JP3233609B2 - Image recording apparatus, image recording method, and medium - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image recording apparatus such as an electronic camera for temporarily storing image data in a volatile memory and transferring and recording the image data stored in the volatile memory to a nonvolatile memory. The present invention relates to an apparatus, an image recording method, and a storage medium.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an optical image of a subject input from a photographing lens is photoelectrically converted by a solid-state imaging device such as a CCD.
This photoelectrically converted image signal (analog data) is
2. Description of the Related Art A digital camera that performs D-conversion and records the data on a memory medium is known.

In such a digital camera, image data is temporarily stored in a buffer memory (volatile memory),
Thereafter, the data is transferred to a hard disk (non-volatile memory) and stored and recorded.

[0004]

By the way, since the image data stored in the buffer memory is stored and recorded on the hard disk after being transferred to the hard disk, it can be deleted by overwriting or the like, and new image data can be stored in the buffer memory. You will be able to store data.

[0005] However, the image data stored in the buffer memory after the hard disk is filled with the image data cannot be stored and recorded on the hard disk, and is destroyed by turning off the power.

When the image data stored in the buffer memory is transferred to the hard disk each time, the hard disk is started every time the image data is transferred. However, it takes a long time to start the hard disk, and the number of starts is also large. Such a configuration is disadvantageous because it is limited.
On the other hand, if the hard disk is always operated, the hard disk is driven to rotate even when no image is taken, which wastes power.

Further, the following problem has occurred during continuous shooting. That is, at the time of continuous shooting, the speed at which image data is stored in the buffer memory is high, so even if the image data stored in the buffer memory is transferred to the hard disk each time, the buffer memory must be It will be full. As described above, when the buffer memory becomes full, it is necessary to transfer the image data in the buffer memory to the hard disk and suspend the shooting until a free area is secured in the buffer memory. On the other hand, if the storage speed in the buffer memory is reduced, the buffer memory does not become full before the data is transferred to the hard disk, but the continuous shooting speed is reduced. Also, hard disk,
The transfer speed (write speed) to the non-volatile memory differs depending on the type of the non-volatile memory such as a memory card and a magnetic tape. However, conventionally, this transfer speed is always constant and depends on the type of the non-volatile memory. Since it could not be changed, there was a case where it was disadvantageous in terms of the continuous shooting speed.

[0008] The present invention has been made under circumstances such as this, issues of that is, non-volatile memory from the volatile memory
Data transfer to the device has not been completed and the remaining nonvolatile memory
Even if the amount is large, the captured image is
It is to prevent the data from being stored and erased .

[0009]

[0010]

[0011]

[0012]

[0013]

[0014]

[0015]

[0016]

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention temporarily stores input image data in a volatile memory, and stores the image data stored in the volatile memory in a nonvolatile memory. In an image recording apparatus for transferring and recording, first detection means for detecting a remaining capacity of the non-volatile memory, and image data temporarily stored in the volatile memory after detection by the first detection means. Cumulative weighing
A second detecting means for repeatedly detecting, and when the cumulative amount of the image data detected by the second detecting means becomes equal to the remaining capacity already detected by the first detecting means , the image data is newly added. Notification means is provided for notifying the user that input has been disabled.

According to the present invention, image data obtained by photoelectrically converting an optical image photographed by a photographing lens by a photoelectric conversion element is temporarily stored in a volatile memory, and the image data stored in the volatile memory is stored in the volatile memory. An image recording apparatus that transfers image data to a non-volatile memory and records the image data, an image pickup unit that outputs image data formed by the photoelectric conversion element, a first detection unit that detects a remaining capacity of the non-volatile memory,
Second detection means for repeatedly detecting the cumulative amount of image data temporarily stored in the volatile memory after detection by the first detection means, and cumulative total of the image data detected by the second detection means When the amount becomes equal to the remaining capacity already detected by the first detecting means, a warning is issued to the user to prohibit the photographing operation, and control means for interrupting the photographing operation by the imaging means is provided. Is provided.

[0018]

[0019]

The present invention also relates to an image recording method for temporarily storing input image data in a volatile memory and transferring and recording the image data stored in the volatile memory to a nonvolatile memory. A first detection step of detecting the remaining capacity of the non-volatile memory, and a second detection step of repeatedly detecting the cumulative amount of image data temporarily stored in the volatile memory after the detection by the first detection step If the cumulative amount of image data detected in the second detection step becomes equal to the remaining capacity already detected in the first detection step, the user is notified that new image data can no longer be input. And a notifying step of notifying the user.

