JP2010021743A - Image capturing apparatus and hibernation control method therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image capturing apparatus which is newly improved enough to activate a system by hibernation at high speed by temporarily storing the status information of the system necessary for hibernation in a non-compressed state in a non-volatile memory area that is used by users. <P>SOLUTION: The image capturing apparatus includes: an image capturing section; a user area as a non-volatile memory area wherein image data picked up by the image capturing section is stored; a system area as a non-volatile memory area wherein activation control information including activation data necessary for system activation and information concerning the use status of the user area is included; and an activation control section wherein, when an OFF request of the system is issued by the user, status information concerning the system status is stored in a non-compressed manner in the user area or in a compressed manner in the system area according to the activation control information, and after the activation control information is updated, energization to the system is interrupted. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus and a hibernation control method for the imaging apparatus.

  Various information processing apparatuses such as a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as a PC), a hard disk recorder, an imaging apparatus such as a digital still camera and a video camera, and the like, promptly start the system and make it operable in response to a user request. Is required. Also, by saving the system status information to a specified non-volatile area when the system is shut down, the system can be started at high speed the next time the system is started, and the task can be resumed with the previous system shut down Such techniques are known. Such a technique is called so-called hibernation, and is widely used particularly in PCs. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a PC using hibernation.

Further, in the case of an imaging apparatus such as a digital still camera or a video camera, there arises a problem that the user loses an imaging opportunity if the activation time becomes long. Therefore, particularly in an imaging apparatus such as a digital still camera or a video camera, there is a strong demand for high-speed activation of the system. However, in the case of such an image pickup apparatus, miniaturization, weight reduction, portability, and the like are strongly demanded, so that it is not possible to provide a nonvolatile internal storage area having a sufficient capacity like a PC. . The non-volatile internal storage area of the digital still camera generally has a system area for storing data and programs necessary for starting and operating the system, and a user area for storing image data by the user. In general, the non-volatile internal storage area of a digital still camera has a system area capacity limited to a minimum in order to secure as much user area capacity as possible for a user. Therefore, in an imaging apparatus such as a digital still camera, in order to start the system using the above-described hibernation, the system state information at the time of system shutdown is stored in the system area in a compressed state. As a result, when the system is activated next time, the task can be resumed in the state before shutting down by decompressing the compressed state information stored in the system area.
JP 2007-334383 A

  However, when the system is activated by hibernation, it is necessary to decompress the compressed system state information stored in the system area, which increases the activation time. In order to solve this, a method of reducing the compression rate of the system state information and storing it in the system area to shorten the decompression time at the time of starting the system can be considered. However, as described above, it is difficult for an imaging apparatus such as a digital still camera to have a nonvolatile internal storage area having a sufficient capacity. Therefore, by reducing the compression rate and storing the system state information in the system area, there arises a problem that the capacity of the user area originally used by the user must be set small in the design stage. In an imaging apparatus such as a digital still camera, the capacity of the user area, which is one of the design specifications, greatly affects not only the convenience for the user but also the market value of the product. It is desirable to set it.

  In addition, in some imaging apparatuses and the like that are particularly required to be lightweight, inexpensive, and portable, an area for storing the compressed system state information may not be secured in the system area. In such an imaging apparatus, so-called hibernation cannot be used. Therefore, a so-called cold boot, which always starts the system from 1 and starts a task in an initial state, is necessary.

  Accordingly, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to store system status information necessary for hibernation in a non-compressed state that is used by a user. It is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved imaging apparatus and hibernation control method for an imaging apparatus capable of speeding up the activation of the system by hibernation by temporarily storing it in a storage area.

  In order to solve the above problems, according to an aspect of the present invention, an imaging unit that captures an image of a subject, a user area that is a nonvolatile storage area that stores image data captured by the imaging unit, and the user When there is a request for OFF of the system from a system area which is a non-volatile storage area for storing start-up management information including information related to the use status of the area and start-up data necessary for starting the system, Based on the activation management information, the system information is stored in the user area in an uncompressed state or in the system area in a compressed state, and the system is updated after the activation management information is updated. And an activation control unit that interrupts energization of the imaging device.

  With this configuration, the imaging apparatus can check the usage status of the user area based on the startup management information stored in the system area. In addition, when the user makes a system OFF request, the imaging apparatus determines the usage status of the user area based on the startup management information, and stores the status information regarding the system status in the user area or the system area. be able to. Furthermore, when storing the state information, the imaging apparatus can store the state information in an uncompressed state in the user area and can store the state information in a compressed state in the system area. In addition, when the imaging apparatus updates the startup management information, the startup management information can include the latest information on whether or not uncompressed state information is stored in the user area.

  The activation control unit may determine whether the image data captured by the imaging unit is stored in the user area based on the activation management information. In this case, when the image data is not stored in the user area, the activation control unit stores the state information in the uncompressed state in the user area and updates the activation management information. When the image data is stored in the user area, based on the start-up management information, the system information in the user area in the uncompressed state or the compressed state information on the system state It is also possible to update the management information for activation by storing in the area.

  The activation control unit may store the uncompressed state information in the user area based on the activation management information when the image data is stored in the user area. It may be determined whether or not the necessary capacity remains. In this case, when the capacity necessary for storing the uncompressed state information remains in the user area, the activation control unit sets the state information related to the system state in an uncompressed state. The system area is stored in a compressed state when the capacity information necessary for storing the state information in the uncompressed state does not remain in the user area. You can also save to

  The activation control unit activates the system based on the activation data stored in the system area when a user requests activation of the system, and based on the activation management information Based on either the compressed state information stored in the system area or the uncompressed state information stored in the user area, the system is restored to the state before turning off the system. You can also.

  Further, when the activation control unit determines that the uncompressed state information is not stored in the user area based on the activation management information, the compressed control stored in the system area is stored. The system state is restored by decompressing the state information, and if it is determined that the uncompressed state information is stored in the user area based on the startup management information, the uncompressed state information is stored. The state of the system can be restored by the state information.

  The activation control unit may determine whether or not the remaining battery capacity of the system is larger than a preset capacity when a user requests to turn off the system. In this case, when the remaining capacity of the battery is less than a preset capacity, the activation control unit displays the state information related to the system state in an uncompressed state based on the activation management information. It is also possible to store in the system area in the area or in a compressed state and cut off the power supply to the system after updating the startup management information. In addition, when the remaining capacity of the battery is larger than a preset capacity, the activation control unit can continue energization of the system with the state information held in a volatile storage area. .

  In addition, when the activation control unit continuously energizes the system for a preset time in a state where the state information is held in a volatile storage area, the activation control unit, based on the activation management information, The status information held in the storage area is stored in the user area in an uncompressed state or in the system area in a compressed state, and the energization to the system is cut off after updating the startup management information You can also

  The imaging apparatus may further include a data storage control unit that stores image data captured by the imaging unit in the user area.

  The data storage control unit may determine whether or not the uncompressed state information is stored in the user area based on the startup management information. In this case, if the data storage control unit determines that the uncompressed state information is not stored in the user area, the data storage control unit stores the image data in the user area and stores the image data in the user area. If it is determined that the state information is stored, the image data can be stored in the user area after the uncompressed state information is deleted.

  Further, the data storage control unit determines whether the uncompressed state information is stored in the user area based on the startup management information, and the uncompressed state information is stored in the user area. If it is determined that the image data is not stored, the image data is stored in the user area. If it is determined that the uncompressed state information is stored in the user area, the image data is stored in the user area. It may be determined based on the startup management information whether or not there is a free space necessary for storing data. In this case, the data storage control unit stores the data in the user area and stores the image in the user area when the free space necessary for storing the image data remains in the user area. If there is no remaining free space necessary for storing data, the image data can be stored in the user area after erasing the uncompressed state information.

  The activation management information includes at least information on whether or not the uncompressed state information is stored in the user area, information on whether or not the image data is stored in the user area, And information regarding the free space in the user area.

  In order to solve the above problems, according to another aspect of the present invention, an imaging unit that images a subject, and a mounting unit that houses a removable external storage device that stores image data captured by the imaging unit, A startup including a user area that is a non-volatile storage area for storing data imaged by the imaging unit, startup data necessary for system startup, and information on the usage status of the user area and the external storage device System information that is a non-volatile storage area for storing management information, and when there is a request from the user to turn off the system, state information related to the system status is uncompressed based on the startup management information. In the state, it is saved in either the user area or the external storage device, or in the compressed state in the system area, and the startup management information is updated. Imaging device is provided with and the activation control unit to cut off the power supply to the system after the.

  With this configuration, the imaging apparatus can check the usage status of the user area based on the startup management information stored in the system area. In addition, when a user requests to turn off the system, the imaging apparatus determines the usage status of the user area based on the startup management information, and obtains status information regarding the system status from the system area, the user area, or the external It can be stored in a storage device. Furthermore, when storing the state information, the imaging apparatus can store the state information in an uncompressed state in the user area and the external storage device, and can store the state information in a compressed state in the system area. In addition, when the imaging device updates the startup management information, the startup management information includes the latest information on whether uncompressed state information is stored in either the user area or the external storage device. Can have.

  As described above, according to the present invention, the system state information necessary for hibernation is temporarily stored in a non-compressed non-volatile storage area used by the user, thereby enabling hibernation. A new and improved imaging device capable of speeding up the startup of the system is provided.

