JP2007143065A - Imaging device and activation control method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable an activation time to be reduced and an image to be easily recorded in a desired recording medium without adding a new arrangement to a device. <P>SOLUTION: An imaging device (100) with a plurality of recording media (200 and 210) attached thereto, measures time required for mounting processing of the recoding media respectively (S17, S21, S26, S31, and S34), and based on the measured time required for the mounting processing, controls so as to preferentially mount the first recording medium with the shortest mounting processing time in the recording media (S14, S16, and S20). After a completion of mounting of the first recording medium, an imaging ready state is set regardless of presence/absence of the mounting completion of other recording media (S28). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus such as a digital camera and a startup control method for the imaging apparatus.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been proposed one that selects and records one of a plurality of recording media connected to a digital camera in accordance with the amount of a captured video signal image and the shooting speed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  Also, a plurality of types of removable memory cards configured based on different standards can be connected, and one memory card can be selected for reading and writing, or writing to another memory card after writing one memory card An imaging device has also been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 2).

JP-A-2-146874 JP-A-4-158686

  Usually, when starting up a digital camera, it is necessary to perform processing for mounting a recording medium. In recent years, the time required for this has greatly influenced the start-up time of the digital camera.

  In the method described in Patent Document 1, a recording medium is selected according to the recording speed of the recording medium. However, since the recording speed does not necessarily match the time for mounting the recording medium at startup, I couldn't always guess the mount time. For this reason, if a recording medium that has a high recording speed but takes a long time to mount is mounted on the digital camera, it may take a long time to start up the digital camera and miss a photo opportunity. It was. Such a problem is not limited to a digital camera, but may also occur in a device that can operate as a digital camera.

  In Patent Document 2, the built-in memory can be expanded and images are sequentially recorded in the built-in memory, and recording is not performed on a removable recording medium.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and an object thereof is to shorten the startup time without adding a new configuration to an imaging apparatus such as a digital camera. Another object of the present invention is to make it possible to easily record an image on a desired recording medium.

  In order to achieve the above object, an imaging apparatus according to the present invention is, for example, an imaging apparatus in which a plurality of recording media can be mounted, and a measuring unit that respectively measures the time required for mounting the plurality of recording media. Mount control for controlling to preferentially mount the first recording medium having the shortest time required for the mounting process among the plurality of recording media based on the time required for the mounting process measured by the measuring means. And a control means for setting the photographing enabled state after mounting of the first recording medium regardless of whether or not mounting of the other recording medium is completed.

  In order to achieve the above object, an imaging apparatus activation control method according to the present invention is, for example, an imaging apparatus activation control method capable of mounting a plurality of recording media, wherein the plurality of recording media are mounted. The first recording medium having the shortest mount processing time among the plurality of recording media is prioritized on the basis of the measurement step for measuring the time required for each and the mount processing time measured in the measurement step. And mounting the first recording medium after the completion of mounting the first recording medium, and a setting process for setting the photographing enabled state regardless of whether or not the mounting of the other recording medium is completed.

  According to the present invention, the start-up time can be shortened without adding a new configuration to the apparatus. Further, it is possible to easily record an image on a desired recording medium.

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

<First Embodiment>
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing main components of the imaging apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The imaging apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment is not limited to a digital camera, and may be any apparatus as long as it can operate as a digital camera. For example, a digital video camera, a mobile phone with a digital camera, or the like can be configured as the imaging device 100.

  In FIG. 1, 10 is a lens unit, 12 is a shutter having a diaphragm function, 14 is an image sensor that converts an optical image into an electrical signal, and 16 is an A / D converter that converts an analog signal output of the image sensor 14 into a digital signal. It is. The image sensor 14 can be an image sensor such as a CCD sensor or a CMOS image sensor.

  A timing generator 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, respectively, and is controlled by the memory control unit 22 and the system control unit 50.

  An image processing unit 20 performs predetermined pixel interpolation processing and color conversion processing on the image data from the A / D converter 16 or the image data from the memory control unit 22. The image processing unit 20 performs predetermined calculation processing using the image data output from the A / D converter 16, and the system control unit 50 performs the following processing based on the obtained calculation result. TTL (through-the-lens) autofocus (AF) processing, automatic exposure (AE) processing, flash pre-flash (EF) processing. Further, the image processing unit 20 performs predetermined calculation processing using the image data output from the A / D converter 16, and also performs TTL auto white balance (AWB) processing based on the obtained calculation result. ing.