According to the present invention, image data obtained by photoelectrically converting an optical image photographed by a photographing lens by a photoelectric conversion element is temporarily stored in a volatile memory, and the image data stored in the volatile memory is stored in the volatile memory. In an image recording method of transferring and recording the image data to a nonvolatile memory, an image capturing step of outputting image data formed by the photoelectric conversion element, and a first detecting step of detecting a remaining capacity of the nonvolatile memory,
A second detection step of repeatedly detecting the cumulative amount of the image data temporarily stored in the volatile memory after the detection by the first detection step, and a cumulative total of the image data detected by the second detection step When the amount is equal to the remaining capacity already detected by the first detecting step, a warning step is issued to the user to prohibit the photographing operation, and a control step of interrupting the photographing operation by the photographing step; Is provided.

[0022]

[0023]

[0024]

[0025]

[0026]

[0027]

[0028]

[0029]

[0030]

[0031]

[0032]

[0033]

[0034]

[0035]

[0036]

[0037]

[0038]

[0039]

[0040]

[0041]

[0042]

[0043]

[0044]

[0045]

[0046]

[0047]

Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[First Embodiment] FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an outline of an electronic camera according to an embodiment.

This electronic camera includes a photographing lens 1, an exposure control means 2 such as a shutter having an aperture function, a CCD
And the like, an image sensor 3, a sample-and-hold circuit 4, an A / D converter 5, a volatile internal memory 6, a memory control unit 7, a timing signal generation circuit 8, a system controller 9, an interface circuit 10, and a nonvolatile hard disk device 11. Have. The storage capacity of the internal memory 6 is
As shown by reference numerals M0 to M7 in the figure, the capacity is such that image data for eight screens can be stored.

The system controller 9 has a switch S
Various switches such as W1 and switch SW2 are connected. When the switch SW1 is turned on, the exposure control unit 2
, The photographing preparation such as determining the shutter speed is performed. When the switch SW2 is turned on, the shutter is opened and photographing is performed.

The system controller 9 is connected to LEDs 14, 15, and 16 provided in the viewfinder. When the switch SW2 is turned on in a state where the remaining capacity of the internal memory 6 is "0", the LED 14 is lit to warn that shooting cannot be performed. LED15
Warns that the total storage capacity of the internal memory 6 after the remaining capacity of the hard disk device 11 has become less than or equal to the maximum capacity of the internal memory 6 reaches the maximum capacity of the internal memory 6 and that no more images can be taken. To be lit. Also,
The LED 16 is turned on to indicate that the hard disk drive 11 is operating.

When exposure is performed under the control of the exposure control means 2, the optical image of the subject from the photographing lens 1 is incident on the image pickup device 3, photoelectrically converted and output as an analog image signal. Therefore, the sample and hold circuit 4 samples and holds the analog image signal from the image sensor 3, and the A / D converter 5 performs A / D conversion on the sampled and held image signal. The A / D-converted image signal is temporarily recorded in the internal memory 6 under the control of the memory control unit 7, and further stored and recorded in the hard disk device 11 via the interface circuit 10.

At this time, the image pickup device 3, the sample hold circuit 4, and the A / D converter 5 operate while taking timing based on the timing signal generated by the timing signal generating circuit 9. The memory control unit 7 also controls a refresh operation for the volatile internal memory 6.

Next, the photographing operation of the electronic camera will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. First, the system controller 9 waits for the switch SW1 to be turned on (step S1). When the switch SW1 is turned on, the system controller 9 performs side light and determines an aperture value and a shutter speed based on the photometric result. Perform a shooting standby (step S
2). Next, it is determined whether or not the switch SW2 is turned on (step S3). As a result, the switch SW2
If the switch SW1 is not turned on, it is determined whether or not the switch SW1 is turned on (step S4).
If the switch 1 has been turned on, the process returns to step S3, and the switch S
If W1 is not turned on, the process returns to step S1.

