JP2002314922A - Image data recording device, image data recording program, computer recording medium storing the same, and image inputting equipment provided therewith - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To record image data by an appropriate recording method without worrying about a memory capacity. SOLUTION: A memory capacity of a memory card 13 inserted into a card slot 16 of a film scanner 10 is detected. It is determined whether the detected memory capacity is within a first range which has a first capacity or above, within a second range which has a capacity between the first capacity and a second capacity, or within a third range which has the second capacity or below. When the detected memory capacity is within the first range, the image data is recorded by a first compressibility rate (=1/4). When the detected memory capacity is within the second range, the image data is recorded by a second compressibility rate (=1/8). And, when the detected memory capacity is within the third range, the image data is recorded by a third compressibility ratio (=1/16).

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image input device such as a film scanner or a digital still camera provided with a card slot into which a card-type memory is inserted, and more particularly to image data recording for compressing and recording image data. Regarding processing.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional digital camera or the like can record color still image data in various formats, for example, JPEG (Joint Photographic).
coding Experts Group) Recording using a compression method based on the baseline method, or TIFF (Tagged Image
ge File Format). Normally, these formats are appropriately selected by a user. When obtaining a high-quality image, image data is recorded by non-compression or low-compression, while when many images are recorded, high-compression is used. Then, the image data is recorded on the memory card.

[0003]

However, if the user does not consider the recordable memory capacity of the memory card used, that is, the storage capacity, image data is recorded by a recording method that is not suitable for the memory capacity. In some cases. For example, when using a small-capacity memory card, image data is recorded by a low-compression or non-compression recording method,
On the other hand, image data is recorded with high compression even though a large-capacity memory card is used.

Therefore, according to the present invention, there is provided an image data recording apparatus capable of recording image data in an appropriate recording method without considering the memory capacity, an image data recording program, a computer-readable recording medium storing the program, And an image input device provided with an image data recording device or a computer-readable recording medium.

[0005]

An image input device according to the present invention is an image input device in which digital image data is recorded on a recording medium which is detachably mounted, for example, a digital still camera or a film scanner. It is.
The recording medium is, for example, a card-type memory and is mounted in a card slot mounted on the image input device. The image input device includes a memory capacity detecting unit that detects a recordable memory capacity of the recording medium,
Compression rate setting means for setting a compression rate at the time of recording image data according to the detected memory capacity value so that the compression rate increases as the value of the memory capacity increases, and records the image data at the set compression rate And image data recording means.

[0006] It is not integrated into the device,
As for the recording medium that can be freely taken out, the memory capacity, that is, the storage capacity of the same type of recording medium varies. In the image input device of the present invention, first, the memory capacity of the attached recording medium is detected, and the compression ratio is determined by the compression ratio setting means. At this time, the compression rate increases as the detected memory capacity value increases, and conversely, the compression rate decreases as the detected memory capacity value decreases. Then, the image data is recorded based on the determined compression ratio. The compression ratio indicates the ratio of the number of bits of image data after compression to the number of bits of image data before compression. This value is the compression ratio,
That is, it is the reciprocal of the ratio between the number of bits of the compressed image data and the number of bits of the image data before compression. Therefore,
As the compression rate increases, image data is recorded with low compression, and as the compression rate decreases, image data is recorded with high compression. However, in the case of non-compression, the compression ratio is defined as 1. In the present invention, if the memory capacity is large, the compression rate is high because there is room in the capacity, that is, it is recorded with low compression or non-compression, and conversely, if the memory capacity is small, more images can be recorded. It is recorded with a low compression ratio, that is, with a high compression. Therefore, the image data is automatically recorded in a recording method according to the capacity of the memory card without the user being conscious of the memory capacity.

