JP3982072B2 - Image processing apparatus and display method - Google Patents

Description

のようにして記述が行われる。
【００９３】
また、ファイルｖｉｄｅｏ１→ｖｉｄｅｏ２→ｖｉｄｅｏ３の順に再生すると共に、ｖｉｄｅｏ１に対しては、音声データのファイルであるａｕｄｉｏ１をアフレコトラックとして同時再生させたいときには、

のようにして記述が行われることになる。
【００９４】
また、或るファイルと同期再生させるべきファイルについて、この或るファイルが再生されて何秒後の位置から再生させる等の指定を行うための記述も用意されている。
例えば、ｖｉｄｅｏ１の画像ファイルが表示（再生）されてから５秒後にキャプション（例えば文字情報としての画像）を表示させるような場合には、

のようにして記述が行われることになる。
【００９５】
また、例えば静止画ファイルとしてのファイルｐｉｃｔｕｒｅ１を５秒間表示するように指示するのであれば、
＜ｉｍａｇｅ ｓｒｃ＝”ｐｉｃｔｕｒｅ１” ｄｕｒ ＝ ”５ｓ”＞
のようにして記述される。
【００９６】
また、いわゆるフレームミュートといわれ、或る動画ファイルの一部を抜き出すようにして再生する場合には、「ｒａｎｇｅ」を利用する。例えば、タイムコードとしてＳＭＰＴＥ(Society of Motion Picture and Television)の規格を採用しているとして、
＜ｖｉｄｅｏ ｓｒｃ＝”ｖｉｄｅｏ１”ｒａｎｇｅ＝”ｓｍｐｔｅ：１０：０７：００−１０：０７：３３”＞
のようにして記述することができる。
【００９７】
また、或るファイルを指定してリピートを行うのには、「ｒｅｐｅａｔ」を利用する。例えばｖｉｄｅｏ１のファイルを１０回リピートするのであれば、
＜ｖｉｄｅｏ ｓｒｃ ＝ ”ｖｉｄｅｏ１”ｒｅｐｅａｔ ＝ ”１０”＞
のようにして記述する。
【００９８】
そして本実施の形態においては、このような、ＳＭＩＬといわれるスクリプトを利用し、サムネイル表示として所要の表示形態を与えるための表示制御を実行可能に構成されるものである。
このため、例えば本実施の形態のビデオカメラシステムにおいては、このＳＭＩＬに対応した解釈、及びスクリプトの記述（生成）が行えるように、ＸＭＬのサブセットが用意されることになる。これは、例えばビデオコントローラ３８が実行すべきプログラムとして、ビデオコントローラ３８内のＲＯＭ等に予め格納したり、或いはディスクのアプリケーションレイヤーに対して記録して、読み出しが行えるようにしておけばよい。
【００９９】
本実施の形態においては、このようなスクリプトは、例えば、編集段階（又は録画操作を行っている段階）において、ビデオコントローラ３８が生成又は更新を行って、例えばバッファメモリ３２内の所定領域に保持しておくものとされる。
そして、このようにしてバッファメモリ３２に保持されたスクリプトを、所定の機会、又はタイミングでもってディスクに記録するようにされる。このスクリプトのデータは、図７にて説明した補助データトラック(Auxiliary Data Track)に対して、スクリプトファイルとして格納されることになる。このようにしてディスクにスクリプトが記録されることで、次にこのディスクを新たに装填したときには、このディスクに記録されたスクリプトを読み出し、例えば、バッファメモリ３２に対して保持させてこれを参照することで、以前の編集により得られた再生順等に従って編集再生等を行うことが可能となるものである。
【０１００】
８．サムネイル表示
本実施の形態のビデオカメラでは、ディスクに記録されたファイルの検索や各種編集処理を行うのにあたり、ディスクに記録されたファイルごとに対応するサムネイル画像を提示する、いわゆるサムネイル表示を行う。このサムネイル表示はいわゆるＧＵＩとして、記録再生、及び編集操作のための操作画面として利用される。そこで、本実施の形態におけるサムネイル表示の基本的な表示形態例について図８を参照して説明する。
【０１０１】
なお、以降の説明において扱うファイルとしては、説明の便宜上、録画ファイルであることを前提として説明することとする。録画ファイルとは、前述したように、当該ビデオカメラにより撮影した画像を録画して得られる動画像ファイルであって、同時にマイクロフォンにより収音された音声も含まれ得るファイルのことである。
【０１０２】
例えば、本実施の形態のビデオカメラ装置に対してファイルが記録済みのディスクを装填した状態で、メインダイヤル３００を操作して電源をオフからオンの状態にしたとすると、例えば表示部６Ａの表示画面に対しては、初期画面として、図８に示すサムネイル表示が行われるようにされる。
【０１０３】
この図に示すサムネイル表示としては、最大１２ファイル分のサムネイル画像が表示可能とされており、ここでは、１２ファイル分のサムネイル画像の表示領域に対してサムネイル画像４０１，４０１・・・が表示されている状態が示されている。
【０１０４】
また、ここで各サムネイル画像４０１内に示される、（１）〜（１２）の数値は、前述したスクリプトにより指定されるファイル再生順を示しているものとされる。つまり、本実施の形態においては、スクリプトにより指定されるファイル再生順に従った所定の配列順によってサムネイル画像が表示されることになる。
【０１０５】
サムネイル画像の生成処理は前述したとおりであり、また、生成されたサムネイル画像データを利用したサムネイル表示のための画像処理、及びこれを実現するための制御については後述するが、サムネイル画像とは、例えば動画のファイルであれば、その動画中における代表としての画像を、縮小された静止画像として形成することで得られるものである。
従って、図８に示すような本実施の形態のサムネイル表示を見ることで、ユーザは、ディスクに記録されているファイルの内容を視覚的に認識することができると共に、これらファイルについての再生順も視覚的に把握することが可能となるものである。
【０１０６】
また、このサムネイル表示においては、１つのサムネイル画像を指定するためのポインタ４０２が表示される。このポインタ４０２は、例えば十字キー３１０に対して行われた操作に従った方向に、順次隣接するサムネイル画像４０１を移動するようにして表示が行われるものとされる。なお、サーチキー３０８，３０９を用いて、再生順に従ってポインタ４０２がサムネイル画像間を移動できるようにしてもよい。
【０１０７】
この場合、ポインタ４０２は、再生又は記録開始位置の基点となるファイルを選択指定するものとされる。
例えば再生に関すれば、ユーザは、上記十字キー３１０等の操作により、ポインタ４０２を所望のファイルに対応するサムネイル画像に対して配置させるための操作を行った後、再生キー３０６を操作するようにされる。これにより、ビデオカメラでは、再生キー３０６の操作時点においてポインタ４０２が配置されていたサムネイル画像が対応するファイルについての再生を開始するようにされる。
また、上記のようにしてファイルの再生を開始した後においては、再生停止のための操作が行われるまで、スクリプトにより指定されたファイル再生順に従って、順次ファイルが再生されていく。具体的には、図８に示す再生順（７）のファイルを選択して再生を開始したとすれば、以降は、再生順（８）（９）（１０）・・・の順にファイル再生が行われていくことになる。
また、再生されるべきファイルにアフレコトラックが付随するようにして管理されているのであれば、このアフレコトラックもスクリプトの記述内容に従って、同期して再生される。
なお、ファイル再生が行われているときには、上記図８に示したサムネイル表示の代わりにその再生画像が表示されることになる。また、再生が停止されれば図８に示すサムネイル表示に戻るようにされればよい。
【０１０８】
ここで、図８に示すサムネイル表示が実現されるためのスクリプトの記述内容例を以下に示しておく。前述したように、サムネイル表示におけるサムネイル画像の配列順はスクリプトにより記述された再生順に基づく。従って、以下に示すスクリプトは、図８に示されている各サムネイル画像が対応する１２のファイルの再生順を示すスクリプトである。
ここで、図８のサムネイル画像として示されている（１）〜（１２）の再生順に対応する録画ファイルのファイル名が、それぞれＶｉｄｅｏ１〜Ｖｉｄｅｏ１２であるとすると、そのスクリプトの内容は、

のようにして記述されることになる。
【０１０９】
９．本実施の形態のサムネイル表示
上記図８に示した基本的なサムネイル表示例を前提として、本実施の形態としての特徴となるサムネイル表示について、以降説明する。
【０１１０】
例えば、図８に示すサムネイル表示内において、再生順（３）〜（７）までのサムネイル画像４０１に対応する５つの録画ファイルが、例えばどこかの観光地にて記念撮影したものであるなど、その内容として１纏まりの或る特定の意味を有するものであるとする。
本実施の形態では、このような再生順的に連続する任意の複数のサムネイル画像４０１を一纏めにして、「グループ」として管理することが出来るが、そのための操作は、例えば次のようにして行う。
【０１１１】
ユーザは、図８に示すサムネイル表示が行われている状態の下で、例えばグループに属するサムネイル画像４０１のうち、先ず再生順的に先頭となるサムネイル画像４０１を指定する。この場合であれば、再生順（３）とされているサムネイル画像４０１である。このために、ユーザは、例えば十字／クリックキー３１０を操作してポインタ４０２を再生順（３）のサムネイル画像４０１上に配置させ、この状態のもとでクリック操作（十字／クリックキー３１０のセンター部に対する押圧操作）を行うようにされる。これにより、グループにおける再生順的に先頭のサムネイル画像が指定される。
続いては、同様の操作によって、再生順的に最後となるサムネイル画像を指定する。つまり、この場合には、再生順（７）のサムネイル画像４０１に対してクリック操作を行うようにされる。
【０１１２】
これまでの操作により、グループ化すべき複数のサムネイル画像が特定されることになる。つまり、１グループにおける先頭（再生順（３））と最後（再生順（７））のサムネイル画像４０１を指定したことで再生順（３）〜（７）の５つのサムネイル画像４０１が１グループとして扱われるべきであることが指定されることになる。
【０１１３】
なお、上記１グループにおける先頭と最後のサムネイル画像の指定操作としては、結果的にこれら２つのサムネイル画像の指定が行われればよいので、先に最後のサムネイル画像を指定し、続いて先頭のサムネイル画像を指定しても構わない。
また、以降においては、例えばサムネイル画像等のクリック操作の対象となる位置に対してポインタを配置させ、この状態でクリック操作を行うことを、「−−に対するクリック操作」といって簡略した表現を用いることとする。
【０１１４】
上記までのような操作が行われると、図８に示したサムネイル表示は、例えば図９（ａ）（ｂ）のいづれかに示すように変更される。なお、ここでは、各サムネイル画像４０１における表示内容の図示は省略し、各サムネイル画像４０１の表示枠内には、再生順のみを便宜上示している。
例えば図９（ａ）に示す表示であれば、再生順（３）〜（７）の５つのサムネイル画像４０１は、グループ囲み枠により一纏めにして括られるようにして表示されることで、或る１つのグループに属するサムネイル画像（録画ファイル）であることが視覚的に示される。つまり、この図に示すサムネイル表示ではグループ１が展開されて、このグループ１のディレクトリ内に含まれる複数のサムネイル画像が提示されている形態で表示が行われているものである。
【０１１５】
そして、このグループに対しては、例えばそのグループ名を表すグループタブ４０３も例えば図のような形態により表示される。
なお、ここではグループタブ４０３におけるグループ名として「グループ１」という文字が表示されているが、例えば、実際には、ユーザによる所定の文字入力操作によって、任意のグループ名を入力可能とし、この入力されたグループ名がグループタブ４０３にて表示されるようにしても構わない。
【０１１６】
そして、例えば、ユーザが図９（ａ）に示されているグループタブ４０３に対してクリック操作を行ったとすると、サムネイル表示は例えば図９（ｂ）に示すようにして変更される。
つまり、図９（ａ）に示すようにして展開表示されていた「グループ１」に属する５つのサムネイル画像４０１（再生順（３）〜（７））のうち、グループ１内において２番目以降の再生順となる、再生順（４）〜（７）のサムネイル画像４０１の表示は行われなくなり、グループ１としては、グループ１内において先頭となる再生順（３）のサムネイル画像４０１のみが表示されることになる。
この場合、グループ囲み枠４０４は、再生順（３）のサムネイル画像４０１のみを囲むようにされ、このグループ囲み枠４０４に対してグループタブ４０３が付随するようにして表示が行われる。
【０１１７】
つまり、図９（ｂ）のグループ表示は、グループ１を一纏めにした表示形態とみることができる。そして、この場合には、その先頭の再生順（３）のサムネイル画像４０１を表示させていることで、この再生順（３）のサムネイル画像をグループ１の代表画像として扱い、他の再生順（４）〜（７）のサムネイル画像は、潜在的に、このグループ１としての再生順（３）のサムネイル画像表示に格納されているものとして扱うようにされる。
なお、以降は図９（ａ）に示すようなグループ表示を「展開表示」ともいい、図９（ｂ）に示すようなグループ表示を「クローズ表示」ともいいうこととする。
【０１１８】
これら図９（ａ）（ｂ）に示す形態のグループ表示では、グループ１以外のサムネイル画像（録画ファイル）が在るとされる階層に対して、グループ１に属するサムネイル画像（録画ファイル）は、これより１段下の階層に存在するものとして扱われることになる。
【０１１９】
ここで、グループ１に対して続く再生順のサムネイル画像は、再生順（８）とされているサムネイル画像４０１となる。このため、図９（ｂ）のようにしてグループ１がクローズ表示された状態では、このグループ１に続く再生順のサムネイル画像が表示される位置に対して、再生順（８）のサムネイル画像４０１が繰り上がるようにして表示され、以降、再生順（９）〜（１２）のサムネイル画像４０１が再生順に従って順次配列表示されることになる。
そして、実際には、再生順（１２）のサムネイル画像４０１以降においても、これに続く複数のサムネイル画像（録画ファイル）が有ったのであれば、これらのサムネイル画像４０１が、サムネイル表示における最大表示可能数を満たすまで順次繰り上げ表示されることになる。図９（ｂ）の場合には、再生順（１２）のサムネイル画像４０１に続けて、再生順（１２）〜（１６）までのサムネイル画像が繰り上げ表示されている例が示されている。
つまり、図９（ｂ）に示すサムネイル表示とした場合は、グループを展開せずに纏めて表示することで、限られたサムネイル画像数しか表示されないサムネイル表示画面上に出来るだけ多くのサムネイル画像（録画ファイル）を再生順に従って表示させることができるものである。
【０１２０】
そして、例えば図９（ｂ）に示す表示状態の下で、再度、グループ１を示すグループタブ４０３に対するクリック操作を行うと、表示画面は図９（ａ）に示す表示形態に戻るようにされる。つまり、グループ１を示すグループタブ４０３に対するクリック操作を行うことで、図９（ａ）に示すグループの展開表示と、図９（ｂ）に示すクローズ表示との切り換えが行われるものである。
【０１２１】
これまで説明したような、サムネイル表示におけるグループ１についての表示をこれまでのパーソナルコンピュータのＧＵＩと対応させると、例えば図９（ａ）に示した表示形態は、或るフォルダを展開して、そのフォルダのなかにあるとされるファイルが視覚可能なように表示している状態に対応し、図９（ｂ）に示す表示はフォルダが閉じられて表示されて、内部のファイルが何なのかについては、視覚的に認識が出来ないような状態に対応しているものとされる。
【０１２２】
ここで、上記図９に示したサムネイル表示に対するファイル再生操作例として、グループ化されたサムネイル画像に対する操作に応じたファイル再生動作について簡単に述べておく。
先ず、図９（ａ）に示す表示状態の下で、グループ１に属するものとして表示されているサムネイル画像４０１のうちから、任意のサムネイル画像に対してクリック操作を行ったとすれば、そのクリック操作が行われたサムネイル画像のファイルから再生順に従ってファイル再生が行われることになる。この点では、図８により説明したファイル再生と変わるところはない。
但し、再生終了の機会についていえば、これまでと同様に、特に再生停止操作がない限りディスクに記録されている最後の再生順のファイルまで再生を行っていくようにすることも考えられるが、１つのグループが内容的に或る共通した意味合いを有するものであることを考慮すると、グループ内における最後のファイルの再生が終了するのを以て、ファイル再生動作が終了されるように構成することが考えられる。例えば、図９（ａ）に示す表示状態の下で、再生順（５）のサムネイル画像に対してクリック操作を行ってファイル再生を開始したとすると、再生順（５）→（６）→（７）の順に各録画ファイルの再生を行い、これら録画ファイルの再生終了を以て、ファイル再生動作を終了させるものである。
【０１２３】
また、図９（ｂ）に示す表示状態の下で、再生順（３）のサムネイル画像４０１（つまりグループ１のサムネイル画像）に対するクリック操作を行った場合には、グループ１内の録画ファイルを指定されている再生順に従って、順次再生するようにされる。再生終了の機会については、上記図９（ａ）に対応して説明した再生終了動作に準ずればよい。
【０１２４】
なお、図９（ａ）（ｂ）に示す何れの表示状態の下であっても、グループ１に属していないサムネイル画像に対してクリック操作を行ってファイル再生を開始した場合には、グループ内で再生終了することなく、再生停止操作が行われない限りは、ディスクに記録されている最後の再生順のファイルまで再生していくようにすればよい。例えば、再生順（１）の録画ファイルから再生を行ったとすれば、再生順として、（１）→（２）→（３）→（４）→（５）→（６）→（７）→（８）→（９）→（１０）→（１１）→（１２）・・・のようにしてファイル再生が行われるようにされればよいものである。
【０１２５】
また、図９（ａ）（ｂ）には示していないが、同一のサムネイル表示画像上において、グループ１と階層的に並列するようにして他のグループが存在しても構わない。つまりは、図９（ａ）或いは図９（ｂ）に示す表示状態の下で、例えば、再生順（１）のサムネイル画像が表示されている位置にクローズ状態にあるグループが表示されていたり、或いは、再生順（１）→（２）のサムネイル画像が表示されている位置に対して２つのサムネイル画像によるグループが展開表示されていたりすることも、本実施の形態のサムネイル表示としては、当然あり得るものである。
【０１２６】
本実施の形態では、上記図９（ａ）（ｂ）のようなグループ化に対応したサムネイル表示も、スクリプトの記述に従って行われるものとされる。このためには、再生順を指定するスクリプトに対して、上記した指定操作により指定された複数のサムネイル画像（録画ファイル）がグループ化されたことを示す記述内容を追加すればよいものである。このような、グループ化を指定したスクリプトの記述例として、上記図９に対応する記述内容は次のようなものとなる。なお、ここでは便宜上、再生順（１）〜（１２）までの録画ファイルについて記述した場合を挙げておく。

上記記述から分かるように、１つのグループに属する録画ファイルであることを示すタグとして、＜ｇｒｏｕｐ＞を規定し、この場合であれば、＜ｖｉｄｅｏｓｒｃ＝”ｖｉｄｅｏ３”＞〜＜ｖｉｄｅｏ ｓｒｃ＝”ｖｉｄｅｏ７”＞までのファイルを、＜ｇｒｏｕｐ＞，＜／ｇｒｏｕｐ＞のタグにより囲うことで、再生順（４）〜（７）のサムネイル画像（録画ファイル）が１グループに属することを表現するものである。
【０１２７】
また、グループを展開表示とするか、或いはクローズ表示とするのかの切り換えは、本実施の形態では、スクリプトにより記述されるのではなく、グループタブ４０３に対するクリック操作に対応したビデオコントローラ３８の表示制御（これについては後述する）によって実現されるものとする。
【０１２８】
上記図９に示すグループ化を含むサムネイル表示では、おおもとのサムネイル表示に対して、１階層のグループ化が行われている場合の表示形態を示したが、或るグループ内に対して更に他のグループが存在するようにして管理する、つまり、グループが複数階層の構造を有するようにして管理することも可能とされる。
図１０は、上記のような階層構造を有する場合のサムネイル表示の表示例を示すものとされる。
この場合には、図１０（ａ）には、再生順（１）〜（１２）までのサムネイル画像のうち、再生順（３）〜（７）のサムネイル画像がグループ１として扱われて展開表示されている点では、図９（ａ）に示す表示形態と同様とされる。但し、ここでは、グループ１のディレクトリ内において、再生順（７）としてのサムネイル画像４０１がグループ化されていることを示す表示が行われている。つまり、グループ１に属することを示すグループ囲み枠４０４により囲まれた中で、さらに再生順（７）のサムネイル画像４０１に対して、グループ囲み枠４０４による囲み表示が行われた上で、グループ名が「グループ２」であることを示すグループタグ４０３が付けられて表示されている。
この場合、再生順（７）のサムネイル画像４０１により示されるグループ２は、クローズ表示が行われている状態とされており、ここで再生順（７）として表示されているサムネイル画像４０１を先頭として、複数のサムネイル画像（録画ファイル）が潜在的に格納されていることを示しているものである。
【０１２９】
そして、図１０（ａ）に示すグループ２のグループタブ４０３に対してクリック操作を行った場合には、サムネイル表示は例えば図１０（ｂ）に示すものとなる。つまり、既に図１０（ａ）の表示のもとで展開されていたグループ１のディレクトリ内において、更にグループ２が展開されている表示状態が得られることになる。この状態では、グループ２は、再生順として（７）→（７−１）→（７−２）に従って、３つの録画ファイルがグループ化されていることが各サムネイル画像によって示される。そして、この場合には、再生順（７−１），（７−２）の２枚のサムネイル画像が追加的に表示されたことで、図１０（ａ）に示されていた再生順（１１），（１２）の各サムネイル画像は繰り下げられるようにして、このサムネイル表示のページから外され、再生順（１０）のサムネイル画像がこのサムネイル表示のページにおいて最後の再生順の位置に表示されている状態となる。
【０１３０】
この図９（ａ）（ｂ）に提示されているサムネイル画像に対応する録画ファイルについて、例えば再生順（１）の録画ファイルから再生を行ったとすれば、再生順として、（１）→（２）→（３）→（４）→（５）→（６）→（７）→（７−１）→（７−２）→（８）→（９）→（１０）・・・のようにしてファイル再生が行われることになる。
【０１３１】
上記のような、或るグループのディレクトリ内に対して、更にグループが存在するようにして管理を行い、これを図１０に示したようにして表示するのにあたっても、スクリプトにより記述されることになる。
例えば上記図１０に示すグループ化を再生順と共に指定するスクリプトとしては、

のように記述することが考えられる。つまり、＜ｇｒｏｕｐ１＞のタグによりグループ１に含められるビデオソース（録画ファイル）を表現し、更に、＜ｇｒｏｕｐ１＞，＜／ｇｒｏｕｐ１＞のタグで囲まれたスクリプトの行内において、＜ｇｒｏｕｐ２＞，＜／ｇｒｏｕｐ２＞のタグによりグループ２に含められる録画ファイルを表現するものである。この場合の基本的な再生順は、＜ｇｒｏｕｐ１＞、＜／ｇｒｏｕｐ２＞のタグを無視した場合の、＜ｓｅｑ＞により表現されるスクリプトの行（ビデオソースの記述順）によって指定される。
【０１３２】
ここで、上記図９、又は図１０に示した本実施の形態としてのサムネイル表示と、図１３に示すサムネイル表示とを比較してみる。
図１３に示すサムネイル表示は、録画ファイルについてのサムネイル表示を、パーソナルコンピュータのＧＵＩの形態を応用して実現したと仮定した場合に想定される表示形態例を示すものである。
【０１３３】
図１３においては、図９、図１０の場合と同様に、再生順（３）〜（７）の５つのファイルをグループ１として纏めるものとして既に設定が行われているものとされた上で、このグループ１を展開して表示している場合が示されている。
この場合には、グループ１としてのウィンドウＷＤが表示され、このウィンドウＷＤ内に対して、再生順（３）〜（７）の各サムネイル画像４０１が表示されている状態が示されている。
また、ここでは親ディレクトリに移行するためのディレクトリ移行ボタン４０５が表示されており、この表示状態の下で、ディレクトリ移行ボタン４０５に対するクリック操作を行うと、これより１段階上の階層のディレクトリの表示も行われる。例えば、図９（ｂ）に似たサムネイル表示が行われる場合も有れば、このグループ１が他のグループの階層下に属しているような場合には、その親のグループについて、図１３に示すグループ１と同様に、ウィンドウＷＤによる展開表示が行われる。
【０１３４】
上記図１３に示すようなサムネイル表示の場合、グループ１のディレクトリと、これと隣り合う親又は子のディレクトリとの連結関係が把握しづらいものとなる。
つまり、グループ１のディレクトリ内における録画ファイルの再生順は少なくとも視覚的に認識することは出来るものの、例えば、このグループ１より上のディレクトリに対する関係として、グループ１の先頭の録画ファイルより以前に再生されるべき録画ファイルとの関係や、グループ１の最後の録画ファイル以降に再生されるべき録画ファイルとの関係を、図１３に示す画面により一目で把握することは出来ない。つまり、録画ファイル全体についての再生順を見渡すようにして認識することが難しい。
同様にして、例えばグループ１のディレクトリ内において、更に複数のサムネイル画像を纏めたグループ（例えばグループ２）が有る場合、このグループ２を展開すれば、上記図１３に示すグループ１の展開表示とは並列的（或いは独立的にとも言える）にこのグループ２のウィンドウが表示されるため、やはり、グループ１とグループ２間での録画ファイルの再生順が把握しにくいことになる。
【０１３５】
これに対して、図９又は図１０に示した本実施の形態としてのサムネイル表示では、グループが展開表示された状態には、或るグループ内での再生順と、そのグループの前後におけるファイル又はグループとの再生順が示されることになる。また、或るグループがクローズ表示された場合には、このグループと、そのグループの前後におけるファイル又はグループとの再生順が示される。
つまり、本実施の形態のサムネイル表示としては、グループのディレクトリ構造は、常に再生順という枠組みの中で提示が行われるものであり、或るグループについて展開表示或いはクローズ表示の何れが行われているにせよ、或るグループとその前後の録画ファイル又はグループとの再生順の関係を視覚的に把握できるものである。
これは、言い換えれば、例えば図１３に示したようなパーソナルコンピュータＧＵＩを操作するのに必要となるディレクトリの親子関係の概念を特に理解していなくとも、グループ化により必然となるディレクトリの階層構造を、１画面上で容易に認識できることになるものである。これにより、例えばパーソナルコンピュータの扱いには不慣れなユーザであっても、グループ化によるディレクトリの階層構造を自然に把握して、特に混乱することなくサムネイル画像に対する操作を行うことが可能になるものである。
【０１３６】
続いて、上記した本実施の形態としてのサムネイル表示を実現するための処理動作について、図１１及び図１２のフローチャートを参照して説明する。なお、この図に示す処理動作は、例えばビデオコントローラ３８がマスターコントローラとして機能したうえで、必要に応じてドライバコントローラ４６及びカメラコントローラ２５が制御処理を実行することにより実現される。
【０１３７】
図１１に示す処理は主として、先に説明したグループ化のための指定操作（グループ化すべき先頭のサムネイル画像と、最後のサムネイル画像を指定するための操作）に応じた制御処理を示すものである。また、この図に示す処理が開始される段階においては、既にサムネイル表示が表示部６Ａに対して行われており、操作部７に対する所定操作により、グループ化設定を行うためのグループ設定モードとされているものとされる。
グループ設定モードの下では、前述したように、これよりユーザがグループ化しようと思っている再生順が連続した複数のサムネイル画像４０１のうち、再生順的に先頭となるサムネイル画像４０１と、最後となるサムネイル画像４０１に対するクリック操作を、サムネイル表示上で行うようにされる。
【０１３８】
ステップＳ１０１では、上記クリック操作に応じて、これよりグループ化すべきサムネイル画像における先頭のサムネイル画像（録画ファイル）を指定する処理を実行し、更に続くステップＳ１０２において、これよりグループ化すべきサムネイル画像における先頭のサムネイル画像を指定するための処理を実行する。
なお、前述したように、グループ指定のためのサムネイル画像の指定は、先頭のサムネイル画像を指定した後に最後のサムネイル画像を指定しても、また、最後のサムネイル画像を指定した後に先頭のサムネイル画像を指定しても構わないため、上記ステップＳ１０１，Ｓ１０２の処理については、Ｓ１０２→Ｓ１０１の順で実行されても構わないものである。
【０１３９】
上記ステップＳ１０１，Ｓ１０２により、グループ化すべきサムネイル画像の指定操作に対応する処理を実行した後は、ステップＳ１０３に進む。
前述したように、サムネイル表示に際しては再生順に従ってサムネイル画像を配列させる必要上、この図に示す処理が実行される前段階において、既に、ディスクから再生順を指定するスクリプトは読み出されて、バッファメモリ３２に保持されている状態にある。つまり、この図に示す処理が開始される前におけるサムネイル表示は、先にバッファメモリ３２に読み込まれた再生順を指定するスクリプトを解釈することで表示が行われたものである。
【０１４０】
そこで、ステップＳ１０３では、上記バッファメモリ３２に保持されている再生順を指定するスクリプトの記述内容を、上記指定操作に従って指定されたサムネイル画像（録画ファイル）が１つのグループとして管理されるように更新する。具体的には、指定操作に従って指定された先頭のサムネイル画像（録画ファイル）から最後のサムネイル画像（録画ファイル）までの記述部分を、先に図９又は図１０に対応して示したスクリプトの記述内容のようにして、＜ｇｒｏｕｐ＞，＜／ｇｒｏｕｐ＞のタグで囲むようにしてその記述内容を変更するものである。
このようなスクリプトの更新は、例えばマスターコントローラとして機能するビデオコントローラ３８がＸＭＬのサブセットを利用して実行することになる。
【０１４１】
そして、続くステップＳ１０４において、上記ステップＳ１０３により更新されたスクリプトの記述内容に基づくサムネイル表示を実行するようにされる。つまり、ステップＳ１０１，１０２に対応する指定操作に応じて設定されたグループが表現されるようにサムネイル表示の内容を更新する。
【０１４２】
上記ステップＳ１０４のサムネイル表示のための処理は、例えば図１２に示す処理動作となる。なお、この図１２に示すステップＳ１０４としてのサムネイル表示のための処理は、図１１により説明したようにして、ユーザによるグループ設定のための操作に対応して実行される他、例えばビデオカメラに対する電源オン後などにおいて、サムネイル表示を最初に行う場合、更には、グループタブ４０３に対するクリック操作（グループの展開表示／クローズ表示の切り換え操作）が行われた場合等にもこの図に準じた処理が実行される。
【０１４３】
図１２に示すルーチンにおいては、先ず、ステップＳ２０１において、フラグＦについて、Ｆ＝０としてからステップＳ２０１に進む。なお、フラグＦの意義については後述する。
【０１４４】
ステップＳ２０２では、現在バッファメモリ３２に保持されている再生順を示すスクリプトを、これからのサムネイル表示制御のために、例えば内部のＲＡＭに取り込む（書き込む）ための処理が実行される。
そして、続くステップＳ２０３において、ＲＡＭに読み込まれたスクリプトにおいて、現サムネイル画像（録画ファイル）についての記述内容を解析するために、この現サムネイル画像の記述部分をビデオコントローラ３８が読み込む処理が実行される。
ここでいう現サムネイル画像とは、これより記述内容の読み込みが行われる録画ファイルのことをいい、例えばこれからの処理が、図９に示すサムネイル表示を行うための処理であるとすれば、最初にステップＳ２０３の処理に至った段階では、再生順として最も先頭にあるとされる再生順（１）の録画ファイル（Ｖｉｄｅｏ１）の記述部分についての読み込みが行われることになる。つまり＜ｓｅｑ＞の次の行から読み込みが開始される。そして以降、後述する処理によりステップＳ２０３の処理に至るごとに、順次、再生順として次の録画ファイルの記述内容の読み込みが実行される。
【０１４５】
ステップＳ２０３の処理によりスクリプトにおける所要の記述部分が読み込まれた後は、ステップＳ２０４に進む。ステップＳ２０４においては、現在グループ化処理が実行中であるか否かについて判別が行われる。
ここでいう「グループ化処理」とは、後述するステップＳ２０７の処理に移行して、最終的にステップＳ２１３（若しくはステップＳ２１７）の処理を経るまでの処理経過中にあることをいうものである。
【０１４６】
ステップＳ２０４において、現在グループ化処理が実行中でないと判別された場合には、ステップＳ２０５に進む。
ステップＳ２０５では、現在読み込んでいる現サムネイル画像についてのスクリプトの記述内容として、グループ化の開始を示す＜ｇｒｏｕｐ＞タグが、その直前に付されているか否かが判別される。ここで否定結果が得られる場合とは、現在グループ化処理も行われておらず、かつ＜ｇｒｏｕｐ＞タグも得られないということで、先のステップＳ２０３にて読み込んだ録画ファイルはグループ化されていない独立したディレクトリ（最上階層）に在るということを意味する。従って、ステップＳ２０５で否定結果が得られた場合には、ステップＳ２０６に進み、現サムネイル画像を、サムネイル表示上において再生順に従った所要の配列位置に対して表示させるための制御処理が実行される。
例えば、この図に示す処理が図９に示すサムネイル表示を行うものであるとして、上記ステップＳ２０６の処理が最初に実行されたものである場合には、図９に示す位置（最上行の最も右の列）に、再生順（１）のサムネイル画像をマッピングして表示するように制御を実行することになる。
この場合、サムネイル画像表示に使用するサムネイル画像の画像データは、前述したディスクのサムネイルトラックから所要のサムネイル画像データを読み出すことにより得られるものである。
【０１４７】
上記ステップＳ２０６の処理が完了するとステップＳ２１５に進み、これまでのサムネイル画像表示処理によって、例えば１ページ分のサムネイル画像表示が完了したか否かが判別される。つまり、図９や図１０に示したようなサムネイル画像表示数（この場合には１２）を満たすサムネイル表示画像が得られている状態にあるか否か、或いは、サムネイル画像表示数に満たないとしても、表示すべき全てのサムネイル画像を表示し終えたか否かが判別される。
ここで、未だ１ページ分のサムネイル画像表示が完了していないことが判別されれば、ステップＳ２０３に戻ることで、スクリプトの次の行（次の現サムネイル画像（録画ファイル）又はタグ）に対する読み込みが実行される。
【０１４８】
一方、ステップＳ２０５において、現在読み込んでいるスクリプトの記述内容として、現サムネイル画像に対応する録画ファイルの記述部分の直前にグループ化の開始を示す＜ｇｒｏｕｐ＞タグが付されているという肯定結果が得られた場合には、ステップＳ２０７に進む。
【０１４９】
ステップＳ２０７においては、これよりグループ化を開始し、グループの先頭として、現サムネイル画像を表示出力させるための制御処理を実行して、ステップＳ２０８に進む。
【０１５０】
ステップＳ２０８においては、上記ステップＳ２０８によりグループ化が開始されたグループについて、展開表示すべき指示が行われているか否かが判別される。この判別処理にあたっては、基本的には３つの状況が考えられる。
１つには、図１２に示す処理が、前述したユーザによるグループタブ４０３に対するクリック操作による指示に応じて行われた場合であり、この場合には、このクリック操作が行われた時点でのグループの表示が展開表示／クローズ表示の何れであったのかということに依存する。例えば、展開表示されていた状態でグループタブ４０３に対するクリック操作が行われたのであれば、クローズ表示を指示していることになり、ステップＳ２０８では否定結果が得られることになる。
また、グループ化設定に応答した変更表示等の場合には、例えば、展開表示とするかクローズ表示（展開しない表示）とするかを予め設定しておき、この設定内容に従って、判別を行うようにすればよい。
また、例えばサムネイル表示を例えば電源投入などに応じて最初に表示するような場合には、これより以前の段階での最後の表示状態として各グループを展開表示していたのかクローズ表示としていたのかの情報を、ディスクに書き込む、或いはビデオコントローラ３８内部の不揮発性メモリ（図示せず）にメモリしておくようにし、この情報を利用して、ステップＳ２０８における判別処理を実行するようにすればよい。
【０１５１】
上記ステップＳ２０８にて肯定結果が得られた場合には、一旦ステップＳ２０９に進んで、フラグＦについてＦ＝１と設定してからステップＳ２１５に進むようにされる。つまり、フラグＦは、現在グループ化処理中とされるグループについて展開表示が指示されているか否かを示すもので、Ｆ＝１であれば展開表示が指示されており、Ｆ＝０であればクローズ表示が指示されていることを示す。
これに対して、ステップＳ２０８にて否定結果が得られた場合には、そのままステップＳ２１５に進むようにされる。
【０１５２】
これまで説明した処理が実行されることで、再生順のスクリプトに＜ｇｒｏｕｐ＞タグが付されていれば、ステップＳ２０８→ステップＳ２０９を経て、ステップＳ２０３に戻る処理によって、グループ化処理が実行されることになる。この過程では、前述したステップＳ２０４において肯定結果が得られ、ステップＳ２１０に進むことになる。
【０１５３】
ステップＳ２１０においては、現録画ファイル（サムネイル画像）についてのスクリプトの記述内容の直後に対してグループの最後の録画ファイルであることを示す、＜／ｇｒｏｕｐ＞のタグが付されているか否かについて判別する。
この＜／ｇｒｏｕｐ＞のタグが付されていないと判別された場合、つまり、現録画ファイルがグループにおける最後のファイルではないと判別された場合には、ステップＳ２１１に進んで、フラグＦについてＦ＝１とされているか否かについて判別が行われる。つまり、このグループについて展開／クローズ表示の何れが指示されているのかが判別される。
ここで、ステップＳ２１１において肯定結果が得られた、つまり、展開表示するものとして指示が行われている場合には、ステップＳ２１２に進み、現サムネイル画像を、現在グループ化処理中のグループに対して、その再生順に従って追加するようにして表示するための制御を実行して、ステップＳ２１５の処理に進むようにされる。
このステップＳ２１２の処理が実行されることで、グループ内のサムネイル画像が再生順に従って順次マッピングされるようにして表示されることになり、例えば、図９（ａ）、図１（ａ）に示すようなグループ１の展開表示、及び図１０（ｂ）に示したようなグループ１の展開表示の下でのグループ２の展開表示が実現される。
【０１５４】
一方、現在グループ化処理中のグループについてクローズ表示が指示されており、ステップＳ２１１にて否定結果が得られた場合には、そのままステップＳ２０３の処理に戻るようにされる。この処理によって、例えスクリプトによりグループ設定されていることを示す記述がされていたとしても、グループにおいて再生順的に先頭となるサムネイル画像のみが、先に述べたステップＳ２０７の処理によって表示出力されるだけで、以降、グループ内において、これに続く再生順のサムネイル画像は、表示出力されることなくスキップされる。
このような処理によって、例えば図９（ｂ）に示すグループ２のようなクローズ表示が最終的には得られることになる。
【０１５５】
また、グループ化処理中であるとして、ステップＳ２０４からステップＳ２１０に移行する処理経過中において、現録画ファイルのスクリプトの記述内容の直後に＜／ｇｒｏｕｐ＞のタグが付されていることが判別された場合には、ステップＳ２１０からステップＳ２１３に移行する処理となる。
【０１５６】
ステップＳ２１３においては、これまで実行していたグループ化処理を終了する。そして、これまでグループ化処理の過程で表示出力させていた１又は複数のサムネイル画像を、グループとして提示されるように表示するための制御処理が実行される。つまり、これまでのグループ化の過程で表示したサムネイル画像に対して、図９及び図１０に示すようなグループ囲み枠４０４、及びグループタブ４０３を付加して表示させるものである。そして、この処理が終了したら、ステップＳ２１４に進んでフラグＦについてＦ＝０にクリアし、ステップＳ２１５に戻るようにされる。
【０１５７】
ステップＳ２１５で１ページ分のサムネイル画像表示処理が完了したことが判別された場合には、ステップＳ２１６に進むようにされる。ステップＳ２１６では、先のステップＳ２０７において開始されたグループ化処理が終了したか否かが判別される。
このステップＳ２１６に至った段階でグループ化が終了していない状態とは、図９及び図１０では図示及びその説明は行わなかったが、例えば或るグループを展開表示させながら、これまでのサムネイル表示処理を実行してきたが、１ページ内におけるサムネイル画像の最大表示可能数に至った段階で、上記或るグループの最後のサムネイル画像までの表示が終了しなかったような場合に相当する。
このような場合には、ステップＳ２１７に進むことで、これまでのグループ化処理は終了させてしまい、とりあえず、これまでグループ化したサムネイル画像によりグループ化されていることを示す表示形態を与えるように制御を実行する。つまり、これまでにグループ化されたサムネイル画像をグループ囲み枠４０で囲み、グループタブ４０３を付加して表示させるものである。
【０１５８】
上記ステップＳ２１７の処理を経過した後、及び上記ステップＳ２１６でグループ化処理は終了している状態にあると判別された場合には、これまでのサムネイル画像表示のための処理を終了することになる。
【０１５９】
なお、本発明としては上記した実施の形態に限定されるものではなく、各種変更が可能とされ、サムネイル表示、及びサムネイル表示内でグループであることを示す実際の表示形態等は、実際の使用条件や、使い勝手等を考慮して変更されても構わないものである。
【０１６０】
また、上記実施の形態では、本発明の画像処理装置として、ミニディスクに対応して記録再生が可能なビデオカメラ装置に搭載された場合について例を挙げたが、これに限定されるものではなく、例えば、他のディスクメディアに対応して画像等のファイルを記録再生可能な記録再生装置や、ＶＴＲ(Video Tape Recorder)などのテープメディアに対応する記録再生装置など適用することも可能とされる。
【０１６１】
更に、本実施の形態のビデオカメラとしては、ビデオ記録再生部位として、ＭＤ−ＤＡＴＡ２に基づくディスク記録再生装置としたが、ビデオ記録再生部位としては、本実施の形態としての構成の他、他の種類のディスク状記録媒体に対応する記録再生装置とされても構わない。
更に、動画像データを圧縮するために本実施の形態では、ＭＰＥＧ２方式を採用するものとして説明したが、例えば他の動画像データの圧縮符号化が可能な方式が採用されて構わない。また、静止画データ及び音声データについての圧縮方式も、本実施の形態として例示したもの（ＪＰＥＧ，ＡＴＲＡＣ２等）に限定される必要も特にない。
【０１６２】
【発明の効果】
以上説明したように本発明は、サムネイル表示画面において、複数のサムネイル画像をひとまとめにしたグループと、このグループに対して階層構造的に直上又は直下のグループ又はサムネイル画像との関係が視覚的に把握できるようにした表示形態を採っている。これにより、例えばグループを閉じて表示したときと展開して表示させときとに関わらず、ユーザにとってはサムネイル表示上において、あるグループがどの階層（ディレクトリ）に在るのかが一目で理解されることになる。
言い換えれば、例えばパーソナルコンピュータのＧＵＩのように、ペアレントフォルダに戻るなどの概念を理解する必要がなく、サムネイル表示に関して、よりユーザフレンドリな環境を提供することが可能になる。
【０１６３】
また、上記構成の下で、サムネイル表示としては、画像ファイルの再生順に従ってサムネイル画像を配列して表示するようにしたうえで、再生順が連続するサムネイル画像についてグループ化が行えるようにすれば、階層構造のつながりが再生順に対応することになり、また、グループの展開、クローズは常に「再生順」に従った条件の下で行われることになる。これによってユーザは、グループやサムネイル画像間の再生順を常に視覚的に把握することが可能になる。また、再生順の把握が視覚的に可能なことで、再生順が指定されていることを前提としてのグループ化操作を伴う編集作業等も容易に行うことが可能になる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明の実施の形態のビデオカメラに対応するディスクのトラック構造を示す説明図である。
【図２】実施の形態のビデオカメラに対応するディスクのトラック部分を拡大して示す説明図である。
【図３】実施の形態のビデオカメラに対応するディスクの仕様を示す説明図である。
【図４】実施の形態のビデオカメラの内部構成のブロック図である。
【図５】実施の形態のビデオカメラのメディアドライブ部の内部構成のブロック図である。
【図６】実施の形態のビデオカメラの側面図、平面図、及び背面図である。
【図７】実施の形態に対応するディスク内のデータ構造例を示す概念図である。
【図８】本実施の形態のビデオカメラにおけるサムネイル表示の基本的表示形態例を示す説明図である。
【図９】本実施の形態として、グループを含むサムネイル表示の表示形態例を示す説明図である。
【図１０】本実施の形態として、グループを含むサムネイル表示の表示形態例を示す説明図である。
【図１１】グループを含むサムネイル表示を実現するための処理動作を示すフローチャートである。
【図１２】グループを含むサムネイル表示を実現するための処理動作を示すフローチャートである。
【図１３】本実施の形態において、パーソナルコンピュータのＧＵＩを応用した場合のサムネイル表示の表示形態例を示す説明図である。
【符号の説明】
１ レンズブロック、２ カメラブロック、３ ビデオ信号処理部、４ メディアドライブ部、５ デッキ部、６ 表示／画像／音声入出力部、６Ａ 表示部、７ 操作部、８ 外部インターフェイス、９ 電源ブロック、１１ 光学系、１２ モータ部、２２ サンプルホールド／ＡＧＣ回路、２３ Ａ／Ｄコンバータ、２４ タイミングジェネレータ、２５ カメラコントローラ、３１ データ処理／システムコントロール回路、３２ バッファメモリ、３３ ビデオ信号処理回路、３４ メモリ、３５ 動き検出回路、３６ メモリ、３７ 音声圧縮エンコーダ／デコーダ、３８ ビデオコントローラ、４１ ＭＤ−ＤＡＴＡ２エンコーダ／デコーダ、４２ バッファメモリ、４３ 二値化回路、４４ ＲＦ信号処理回路、４５ サーボ回路、４６ ドライバコントローラ、５１ ディスク、５２ スピンドルモータ、５３ 光学ヘッド、５４ 磁気ヘッド、５５ スレッドモータ、６１ ビデオＤ／Ａコンバータ、６２ 表示コントローラ、６３ コンポジット信号処理回路、６４ Ａ／Ｄコンバータ、６５ Ｄ／Ａコンバータ、６６ アンプ、１０１ ＲＦアンプ、１０３ ＡＧＣ／クランプ回路、１０４ イコライザ／ＰＬＬ回路、１０５ ビタビデコーダ、１０６ ＲＬＬ（１，７）復調回路、１０７ マトリクスアンプ、１０８ ＡＤＩＰバンドパスフィルタ、１０９ Ａ／Ｂトラック検出回路、１１０ ＡＤＩＰデコーダ、１１１ ＣＬＶプロセッサ、１１２ サーボプロセッサ、１１３ サーボドライバ、１１４ データバス、１１５ スクランブル／ＥＤＣエンコード回路、１１６ ＥＣＣ処理回路、１１７ デスクランブル／ＥＤＣデコード回路、１１８ ＲＬＬ（１，７）変調回路、１１９ 磁気ヘッド駆動回路、１２０ レーザドライバ、１２１ 転送クロック発生回路、２０１ カメラレンズ、２０２マイクロフォン、２０３ディスクスロット、２０４ ビューファインダ、２０５ スピーカ、３００ メインダイヤル、３０１ レリーズキー、３０４ ズームキー、３０５ イジェクトキー、３０６ 再生キー、３０７ 停止キー、３０８，３０９ サーチキー、３１０ 十字／クリックキー、３１１ ジョグダイヤル、４０１ サムネイル画像、４０２ ポインタ、４０３ グループタブ、４０４グループ囲み枠、Ｌｄランド、ＮＷＧ ノンウォブルドグルーブ、ＷＧ ウォブルドグルーブ、Ｔｒ・Ａ，Ｔｒ・Ｂ トラック[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
  The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus for performing image processing for displaying a plurality of representative images representing a file recorded on a recording medium, for example, on one screen.And display methodIt is about.
[0002]
[Prior art]
At present, personal computers use a management form based on a GUI (Graphical User Interface), which is performed on a so-called desktop screen, for managing various files recorded in a storage device such as a hard disk. Basically, the file recorded on the recording medium is displayed as an icon. Generally, when this icon is selected and clicked, a file corresponding to the icon is reproduced (for example, displayed or output by sound).
In the GUI of the personal computer, a plurality of files selected by the user are collected into one folder, and the folders are managed in a hierarchical manner. As is well known, this folder is expanded by the user's operation and can be displayed so that the user can grasp each file which is supposed to be collected inside. Conversely, from this state, the folder Can be displayed in a closed state (the file is considered to be stored in the folder at this time).
In addition, when folders are hierarchized, for example, when it is necessary to move from a child folder to a parent folder (folder one level higher), the child folder is generally expanded. Since a key for moving to the parent folder is displayed on the displayed image, it is possible to move to the parent folder by clicking the key.
[0003]
And when considering the form of GUI (Graphical User Interface) for searching video data files such as moving images and still images recorded on a recording medium in a video camera etc., it is adopted in the personal computer as described above It is conceivable to apply a file management form as a GUI. .
That is, the file recorded on the recording medium is displayed as an icon using, for example, a thumbnail image. A “thumbnail image” is an image that displays a representative screen of a still image or a moving image that is representative for each file recorded on a recording medium, for example, in a reduced form in one screen. Say. Further, in this specification, the display for presenting thumbnail images in this way is also referred to as “thumbnail display”. When a user performs a click operation on a desired icon (thumbnail image) by a predetermined operation on such a thumbnail display image, a file corresponding to the clicked icon is played back. .
Then, the icons of a plurality of files are grouped into a single folder, and a hierarchical structure is obtained for these folders.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
By the way, in the GUI of the personal computer as described above, for example, there is a problem that it is difficult to grasp at a glance the relationship between a certain folder and the parent or child of this folder.
For example, consider a case in which only one folder is displayed, and the parent folder is referred to. In this case, first, an operation is performed on the key display for displaying the parent folder. Will do. By this operation, the parent folder is displayed on the screen in an expanded state. On the GUI screen of the personal computer, this parent folder is generally the same as the child folder that was displayed first. Since they are displayed in parallel on the screen, the parent-child relationship between folders is still difficult to grasp at a glance.
[0005]
If such a GUI is applied to a search screen for a file recorded by the above-described video camera or the like, for example, a user who is accustomed to the operation of a personal computer to some extent can usually handle a personal computer. It will be difficult for users of household appliances who do not have the concept of the parent-child relationship of folders.
Accordingly, it is desirable to construct a GUI screen that is easy to see and handle even for a user unfamiliar with a personal computer as a GUI of a product similar to a general household appliance such as a video camera.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
  Therefore, the present inventionReading out representative image data of a plurality of image data recorded on the recording medium from the recording medium and reading out display control data of the representative image data from the recording medium; and the representative read out by the reading means When it is determined that the group display is instructed by the determination unit and the determination unit that determines whether the group image summary display or the expanded display is instructed when displaying the image data, For a representative image defined as a group based on the display control data, one of the representative images belonging to the group is displayed and a display indicating that it belongs to the representative image group is displayed, and an unfolded display is instructed. If it is determined that all the representative images belonging to the group are developed based on the display control data, As well as to provide a display to indicate that the representative image belonging to the expanded displayed group belongs to a group in a predetermined surrounding boxThe display control means is provided.
[0007]
  The display method of the present invention reads representative image data of a plurality of image data recorded on a recording medium from the recording medium, reads display control data of the representative image data from the recording medium, and displays the representative image data. When performing the display, it is determined whether group image summary display or unfolded display is instructed, and if summary display is instructed, the group image is defined for the representative image defined based on the display control data. Displays one of the representative images belonging to the group and displays that the image belongs to the representative image group. If the expanded display is instructed, the representative belonging to the group is displayed based on the display control data. All the images are displayed as expanded, and the representative images belonging to the expanded group are grouped in a predetermined frame. Perform an indication of Succoth.
[0008]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. The image processing apparatus according to this embodiment is mounted on a portable video camera in which a camera apparatus unit and a recording / reproducing apparatus unit capable of recording and reproducing images (still images or moving images) and audio are integrated. Take the case as an example. Further, the recording / reproducing apparatus unit mounted on the video camera of this example is configured to record and reproduce data corresponding to a so-called mini-disc known as a kind of magneto-optical disc.
The description will be given in the following order.
1. Disc format
2. Appearance structure of video camera
3. Internal configuration of the video camera
4). Media drive configuration
5. Example of disk structure corresponding to this embodiment
6). Thumbnail image generation processing
7. script
8). Thumbnail display
9. Thumbnail display of this embodiment
[0009]
1. Disc format
The recording / reproducing apparatus unit mounted on the video camera of this example corresponds to a format called MD data which records / reproduces data corresponding to a mini-disc (magneto-optical disc). As this MD data format, two types of formats called MD-DATA1 and MD-DATA2 have been developed. The video camera of this example is capable of recording at a higher density than MD-DATA1. It is assumed that recording and reproduction are performed in accordance with the format. First, the disk format of MD-DATA2 will be described.
[0010]
1 and 2 conceptually show an example of a track structure of a disk as MD-DATA2. FIGS. 2A and 2B are a cross-sectional view and a plan view, respectively, showing an enlarged portion surrounded by a broken line A in FIG.
As shown in these figures, there are two types of grooves (grooves), a wobbled groove WG provided with wobble (meandering) and a non-wobbled groove NWG provided with no wobble in advance on the disk surface. It is formed. The wobbled groove WG and the non-wobbled groove NWG exist in a double spiral shape on the disk so as to form a land Ld therebetween.
[0011]
In the MD-DATA2 format, the land Ld is used as a track. Since the wobbled groove WG and the non-wobbled groove NWG are formed as described above, the track Tr.A, Tr. The two tracks B are independently formed in a double spiral (double spiral) shape.
The track Tr · A is a track in which the wobbled groove WG is positioned on the outer peripheral side of the disk and the non-wobbled groove NWG is positioned on the inner peripheral side of the disk.
On the other hand, the track Tr · B is a track in which the wobbled groove WG is located on the inner circumference side of the disk and the non-wobbled groove NWG is located on the outer circumference side of the disk.
That is, it can be considered that the wobble is formed only on one side on the outer peripheral side of the disk with respect to the track Tr · A, and the wobble is formed only on one side on the inner peripheral side of the disk with respect to the track Tr · B. .
In this case, the track pitch is the distance between the centers of the adjacent tracks Tr · A and Tr · B, and the track pitch is 0.95 μm as shown in FIG.
[0012]
Here, the wobble formed in the groove as the wobbled groove WG is formed based on a signal in which a physical address on the disk is encoded by FM modulation + biphase modulation. Therefore, it is possible to extract the physical address on the disc by demodulating the reproduction information obtained from the wobbling given to the wobbled groove WG at the time of recording and reproduction.
Further, the address information as the wobbled groove WG is valid for the tracks Tr · A and Tr · B in common. In other words, the track Tr · A located on the inner periphery across the wobbled groove WG and the track Tr · B located on the outer periphery share the address information by wobbling given to the wobbled groove WG. .
Such an addressing method is also called an interlace addressing method. By adopting this interlace addressing method, for example, it is possible to reduce the track pitch while suppressing crosstalk between adjacent wobbles. The method of recording addresses by forming wobbles on the groove is also referred to as the ADIP (Address In Pregroove) method.
[0013]
Further, as described above, it is possible to identify which of the tracks Tr · A and Tr · B sharing the same address information is being traced as follows.
For example, when the 3-beam method is applied and the main beam is tracing the track (land Ld), the remaining two side beams trace the grooves located on both sides of the track being traced by the main beam. It is possible to make it.
[0014]
FIG. 2B shows a state in which the main beam spot SPm is tracing the track Tr · A as a specific example. In this case, of the two side beam spots SPs1 and SPs2, the inner side side beam spot SPs1 traces the non-wobbled groove NWG, and the outer side side beam spot SPs2 traces the wobbled groove WG. become.
On the other hand, although not shown, if the main beam spot SPm is tracing the track Tr · B, the side beam spot SPs1 traces the wobbled groove WG and the side beam spot SPs2 is non-wobbled groove. NWG will be traced.
As described above, when the main beam spot SPm traces the track Tr · A and when the track Tr · B is traced, the groove to be traced by the side beam spots SPs1 and SPs2 is necessarily a wobbled groove. The WG and the non-wobbled groove NWG are interchanged.
[0015]
As a detection signal obtained by the photodetector by reflection of the side beam spots SPs1 and SPs2, different waveforms are obtained depending on which one of the wobbled groove WG and the non-wobbled groove NWG is traced. Based on, for example, it is determined which of the current side beam spots SPs1 and SPs2 is tracing the wobbled groove WG (or the non-wobbled groove NWG), so that the main beam is track Tr · A, Tr · Which of B is traced can be identified.
[0016]
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the main specifications of the MD-DATA2 format having the track structure as described above in comparison with the MD-DATA1 format.
First, the MD-DATA1 format has a track pitch of 1.6 μm and a pit length of 0.59 μm / bit. The laser wavelength λ is 780 nm, and the aperture ratio NA of the optical head is 0.45.
As a recording method, a groove recording method is adopted. That is, the groove is used as a track for recording and reproduction.
As an addressing method, a single spiral groove (track) is formed, and a wobbled groove in which wobbles as address information are formed on both sides of the groove is used.
[0017]
An EFM (8-14 conversion) system is adopted as a recording data modulation system. As an error correction method, ACIRC (Advanced Cross Interleave Reed-Solomon Code) is adopted, and a convolution type is adopted for data interleaving. For this reason, the data redundancy is 46.3%.
[0018]
Further, in the MD-DATA1 format, CLV (Constant Linear Velocity) is adopted as a disk drive system, and the linear velocity of CLV is set to 1.2 m / s.
The standard data rate at the time of recording / playback is 133 kB / s, and the recording capacity is 140 MB.
[0019]
On the other hand, the MD-DATA2 format that can be supported by the video camera of this example is that the track pitch is 0.95 μm and the pit length is 0.39 μm / bit, both of which are shorter than the MD-DATA1 format. I understand. For example, in order to realize the above pit length, the laser spot λ = 650 nm and the aperture ratio NA = 0.52 of the optical head are used to narrow the beam spot diameter at the in-focus position and widen the band as the optical system. .
[0020]
As described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the land recording method is adopted as the recording method, and the interlace addressing method is adopted as the address method. As a recording data modulation method, an RLL (1, 7) method (RLL: Run Length Limited) adapted to high-density recording is adopted, an error correction method is an RS-PC method, and data interleaving is used. Block complete type is adopted. As a result of adopting each of the above methods, the data redundancy can be suppressed to 19.7%.
[0021]
Even in the MD-DATA2 format, CLV is adopted as the disk drive system, but the linear velocity is 2.0 m / s, and the standard data rate at the time of recording and reproduction is 589 kB / s. . As a recording capacity, 650 MB can be obtained, and when compared with the MD-DATA1 format, a recording density of more than four times is realized.
For example, when moving images are recorded in the MD-DATA2 format, when moving image data is compression-encoded by MPEG2, 15 minutes to 17 minutes in time depending on the bit rate of the encoded data. Can be recorded. Further, assuming that only audio signal data is recorded, when audio data is subjected to compression processing by ATRAC (Adaptve Transform Acoustic Coding) 2, recording can be performed for about 10 hours.
[0022]
2. Appearance structure of video camera
6A, 6B, and 6C are a side view, a plan view, and a rear view showing an example of the appearance of the video camera of this example.
As shown in these drawings, in the main body 200 of the video camera of this example, a camera lens 201 having an imaging lens for taking a picture, a diaphragm, and the like are provided so as to be exposed. On the top surface portion of 200, a pair of left and right microphones 202 are provided for collecting external sound during shooting. That is, with this video camera, it is possible to record an image photographed by the camera lens 201 and record a stereo sound collected by the microphone 202.
[0023]
Further, a display unit 6A, a speaker 205, and an indicator 206 are provided on the side of the main body 200. The display unit 6A is a part that displays and outputs a photographed image, an image reproduced by an internal recording / reproducing device, and the like. Note that a display device actually employed as the display unit 6A is not particularly limited here, but for example, a liquid crystal display or the like may be used. The display unit 6A also displays a message or the like using characters or characters for notifying the user of a required message according to the operation of the device.
The reproduced sound is output from the speaker 205 when the recorded sound is reproduced, and a required message sound is output by a beep sound, for example.
The indicator 206 is lit during, for example, a recording operation, and indicates to the user that the video camera is recording.
[0024]
A viewfinder 204 is provided on the back side of the main body 200, and images, character images, and the like captured from the camera lens 201 are displayed during the recording operation and standby. The user can take a picture while viewing the viewfinder 204.
Further, a disk slot 203, a video output terminal T1, a headphone / line terminal T2, and an I / F terminal T3 are provided. The disk slot 203 is a slot portion into which a disk as a recording medium corresponding to the video camera of this example is inserted or ejected. The video output terminal T1 is a terminal that outputs a reproduction image signal or the like to an external video device, and the headphone / line terminal T2 is a terminal that outputs a reproduction audio signal to an external audio device or headphones. The I / F terminal T3 is, for example, an input / output terminal of an interface for performing data transmission with an external data device.
[0025]
  Further, various parts for the user operation (300, 301, and 304-311) Is provided.
  The main dial 300 is an operator for setting on / off of the video camera, recording operation, and reproduction operation. As shown in the figure, when the main dial is in the “OFF” position, the power is turned off, and when the main dial is rotated to the “STBY” position, the power is turned on and the recording operation is on standby. Further, by turning to the position “PB”, the power is turned on and the standby state of the reproduction operation is set.
[0026]
The release key 301 functions as a recording start or recording shutter operator when in the recording standby state.
[0027]
A zoom key 304 is an operator for operating a zoom state (telephoto side to wide side) related to image shooting.
The eject key 305 is an operator for ejecting the disk loaded in the disk slot 203.
A reproduction / pause key 306, a stop key 307, and search keys 308 and 309 are prepared for various operations during reproduction on the disc.
[0028]
The cross / click key 310 is used by the user to move the pointer display in the horizontal and vertical directions on a thumbnail display screen described later. In this case, a click operation can be performed by pressing the central portion of the key.
The jog dial 311 is a key for performing a required selection operation or input operation by performing a rotation operation under each operation mode. For example, under the character input mode, it is possible to select a character to be input by rotating the jog dial 311. When confirming the input character, for example, the click operation may be performed using the cross / click key 310.
[0029]
Note that the appearance of the video camera shown in FIG. 6 is merely an example, and may be changed as appropriate according to usage conditions or the like actually required for the video camera of this example. Of course, there are various types of operation elements, operation methods, and connection terminals with external devices.
[0030]
3. Internal configuration of the video camera
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the internal configuration of the video camera of this example.
In the lens block 1 shown in this figure, for example, an optical system 11 configured with an imaging lens, a diaphragm, and the like is actually provided. The camera lens 201 shown in FIG. 6 is included in the optical system 11. In addition, the lens block 1 includes a motor for causing the optical system 11 to perform an autofocus operation, a zoom motor for moving the zoom lens based on the operation of the zoom key 304, and the like. Supplied as
[0031]
The camera block 2 is provided with a circuit unit for mainly converting image light photographed by the lens block 1 into a digital image signal.
The CCD (Charge Coupled Device) 21 of the camera block 2 is given an optical image of the subject that has passed through the optical system 11. The CCD 21 performs photoelectric conversion on the optical image to generate an imaging signal and supplies it to a sample hold / AGC (Automatic Gain Control) circuit 22. The sample hold / AGC circuit 22 performs gain adjustment on the image pickup signal output from the CCD 21 and performs waveform shaping by performing sample hold processing. The output of the sample hold / AGC circuit 2 is supplied to the video A / D converter 23 to be converted into digital image signal data.
[0032]
Signal processing timing in the CCD 21, sample hold / AGC circuit 22, and video A / D converter 23 is controlled by a timing signal generated by a timing generator 24. In the timing generator 24, a clock used for signal processing in a data processing / system control circuit 31 (in the video signal processing circuit 3) described later is input, and a required timing signal is generated based on this clock. Is done. Thereby, the signal processing timing in the camera block 2 is synchronized with the processing timing in the video signal processing unit 3.
The camera controller 25 performs necessary control so that each functional circuit unit provided in the camera block 2 operates properly, and performs autofocus, automatic exposure adjustment, aperture adjustment, zoom, and the like on the lens block 1. It is supposed to perform control for
For example, in the case of autofocus control, the camera controller 25 controls the rotation angle of the focus motor based on focus control information obtained according to a predetermined autofocus control method. As a result, the imaging lens is driven so as to be in a just-focus state.
[0033]
At the time of recording, the video signal processing unit 3 performs compression processing on the digital image signal supplied from the camera block 2 and the digital audio signal obtained by collecting the sound with the microphone 202, and converts the compressed data into user recording data. To the media drive unit 4 in the subsequent stage. Further, an image generated from the digital image signal and the character image supplied from the camera block 2 is supplied to the viewfinder drive unit 207 and displayed on the viewfinder 204.
Further, at the time of reproduction, user reproduction data (read data from the disk 51) supplied from the media drive unit 4, that is, compressed image signal data and audio signal data are demodulated, and these are reproduced as reproduced image signals. And output as a playback audio signal.
[0034]
In this example, MPEG (Moving Picture Experts Group) 2 is used for moving images and JPEG (Joint Photographic Coding Experts Group) is used for still images as compression / decompression processing methods for image signal data (image data). It shall be adopted. Further, it is assumed that ATRAC (Adaptve Transform Acoustic Coding) 2 is adopted as the audio signal data compression / decompression processing method.
[0035]
The data processing / system control circuit 31 of the video signal processing unit 3 mainly performs control processing relating to compression / decompression processing of image signal data and audio signal data in the video signal processing unit 3 and data passing through the video signal processing unit 3. Executes the process to control the input / output.
The video controller 38 executes control processing for the entire video signal processing unit 3 including the data processing / system control circuit 31. The video controller 38 includes, for example, a microcomputer, and can communicate with the camera controller 25 of the camera block 2 and a driver controller 46 of the media drive unit 4 described later via, for example, a bus line (not shown). Has been.
[0036]
As a basic operation during recording in the video signal processing unit 3, the image signal data supplied from the video A / D converter 23 of the camera block 2 is input to the data processing / system control circuit 31. The data processing / system control circuit 31 supplies the input image signal data to the motion detection circuit 35, for example. The motion detection circuit 35 performs image processing such as motion compensation on the input image signal data while using the memory 36 as a work area, for example, and then supplies the processed image signal data to the MPEG2 video signal processing circuit 33.
[0037]
In the MPEG2 video signal processing circuit 33, for example, the input image signal data is subjected to compression processing according to the MPEG2 format while using the memory 34 as a work area, and a compressed data bitstream (MPEG2 bitstream) as a moving image is applied. Is output. In the MPEG2 video signal processing circuit 33, for example, when image data as a still image is extracted from image signal data as a moving image and subjected to compression processing, compressed image data as a still image according to the JPEG format. Is configured to generate It is also conceivable that an I picture (Intra Picture), which is regular image data, is handled as still image data without using JPEG as compressed image data in the MPEG2 format.
The image signal data (compressed image data) compressed and encoded by the MPEG2 video signal processing circuit 33 is written and temporarily stored in the buffer memory 32 at a predetermined transfer rate, for example.
As is well known, the MPEG2 format supports both a constant speed (CBR) and a variable speed (VBR) as the so-called encoding bit rate (data rate). The video signal processing unit 3 can cope with these.
[0038]
For example, when image compression processing by VBR is performed, for example, if the motion detection circuit 35 detects motion in a range of several tens to several hundred frames before and after the image data in units of macroblocks, This detection result is transmitted to the MPEG2 video signal processing circuit 33 as motion vector information.
In the MPEG2 video signal processing circuit 33, the quantization coefficient for each macroblock is calculated while using the necessary information including the motion vector information so that the image data after compression coding has a certain required data rate. It will be decided.
[0039]
The audio collected by the microphone 202, for example, is input to the audio compression encoder / decoder 37 as digital audio signal data via the A / D converter 64 (in the display / image / audio input / output unit 6).
The audio compression encoder / decoder 37 performs compression processing on the audio signal data input according to the ATRAC2 format as described above. The compressed audio signal data is also written into the buffer memory 32 by the data processing / system control circuit 31 at a predetermined transfer rate, and is temporarily held here.
[0040]
As described above, the compressed image data and the compressed audio signal data can be stored in the buffer memory 32. The buffer memory 32 mainly absorbs the speed difference between the data transfer rate between the camera block 2 or the display / image / audio input / output unit 6 and the buffer memory 32 and the data transfer rate between the buffer memory 32 and the media drive unit 4. Has a function for.
The compressed image data and compressed audio signal data stored in the buffer memory 32 are sequentially read at a predetermined timing and transmitted to the MD-DATA2 encoder / decoder 41 of the media drive unit 4 when recording. However, for example, reading of data stored in the buffer memory 32 at the time of reproduction and operations until the read data is recorded on the disk 51 through the deck unit 5 from the media drive unit 4 are performed intermittently. It doesn't matter.
Such data writing and reading control with respect to the buffer memory 32 is executed by, for example, the data processing / system control circuit 31.
[0041]
The operation during reproduction in the video signal processing unit 3 is roughly as follows.
During reproduction, compressed image data and compressed audio signal data (user reproduction data) read from the disk 51 and decoded in accordance with the MD-DATA2 format by processing of the MD-DATA2 encoder / decoder 41 (in the media drive unit 4) It is transmitted to the data processing / system control circuit 31.
In the data processing / system control circuit 31, for example, the input compressed image data and compressed audio signal data are temporarily stored in the buffer memory 32. Then, for example, the compressed image data and the compressed audio signal data are read from the buffer memory 32 at a required timing and transfer rate so that the reproduction time axis can be matched, and the MPEG2 video signal processing circuit is used for the compressed image data. The compressed audio signal data is supplied to the audio compression encoder / decoder 37.
[0042]
In the MPEG2 video signal processing circuit 33, the input compressed image data is expanded and transmitted to the data processing / system control circuit 31. The data processing / system control circuit 31 supplies the decompressed image signal data to the video D / A converter 61 (inside the display / image / audio input / output unit 6).
The audio compression encoder / decoder 37 performs an expansion process on the input compressed audio signal data and supplies it to the D / A converter 65 (in the display / image / audio input / output unit 6).
[0043]
In the display / image / audio input / output unit 6, the image signal data input to the video D / A converter 61 is converted into an analog image signal here and branched to the display controller 62 and the composite signal processing circuit 63. Is input.
The display controller 62 drives the display unit 6A based on the input image signal. As a result, the reproduced image is displayed on the display unit 6A. Further, in the display unit 6A, not only the display of the image obtained by reproducing from the disc 51, but of course, the captured image obtained by photographing with the camera part composed of the lens block 1 and the camera block 2, It is possible to display and output in almost real time.
In addition to the reproduced image and the captured image, as described above, a message display using characters, characters, or the like for notifying the user of a required message according to the operation of the device is also performed. Such a message display should be output from the data processing / system control circuit 31 to the video D / A converter 61 so that a required character, character, or the like is displayed at a predetermined position under the control of the video controller 38, for example. What is necessary is just to perform the process which synthesize | combines image signal data, such as a required character and a character, with respect to image signal data.
[0044]
The composite signal processing circuit 63 converts the analog image signal supplied from the video D / A converter 61 into a composite signal and outputs it to the video output terminal T1. For example, if an external monitor device or the like is connected via the video output terminal T1, an image reproduced by the video camera can be displayed on the external monitor device.
[0045]
In the display / image / audio input / output unit 6, the audio signal data input from the audio compression encoder / decoder 37 to the D / A converter 65 is converted into an analog audio signal here, and is output to the headphone / line terminal T2. Is output. Further, the analog audio signal output from the D / A converter 65 is also branched and output to the speaker SP via the amplifier 66, whereby reproduced audio or the like is output from the speaker SP. Become.
[0046]
In the media drive unit 4, the recording data is encoded in conformity with the MD-DATA2 format at the time of recording and transmitted to the deck unit 5 in conformity with the disk recording, and is read from the disk 51 in the deck unit 5 at the time of reproduction. The decoded data is subjected to decoding processing to obtain reproduced data, which is transmitted to the video signal processing unit 3.
[0047]
The MD-DATA2 encoder / decoder 41 of the media drive unit 4 receives recording data (compressed image data + compressed audio signal data) from the data processing / system control circuit 31 during recording. A predetermined encoding process according to the DATA2 format is performed and the encoded data is stored in the temporary buffer memory 42. Then, the data is transmitted to the deck unit 5 while being read out at a required timing.
[0048]
At the time of reproduction, the digital reproduction signal read from the disc 51 and inputted through the RF signal processing circuit 44 and the binarization circuit 43 is subjected to decoding processing in accordance with the MD-DATA2 format to obtain reproduction data. The data is transmitted to the data processing / system control circuit 31 of the video signal processing unit 3.
Also in this case, if necessary, the reproduction data is temporarily stored in the buffer memory 42, and the data read therefrom at a required timing is transmitted and output to the data processing / system control circuit 31. Such write / read control for the buffer memory 42 is executed by the driver controller 46.
It should be noted that, for example, even when the servo is disconnected due to a disturbance or the like during playback of the disk 51 and reading of the signal from the disk becomes impossible, the read data is stored in the buffer memory 42 within the period. If the playback operation on the disc is restored, it is possible to maintain time-series continuity as the playback data.
[0049]
The RF signal processing circuit 44 performs necessary processing on the read signal from the disk 51, for example, an RF signal as reproduction data, a focus error signal for servo control for the deck unit 5, a tracking error signal, and the like. Servo control signal is generated. The RF signal is binarized by the binarization circuit 43 as described above, and is input to the MD-DATA2 encoder / decoder 41 as digital signal data.
The generated servo control signals are supplied to the servo circuit 45. The servo circuit 45 executes necessary servo control in the deck unit 5 based on the input servo control signal.
[0050]
In this example, an encoder / decoder 47 corresponding to the MD-DATA1 format is provided, and the recording data supplied from the video signal processing unit 3 is encoded according to the MD-DATA1 format and recorded on the disc 51. Alternatively, the data read from the disk 51 is encoded according to the MD-DATA1 format, and can be decoded and transmitted to the video signal processing unit 3. That is, the video camera of this example is configured to be compatible with the MD-DATA2 format and the MD-DATA1 format.
The driver controller 46 is a functional circuit unit for controlling the media drive unit 4 as a whole.
[0051]
The deck unit 5 is a part composed of a mechanism for driving the disk 51. Although not shown here, the deck unit 5 has a mechanism (disk slot 203 (see FIG. 6)) in which the disk 51 to be loaded is detachable and can be replaced by the user's work. It is supposed to be. The disk 51 here is premised on a magneto-optical disk corresponding to the MD-DATA2 format or the MD-DATA1 format.
[0052]
In the deck unit 5, the loaded disk 51 is rotationally driven by CLV by a spindle motor 52 that rotationally drives the disk 51 by CLV. The disc 51 is irradiated with laser light from the optical head 53 during recording / reproduction.
The optical head 53 performs high-level laser output for heating the recording track to the Curie temperature during recording, and relatively low-level laser output for detecting data from reflected light by the magnetic Kerr effect during reproduction. . Therefore, although not shown in detail here, the optical head 53 is equipped with a laser diode as a laser output means, an optical system including a polarizing beam splitter, an objective lens, and the like, and a detector for detecting reflected light. Yes. The objective lens provided in the optical head 53 is held so as to be displaceable in a disk radial direction and a direction in which it is in contact with and separated from the disk, for example, by a biaxial mechanism.
[0053]
A magnetic head 54 is disposed at a position facing the optical head 53 with the disk 51 interposed therebetween. The magnetic head 54 performs an operation of applying a magnetic field modulated by the recording data to the disk 51.
Although not shown, the deck unit 5 is provided with a thread mechanism that is driven by a thread motor 55. By driving the sled mechanism, the entire optical head 53 and the magnetic head 54 are movable in the disk radial direction.
[0054]
The operation unit 7 corresponds to each of the operators 300 to 311 shown in FIG. 6, and various types of user operation information by these operators are supplied to the video controller 38, for example. The video controller 38 supplies the camera controller 25 and the driver controller 46 with operation information and control information for allowing each unit to execute necessary operations according to user operations.
[0055]
The external interface 8 is provided so that data can be transmitted between the video camera and the external device. For example, as shown in the figure, the external interface 8 is provided between the I / F terminal T3 and the video signal processing unit. The external interface 8 is not particularly limited here. For example, IEEE 1394 or the like may be adopted.
For example, when an external digital image device and the video camera of this example are connected via the I / F terminal T3, an image (sound) captured by the video camera can be recorded on the external digital image device. . In addition, image (sound) data or the like reproduced by an external digital image device can be recorded on the disk 51 in accordance with the MD-DATA2 (or MD-DATA1) format by taking in through the external interface 8. . Furthermore, for example, a file as character information used for inserting a caption can be captured and recorded.
[0056]
The power supply block 9 supplies a power supply voltage of a required level to each functional circuit unit using a DC power source obtained from a built-in battery or a DC power source generated from a commercial AC power source. The video controller 38 controls power on / off by the power block 9 according to the operation of the main dial 300 described above.
During the recording operation, the video controller 38 causes the indicator 206 to perform a light emission operation.
[0057]
4). Media drive configuration
Next, as a configuration of the media drive unit 4 illustrated in FIG. 4, a detailed configuration in which a functional circuit unit corresponding to MD-DATA2 is extracted will be described with reference to the block diagram of FIG. 5. In FIG. 5, the deck unit 5 is shown together with the media drive unit 4. However, since the internal configuration of the deck unit 5 has been described with reference to FIG. 4, the same reference numerals as those in FIG. To do. Further, in the media drive unit 4 shown in FIG. 5, the same reference numerals are given to the ranges corresponding to the blocks of FIG.
[0058]
Information (photocurrent obtained by detecting the laser reflected light by the photodetector) detected by the data reading operation of the optical head 53 with respect to the disk 51 is supplied to the RF amplifier 101 in the RF signal processing circuit 44.
The RF amplifier 101 generates a reproduction RF signal as a reproduction signal from the input detection information and supplies it to the binarization circuit 43. The binarization circuit 43 performs binarization on the input reproduction RF signal, thereby obtaining a reproduction RF signal (binarization RF signal) converted into a digital signal.
The binarized RF signal is supplied to the MD-DATA2 encoder / decoder 41. First, gain adjustment, clamp processing, and the like are performed via the AGC / clamp circuit 103, and then input to the equalizer / PLL circuit 104.
The equalizer / PLL circuit 104 performs equalizing processing on the input binarized RF signal and outputs the result to the Viterbi decoder 105. Further, by inputting the binarized RF signal after the equalizing process to the PLL circuit, the clock CLK synchronized with the binarized RF signal (RLL (1, 7) code string) is extracted.
[0059]
The frequency of the clock CLK corresponds to the current disk rotation speed. Therefore, the CLV processor 111 receives the clock CLK from the equalizer / PLL circuit 104 and obtains error information by comparing it with a reference value corresponding to a predetermined CLV speed (see FIG. 3). This is used as a signal component for generating the error signal SPE. The clock CLK is used as a clock for processing in a required signal processing circuit system including the RLL (1, 7) demodulation circuit 106, for example.
[0060]
The Viterbi decoder 105 performs a decoding process according to a so-called Viterbi decoding method on the binarized RF signal input from the equalizer / PLL circuit 104. As a result, reproduction data as an RLL (1, 7) code string is obtained.
This reproduced data is input to the RLL (1, 7) demodulating circuit 106, where the data stream is subjected to RLL (1, 7) demodulation.
[0061]
The data stream obtained by the demodulation processing in the RLL (1, 7) demodulation circuit 106 is written to the buffer memory 42 via the data bus 114 and developed on the buffer memory 42.
The data stream developed on the buffer memory 42 is first subjected to error correction processing in units of error correction blocks according to the RS-PC system by the ECC processing circuit 116, and further descramble / EDC. The decoding circuit 117 performs descrambling processing and EDC decoding processing (error detection processing).
The data that has been processed so far is used as reproduction data DATAp. The reproduction data DATAp is transferred from the descramble / EDC decode circuit 117 to the data processing / system control circuit 31 of the video signal processing unit 3 at a transfer rate according to the transfer clock generated by the transfer clock generation circuit 121, for example. Will be transmitted.
[0062]
For example, the transfer clock generation circuit 121 appropriately transmits a crystal clock when performing data transmission between the media drive unit 4 and the video signal processing unit 3 and data transmission between functional circuit units in the media drive unit 4. It is a part for generating a transfer clock (data transfer rate) having an appropriate frequency.
Further, a clock having a required frequency to be supplied to each functional circuit unit of the media drive unit 4 and the video signal processing unit 3 is generated according to the operation state of the video camera.
[0063]
Detection information (photocurrent) read from the disk 51 by the optical head 53 is also supplied to the matrix amplifier 107.
In the matrix amplifier 107, necessary detection processing is performed on the input detection information, whereby a tracking error signal TE, a focus error signal FE, and groove information (absolute address information recorded as a wobbled groove WG on the disk 51) GFM. Are extracted and supplied to the servo circuit 45. That is, the extracted tracking error signal TE and focus error signal FE are supplied to the servo processor 112, and the groove information GFM is supplied to the ADIP band pass filter 108.
[0064]
The groove information GFM band-limited by the ADIP bandpass filter 108 is supplied to the A / B track detection circuit 109, the ADIP decoder 110, and the CLV processor 111.
In the A / B track detection circuit 109, for example, based on the method described with reference to FIG. 2B, the currently tracked track is selected from the track TR · A and TR · B based on the input groove information GFM. The track discrimination information is output to the driver controller 46. The ADIP decoder 110 decodes the input groove information GFM to extract an ADIP signal that is absolute address information on the disk and outputs the ADIP signal to the driver controller 46. The driver controller 46 executes necessary control processing based on the track discrimination information and the ADIP signal.
[0065]
The CLV processor 111 receives the clock CLK from the equalizer / PLL circuit 104 and the groove information GFM via the ADIP bandpass filter 108. The CLV processor 111 generates a spindle error signal SPE for CLV servo control based on, for example, an error signal obtained by integrating a phase error with the clock CLK with respect to the groove information GFM, and outputs the spindle error signal SPE to the servo processor 112. The required operation to be executed by the CLV processor 111 is controlled by the driver controller 46.
[0066]
The servo processor 112 performs various servo control signals (tracking control) based on the tracking error signal TE, the focus error signal FE, the spindle error signal SPE, the track jump command from the driver controller 46, the access command, etc. input as described above. Signal, focus control signal, thread control signal, spindle control signal, etc.) are generated and output to the servo driver 113.
The servo driver 113 generates a required servo drive signal based on the servo control signal supplied from the servo processor 112. The servo drive signal here includes a biaxial drive signal for driving the biaxial mechanism (two types of focus direction and tracking direction), a sled motor drive signal for driving the sled mechanism, and a spindle motor drive signal for driving the spindle motor 52. It becomes.
By supplying such a servo drive signal to the deck unit 5, focus control and tracking control for the disk 51 and CLV control for the spindle motor 52 are performed.
[0067]
When a recording operation is performed on the disc 51, for example, the recording data DATAAr is input from the data processing / system control circuit 31 of the video signal processing unit 3 to the scramble / EDC encoding circuit 115. . The user recording data DATAr is input in synchronization with a transfer clock (data transfer rate) generated by the transfer clock generation circuit 121, for example.
[0068]
In the scramble / EDC encode circuit 115, for example, the recording data DATAAr is written and expanded in the buffer memory 42, and data scramble processing and EDC encoding processing (error detection code addition processing by a predetermined method) are performed. After this processing, for example, the ECC processing circuit 116 adds an RS-PC error correction code to the recording data DATAAr developed in the buffer memory 42.
The recording data DATAr that has been processed so far is read from the buffer memory 42 and supplied to the RLL (1, 7) modulation circuit 118 via the data bus 114.
[0069]
The RLL (1, 7) modulation circuit 118 performs RLL (1, 7) modulation processing on the input recording data DATAAr, and outputs the recording data as the RLL (1, 7) code string to the magnetic head driving circuit 119. To do.
[0070]
By the way, in the MD-DATA2 format, a so-called laser strobe magnetic field modulation method is adopted as a recording method for the disk. The laser strobe magnetic field modulation method is a recording method in which a magnetic field modulated by recording data is applied to a disk recording surface, and laser light to be irradiated onto the disk is pulsed in synchronization with the recording data.
In such a laser strobe magnetic field modulation method, the formation process of the pit edge recorded on the disc does not depend on the transient characteristics such as the magnetic field reversal speed and is determined by the irradiation timing of the laser pulse.
Therefore, for example, compared with a simple magnetic field modulation method (a method in which a laser beam is constantly irradiated onto a disk and a magnetic field modulated by recording data is applied to a disk recording surface), a laser strobe magnetic field modulation method is used. In this case, it is possible to easily reduce the jitter of the recording pit. That is, the laser strobe magnetic field modulation method is an advantageous recording method for high density recording.
[0071]
The magnetic head drive circuit 119 of the media drive unit 4 operates so that a magnetic field modulated by the input recording data is applied from the magnetic head 54 to the disk 51. Further, a clock synchronized with the recording data is output from the RLL (1, 7) modulation circuit 118 to the laser driver 120. Based on the input clock, the laser driver 120 drives the laser diode of the optical head 53 so that a laser pulse synchronized with recording data generated as a magnetic field by the magnetic head 54 is irradiated to the disk. . At this time, the laser pulse emitted from the laser diode is based on the required laser power suitable for recording. In this way, the recording operation as the laser strobe magnetic field modulation method is enabled by the media drive unit 4 of this example.
[0072]
5. Example of disk structure corresponding to this embodiment
Next, a structural example of the disk 51 corresponding to this embodiment will be described.
FIG. 7 conceptually shows a structural example of the disk 51 corresponding to the present embodiment. The physical format of the disk 51 shown in this figure is as described above with reference to FIGS.
[0073]
In the disk 51, for example, PTOC and RTOC areas are provided as management information areas. In the PTOC, for example, in the pre-mastered area (pit area) on the innermost periphery of the disc, necessary management information is recorded according to the pit form. The contents of this PTOC cannot be rewritten.
For example, a magneto-optical recording area in which magneto-optical recording / reproduction is possible is formed on the outer periphery of the pre-mastered area where the PTOC is recorded. First, the RTOC region is provided for a section of a predetermined size in the innermost circumference. In this RTOC, for example, basic information necessary for managing data recorded on a disc is recorded.
For example, in the case of this example, tracks (which may be synonymous with files) and folders (a structure for grouping and managing tracks), which will be described later, are managed as data recorded on the disc at the time of recording and reproduction. Information for storing is stored.
Note that the contents of the U-TOC in the management area are sequentially rewritten in accordance with, for example, data recording results to date and editing processing results such as deletion of tracks (files) and folders.
[0074]
A data area for recording user data is provided on the outer peripheral side of the RTOC. In the present embodiment, this data area is managed as a volume folder (Volume Folder) placed in one root folder. In the present embodiment, a volume is defined as a complete set of user data, and is defined as having only one volume on one disk. The data contained in this volume is stored as folders and tracks below the volume folder, except for data managed by the PTOC and RTOC.
[0075]
In the volume folder, first, a volume index track (Volume Index Track) of a predetermined size (for example, 12 clusters) is placed at a physically innermost position (management track priority area near the RTOC).
For example, if the PTOC and RTOC are the main management information, the volume index track is defined as an area in which the sub management information is recorded. The track index file is a track (file), a folder, and auxiliary data (Auxiliary Data). And a table in which information for managing the property, title, and packet data forming the track is recorded.
[0076]
In addition, as a track recorded so that at least the first cluster is located in the management track priority area near the RTOC, a thumbnail track (Thumbnail
Picture Track) can be placed as an option.
In the present embodiment, it is possible to have one still image with a predetermined resolution as a thumbnail image in association with each file recorded on the disc. The thumbnail image is handled as a representative image for making the file visually recognizable.
The thumbnail track is recorded with index information indicating the association with the file (track) recorded on the disc and the storage position of the thumbnail image. The data length of the thumbnail track can be arbitrarily expanded according to the number of thumbnail images stored.
[0077]
For example, image / sound data recorded by a user by shooting or the like is managed in units of files, and is placed in a volume folder as a track under a volume folder or in a folder under a volume folder. become.
FIG. 7 shows a state in which a certain file is expressed as one track and this track is stored in a certain folder. As described above, the folder is a structure for managing tracks or folders in a group.
Therefore, in the structure below the volume folder, an arbitrary number of tracks or folders are stored within a range defined by the maximum number of items that can be stored in the volume folder and the maximum number of levels of the hierarchical structure of the folder.
[0078]
In the volume folder, an auxiliary data track (Auxiliary Data Track) storing auxiliary data (Auxiliary Data) is arranged.
The information to be stored in the auxiliary data track is arbitrary depending on, for example, the application that is actually applied.
In the present embodiment, script information as reproduction control information is stored.
[0079]
By the way, the information stored in the PTOC, RTOC, or even the volume index track, which is the above-described management information (these information are collectively referred to as “management information” in the present embodiment) is, for example, When the disc is loaded, it is read out and held in a predetermined area of the buffer memory 42 (or buffer memory 32) of the media drive unit 4, for example. At the time of data recording and editing, the management information held in the buffer memory is rewritten according to the recording result and the editing result, and then the buffer memory is stored at a predetermined opportunity and timing. Based on the contents of the held management information, the management information of the disk 51 is rewritten (updated) (however, the PTOC is not updated).
[0080]
It should be noted that the example of the disk structure shown in this figure is merely an example, and the physical positional relationship of each area on the disk may be changed according to actual use conditions and the structure for storing data. It can be changed.
[0081]
6). Thumbnail image generation processing
The thumbnail images stored in the thumbnail track shown in FIG. 7 can be generated by the video camera of the present embodiment. Here, the thumbnail image generation processing will be described. Here, a case where a thumbnail image for an image file once recorded on the disc is generated will be described.
[0082]
As described above, for example, the management information (PTOC, RTOC, volume index track) recorded on the disk 51 is read at a predetermined timing such as when the disk is loaded, and stored in the buffer memory 42 (or the buffer memory 32). It is assumed that they are stored.
[0083]
Then, the driver controller 46 refers to the management information stored in the buffer memory 42, for example, on the disk on which the image data designated as the thumbnail image is recorded for the file from which the thumbnail image is to be generated. The image data as the thumbnail image generation source is obtained by accessing the address and causing the disk to perform a read operation.
The image data is sequentially transmitted from the media drive unit 4 to the video signal processing unit 3 and supplied to the data processing / system control circuit 31.
Note that the image data defined as the thumbnail image generation source by the management information is, for example, the first frame (or field) image data in the file, unless otherwise specified.
[0084]
Then, the data processing / system control circuit 31 first controls the MPEG2 video signal processing circuit 33 to perform the expansion processing according to the MPEG2 format with respect to the supplied screen data to the level of the image data in the field image unit. The decoded data is acquired.
[0085]
For example, in the stage of the image data decoded to the level of the field image unit, the data is usually data having an image size (number of pixels) that can be displayed almost at full size on the display screen.
Therefore, after the full-size image data in the field image unit is obtained, the full-size image data is reduced so that the actually required thumbnail image size is obtained. It will be.
In order to reduce the image size, for example, the original full-size image data is sampled at appropriate timing with respect to the pixel data, and the signal is used to reconstruct the image data based on the sampled pixel data. What is necessary is just to perform a process.
[0086]
Then, for example, the video controller 38 generates index information (described with reference to FIG. 7) for the thumbnail image data obtained in this way, and records the thumbnail image data together with the index information on the thumbnail track of the disc. Execute control.
In this way, thumbnail image data corresponding to each file is obtained and recorded on the disc.
[0087]
In this embodiment, as can be understood from the above description, in addition to image data (including audio data), audio data based only on audio, and character information data can be recorded as a file. For example, when there is no image data as a thumbnail image generation source in the file, such as voice data and character information data, for example, it can be visually recognized in advance as voice data or character information data. Image data of such a pattern is prepared (for example, stored in the ROM of the video controller 38 or stored in a predetermined area of the disk), and this image data is used as a thumbnail image. This is what you should do.
[0088]
7. script
Further, in the present embodiment, editing processing such as designation of reproduction order and giving a required special effect at the time of reproduction can be performed on a file (mainly a recorded file) recorded by the video camera.
In performing the editing as described above, in this embodiment, a script as reproduction control information capable of giving a required reproduction output mode for a recorded file is prepared. By interpreting the script, a reproduction output mode (for example, reproduction order) corresponding to the editing result is obtained. In the editing stage, the editing process is executed by updating the contents of the script. The “script” here refers to a procedure writing structure described in a predetermined program language for reproducing and outputting moving image data, still image data, audio data, and document data at the same time. It is supposed to be.
[0089]
First of all, a script used as reproduction control information in this embodiment will be schematically described.
[0090]
In this embodiment, SMIL (Synchronized Multimedia Integration Language) is adopted as a script.
SMIL is a language that is standardized by W3C (Internet standardization organization) to realize, for example, television program broadcasts and presentations on the Internet, and is based on the grammar of XML (superset of HTML). It is intended to realize time-series presentations.
[0091]
First, scheduling is expressed by two tags <seq> and <par>.
<Seq> means “sequential”, that is, serial, and information surrounded by the tags is reproduced in time order.
<Par> means parallel, that is, parallel, and the information enclosed by the tags is reproduced synchronously.
[0092]
Here, for example, in the file recorded on the disc, when it is specified that the image data files represented as video1, video2, and video3 are reproduced in the order of video1 → video2 → video3,

The description is as follows.
[0093]
Also, when the file video1 → video2 → video3 is reproduced in the order, and the audio1 audio1 file is desired to be simultaneously reproduced as an after-record track for the video1,

The description is performed as follows.
[0094]
Also, a description is provided for designating that a file to be reproduced in synchronization with a certain file is to be reproduced from a position after a certain number of seconds after the certain file is reproduced.
For example, when a caption (for example, an image as character information) is displayed 5 seconds after a video1 image file is displayed (reproduced),

The description is performed as follows.
[0095]
For example, if an instruction is given to display the file picture1 as a still image file for 5 seconds,
<Image src = “picture1” dur = “5s”>
It is described as follows.
[0096]
Also, so-called frame mute is used, and “range” is used when reproducing a part of a certain moving image file. For example, assuming that the standard of SMPTE (Society of Motion Picture and Television) is adopted as the time code,
<Video src = "video1" range = "smpte: 10: 07: 00-10: 007: 33">
It can be described as follows.
[0097]
In addition, “repeat” is used to designate a certain file and repeat. For example, if you want to repeat a video1 file 10 times,
<Video src = “video1” repeat = “10”>
Describe as follows.
[0098]
In this embodiment, such a script called SMIL is used so that display control for giving a required display form as a thumbnail display can be executed.
Therefore, for example, in the video camera system of the present embodiment, a subset of XML is prepared so that interpretation corresponding to this SMIL and script description (generation) can be performed. For example, this may be stored in advance in a ROM or the like in the video controller 38 as a program to be executed by the video controller 38, or may be recorded on the application layer of the disc so that it can be read out.
[0099]
In the present embodiment, such a script is generated or updated by the video controller 38 in, for example, an editing stage (or a recording operation stage) and held in a predetermined area in the buffer memory 32, for example. It is supposed to be kept.
The script held in the buffer memory 32 in this way is recorded on the disk at a predetermined opportunity or timing. The script data is stored as a script file for the auxiliary data track described with reference to FIG. Since the script is recorded on the disk in this way, the next time the disk is newly loaded, the script recorded on the disk is read and stored in, for example, the buffer memory 32 and referenced. Thus, editing and reproduction can be performed in accordance with the reproduction order obtained by the previous editing.
[0100]
8). Thumbnail display
The video camera of this embodiment performs so-called thumbnail display in which thumbnail images corresponding to each file recorded on the disc are presented when searching for files recorded on the disc and performing various editing processes. This thumbnail display is used as a so-called GUI as an operation screen for recording / playback and editing operations. Therefore, a basic display form example of thumbnail display in the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
[0101]
Note that the files handled in the following description are assumed to be recorded files for convenience of explanation. As described above, the recording file is a moving image file obtained by recording an image captured by the video camera, and can also include a sound collected by a microphone.
[0102]
For example, when the main dial 300 is operated from the power-off state to the on-state by operating the main dial 300 in a state where a disk with recorded files is loaded in the video camera device of the present embodiment, for example, the display on the display unit 6A For the screen, the thumbnail display shown in FIG. 8 is performed as an initial screen.
[0103]
In the thumbnail display shown in this figure, thumbnail images of up to 12 files can be displayed. Here, thumbnail images 401, 401... Are displayed in the display area of the thumbnail images of 12 files. The state is shown.
[0104]
Here, the numerical values (1) to (12) shown in each thumbnail image 401 indicate the file reproduction order specified by the script described above. That is, in the present embodiment, thumbnail images are displayed in a predetermined arrangement order according to the file reproduction order specified by the script.
[0105]
The thumbnail image generation processing is as described above, and image processing for thumbnail display using the generated thumbnail image data and control for realizing this will be described later. For example, a moving image file can be obtained by forming a representative image in the moving image as a reduced still image.
Therefore, by viewing the thumbnail display of the present embodiment as shown in FIG. 8, the user can visually recognize the contents of the files recorded on the disc, and the playback order of these files can also be determined. It is possible to grasp visually.
[0106]
In this thumbnail display, a pointer 402 for designating one thumbnail image is displayed. The pointer 402 is displayed so as to sequentially move adjacent thumbnail images 401 in a direction in accordance with an operation performed on the cross key 310, for example. Note that the search key 308, 309 may be used to allow the pointer 402 to move between thumbnail images according to the playback order.
[0107]
In this case, the pointer 402 selects and designates a file serving as a base point of the reproduction or recording start position.
For example, regarding playback, the user operates the playback key 306 after performing an operation for placing the pointer 402 on the thumbnail image corresponding to the desired file by operating the cross key 310 or the like. To be. As a result, the video camera starts playback of the file corresponding to the thumbnail image on which the pointer 402 was placed when the playback key 306 was operated.
In addition, after the file reproduction is started as described above, the file is sequentially reproduced according to the file reproduction order designated by the script until an operation for stopping the reproduction is performed. Specifically, if the reproduction order (7) shown in FIG. 8 is selected and reproduction is started, then the file reproduction is performed in the order of reproduction order (8) (9) (10). Will be done.
Further, if the post-recording track is managed so as to accompany the file to be played back, this post-recording track is also played back synchronously according to the description content of the script.
When the file is being played back, the playback image is displayed instead of the thumbnail display shown in FIG. If playback is stopped, the thumbnail display shown in FIG. 8 may be restored.
[0108]
Here, an example of description contents of a script for realizing the thumbnail display shown in FIG. 8 is shown below. As described above, the arrangement order of the thumbnail images in the thumbnail display is based on the reproduction order described by the script. Therefore, the script shown below is a script indicating the playback order of the 12 files corresponding to the thumbnail images shown in FIG.
Here, if the file names of the recording files corresponding to the playback order of (1) to (12) shown as thumbnail images in FIG. 8 are Video1 to Video12, the contents of the script are as follows:

It will be described as follows.
[0109]
9. Thumbnail display of this embodiment
Based on the basic thumbnail display example shown in FIG. 8 described above, the thumbnail display that is a feature of the present embodiment will be described below.
[0110]
For example, in the thumbnail display shown in FIG. 8, five recording files corresponding to the thumbnail images 401 in the playback order (3) to (7) are, for example, commemorative photographs taken at some sightseeing spots, etc. It is assumed that the contents have a certain specific meaning.
In the present embodiment, such a plurality of thumbnail images 401 that are consecutive in the reproduction order can be collectively managed as a “group”. For example, the operation is performed as follows. .
[0111]
Under the state where the thumbnail display shown in FIG. 8 is being performed, the user first designates, for example, the first thumbnail image 401 in the playback order among the thumbnail images 401 belonging to the group. In this case, the thumbnail image 401 is in the playback order (3). For this purpose, for example, the user operates the cross / click key 310 to place the pointer 402 on the thumbnail image 401 in the reproduction order (3), and in this state, click operation (the center of the cross / click key 310). A pressing operation on the part). As a result, the top thumbnail image is designated in the playback order in the group.
Subsequently, the last thumbnail image in the reproduction order is designated by the same operation. That is, in this case, a click operation is performed on the thumbnail images 401 in the reproduction order (7).
[0112]
Through the operations so far, a plurality of thumbnail images to be grouped are specified. That is, by designating the first (reproduction order (3)) and last (reproduction order (7)) thumbnail images 401 in one group, five thumbnail images 401 in the reproduction orders (3) to (7) are grouped into one group. It will be specified that it should be treated.
[0113]
As the operation for specifying the first and last thumbnail images in one group, it is only necessary to specify these two thumbnail images as a result. Therefore, the last thumbnail image is specified first, followed by the first thumbnail image. You may specify an image.
In the following, for example, placing a pointer at a position to be clicked, such as a thumbnail image, and performing the click operation in this state is simply expressed as a “click operation for-”. We will use it.
[0114]
When the operation as described above is performed, the thumbnail display shown in FIG. 8 is changed, for example, as shown in any one of FIGS. 9A and 9B. Here, illustration of display contents in each thumbnail image 401 is omitted, and only the playback order is shown in the display frame of each thumbnail image 401 for convenience.
For example, in the case of the display shown in FIG. 9A, five thumbnail images 401 in the playback order (3) to (7) are displayed so as to be bundled together by a group frame, and thus displayed. It is visually shown that the thumbnail image (recorded file) belongs to one group. In other words, in the thumbnail display shown in this figure, group 1 is expanded and displayed in a form in which a plurality of thumbnail images included in the group 1 directory are presented.
[0115]
For this group, for example, a group tab 403 representing the group name is also displayed in the form shown in the figure, for example.
Here, the characters “Group 1” are displayed as the group name in the group tab 403. For example, in practice, an arbitrary group name can be input by a predetermined character input operation by the user. The group name thus displayed may be displayed on the group tab 403.
[0116]
For example, if the user performs a click operation on the group tab 403 shown in FIG. 9A, the thumbnail display is changed as shown in FIG. 9B, for example.
That is, of the five thumbnail images 401 (reproduction order (3) to (7)) belonging to “Group 1” that have been expanded and displayed as shown in FIG. The thumbnail images 401 in the playback order (4) to (7), which are the playback order, are no longer displayed, and as the group 1, only the thumbnail image 401 in the playback order (3) which is the head in the group 1 is displayed. Will be.
In this case, the group frame 404 is set so as to surround only the thumbnail image 401 in the reproduction order (3), and display is performed such that the group tab 403 is attached to the group frame 404.
[0117]
That is, the group display in FIG. 9B can be regarded as a display form in which group 1 is grouped. In this case, the thumbnail image 401 in the reproduction order (3) at the top is displayed, so that the thumbnail image in the reproduction order (3) is treated as a representative image of the group 1, and other reproduction orders ( The thumbnail images 4) to 7) are potentially handled as being stored in the thumbnail image display in the reproduction order (3) as the group 1.
Hereinafter, the group display as shown in FIG. 9A is also referred to as “expanded display”, and the group display as shown in FIG. 9B is also referred to as “closed display”.
[0118]
In the group display in the form shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B, the thumbnail images (recording files) belonging to group 1 are compared with the hierarchy in which thumbnail images (recording files) other than group 1 exist. It will be treated as existing in the hierarchy one level lower than this.
[0119]
Here, the thumbnail images in the playback order subsequent to the group 1 are the thumbnail images 401 in the playback order (8). For this reason, when the group 1 is closed and displayed as shown in FIG. 9B, the thumbnail image 401 in the reproduction order (8) with respect to the position where the thumbnail image in the reproduction order following the group 1 is displayed. Are displayed so that the thumbnail images 401 in the reproduction order (9) to (12) are sequentially arranged and displayed according to the reproduction order.
In practice, if there are a plurality of thumbnail images (recorded files) subsequent to the thumbnail images 401 in the playback order (12), these thumbnail images 401 are displayed at the maximum in the thumbnail display. It will be displayed in order until it reaches the possible number. In the case of FIG. 9B, an example is shown in which the thumbnail images in the reproduction order (12) to (16) are displayed after the thumbnail image 401 in the reproduction order (12).
That is, in the case of the thumbnail display shown in FIG. 9B, as many thumbnail images as possible on the thumbnail display screen where only a limited number of thumbnail images are displayed by displaying the groups together without expanding them. Recording file) can be displayed according to the playback order.
[0120]
For example, when a click operation is again performed on the group tab 403 indicating the group 1 under the display state illustrated in FIG. 9B, the display screen is returned to the display form illustrated in FIG. 9A. . That is, by performing a click operation on the group tab 403 indicating the group 1, switching between the group expanded display shown in FIG. 9A and the closed display shown in FIG. 9B is performed.
[0121]
When the display for group 1 in the thumbnail display as described above is made to correspond to the GUI of the personal computer so far, for example, the display form shown in FIG. Corresponding to the state that the files that are supposed to be in the folder are displayed so as to be visible, the display shown in FIG. 9B is displayed with the folder closed, and what the internal files are. Corresponds to a state where visual recognition is impossible.
[0122]
Here, as an example of the file reproduction operation for the thumbnail display shown in FIG. 9, the file reproduction operation corresponding to the operation for the grouped thumbnail images will be briefly described.
First, if a click operation is performed on an arbitrary thumbnail image from among the thumbnail images 401 displayed as belonging to the group 1 under the display state shown in FIG. File reproduction is performed in accordance with the reproduction order from the thumbnail image file that has been subjected to. In this respect, there is no difference from the file reproduction described with reference to FIG.
However, as for the opportunity to end playback, it is possible to play back to the last playback order file recorded on the disc unless there is a playback stop operation, as in the past. Considering that one group has a certain common meaning in terms of content, it is considered that the file reproduction operation is completed after the reproduction of the last file in the group is completed. It is done. For example, in the display state shown in FIG. 9A, when a file playback is started by performing a click operation on the thumbnail images in the playback order (5), the playback order (5) → (6) → ( Each recorded file is played back in the order of 7), and the file playback operation is finished when the playback of these recorded files is finished.
[0123]
In addition, when a click operation is performed on the thumbnail image 401 in the playback order (3) (that is, the thumbnail image of group 1) under the display state shown in FIG. 9B, a recording file in group 1 is designated. According to the playback order, playback is performed sequentially. The opportunity to end reproduction may be in accordance with the reproduction end operation described with reference to FIG.
[0124]
Note that in any of the display states shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B, when a file playback is started by clicking a thumbnail image that does not belong to the group 1, As long as the playback stop operation is not performed without finishing the playback, the last playback order file recorded on the disc may be played back. For example, if playback is performed from a recording file in playback order (1), the playback order is (1) → (2) → (3) → (4) → (5) → (6) → (7) → (8) → (9) → (10) → (11) → (12)...
[0125]
Although not shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B, other groups may exist on the same thumbnail display image so as to be arranged in parallel with the group 1 in a hierarchical manner. That is, under the display state shown in FIG. 9A or FIG. 9B, for example, a group in the closed state is displayed at the position where the thumbnail images in the playback order (1) are displayed, Alternatively, a group of two thumbnail images may be expanded and displayed at the position where the thumbnail images in the playback order (1) → (2) are displayed. It is possible.
[0126]
In the present embodiment, the thumbnail display corresponding to the grouping as shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B is also performed according to the description of the script. For this purpose, description content indicating that a plurality of thumbnail images (recorded files) specified by the above-described specifying operation are grouped may be added to the script specifying the playback order. As a description example of such a script specifying grouping, the description content corresponding to FIG. 9 is as follows. Here, for the sake of convenience, a case is described in which recorded files in the playback order (1) to (12) are described.

As can be seen from the above description, <group> is defined as a tag indicating a recording file belonging to one group. In this case, <videoosrc = “video3”> to <video src = “video7” By enclosing the files up to> with tags <group>, </ group>, the thumbnail images (recorded files) in the playback order (4) to (7) are represented as belonging to one group.
[0127]
Further, in this embodiment, switching between whether the group is expanded or closed is not described by a script, but display control of the video controller 38 corresponding to a click operation on the group tab 403 is performed. (This will be described later).
[0128]
In the thumbnail display including grouping shown in FIG. 9 above, the display form in the case where one layer grouping is performed with respect to the original thumbnail display is shown. It is also possible to manage such that there exists another group, that is, it is possible to manage such that the group has a multi-level structure.
FIG. 10 shows a display example of thumbnail display in the case of having the hierarchical structure as described above.
In this case, in FIG. 10A, among thumbnail images in the reproduction order (1) to (12), thumbnail images in the reproduction order (3) to (7) are treated as group 1 and displayed in an expanded manner. This is the same as the display mode shown in FIG. However, here, a display indicating that the thumbnail images 401 as the playback order (7) are grouped in the directory of the group 1 is performed. That is, within the frame surrounded by the group frame 404 indicating that it belongs to the group 1, the thumbnail image 401 in the playback order (7) is further displayed in the frame by the group frame 404, and then the group name is displayed. Is displayed with a group tag 403 indicating that “group 2” is attached.
In this case, the group 2 indicated by the thumbnail image 401 in the playback order (7) is in a closed display state, and the thumbnail image 401 displayed as the playback order (7) here is the top. This shows that a plurality of thumbnail images (recorded files) are potentially stored.
[0129]
When a click operation is performed on the group tab 403 of group 2 shown in FIG. 10A, the thumbnail display is as shown in FIG. 10B, for example. That is, a display state in which group 2 is further expanded in the directory of group 1 that has already been expanded under the display of FIG. 10A is obtained. In this state, each thumbnail image indicates that group 2 is grouped according to (7) → (7-1) → (7-2) as the playback order in group 2. In this case, since the two thumbnail images of the reproduction orders (7-1) and (7-2) are additionally displayed, the reproduction order (11) shown in FIG. The thumbnail images of () and (12) are removed from the thumbnail display page so that the thumbnail images in the playback order (10) are displayed at the position of the last playback order on the thumbnail display page. It becomes a state.
[0130]
If the recorded files corresponding to the thumbnail images presented in FIGS. 9A and 9B are reproduced from, for example, the recorded files in the reproduction order (1), the reproduction order is (1) → (2 ) → (3) → (4) → (5) → (6) → (7) → (7-1) → (7-2) → (8) → (9) → (10). Thus, file playback is performed.
[0131]
Management is performed so that a group further exists in a directory of a certain group as described above, and when this is displayed as shown in FIG. Become.
For example, as a script for specifying the grouping shown in FIG. 10 together with the playback order,

