JP2006157679A - Imaging apparatus and method of controlling same - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image pickup apparatus in which an internal memory and an external memory are more simply and easily operated. <P>SOLUTION: An imaging apparatus comprises: a connection means for performing connection with an external memory unit including a memory in which filing operation can be performed from the imaging apparatus; an operation means for a user to give an instruction to the imaging apparatus; a display means for displaying a user interface that causes the operation means to select which one of image files recorded in the internal memory and the external memory is to be operated; and a control means for performing the filing operation, instructed via the operation means, on the image file recorded in the memory selected via the user interface. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus and a control method thereof, and more particularly to an imaging apparatus having a function of controlling a memory in an external memory unit and a control method thereof.

  For example, many currently used imaging apparatuses such as an electronic camera (digital still camera) have a built-in or removable storage medium for storing captured images and sounds. Then, the image and sound stored in the storage medium can be played back using a display device or speaker mounted on the electronic camera body, a video playback device connected externally, or the like. Also, it has a function of transferring images and sounds in the storage medium to an external storage medium (including a hard disk mounted on a computer).

  In addition, in many electronic cameras where portability and operability are important, many have only one media slot in which a detachable storage medium can be mounted. However, in order to support storage media of different standards. Alternatively, some media slots have a plurality of media slots to provide a data copy function between storage media.

In addition, regarding transfer of captured images and sounds to an external storage medium, for example, there is one in which an electronic camera and a computer are connected and data transfer operation is performed from the electronic camera or the computer. Further, as proposed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-374447, an electronic camera is connected to a cradle having a recording media unit, a display device, and an operation unit, and data in the electronic camera is operated from the cradle. There are also ways to do this.
JP 2002-374447 A

  However, in the method of connecting an electronic camera to a computer and transferring data from the storage medium to the storage device of the computer, the user is forced to perform complicated operations on the computer side such as activation of the computer and transfer preparation processing.

  In addition, the method proposed in Patent Document 1 uses a high-performance cradle such as a recording media unit, a display device, and an operation unit, and is effective in combination with an electronic camera having a poor recording / display capability. As described above, many electronic cameras currently available have a display device and an operation unit, and have sufficiently high performance and high functionality. Therefore, there is little need to use a high-performance and expensive cradle as disclosed in Patent Document 1.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and an imaging apparatus capable of operating a built-in or attached storage medium (internal memory) and an external storage medium (external memory) more easily and easily, and a control method therefor The purpose is to provide.

  In order to solve the above problems, an imaging apparatus having an internal memory according to the present invention has a connection means for connecting to an external memory unit having a memory capable of file operation from the imaging apparatus, and a user gives an instruction to the imaging apparatus An operation means for displaying, a display means for displaying a user interface by which the operation means selects an image file recorded in an internal memory or a memory in the external memory unit, and a user interface. And a control unit that executes a file operation instructed through the operation unit using the image file recorded in the selected memory as an operation target.

  Other features of the present invention will become more apparent from the accompanying drawings and the following description of the best mode for carrying out the invention.

  With the above configuration, according to the present invention, it is possible to realize an imaging apparatus and a control method thereof that are simple and easy to operate the internal memory and the external memory.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following embodiments, an electronic camera as an embodiment of the imaging apparatus of the present invention will be described, but the present invention can also be applied to other imaging apparatuses.
<First Embodiment>
<Configuration of electronic camera>
FIG. 1A is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an electronic camera 100 common to the embodiments of the present invention.

  The electronic camera 100 includes an imaging lens 10, a shutter 12 having a diaphragm function, an imaging device 14 that converts an optical image into an electrical signal, an A / D converter 16 that converts an analog signal output of the imaging device 14 into a digital signal, a digital A D / A converter 26 for converting image data into an analog signal is provided.

  The timing generation circuit 18 supplies a clock signal and a control signal to the image sensor 14, the A / D converter 16, and the D / A converter 26, and is controlled by the memory control circuit 22 and the system control circuit 50.

  The image processing circuit 20 performs predetermined pixel interpolation processing and color conversion processing on the data from the A / D converter 16 or the memory control circuit 22.

  The image processing circuit 20 performs predetermined calculation processing using the captured image data, and the system control circuit 50 controls the exposure control unit 40 and the distance measurement control unit 42 based on the obtained calculation result. TTL (through-the-lens) AF (autofocus) processing, AE (automatic exposure) processing, and EF (flash pre-emission) processing are performed.

