JP4109853B2 - Imaging apparatus, imaging operation control method, and program - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a technique capable of controlling a photographing operation for a still image or the like.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an electronic camera is known in which an optical image of a subject incident from a photographing lens is photoelectrically converted by a solid-state imaging device such as a CCD, and the photoelectrically converted image signal is A / D converted and recorded in a memory medium. . In such a digital camera, image data is temporarily stored in a volatile memory that is a buffer memory, and then transferred to a nonvolatile memory such as a flash memory for storage and recording. Recently, in order to improve the continuous shooting performance, an electronic camera having a large buffer memory so that a large amount of captured image data can be stored in the buffer memory is known.
[0003]
In many cases, in order to record a large amount of image data in a limited recording capacity, highly efficient compression is performed when the data is stored in a nonvolatile memory. The image data stored in the buffer memory is compressed with high efficiency and then transferred to the nonvolatile memory. After that, since it is stored and recorded in the nonvolatile memory, the image data on the buffer memory is permitted to be erased, and new image data can be stored.
[0004]
In the case of storing imaging data in a non-volatile memory, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-90428 discloses that image data is stored in the non-volatile memory by prohibiting photographing when the image data is stored in the internal memory up to the storage limit. It is disclosed that an image that cannot be captured is prevented. Also, when the buffer memory is filled with image data, the remaining capacity of the non-volatile memory and the amount of image data in the buffer memory are made equal to capture an image that cannot be stored and recorded in the non-volatile memory. To prevent that.
[0005]
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-308920 discloses that when it is detected that the remaining capacity of the nonvolatile memory has reached a predetermined amount, the user is notified that an image cannot be recorded in the nonvolatile memory. Has been. Also, in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-186397, when the total data size of the image data temporarily stored in the buffer memory exceeds the remaining capacity of the nonvolatile memory, a notification to that effect is made without saving in the nonvolatile memory. In the image stored in the buffer memory, only the image designated for recording is stored in the nonvolatile memory.
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the above-described conventional example, image data captured in the buffer memory is stored in the buffer memory so that the continuous shooting performance is not impaired during continuous shooting, and is stored and recorded in the nonvolatile memory as needed. Since it is fast, the buffer memory becomes full before being stored and recorded in the nonvolatile memory. In addition, since the highly efficient compression is performed and then stored in the nonvolatile memory, a time difference from the actual shooting until the image data size stored in the nonvolatile memory is determined occurs. By providing a large amount of buffer memory, the time difference becomes larger in an electronic camera in which a large amount of captured image data is accumulated in the buffer memory to improve continuous shooting performance.
[0007]
In highly efficient compression, the image data size after compression varies greatly depending on the subject to be photographed. Therefore, it is impossible to accurately predict and determine the size when pre-stored in the nonvolatile memory. Therefore, if the compressed image data is larger than the expected size when the large amount of image data stored in the buffer memory is stored and recorded in the nonvolatile memory, the remaining capacity of the nonvolatile memory is assumed. Since it consumes more than it is, there is a problem that it cannot be stored in the non-volatile memory.
[0008]
In addition, in order to securely store and record the captured image in the non-volatile memory, it is conceivable that the allocated size is increased and the image is captured in advance assuming that the compressed image data size is maximized. . However, the image data size after compression is rarely the largest, and when the size is assumed to be the allocated size, the actual image is taken, such as when calculating the number of images that can be stored in the nonvolatile memory to the user. There arises a problem that a result greatly different from the case is calculated.
[0009]
In addition, if the image data size after compression becomes larger than the expected data size, the remaining capacity of the nonvolatile memory when photographing is prohibited is prepared in advance in preparation for consuming the nonvolatile memory more than expected. It is necessary to prepare large. However, an increase in the buffer memory increases the size of the non-volatile memory consumed more than expected in an electronic camera that improves the continuous shooting performance by accumulating a large amount of captured image data in the buffer memory. For this reason, it is necessary to prepare a larger remaining capacity of the nonvolatile memory when photographing is prohibited, which causes a problem that the capacity of the nonvolatile memory cannot be used effectively.
