KR101000920B1 - How to Manage Directories on a Portable Digital Device - Google Patents

Abstract

A directory management method according to the present invention is a method for managing directories in which a user's data files are stored in a portable digital device equipped with a recording medium and a display device, comprising steps a to c. In step a, when a directory creation signal is input by the user, new directories and directory-information files are created on the recording medium. In step b, the user-set name entered by the user is stored in the directory-information file along with the default name of the new directory. In step c, when the directory display signal is input by the user, user setting names corresponding to the default names are found and displayed in the directory-information file.

Description

Method for managing directories within portable digital apparatus

1 is a perspective view showing the front and top appearance of a digital camera as a portable digital device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a rear view illustrating a rear shape of the digital camera of FIG. 1.

3 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of the digital camera of FIG.

4 is a block diagram illustrating a structure in which data files of a user are stored in a recording medium by the digital signal processor of FIG. 3.

5 is a flowchart illustrating a directory generation algorithm of the digital signal processor of FIG. 3.

6A-6C show the contents of each directory-information file of FIG.

7 is a flowchart showing a directory display and a photographing algorithm of the digital signal processor of FIG. 3.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a detailed algorithm of the directory display step S71 of FIG.

9 is a flowchart illustrating a detailed algorithm of the image-description input step S78 of FIG. 7.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a screen of a display panel by performing the directory display step S71 of FIG. 7.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating screens of a display panel by a user operating buttons of a digital camera in the image-description input step S78 of FIG. 7.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing the contents of any one content-description file of FIG. 4.

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating screens of a color LCD panel by a user operating a monitor button when a file of ABCD002. JPG of FIG. 12 is reproduced.

<Explanation of symbols for the main parts of the drawings>

1 ... digital camera, 11 ... self-timer lamp,

12 ... flash, 13 ... shutter button,

14 ... mode dial, 15 ... function-selection button,

16 ... shooting-information display, 17a, 17b ... viewfinder,

18 ... function-block button, 19 ... flash-light sensor,

20 lens part, 21 external interface part,

MIC ... microphone, SP ... speaker,

31 ... power button, 32 ... monitor button,

33 ... auto-focus lamp, 34 ... flash standby lamp,

35 ... display panel, 36 ... OK / Delete button,

37 ... enter / play button, 38 ... menu button,                 

39w ... wide-zoom button, 39t ... telephoto-zoom button,

40up ... up-go button, 40ri ... right-go button,

40lo ... down-go button, 40le ... left-go button,

OPS ... Optical System,

OEC ... photoelectric converter, M _Z ... zoom motor,

M _F ... focus motor, M _A ... aperture motor,

501 analog-to-digital converter, 502 timing circuit,

503 ... clock clock, 504 ... DRAM, 505 ... EPROM, 506 ... memory card interface,
507 ... digital signal processor, 508 ... RS232C interface,
509 ... video filter, 21a ... USB connection,
21b ... RS232C connection, 21c ... video output,
510 ... lens drive, 511 ... flash controller,
512 ... microcontroller, INP ... user input,
LAMP ... light emitting unit, 513 ... audio processor,
514 LCD drive.

The present invention relates to a method for managing directories in a portable digital device, and more particularly, to a method for managing directories in which a user's data files are stored in a portable digital device equipped with a recording medium and a display device.

According to a typical portable digital device, the name of the directory in which the user's data files are stored may be changed to a name desired by the user (see US Pat. No. 6,608,639). However, as the name of the directory desired by the user is directly replaced with the existing default name, the existing default names can no longer be utilized. Hereinafter, a default name means a name according to a compliance standard of portable digital devices, for example, a name according to a design rule for camera file system (DCF) that digital cameras comply with. Accordingly, compatibility between portable digital devices may be lowered by changing default names of directories to names desired by a user.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is a method of managing directories in which a user's data files are stored in a portable digital device, wherein the default names according to the compliance standard of the portable digital devices can be changed to names desired by the user. It provides a way to maintain compatibility between portable digital devices by using the default names before the change.

A directory management method of the present invention for achieving the above object is a method for managing directories in which a user's data files are stored in a portable digital device equipped with a recording medium and a display device, comprising steps a to c. In step a, when a directory creation signal is input by the user, new directories and directory-information files are created on the recording medium. In step b, the user-set name entered by the user is stored in the directory-information file along with the default name of the new directory. In step c, when a directory display signal is input by a user, the user setting names corresponding to the default names are found and displayed in the directory-information file.

