JP2006163714A - Imaging device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an imaging device for forming an image of a subject and creating and recording image data indicative of the subject according to imaging operations, the imaging device having a built-in hard disk device with software stored therein, and reducing the time from the start of a starting process until a state where imaging operations are possible is reached. <P>SOLUTION: Initialization software among the software executed by a CPU 140 is stored in a ROM 152 which can execute the initialization software at higher speed than it executes the software stored in the hard disk device 162. The execution of the initialization software stored in the ROM 152 and the execution of an operation for reading application software and basic software stored in the hard disk device 162 into a RAM 153 are processed in parallel. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a photographing apparatus that forms a subject image and generates and records image data representing the subject in accordance with a photographing operation.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a photographing apparatus such as a digital camera that captures image data representing an object by forming an image of the object on an image sensor is known. Recording media used in such a photographing apparatus include SmartMedia (registered trademark), xD-Picture Card (registered trademark), SD memory card (registered trademark), CompactFlash (registered trademark), Memory Stick (registered trademark), and the like. Various memory cards are commercially available from various companies, and image data representing a subject is recorded on the loaded memory card by shooting with a predetermined memory card loaded in the photographing apparatus.

In recent years, digital cameras capable of obtaining high-quality still images have become widespread, and when recording high-quality still images with such digital cameras, the data size of each image data is increased. Therefore, there is a demand for a recording medium having a capacity larger than that of the memory card described above. As a large-capacity recording medium used in the photographing apparatus, for example, a hard disk device represented by a microdrive is known (for example, refer to Patent Document 1). In addition, when an operating system or application software is stored in a hard disk device built in the photographing device, when the photographing device is started up by operating the power button of the photographing device, the hard disk device stores the operating system or application software. The read operating system and application software are read from the hard disk device to a volatile memory such as a RAM, and a process based on the read software is executed to enable a photographing operation.
JP 2004-187057 A

  The hard disk device incorporated in the photographing apparatus proposed in Patent Document 1 described above incorporates a magnetic disk that is a recording medium. When the start-up process of the photographing apparatus is started, the magnetic disk is rotated by a motor. Thus, the data can be reproduced after the predetermined rotation speed is reached. Therefore, the shooting operation is started from the start of the start-up process, in which the start-up process of the shooting apparatus is started, the operating system and application software are read from the hard disk device to the volatile memory, and the process based on the read software is executed. The series of processes until the camera is ready to take a long time will be time-consuming, and in a photographing apparatus that is required to be ready for photographing as soon as the photographing apparatus is started, There is a risk that a photo opportunity will be missed while the process is being executed.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above circumstances, the present invention provides an imaging device in which the time from the start of startup processing to the state in which an imaging operation is possible is shortened in an imaging device incorporating a hard disk device in which software is stored. It is for the purpose.

The photographing apparatus of the present invention that achieves the above object provides:
In a photographing apparatus that forms a subject image and generates and records image data representing the subject in accordance with a photographing operation.
A CPU for executing software;
A non-volatile memory for storing a part of software executed by the CPU;
A hard disk device for storing software excluding software stored in the nonvolatile memory among software executed by the CPU;
A volatile memory for storing software read from the hard disk device,
The CPU processes in parallel the execution of software stored in the non-volatile memory and the operation of reading the software stored in the hard disk device from the hard disk device to the volatile memory. It is characterized by.

  In the photographing apparatus of the present invention, a part of the software executed by the CPU is stored in a non-volatile memory represented by a ROM that can be executed at a higher speed than the software stored in the hard disk device. Therefore, the execution of the software stored in the non-volatile memory and the execution of the operation of reading the software stored in the hard disk device into the volatile memory are processed in parallel. Therefore, for example, in the photographing apparatus of the present invention in which the non-volatile memory stores, as part of the software, software that performs processing from the start of the photographing apparatus start-up process until the photographing operation becomes possible. Therefore, in the conventional photographing apparatus in which all software including this part of software is stored in the hard disk device, the time is shorter than the time from the start of the start process until the photographing operation becomes possible. The camera is ready for shooting operation.