  Further, the image processing circuit 20 performs predetermined arithmetic processing using the captured image data, and also performs TTL AWB (auto white balance) processing based on the obtained arithmetic result.

  The memory control circuit 22 controls the A / D converter 16, the timing generation circuit 18, the image processing circuit 20, the image display memory 24, the D / A converter 26, the memory 30, and the image compression / decompression circuit 32. The data of the A / D converter 16 is written into the image display memory 24 or the memory 30 via the image processing circuit 20 and the memory control circuit 22 or the data of the A / D converter 16 is directly passed through the memory control circuit 22. It is.

  The image display unit 28 includes a TFT LCD or the like, and the display image data written in the image display memory 24 is displayed on the image display unit 28 via the D / A converter 26. In addition, if the image data captured using the image display unit 28 is sequentially displayed, an electronic viewfinder function can be realized.

  Further, the image display unit 28 can arbitrarily turn on / off the display according to an instruction from the system control circuit 50. When the display is turned off, the power consumption of the electronic camera 100 can be significantly reduced. I can do it.

  The memory 30 stores captured images and has a storage capacity sufficient to store a predetermined number of still images and a moving image for a predetermined time. This makes it possible to write a large amount of images to the memory 30 at high speed even in continuous shooting or panoramic shooting in which a plurality of still images are continuously shot. The memory 30 can also be used as a work area for the system control circuit 50.

  The image compression / decompression circuit 32 is a circuit for compressing / decompressing image data by adaptive discrete cosine transform (ADCT) or the like. The image stored in the memory 30 is read and subjected to compression processing or decompression processing. Write to memory 30.

  The exposure control unit 40 controls the shutter 12 having a diaphragm function, and has a flash light control function in cooperation with the flash 48.

  The distance measurement control unit 42 controls focusing of the imaging lens 10, the zoom control unit 44 controls zooming of the imaging lens 10, and the barrier control unit 46 controls the operation of the protection unit 102 that is a barrier.

  The flash 48 also has an AF auxiliary light projecting function and a flash light control function.

  The exposure control unit 40 and the distance measurement control unit 42 are controlled using the TTL method. Based on the calculation result obtained by calculating the captured image data by the image processing circuit 20, the system control circuit 50 performs the exposure control unit 40 and the distance measurement. The control unit 42 is controlled.

  The system control circuit 50 controls the electronic camera 100 as a whole, and the memory 52 stores constants, variables, programs, and the like for the operation of the system control circuit 50 including processing related to operations of the camera memory and the external memory unit memory described later. .

  The notification unit 54 notifies an operation state, a message, and the like using characters, images, sounds, and the like according to the execution of the program in the system control circuit 50, so that the vicinity of the operation unit 70 of the electronic camera 100 can be easily seen. One or more are installed at the position, and are constituted by a combination of, for example, an LCD, an LED, and a sound generating element. In addition, the notification unit 54 has a part of its function installed in the optical viewfinder 104.

  Among the notification contents of the notification unit 54, what is displayed on the LCD or the like includes single-shot / continuous-shot shooting display, self-timer display, compression rate display, number of recorded pixels, number of recorded pixels, number of remaining images that can be shot, shutter Speed display, Aperture value display, Exposure compensation display, Flash display, Red-eye reduction display, Macro shooting display, Buzzer setting display, Clock battery level display, Battery level display, Error display, Multi-digit number information display, Memory There are an attachment / detachment state display of the medium 210 and the storage medium 210, a date / time display, and the like.

  Among the notification contents of the notification unit 54, what is displayed in the optical finder 104 includes in-focus display, camera shake warning display, flash charge display, shutter speed display, aperture value display, exposure correction display, and the like.

  As the nonvolatile memory 56, an electrically erasable / recordable memory such as an EEPROM is used.

  A mode dial switch 60, a shutter switch (SW 1) 62, a shutter switch (SW 2) 64, an image display ON / OFF switch 66, a quick review ON / OFF switch 68, and an operation unit 70 give various operation instructions of the system control circuit 50. It is for inputting, and is composed of one or a plurality of combinations such as a switch, a dial, a touch panel, pointing by eye-gaze detection, and a voice recognition device. Specifically, it has the following functions.

  The mode dial switch 60 switches each function mode such as power off, automatic shooting mode, shooting mode, panoramic shooting mode, playback mode, multi-screen playback / erase mode, and PC connection mode.

