JP2004201226A - Electronic camera - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electronic camera with which data can be recorded while effectively utilizing features of a plurality of recording media without deteriorating camera performance. <P>SOLUTION: In a camera 10, a plurality of recording media 46, 48 of different characteristics (such as recording speed, capacity and rewritable/non-rewritable) can be simultaneously loaded. A CPU 12 of the camera 10 recognizes classes of the recording media 46, 48 and confirms recording capacity thereof. The one recording medium (primary recording medium) 46 is a high-speed accessible and rewritable flash memory, and the other recording medium (secondary recording medium) 48 is an inexpensive, bulk and non-rewritable write-once-memory. When a user presses a shutter button 34 and records a photographed image, data are recorded on the higher-speed recording medium 46. The user confirms image contents recorded on the recording medium 46 and selects a required image, and the selected image is recorded on the other recording medium 48. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an electronic camera including an imaging unit that converts an optical image of a subject into an electrical signal, and more particularly to an electronic camera that can record image data on a plurality of recording media.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Patent Document 1 discloses a digital VTR device capable of recording and reproducing an image signal by using a magnetic tape and a semiconductor memory together. The VTR apparatus disclosed in the document 1 simultaneously records image data on both the magnetic tape and the semiconductor memory during image recording. In other words, low-resolution encoded data, differential encoded data, tape address data, and data multiplexed with mode data generated from the input high-resolution image signal are recorded on the magnetic tape, and low-resolution encoding is performed on the semiconductor memory. Data and tape address data are recorded.
[0003]
During normal playback, the data recorded on the magnetic tape is played back to obtain a high-resolution playback image. On the other hand, when an instruction for special playback such as fast-forward playback or reverse playback is input, the low resolution from the semiconductor memory An image is reproduced based on the encoded data.
[0004]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-7-288777 gazette
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In addition to Patent Document 1, a digital camera that can use a plurality of recording media has been proposed. However, the recording media have characteristics, and recording media having different characteristics in double slots into which a plurality of recording media can be inserted. When is inserted, it is assumed that the target camera performance cannot be achieved. For example, when recording a moving image directly on a recording medium having a very low recording speed, the image quality deteriorates unless recording is performed at a certain recording speed or higher. Also when recording a still image, the recording process is slow, the interval until the next shooting (recording interval) becomes long, and a photo opportunity is missed.
[0006]
On the other hand, when a recording medium with a small recording capacity is used, the recording time of moving images is shortened, and the number of recorded images of a low-compression and high-pixel data amount is small. As described above, the target camera performance may not be sufficiently obtained depending on the recording medium to be mounted.
[0007]
The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide an electronic camera capable of recording data by making use of the characteristics of each recording medium without deteriorating the camera performance.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, an electronic camera according to the present invention is an electronic camera that can use a plurality of recording media having different characteristics as a medium for recording image data acquired by photographing, and is simultaneously mounted on the electronic camera. Characteristic recognition means for recognizing the characteristics of the plurality of recording media, shooting instruction input means for inputting a shooting execution instruction, and image data acquired based on an instruction from the shooting instruction input means. A primary recording processing unit that performs processing for recording on one of the recording media having a relatively high recording speed, and an image to be recorded on the other recording medium among the images recorded on the one recording medium are selected. The image processing apparatus includes: a selection unit; and a secondary recording processing unit that performs a process of recording the image data selected by the selection unit on the other recording medium.
[0009]
The electronic camera of the present invention can simultaneously mount a plurality of recording media having different characteristics, and record captured image data on the plurality of recording media. The recording medium may be a fixed medium (such as a built-in memory) built in the camera, or a removable medium that can be attached to and detached from the camera (one of a plurality of recording media is fixed). A mode in which the medium and the other is a portable medium is also possible. The characteristics of the recording medium include, for example, a recording speed, a capacity, whether it is rewritable (rewritable) or not rewritable (write once), and the like.