  Note that the software stored in the non-volatile memory may be executed as it is stored in the non-volatile memory, or once transferred from the non-volatile memory to the volatile memory and stored, and the volatile Software stored in the memory may be executed.

  Here, in the photographing apparatus of the present invention, it is preferable that the hard disk device stores software in a compressed format.

  The software in the compressed format can execute the operation of reading from the hard disk device to the volatile memory in a shorter time than before the software is compressed. In addition, since the area of software stored in the hard disk device is small, it is possible to store more image data obtained by shooting in the hard disk device.

  In the imaging apparatus of the present invention, it is also preferable that the nonvolatile memory stores a part of application software of the application software and an operating system as the part of software.

  By storing the operating system in the nonvolatile memory, the operation time for reading from the hard disk device to the volatile memory is shortened accordingly.

  According to the present invention, there is provided an imaging apparatus in which the time from the start of the start process to the state where the imaging operation can be performed is shortened in the imaging apparatus having a built-in hard disk device in which software is stored.

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

  Here, the present invention operates by receiving power from a loaded secondary battery, and forms an image of a subject on an imaging device (here, Charge Coupled Device: CCD), and the subject is captured. An embodiment applied to a digital camera that captures captured image data to be represented will be described. This digital camera is a digital camera having a retractable lens barrel that advances and retracts in the direction of the optical axis with respect to the digital camera body. The lens barrel is extended when shooting, and the lens barrel is not used when shooting. This is a digital camera that is further retracted from the focal length region of the lens and the lens tip does not protrude from the digital camera body.

  FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a digital camera to which the first embodiment of the photographing apparatus of the present invention is applied as seen from diagonally above the front, and FIG. 2 is a diagram of the digital camera shown in FIG. It is an external perspective view. FIG. 1 shows a non-photographing state where the lens barrel is retracted and the lens tip does not protrude from the digital camera body.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a photographing lens 101 including a zoom lens and a focus lens that focuses on a subject is provided at the center of the front of the digital camera 100 in terms of appearance. In addition, an optical viewfinder objective window 102 that a photographer peeks at in order to determine the position of the subject and a flash light emitting device 103 that emits light in synchronization with pressing of the shutter release button 105 are provided at the upper front of the digital camera 100. It has been. Furthermore, a slide-type power button 104 and a shutter release button 105 that is pressed during shooting are provided on the upper surface of the digital camera 100. The shutter release button 105 can be pressed in two stages of half-press and full-press, and a motor attached to the focus lens in the photographic lens 101 is driven in the optical axis direction to focus on the central region of the photographic field angle. When focusing by the focus function is continuously performed and the shutter release button 105 is half-pressed, a focus lock is set to fix the position of the focus lens to the position at the time when the shutter release button 105 is half-pressed. When fully pressed, the shutter is released and actual shooting is performed. Inside the digital camera 100, a CCD 113 (see FIG. 3) provided on the back surface of the taking lens 101 is provided. The subject light that has passed through the photographing lens 101 enters the CCD 113 and is converted into an analog image signal that is an electrical signal.

  As shown in FIG. 2, on the back of the digital camera 100, zoom operation keys comprising an optical viewfinder eyepiece window 106, a menu button 1071, a screen switching button 1072, an operation unit 1073a, and an operation unit 1073b are provided. 1073, a cross key 1074 for performing various selection operations, an execution button 1075 for confirming settings changed by various operations, and a liquid crystal display (LCD) panel 108 for displaying images and menus. Yes. When one operation unit 1073a of the zoom operation key 1073 is pressed, the lens barrel moves from the retracted state to the maximum extended state while the button is kept pressed, and when the other operation unit 1073b of the zoom operation key 1073 is pressed. The lens barrel moves from the extended state to the retracted state while continuing to push.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the digital camera 100 shown in FIGS. Each arrow shown in FIG. 3 represents a control line.