[0010]
In JP-A-6-90428 and JP-A-10-308920, it is assumed that the image data size is fixed when the image data is stored in the buffer memory, and the image data is temporarily stored in the continuous shooting buffer memory. There is no disclosure of a case where a time difference occurs in determining the size of image data to be stored and recorded by compressing the image data before storing and storing and recording in the nonvolatile memory.
[0011]
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-186397 may not be able to save and record from the remaining capacity of the non-volatile memory even if all of the image data that is desired to be recorded is recorded, among the image data that is not saved and recorded. . In addition, it is considered difficult to select an image to be recorded from the captured images on the electronic camera because the electronic camera does not have high-resolution external display means. Therefore, it is considered that storing and recording all image data taken by the user is an important function as the function of the electronic camera.
[0012]
The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to reliably record captured image data in a storage unit.
[0013]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
An imaging apparatus according to the present invention includes an imaging unit that captures an image, a nonvolatile memory that stores image data captured by the imaging unit, Before compression and after compression recorded in the buffer memory that temporarily records the image data to perform compression processing between the time when the image data is input from the imaging unit and the time when the data is recorded in the nonvolatile memory Based on the size of the compressed image data Detection means for detecting a remaining capacity in the nonvolatile memory; first determination means for determining whether the remaining capacity detected by the detection means is less than a first threshold; and a value smaller than the first threshold. Second determination means for determining whether or not the remaining capacity is less than a certain second threshold; and the first determination means And the second determination means The remaining capacity is less than the first threshold More than the second threshold If it is judged, continuous shooting is prohibited, The second threshold And control means for prohibiting photographing when it is determined that the number is smaller.
The imaging operation control method of the present invention captures an image. Pre-compression and post-compression images recorded mixedly in the buffer memory that temporarily records the image data in order to perform compression processing between the time when the image data is input from the imaging means and the time when the image data is recorded in the nonvolatile memory Based on the compressed image data size A detection step for detecting a remaining capacity in the nonvolatile memory, a first determination step for determining whether or not the remaining capacity detected by the detection step is less than a first threshold value, and a value smaller than the first threshold value. A second determination step of determining whether or not the remaining capacity is less than a certain second threshold; and the first determination step And the second determining step The remaining capacity is less than the first threshold More than the second threshold If it is judged, continuous shooting is prohibited, The second threshold And a control step for prohibiting photographing when it is determined that the number is smaller.
[0037]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an imaging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. First and second embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the configuration diagram of FIG.
[0038]
<First Embodiment>
In FIG. 1, reference numeral 100 denotes an image processing apparatus. Reference numeral 10 denotes a photographing lens, 12 denotes a shutter having a diaphragm function, 14 denotes an image sensor that converts an optical image into an electrical signal, and 16 denotes an A / D converter that converts an analog signal output from the image sensor 14 into a digital signal. A timing generation circuit 18 supplies a clock signal and a control signal to the image sensor 14, the A / D converter 16, and the D / A converter 26, and is controlled by the memory control circuit 22 and the system control circuit 50.
[0039]
An image processing circuit 20 performs predetermined pixel interpolation processing and color conversion processing on the data from the A / D converter 16 or the data from the memory control circuit 22. Further, the image processing circuit 20 performs predetermined calculation processing using the captured image data, and the system control circuit 50 controls the exposure control means 40 and the distance measurement control means 42 based on the obtained calculation result. I do. TTL (through the lens) AF (autofocus) processing, AE (automatic exposure) processing, and EF (flash pre-emission) processing are performed. Further, the image processing circuit 20 performs predetermined arithmetic processing using captured image data, and also performs TTL AWB (auto white balance) processing based on the obtained arithmetic result.
[0040]
A memory control circuit 22 controls the A / D converter 16, the timing generation circuit 18, the image processing circuit 20, the image display memory 24, the D / A converter 26, the memory 30, and the compression / decompression circuit 32. The data of the A / D converter 16 is written into the image display memory 24 or the memory 30 via the image processing circuit 20 and the memory control circuit 22 or the data of the A / D converter 16 is directly passed through the memory control circuit 22. It is.