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In addition, in this specification and drawing, about the component which has the substantially same function structure, duplication description is abbreviate | omitted by attaching | subjecting the same code | symbol. The description will be made in the following order.
1. Outline of Embodiments 2. 2. Functional configuration of digital camera 100 3. Configuration of internal storage area 112 Various processing flows of the digital camera 100 4-1. Storage flow of uncompressed H / I 140 4-2. System startup flow by hibernation 4-3. 4. Storage flow of image data Modified example 5-1. Modification 1 (Modification in storage of uncompressed H / I 140)
5-2. Modification Example 2 (Modification Example of Saving Image Data)
5-3. Modified Example 3 (Modified example of storing the uncompressed H / I 140 in the external storage device 124)
5-4. Modification 4 (Modification in which the uncompressed H / I 140 is stored in either the user area 132 or the external storage device 124)
5-5. Modification 5 (Modification using network application information)
5-6. Modification 6 (Modification used in combination with the hot boot function)

(1. Overview of Embodiment)
An imaging apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention is characterized by high-speed system activation by hibernation as described above. In describing this embodiment, first, an outline of a typical system activation method in a general imaging apparatus will be described.

  In the imaging apparatus, task status information and the like performed during system operation are usually stored in a volatile area such as a RAM. Therefore, once the system is turned off, the so-called “cold boot”, which starts the task from the initial state after performing all the processes necessary for system startup, such as initial settings, at the next system startup Do. On the other hand, when the system is started, the system status information is saved when the system is turned off, and the system information saved when the power is turned on is restored so that processing can be started from a task that was interrupted when the system was turned off. You can also.

  As described above, in order to realize the function of resuming the task at the next system startup by temporarily saving the system state information, two methods are given as examples. The first method is a method of maintaining system state information by continuously supplying power to a volatile storage area such as a RAM when an imaging apparatus system OFF request is received. This method is a method capable of resuming the system at high speed based on the state information held in the RAM when there is a system activation request, and is called “hot boot”. The second method compresses the system status information expanded in a volatile storage area such as a RAM and saves it in a nonvolatile storage area used by the system immediately before turning off the system of the imaging apparatus. It is a method to do. In this method, when a system startup request is made, the system state information stored in the non-volatile area is decompressed and then expanded in the RAM to restart the system. Or called "hot boot".

  In order to start the system by hibernation, it is necessary to save system state information in a nonvolatile internal storage area immediately before turning off the system, as described above. In general, a nonvolatile internal storage area of an imaging apparatus such as a digital camera has a system area for storing data and programs necessary for starting and operating the system, and a user area for storing image data by a user. Yes. In general, the capacity of the system area is limited to a minimum in the nonvolatile internal storage area in order to secure as much capacity of the user area as possible for the user. Therefore, in order to start the system using hibernation, the system state information at the time of shutting down the system is stored in the system area in a compressed state. As a result, the next time the system is started, the system is started so that the task can be resumed in the state of the system 0FF by decompressing the compressed state information stored in the system area and expanding it in the RAM. can do. Hereinafter, an outline of the imaging apparatus according to the present embodiment capable of speeding up the activation of the system by the hibernation will be described.

  As described above, when the system is activated by hibernation, the conventional imaging apparatus needs to decompress the compressed system activation information stored in the system area of the nonvolatile internal storage area. Therefore, there is a problem that the startup time becomes long due to the decompression work of the compressed startup information. On the other hand, the imaging apparatus according to the present embodiment can speed up the activation of the system by hibernation. Specifically, the imaging apparatus according to the present embodiment temporarily stores uncompressed system status information in a user area for storing image data originally captured by the user in a nonvolatile internal storage area. To save. As a result, the imaging apparatus according to the present embodiment can speed up the activation of the system by hibernation based on the state information of the uncompressed system stored in the user area. Further, when the user uses the user area, the user can save the uncompressed system state information by automatically deleting the uncompressed system state information stored in the user area. Can prevent any negative effects. The details of the imaging apparatus according to the present embodiment having such characteristics will be described below. In the following description of the specification, system state information stored when the system is turned off to use hibernation is referred to as a hibernation image (H / I).

(2. Functional configuration of digital camera 100)
First, a functional configuration of a digital camera 100 that is an example of an imaging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the digital camera 100. A digital camera 100 shown in FIG. 1 is an example of an imaging apparatus that captures an image of a subject, and is a digital still camera that captures at least a still image. However, the present invention is not limited to this.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the digital camera 100 mainly includes an operation input unit 102, an imaging unit 104, a voice input / output unit 106, a display unit 108, a data processing unit 110, an internal storage area 112, and a decoder. 114, a mounting unit 116, a RAM 118, an external interface 120, and a communication interface 121. Each of these components is connected by a bus and controlled by the control unit 122. Details of each component of the digital camera 100 will be described below.

  The operation input unit 102 includes, for example, a touch panel, buttons, switches, levers, dials, and the like. The user operates the operation unit 102 to perform processing operations (photographing operation, adjustment operation of zoom / focus / aperture / exposure / shutter speed / image quality, recording operation, reproduction operation, etc.) on the digital camera 100. You can give instructions and input various data.

  The imaging unit 104 captures a subject and generates an image signal. The imaging unit 104 includes an optical system including a lens group that collects incident light from a subject as an optical image, an imaging device that photoelectrically converts an optical image collected on the imaging surface by the optical system, and driving thereof. It consists of mechanisms. The imaging unit 104 includes, for example, a camera control unit (not shown) and the like, and controls the operation of each unit of the imaging unit 104 based on an instruction from the control unit 122. For example, during imaging, the drive mechanism of the imaging unit 104 is controlled to drive the zoom lens, the focus lens, etc. so that the subject is imaged with appropriate zoom, focus, etc., according to the user operation on the operation input unit 102 Let

  The audio input / output unit 106 includes, for example, a microphone for inputting external audio, a speaker for outputting reproduced audio, and the like.

  The display unit 108 includes, for example, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), an organic EL display (Organic ElectroLuminescence display), and the like, and is provided on the digital camera 100. The display unit 108 displays image data captured by the imaging unit 104, a notification message for the user (for example, a shooting mode, a free space notification, and an error notification).

  The data processing unit 110 is configured by a digital signal processing circuit (DSP) or the like, and various types of operations such as white balance adjustment, color correction, edge enhancement, and gamma correction are performed on the image signal input from the imaging unit 104. Perform signal processing. Here, the white balance adjustment, for example, applies a gain set in advance for each color of RGB (Red Green Blue) to RAW image data (image before signal processing) and corresponds to each pixel (pixel). This is a process of amplifying the pixel value to be performed. The tone correction process is a process for correcting the tone of an image, for example. The edge enhancement process is, for example, a process for enhancing the density of an image by detecting an edge part from the image and increasing the luminance of the detected edge part. The gamma correction processing is, for example, processing that performs nonlinear conversion on RGB signals to ensure visual linearity. The image signal processed by the data processing unit 110 is displayed on the display unit 108 or output to an external device via the external interface 120.

  The internal storage area 112 is a non-volatile storage area that stores system startup data, applications, image data, and the like. Examples of the internal storage area 112 include a magnetic recording medium such as a hard disk, a non-volatile memory such as an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable and Programmable Read Only Memory), a flash memory (Flash Memory), and the like. It is not a thing. The detailed configuration of the internal storage area 112 will be described later.

  The decoder 114 decodes various compression programs and compressed data stored in the internal storage area 112 and the like. For example, when the system of the digital camera 100 is activated, the control unit 122 can decompress the compressed system activation data stored in the internal storage area 112 via the decoder 114.

  The mounting unit 116 has an insertion port for the removable external storage device 124 and accommodates the external storage device 124 in a removable manner. Here, examples of the external storage device 124 inserted and stored in the mounting unit 116 include a Memory Stick (registered trademark) and an SD memory card, but are not limited thereto. Further, the mounting unit 116 can be a multi-mounting unit corresponding to the standards of the plurality of external storage devices 124. The user can record the image captured by the imaging unit 104 in the external storage device 124 inserted in the mounting unit 116.

  A RAM (Random Access Memory) 118 is a volatile storage area that stores, for example, a program executed by the control unit 122 and parameters that change as appropriate during the execution.

  The external interface 120 is an interface for connecting an external device such as a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as “PC: Personal Computer”). The external interface 120 is an interface for inputting / outputting data to / from an external device, and includes, for example, various ports (connection ports) such as a USB (Universal Serial Bus) port and a LAN (Local Area Network) port. By connecting the digital camera 100 and the PC via the external interface 120, the operation of the digital camera 100 can be controlled by the PC. For example, image data, audio data, and the like stored in the external recording device 124 or the internal storage area 112 attached to the digital camera 100 can be output (displayed, audio output, etc.) by a PC.

  The communication interface 121 is a communication unit included in the digital camera 100, and is a communication unit for performing wireless / wired communication with an external apparatus via a network. Here, as a network, for example, a wired network such as a LAN (Local Area Network) or a WAN (Wide Area Network), a wireless WAN (WWAN; Wireless Wide Area Network) or a wireless MAN (WMAN; Wireless M) via a base station. Examples include, but are not limited to, a wireless network such as Area Network) or the Internet using a communication protocol such as TCP / IP (Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol).

  The communication interface 121 includes, for example, a communication antenna and an RF circuit (wireless communication), an IEEE 802.15.1 port and transmission / reception circuit (wireless communication), an IEEE 802.11b port and transmission / reception circuit (wireless communication), a LAN terminal, and transmission / reception. A circuit (wired communication) and the like can be mentioned, but the invention is not limited to these.

