JP2005184063A - Image recording apparatus and imaging apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image recording apparatus for recording image data on a prescribed recording medium and an imaging apparatus for photographing an object to obtain image data representing a photographed image and recording the image data on the prescribed recording medium both of which can easily record many images with proper image quality and a proper image size. <P>SOLUTION: The image recording apparatus is provided with: a residual capacity detection section for detecting the remaining recording capacity of a recording medium; and a data reduction section for reducing image data having been recorded on the recording medium when the storage capacity is insufficient so as to ensure the storage capacity. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an image recording apparatus that records image data on a predetermined recording medium, and an imaging apparatus that captures image data representing a captured image by photographing a subject and records the image data on a predetermined recording medium.

  Conventionally, an image recording apparatus that records image data on a recording medium such as a magnetic tape, an FD (flexible disk), a CD, an MO, or a DVD, or an imaging apparatus that records a captured image as image data, such as a video camera or an electronic camera. It has been known.

  In such an image recording apparatus and an imaging apparatus, when the capacity of the recording medium is reduced, when the capacity for newly recording a desired image (image data) is secured, already recorded image data Of these, unnecessary ones are usually erased, overwritten, or replaced with a new recording medium. However, there is a case where there is no recording medium spare or there is a case where any recorded image data is necessary. In such a case, image data can no longer be newly recorded, If so, you may miss out on a great photo opportunity. In particular, if the image data and image size are prioritized and the data amount for one image is set large, the number of images that can be recorded on the recording medium is small, and there is a high possibility that recording of a desired image will fail.

  On the other hand, in order to avoid such a failure, when the data amount for one image is set small and the remaining capacity of the recording medium is always secured, only a small number of images are finally recorded. However, there is a problem that only an image with insufficient image quality and image size remains.

In contrast to the current situation, when the capacity of the recording medium is small, the image quality and image size are automatically changed so that a desired number of images can be recorded with the remaining capacity, and data for one image is obtained. Techniques for reducing the amount have been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2).
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-326994 JP 2003-158665 A

  However, with the techniques of Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2, it is possible to temporarily guarantee image recording, but when a large amount of data for one image is initially set, a large number of images are still desired to be recorded. In order to secure the desired number of recordings with a small remaining capacity, the image quality and the image size are greatly reduced when the setting is automatically changed. In order to avoid such a significant decrease, as in the case before the proposals in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2, the number of image recordings finally required is accurately grasped at the beginning of recording. However, it is necessary to set an appropriate image quality and image size from the beginning, but it is often difficult to accurately grasp the necessary number of image recordings at the beginning.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide an image recording apparatus and an imaging apparatus that can easily record an image with an appropriate image quality and image size even when a capacity shortage occurs.

The image recording apparatus of the present invention that achieves the above object provides:
An image recording apparatus for recording image data on a predetermined recording medium,
A capacity detector for detecting a remaining capacity in the recording medium;
And a data reduction unit that converts image data already recorded on the recording medium into image data with a small capacity when the remaining capacity detected by the capacity detection unit is smaller than a predetermined capacity. To do.

  Here, “image data” means not only image data representing a still image but also image data representing a moving image.

  Further, the “predetermined capacity” may be a fixed capacity defined in units of bytes, for example, or, for example, a flow defined in units of one piece of image data that is desired to be recorded from now on. Capacity.

  According to the image recording apparatus of the present invention, when the remaining capacity in the recording medium decreases, the recorded image data can be reduced to ensure the recording capacity. Since the capacity of the image data already recorded is expected to be sufficiently large compared to the remaining capacity, the recorded image data can be reduced slightly while maintaining the image quality and image size sufficiently. Recording capacity for recording a good image with sufficient image quality and image size can be ensured.

  Even if the data amount for one image is initially set large, the data is reduced when the capacity is insufficient, so that it can be set sufficiently large without fear of the capacity shortage. Therefore, image recording with an appropriate image quality and image size according to the actual recording amount can be easily realized.

The image recording apparatus of the present invention preferably includes a notification unit that notifies the user of the image recording apparatus that the image data is converted before the image data is converted by the data reduction unit. ,Moreover,
After the notification by the notification unit, the user of the image recording apparatus is asked for permission to convert, and if the permission is obtained, the data reduction unit is made to convert the image data, and if the permission is not obtained, the data is It is preferable to provide a conversion permission unit that prohibits the reduction unit from converting image data.

  According to the image recording apparatus provided with the notification unit, the user can recognize that the capacity is insufficient and the recorded image data is reduced. Further, according to the image recording apparatus further including the conversion permission unit, the user can reduce the image data only when the user wants to secure the recording capacity even if the recorded image data is reduced. Data reduction can be avoided.

In the image recording apparatus of the present invention,
“A selection unit that selects one of image quality and image size according to the operation,
In converting the image data, the data reduction unit has a small capacity by preferentially maintaining one of the image quality and image size represented by the image data selected by the selection unit and reducing the other. It is to be converted into image data. ''
This is a preferred form.

  According to the image recording apparatus of such a preferable form, even when the capacity is insufficient and the image data is reduced, the image quality and the image size that the user desires to maintain is preferentially maintained. As a result, both the quality and amount of image data can be sufficiently secured.

In the image recording apparatus of the present invention,
“With the image data recorded on the recording medium, it is provided with an availability designation unit for designating whether or not the data reduction unit can convert according to the operation.
The data reduction unit converts the image data designated as convertible among the image data recorded on the recording medium into image data with a small capacity.
This is also a preferred form.

  According to the image recording apparatus of the preferred embodiment, when the capacity is insufficient and the image data is reduced, the image that the user particularly desires is maintained and the capacity for new image recording is maintained. Is secured.

The imaging device of the present invention that achieves the above object provides:
An imaging device that captures image data representing a captured image by photographing a subject and records the image data on a predetermined recording medium,
A capacity detector for detecting a remaining capacity in the recording medium;
And a data reduction unit that converts image data already recorded on the recording medium into image data with a small capacity when the remaining capacity detected by the capacity detection unit is smaller than a predetermined capacity. To do.

  Here, “image data” means not only image data representing a still image but also image data representing a moving image.

  According to the image pickup apparatus of the present invention, it is possible to easily secure a sufficient capacity for new image recording while suppressing the influence on already recorded image data. Image recording with an appropriate image quality and image size according to the amount can be easily realized. In addition, according to the imaging apparatus of the present invention, it is possible to avoid a situation where a photo opportunity is missed due to insufficient capacity.

  Note that only the basic form of the imaging apparatus according to the present invention is shown here, but this is only for avoiding duplication, and the imaging apparatus according to the present invention is not limited to the above basic form. Various forms corresponding to the respective forms of the imaging device described above are included.

  As described above, according to the image recording apparatus and the imaging apparatus of the present invention, an image can be easily recorded with an appropriate image quality and image size even when a capacity shortage occurs.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described.

  Here, an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a digital camera that forms an image of a subject on a charge coupled device (CCD) corresponding to an example of a solid-state imaging device and captures image data representing the subject as a signal will be described. To do.

  FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a digital camera according to an embodiment of the present invention as viewed from diagonally above, and FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of the digital camera as viewed from diagonally above. FIG. 3 is a configuration block diagram of a signal processing circuit and the like provided in the digital camera.

  Here, first, a general configuration of a digital camera will be described with reference to FIGS. The feature of the digital camera of this embodiment as an embodiment of the present invention lies in the recording operation when recording image data. This operation will be described in detail later.

  On the front surface of the digital camera 100, a lens barrel 101 having a photographing lens 101a therein is provided. The photographing lens 101a forms an image of incident subject light on a photographing surface of a CCD (not shown here; see FIG. 3) disposed therein.

  Further, a shutter release button 105 that is pressed at the time of photographing is provided at the right end of the upper surface of the digital camera 100, and the shutter release button 105 can be pressed in two stages of half-press and full-press. When the shutter release button 105 is pressed halfway, the photographic lens 101a is driven in a direction along the optical axis, and the photographic lens 101a moves to a position where the subject light forms an image on the CCD in a predetermined region of the photographic angle of view. A focus lock is set so that the position is maintained until the subject light is read (exposure). When the shutter release button 105 is fully pressed, actual shooting is performed.

  Further, on the front surface of the digital camera 100, a flash light emitting device 103 that emits light in synchronization with pressing of the shutter release button 105, a light control sensor 102 that measures the amount of light emitted from the flash light emitting device 103, and a photographer. Is provided with an objective window 104a for a viewfinder that is used to determine the position of the subject.

  Note that the photographing mode dial 112 provided at the upper part of the rear surface and partially protruding from the upper surface will be described with reference to FIG.

  Below the left side surface of the digital camera 100, a USB terminal 106 to which a Universal Serial Bus (USB) cable used when transmitting image data obtained by taking a photograph to a personal computer or the like is connected in order from the top. And a power input terminal 107 to which a power cable used when supplying external power to the digital camera 100 is connected.

  As shown in FIG. 2, on the back of the digital camera 100, a viewfinder eyepiece window 104b, a liquid crystal display (LCD) panel 108 for displaying images, date and time, menus, and the like are displayed. LCD panel start button 109 for turning on / off, cross key 110 operated when selecting menu items, zooming, etc., for example, a menu such as date and time setting or image size setting is displayed on the LCD panel 108. A menu / execution switch 111 used when confirming item selection in the menu, a cancel / return switch 116 used when invalidating a setting changed by various operations, and selecting various modes described later. Shooting mode die used for Jar 112, function selection used to select one of a “shooting and recording” function for taking a photograph and an “image data playing” function for playing back image data that has been taken and recorded A lever 113 is provided. On the axis of the function selection lever 113, a main switch 114 for turning on / off the power of the digital camera 100 is provided.

  In this digital camera 100, the “shooting / recording” function is selected by moving the function selection lever 113 to the “shooting / recording” side 113a, and the “image recording” function is selected by moving the function selection lever 113 to the “image data playback” side 113b. The “Data Playback” function is selected. In addition, when the “shooting and recording” function is selected by the function selection lever 113, the “shooting mode” 112 is rotated to rotate the shooting mode dial 112 to the “portrait shooting” mode suitable for taking a picture of a person, and for taking a picture of a landscape. A suitable “landscape photography” mode, a “sports” mode suitable for photography of a fast-moving subject, a “self-timer” mode that gives a time difference between when the shutter release button 105 is pressed and when the photograph is actually taken, and One of the “self-photographing” modes suitable for the photographer's own photography can be selected.

  Various signal processing circuits and the like are provided in the digital camera 100 as shown in FIG. 3, and processing in these signal processing circuits and the like is controlled by the CPU 211.

  Various switches described below are connected to the CPU 211.

  2 is connected to the CPU 211 as a lever switch. When the function selection lever 113 faces the “image recording” side 113a, the “photographing” is performed. A signal indicating that the “record” function has been selected is detected by the CPU 211. When the function selection lever 113 faces the “image data reproduction” side 113b, the CPU 211 detects a signal instructing that the “image data reproduction” function for reproducing from the recording medium 240 is selected.

  The CPU 211 is connected to a shutter switch 105a that operates in synchronization with the pressing of the shutter release button 105 (see FIGS. 1 and 2). An on / off signal of the shutter switch 105a is input to the CPU 211. When the “shooting / recording” function is selected, the CPU 211 detects an ON signal that accompanies the full press of the shutter switch 105a as a signal instructing the start of photography, and the “image data reproduction” function is selected. If it is, the signal from the shutter switch 105a is ignored.

  Further, contact switches 1101, 1102, 1103, 1104 that operate in synchronization with the pressing of the cross key 110 shown in FIG. 2 are also connected to the CPU 211. When the cross key 110 is pressed, the contact switch 1101, .., 1104 are input to the CPU 211. When the menu is displayed on the LCD panel 108 shown in FIG. 2, the on / off signals of the contact switches 1101,..., 1104 are detected by the CPU 211 as instructing item movement or setting change on the menu. . When the above-described “shooting and recording” function is selected, the on / off signal of the contact switches 1101,..., 1104 is detected by the CPU 211 as a zoom instruction, a macro photographing instruction, a flashing state instruction, or the like. The

  As described above, various switches are connected to the CPU 211.

  The CPU 211 also includes a timing generator 212 that controls the timing of reading out image signals (RGB signals) from the CCD 210, a motor driver 217 for driving the focus lens 216, and a motor that drives a motor provided in the light amount adjusting device 300. A driver 214 and a CDS (Correlated Double Sampling) amplifier 213 that amplifies the image signal read from the CCD 210 by performing noise reduction processing are connected. The CPU 211 directly outputs a control signal to these circuits to control the operation. The timing generator 212 reads out an image signal for monitoring a subject image at the time of shooting standby, and releases a shutter. A signal instructing reading of an image signal representing a photographed image in response to pressing of the button 105 is output. In addition, the motor driver 217 outputs a signal instructing a motor driving amount by which the subject light is appropriately adjusted by the light amount adjusting device 300. Further, the CDS amplifier 213 outputs a signal for instructing the timing for performing noise reduction processing on the image signal read from the CCD 210.

  Further, the CPU 211 is connected to the image input controller 219, the memory (SDRAM) 221, the image signal processing circuit 222, the compression processing circuit 223, the media controller 224, the USB controller 225, the video encoder 226, and the AF detection circuit 230 via the bus 220. Various processing circuits such as the AE & AWB detection circuit 231 are connected. In the CPU 211, various registers for transmitting and receiving addresses and data to and from these processing circuits are prepared. Yes. The contents of these registers are rewritten according to the progress of processing in each processing circuit, and the CPU 211 reads the contents of these registers and acquires the processing status and results. The CPU 211 indirectly controls processing in each processing circuit by appropriately rewriting the contents of these registers.

  Hereinafter, basic operations of the digital camera will be described, including descriptions of each process in these processing circuits.

  When the above-described function selection lever 113 faces the “image recording” side 113a and the “shooting / recording” function is selected and the shutter release button 105 is not pressed and the camera 211 is in the shooting standby state, the CPU 211 sends the timing generator 212 to the timing generator 212. On the other hand, reading of the image signal for monitoring the subject image is instructed, and the image signal (RGB signal) is read from the CCD 210 at predetermined time intervals. The image signal is reduced in noise by the CDS amplifier 213, A / D converted by the A / D conversion circuit 218, and becomes image data composed of digital RGB signals. The image data obtained in this way is guided to the bus 220 side by the image input controller 219 and written to the memory (SDRAM) 221 under the control of the CPU 211. Image data written in the memory 221 is read out by the CPU 211, and RGB signals constituting the image data are supplied to the image signal processing circuit 222 via the bus 220. The RGB signal is converted into a YC signal by the image signal processing circuit 222, and the YC signal is supplied to the image display device 227 via the video encoder 226. The image display device 227 has the LCD panel 108 described above, and the LCD panel 108 displays a subject image in a direction in which the photographing lens is directed. In such a shooting standby state, repeatedly obtained image data is used, the AE & AWB detection circuit 231 performs exposure detection based on luminance information, and the AF detection circuit 230 detects the contrast of the RGB signal. . A result of this exposure detection is acquired by the CPU 211, and the CPU 211 controls the motor driver 214 of the light amount adjusting device 300 according to the result, so that the light amount adjusting device 300 is provided with a light amount that provides an appropriate exposure. The driven motor is driven.

  When the user of the digital camera takes a picture, the user performs framing while viewing the subject image displayed on the LCD panel 108 and presses the shutter release button 105 halfway. Then, the CPU 211 detects that the shutter switch 105a is half-pressed, and the CPU 211 acquires the contrast detected by the AF detection circuit 230 and issues a drive instruction to the motor driver 217 of the motor of the focus lens 216 based on this contrast. The focus lens 216 is moved to the in-focus position where the contrast is maximized. Here, the focus lock described above is set, and the position of the focus lens 216 is maintained until the shutter release button 105 is fully pressed or released.

  Thereafter, when the user fully presses the shutter release button 105, the CPU 211 detects that the shutter switch 105a is fully pressed, and the CPU 211 knows that an instruction to start photographing has been issued. The CPU 211 instructs the timing generator 212 to take an image at a shutter speed (exposure time) corresponding to the result of the exposure detection, and the timing generator 212 receives the instruction and emits subject light for the exposure time to the CCD 210. Light is received to accumulate charges, and RGB signals corresponding to the charges are output as image signals representing a captured image. Similarly to the monitor image signal described above, this image signal is also reduced in noise by the CDS amplifier 213, A / D converted by the A / D conversion circuit 218, written to the memory 221 by the image input controller 219, and image signal processing. The circuit 222 performs conversion from RGB signals to YC signals. This time, the compression processing circuit 223 compresses the image data using the JPEG method. The compression processing circuit 223 can select a compression format of a plurality of ranks according to a combination of image quality (compression rate) and image size. Here, compression is performed in a compression format of a rank set by the user before shooting. Done. The compressed image data is recorded as a JPEG file on the recording medium 240 via the media controller 224.

  The USB controller 225 transfers image data to an external device conforming to the USB standard connected to the USB terminal 106 shown in FIG.

  As described above, the feature of the digital camera of this embodiment as an embodiment of the present invention is the recording operation when recording image data, and the digital camera that executes this recording operation is also an image recording apparatus. Be thought.

  FIG. 4 is a functional configuration diagram showing functions when a digital camera is considered as an image recording apparatus.

  The image recording apparatus 400 includes a remaining capacity detection unit 410, a notification & permission unit 420, a data reduction unit 430, a priority selection unit 440, and a permission / inhibition designation unit 450 as functions. Among these constituent functions, the remaining capacity detection unit 410, the data reduction unit 430, the priority selection unit 440, and the availability specification unit 450 are respectively the capacity detection unit, the data reduction unit, the selection unit, and the availability specification in the present invention. The notification & permission unit 420 also serves as an example of a notification unit and an example of a conversion permission unit in the present invention.

  Regarding the hardware responsible for these configuration functions, the operation control of each configuration function is performed by the CPU 211 shown in FIG. 3, and the function of the remaining capacity detection unit 410 is performed by the media controller 224. The functions of the unit 420, the priority selection unit 440, and the availability specifying unit 450 are performed by the video encoder 226, the image display device 227, and the cross key 110. The functions of the data reduction unit 430 are the compression processing circuit 223 and the media controller. 224.

  In the remaining capacity detection unit 410, the capacity remaining in the recording medium 240 shown in FIG. 3 is checked.

  The notification & permission unit 420 notifies the user that the existing image data recorded on the recording medium 240 is reduced and a permission request when the capacity of the recording medium 240 is insufficient.

  The priority selection unit 440 selects one of the image quality and the image size that is preferentially maintained when the image data is reduced. The priority selection unit 440 displays a selection menu on the LCD panel 108 shown in FIG. 2, and the user selects the image quality or the image size by operating the cross key 110 while viewing this menu.

  In the availability specifying unit 450, the existing image data already recorded on the recording medium 240 is specified to be excluded from the data reduction target. When the user selects one image when the above-described “image data reproduction” function is selected, the availability specifying unit 450 displays a menu for specifying on the LCD panel 108 shown in FIG. By operating the cross key 110 while viewing this menu, the image can be designated as not to be reduced.

  The data reduction unit 430 reduces the existing image data recorded on the recording medium 240.

  Next, the operation of the image recording apparatus 400 will be described with reference to a flowchart and the like. In the following description, the elements shown in FIGS. 2, 3, and 4 are appropriately referred to by using the reference numerals in the drawings without particularly denoting the figure numbers.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the image recording apparatus.

  First, image data is acquired by photographing (step S01), and the remaining capacity detection unit 410 accesses the recording medium to check the free capacity, and confirms whether or not the capacity necessary for recording the image data remains. (Step S02). If a sufficient capacity remains, the process proceeds to step S05, and the image data is recorded on the recording medium.

  If it is confirmed in step S02 that the capacity for recording the image data is insufficient, a notification & permission screen is displayed on the LCD panel 108 by the notification & permission section 420, and the user of the digital camera is notified. Thus, it is notified that the capacity is insufficient, that is, the existing image data should be reduced. Further, the user is requested to permit data reduction via the notification & permission screen (step S03).

  FIG. 6 shows a notification & permission screen.

  On the notification & permission screen 500, a warning sentence 510 “Insufficient free space!” Is displayed in the upper part, and “Would you like to execute automatic reduction?” Below the warning sentence 510. A request sentence 520 for requesting is displayed. An operation guide 530 is displayed at the bottom of the notification & permission screen 500. The operation guide 530 is automatically reduced when the menu / execution switch 111 is pressed, and the cancel / return switch 116 is pressed. Then, automatic reduction and image recording are canceled.

  The user who sees the warning sentence 510 and the request sentence 520 determines whether or not automatic reduction is permitted and operates the menu / execution switch 111 or the cancel / return switch 116. If the cancel / return switch 116 is pressed, the processing ends as it is from step S03 in FIG. On the other hand, when the menu / execution switch 111 is pressed, the data reduction unit 430 executes a data reduction process for reducing the existing image data (step S04 in FIG. 5).

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing data reduction processing.

  In the data reduction process shown in FIG. 7, first, one piece of image data is selected from the image data recorded on the recording medium 240 by the media controller 224 as the current reduction candidate and stored in the memory 221 (FIG. 7). 7 step S11).

  Next, the CPU 211 determines whether or not the selected image data is already reduced (step S12). If the selected image data is already reduced, the process returns to step S11 and another image data is obtained. Selected. However, when all the image data except for the image data designated as not to be reduced by the availability specifying unit 450 shown in FIG. 4 has been reduced, all the image data are treated as unreduced again.

  If it is determined in step S12 that the image data is unreduced image data, it is next determined whether or not the image data is designated as non-reduced by the availability designation unit 450 (step S13). If the image data is designated as not to be reduced, the process returns to step S11 and the above processing is repeated. On the other hand, when it is determined that the image data is other than the image data designated as not to be reduced, the image data is to be reduced, and the image data and the image size selected by the priority selection unit 440 are selected. While preferentially maintained, the data amount is reduced by the compression processing circuit 223 re-compressing the image data in a compression form one rank lower (step S14).

  Thereafter, it is confirmed whether or not a sufficient storage capacity for image recording can be secured (step S15). If the capacity is still insufficient, the process returns to step S11 and the above processing is repeated. When a sufficient recording capacity for image recording can be secured, the data reduction process is terminated, and the process returns to step S04 in FIG.

  As a result of the data reduction processing shown in FIG. 7, a new image recording capacity is secured by the minimum necessary data reduction.

  FIG. 8 is a conceptual diagram showing a state in which image data is reduced by the data reduction process.

  On the left side of the figure, a plurality of image data 600 stored in the recording medium is shown, and each image data is provided with a flag 610 indicating whether reduction is possible. In this flag 610, a value of “1” indicates prohibition of reduction, and a value of “0” indicates that reduction is possible. Further, the value of the flag 610 is set in accordance with the user's operation in the availability specifying unit 450 shown in FIG.

  The right side of FIG. 8 shows the image data after the data reduction process, and the reduced image data is hatched. When the data reduction process is performed on the plurality of image data 600 as described above, the image data 600 whose flag 610 is “0” is selected and reduced to the minimum necessary (two in this case). Recording capacity is secured.

  When such a data reduction process is executed in step S04 in FIG. 5 and the storage capacity is secured, then the image data obtained by the current photographing is recorded on the recording medium using the secured storage capacity. (Step S05 in FIG. 5).

  As described above, according to the digital camera of the present embodiment, even when a capacity shortage occurs, a sufficient storage capacity can be secured by reducing the recorded image data to the minimum necessary level. As a result, many images can be recorded while maintaining a sufficient image quality. In addition, the user operating this digital camera selects the image recording with the highest level of image data he desires without considering the actual number of shots at the time of setting before shooting, and then runs out of capacity. When it occurs, it can be used to allow automatic reduction to an acceptable level. In other words, even if the actual number of shots is unknown at the start of shooting, the user can easily record many images with desirable image quality and image size.

  In the above description, an example is shown in which image data is reduced when the capacity is insufficient to record one image. In the present invention, a predetermined number of images with a remaining capacity of 2 or more is shown. The image data may be reduced when it falls below the capacity for recording the image, or the image data may be reduced when the remaining capacity falls below, for example, a predetermined number of bytes.

  In the above description, an example is shown in which an image is recorded with image data at a level set by the user at the time of setting before shooting. However, in the present invention, image data at the highest level regardless of the setting of the user. Thus, the image may be recorded and the automatic reduction corresponding to the lack of capacity may be executed with the level set by the user as the lower limit.

It is the external appearance perspective view which looked at the digital camera of one Embodiment of this invention from the front diagonally upward. It is the external appearance perspective view which looked at the digital camera of one Embodiment of this invention from the back diagonally upward. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a signal processing circuit and the like provided in a digital camera according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a functional block diagram showing the function when a digital camera is considered as an image recording device. It is a flowchart showing operation | movement of an image recording device. It is a figure showing a notification & permission screen. It is a flowchart showing a data reduction process. It is a conceptual diagram showing a mode that image data was reduced by the data reduction process.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Digital camera 101 Lens barrel 101a Shooting lens 102 Light control sensor 103 Flash light-emitting device 104a Objective window 104b Eyepiece window 105 Shutter release button 105a Shutter switch 106 USB terminal 107 Power input terminal 108 LCD panel 109 LCD panel starting button 110 Cross key 111 Menu / execution switch 112 Shooting mode dial 113 Function selection lever 114 Main switch 115 Self-timer LED
116 Cancel / return switch 210 CCD
211 CPU
212 Timing generator 213 CDS amplifier 214 Motor driver 216 Focus lens 217 Motor driver 218 A / D conversion circuit 219 Image input controller 220 Bus 221 Memory (SDRAM)
222 Image signal processing circuit 223 Compression processing circuit 224 Media controller 225 USB controller 226 Video encoder 227 Image display device 230 AF detection circuit 231 AE & AWB detection circuit 240 Recording medium 300 Light quantity adjustment device 400 Image recording device 410 Remaining capacity detection unit 420 Notification & permission Section 430 Data reduction section 440 Priority selection section 450 Acceptability designation section 500 Notification & permission screen 600 Image data 610 Flag

Claims (6)

An image recording apparatus for recording image data on a predetermined recording medium,
A capacity detector for detecting a remaining capacity in the recording medium;
A data reduction unit for converting image data already recorded on the recording medium into image data with a small capacity when the remaining capacity detected by the capacity detection unit is less than a predetermined capacity; An image recording apparatus.   2. The image recording apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a notification unit for notifying a user of the image recording apparatus that the image data is converted before the image data is converted by the data reduction unit. apparatus.   After the notification by the notification unit, the user of the image recording apparatus is asked for permission to convert, and when the permission is obtained, the data reduction unit converts the image data. 3. The image recording apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a conversion permission unit that prohibits the data reduction unit from converting image data. A selection unit that selects one of image quality and image size in an image according to an operation;
When converting the image data, the data reduction unit preferentially maintains one of the image quality and the image size represented by the image data selected by the selection unit and reduces the other, thereby reducing the capacity. 2. The image recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image recording apparatus converts the image data into a small amount of image data. The image data recorded on the recording medium includes an availability designation unit that designates whether or not conversion by the data reduction unit is performed according to an operation.
2. The data reduction unit, which converts image data designated as convertible among image data recorded on the recording medium into image data with a small capacity. Image recording device. An imaging device that captures image data representing a captured image by photographing a subject and records the image data on a predetermined recording medium,
A capacity detector for detecting a remaining capacity in the recording medium;
A data reduction unit for converting image data already recorded on the recording medium into image data with a small capacity when the remaining capacity detected by the capacity detection unit is less than a predetermined capacity; An imaging device.

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