  A memory control unit 22 controls the A / D converter 16, the timing generation unit 18, the image processing unit 20, the image display memory 24, the D / A converter 26, the memory 30, and the compression / decompression unit 32. The image data output from the A / D converter 16 is written into the image display memory 24 or the memory 30 via the image processing unit 20, the memory control unit 22, or only through the memory control unit 22.

  Reference numeral 24 denotes an image display memory, 26 denotes a D / A converter, and 28 denotes an image display unit composed of a TFT LCD or the like. The display image data written in the image display memory 24 is converted into an image via the D / A converter 26. Displayed by the display unit 28. If the image data captured using the image display unit 28 is sequentially displayed, the electronic viewfinder function can be realized. The image display unit 28 can arbitrarily turn on / off the display according to an instruction from the system control unit 50. When the display is turned off, the power consumption of the imaging apparatus 100 can be significantly reduced. it can.

  Reference numeral 30 denotes a memory for storing captured still images and moving images, and has a storage capacity sufficient to store a predetermined number of still images and a predetermined time of moving images. Thereby, even in the case of continuous shooting or panoramic shooting in which a plurality of still images are continuously shot, a large amount of images can be written in the memory 30 at high speed. The memory 30 can also be used as a work area for the system control unit 50.

  A compression / decompression unit 32 compresses / decompresses image data by adaptive discrete cosine transform (ADCT) or the like, reads an image stored in the memory 30, performs compression processing or decompression processing, and the processed data is stored in the memory again. 30 is written.

  Reference numeral 50 denotes a system control unit that controls the entire imaging apparatus 100. A memory 52 stores constants, variables, programs, and the like for the operation of the system control unit 50.

  54 is a notification unit for notifying the outside of the operating state and message using characters, images, voices, etc. according to the execution of the program in the system control unit 50. A display unit that performs display, a sound generation element that performs voice notification, and the like are used. It is comprised by the combination of 1 or more of these. In particular, in the case of the display unit, one or a plurality of places are provided so that the vicinity of the operation unit 70 of the imaging apparatus 100 is easily visible. 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 is, for example, a single shot / continuous shooting display, a self-timer display, a compression rate display, a recording pixel number display, a recording number display, or a remaining image number display. , Shutter speed display, aperture value display. In addition, exposure compensation display, flash display, red-eye reduction display, macro photography display, buzzer setting display, clock battery level display, battery level display, error display, information display with multiple digits, recording media 200 and 210 Attachment / detachment state display, communication I / F operation display, date / time display, and the like.

  In addition, among the notification contents of the notification unit 54, what is displayed in the optical viewfinder 104 is, for example, in-focus display, shooting preparation completion display, camera shake warning display, flash charge display, flash charge completion display, shutter speed display, There are aperture value display and exposure compensation display.

  Further, among the notification contents of the notification unit 54, examples of what is displayed by an LED or the like include the following. Focus display, shooting preparation completion display, camera shake warning display, camera shake warning display, flash charge display, flash charge completion display, recording medium writing operation display, macro shooting setting notification display, secondary battery charge status display, etc.

  Of the notification contents of the notification unit 54, notification by a lamp or the like includes, for example, a self-timer notification lamp. This self-timer notification lamp may be used in common with AF auxiliary light.

  Reference numeral 56 denotes a nonvolatile memory capable of electrically erasing data. For example, an EEPROM or the like is used.

  Reference numerals 60, 62, 64, 66, 68, and 70 are operation means for inputting various operation instructions of the system control unit 50, such as a switch, a dial, a touch panel, pointing by gaze detection, a voice recognition device, or the like. Consists of multiple combinations.

  Here, a specific description of these operating means will be given.

  Reference numeral 60 denotes a mode dial switch, which can switch and set various function modes 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 button 62 includes a shutter switch SW1 and a shutter switch SW2. When the shutter button 62 is pressed halfway, the shutter switch SW1 is turned on. When the shutter switch SW1 is turned on, the system control unit 50 starts AF processing, AE processing, AWB processing, EF processing, and the like.