  The shutter switch (SW1) 62 is turned on while a shutter button (not shown) is being pressed, and AF (autofocus) processing, AE (automatic exposure) processing, AWB (auto white balance) processing, EF (flash pre-flash) processing, etc. Instruct the start of operation.

  The shutter switch (SW2) 64 is turned on upon completion of pressing a shutter button (not shown), and an exposure for writing a signal read from the image sensor 14 to the memory 30 via the A / D converter 16 and the memory control circuit 22. Processing, development processing using operations in the image processing circuit 20 and the memory control circuit 22, image data is read from the memory 30, compressed by the image compression / decompression circuit 32, and the image data is stored in the storage medium 200 or the storage medium 210. An instruction to start an operation of a series of processing called recording processing to be written is given.

  The image display ON / OFF switch 66 sets ON / OFF of the image display unit 28. With this function, when photographing using the optical viewfinder 104, it is possible to save power by cutting off the current supply to the image display unit 28 including a TFT LCD or the like.

  The quick review ON / OFF switch 68 sets a quick review function that automatically reproduces captured image data immediately after shooting. Also provided is a function for setting a quick review function when the image display unit 28 is turned off.

  The operation unit 70 includes various buttons, a touch panel, and the like. A menu button, a set button, a macro button, a multi-screen playback page break button, a flash setting button, a single shooting / continuous shooting / self-timer switching button, a menu movement + (plus) button. , Menu movement-(minus) button, Playback image movement + (plus) button, Playback image-(minus) button, Shooting image quality selection button, Exposure compensation button, Date / time setting button, Image deletion button, Image deletion cancel button, etc. There is.

  The power control unit 80 includes a battery detection circuit, a DC-DC converter, a switch circuit that switches a block to be energized, and the like, and detects whether or not the power supply 86 is equipped with a battery, the type of battery, and the remaining battery level. The DC-DC converter is controlled based on the result and an instruction from the system control circuit 50, and a necessary voltage is supplied to each unit including the recording medium for a necessary period.

  The power source 86 includes a primary battery such as an alkaline battery or a lithium battery, a secondary battery such as a NiCd battery, a NiMH battery, or a Li battery, an AC adapter, and the like, and is connected to the power control unit 80 via the connector 82 and the connector 84.

  The interface 90 and the interface 94 are interfaces with the storage medium 200 and the storage medium 210, respectively. The connector 92 and the connector 96 are connectors for connecting to the storage medium 200 and the storage medium 210, respectively. It is detected whether or not the storage medium 200 and the imaging lens 10 storage medium 210 are attached to the connector 96, respectively.

  Although the present embodiment has been described as having two systems of interfaces and connectors for attaching the recording medium, the interface and connectors for attaching the recording medium may have a single or a plurality of systems. Moreover, it is good also as a structure provided with combining the interface and connector of a different standard. For example, the interface and the connector can be configured using a PCMCIA card, a CF (Compact Flash (registered trademark)) card, or the like that conforms to a standard.

  Further, when the interface 90 and the interface 94, and the connector 92 and the connector 96 are configured using a PCMCIA card, a CF (Compact Flash (registered trademark)) card, or the like, a LAN card, a modem card, or a USB card is used. Management data attached to image data and image data with peripheral devices such as other computers and printers by connecting various communication cards such as IEEE 1394 card, P1284 card, SCSI card, PHS etc. It is also possible to adopt a configuration in which these are transferred.

  The protection unit 102 prevents the dirt and breakage by covering the imaging lens 10 of the electronic camera 100.

  If the optical viewfinder 104 is used, it is possible to take a picture without using the electronic viewfinder function of the image display unit 28. Further, in the optical viewfinder 104, some functions of the notification unit 54, such as an in-focus display, a camera shake warning display, a flash charge display, a shutter speed display, an aperture value display, and an exposure correction display, are installed.

  The communication unit 110 has various communication functions such as RS232C, USB, IEEE1394, P1284, SCSI, modem, LAN, and wireless communication. The connector 112 is used when the communication unit 110 connects the electronic camera 100 to other devices such as an external memory unit. When the communication unit 110 is based on wireless communication, an antenna is installed instead of the connector 112.

  A storage medium 200 as a camera memory includes a recording unit 202 made of a semiconductor memory, a magnetic disk, or the like, an interface 204 with the electronic camera 100, and a connector 206 for connecting with the electronic camera 100.