  The control unit 122 is an arithmetic processing device and a control device that control the entire digital camera 100 and is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The control unit 122 executes each process of each component described above of the digital camera 100. In addition, the control unit 122 according to the present embodiment stores the activation control unit 126 that controls activation and shutdown of the system, and the image data captured by the imaging unit 104 in the internal storage area 112 or the external storage device 124. It also functions as a data storage control unit 128 to be controlled. Note that details of the processing of the activation control unit 126 and the data storage control unit 128 will be described in the processing flow described later.

  The functional configuration of the digital camera 100 is not limited to the configuration shown in FIG. For example, the digital camera 100 can realize the operation input unit 102 and the display unit 108 with a single operation display device configured with a touch screen. Further, for example, it is possible not to include a part of the configuration such as the communication interface 121.

(3. Configuration of internal storage area 112)
Next, an example of the configuration of the internal storage area 112 that is one of the characteristic parts of the digital camera 100 according to the present embodiment will be described. As described above, the internal storage area 112 is a non-volatile storage area that stores system startup data, applications, image data, and the like. As described above, the digital camera 100 according to the present embodiment stores the hibernation image in the user area 132 of the internal storage area 112 that is a non-volatile area, thereby starting the system at a high speed and in a state when the system is off. Allows the task to be resumed. Therefore, in describing the configuration of the digital camera 100 according to the present embodiment, first, the configuration of the internal storage area 12 provided in a general conventional digital camera 10 will be described. FIG. 14 is a conceptual diagram showing a configuration of an internal storage area 12 provided in a general conventional digital camera 10.

  The internal storage area 12 includes a system area 14 used by the system and a user area 16 used by the user. As shown in FIG. 14, in the system area 14, a loader 18 that loads and starts a startup program when the system is started, startup data 20 necessary for starting the system, and a system when the system is OFF A hibernation image (H / I) 22 obtained by compressing the state information is stored. The startup data 20 is usually stored in a compressed state in consideration of the capacity of the system area 14, and is decompressed when the system is started by cold boot. The user area 16 is an area for the user to save image data and the like. For example, when an external storage device or the like is not inserted in the digital camera 10, the user can save image data in the user area 16 of the internal storage area 12. The internal storage area 12 shown in FIG. 14 is an example of the internal storage area 12 provided in the conventional digital camera 10, and various programs other than the example shown in FIG. 14 are stored in the system area 14. Sometimes it is. The capacities of the system area 14 and the user area 16 are set when the digital camera 10 is manufactured. Therefore, in general, the system area 14 is set with a minimum capacity necessary for starting and operating the system, and the capacity of the user area 16 is set as large as possible in consideration of user convenience.

  The conventional general digital camera 10 having the internal storage area 12 configured as described above is based on the start-up data 20 stored in the system area 14 when a power-on start-up request is received from the user. After initial setting of the system, the compressed H / I 22 is decompressed and expanded in a main storage device such as a RAM. The flow of the system starting operation by the conventional general digital camera 10 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing the flow of system activation by hibernation by a conventional general digital camera 10.

  As shown in FIG. 15, the digital camera 10 activates the loader 18 in step 30 when there is a power activation request from the user. After that, in step 32, the system is initialized by expanding the startup data 20 stored in the system area 14 in the RAM. In addition, since it is preferable to increase the capacity of the user area 16 as much as possible in the internal storage area 12, it is necessary to set the capacity of the system area 12 to the minimum necessary. For this reason, the activation data 20 is usually compressed and stored in the system area 12. In this case, the digital camera 10 decompresses the startup compressed data 20 and expands it in the RAM. Next, in step 34, the digital camera 10 decompresses the compressed H / I 22 stored in the system area 14 and expands it to the RAM. Thereafter, in step 38, the activation of the system is completed by resuming various applications based on the decompressed H / I 22 expanded in the RAM.

  As described above, in the conventional general digital camera 10, the H / I 22 necessary for hibernation is stored in a compressed state. Therefore, when the hibernation is performed, the H / I 22 needs to be decompressed, and the startup time is increased. There is a problem of becoming longer. On the other hand, the digital camera 100 according to one of the embodiments of the present invention temporarily stores the uncompressed H / I in the user area 132 originally used by the user so that the system can be operated at high speed by hibernation. It can be started. Hereinafter, the configuration of the internal storage area 112 included in the digital camera 100 according to the present embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram showing a configuration of the internal storage area 112 included in the digital camera 100 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, the internal storage area 112 includes a system area 130 and a user area 132 as in the conventional internal storage area 12 described above. Further, the system area 130 stores a loader 134, activation data 138, and compressed H / I 142, as in the system area 14 of the conventional internal storage area 12 described above. Further, as shown in FIG. 2, startup management information 136 is stored in the system area 130. The management information for activation 136 is information related to the user area 132, and the usage status of the user area 132 by the user, whether or not image data is saved, the free capacity of the user area, and an uncompressed H / I 140 described later in the user area 132. It contains information such as whether or not it is stored. The activation management information 136 manages the usage status of the user area 132 using flag information or the like, and is updated as appropriate by the control unit 122 according to the usage status of the user area 132.

  The user area 132 is an area used by the user, and normally stores image data captured by the imaging unit 104 as described above. However, in recent years, as the technology of the external storage device 124 such as, for example, a Memory Stick (registered trademark) or an SD memory card has been developed, the capacity of the external storage device 124 has been increased and the price has been reduced. As a result, the user often records image data or the like in the external storage device 124 inserted in the mounting unit 116 without using the internal storage area 132. Therefore, the digital camera 100 according to the present embodiment realizes high-speed activation of the system by hibernation by storing the uncompressed H / I 140 in the user area 132.

  As shown in FIG. 2, it can be seen that the user area 132 stores an uncompressed H / I 140 that is necessary for hibernation and does not compress system state information. Therefore, the digital camera 100, based on the non-compressed H / I 140 stored in the user area 132, instead of the compressed H / I 142 stored in the system area 130, when a power activation request is received from the user, Hibernation can be performed. As a result, the digital camera 100 does not need to decompress the compressed H / I 142 during hibernation. Thereby, the digital camera 100 according to the present embodiment can start up the system by hibernation at a higher speed than in the past.

(4. Various processing flows of the digital camera 100)
Next, in the digital camera 100 configured as described above, various processing flows that can be realized by storing the uncompressed H / I 140 in the user area 132 of the internal storage area 112 are shown in FIGS. Will be described with reference to FIG. In the present specification, the steps described in the flowchart are not only processed in time series in the described order, but also in parallel or individually even if not necessarily processed in time series. Also includes processing to be performed. Further, it goes without saying that the order can be appropriately changed even in the steps processed in time series.

(4-1. Storage flow of uncompressed H / I 140)
First, in the digital camera 100 configured as described above, when the system is turned off in response to a power-off request from the user, H / I necessary for starting the system by the next hibernation is not compressed. The flow of processing to be saved will be described. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing for storing the uncompressed H / I 140 when the system is turned off in response to a power-off request from the user in the digital camera 100 according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 3, in the digital camera 100, when a power-off request is received from the user, first, in step 300, the activation control unit 126 moves to the activation management information 136 stored in the system area 130. to access. Thereafter, the activation control unit 126 determines in step 302 whether image data is stored in the user area 132. As described above, the user area 132 is an area for storing data such as an image originally captured by the user. Therefore, the digital camera 100 according to the present embodiment uses the user area 132 as long as it does not adversely affect the user.

  That is, if it is determined in step 302 that image data captured by the user is stored in the user area 132, the activation control unit 126 compresses the compressed system state information obtained by compressing the current system state information in step 304. I 142 is created and stored in the system area 130. Thereafter, in step 308, the activation control unit 126 updates the activation management information 136 stored in the system area 308. That is, the activation control unit 126 updates the flag information regarding the presence / absence of the compressed H / I 142 in the activation management information 136. As a result, the next time the system is activated, the activation control unit 126 is based on the activation management information 136. It can be determined whether or not the compressed H / I 142 is stored in the system area 130. Thereafter, in step 310, the activation control unit 126 turns off the system power by shutting off all power sources of the system.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step 302 that the image data captured by the user is not stored in the user area 132, the activation control unit 126 does not compress the current system state information in step 306. The uncompressed H / I 140 is stored in the user area 132. The activation control unit 126 can store system state information and the like expanded in the RAM 118 in the user area 132 as an uncompressed H / I 140. Next, the activation control unit 126 updates the activation management information 136 in step 308. That is, the activation control unit 126 updates the flag information regarding the presence / absence of the uncompressed H / I 140 in the activation management information 136. As a result, the next time the system is activated, the activation control unit 126 is based on the activation management information 136. Whether or not the uncompressed H / I 140 is stored in the system area 130 can be determined. Thereafter, in step 310, the activation control unit 126 turns off the system power by shutting off all power sources of the system.

(4-2. System startup flow by hibernation)
Next, the flow of processing for starting the system by hibernation based on the uncompressed H / I 140 or the compressed H / I 142 saved when the system is turned off as described above will be described. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing for starting up the system by hibernation in response to a power supply start request from the user in the digital camera 100 according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 4, in the digital camera 100, when there is a power activation request from the user, first, in step 400, the activation control unit 126 moves to the activation management information 136 stored in the system area 130. to access. As described above, the startup management information 136 is information for managing the usage status of the user area 132. Therefore, the activation control unit 126 can check the image data in the user area 132 and the presence / absence of the uncompressed H / I 140 by accessing the activation management information 136.