[0041]
Reference numeral 24 denotes an image display memory, 26 denotes a D / A converter, 28 denotes an image display unit including a TFT, an LCD, and the like. Display image data written in the image display memory 24 passes through the D / A converter 26. Are displayed by the image display unit 28. If the image data captured using the image display unit 28 is sequentially displayed, the electronic viewfinder function can be realized. The image display unit 28 can arbitrarily turn on / off the display according to an instruction from the system control circuit 50. When the display is turned off, the power consumption of the image processing apparatus 100 can be greatly reduced. I can do it.
[0042]
Reference numeral 30 denotes a memory for storing captured still images and moving images, and has a sufficient storage capacity to store a predetermined number of still images and a predetermined time of moving images. This makes it possible to write a large amount of images to the memory 30 at high speed even in continuous shooting or panoramic shooting in which a plurality of still images are continuously shot. The memory 30 can also be used as a work area for the system control circuit 50. A compression / decompression circuit 32 compresses and decompresses image data by adaptive discrete cosine transform (ADCT) or the like, reads an image stored in the memory 30, performs compression processing or decompression processing, and stores the processed data in the memory 30. Write to.
[0043]
Reference numeral 40 denotes an exposure control means for controlling the shutter 12 having an aperture function, and has a flash light control function in cooperation with the flash 48. Reference numeral 42 denotes a distance measuring control means for controlling the focusing of the photographing lens 10, reference numeral 44 denotes a zoom control means for controlling zooming of the photographing lens 10, and reference numeral 46 denotes a barrier control means for controlling the operation of the protection means 102 as a barrier. A flash 48 has an AF auxiliary light projecting function and a flash light control function.
[0044]
The exposure control means 40 and the distance measurement control means 42 are controlled using the TTL method. Based on the calculation result obtained by calculating the captured image data by the image processing circuit 20, the system control circuit 50 performs the exposure control means 40 and the distance measurement. Control is performed on the control means 42. Reference numeral 50 denotes a system control circuit that controls the entire image processing apparatus 100, and reference numeral 52 denotes a memory that stores constants, variables, programs, and the like for operation of the system control circuit 50.
[0045]
Reference numeral 54 denotes a display unit such as a liquid crystal display device or a speaker that displays an operation state or a message using characters, images, sounds, or the like in accordance with execution of a program in the system control circuit 50. One or a plurality of places are provided near the portion where they are easily visible, and are configured by a combination of, for example, an LCD, an LED, a sound generation element, and the like. The display unit 54 has a part of its function installed in the optical viewfinder 104.
[0046]
Among the display contents of the display unit 54, what is displayed on the LCD or the like includes single shot / continuous shooting display, self-timer display, compression rate display, recording pixel number display, recording number display, remaining image number display, shutter Speed display, Aperture value display, Exposure compensation display, Flash display, Red-eye reduction display, Macro shooting display, Buzzer setting display, Clock battery level display, Battery level display, Error display, Multi-digit number information display and recording There are a state of attaching / detaching the medium 200, a date / time display, and the like. Among the display contents of the display unit 54, what is displayed in the optical viewfinder 104 includes in-focus display, camera shake warning display, flash charge display, shutter speed display, aperture value display, exposure correction display, and the like.
[0047]
Reference numeral 56 denotes an electrically erasable / recordable nonvolatile memory such as an EEPROM. Reference numerals 60, 62, 64, 66, 68 and 70 are operation means for inputting various operation instructions of the system control circuit 50, and may be a single unit such as a switch, a dial, a touch panel, pointing by line-of-sight detection, a voice recognition device, or the like. Consists of multiple combinations.
[0048]
Here, a specific description of these operating means will be given. Reference numeral 60 denotes a mode dial switch, which can switch and set various function modes such as power-off, automatic shooting mode, shooting mode, panoramic shooting mode, playback mode, multi-screen playback / erase mode, and PC connection mode. Reference numeral 62 denotes a shutter switch SW1, which is turned ON during operation of a shutter button (not shown), and performs AF (auto focus) processing, AE (automatic exposure) processing, AWB (auto white balance) processing, EF (flash pre-flash) processing, and the like. Instruct to start operation.
