JP2002057978A - Electronic camera - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electronic camera that can continue photographing even when a residual capacity of a recording medium is small while leaving a required image to the utmost and does not perform erasure of a required image for photographing consecutiveness so long as photographing is not actually performed. SOLUTION: When an operation key 23 and a confirmation button 24 are operated to select an image whose temporary erasure is to be designated among images recorded in a recording medium 29, temporary erasure flag information denoting that the selected image is designated for temporary erasure is written in the recording medium 29 under the control of a temporary erasure designation.release section 20e. In this case, storage priority can manually or automatically be designated and the temporary erasure flag information includes information of the storage priority. In the case of photographing, when the capacity of the recording medium is deficient to record a new photographing image, the image with lower storage priority among temporary erasure designated images is actually erased to reserve an idle capacity to record the new photographing image to the recording medium 29.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to an electronic camera device, and more particularly to an electronic camera device configured to photograph a subject image using an image pickup device and record an image obtained by the photographing on a recording medium.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, electronic camera devices for photographing a subject image using a semiconductor image pickup device such as a CCD have been widely used. This electronic camera device is provided with a detachable recording medium, and an image signal obtained from the semiconductor imaging device is recorded on the recording medium as a photographed image after obtaining various digital signal processes.

As a recording medium, a memory card mainly using a flash memory is used. Recently, a magnetic disk device stored in a memory card-shaped medium and a recording medium for an electronic camera using a magneto-optical disk have been developed.

Since a recording medium used in an electronic camera is required to be miniaturized, it is difficult to record a large number of images on one recording medium due to a problem of its recording capacity. This problem becomes more remarkable when the quality of a captured image is improved.

[0005]

On the other hand, many images taken and stored on a recording medium are relatively insignificant, and even if such images are deleted, a new shutter is required. There may be times when you want to ensure that you have a chance to shoot. However, even if the degree of importance is low, if such a photo opportunity does not occur, the photographed image is often not desired to be erased.

[0006] Such a situation is a problem that always occurs when the remaining recordable number of recording media becomes small, and thus can occur commonly even in a medium having a large recording capacity such as a magneto-optical disk.

[0007] Also, among the images that can be erased so long as a shutter chance is missed, there are various types of images, from images that have almost no problem to be erased to images that are not desired to be erased as much as possible.

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and enables continuation of photographing even when the remaining capacity of the recording medium is small, and also allows photographing unless the photographing is actually executed. It is an object of the present invention to provide an electronic camera device that can prevent execution of image deletion necessary for continuation.

[0009]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides an electronic camera apparatus for photographing a subject image using an image sensor and recording an image obtained by the photographing on a recording medium. A temporary erasure designating means for designating, in advance, an image to be erased together with the non-erase priority from among the images recorded on the recording medium when the free space for recording the image on the recording medium is insufficient; If there is not enough free space in the recording medium to record the captured image when photographing with the element, the images designated for temporary erasure by the temporary erasure designation means are erased in the order according to the non-erase priority, and Image erasure recording means for recording a photographed image on the recording medium.

[0010] In this electronic camera device, temporary erasure designation can be performed for an arbitrary image among the images recorded on the recording medium. An image designated for temporary erasure is erased only when the free space in the recording medium for recording the photographed image is insufficient at the time of photographing, and the other images are retained without being erased. Therefore, if there is an image that is not desired to be erased but can be erased as long as a shutter chance is missed, it is only necessary to designate the temporary erasure, and even if the remaining capacity of the recording medium is small, the shooting can be continued. This makes it possible to respond to a photo opportunity without unnecessary image erasure. In particular, when the temporary erasure is designated, a non-erase priority can also be designated, and the images designated for the temporary erasure are erased in an order according to the non-erase priority. Therefore, an image which can be temporarily erased but is not desired to be erased as much as possible can be given a high non-erasing priority, so that it is possible to eliminate as much as possible among the temporary erasure targets.

According to the present invention, there is provided an electronic camera device for photographing a subject image using an image pickup device and recording an image obtained by the photographing on a recording medium, from among the images recorded on the recording medium. A temporary erasure designating means for previously designating an image to be erased when the free space for recording images on the recording medium is insufficient, and a non-erasing priority for each of the images temporarily erased by the temporary erasing means. Priority determining means for deciding, and, when free space in the recording medium for recording the photographed image during photographing by the image sensor is insufficient, the image designated for temporary erasure by the temporary erasure designation means is not erased. Erase in order according to priority,
Image erasure recording means for recording the photographed image on the recording medium.