  The digital camera 100 includes an optical system 110, an optical system drive unit 120, an image signal processing unit 130, a CPU 140, an operation unit 141, a capacitor charging control unit 142, a flash light emitting device 143, a power supply control unit 144, a secondary battery 145, and a memory. An I / F 151, a ROM 152, a RAM 153, a hard disk I / F 161, a hard disk device 162, and an image display device 170 are provided. The optical system 110 includes a zoom lens 111, an iris 112, and a focus lens 113. In addition, the optical system driving unit 120 includes a zoom motor 121, an aperture motor 122, and a focus motor 123. Further, the image signal processing unit 130 includes a CCD 131, an analog signal processing unit 132, an ADC (Analog to Digital Converter) 133, and a digital signal processing unit 134.

  First, the elements of the optical system 110 and the optical system driving unit 120 will be described.

  The zoom lens 111 is a lens related to a change in focal length. Originally, an optical system of a photographing apparatus such as a digital camera is provided with a plurality of lenses, and at least one of the plurality of lenses is largely involved in the focus adjustment, and the relative position of each lens is the focal length. In FIG. 3, a lens related to a change in focal length is schematically shown as a zoom lens 111, and a lens related to focus adjustment is schematically shown as a focus lens 113. Show. A zoom motor 121 is attached to the zoom lens 111, and the zoom motor 121 is driven by an instruction signal in accordance with an instruction from the CPU 140. When the operation unit 1073a or the operation unit 1073b of the zoom operation key 1073 is operated, an instruction signal from the CPU 140 according to an instruction to move the zoom lens 111 within a predetermined driving range is given to the zoom motor 121. When the zoom motor 121 rotates according to the instruction signal, the zoom lens 111 moves.

  The iris 112 is provided with two holes of different sizes (not shown). An iris motor 122 is attached to the iris 112, and the iris motor 122 is driven by an instruction signal in accordance with an instruction from the CPU 140. When an instruction signal according to an instruction from the CPU 140 is given to the diaphragm motor 122 and the diaphragm motor 122 rotates according to the instruction signal, the hole provided in the iris 112 is switched. By such switching, the amount of subject light is adjusted.

  The focus lens 113 is a lens for focusing on the subject. A focus motor 123 is attached to the focus lens 113, and the focus motor 123 is driven by an instruction signal in accordance with an instruction from the CPU 140. In response to an instruction from the CPU 140 for moving the focus lens 113 within a predetermined driving range, an instruction for the in-focus position for moving the focus lens 113 toward the in-focus position, etc., an instruction signal in accordance with these instructions is issued. It is given to the focus motor 123. When the focus motor 123 rotates according to the instruction signal, the focus lens 113 moves.

  The above is the configuration of the optical system 110 and the optical system driving unit 120.

  Next, elements for photographing a subject and subjecting the photographed image to signal processing by the image signal processing unit 130 will be described.

  The operation unit 141 includes a power button 104, a shutter release button 105, a menu button 1071, a screen switching button 1072, a zoom operation key 1073 including an operation unit 1073a and an operation unit 1073b, a cross key 1074, and the like illustrated in FIGS. The execution buttons 1075 are collectively displayed, and each button is connected to each switch that is turned on and off in synchronization with the operation of each button. When these switches are set, the CPU 126 is informed of the setting status of each switch.

  When the secondary battery 145 is loaded into the digital camera 100 and the power button 104 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is slid to turn on the power switch, the digital camera 100 is driven.

  The CCD 131 receives subject light that has passed through the photographing lens 101 of FIG. 1 and reads a subject image based on the subject light as a subject signal that is an analog signal. This subject signal is output to the analog signal processing unit 132 in accordance with an instruction from the CPU 140.