If it is determined in step S3 that the switch SW2 is turned on, it is determined whether the remaining capacity of the internal memory 6 is "0" (step S5). As a result, if the remaining capacity of the internal memory 6 is “0”, the LED 14 is turned on to warn the user (step S
6) Return to step S3. On the other hand, if the remaining capacity of the internal memory 6 is not “0”, photographing is executed, that is, the shutter is opened under the control of the exposure control means 2, and as a result, the imaging device 3, the sample hold circuit 4, and the A / D The image data obtained by the converter 5 is temporarily recorded in the internal memory 6 (step S7). Then, the image data recorded in the internal memory 6 is transferred to the hard disk device 11 via the interface circuit 10 (Step S).
8). At this time, the system controller 9 also outputs a start signal for starting the hard disk device 11 to the hard disk device 11 and turns on the LED 16 to indicate that the hard disk device 11 is operating.

When the transfer is completed, the system controller 9 determines whether or not the remaining capacity of the hard disk device 11 has become equal to or less than the storage capacity of the internal memory 6 (for eight screens) (step S9). As a result, if the remaining capacity of the hard disk device 11 is not less than the storage capacity of the internal memory 6, after confirming that the switch SW2 is turned off (step S10), it is determined whether or not the switch SW1 is turned on. (Step S11). As a result, if the switch SW1 is turned on, step S3
If the switch SW1 is turned off, the process returns to step S1.

At step S9, the hard disk drive 1
When it is determined that the remaining capacity of the hard disk drive 11 is equal to or less than the storage capacity of the internal memory 6, the image data stored in the internal memory 6 after the remaining capacity of the hard disk device 11 becomes equal to the storage capacity of the internal memory 6. Is stored in the internal memory 6
It is determined whether or not the storage capacity has reached (step S1).
2). As a result, when the accumulated weight does not reach the storage capacity of the internal memory 6, after confirming that the switch SW2 is turned off (step S13), it is determined whether or not the switch SW1 is turned on (step S13). S14). As a result, if the switch SW1 is on, the process returns to step S3, and if the switch SW1 is off, the process returns to step S1.

In step S12, after the remaining capacity of the hard disk device 11 becomes equal to the storage capacity of the internal memory 6, the cumulative amount of image data stored in the internal memory 6 is calculated as follows.
When it is determined that the storage capacity of the internal memory 6 has been reached,
Since the remaining capacity of the hard disk drive 11 is "0" and the image data cannot be transferred to the hard disk drive 11 even if the shooting is continued thereafter, the LED 1 is used to warn that no more data can be shot.
5 is turned on (step S15), and the process ends.

As described above, the hard disk device 1
After the remaining capacity of “1” becomes “0”, shooting or prohibition is performed, so that the data cannot be transferred to the hard disk device 11 for storage and recording, and eventually an image that disappears when the power is turned off is shot. Such useless shooting can be prevented.

[Application Modification of First Embodiment] The first embodiment is an example of single shooting. However, in the case of continuous shooting, the remaining capacity of the hard disk device 11 becomes “0” by the same processing. "
It is possible to prohibit the shooting after it becomes.

Each time a picture is taken, the image data is transferred to the hard disk drive 11 in units of a predetermined number of screens without transferring the image data to the hard disk drive 11 each time.
To transfer to the hard disk drive 1
1 is checked and the internal memory 6
It is also possible to check the cumulative amount of the image data in the file and to prohibit the photographing when the cumulative amount becomes equal to the remaining capacity of the hard disk device 11.

Further, the determination as to whether or not the remaining capacity of the hard disk device 11 has become "0" can be made as follows. That is, for example, in a case where image data is transferred to the hard disk device 11 every time shooting is performed,
The number of screens corresponding to the storage capacity of the hard disk drive 11 is set in advance in the down counter, and every time image data for one screen is transferred to the hard disk drive 11, the down counter is counted down by one, and the down counter becomes "0". , The remaining capacity of the hard disk device 11 may be determined to be “0”.

[Second Embodiment] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an outline of an electronic camera according to a second embodiment. The hardware configuration of this electronic camera is almost the same as that of the electronic camera according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1, and only the differences will be briefly described.

The hardware configuration of the electronic camera according to the second embodiment shown in FIG. 3 differs from the components of the electronic camera according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1 only in that LEDs 14 and 15 are not provided. In the second embodiment, when the image data stored in the internal memory 6 reaches a predetermined amount, the hard disk device 11 is started, and a predetermined amount (for a predetermined screen) of image data is collectively transferred to the hard disk device 11.
To be forwarded to.