As described above, the width of the memory capacity of the recording medium is very wide. On the other hand, the number of settable compression ratios tends to be limited by the problem of the compression method. Therefore, in consideration of the state where the number of settable compression ratios is limited to some extent, the range in which the value of the memory capacity can be divided into at least two ranges, and the range in which the value in which the memory capacity can be taken is larger, the compression ratio is larger Therefore, it is desirable to set at least two compression ratios according to the at least two ranges. That is, it is desirable to determine the compression ratio for each certain range of the memory capacity. In this case, the compression rate setting means determines which of the at least two ranges the value of the memory capacity detected by the memory capacity detecting means belongs to, and according to the range to which the at least two compression rates belong. The compression ratio is determined as the compression ratio when recording image data. For example, the possible range of the memory capacity value is 3
Into three ranges, and three compression ratios are set according to the three ranges. In this case, the compression ratio setting unit sets the value of the memory capacity detected by the memory capacity detection unit to:
Determine which of the three ranges belongs to,
A compression ratio according to a range to which one of the compression ratios belongs is determined as a compression ratio when recording image data. Therefore, when the range of possible values of the detected memory capacity belongs to the smallest range, recording is performed with high compression, and when the range of possible values belongs to the larger range, recording is performed with medium compression. If the range of possible values belongs to the largest range, it is recorded with low compression.

[0008] The memory capacity required for recording varies according to the number of pixels of image data to be recorded and the purpose of use. In addition, the memory capacity that can be recorded has dramatically increased in accordance with technological advances. Go. If it is not possible to increase the number of configurable compression ratios determined at the time of manufacturing the image input device,
The compression ratio and the range to which the value of the memory capacity belongs may not be compatible. It is also conceivable that the user desires to determine the compression ratio separately for each very narrow range. Therefore, the image input device includes: a boundary memory capacity change operation unit for changing a value of at least one boundary memory capacity serving as a boundary between the at least two ranges; It is desirable to further have a boundary memory capacity changing means for changing the value of the memory capacity. Since the value of the boundary memory capacity can be freely changed by operating the memory change operation unit, it can be divided into at least two ranges according to the memory capacity, and a compression ratio suitable for a recording medium having any capacity width can be obtained. Can be set. In addition, by changing the boundaries between at least two defined ranges, recording can be performed at a compression ratio preferred by the user. For example, when the range in which the value of the memory capacity can be taken is divided into three ranges, and three compression ratios are respectively set according to the three ranges, the boundary memory capacity change operation unit sets the boundary between the three ranges. 1 can change the values of the boundary memory capacity and the second boundary memory capacity, respectively, and the boundary memory capacity changing means operates the first and second boundary memory capacities in accordance with an operation on the boundary memory capacity change operation unit. Change the value of each.

When the compression ratio is set, the image input device is provided with a display device for displaying the number of frames, in order to inform the user how many images can be recorded at the compression ratio. It is desirable to further have a maximum recording frame number calculating means for calculating the maximum number of frames that can be recorded at the compression ratio, and a display means for displaying the calculated maximum recording frame number on a display device.

In accordance with the JPEG baseline method and the uncompressed TIFF format, the compression ratio of the image data to be set is any one of 1/16, 1/8, 1/4 and 1 indicating uncompressed. Desirably. For example, when the range in which the value of the memory capacity can be taken is divided into three ranges, and three compression ratios are respectively set according to the three ranges, the three compression ratios corresponding to the three ranges are the values of the memory capacity Are set to 1/16, 1/8, and 1/4, respectively, in the order of smaller ranges.

An image data recording apparatus for an image input device according to the present invention has a recordable memory capacity for a recording medium detachably mounted on the image input device and for recording digital image data. A memory capacity detecting means for detecting, a compression rate setting means for setting a compression rate at the time of image data recording in accordance with a value of the detected memory capacity, so that the compression rate increases as the memory capacity increases; Image data recording means for recording image data at a rate.

An image data recording program of the present invention stored in a computer-readable recording medium such as a ROM in an image input device is a recording medium which is removably mounted on the image input device and records digital image data. Memory capacity detecting means for detecting a recordable memory capacity for a recording medium to be recorded, and a compression rate at the time of recording image data according to a value of the detected memory capacity so that the compression rate increases as the memory capacity increases. And a function to execute image data recording means for recording image data at the set compression rate. It is possible to transmit the image data recording program on the Internet or the like.