[0010]
In the present invention, each characteristic of the recording medium attached to the camera is grasped by the characteristic recognition means, and the captured image data is temporarily recorded on one recording medium (primary recording medium) having a relatively high recording speed. . Thereafter, an image to be recorded on the other recording medium is selected from the recorded images on the primary recording medium by the selection means, and data of the selected image is written on the secondary recording medium.
[0011]
The selection unit may be an operation unit that can be operated by a user, or may be an automatic selection unit that automatically selects a target image according to a predetermined program. For example, when the user operates the selection means to select an image to be recorded on the other recording medium from among the recorded images on the primary recording medium, and inputs an image recording instruction to the secondary recording medium, the image related to the selection Are written to the secondary recording medium.
[0012]
As described above, since the captured image data is temporarily recorded on the primary recording medium having a high recording speed and the data is confirmed, the data is stored in the secondary recording medium according to the user's selection or by automatic selection. , The recording interval can be shortened, and you can shoot without missing a valuable photo opportunity.
[0013]
As one aspect of the present invention, there is an aspect in which the one recording medium of the plurality of recording media is a rewritable flash memory, and the other recording medium is a non-rewritable write-once memory. .
[0014]
A rewritable flash memory has a relatively high price per unit storage capacity, whereas a non-rewritable write-once memory is relatively inexpensive. Therefore, a rewritable flash memory is used as a primary recording medium. A mode in which a write-once memory is used as the next recording medium is preferable.
[0015]
As another aspect of the present invention, there is an aspect in which one of the plurality of recording media is a binary flash memory and the other recording medium is a multi-value flash memory.
[0016]
A binary flash memory records data with two threshold values (“0” and “1”) in each memory cell, whereas a multi-level flash memory records data with a plurality of threshold values. (See JP-A-59-121696, JP-A-11-31102, JP-A-2001-306409, etc.). The binary flash memory has a relatively high read / write speed (access speed) compared to the multi-level flash memory, but the price per unit recording capacity is high. Conversely, multi-level flash memory is inexpensive but inexpensive.
[0017]
By recording image data by taking advantage of the characteristics of each recording medium, it is possible to improve camera performance and to record a large amount of data at low cost.
[0018]
As yet another aspect of the present invention, one of the plurality of recording media is a built-in memory built in the camera body, and the other recording medium is an external memory detachably attached to the camera body. There is an aspect characterized by being.
[0019]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
A preferred embodiment of an electronic camera according to the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0020]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an electronic camera according to an embodiment of the present invention. The camera 10 shown in the figure is a digital camera that converts an optical image of a subject into digital image data and records it on a recording medium, and has a recording / playback function for still images and a recording / playback function for moving images with sound. .
[0021]
The overall operation of the camera 10 is centrally controlled by a central processing unit (CPU) 12 built in the camera. The CPU 12 functions as a control unit that controls the camera system according to a predetermined program, and also functions as a calculation unit that performs various calculations such as an automatic exposure (AE) calculation and an automatic focus adjustment (AF) calculation.
[0022]
The CPU 12 is connected to a memory control circuit 16 via a bus 14, and the memory control circuit 16 is connected to a ROM 20 and a memory (SDRAM) 22 via a bus 18. The ROM 20 stores programs executed by the CPU 12, various data necessary for control, and the like. The memory 22 is used as a program development area and a calculation work area for the CPU 12, and is also used as a temporary storage area for image data and audio data. Note that the ROM 20 which is a nonvolatile storage means may be rewritable or may be rewritable like an EEPROM.
[0023]
The camera 10 is provided with operation means 30 for the user to input various commands. The operation unit 30 includes various operation units such as an image quality mode setting operation unit 31, a recording pixel number setting operation unit 32, a moving image / still image mode selection operation unit 33, a shutter button 34, and a continuous shooting mode setting operation unit 35.
