JP2006079467A - Memory processing device and imaging device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a memory processing device and an imaging device capable of judging whether or not a storage medium is in a state suitable for storing data from information concerning the continuity of regions of the storage medium when storing the data in the storage medium through a buffer. <P>SOLUTION: A digital camera 1 with a built-in memory processing device related to the present invention reads out an FAT stored in the FAT region of a hard disc 20, and writes the FAT read out into a RAM 12. It then analyzes the FAT stored in the RAM 12, and detects the information concerning the continuity of free spaces of the hard disc 20. From the information concerning the continuity detected, it determines whether the hard disc 20 is in a state suitable for storing data. When it determines that the hard disc 20 is not in a state suitable for storing data, it performs the processing to change the regions of the data stored in the hard disc 20 (so-called defragmentation) so that the data are stored in the continuous region. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention detects information related to the continuity of free areas in a storage medium when storing relatively large data such as a moving image in the storage medium, and the storage medium is suitable for storing data The present invention relates to a storage processing device and an imaging device that determine whether or not data storage fails.

  In recent years, digital cameras such as digital still cameras and digital video cameras equipped with an image sensor such as a CCD sensor or a CMOS sensor have become widespread. The digital camera converts an analog image signal photoelectrically converted by an image sensor into a digital format, and stores the converted signal as image data in a storage medium. In recent years, the performance of an image sensor, the storage capacity of a storage medium, and the access speed have been improved, and a digital camera capable of continuous shooting and moving image shooting has been put to practical use in the same way as a so-called silver salt camera.

  As the storage medium, an optical storage medium such as a DVD or a semiconductor memory such as a flash memory is used. In addition, if a hard disk is installed in a digital camera as a storage medium, a large-capacity image can be stored. Therefore, a digital camera (video camera) equipped with a hard disk has been developed (for example, patents). Reference 1).

In addition, unlike the conventional sequential access type tape-shaped storage medium, each of the storage media described above can store data at random and can erase unnecessary data sequentially. Instantly select and play.
JP 2003-309797 A

  However, in the storage medium as described above, first, file 1, file 2,..., File 6 are successively written (FIG. 6A). Here, a file is a collection of data, and data is stored in a storage medium as a file based on a predetermined rule. In this state, when file 2, file 4, and file 5 are erased, the area in which the file is stored becomes empty area 1 and empty area 2 so that a new file can be stored (FIG. 6B). )). When writing a new file 7 to the storage medium, if the data size of the file 7 is larger than the capacity of the free space 1, the file 7 cannot be stored in consecutive positions, and the file 7 is stored in the file 7-1 and the file 7-. The data is divided into two and written (FIG. 6C). Therefore, one file, that is, data as continuous information is stored in the storage medium in a divided state.

  That is, since the storage medium as described above can store and erase data at random, fragmentation occurs in the storage medium. Therefore, when data is written in a discontinuous area or when data in a divided state is read, the time required to move the writing unit and the reading unit (magnetic head, optical head) (seek time) increases. There was a problem that the access speed to the data was lowered.

  Fragmentation is the so-called fragmentation of a free area of a storage medium. For example, when a moving image is stored in a storage medium, it is assumed that fragmentation occurs if a frame of the moving image occurs due to a buffer overflow or the like, resulting in a trouble in storage. On the other hand, it is assumed that fragmentation does not occur if there is no trouble in storage.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances. When data is stored in a storage medium via a buffer, the detected free area is detected by detecting information related to the continuity of the free area of the storage medium. It is possible to determine whether or not the storage medium is in a state suitable for data storage from the information related to the continuity of the data, and change the area of the data stored in the storage medium to store in the continuous area, It is an object of the present invention to provide a storage processing device and an imaging device that can issue a warning that there is a risk of causing trouble.