In addition, the storage medium 210 as another in-camera memory includes a recording unit 212 made of a semiconductor memory, a magnetic disk, or the like, an interface 214 with the electronic camera 100, and a connector 206 for connecting with the electronic camera 100.
FIG. 1B is a perspective view of the electronic camera 100. 1A, the image display unit 28, the mode dial switch 60, the shutter switch (SW1) 62, the shutter switch (SW2) 64, the image display ON / OFF switch 66, the operation unit 70, and the connector 112 are shown. .

  The operation unit 70 further includes a SET button 70-1, a MENU button 70-2, an ERASE button 70-3, and a cross button 70-4.

  The SET button 70-1 is used for determining a menu displayed by operating the MENU button 70-2. The MENU button 70-2 is a button for turning on / off a menu screen for changing shooting parameters and camera settings. This menu screen is displayed on the image display unit 28. The ERASE button 70-3 is a button for deleting the image selected on the menu screen. The cross button 70-4 is used to move items on the menu screen or to move images by pressing the left and right buttons in the playback mode.

<Memory operation>
Hereinafter, a memory operation in the electronic camera of the present embodiment having the above-described configuration will be described.

  FIG. 2A is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a cradle 300 as an external memory unit that can be connected to the electronic camera 100. The cradle 300 is a device for charging the power source 86 when the power source 86 of the connected electronic camera 100 is a secondary battery. The cradle 300 includes a memory (not shown), and the communication control unit 304 performs communication control by connecting the connector 306 and the connector 112 of the electronic camera 100, and the memory control unit 302 is controlled from the electronic camera 100. Through this, a memory (not shown) in the cradle 300 is controlled. The cradle 300 can be connected to an external device such as a personal computer via a communication cable 308 to transfer data.

  FIG. 2B is a perspective view of the cradle 300. By connecting the connector 112 of the electronic camera 100 to the connector 306, the memory in the cradle 300 can be controlled from the electronic camera 100.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram in which the electronic camera 100 and the cradle 300 are connected. The user switches between the operation unit 70 of the electronic camera 100 and selects which one of the memory in the electronic camera 100 (hereinafter also simply referred to as “memory in the camera”) or the memory in the cradle 300 is to be operated, and the image data in each memory Can be displayed and deleted, and image data can be transferred between the memories.

  FIG. 4 shows an example of a screen displayed on the image display unit 28 when the electronic camera 100 and the cradle 300 are connected and the memory is operated. As shown in FIG. 4, the electronic camera 100 according to the present embodiment employs a GUI that instructs various settings and processes by selecting a hierarchical menu by operating the operation unit 70. FIG. 4 shows a playback menu screen (FIG. 4A) and a memory selection screen (FIG. 4B) displayed in response to the selection of the memory selection menu from the playback menu screen. The memory selection screen is for switching (selecting) the memory in the electronic camera 100 that is the internal memory, that is, the storage medium 200 and the storage medium 210, and the memory in the cradle 300 that is the memory in the external memory unit. This is the screen. 4C to 4F show screens corresponding to various operations that can be performed when the memory in the cradle 300 is set as an operation target. In the present embodiment, the “memory in the electronic camera 100” means the storage medium 200 and the storage medium 210. However, any other storage medium may be used as long as the storage medium can be built in or attached to the electronic camera 100. .

  When the MENU button 70-2 is pressed, the system control circuit 50 displays a reproduction menu screen shown in FIG. 4A on the image display unit 28 via the memory control circuit 22. When the “memory selection” item is selected with the up and down buttons of the cross button 70-4 and the SET button 70-1 is pressed, a memory selection screen shown in FIG. 4B is displayed on the image display unit 28. The system control circuit 50 is an item that is displayed only when the connection of the cradle 300 is detected, and is not displayed when the cradle 300 is not connected. For this reason, when the electronic camera 100 is not connected to the external memory unit, there is an advantage that the electronic camera can be handled without being aware of the memory switching.

  On the memory selection screen shown in FIG. 4B, the user can select which of the memory in the electronic camera 100 (“camera”) and the memory in the cradle 300 (“cradle”) is to be operated. When “cradle” is selected here, the system control circuit 50 reads the image recorded in the memory in the cradle 300 and displays it on the image display unit 28 as shown in FIG. At this time, information that clearly indicates the currently operated memory is also displayed (“cradle” display in the upper right in FIG. 4C). When the ERASE button 70-3 is pressed here, a confirmation screen as to whether or not to delete the image displayed from the memory in the cradle 300 is displayed on the image display unit 28 as shown in FIG. When deletion is selected, a deletion instruction is given from the system control circuit 50 to the memory control unit 302 through the connector 112, the connector 306, and the communication control unit 304, and the memory control unit 302 is currently displayed in response to this instruction. Is deleted from the memory in the cradle 300.