  The CPU 140 sends an instruction to output a subject signal to the CCD 131 at predetermined time intervals or when the shutter release button 105 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is pressed. The analog signal processing unit 132 adjusts the amplification factor and amplifies the subject signal with the adjusted amplification factor. The ADC 133 converts the subject signal into captured image data that is digital data. The digital camera 100 generates photographed image data before the actual photographing in order to perform a focusing operation for detecting the focusing position of the focus lens 113. Also, high-resolution photographed image data generated during actual photographing is sent to the RAM 153 via the memory I / F 151 and written therein. The digital signal processing unit 134 reads the captured image data generated at the time of actual photographing and written in the RAM 153 from the RAM 153 via the memory I / F 151, and adjusts the RGB level of the captured image data, gamma adjustment, compression processing, and the like. I do. The hard disk device 162 is a recording medium for recording photographed image data, and the photographed image data is recorded on the hard disk device 162 via the hard disk I / F 161. The hard disk device 162 also includes application software (hereinafter referred to as application software) that operates the digital camera 100 except for initialization software stored in a ROM 152, which will be described later, and an operating system (hereinafter referred to as application software). This operating system is called basic software). The hard disk device 162 corresponds to an example of a hard disk device according to the present invention.

  The image display device 170 causes the LCD panel 108 (see FIG. 2) to display a captured image represented by a menu screen or captured image data. The image display device 170 also displays the remaining battery level of the secondary battery 145 on the LCD panel 108 (see FIG. 2) via the power control unit 144.

  The capacitor charging control unit 142 receives power from the secondary battery 145 to charge the main capacitor, and the flash light emitting device 143 emits flash upon receiving the power stored in the main capacitor. is there.

  The ROM 152 stores initialization software, opening screen, and opening activation sound among software for operating the digital camera 100. The initialization software here refers to initialization of each device provided in the digital camera 100 such as initialization of the hard disk device 162 and the image display device 170, self-test, check of the RAM 153, etc., and when the power switch is turned on. Software for executing a series of initialization processes such as display of an opening screen on the LCD panel 108, ringing of an opening start sound, and extension operation of a retractable lens barrel. The ROM 152 corresponds to an example of a nonvolatile memory according to the present invention.

  In the RAM 153, captured image data temporarily stored at the time of shooting is written, or software transferred from the hard disk device 162 or the ROM 152 is temporarily stored. The RAM 153 corresponds to an example of a volatile memory referred to in the present invention.

  The CPU 140 controls various elements of the digital camera 100 shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 and executes initialization software, application software, and basic software. The CPU 140 corresponds to an example of a CPU according to the present invention.

  The digital camera 100 of the first embodiment is basically configured as described above.

  Here, the feature of the digital camera 100 as the first embodiment of the present invention is that the initialization software, application software, and basic software during the period from the start of the start processing until the shooting operation is possible. This operation will be described below.

  FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram schematically showing mapping in the RAM 153, and FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining a flow in which initialization software, application software, and basic software are executed.

  The operation described in the flowchart shown in FIG. 5 is started when the power button 104 is slid.

  First, in response to the slide operation of the power button 104, the initialization software stored in the ROM 152 shown in FIG. 3 is transferred to the RAM 153 and stored in the RAM 153 by the CPU 140, as shown in FIG. The initialization software is executed by the CPU 140 (step S11). By executing the initialization software in step S11, initialization of each device provided in the digital camera 100 such as initialization of the hard disk device 162 and the image display device 170, self-test, check of the RAM 153, etc., and a power switch were turned on. A series of initialization processes such as display of an opening screen on the LCD panel 108 at the time, ringing of an opening start sound, and extension operation of a retractable lens barrel are executed.

  In parallel with the processing in step S11, in response to the slide operation of the power button 104, as shown in FIG. 4, the application software and basic software stored in the hard disk device 162 shown in FIG. The data is transferred to the RAM 153 and read out (steps S12 and S13).

