Recording medium for data file management, apparatus for data file management, handling apparatus for image data, and image capturing system

Abstract

When a shutter release operation is performed at an electronic still camera, an MPU records image data output from an image capturing element into a CF card. The MPU also stores the image data in a transfer buffer memory of an interface circuit. The image data stored in the transfer buffer memory are transferred to a transfer buffer memory provided at an interface circuit of a personal computer connected via an IEEE-1394 cable. The MPU of the personal computer reads out the image data having been taken into the personal computer from the transfer buffer memory and records them in a specific recording area in a recording device.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A recording medium having a data file management program recorded therein, said program comprising: 
 recording processing in which an information data file is recorded in a recording medium;    attribute data file creation processing in which an attribute data file having recorded therein attribute information of the information data file recorded in the recording medium is created;    read processing in which attribute information of an information data file that has not yet been recorded in the recording medium is read;    decision-making processing in which a decision is made as to whether or not the attribute information recorded in said attribute data file matches the attribute information read through said read processing, a match signal is output when matching and a non-match signal is output when not-matching; and    control processing in which control is implemented on said recording processing based upon results of the decision made in said decision-making processing.    
     
     
         2 . A recording medium according to  claim 1 , wherein 
 in said control processing, a recording operation through said recording processing is allowed when said non-match signal is output through said decision-making processing and a recording operation through said recording processing is disallowed when said match signal is output through said decision-making processing.    
     
     
         3 . A recording medium according to  claim 2 , wherein 
 in said attribute data file creation processing, said attribute information of the information data file having been recorded through said recording processing is recorded in said attribute data file when the recording operation is allowed through said control processing.    
     
     
         4 . A recording medium according to  claim 1 , wherein 
 said attribute data file is held over a predetermined length of time.    
     
     
         5 . A recording medium according to  claim 1 , said program further comprising: 
 specification processing in which at least one type of attribute information in said attribute information is specified; and    decision-making processing in which a decision is made as to whether or not the attribute information specified through said specification processing matches the attribute information read through said read processing, a match signal is output when matching and a non-match signal is output when not-matching, wherein    in said control processing, said recording processing is controlled so as to allow a recording operation through said recording processing when said match signal is output through said decision-making processing and disallow a recording operation through said recording processing when said non-match signal is output through said decision-making processing.    
     
     
         6 . A recording medium having a data file management program recorded therein, said program comprising: 
 recording processing in which an information data file is recorded in a recording medium;    read processing in which attribute information of at least two information data files that have not yet been recorded in the recording medium is read;    decision-making processing in which a decision is made as to whether or not there is specific continuity in said information data files based upon the attribute information read through said read processing; and    file management processing in which said information data files are managed to be grouped based upon results of said decision made through said decision-making processing.    
     
     
         7 . A recording medium according to  claim 6 , wherein: 
 in said decision-making processing, a decision is made as to whether or not specific continuity manifests with regard to time points at which the information data files were created; and    in said file management processing, said information data files are managed as information data files in a single group when said continuity is determined to manifest through said decision-making processing.    
     
     
         8 . A recording medium according to  claim 1 , wherein 
 said information data file that has not yet been recorded in the recording medium is already recorded in an electronic camera or in a computer apparatus.    
     
     
         9 . A data file management apparatus comprising: 
 a recording device that records an information data file in a recording medium;    an attribute data file creation device that creates an attribute data file having recorded therein attribute information of the information data file recorded in the recording medium;    a read device that reads attribute information of an information data file which has not yet been recorded in the recording medium;    a decision-making circuit that makes a decision as to whether or not said attribute information recorded in said attribute data file matches the attribute information read by said read device, outputs a match signal when matching and outputs a non-match signal when not-matching; and    a control circuit that controls said recording device based upon results of the decision made by said decision-making circuit.    
     
     
         10 . A data file management apparatus comprising: 
 a recording device that records an information data file in a recording medium;    a read device that reads attribute information of at least two information data files which have not yet been recorded in the recording medium;    a decision-making circuit that makes a decision as to whether or not specific continuity manifests in the information data files based upon the attribute information read by said read device; and    a file management circuit that implements grouping management on the information data files based upon results of the decision made by said decision-making circuit.    
     
     
         11 . A method for transmitting image data from an electronic camera to a computer apparatus, comprising: 
 preparing attribute information of the image data, by the electronic camera;    receiving the attribute information of the image data, comparing the attribute information thus received with attribute information recorded in an attribute data file in a recording device of the computer apparatus, and issuing a request for the image data to the electronic camera only when the attribute information of the image data does not completely match the attribute information recorded in said attribute data file, by the computer apparatus;    preparing the image data upon receiving the request for the image data, by the electronic camera; and    receiving the image data to record in the recording device and updating said attribute data file by recording the attribute information of the image data after image data have been recorded, by the computer apparatus.    
     