In this electronic camera device, there is provided priority determining means for determining the non-erasing priority for each of the images designated for temporary erasure by the temporary erasing means. Can be automatically determined. Therefore, the photographer only needs to perform the operation of provisional erasure designation, so that the operability can be further improved. In particular, by configuring so that all images recorded on the recording medium can be designated as temporary erasure designation images to be erased when the free space is insufficient, the operation of temporary erasure designation can be simplified. It becomes possible.

The non-erasing priority is, for example, determined based on the recording date and time of the photographed image on the recording medium or the photographing date and time, or the amount of camera shake at the time of photographing, or an image representing a plurality of images in a series of photographing. It is desirable to determine whether or not each image is based on the image quality of each image, the number of times of reproduction, and the like.

Further, it is preferable that the image erasure recording means is configured to erase only the number of images designated by the temporary erasure designation means, which is necessary and sufficient to solve the capacity shortage. As a result, only the number of images necessary for recording a new captured image can be deleted, and unnecessary image deletion is eliminated.

[0015]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a system configuration of an electronic camera device according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figure, the electronic camera device includes an imaging lens system 11,
CCD color imaging device 12, imaging process unit 13, A /
D (analog / digital) converter 14, timing generator 15, AE (automatic exposure) / AF (autofocus)
Mechanism 16, gyro sensor 17a, gyro value detection unit 1
7b, memory controller 18, memory 19, main processor 20, management processor 21, release button 2
2, an operation key 23, an enter button 24, a control panel 25, a recording / reproducing interface 27, a recording medium slot 28, and a display liquid crystal panel 30.

A light beam from a subject is incident on a CCD color image pickup device 12 via an image pickup lens system 11. At the time of actual photographing, the imaging lens system 11 controls the position of the focal point position and the control of the aperture mechanism by the control of the AE / AF mechanism 16, and the subject image after AF and AE control is
An image is formed on the imaging surface of the CD color imaging device 12.

The CCD color image pickup device 12 comprises a plurality of pixels for performing photoelectric conversion arranged in a two-dimensional matrix to form an image pickup surface, and further has a color filter disposed on the image pickup surface. It functions as a solid-state image pickup device (semiconductor image pickup device) for converting into a solid state image. The drive of the CCD color image pickup device 12 is controlled by a drive pulse signal from the timing generator 15, whereby exposure, readout, device shutter and the like are controlled. An imaging output signal from the CCD color imaging device 12 is supplied to an imaging process unit 13.
After receiving processing such as gain adjustment (ISO setting) at
The digital signal is converted by the / D converter 14. This digital signal is sent to the memory 19 composed of a DRAM via the data bus 10, and is stored in the work area 19a as a digital image signal. The work area 19a is a memory area for the main processor 20 to perform various digital signal processing on the digital image signal.
The recording medium 29 is obtained by the digital signal processing performed above.
The final digital image data to be recorded in the digital image data is generated.

As shown, the main processor 20 is provided with an image processing unit 20a, a compression / decompression processing unit 20b, a display control unit 20c, and a control unit 20d. The control unit 20d includes the timing generator 15, the imaging process unit 1,
3, memory 19 (actually memory controller 18),
The photographing operation is controlled by controlling the image processing unit 20a and the compression / decompression processing unit 20b.
Compression / decompression processing unit 20b, recording / playback interface 2
7. Recording, reproduction and erasure of an image are controlled by controlling the display control unit 20c.

That is, the control unit 20d has a function of performing file control on the recording medium 29, and includes a temporary deletion designation / cancellation unit 20e, a main deletion execution unit 20f, and an automatic priority order generation unit 20g. Temporary deletion specification
The canceling unit 20e designates image data to be temporarily deleted from a plurality of photographed image data on the recording medium 29 obtained by photographing, and cancels the image data. The temporary erasure-designated image data is erased from the recording medium 29 by the main erasure execution unit 20f only when the free space in the recording medium 29 for recording the photographed image is insufficient at the time of photographing.
Otherwise, it is retained without being erased. When there is a plurality of image data designated for temporary erasure, the main erasure execution unit 2
The image to be erased is determined according to priority according to 0f. The priority order can be set by the photographer when temporary erasure is designated, or can be automatically determined by the automatic priority order generation unit 20g.