  Further, the present invention detects the continuous free capacity indicating the total capacity of the free area of the storage medium and the capacity of the continuous free area, calculates the ratio of the continuous free capacity to the total capacity of the free area, and the calculated ratio is When the ratio is greater than or equal to a predetermined ratio, it is determined that the storage medium is suitable for storing data, so that it takes time to store data in continuous free areas and data in discontinuous free areas. It is an object of the present invention to provide a storage processing device and an imaging device that determine whether a storage medium is suitable for data storage based on an average time with the time required.

  Further, the present invention detects a continuous free capacity indicating the capacity of a continuous free area of the storage medium, and determines that the storage medium is suitable for data storage when the continuous free capacity is equal to or larger than the data size of the data. Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a storage processing device and an imaging device that determine that a storage medium is in a state suitable for storing data when the data can be stored in a continuous free area.

  The present invention also detects the total free space capacity and the continuous free space indicating the continuous free space capacity, calculates the difference between the free space and the continuous free space, and calculates the calculated difference amount. If the storage capacity is less than or equal to the buffer capacity, it is determined that the storage medium is suitable for data storage. Providing a storage processing device and an imaging device that determine that a storage medium is suitable for storing data because data can be stored in a buffer even if it takes time to store in a continuous free area. Objective.

  Further, the present invention is configured to determine whether or not the storage medium is suitable for storing data when storing data related to the image captured by the imaging unit in the storage medium. When storing the image in the storage medium, there is a risk that the frame of the video may be dropped due to buffer overflow, etc. However, if it is found in advance that the storage will be disturbed, the user's anxiety will be resolved An object of the present invention is to provide an imaging device capable of performing the above.

  In addition, according to the present invention, when the power is turned on by the switch, the storage medium is configured to determine whether or not the storage medium is suitable for data storage. It is possible to determine whether or not the state is suitable for storage. For example, by performing a defragmentation process before shooting starts, it is possible to provide an imaging device that can make a storage medium suitable for storing data. Objective.

  Further, the present invention is configured to determine whether or not the storage medium is in a state suitable for data storage when image capturing is designated, and thereby start imaging from the designation of image capturing. It is an object of the present invention to provide an imaging apparatus that can make a storage medium suitable for storing data by effectively using the time until the execution of the defragmentation process.

  The storage processing apparatus according to the present invention determines whether or not the storage medium is suitable for storing data when storing data in a storage medium having a plurality of areas via a buffer. And detecting means for detecting information relating to continuity of free areas of the storage medium, and information relating to continuity of empty areas detected by the detecting means, so that the storage medium is suitable for data storage. And determining means for determining whether or not the user is in a state.

  In the storage processing device according to the present invention, when the determination unit determines that the storage medium is not suitable for data storage, the storage area stores data in a continuous area. It has the means to change.

  The storage processing apparatus according to the present invention outputs a warning information indicating that the storage medium is not suitable for data storage when the determination means determines that the storage medium is not suitable for data storage. It is characterized by providing.

  In the storage processing device according to the present invention, the detection unit detects a total free space capacity of the storage medium and a continuous free space indicating a continuous free space capacity, and the determination unit includes the total storage space. A means for calculating the ratio of the continuous free capacity to the capacity, and when the ratio calculated by the means is equal to or greater than a predetermined ratio, it is determined that the storage medium is suitable for data storage; It is characterized by.

  In the storage processing device according to the present invention, the predetermined ratio is a value based on a storage speed in a continuous free area, a storage speed in a non-continuous free area, and a data transfer speed to the buffer. To do.

  In the storage processing device according to the present invention, the detecting means detects a continuous free capacity indicating a capacity of a continuous free area of the storage medium, and the determining means determines that the continuous free capacity is the data of the data. When the data size is greater than or equal to the data size, it is determined that the storage medium is suitable for data storage.