     
         12 . A method for transmitting data from a first electronic apparatus having data to a second electronic apparatus that records data in a recording medium, comprising: 
 receiving attribute information of the data from the first electronic apparatus, and comparing the attribute information with attribute information recorded in an attribute data file in the recording medium, by the second electronic apparatus;    receiving the data from said first electronic apparatus and recording the data in the recording medium only when the attribute information of the data does not completely match the attribute information recorded in said attribute data file, by the second electronic apparatus; and    updating said attribute data file by recording the attribute information of the data after the data have been recorded, by the second electronic apparatus.    
     
     
         13 . A recording medium having a data file management program recorded therein, said program comprising: 
 recording processing in which an information data file is recorded in a recording medium;    identification file recording processing in which an identification data file containing information provided related to the information data file recorded through said recording processing is created and recorded in the recording medium;    identification file read processing in which said identification data file is read from the recording medium;    identification processing in which the information data file is identified by using said identification data file read through said specification file read processing; and    identification file delete processing in which said identification data file recorded in the recording medium is deleted.    
     
     
         14 . A recording medium according to  claim 13 , wherein 
 said identification file recording processing is implemented immediately after said recording processing is completed and said identification file delete processing is implemented immediately after said identification processing is completed.    
     
     
         15 . A recording medium having a data file management program recorded therein, said program comprising: 
 identification file recording processing in which an identification data file containing information provided related to an information data file to be deleted from the recording medium is created and recorded in the recording medium;    delete processing in which the information data file is deleted from the recording medium;    identification file read processing in which said identification data file is read from the recording medium;    identification processing in which the information data file is identified by using said identification data file read through said identification file read processing; and    identification file delete processing in which said identification data file recorded in the recording medium is deleted.    
     
     
         16 . A recording medium according to  claim 15 , wherein 
 said identification file recording processing is implemented before said delete processing starts and said identification file delete processing is implemented immediately after said identification processing is completed.    
     
     
         17 . A data file management apparatus comprising; 
 a recording device that records an information data file in a recording medium;    an identification file recording device that creates an identification data file containing information provided related to the information data file recorded by said recording device and records said identification data file in the recording medium;    an identification file read device that reads said identification data file from the recording medium;    an identification circuit that identifies the information data file by using said identification data file read by said identification file read device; and    an identification file delete device that deletes said identification data file recorded in the recording medium.    
     
     
         18 . A data file management apparatus comprising: 
 an identification file recording device that creates an identification data file containing information provided related to an information data file to be deleted from a recording medium and records the identification data file in the recording medium;    a delete device that deletes the information data file from the recording medium;    an identification file read device that reads said identification data file from the recording medium;    an identification circuit that identifies the information data file by using said identification data file read by said identification file read device; and    an identification file delete device that deletes said identification data file recorded in the recording medium.    
     
     
         19 . An image capturing system comprising: 
 an image capturing device that captures an image of a subject and outputs the captured image as image data;    a first recording device that records the image data in a first recording medium;    a second recording device that records the image data in a second recording medium other than the first recording medium;    a first control circuit that controls said first recording device so as to allow said first recording device to perform a recording operation with timing with which an image capturing operation is performed by said image capturing device; and    a second control circuit that controls said second recording device so as to allow said second recording device to perform a recording operation with timing with which an image capturing operation is performed by said image capturing device.    
     
     
         20 . An image capturing system according to  claim 19 , further comprising: 
 a decision-making circuit that makes a decision as to whether or not said second recording device is capable of performing a recording operation, wherein 
 said second control circuit halts the recording operation by said second recording device after a negative decision is made by said decision-making circuit.  
   
     
     
         21 . An image capturing system according to  claim 20 , wherein 
 said second control circuit starts the recording operation by said second recording device when an affirmative decision is made by said decision-making circuit while the recording operation by said second recording device is suspended.    
     
     
         22 . An image capturing system according to  claim 21 , further comprising: 
 a read device that reads image data recorded in the first recording medium while the recording operation by said second recording device is suspended, wherein 
 said second control circuit controls said second recording device so that the image data read by said read device are recorded in the second recording medium only after an affirmative decision is made by said decision-making circuit.  
   
     
     
         23 . An image capturing system according to  claim 19 , further comprising: 
 a decision-making circuit that makes a decision as to whether or not said first recording device is capable of performing a recording operation, wherein 
 said first control circuit halts the recording operation by said first recording device after a negative decision is made by said decision-making circuit.  
   
     
     
         24 . An image capturing system according to  claim 23 , wherein 
 said first control circuit starts the recording operation by said first recording device when an affirmative decision is made by said decision-making circuit while the recording operation by said first recording device is suspended.    
     
     
         25 . An image capturing system according to  claim 24 , further comprising: 
 a read device that reads image data recorded in the second recording medium while the recording operation by said first recording device is suspended, wherein 
 said first control circuit controls said first recording device so that the image data read by said read device are recorded in the first recording medium only after an affirmative decision is made by said decision-making circuit.  
   