[0013]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An image input device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing a film scanner according to the first embodiment.

A film insertion opening 12 for inserting a film F is provided at the center of the front surface 10A of the film scanner 10, and an LCD panel 14 is mounted on the upper portion of the front surface 10A. Right side of front 10A, ie side 1
0C has a film discharge button 20, a changeover switch 2
1, an operation panel 18 provided with an execution switch 22, an up switch 29A, a down switch 29B, a power switch 24 and the like is provided, and a card slot 16 is mounted on the opposite side surface 10B. A memory card 13 is inserted into the card slot 16 for recording image data. When the card removal button 19 is operated, the memory card 13 is removed from the card slot 16. Here, a PC card ATA is applied to the memory card 13 which is a card-type memory. The changeover switch 21 is a switch for switching the recording method between automatic and manual, as described later.

The film F on which an image is recorded is inserted into the insertion port 12
When the memory card 13 is inserted into the card slot 16 and a predetermined operation is performed on a series of switches on the operation panel 18, an image is displayed on the LCD panel 14. Further, when the execution switch 22 of the operation panel 18 is operated, the displayed image is recorded on the memory card 13 as image data. Such a recording operation can be performed on a series of images recorded on the film F.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the film scanner 10. As shown in FIG.

A light source 23 and a scanning unit 30 are provided in the film scanner 10, and an illumination optical system 26 and a photographing optical system 28 are arranged between the scanning unit 30 and the light source 23. The scanning unit 30 including the CCD 32 as a line sensor is mounted on the support surface 1 on which the film F is mounted.
It is possible to move one frame in the direction of 0E.
7 driven. Further, in order to sequentially scan a plurality of frames on the film F, the film F is intermittently transported along the support surface 10E by rollers (not shown) one by one.

The frame to be scanned is set at a predetermined position,
When a predetermined operation is performed on a switch on the operation panel 18, light is emitted from the light source 23 and the scanning unit 30
Translates by a frame. On the light receiving surface of the CCD 32, a part of an image recorded on the film F is formed by light passing through the illumination optical system 26, the film F, and the photographing optical system 28, and when the scanning unit 30 moves by one frame. An image signal for one frame, that is, one frame, is generated in the CCD 32. The photographing optical system 28 is driven by a predetermined amount by a motor 51 for focus adjustment.

An image signal for one frame generated in the CCD 32 is read out from the CCD 32 and is supplied to an initial circuit 3.
4 and subjected to amplification processing, noise removal processing, and the like. The image signal that has been subjected to amplification processing is converted from an analog signal to a digital signal in the A / D converter 36 and sent to the image processing circuit 38. The image processing circuit 38 performs image processing such as color adjustment and gamma correction on the digital image signal. The image signal of one frame subjected to the image processing is temporarily stored in the field memory 44 via the memory controller 42,
It is sent to the D driver 46. The LCD driver 46 drives the LCD panel 14 based on the sent image signal. Thereby, an image is displayed on the LCD panel 14. Also, as described later, the inserted memory card 1
CPU 4 when displaying the maximum number of frames that can be recorded on
In accordance with the control signal sent from 0, the LCD driver 46 drives the LCD panel 14 so that character information such as “the maximum number of recording frames is...

Further, when the execution switch 22 is operated to record an image, the image data temporarily stored in the field memory 44 is read out and the image processing circuit 38 is operated.
Is sent to the CPU 40 via the. In the present embodiment, as described later, when the memory card 13 is inserted, the memory capacity, that is, the storage capacity is detected by the CPU 40 via the card controller 41, and the compression rate, that is, the recording mode is automatically set according to the memory capacity. Preset to. The CPU 40 compresses the image data in a predetermined recording mode (compression ratio), and records the processed image data on the memory card 13 via the card controller 41 that controls the card slot 16.