  In the storage processing device according to the present invention, the detection unit detects a total free space capacity of the storage medium and a continuous free space indicating a continuous free space capacity, and the determination unit includes the total storage space. Means for calculating a difference amount of the capacity with respect to the continuous free space, and determining that the storage medium is suitable for storing data when the difference amount calculated by the means is less than or equal to the capacity of the buffer; It is characterized by being.

  An imaging apparatus according to the present invention includes a storage processing apparatus according to any of the above-described inventions and an imaging unit that captures an image, and stores data relating to an image captured by the imaging unit in the storage medium. It is characterized by the above.

  The imaging apparatus according to the present invention includes a switch for instructing to turn on the power, and the determination unit determines whether the storage medium is suitable for storing data when the power is turned on by the switch. It is characterized by being judged.

  The imaging apparatus according to the present invention includes a designation unit that designates whether to perform image capturing by the imaging unit or reproduction of data stored in a storage medium, and the determination unit is configured by the designation unit. It is characterized in that it is determined whether or not the storage medium is in a state suitable for data storage when image capturing is designated.

  In the present invention, when data is stored in the storage medium via the buffer, the detection means detects information related to the continuity of the free area of the storage medium, and the determination means detects the free area. Whether or not the storage medium is suitable for storing data is determined from the information relating to the continuity of the data.

  In the present invention, when the determination unit determines that the storage medium is not suitable for data storage, the data area stored in the storage medium is changed and stored in a continuous area. By changing the area of the data stored in the storage medium so as to be stored in a continuous area, it is possible to prevent the data access speed from being lowered.

  In the present invention, when the determination means determines that the storage medium is not suitable for data storage, warning information indicating that the storage medium is not suitable for data storage is output. Thereby, the user can grasp from the output warning information that there is a possibility that the data storage may fail, and the user's anxiety can be resolved.

  In the present invention, the detecting means detects the continuous free capacity indicating the total capacity of the free areas of the storage medium and the capacity of the continuous free areas. Then, the determination unit calculates the ratio of the continuous free capacity to the total capacity of the free area, and determines that the storage medium is suitable for data storage when the calculated ratio is equal to or greater than a predetermined ratio. For example, the predetermined ratio as the determination criterion is determined based on the storage speed in the continuous free area, the storage speed in the non-continuous free area, and the data transfer speed to the buffer. Whether or not the storage medium is in a state suitable for data storage according to the average time of the time required for storing data in the continuous free space and the time required for storing data in the discontinuous free space. Judging.

  In the present invention, the detecting means detects the continuous free space indicating the capacity of the continuous free space. Then, the determination unit determines that the storage medium is suitable for data storage when the continuous free space in the free area is equal to or larger than the data size of the data. As a result, if the data can be stored in the continuous free space, it is determined that the storage medium is in a state suitable for data storage.

  In the present invention, the detecting means detects the continuous free capacity indicating the total capacity of the free areas of the storage medium and the capacity of the continuous free areas. Then, the determination unit calculates a difference amount with respect to the continuous free space of the total capacity of the free space, and determines that the storage medium is suitable for data storage when the calculated difference amount is equal to or less than the buffer capacity. As a result, if the capacity of the discontinuous free area that requires time for storage processing is less than or equal to the capacity of the buffer, data can be stored in the buffer even if it takes time to store in the discontinuous free area. The storage medium is determined to be in a state suitable for data storage.

  In the present invention, when data related to an image captured by the imaging means is stored in a storage medium, it is determined whether or not the storage medium is suitable for storing data. As a result, for example, when moving images are stored in a storage medium, there is a possibility that the frames of the moving images may be dropped due to buffer overflow or the like. The anxiety of the person can be resolved.

  In the present invention, when the power is turned on by the switch, it is determined whether or not the storage medium is suitable for storing data. As a result, each time the image pickup apparatus is activated, it is determined whether or not the storage medium is in a state suitable for data storage. For example, if the defragmentation process is performed before shooting starts, the storage medium is A state suitable for data storage can be obtained.

  In the present invention, when the image capturing is designated, it is determined whether or not the storage medium is suitable for data storage. Accordingly, if the defragmentation process is executed by effectively using the time from the designation of image capturing to the start of image capturing, the storage medium can be brought into a state suitable for data storage.

  According to the present invention, when data is stored in a storage medium via a buffer, information related to continuity of free areas in the storage medium is detected. It is possible to determine whether or not the storage medium is suitable for data storage, and there is a possibility that the data area stored in the storage medium may be changed so as to be stored in a continuous area or that the storage may be hindered. Can be warned.

  According to the present invention, the continuous free capacity indicating the total capacity of the free area and the continuous free area of the storage medium is detected, the ratio of the continuous free capacity in the total capacity of the free area is calculated, and the calculated ratio Since the storage medium is determined to be suitable for data storage when the ratio is greater than or equal to a predetermined ratio, the time required for storing data in continuous free areas and the storage of data in discontinuous free areas are determined. It is possible to determine whether or not the storage medium is suitable for data storage based on the average time with the time required.

  According to the present invention, a configuration in which a continuous free space indicating the capacity of a continuous free space in a storage medium is detected, and when the continuous free space is equal to or larger than the data size of data, it is determined that the storage medium is suitable for data storage. Therefore, if data can be stored in a continuous free space, it can be determined that the storage medium is in a state suitable for data storage.

  According to the present invention, the continuous free space indicating the total free space capacity and the continuous free space capacity of the storage medium is detected, the difference amount of the free space total capacity with respect to the continuous free space is calculated, and the calculated difference is calculated. Since the storage medium is determined to be suitable for data storage when the amount is less than or equal to the capacity of the buffer, if the capacity of the discontinuous free space that requires time for storage processing is less than or equal to the capacity of the buffer, it is not possible. Even if it takes a long time to store data in the continuous free space, the data can be accumulated in the buffer, so that it can be determined that the storage medium is suitable for storing data.

  According to the present invention, when data related to an image captured by the image capturing unit is stored in the storage medium, it is configured to determine whether the storage medium is suitable for storing data. When storing the image in the storage medium, there is a risk that the frame of the video may be dropped due to buffer overflow, etc. However, if it is found in advance that the storage will be disturbed, the user's anxiety will be resolved can do.

  According to the present invention, when the power is turned on by the switch, it is configured to determine whether or not the storage medium is in a state suitable for data storage. It is possible to determine whether or not the state is suitable for storage. For example, if the defragmentation process is executed before shooting starts, the storage medium can be brought into a state suitable for data storage.

  According to the present invention, when image capturing is designated, it is determined whether or not the storage medium is in a state suitable for data storage. Therefore, image capturing is started from the designation of image capturing. If the defragmentation process is executed by effectively utilizing the time until the above, it is possible to obtain an excellent effect such that the storage medium can be brought into a state suitable for data storage.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings illustrating embodiments thereof.
(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a digital camera equipped with a storage processing apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. Note that the storage processing device is configured by each unit in the broken line region.

  The digital camera 1 includes a control unit 10 composed of a CPU. The control unit 10 is connected to the ROM 11, RAM 12, image pickup device 13, operation unit 14, signal processing unit 15, hard disk controller 16, buffer 17, display unit 18, and output unit 19 via the bus, and controls these units. Various functions are executed in accordance with a computer program stored in advance in the ROM 11 and function as various means (detection means, determination means, etc.) in the present invention in cooperation with each unit or independently.

  The RAM 12 stores temporary data generated when the control unit 10 executes the computer program, and is configured by, for example, a DRAM or an SDRAM. The image sensor 13 is composed of a CCD or a CMOS, and photoelectrically converts incident light to generate an analog image signal. The hard disk controller 16 is connected to a hard disk 20 that is a storage medium.