  When the shutter button 62 is fully pressed, the shutter switch SW2 is turned on. When the shutter switch SW2 is turned on, the system control unit 50 converts the signal read from the image sensor 14 into image data. And the process which records the said image data on the recording media 200 and / or 210 is started.

  Reference numeral 66 denotes an image display ON / OFF switch which can set ON / OFF of the image display unit 28. With this function, when photographing using the optical viewfinder 104, the current supply to the image display unit 28 such as a TFT LCD is cut off. Thereby, it is possible to save power.

  Reference numeral 68 denotes a quick review ON / OFF switch, which sets a quick review function for automatically reproducing image data taken immediately after photographing. In the present embodiment, in particular, a function for setting a quick review function when the image display unit 28 is turned off is provided.

  An operation unit 70 includes various buttons and a touch panel, and includes a menu button, a set button, a macro button, a multi-screen playback page break button, a flash setting button, and a single shooting / continuous shooting / self-timer switching button. Also, menu movement + (plus) button, menu movement-(minus) button, playback image movement + (plus) button, playback image-(minus) button, shooting image selection button, exposure compensation button, date / time setting button, etc. There is.

  Reference numerals 90 and 94 denote interfaces with recording media such as memory cards and hard disks. Reference numerals 92 and 96 denote connectors for connecting a recording medium such as a memory card or a hard disk. A recording medium detection unit 98 detects whether or not the recording medium 200 is attached to the connector 92 and detects whether or not the recording medium 210 is attached to the connector 96.

  In the example shown in FIG. 1, the description has been given assuming that the interface and the connector to which the recording medium is attached have two systems, but a configuration having three or more systems may be used.

  Examples of the interface and connector include a PCMCIA (Personal Computer Memory Card International Association) card and CompactFlash (registered trademark). In addition, it is possible to use an SD memory card, a micro drive or the like.

  Reference numeral 104 denotes an optical viewfinder, which can perform photographing using only the optical viewfinder without using the electronic viewfinder function of the image display unit 28. In addition, in the optical viewfinder 104, some functions of the notification unit 54, for example, in-focus state, camera shake warning, flash charging, shutter speed, aperture value, exposure correction, and the like are displayed.

  A network interface 110 has a function of communicating with other devices via RS232C, USB (Universal Serial Bus), IEEE1394, P1284, SCSI, wireless LAN, or the like.

  Reference numeral 112 denotes a connector when the network interface 110 performs wired communication, and an antenna when the network interface 110 performs wireless communication.

  Reference numerals 200 and 210 denote non-volatile recording media that are removable from the imaging apparatus 100. The recording media 200 and 210 may be a memory card such as a PCMCIA card, a compact flash (registered trademark), an SD memory card, or a hard disk such as a microdrive. Of course, an optical disk such as a CD or a DVD may be used. The recording media 200 and 210 may be a composite recording medium in which a memory card and a hard disk are integrated. The recording medium 200 has a connector 206 for connecting to the connector 92, and the recording medium 210 has a connector 216 for connecting to the connector 96.

  Next, the activation operation in the imaging apparatus 100 having the above configuration will be described.

  Normally, in the imaging apparatus 100, when the power is off, the power supply to the recording media 200 and 210 is cut off to save power. Therefore, it is necessary to start supplying power to the recording media 200 and 210 when the power is turned on, and to perform a mounting operation for recognizing and operating the loaded recording media.

  In the first embodiment, a case where two different types of recording media, that is, an SD memory card and a microdrive (MD), are used as a plurality of recording media will be described for easy understanding. Of course, the present embodiment is not limited to the configuration including only the SD memory card and the micro drive, and another recording medium or three or more types of recording media may be used. It is also possible to use a plurality of recording media of the same type. This is because even for the same type of recording medium, the time required for the mounting process may differ depending on the usage situation.

  FIG. 2 is a flowchart for explaining a startup sequence of the imaging apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Note that the processing described below with reference to FIGS. 2 to 5 is controlled by the system control unit 50 according to a program stored in the memory 52.