  Next, in step 402, the activation control unit 126 confirms whether or not the uncompressed H / I 140 is stored in the user area 132. As described above, when the uncompressed H / I 140 is stored in the user area 132, the digital camera 100 according to the present embodiment can perform hibernation at high speed based on the uncompressed H / I 140. . On the other hand, when the uncompressed H / I 140 is not stored in the user area 132, hibernation is performed by decompressing the compressed H / I 142 stored in the system area 130. Therefore, the activation control unit 126 performs the determination in step 402 to determine whether to perform hibernation based on whether the compressed H / I 142 or the uncompressed H / I 140 is used. For example, when the flag related to the presence / absence of the uncompressed H / I 140 included in the activation management information 136 is “1”, the activation control unit 126 stores the uncompressed H / I 140 in the user area 132, and “0 ", It can be determined that the file has not been saved.

  If it is determined in step 402 that the uncompressed H / I 140 is not stored in the user area 132, the activation control unit 126 decompresses the compressed H / I 142 stored in the system area 130 in step 404. To hibernate. That is, the activation control unit 126 activates the loader 134 stored in the system area 130, decompresses the activation data 138, and expands the data in the RAM 118 to initialize the system. After that, the activation control unit 126 automatically decompresses the compressed H / I 142 stored in the system area 130 and expands it in the RAM 118, thereby restoring various applications to the state before the system is turned off.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step 402 that the uncompressed H / I 140 is stored in the user area 132, the activation control unit 126 performs hibernation based on the uncompressed H / I 140 in step 406. That is, the activation control unit 126 does not need to decompress the H / I 140, and thus can perform hibernation at a higher speed than in the case of step 404 in which hibernation is performed by decompressing the compressed H / I 142.

(4-3. Image Data Storage Flow)
Next, a flow of processing for saving imaging data in the user area 132 of the internal storage area 112 when the user images a subject with the imaging unit 104 will be described. In order to save a large amount of high-quality data, the user normally inserts the external storage device 124 into the mounting unit 116 and saves the captured image data in the external storage device 124. However, for example, when the external storage device 124 fails, when the external storage device 124 is lost, or when the capacity of the external storage device 124 is insufficient, it is necessary to save the captured image data in the user area 132 of the internal storage area 112. is there. In addition, it may be assumed that the user can arbitrarily set, for example, whether the image data is stored in the internal storage area 112 or the external storage device 124.

  As described above, the user area 132 is an area for storing image data originally captured by the user. Therefore, even when the uncompressed H / I 140 is stored in the user area 132, it is necessary to preferentially store the image data captured by the user.

  Even in the digital camera 100 according to the present embodiment, in which the uncompressed H / I 140 is stored in the user area 132, image data is preferentially stored in the user area by the processing by the data storage control unit 128 described below. 132 can be stored. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing for storing image data captured by the user in the user area 132 in the digital camera 100 according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 5, when the digital camera 100 stores the image data in the user area 132 when the subject is imaged via the image capturing unit 104, first, the data storage control unit 128 starts up in step 500. The management information 136 is accessed. As described above, since the user area 132 is originally an area for storing image data captured by the user, it is necessary to grasp the usage status of the user area 132 when storing the image data in the user area 132. Because there is.

  The startup management information 136 includes flag information indicating whether or not the uncompressed H / I 140 is stored in the user area 132. Therefore, the data storage control unit 128 determines in step 502 whether or not the uncompressed H / I 140 is stored in the user area 132 based on the startup management information 136. For example, when the flag regarding the presence / absence of the uncompressed H / I 140 included in the startup management information 136 is “1”, the data storage control unit 128 stores the uncompressed H / I 140 in the user area 132. In the case of “0”, it can be determined that the data has not been saved.

  If it is determined in step 502 that the uncompressed H / I 140 is stored in the user area 132, the data storage control unit 128 deletes the uncompressed H / I 140 stored in the user area 132 in step 504. To do. Since the user area 132 is an area for storing image data originally captured by the user, the non-compressed H / I 140 that has been temporarily stored is deleted and priority is given to storage of the image data.

  In step 506, the data storage control unit 128 updates the startup management information 136. In step 504, since the uncompressed H / I 140 in the user area 132 has been deleted, the data storage control unit 128 needs to update information related to the presence / absence of the uncompressed H / I 140 included in the management information for activation 136. Therefore, for example, the data storage control unit 128 updates the flag regarding the presence / absence of the uncompressed H / I 140 from “1” to “0”. As described above, when the data storage control unit 128 appropriately updates the startup management information 136, the startup management information 136 includes the latest information on whether or not the uncompressed H / I 140 is stored in the user area 132. Can have. Therefore, for example, even when the power of the digital camera 100 is cut off, the control unit 122 determines whether or not the uncompressed H / I 140 is stored in the user area 132 based on the startup management information 136. Can be recognized reliably. Therefore, at the time of system startup, the startup control unit 126 can appropriately determine whether to perform hibernation based on either the compressed H / I 142 or the uncompressed H / I 140.

  In step 508, the data storage control unit 128 stores the image data captured by the imaging unit 104 in the user area 132. Thereafter, in step 510, the data storage control unit 128 updates other information included in the activation management information 136, for example, the free space of the user area 132, the presence / absence of image data in the user area 132, and the like.

  On the other hand, when it is determined in step 502 that there is no uncompressed H / I 140 in the user area 132, the data storage control unit 128 stores the image data captured by the imaging unit 104 in the user area 132 in step 512. To do. Thereafter, in step 514, the data storage control unit 128 updates information included in the activation management information 136 such as, for example, the free space of the user area 132 and the presence / absence of image data in the user area 132.

  As described above, the digital camera 100 according to this embodiment is characterized in that the uncompressed H / I 140 is stored in the user area 132 originally used by the user in order to speed up the activation of the system by hibernation. It is also possible to store image data in the user area 132. That is, when it is necessary to save image data in the user area 132, the uncompressed H / I 140 saved in the user area 132 is deleted, and priority is given to saving the image data. As a result, by storing the uncompressed H / I 140 in the user area 132, it is possible to prevent the adverse effect that the area in which the user stores image data in the user area 132 is reduced. That is, the digital camera 100 according to the present embodiment can store the uncompressed H / I 140 necessary for speeding up hibernation in the user area 132 without causing any adverse effects on the user. That is, the digital camera 100 temporarily stores the system state information necessary for hibernation in the uncompressed state in the user area 132 that is a non-volatile storage area used by the user. Can be performed at high speed.

(5. Modifications)
As described above, the digital camera 100 according to the present embodiment can speed up hibernation by storing the uncompressed H / I 140 in the user area 132 for storing image data originally captured by the user. It is characterized by that. However, the above-described functional configuration and processing flow describe a typical example of the present embodiment, and the digital camera 100 can execute various processes by modifying the above-described features. Below, the modification of the digital camera 100 which concerns on this embodiment provided with the said characteristic is demonstrated.

(5-1. Modification 1)
In the storage flow of the uncompressed H / I 140 shown in FIG. 3, if image data is stored in the user area 132 in step 302, the compressed H / I 142 in which the system state information is compressed is stored in step 304. Saved in the system area 130. However, if there is a sufficient free space in the user area 132, it is preferable to store the system state information in the user area 132 in an uncompressed state without compressing the system state information. As described above, when the uncompressed H / I 140 is not stored in the user area 132, the compressed H / I 142 needs to be decompressed when the system is activated next time by hibernation. I can't. Therefore, when turning off the system, it is desirable to store the uncompressed H / I 140 in the user area 132 as much as possible. That is, even when image data is stored in the user area 132, if the free capacity of the user area 132 is larger than the capacity required to store the uncompressed H / I 140, the activation control unit 126 The uncompressed H / I 140 may be stored in the user area 132.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing for turning off the system in response to a power-off request from the user in the digital camera 100 of the first modification. Note that detailed description of the same processing as in the flow of FIG. 3 described above is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 6, in the digital camera 100, when a power-off request is received from the user, first, in step 600, the activation control unit 126 moves to the activation management information 136 stored in the system area 130. to access. Thereafter, in step 602, the activation control unit 126 determines whether image data is stored in the user area 132.

  If it is determined in step 602 that image data captured by the user is not stored in the user area 132, the activation control unit 126 performs uncompressed in step 604 without compressing the current system state information. The data is stored in the user area 132 as the H / I 140. Thereafter, the activation control unit 126 updates the activation management information 136 in step 606, and in step 608, shuts off all the power supplies of the system, thereby turning off the system power.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step 602 that image data captured by the user is stored in the user area 132, the activation control unit 126 determines that the free capacity of the user area 132 indicates system status information in step 610. It is determined whether or not it is larger than the capacity necessary for storing in an uncompressed state. As described above, when the user area 132 has a free space necessary for storing the uncompressed H / I 140, it is preferable to store the uncompressed H / I 140 in the user area 132 without compressing the H / I. It is because it is preferable. For example, the activation control unit 126 stores the uncompressed H / H in the user area 132 based on the capacity of the system status information expanded in the RAM 118 and the information on the free capacity of the user area 132 included in the activation management information 136. It is possible to determine whether or not there is a free space necessary for storing I140.

  If it is determined in step 610 that the free space in the user area 132 is larger than the capacity required to store the uncompressed H / I 140, the activation control unit 126 determines in step 604 that the uncompressed H / I 140 Is stored in the user area 132. That is, the activation control unit 126 stores the uncompressed H / I 140 in the user area 132 without compressing the H / I. As a result, image data and uncompressed H / I 140 are stored in the user area 132. FIG. 7 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of the configuration of the internal storage area 112 when image data and uncompressed H / I 140 are stored in the user area 132 as described above.