[0049]
Reference numeral 64 denotes a shutter switch SW2, which is turned on when the operation of a shutter button (not shown) is completed, and an exposure process for writing image data to the memory 30 via the A / D converter 16 and the memory control circuit 22 from the signal read from the image sensor 12. Development processing using operations in the image processing circuit 20 and the memory control circuit 22, recording processing for reading image data from the memory 30, compression in the compression / decompression circuit 32, and writing the image data to the recording medium 200 or 210. Instructs the start of a series of processing operations.
[0050]
Reference numeral 66 denotes an image display ON / OFF switch that can set ON / OFF of the image display unit 28. With this function, when photographing using the optical viewfinder 104, it is possible to save power by cutting off the current supply to the image display unit composed of TFT, LCD, and the like. Reference numeral 68 denotes a quick review ON / OFF switch, which sets a quick review function for automatically reproducing image data taken immediately after photographing. In the first and second embodiments of the present invention, it is assumed that a function for setting a quick review function when the image display unit 28 is turned off is provided.
[0051]
Reference numeral 70 denotes an operation unit composed of various buttons, a touch panel, etc., a menu button, a set button, a macro button, a multi-screen playback page break button, a flash setting button, a single shooting / continuous shooting / self-timer switching button, menu movement + (plus) Button, menu shift- (minus) button, playback image shift + (plus) button, playback image- (minus) button, shooting image quality selection button, exposure correction button, date / time setting button, and the like.
[0052]
Reference numeral 80 denotes a power supply control means, which includes a battery detection circuit, a DC-DC converter, a switch circuit for switching a block to be energized, etc., and detects the presence / absence of a battery, the type of battery, the remaining battery level, and the detection result In addition, the DC-DC converter is controlled based on an instruction from the system control circuit 50, and a necessary voltage is supplied to each unit including the recording medium for a necessary period. 82 is a connector, 84 is a connector, and 86 is a primary battery such as an alkaline battery or a lithium battery, a secondary battery such as a NiCd battery, NiMH battery or Li battery, an AC adapter, or the like.
[0053]
90 is an interface with a recording medium such as a memory card or hard disk, 92 is a connector for connecting to a recording medium such as a memory card or hard disk, and 98 is whether or not the recording medium 200 or 210 is attached to the connector 92 or 96. This is a recording medium attachment / detachment detecting means for detecting the recording medium. In the first and second embodiments of the present invention, description is given assuming that there are two systems of interfaces and connectors for attaching a recording medium. Of course, the interface and the connector for attaching the recording medium may have a single or a plurality of systems, any number of systems. Moreover, it is good also as a structure provided with combining the interface and connector of a different standard. The interface and connector may be configured using a PCMCIA card, CF (Compact Flash (R)) card, or the like that conforms to the standard.
[0054]
Reference numeral 102 denotes protection means that is a barrier that prevents the imaging unit from being soiled or damaged by covering the imaging unit including the lens 10 of the image processing apparatus 100. Reference numeral 104 denotes an optical viewfinder, which can take an image using only the optical viewfinder without using the electronic viewfinder function of the image display unit 28. In the optical viewfinder 104, some functions of the display unit 54, for example, a focus display, a camera shake warning display, a flash charge display, a shutter speed display, an aperture value display, an exposure correction display, and the like are installed.
[0055]
Reference numeral 200 denotes a recording medium such as a memory card or a hard disk. The recording medium 200 includes a recording unit 202 composed of a semiconductor memory, a magnetic disk, or the like, an interface 204 with the image processing apparatus 100, and a connector 206 for connecting to the image processing apparatus 100.
[0056]
FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the operation of the imaging apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. First, when the 64 shutter switch SW2 is turned on, the system control circuit 50 drives the memory control circuit 22 to image sensor. (Imaging means) 14 is converted into digital data via an A / D converter and stored in the memory 30 via a memory control circuit 22. In the case of continuous shooting, a large number of image data is stored in the memory 30.
[0057]
The stored image data is sequentially read out (201) for compression processing before being stored in the nonvolatile memory. The read image data is compressed by the compression / decompression circuit 32 (S202), and the nonvolatile memory (Memory means) The memory 30 is saved again until it is stored in 202 (S203). At this time, since the image data size when stored in the nonvolatile memory is fixed, the remaining capacity of the nonvolatile memory in consideration of the image data size (Estimated remaining capacity) And threshold 1 and threshold 2 can be compared (S204, 205).