The image processing section 20a performs digital image processing such as white balance processing, color processing, gamma correction, and sharpness adjustment. The compression / decompression processing unit 20b
Executes JPEG compression processing or decompression processing. Specifically, the image stored in the work area 19a of the memory 19 after the A / D conversion is converted into image data for recording by the image processing unit 20a, and further compressed (JPEG) by the compression / decompression processing unit 20b. Then, it is stored in the image holding area 19b in the memory 19. This image holding area 19b
Is a buffer for temporarily storing a compressed image and for holding a reproduced image, and is configured to be able to record n images. The image holding area 19b also holds an image in an uncompressed state depending on the situation (such as when uncompressed recording is selected or during reproduction).

The image for recording stored in the image holding area 19b is stored in the recording / reproducing interface 2 together with the header information and the thumbnail image under the control of the control unit 20d.
7, and is stored in the recording medium 29.

The recording / reproducing interface 27 performs data input / output between the memory 19 and the recording medium 29, and records an image on the recording medium 29, reads an image from the recording medium 29 to the memory 19, and records the image on the recording medium. The image in 29 is erased.

The recording medium 29 is configured to be removably mountable in a recording medium slot 28 mounted on the camera body. The recording medium 29 is, for example, a memory card using a flash memory or a magneto-optical disk. Cards and magnetic disk cards are used. The image recorded on the recording medium 29 can be read out from the recording medium 29 via the recording / reproduction interface 27 and displayed according to the operation of the operation keys 23. At this time,
The read image is temporarily stored in a work area 19a of the memory 19, decompressed by a compression / decompression processing unit 20b, and displayed on a display liquid crystal panel (TFT panel) 30 provided as a monitor on the back of the camera by a display control unit 20c. Is done.

The management processor 21 notifies the main processor 20 of the result of the operation input, thereby executing a photographing command and an operation command from the photographer. For this purpose, various operation inputs from various operation buttons (release button 22, operation key 23, enter button 24, etc.) are received, and control corresponding to the input is performed on each unit. Also,
The control panel 25 displays various information such as the shooting mode, the shooting conditions, the remaining number of shootable images, and the number of reserves (number of emergency shootable images) corresponding to the number of images designated for temporary deletion.

The operation keys 23 are used to perform various operation inputs, and are configured so that they can be input right, left, up, and down by cross-shaped input keys. By operating the operation keys 23, a function is selected on the menu screen displayed on the image display liquid crystal panel 30, and the function is selected and determined by the determination button 24. Also, release button 2
The photographing operation is executed by pressing 2.

(Temporary Erasing Designating Function) Next, the temporary erasing designating function which is a feature of the electronic camera device of the present embodiment will be specifically described.

The provisional erasure designation function is used when there is a photographed image that the user does not want to erase, but may erase it if he or she misses a photo opportunity. By preliminarily selecting such a photographed image from the images in the recording medium 29 and specifying temporary erasure, the photographing can be continued even when the remaining capacity of the recording medium 29 is small. It is possible to respond to a photo opportunity without erasing the image. Also, some of the images specified for temporary deletion
Since various types of images are included, from images having almost no problem even if they are deleted to images that are not desired to be deleted as much as possible, priority can be set.

When an image to be temporarily erase-designated is selected from the plurality of images recorded on the recording medium 29 by operating the operation key 23 and the enter button 24, temporary erase designation and
Under the control of the canceling unit 20e, “temporary erasure flag” information indicating that the selected image has been designated for temporary erasure is written in the recording medium 29. This "temporary erasure flag" information includes information indicating that temporary erasure is designated, and information on the storage priority. The information on the storage priority indicates the storage priority (non-erase priority) not to be permanently deleted. The lower the storage priority, the earlier the deletion, and the higher the storage priority, the later the deletion. If the storage priority information does not particularly exist, the recording date and time of the image is used as the storage priority information.

The storage priority is manually assigned,
May be automatically generated. If manually attached,
Rank designation as storage priority (A rank, B rank,
C rank). Among images of the same rank, the one with the oldest recording date is erased first. In the case of automatic generation, priority numbers (#
1, # 2, # 3, # 4,. . ) Is appended. The automatic generation of the storage priority is performed by the automatic priority generation unit 20g based on some criteria, and the generated value is given to the temporary deletion designation / cancellation unit 20e and recorded on the recording medium 29. .