  As shown in FIG. 7, it can be seen that the user area 132 stores a plurality of image data 1, 2,... In addition to the uncompressed H / I 140. As described above, the activation control unit 126 can store the uncompressed H / I 140 in the user area 132 without compressing the H / I as long as the free space in the user area 132 has a margin. Note that the activation control unit 126 preferably stores the uncompressed H / I 140 fixed at a predetermined position in the user area 132. This is because the activation control unit 126 can store the image data in the user area 132 without considering the storage position of the uncompressed H / I 140 in the user area 132.

  Thereafter, the startup control unit 126 updates the startup management information 136 in step 606 of FIG. 6, and in step 608, shuts down all the power supplies of the system to turn off the system. As a result, when the system is activated next time, the activation control unit 126 can perform hibernation at high speed based on the uncompressed H / I 140 stored in the user area 132.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step 610 that the free space in the user area 132 is smaller than the capacity required to store the uncompressed H / I 140, the activation control unit 126 changes the compressed H / I 142 in step 612. Created and saved in the system area 130. Thereafter, the startup control unit 126 updates the startup management information 136 in step 606, and in step 608, shuts off all the power supplies of the system, thereby turning off the power supply of the system.

  As described above, in the digital camera 100 of the first modification, when the system is turned off, as long as the activation control unit 126 has enough free space in the user area 132, the uncompressed H / I 140 is set in the user area 132. Can be saved. Therefore, even when image data is stored in the user area 132, the system can be activated by hibernation based on the uncompressed H / I 140 at high speed. As a result, the digital camera 100 of the first modification can store the uncompressed H / I 140 in the user area 132 as much as possible, and based on the uncompressed H / I 140 stored in the user area 132, More opportunities to perform hibernation at high speed can be provided.

(5-2. Modification 2)
In the image data storage flow shown in FIG. 5, if there is an uncompressed H / I 140 in the user area 132 in step 502, the image data is stored in the user area after erasing the uncompressed H / I 140 in step 504. 132. However, when there is a sufficient free space in the user area 132, it is preferable to store the image data in the user area 132 without deleting the uncompressed H / I 140. As described above, the H / I includes various information such as snapshot data of the RAM 118, register values, and file cache. However, in providing the hibernation function, what information is stored as the H / I can be arbitrarily set by a designer or the like at the manufacturing stage, for example. Therefore, for example, when creating an H / I, it may be assumed that the H / I is created including only non-variable information, or a part of the H / I is created as non-variable information. Thus, when the H / I includes invariable information, it is desirable to store the uncompressed H / I 140 once stored in the user area 132 as much as possible. This is because when the H / I includes only invariable information, it is not necessary to create the H / I again when the system is next turned off. In consideration of this point, the digital camera 100 according to the second modified example, when the free capacity of the user area 132 is larger than the capacity necessary for storing the image data captured by the user, the uncompressed H / I 140 is used. The image data is stored in the user area 132 without being erased.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing for storing image data captured by the user in the user area 132 by the data storage control unit 128 in the digital camera 100 of the second modification. Note that detailed description of the same processing as in the flow of FIG. 5 described above is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the data storage control unit 128 accesses the startup management information 136 in step 800, as in the flow shown in FIG. Thereafter, in step 802, the data storage control unit 128 determines whether or not the uncompressed H / I 140 is stored in the user area 132 based on the startup management information 136. If the uncompressed H / I 140 is not stored in the user area 132, the data storage control unit 128 stores the image data in the user area 132 in step 804, and starts management information 136 in step 806. The information related to the free capacity of the user area 132 is updated.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step 802 that there is an uncompressed H / I 140 in the user area 132, the data storage control unit 128 has a free space required for storing image data in the user area 132 in step 808. Determine if it remains. As described above, when there is a free space necessary for storing image data in the user area 132, it is preferable to store the image data in the user area 132 without deleting the uncompressed H / I 140. . The data storage control unit 128 stores the image data in the user area 132 based on, for example, the capacity of the image data captured by the imaging unit 104 and information regarding the free capacity of the user area 132 included in the startup management information 136. It is possible to determine whether or not the necessary free space remains.

  If it is determined in step 808 that the user area 132 has enough free space to store the image data, the data storage control unit 128 stores the image data in the user area 132 in step 804. . That is, the data storage control unit 128 stores the image data in the user area 132 without deleting the uncompressed H / I 140. As a result, the image data and the uncompressed H / I 140 are stored in the user area 132 as shown in FIG.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step 808 in FIG. 8 that the user area 132 does not have enough free space to store image data, the data storage control unit 128 performs the flow shown in FIG. As in step 810, the uncompressed H / I 140 is deleted. Thereafter, the data storage control unit 128 updates the activation management information 136 in step 812. Further, the data storage control unit 128 stores the image data in the user area 132 in step 814, and then updates the startup management information 136 in step 816.

  As described above, in the digital camera 100 according to the second modification, the data storage control unit 128 can store the uncompressed H / I 140 in the user area 132 as long as the free space in the user area 132 is sufficient. . Therefore, for example, when the H / I is configured only from invariable information, the activation control unit 126 does not need to store the uncompressed H / I 140 in the user area 132 again when the system is OFF. In addition, when the free space in the user area 132 decreases and the capacity for storing new image data is insufficient, priority is given to storing the image data by deleting the uncompressed H / I 140. Can do. As a result, since the uncompressed H / I 140 is stored in the user area 132, it is possible to prevent an adverse effect that the area in which the user stores image data in the user area 132 is reduced. That is, the digital camera 100 according to the second modification can continuously store the uncompressed H / I 140 stored in the user area 132 without causing any harmful effects on the user.

(5-3. Modification 3)
The digital camera 100 according to the above embodiment stores the uncompressed H / I 140 in the user area 132 of the internal storage area 112 that is originally used by the user for storing image data in order to perform hibernation at high speed. Yes. However, the area originally used by the user for storing image data is not limited to the user area 132 alone. For example, the external storage device 124 inserted into the mounting unit 116 is also an area for the user to save image data. Therefore, hibernation can also be performed at high speed by storing the uncompressed H / I 140 in the free space of the external storage device 124 instead of the user area 132. The digital camera 100 of Modification 3 can store the uncompressed H / I 140 in the external storage device 124 instead of the user area 132 of the internal storage area 112.

  Here, since the external storage device 124 can be inserted into and removed from the mounting unit 116, when the digital camera 100 according to the third modification is activated, the external storage device 124 starts from the time when the system was previously turned off. It is necessary to recognize whether it has been inserted or removed from the mounting portion 116. This is because even if the uncompressed H / I 140 is stored in the external storage device 124, the external storage device 124 is then removed from the mounting unit 116 and another external storage device 124 in which the uncompressed H / I 140 is not stored is inserted. It is because it is also assumed that. Even in such a case, the startup management information 136 recognizes that the uncompressed H / I 140 is stored in the external storage area 124. Therefore, there is a possibility that inconsistency may occur between the information included in the startup management information 136 and the actual storage status of the uncompressed H / I 140 in the external storage device 124. It is also assumed that another external storage device 124 having uncompressed H / I stored in another digital camera is inserted into the attachment unit 116 after the external storage device 124 is removed from the attachment unit 116. In such a case, there is no contradiction between the information stored in the startup management information 136 and the actual storage status of the uncompressed H / I 140 in the external storage device 124, but another digital camera is included in the external storage device 124. That is, the uncompressed H / I is stored. In this case, the digital camera 100 performs system activation by hibernation based on the uncompressed H / I of another digital camera, which may cause a system error or failure. Therefore, the digital camera 100 according to the third modification confirms whether the external storage device 124 has been inserted into and removed from the mounting unit 116 since the system was previously turned off when the system was started up.

  In the digital camera 100 of the third modification, the flow of processing for starting the system by hibernation will be described below with reference to FIG. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing for starting the system by hibernation in response to a power supply start request from the user in the digital camera 100 of the third modification. In the digital camera 100 of the third modification, the uncompressed H / I 140 is stored in the external storage device 124 instead of the user area 132 when the system is turned off. However, the same as FIG. 3 described in the above embodiment. Detailed processing is omitted because it is stored by the flow.

  As shown in FIG. 9, in the digital camera 100 according to the third modification, when a power activation request is received from the user, first, in step 900, the activation control unit 126 inserts / removes the external storage device 124 into the mounting unit 116. It is judged whether it was done. Normally, a general digital camera determines whether an external storage device 124 such as a Memory Stick (registered trademark) or an SD card is inserted or removed, and if the external storage device 124 is not inserted or removed, access to header information or the like is made. By reducing this, the reading speed of the external storage device 124 is increased. The digital camera 100 of Modification 3 can be realized by including means for determining whether the external storage device 124 included in such a normal digital camera is inserted or removed.

  As described above, when the external storage device 124 is removed from the mounting unit 116, the uncompressed H / I 140 is not currently stored in the external storage device 124, and is inconsistent with the information included in the startup management information 136. There is a possibility. Further, there is a possibility that uncompressed H / I saved by another digital camera is saved in the external storage device 124. Therefore, if it is determined in step 900 that the external storage device 124 has been inserted into or removed from the mounting unit 116, the activation control unit 126 determines in step 908 the activation data 138 stored in the system area 130 of the internal storage area 112. Perform a cold boot based on That is, the activation control unit 126 completes the activation by activating the loader 134 stored in the system area 130, decompressing the activation data 138 and expanding the data in the RAM 118, and performing initialization of the system. As a result, system errors and failures can be prevented.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step 900 that the external storage device 124 has not been inserted or removed from the mounting unit 116, the activation control unit 126 accesses the activation management information 136 stored in the system area 130 in step 902. To do. Thereafter, in step 904, the activation control unit 126 determines whether or not the uncompressed H / I 140 is stored in the external storage device 124 based on the activation management information 136.