Next, the photographing operation of the electronic camera according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

The system controller 9 first waits for the switch SW1 to be turned on (step S21). When the switch SW1 is turned on, the system controller 9 performs photometry, and determines the aperture value and the shutter speed based on the result of the light control. Then, a photographing standby such as performing is performed (step S22). Next, it is determined whether or not the switch SW2 is turned on (step S23). As a result, when the switch SW2 is not turned on, it is determined whether or not the switch SW1 is turned on (step S24). If the switch SW1 is turned on, the process returns to step S23, and the switch SW1 must be turned on. If so, the process returns to step S21.

If it is determined in step S23 that the switch SW2 is turned on, photographing is executed, that is, the shutter is opened under the control of the exposure control means 2, and as a result, the image pickup device 3, the sample hold Circuit 4,
The image data obtained by the A / D converter 5 is temporarily recorded in the internal memory 6 (Step S25).

Next, it is determined whether or not the hard disk device 11 is operating (step S26). As a result, if the hard disk device 11 is in operation, step S
In step S31, if the hard disk device 11 is not operating, it is determined whether or not the amount of image data in the internal memory 6 has reached a predetermined amount (step S27). As a result, if the predetermined amount has been reached, the hard disk device 11 is started (step S28). At this time, the system controller 9
Turns on the LED 16 to indicate that the hard disk drive 11 is operating. Then, transfer of the image data in the internal memory 6 to the hard disk device 11 is started,
When all the image data has been transferred, the operation of the hard disk device 11 is stopped, and the LED 16 is turned off (step S29).

If it is determined in step S27 that the amount of image data in the internal memory 6 has not reached the predetermined amount, it is confirmed that the switch SW2 has been turned off (step S30). It is determined whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed since the image data was stored in step S3.
1). As a result, if the predetermined time has not elapsed, the process returns to step S21, and if the predetermined time has elapsed, that is,
If the predetermined time has elapsed without the captured image data reaching the predetermined amount, the process proceeds to steps S28 and S29,
When the hard disk device 11 is started, image data that has passed a predetermined time without reaching the predetermined amount in the internal memory 6 is
The data is transferred to the hard disk device 11.

As described above, by transferring the image data after the elapse of a predetermined time to the hard disk device 11, the power is turned off in a state where the image data is not transferred to the hard disk device 11 and remains in the internal memory 6, and the power is turned off. Image data in the internal memory 6 can be prevented from being deleted without being stored and recorded in the hard disk device 11.

After stopping the operation of the hard disk drive 11 in step S29, it is confirmed that the switch SW2 is turned off (step S32), and the process returns to step S21. As can be inferred from the processing in steps S26 to S29, it is possible to perform the next shooting even while the image data is being transferred to the hard disk device 11. In this case, the image data captured during the transfer is
After being temporarily stored in the internal memory 6, it is immediately transferred to the hard disk device 11. However, the image data captured during the transfer is transferred after the last image data stored so far in the internal memory 6 has been transferred.

As described above, when the amount of image data once stored in the internal memory 6 reaches a predetermined amount, the image data is transferred to the hard disk device 11 at once, and the hard disk device 11 is stopped during a period other than the transfer period. Since the number of startups and the drive time of the hard disk device 11 are reduced,
Power consumption can be saved.

[Application Modification of Second Embodiment] The amount of the image data to be transferred collectively (the predetermined amount) may be changed according to the size of the hard disk device 11. In this case, the larger the size of the hard disk device 11, the greater the amount of image data to be transferred at once.

As the external storage device, a memory card other than a hard disk device, a magnetic tape, or the like can be adopted. Also in this case, it is desirable to change the amount of image data to be transferred in a batch according to the type of the external storage device, such as reducing the amount when using a memory card and increasing the amount when using a magnetic tape.

[Third Embodiment] FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an outline of an electronic camera according to a third embodiment. The hardware configuration of this electronic camera is almost the same as that of the electronic camera according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1, and only the differences will be briefly described.

The hardware configuration of the electronic camera according to the third embodiment shown in FIG. 5 is different from that of the electronic camera according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. In that a new switch SW3 is provided. In addition, in consideration of a case where a nonvolatile external storage device such as a memory card or a magnetic tape is used instead of the hard disk device 11 in the first embodiment of FIG.

In the third embodiment, the speed at which image data is stored in the internal memory 6 (continuous shooting speed) is slightly higher than the speed at which image data is transferred from the internal memory 6 to the external storage device 11a. The amount of image data in the internal memory 6 is gradually increased, and when the amount of image data in the internal memory 6 becomes full, the subsequent photographing is prohibited, and all the full image data in the internal memory 6 is transferred. At this stage, the external storage device 11a is also made full. Further, it is configured to select an optimum continuous shooting speed according to the type of the external storage device 11a.