When an input operation for canceling temporary erasure is performed, a process for clearing the corresponding "temporary erasure flag" information in the recording medium 29 is performed by the temporary erasure designation / cancellation unit 20.
e.

If the capacity (in the recording medium 29) for recording the photographed image is insufficient at the time of photographing, the main erasure execution unit 20f performs the recording so that a new photographed image can be recorded in the recording medium 29. The temporary erasure designation image is actually erased (main erasure), and a new photographed image is stored in the recording medium
9, free space for recording is secured. At this time,
The temporary erasure designation image is completely erased by a minimum necessary for recording a new photographed image. Also, the order of performing the main erasure is
It is determined based on the information of the storage priority.

(Automatic priority generation function) Next, the automatic priority generation function by the automatic priority generation unit 20g will be described. The following are used as criteria for automatically assigning the storage priority.

1) The gyro value at the time of shooting is recorded,
Thus, the camera shake amount is determined. A camera having a small amount of camera shake is set to a high storage priority (first grouping based on the presence or absence of camera shake). That is, in the electronic camera, a camera shake preventing mechanism (not shown: a correction lens is provided in a lens system, and a mechanism for driving the correction lens by a motor so as to correct vibration (which can be evaluated as speed or acceleration given to the camera). )
The gyro sensor 17a measures the acceleration and speed given to the camera, the sensor output (hereinafter, referred to as gyro value) is detected by the gyro value detection unit 17b, and the camera shake is controlled by the control unit 20d based on this value. It has become. In some cases, the camera shake correction mechanism cannot fully absorb the vibration to the camera, and the gyro value is an index of whether or not the captured image is a camera shake image. In the present electronic camera, when an image is recorded on the recording medium 29, the gyro value at the time of photographing is recorded by the control unit 20d together with the photographed image. This gyro value is read from the recording medium 29 and used at the time of automatic priority generation.

2) The storage priority of a representative image (first consecutive shot, bracket reference image, etc.) among a plurality of related images obtained by a series of photographing is increased (the second priority depends on whether the image is a representative image or not).
Grouping (divide the first group into two; the second
Grouping))). Here, the representative image refers to an image that represents a series of shootings when a series of shootings of the same series is performed. That is, in the present electronic camera, as a shooting mode for obtaining a plurality of images related to a series of shooting, a bracket shooting mode for performing stepwise exposure, a continuous shooting mode for shooting a plurality of images per second, A panorama shooting mode for shooting a plurality of images necessary for obtaining a panoramic image by the combining process is prepared, and a series of shooting operations in each of these shooting modes is controlled by the control unit 20d. The image is recorded on the recording medium 29 together with the image. In this case, for example, an image taken under the reference condition (reference exposure) becomes the representative image in bracket shooting, and 2 in continuous shooting.
The first image in the series corresponding to the second release is the representative image,
Then, in the panoramic shooting, the image positioned in the middle at the time of synthesis is determined as the representative image. The representative image may be explicitly designated by the photographer from a series of photographed images.

3) The one having high image quality is set to the high storage priority (the second group is divided into groups for each image quality: third grouping). As the evaluation value of the image quality, for example, a γ characteristic can be examined, or the above-described gyro value can be used. of course,
The image quality may be indirectly evaluated based on the conditions of the image capturing mode such as the image data size, resolution, and presence / absence of compression.

4) The number of times of reading and reproducing from the recording medium 29 is added to the image and recorded on the recording medium 29, and the storage priority of the one having a large number of reproductions is increased (the third grouping is performed). Each group is further divided: fourth grouping). This is based on the assumption that the greater the number of plays, the higher the importance will be.

5) Priority is determined based on the date of photographing (highest storage priority is given in a new order within a group).

Of these, in this embodiment, 1),
An example using 2) and 5) will be described later with reference to FIG.
The reference of 4) may be inserted between 2) and 5) in the manner of FIG. If the criterion 5) is last, the application order of the criterions 1) to 4) can be changed as appropriate.

(Management Format of Temporary Erase Flag Information) FIG. 2 shows a management format of “temporary erase flag” information on the recording medium 29. FIG. 2A shows a user area in a file system management area for managing a user area (user data area) for recording a plurality of captured images as image files, that is, an OS (operating system) management area. In this method, a temporary deletion flag area is provided in association with each of the photographed image files in the area, and "temporary deletion flag" information is written therein. FIG. 2 (b)
Is a method of preparing a temporary erasure management file for managing "temporary erasure flag" information and recording the temporary erasure management file in the user area. Further, FIG. 2C shows a method in which a "temporary erasure flag" area is provided in the header information of the image file, and the "temporary erasure flag" is set therein.