According to the directory management method of the present invention, due to the use of the directory-information file, the default names can be changed to names desired by the user, while the default names before the change are utilized. Accordingly, compatibility between portable digital devices can be maintained.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments according to the present invention will be described in detail.

Referring to Fig. 1, in front and above of a digital camera 1 as a portable digital device according to the present invention, a microphone (MIC), a self-timer lamp 11, a flash 12, a shutter button 13, a mode Dial 14, function-selection button 15, shooting-information display portion 16, view finder 17a, function-block button 18, flash-light intensity sensor 19, lens portion 20, and There is an external interface 21.

In the self-timer mode, the self-timer lamp 11 operates for a set time from the time when the shutter button 13 is pressed to the time when the shutter is operated. The mode dial 14 is used to select and set various modes, for example, a still image shooting mode, a night view shooting mode, a moving picture shooting mode, a playback mode, a computer connection mode, and a system setting mode. The function-selection button 15 is used for the user to select one of the operation modes of the digital camera 1, for example, a still image shooting mode, a night view shooting mode, a moving picture shooting mode, and a playback mode. The shooting-information display section 16 displays information of each function related to shooting. The function-block button 18 is used for the user to select each function displayed on the shooting-information display unit 16.

2, the rear of the digital camera 1 according to the present invention, the speaker (SP), the power button 31, the monitor button 32, the auto-focus lamp 33, the viewfinder 17b, Flash standby lamp 34, display panel 35, confirm / delete button 36, enter / playback button 37, menu button 38, wide angle-zoom button 39w, There is a telephoto-zoom button 39t, an up-move button 40up, a right-move button 40ri, a down-move button 40lo, and a left-move button 40le.

The monitor button 32 is used for the user to switch the screen contents of the display panel 35. For example, when the user presses the monitor button 32 first, an image of the subject and photographing information thereof are displayed on the color LCD panel 35, and when the user presses a second time, the image and image-description are displayed on the color LCD panel 35. (See FIG. 13). The auto-focus lamp 33 operates when the focus is well achieved. The flash standby lamp 34 operates when the flash (12 in FIG. 1) is in standby for operation. The confirm / delete button 36 is used as a confirm button or a delete button in the process of setting each mode by the user. The enter / playback button 37 is used for inputting data from the user or for a function such as stopping or playing in the playback mode. The menu button 38 is used to display the menu of the mode selected in the mode dial 14. The up-movement button 40up, the right-movement button 40ri, the down-movement button 40lo, and the left-movement button 40le are also used in the process of setting each mode by the user.

3 shows the overall configuration of the digital camera 1 of FIG. Referring to Figures 1 to 3, the overall configuration and operation of the digital camera 1 of Figure 1 will be described.

The optical system OPS including the lens unit and the filter unit optically processes light from a subject.

The lens unit of the optical system OPS includes a zoom lens, a focus lens, and a compensation lens CL.

When the user presses the wide angle-zoom button 39w or the telephoto-zoom button 39t included in the user input unit INP, a corresponding signal is input to the microcontroller 512. Accordingly, as the microcontroller 512 controls the lens driver 510, the zoom motor M _Z is driven to move the zoom lens ZL. That is, when the wide-angle zoom button 39w is pressed, the focal length of the zoom lens is shortened to widen the angle of view, and when the telephoto-zoom button 39t is pressed, the focus of the zoom lens is pressed. The longer the length, the narrower the angle of view.

On the other hand, when the focus is automatically or manually focused on the subject, the current position of the focus lens changes according to the position of the subject. In the auto focus mode, the focus motor M _F is driven by the microcontroller 512 controlling the lens driver 510. Accordingly, the focus lens is moved from the front to the rear of the movable area, and in this process, the position of the focus lens where the high frequency component of the image signal is the largest, for example, the number of driving steps of the focus motor M _F is set. .

The compensation lens serves to compensate for the overall refractive index and thus is not driven separately. Reference numeral M _A denotes a motor for driving an aperture (not shown).

In the filter unit of the optical system (OPS), an optical low pass filter (OLPF) removes optical noise of high frequency components, and an infrared cut filter (IRF) is an infrared ray of incident light. Block the ingredients.

A photoelectric conversion unit (OEC) of a charge coupled device (CCD) or a complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) converts light from an optical system (OPS) into an electrical analog signal. Here, the digital signal processor 507 controls the timing circuit 502 to control the operations of the photoelectric converter OEC and the analog-digital converter 501. The CDS-ADC (Correlation Double Sampler and Analog-to-Digital Converter) element 501 as an analog-to-digital converter processes the analog signal from the photoelectric converter (OEC), removes the high frequency noise, and adjusts the amplitude. After that, it is converted into a digital signal. The digital signal processor 507 operating under the control of the microcontroller 512 processes the digital signal from the CDS-ADC element 501 to generate a digital image signal classified into luminance and chroma signals.

The light emitting portion LAMP driven by the microcontroller 512 includes a self-timer lamp 11, an auto-focus lamp 33 and a flash standby lamp 34. The user input unit INP includes a shutter button 13, a mode dial 14, a function-selection button 15, a function-block button 18, a monitor button 32, a confirmation / delete button 36, and an enter. / Play button 37, menu button 38, wide-zoom button 39w, tele-zoom button 39t, up-move button 40up, right-move button 40ri, down-move button ( 40lo), and left-move button 40le.

The digital video signal from the digital signal processor 507 is temporarily stored in the DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory) 504. An erasable programmable read only memory (EPROM) 505 stores algorithms and setting data necessary for the operation of the digital signal processor 507. The memory card of the user is attached to or detached from the memory card interface 506.

The digital image signal from the digital signal processor 507 is input to the LCD driver 514, whereby the image is displayed on the color LCD panel 35.

On the other hand, the digital video signal from the digital signal processor 507 is transmitted by serial communication via the USB (Universal Serial Bus) connection portion 21a or the RS232C interface 508 and the connection portion 21b, or the video filter 509 And a video signal through the video output unit 21c. Here, the digital signal processor 507 incorporates a microcontroller therein to perform the directory management method to be described with reference to FIGS. 4 to 13.

The audio processor 513 outputs the audio signal from the microphone MIC to the digital signal processor 507 or the speaker SP, and outputs the audio signal from the digital signal processor 507 to the speaker SP.

On the other hand, the microcontroller 512 drives the flash 12 by controlling the operation of the flash controller 511 according to the signal from the flash-light amount sensor 19.

4 shows a structure in which data files of a user are stored in a recording medium by the digital signal processor 507 of FIG.

Referring to Fig. 4, a directory "DCIM" for storing a user's data files is created under the top-level directory "ROOT", and subdirectories " generated each time a directory creation signal from the user is input thereto. 100ABCDE "and" 101ABCDE "and the like. Here, "DCIM", "100ABCDE", and "101ABCDE" are examples of expressing names of directories according to a design rule for camera file system (DCF) to which digital cameras conform.

In the first directory "100ABCDE", the directory-information file "DIRECTRY.DIR", the image-description file "DESCRIPT.TXT" corresponding to the first directory "100ABCDE", and the user's data files are stored. In the directory-information file "DIRECTRY.DIR" formed by operating the buttons of the user input unit INP, the user setting name entered when the user creates the first directory "100ABCDE" is stored (see Fig. 6A). In the image-description file "DESCRIPT.TXT" formed by manipulating the buttons of the user input unit INP, each image inputted when the user creates image files such as "ABCD0002.JPG" and "ABCD0003.JPG" The descriptions are stored (see FIG. 12).

Similarly, the directory-information file "DIRECTRY.DIR", the image-description file "DESCRIPT.TXT" corresponding to the first directory "100ABCDE", and the user's data files are stored in the second directory "101ABCDE". In the directory-information file "DIRECTRY.DIR" formed by operating the buttons of the user input unit INP, the user setting name entered when the user creates the second directory "101ABCDE" is stored (see Fig. 6B).

Here, each of all directory-information files is stored in a directory corresponding to it, so that all directory-information files may have the same file name, for example, "DIRECTRY.DIR". Similarly, since all of the image-description files are stored in their respective directories, all the image-description files may have the same file name, for example, "DESCRIPT.TXT". Of course, a single directory-information file in which the contents of each directory-information file are stored together can be stored in the directory "DCIM". Similarly, a single picture-description file in which the contents of each picture-description file is stored together may be stored in the directory "DCIM".

The first directory "100ABCDE" forms a first group, and the second directory "101ABCDE" forms a second group. Here, all of the file names stored in each directory are examples representing names of directories according to a design rule for camera file system (DCF) that digital cameras observe.

The directory generation algorithm of the digital signal processor 507 of FIG. 3 will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 5 as follows.

When the directory generation signal is input to the digital signal processor 507 through the user input unit INP and the microcontroller 512 (step S41), the digital signal processor 507 performs a new directory and the directory-information file "DIRECTRY.DIR". Is generated (step S42). Here, if the directory-information file "DIRECTRY.DIR" is already stored in the existing directory, the directory-information file "DIRECTRY.DIR" already stored is copied into the currently created directory.

Next, when a button signal for input of a user setting name is input to the digital signal processor 507 through the user input unit INP and the microcontroller 512 (step S43), the digital signal processor 507 enters the input button. The signal is processed to perform character display and character input operations (step S44). The steps S43 and S44 are repeated until the input completion signal, for example, the enter signal from the enter / playback button 37, is input to the digital signal processor 507 (step S45).

For example, when the user presses the up-move button (40up in FIG. 2), “ABCDEF” is displayed on the screen, and when the down-move button (40lo in FIG. 2) is pressed, “GHIJKL” is displayed on the screen. Pressing the move button (40le in FIG. 2) displays “MNOPQRS” on the screen, and pressing the right-move button (40ri in FIG. 2) displays “TUVWXYZ” on the screen. When the character string is displayed in this manner, when the user presses the wide-zoom button (39w in FIG. 2), the selection cursor moves to the right, and when the user presses the tele-zoom button 39t, the selection cursor moves to the left. Here, the user may select or delete one character by operating the confirm / delete button 36 of FIG. 2. On the other hand, the user can delete the currently selected characters at a time by pressing the monitor button 32.

The character string data of the user setting name entered as above is stored in the directory-information file "DIRECTRY.DIR" (step S46). All the above steps are repeatedly performed until an end signal, for example, a switch to another operation mode, is input (step S47).

6A-6C show the contents of each directory-information file of FIG. 4. 6A to 6C, "DIR" denotes a default name of a directory according to the design rule for camera file system (DCF), and "ALIAS" denotes a user set name of the directory, respectively. For example, the user set name of the directory whose default name is "100ABCDE" is "TRIP TO HAWAII" (see FIG. 6A), and the user set name of the directory whose default name is "101ABCDE" is "MY." SUN YOUNG "(see FIG. 6B), and the user set name of the directory whose default name is" 102ABCDE "is" TRIP TO CHINA "(see FIG. 6C).

3, 4, and 7, the directory display and photographing algorithm of the digital signal processor 507 of FIG. 3 will be described as follows.

When a signal for requesting a directory display is input to the digital signal processor 507 through the user input unit INP and the microcontroller 512 (step S70), the digital signal processor 507 causes the same directory-information files "DIRECTRY. Among the directories in which .DIR "is stored, the contents of the directory-information file" DIRECTRY.DIR "stored in the first directory" 100ABCDE "are read, and the user setting names of the directories are displayed on the color LCD panel 35 ( Step S71).

Next, the user may move the up-move button (40up in FIG. 2), the right-move button (40ri in FIG. 2), the down-move button (40lo in FIG. 2), the left-move button (40le in FIG. 2), and If any user setting name is selected by using the enter / playback button (37 in Fig. 2) or the like (step S72), the directory of the selected user setting name is set as the storage directory (step S73).

Next, when a shooting command signal is input to the digital signal processor 507 through the user input unit INP and the microcontroller 512 (step S74), the digital signal processor 507 performs shooting control (step S75). . Next, the digital signal processor 507 stores the video file as the user's data file in the storage directory (step S76).

Next, when a signal requesting image-description input for the image file obtained by the photographing operation is input to the digital signal processor 507 through the user input unit INP and the microcontroller 512 (step S77), the digital signal The processor 507 performs control for image-description input (step S78).

All the above steps are repeatedly performed until an end signal, for example, a switch signal to another operation mode, is input (step S79).

3, 4 and 8, the detailed algorithm of the directory display step S71 of FIG. 7 will be described.

First, the digital signal processor 507 checks whether the directory-information file "DIRECTRY.DIR" exists in each directory (step S81).

For directories where the directory-information file "DIRECTRY.DIR" does not exist, the original names of the directories, ie the default names of the directory according to the Design rule for Camera File system (DCF), for example "100ABCDE &Quot; 101ABCDE " and the like are displayed on the color LCD panel 35 (step S84).