  Next, after the processing in step S11, step S12, and step S13 is completed, the application software and basic software read to the RAM 153 in step S12 and step S13 are executed by the CPU 140 (step S14, step S15).

  As described above, the digital camera 100 according to the first embodiment described above performs processing from the start of the activation processing of the digital camera 100 to the state in which the photographing operation can be performed, out of the software executed by the CPU 140. The initialization software is stored in the ROM 152 that can be executed faster than executing the software stored in the hard disk device 162, and the initialization software stored in the ROM 152 is executed and stored in the hard disk device 162. The application software and basic software that are read out to the RAM 153 are processed in parallel. Therefore, according to the digital camera 100 of the first embodiment, in a conventional digital camera in which all software including initialization software is stored in the hard disk device, a shooting operation can be performed after starting processing is started. The shooting operation can be performed in a time shorter than the time until

  In the first embodiment described above, the initialization software stored in the ROM 152 is temporarily transferred to and stored in the RAM 153, and the initialization software stored in the RAM 153 is executed. The stored initialization software may be executed while being stored in the ROM 152.

  Above, description of 1st Embodiment of this invention is complete | finished.

  Next, as a second embodiment, a description will be given of an embodiment in which a hard disk device stores software in a compressed format in a digital camera incorporating a hard disk device in which software is stored.

  In the second embodiment described below, since the apparatus configuration is substantially the same as the apparatus configuration described in the first embodiment, the difference from the first embodiment is noted, and the same elements are denoted by the same reference numerals. The description is omitted.

  FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a digital camera 200 to which the second embodiment of the photographing apparatus of the present invention is applied.

  The hard disk device 163 shown in FIG. 6 includes application software (hereinafter referred to as application software) that operates the digital camera 200 except for initialization software stored in a ROM 154, which will be described later, and an operating system (hereinafter referred to as application software). The hard disk device 163 in which this operating system is referred to as basic software is stored in a compressed format, and corresponds to an example of a hard disk device according to the present invention.

  The ROM 154 stores initialization software, opening screen, and opening activation sound among software for operating the digital camera 200. The initialization software here refers to initialization of each device provided in the digital camera 200 such as initialization of the hard disk device 163 and the image display device 170, self-test, check of the RAM 155, etc., and when the power switch is turned on. Software for executing a series of initialization processes such as display of an opening screen on the LCD panel 108, ringing of an opening start sound, and extension operation of a retractable lens barrel. The ROM 154 corresponds to an example of a nonvolatile memory according to the present invention.

  In the RAM 155, captured image data temporarily stored at the time of shooting is written, or software transferred from the hard disk device 163 or the ROM 154 is temporarily stored. The RAM 155 corresponds to an example of a volatile memory referred to in the present invention.

  The CPU 140 also controls various elements of the digital camera 200 and executes initialization software, application software, and basic software. The CPU 140 corresponds to an example of a CPU according to the present invention.

  The digital camera 200 of the second embodiment is basically configured as described above.

  Here, the feature of the digital camera 200 as an embodiment of the present invention is that the initialization software, application software, and basic software during the period from the start of the start processing until the shooting operation is possible. This operation will be described below.

  FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram schematically showing mapping in the RAM 155, and FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining a flow of executing initialization software, application software, and basic software.

  The operation described in the flowchart shown in FIG. 8 is started when the power button 104 is slid.

  First, in response to the slide operation of the power button 104, the initialization software stored in the ROM 154 shown in FIG. 6 is transferred and stored in the RAM 155 by the CPU 140 and stored in the RAM 155 as shown in FIG. The initialization software is executed by the CPU 140 (step S21). By executing the initialization software in step S21, initialization of each device provided in the digital camera 200 such as initialization of the hard disk device 163 and the image display device 170, self-test, check of the RAM 155, etc., and the power switch were turned on. A series of initialization processes such as display of an opening screen on the LCD panel 108 at the time, ringing of an opening start sound, and extension operation of a retractable lens barrel are executed.

  In parallel with the processing in step S21, application software stored in a compressed form in the hard disk device 163 shown in FIG. 6 as shown in FIG. The basic software is transferred to the RAM 155 and read by the CPU 140 (step S22). Further, the application software and basic software in the compressed format read to the RAM 155 in step S22 are expanded by the initialization software read to the RAM 155 in step S21 (step S23).

  Next, after the processes in step S21, step S22, and step S23 are completed, the application software and the basic software expanded in the RAM 153 in step S23 are executed by the CPU 140 (step S24, step S25).

  As described above, since the digital camera 200 according to the second embodiment stores software in a format in which the hard disk device 163 is compressed, an operation of reading data from the hard disk device 163 to the RAM 155 is performed before the software is compressed. Can be executed in a shorter time. Further, since the software area stored in the hard disk device 163 can be small, a large amount of captured image data obtained by photographing can be stored in the hard disk device 163.

  In the second embodiment described above, the compressed format software stored in the hard disk device 163 is expanded by the initialization software. However, if the digital camera includes a decoder, the software is compressed. The type of software may be deployed by the decoder.

  Above, description of 2nd Embodiment of this invention is complete | finished.

  Next, as a third embodiment, in a digital camera with a built-in hard disk device in which software is stored, a non-volatile memory is used as a part of software executed by the CPU. An embodiment for storing a part of application software and an operating system will be described.

  The third embodiment described below has almost the same device configuration as the device configuration described in the first embodiment, and therefore pays attention to the difference from the first embodiment, and the same elements are denoted by the same reference numerals. The description is omitted.

  FIG. 9 is a block diagram of a digital camera 300 to which the third embodiment of the photographing apparatus of the present invention is applied.

  The hard disk device 164 shown in FIG. 9 stores application software (hereinafter referred to as application software) that operates the digital camera 300 except for initialization software stored in a ROM 156 to be described later. The hard disk device 164 corresponds to an example of a hard disk device according to the present invention.

  The ROM 156 stores initialization software, operating system (hereinafter, this operating system is referred to as basic software), software for operating the digital camera 300, an opening screen, and opening activation sound. The initialization software here refers to initialization of each device provided in the digital camera 300 such as initialization of the hard disk device 164 and the image display device 170, self-test, check of the RAM 157, etc., and when the power switch is turned on. Software for executing a series of initialization processes such as display of an opening screen on the LCD panel 108, ringing of an opening start sound, and extension operation of a retractable lens barrel. The ROM 156 corresponds to an example of a nonvolatile memory according to the present invention.

  In the RAM 157, captured image data temporarily stored at the time of shooting is written, or software transferred from the hard disk device 164 or the ROM 156 is temporarily stored. The RAM 157 corresponds to an example of a volatile memory referred to in the present invention.

  The CPU 140 controls various elements of the digital camera 300, and executes initialization software, application software, and basic software. The CPU 140 corresponds to an example of a CPU according to the present invention.

  The digital camera 300 of the third embodiment is basically configured as described above.

  Here, the feature of the digital camera 300 as an embodiment of the present invention is that the initialization software, application software, and basic software during the period from the start of the start processing until the shooting operation is possible. This operation will be described below.

  FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram schematically showing mapping in the RAM 157, and FIG. 11 is a flowchart for explaining a flow of executing initialization software, application software, and basic software.

  The operation described in the flowchart shown in FIG. 11 is started when the power button 104 is slid.

  First, in response to the slide operation of the power button 104, the initialization software and the basic software stored in the ROM 156 shown in FIG. 9 are transferred to the RAM 157 by the CPU 140 and stored as shown in FIG. The initialization software and basic software stored in the are executed by the CPU 140 (step S31). By executing the initialization software in step S21, the initialization of each device provided in the digital camera 300 such as initialization of the hard disk device 164 and the image display device 170, self-test, check of the RAM 157, and the like, and the power switch are turned on. A series of initialization processes such as display of an opening screen on the LCD panel 108 at the time, ringing of an opening start sound, and extension operation of a retractable lens barrel are executed.

  In parallel with the processing in step S31, application software stored in the hard disk device 164 shown in FIG. 9 is transferred to the RAM 155 by the CPU 140 as shown in FIG. 10 in response to the slide operation of the power button 104. And read out (step S32).

  Next, after the processes in step S31 and step S22 are completed, the application software read into the RAM 153 in step S32 is executed by the CPU 140 (step S33).

  As described above, since the basic software is stored in the ROM 156 in the digital camera 200 according to the third embodiment described above, the operation time for reading from the hard disk device 163 to the RAM 155 is shortened accordingly.

  In the third embodiment described above, the initialization software and basic software stored in the ROM 152 are temporarily transferred to the RAM 153 and stored, and the initialization software and basic software stored in the RAM 153 are executed. As mentioned above, the initialization software and basic software stored in the ROM 152 may be executed while being stored in the ROM 152.

  Above, description of 3rd Embodiment of this invention is complete | finished.

  In each of the above-described embodiments, an example in which the present invention is applied to a digital camera that forms an image of a subject on a CCD and captures captured image data representing the subject has been described. For example, the present invention can be applied to a mobile phone or a portable information terminal having a photographing function.

It is the external appearance perspective view which looked at the digital camera to which 1st Embodiment of the imaging device of this invention was applied from front diagonally upward. It is the external appearance perspective view which looked at the digital camera shown in FIG. 1 from back diagonally upward. FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the digital camera 100 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. It is the schematic diagram which showed typically the mapping in RAM153. It is a flowchart explaining the flow in which the software for initialization, application software, and basic software are performed. It is a block diagram of the digital camera 200 with which 2nd Embodiment of the imaging device of this invention was applied. It is the schematic diagram which showed typically the mapping in RAM155. It is a flowchart explaining the flow in which the software for initialization, application software, and basic software are performed. It is a block diagram of the digital camera 300 with which 3rd Embodiment of the imaging device of this invention was applied. It is the schematic diagram which showed typically the mapping in RAM157. It is a flowchart explaining the flow in which the software for initialization, application software, and basic software are performed.

Explanation of symbols

100, 200, 300 Digital camera 101 Shooting lens 102 Optical viewfinder objective window 103 Flash light emitting device 104 Power button 105 Shutter release button 106 Optical viewfinder eyepiece window 1071 Menu button 1072 Screen switching button 1073 Zoom operation keys 1073a, 1073b Operation unit 1074 Cross key 1075 Execution button 108 LCD panel 110 Optical system 111 Zoom lens 112 Iris 113 Focus lens 120 Optical system drive unit 121 Zoom motor 122 Aperture motor 123 Focus motor 130 Image signal processing unit 131 CCD
132 Analog signal processing unit 133 ADC
134 Digital signal processor 140 CPU
141 Operation Unit 142 Capacitor Charge Control Unit 143 Flash Light Emitting Device 144 Power Supply Control Unit 145 Secondary Battery 151 Memory I / F
152,154,156 ROM
153, 155, 157 RAM
161 Hard disk I / F
162, 163, 164 Hard disk device 170 Image display device

Claims (3)

In a photographing apparatus that forms a subject image and generates and records image data representing the subject in accordance with a photographing operation.
A CPU for executing software;
A non-volatile memory storing a part of software executed by the CPU;
A hard disk device for storing software excluding software stored in the nonvolatile memory among software executed by the CPU;
A volatile memory storing software read from the hard disk device,
The CPU processes in parallel the execution of software stored in the non-volatile memory and the operation of reading the software stored in the hard disk device from the hard disk device to the volatile memory. An imaging device characterized by the above.   2. The photographing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the hard disk device stores software in a compressed format.   2. The photographing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the nonvolatile memory stores a part of application software and an operating system as the part of software.

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