In any of these methods, the "temporary erasure flag" information is composed of information indicating that temporary erasure is specified and information on the storage priority, as described above. As the storage priority information, a rank specified by the photographer, a priority number automatically generated, and a combination of both the rank and the priority number can be used. In addition, the FAT (File Alloc
(the management table indicating the storage location of the file) is “used” when the temporary erasure is designated, and when the image is reproduced, it is displayed with the temporary erasure mark attached. The FAT becomes the “unused state” for the first time by the “real erase”.

(Operation) Next, a series of operations including temporary erasure designation and main erasure will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

When the temporary erase designation function is selected by operating the operation keys 23 and the enter button 24 (step S1).
YES), a temporary deletion designation process for selecting an image to be temporarily deleted is executed (step S2). In the temporary erasure designation processing, for example, a process for allowing the user to select an image to be temporarily erased designated while confirming a reproduced image is performed. In this case, the temporary deletion designation is performed on a screen (index display screen) for displaying a list of reduced images of a plurality of captured images recorded on the recording medium 29, for example. An image to be designated for deletion can be selected by operating the operation key 23. This is shown in FIG. In FIG. 4, the number on the left shoulder of each reduced image is a frame number (hereinafter referred to as No).
Is shown.

When the temporary erasure is designated, a temporary erasure mark "temporary" indicating that the temporary erasure has been designated is added to the image as shown in Nos. 2, 5, 7, and 8 in FIG. Is displayed. In addition, "P" in FIG. 4 indicates an image that has been designated for protection in order to prevent erroneous erasure, and it is not possible to perform provisional erasure designation for images of Nos. 4 and 9 for which protection has been designated unless protection is released. Can not. At this point, the image designated for temporary erasure is not erased from the recording medium 29, but the above-mentioned “temporary erasure flag” information indicating that temporary erasure has been designated is written in the recording medium 29. Of course, when the storage priority is manually set, the rank is specified at the same time as the temporary deletion is specified. When the storage priority is automatically set, an operation of setting a priority number for an image designated to be temporarily deleted is automatically executed by the automatic priority generation unit 20g. Here, a specific procedure of the temporary erasure designation processing executed in step S2 of FIG. 3 will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.

As shown in the flowchart of FIG. 5, in the temporary deletion designation processing, first, in accordance with the operation of the user,
Whether or not to perform the saving priority order is selected (step S11). When the setting of not performing the saving priority order is selected (NO in step S11), the operation of selecting and confirming the temporary deletion designation image is executed on the index display screen of FIG. 4 (steps S12 and S13). In this case, the storage priority of the image designated for temporary deletion is set to the lowest rank.

When the setting for performing the saving priority order is selected (YES in step S11), the selection of whether to automatically perform the priority ordering or the manual ordering is performed according to the operation of the user (step S14). . In the case of manually performing the operation (NO in step S14), after the operation of selecting and confirming the temporarily erase-designated image is performed on the index display screen of FIG. 4 (step S15), the storage priority order for the temporarily erase-designated image (step S15). (Rank) setting processing is performed according to the operation of the user (step S16). Step S15, S16
Is repeatedly executed for each individual image until all the temporary deletion designations are completed (step S17). On the other hand, when the prioritization is automatically performed (Y in step S14)
ES), the priority automatic generation process shown in the flowchart of FIG. 6 is executed.

In the priority order automatic generation processing, first, whether all images recorded on the recording medium 29 are temporarily deleted (all specified) or whether temporary deletion is individually specified on the index display screen is determined. The selection is executed according to the operation of the user (step S21). In the case of all designations (YES in step S21), provisional erasure designation is performed collectively for all images recorded on the recording medium 29 (step S22), and provisional erasure designations are individually performed. In this case (NO in step S21), the operation of selecting and confirming the temporary deletion designated image is individually executed on the index display screen of FIG. 4 (steps S23 and S24). When the temporary erasure designation image is determined in this manner, the automatic generation processing of the storage priority is performed according to some criteria. Here, it is assumed that a gyro value, the presence / absence of a representative image, and the shooting date / time (image file creation date / time) are used as criteria for automatically setting the storage priority.