[0058]
If the remaining capacity of the non-volatile memory is larger than the threshold value 1, it is not determined that the capacity of the non-volatile memory will be exceeded even if continuous shooting is continued, so that shooting is permitted as it is (S206). If the remaining capacity is less than the threshold value 1, it is determined that there is a possibility that the capacity of the nonvolatile memory will be insufficient if continuous shooting is continued. Comparison is performed (S205).
[0059]
If the remaining capacity of the nonvolatile memory is larger than the threshold value 2, continuous shooting is prohibited and only single shooting is permitted (S207). Thereby, it is possible to give time for compressing a large amount of image data already stored in the memory 30, and to determine the image data size to be stored in the nonvolatile memory.
[0060]
On the other hand, if the remaining capacity of the non-volatile memory is smaller than the threshold value 2, image data that cannot be stored in the non-volatile memory is prevented from being shot by prohibiting the shooting operation (S208). With the above processing, it is possible to provide an imaging device that saves and stores all captured image data in a nonvolatile memory.
[0061]
As described above, according to the present embodiment, when the storage capacity of the nonvolatile memory becomes smaller than the threshold value 1, the image data temporarily recorded in the buffer memory is compressed by extending the shooting interval. And stored in a nonvolatile memory. As a result, the remaining capacity of the nonvolatile memory can be determined, and when the remaining capacity becomes smaller than the threshold value 2, the photographing operation is prohibited so that an image that is not stored and recorded in the nonvolatile memory is not captured. It is also possible to take a method of accurately informing.
[0062]
In addition, according to the present embodiment, when the storage capacity of the nonvolatile memory becomes smaller than the threshold value 2, by prohibiting continuous shooting, image data does not accumulate in the buffer memory, The remaining capacity can be determined.
[0063]
<Second Embodiment>
Figure 3 These are the flowcharts which showed the flow of operation | movement of the imaging device in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. Operation part (Setting method) When the shooting image quality selection button 70 is operated, the compression rate of the image data is changed (S301). When the compression rate is set low, the image data allocation size is changed greatly. Conversely, when the compression rate is set high, the image data is changed small (S302).
[0064]
Since the difference from the actual compressed image data size is changed by changing the allocation size, the threshold value 1 or the threshold value 2 is changed (S302). When the allocation size becomes large, there is a possibility that a large difference will occur, so the threshold value 1 or the threshold value 2 is changed to a large value. Further, when the allocation size is reduced, the generated difference is considered to be reduced, so that the threshold value 1 or the threshold value 2 is changed to a small value.
[0065]
After the threshold value 1 or the threshold value 2 is changed, it is necessary to determine whether to permit or prohibit continuous shooting by comparing the current remaining capacity of the nonvolatile memory with the threshold value 1 and the threshold value 2 (S304, S305). If the remaining capacity of the non-volatile memory is larger than the threshold 1, it is not determined that the shooting data size exceeds the capacity of the non-volatile memory, and shooting is permitted as it is (S306). If the remaining capacity is less than the threshold value 1, it is determined that there is a possibility that the capacity of the non-volatile memory will be insufficient in the shooting as it is, and a comparison with the threshold value 2 is performed (S305).
[0066]
If the remaining capacity of the nonvolatile memory is larger than the threshold value 2, continuous shooting is prohibited and only single shooting is permitted (S307). As a result, a time for compressing a large amount of image data stored in the memory 30 can be given, and the size of the image data stored in the nonvolatile memory can be determined. If the remaining capacity of the non-volatile memory is less than the threshold value 2, image data that cannot be stored in the non-volatile memory is prevented from being shot by prohibiting the shooting operation (S308). With the above processing, it is possible to provide an electronic camera that saves and stores all captured image data in a nonvolatile memory.
[0067]
When an operation that requires changing the image allocation size is performed, it is necessary to compare the threshold value 1 or the threshold value 2. For example, when the image allocation size is changed by changing the image resolution, changing the ISO sensitivity, changing the edge enhancement, or the like, the threshold 1 or the threshold 2 may be changed as in the second embodiment. No problem.