  When the power of the imaging apparatus 100 is turned on, the startup sequence in FIG. 2 is started. In step S11, the system is initialized, and in step S12, I / O including the interfaces 90 and 94 is initialized. In step S13, it is checked whether or not each of the recording media 200 and 210 has been removed from the time when the power of the imaging apparatus 100 is turned off until the processing of step S12 is completed. Whether or not removal has been performed is checked by confirming a removal history stored in the nonvolatile memory 56. The recording medium detection unit 98 stores the removal history in the nonvolatile memory 56 every time the removal of each of the recording media 200 and 210 is detected. Whether or not each of the recording media 200 and 210 has been removed is detected by the recording medium detection unit 98 even while the power of the imaging apparatus 100 is turned off. As will be described later, the removal history is cleared every time the imaging apparatus 100 is started up.

  If at least one of the recording media 200 and 210 is removed in step S13, the process proceeds to step S22, and SD is used as a recording medium (hereinafter referred to as “main recording medium”) for preferentially recording image data. Check whether it is set to memory card or micro drive. If the SD memory card is set, the process proceeds to step S23 to perform the SD memory card mounting process, and the time required for the SD memory card mounting process is stored in the nonvolatile memory 56 in step S24. Note that the time required for the mounting process is measured by an internal timer of the imaging apparatus 100. On the other hand, if the microdrive is set, the process proceeds to step S25 to perform the microdrive mounting process, and the time required for the microdrive mounting process is stored in the nonvolatile memory 56 in step S26.

  When the mounting process ends, in step S27, in order to generate a unique file number for storing a newly photographed image, the file number recorded on the recording medium that has been mounted is confirmed, and the file number is determined. . Thereafter, in step S28, the imaging apparatus 100 is brought into a photographing enabled state.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S13 that neither of the recording media 200 and 210 has been removed prior to activation, the process proceeds to step S14. The SD memory card stored in the nonvolatile memory 56 and the time required for mounting the microdrive are compared, and the recording medium with the shorter time required for the mounting process is selected.

  In step S14, if the time required for mounting the SD memory card is shorter, the process proceeds to step S15. In step S15, a check is made as to whether or not the remaining capacity of the SD memory card stored when the power of the imaging device 100 was turned off last time is sufficient, and whether or not the SD memory card is set as the main recording medium. I do. If it is determined that the remaining capacity of the SD memory card is not sufficient and it is determined that the SD memory card is not set as the main recording medium, the process proceeds to step S20. Otherwise, the process proceeds to step S16. In step S16, the SD memory card is mounted. In step S17, the time required for mounting the SD memory card is stored in the nonvolatile memory 56. In step S20, a micro-drive mounting process is performed. In step S 21, the time taken for the mounting process of the microdrive is stored in the nonvolatile memory 56.

  On the other hand, in step S14, if the mount time of the microdrive is shorter, the process proceeds to step S19. In step S19, it is checked whether or not the remaining capacity of the micro drive stored when the power of the imaging device 100 was turned off last time is sufficient and whether or not the micro drive is set as the main recording medium. . If it is determined that the remaining capacity of the microdrive is not sufficient, and it is determined that the microdrive is not set as the main recording medium, the process proceeds to step S16. Otherwise, the process proceeds to step S20. In step S20, the microdrive is mounted. In step S 21, the time required for the mounting process of the microdrive is stored in the nonvolatile memory 56. In step S16, the SD memory card is mounted. In step S 17, the time taken for mounting the SD memory card is stored in the nonvolatile memory 56.

  After the mounting is completed, in step S18, the file number stored in advance in the non-volatile memory 56 is determined as a unique file number for storing a newly photographed image, and in step S28, the imaging apparatus 100 can be photographed. And After the imaging apparatus 100 becomes ready for photographing in step S28, an operation for the shutter button 62 is accepted. Then, when the shutter switch SW2 is turned on, the system control unit 50 starts recording the captured image.

  Next, in step S29, it is checked whether either the SD memory card or the microdrive is mounted yet. If the microdrive is not mounted, the process proceeds to step S30 to mount the microdrive. . At the same time, the time required for mounting the microdrive is stored in step S31. If the SD memory card is not mounted in step S29, the process proceeds to step S33 to perform the SD memory card mounting process, and the time required for mounting the SD memory card is stored in step S34.