The CPU 40 controls the overall operation of the film scanner 10, and the overall operation is executed by a program stored in a ROM 52. This program includes a program related to image data recording.
The CPU 40 includes a circuit related to image processing such as an image processing circuit 38, a card controller 41, and an LCD driver 46, and a motor driver 4 that drives motors 51 and 47 for driving the imaging optical system 28 and the scanning unit 30, respectively.
9 and 45 are controlled. When an operation on switches such as the up / down switches 29A and 29B provided on the operation panel 18 is performed, a signal corresponding to the operation is transmitted to the CPU
Sent to 0. The CPU 40 sends a control signal to each circuit based on the sent operation signal.

The film scanner 10 is connected to a computer 15 via a digital interface (I / F) circuit 53.
And can be connected. When a predetermined operation for data transmission is performed by a user, data such as image data and a program for operating a film scanner is transmitted to the computer 15 via the digital interface circuit 53.

An image signal for one frame can be transmitted to a peripheral device such as an external display device. When a digital image signal is transmitted to an encoder 48 via an LCD driver 46, an image such as an NTSC (composite) signal is transmitted. A signal is generated, and the video signal is output to an external peripheral device. In addition, a video signal can be received via the decoder 50,
The video signal input in the decoder is converted into a digital image signal.

FIG. 3 is executed by the CPU 40.
9 is a flowchart illustrating a recording mode setting processing operation for setting a recording mode during image recording. Memory card 13
Is started when is inserted into the card slot 16.

In this embodiment, the capacity width of the memory capacity to be mounted is determined to be 2 to 256 MB, and the range of these memory capacities is 128 MB to 256 MB, 32 MB to 128 MB, and 32 MB or less. Each range is divided into three ranges (hereinafter referred to as first, second, and third ranges, respectively). Then, the first compression ratio C is set according to each of the first, second, and third ranges.
A first recording mode for recording at 1, a second recording mode for recording at a second compression ratio C2, and a third recording mode for recording at a third compression ratio C3 are defined. The compression ratio indicates the ratio of the number of bits of image data after compression to the number of bits of image data before compression, and is a compression ratio, that is, the ratio of the number of bits of compressed image data to the number of bits of image data before compression. Is the reciprocal of However, in the case of non-compression, the compression ratio is defined as 1. In the present embodiment, in the case of automatic setting, the first and second recording methods follow the JEPG baseline method.
The values of the second and third compression ratios C1, C2, C3 are set to 1/16, 1/8, and 1/4, respectively. The value of the memory capacity at the boundary of the three ranges, 128M
B and 32 MB are stored in the ROM 52 as default values, and are defined here as a first capacity M1 and a second capacity M2, respectively.

In step 101, it is determined whether or not automatic setting is selected as a method for setting the recording mode by the changeover switch 21. If it is determined that the automatic setting has not been selected, that is, the manual setting has been selected, the process proceeds to step 110. In step 110, the recording mode selected by the user is set. By performing a predetermined operation on a switch on the operation panel 18, a recording mode can be selected. When the recording mode is set, the recording mode setting processing ends.
On the other hand, if it is determined in step 101 that the automatic setting has been selected as the recording mode setting means, the process proceeds to step 102.

In step 102, the card slot 16
The memory capacity of the memory card 13 inserted in is detected. In step 103, it is determined whether or not the memory capacity of the memory card 13 is equal to or more than the first capacity M1 (= 128 MB). If it is determined that the memory capacity is equal to or larger than the first capacity M1, that is, if it is determined that the memory capacity belongs to the first range, the process proceeds to step 104, and the compression ratio C1 according to the large capacity memory
The first recording mode (= １ ／) is set as the recording mode. When step 104 is executed, step 1
Move to 08. On the other hand, if it is determined in step 103 that the memory capacity is not more than the first capacity M1, the process proceeds to step 105.