     
     
         26 . An image capturing system comprising: 
 an image capturing device that captures an image of a subject and outputs the captured image as image data;    a first recording device that records the image data in a first recording medium;    a second recording device that records the image data in a second recording medium other than the first recording medium;    a control circuit that stops a recording operation performed by said second recording device and records the image data into the first recording medium by engaging said first recording device with timing with which an image capturing operation is performed by said image capturing device; and    a decision-making circuit that makes a decision as to whether or not said first recording device is capable of performing a recording operation, wherein 
 said control circuit halts the recording operation by said first recording device and starts the recording operation by said second recording device with the timing with which an image capturing operation is performed by said image capturing device after a negative decision is made by said decision-making circuit.  
   
     
     
         27 . An image capturing system according to  claim 26 , wherein 
 while the recording operation by said first record device is suspended, said control circuit starts the recording operation by said first recording device and halts the recording operation by said second recording device after an affirmative decision is made by said decision-making circuit.    
     
     
         28 . An image capturing system according to  claim 26 , further comprising: 
 a read device that reads image data recorded in the first recording medium while the recording operation by said second recording device is suspended, wherein 
 said control circuit controls said first recording device so that the image data read by said read device are recorded in the first recording medium only after an affirmative decision is made by said decision-making circuit.  
   
     
     
         29 . An image capturing system comprising: 
 an image capturing device that captures an image of a subject and outputs the captured image as image data;    a first recording device that records the image data in a first recording medium;    a second recording device that records the image data in a second recording medium other than the first recording medium;    a control circuit that stops a recording operation performed by said first recording device and records the image data into the second recording medium by engaging said second recording device with timing with which an image capturing operation is performed by said image capturing device; and    a decision-making circuit that makes a decision as to whether or not said second recording device is capable of performing a recording operation, wherein 
 said control circuit halts the recording operation by said second recording device and starts the recording operation by said first recording device with the timing with which an image capturing operation is performed by said image capturing device after a negative decision is made by said decision-making circuit.  
   
     
     
         30 . An image capturing system according to  claim 29 , wherein 
 while the recording operation by said second recording device is suspended, said control circuit starts the recording operation by said second recording device and halts the recording operation by said first recording device after an affirmative decision is made by said decision-making circuit.    
     
     
         31 . An image capturing system according to  claim 30 , further comprising: 
 a read device that reads image data recorded in the first recording medium while the recording operation by said second recording device is suspended, wherein 
 said control circuit controls said second recording device so that the image data read by said read device are recorded in the second recording medium only after an affirmative decision is made by said decision-making circuit.  
   
     
     
         32 . An image capturing system according to  claim 29 , wherein: 
 said image capturing device is provided at a camera; and    the first recording medium is detachably loaded in the camera.    
     
     
         33 . An image capturing system according to  claim 32 , wherein 
 the second recording medium is provided at a computer apparatus that engages in transfer of image data with the camera.    
     
     
         34 . An image data handling apparatus, comprising: 
 a first data input circuit to which image data are input from an external apparatus internally provided with a first recording medium;    a second data input circuit to which image data are input from a second recording medium other than the first recording medium; and    a control circuit that controls said first data input circuit and said second data input circuit so as to give the image data input through said second data input circuit priority for reception when image data are input through said first data input circuit and through said second data input circuit.    
     
     
         35 . An image data handling apparatus according to  claim 34 , wherein: 
 said external apparatus having the first recording medium is a camera; and    the second recording medium is a recording medium that can be loaded in the camera.    
     
     
         36 . An image data handling apparatus according to  claim 35 , wherein 
 said image data is still image data, the image data handling apparatus further comprising: 
 a first detection circuit that detects whether or not image data have been input through said first data input circuit; and  
 a second detection circuit that detects whether or not image data have been input through said second data input circuit, wherein 
 said control circuit controls said first data input circuit and said second data input circuit so that; 
 (1) when an input is detected by said first detection circuit ahead of said second detection circuit, a detection is made by said second detection circuit as to whether or not image data have been input immediately after image data corresponding to one frame have been received from said first data input circuit, and then if an input is detected by said second detection circuit, image data for all frames are received from said second data input circuit; and  
 
 
   (2) when an input is detected by said second detection circuit ahead of said first detection circuit, the image data for all the frames are received from said second data input circuit.    
     
     
         37 . An image data handling apparatus comprising: 
 a first data input circuit to which still image data are input from an external apparatus internally provided with a first recording medium;    a second data input circuit to which still image data are input from a second recording medium other than the first recording medium;    a first detection circuit that detects whether or not still image data have been input through said first data input circuit;    a second detection circuit that detects whether not still image data have been input through said second data input circuit; and    a control circuit that controls said first detection circuit and said second detection circuit to engage said second detection circuit to detect whether or not an input has been made each time an input of still image data for one frame is completed through said first data input circuit, and to engage said first detection circuit to detect whether or not an input has been made when an input of still image data for all frames recorded in the second recording medium is completed through said second data input circuit, in case that still image data are input through both said first data input circuit and said second data input circuit.