  When all the recording media have been mounted, the recording medium removal history stored in the nonvolatile memory 56 is cleared in step S32, and the startup sequence is completed.

  As described above, according to the first embodiment, if the recording medium is not removed before starting, the mounting process is performed regardless of whether the SD memory card or the microdrive is set as the main recording medium. Mount the recording medium that takes less time first. Since the photographing can be performed as soon as the mounting of any recording medium is completed, it is possible to shorten the time from when the imaging apparatus 100 is turned on until the photographing can be performed.

  Next, processing in the first embodiment when a shooting instruction is input after the shooting ready state is set in step S28 of FIG. 2 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  When the photographing is ready in step S28, the state of the shutter button 62 is periodically checked. When the user presses the shutter button 62 halfway (SW1 is turned on), the photographing process is started. First, photometry processing is performed in step S41, and then distance measurement processing is performed in step S42, and the process proceeds to step S43.

  In step S43, the state of the shutter button 62 is confirmed again. If SW1 is OFF, the photographing process is terminated. If SW1 is ON, it is checked in step S44 whether or not the shutter button 62 is fully pressed (SW2 is ON). If SW2 is OFF, the process returns to step S43, and if SW2 is ON, the process proceeds to step S45.

  In step S45, the image sensor 14 is exposed for a predetermined time, and after the exposure is completed, the charge (image signal) accumulated in the image sensor 14 in step S46 is read out to the memory 30 while being A / D converted by the A / D converter 16. . In step S47, the image processing unit 20 performs predetermined image processing on the image signal stored in the memory 30. Further, after compression processing is performed by the compression / decompression unit 32, the compressed image data is recorded on the recording medium 200 or 210 (here, an SD memory card or a microdrive) in step S48. Then, in step S49, the photographing is finished after waiting for SW1 and SW2 to be turned off. The image signal stored in the memory 30 may be recorded as it is without performing the image processing by the image processing unit 20 and the compression processing by the compression / decompression unit 32.

  Next, the recording process in the first embodiment performed in step S48 in FIG. 3 will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG.

  In step S51, it is determined whether or not the main recording medium has been mounted. If it is mounted, image data is recorded on the main recording medium in step S52. If not mounted, image data is recorded in a mounted recording medium (hereinafter referred to as “sub-recording medium”) other than the main recording medium in step S53, and the process is terminated.

  In the first embodiment, when the main recording medium is not mounted during the recording process and recording is performed on the sub recording medium in step S53, the image data moving process shown in FIG. 5 is performed.

  First, in step S61, it is checked whether or not the mounting process of the main recording medium is completed. If completed, it is confirmed in step S62 whether or not recording on the main recording medium is possible. If the recording is possible, the process proceeds to step S63, the image data recorded in step S53 is recorded on the main recording medium, the image data recorded in step S53 is deleted from the sub-recording medium in step S64, and the process ends. .

  If the mounting is not completed (NO in step S61) and the mounting is unsuccessful (YES in step S65), a warning display indicating that the image cannot be transferred is displayed in step S66, and the process ends. In addition, in step S62, even when recording cannot be performed on the main recording medium, such as when writing is prohibited or there is not enough capacity for image transfer, a warning is displayed in step S66 to indicate that image transfer is not possible. Exit.

  As described above, the image data recorded on the sub-recording medium when the image is taken before the main recording medium is completely mounted is automatically moved after the main recording medium is mounted. Therefore, the user does not need to perform operations such as image data movement processing, and can record image data on a preset main recording medium.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a start time after the power of the imaging apparatus 100 is turned on when the time required for the mounting process of the main recording medium is longer than that of the sub recording medium, which is a feature of the first embodiment. is there. FIG. 6A shows a conventional example and the case where the recording medium is removed before starting in the first embodiment, and FIG. 6B shows the recording medium before starting in the first embodiment. The case where no removal was performed is shown.

  As shown in FIG. 6B, if the recording medium has not been removed before the start-up, the start-up is completed after the power is turned on because the mount process is performed first from the sub-recording medium that takes a short time for the mount process. It can be seen that the time before this is shortened compared to the case shown in FIG.