In step 105, it is determined whether the memory capacity is equal to or larger than the second capacity M (= 32 MB) 2. If it is determined that the memory capacity is equal to or larger than the second capacity M2, that is, if it is determined that the memory capacity belongs to the second range, step 106
To the compression ratio C2 (= 1/8) corresponding to the medium capacity memory
Is set as the recording mode. When step 106 is executed, the process proceeds to step 108.
On the other hand, if it is determined in step 105 that the memory capacity is not equal to or larger than the second capacity M2, that is, if the memory capacity belongs to the third range, the process proceeds to step 107. In step 107, the compression rate C3 according to the small capacity memory is set as the recording mode.
The third recording mode (= 1/16) is set. When step 107 is executed, the process proceeds to step 108.

In step 108, the maximum number of recordable frames is calculated based on the set compression ratio of the recording mode. Then, in step 109, the calculated maximum number of recording frames is displayed on the LCD panel 14. For example, if the capacity of the memory card 13 used is 96 MB, the second
(The compression ratio C2 = 1/8) is set as the recording mode, and the maximum number of recording frames is about 132.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an image data recording operation performed by the CPU 40. It is started when the execution switch 22 is operated.

In step 151, it is determined whether or not the recording mode has been set by manual setting. If it is determined that the recording mode has been set by manual setting, the process proceeds to step 152, where the image data is recorded in the recording mode set by the user. On the other hand, if it is determined that the recording mode has not been set by the manual setting, that is, if the recording mode has been set by the automatic setting, the process proceeds to step 153.

In step 153, it is determined whether the first recording mode is set as the recording mode.
If it is determined that the first recording mode has been set, the process proceeds to step 154, where image data is recorded at a compression ratio C1 (= 1/4). On the other hand, if it is determined that the first recording mode is not set as the recording mode, the process proceeds to step 155.

At step 155, it is determined whether the second recording mode is set as the recording mode.
If it is determined that the second recording mode has been set, the process proceeds to step 156, where image data is recorded at a compression ratio C2 (= 1/8). On the other hand, if it is determined that the second recording mode is not set as the recording mode, that is, it is determined that the third recording mode is set, the process proceeds to step 157, where the image data is compressed at the compression rate C3 (= 1/16). Is recorded. When any one of steps 152, 154, 156, and 157 is executed, the recording processing operation ends.

FIG. 5 is executed by the CPU 40.
It is a flowchart showing a boundary capacitance value setting processing operation for setting a first capacitance M1 and a second capacitance M2. The process starts when a boundary capacity setting mode is selected by a predetermined operation on a switch on the operation panel 18.

In step 201, the specified value of the first capacity M1, that is, the default value (= 128 MB) is stored in the LCD.
Displayed on panel 14. Then, in step 202, it is determined whether the up switch 29A or the down switch 29B or the execution switch 22 has been operated.

If it is determined in step 202 that the up switch 29A has been operated, the process proceeds to step 203, where the value of the first capacity M1 is incremented by one. Then, the process returns to step 201, and the value of the first capacitance M1 added by 1 is displayed on the LCD panel 14. On the other hand, when it is determined that the down switch 29B has been operated, the process proceeds to step 204, where the value of the first capacity M1 is reduced by one. Then, in step 205, it is determined whether or not the reduced value of the first capacitance M1 is larger than the second capacitance M2. When it is determined that the first capacity M1 is larger than the second capacity M2, the process returns to step 201, and the value of the first capacity M1 reduced by 1 is displayed on the LCD panel 14. On the other hand, if it is determined that the first capacity M1 is not larger than the second capacity M2, the first capacity M1 is set in step 206 to enable setting of three recording modes.
Is set to a value equal to the second capacitance M2. That is,
The value of the first capacitance M1 is not decreased by 1, and is maintained as it is. Then, in step 201, the first capacity M1 with the value as it is is displayed on the LCD panel 14. Steps 201 to 206 are repeatedly executed while the user sets the value of the first capacity M1.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step 202 that the execution switch 22 has been operated, the process proceeds to step 207, where the value of the first capacity M1 is determined. Then, in step 208, the specified value of the second capacity M2 is set to LC
It is displayed on the D panel 14. Then, in step 209, the up switch 29A or the down switch 29
It is determined whether B or the execution switch 22 has been operated.

If it is determined in step 209 that the up switch 29A has been operated, the process proceeds to step 210, where the value of the second capacitor M2 is incremented by one. Then, in step 211, it is determined whether or not the value of the added second capacity M2 is smaller than the first capacity M2. If it is determined that the second capacity M2 is smaller than the first capacity M1, the process returns to step 208, and the second capacity M is added by one.
Is displayed on the LCD panel 14. On the other hand, if it is determined that the second capacity M2 is not smaller than the first capacity M1, the second capacity M2 is set to a value equal to the second capacity M2 so that three recording modes can be set. You. That is, the value of the second capacitor M2 is not incremented by 1, and the value is maintained as it is. And step 20
Returning to 8, the second capacity M2 having the same value is displayed on the LCD panel 14. On the other hand, when it is determined in step 209 that the down switch 29B has been operated, the process proceeds to step 213, and the value of the second capacitance M2 is reduced by one. In step 208, the second value whose value has been reduced
Is displayed on the LCD panel 14. While the user is setting the value of the second capacity M2, step 208
To 213 are repeatedly executed.

At step 209, the execution switch 22
Is operated, the routine proceeds to step 214, where the second capacity M
A value of 2 is determined. First and second capacitors M1, M2
Is determined, the boundary capacity setting processing operation ends.

As described above, according to the first embodiment, by executing steps 101 to 107, the memory capacity of the memory card 13 is detected, and the recording mode is set to the first recording mode or the second recording mode according to the memory capacity. The recording mode is set to one of the recording mode and the third recording mode. And step 10
By executing steps 8 and 109, the number of frames that can be recorded in the set recording mode is calculated and displayed on the LCD panel 14. The image data is recorded on the memory card 13 by executing steps 153 to 157 in FIG. Further, the execution of steps 201 to 214 in FIG.
Of the capacity M1 and the value of the second capacity M2 are changed.

Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. In the second embodiment, a digital still camera is applied as an image input device. In the digital still camera, the reference numerals of the components corresponding to the respective components in the film scanner of the first embodiment are obtained by adding 100 to the reference numerals of the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a schematic overview of a digital still camera according to the second embodiment.

A lens barrel 115 is mounted on the front face 100a of the digital camera 100. The objective lens 125A of the perspective finder 125 and the photometric sensor 13
1. A distance measuring sensor 133 is provided. A changeover switch 12 is provided on the upper surface 100d of the digital still camera 100.
1, a release button 122, a power switch 124, an operation dial 123, an up switch 129A, and a down switch 129B. Digital camera 100
A card slot 116 is provided on the side surface 100c of the device, and a memory card 113 is inserted. On the back surface 100b of the digital still camera 100, an LCD panel (not shown) and an eyepiece (not shown) of a see-through finder 125 are provided.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of the digital still camera 100.

The subject S is observed by the see-through finder 125 (see FIG. 1), and when the release button 122 is half-pressed by the user, the brightness of the subject is detected by the photometric sensor 131 and the subject S is detected by the distance measuring sensor 133. Is measured. A photographing optical system 128 reflected by the subject S and provided in the lens barrel 115;
The subject image is formed on the CCD 132 by the light that has passed, and when the release button 122 is fully pressed, a predetermined exposure operation is performed, and an image signal for one frame corresponding to the subject image is generated in the CCD 132. .
At this time, the photographing optical system 128 is driven by the motor 151 by a predetermined amount according to a predetermined exposure value. The image signal for one frame generated by the CCD 132 is read out from the CCD 132 and the initial circuit 1
34. Then, in the image processing circuit 138, various processes are performed on the image signal as in the first embodiment, and digital image data is temporarily stored in the field memory 144. Further, the image data is transferred to the CPU 14
0, the data is recorded on the memory card 113 in a predetermined recording mode via the card controller 141. By continuing a series of photographing operations, a plurality of image data can be recorded on the memory card 113.

The CPU 140 is a digital still camera 1
00 is controlled in advance, and a program for executing the entire operation is stored in the ROM 152 in advance. A program related to image data recording processing is included. Release button 122 and operation dial 123
When is operated, a photographing operation or the like is executed. When the reproduction mode is selected by operating the operation dial 123, the selected image data is read from the field memory 144 and sent to the LCD driver 146. Thus, the recorded image is displayed on LCD panel 114. Further, similarly to the first embodiment, the maximum number of recorded frames can be displayed.

Also in the second embodiment, FIGS.
The recording mode setting processing operation, image data recording processing operation, and boundary capacitance value setting processing operation described with reference to FIG.
This is executed in U140. However, in the case of the digital still camera 100, the first capacity M1 is 64 MB and the second capacity M1 is 64 MB.
Is set to 16 MB, and the recording process is started by operating the release button 122. Further, the boundary capacitance setting mode is set by the operation dial 123, and the values of the first and second capacitances M1 and M2 are changed by operating the up switch 129A and the down switch 129B.

In the first and second embodiments, the range of the memory capacity is divided into three ranges.
May be divided into four ranges, for example, four or five. In this case, the number of recording modes (compression rates) is determined by the number of the set ranges so that the compression rate increases as the available capacity of the range increases. Also, the compression ratio may be determined without dividing the range of the memory capacity into several ranges. In this case, the compression ratio is determined such that the larger the detected value of the memory capacity, the larger the value of the compression ratio.

In the first and second embodiments, three recording modes (compression ratios) are determined based on the JEPG baseline system. However, the first recording mode is set to the TIFF format (uncompressed). You may. That is, the first compression ratio C1 may be set to 1. The values of the first, second and third compression ratios C1, C2, C3 are 1/4, 1
It is not necessary to be limited to / 8, 1/16.
What is necessary is just to select from 1/8 and 1/16. Or,
The values of the first, second, and third compression ratios may be determined from values other than the above. Further, the recording method need not be limited to the JPEG baseline method or the TIFF uncompressed method.

As a recording medium on which image data is recorded, a recording medium other than a memory card (for example, a CD-RW or the like) may be used as long as it is a removable recording medium. As image input devices, film scanners,
A device other than the digital still camera may be used.

[0052]

As described above, according to the present invention, image data can be recorded by an appropriate recording method without considering the memory capacity.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing a film scanner according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a film scanner.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a recording mode setting processing operation for setting a recording mode during image recording.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an image data recording processing operation.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a boundary capacitance value setting processing operation for setting a first capacitance and a second capacitance.

FIG. 6 is a schematic overview of a digital still camera according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a digital still camera according to a second embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

Reference Signs List 10 Film scanner (image input device) 13, 113 Memory card (recording medium) 14, 114 LCD panel (display device) 16, 116 Card slot 29A, 129A Up switch (boundary memory capacity change operation section) 29B, 129B Down switch Boundary memory capacity change operation unit) 40, 140 CPU 52, 152 ROM (computer-readable recording medium) 100 Digital still camera

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) H04N 1/21 H04N 1/21 5C052 5/225 5/225 F 5C053 5/91 101: 00 5C073 // H04N 101: 00 5/91 JF term (reference) 2H054 AA01 2H106 BA55 BA58 5B047 AA30 BB04 EA02 EB15 5B082 AA13 GA01 5C022 AA13 AC03 AC32 AC42 AC54 AC69 AC74 5C052 AA17 DD02 GA01 GA03 GA09 GB06 GC05 GD03 GE08 5GA03 GA08 GA05 KA25 LA01 LA06 LA11 5C073 AA03 BB02 BC02 CE02

Claims (14)