[0068]
In addition, when image data is not stored in the buffer memory as in single shooting, there is no significant time difference from image capture to image data size determination. Therefore, even if the threshold value 1 or the threshold value 2 is set to a small value, the photographing prohibiting process can be executed before an image that cannot be stored and recorded in the nonvolatile memory is captured. In such a case, the image allocation size is not changed, but there is no problem if the threshold value 1 or the threshold value 2 is changed.
[0069]
As described above, according to the present embodiment, by changing the threshold 1, all the image data can be stored and recorded without impairing the continuous shooting function. Further, by changing the threshold value 2, the recording capacity of the nonvolatile memory can be used without waste, and all image data can be stored and recorded.
[0070]
Further, according to the present embodiment, for example, when the compression rate of the image data is set high, the image data after compression becomes small, so the data size assigned in advance becomes small, and the difference from the actual image data size The size is also small when this occurs. Therefore, even if the threshold value 1 and the threshold value 2 are changed to small values, all image sizes can be stored and recorded in the nonvolatile memory. In addition, when the compression rate is reduced, the image data after compression is increased, so it is expected that the difference from the allocated size may also increase. Therefore, at least one of the threshold value 1 and the threshold value 2 is a large value. It is preferable to change so that it becomes.
[0071]
For example, when the resolution is set to be large, the image data size after compression is expected to increase in an image with a high resolution, so that at least one of the threshold value 1 and the threshold value 2 becomes a large value. It is preferable to change.
[0072]
For example, if the ISO sensitivity is set high, it is considered that many noise components of the image data are generated, so that the image data size after compression is expected to increase. Therefore, it is preferable to change so that at least one of the threshold value 1 and the threshold value 2 becomes a large value.
[0073]
In addition, for example, when the continuous shooting speed is set to high speed, a large amount of image data temporarily stored in the buffer memory may be accumulated. Therefore, the compressed image data size stored in the nonvolatile memory is It is expected that a large time difference may occur before the determination is made, so that at least one of the threshold value 1 and the threshold value 2 is changed to a large value, so that the remaining capacity of the nonvolatile memory has a large margin. Preferably. In addition, when the continuous shooting speed is set to low speed or single shooting, there is a possibility that the time difference from imaging to determination of the image data size is small, so at least one of the value 1 and the threshold value 2 is a small value. It is preferable to change as follows.
[0074]
Also, for example, when edge enhancement is set strongly, it is expected that the image data size after compression will increase, so it is preferable to change so that at least one of threshold value 1 and threshold value 2 becomes a large value.
[0075]
Another object of the present invention is to supply a storage medium storing software program codes for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or apparatus, and the computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus stores the storage medium. Needless to say, this can also be achieved by reading and executing the program code stored in.
[0076]
In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.
[0077]
As a storage medium for supplying the program code, for example, a flexible disk, a hard disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a CD-ROM, a CD-R, a magnetic tape, a nonvolatile memory card, a ROM, or the like can be used.
[0078]
Further, by executing the program code read by the computer, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also an OS (operating system) running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that a case where the function of the above-described embodiment is realized by performing part or all of the actual processing and the processing is included.
[0079]
Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written in a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the function is determined based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that the CPU or the like provided in the expansion board or function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.