Next, the photographing operation of the electronic camera according to the third embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

The system controller 9 first determines the type (including size), remaining capacity, transfer speed, and the like of the attached external storage device 11a, and sets them (step S51). Next, it waits for the switch SWI to be turned on (step S52), and when the switch SW1 is turned on,
Photometry is performed, and shooting standby is performed, such as determining an aperture value and a shutter speed based on the photometry result (step S53).

Next, it is determined whether or not the switch SW2 is turned on (step S54). As a result, when the switch SW2 is not turned on, it is determined whether or not the switch SW1 is turned on (step S55). If the switch SW1 is turned on, the process returns to step S54, and the switch SW1 must be turned on. Step S
Return to 52.

If it is determined in step S54 that the switch SW2 is turned on, the number of shots (not the number of frames for continuous shooting) preset by the switch SW3 is
It is determined whether the number is larger than the number of image data that can be stored in the internal memory 6 (step S56). As a result, if the preset number of shots is equal to or less than the number of image data that can be stored in the internal memory 6, the image data is stored in the internal memory 6 at high speed regardless of the transfer speed to the external storage device 11a. Even if this is done, the internal memory 6 will not be full, so that shooting in the ultra-high-speed continuous shooting mode is executed (step S58).

On the other hand, if the preset number of shots is larger than the number of image data that can be stored in the internal memory 6, whether the ratio of the number of shots related to the setting to the storage capacity of the external storage device 11a is large or medium, It is determined whether the number is small (step S57). As a result, if the ratio of the number of shots related to the setting is not small, shooting in the high-speed continuous shooting mode is executed (step S59). (Step S6)
0), if the ratio of the number of shots related to the setting is large, shooting is performed in the low-speed continuous shooting mode (step S61).

Here, the super-high-speed, high-speed, medium-speed, and low-speed continuous shooting modes in steps S58 to S61 refer to the image data obtained when the image data from the fixed-state image sensor 3 is fetched and stored in the internal memory 6. The transfer speed to the internal memory 6 is very high, high, medium, or low. In other words, the shooting interval of each shot image during continuous shooting is
Very short, short, medium and long. The transfer speed to the internal memory 6 depends on the transfer speed from the internal memory 6 to the external storage device 11a and its storage capacity. In addition, during shooting in the high-speed, medium-speed, and low-speed shooting modes in steps S59 to S61, the high-speed, medium-speed,
Each of the low-speed continuous shooting speeds is slightly higher than the transfer speed to the external storage device 11a, so that the image data is gradually accumulated in the internal memory 6. In this case, if new image data is stored in the internal memory 6 while the image data in the internal memory 6 is being transferred, this fact is stored, and after all the old image data in the internal memory 6 has been transferred, The newly stored image data is transferred.
That is, the transfer of the image data for one screen is performed without interrupting the transfer of the image data for one screen, and then the next image data is transferred after transferring the image data for one screen.

As described above, as a result of making the continuous shooting speed slightly higher than the transfer speed to the external storage device 11a, the image data is gradually accumulated in the internal memory 6, and the internal memory 6 The storage capacities of the internal memory 6 and the external storage device 11a are determined so that the remaining capacity of the external storage device 11a is equal to the storage capacity of the internal memory 6 when it is full.

For example, the internal memory 6 has 10 screens,
It is assumed that image data for 100 screens can be stored in the external storage device 11a. The transfer continuity to the external storage device 11a and the storage speed (sequential shooting speed) to the internal memory 6 are set at the stage when 90% of the image data for one screen is transferred to the external storage device 11a. It is assumed that 6 is set in such a relation that the next image data is stored.

In this case, the image data amount in the internal memory 6 increases by 10% of the image data for one screen every time the image data for one screen is transferred. That is, every time transfer of image data for ten screens is completed, the amount of image data in the internal memory 6 increases by the amount of data for one screen. When the amount of image data in the internal memory 6 reaches the limit of 10 screens, the external storage device 11a stores 90 screens of image data. Therefore, when the amount of image data in the internal memory 6 reaches the limit of 10 screens, shooting is prohibited, and when the image data of 10 screens in the internal memory 6 is transferred, the external storage device 11a is filled with the limit. Will be stored and recorded.