  As described above, according to the first embodiment, if the recording medium is not removed before the start-up, the mounting process of the recording medium that does not take a long time for the mounting process is performed first. It is possible to shorten the activation time until the state (activation completion) is reached. Further, when shooting is performed before the mounting of the main recording medium is completed, the image data is temporarily stored in the mounted recording medium, and the image data is stored in the main recording medium after the mounting of the main recording medium is completed. Move automatically to. Therefore, it is possible to record image data on a preset main storage medium without adding a special device or member and without user effort.

<Second Embodiment>
Next, a second embodiment, which is a modification of the first embodiment of the present invention, will be described.

  Since the second embodiment is a modification of the first embodiment, the description of the same configuration as the first embodiment is omitted. In particular, the image pickup apparatus used in the second embodiment is the same as the image pickup apparatus 100 described in the first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted here.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining a startup sequence of the imaging apparatus 100 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. In the second embodiment, a case of starting in the backup mode will be described. The backup mode refers to a recording mode in which the same captured image is recorded on two recording media attached to the imaging apparatus 100. It is assumed that the processing described below using FIGS. 7 to 9 is controlled by the system control unit 50 according to a program stored in the memory 52 or the like.

  Also in the second embodiment, a case where two types of recording media, that is, an SD memory card and a microdrive, are used as a plurality of recording media will be described. Of course, the present embodiment is not limited to the configuration including only the SD memory card and the microdrive, and another recording medium or three or more types of recording media can be used. It is also possible to use a plurality of recording media of the same type.

  When the power supply of the imaging apparatus 100 is turned on, the startup sequence in FIG. 7 is started. In step S71, the system is initialized, and in step S72, I / O including the interfaces 90 and 94 is initialized. In step S73, the removal of each of the recording media 200 and 210 is checked as in step S13.

  If it is determined in step S73 that at least one of the recording media 200 and 210 has been removed, the process proceeds to step S85, where the microdrive mounting process is started, and in step S86, the SD memory card mounting process is started. Note that the starting order of the mounting process of the microdrive and the SD memory card is not limited to this, and may be reversed or simultaneous.

  In step S87, the process waits for completion of the mounting process for both the SD memory card and the microdrive. When the mounting process is completed, the time required for each mounting process is stored in the nonvolatile memory 56 in step S88.

  In step S89, in order to generate a unique file number for storing a newly photographed image, the file number recorded on the recording medium that has been mounted is confirmed, the file number is determined, and then imaged in step S90. The apparatus 100 is set in a photographing enabled state.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S73 that neither of the recording media 200 and 210 has been removed before activation, the process proceeds to step S74. The SD memory card stored in the nonvolatile memory 56 and the time required for mounting the microdrive are compared, and the recording medium with the shorter time required for the mounting process is selected.

  If the time required for the SD memory card mounting process is short, the process proceeds to step S77 to prepare for the SD memory card mounting process and start mounting the SD memory card. Subsequently, in step S78, preparation necessary for the mounting process of the microdrive is performed and the mounting of the microdrive is started.

  If the time required for the microdrive mounting process is short in step S74, the mounting process is prepared and mounting is started in the reverse order. That is, the process proceeds to step S75 to prepare for the microdrive mounting process and start mounting the microdrive. Next, in step S76, the SD memory card mounting process is performed to prepare for the SD memory card. Start mounting. This is because the mount process is completed as soon as possible by starting the mount process first in the case where the time required for the mount process is shorter.

  In step S79, the process waits for the completion of the mount process. When one mount process is completed, the mount time of the recording medium in which the mount process is completed is stored in the nonvolatile memory 56 in step S80. Next, in step S81, the file number stored in the non-volatile memory 56 is stored as a unique file number, and the process proceeds to step S82 to set the imaging apparatus 100 in a shootable state. After the photographing is ready in step S82, an operation for the shutter button 62 is accepted. Then, when the shutter switch SW2 is turned on, the system control unit 50 starts recording the captured image.

  Next, in step S83, the process waits for completion of the mounting process of the recording medium that has not been mounted. When the mounting process is completed, the time is stored in the nonvolatile memory 56 in step S84.