[Claims] 1. An image input device for recording digital image data on a recording medium which is detachably mounted, comprising: a memory capacity detecting means for detecting a recordable memory capacity of the recording medium; Compression rate setting means for setting a compression rate at the time of recording image data according to the value of the detected memory capacity so that the compression rate increases as the value increases, and image data for recording image data at the set compression rate. An image input device comprising a recording unit. 2. A display device for displaying the number of frames, a maximum recording frame number calculating means for calculating a maximum number of frames that can be recorded at a set compression ratio, and the display device displaying the calculated maximum number of recording frames. And display means for displaying the information on the display.
The image input device according to 1. 3. A range in which the value of the memory capacity can be divided into at least two ranges, and at least two ranges are set in accordance with the at least two ranges so that the range in which the value of the memory capacity is larger has a higher compression ratio. Compression ratios are respectively set, the compression ratio setting means determines which of the at least two ranges the value of the memory capacity detected by the memory capacity detecting means belongs to, The image input device according to claim 1, wherein a compression ratio according to a range to which the at least two compression ratios belong is determined as a compression ratio at the time of recording image data. 4. A range in which the value of the memory capacity can be divided into three ranges, and three compression ratios are set in accordance with the three ranges so that the range in which the value of the memory capacity is large increases the compression ratio. The compression ratio setting means determines which of the three ranges the value of the memory capacity detected by the memory capacity detecting means belongs to, and The compression rate according to the range to which the compression rate belongs
2. The image input device according to claim 1, wherein the compression ratio is determined as a compression ratio when recording image data. 5. A boundary memory capacity change operation unit for changing a value of at least one boundary memory capacity serving as a boundary between the at least two ranges, and according to an operation on the boundary memory capacity change operation unit.
4. The image input device according to claim 3, further comprising: a boundary memory capacity changing unit that changes a value of the at least one boundary memory capacity. 6. A boundary memory capacity change operation unit for changing values of a first boundary memory capacity and a second boundary memory capacity that are boundaries between the three ranges, and an operation on the boundary memory capacity change operation unit According to
5. The image input device according to claim 4, further comprising a boundary memory capacity changing unit that changes each of the first and second boundary memory capacities. 7. The image input device according to claim 1, wherein the image input device is a film scanner. 8. The image input device according to claim 1, wherein the image input device is a digital still camera. 9. The image input device according to claim 1, wherein the recording medium is a card-type memory, and is mounted in a card slot mounted on the image input device. 10. The image according to claim 1, wherein the set compression ratio of the image data is any one of 1/16, 1/8, 1/4, and 1 indicating non-compression. Input device. 11. The three compression ratios corresponding to the three ranges are set to 1/16, １ ／, and ４, respectively, in the order of smaller memory capacity values. The image input device according to claim 4. 12. A memory capacity detecting means for detecting a recordable memory capacity of a recording medium which is detachably mounted on an image input device and in which digital image data is recorded, wherein: Compression ratio setting means for setting a compression ratio at the time of image data recording in accordance with the value of the detected memory capacity so that the compression ratio increases as the value increases, and image data recording for recording image data at the set compression ratio And an image data recording device for an image input device. 13. A memory capacity detecting means for detecting a recordable memory capacity of a recording medium which is detachably mounted on an image input device and in which digital image data is recorded, wherein: Compression ratio setting means for setting a compression ratio at the time of image data recording in accordance with the value of the detected memory capacity so that the compression ratio increases as the value increases, and image data recording for recording image data at the set compression ratio A computer-readable recording medium storing an image data recording program for causing the unit to function. 14. A memory capacity detecting means for detecting a recordable memory capacity of a recording medium which is detachably mounted on an image input device and in which digital image data is recorded, wherein: Compression ratio setting means for setting a compression ratio at the time of image data recording in accordance with the value of the detected memory capacity so that the compression ratio increases as the value increases, and image data recording for recording image data at the set compression ratio An image data recording program for causing the means to function.