the read-out compressed image data into the 3GP file in the opened state. 
     A file name of SANY****.MP4 (**** is an identification number. The same applies hereinafter) is allocated to the MP4 file, and a file name of MOV****.3GP is allocated to the 3GP file. Moreover, a common identification number is allocated to the simultaneously created MP4 file and 3GP file. The recording medium  42  has a directory structure shown in  FIG. 6 , and the MP4 file is created at a lower hierarchy of a directory DCIM while the 3GP file is created at a lower hierarchy of a directory SD_VIDEO. 
     When a recording end manipulation is performed on the key input device  38 , the CPU  44  stops the MP4 codec  36  under the imaging task. When the flag FLG_mp4 indicates “1”, the CPU  44  closes the MP4 file of a writing destination through the I/F  40 . Furthermore, when the flag FLG — 3gp indicates “1”, the CPU  44  stops the post-processing circuit  28  and closes the 3GP file of a writing destination through the I/F  40 . 
     Upon completion of closing the file, the CPU  44  designates a column in a vacant state on a file management table TBL shown in  FIG. 7 , and additionally writes a file number of the newly-created MP4 file and/or 3GP file in the designated column. Furthermore, the CPU  44  describes the value of the flag FLG_mp4 in a column of Item 1  in the designated column, describes the value of the flag FLG — 3gp in a column of Item 2  in the designated column, and describes the value of the flag FLG_Link in a column of Item 3  in the designated column. 
     According to  FIG. 7 , regarding a file number “0001”, only the MP4 file is created, and regarding a file number “0002”, both the MP4 file and the 3GP file are created. Moreover, regarding a file number “0003”, only the 3GP file is created, and regarding a file number “0004”, both the MP4 file and the 3GP file are created. Furthermore, a link is formed on the MP4 file and 3GP file having the file number “0002” while the link is removed from the MP4 file and 3GP file having the file number “0004”. It is noted that the file management table TBL also is managed in the non-volatile state. 
     When a reproduction mode is selected by the key input device  38 , the CPU  44  executes the following process under a reproduction task. Firstly, a head column of the file management table TBL is designated. If a value of the Item 1  in the designated column is “1”, then the MP4 file having the file number described in the designated column is designated as a reproduction file. On the other hand, if the value of the Item 1  in the designated column is “0”, then the 3GP file having the file number described in the designated column is designated as the reproduction file. Upon completion of designating the reproduction file, a reproducing process in which the designated reproduction file is noticed is executed. 
     When the reproduction file is the MP4 file, the I/F  40  writes the compressed image data accommodated in the reproduction file into the recording image area  24   d  through the memory control circuit  22 . The MP4 codec  36  reads out the compressed image data accommodated in the recording image area  24   d  through the memory control circuit  22 , decompresses the read-out compressed image data according to an MPEG4 system, and writes the decompressed image data into the YUV image area  24   b  through the memory control circuit  22 . 
     When the reproduction file is the 3GP file, the I/F  40  writes the compressed image data accommodated in the reproduction file into the recording image area  24   e  through the memory control circuit  22 . The MP4 codec  36  reads out the compressed image data accommodated in the recording image area  24   e  through the memory control circuit  22 , decompresses the read-out compressed image data according to the MPEG4 system, and writes the decompressed image data into the YUV image area  24   c  through the memory control circuit  22 . 
     The LCD driver  32  reads out the image data thus accommodated in the YUV image area  24   b  or  24   c  through the memory control circuit  22 , and drives the LCD monitor  34  based on the read-out image data. As a result, a corresponding moving image is displayed on the LCD monitor  34 . 
     When a forwarding manipulation is performed after the reproducing process, the CPU  44  determines whether the reproduction file is the MP4 file or the 3GP file, and determines whether the value of the Item 2  in the designated column is either “0” or “1”. 
     When the reproduction file is the 3GP file, or when the reproduction file is the MP4 file and the value of the Item 2  in the designated column is “0”, the CPU  44  designates a subsequent column on the file management table TBL, and returns to the process for designating the above-described reproduction file. 
     On the other hand, when the reproduction file is the MP4 file and the value of the Item 2  in the designated column is “1”, the CPU  44  designates, as the reproduction file, the 3GP file having the file number described in the designated column, and executes the above-described reproducing process by noticing the designated 3GP file. 
     Therefore, based on the description of the file management table TBL shown in  FIG. 7 , the file reproduction is executed, in order, SNY0001.MP4, SNY0002.MP4, MOV0002.3GP, MOV0003.3GP, SNY0004.MP4, and MOV0004.3GP (see  FIG. 8 ). 
     When a link-setting changing manipulation is performed, the value of the Item 3  in the designated column is changed between “0” and “1” as long as both the Item 1  and Item 2  indicate “1”. As a result, if the value of the Item 3  before a link setting manipulation is “0”, then the value of the Item 3  after the link setting manipulation indicates “1”. Moreover, if the value of the Item 3  before the link setting manipulation is “1”, then the value of the Item 3  after the link setting manipulation indicates “0”. 
     Therefore, when the link-setting changing manipulation is performed in a state where the MP4 file “SANY0002.MP4” or the 3GP file “MOV0002.3GP” is designated as the reproduction file, the value of the Item 3 in a second column is changed between “0” and “1”. 
     When an editing manipulation or a deleting manipulation is performed, the CPU  44  performs an editing process or a deleting process on the reproduction file. When the editing process is executed, a first half or a second half of the image data accommodated in the reproduction file is deleted. When the deleting process is executed, the reproduction file is deleted. 
     Upon completion of the editing process or the deleting process on the reproduction file, it is determined whether or not the value of the Item 3  in the designated column indicates “1”. When the value of the Item 3  is “1”, an editing process or a deleting process of a link file is executed corresponding to the editing process or the deleting process of the reproduction file. Therefore, when the first half of the image data accommodated in the reproduction file is deleted, the first half of the image data accommodated in the link file is similarly deleted, and when the second half of the image data accommodated in the reproduction file is deleted, the second half of the image data accommodated in the link file is similarly deleted. Moreover, when the whole of the reproduction file is deleted, the whole of the link file is deleted. 
     It is noted that the link file is an image file having the same file number as the file number of the designated file. For example, if the designated file is “SANY0002.MP4”, then “MOV002.3GP” is the link file. 
     When the whole of the reproduction file is deleted, the CPU  44  executes a process different depending on the value of the Item 3  in the designated column. 
     If the value of the Item 3  in the designated column is “0”, then the value of the Item 1  or the Item 2  in the designated column is changed to “0”. That is, if the reproduction file is the MP4 file, then the value of the Item 1  is changed to “0”, and if the reproduction file is the 3GP file, then the value of the Item 2  is changed to “0”. Therefore, in an example of  FIG. 7 , if the MN file “SANY0004.MP4” is deleted, the value of the Item 1  in a fourth column is changed from “1” to “0”. Upon completion of the change process, a subsequent column is designated, and thereafter, the process returns to the process for designating the reproduction file. 
     If the value of the Item 3  in the designated column is “1”, then the description in the designated column is deleted, and the description in a column after the subsequent column is shifted upwardly by one level. Therefore, in the example of  FIG. 7 , if the 3GP file “MOV0002.3GP” is deleted, the description of the second column is deleted and the description in a column after the third column is shifted upwardly by one level. Upon completion of the shift process, the process returns to the above-described process for designating the reproduction file. 
     When the setting adjusting mode is selected, the CPU  44  executes a setting control task shown in  FIG. 9  to  FIG. 11 . When the camera mode is selected, the CPU  44  executes a plurality of tasks including an imaging task shown in  FIG. 12  to  FIG. 14 , an imaging-condition adjusting task and a recording control task not shown, in a parallel manner. When the reproduction mode is selected, the CPU  44  executes a reproduction task shown in  FIG. 15  to  FIG. 17 . It is noted that control programs corresponding to these tasks are stored in a flash memory  48 . 
     With reference to  FIG. 9 , in a step S 1 , the main-menu display command is issued toward the overlay graphic generator  30 . As a result, the main menu shown in  FIG. 5(A)  is displayed on the LCD monitor  34 . 
     In a step S 3 , it is determined whether or not the determination manipulation is performed, and in a step S 5 , it is determined whether or not the cursor movement manipulation is performed. When YES is determined in the step S 5 , the cursor CS 1  is moved to a desired location in a step S 7 , and thereafter, the process returns to the step S 3 . When YES is determined in the step S 3 , the pointing destination of the cursor CS 1  is determined in steps S 9  and S 11 . 
     If the pointing destination of the cursor CS 1  is “coding setting”, then YES is determined in the step S 9 , and the process advances to a step S 19  shown in  FIG. 10 . If the pointing destination of the cursor CS 1  is “link setting”, then the process advances from the step S 11  to a step S 17  so as to determine whether or not both the flags FLG_mp4 and FLG — 3gp indicate “1”. When a determined result is YES, the process advances to a step S 41  shown in  FIG. 11  while when the determined result is NO, the process returns to the step S 3 . 
     If the pointing destination of the cursor CS 1  is an item other than “coding setting” and “link setting”, NO is determined in the both steps S 9  and S 11 . In a step S 13 , another process is executed. Upon completion of the process in the step S 13 , in a step S 15 , the process executes a process similar to that in the above-described step S 1 , and then, the process returns to the step S 3 . 
     With reference to  FIG. 10 , in the step S 19 , the coding-menu display command is issued toward the overlay graphic generator  30 . The display of the LCD monitor  34  is updated from the main menu shown in  FIG. 5(A)  to the coding menu shown in  FIG. 5(B) . 
     In a step S 21 , it is determined whether or not the determination manipulation is performed, and in a step S 23 , it is determined whether or not the cursor movement manipulation is performed. 
     When YES is determined in the step S 23 , the cursor CS 2  and/or CS 3  is moved to a desired location in a step S 25 , and thereafter, the process returns to the step S 21 . When YES is determined in the step S 21 , the pointing destination of the cursor CS 2  is determined in a step S 27 , and the pointing destination of the cursor CS 3  is determined in a step S 33 . 
     When the cursor CS 2  points at “ON”, the process advances from the step S 27  to a step S 29  so as to set the flag FLG_mp4 to “1”. On the other hand, when the cursor CS 2  points at “OFF”, the process advances from the step S 27  to a step S 31  so as to set the flag FLG_mp4 to “0”. 
     When the cursor CS 3  points at “ON”, the process advances from the step S 33  to a step S 35  so as to set the flag FLG — 3gp to “1”. On the other hand, when the cursor CS 3  points at “OFF”, the process advances from the step S 33  to a step S 37  so as to set the flag FLG — 3gp to “0”. Upon completion of setting the flags FLG_mp4 and FLG — 3gp, a process similar to that in the above-described step S 1  is executed in a step S 39 , and thereafter, the process returns to the step S 3 . 
     With reference to  FIG. 11 , in the step S 41 , the link-menu display command is issued toward the overlay graphic generator  30 . The display on the LCD monitor  34  is transitioned from the main menu shown in  FIG. 5(A)  to that shown in  FIG. 5(C) . 
     In a step S 43 , it is determined whether or not the determination manipulation is performed, and in a step S 45 , it is determined whether or not the cursor movement manipulation is performed. When YES is determined in the step S 45 , the cursor CS 4  is moved to a desired location in a step S 47 , and thereafter, the process returns to the step S 43 . When YES is determined in the step S 43 , the pointing destination of the cursor CS 4  is determined in a step S 49 . 
     When the cursor CS 4  points at “ON”, the process advances from the step S 49  to a step S 51  so as to set the flag FLG_Link to “1”. On the other hand, when the cursor CS 4  points at “OFF”, the process advances from the step S 49  to a step S 53  so as to set the flag FLG_Link to “0”. Upon completion of the process in the step S 51  or S 53 , the process executes in a step S 55  a process similar to that in the above-described step S 1 , and thereafter, the process returns to the step S 3 . 
     With reference to  FIG. 12 , in a step S 61 , the moving-image fetching process is executed. Thereby, the through image is displayed on the LCD monitor  34 . In a step S 63 , it is repeatedly determined whether or not the recording start manipulation is performed. In a step S 65 , it is repeatedly determined whether or not at least one of the flags FLG_mp4 and FLG — 3gp indicates “1”. 
     When a determined result in at least one of the steps S 63  and S 65  is NO, the process returns to the step S 63 . When the determined results in both the steps S 63  and S 65  are YES, the value of the flag FLG_mp4 is determined in a step S 67  and the value of the flag FLG — 3gp is determined in a step S 73 . 
     If the value of the flag FLG_mp4 is “1”, then processes in steps S 69  to S 71  are executed, and if the value of the flag FLG_mp4 is “0”, then the processes in the steps S 69  to S 71  are omitted. Furthermore, if the value of the flag FLG — 3gp is “1”, then processes in steps S 75  to S 79  are executed, and if the value of the flag FLG — 3gp is “0”, then the processes in the steps S 75  to S 79  are omitted. 
     In the step S 69 , the recording medium  42  is accessed through the I/F  40  to newly create the MP4 file in the opened state onto the recording medium  42 . In the step S 71 , for the recording process into the MP4 file, the MP4 codec  36  is started up. 
     The MP4 codec  36  repeatedly reads out the image data in the 1080/60i system accommodated in the YUV image area  24   b  through the memory control circuit  22 , compresses the read-out image data according to the MPEG4 system, and writes the compressed image data into the recording image area  24   d  through the memory control circuit  22 . 
     In the step S 75 , the recording medium  42  is accessed through the I/F  40  to newly create the 3GP file in the opened state onto the recording medium  42 . In the steps S 77  and S 79 , for the recording process into the 3GP file, the post-processing circuit  28  and the MP4 codec  36  are respectively started up. 
     The post-processing circuit  28  reads out one portion of the raw image data belonging to the cut-out area CT 2  through the memory control circuit  22  so as to create the image data in the 480/30i system based on the read-out raw image data, and writes the created image data into the YUV image area  24   c  through the memory control circuit  22 . 
     The MP4 codec  36  repeatedly reads out the image data in the 480/30i system accommodated in the YUV image area  24   c  through the memory control circuit  22 , compresses the read-out image data according to the MPEG4 system, and writes the compressed image data into the recording image area  24   e  through the memory control circuit  22 . 
     In a step S 81 , it is determined whether or not the recording end manipulation is performed. When a determined result is updated from NO to YES, the MP4 codec  36  is stopped in a step S 83 . Moreover, the value of the flag FLG_mp4 is determined in a step S 85 , and at the same time, the value of the flag FLG — 3gp is determined in a step S 89 . 
     If the value of the flag FLG_mp4 is “1”, then a process in a step S 87  is executed, and if the value of the flag FLG_mp4 is “0”, then the process in the step S 87  is omitted. Furthermore, if the value of the flag FLG — 3gp is “1”, then processes in steps S 91  to S 93  are executed, and if the value of the flag FLG — 3gp is “0”, then the processes in the steps S 91  to S 93  are omitted. 
     In the step S 87 , the recording medium  42  is accessed through the I/F  40  so as to close the MP4 file in the opened state. In the step S 91 , the post-processing circuit  28  is stopped. In the step S 93 , the recording medium  42  is accessed through the I/F  40  so as to close the 3GP file in the opened state. 
     Upon completion of closing the file, the process advances to a step S 95  so as to designate a column in a vacant state on the file management table TBL. In a step S 97 , the file number of the closed MP4 file and/or 3GP file is described in the designated column. In a step S 99 , the value of the flag FLG_mp4 is set to the Item 1  in the designated column. In a step S 101 , the value of the flag FLG — 3gp is set to the Item 2  in the designated column. In a step S 103 , the value of the flag FLG_Link is set to the Item 3  in the designated column. Upon completion of the process in the step S 103 , the process returns to the step S 63 . 
     With reference to  FIG. 15 , in a step S 111 , the head column of the file management table TBL is designated, and in a step S 113 , it is determined whether or not the value of the Item 1  in the designated column is “1”. When a determined result is YES, the process advances to a step S 115  so as to designate, as the reproduction file, the MP4 file corresponding to the description in the designated column. On the other hand, when the determined result is NO, the process advances to a step S 117  so as to designate, as the reproduction file, the 3GP file corresponding to the description in the designated column. 
     In a step S 119 , the reproducing process in which the reproduction file designated in the step S 115  or S 117  is noticed is executed. As a result, the moving image based on the image data accommodated in the reproduction file is displayed on the LCD monitor  34 . 
     Upon completion of the reproducing process, it is determined in a step S 121  whether or not the forwarding manipulation is performed, it is determined in a step S 131  shown in  FIG. 16  whether or not the link-setting changing manipulation is performed, and it is determined in a step S 141  shown in  FIG. 17  whether or not the editing/deleting manipulation is performed. 
     When the forwarding manipulation is performed, it is determined in a step S 123  whether or not the reproduction file is the 3GP file, and it is determined in a step S 125  whether or not the value of the Item 2  in the designated column is “1”. If YES is determined in the step S 123  or NO is determined both in the steps S 123  and S 125 , then a subsequent column is designated in a step S 127 . Thereafter, the process returns to the step S 113 . If NO is determined in the step S 123  and YES is determined in the step S 125 , then the process advances to a step S 129  so as to designate, as the reproduction file, the 3GP file corresponding to the description in the designated column. Upon completion of the process in the step S 129 , the process returns to the step S 119 . 
     When the link-setting changing manipulation is performed, the process advances from the step S 131  shown in  FIG. 15  to a step S 133  so as to determine whether or not both the Item 1  and Item 2  in the designated column indicate “1”. When a determined result is NO, the process returns to the step S 121 , and when the determined result is YES, the process advances to a step S 135 . 
     In the step S 135 , it is determined whether or not the value of the Item 3  in the designated column is “0”. When a determined result is YES, the value of the Item 3  is changed to “1” in a step S 137  while when the determined result is NO, the value of the Item 3  is changed to “0” in a step S 139 . Upon completion of the process in the step S 137  or  5139 , the process returns to the step S 121 . 
     When the editing manipulation or the deleting manipulation is performed, the process advances from the step S 141  shown in  FIG. 17  to a step S 143  so as to perform the editing process or the deleting process on the reproduction file. In a step S 145 , it is determined whether or not the value of Item 3  in the designated column indicates “1”. When a determined result is NO, the process directly advances to a step S 149 , and on the other hand, when the determined result is YES, the process advances to the step S 149  via a step S 147 . In the step S 147 , corresponding to the editing process or the deleting process in the step S 143 , the editing process or the deleting process is performed on the link file. 
     In the step S 149 , it is determined whether or not the reproduction file is deleted, and when a determined result is NO, the process returns to the step S 121  while when the determined result is YES, the process advances to a step S 151 . In the step S 151 , it is determined whether or not the value of the Item 3  in the designated column indicates “1”, and when NO is determined, the process advances to a step S 153  while when YES is determined, the process advances to a step S 157 . 
     In the step S 153 , the value of the Item 1  or Item 2  in the designated column is changed to “0”. That is, if the reproduction file is the MP4 file, then the value of the Item 1  is changed to “0”, and if the reproduction file is the 3GP file, then the value of the Item 2  is changed to “0”. Upon completion of the change process, a subsequent column is designated in a step S 155 , and thereafter, the process returns to the step S 113 . In the step S 157 , the description in the designated column is deleted, and in a step S 159 , the description of a column after the subsequent column is shifted upwardly by one level. Upon completion of the process in the step S 159 , the process returns to the step S 113 . 
     As can be seen from the above-described explanation, the image data representing the motion of the scene is fetched to the SDRAM  24  by the moving-image fetching process. Along with converting the fetched image data into the compressed image data for the MP4 file, and at the same time, the MP4 codec  36  converts the same into the compressed image data for the 3GP file. The compressed image data, which is the former, is accommodated into the MP4 file, and the compressed image data, which is the latter, is accommodated into the 3GP file. 
     The CPU  44  edits one of the MP4 file and the 3GP file associated to each other, in response to the editing manipulation (S 133 ), and edits the other of the MP4 file and the 3GP file associated to each other, corresponding to the editing process (S 137 ). 
     Because of the MP4 codec  36  performing two types of converting processes on the common image data, the image representing the common scene is contained in the MP4 file and the 3GP file. When one of such MP4 file and 3GP file is edited, the other of the MP4 file and the 3GP file is edited in a corresponding manner. Thereby, it becomes possible to reduce complications caused at the time of managing or editing a plurality of recording images representing the common scene. 
     Furthermore, the CPU  44  sets the value of the Item 3  to be written from now onto the file management table TBL uniformly to a value that complies with the menu manipulation prior to the recording start manipulation (S 99 ), and sets the value of the Item 3  corresponding to the reproduced MP4 file or 3GP file individually to a value that complies with the link-setting changing manipulation (S 127  to S 129 ). With reference to the thus-set value of the Item 3 , the CPU  44  permits/restricts the editing process on the 3GP data (S 135 ). Thereby, it becomes possible to reflect a user&#39;s intension on the editing process. 
     It is noted that in this embodiment, a digital video camera is assumed; however, the present invention may also be applied to a stationary video recorder. 
     Moreover, in this embodiment, the editing process and the deleting process are distinguished; however, if a broader interpretation is applied, the deleting process may be understood as one portion of the editing process. Similarly, the deleting manipulation may be understood as one portion of the editing manipulation. 
     Furthermore, in this embodiment, the cut-out area CT 1  has a resolution equivalent to horizontal 1920 pixels×vertical 1080 pixels (its aspect ratio is 16:9), and the cut-out area CT 2  has a resolution equivalent to horizontal 640 pixels×vertical 480 pixels (its aspect ratio is 4:3). However, the following may be possible: an area having a resolution different from the horizontal 1920 pixels×vertical 1080 pixels is prepared as the cut-out area CT 1  while maintaining the aspect ratio of 16:9, and an area having a resolution different from the horizontal 640 pixels×vertical 480 pixels is prepared as the cut-out area CT 2  while maintaining the aspect ratio of 4:3. 
     Moreover, the aspect ratio and/or resolution may be coincident between the cut-out areas CT 1  and CT 2 . Furthermore, the aspect ratio is not restricted to 16:9 or 4:3, and the resolutions of the cut-out areas CT 1  and CT 2  are not restricted to the above-described resolutions. 
     Moreover, in this embodiment, when the editing process is executed, the first half or the second half of the image data accommodated in the reproduction file is deleted. However, in the editing process, a middle portion of the image data may be deleted, and both the first half and the second half of the image data may be deleted. 
     Although the present invention has been described and illustrated in detail, it is clearly understood that the same is by way of illustration and example only and is not to be taken by way of limitation, the spirit and scope of the present invention being limited only by the terms of the appended claims.