In the present embodiment, as an example, the upper button of the cross button 70-4 when memory selection is performed and an image is displayed is defined as a copy button. When the up button, that is, the copy button is pressed, as shown in FIG. 4E, only the currently displayed image in the memory in the cradle 300 is copied to the image display unit 28 in the memory in the electronic camera 100. Alternatively, a confirmation screen as to whether or not to copy all images in the memory in the cradle 300 to the memory in the electronic camera 100 is displayed. When the SET button 70-1 is pressed, a copy instruction is given from the system control circuit 50 to the memory control unit 302 through the connector 112, the connector 306, and the communication control unit 304. In response to this, the memory control unit 302 transfers the currently displayed image or all the images in the cradle 300 according to the content of the selected item to the electronic camera 100 via the connector 306 and the connector 112. The system control circuit 50 of the electronic camera 100 records the transferred image on the storage medium 200 or the storage medium 210, and the copying is completed.
When the SET button 70-1 is pressed in a state where cancel is selected on the deletion screen (FIG. 4D) or the copy screen (FIG. 4E), the original image shown in FIG. The one shown in (c) is displayed. As shown in FIG. 4F, when the right button or the left button of the cross button 70-4 is pressed, the image data recorded in the memory in the cradle 300 is sequentially displayed on the image display unit 28.

  4B, when “camera” is selected and the memory in the electronic camera 100 is selected as an operation target, an image is read out from the storage medium 200 or the storage medium 210 and displayed. To the unit 28. Subsequent deletion operations and copy operations are basically the same as those in the case where the in-cradle memory is the operation object, except that the target image is an image recorded in the in-camera memory. However, the display indicating the operation target memory at the upper right of the screen is “camera”. In this way, the user can operate the memory in the electronic camera 100 in the same manner as when the cradle memory is selected as an operation target, and the image data in the memory in the electronic camera 100 can be copied to the cradle 300 memory. It is also possible to do.

  When the “memory selection” item is selected by pressing the MENU button 70-2 from the playback menu, the electronic camera 100 is connected to the cradle 300 instead of displaying the memory selection screen shown in FIG. The system control circuit 50 has a function of detecting this, and when the connection is detected, the memory selection screen of FIG. 4B can be automatically displayed on the image display unit 28.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart regarding the copy operation process. As described above, when the user selects “cradle”, that is, the memory in the cradle 300 on the memory selection screen in FIG. 4B (S1001), the system control circuit 50 displays the image display unit 28 in FIG. 4C. The image data in the memory in the external memory unit as shown is displayed (S1002). When the user presses the copy button (here, the upper button of the cross button 70-4), the system control circuit 50 displays a copy confirmation screen as shown in FIG. Here, when the user selects “copy image to camera” for copying only the currently displayed image (S1003), the memory control unit 302 copies the display image to the memory in the electronic camera 100 (S1004). When the user selects “camera”, that is, the memory in the electronic camera 100 on the screen shown in FIG. 4B, the system control circuit 50 displays the image data in the memory in the electronic camera 100 on the image display unit 28 ( Similarly, when the user selects a copy of the image currently displayed (S1006), the system control circuit 50 copies the display image to the memory in the cradle 300 (S1007).

  In the present embodiment, the cradle 300 is used as an example of the external memory unit. However, the type of the external memory unit is not limited as long as an image can be read out or deleted from the electronic camera 100. Therefore, for example, an external memory unit using a hard disk drive may be used.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, in the imaging apparatus, the memory to be operated can be easily switched or selected between the internal memory and the external memory. The memory in the external memory unit can be operated easily and easily. In addition, when the imaging device is not connected to the external memory unit, a menu for selecting or switching the memory to be operated is not displayed. There is no need to specify the camera memory. Therefore, the operability of the image pickup apparatus alone is not impaired.

<Second Embodiment>
In the first embodiment, the cradle 300 only has a built-in memory, but in the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, a memory such as a CF (Compact Flash (registered trademark)) card or an SD card is used. A card slot 310 is provided. In the present embodiment, the configuration of the electronic camera 100 may be the same as that of the first embodiment, and the description thereof is omitted.
In this case, in the configuration of FIG. 2A, a memory card slot 310 is added, and the memory control unit 302 performs detection / access of a memory card inserted in the memory card slot 310. As a result, display and deletion of image data in the memory card 312 inserted in the memory card slot 310 in addition to the memory in the external memory unit by communication with the memory control unit 302 from the electronic camera 100, It is possible to copy image data between the memory cards 312.