  After the processes of step S84 and step S90, the removal history of the recording medium stored in the nonvolatile memory 56 is cleared in step S91, and the activation sequence is completed.

  Note that when a photographing instruction is input by operating the shutter switch after the photographing is possible, the processing described with reference to FIG. 3 in the first embodiment is performed.

  However, since the backup mode is used in the second embodiment, the recording operation performed in step S48 in FIG. 3 is different from the processing described with reference to FIG. 4 in the first embodiment. Hereinafter, the recording process in the second embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  First, in step S101, it is determined whether both the SD memory card and the micro drive have been mounted. If both have been mounted, image data is recorded on both the SD memory card and the micro drive. On the other hand, if only one of them is already mounted, the image data is recorded on the mounted recording medium, and the process is terminated.

  In the second embodiment, when image data is recorded on only one of the SD memory card and the microdrive during the recording process, the image data backup process shown in FIG. 9 is performed.

  First, in step S111, it is checked whether or not the mounting process of all the recording media has been completed. If completed, it is confirmed in step S112 whether or not recording is possible on the newly mounted recording medium. If recording is possible, the process proceeds to step S113, the image data recorded in step S103 is recorded on the main recording medium, and the process is terminated.

  If mounting of all the recording media has not been completed (NO in step S111) and the mounting has failed (YES in step S114), a warning display indicating that image transfer cannot be performed is performed in step S115, and the process ends. In addition, in step S112, when it is impossible to record on a newly mounted recording medium, such as when writing is prohibited or there is not enough capacity for image transfer, a warning display indicating that image transfer cannot be performed is performed in step S115. To end the process.

  As described above, when shooting is performed before all the recording media have been mounted, the image data recorded on the mounted recording media is automatically copied to the mounted recording media later. Therefore, the user does not need to perform operations such as image data backup processing, and can record image data on a plurality of recording media.

  FIG. 10A shows the startup time after the power of the imaging apparatus 100 is turned on when the recording medium is removed before startup in the conventional example and the second embodiment. FIG. 10B shows the activation time when the recording medium is not removed before activation in the second embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 10 (b), if the recording medium is not removed before the start-up, the time before the start-up is completed after the power is turned on is shorter than the case shown in FIG. 10 (a). I understand. This is because as soon as the mounting of either the SD memory card or the microdrive is completed, the photographing ready state (start-up completion) is established. In the example shown in FIG. 10, since the time required for the SD memory card mounting process is shorter than the time required for the micro drive mounting process, the mounting of the SD memory card is completed first.

  As described above, according to the second embodiment, if the recording medium has not been removed before the start-up, the shooting is ready (start-up completion) as soon as even one mount processing of the plurality of recording media is completed. To do. Accordingly, it is possible to shorten the activation time from when the power is turned on until the photographing is possible (activation completion). In addition, when shooting is performed before the mounting of a plurality of recording media is completed, the image data is stored in the mounted recording medium, and the image data is newly updated after the mounting of the other recording media is completed. Automatically copy to the mounted recording medium. Therefore, it is possible to record image data on a plurality of storage media without adding a special device or member and without user effort.

  In the first and second embodiments, the case where two types of recording media, that is, an SD memory card and a microdrive are used has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Other types of recording media may be used, or three or more types of recording media may be used. When three or more types of recording media are used, the recording medium that requires the least mounting time among the recording media may be preferentially mounted.

<Other embodiments>
The above-described embodiment can also be realized as follows. First, a storage medium (or recording medium) that records a program that implements the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or apparatus. Then, the computer of the system or apparatus (or CPU or MPU) reads out and executes the program stored in the storage medium. In addition, the functions of the above-described embodiments are not only realized by executing the program read by the computer. In addition, an operating system (OS) running on a computer performs part or all of the actual processing based on the instructions of the program, and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing. Needless to say. Here, as a storage medium for storing the program, for example, a flexible disk, hard disk, ROM, RAM, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, CD-ROM, CD-R, DVD, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, MO And so on. Further, a computer network such as a LAN (Local Area Network) or a WAN (Wide Area Network) can be used to supply the program.

  Further, the program read from the storage medium is written in a memory provided in a function expansion card inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer. Thereafter, the CPU of the function expansion card or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing based on the instructions of the program, and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing. Needless to say.