In consideration of the above, steps S58 to S58
After performing any of the processes in S61, it is determined whether or not the remaining capacity of the internal memory 6 is "0", that is, whether or not the internal memory 6 is full (step S62). As a result, if the remaining capacity of the internal memory 6 is not “0” and is not −full, the process returns to step S54. On the other hand, if the remaining capacity of the internal memory 6 is “0” and it is full, the LED 14 is turned on to warn that further photographing is prohibited (step S63), and the process ends.

As described above, the image data is stored in the internal memory 6.
The speed at which the image data is stored in the internal memory 6 is slightly higher than the speed at which the image data is transferred from the internal memory 6 to the external storage device 11a, so that the amount of image data in the internal memory 6 is gradually increased.
When the image data amount in the internal memory 6 becomes full, the subsequent photographing is prohibited, and the external storage device 11a becomes full when all the full image data in the internal memory 6 is transferred. By doing so, continuous shooting can be performed at an appropriate ultimate shooting speed according to the transfer speed of the external storage device 11a without interrupting continuous shooting, and all captured image data can be saved and recorded in the external storage device 11a. become.

[0090]

As described in detail above, according to the present invention, data transfer from a volatile memory to a nonvolatile memory is performed.
Is not completed and there is remaining capacity in the non-volatile memory
Image is temporarily stored in the volatile memory
It is possible to prevent being left .

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an electronic camera according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a shooting operation of the electronic camera according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an electronic camera according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a shooting operation of an electronic camera according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an electronic camera according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a shooting operation of an electronic camera according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Photographing lens 3 Image sensor 4 Sample hold circuit 5 A / D converter 6 Volatile internal memory 7 Memory control unit 9 System controller 10 Interface circuit 11 Non-volatile hard disk device 11a Non-volatile external storage device

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (58) Field surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) H04N 5/76-5/937 H04N 5/222-5/257

Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] 1. An image recording apparatus for temporarily storing input image data in a volatile memory, and transferring and recording the image data stored in the volatile memory to a nonvolatile memory. First detecting means for detecting the remaining capacity; second detecting means for repeatedly detecting the cumulative amount of image data temporarily stored in the volatile memory after the detection by the first detecting means; When the cumulative amount of image data detected by the second detecting means becomes equal to the remaining capacity already detected by the first detecting means, the user is notified that image data cannot be newly input. An image recording apparatus, comprising: 2. An image data obtained by photoelectrically converting an optical image photographed by a photographing lens by a photoelectric conversion element is temporarily stored in a volatile memory, and the image data stored in the volatile memory is stored in a nonvolatile memory. An image recording device that transfers image data formed by the photoelectric conversion element; a first detection unit that detects a remaining capacity of the nonvolatile memory; and a first detection. Second detection means for repeatedly detecting the cumulative amount of image data temporarily stored in the volatile memory after the detection by the means, and the cumulative amount of image data detected by the second When the remaining capacity is equal to the remaining capacity already detected by the detecting means, a warning to prohibit the photographing operation is issued to the user, and the photographing operation by the imaging means is interrupted. Image recording apparatus comprising: the control means that, that was provided. 3. An image recording method for temporarily storing input image data in a volatile memory and transferring and recording the image data stored in the volatile memory to a nonvolatile memory. A first detection step of detecting a remaining capacity; a second detection step of repeatedly detecting a cumulative amount of image data temporarily stored in the volatile memory after the detection by the first detection step; If the cumulative amount of image data detected in the second detection step becomes equal to the remaining capacity already detected in the first detection step, the user is notified that image data can no longer be input. An image recording method, comprising the steps of: 4. An image obtained by photoelectrically converting an optical image photographed by a photographing lens by a photoelectric conversion element is temporarily stored in a volatile memory, and the image data stored in the volatile memory is stored in a nonvolatile memory. An image recording method of outputting image data formed by the photoelectric conversion element; a first detection step of detecting a remaining capacity of the nonvolatile memory; and a first detection A second detection step of repeatedly detecting the cumulative amount of image data temporarily stored in the volatile memory after the detection by the step, and the cumulative amount of image data detected by the second When the remaining capacity is equal to the remaining capacity already detected in the detecting step, a warning to prohibit the photographing operation is issued to the user, and the photographing operation in the image capturing step is interrupted. An image recording method, comprising the steps of: