Image file processing apparatus which generates an image file to include stereo image data, collateral data related to the stereo image data, information of a date and time at which the collateral data is updated, and information of a date and time at which the image file is generated or updated, and corresponding image file processing method

摘要

In generating stereo image data based on a plurality of monocular images of the same subject with a predetermined parallax, a metadata generating section generates collateral data, related to stereo image data, and an image file generating section generates information related to a date and time at which collateral data was generated or updated. Stereo image data and collateral data are synthesized into an image file. Information, related to a date and time at which collateral data was generated or updated, and information, related to a date and time at which the image file is generated or updated, are further added for conversion to a predetermined file format to generate the image file. Using information related to such date and time makes it possible to appropriately process, edit and reproduce a subsequent stereo image even when the stereo image is processed and edited with non-3D-compliant equipment or software.