[0024]
The image quality mode setting operation unit 31 is an operation means for setting the recording image quality (here, the compression rate) of captured image data. The camera 10 of this example has three types of image quality (recording compression rate) according to the purpose of shooting: “FINE” with high image quality (low compression rate), “NORMAL” with standard image quality, and “BASIC” with high compression rate. Can be selected.
[0025]
The recording pixel number setting operation unit 32 is an operation means for setting the recording pixel number (image size) of the captured image data. In the camera 10 of this example, the number of recording pixels can be selected from 2832 × 2128 (6M), 2048 × 1536 (3M), 1280 × 960 (1M), and 640 × 480 (VGA). The data amount (file size) of the captured image changes depending on the combination of the recording image quality and the number of recording pixels.
[0026]
The moving image / still image mode selection operation unit 33 is an operation means for switching between “moving image mode” for recording moving images and “still image mode” for recording still images. The shutter button 34 is an operation means for inputting an instruction to start shooting, and functions as a recording start (start) / stop (stop) button in moving image shooting, and functions as a release button in still image shooting. The shutter button 34 is composed of a two-stroke switch having an S1 switch that is turned on when half-pressed and an S2 switch that is turned on when fully pressed.
[0027]
The continuous shooting mode setting operation unit 35 performs a continuous shooting mode in which continuous shooting (continuous shooting) of still images is performed by pressing the shutter button 34 once, and one stationary operation is performed by pressing the shutter button 34 once. This is an operation means for switching between a normal mode (single shooting mode) for executing image shooting.
[0028]
Although not shown in the figure, the operation means 30 includes a mode selection means for switching between the photographing mode and the reproduction mode, a zoom operation means for changing the photographing magnification and the reproduction magnification, and a menu screen on the liquid crystal monitor 40. Menu button to be displayed, cross key for selecting a desired item from the menu screen (cursor moving operation means), OK button for commanding confirmation of selection item and execution of processing, deletion of desired object such as selection item, and cancellation of instruction contents Alternatively, operation means such as a cancel button for inputting a command for returning to the previous operation state is also included. Note that the operation means 30 is not limited to a push-type switch member, dial member, lever switch, or the like, and includes those realized by a user interface that selects a desired item from a menu screen. It is.
[0029]
An operation signal from the operation means 30 is input to the CPU 12. The CPU 12 controls each circuit of the camera 10 based on an input signal from the operation means 30, for example, lens drive control, shooting operation control, image processing control, image data recording / playback control, display control of the liquid crystal monitor 40, etc. I do.
[0030]
The liquid crystal monitor 40 can be used as an electronic viewfinder for checking the angle of view at the time of shooting, and is used as a means for reproducing and displaying a recorded image. The liquid crystal monitor 40 is also used as a user interface display screen, and displays information such as menu information, selection items, and setting contents as necessary. Instead of a liquid crystal display, other types of display devices (display means) such as an organic EL can be used.
[0031]
The camera 10 includes two media sockets (media mounting portions) 42 and 44, and different types of recording media 46 and 48 can be mounted in the media sockets 42 and 44, respectively. The form of the recording media 46 and 48 is not particularly limited. A semiconductor memory card represented by SmartMedia (trademark), a portable small hard disk represented by Microdrive (trademark), a magnetic disk, and an optical disk (CD-R, CD-RW, DVD-R, DVD-RAM, etc.) and various media such as a magneto-optical disk can be used. In implementing the present invention, the number of media sockets is not particularly limited. The means for recording image data is not limited to a removable medium (a portable recording medium having a structure that is detachable from the camera 10), and may be a recording medium (an internal memory) built in the camera 10.
[0032]
However, in order to play a role of storing image data, it is necessary that data contents be retained even when the power is turned off (nonvolatile storage means). This is different from the volatile work memory (reference numeral 22).
[0033]
In this example, a rewritable flash memory is used as the recording medium 46 attached to the first media socket 42, and a non-rewritable write-once memory is used as the recording medium 48 attached to the second media socket 44. To do.
[0034]
A rewritable flash memory is an expensive medium having a higher recording speed than a non-rewritable write-once memory. Conversely, a write-once memory that cannot be rewritten is a medium that has a lower recording speed than a flash memory and is inexpensive.
[0035]
In order to take advantage of the characteristics of the recording media 46 and 48, the camera 10 has a function of automatically selecting the recording media 46 or 48 used for recording. The media selection function of the camera 10 will be described later.
[0036]
The two media sockets 42 and 44 are connected to a media interface (I / F) circuit 52 via a bus 50. The media I / F circuit 52 is connected to the CPU 12 via the bus 14, and performs necessary signal conversion in order to deliver input / output signals suitable for reading and writing of the recording media 46 and 48 in accordance with instructions from the CPU 12.
[0037]
Each of the media sockets 42 and 44 has a media detection terminal (not shown) for detecting whether or not the recording media 46 and 48 are attached, and detection indicating whether the recording media 46 and 48 are attached or not. The signal is input to the CPU 12 via the media I / F circuit 52.
[0038]
The camera 10 also includes a USB communication circuit 54 as a communication means for connecting to a personal computer or other external device. By connecting the camera 10 and an external device using a USB cable (not shown), it is possible to exchange data with the external device. Of course, the communication method is not limited to USB, and IEEE1394, Bluetooth, or other communication methods may be applied. The communication mode for communicating with an external device is automatically set over other modes (still image shooting mode / playback mode / movie mode) when the camera 10 is connected to the external device for communication. Is done.
[0039]
Next, the shooting function of the camera 10 will be described.
[0040]
The camera 10 includes a photographing lens 56 and a CCD solid-state imaging device (hereinafter referred to as CCD) 58. The taking lens 56 may be a single focus lens or a variable focal length such as a zoom lens.
[0041]
When the shooting mode is selected, power is supplied to the image pickup unit including the CCD 58 from a power supply unit (not shown), and the camera is ready for shooting. The light passing through the photographing lens 56 is imaged on the light receiving surface of the CCD 58 after the amount of light is adjusted by a diaphragm mechanism (not shown). A number of photodiodes (light receiving elements) are two-dimensionally arranged on the light receiving surface of the CCD 58, and red (R), green (G), and blue (B) primary color filters are provided corresponding to the photodiodes. They are arranged in a predetermined arrangement structure (Bayer, G stripe, etc.). The CCD 58 has an electronic shutter function for controlling the charge accumulation time (shutter speed) of each photodiode.
[0042]
The CPU 12 sends a command to the driver circuit 62 via the parallel input / output circuit 60 to control the charge accumulation time and charge transfer of the CCD 58. Instead of the CCD 58, another type of image sensor such as a MOS type may be used.
[0043]
The subject image formed on the light receiving surface of the CCD 58 is converted into a signal charge corresponding to the amount of incident light by each photodiode. The signal charge accumulated in each photodiode is sequentially read out as a voltage signal (image signal) corresponding to the signal charge based on a drive pulse given from the driver circuit 62 in accordance with a command from the CPU 12.
[0044]
The signal output from the CCD 58 is sent to the analog processing unit 64, where the R, G, B signals for each pixel are sampled and held (correlated double sampling processing), amplified, and then A / D converter 66 Sent to. The A / D converter 66 converts R, G, B signals that are sequentially input into digital signals and outputs them to the signal processing circuit 68.
[0045]
The signal processing circuit 68 processes the A / D converted digital image data in accordance with a command from the CPU 12. In other words, the signal processing circuit 68 includes a synchronization circuit (a processing circuit that converts a color signal into a simultaneous expression by interpolating a spatial shift of the color signal associated with the color filter array of the single CCD), and a luminance / color difference signal generation circuit. In addition to functioning as an image processing unit including a gamma correction circuit, a contour correction circuit, a white balance correction circuit, and the like, the image processing unit functions as an audio processing unit.
[0046]
The RGB image data input to the signal processing circuit 68 is converted into a luminance signal (Y signal) and a color difference signal (Cr, Cb signal) by the signal processing circuit 68 and subjected to predetermined processing such as gamma correction. The The image data processed by the signal processing circuit 68 is stored in the memory 22.
[0047]
When outputting the image being captured to the liquid crystal monitor 40, the image data is read from the memory 22 and sent to the display control circuit 70 via the bus 14. The display control circuit 70 converts the input image data into a predetermined display signal (for example, an NTSC color composite video signal) and outputs it to the liquid crystal monitor 40.
[0048]
The image data in the memory 22 is periodically rewritten by the image signal output from the CCD 58, and the image signal generated from the image data is supplied to the liquid crystal monitor 40, so that the image being captured can be monitored in real time. 40. The photographer can check the shooting angle of view from the video (through movie image) displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 40.
[0049]
When the shutter button 34 is pressed and the S1 switch is turned on in the still image shooting mode, the CPU 12 detects this and performs AE and AF control. When the shutter button 34 is fully pressed (S2 = ON), the CPU 12 detects the recording. Start CCD exposure and readout control for capturing images.
[0050]
That is, the CPU 12 performs various calculations such as a focus evaluation calculation and an AE calculation from the image data captured in response to S1 = ON, and controls a lens driving motor (not shown) based on the calculation result to take an image. The lens 56 is moved to the in-focus position, and a diaphragm mechanism (not shown) is controlled. Then, in response to S2 = ON, the charge accumulation time at the time of image acquisition is controlled.
[0051]
The captured image data is subjected to luminance / color difference signal conversion processing (YC processing) and other predetermined signal processing in the signal processing circuit 68 and then sent to the compression / expansion circuit 72, where a predetermined compression format (for example, , JPEG format). The compressed image data is recorded on the recording medium 46 or 48 via the media I / F circuit 52.
[0052]
When the moving image mode is selected by the moving image / still image mode selection operation unit 33, the camera 10 can record a moving image with sound. The recording operation is started by pressing the shutter button 34 (S2 = ON), and the moving image recording is stopped when the shutter button 34 is pressed again (S1 = ON). Note that the recording operation may be performed while the shutter button 34 is continuously pressed, and the recording may be stopped by releasing the pressing.
[0053]
The sound at the time of moving image shooting is detected by a microphone 74 built in the camera 10, and the detection signal (audio signal) is amplified via an amplifier 76 and converted into a digital signal by an A / D converter 77. To the signal processing circuit 68. The signal processing circuit 68 converts the input audio data into a predetermined signal format. The audio data generated in this way is compressed in the compression / decompression circuit 72 together with the image data, and is recorded on the recording medium 46 or 48 via the media I / F circuit 52. Movie data is recorded according to, for example, motion JPEG format.
[0054]
In the motion JPEG method, image data acquired from the CCD 58 is temporarily stored in the internal memory 22, converted into a luminance / color difference signal by the signal processing circuit 68, and JPEG-compressed within one image, while the external recording medium 46. Alternatively, the still images are continuously stored at a constant frame rate (a preset frame rate) of 48. The file format of the moving image is not limited to motion JPEG, and other file formats such as MPEG may be applied. In the case of the MPEG system, recording is continuously performed on an external recording medium 46 or 48 while performing intra-frame compression and inter-frame compression.
[0055]
When the reproduction mode is selected by the operation means 30, the data of the last image file (last recorded file) recorded on the recording medium 46 or 48 is read. When the file related to the last recording is a still image file, the compressed data of the read image file is expanded to an uncompressed YC signal via the compression / decompression circuit 72, and the signal processing circuit 68 and the display control circuit 70 are expanded. Is converted into a display signal via the, and then output to the liquid crystal monitor 40. As a result, the image content of the file is displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 40.
[0056]
When the reproduction target file is a moving image file, the first frame of the moving image is displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 40 as a representative image, and a screen for accepting an instruction to start moving image reproduction is displayed. When a predetermined operation is performed from the operating means 30 in a state where the first frame of the moving image is displayed and the moving image reproduction is started, the reproduction process of the moving image file starts, the moving image is displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 40, and the signal processing The audio data reproduced in the circuit 68 is output to the speaker 84 via the D / A converter 80 and the amplifier 82, and the audio recorded simultaneously with the moving image is also reproduced.
[0057]
During single-frame playback of a still image (including when the first frame of a moving image is displayed), the file to be played can be switched (forward / reverse) by operating the right key or left key of the cross key. The image file at the frame-advanced position is read from the recording medium 46 or 48, and still images and moving images are reproduced and displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 40 in the same manner as described above.
[0058]
Next, an image recording operation of the camera 10 configured as described above will be described.
[0059]
The dual slot type camera 10 capable of mounting two recording media 46 and 48 simultaneously is devised so that data can be recorded by utilizing the characteristics of the recording media 46 and 48 mounted.
[0060]
FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the photographing processing procedure of the camera 10. First, the CPU 12 reads a media detection signal (step S110), and checks whether or not the recording media 46 and 48 are attached to the media sockets 42 and 44 (step S112). If neither of the two media sockets 42, 44 has the recording media 46, 48 attached thereto, an error message indicating that the recording media 46, 48 are not attached is displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 40 (step S114). ).
[0061]
If it is determined in step S112 that at least one recording medium 46, 48 is loaded, the process proceeds to step S116, and the type of the loaded recording medium is recognized.
[0062]
Next, it is determined whether or not the two types of recording media 46 and 48 are loaded at the same time (step S118). If it is determined in step S118 that only one type of recording medium 46 or 48 is attached, there is no room for selecting a storage destination, and therefore data is recorded on the attached recording medium 46 or 48. (Step S120).
[0063]
On the other hand, if it is determined in step S118 that the two types of recording media 46 and 48 are simultaneously installed in the media sockets 42 and 44, the recording capacities of the respective recording media 46 and 48 are confirmed (step S130). Further, a process for confirming the recording speed of each of the recording media 46 and 48 is performed (step S132).
[0064]
The CPU 12 accesses the recording media 46 and 48 via the media I / F circuit 52 and detects the respective free capacities. Since the recording speed varies depending on the types of the recording media 46 and 48, the recording speed can be determined based on the result of the type recognition of the recording media 46 and 48 (step S116).
[0065]
After step S132, the process proceeds to step S210 in FIG. That is, the CPU 12 monitors the signal input from the shutter button 34 and determines whether or not the S1 switch is turned on (step S210). When the user presses the shutter button 34 and the S1 switch is turned on in step S210, AE and AF processes are performed (step S212), and the input of S2 = ON is determined (step S214). If it is determined in step S214 that the S2 switch of the shutter button 34 has not been turned on, it is determined whether or not S1 has been released (step S216).
[0066]
If S1 is canceled in step S216, the process returns to step S210 to enter a photographing instruction input acceptance state. If S1 is not canceled in step S216, the process returns to step S214, and the input of S2 = ON is waited. When the input of S2 = ON is detected in step S214, recording for recording is executed (step S218). That is, exposure and readout processing of the CCD 58 is performed, and processing of the acquired image signal is performed (step S220).
[0067]
The image data generated in step S220 is temporarily recorded and stored in the recording medium 46 that can be accessed at high speed and is rewritable out of the two recording media 46 and 48 (step S222).
[0068]
After step S222, the process proceeds to step S240, in which it is determined whether an operation for canceling the shooting mode has been performed. If it is determined in step S240 that the shooting mode is not canceled, the shooting mode is maintained, and the process returns to step S210.
[0069]
If it is determined in step S210 that a command of S1 = ON is not input, the process proceeds to step S230, and it is determined whether a data movement request is input from the user. That is, the camera 10 has a function of copying the data recorded on the rewritable recording medium 46 to the non-rewritable recording medium 48 according to the user's operation, and accepts an operation of a recording data movement request from the user. For example, when the processing command “move recorded data” is selected from the menu screen and the selection is confirmed with the OK button, the camera 10 shifts to the data movement mode.
[0070]
The CPU 12 determines whether or not a data movement request is input from the user (step S230). In step S230, when a recording data movement request is input, the process proceeds to step S232, and a process of reproducing and displaying an image recorded on the rewritable recording medium 46 on the liquid crystal monitor 40 is performed (step S232).
[0071]
This playback process is to display an image in the recording medium 46 as in the playback mode, and the display image can be changed by forward frame advance or reverse frame advance according to the user's operation. It is also possible to divide the display screen of the liquid crystal monitor 40 into a plurality of display areas and perform multi-screen display (multi-playback) in which a plurality of image contents are displayed simultaneously.
[0072]
During image reproduction, the camera 10 accepts an image selection operation from the user (step S234). The user performs an operation of selecting at least one image to be stored in the rewritable recording medium 48 while checking the image content on the liquid crystal monitor 40. Further, the user selects a setting to delete the original data copied to the recording medium 48 from the recording medium 46 or to keep it as it is.
[0073]
After setting the handling of the original data after image selection and copying, the user performs an input operation (for example, pressing an OK button) for instructing execution of processing for transferring the target data to the rewritable recording medium 48.
[0074]
The CPU 12 determines whether or not a transfer processing execution command has been input from the user (step S236). If there is no execution command input, the CPU 12 returns to step S234 and waits for input. In step S236, if a transfer process execution command is input, the process proceeds to step S238, and a process of recording the selected image on the non-rewritable recording medium 48 is executed. When a plurality of images are selected, a process of sequentially recording the plurality of selected images on the recording medium 48 is performed.
[0075]
At this time, it is preferable to display a warning so that the user does not attach or detach the recording media 46 and 48 during the data transfer process. Examples of the warning display means include a mode in which a warning message, a warning mark, and the like are displayed on the liquid crystal monitor 40, and a mode in which a warning lamp (not shown) is lit or blinked.
[0076]
If the setting is made to delete the original data after the transfer, an optional process for automatically deleting the target data from the recording medium 46 after the recording process to the recording medium 48 is executed.
[0077]
When the writing process to the recording medium 48 is completed in step S238, the process proceeds to step S240. Further, when the recording data movement request is not input from the user in step S230, the process proceeds to step S240.
[0078]
If it is determined in step S240 that the shooting mode release operation has not been performed, the process returns to step S210 and the above-described processing is repeated. On the other hand, if the shooting mode is canceled in step S240, the shooting mode is terminated.
[0079]
According to the present embodiment, a captured image is temporarily recorded on the recording medium 46 that can be accessed at high speed, and then the user selects a necessary image while confirming the image contents, and the image related to the selection is recorded at a relatively low cost. Since recording is performed on the medium 48, it is possible to improve the speed of the camera 10 by taking advantage of the characteristics of the recording medium 46, and it is possible to store a large amount of captured image data in the inexpensive recording medium 48. Become. Further, according to the present embodiment, there is an advantage that the user can determine the necessity of the images and organize the recorded images while checking the images with the camera 10 alone.
[0080]
In the above embodiment, the example in which the data is recorded on the recording medium 48 (secondary recording medium) according to the user's selection after the data is recorded on the recording medium 46 that is the primary recording medium has been described. It is also possible to perform control for automatically selecting the recorded data and recording it on the secondary recording medium.
[0081]
For example, when the CPU 12 monitors the free space of the primary recording medium and the remaining capacity of the primary recording medium falls below a predetermined criterion, a part or all of the content recorded on the primary recording medium is recorded on the secondary recording medium. The automatic transfer to 48 is performed. Among the data recorded on the primary recording medium, there are an aspect in which only moving image data is automatically transferred to the secondary recording medium, or an aspect in which data having a size larger than a certain file size is automatically transferred.
[0082]
Before executing the process of transferring data from the primary recording medium to the secondary recording medium, a warning is given to the user by displaying a message to that effect on the liquid crystal monitor 40, and the process execution approval from the user is given. The transfer process may be executed after it is obtained. Further, it is preferable to display a warning so that the user does not attach or detach the recording media 46 and 48 during the transfer process.
[0083]
In this way, the recording data of the primary recording medium is saved to the secondary recording medium before shooting, and the free space of the primary recording medium is secured to prepare for shooting.
[0084]
In the above embodiment, the two recording media 46 and 48 are both external memories that can be attached to and detached from the camera 10. However, one rewritable recording medium is a fixed medium built in the camera and cannot be rewritten. A mode in which the other recording medium is a removable external medium is also preferable.
[0085]
It is also possible to use a binary flash memory as the primary recording medium and a multi-value flash memory as the secondary recording medium.
[0086]
Furthermore, in the flowcharts described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, the recording data movement request is accepted during the shooting mode. However, when the present invention is implemented, a mode in which the recording data movement request is accepted during the reproduction mode is also possible. is there.
[0087]
The scope of application of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and the present invention can also be applied to other information devices having an electronic imaging function such as a mobile phone with camera, a PDA with camera, and a mobile personal computer with camera. In this case, the imaging unit may be a detachable (external type) that is separable from a main body such as a mobile phone.
[0088]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the electronic camera of the present invention, a recording medium is automatically selected according to the characteristics of a plurality of recording media mounted on the camera at the same time, and a captured image is temporarily recorded on a high-speed accessible recording medium. Thereafter, the user selects an image as necessary, and the selected image is recorded on the other recording medium, so that it is possible to record data by taking advantage of each recording medium. Thereby, the performance of the camera can be sufficiently extracted.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an electronic camera according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a flow of shooting processing in the camera of this example. FIG. 3 is a flow of shooting processing in the camera of this example. Flow chart shown [Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Camera, 12 ... CPU, 31 ... Image quality mode setting operation part, 32 ... Recording pixel number setting operation part, 33 ... Movie / still image mode selection operation part, 34 ... Shutter button, 35 ... Continuous shooting mode setting operation part, 40 ... Liquid crystal monitor, 42, 44 ... Media socket, 46, 48 ... Recording medium, 52 ... Media I / F circuit, 58 ... CCD

Claims (5)

An electronic camera that can use a plurality of recording media having different characteristics as a medium for recording image data acquired by photographing,
Characteristic recognition means for recognizing the characteristics of the plurality of recording media simultaneously mounted on the electronic camera;
A shooting instruction input means for inputting a shooting execution instruction;
Primary recording processing means for performing processing for recording image data acquired based on an instruction from the photographing instruction input means on one of the plurality of recording media having a relatively high recording speed;
Selecting means for selecting an image to be recorded on the other recording medium among the images recorded on the one recording medium;
Secondary recording processing means for performing processing for recording data of the image selected by the selecting means on the other recording medium;
An electronic camera characterized by comprising: 2. The electronic camera according to claim 1, wherein one of the plurality of recording media is a rewritable flash memory, and the other recording medium is a non-rewritable write-once memory. 2. The electronic camera according to claim 1, wherein one of the plurality of recording media is a binary flash memory, and the other recording medium is a multi-value flash memory. 2. The one of the plurality of recording media is a built-in memory built in a camera body, and the other recording medium is an external memory detachably attached to the camera body. 2. The electronic camera according to 2 or 3. 5. The electronic camera according to claim 1, further comprising an image display unit capable of confirming an image content when the selection unit selects an image.

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