It can be described as follows. In other words, the video source (recorded file) included in the group 1 is expressed by the tag <group1>, and further, in the script line enclosed by the tags <group1> and </ group1>, <group2>, </ A recording file included in the group 2 is expressed by a tag of group2>. The basic playback order in this case is specified by the script line (video source description order) expressed by <seq> when the tags <group1> and </ group2> are ignored.
[0132]
Here, the thumbnail display as the present embodiment shown in FIG. 9 or 10 will be compared with the thumbnail display shown in FIG.
The thumbnail display shown in FIG. 13 shows an example of a display form assumed when it is assumed that the thumbnail display of the recording file is realized by applying the GUI form of the personal computer.
[0133]
In FIG. 13, as in the case of FIGS. 9 and 10, it is assumed that the five files in the playback order (3) to (7) are already set as a group 1, The case where this group 1 is expanded and displayed is shown.
In this case, the window WD as the group 1 is displayed, and the thumbnail images 401 in the reproduction order (3) to (7) are displayed in the window WD.
Further, here, a directory migration button 405 for migrating to a parent directory is displayed, and when a click operation is performed on the directory migration button 405 in this display state, a directory at a level one level higher than this is displayed. Is also done. For example, in some cases, a thumbnail display similar to FIG. 9B may be performed, and when this group 1 belongs under the hierarchy of another group, its parent group is shown in FIG. As in the group 1 shown, the expanded display is performed by the window WD.
[0134]
In the case of thumbnail display as shown in FIG. 13, it is difficult to grasp the connection relationship between the directory of group 1 and the parent or child directory adjacent thereto.
In other words, although the playback order of the recorded files in the directory of group 1 can be at least visually recognized, for example, as a relationship to the directory above group 1, it is played back before the first recorded file of group 1 The relationship with the recording file to be recorded and the relationship with the recording file to be reproduced after the last recording file of group 1 cannot be grasped at a glance from the screen shown in FIG. That is, it is difficult to recognize the entire recorded file by looking over the playback order.
Similarly, if there is a group (for example, group 2) in which a plurality of thumbnail images are further grouped in the directory of group 1, for example, if this group 2 is expanded, the expanded display of group 1 shown in FIG. Since the group 2 windows are displayed in parallel (or independently), it is difficult to grasp the playback order of the recorded files between the group 1 and the group 2.
[0135]
On the other hand, in the thumbnail display as the present embodiment shown in FIG. 9 or FIG. 10, when a group is expanded and displayed, the playback order within a group and the files or files before and after the group are displayed. The playback order with the group is indicated. When a certain group is displayed in a closed state, the playback order of this group and the files or groups before and after the group is shown.
That is, as the thumbnail display of the present embodiment, the group directory structure is always presented within the framework of the playback order, and either the expanded display or the closed display is performed for a certain group. In any case, it is possible to visually grasp the relationship between the playback order of a certain group and the recording files or groups before and after that group.
In other words, for example, even if the concept of the parent-child relationship of directories necessary for operating the personal computer GUI as shown in FIG. It can be easily recognized on one screen. As a result, even a user unfamiliar with the handling of personal computers, for example, can naturally understand the hierarchical structure of the directory by grouping and perform operations on thumbnail images without any particular confusion. is there.
[0136]
Next, the processing operation for realizing the thumbnail display as the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. Note that the processing operation shown in this figure is realized, for example, when the video controller 38 functions as a master controller and the driver controller 46 and the camera controller 25 execute control processing as necessary.
[0137]
The process shown in FIG. 11 mainly shows the control process according to the designation operation for grouping described above (the operation for designating the first thumbnail image and the last thumbnail image to be grouped). . In addition, at the stage where the processing shown in this figure is started, thumbnail display has already been performed on the display unit 6A, and a group setting mode for performing grouping setting by a predetermined operation on the operation unit 7 is set. It is supposed to be.
Under the group setting mode, as described above, among the plurality of thumbnail images 401 in which the playback order that the user intends to group from this is continuous, the thumbnail image 401 that is the head in the playback order, the last, A click operation on the thumbnail image 401 is performed on the thumbnail display.
[0138]
In step S101, in response to the click operation, a process for designating the first thumbnail image (recorded file) in the thumbnail image to be grouped is executed. In further subsequent step S102, the first thumbnail image in the thumbnail image to be grouped is executed. The process for designating the thumbnail image is executed.
As described above, the thumbnail image for group designation can be specified by specifying the last thumbnail image after designating the first thumbnail image, or by designating the first thumbnail image after designating the last thumbnail image. Therefore, the processes in steps S101 and S102 may be executed in the order of S102 → S101.
[0139]
After executing the processing corresponding to the designation operation of the thumbnail images to be grouped in steps S101 and S102, the process proceeds to step S103.
As described above, in order to display thumbnails, it is necessary to arrange thumbnail images in accordance with the playback order. Therefore, before the processing shown in FIG. It is held in the memory 32. That is, the thumbnail display before the processing shown in this figure is started is performed by interpreting the script for designating the reproduction order read into the buffer memory 32 first.
[0140]
Therefore, in step S103, the description content of the script that specifies the playback order held in the buffer memory 32 is updated so that the thumbnail images (recorded files) specified in accordance with the specifying operation are managed as one group. To do. Specifically, the description of the script from the first thumbnail image (recorded file) designated in accordance with the designation operation to the last thumbnail image (recorded file) described above corresponding to FIG. 9 or FIG. As in the contents, the description contents are changed so as to be surrounded by tags of <group> and </ group>.
Such a script update is executed, for example, by the video controller 38 functioning as a master controller using a subset of XML.
[0141]
In subsequent step S104, thumbnail display based on the description content of the script updated in step S103 is executed. That is, the contents of the thumbnail display are updated so that the group set in accordance with the designation operation corresponding to steps S101 and S102 is expressed.
[0142]
The processing for thumbnail display in step S104 is, for example, the processing operation shown in FIG. Note that the processing for displaying thumbnails as step S104 shown in FIG. 12 is executed in response to an operation for group setting by the user as described with reference to FIG. When thumbnail display is performed for the first time after turning on, for example, also when a click operation (group expansion display / close display switching operation) is performed on the group tab 403, processing according to this figure is executed. Is done.
[0143]
In the routine shown in FIG. 12, first, in step S201, the flag F is set to F = 0, and then the process proceeds to step S201. The significance of the flag F will be described later.
[0144]
In step S202, a process for fetching (writing), for example, a script indicating the playback order currently held in the buffer memory 32 into an internal RAM is executed for future thumbnail display control.
In step S203, the video controller 38 reads the description portion of the current thumbnail image in order to analyze the description content of the current thumbnail image (recorded file) in the script read into the RAM. .
The current thumbnail image here refers to a recorded file from which the description content is read. For example, if the process from now on is the process for displaying the thumbnail shown in FIG. At the stage where the processing in step S203 is reached, the description portion of the recorded file (Video1) in the playback order (1) that is considered to be at the top as the playback order is read. That is, reading starts from the next line of <seq>. Thereafter, every time the processing of step S203 is performed by the processing described later, the description content of the next recording file is sequentially read in the playback order.
[0145]
After a required description part in the script is read by the process of step S203, the process proceeds to step S204. In step S204, it is determined whether or not the grouping process is currently being executed.
The “grouping process” here means that the process proceeds to the process of step S207, which will be described later, and finally the process of step S213 (or step S217) is in progress.
[0146]
If it is determined in step S204 that the grouping process is not currently being executed, the process proceeds to step S205.
In step S205, it is determined whether or not a <group> tag indicating the start of grouping is attached immediately before it as the script description for the current thumbnail image that is currently being read. Here, the case where a negative result is obtained means that no grouping processing is currently performed and no <group> tag is obtained, and the recorded files read in step S203 are grouped. It means that there is no separate directory (top level). Therefore, if a negative result is obtained in step S205, the process proceeds to step S206, and a control process for displaying the current thumbnail image at a required arrangement position according to the reproduction order on the thumbnail display is executed. .
For example, assuming that the process shown in FIG. 9 performs the thumbnail display shown in FIG. 9 and the process in step S206 is performed first, the position shown in FIG. The control is executed so that the thumbnail images in the reproduction order (1) are mapped and displayed in the column (1).
In this case, the image data of the thumbnail image used for displaying the thumbnail image is obtained by reading out the required thumbnail image data from the above-described thumbnail track of the disc.
[0147]
When the process of step S206 is completed, the process proceeds to step S215, and it is determined whether thumbnail image display for one page has been completed by the thumbnail image display process so far. That is, whether or not the thumbnail display images satisfying the number of thumbnail images displayed (in this case, 12) as shown in FIG. 9 or FIG. Also, it is determined whether or not all thumbnail images to be displayed have been displayed.
If it is determined that the thumbnail image display for one page has not been completed yet, the process returns to step S203 to read the next line (the next current thumbnail image (recorded file) or tag) of the script. Is executed.
[0148]
On the other hand, in step S205, an affirmative result is obtained that the <group> tag indicating the start of grouping is attached immediately before the description portion of the recording file corresponding to the current thumbnail image as the description content of the currently read script. If yes, the process proceeds to step S207.
[0149]
In step S207, grouping is started, control processing for displaying and outputting the current thumbnail image as the head of the group is executed, and the process proceeds to step S208.
[0150]
In step S208, it is determined whether or not an instruction to expand and display is given for the group whose grouping has been started in step S208. In this discrimination process, basically three situations can be considered.
In one case, the process shown in FIG. 12 is performed in response to an instruction by a click operation on the group tab 403 by the user described above. In this case, the group at the time when the click operation is performed. It depends on whether the display is an expanded display or a closed display. For example, if a click operation is performed on the group tab 403 in the expanded display state, a close display is instructed, and a negative result is obtained in step S208.
In addition, in the case of a change display in response to the grouping setting, for example, it is set in advance whether the display is expanded display or closed display (display not expanded), and the determination is performed according to the setting contents. do it.
Also, for example, when the thumbnail display is displayed for the first time, for example, when the power is turned on, whether each group was expanded or closed as the last display state in the previous stage. The information may be written to a disk or stored in a non-volatile memory (not shown) inside the video controller 38, and the determination process in step S208 may be executed using this information.
[0151]
If an affirmative result is obtained in step S208, the process proceeds to step S209, where F = 1 is set for the flag F, and then the process proceeds to step S215. That is, the flag F indicates whether or not expansion display is instructed for a group that is currently being grouped. If F = 1, expansion display is instructed, and if F = 0, Indicates that the close display is instructed.
On the other hand, if a negative result is obtained in step S208, the process proceeds directly to step S215.
[0152]
If the <group> tag is attached to the script in the playback order by executing the processing described so far, the grouping processing is executed by the processing returning from step S208 to step S209 and then returning to step S203. It will be. In this process, a positive result is obtained in step S204 described above, and the process proceeds to step S210.
[0153]
In step S210, it is determined whether or not a </ group> tag indicating that it is the last recorded file of the group is added immediately after the script description for the current recorded file (thumbnail image). To do.
If it is determined that the tag </ group> is not attached, that is, if it is determined that the current recording file is not the last file in the group, the process proceeds to step S211 and F = A determination is made as to whether or not it is 1. That is, it is determined which of the expanded / closed display is instructed for this group.
If an affirmative result is obtained in step S211, that is, if an instruction has been given to display and expand, the process proceeds to step S212, and the current thumbnail image is assigned to the group currently being grouped. Then, control for display is performed so as to be added according to the reproduction order, and the process proceeds to step S215.
By executing the processing in step S212, the thumbnail images in the group are displayed so as to be sequentially mapped according to the reproduction order. For example, as shown in FIGS. 9A and 1A. The expanded display of group 1 and the expanded display of group 2 under the expanded display of group 1 as shown in FIG. 10B are realized.
[0154]
On the other hand, if a close display is instructed for the group currently being grouped and if a negative result is obtained in step S211, the process returns to step S203 as it is. Even if a description indicating that the group is set by the script is made by this process, only the first thumbnail image in the playback order in the group is displayed and output by the process of step S207 described above. From then on, the thumbnail images in the playback order that follow in the group are skipped without being displayed and output.
By such processing, for example, a closed display such as group 2 shown in FIG. 9B is finally obtained.
[0155]
Further, it is determined that the grouping process is in progress and the tag “</ group>” is added immediately after the script description of the current recording file during the process from step S204 to step S210. In this case, the process proceeds from step S210 to step S213.
[0156]
In step S213, the grouping process that has been executed so far is terminated. Then, a control process for displaying one or more thumbnail images that have been displayed and output in the course of the grouping process so as to be presented as a group is executed. That is, the group frame 404 and the group tab 403 as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 are added to the thumbnail images displayed in the process of grouping so far and displayed. When this process ends, the process proceeds to step S214 to clear the flag F to F = 0, and the process returns to step S215.
[0157]
If it is determined in step S215 that the thumbnail image display process for one page has been completed, the process proceeds to step S216. In step S216, it is determined whether or not the grouping process started in the previous step S207 has ended.
The state in which the grouping is not completed at the stage of reaching step S216 is not shown or described in FIGS. 9 and 10, but for example, thumbnail display so far while a certain group is expanded and displayed. Although the processing has been executed, this corresponds to the case where the display up to the last thumbnail image of a certain group has not been completed when the maximum number of thumbnail images that can be displayed in one page has been reached.
In such a case, by proceeding to step S217, the grouping processing so far is terminated, and for the time being, a display form indicating that the thumbnail images have been grouped so far is given. Execute control. That is, the thumbnail images grouped so far are surrounded by the group frame 40 and the group tab 403 is added for display.
[0158]
After the processing in step S217 has elapsed, and if it is determined in step S216 that the grouping processing has ended, the processing for displaying thumbnail images so far is ended. .
[0159]
It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various changes can be made. The actual display form and the like indicating the thumbnail display and the group in the thumbnail display are actually used. It may be changed in consideration of conditions and usability.
[0160]
In the above embodiment, the image processing apparatus according to the present invention is described as being mounted on a video camera apparatus capable of recording / playback corresponding to a mini-disc. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a recording / reproducing apparatus capable of recording / reproducing a file such as an image corresponding to another disk medium, a recording / reproducing apparatus corresponding to a tape medium such as a VTR (Video Tape Recorder), etc. can be applied. .
[0161]
Further, the video camera of the present embodiment is a disc recording / reproducing apparatus based on MD-DATA2 as a video recording / reproducing part. However, the video recording / reproducing part is not limited to the configuration of the present embodiment, and other parts. It may be a recording / reproducing apparatus corresponding to the type of disc-shaped recording medium.
Further, in the present embodiment, the MPEG2 system has been described for compressing moving image data. However, for example, a method capable of compressing and encoding other moving image data may be employed. Further, the compression method for still image data and audio data is not particularly limited to those exemplified as the present embodiment (JPEG, ATRAC2, etc.).
[0162]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, on the thumbnail display screen, the relationship between a group in which a plurality of thumbnail images are grouped and a group or thumbnail image immediately above or below the hierarchical structure of this group is visually grasped. The display form is made possible. This allows the user to understand at a glance which level (directory) a group is on the thumbnail display, regardless of whether the group is displayed closed or expanded. become.
In other words, it is not necessary to understand the concept of returning to the parent folder as in the GUI of a personal computer, for example, and a more user-friendly environment can be provided for thumbnail display.
[0163]
In addition, under the above configuration, as thumbnail display, if thumbnail images are arranged and displayed according to the playback order of the image file, and thumbnail images in which the playback order is continuous can be grouped, The connection of the hierarchical structure corresponds to the playback order, and the expansion and closing of the group are always performed under the condition according to the “playback order”. As a result, the user can always visually grasp the playback order between groups and thumbnail images. In addition, since the reproduction order can be grasped visually, it is possible to easily perform an editing operation accompanied by a grouping operation on the assumption that the reproduction order is designated.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a track structure of a disc corresponding to a video camera according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an enlarged track portion of a disc corresponding to the video camera of the embodiment;
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing specifications of a disc corresponding to the video camera of the embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an internal configuration of the video camera according to the embodiment.
FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an internal configuration of a media drive unit of the video camera according to the embodiment.
FIG. 6 is a side view, a plan view, and a rear view of the video camera according to the embodiment.
FIG. 7 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of a data structure in a disc corresponding to the embodiment.
FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing a basic display form example of thumbnail display in the video camera of the present embodiment.
FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a display form example of a thumbnail display including groups as the present embodiment;
FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a display form example of a thumbnail display including groups as the present embodiment;
FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a processing operation for realizing thumbnail display including a group.
FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a processing operation for realizing thumbnail display including a group.
FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing a display form example of thumbnail display when the GUI of the personal computer is applied in the present embodiment.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 lens block, 2 camera block, 3 video signal processing unit, 4 media drive unit, 5 deck unit, 6 display / image / audio input / output unit, 6A display unit, 7 operation unit, 8 external interface, 9 power supply block, 11 Optical system, 12 motor section, 22 sample hold / AGC circuit, 23 A / D converter, 24 timing generator, 25 camera controller, 31 data processing / system control circuit, 32 buffer memory, 33 video signal processing circuit, 34 memory, 35 Motion detection circuit, 36 memory, 37 audio compression encoder / decoder, 38 video controller, 41 MD-DATA2 encoder / decoder, 42 buffer memory, 43 binarization circuit, 44 RF signal processing circuit, 45 servo circuit, 46 dry Controller, 51 Disk, 52 Spindle motor, 53 Optical head, 54 Magnetic head, 55 Thread motor, 61 Video D / A converter, 62 Display controller, 63 Composite signal processing circuit, 64 A / D converter, 65 D / A converter, 66 amplifiers, 101 RF amplifiers, 103 AGC / clamp circuit, 104 equalizer / PLL circuit, 105 Viterbi decoder, 106 RLL (1, 7) demodulation circuit, 107 matrix amplifier, 108 ADIP bandpass filter, 109 A / B track detection circuit 110 ADIP decoder, 111 CLV processor, 112 servo processor, 113 servo driver, 114 data bus, 115 scramble / EDC encoding circuit, 116 ECC processing circuit 117 Descramble / EDC decode circuit, 118 RLL (1, 7) modulation circuit, 119 Magnetic head drive circuit, 120 Laser driver, 121 Transfer clock generation circuit, 201 Camera lens, 202 microphone, 203 disk slot, 204 Viewfinder, 205 Speaker, 300 main dial, 301 release key, 304 zoom key, 305 eject key, 306 play key, 307 stop key, 308, 309 search key, 310 cross / click key, 311 jog dial, 401 thumbnail image, 402 pointer, 403 group tab , 404 group frame, Ld land, NWG non-wobbled groove, WG wobbled groove, Tr • A, Tr • B track

Claims (4)

Reading means for reading representative image data of a plurality of image data recorded on a recording medium from the recording medium and reading display control data of the representative image data from the recording medium;
Discrimination means for discriminating whether group image summary display or expanded display is instructed when the representative image data read by the readout means is displayed;
If it is determined by the determining means that the summary display is instructed, one image of representative images belonging to the group is selected for the representative image that is group-defined based on the display control data. And display that it belongs to the representative image group,
When it is determined that the expanded display is instructed, all the representative images belonging to the group are displayed based on the display control data so as to be expanded, and the representative images belonging to the expanded and displayed group are predetermined. An image processing apparatus comprising: display control means for performing display indicating belonging to a group with a surrounding frame . The display control means can further constitute the group of the second hierarchy in the first hierarchical structure, the box display indicating the group of the first hierarchy, and the group of the second hierarchy. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein display control is performed so as to be different from the frame display shown . Reading representative image data of a plurality of image data recorded on the recording medium from the recording medium and reading display control data of the representative image data from the recording medium,
When displaying the representative image data, it is determined whether a group image summary display or an expanded display is instructed,
When a summary display is instructed, one of the representative images belonging to the group is displayed for the representative image defined as a group based on the display control data and belongs to the representative image group. Is displayed,
When expanded display is instructed, all the representative images belonging to the group are displayed based on the display control data so as to be expanded, and the representative images belonging to the expanded and displayed group are grouped in a predetermined enclosing frame. To show that it belongs to
How to display the image. The group can further comprise a second layer group in the first hierarchical structure, and a box display indicating the first layer group, and a frame display indicating the second layer group, The display method according to item 3, which is different.

Images