First, the gyro value of each of the temporarily erased images is read from the recording medium 29, and the temporarily erased images are classified into two groups, group a and group b, based on the gyro values. Is performed (step S25). Group a is an image group in which the gyro value is less than a predetermined threshold, that is, an image group in which camera shake hardly occurs, and group b is an image group in which the gyro value is equal to or more than a predetermined threshold, that is, camera shake occurs. Image group.

Next, each image belonging to the group a is classified into a group a1 of representative images and a group a2 other than the representative image by judging whether or not it is a representative image in a series of plural frames. . And
The process of assigning the priority numbers in order from the image with the latest date to the image with the newest date is performed on each of the images belonging to the group a1 (step S27). For each of the images belonging to the group a2, the process of assigning the priority numbers in order from the image with the latest date is performed with the number next to the lowest priority number in the group a1 as the head (step S2).
8).

The same processing is performed on the group b, and the group is first classified into a group b1 of representative images and a group b2 other than the representative images (step S29). For each image belonging to group b1, group a2
The process of assigning the priority numbers in order from the image with the latest date is performed with the next number of the lowest priority number in the head as the head (step S30), and for each image belonging to the group b2, Starting from the number next to the lowest priority number, the process of assigning the priority numbers in descending order of the date is performed (step S31).

As described above, the temporary erasure designation processing in step S2 in FIG. 3 is executed manually or automatically. In addition, temporary erasure designation can be canceled for an image that has been temporarily erased. That is, when the temporary erasure canceling function is selected by operating the operation key 23 and the confirmation button 24 (step S3 in FIG. 3), the user is allowed to select an image to cancel the temporary erasure designation while checking the reproduced image. Is started (step S4), and by temporarily or individually selecting images for which temporary erasure has been designated, the temporary erasure designation is released. The display of the temporary erasure mark “temporary” is canceled for the image for which the temporary erasure designation has been canceled. At the same time, the “temporary erasure flag” information recorded on the recording medium 29 is reset.

The photographing proceeds in a state where the recording medium 29 including the image designated to be temporarily erased is used, and when the remaining capacity in the recording medium 29 becomes equal to or less than a predetermined value (the image recording cannot be performed any more). Then, the image for which temporary erasure is specified is permanently erased by the next photographing execution, and the newly photographed image is stored in the part where the actual erasure is performed.

That is, when the photographing mode is selected (YES in step S5 in FIG. 3), the photographing operation is executed by operating the release button 22 (step S6). Then, it is determined whether or not free space required for recording a new photographed image obtained by the photographing remains in the recording medium 29 (step S7). This determination does not take into account images that have been provisionally erased,
The free space is given by a value obtained by subtracting the capacities of all the image files in the “used state” from the storage capacity of the recording medium 29. If the necessary free space remains in the recording medium 29 (YES in step S7), a new photographed image obtained by photographing is recorded in the recording medium 29 as usual (step S9).

On the other hand, if the required free space is not left on the recording medium 29 (NO in step S7), the amount of space required for recording a new photographed image with respect to the temporarily erased image is reduced. After the main erasure is executed in the order of lower priority according to the storage priority (step S
8) Then, a new captured image is recorded in the empty area secured by the main erasure (step S9). The file management information of the image designated for temporary deletion is updated by the main deletion, and the area occupied by this image becomes “unused” (in fact, a new captured image is written, so The area corresponding to the image is in a use state). In addition,
At this time, the number of images to be permanently erased is only the number necessary for recording a new photographed image, and if the necessary capacity is secured, the remaining temporary erase designated images are not permanently erased. In the step S8 in FIG. 2, there is "necessary capacity", but "necessary" means that it is necessary to permanently erase a plurality of temporarily erased images to record a new one. This takes into account certain cases.

Until the power switch is turned off (NO in step S10), each time the release button 22 is operated, the above-described photographing execution processing, main erasure, and recording processing are executed. In this way, when all of the provisional erasure designation (reservation) has been used up, the recording medium 29 becomes incapable of taking any more images due to lack of capacity.