[0080]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, when it is determined that the remaining capacity of the nonvolatile memory is less than the first threshold value, continuous shooting is prohibited, and the image data temporarily recorded in the buffer memory is compressed and the nonvolatile memory is After the determination, photographing can be prohibited when the remaining capacity of the nonvolatile memory becomes smaller than the second threshold value, which is a value smaller than the first threshold value.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an imaging apparatus according to first and second embodiments of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an operation flow of the imaging apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an operation flow of the imaging apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
10: Photography lens
12: Shutter
14: Image sensor
16: A / D converter
18: Timing generation circuit
20: Image processing circuit
22: Memory control circuit
24: Image display memory
26: D / A converter
28: Image display unit
30: Memory
32: Image compression / decompression circuit
40: Exposure control means
42: Ranging control means
44: Zoom control means
46: Barrier control means
48: Flash
50: System control circuit
52: Memory
54: Display section
56: Non-volatile memory
60: Mode dial switch
62: Shutter switch SW1
64: Shutter switch SW2
66: Image display ON / OFF switch
68: Quick review ON / OFF switch
70: Operation unit
80: Power control means
82: Connector
84: Connector
86: Power supply means
90: Interface
92: Connector
94: Interface
96: Connector
98: Recording medium attachment / detachment detection means
100: Image processing apparatus
102: Protection means
104: Optical viewfinder
200: Recording medium
202: Recording unit
204: Interface
206: Connector

Claims (15)

An imaging means for capturing an image;
A non-volatile memory for storing image data picked up by the image pickup means;
Before compression and after compression recorded in the buffer memory that temporarily records the image data to perform compression processing between the time when the image data is input from the imaging unit and the time when the data is recorded in the nonvolatile memory Detecting means for detecting the remaining capacity in the nonvolatile memory based on the size of the compressed image data among the image data ;
First determination means for determining whether the remaining capacity detected by the detection means is less than a first threshold;
Second determination means for determining whether or not the remaining capacity is less than a second threshold value which is a value smaller than the first threshold value;
Prohibit continuous shooting and the remaining capacity by said first determining means and the second determining means is determined to more than the least for the second threshold value than the first threshold value, it is determined that less than said second threshold value And a control means for prohibiting photographing. Setting means for changing contents related to the setting of the imaging device;
The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a threshold value changing unit that changes at least one of the first threshold value and the second threshold value according to a setting content changed by the setting unit.   The threshold value changing unit changes at least one of the first threshold value and the second threshold value according to the changed content when the setting content related to the compression ratio of the image data is changed by the setting unit. The imaging apparatus according to claim 2.   The threshold value changing unit changes at least one of the first threshold value and the second threshold value according to the changed content when the setting content related to the resolution of the image data is changed by the setting unit. The imaging apparatus according to claim 2.   The threshold value changing unit changes at least one of the first threshold value and the second threshold value according to the changed content when the setting content related to sensitivity is changed by the setting unit. Item 3. The imaging device according to Item 2.   The threshold value changing unit changes at least one of the first threshold value and the second threshold value according to the changed content when the setting content related to the continuous shooting operation is changed by the setting unit. The imaging apparatus according to claim 2.   The threshold value changing unit changes at least one of the first threshold value and the second threshold value according to the changed content when the setting content related to edge enhancement is changed by the setting unit. The imaging device according to claim 2. Before the image data is input from the image pickup means for picking up the image and recorded in the non-volatile memory, before compression and recorded in a buffer memory for temporarily recording the image data in order to perform compression processing A detection step of detecting a remaining capacity in the nonvolatile memory based on a size of the compressed image data among the compressed image data ;
A first determination step of determining whether or not the remaining capacity detected by the detection step is less than a first threshold;
A second determination step of determining whether or not the remaining capacity is less than a second threshold that is a value smaller than the first threshold;
Prohibit continuous shooting and the remaining capacity by the first determination step and the second determining step is determined to more than the least for the second threshold value than the first threshold value, it is determined that less than said second threshold value And a control step for prohibiting photographing. A setting step for changing contents related to the setting of the imaging device;
9. The imaging operation control method according to claim 8, further comprising a threshold value changing step of changing at least one of the first threshold value and the second threshold value according to the setting content changed in the setting step. .   In the threshold value changing step, when the setting content related to the compression ratio of the image data is changed by the setting step, at least one of the first threshold value and the second threshold value is changed according to the changed content. The imaging operation control method according to claim 9, wherein:   The threshold value changing step changes at least one of the first threshold value and the second threshold value according to the changed content when the setting content related to the resolution of the image data is changed by the setting step. The imaging operation control method according to claim 9.   The threshold value changing step changes at least one of the first threshold value and the second threshold value according to the changed content when the setting content related to sensitivity is changed by the setting step. Item 10. The imaging operation control method according to Item 9.   The threshold value changing step changes at least one of the first threshold value and the second threshold value according to the changed content when the setting content related to the continuous shooting operation is changed by the setting step. The imaging operation control method according to claim 9.   In the threshold value changing step, when the setting content related to edge enhancement is changed in the setting step, at least one of the first threshold value and the second threshold value is changed according to the changed content. The imaging operation control method according to claim 9.   A program for causing a computer to execute the imaging operation control method according to claim 8.

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