  If it is determined in step 904 that the uncompressed H / I 140 is stored in the external storage device 124, the activation control unit 126 speeds up the system activation by hibernation based on the uncompressed H / I 140 in step 906. Can be done.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step 904 that the uncompressed H / I 140 is not stored in the external storage device 124, the activation control unit 126 is stored in the system area 130 of the internal storage area 112 in step 908. A cold boot is performed based on the startup data 138.

  As described above, the digital camera 100 according to the third modification can store the uncompressed H / I 140 in the external storage device 124, and can start the system by hibernation at high speed based on the uncompressed H / I 140. . In addition, since the external storage device 124 is originally an area for the user to store image data, the digital camera 100 itself includes a non-volatile area (ROM or the like) for storing the uncompressed H / I 140 separately. There is no need. Therefore, even in an imaging device such as a digital camera that requires miniaturization, weight reduction, portability, and the like, high-speed system startup can be realized by storing the uncompressed H / I 140 in the external storage device 124. . In addition, by determining whether the external storage device 124 is inserted into or removed from the mounting unit 116, even when the activation management information 136 contradicts the actual storage status of the uncompressed H / I 140, it is based on the activation data 138. The system can be started safely by cold boot.

(5-4. Modification 4)
The digital camera 100 according to Modification 3 stores the uncompressed H / I 140 in the external storage device 124. For example, the digital camera 100 is selectively uncompressed in either the user area 132 of the internal storage area 112 or the external storage apparatus 124. The H / I 140 can also be saved. As described above, since both the user area 132 and the external storage device 124 are areas for storing image data by the user, it is necessary to store the uncompressed H / I 140 so as not to adversely affect the user. . In consideration of this point, the digital camera 100 according to the fourth modification can store the uncompressed H / I 140 by selecting the user area 132 or the external storage device 124 having the larger free space.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing for turning off the system in response to a power-off request from the user in the digital camera 100 according to the fourth modification.

  As illustrated in FIG. 10, in the digital camera 100 according to the fourth modification, when a power-off request is received from the user, first, in step 1000, the activation control unit 126 is activated for activation stored in the system area 130. The management information 136 is accessed. Thereafter, in step 1002, the activation control unit 126 determines whether image data is stored in the user area 132 of the internal storage area 112 or the external storage device 124. As described above, since the user area 132 and the external storage device 124 are areas for storing data such as images originally captured by the user, when the image data is stored, the uncompressed H / This is because I140 is not saved.

  If it is determined in step 1002 that the image data is stored in either the user area 132 of the internal storage area 112 or the external storage device 124, the activation control unit 126 in step 1011 The compressed H / I 142 is stored in the system area 130. Thereafter, in step 1012, the activation control unit 126 turns off the system power. As a result, when the system is activated next time, the activation control unit 126 can activate the system by hibernation by decompressing the compressed H / I 142 stored in the system area 130.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step 1002 that no image data is stored in either the user area 132 of the internal storage area 112 or the external storage device 124, the activation control unit 126 performs the process of step 1004. That is, the activation control unit 126 compares the free capacity of the user area 132 with the free capacity of the external storage device 124. As described above, the startup management information 136 can include information regarding the capacities of the user area 132 and the external storage device 124. Therefore, the activation control unit 126 can determine which of the available capacity of the user area 132 and the available capacity of the external storage device 124 is larger based on the activation management information 136.

  If it is determined in step 1004 that the free space in the user area 132 is larger than the free space in the external storage device 124, the activation control unit 126 uncompresses the user area 132 in the internal storage area 112 in step 1008. Save the H / I 140.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step 1004 that the free capacity of the external storage device 124 is larger than the free capacity of the user area 132, the activation control unit 126 stores the uncompressed H / V in the external storage device 124 in step 1006. Save I140.

  Thereafter, the activation control unit 126 updates the activation management information 136 in step 1010. That is, the activation control unit 126 updates the flag information on the presence / absence of the uncompressed H / I 140 in the user area 132 or the external storage device 124 included in the activation management information 136. Accordingly, when the system is started next time, the activation control unit 126 determines whether or not the uncompressed H / I 140 is stored in either the user area 132 or the external storage device 124 based on the activation management information 136. Can be determined. Thereafter, in step 1012, the activation control unit 126 turns off the system power.

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing for starting the system by hibernation in response to a power supply start request from the user in the digital camera 100 of the fourth modification.

  As described above, the digital camera 100 according to the fourth modification stores the uncompressed H / I 140 in either the user area 132 or the external storage device 124. Therefore, when there is a power activation request from the user, the activation control unit 126 first accesses the activation management information 136 in step 1100 and stores the uncompressed H / I 140 in the user area 132 in step 1102. It is judged whether it is done.

  If it is determined in step 1102 that the uncompressed H / I 140 is stored in the user area 132, the activation control unit 126 stores the uncompressed H / I 140 stored in the user area 132 of the internal storage area 112. Based on the above, the system is activated at high speed by hibernation.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step 1102 that the uncompressed H / I 140 is not stored in the user area 132, the uncompressed H / I 140 may be stored in the external storage device 124. However, as described in Modification 3 above, the external storage device 124 may be inserted and removed from the mounting unit 116, which may cause a contradiction with the startup management information 136. Therefore, when it is determined in step 1102 that the uncompressed H / I 140 is not stored in the user area 132, the activation control unit 126 performs external processing in step 1106, as in the flow of FIG. It is determined whether the storage device 124 is inserted or removed. When the external storage device 124 is inserted or removed, the activation control unit 126 activates the system by cold boot based on the activation data 138 stored in the system area 130 in step 1108. On the other hand, if the external storage device 124 is not inserted or removed, the activation control unit 126 determines whether or not the uncompressed H / I 140 is stored in the external storage device 124 in the activation management information 136 in step 1110. Judgment based on. If it is determined that the uncompressed H / I 140 is not stored in the external storage device 124, the activation control unit 126 performs a cold operation based on the activation data 138 stored in the system area 130 in step 1108. Boot the system. On the other hand, if it is determined that the uncompressed H / I 140 is stored in the external storage device 124, the activation control unit 126 determines in step 1112 the system speed by hibernation based on the uncompressed H / I 140. Start up.

  As described above, when there are a plurality of non-volatile areas in which image data is originally stored by the user, the digital camera 100 according to Modification 4 stores the uncompressed H / I 140 in an area with a larger free space. Can do. As a result, even when one storage area has a small remaining capacity due to storage of image data, the non-compressed H / I 140 can be stored in the other storage area, so that the system can be activated at high speed by hibernation. .

  In the above description of the fourth modification, the case where the user area 132 of the internal storage area 112 and the two storage areas of the external storage device 124 are described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the present invention can also be applied to a case where a plurality of internal storage areas 112 are provided, or a case where a mounting portion 116 for inserting two or more external storage devices 124 is provided. In the above description, it is determined in which area the uncompressed H / I 140 is stored based on the free space of the user area 132 and the external storage device 124, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, it may be determined in which area the uncompressed H / I 140 is stored based on other parameters such as the writing speed and reading speed of the user area 132 and the external storage device 124. In this case, the information regarding the parameter can be realized by the start management information 136 of the system area 130 having the information. In the description of Modification 4, when the image data is stored in the user storage area 132 or the external storage device 124, the compressed H / I 142 is stored in the system area 130. However, the present invention is not limited to this. It is not a thing. For example, as described in the first modification, even when image data is stored, the user area 132 or the external storage device 124 is not compressed to the uncompressed H in consideration of the free space of the user area 132 or the external storage device 124. It is also possible to save / I140.

(5-5. Modification 5)
The digital camera 100 according to the present embodiment can optionally include a communication interface 121. Therefore, for example, GPS (Global Positioning) using network communication
Various functions such as (System) can also be installed. A map display reproduction application using the GPS function usually includes a map display reproduction mode in which map information is downloaded from the network based on position information and the map display is reproduced. Therefore, for example, when the digital camera 100 is turned off during the map display playback mode, the map display playback application is started by restarting the system by the next hibernation, and the map display playback mode is resumed. . However, it is necessary to download the map information based on the position information from the network again, and there is a possibility that it takes time to restart the system. The digital camera 100 of Modification 5 can also restart the system at high speed by hibernation by including specific application information in the H / I as in the GPS application. Hereinafter, an example of a map display function using GPS as a specific application will be described.

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing for turning off the system in response to a power-off request from the user in the digital camera 100 according to the fifth modification.

  As illustrated in FIG. 12, in the digital camera 100 according to the fifth modification, when a power-off request is received from the user, first, in step 1200, the activation control unit 126 is activated for activation stored in the system area 130. The management information 136 is accessed. Thereafter, in step 1202, the activation control unit 126 determines whether image data is stored in the user area 132.

  If it is determined in step 1202 that image data is stored in the user area 132 of the internal storage area 112, the activation control unit 126 stores the compressed H / I 142 in the system area 130 in step 1204. Thereafter, the activation control unit 126 updates the activation management information 136 in step 1212, and turns off the system power in step 1214. As a result, when the system is activated next time, the activation control unit 126 can activate the system by hibernation by decompressing the compressed H / I 142 stored in the system area 130.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step 1202 that no image data is stored in the user area 132 of the internal storage area 112, the activation control unit 126 determines in step 1204 whether the current GPS map display mode is being executed. To check.

  If it is determined in step 1206 that the GPS map display mode is not currently being executed, the activation control unit 126 stores the uncompressed H / I 140 in the user area 132. The stored uncompressed H / I 140 does not include GPS map information. Thereafter, the activation control unit 132 updates the activation management information 136 in step 1212, and turns off the system power in step 1214. As a result, when the system is started next time, the start control unit 126 can start the system by hibernation at high speed based on the uncompressed H / I 140 stored in the user area 132. In addition, since the GPS map display mode application is not executed when the system is turned off, the map display mode is not executed when the system is resumed by hibernation.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step 1206 that the GPS map display mode is currently being executed, the activation control unit 126 displays the uncompressed H / I 140 including the currently downloaded map information as the user area 132. Save to. Thereafter, the activation control unit 132 updates the activation management information 136 in step 1212, and turns off the system power in step 1214. Thereby, when the system is started next time, the start control unit 126 can start the system by hibernation at high speed based on the uncompressed H / I 140 stored in the user area 132. Further, as described above, the uncompressed H / I 140 includes map information downloaded immediately before turning off the system. Therefore, when resuming the map display mode by hibernation, it is not necessary to download map information on the network again. As a result, the system can be restarted at high speed by hibernation.

  As described above, the digital camera 100 according to the fifth modification can start the system by hibernation at high speed even when it has a predetermined application function for downloading and executing predetermined information from the network. In other words, when the system is turned off, the application information downloaded from the network is included in the uncompressed H / I 140, so that the information necessary for resuming the application when the system is activated by the next hibernation is newly received from the network. There is no need to download. As a result, the digital camera 100 of the fifth modification can start up the system by hibernation at a high speed, including resumption of a predetermined application using the network.

  In the description of the fifth modification, the map display mode application using the GPS function has been mainly described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The present invention can be similarly applied to various applications that need to download predetermined information from the network. Further, which information of which application is included in the H / I can be determined by initial setting at the time of product manufacture, for example, or a user can set an arbitrary application.

(5-6. Modification 6)
When the system is turned off, the digital camera 100 of the above embodiment stores the uncompressed H / I 140 in the user area 132 which is a nonvolatile storage area, and starts the system at high speed by turning off the system power. It has a hibernation function. However, the digital camera 100 can also be equipped with a function called hot boot, for example. As described above, the hot boot holds system state information by continuing to supply power to the storage area of the RAM 118 when a user requests to turn off the system. This is a method of restarting the system at high speed. Here, the operation that saves the system status information by a system OFF request and interrupts the task is generally called “suspend”, and the operation that restores the saved status information and restarts the task is generally called “resume”. being called. In the hot boot, the system status information is held in the RAM 118 and the power supply is continued, so that the system can be restarted at a high speed. However, there is a problem that the power continues to be consumed by the power supply. Therefore, when the hot boot function is installed, the digital camera 100 according to the modified example 6 can use both the restart of the system by hot boot and the restart of the system by hibernation which is one of the features of the above embodiment. .

    FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing when a power-off request is received from the user in the digital camera 100 of the sixth modification.

  As shown in FIG. 13, in the digital camera 100 according to the modified example 6, when a power-off request is received from the user, first, in step 1300, the activation control unit 126 has sufficient battery capacity of the digital camera 100. Check if it remains. Although the digital camera 100 of the modification 6 has a hot boot function, as described above, it is necessary to energize the system power supply at the time of suspending, so that it may be executed when the battery capacity is not sufficient. It is not possible. When the remaining capacity of the battery is less than the predetermined capacity, the activation control unit 126 determines that there is no capacity necessary for suspending, and when the remaining capacity of the battery is larger than the predetermined capacity, it is necessary for suspending. It can be determined that a sufficient capacity remains. It should be noted that the predetermined capacity serving as a determination criterion can be set at the time of manufacturing the digital camera according to the modified example 6, or can be arbitrarily set by the user.

  If it is determined in step 1300 that the battery capacity required for suspending does not remain, the activation control unit 126 stores the H / I necessary for hibernation in the internal storage area 112 according to each step shown in FIG. Save and turn off the system. That is, the activation control unit 126 saves the compressed H / I 142 in the system area 140 or saves the uncompressed H / I 140 in the user area 132 and turns off the system. As a result, even when the hot boot function is installed, the digital camera 100 can perform processing in preparation for system activation by hibernation without suspending when the remaining battery capacity is low.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step 1300 that the battery capacity necessary for suspending remains, the activation control unit 126 suspends in step 1302. That is, the activation control unit 126 continues energization of the system while holding various state information developed in the RAM 118. As a result, the system can be restarted at a high speed when a power activation request is subsequently received from the user.

  Thereafter, in step 1304, the activation control unit 126 determines whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of suspend. As described above, there is a problem that power is continuously consumed because the system power supply is energized at the time of suspension. Therefore, if the suspended state is continued for a long time, power may be consumed and the battery may run out. Further, it is not preferable that the suspended state is continued for a long time from the viewpoint of energy saving. Therefore, in the digital camera 100 according to the modified example 6, when the suspend state is continued for a predetermined time, the suspend state is saved, and the system is activated by hibernation. In the digital camera 100 of Modification 6, the predetermined time for which the suspended state is continued can be set in advance at the time of manufacture, for example, or can be arbitrarily set by the user.

  If it is determined in step 1304 that a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of suspending, the activation control unit 126 stores the H / I necessary for hibernation in accordance with each step shown in FIG. The data is saved in the storage area 112 and the system is turned off. That is, if the user has not made a power-on request for a predetermined time after the suspend is started, the activation control unit 126 cancels the suspend state and uses the state information held in the RAM 118 as the H / I as the user. The data is stored in the area 132 or the system area 130. As a result, when a system activation request is received from the user next time, hibernation is performed based on the uncompressed H / I 132 stored in the user area 132 or the compressed H / I 142 stored in the system area 130. System startup can be performed.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step 1304 that a predetermined time has not elapsed since the start of suspending, the activation control unit 126 determines in step 1306 that the system power is turned off until a predetermined time elapses. It is determined whether or not there is a start request. If it is determined in step 1306 that the user has requested to start the system power supply, the start control unit 126 resumes in step 1306. That is, the activation control unit 126 can restart the system at high speed based on the system state information held in the RAM 118.

  As described above, even when the digital camera 100 of Modification 6 is equipped with a hot boot function, the hibernation function can also be used based on the battery capacity, the suspend duration, and the like. That is, the digital camera 100 according to the modified example 6 suspends to perform hot boot that can restart the system at high speed when the battery capacity is sufficient, and H when the battery capacity is not sufficient. / I is stored in the internal storage area 112 to turn off the system. At this time, as described above, by storing the uncompressed H / I 140 in the user area 132 in accordance with the usage status of the user area 132, the system can be activated by hibernation at high speed. Further, even when there is no system ON request from the user for a certain time in the suspended state, the suspended state can be stopped, the H / I can be stored in the internal storage area 112, and the system can be turned off. As a result, it is possible to prevent the battery from running out and wasteful power consumption, and at the next system startup, the system can be started at high speed by hibernation.

  Although various modifications of the digital camera 100 according to this embodiment have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these. In other words, it is naturally possible to add functions (for example, communication means, image editing, imaging mode editing, etc.) assumed for a general digital camera to the digital camera 100 according to the present embodiment.

  It is also possible to apply a plurality of modifications described above in combination. For example, the digital camera 100 according to the modification 4 determines an area for storing the uncompressed H / I 140 based on the free space of the user area 132 and the external storage device 124. However, when the uncompressed H / I 140 is stored in the external storage device 124, as shown in FIG. 11, since it is affected by the insertion / extraction of the external storage device 124, there is an opportunity to perform high-speed system startup by hibernation. May be lost. In order to avoid this, for example, a digital camera 100 combining the modification 4 and the modification 2 can be considered. That is, in the flow of FIG. In principle, the uncompressed H / I 140 is stored in the user area 132, and is stored in the external storage area 124 only when the free space of the user area 132 is insufficient. As a result, it is possible to efficiently use a plurality of non-volatile storage areas where image data is originally stored by the user, and it is possible to more reliably secure an opportunity to start the system at high speed by hibernation.

  In the above-described embodiment, an example in which the compressed H / I 142 is stored in the system area 130 when the uncompressed H / I 140 is not stored in the user area 132 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Absent. For example, in an actual imaging apparatus such as a digital camera, there may be a case where the system area 130 does not have a capacity necessary for storing the compressed H / I 142. That is, some imaging devices may not have the hibernation function itself. As described above, even if the imaging apparatus does not have the system area 142 sufficient to store the compressed H / I 142, the system can be activated by hibernation by applying the characteristics of the above embodiment. it can. That is, by storing the uncompressed H / I 140 in the user area 132 originally used by the user, it is possible to realize a high-speed system startup by hibernation.

  As described above, the digital camera 100 according to the present embodiment is a non-compressed state (non-compressed H / I 140) of system state information necessary for hibernation, and is a non-volatile storage area originally used by the user (user The area 132 can be stored in the external storage device 124). Further, the startup management information 136 having information related to the usage status of the nonvolatile storage area originally used by the user can be included in the system area 130 of the nonvolatile internal storage area 112. Therefore, when starting up the system, the digital camera 100 determines whether or not the uncompressed H / I 140 is stored in the nonvolatile storage area originally used by the user based on the startup management information 136. Can do. As a result, the digital camera 100 can start up the system by hibernation at high speed using the uncompressed H / I 140 based on the information included in the startup management information 136. That is, the digital camera 100 according to the present embodiment temporarily stores system state information necessary for hibernation in a non-compressed state in a nonvolatile storage area originally used by the user. It is possible to speed up the system startup by hibernation.

  The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above with reference to the accompanying drawings, but the present invention is not limited to such examples. It is obvious that a person having ordinary knowledge in the technical field to which the present invention pertains can come up with various changes or modifications within the scope of the technical idea described in the claims. Of course, it is understood that these also belong to the technical scope of the present invention.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, an example of a digital still camera has been described as the imaging apparatus of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to such an example. The imaging device can be applied to other imaging devices (digital still cameras, video cameras, recording devices, etc.), for example, as long as the device has an imaging unit and a non-volatile storage area that records data captured by the imaging unit. can do. Therefore, in the description of the above embodiment, the case where image data is stored in the user area 132 or the like has been described as an example. However, for example, various other data data such as moving image data and audio data may be included.

  In the above embodiment, the H / I in a completely uncompressed state is stored in the user area 132, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, when the free space in the user area 132 is small, the H / I can be compressed and stored at a compression rate lower than normal. In this case, the startup time is longer than when the system is started based on the uncompressed H / I 140, but the hibernation system is faster than when the system is started based on the normal compressed H / I 142. It can also be activated.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of a digital camera 100 that is an example of an imaging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 2 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a configuration of an internal storage area 112 included in the digital camera 100 according to the embodiment. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing when the system is turned off in the digital camera 100 according to the embodiment. FIG. In the digital camera 100 according to the embodiment, it is a flowchart showing a flow of system activation by hibernation. 10 is a flowchart showing another flow of storing image data in a user area 132 in the digital camera 100 according to the embodiment. FIG. In the digital camera 100 which concerns on the embodiment, it is a flowchart which shows another flow of the process at the time of turning off a system. 4 is a conceptual diagram showing a configuration of an internal storage area 112 in which image data and uncompressed H / I 140 are stored in the digital camera 100 according to the embodiment. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing another flow of storing image data in a user area 132 in the digital camera 100 according to the embodiment. FIG. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing another flow of system activation in the digital camera 100 according to the embodiment. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing another flow of system OFF in the digital camera 100 according to the embodiment. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing another flow of system activation in the digital camera 100 according to the embodiment. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing another flow of system OFF in the digital camera 100 according to the embodiment. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing another flow of system OFF in the digital camera 100 according to the embodiment. It is a conceptual diagram which shows the structure of the internal storage area 12 with which the conventional common digital camera 10 is provided. In the conventional general digital camera 10, it is a flowchart which shows the starting flow of the system by cold boot.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Digital camera 102 Operation input part 104 Image pick-up part 106 Voice input / output part 108 Display part 110 Data processing part 112 Internal storage area 114 Decoder 116 Mounting part 118 RAM
120 External Interface 121 Communication Interface 122 Control Unit 124 External Storage Device 126 Startup Control Unit 128 Data Storage Control Unit 130 System Area 132 User Area 134 Loader
136 Management information for startup 138 Compressed data for startup 140 Decompressed data for startup

Claims (18)

An imaging unit for imaging a subject;
A user area that is a non-volatile storage area for storing image data captured by the imaging unit;
A system area that is a non-volatile storage area for storing start-up management information including information on the usage status of the user area, and start-up data necessary for starting the system;
When a user requests to turn off the system, based on the startup management information, the state information related to the state of the system is stored in the user area in an uncompressed state or in the system area in a compressed state And an activation control unit that cuts off power to the system after updating the activation management information;
An imaging apparatus comprising: The activation control unit determines whether image data captured by the imaging unit is stored in the user area based on the activation management information,
If the image data is not stored in the user area, the state information is stored in the user area in an uncompressed state, and the startup management information is updated.
When the image data is stored in the user area, based on the start-up management information, the system information in the user area in the uncompressed state or the compressed state information on the system state The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the imaging management information is saved in an area and the management information for activation is updated. When the image data is stored in the user area, the activation control unit is necessary to store the uncompressed state information in the user area based on the activation management information. Determine if there is capacity left,
If there is a capacity necessary to save the uncompressed state information in the user area, save the state information about the system state in the uncompressed state in the user area,
The state information relating to the state of the system is stored in a compressed state in the system region when there is no remaining capacity necessary for storing the state information in the uncompressed state in the user region. The imaging device described in 1. The activation control unit activates the system based on the activation data stored in the system area when a user requests activation of the system,
Based on either the compressed state information stored in the system area or the uncompressed state information stored in the user area, the system is restored to a state before turning off the system. The imaging device according to claim 3. If the activation control unit determines that the uncompressed state information is not stored in the user area based on the activation management information, the compressed state stored in the system area Restore the state of the system by decompressing the information,
5. The system state according to claim 4, wherein if it is determined that the uncompressed status information is stored in the user area based on the startup management information, the system status is restored based on the uncompressed status information. Imaging device. The activation control unit determines whether or not the remaining battery capacity of the system is greater than a preset capacity when a user requests to turn off the system;
When the remaining capacity of the battery is less than a preset capacity, based on the management information for activation, the state information related to the state of the system is uncompressed in the user area or in a compressed state. Save it in the system area, cut off power to the system after updating the startup management information,
The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the remaining capacity of the battery is larger than a preset capacity, energization of the system is continued in a state where the state information is held in a volatile storage area.   The activation control unit is configured to store the volatile memory based on the activation management information when the system is energized continuously for a preset time while the state information is held in the volatile storage area. The status information held in the area is stored in the user area in an uncompressed state or in the system area in a compressed state, and the energization to the system is cut off after updating the startup management information The imaging device according to claim 6.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a data storage control unit that stores image data captured by the imaging unit in the user area. The data storage control unit determines whether the uncompressed state information is stored in the user area based on the startup management information,
If it is determined that the uncompressed state information is not stored in the user area, the image data is stored in the user area,
9. The imaging according to claim 8, wherein if it is determined that the uncompressed state information is stored in the user area, the image data is stored in the user area after the uncompressed state information is deleted. apparatus. The data storage control unit determines whether the uncompressed state information is stored in the user area based on the startup management information,
If it is determined that the uncompressed state information is not stored in the user area, the image data is stored in the user area,
If it is determined that the uncompressed state information is stored in the user area, whether or not the free space necessary for storing the image data remains in the user area Make decisions based on information,
If there is a free space necessary to save the image data in the user area, the image data is saved in the user area,
9. The image data is stored in the user area after erasing the non-compressed state information when there is no free space necessary for storing the image data in the user area. The imaging device described.   The activation management information includes at least information on whether or not the uncompressed state information is stored in the user area, information on whether or not the image data is stored in the user area, and the user area The image pickup apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: An imaging unit for imaging a subject;
A mounting unit that houses a removable external storage device that stores image data captured by the imaging unit;
A user area that is a non-volatile storage area for storing image data captured by the imaging unit;
A system area that is a non-volatile storage area for storing start-up management information including information on the usage status of the user area and the external storage device, and start-up data necessary for starting the system;
When there is a request to turn off the system from the user, based on the management information for startup, the state information regarding the state of the system is uncompressed in either the user area or the external storage device, or An activation control unit that stores the compressed state in the system area and interrupts energization of the system after updating the activation management information;
An imaging apparatus comprising: The activation control unit determines whether the image data captured by the imaging unit is stored in the user area or the external storage device based on the management information for activation,
If the image data is not stored in the user area or the external storage device, the status information is stored in either the user area or the external storage device in an uncompressed state and is managed for start-up. Update information,
When the image data is stored in the user area, the state information is compressed to either the user area or the external storage device in an uncompressed state based on the start management information, or compressed. The imaging apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the startup management information is updated in the state that is stored in the system area. When the image data is stored in the user area or the external storage device, the activation control unit is in the uncompressed state in the user area or the external storage device based on the management information for activation. Determine if there is enough space left to store the state information for
When the user area or the external storage device has a capacity necessary for storing the state information in the uncompressed state, the state information is stored in the uncompressed state in the user area or the external storage device. Save to
The state information is stored in a compressed state in the system area when there is no capacity necessary for storing the uncompressed state information in the user area or the external storage device. The imaging device according to 13. The activation control unit determines which of the free space of the user area and the free space of the external storage device is larger based on the management information for activation,
If the free space in the user area is larger than the free space in the external storage device, the state information is stored in the user area in an uncompressed state,
The imaging device according to claim 14, wherein when the free space of the external storage device is larger than the free space of the user area, the state information is stored in the external storage device in an uncompressed state. The activation control unit activates the system based on the activation data stored in the system area when a user requests activation of the system,
Based on the startup management information, the startup compressed data stored in the system area, or the uncompressed status information stored in either the user area or the external storage device The imaging apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the system is restarted. When there is a system OFF request from the user, the startup control unit
Start-up including information on the usage status of the user area, which is a non-volatile storage area that is stored in the system area, which is a non-volatile storage area that stores information related to the processing of the system, and that stores image data captured by the imaging unit A user area determination step for determining whether or not the image data is stored in the user area based on management information;
When the image data is stored in the user area, the state information related to the state of the system expanded in the volatile storage area is stored in the system area in a compressed state, and the user area stores the image data in the user area. If the image data is not stored, a storing step of storing the state information in the uncompressed state in the user area;
An update step of updating the startup management information;
A shut-off step for shutting off power to the system;
A hibernation control method for an imaging apparatus, comprising: When there is a request for starting the system from the user, the start control unit
An activation step of activating the system based on activation data required to activate the system, stored in the system area;
Based on either the uncompressed status information stored in the user area or the compressed status information stored in the system area based on the startup management information, A restoration step for restoring to a state before turning off;
The hibernation control method of the imaging device according to claim 16, comprising:

Images