FIG. 7 shows that two new images are taken in a state where the necessary free space is not left in the recording medium 29.
An example of the index display screen after the main erasure of two sheets (Nos. 5 and 7) is performed is shown. If an explicit storage priority order is not specified by rank or priority number, the images are permanently deleted in order from the image with the oldest shooting date and time among the images designated for temporary deletion. That is, in a state where the necessary free space does not remain in the recording medium 29 and three temporary erasure designation images exist before photographing as shown in FIG. If two shots are taken, 3
Of the two temporary erasure designation images, the main erasure is performed on the two temporally old No. 5 and 7 temporary erasure designation images. As a result, as shown in FIG. 7B, the temporary erasure designation image is only one image of No. 6, and two newly photographed images are recorded on the recording medium 29 instead. Normally, the frame numbers are displayed in a stuffed state.
Nos. 6, 8, and 9 move to Nos. 5, 6, and 7 in FIG. 7B, and two newly shot images are displayed as Nos. 8 and 9.

Next, referring to the flowchart of FIG.
A description will be given of the procedure of the main erasure process when the storage priority is explicitly specified by the rank or the priority number.

First, it is determined whether the storage priority of an image designated for temporary deletion is designated by a rank or a priority number (step S41). If the rank is used to specify the storage priority, of the images that are currently the lowest rank among the images designated for temporary deletion,
The main image of the oldest image is erased (step S42).
The main erasure process in step S42 is repeatedly executed for the number of sheets required for the required main erasure (step S43). For example, as shown in FIG. 9A, three temporary erase designated images of rank A are Nos. 4, 7, and 9, two temporary erase designated images of rank B are Nos. 2, 6, and a temporary erase designated image of rank C is provided. Image is No
In a state where two images 5 and 8 are present, three new images are taken and three images are deleted. If two images of rank C in FIG. 8) Book erasure, and one of the two images of rank B in FIG. 9A which is older (here, it is assumed that No. 6 is older)
Will be permanently erased. As a result, Nos. 7 and 9 in FIG. 9A are moved to Nos. 5 and 6 in FIG. 9B, and three newly captured images are displayed as Nos. 7, 8, and 9.

On the other hand, when the priority number is used for designating the storage priority, the oldest image of the image whose temporary number is currently the largest among the images designated for temporary erasure is actually erased. Is performed (step S44). The main erasing process in step S44 is also repeatedly executed for the number of sheets requiring the main erasure (step S45).

In the case where images using ranks and images using priority numbers are mixed in the storage priority,
For example, the user may specify in advance which of the rank and the priority number is to be preferentially erased, and select an image to be officially erased according to the specified content.

FIG. 10 shows a display example of the control panel 25. Here, only the remaining photographable number (remaining number) and the reserved number are shown, and other displays are omitted.

The "remaining number" means the number of images that can be taken with the actual remaining capacity in the recording medium 29, not including the capacity occupied by the temporary erasure. The “reservation number” indicates how many images can be taken for the temporary erasure designated image when the temporary erasure designated image is really erased and used for image recording.

When the temporary erasure is specified for 10 sheets in a state (1) where the “remaining number” is 5 and the reserve number is 0, the “reserve number” changes from 0 to 10 sheets. (2). If two new images are taken in the state of (2), the "remaining number" is reduced to three (3). And
When the temporary erasure designation cancellation for four sheets is performed in the state of (3), the “reserve number” is reduced from ten to six (4). If three new images are taken in the state of (4), the "remaining number" becomes zero and the free space is exhausted (5). If two more images are taken in the state (5) in which there is no free space, two temporary erasure designated images are permanently erased, thereby reducing the “reserved number” to four and “remaining number”. Is -2 (6). Here, “remaining number−2” means that two of the temporary erasure designated images existing on the recording medium 29 have been erased.

In this state (6), if four more images are taken, the “reserved number” becomes zero and the “remaining number” becomes −6.
(7). In the state of (7), the “reserve number”
Is 0, so that it is impossible to perform any further photographing using the reserve.

As described above, according to the electronic camera device of the present embodiment, temporary erasure can be designated for an arbitrary image in the captured images recorded on the recording medium 29.
In addition, since the storage priority can be assigned manually or automatically, it is possible to respond to a photo opportunity while leaving necessary images as much as possible.

The "temporary erasure flag" information, which is management information indicating temporary erasure designation, is most preferably stored in the recording medium 29 where the corresponding image file exists, but the present invention is limited to such a case. For example, RAM of the camera body or rewritable ROM (EEPR
OM) or the like may be stored.