It is a block diagram which shows the main components of the imaging device in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart of the starting sequence of the imaging device in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the imaging | photography process in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the recording process in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the movement process of the image data in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure explaining the starting time in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart of the starting sequence of the imaging device in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the recording process in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the transfer process of the image data in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure explaining the starting time in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

10: Lens unit, 12: Shutter, 14: Image sensor, 16: A / D converter, 18: Timing generation unit, 20: Image processing unit, 22: Memory control unit, 24: Image display memory, 26: D / A converter, 28: image display unit, 30: memory, 32: compression / decompression unit, 50: system control unit, 52: memory, 54: notification unit, 56: non-volatile memory, 60: mode dial switch, 62: shutter Button: 66: Image display ON / OFF switch, 68: Quick review ON / OFF switch, 70: Operation unit, 90, 94: Interface, 92, 96: Connector, 98: Recording medium detection unit, 100: Imaging device, 104 : Optical viewfinder, 110: Network interface, 112: Connector (or antenna), 200, 210: Recording medium, 20 , 216: connector

Claims (15)

An imaging device capable of mounting a plurality of recording media,
Measuring means for respectively measuring the time required for mounting the plurality of recording media;
Mount control means for controlling to preferentially mount the first recording medium with the shortest mounting time among the plurality of recording media based on the time required for the mounting process measured by the measuring means. When,
An image pickup apparatus comprising: a control unit configured to set a photographing enabled state after mounting of the first recording medium is completed regardless of whether or not mounting of another recording medium is completed.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the mount control unit controls the plurality of recording media to be mounted in order.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the mount control unit performs the mounting process of the plurality of recording media in parallel. Recording control means for performing recording control on the plurality of recording media of images taken by the imaging means;
The recording control means records an image on the recording medium when a pre-specified recording medium is mounted when the image is photographed, and when the pre-specified recording medium is not mounted. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image is recorded on the first recording medium.   The recording control unit records the image on the predesignated recording medium when the predesignated recording medium is mounted when the image is recorded on the first recording medium. The imaging apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the image recorded on one recording medium is deleted.   6. The recording control unit according to claim 4, wherein when the recording control unit determines that recording cannot be performed on the predesignated recording medium, warning processing is performed without performing recording on the predesignated recording medium. The imaging device described in 1. Recording control means for performing recording control on the plurality of recording media of images taken by the imaging means;
When at least two of the plurality of recording media are mounted when the image is taken, the recording control unit records an image on at least two recording media of the recording medium, and the first recording The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when only the medium is mounted, an image is recorded on the first recording medium.   The recording control means records an image on a newly mounted recording medium when another recording medium is mounted when an image is recorded only on the first recording medium. The imaging device according to claim 7.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the recording control unit performs warning processing when it is determined that recording cannot be performed on a recording medium other than the first recording medium. A storage means for storing the time required for the mounting process measured by the measurement means;
The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the mount control unit determines the first recording medium based on a mount time stored in the storage unit. A removal detecting means for detecting removal of the plurality of recording media;
The mount control unit is configured to detect the plurality of recording media in a predetermined order when the removal detection unit detects that at least one of the plurality of recording media is removed before mounting the plurality of recording media. The imaging apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the imaging apparatus is controlled to perform a mounting process. A removal detecting means for detecting removal of the plurality of recording media;
The mount control unit mounts the plurality of recording media in a predetermined order when the removal detection unit detects that at least one of the plurality of recording media has been removed before mounting the plurality of recording media. The imaging apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the imaging apparatus is controlled to start processing. An activation control method for an imaging apparatus capable of mounting a plurality of recording media,
A measuring step for measuring time required for mounting the plurality of recording media,
Based on the time required for the mounting process measured in the measuring process, the mounting process so as to preferentially mount the first recording medium having the shortest time required for the mounting process among the plurality of recording media,
And a setting step of setting to a photographing enabled state regardless of whether or not the mounting of the other recording medium is completed after the mounting of the first recording medium is completed. A program executable on a computer,
A program for realizing the activation control method according to claim 13.   A storage medium storing the program according to claim 14.

Images