  The signal processing unit 15 includes an ADC (analog / digital converter) 15a, an encoder 15b, a decoder 15c, and a DAC (digital / analog converter) 15d. The ADC 15a digitizes the analog image signal generated by the image sensor 13 at a predetermined sampling frequency and outputs the digitized image signal to the encoder 15b. The encoder 15b encodes the digitized image signal into image data in a predetermined format (hereinafter referred to as MPEG format). The encoded image data is output to the buffer 17 and stored in the hard disk 20 by the hard disk controller 16. The encoding format may be a DV compression format, a motion JPEG format, or the like, and the image compression standard is not limited.

  On the other hand, MPEG format image data stored in the hard disk 20 is output to the buffer 17 by the hard disk controller 16, decoded into an image signal by the decoder 15c, and output to the DAC 15d. The DAC 15 d converts the image signal into an analog signal and outputs it to the output unit 19. A display device 50 such as a liquid crystal display or a CRT display is connected to the output unit 19, and an image related to the image signal output from the output unit 19 is displayed on the display device 50.

  The operation unit 14 includes various function keys for operating the digital camera 1. The function key captures or reproduces an image designated by the mode designation key 14a and the mode designation key 14a for designating whether to perform image capture or reproduction of image data stored in the hard disk 20. A start key 14b for starting and an end key 14c for ending imaging / playback are provided. Of course, the digital camera 1 includes a power switch (not shown) for instructing to turn on the power.

  The display unit 18 is configured by a display device such as a liquid crystal monitor or an LED monitor, and displays an operation state of the digital camera 1 and a screen for prompting a user to input an operation. Note that an on-screen display (OSD) may be displayed on the display device 50 to operate the digital camera 1, and various function keys of the operation unit 14 may be provided by using the display unit 18 as a touch panel. It is also possible to substitute a part or all of the above.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the hard disk 20 is roughly divided into a system area 21, a directory area 22, a FAT area 23, and a data area 24. The FAT area 23 stores a table (FAT) for managing the physical location of files on the disk. With reference to the FAT, a file stored in the data area 24 is read or a file is stored in the data area 24. The FAT is updated when there is a change in the file status such as file creation and deletion.

Next, an operation performed by the digital camera 1 when the power is turned on by the power switch will be described with reference to a flowchart.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure of the digital camera equipped with the storage processing device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. Note that the operation procedure is an example, and the present invention is not limited to this. Such an operation procedure can be performed by incorporating a computer program in the ROM 11 in advance.

  First, the control unit 10 reads the FAT stored in the FAT area of the hard disk 20 via the hard disk controller 16 (step S1), and writes the read FAT to the RAM 12 (step S2).

  Then, the control unit 10 analyzes the FAT stored in the RAM 12 and detects the usage status of the cluster (step S3). More specifically, the control unit 10 identifies whether or not each cluster is used from the FAT written in the RAM 12. As described above, the control unit 10 can detect information related to the continuity of the free area of the hard disk 20 by referring to the RAM 12 without accessing the hard disk 20.

  Next, the control unit 10 counts the number of clusters that are not used for storage (unused) based on the FAT analysis result, and multiplies the number of clusters by the storage capacity per cluster to obtain the total free capacity A. Calculate (step S4). Further, the control unit 10 counts the number of clusters in which a predetermined number or more of unused clusters continue based on the analysis result of the FAT, and calculates the continuous free space B by multiplying the number of clusters by the storage capacity per cluster. (Step S5). The cluster to be counted in S5 is, for example, a cluster in which the storage capacity of successive clusters is equal to or larger than the data size when performing a writing process when storing data.

  Then, the control unit 10 divides the continuous free capacity B by the total free capacity A to calculate the ratio R of the continuous free capacity B to the total free capacity A (step S6), and the continuous free capacity B with respect to the total free capacity A. Is determined to be equal to or greater than a predetermined ratio α (details will be described later) (step S7). Note that the predetermined ratio α used for the determination of S5 is stored in the ROM 11 in advance.

  In S7, when it is determined that the ratio R of the continuous free capacity B to the total free capacity A is equal to or greater than the predetermined ratio α (S7: YES), the control unit 10 indicates that the hard disk 20 is suitable for data storage. Is determined (step S8). On the other hand, when it is determined in S7 that the ratio R of the continuous free capacity B to the total free capacity A is smaller than the predetermined ratio α (S7: NO), the control unit 10 indicates that the hard disk 20 is suitable for data storage. It is determined that there is no data (step S9), and processing for changing the data area stored in the hard disk 20 (so-called defragmentation processing) is executed so as to store the data in the continuous area (step S10). Thus, every time the digital camera 1 is activated, if the hard disk 20 is not suitable for data storage, the defragmentation process is executed, so that the hard disk 20 is suitable for data storage. Can do. Therefore, when the moving image is stored in the hard disk 20, it is possible to prevent the moving image from being dropped due to a buffer overflow or the like.

Next, the predetermined ratio α used for the determination criterion of S7 will be described with a specific example.
For example, when data is stored, the predetermined ratio α is a boundary ratio of whether the data buffered in the buffer 17 increases or decreases due to writing to a continuous cluster and writing to a discontinuous cluster. . If the data buffered in the buffer 17 increases, the data overflows from the buffer 17 and the data writing may fail. Therefore, the hard disk 20 is in a state suitable for data storage. I can't say that. On the other hand, when the data buffered in the buffer 17 does not increase, the data does not overflow from the buffer 17, the data can be written to the hard disk 20 reliably, and the hard disk 20 is in a state suitable for data storage. I can say that. That is, the predetermined ratio α is a ratio that can maintain a state in which data storage does not fail.

  For example, if the writing speed to the continuous cluster is defined as V1 (byte / s), the writing speed to the discontinuous cluster is defined as V2 (byte / s), and the data transfer rate is defined as V3 (byte / s), {(V1- V3) / (V3-V2)} / 2 × 100% is set to a predetermined ratio α. As described above, when data is stored in the hard disk 20, the predetermined ratio α is determined based on whether or not the data buffered in the buffer 17 increases. Therefore, it is preferable that the predetermined ratio α can be appropriately set according to the data transfer rate determined by the recording mode specification such as the compression rate and the writing speed of the hard disk 20.

(Embodiment 2)
In the first embodiment, whether or not the hard disk 20 is suitable for data storage is determined based on whether or not the ratio R of the continuous free capacity B to the total free capacity A is equal to or greater than a predetermined ratio α. However, the determination method is not limited to this. The configuration of the digital camera equipped with the storage processing device according to the second embodiment of the present invention is substantially the same as that in FIG. 1, and the operation performed by the digital camera when the power is turned on by the power switch will be described. Clarify the differences. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure of the digital camera equipped with the storage processing device according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

  First, the control unit 10 reads the FAT stored in the FAT area of the hard disk 20 via the hard disk controller 16 (step S11), and writes the read FAT to the RAM 12 (step S12). Then, the control unit 10 analyzes the FAT stored in the RAM 12 and detects the usage status of the cluster (step S13).

  Next, the control unit 10 counts the number of clusters in which a predetermined number or more of unused clusters continue based on the analysis result of the FAT, and calculates the continuous free capacity B by multiplying the number of clusters by the storage capacity per cluster. (Step S14). The cluster to be counted in S14 is, for example, a cluster in which the storage capacity of successive clusters is equal to or larger than the data size when performing a writing process when storing data.

  Then, the control unit 10 determines whether or not the continuous free capacity B is equal to or larger than the maximum capacity β of data to be stored (hereinafter referred to as data size) (step S15). Information on the data size β used for the determination in S15 is stored in the ROM 11 in advance.

  If it is determined in S15 that the continuous free space B is equal to or larger than the data size β (S15: YES), the control unit 10 determines that the hard disk 20 is suitable for data storage (step S16). On the other hand, if it is determined in S15 that the continuous free space B is smaller than the data size β (S15: NO), the control unit 10 determines that the hard disk 20 is not suitable for data storage (step S17) and continues. A process for changing the area of data stored in the hard disk 20 (so-called defragmentation process) is executed so as to store in the area to be stored (step S18). Thus, every time the digital camera 1 is activated, if the hard disk 20 is not suitable for data storage, the defragmentation process is executed, so that the hard disk 20 is suitable for data storage. Can do. Therefore, when the moving image is stored in the hard disk 20, it is possible to prevent the moving image from being dropped due to a buffer overflow or the like.

(Embodiment 3)
The configuration of the digital camera equipped with the storage processing device according to the third embodiment of the present invention is substantially the same as that of FIG. 1, and the operation performed by the digital camera when the power is turned on by the power switch will be described. Clarify the differences. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure of the digital camera equipped with the storage processing device according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

  First, the control unit 10 reads the FAT stored in the FAT area of the hard disk 20 via the hard disk controller 16 (step S21), and writes the read FAT to the RAM 12 (step S22). Then, the control unit 10 analyzes the FAT stored in the RAM 12 and detects the use status of the cluster (step S23).

  Next, the control unit 10 counts the number of clusters that are not used for storage (unused) based on the FAT analysis result, and multiplies the number of clusters by the storage capacity per cluster to obtain the total free capacity A. Calculate (step S24). Further, the control unit 10 counts the number of clusters in which a predetermined number or more of unused clusters continue based on the analysis result of the FAT, and calculates the continuous free space B by multiplying the number of clusters by the storage capacity per cluster. (Step 25). The cluster to be counted in S25 is, for example, a cluster in which the storage capacity of successive clusters is equal to or larger than the data size when performing the writing process when storing data.

  Then, the control unit 10 subtracts the total free space A from the continuous free space B, calculates a difference amount D of the total free space A with respect to the continuous free space B (step S26), and the calculated difference amount D is stored in the buffer. In step S27, it is determined whether or not the maximum capacity γ (hereinafter referred to as buffer capacity) of the data that can be stored is stored. Information about the buffer capacity γ used for the determination in S27 is stored in the ROM 11 in advance.

  If it is determined in S27 that the difference amount D is equal to or smaller than the buffer capacity γ (S27: YES), the control unit 10 determines that the hard disk 20 is suitable for data storage (step S28). On the other hand, when it is determined in S27 that the difference amount D is larger than the buffer capacity γ (S27: NO), the control unit 10 determines that the hard disk 20 is not suitable for data storage (step S29) and continues. A process of changing the area of data stored in the hard disk 20 (so-called defragmentation process) is executed so as to be stored in the area (step S30). Thus, every time the digital camera 1 is activated, if the hard disk 20 is not suitable for data storage, the defragmentation process is executed, so that the hard disk 20 is suitable for data storage. Can do. Therefore, when the moving image is stored in the hard disk 20, it is possible to prevent the moving image from being dropped due to a buffer overflow or the like.

  In each of the embodiments, a mode has been described in which it is automatically determined whether the hard disk 20 is suitable for storing data when the power is turned on by the power switch. However, the mode designation key 14a is used. When it is designated to take an image, it may be determined whether or not the hard disk 20 is suitable for data storage. In this way, the hard disk 20 can be brought into a state suitable for data storage by effectively utilizing the time from the designation of image capturing to the start of image capturing and executing the defragmentation process.

  Further, a determination processing key 14d (see FIG. 1) for determining whether or not the hard disk 20 is suitable for data storage is provided, and the hard disk 20 stores data when the determination processing key 14d is pressed. You may make it judge whether it is suitable.

  Further, in each of the embodiments, the defragmenting process is executed when the control unit 10 determines that the hard disk 20 is not suitable for data storage. However, the hard disk 20 is suitable for data storage. If it is determined that there is no warning information, warning information for warning that may be output. For example, if the control unit 10 outputs warning information to the display device and displays a warning image on the screen of the display device, the user can grasp that there is a possibility that data storage may fail from the warning image. , Users' anxiety can be resolved. Therefore, in this case, a defragmentation key 14e (see FIG. 1) for starting the defragmentation process may be provided on the operation unit 14 so that the defragmentation process of the hard disk can be performed according to the user's instruction. . Of course, the warning method is not limited to display, and a warning may be given by voice.

  In each embodiment, the case where FAT is stored in the storage medium has been described, but it goes without saying that the file system may be a file system such as NTFS or HFS. Of course, the data is not intended to be image data, but may be audio data, for example, and the object is not limited.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the digital camera carrying the memory | storage processing device which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is the schematic which shows the content of the storage area of a hard disk. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement procedure of the digital camera carrying the memory | storage processing device which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement procedure of the digital camera carrying the memory | storage processing device which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement procedure of the digital camera carrying the memory | storage processing device which concerns on Embodiment 3 of this invention. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the memory | storage state of a storage medium.

Explanation of symbols

1 Digital Camera 10 Control Unit 11 ROM
12 RAM
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 13 Image sensor 14 Operation part 15 Signal processing part 16 Hard disk controller 17 Buffer 18 Display part 19 Output part 20 Hard disk 50 Display apparatus

Claims (10)

A storage processing device for determining whether or not the storage medium is suitable for storing data when storing data in a storage medium having a plurality of areas via a buffer;
Detecting means for detecting information relating to continuity of free areas of the storage medium;
A storage processing apparatus comprising: determination means for determining whether or not the storage medium is in a state suitable for data storage from information relating to continuity of free areas detected by the detection means. When the determination means determines that the storage medium is not suitable for data storage, the storage medium includes means for changing the area of the data stored in the storage medium so as to be stored in a continuous area. The storage processing device according to claim 1. The information processing apparatus further comprises means for outputting warning information indicating that the storage medium is not suitable for data storage when the determination means determines that the storage medium is not suitable for data storage. The storage processing device according to claim 1 or 2. The detection means includes
A continuous free space indicating a total free space capacity of the storage medium and a continuous free space capacity is detected;
The determination means includes
Means for calculating a ratio of the continuous free capacity to the total capacity;
4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the storage medium is determined to be suitable for data storage when the ratio calculated by the means is equal to or greater than a predetermined ratio. The storage processing device according to 1. The storage processing according to claim 4, wherein the predetermined ratio is a value based on a storage speed in a continuous free area, a storage speed in a non-continuous free area, and a data transfer speed to the buffer. apparatus. The detection means includes
A continuous free space indicating a continuous free space capacity of the storage medium is detected;
The determination means includes
4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the storage medium is determined to be suitable for data storage when the continuous free space is equal to or larger than a data size of the data. The storage processing device according to 1. The detection means includes
A continuous free space indicating a total free space capacity of the storage medium and a continuous free space capacity is detected;
The determination means includes
Means for calculating a difference between the total capacity and the continuous free capacity;
4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the storage medium is determined to be suitable for storing data when the difference amount calculated by the means is equal to or less than the capacity of the buffer. The storage processing device according to claim 1. A storage processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
An image pickup means for picking up an image,
An image pickup apparatus, wherein data relating to an image picked up by the image pickup means is stored in the storage medium. It has a switch to instruct power on,
The determination means includes
The imaging apparatus according to claim 8, wherein when the power is turned on by the switch, it is determined whether or not the storage medium is in a state suitable for data storage. Comprising designation means for designating which one of imaging of the image by the imaging means or reproduction of data stored in a storage medium is to be performed;
The determination means includes
9. The imaging according to claim 8, wherein when the image capturing is designated by the designation unit, it is determined whether or not the storage medium is in a state suitable for data storage. apparatus.

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