[0066]

As described above, according to the present invention,
Even when the remaining capacity of the recording medium is small, the photographing can be continued, and when the temporary erasure is designated, the non-erase priority can also be designated. The execution is performed in the order according to the erase priority. Therefore, an image which can be temporarily erased but is not desired to be erased as much as possible can be given a high non-erasing priority, so that it is possible to eliminate as much as possible among the temporary erasure targets.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a system configuration of an electronic camera device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exemplary view for explaining a management method of temporary erasure flag information used in the electronic camera device of the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is an exemplary flowchart illustrating the operation of the electronic camera device of the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is an exemplary view for explaining a temporary erasure designation operation in the electronic camera device of the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is an exemplary flowchart illustrating the procedure of a provisional erasure designation process executed in the electronic camera device of the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is an exemplary flowchart illustrating the procedure of a priority order automatic generation process which is executed in the electronic camera device of the embodiment.

FIG. 7 is an exemplary view showing an example of a main erasing operation in the electronic camera device of the embodiment.

FIG. 8 is an exemplary flowchart showing the procedure of a main erasure process executed in the electronic camera device of the embodiment.

FIG. 9 is an exemplary view showing another example of the main erasing operation in the electronic camera device of the embodiment.

FIG. 10 is an exemplary view showing a state of a transition of a display state of a control panel in the electronic camera device of the embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 ... Imaging lens system 12 ... CCD color imaging device 13 ... Imaging process part 17a ... Gyro sensor 17b ... Gyro value detection part 20 ... Main processor 20e ... Temporary deletion designation / cancellation part 20f ... Final deletion execution part 20g ... Priority automatic generation Unit 21 Management processor 25 Control panel 28 Recording medium slot 29 Recording medium 30 Display liquid crystal panel

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) // H04N 101: 00 H04N 5/91 L

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. An electronic camera device for photographing a subject image using an image pickup device and recording an image obtained by the photographing on a recording medium, wherein the recording medium is selected from the images recorded on the recording medium. Temporary erasure designation means for pre-designating an image to be erased together with its non-erase priority when the free space for recording an image is insufficient, and an empty space in the recording medium for recording the photographed image when photographed by the image sensor. An image erasure recording unit for erasing the image temporarily designated by the temporary erasure designation unit in the order according to the non-erase priority when the capacity is insufficient, and recording the photographed image on the recording medium. An electronic camera device characterized in that: 2. An electronic camera device for photographing a subject image using an image pickup device and recording an image obtained by the photographing on a recording medium, wherein the recording medium is selected from the images recorded on the recording medium. Temporary erasure designating means for designating an image to be erased in advance when the free space for recording the image in the above is insufficient; and priority for determining a non-erasing priority for each of the images temporarily designated by the temporary erasing means. Determining means, when the free space in the recording medium for recording the photographed image is insufficient at the time of photographing by the imaging element, the order of the images designated by the temporary erasure designation by the temporary erasure designation means according to the non-erase priority An electronic camera device comprising: an image erasure recording unit that erases the photographed image on the recording medium by deleting the photographed image. 3. The temporary erasure designating means is capable of designating all images recorded on the recording medium as images to be erased when the free space is insufficient. The electronic camera device according to claim 2, wherein 4. The non-erasing priority, wherein the priority determining unit determines the non-erasing priority based on a date and time of recording on the recording medium or a date and time of photographing of an image obtained by photographing using the image sensor. 4. The electronic camera device according to claim 2, wherein 5. A camera shake detecting means for detecting a camera shake amount at the time of photographing, wherein the priority determining means determines the non-erasing priority based on the camera shake amount detected by the camera shake detecting means. 4. The electronic camera device according to claim 2, wherein: 6. The non-erasing priority, wherein the priority determining unit determines the non-erasing priority based on whether or not the image is a representative image among a plurality of related images obtained by a series of photographing. Item 4. The electronic camera device according to item 2 or 3. 7. The electronic camera device according to claim 2, wherein the priority determining unit determines the non-erasing priority based on an image quality of each image recorded on the recording medium. . 8. The electronic camera according to claim 2, wherein the priority determining unit determines the non-erasing priority based on the number of times of reproduction of each of the images recorded on the recording medium. apparatus. 9. The image deletion recording means according to claim 1, wherein said image deletion recording means deletes only the number of images designated by said temporary deletion designation means necessary and sufficient to solve the capacity shortage. The electronic camera device according to claim 1.