Further, in the case of directories in which the directory-information file "DIRECTRY.DIR" exists, the digital signal processor 507 reads the contents of the directory-information files "DIRECTRY.DIR" (step S82), so that the original default of each directory is present. (default) Displays user setting names corresponding to the names on the color LCD panel 35 (step S83).

3, 4, and 9, the detailed algorithm of the image-description input step S78 of FIG. 7 will be described.

First, the digital signal processor 507 generates the image-description file "DESCRIPT.TXT" if the image-description file "DESCRIPT.TXT" does not exist in the storage directory (steps S91 and S92).

Next, when the button signal for inputting the image-description is input to the digital signal processor 507 through the user input unit INP and the microcontroller 512 (step S93), the digital signal processor 507 enters the input button. The signal is processed to perform character display and character input operations (step S94). The steps S93 and S94 are repeatedly performed until an enter signal, for example, an enter signal from the enter / playback button (37 in Fig. 2) is input to the digital signal processor 507 (step S95).

The character string data of the image-description input as described above is stored in the storage directory (step S96).

FIG. 10 shows a screen 101 of the display panel by performing the directory display step S71 of FIG. 7. Referring to Fig. 10, three user set names "TRIP TO HAWAII", "MY SUN YOUNG", and "TRIP TO CHINA" are displayed. Here, the user may move the up-move button (40up in FIG. 2), the right-move button (40ri in FIG. 2), the down-move button (40lo in FIG. 2), the left-move button (40le in FIG. 2), and enter. By using the / playback button (37 in Fig. 2) or the like, one user set name, for example, " TRIP TO HAWAII " can be selected. For reference, when the user selects "NEW FOLDER", the directory creation algorithm of FIG. 5 is performed.

FIG. 11 shows screens of a display panel as a user manipulates buttons of a digital camera in the image-description input step S78 of FIG. 7. An example of the operation of the buttons is as described above. For example, in the state of the screen 111 of the image obtained by the photographing operation, when the user presses the up-move button (40up in FIG. 2), a string of "ABCDEF" is displayed on the screen. In this state, when the user presses the wide-zoom button (39w in Fig. 2), the selection cursor moves to the right, and when the user presses the tele-zoom button 39t, the selection cursor moves to the left. Here, the user can select or delete any one character by operating the OK / Delete button (36 in FIG. 2) (see screens 112 and 113).                     

FIG. 12 shows the contents of any one content-description file "DESCRIPT.TXT" in FIG. In FIG. 12, "FILE" indicates the name of the video file, and "DESC" indicates the video description of the video file. For example, the video description of the file named "ABCD002.JPG" is "AT CN TOWER" and the video description of the file named "ABCD003.JPG" is "LOOK AT ME".

FIG. 13 shows screens of the color LCD panel 35 by the user operating the monitor button 32 when the file of ABCD002. JPG of FIG. 12 is reproduced. In the state in which the reproduced image is displayed (131), when the user first presses the monitor button 32, the image of the subject and its shooting information are displayed on the screen (see screen 132), and the second time the image and the image-description are displayed. Is displayed (see screen 133). As such, the picture-description can be displayed, allowing the user to manage the data files conveniently and quickly.

As described above, according to the directory management method according to the present invention, due to the use of the directory-information file, default names can be changed to names desired by the user, while default names before the change are made. As they are utilized, compatibility between portable digital devices can be maintained.

In addition, the use of the content-description file allows the user to manage the data files conveniently and quickly.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, but may be modified and improved by those skilled in the art within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the claims.

Claims (7)

What is claimed is: 1. A method of managing directories in which a user's data files are stored in a portable digital device equipped with a recording medium and a display device, the method comprising: (a) creating a new directory and a directory-information file on the recording medium when a directory creation signal is input by the user; (b) storing the user-set name entered by the user in the directory-information file along with the default name of the new directory; And (c) when a directory display signal is input by a user, finding and displaying the user setting names corresponding to the default names in the directory-information file, and And the default name is compatible with at least one other digital device. The method of claim 1, And if a directory selection signal is input by the user in step (c), the selected directory is set as a storage directory. The method of claim 2, And a data file of the user is created, the generated data file is stored in the storage directory. The method of claim 3, And a content-description file in which the content-description of the data file is to be stored in the storage directory. The method of claim 4, wherein A directory management method in which a content-description of the data file is input by a user. The method of claim 1, wherein in step (a), And the directory-information file is stored in the new directory. The method of claim 1, wherein in step (c), And the default names are displayed if the directory-information file does not exist.

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