  Further, when the memory in the electronic camera 100 is a CF (Compact Flash (registered trademark)) card and the memory card slot 310 is an SD card slot, it is called a CF (Compact Flash (registered trademark)) card and an SD card. Image data can be copied between different memory cards.

  Further, the cradle 300 may be configured to have a plurality of memory card slots. The plurality of memory card slots handle different memory cards such as a CF (Compact Flash (registered trademark)) card and an SD card. It may be.

  In the present embodiment, for example, when the connection of the cradle 300 is detected, the system control circuit 50 acquires information about the type and number of memory cards installed in the memory card slot 310 from the memory control unit 302. Then, when the memory selection menu of FIG. 4B is displayed, it becomes an operation target according to the type and number of memory cards installed in the memory card slot 310 such as “camera, cradle, CF card”. Change the display of the item for selecting memory.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the cradle 300 has one or more memory card slots. Therefore, in addition to the effect achieved by the first embodiment, a more flexible inter-memory data copy function can be provided to the user.

<Other embodiments>
The processing of each embodiment described above provides a system or apparatus with a storage medium storing software program codes embodying each function, and the system or apparatus computer (or CPU or MPU) stores the storage medium. It can also be realized by reading and executing the program code stored in the. In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention. As a storage medium for supplying such a program code, for example, a floppy (registered trademark) disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, CD-R, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, ROM Etc. can be used.

  Further, by executing the program code read by the computer, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also an OS (Operating System) running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. Includes the case where the functions of the respective embodiments described above are realized by performing part or all of the actual processing.

  Furthermore, after the program code read from the storage medium is written to the memory provided in the function expansion board inserted into the computer or the function expansion unit connected to the computer, the function is based on the instruction of the program code. This includes the case where the CPU or the like provided in the expansion board or function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.

1 is a configuration block diagram of an electronic camera common to each embodiment of the present invention. It is a perspective view of the electronic camera common to each embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram and a perspective view of a cradle used in an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the state which connected the electronic camera and cradle of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of the image display part of the electronic camera of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the copy process of the image data between the memory in a cradle and the memory in an electronic camera from the electronic camera of this invention. It is a figure when the cradle connected with the electronic camera of this invention has a memory card slot.

Explanation of symbols

100: Electronic camera 200: Recording medium 210: Recording medium 300: Cradle

Claims (9)

An imaging device having an internal memory,
Connection means for connecting to an external memory unit having a memory capable of file operation from the imaging device;
Operation means for the user to give an instruction to the imaging device;
Display means for displaying a user interface that allows the operation means to select an image file recorded in either the internal memory or the memory in the external memory unit as an operation target;
Control means for executing the file operation instructed via the operation means, with the image file recorded in the memory selected via the user interface as an operation target;
An imaging apparatus comprising: And further comprising detecting means for detecting connection of the external memory unit,
The display means displays the user interface only when the detection means detects the connection of the external memory unit,
The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the detection unit does not detect connection of the external memory unit, the control unit targets an internal memory of the imaging apparatus.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the display unit displays the user interface when the detection unit detects connection of the external memory unit. The external memory unit has a configuration in which a memory other than the memory can be attached and detached,
Furthermore, it has memory information acquisition means for acquiring information about the memory of the external memory unit,
4. The memory according to claim 1, wherein the display unit changes a memory that can be selected from the user interface according to information about the memory included in the external memory unit acquired by the memory information acquisition unit. The imaging apparatus of Claim 1.   5. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the file operation includes at least one of display, copy, and deletion of the image file.   The imaging apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the external memory unit is a cradle having a function of charging a power source of the imaging apparatus. A control method for an imaging apparatus having an internal memory and a connection means for connecting an external memory unit having a file operable memory,
A display step of displaying a user interface that allows a user to select an image file recorded in either the internal memory or the memory in the external memory unit as an operation target;
An execution step of executing a file operation instructed by a user with an image file recorded in a memory selected via the user interface as an operation target;
An image pickup apparatus control method comprising:   8. The method according to claim 7, further comprising a step of detecting that the external memory unit is connected to the imaging device, wherein the display step is executed when the connection is detected. Control method of imaging apparatus.   9. The method of controlling an imaging apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the external memory unit is a cradle having a function of charging a power source of the imaging apparatus.

Images